REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 04, 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 Rev. Matt Snowden, Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

           

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda for this meeting.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated October 21, 2008.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14429       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    SYLVIA AUTRY TO THE MERIDIAN HOUSING AUTHORITY

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14430       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    ROBERT R. (BUSTER) GRISSETT TO THE ELECTRICAL EXAMINING BOARD

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14431       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO LONGER NEEDED

                                    BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING SAID SURPLUS

                                    EQUIPMENT TO BE DISCARDED

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14432       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO LONGER NEEDED

                                    BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING SAID SURPLUS

                                    EQUIPMENT TO BE USED FOR TRAINING

 

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 #14433       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT FOR

                                    PURCHASE OF POWER BETWEEN EAST MISSISSIPPI ELECTRIC

                                    POWER ASSOCIATION AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (WATER

                                    BOOSTER STATION OFF FIRE TOWER ROAD)

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5542                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND FILING OF GRANT

                                    APPLICATION TO THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

                                    PROGRAM

 

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

 

ORDER #14434       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND SUBMISSION OF

                                    GRANT APPLICATION TO THE FIREMAN’S FUND HERITAGE

                                    GRANT PROGRAM

 

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

 

ORDER #14435       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF ELITE CONTRACTORS, INC.,

                                    CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MS, FOR REVITALIZATION OF CITY BLOCK

                                    (BROWN PRINTING/TRAILWAYS TERMINAL) AND AUTHORIZING

                                    EXECUTION OF CONTRACT FOR SAID WORK

 

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.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated October 30, 2008 in the amount of $2,210,028.52.

 

 

            President Perry called for the Mayor’s report.  He stated that the city’s comprehensive annual report was awarded the certificate of excellence in financial reporting for the 12th consecutive year.  He said the bulk of the credit goes to Ed Skipper and his staff.  There will be an important meeting on Thursday, November 13th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Lauderdale County board room on the 11th floor of the courthouse annex.  Citizens can review the flood insurance plans and maps for the city.  In the November-December of “Mississippi Magazine” there is a picture of downtown Meridian during the Christmas season on the front cover.  There are eight stories on Meridian in the magazine. 

 

 

            President Perry called for citizen comments.  1) Lucinda Johnson, 4015 Paulding Street, appeared and asked why something has not been done about the arson at Christ Church in Action.  She said the report on this arson was deleted from the computers at the police department.  2) Pastor Harry James, 3004 7th Street, appeared and thanked city staff and leaders for being helpful in working with them building their new church in the community.  3) Richard Lofton, Highway Village Apt. 19, appeared and discussed an incidence where he and others were refused entrance to a public place.

 

 

            President Perry called for Council comments.  Councilman Harris urged everyone to exercise their right to vote.  The lines are long for voting but he asked everyone to persevere and vote.  Councilman Palmer asked everyone to get out and vote.  Lines are long and voting places in his ward are crowded.  Councilwoman Henson said she had a wonderful time Saturday at the Soule’ events held downtown.  There were a lot of kids there enjoying the fun.  Councilman Thomas reminded everyone that local high school teams are in play offs.  He urged everyone to get out and support those kids on the teams, band, cheerleaders, etc.  Councilwoman Perry congratulated Neeta Neville who was in the 393 magazine.  She congratulated April Rogers as the homecoming queen at Meridian High.  She mentioned that some people got tickets at Velma Young that morning while voting and urged them to bring them to city hall to be taken care of.  She congratulated the Meridian High football team and said she hoped they win the state championship this year.  She congratulated the Jackson State Interfaith Gospel singers.  She congratulated Rev. James on the building of his church.  She urged those who are dumping trash in a lot of places that they will be fined by the new code enforcement officer the city has.  They will be issued tickets and will have to pay the fines.

 

 

            The Hour of 9:30 a.m. having arrived, the hearing as called for regarding the brownfields grant proposal for the site of the new police facility was opened with motion by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council.  No one signed up to speak or showed up to speak.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Council-man Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to close the hearing.

 

           

            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