REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, MAY 05, 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 Thomas and unanimously passed by the Council to
approve the agenda for this meeting with an amendment to: add an amendment to
the claims docket; add the Mayor’s veto of Ordinance #4349 as R-15; add as R-16
an order allowing a special exception to the sign ordinance for Super 8 Motel;
add an executive session regarding economic development.
Motion was made by Councilwoman
Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council
to approve the minutes dated April 21, 2009.
Councilwoman Henson offered and
moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14536 ORDER CONFIRMING
THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF
TOM C. MAYNOR
TO THE MERIDIAN REDEVELOPMENT 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 #14537 ORDER CONFIRMING
THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF
BILLY E.
BURWELL TO THE MERIDIAN REDEVELOPMENT 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.
Motion was made by Councilwoman
Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council
to approve the following proclamation to be issued by the Mayor:
May 17-23,
2009 – “National Public Works Week”
Councilwoman Henson offered and
moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14538 ORDER AMENDING ORDER NO. 14480 ENTITLED
“ORDER GRANTING
EXEMPTION
FROM INCREASE IN MUNICIPAL AD VALOREM TAXES
ARISING FROM
RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO PROPERTY
SITUATED
WITHIN A HISTORIC DISTRICT”
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 #14539 ORDER GRANTING SEVEN (7) YEAR EXEMPTION OF
MUNICIPAL AD
VALOREM
TAXES, EXCLUDING AD VALOREM TAXES FOR SCHOOL
DISTRICT
PURPOSES, TO THE EXTENT OF THE COST OF NEW
CONSTRUCTION
TO PROPERTY SITUATED WITHIN URBAN RENEWAL
DISTRICT #6
(2447 & 2449 49TH COURT)
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 #14540 ORDER
AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF 2009 ASSISTANCE
TO
FIREFIGHTER GRANT APPLICATION THROUGH THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT
OF HOMELAND SECURITY (RADIOS)
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 #14541 ORDER ACCEPTING
THE BID OF BILLY SHUMATE CONSTRUCTION
COMPANY,
MERIDIAN, MS, FOR ASBESTOS ABATEMENT OF 18
STRUCTURES
IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,583.00
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 #14542 ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF TASK
ORDER “A”
BETWEEN CAMP
DRESSER & MCKEE, INC. (CDM) AND THE
CITY OF
MERIDIAN (WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT)
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 #14543 ORDER
AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FOR SAFE
ROUTES TO
SCHOOLS GRANT THROUGH THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT
OF
TRANSPORTATION ON BEHALF OF THE MERIDIAN PUBLIC SCHOOL
DISTRICT
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 Resolution:
RESO. #5577 RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION
FOR PROJECT
ACTIVATION AND OVERSIGHT FOR 29TH AVENUE
BRIDGE
REPLACEMENT
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.
Next on the agenda was the
submission of an application for project activation and oversight for the 22nd
Avenue overlay project. Mayor Smith
reported that this resolution was not needed.
The city is seeking stimulus money to over-haul the 26th
Avenue underpass. There was no action
taken on the 22nd Avenue overlay project resolution.
Councilman Harris offered and moved the
adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14544 ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT
WITH MISSISSIPPI
POWER
COMPANY TO PAY FOR MAINTENANCE OF STREET LIGHTS
AND POLES AT
MID TOWN APARTMENTS
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 #14545 ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT
WITH WATER
RESOURCE
TECHNOLOGIES, MERIDIAN, MS, FOR ONE YEAR WITH
THE OPTION
OF TWO ONE-YEAR EXTENSIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$4,500.00
PER MONTH
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 #14546 ORDER
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE ON BEHALF OF
THE CITY OF
MERIDIAN “COPS” SECURE OUR SCHOOLS GRANT
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 Resolution:
RESO. #5578 RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE ISSUANCE OF TAX
INCREMENT
FINANCING BONDS, SERIES 2009 (MERIDIAN CROSSROADS
PROJECT), OF
THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI (THE “CITY”), IN THE
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FOUR MILLION DOLLARS
($4,000,000)
TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING THE COST
OF THE
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS (AS HEREINAFTER DEFINED),
AND PAYING
COSTS OF ISSUANCE
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 Resolution:
RESO. #5579 RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE EXECUTION AND
DISTRIBUTION
OF A PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENT FOR THE
SALE OF NOT
TO EXCEED FOUR MILLION DOLLARS ($4,000,000) TAX
INCREMENT
FINANCING BONDS, SERIES 2009 (MERIDIAN CROSSROADS
PROJECT), OF
THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI (THE “SERIES 2009
BONDS”);
AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE FORM OF AND EXECUTION
OF A BOND
PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR THE SALE OF THE SERIES 2009
BONDS;
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE FORM OF, EXECUTION OF
AND
DISTRIBUTION OF AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT PERTAINING TO THE
SERIES 2009
BONDS; 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.
The tabled item in connection with
Rezoning Case #RZ-08-07 was left on the table.
Councilman Palmer offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14547 ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF
APPLICATION TO THE
MISSISSIPPI
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE ENERGENCY
EFFICIENCY
& CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANTS-FORMULA GRANTS
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.
Motion was made by Councilwoman
Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council
to approve the claims docket dated April 30, 2009 in the amount of
$2,265,950.51 with an amendment to add Purchase Order No. 904464 in the amount
of $2,000.00.
Councilwoman Henson offered and
moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14548 ORDER ALLOWING A
SPECIAL EXCEPTION TO THE SIGN ORDINANCE
(SUPER 8
MOTEL, 124 HIGHWAY 11/80 EAST)
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.
President Perry called for the
Mayor’s report. Mayor Smith reminded
everyone of the primary elections that day and urged everyone to exercise their
right to vote. The Mississippi
Department of Health gave the City of Meridian an overall rating of 5.0 for the
city’s water supply. Public Works
Director Monty Jackson thanked Hugh Smith and Jimmy Eckman and their staff for
their work. He also thanked other
departments for their help.
President Perry called for citizen
comments. Randall Jennings, 6201 Oakland
Heights Street, appeared and stated he had serious concerns about the special
election for Rep. Charles Young’s House seat in District 82. Governor Barbour announced the special election
with the deadline to qualify on May 10th. He feels this is disrespectful to Mr. Young
and his family. He asked the city to
file an injunction to this election.
Rev. Milton Johnson, president of the Meridian/Lauderdale County NAACP
appeared and stated there was a lot of money behind this election. They propose to protest the election. The NAACP feels it is a disgrace to set this
election so soon.
President Perry called for Council
comments. Councilman Harris reminded
everyone to vote. He stated that
according to state law it is the discretion of the Governor to make the
decision on when the special election would be held. There is nothing the city can do about
this. He said he did not agree with the
Governor’s decision but people need to get out and election the best person for
this position. Councilman Palmer stated
he concurred with Councilman Harris. He
explained his vote on the Threefoot Project.
He commented on the memorial for Rep. Young. Councilwoman Henson said she saw what happens
then the person in charge of a city project is unable to be there. She said Dorothy Lloyd, Mark Naylor and Navy
personnel as well as students followed through with planting the trees at
Highland Park. Kevin Locke was also
involved in this project. Councilman
Thomas stated the memorial service for Mr. Young was full of spirit. There are good things going on in Meridian
with school athletic events, Riley Center productions, Jimmie Rodgers events,
walk at NE Park, etc. Youth baseball and
softball will be starting soon. These
activities can’t happen without the volunteers involved in the events. Councilwoman Perry thanked the Young family
for having the memorial and viewing. Mr.
Young was a public person and the Young family made this possible. She thanked the legislative body and local
officials for their words about Mr. Young.
His funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday and his home
church. She thanked various departments
for their work. She also thanked those
who worked to clean up the cemetery on 10th Avenue.
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 Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson 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 Councilwoman Henson and unanimously
passed by the Council to go out of executive session.
President Perry called the meeting
back to order. No action was taken on
the executive session.
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