The Board of Mayor and Aldermen at a special meeting Tuesday approved an amendment to the city’s contract with Smith Lawn Care to include cutting grass along sections of Interstate 20 and U.S. 61 North and South.

Smith Lawn Care presently has a contract with the city to cut grass on all city property.

“What we’ve done with the contract for grass cutting we’ve already got, we’re expanding it to do the areas that we moved forward with (Mississippi Department of Transportation) to get this grass under control, and keep it under control,” South Ward Alderman Alex Monsour said. “The exits and off ramps and 61 North and South and the frontage roads, we’ll grab that by the horn.”

Under the contract, Smith Lawn will do the initial cuts on the U.S. 61 North and South medians for $11,000. After the first cut, the company will cut the medians once a month for $8,500.

The company will charge $1,500 per month to cut the I-20 ramps. The frontage roads will be cut as needed.

Monsour said Smith Lawn will not cut the medians on I-20. That work will be done by MDOT contractors, who are supposed to cut the grass along I-20 three times a year.

The board also approved an agreement with MDOT to collect litter and cut grass along the state rights of way.

The board also approved contracts with Calvin Buie, Roosevelt Felix, Helen Franklin and Thomas Stallings for maintenance work at the Jesse L. Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum and Interpretive Center.