REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2006 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. Cory Stott of Trinity Presbyterian Church 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:  remove R-3b; add an amendment to the claims docket; add as P-3a a tourism report (if they show up at the meeting).

 

 

            The hour of 5:00 p.m. having arrived, the hearing as called for regarding opposition to the Tax Increment Financing Plan of 2006 (Meridian Crossroads Project) was opened with motion by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council.  No one appeared to speak or present a petition.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to close the hearing.  Councilman Harris offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5386                        RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION

                                    OF THE “TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN OF 2006, MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI (MERIDIAN CROSSROADS PROJECT)”

 

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.

 

 

            President Thomas advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) removal and disposal of two (2) 10,000 gallon underground fuel storage tanks; b) 16’x8’x6’ equipment trailers per specifications; c) inflatable boats per specifications; d) replace roofs – sludge press building & over influent screw pumps.

 

 

 

            Parks & Recreation Director Mark Naylor and Senior Citizens Center Director Barbara Wells appeared before the Council to announce the name change for the Senior Citizens Center.  This center will be known as the Meridian Activities Center, home of the senior citizens, and will be effective January, 2007.        

 

            President Thomas called on Mayor Smith for his report.  CAO Ken storms stated that Mayor Smith was in Jackson attending the retirement celebration for Leland Speed.

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated November 7, 2006 and recessed November 7, 2006.

 

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

 

ORDER #13931       ORDER AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO WESLEY

                                    HOUSE CONCERNING PERSONNEL AND OPERATION COSTS

                                    ALLOWABLE THROUGH VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT #05NW2222

 

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 #13932       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE SURPLUS

                                    AND NO LONGER NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT

                                    AND VEHICLE

 

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 #13933       ORDER ACCEPTING DONATION FROM FRED’S OF

                                    MERIDIAN, INC. (MERIDIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT)

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5387                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FILING AND EXECUTION OF

                                    A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE URBAN & COMMUNITY

                                    FORESTRY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR

                                    HURRICANE KATRINA RECOVERY FOR THE PURCHASE

                                    AND INSTALLATION OF TREES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY

 

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 Ordinance:

 

ORDIN. #4297         ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY’S ZONING ORDINANCE

                                    NO. 3966 SO AS TO RECLASSIFY CERTAIN LANDS IN THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN FROM DISTRICT R-1B TO DISTRICT R-3

                                    (VICINITY OF 40TH AVENUE BETWEEN 33RD & 34TH STREETS)

                                    INCLUDING AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

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

 

ORDER #13934       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF ACCESS TECHNOLOGY

                                    GROUP, RIDGELAND, MS, FOR SECURITY SYSTEM AT

                                    UNION STATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,635.00    

 

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 #13935       ORDER AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF VIDEO PRODUCTION

                                    EQUIPMENT FROM MISSION SERVICE SUPPLY, INC., MADISON,

                                    MS IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,463.38

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #13936       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF H E MOSLEY, INC.,

                                    MERIDIAN, MS, FOR STORM DRAIN IMPROVEMENTS AT

                                    52ND STREET & 31ST PLACE IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,560.00

                                    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.

 

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

 

ORDER #13937       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF HEMPHILL CONSTRUCTION

                                    COMPANY, FLORENCE, MS, FOR STORM DRAIN IMPROVEMENTS

                                    AT 6TH STREET (23RD AVENUE TO 24TH AVENUE) IN THE AMOUNT

                                    OF $91,782.50 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 Order:

 

ORDER #13938       ORDER DECLARING DUTY WEAPON OF CORPORAL JACKIE

                                    ABERCROMBIE SURPLUS AND AUTHORIZED TO BE SOLD

 

                                    TO HIS WIFE, LEE ANN ABERCROMBIE, AT FAIR MARKET

                                    VALUE OF $225.00

 

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.

 

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

 

RESO. #5388                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF

                                    ST. LUKE STREET BETWEEN DONALD AVENUE AND RUBUSH

                                    AVENUE FROM NOVEMBER 10, 2006 THRU JULY 31, 2007

                                    DURING CONSTRUCTION OF STREET PARKING/NEW ENTRANCES

                                    ON THE BLOCK AND ACCEPTANCE OF HOLD HARMLESS

                                    AGREEMENT

 

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 Ordinance:

 

ORDIN. #4298         ORDINANCE VACATING IN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, TWO FOOT (2’)

                                    RIGHT-OF-WAY ON THIRD STREET ALONG LOT 23 OF

                                    BLOCK 5, FEWELL SURVEY

 

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.

 

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

 

ORDIN. #4299         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, Councilwoman Perry 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.

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated November 16, 2006 in the amount of $3,105,684.71 with an amendment to add Purchase Order No. 701412 in the amount of $350.00.

 

            President Thomas called for citizen comments.  Mr. Robert Markham with the Meridian Public School District wanted to know when their request to one-way a street by Witherspoon School would be on the agenda.  He was advised this was approved at the November 7th meeting.  Public Works Director Monty Jackson stated that the signs should be put up before Thanksgiving.

 

            President Thomas called for council comments.  Councilman Harris thanked the concerned citizens group that met in town and discussed things for the betterment of the city.  He urged constituents in Ward 50 to stay involved in the city.  He wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  Councilman Palmer said he celebrated his 5th anniversary and the birth of his 40th grand child.  Councilwoman Henson wished everyone a pleasant Thanksgiving.  Councilwoman Perry reminded people about getting notices about property cleanings.  This is very costly now because of changes in state law.  She wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  Councilman Thomas sent out special thanks to CAO Storms and the Veterans group for a great day in downtown celebrating Veterans Day.  He thanked those at NAS for participating in this celebration.  There is good softball still being played by Meridian High School.  Southeast Lauderdale and Lamar did a good job and went further than they were expected to.  Meridian High School is playing basketball against Lanier that night.

 

 

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