REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, JANUARY 02, 2007 AT 9:00 A.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Thomas.

 

Present:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

 

Absent:  None.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Pastor A. M. Mansfield of Abundant Life Tabernacle and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meeting.

 

 

            President Thomas advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) rescue rope; b) chlorine analyzers.

 

 

            President Thomas called on Mayor Smith for his report.  He wished everyone a Happy New Year.  He is looking forward to the new year and the completion of projects started in 2006.  The nation is honoring the passing of the 38th President, Gerald Ford today.  He reminded everyone that on January 23rd at 9:00 a.m. the annual report would be presented.  Main Street Manager Sharon Smith, Mrs. Laura Sikes and Greg Lane appeared regarding the 8th Dr. Martin Luther King celebration.  There will be a gala on January 13th at the Riley Center from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.  The parade will be held Monday morning, January 15th with the celebration afterward.  Mrs. Sikes stated that they would be honoring Representative Charles Young at the gala.  They were unable to get a university band for the parade this year, however they are in the process of getting high school bands to participate in the parade.  The theme for the celebration this year is “Higher Education”.  Those students who have received scholarships will be recognized. 

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated December 19, 2006.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the following proclamation:

 

                                    January 15, 2007 – “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day”

 

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5395                        RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM

                                    TAXES TO OPEN DOOR MINISTRY AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTIONS

                                    27-31-1(D) AND 79-11-33 OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, AS

                                    AMENDED

 

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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5396                        RESOLUTION CALLING HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR

                                    NOT CERTAIN PARCELS OF LAND ARE IN SUCH A STATE OF

                                    UNCLEANLINESS AS TO BE A MENACE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH

                                    AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY (FEB. 06, 2007 @ 9:15 A.M.)

 

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. #5397                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION AND EXECUTION

                                    OF GRANT APPLICATION BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO THE

                                    MERIDIAN/LAUDERDALE COUNTY TOURISM BUREAU FOR

                                    PROMOTION OF MAIN STREET EVENTS AND PROJECTS

 

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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5398                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY

                                    OF MERIDIAN AND KABANA PRODUCTIONS FOR SOUND AND

                                    LIGHTING AT THE DOWNTOWN MARDI GRAS BLOCK PARTY ON

                                    FEBRUARY 10, 2007

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13963       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF LEASE AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND THE MERIDIAN

                                    TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (OFFICE SPACE AT

                                    UNION STATION)

 

and, Councilwoman Perry 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 Perry offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #13964       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF LAND PATENT AND

                                    DECLARING SURPLUS AND AUTHORIZING SALE OF PROPERTY IN

                                    CONNECTION WITH THE CITY’S AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT

 

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:

 

ORDIN. #4303         ORDINANCE RESCINDING ORDINANCE NO. 4299 ENTITLED

“ORDINANCE CLOSING, VACATING AND ABANDONING IN

THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI,

THE UNOPENED ALLEY BETWEEN 24TH & 25TH AVENUES FROM

21ST TO 22ND STREETS”

 

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 Ordinance:

 

ORDIN. #4304         ORDINANCE CLOSING, VACATING AND ABANDONING IN THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN, LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, THE

                                    UNOPENED ALLEY BETWEEN 24TH & 25TH AVENUES FROM 20TH

                                    TO 21ST STREETS

 

and, Councilman Palmer 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 Perry offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5399                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN QUITCLAIM

                                    DEEDS IN RELATION TO A CLOSED AND VACATED ALLEYWAY

                                    BETWEEN 24TH & 25TH AVENUES AND 20TH & 21ST STREETS

 

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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5400                        RESOLUTION DECLARING THE INTENTION OF THE MAYOR AND THE

                                    CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI (THE “GOVERNING

                                    BODY” OF THE “CITY”) TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION WATER AND

                                    SEWER BONDS, SERIES 2007 OF SAID CITY IN THE MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL

                                    AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED THREE MILLION SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND

                                    DOLLARS ($3,600,000) 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; PURCHASING OR CONSTRUCTING,

                                    REPAIRING, IMPROVING AND EQUIPPING BUILDINGS FOR PUBLIC

                                    LIBRARIES AND FOR PURCHASING LAND, EQUIPMENT AND BOOKS

                                    THEREFOR; ERECTING OR PURCHASING WATERWORKS AND OTHER

                                    PUBLIC UTILITY PLANTS OR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS, AND REPAIRING,

                                    IMPROVING AND EXTENDING THE SAME; ESTABLISHING SANITARY,

                                    STORM, DRAINAGE OR SEWERAGE SYSTEMS, AND REPAIRING, IMPROVING

                                    AND EXTENDING THE SAME; PROTECTING MUNICIPAL STREETS AND

                                    SIDEWALKS FROM OVERFLOW, CAVING BANKS AND OTHER LIKE DANGERS;

                                    CONSTRUCTING, IMPROVING OR PAVING STREETS, SIDEWALKS, DRIVE-

                                    WAYS, PARKWAYS, WALKWAYS, OR PUBLIC PARKING FACILITIES, AND

                                    PURCHASING LAND THEREFOR; PURCHASING LAND FOR PARKS, AND

                                    PUBLIC PLAYGROUNDS, AND IMPROVING, EQUIPPING AND ADORNING

                                    THE SAME, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTING, REPAIRING AND EQUIPPING

                                    OF SWIMMING POOLS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES;

                                    CONSTRUCTING BRIDGES AND CULVERTS; ALTERING OR CHANGING           

                                    THE CHANNELS OF STREAMS AND WATER COURSES TO CONTROL,

                                    DEFLECT OR GUIDE THE CURRENT THEREOF; PURCHASING FIRE-FIGHTING

                                    EQUIPMENT AND APPARATUS, AND PROVIDING HOUSING FOR SAME,

                                    AND PURCHASING LAND THERFOR; PURCHASING MACHINERY AND

                                    EQUIPMENT WHICH HAVE AN EXPECTED USEFUL LIFE IN EXCESS OF

                                    TEN (10) YEARS AND NOT INCLUDING ANY MOTOR VEHICLE WEIGHING

                                    LESS THAN TWELVE THOUSAND (12,000) POUNDS; AND DIRECTING  

                                    PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF SUCH INTENTION

 

 

and, Councilwoman Perry 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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5401                        RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY

                                    OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI (THE “CITY”), AUTHORIZING THE

                                    EMPLOYMENT OF PROFESSIONALS IN CONNECTION WITH THE

                                    ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION WATER AND SEWER BONDS,

SERIES 2007 OF SAID CITY IN THE MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF

NOT TO EXCEED THREE MILLION SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS

                                    ($3,600,000) 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; PURCHASING OR CONSTRUCTING,

                                    REPAIRING, IMPROVING AND EQUIPPING BUILDINGS FOR PUBLIC

                                    LIBRARIES AND FOR PURCHASING LAND, EQUIPMENT AND BOOKS

                                    THEREFOR; ERECTING OR PURCHASING WATERWORKS AND OTHER

                                    PUBLIC UTILITY PLANTS OR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS, AND REPAIRING,

                                    IMPROVING AND EXTENDING THE SAME; ESTABLISHING SANITARY,

                                    STORM, DRAINAGE OR SEWERAGE SYSTEMS, AND REPAIRING, IMPROVING

                                    AND EXTENDING THE SAME; PROTECTING MUNICIPAL STREETS AND

                                    SIDEWALKS FROM OVERFLOW, CAVING BANKS AND OTHER LIKE DANGERS;

                                    CONSTRUCTING, IMPROVING OR PAVING STREETS, SIDEWALKS, DRIVE-

                                    WAYS, PARKWAYS, WALKWAYS, OR PUBLIC PARKING FACILITIES, AND

                                    PURCHASING LAND THEREFOR; PURCHASING LAND FOR PARKS, AND

                                    PUBLIC PLAYGROUNDS, AND IMPROVING, EQUIPPING AND ADORNING

                                    THE SAME, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTING, REPAIRING AND EQUIPPING

                                    OF SWIMMING POOLS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES;

                                    CONSTRUCTING BRIDGES AND CULVERTS; ALTERING OR CHANGING           

                                    THE CHANNELS OF STREAMS AND WATER COURSES TO CONTROL,

                                    DEFLECT OR GUIDE THE CURRENT THEREOF; PURCHASING FIRE-FIGHTING

                                    EQUIPMENT AND APPARATUS, AND PROVIDING HOUSING FOR SAME,

                                    AND PURCHASING LAND THERFOR; PURCHASING MACHINERY AND

                                    EQUIPMENT WHICH HAVE AN EXPECTED USEFUL LIFE IN EXCESS OF

                                    TEN (10) YEARS AND NOT INCLUDING ANY MOTOR VEHICLE WEIGHING

                                    LESS THAN TWELVE THOUSAND (12,000) POUNDS

 

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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5402                        RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE AMENDED

                                    BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF MERIDIAN FOR THE FISCAL

                                    YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2007, AND DIRECTING THE

                                    CITY CLERK IN REFERENCE THERETO

 

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13965       ORDER DESIGNATING MUNICIPAL DEPOSITORIES

 

and, Councilwoman Perry 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 December 28, 2006 in the amount of $1,519,371.79.

 

 

            President Thomas called for citizen comments.  No one appeared.

 

 

            President Thomas called for council comments.  Councilman Harris said he has gotten a lot of calls regarding the downtown parking issue.  He feels the citizens should be allowed to give their input on this subject.  Councilman Palmer stated that President Ford is being remembered today.  James Brown was not only a singer but a real humanitarian and he will be missed.  Oprah Winfrey is doing something that has not been done before.  She is building a $52 million school for girls in Africa.  Councilwoman Henson stated that on December 26th she attended the 100th birthday celebration for Mrs. Maggie Croom.  Her twin sons, Ralph and Ricky, were born 53 years ago today.  Councilwoman Perry everyone that our former President is to be respected.  Dr. Reginald Sikes grew up next to her.  He is a bright and conscientious young man.  She urged everyone to attend the parade and breakfast and the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King.  Councilman Harris reminded everyone of the Unity Luncheon on January 12th at St. Paul’s.  Councilman Thomas reminded everyone of the annual report to be presented on January 23rd.  He said the council is considering holding a public hearing concerning the parking situation.  He reminded everyone who is going to run for a state or county office that sign-up starts today.  There are prospects for a good year for the city.  CAO Ken Storms asked that he be able to address the parking proposal.  He said he had provided a proposed budget for the operation of the parking proposal.  The total budget is $202,300 and is outlined in the format the city uses for it’s budget.  Projected revenue is from: ticket fines in the amount of $134,500, uncollected fines already on the books in the amount of $21,700, salaries/ fringe benefits from a position that there are no plans to fill, and professional service funds from the executive department.  He went over the formula used to compute the revenue from ticket fines.  This is based on information received from McLaurin Parking Company and their experience in other communities of similar size as Meridian.  He said he realizes that he and City Clerk Ed Skipper disagree on the projected revenues but he stands by his figures as outlined.       

 

 

            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