REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2009 AT 5:00 P.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Smith.

 

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

 

Absent:  None.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Sam Thompson 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 approve the agenda for this meeting with an amendment to remove R-6.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated December 01, 2009.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14700       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO LONGER

                                    NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING SAID

                                    SURPLUS EQUIPMENT TO BE REMOVED FROM INVENTORY

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14701       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO LONGER

                                    NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING THE

                                    SALE OF SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14702       ORDER DECLARING ITEMS SURPLUS AND NO LONGER NEEDED

                                    BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING SAID SURPLUS

                                    ITEMS TO BE DESTROYED

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14703       ORDER ACCEPTING DONATION FROM KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL,

                                    INC. AND WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC. OF A $5,000 AWARD FOR

                                    THE USE OF KEEP MERIDIAN/LAUDERDALE COUNTY BEAUTIFUL

                                    COMMISSION

 

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

 

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

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14704       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT BETWEEN

                                    SERVICEMASTER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN (JANITORIAL SERVICES AT UNION STATION)

 

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

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer.

Nay:  Smith.

 

 

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

ORDER #14705       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT BETWEEN

                                    AMERICAN PROTECTION SERVICE, INC. AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    (SECURITY SERVICES AT UNION STATION)

 

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.

Nay:  Smith.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14706       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF NRCS-EWP 33RD AVENUE

                                    DITCH BANK STABILIZATION PROJECT AGREEMENT AND APPLICATION

                                    FOR EMERGENCY WORK BETWEEN THE U.S. NATURAL RESOURCES

                                    CONSERVATION SERVICE AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

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

 

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

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14707       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF NRCS-EWP 37TH AVENUE

                                    DITCH BANK STABILIZATION PROJECT AGREEMENT AND APPLICATION

                                    FOR EMERGENCY WORK BETWEEN THE U.S. NATURAL RESOURCES

                                    CONSERVATION SERVICE AND 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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Councilwoman Perry offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5629                        RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE INTENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO CALL A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE

                                    PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO ORDINANCE

                                    NO. 3966 ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON JANUARY 11, 1994, SO

                                    AS TO RECLASSIFY CERTAIN LANDS IN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN FROM

                                    DISTRICT R-1 TO DISTRICT R-2 (JANUARY 19, 2010 @ 5:30 P.M.)

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5630                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    TO RECOMMEND THE ACCEPTANCE OF BIDS FOR THE 29TH AVENUE

                                    BRIDGE REPAIR AT SOWASHEE CREEK AND THE 26TH AVENUE VIADUCT

                                    SAFETY UPGRADES AND ENHANCEMENTS TO THE MISSISSIPPI

                                    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (MDOT)

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5631                        A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO

                                    THE BOND RESOLUTION APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI (THE “CITY”), ON MAY 5, 2009, IN

                                    CONNECTION WITH THE SALE AND ISSUANCE OT TAX INCREMENT

                                    FINANCING BONDS, SERIES 2009 (MERIDIAN CROSSROADS PROJECT),

                                    OF THE CITY IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FOUR

                                    MILLION DOLLARS ($4,000,000)

 

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

 

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

Nay:  None.

 

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5632                        A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO

                                    SECTION 1 OF THE SALES PARAMETER RESOLUTION APPROVED BY

                                    THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI (THE

                                    “CITY”) ON MAY 5, 2009, IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE AND

                                    ISSUANCE OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING BONDS, SERIES 2009

                                    (MERIDIAN CROSSROADS PROJECT), OF THE CITY IN THE PRINCIPAL

                                    AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FOUR MILLION DOLLARS ($4,000,000)        

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14708       ORDER AMENDING ORDER NO. 14696 ENTITLED “ORDER AUTHORIZING

                                    THE EXECUTION OF CONSULTING ENGINEERING CONTRACT BETWEEN

                                    ENGINEERING PLUS AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (SAFE ROUTES TO

                                    SCHOOL PROGRAM – CARVER & HARRIS SCHOOLS)” IN ORDER TO

                                    PLACE THE LAST PARAGRAPH THAT WAS REMOVED ON PAGE 7 BACK

                                    IN SAID CONTRACT

 

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

 

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

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14709       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    NADIA IRUM SIDDIQUI TO THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

 

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

 

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

Nay:  None.

 

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

 

ORDER #14710       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    ROSCOE JONES TO THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

 

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

 

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

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14711       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    YVETTE D. NEAL TO THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

 

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

 

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

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14712       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    THOMAS HOPSON TO THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

 

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

 

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

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14713       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    JOHN S. HOUSE, JR. TO THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

 

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

 

 

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

Nay:  None.

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated December 10, 2009 in the amount of $2,646,234.87.

 

            At this time Randy Boles with the Forestry Commission made a report on the trees at Bonita Lakes.  There are areas where thinning is needed and new trees planted.  There are large trees that pose a safety hazard in areas visited by people and these need to be cut down.  Something will have to be done about a possible beaver problem.  He stated he will come back to the city with a plan to improve the forest area of Bonita Lakes.

 

            President Smith called for the Mayor’s report.  Mayor Barry reported that sales tax revenues are down around $250,000.  If this decline continues there may have to be adjustments made in the budget.  Fire Chief Clayton reported that the city is looking at land for the new fire station for the annexed area.  They are pursuing different avenues and would like to complete the process.  He said he hopes that in January or February he can give more details on the progress.  Police Chief Shelbourn reported that they have 12 open positions in the police department at this time.  City Attorney advised that the school districts are responsible for hiring their own security.  There is nothing in the law that says the city can provide police officers for the public schools to serve as security officers.  Public Works Director Jackson reported on the progress of the lower dam at Bonita Lakes.  The box culvert has been built at the entrance and will provide extra space that can be utilized for additional parking.  The actual repair has not started because of the rain.  They have determined a way to save on the cost of some of the pipe.  Removal of trees will be done when the weather allows this.  Discussion was held regarding the 22nd Avenue bridge.  Councilman Thomas stated that the city cannot open one side of the bridge to two-way traffic and accept the contractor’s liability.  He stated that it should remain closed because of the liability to the city.

 

            President Smith called for citizen comments.  1) Charlie Brown, P O Box 2845, appeared and stated he has been arrested numerous times for doing nothing and that he plans to bring legal action against the city.  2) Robert Markham, 323 45th Street, appeared and stated he was a former civil service commissioner and congratulated the new group of commissioners.  

 

            President Smith called for Council comments.  Various comments were made.            

     

 

            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