REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2007 AT 5:00 P.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Thomas.

 

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

 

Absent:  None.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. John Sweeney of Victory Outreach 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 with an amendment to add discussion of economic development to the executive session.

 

 

            President Thomas advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following:  a) land-scaping services for supply & installation of trees at Lakeview Golf Course; b) landscaping services for supply & installation of trees at Bonita Lakes entrance on Hwy 19 S.

 

 

            Appearing before the Council at this time were Planner Kevin Locke, Parks & Recreation Director Mark Naylor, Tree Commissioner Tom Carmichael along with Jimmy Mordica and Ed Brown from the Mississippi Forestry Commission.  The City of Meridian was presented with a check for $50,000.  This represents grant funds awarded through the Urban & Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program for Hurricane Katrina recovery for tree-planting at Lakeview municipal golf course.

 

 

            President Thomas called on Mayor Smith for his report.  He reminded everyone of the special meeting for Tuesday, January 23rd at 9:00 a.m. at which time the annual report will be presented.  He said 2007 will bring further development of downtown Meridian as well as additional retail business for the city.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated January 02, 2007.

 

 

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

 

                                    Recognition of Derrick McKey

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

 

RESO. #5403                        RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM

                                    TAXES TO FREE GOSPEL TEMPLE 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 Henson offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following

Resolution:

 

RESO. #5404                        AMENDED RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION FROM AD

                                    VALOREM TAXES TO FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MERIDIAN 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 Henson offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5405                        RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM

                                    TAXES TO CORNERSTONE CHURCH OF GOD 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 Henson offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #13966       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE OF SABRE 4000

 

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 #13967       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 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 #13968       ORDER DECLARING AT&T PHONE SYSTEM, SERIAL NO. 105351076,

                                    MODEL 511A SURPLUS AND NO LONGER NEEDED BY THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING SAID SURPLUS PHONE SYSTEM TO

                                    BE USED FOR PARTS

 

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 Perry offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Ordinance:

 

ORDIN. #4305         ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE IX SIGNS OF THE CODE

                                    OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF MERIDIAN, CONCERNING

                                    ZONING DISTRICT DESIGNATIONS

 

and, Councilwoman Henson 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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13969       ORDER AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF GRANTING HOME

                                    INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM (HOME) FUNDS

                                    TO RICKY D. KING AT 2312 24TH AVENUE, MERIDIAN, MS,

                                    AND FREDRICK L. NICHOLSON AT 203 53RD AVENUE,

                                    MERIDIAN, MS

 

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.

 

 

            Next on the agenda was the proposed order revoking tax exemption on property at 3312 State Boulevard which is owned by Greater Meridian Baptist Church.  President Thomas stated that the City Council members received a copy of a letter from Rev. Randell Hisaw requesting an extension on this matter due to health problems.  Councilwoman Henson offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #13970       ORDER GRANTING 30-DAY EXTENSION TO GREATER

                                    MERIDIAN BAPTIST CHURCH REGARDING THE REVOKING

                                    OF TAX EXEMPTION ON PROPERTY AT 3312 STATE BOULEVARD

 

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 Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer to revoke ad valorem tax exemption on the property at 518 41st Avenue which is owned by Christ’s Church In Action.  Discussion was held.  Pastor Wade Demers appeared and two items were passed out to the Council members.  He read a letter from Lucinda Johnson, assistant to him, regarding this matter.  They feel that 518 41st Avenue is used only for and exclusively for/by the society for its purposes as a church and religious society.  They have given up their worldly goods and are serving mankind as he believes is correct.  Pastor Demers was given five minutes to speak.  At the end of the five minutes, he presented documents to substantiate why revocation of their ad valorem tax exemption on the property at 518 41st Avenue should not be done.  (COPY OF DOCUMENTS ATTACHED TO BACK OF MINUTES).  Councilwoman Perry offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #13971       ORDER GRANTING 30-DAY EXTENSION TO CHRIST’S CHURCH

                                    IN ACTION REGARDING THE REVOKING OF TAX EXEMPTION

                                    ON PROPERTY AT 518 41ST AVENUE

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #13972       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF BLAIR COMPANY, INC.,

                                    MERIDIAN, MS, FOR REMOVAL OF TWO (2) UNDERGROUND

                                    STORAGE TANKS IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,438.00 AND

                                    AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT FOR SAID WORK

 

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

 

RESO. #5406                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACTUAL

                                    AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CLAY FIRM (BETH C. CLAY)

                                    AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

 

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.

Nay:  Harris.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated January 11, 2007 in the amount of $2,058,666.60

 

 

            Next on the agenda was discussion regarding the proposed downtown parking plan which was open for comments from the public.  Those appearing to make comments were as follows:  1) Judge Lester Williamson (Circuit Court) - He asked that the city keep in mind the citizens who serve as jurors.  They have had a good relationship in the past with the city in working with them to see that jurors do not receive parking tickets if they are legally parked.  He said he understands there are downtown parking concerns but asked them to keep the jurors in mind when making a decision.  2) Sidney Covington – made no comments.  3) Bill McBride – He stated that tickets were being issued, however, they were not being collected. He said according to the figures given there would have to be an enormous amount of tickets issued to collect what has been estimated as the income from the tickets.  4) Teresa Long – She has had a business for 20 years downtown.  The parking is not great.  She wants to open a bridal shop downtown but can’t if parking is limited to 30 minutes.  She wants her business to succeed.  5) Susan Ethridge - Her business is next to Ms. Long’s and they have to go out now to move their vehicles and also have a hard time finding parking places by their businesses.  6) Randy Hammon – He wanted to know if a test had been done to see if this plan would work.  7) Sue Martin – made no comments.  8) Sonny Toms – He owns three businesses downtown.  They need to take time with their clients and not be watching their clocks to see when 30 minutes is up.  He said those business owners who need 30 minute parking spaces in front of their businesses should be able to request them.  9) Kenny Watts – He said they are not asking for blanket 30 minute parking spaces.  They want to work with business owners.  They want to create an environment that will be beneficial to the businesses downtown.  Something can be worked out with the jurors.  10) LeAnn Purvis – She said they don’t have a parking problem.  They have 2 hour parking and would like to keep it that way.  She feels another person is needed to check on parking.  The parking fines are not being collected.  She does not think the city should pay someone out of state to do this.  11) CAO Ken Storms – He said that he worked with the Downtown Association on a parking plan.  There were never plans for 30 minute parking until some of the downtown owners said they need 30 minute parking places.  The city will be able to put these in on an as needed basis if asked by the business owner.  Some businesses require more than one hour parking.  They will have to look at these individual businesses.  There are around $31,000 unpaid parking fines.  There are three individuals who have over $1200 in tickets.  He said the money is not going out of the state except.  The money will support the system and pay the workers with the company receiving some profit.  After comments were made, motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and passed by a majority vote of the Council to remove from the table the motion and second to approve the contract with McLaurin Parking Company.  Voting yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson.  Voting nay: Palmer, Harris.  Comments were made by Council members.  Council-woman Perry said she had told Mr. Storms that she would support this contract if certain items were included.  Those items were included, therefore, she said she would vote for the contract.  The other Council members stated that they could not vote for the contract.  The motion that was taken off the table was the motion by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Harris to approve the contract with McLaurin Parking.  Said motion failed to pass.  Voting yea: Perry.  Voting nay: Thomas, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

 

 

            President Thomas called for citizen comments.  Patricia Demers, Lucinda Johnson and Mark Chamblin all appeared in support of Christ’s Church In Action and asked that the ad valorem tax exemption not be revoked.

 

 

            President Thomas called for council comments.  Councilman Harris stated he appreciated everyone who attended the Unity luncheon.  There were over 25 students recognized at the Union Station in connection with the YES initiative.  They have plans for other things for the youth.  He thanked those youths who received awards.  Councilman Palmer said Christ’s Church In Action is in his Ward.  The City Council will not make a decision based on a person’s beliefs but based on the laws of the state.  He said he will be visiting them.  He said the Hope VI project is a beautiful place.  Councilwoman Henson said she has been on the Council for a long time and never has a Council member tried to change her mind on a subject.  She said this is a good Council that works well together.  Councilwoman Perry said it was a matter of integrity.  She told Ken Storms she would vote for the contract if he would do some things and he did.  She appreciates everything said and they are things they considered.  She commended the people for attending the parade even in the rain.  The celebration was beautiful even in the rain.  She and Councilwoman Henson met with the Seaside Institute the week before.  Forty-seven people from this region are going to Jackson State University.  She congratulated Mr. King and Mr. Nicholson.  The city is working to get our citizens as home owners.  President Thomas said the Bull Dog Club was meeting that night.  New equipment was put in the courtroom but they had some technical difficulties.  Derrick McKey will be honored Friday at Meridian High School.  He said he appreciated people coming to speak.  Some changes may be made concerning downtown parking.

 

 

            An executive session was requested regarding potential litigation and economic development.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to close the meeting to determine whether to declare an executive session.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to declare an executive session in order to discuss potential litigation and economic development.  The Council then went into executive session.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to go out of executive session.  President Thomas called the meeting back to order and stated that there were three items to be considered for action.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13973       ORDER AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING FILING OF LAW SUIT

                                    TO RECOVER FUNDS FROM RANDLE JENNINGS (REAL LIFE

                                    JUNCTION, INC.)

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13974       ORDER AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING COMMENCEMENT OF

                                    PROCEEDINGS PURSUANT TO MISS. CODE ANN. § 11-27-81(F)

                                    TO CONDEMN CERTAIN PROPERTY (SWEETGUM BOTTOM

                                    ROAD SEWER PROJECT)

 

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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5407                        RESOLUTION OF INTENT (CAP LOAN NOT TO EXCEED $1,000,000)

 

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.

 

 

            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