The Jackson City Council held a special meeting Wednesday to override vetoes by Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba relating to garbage, but New Orleans-based Richard’s Disposal Inc. will continue to collect residents’ garbage.
“This has no impact on the current garbage situation,” Council President Virgi Lindsay said about the vetoes after the meeting.
“It is my sincerest hope that we can come together and find an amicable solution so the city can move forward as a unit and ensure that the services are provided to the taxpayers,” she said.
The hiring of Richard’s Disposal has been the center of legal action between the mayor and council for weeks.
On Wednesday, councilmembers reversed the mayor’s vetoes from this month of council orders passed in October. Lumumba is vetoing action now because he previously did not have access to council meeting minutes to be able to use his veto power.
The council voted 6 to 1 to override the mayor’s veto of an order ratifying an emergency contract with Waste Management that expired March 31. Councilwoman Angelique Lee voted no.
Lindsay said the contract was the result of a settlement agreement the mayor reached with the council last fall. It was also something the council approved unanimously.
“I really was disappointed to see this veto,” she said during the meeting. “But the truth is, I consider this disingenuous because we reached a settlement.”
Read more:Jackson City Council, mayor, Waste Management reach solution for garbage collection
Six councilmembers also voted to override the mayor’s veto of a proclamation of a local emergency the council declared in September. Lee abstained from the vote.
A spokesperson for Lumumba did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday afternoon.
In February, Lumumba declared a state of emergency and executed a one-year contract with Richard’s Disposal Inc., a minority-owned garbage collection service based in Louisiana.
The company has been picking up residents’ garbage since April 1. The council’s attorney and some councilmembers have previously said Richard’s Disposal won’t be paid for the work if there wasn’t a valid contract in place.
Resolution against garbage trucks near airfield, ongoing legal action
On Wednesday, the council passed a resolution for the council to object to the use of property at Hawkins Field on Lavernet Road as a place for Richard’s Disposal to park its garbage trucks.
Councilman Kenneth Stokes, who proposed the resolution, said he is concerned about the residents who live nearby who have to deal with the smell of garbage.
Councilman Brian Grizzell said Waste Management has a transfer station on Country Club Drive, which is also near a residential area and smells.
Councilmen Aaron Banks, Ashby Foote, Vernon Hartley and Stokes voted yes for the resolution. Lee and Lindsay abstained and Grizzell voted no.
During executive session, the council received an update from its attorneys about ongoing litigation involving the council relating to the garbage contract. Lindsay said the council did not take any action in the closed session.
On April 4, Lumumba filed a lawsuit in Hinds County Circuit Court asking a judge about whether he can veto a no vote by the council. The case is being transferred to Hinds County Chancery Court.
Special Judge Jess Dickinson did not take up the issue last week in chancery court, but could consider it once the mayor’s lawsuit it transferred to him from circuit court.
Reporter Mina Corpuz can be reached by email at [email protected]. You can follow her on Twitter @mlcorpuz.
