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

 

Meeting called to order by Council Vice-President Perry.

 

Present:  Thomas, Perry, Palmer, Harris.

 

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. Bob Schwanebeck of Northpointe Presbyterian Church and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

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

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated September 18, 2007.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the following proclamations to be issued by the Mayor:

 

                                    October 2007 – “National Arts & Humanities Month”

                                    October 2007 – “Community Planning Month”

                                    October 4, 2007 – “Bipolar Awareness Day”

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14169       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES SURPLUS AND

                                    NO LONGER NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING

                                    THE SALE OF SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES

 

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, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent: Henson.

 

 

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

RESO. #5464                        RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM 

                                    TAXES TO FIRST APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF WEST MERIDIAN AS

                                    AUTHORIZED BY SECTIONS 27-31-1(D) OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE

                                    OF 1972, AS AMENDED

 

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, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5465                        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 (NOVEMBER 06,

                                    2007 @ 9:15 A.M.)

 

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, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14170       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENTS BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF MARJORIE DAVISON, HELEN GOUGH AND RANDY BOWLES

                                    TO THE MERIDIAN TREE COMMISSION

 

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, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

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

ORDER #14171       ORDER AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF STREET LIGHTS

                                    ALONG RUSSELL DRIVE

 

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, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14172       ORDER ACCEPTING LOW BID FOR SOURCE OF SUPPLY FOR

                                    THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 20, 2007 THRU OCTOBER 19, 2008

                                    FOR HYDRATED LIME FROM FALCO LIME, INC., VICKSBURG, MS

 

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

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14173       ORDER ACCEPTING LOW BID FOR SOURCE OF SUPPLY FOR

                                    THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 20, 2007 THRU OCTOBER 19, 2008

                                    FOR HYDROFLUOSILICIC ACID FROM HARCROS CHEMICALS,

                                    INC., JACKSON, MS

 

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

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14174       ORDER ACCEPTING LOW BID FOR SOURCE OF SUPPLY FOR

                                    THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 20, 2007 THRU OCTOBER 19, 2008

                                    FOR LIQUID ALUM FROM SOUTHERN IONICS, INC., WEST POINT, MS

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

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14175       ORDER ACCEPTING LOW BID FOR SOURCE OF SUPPLY FOR

                                    THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 20, 2007 THRU OCTOBER 19, 2008

                                    FOR LIQUID CHLORINE FROM ALLIED UNIVERSAL CORP.,

                                    MIAMI, FL

 

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

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14176       ORDER ACCEPTING LOW BID FOR SOURCE OF SUPPLY FOR

                                    THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 20, 2007 THRU OCTOBER 19, 2008

                                    FOR POLYMER FROM POLYDYNE, INC., RICEBORO, GA

 

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

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14177       ORDER ACCEPTING LOW BID FOR SOURCE OF SUPPLY FOR

                                    THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 20, 2007 THRU OCTOBER 19, 2008

                                    FOR SODIUM SILICOFLUORIDE FROM INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS

                                    INC., BIRMINGHAM, AL

 

 

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

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14178       ORDER ACCEPTING LOW BID FOR SOURCE OF SUPPLY FOR

                                    THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 20, 2007 THRU OCTOBER 19, 2008

                                    FOR SULPHUR DIOXIDE FROM ALLIED UNIVERSAL CORP.,

                                    MIAMI, FL

 

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

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

            Next on the agenda was the lease with College Park Limited Partnership for the west precinct for the police department.  Councilman Thomas stated he still did not support precincts but felt the officers should have laptop computers in their vehicles.  Councilman Harris said he also supported the police officers having laptops in their vehicles.  Police Chief Benny Dubose stated that they looked into the costs of laptops a few years ago and they were very high and is sure they are much higher now.  After discussion, Councilman Harris offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14179       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF COMMERCIAL

                                    PROPERTY LEASE BETWEEN COLLEGE PARK LIMITED

                                    PARTNERSHIP AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (WEST PRECINCT)

 

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

 

Yea:  Perry, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  Thomas.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14180       ORDER AUTHORIZING CITY ADMINISTRATION TO ENTER INTO

                                    CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH LUKE PETERSON KAYE FOR

                                    ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR THE PROPOSED POLICE FACILITY

 

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, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5466                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND FILING OF

                                    PRESERVE AMERICA COMMUNITIES PROGRAM 2007

                                    COMMUNITY APPLICATION

 

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, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5467                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND FILING OF

                                    BROWNFIELD GRANTS WITH THE UNTIED STATES EPA

                                    OFFICE OF SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

 

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

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14181       ORDER DECLARING 26 TURNOUT COATS, 34 PAIR OF TURNOUT

                                    PANTS, 14 HELMETS, 2 PAIR PANTS LINERS, 1 COAT LINER AND

                                    2 PAIR OF BOOTS SURPLUS AND NO LONGER NEEDED BY THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING THE DONATION OF

                                    ITEMS TO THE FELLOWSHIP VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT IN

                                    HICKORY, MISSISSIPPI

 

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, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

            Discussion was held regarding the contract for the use of the county jail.  Council members felt that the citizens of Meridian were already paying their share of the costs to support the county jail and felt it was not fair to have to pay more to house city prisoners.  After discussion, Councilman Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5468                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT

                                    FOR THE USE OF THE COUNTY JAIL BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

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

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14182       ORDER ACKNOWLEDGING AND PLACING ON MINUTES THE

                                    PURCHASE OF A NEW FORD EXPEDITION ˝ TON CARRYALL

                                    TRUCK FROM WATSON QUALITY FORD VIA STATE CONTRACT

                                    PRICING

 

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

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14183       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE OF

                                    SENSUS TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY SR METERS ON A

                                    NON-COMPETITIVE BASIS

 

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, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Henson.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated September 27, 2007 in the amount of $2,878,609.52.

 

 

            Vice-President Perry advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) remove/replace elevator at Public Works Complex; b) construction of fire station #8.

 

 

            Next on the agenda was a presentation from Cultural Affairs Coordinator Connie Royal and Campbell Helveston with the Arts Council.  Mrs. Royal went over statistics regarding the economic impact of nonprofit arts and cultural activities in the city and county.  She said these statistics did not include activities at the Riley Center and would be higher than they are now.  Mr. Helveston advised that the Threefoot Art Festival would be held October 13th from 9:00 a.m. until about 6:00 p.m. at the Dumont Plaza.  There will be arts & crafts, activities for the entire family and the annual chili cook-off.  Mrs. Royal stated that there are numerous arts and cultural activities going on in the city that people can attend.

 

 

            Vice-President Perry called for the Mayor’s report.  He thanked Connie Royal for her hard work in cultural affairs.  At noon that day at Bonita Lakes there will be a kick-off of the “Just Lose it Meridian” campaign whereby the community is challenged to lose 10,000 pounds.  This kick-off will take place in the grove on the lower lake with a health lunch to be provided.  Planner Kevin Locke appeared to go over the 2007 Transportation Enhancement tree planting program which will consist of 100 willow oak trees being planted on the city right of way on 23rd Avenue from 20th to 43rd Streets and on Poplar Springs Drive from 22nd to 43rd Streets.  Flyers were left at the homes on these routes asking those citizens interested in having these tree planted on the front of their property to call and reserve a tree.  They have received 30 reservations thus far.  The city will start planting the trees in December and be completed by March.  Mayor Smith stated that an article in the Meridian Star on September 29th had an article on the first page that stated Chili’s would not be coming to Meridian.  He stated that Chili’s as well as Olive Garden are coming to Meridian and would be built in The Crossroads development as planned.  Mayor Smith introduced Brandi Latimer, the new city auditor/ chief accountant for the city.

            Vice-President Perry called for citizen comments.  No one appeared.

 

 

            Vice-President Perry called for council comments.  Councilman Palmer wanted to know the status of the building located at 1006 44th Avenue.  He said he thought this was the correct address as it is next to 1006 44th Avenue.  Building Official Mary Ruth Sharp said she would check on this and let Councilman Palmer know something.  He mentioned the honor his son, Nathan, received.  Council-man Thomas thanked everyone for the expressions of sympathy on the loss of his son.  Council-woman Perry congratulated the MHS football team for their game in Natchez.  She congratulated Brandi Latimer.  She also congratulated Sara Lynn Sturdivant Smith on being the only Mississippian who was invited to England as a consultant on a forum.

 

 

            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