REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 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 Parks & Recreation Director Mark Naylor and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the agenda for this meeting with an amendment to: remove R-8; add as R-8 JAG grant.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated April 01 and April 07, 2009.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14529       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 #14530       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF CONTRACT WITH THE

                                    FIRM OF BREAZEALE, SAUNDERS & O’NEIL, LTD TO PREPARE

                                    THE EXAMINATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE

                                    YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

 

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 #14531       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF AGREEMENT WITH

                                    MCLAURIN PARKING COMPANY, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA,

                                    FOR MANAGEMENT OF PARKING FACILITIES FOR AN

                                    ADDITIONAL YEAR

 

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

 

ORDER #14532       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF FY 2008 ODP HOMELAND

                                    SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM GRANT RECIPIENT AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND THE MISSISSIPPI

                                    DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

 

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 #14533       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT FOR SERVICES

                                    BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND SAFEHOUSE SECURITY,

                                    FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA, TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR “TRAIN THE

                                    TRAINER” COURSE

 

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.

 

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

 

ORDIN. #4349         BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, THAT CHAPTER 7 OF

                                    THE CITY’S CODE OF ORDINANCES BE AMENDED

 

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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5575                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE ISSUANCE OF

                                    GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2009, OF THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF 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 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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5576                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND RATIFYING THE SIGNING AND

                                    DISTRIBUTION OF A PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENT FOR

                                    THE SALE OF THE TEN MILLION DOLLAR ($10,000,000) GENERAL

                                    OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2009, OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI

 

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 #14534       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF INTERLOCAL

                                    AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI

                                    AND LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI (2009 BYRNE JUSTICE

                                    ASSISTANCE GRANT [JAG] PROGRAM AWARD)

 

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.

 

 

            The hour of 5:15 p.m. having arrived, the hearing as called for in Order #14507 regarding the 2009 SRF water application was opened with motion by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council.  Mr. Greg Gearhart with Williford, Gearhart & Knight appeared to make a presentation.  He stated the improvements to the North Water Treatment Plant and the B Street Water Treatment Plant would be funded by State Department of Health revolving loans and stimulus funds.  The city could receive between $315,000 to $550,000 grant money for the projects.  The improvements to be made are: 1) sludge removal system; 2) SCADA system; and 3) valve controls.  The total cost of the project is estimated at $3.6 million.  Bond money has already been allocated for the improvements.  No one else appeared.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to close the hearing.  There was action taken or needed after the hearing.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14535       ORDER ACCEPTING LOW BID FOR UNION STATION – EXTERIOR

                                    PAINTING FROM BILL HOVER PAINTING & WALLCOVERING,

                                    MERIDIAN, MS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,300.00

 

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.

 

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated April 15, 2009 in the amount of $2,691,076.65.

 

 

            President Perry called for the Mayor’s report.  He went over the process for forgivable loans that will assist with the water improvements.  Monty Jackson reported on the utility relocations underway for the industrial park interchange.  All utilities must be relocated prior to the bids going out on the project.  The relocation on Hawkins Crossing has been completed.  The relocations on Highway 80 and Highway 19 will be finished by this Friday.  City crews worked long and hard and under great stress to get these relocations completed on time.  Connie Royal appeared and made a report on the Threefoot Arts Festival that was held on April 4th.  There were 39 artists showing their wares and 34 of them were from out of town.  The total sales were $17,000.  It is estimated that 5,000 people attended this event.  Mayor Smith introduced Hunter Howard, a 9 year old student at Poplar Springs Elementary.  Mayor Smith read Hunter’s letter to the city about a skate part next to Planet Playground.  Mayor Smith asked that this request be placed on the Council’s study agenda.  Mayor Smith reported that crews have been working on the masonry on the Threefoot building.  They will be coming forward with a detailed repair report later.  They are still in conversation with Trustmark National Bank on their relocation.  He and CAO Ken Storms will be meeting with bank officials on Wednesday regarding possible locations.  After the location is nailed down for Trustmark’s relocation, an architect will be chosen for improvements to the Kress building.  Mayor Smith stated that the exterior work on city hall should be finished by the end of May but may run a little later because there is still terra cotta that has not been received.  The windows on the bottom floor will not be put in until they are able to replace the seals.  The stairwells are both in and the elevator shaft is currently being put in.  The bid on the 22nd Avenue bridge improvements should be coming in for acceptance at either the second meeting in May or the first meeting in June.  Mark Naylor reported that the tresses on the roof of the concession stand at the soccer complex have been put on.  The contractor has completed 50% of the building and estimates he will be finished in a few more weeks in order for it to be ready for the soccer season.  Councilman Harris stated that he would like to see the city help with the inner-city part at Marion Park.  Lauderdale Council will be helping put in the walking trail and basketball court.  Chief Jeff Homan stated they are trying to get a decent price on some land for the new fire station for the annexed area.  They are trying to get stimulus money to help build the new fire station.

 

 

            President Perry called for citizens hearing.  Lucinda Johnson with Christ’s Church in Action signed up to speak, however, she gave her time to Pastor Wade Demers.  President Perry called for citizens comments.  Those who signed up to speak were as follows: Lucinda Johnson CCIA); Patricia Demers (CCIA), Bob McBride (Regional Counterdrug Training Academy), Lt. Stubbs (Regional Counterdrug Training Academy), Randall Jennings (6201 Oakland Heights Street), Robert McGlothin (3904 Davis Street), Paul Kalmen (4029 ½ 23rd Avenue), Richard Lofton (506 Highway Village, Apt H0-9) and Mark Chamblin (no residence).

 

 

 

            President Perry called for council comments.  Councilman Harris stated the Council has listened to the same information from those with Christ’s Church in Action.  He thanked everyone for supporting the Mayor’s prayer breakfast.  Councilman Palmer brought up neighborhood baseball teams.  Councilwoman Henson turned her time over to Mark Naylor.  Mr. Naylor stated that Lauderdale County has been talking about building two football fields on the county part of Sykes Park.  There will be a meeting with Ricky Hood with the Boys & Girls Club about baseball teams.  Mr. Hood is disappointed that parents are not getting involved in this.  There will be six outdoor/ beach volleyball courts put on the John Moss Field.  Those participating in State Games will be able to use these courts for the volleyball portion of the games.  Councilman Thomas stated that voter registration cards should be going out soon.  There are a lot of activities going on – track meet at Meridian High School, the Meridian High baseball team is playing, there is a MCC show that night at the Riley Center, the Jimmie Rodgers Festival will begin this Friday night.  There are a lot of opportunities for everyone to take advantage of.  Council President Perry stated that the Sandwedge golf team will be holding a tournament this coming weekend at Lakeview Golf Course.  She congratulated Mr. J. W. Jones on his retirement.  There is a track meet at Meridian High School this Thursday thru Saturday.              

 

 

 

            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