LACIE SILVA
Editor
City officials of South Pittsburg provided key updates on infrastructure projects, public safety grants, and upcoming holiday events during their recent communications for the Mayor and Commissioners board.
Mayor Samantha Rector provided updates on several city projects. She began by highlighting the new digital marquee at the Princess Theater, which was funded by a $99,000 grant with no matching funds from the city. While the installation is still incomplete, a surrounding board will soon fill the remaining space. Mayor Rector expressed excitement over the grant’s impact.
Next, the mayor addressed the emergency relocation of City Hall due to a bat infestation. Bats, which are a protected species, have been removed, and work is ongoing to make City Hall safe for staff to return. The relocation occurred after bats were discovered, and the city took immediate action to remove them and will seal the building to prevent reentry.
Commissioner Kellerman later asked for clarification on the bat removal process. Mayor Rector explained that while bats often leave after frost, it was necessary to remove them sooner to prevent risks to city staff. This comes after the Housing Authority’s building had an infestation of their own. Despite their initial decision to wait, as Mayor Rector explained, they decided to take more immediate action for fear that the bats would return or not leave with the cold.
Mayor Rector also discussed requests regarding the management of the Princess Theater. Some residents had inquired about issuing a new Request for Proposal (RFP) for its management. After discussions about whether a lease or management contract would be more suitable, the board agreed that a revised management contract would be used to prevent issues seen under the previous arrangement. The board voted to issue the RFP for 30 days, both online and in print.
