Attempts to repair the roof over the Emergency Operations Center in Grenada have fallen on deaf ears for several months.
Last Tuesday, additional water damage in the facility was evident following Monday evening’s torrential summer downpour. Discoloration of ceiling tiles, puddles in light fixtures and cascading rainwater flowing down the back wall have become common sights at the Van Dorn Street facility.
E911/EMA Director Trebia Rodgers has approached the Grenada City Council all summer pleading for the funds necessary to replace the roof on the city-owned facility. Her pleas have yet to be answered.
“Council, I need a timeline on our roof,” Rodgers requested at the July 11 City Council meeting. “When are we going to get something done? The last quote I got was $28,500, it’s probably $30,000 now. It was $26,000 the first time I came. When can we get something done?”
According to Rodgers, who was in attendance during last Monday night’s council meeting, but did not address the council, she received a quote of $35,000 two weeks ago to replace the roof. She fears those increases will continue and the roof will never be replaced causing more damage and possible roof collapse.
Discussions regarding the EOC’s damaged roof began in August 2021, according to Rodgers. During the July council meeting, veteran dispatcher Kristina Bledsoe joined her supervisor during her address.
“She has to work under this,” Rodgers said as she introduced Bledsoe to the council.
Bledsoe echoed Rodgers’ plea.
“Sometimes, especially in the back, when we go in and it rains, it’s about to fall on us,” she said. “Every time I go out, I look up. We really do need (a roof) as soon as we can get it.”
Ward 3 Councilman Lewis Johnson then addressed Rodgers and his fellow councilmen, debating the City of Grenada’s interlocal agreement with Grenada County.
“It’s really time for us to look at our interlocal agreement that we have with the county and re-evaluate,” he said. “The reason why I say that is because the city is furnishing the facility for this, but we are also compensating 50 percent of the cost of it. There should be some allowance for the city in its efforts to actually provide the facility. So I’m saying, at some point, of course, the county I understand is saying ‘It’s not our building,’ therefore, we can’t put funds in it, but it is an interlocal agreement between the city and the county to maintain E911. Therefore, I’m saying that in that scope, the value of city property and its facility should be some type of in kind toward that interlocal agreement.”
Johnson said that the city’s portion of the agreement either “needs to be reduced” or “the county can make an offer to build a facility to accommodate.”
According to Rodgers, the interlocal agreement is a 50/50 split between the city and county. Each governing body pays $53,000 toward the EOC’s $177,000 budget, which includes, administrative salaries and benefits, office supplies, janitorial services and maintenance of five generators and two vehicles including, insurance, fuel and regular maintenance. The E911 board allocates $48,000 to the EOC budget and $23,000 is received in the form of federal funds.
Johnson asked that City Manager Stanford Amos meet with the county to discuss the roof situation and interlocal concerns.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg as far as moving forward and going down the road with this interlocal agreement that we have,” Johnson said. “It’s something that needs to be reevaluated and something that we need to rediscuss with the county on how we need to move forward. You own the house and the tenant tells you to share the rent with them.”
The EOC building was constructed in 1974, after funds were acquired through a FEMA grant applied for by the City of Grenada, making the city owner of the facility.
“Civil defense maintained the building as long as we could when we had the funds,” Rodgers told Johnson. “But because of everything increasing over the past 10 to 12 years, we can’t do that anymore. We’ve made all the patching on it since the police department moved out.”
Rodgers said that her main concerns are if the roof continues to leak it not only jeopardizes $1 million in lifesaving dispatching equipment, but her employees as well.
“My concern right now is with personnel,” she said. “I don’t want somebody getting hurt. I understand where you’re coming from, but we’re at a critical point here. If we have a bad storm come through, that back and in there where they’re dispatching may come through and get somebody hurt.”
“I have to speak from a policy-maker’s standpoint,” Johnson responded.
“Insurance is not going to cover it because they are going to call that negligence,” Rodgers replied.
The new price for replacing the roof only includes the EOC’s side, not the fire department’s side, according to Rodgers.
“At some point, somebody has got to do something,” Ward 2 Councilman Fredreick “Pete” Wilson interjected. “I understand what Councilman Johnson is saying and I agree with that, but at some point, we’ve got to do something. I don’t want that roof falling in and damaging all of the equipment.”
Since the July council meeting, City Manager Stanford Amos has addressed the Board of Supervisors. No decision has been made on replacing the roof, but the county agreed to assist in finding alternative ways to fund the roof’s replacement during its Aug. 1 meeting.
