REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2008 AT 5:00 P.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Perry.

 

Present:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Harris.

 

Absent:  Palmer.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. Ralph Henson of Life Baptist Church 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 confirm the agenda for this meeting with an amendment to remove P-3; remove R-1; add an executive session regarding potential litigation and add as R-1 appointment of an assistant prosecutor.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated August 05, 2008.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14374       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO LONGER

                                    NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING THE

                                    SALE OF SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Palmer.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14375       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF THOMAS G. BITTICK

                                    AS ASSISTANT PROSECUTING ATTORNEY FOR THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 01, 2008 FOR THE TERM OF

                                    THE MAYOR OR UNTIL HIS SUCCESSOR IS SELECTED

 

 

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.

Absent:  Palmer.

 

 

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

 

ORDIN. #4336         ORDINANCE CLOSING, VACATING AND ABANDONING IN THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN, LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, CERTAIN

                                    STREETS AND ALLEY SEGMENTS BEING WITHIN AND PART OF

                                    KAYE’S SUBDIVISION, SHERROD PARK SUBDIVISION AND REPSHER

                                    SUBDIVISION

 

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

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Palmer.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5533                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN QUITCLAIM DEED

                                    TO CONVEY THE CLOSED, VACATED AND ABANDONED RIGHT OF

                                    WAYS OF CERTAIN STREETS AND ALLEYS BEING WITHIN AND PART

                                    OF KAYE’S SUBDIVISION, SHERROD PARK SUBDIVISION AND REPSHER

                                    SUBDIVISION

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Palmer.

 

 

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

 

 

ORDER #14376       ORDER GRANTING PERMISSION TO BILL GORDON TO TIE INTO

                                    CITY SEWER LINE FOR SERVICE AT 10595 HIGHWAY 80 WEST

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Palmer.

 

 

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

 

ORDIN. #4337         ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 16 OF THE CODE OF

                                    ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO PROHIBIT

                                    RETAIL SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF NOVELTY LIGHTERS

 

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

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Harris.

Nay:  Thomas.

Absent:  Palmer.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated August 14, 2008 in the amount of $2,381,643.72.

 

 

            Planner Kevin Locke and Brick Hubbard with the Mississippi Forestry Commission appeared before the Council at this time regarding the Tree City USA award.  This is the 18th consecutive year Meridian has received this recognition.  Mr. Hubbard stated it was a pleasure to come to Meridian as it is one of the most beautiful cities in the state.

 

 

            Attorney Greg Snowden and Mr. C. B. Patel, owner of Super 8 Motel, appeared at this time.  Mr. Snowden stated that the Drury Inn is blocking the sign for the Super 8 Motel from the Interstate coming east.  Their only option is to raise the sign about 30 feet.  It is currently at the maximum height allowed by the sign ordinance.  The variance procedure was eliminated from the sign ordinance, therefore, he asked the City Council to consider a variance procedure that can be used on a case by case basis.

 

 

            President Perry called for the Mayor’s report.  Mayor Smith stated that on August 14th the Supreme Court ruled in favor on the city’s annexation.  He thanked the Council for taking the steps to authorize and allow the city to extend its boundaries.  Those in opposition to the annexation have 14 days from August 14th to ask the court to reconsider.  The court will then have seven days in which to respond by denying the request or setting a time fore reassessment.  The administration is working very hard to see that the city is prepared by September 15th to deliver those services of the city (police & fire protection and garbage/trash collection).  The city will have three to five years to place new sewer lines, lift stations, etc. to provide sewer services.  The city will also be laying water lines so there will be sufficient pressure to the hydrants to fight fires.

 

 

            President Perry called for Council comments.  Councilman Harris congratulated Ricky Parnell for winning the Ward 5 yard of the month.  Councilwoman Henson there was an article about the Riley Center in “Southern Issue”.  It was also featured in two articles in The Clarion Ledger.  Councilman Thomas stated that the Riley Center is selling tickets and MCC is selling Arts & Letters Series tickets.  There are plenty of things to go to.  Kids work hard and they need support.  The soccer field at MCC was named for C. D. Smith.  The new Superintendent is getting out in the community and being a positive influence on the schools.  President Perry urged everyone to support the schools.  She said it is very important that parents are in school with their children and see about them.

 

 

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