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

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Henson.

 

Present:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

 

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. Steve McDonald of Central United Methodist Church and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Harris duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meeting with an amendment to: add as R-12 order granting exemption from motor vehicle ad valorem taxes for certain military service members; add as C-6 authorization for affiliate membership in Navy League.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated October 02, 2007.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14184       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:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14185       ORDER AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO WESLEY HOUSE

                                    CONCERNING PERSONNEL AND OPERATION COSTS ALLOWABLE

                                    THROUGH VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT #05NW2223

 

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

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14186       ORDER SETTING ANNUAL SALARY FOR SPECIFIC EMPLOYEE IN

                                    THE MERIDIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT AS PER RECOMMENDATION

                                    FROM THE POLICE CHIEF

 

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

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14187       ORDER AUTHORIZING A 3% RAISE FOR MUNICIPAL COURT

                                    OFFICIALS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 01, 2008     

 

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

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14188       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO EXPEND

                                    FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $400.00 FOR AN AFFILIATE

                                    MEMBERSHIP IN THE NAVY LEAGUE

 

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

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

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

 

RESO. #5469                        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 BONDS OF THE CITY IN THE MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL

                                    AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000);

                                    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:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5470                        RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI (THE “CITY”), AUTHORIZING THE EMPLOY-

                                    MENT OF PROFESSIONAL IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF

                                    THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE CITY IN THE MAXIMUM

                                    PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE MILLION DOLLARS

 

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

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14189       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND SEASIDE INSTITUTE AND TOMLINSON-

                                    GRAHAM GROUP FOR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN

                                    RELATION TO DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AND AUTHORIZING

                                    PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL FEES NOT TO EXCEED $20,000         

 

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

 

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14190       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF THE SERVICE COMPANY, MERIDIAN,

                                    MS, FOR SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS FOR FIRE

                                    STATIONS #2, 3, 4, 5, 6 AND 7 IN THE AMOUNT OF $165,500.00

 

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

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDIN. #4326         ORDINANCE CLOSING, VACATING AND ABANDONING IN THE CITY

                                    OF MERIDIAN, LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, A PORTION OF

                                    AN UNNAMED ALLEY WHICH RUNS BETWEEN 40TH AND 41ST STREET

                                    AND ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF BLOCKS 1 AND 2, SAMUEL

                                    KAYE’S SUBDIVISION, AND 97.6 ‘ OF A CONNECTING UNNAMED

                                    ALLEY WHICH RUNS EAST BETWEEN BLOCKS 1 AND 2, SAMUEL

                                    KAYE’S SUBDIVISION

 

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

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.    

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5471                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN QUITCLAIM

                                    DEEDS TO CONVEY THE CLOSED, VACATED AND ABANDONED

                                    PORTION OF AN UNNAMED ALLEY WHICH RUNS BETWEEN 40TH

                                    AND 41ST STREETS AND ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF BLOCKS

                                    1 AND 2, SAMUEL KAYE’S SUBDIVISION, AND 97.6’ OF A CONNECTING

 

                                    UNNAMED ALLEY WHICH RUNS EAST BETWEEN BLOCKS 1 AND 2,

                                    SAMUEL KAYE’S SUBDIVISION

 

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

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14191       ORDER RECORDING INTO THE MINUTES OF THE MERIDIAN

                                    CITY COUNCIL THE “CERTIFICATION TO MUNICIPAL

                                    COMPLIANCE QUESTIONNAIRE”

 

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

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14192       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN

                                    MSI INTERNATIONAL AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (RECRUITMENT

                                    OF A CANDIDATE FOR THE POSITION OF CITY ENGINEER)

 

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

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14193       ORDER ALLOCATING FY 2008 BUDGET SUBSIDIES, GRANTS

                                    AND PUBLIC RELATIONS EXPENDITURES

 

 

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

 

Yea:  Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Abstain:  Perry.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14194       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT

                                    NEGOTIATION PERIOD BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND

                                    HRI PROPERTIES UNTIL APRIL 03, 2008 (PURCHASE AND

                                    REDEVELOPMENT OF THE THREEFOOT BUILDING)

 

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

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated October 11, 2007 in the amount of $1,292,235.64.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14195       ORDER GRANTING EXEMPTION FROM MOTOR VEHICLE AD

                                    VALOREM TAXES FOR CERTAIN MILITARY SERVICEMEMBERS

 

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

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

            President Henson advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) city hall renovation phase three.

 

            President Henson called for the Mayor’s report.  The Mayor had already left the chambers, however, CAO Ken Storms advised that the Red Cross was working on a veterans home.  Two porches need to be fixed and he feels it would be great for the city to contribute the funds to help build the porches.  He told the Council he wants to work with City Clerk Ed Skipper on finding the funds for this.

 

 

            President Henson called for citizen comments.  Virginia Coleman, 3104 10th Street, appeared and stated she was before the Council again regarding her neighborhood.  The sidewalks need to be fixed, water is running in front of her house on the sidewalk and in the street and the ditches need to be cleaned out.  There are two houses on each side of her that she feels should be boarded up or torn down.  She said she has brought this before the city several times before and nothing has been done yet.  Doris Walker, 214 24th Street, appeared and advised that someone wants to re-open the Hole in the Wall club in her neighborhood.  She and others have met with the Mayor and have met with the person who wants to re-open this club.  They do not want this club re-opened because of the difficulties they had in their neighborhood when this club was open.  Randal Jennings, 6201 Oakland Heights Street, appeared and read a letter that he wrote to the city council regarding the school system and the school board. 

 

 

            President Henson called for Council comments.  Councilman Harris thanked public works for placing lights on 29th Avenue.  Councilman Palmer advised that a graduate of Meridian High School, Tabitha White, served in the Marines and is a Lieutenant.  She is in the speaking program titled “Why We Serve”.  He said they are trying to get her to speak and the schools in the community.  Councilwoman Perry said the Meridian High team won.  Their softball team is headed for the play-offs this weekend.  The Meridian High homecoming is this week.  Jackson State’s homecoming will be on the 27th of this month and she will be honored as a graduate of 1962.  She asked students to do their best in school all the time, not just in their senior year.  Council President Henson thanked Council members for their support and help while her husband was in the hospitals and thanked everyone who prayed.  They are doing very well.

 

             

            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