REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2007 AT 5:00 P.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Henson.

 

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

 

Absent:  None.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Parks & Recreation Director Mark Naylor and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry to defer R-6 until January.  Said motion failed due to the lack of a majority.  Voting Yea:  Perry, Palmer.  Voting Nay: Thomas, Henson, Harris.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Council-woman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meeting with an amendment to: add an executive session regarding personnel issues; remove R-2.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated December 04, 2007.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14220       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO LONGER

                                    NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING THE

                                    SALE OF SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT

 

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

 

ORDER #14221       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO LONGER

                                    NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING

                                    SAID EQUIPMENT TO BE USED FOR PARTS

 

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

 

ORDER #14222       ORDER AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO WESLEY HOUSE

                                    CONCERNING PERSONNEL AND OPERATION COSTS ALLOWABLE

                                    THROUGH VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT #06NW2223

 

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. #5486                        RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM

                                    TAXES TO MERIDIAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE AS AUTHORIZED

                                    BY SECTION 27-31-1(D) OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, AS

                                    AMENDED

 

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, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5487                        RESOLUTION DECLARING CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY AS BLIGHTED

                                    AND SURPLUS FOR CONVEYANCE IN RELATION TO HOUSE BILL

                                    1150 FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING

 

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, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

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

 

ORDER #14223       ORDER AUTHORIZING INCREASE IN PERSONNEL SLOTS IN

                                    ANIMAL CONTROL FROM TWO (2) TO THREE (3)

 

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 request from George Hayes to maintain a fence on city right of way at 3203 46th Street.  Ms. Kelly Cross, 3201 46th Street, appeared and stated that she feels the Hayes should have to comply with the city ordinances as she has had to do.  Public Works Director Monty Jackson stated that he did not think the 2 ˝’ obstructs the view and does not feel it will be a problem.  Councilwoman Perry offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14224       ORDER ALLOWING GEORGE HAYES TO MAINTAIN A FENCE ON

                                    CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY AT 3203 46TH STREET WITH RESTRICTIONS

           

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.

 

 

            Discussion was held at this time regarding the Alliance for Downtown Meridian, Inc. taking over the Main Street program.  Mayor Smith stated the city has worked for the past 15 years in the downtown area to make sure the city is healthy and has a bold future.  A lot of programs and improvements have been made.  There are downtown property owners willing to step up and take over the downtown Main Street program.  He read part of a letter from the Mississippi Main Street Association which encouraged cities to develop a Main Street program outside city hall and public and private support.  The cities that do not do this will not be allowed to use the Main Street logo and resources.  Sharon Smith, who was the Main Street Manager, has been re-assigned new duties as the KAB Coordinator with the city.  Barbaree Heaster, Chairman of the Alliance for Downtown Meridian, Inc. appeared and went over their hopes and plans for downtown.  They hope to expand the programs that have gone on in the past and add others.  They want to work with the downtown property owners to help them in improving their businesses and bring more development downtown.  Council members expressed their concerns for the development of the African American area of downtown.  Mrs. Heaster stated they are very concerned about the development of this area also and want to work with the property owners.  After further discussion, Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

RESO. #5488                        RESOLUTION DESIGNATING ALLIANCE FOR DOWNTOWN

                                    MERIDIAN, INC. AS THE MAIN STREET PROGRAM FOR THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  Palmer.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated December 13, 2007 in the amount of $3,114,660.71.

 

 

            President Henson advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) pipe, valves & fittings (source of supply).

 

 

            President Henson called for the Mayor’s report.  CAO Ken Storms read a letter from Carolyn B. Wilson regarding the Veterans Day celebration thanking everyone for the events.  He asked for a consensus from the City Council regarding the donation of some private property to the city where a veteran’s burial place is located.  If the body of the veteran is buried on the property they would like to look at moving it to another location where other veterans are buried.  Mayor Smith stated that Dr. George French, grants coordinator, advised he that the city has received final notification on two grants: 1) Housing and Urban Development grant for roof repairs to the Kress building in the amount of $198,000; and 2) Blue Cross Blue Shield Mississippi Foundation to place exercise equipment along the trails of Bonita in the amount of $181,000.  He commended Jimmy Eckman and Pearce Steele for encouraging the placement of this equipment at Bonita and for the planting of flower bulbs at Bonita that were donated to the city by Van Zyverden.  He said he has been a pleasure working with the City Council this past year.  He wished everyone a very Merry Christmas and a productive and hope filled New Year.    

 

 

            On the study agenda was the proposed authorization to allow off-duty police officers to use public uniforms and weapons in performance of certain private security duties.

 

 

            President Henson called for citizen comments.  Randle Jennings, 6201 Oakland Heights Street, appeared on behalf of the NAACP.  He is over the education committee and brought up concerns the NAACP has with the school board.  Bob McGlothin, 3904 Davis Street, appeared and stated he would like to speak to the City Council during a closed session.  Mary Byrd, 4619 30th Street, appeared and stated she agreed with Councilman Palmer and the loud and vulgar music and the people who wear their pants down around their knees.  Kelly Cross, 3201 46th Street, appeared and left a list of commercial vehicles that are still not in accordance with the city’s ordinances.  She gave the list to CAO Ken Storms to see if they can be taken care of.

 

 

            President Henson called for council comments.  Councilman Harris wished Merry Christmas to all citizens of Meridian.  He said they hop to accomplish good things in the New Year and continue the work between the city and county.  Councilman Palmer stated that everything he does on the City Council is not personal but for the city’s business.  He appreciates those who have responded to his article regarding the loud music and saggy pants.  He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  Councilwoman Perry stated she dittoed what Councilman Palmer said.  She wished everyone a Happy Christmas.  She is on the mend from surgery.  She asked everyone to not take Christ out of Christmas.  Councilman Thomas stated this past year has been a pretty good year and could have been better.  A lot of people struggle more than others with food, clothing, utility bills, housing, etc.  President Henson stated that every day is a gift.  She wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

 

 

            An executive session was requested regarding personnel issues.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to close the meeting to determine whether to declare an executive session.  (President Henson left the meeting at this time.)  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to declare an executive session in order to discuss personnel issues.  The Council then went into executive session.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to go out of executive session.  No action was taken regarding the executive session.

 

           

            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