REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, AUGUST 05, 2008 AT 9:00 A.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Perry.

 

Present:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

 

Absent:  None.

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Parks & Recreation Director Mark Naylor and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

           

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda for this meeting with an amendment to remove R-9.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated July 15, 2008.

 

 

            Councilman Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14362       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF RUBY YARBROUGH TO THE MERIDIAN HISTORIC

                                    PRESERVATION COMMISSION

 

and, Councilwoman Henson seconded the motion, whereupon said Order was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Councilman Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14363       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF GREG CARTMEL TO THE MERIDIAN HISTORIC PRESERVATION

                                    COMMISSION

 

and, Councilwoman Henson seconded the motion, whereupon said Order was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

            Councilman Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5528                        RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM TAXES

                                    TO HAVEN CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AS AUTHORIZED

                                    BY SECTIONS 27-31-1(D) AND 79-11-33 OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE OF

                                    1972, AS AMENDED

 

and, Councilwoman Henson seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Councilman Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14364       ORDER DECLARING VEHICLES SURPLUS AND NO LONGER NEEDED BY

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING SAID VEHICLES TO BE SOLD

 

and, Councilwoman Henson seconded the motion, whereupon said Order was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Councilman Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14365       ORDER DECLARING WEAPONS SURPLUS AND TO BE SOLD TO RETIRED

                                    POLICE OFFICERS AS ALLOWED BY STATE LAW 45-9-131

 

and, Councilwoman Henson seconded the motion, whereupon said Order was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the following proclamation to be issued by the Mayor:

 

                                    May 01, 2009 – “Silver Star Banner Day”

 

            Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14366       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF LETTER OF CREDIT

                                    APPLICATION/AGREEMENT (CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK)

 

and, Councilman Harris seconded the motion, whereupon said Order was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Councilman Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5529                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FILING AND EXECUTION OF A GRANT

                                    APPLICATION FOR THE 2008 TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT

                                    TREE PLANTING PROGRAM FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION

                                    OF TREES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY

 

and, Councilwoman Henson seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Councilwoman Henson offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Ordinance:

 

ORDIN. #4335         ORDINANCE CLOSING, VACATING AND ABANDONING IN THE CITY

                                    OF MERIDIAN, LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, VIRGINIA DRIVE

                                    FROM CHUNKY RIVER HARLEY DAVIDSON TO RYAN’S STEAKHOUSE

 

and, Councilman Palmer seconded the motion, whereupon said Ordinance was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Councilman Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5530                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN QUITCLAIM DEED

                                    TO CONVEY THE CLOSED AND VACATED RIGHT OF WAY OF VIRGINIA

                                    DRIVE FROM CHUNKY RIVER HARLEY DAVIDSON TO RYAN’S STEAKHOUSE

and, Councilwoman Henson seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Councilman Harris offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14367       ORDER AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF GRANTING HOME INVESTMENT

                                    PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM (HOME) FUNDS TO DONNA CHANEY,

                                    2918 36TH AVENUE, MERIDIAN, MS 39307

 

and, Councilman Palmer seconded the motion, whereupon said Order was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Councilman Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14368       ORDER OF COMPLIANCE WITH TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL

                                    RIGHTS ACT OF 1964

 

and, Councilwoman Henson seconded the motion, whereupon said Order was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Councilman Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14369       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF MEMORANDUM OF

                                    AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MERIDIAN HOUSING AUTHORITY

                                    AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (LIAISON OFFICERS)

 

and, Councilman Harris seconded the motion, whereupon said Order was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Councilwoman Henson offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14370       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF MEMORANDUM OF

                                    UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF

                                    TRANSPORTATION AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

and, Councilman Palmer seconded the motion, whereupon said Order was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            At this time President Perry recused herself from the next item on the agenda.  She left the chambers.  Vice-President Harris took over the meeting.  Councilman Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14371       ORDER AUTHORIZING CONTRIBUTION IN THE AMOUNT OF

                                    $500.00 TO WECHSLER COMMUNITY ARTS ASSOCIATION

 

and, Councilwoman Henson seconded the motion, whereupon said Order was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Recuse:  Perry.

 

 

            President Perry returned to the chambers and took over the meeting.

 

 

            Councilwoman Henson offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14372       ORDER NAMING THE SOFTBALL COMPLEX AT NORTHEAST

                                    PARK THE “LARRY D. STEWART SOFTBALL COMPLEX”

 

and, Councilman Palmer seconded the motion, whereupon said Order was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Councilman Harris offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5531                        RESOLUTION DECLARING CERTAIN MUNICIPALLY OWNED REAL

                                    PROPERTY TO BE SURPLUS AND NOT NEEDED FOR MUNICIPAL

                                    PURPOSES AND AUTHORIZED TO BE EXCHANGED FOR PROPERTY

                                    OWNED BY THE MERIDIAN MUNICIPAL SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

and, Councilman Palmer seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Councilman Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14373       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND SUBMISSION OF NOTICE OF

                                    AWARD BETWEEN THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

                                    AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

and, Councilman Harris seconded the motion, whereupon said Order was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated July 31, 2008 in the amount of $3,043,964.18.

 

 

            President Perry advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) Kress Building – roof and window repairs.

 

 

            Appearing before the Council at this time were Virginia Williamson, Planner, and Wayne Edwards, Director of Lauderdale Baptist Association regarding the city’s 10th World Changers Project.  The city hosted 75 young who conducted minor rehabilitation work for eight low-to-moderate income homeowners.  This was held the week of June 14-20, 2008.

 

 

            President Perry called on Mayor Smith for his report.  He said good things are happening in the city.  An important announcement will be coming up this week.  Great things are ahead for the growth of downtown which has been led by the development of the Riley Center.

 

 

            President Perry called for citizen comments.  No one appeared.

 

 

            President Perry called for Council comments.  Councilman Harris thanked those volunteers who came out this past Saturday to help clean up the cemetery on 10th Avenue.  He is excited about Fire Station #8 and the service they will provide.  He is looking for to the new police department.  School is starting this week.  Councilman Palmer thanked those involved in the World Changers Project.  There are some real heroes in Meridian and most of them don’t want recognition for the good they do.  He is excited about a new school year with the new superintendent.  Councilwoman Henson said she was happy to see Meridian featured in the Clarion Ledger regarding being the first city in the state to post criminal activity on the web.  President Perry stated that several people from the city attended Meridian Day at the Neshoba County Fair.  She congratulated Superintendent Kent.  She said the Mayor received the Green Award in Hattiesburg.     

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to amend the agenda at this time to place Item R-9 back on the agenda. 

 

Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5532                        RESOLUTION DECLARING CERTAIN MUNICIPALLY OWNED REAL

                                    PROPERTY TO BE SURPLUS AND NOT NEEDED FOR MUNICIPAL

                                    PURPOSES AND AUTHORIZED TO BE SOLD AT FAIR MARKET VALUE

 

and, Councilwoman Henson seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.             

 

 

            There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meeting was adjourned.  Sine die.

 

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,  

 

 

                                                                        Pam McInnis, Clerk of Council