NATCHEZ &045;&045; Personnel, litigation, economic development and property issues were among the reasons given for a five-hour executive session during Monday&uot;s special meeting of the Natchez Mayor and Board of Aldermen.

&uot;It was a very good meeting. We had an opportunity to discuss some strategies for thing we want to do in the future,&uot; Mayor Phillip West said after the meeting.

West declined to elaborate on specifics of the economic development talks, but said the topic would likely be revisited in the board’s regular meeting today.

&uot;Everybody is concerned about the need to enhance the community’s position in terms of economic development. We’ll probably act on three or four things from today’s discussion at our next meeting,&uot; he said.

During a short open session at the beginning of Monday’s meeting, board members unanimously accepted the low bid of $201,000 from R. A. Edgin Construction Company of Natchez for the overlay of Martin Street and Stiers Lane.

The meeting&045;&045;West’s second session with the board since his election last month&045;&045;was held in the Natchez Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

Monmouth owner Ron Riches briefly entered the closed meeting. Afterward, Riches said he discussed tourism issues with the board.

Today’s meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers.