Meeting Monday, the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen:

• OK’d meeting minutes from July 24, Aug. 19, 27 and Sept. 17, 2009.

• Received a proposal from The Gibbs Company of Ridgeland outlining its qualifications as a cultural heritage tourism specialist consultant. The city is to hire a specialist in accordance with a $150,000 Preserve America grant for which it is providing a 100 percent match. The money will be used to promote the sesquicentennial of the Civil War beginning next year.

• Received competing proposals from the Coca-Cola Company and Brown Bottling Group of Jackson (PepsiCo distributor) to serve their brands at city properties.

• OK’d a request from the police department to use city vans to take at-risk youths to the Rankin County Correctional Facility for a “scared straight” tour on March 23 and 30. Police Chief Walter Armstrong said three officers will accompany about 20 students on the tours.

• OK’d a memorandum of understanding with the Mississippi Wireless Communication Commission regarding the Mississippi Interoperability Channel Plan. Information Technology Specialist Bill Ford said the agreement between the city and state allows emergency responders to operate on each others’ radio channels.

• OK’d an agreement with Entergy Mississippi Inc. to move the City Hall point of electrical service to a new generator and transfer system at a cost of $3,739.24.

• OK’d a resolution establishing just compensation regarding a flood buyout property.  

• Adopted a budget amendment in the general fund, a transfer of $3,410 from the police department capital fund to the criminal justice narcotics fund for a federal Justice Assistance Grant.

• Rescinded the Oct. 23 appointment of Reginald Taylor to the Public Transportation Board, and appointed Rita Wyatt. Mayor Paul Winfield said Taylor is not eligible to be on the board because he is not a Vicksburg resident.

• OK’d a new City Pavilion rules and regulation policy and application to reflect recent changes to the rental fee structure and reservation rules.

• OK’d a request from the American Heart Association Drive Committee for a $1,000 advertisement for a sign, T-shirts and door prizes for its 7th Annual Heart Fund Drive Golf Tournament on May 7.

• OK’d a request from the Red Carpet Bowl Football Classic for a $250 advertisement.

• OK’d a request from DBR Publishing Company LLC for a $550 advertisement for Vicksburg and Warren Central high schools’ football programs for the upcoming season.

In closed session, the board:

• OK’d hiring two umpires in the recreation department and firing one employee in the gas department.

The board is scheduled to meet next at 10 a.m. March 25 in Room 109 of the City Hall Annex, 1415 Walnut St.