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NATCHEZ — Riccardo Giani, former Natchez city planner, and the firm where he works, MRB Group of Charleston, South Carolina, have been hired to serve as interim city planners in Natchez until the Mayor and Board of Aldermen hire a full-time city planner.

Natchez City Planner Frankie Legaux retired on Dec. 31, 2024.

Giani served as Natchez city planner from July 2015 to February 2022. Giani left Natchez for the opportunity to join MRB Group to advance his career.

Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson said the city has begun advertising for candidates to serve as the next city planner.

Ward 1 Alderwoman Valencia Hall, who introduced the motion to hire Giani and his firm, said many of the duties of the city planner in the interim could be handled remotely. However, Hall said Giani will travel to Natchez for the meetings of the city’s preservation and planning commissions.

Each commission meets one time per month. The city’s preservation commission meets the second Wednesday of each month at 5:15 p.m. at the Council Chambers, 115 S. Pearl St. The planning commission meets the third Thursday of each month at 5:15 p.m. also at the Council Chambers.

LeGaux serves as Natchez city planner for the first time from October 2012 to July 2015. She returned as Natchez city planner in May 2022.