REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 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 Councilman Rev. John C. Harris 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:  add as C-8 confirmation of appointment by the Mayor of William W. “Will” Simmons as attorney for the Civil Service Commission; add as R-15 order authorizing execution of lease agreement for use of the Boys and Girls Club by the Meridian Public School District.

 

 

            President Thomas advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) Sabre 4000 hand-held trace detector; b) pipes, valves & fittings – 12 month source of supply.

 

 

            Planner Kevin Locke and Ed Brown with the Mississippi Forestry Commission appeared regarding a $15,000 grant that the City of Meridian was awarded through the Transportation Enhancement Tree Plant Program for tree-planting at the Bonita Lakes Park entrance.

 

 

            President Thomas called on Mayor Smith for his report.  He said he hoped the Council members have had a chance to see the lights around the Riley Center/Opera House.  Most of the non-historic demolition is complete on city hall.  He encouraged the Council members to take time to look at what has been uncovered.  He believes the Lord has wonderful things in store for Meridian in 2007.  He said it has been a pleasure working with them the past year and the progress that Meridian has seen.  He appreciates the City Council for working with the administration.  He thanked, City Attorney Bill Hammack, CAO Ken Storms, department heads, division heads and staff for their hard work.  He thanked the public who have prayed for the city.  He looks forward to moving into the new year with continued optimism.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated December 05, 2006.

 

 

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

ORDER #13948       ORDER AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO WESLEY HOUSE

                                    CONCERNING PERSONNEL AND OPERATION COSTS ALLOWABLE

                                    THROUGH VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT #05NW2223

 

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 #13949       ORDER ACCEPTING DONATION FROM WAL-MART

                                    FOUNDATION TO PURCHASE SAFETY EQUIPMENT

                                    FOR THE MERIDIAN FIRE 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 Order:

 

ORDER #13950       ORDER REMOVING 1995 GMC TRUCK, SERIAL NO. 525043

                                    FROM LIST PREVIOUSLY DECLARED SURPLUS BY CITY

                                    COUNCIL ORDER NO. 13896 AND PLACED BACK IN SERVICE

 

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 #13951       ORDER AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF A STREET LIGHT

                                    IN THE MID-BLOCK OF ST. ANDREWS & ST. CHARLES ON

                                    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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13952       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE

                                    OF TRASH RAKE ARM

 

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 #13953       ORDER AUTHORIZING A 5% RAISE FOR MUNICIPAL

                                    COURT OFFICIALS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 01, 2007

 

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 #13954       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF WILLIAM

                                    W. “WILL” SIMMONS AS ATTORNEY FOR THE CIVIL

                                    SERVICE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

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

 

RESO. #5393                        RESOLUTION SUPPORTING HIGHWAY 19 FOUR LANE PROJECT

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

 

ORDER #13955       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF MANDAL’S, INC., GULFPORT,

                                    MS, FOR METAL ROOF REPAIR – FIRE STATION #1 IN THE

                                    AMOUNT OF $43,395.00 AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF

                                    CONTRACT FOR SAID WORK

 

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.

 

 

            Next on the agenda was the proposed downtown on-street parking plan and the proposed agreement with McLaurin Parking Company to manage this program.  Motion was made by Council-woman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Harris to approve the agreement.  CAO Ken Storms went over the proposed parking plan.  Mr. Kenny Watts, President of the Downtown Association, appeared and stated that the Downtown Association was in favor of the proposed parking plan.  After discussion, motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and passed by a majority of the Council to table the matter.  Voting yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer.  Voting nay:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13956       ORDER ACCEPTING PERMANENT UTILITY EASEMENTS:

                                    (1) LARRY SMITH AND EMC MORTGAGE CORPORATION;

                                    AND (2) EZOLA MARTIN PAGE AND HUSBAND, ROBERT

                                    LEE PAGE (SWEETGUM BOTTOM ROAD SEWER PROJECT)

 

and, Councilwoman Henson 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 #13957       ORDER ACCEPTING WARRANTY DEEDS FROM: (1) LYNN

                                    M. MAULDIN; (2) NORMA M. SMITH; AND (3) EZOLA MARTIN

                                    PAGE, MARIE M. FRANKLIN, JOSEPH MARTIN, JR., OLA MAE

                                    COLE, JOANNE M. RAYFORD, DENNIS MARTIN, JASON

                                    MARTIN, STEPHANIE JOYCE MALONE, NANCY MALONE,

                                    LORINE LITTLE MALONE; HENRY LITTLE AND WILLIE LITTLE

                                    (SWEETGUM BOTTOM ROAD SEWER PROJECT)

 

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 Perry offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Ordinance:

 

ORDIN. #4300         ORDINANCE CLOSING, VACATING AND ABANDONING IN

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI,

                                    RIGHT OF WAY SOUTH OF 33RD STREET AND WEST OF OLD

                                    MARION ROAD

 

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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5394                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN QUITCLAIM  

                                    DEEDS TO CLOSED AND VACATED RIGHT OF WAY SOUTH OF

                                    33RD STREET AND WEST OF OLD MARION ROAD

 

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 #13958       ORDER ACCEPTING QUITCLAIM DEED FROM DENISE

                                    MARKLINE DENGLER AND GEORGE H. MARKLINE, JR.

                                    AND ORDER THE RECORDING OF SUCH DEED

 

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 Ordinance:

 

ORDIN. #4301         ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY’S SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE

                                    TEXT TO REFLECT ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES AND

                                    DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC REFERENCES

 

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. #4302         ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 3966 TO CONDENSE,

                                    SIMPLIFY AND IMPROVE THE CITY’S ZONING ORDINANCE

 

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 #13959       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF GRANT AGREEMENT

                                    WITH THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF EAST MISSISSIPPI

                                    AND ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS – CAROUSEL PROJECT

 

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13960       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF FEDERAL EQUITABLE

                                    SHARING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    AND THE UNTIED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

 

and, Councilwoman Henson 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 #13961       ORDER ACCEPTING WARRANTY DEED FROM LAUDERDALE

                                    COUNTY PARTNERS, L.P. AND LAUDERDALE COUNTY PARTNERS,

                                    II, L.P. AND AMSOUTH BANK AND ORDERING THE RECORDING

                                    OF SUCH DEED (OFF 10TH AVENUE AND 29TH STREET)

 

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 Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated December 14, 2006 in the amount of $1,619,399.27.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13962       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF LEASE AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN THE MERIDIAN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, LAUDERDALE

                                    COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (COLLECTIVELY)

                                    (LEASE OF BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB BUILDING)

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.

 

 

            President Thomas called for citizen comments.  Mr. Bob McGlothin was signed up to speak.  He appeared to discuss a plan he had to open a shop at the Union Station.  CAO Ken Storms stated that the city has sent him a couple of request for needed information before the city can start to work on a possible contract/agreement for his business.  He said he would get the needed information in.  Mr. Bill Heidelberg appeared and said he was connected with Mr. McGlothin and they would get this information in.

 

 

            President Thomas called for Council comments.  He asked everyone to keep a co-worker of his, Charlotte Scott, in their prayers as she lost her mother.  He thanked the constituents of Ward 5 and said he looked forward to a bright future for 2007.  He thanked fellow Council members for working together.  He thanked the Mayor and his staff for the wonderful job they do.  He thanked the Supervisors for a team effort in working together to make things happen in the city.  He recently attended the National League of Cities Conference in Reno, Nevada.  NLC is pushing things nation-wide for cities to be inclusive cities - economically, politically and racially - by speaking up and being part of the progress.  Councilman Palmer said he attended the NLC Conference in Reno.  This is a coalition being developed to start making money available for affordable housing.  He wished everyone a Merry Christmas.  Councilwoman Henson thanked Mr. McGlothin and Mr. Heidelberg for being at the meeting.  She said this is a giving season and we have a city of givers.  Her Church supported the Angel Tree program.  She wished everyone a Merry Christmas.  Councilwoman Perry wished a Merry Christmas to everyone.  She wants the citizens of Ward 2 to ask questions.  There is information coming from NLC on affordable housing and inclusiveness.  She urged everyone to remember it is Christ’s birthday.  President Thomas said it has been a good year but it will get better.  People have survived rumors and they are rumors and not true.  Things are good, the attitude of people is good, there is a lot of economic development going on and more to come.  There are Christmas programs throughout the city and the talent being utilized is outstanding in the musical programs.  There are a lot of homeless and those who are hungry but there are also the hopeless people who need to be considered also.  He wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

                                   

           

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