REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2007 AT 9:00 A.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Henson.

 

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

 

Absent:  None.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Lamar Lifer of Calvary Baptist Church and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meeting with an amendment to: add to C-2 appointment of Bobby Barrett to the Meridian Separate School District board; remove R-2.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated October 16, 2007.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14196       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    WAYNE RAWSON TO THE MERIDIAN AND BONITA LAKES

                                    DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14197       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    GAINES CRAWFORD TO THE MERIDIAN REDEVELOPMENT

                                    AUTHORITY

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14198       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    DR. L. BEN MCEACHIN TO THE KAB COMMISSION

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14199       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    BOBBY J. BARRETT TO THE MERIDIAN MUNICIPAL SEPARATE

                                    SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14200       ORDER AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF FOUR

                                    STREET LIGHTS ON RIVERBIRCH

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14201       ORDER DECLARING 2006 FORD CROWN VICTORIA, SERIAL

                                    NO. 2FAFP71W26X117726, CONTROL NO. 153-82 SURPLUS

                                    AND NO LONGER NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND

                                    AUTHORIZING SURPLUS VEHICLE TO BE TURNED OVER TO

                                    THE INSURANCE COMPANY

 

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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5472                        RESOLUTION APPOINTING DEPUTY COURT CLERKS

                                    OF THE MUNICIPAL COURT

 

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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5473                        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 (DECEMBER 04,

                                    2007 @ 9:15 A.M.)

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14202       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE OF A

                                    BURNER CONTROL COMPRESSED AIR FOAM UNIT ON A

                                    NON-COMPETITIVE BASIS

 

 

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 #14203       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF PERMIT TO ATT

                                    MOBILITY TO PLACE A 195’ MONOPOLE TELECOMMUNCATIONS

                                    TOWER ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1209 GRAND 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 Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14204       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF RETAINAGE IN THE

                                    THE AMOUNT OF $2,758.00 TO H. E. MOSLEY, INC. (52ND

                                    STREET & 31ST PLACE DRAINAGE PROJECT)

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14205       ORDER ACCEPTING BID OF CREEL DEVELOPMENT, INC.,

                                    MERIDIAN, MS, FOR CONSTRUCTION OF FIRE STATION #8

                                    IN THE AMOUNT OF $832,784.00

 

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.

 

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

 

ORDER #14206       ORDER AUTHORIZING MAYOR TO SUBMIT LETTER TO HOMELAND

                                    SECURITY FOR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH FUNDS FY 2008 FOR A

                                    NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM THROUGH CITIZENS CORP.

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14207       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT FOR

                                    CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION WITH ARJEN

                                    LAGENDIJK – ARCHITECT, PLLC FOR NEW FIRE STATION #8

 

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.

 

 

            Discussion was held regarding the process of re-naming streets.  Councilman Thomas     stated he feels the process should be followed.  The City Council adopted a policy for street name changes (overlays) and it has not been followed.  He said he did not know the Elliott family but that did not have anything to do with his comments.  Councilman Palmer stated the Elliott family has helped people in the city and he felt this name overlay was the best thing to do to honor them.  This application was submitted by CAO Ken Storms on behalf of the administration.  The Mayor stated this was done the same way other streets have been done when the administration make the recommendations.  Councilman Thomas stated he would like the city to stop renaming streets altogether.  Councilman Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14208       ORDER ADDING AS AN OVERLAY THE NAME “MARGIE & CALVIN

                                    ELLIOTT, SR. STREET” TO INTERCHANGE ROAD FROM THE GM&O

                                    RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAY TO BRIDGE CROSSING TOWN CREEK

                                    BRANCH

 

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:  Thomas.

 

 

            The hour of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, the hearing as called for in Resolution No. 5465 was opened with motion by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council.  No one appeared regarding the property located south of 1618 Martin Luther King Drive.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to close the hearing.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5474                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A MENACE

                                    TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY

                                    (RAGSDALE SUR BLOCK 149 51.5’ N&S X 114’ E&W BEG 155.5’ S NWC)           

 

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.

 

 

VETO PACKET #100

 

            Mayor Smith read his veto of Order No. 14193 which allocated the FY 2008 budget subsidies, grants and public relations.  He said State Games was only allocated $7,400 which was $100 short of being a silver sponsor in these events and he felt the Council should give them $100 more.  He also said that the allotment for EMBDC was less than last year and felt it should be at least the same amount for FY 2008 as it was in FY 2007.  He stated there were sufficient funds left in this account to make these two increases.  After discussion, Councilman Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14209       ORDER TO OVERRIDE MAYOR’S VETO OF ORDER NO. 14193

                                    DATED OCTOBER 16, 2007, ENTITLED “ORDER ALLOCATING

                                    FY 2008 BUDGET SUBSIDIES, GRANTS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

                                    EXPENDITURES”

 

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 Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated November 01, 2007 in the amount of $2,848,074.18.

 

            President Henson called for citizen comments.  No one appeared.

 

            President Henson called for Council comments.  Councilman Harris urged everyone to vote.  He said that publicly the Council prides themselves on making sure they conduct themselves in a proper manner.  Each of them have their own special areas that they are concerned with.  He does not want it to gout out in the public that they are not pro business as they are.  EMBDC is doing a good job but there are areas where they can do better.  He is all for them getting the funds they need as well as State Games and other allocations placed on their.  He feels that whatever the city takes in they should give back 10% to the city and feels these funds do that.  Once they come together and work on this he feels everything will work out.  Councilman Palmer said it has been discussed in the past to designate certain line items.  He has been pushing to do this.  They support economic development and State Games.  He hopes they will come together on this.  He talked about Tabitha White who is a Marine who speaks all over the country on “Why We Serve”. Council-woman Perry said the young people who were there earlier wanted to thank some police officers.  She hopes they will be able to come back to another meeting to do this.  She stated she is sure they will work out a way to get these two organizations taken care of.  She does not think it is fair to hold off two more weeks on the contributions.  They are really trying to be fair and conduct business as they should.  Councilman Thomas stated there are five Council members with different opinions.  They designated about ¼ million dollars to organizations.  He does not think there is an agency on the list that received what they asked for.  If they gave each organization what they asked for they would give out about $1 million.  The Council can always make changes and it is their decision.  The football teams at Meridian and Lamar are doing very well.  Meridian is playing at home again this week and they need support.  Basketball and soccer will be started soon.  Bands and cheer leaders are getting better and they need support.  Councilman Palmer stated the allocations go to organizations that serve the people.  Councilman Harris stated that if you wanted to see some national champions to come out and see the MCC girls basketball team.  Council President Henson stated they are part-time council members and do not have an office.  These Council members are some of the most honorable people she has worked with.  She thanked them for their support the last couple of months and thanked Councilwoman Perry for what she has done.  The retiree celebration will be held on November 13th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Frank Cochran Center.  They will have bar-b-q, music and a dance contest.  It is limited to the first 450 people who register.  Rebecca Gentry, Retiree Recruitment, stated they already have 450 signed up and more people are calling.  They may extend it to 475.  Councilwoman Perry stated that MCCSA was having a dancing with the stars dance on November 16th at the Riley Center.

             

            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