NATCHEZ — At the recommendation of the state attorney general’s office, the City of Natchez will proceed with elections in six alderman wards without word on whether its redistricting plan will be approved.

The city submitted its plan to the U.S. Department of Justice in December, but has not yet gotten an OK.

Natchez City Clerk Donnie Holloway said he, Natchez City Attorney Everett Sanders and election commissioner Larry Gardner talked to representatives from Attorney General Jim Hood’s office Tuesday. Holloway said the office’s recommendation was to go ahead with the aldermen elections under the current ward lines.

Holloway said if the justice department does pre-clear the redistricting plan before the elections, the city could implement the new ward lines outlined in the plan after the election.

The redistricting plan only affects the aldermen elections because the mayor, city clerk and municipal judge elections are citywide.

The primary election is May 1, and the general election is June 5.

The deadline to qualify for any of the races is Friday.

In other news from the meeting:

– The aldermen voted 4-1 to re-approve the third amendment to the city’s lease with Roth Hill casino developers originally approved at its Feb. 15 specially called meeting.

Sanders said after the meeting that the board re-approved the amendment to make clear its actions taken at the Feb. 15 meeting and eliminate any confusion or problems with the action.

Ward 6 Alderman Dan Dillard voted against the motion for re-approval made by Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis. Ward 5 Alderman Mark Fortenbery was not present at the meeting.

-Mathis suggested the board consider Dillard’s idea that the city designate the former Natchez Water Works parking lot on Brenham Avenue for parking for employees of the proposed Magnolia Bluffs Casino on Roth Hill Road.

In the third amendment to the city’s lease with casino developers, the city agreed to provide 100 off-site parking spaces.

-The aldermen met in executive session for approximately 25 minutes about possible litigation regarding redistricting and industrial development.

-Natchez National Historical Park Superintendent Kathleen Jenkins informed the board that Natchez Inc. Executive Director Chandler Russ had identified a $500,000 grant from the Mississippi Development Authority’s Community Block Development Grant Program for which the city can apply to acquire and potentially develop the private property adjacent to the Forks of the Road.

Jenkins said the CBDG grant is part of the Hurricane Katrina recovery funds. She said in order for the project to qualify for the grant it would need to have plans for a facility that could be used for disaster preparedness education.

The grant requires no matching funds from the city, Jenkins said, and will fund the purchase of the private property near the Forks of the Road, the legal fees associated with the purchase, relocation of the businesses on the private property, environmental remediation of the property and administration of the grant.

The grant will not cover the two appraisals the city must get for the private property or the additional appraisal the landowner must get.

-Mayor Jake Middleton read a proclamation declaring National Library Week to be celebrated in Natchez concurrent with the national celebration April 8-14. Armstrong Library Director Susan Cassagne told the board $2,700 has been raised so far for the exterior repairs needed for the library. She said once $15,000 is raised for the repairs, a private donor has pledged to match the $15,000.

-The board approved a $17,000 work change order for the roof replacement work at the Natchez Police facility. Architect Amelia Salmon said the $17,000 was for unforeseen work the contractor discovered while tearing off the roof. Salmon said a portion of the concrete on the roof deck was deteriorated and roof panels were rusted. The $17,000 will be taken from the $86,000 contingency of the project’s grant funds.

-Resident Laura Williams Jackson appeared before the board to voice her concerns about the possible illegal activity and disturbances at the residence at 6 Reynolds St. Williams said the location serves as a residence, restaurant, catering business and late-night gathering spot. Middleton said he would work with Natchez Interim Police Chief Danny White to address Jackson’s concerns.

-Middleton announced the recreation department received 18 sets of youth golf clubs free through the Sticks for Kids program for children to use at the Duncan Park golf course at no charge.

-Middleton commended Natchez Inc. on its work to recruit the biofuels company KiOR to Natchez. The company announced Monday that it would locate its second Mississippi production facility in Natchez, a move that will create 300 jobs.

Middleton said he believed all local officials have worked very well together to create the recent boost in economic development in the area.

“This board, the city and the county and (Natchez Inc.) have worked better together than any other time I have ever seen,” he said.

The aldermen’s next meeting will be at 11 a.m. April1 10.