By T. Scott Boatright
Hiring a new Public Works Director and new Municipal Clerk were the main orders of business Thursday as the Grambling City Council held its August meeting at City Hall.
The City Council approved appointing Angela Harper to fill the shoes of Master Municipal Clerk Pamela Stringfellow, who will work her last day today before retiring after 43 years of service for the city of Grambling.
Grambling’s City Council also approved accepting Stringfellow’s retirement application during Thursday’s meeting.
Harper has quietly been employed as a clerk by the city of Grambling since 2022.
Also approved was a resolution authorizing Harper to be added to the signature list for city of Grambling bank accounts.
The City Council also approved hiring Eric Caldwell as Public Works Director for Grambling effective Aug. 19.
Mayor Alvin Bradley, Police Chief Tommy Clark and Councilman Jerry Lewis interviewed Caldwell and recommended the hiring of Caldwell over interviewing five candidates for the position.
“He rose to the top,” Bradley said about Caldwell. “He has certifications in water and in sewage. He has worked with the city of Grambling’s wastewater system (as an Operator for American Water & Wastewater Management), so it’s a good fit for him and for us.
“One other candidate had certifications; however, Mr. Caldwell rose to the top.”
Caldwell had a previously scheduled engagement on Thursday, but Bradley said he will be formally introduced during September’s City Council meeting.
The Grambling City Council also formally approved the Aug. 26, 2022, hire date of police officer Fabian Caldwell-Randle for the reporting to the state of Louisiana for supplemental pay.
“His paperwork upon being hired did not make it to the state for supplemental pay, which the state pays for,” Bradley said. “The state pays that supplemental money, so it will make that decision.”
After the meeting, Bradley said he was unsure whether that move will be retroactive for supplemental pay for Carter-Randle or if it would start as of the paperwork being filed moving forward.
Grambling’s City Council also learned that a ladder truck the city of Baton Rouge Fire Department has donated to the Grambling Fire Department was brought to Grambling earlier this week.
The next steps include repainting truck markings to designate it is a city of Grambling Fire Truck and to have a crew from the Baton Rouge Fire Department to train Grambling Fire Department personnel on operating the new truck.
“Getting this truck is huge because it will help give us a better fire rating and lower insurance costs,” Bradley said. “The ladder is tall enough to reach the rooftops of the tallest buildings in Grambling, which are on the Grambling State University campus, so this will make both GSU and the city safer and help bring down home and building insurance costs for everyone.”
Mennet Black with Grambling’s Public Works Department told the Council that the city is waiting to hear back from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Developing regarding placing school signs around Lincoln Preparatory School.
“We’re waiting to hear back from DOTD about the permit, so we’re still in progress with that,” Black said.
Black also said solar power slow down signs as of Thursday have been installed on RWE Jones Drive, Stadium Drive and College Avenue.
“So, if you’re driving on those streets, please pay attention because you’ll see the big 30×30 slow signs with a flashing beacon light on them,” Black said. “We’re happy for that.”
Black said she is waiting to hear back from vendors concerning boots planned to be purchased for public works and litter patrol personnel.
“I’m trying to get them to come out and size the workers and show them the styles, and type of boot they need for work,” Black said.
The Community Room at City Hall was festively decorated for the meeting because a reception in Stringfellow’s honor was held after the meeting was adjourned.
