REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, May 19, 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 Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Thomas and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the agenda for this meeting with an amendment to: add as R-10 naming of park across from Marion Park School; add an executive session regarding economic development after R-6; move C-3 to R-11.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated May 05, 2009.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14549       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF CYNTHIA BOYD TO THE MERIDIAN TREE COMMISSION

 

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 #14550       ORDER ACCEPTING DONATION FROM KEEP MISSISSIPPI BEAUTIFUL

                                    OF A TRAILER FOR THE USE OF KEEP MERIDIAN/LAUDERDALE COUNTY

                                    BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION

 

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 #14551       ORDER ACKNOWLEDGING AND PLACING ON MINUTES THE

                                    EMERGENCY PURCHASE OF TWO LOWER BEARINGS FOR THE

                                    WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IN ACCORDANCE WITH

                                    SECTION 31-7-13(K), MISSISSIPPI CODE ANNOTATED

 

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.

 

 

            Appearing before the Council at this time were Demery Grubbs, financial advisor, and Sam Keyes, bond counsel, regarding the sale and award of GO bonds in the amount of $10,000,000.  Mr. Grubbs stated that five bids were received and the bid from Duncan-Williams, Inc. was the lowest bid with a percentage rate of 3.670655.  He and Mr. Keyes recommended the sale and award of the bids to Duncan-Williams, Inc.  Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5580                        RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE SALE AND AWARD OF GENERAL

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

                                    MISSISSIPPI, DATED JUNE 1, 2009 IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF

                                    TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000); AND A RESOLUTION

                                    APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE FORM OF, EXECUTION AND

                                    DISTRIBUTION OF AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT PERTAINING TO THE

                                    TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000) GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS,

                                    SERIES 2009, OF 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 Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14552       ORDER ADOPTING DONATED LEAVE POLICY

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14553       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF MEMORANDUM OF

                                    UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN LAUDERDALE COUNTY COALITION

                                    TO PREVENT AND REDUCE UNDERAGE DRINKING AND THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN (MERIDIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT)

 

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 #14554       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF WATER OPTION

                                    AGREEMENT BETWEEN MISSISSIPPI POWER COMPANY AND

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

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 #14555       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF PANOLA CONSTRUCTION COMPANY,

                                    INC., BATESVILLE, MS, FOR PHASE IV – INTERIOR RENOVATION OF

                                    CITY HALL COMPLEX AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT

                                    FOR SAID WORK

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #14556       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF KEY CONTRACTORS, INC., MADISON,

                                    MS, FOR 22ND AVENUE BRIDGE RENOVATIONS & REPAIRS 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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14557       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CHANGE ORDER NO. 1

                                    BETWEEN D & E CONSTRUCTION, INC. AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    (SOCCER COMPLEX CONCESSION STAND)

 

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.

 

 

            An executive session was requested regarding economic development.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to close the meeting to determine whether to declare an executive session.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to declare an executive session in order to discuss economic development.  The Council then went into executive session.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to go out of executive session.

 

 

            President Perry called the meeting back to order.

 

 

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

 

 

ORDER #14558       ORDER APPROVING IN SUBSTANTIAL FORM A PROPOSAL TO SELL

                                    THE “OLD BELLSOUTH BUILDING” TO TRUSTMARK NATIONAL BANK

                                    IN CONNECTION WITH THE THREEFOOT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

                                    AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO

                                    ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH TRUSTMARK NATIONAL BANK

                                    ON THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT

                                    TO BE APPROVED BY COUNCIL; AND RELATED PURPOSES

 

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

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5581                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MAYOR TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS

                                    WITH BELLSOUTH TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC. OR APPROPRIATE

                                    ENTITY, AND TRUSTMARK NATIONAL BANK WITH REGARD TO CLOSING

                                    A PORTION OF 7TH STREET BETWEEN 23RD AND 24TH AVENUES IN THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI; AND RELATED PURPOSES

 

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.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated May 14, 2009 in the amount of $3,249,744.35.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14559       ORDER NAMING PARK AREA ACROSS FROM MARION PARK

                                    SCHOOL THE “JOHN C. HARRIS COMMUNITY PARK”

 

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

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  Thomas.

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

 

ORDER #14560       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE OF

                                    TWO T3 ELECTRIC VEHICLES

 

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.

 

 

            President Perry advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) asphalt (12 month source of supply); b) concrete (12 month source of supply); c) concrete pipe (12 month source of supply); d) sign blanks & materials (12 month source of supply); e) traffic paint (12 month source of supply); f) police uniforms (12 month source of supply).

 

 

            President Perry called for the Mayor’s report.  He stated the Council had received a letter on the condition of the Threefoot building from White Construction Company.  This has worsened to a point where state law allows the mayor to act in an emergency to take actions to protect the health, safety and welfare of the city.  A chain link fence has been installed around the Threefoot Building and the city will accept estimates on emergency repairs to the facade which will remove a portion of the parapet walls, and anchor and shore up portions of the façade.

 

 

            President Perry called for citizen comments.  Pastor Wade Demers appeared, however, he did not say a word.  Jimmy Rogers Ward, 2908 9th Street appeared and thanked the Mayor for his service and asked him to see that the underpass is cleaned and 35th Avenue is cleaned before he leaves office.

 

 

            President Perry called for Council comments.  Councilwoman Perry stated that Dr. Jeffrey Guns would be speaking at her church.  She thanked Steve Porter with Waste Management for taking time to pick up items not covered under the 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