REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, MARCH 03, 2009 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 Councilman John C. Harris and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council (Councilman Palmer not at meeting at this time) to approve the agenda for this meeting with an amendment to: remove R-11; add as R-11 an easement of right-of-way & release with Mississippi Power Company.

 

           

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated February 17, 2009.  (Councilman Palmer not at meeting at this time.)

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14491       ORDER APPROVING ADDITION OF 14 BILLETS IN THE

                                    FIRE DEPARTMENT SUPPRESSION DIVISION RAISING

                                    IT FROM 103 TO 117         

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Not Present:  Palmer.

 

 

            (Councilman Palmer arrived at the meeting at this time.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5558                        RESOLUTION DECLARING THE INTENTION OF THE MAYOR AND

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

                                    “GOVERNING BODY” OF THE “CITY”), TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION

                                    BONDS OF SAID CITY IN THE MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO

                                    EXCEED TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000) TO RAISE MONEY FOR

                                    THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR ERECTING MUNICIPAL

                                    BUILDINGS, AND PURCHASING BUILDINGS OR LANDS THEREFOR, AND

                                    FOR REPAIRING, IMPROVING, ADORNING AND EQUIPPING THE SAME;

                                    AND DIRECTING PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF SUCH INTENTION

 

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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5559                        RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI (THE “CITY”) AUTHORIZING THE EMPLOY-

                                    MENT OF PROFESSIONALS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE

                                    OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE CITY IN THE MAXIMUM

                                    PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TEN MILLION DOLLARS

                                    ($10,000,000) TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING

                                    FUNDS FOR ERECTING MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS, AND PURCHASING

                                    BUILDINGS OR LAND THEREFOR, AND FOR REPAIRING, IMPROVING,

                                    ADORNING AND EQUIPPING THE SAME.

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14492       ORDER ACCEPTING PROPOSAL FROM GEORGE T. FORE &

                                    ASSOCIATES FOR CONSULTING SERVICES RELATED TO THE

                                    RESTORATION AND REPAIR OF THE INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION

                                    OF THE MERIDIAN CITY HALL

 

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. #5560                        RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY

                                    OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI DETERMINING THE NECESSITY FOR

                                    AND INVOKING THE AUTHORITY GRANTED TO MUNICIPALITIES

                                    BY THE LEGISLATURE WITH RESPECT TO TAX INCREMENT

                                    FINANCING AS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 45 OF TITLE 21, MISSISSIPPI

                                    CODE OF 1972, AS AMENDED; DETERMINING THAT THE AMENDED

                                    AND RESTATED TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN OF 2006,

                                    MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI (MERIDIAN CROSSROADS PROJECT) PROPOSES

                                    A PROJECT THAT IS A PROJECT ELIGIBLE FOR TAX INCREMENT

                                    FINANCING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE; THAT A PUBLIC

                                    HEARING BE CONDUCTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE AMENDED

                                    AND RESTATED TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN OF 2006,

                                    MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI (MERIDIAN CROSSROADS PROJECT); AND

                                    FOR RELATED PURPOSES

 

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

 

RESO. #5561                        RESOLUTION CONCERNING MAINTENANCE OF KATRINA

                                    CDBG GRANT FUND IMPROVEMENTS AT BONITA LAKES

 

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

 

ORDER #14493       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF VENUE USE AGREEMENTS

                                    BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND THE STATE GAMES OF

                                    MISSISSIPPI, INC.

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDIN. #4345         ORDINANCE CLOSING, VACATING AND ABANDONING IN THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN, LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, 12TH

                                    AVENUE BETWEEN 39TH STREET AND NORTHWOOD COUNTRY CLUB

 

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

 

RESO. #5562                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN QUITCLAIM

                                    DEEDS TO CONVEY THE CLOSED, VACATED AND ABANDONED

                                    RIGHT-OF-WAY OF 12TH AVENUE FROM 39TH STREET TO

                                    NORTHWOOD COUNTRY CLUB

 

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

 

ORDER #14494       ORDER DONATING ENGINE FROM THE FORMER CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN VEHICLE #153-58, 2006 FORD CROWN VICTORIA,

                                    VIN #2FAFP71W06X117711, THAT WAS DECLARED SURPLUS

                                    TO MERIDIAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

 

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:  None.

Recused:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14495       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE DONATION OF THE USE OF THE

                                    FRANK COCHRAN CENTER FOR TWO DAYS (JUNE 26 & 27,

                                    2009) FOR THE MERIDIAN PICNIC

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #14496       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF EASEMENT FOR

                                    RIGHT-OF-WAY AND RELEASE BETWEEN MISSISSIPPI POWER

                                    COMPANY 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.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated February 26, 2009 in the amount of $2,437,136.47.

 

 

            President Perry advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) renovation of City Hall – Phase IV.

 

 

            President Perry called for the Mayor’s report.  He thanked Dick Hall and Butch Brown for the $43.3 million highway project in Lauderdale County.  He discussed the stimulus package and how it affects our area.  Councilman Harris thanked the Mayor for his efforts through the U.S. Conference of Mayors regarding the stimulus package and thanked him for what he does for the city.  Council President Perry thanked the Mayor for turning in items for consideration in the stimulus package.

            President Perry called for citizen comments.  William March, 3428 17th Avenue, appeared and thanked the Mayor for his 20 years service in the community.  He discussed the interlocal agreement between the city and county regarding demolition of abandoned houses.  He stated his concern about the status of city hall and the amount budgeted for this project.

 

 

            President Perry called for Council comments.  Councilman Harris thanked the county for helping the city demolish the homes in the city.  This is just a part of the city and county working together.  He advised that on March 18th there will be a town hall meeting geared toward business people.  This will be held at 6:00 p.m. at Union Station.  He thanked the city for the efforts in making sure Obie Clark Drive was put in place and for making this happen.  Councilman Palmer commented on the ceremony dedicating Obie Clark Drive.  He asked questions about surplus property and tax forfeited property.  Councilwoman Henson commented on the flower bulbs and gazebos at Bonita Lakes and the fact that the first restrooms at Bonita Lakes have been renovated.  She thanked public works and parks & recreations crews for their work out there.  She stated she appreciated what the Mayor has done and for Ken being a stabilizing force all these years.  President Perry recognized Wally Hudnall, 2921 40th Street.  He came forward and commented Mayor Smith on a job well done and that he could not do it without a good team.  Whoever assumes the role of mayor will have to have a good team.  Council President Perry stated that the schools don’t have to compete for stimulus money.  There will be a Ward 2 meeting next Thursday, March 12th at Velma Young Park.  She said the Council works well together.  She thanked Waste Management for picking up large amounts of material that is not covered under their contract.  

 

 

            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