NATCHEZ — A group of community volunteers hopes to spruce up a section of downtown Natchez with a bit of green.

City Planner Bob Nix shared plans from the Adams County Master Gardners with the Natchez Board of Aldermen Tuesday night.

“(The Adams County) Master Gardeners came to us with an idea that they would replant (potted plants) using volunteer labor and contributed funds,” Nix said. “(But the) addition of a couple of trees really improves the view there,” he said as aldermen looked through his plans.

Trees soften the look of many places around town, Nix said, but the proposed species is still being discussed. However, Nix said planting crape myrtles would be a good idea.

Adding crape myrtles around town would, in a way, give the city an identity, Nix added.

“I don’t know if we have a city tree yet,” he said. “The other (idea) is to find a certain species of trees that will work in the environment. The other thing is to look at the budgetary impacts in what we select.”

In other business, City Engineer David Gardner voiced concerns over weeds multiplying within the city’s medians.

Using a type of herbicidal spray to kill the weeds would also kill the grass, but it may be a price the city has to pay.

“It might be unsightly for a year or two,” Gardner said.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation’s willingness to spray could prove to be another component that potentially draws aldermen to pass the motion to spray the medians, as MDOT will cut public grass only three times a year.

Gardner suggested planting Bermuda Grass.

“Eventually, you can get away with three or four cuttings a year,” he said. “Get stuff that sprays (that will) … knock everything out except the Bermuda Grass.

“Operational costs will be cut down eventually,” he added.

An unrelated topic discussed at length involved the city’s willingness to allot the George W. Armstrong Library $18,000 of the upcoming budget.

Library Director Susan Cassagne said without this allotment, the library would lose about $88,000 in state funding through a Personnel Incentive Grant Program due to city cuts.

Aldermen voted to make a motion of good faith that says the city will set aside money to aid the library.

Mayor Jake Middleton concluded the meeting by praising the city’s departments for their continuous flood relief efforts.

“Everyone was involved in this,” he said. “It made me proud that I was the mayor of this city.

“It was a team effort and I was very proud, and I want everyone here to know how proud you should be also of your city.”