REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2009 AT 5:00 P.M.

Meeting called to order by Council President Perry.

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

Absent: None.

The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Odell Hopkins of West Mt. Moriah Baptist Church 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 approve the agenda for this meeting with an amendment to add Shae Boyd to citizens hearing; add an amendment to the claims docket.

Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated January 06, 2009.

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

ORDER #14465 ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

ARJEN LAGENDIJK 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 Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

ORDER #14466 ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

ED ABDELLA 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 Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

ORDER #14467 ORDER APPROVING TAXI PERMIT FOR: BRENNETH JOHNSON, JR.

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

ORDER #14468 ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO LONGER

NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING THE

SALE OF SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT

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

RESO. #5550 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES FOR

VOLUNTEERS SERVING AS COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY’S KEEP

AMERICA BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION WHO REPRESENT THE CITY

OF MERIDIAN AT THE MISSISSIPPI/ALABAMA CONFERENCE IN

BIRMINGHAM, AL, JANUARY 29-30, 2009

and, Councilman Harris 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 Order:

ORDER #14469 ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF LAND PATENTS AND

DISPENSATION OF TITLE ENCUMBRANCES AND DECLARING

SURPLUS AND AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF PROPERTY IN CONNECTION

WITH THE CITY’S AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT

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

ORDER #14470 ORDER APPROVING AND ADOPTING FINAL PLAT OF THELLIS S.

WINSTEAD RE-SUBDIVISION, A RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION OF

THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

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. #5551 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING 30^TH AVENUE FROM 5^TH STREET

TO 23^RD STREET AS “OBIE CLARK DRIVE”

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.

Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated January 15, 2009 in the amount of $2,154,124.92 with an amendment to add Purchase Order No. 804383 in the amount of

$357,440.68.

President Perry called for the Mayor’s report. He stated he had been in Washington DC until Monday evening attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors conference regarding the economic stimulus package being put together. He reminded everyone that the 2008 annual report would be presented next Tuesday, January 27^th, at 9:00 a.m. Buford Clark, Patricia Farace and Steve Porter with Waste Management appeared and presented a $10,000 contribution to the Green Team. Bunky Partridge, head of the city’s Green Team, stated this money would be used for promotional items for the Green Team.

The hour of 5:15 p.m. having arrived, the hearing as called for in Resolution No. 5546 regarding unclean property was opened with motion by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council. No one appeared regarding the property at 5308 Poplar Springs Drive and the property has not been cleaned. Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to close the hearing. Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

RESO. #5552 RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A MENACE

TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY

(JJ HOUSTON SUR #1 LOT LESS PT TO JONES & PT TO BOUNDS)

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.

President Perry called for citizens hearing. Shae Boyd, 1315 26^th Avenue, appeared regarding the 4-way stop that was removed from the corner of 14^th Street & 26^th Avenue. There have been wrecks since these signs were removed and it is a dangerous intersection. She asked that the 4-way stop be put back up. Also, she is having trouble with cars parking at this intersection and she and her husband can’t see to get out of their driveway. Councilman Thomas asked Chief Dubose to see how many accidents have occurred at this intersection since the 4-way stop signs were removed.

President Perry called for Council comments. Councilman Harris said he would like the 4-way stop signs put back up. He appreciates what the Green Team has done to save the city money. Councilman Palmer said it has been a busy day. He quoted “people without a vision are condemned to failure”. Since the agreement with HRI has been approved, everyone needs to get back on the business of the city. He explained his reasons for changing his mind about the HRI agreement. Councilwoman Henson said Monday was an important day with the Martin Luther King celebration downtown. Dr. Linda Wilson-Jones gave a great speech. There were about 1,000 in attendance. Councilman Thomas commented on the inauguration of President Barack Obama. He brings hope to the nation and shows what you can do if you try. Councilman Palmer stated that Superintendent of the Meridian Public Schools is looking for 150 men to help with education/ schools/students. Council President commented on the passing of Willie C. Yarrell. She also commented on the inauguration events. Councilman Harris welcomed Rev. Melvin J. Hendricks, pastor of First Union Missionary Baptist Church, to the meeting. Rev. Hendricks, 6120 14^th Avenue, spoke about his church and his plans for it.

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