REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, JUNE 02, 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 Rev. Sephus Garrett of Christian Fellowship 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.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated May 19, 2009.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14561       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT BETWEEN THE

                                    MERIDIAN UMPIRE ASSOCIATION 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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14562       ORDER ACCEPTING DONATION FROM KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL,

                                    INC. OF A TROY-BILT CHIPPER VAC AND $400 AWARD 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.

 

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

 

ORDER #14563       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 aid 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 #14564       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF MEMORANDUM OF

                                    AGREEMENT BETWEEN PYROTECNICO, NEW CASTLE, PA AND

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (JULY 4, 2009 FIREWORKS DISPLAY)

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5582                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION

                                    FOR ALCOHOL COUNTER MEASURES GRANT WITH THE

                                    MISSISSIPPI OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY

 

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

 

RESO. #5583                        RESOLUTION APPOINTING MISSISSIPPI MUNICIPAL LEAGUE

                                    2009 VOTING DELEGATES FOR THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

 

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 #14565       ORDER ACKNOWLEDGING AND PLACING ON MINUTES THE

EMERGENCY PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF FENCING

AROUND THE THREEFOOT BUILDING AND NECESSARY STABILIZATION MEASURES ON THE THREEFOOT BUILDING 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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14566       ORDER PLACING MORATORIUM ON ANY NEW GROUP CARE FACILITIES

 

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.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated May 28, 2009 in the amount of $1,638,142.48.

 

 

            President Perry advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) two Harley Davidson motor cycles.

 

 

            Next on the agenda was a presentation by Diann Chapman with the Census Bureau.  She was not present at the meeting.

 

            President Perry called for the Mayor’s report.  CAO Ken Storms stated that the Mayor was in Opelika, Alabama due to the death of his wife’s grandmother.  He advised that a model of the proposed downtown green park area was at the front of the chambers and they would be at city hall for those who want to see it.  He stated he hopes the new administration will continue with the plan.  He encouraged everyone to vote today.  City Attorney Bill Hammack stated that he and the Mayor were supposed to meet with C.D. Smith regarding the Trustmark situation, however, they did not meeting because Mr. Smith said there was no reason to meet.  Councilman Thomas stated that Mr. Smith wanted to see something on paper regarding the plans.  Mr. Storms stated that he will be meeting with Mr. Smith today to show him the plans.

 

 

            President Perry called for citizen comments.  Candy Hall, 3023 56th Court, appeared regarding the problems she is having with sewage backing up in her house.  She asked for assistance from the city regarding the sewer tap fees.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to amend the agenda to add an order waiving sewer tap fees for Ms. Hall.  Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14567       ORDER WAIVING CITY SEWER TAP FEES FOR CANDY HALL,

                                    3023 56TH COURT, MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI

 

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.

 

 

            Appearing next for citizen comments was Mildred Moore, 2924 Hooper Street.  Didley Branch runs through her property and a neighbor has been putting stuff in the creek that has caused it to dam up and erode her property.  She asked for assistance in getting this cleared out.  Public Works Director Monty Jackson stated that he planned to check on this matter this afternoon and see about getting the creek unblocked.

 

 

            President Perry called for Council comments.  Councilman Harris urged everyone to get out and vote.  He thanked Mark Naylor and Parks & Recreation, the City Council, Public Works, and Supervisor Wayman Newell for what they did to make the John C. Harris Park come to fruition.  They had a good grand opening.  Councilman Palmer congratulated Councilman Harris on the successful grand opening of the park.  He discussed the controversy as far as schools are concerned.  He said he went to an honors program and there are a lot of students who make honor roll.  He said that when parents take charge of their children then teachers can teach.  Councilwoman Henson urged everyone to vote.  Councilman Thomas stated that on Thursday, June 4th there will be a forum concerning the legislative election coming up.  He thanked Peavey Electronics for assisting Governor Barbour for assisting in sponsoring the Save the Children Foundation program to be held a week from this Saturday.  He made comments on the schools and stated that respect goes both ways.  It is at the point where people have to accept their responsibilities.  He urged everyone to vote.  Councilwoman Perry stated that since school is out that everyone be careful.  She said that if more parents would say when you think you are grown you are gone from home then it might make a difference.  She urged everyone to encourage students to do their best and to give them credit for doing well.  She congratulated Candy Hall who is a nurse and was one of her students.      

 

 

            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