REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2002 AT 9:00 A

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2005 AT 5:30 P.M.

Meeting called to= order by Council President Palmer.

Present: Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Absent: Thomas.

The meeting was opened with prayer by Bro. Gary Bickford of Four Square Gospel Agape Fellowship and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.<= /p>

Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meet= ing with an amendment to add as R-11 confirmation of appointments of CAO and department heads.

President Palmer advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following= : a) low-boy trailer; b) painting of the pipes at North Freshwater Treatment Pla= nt; c) skid steer loader.

City Planner Kevin Locke and Ed Brown with the Mississippi Forestry Commission appeared before the Council regarding tree planting at Highway 11 & I-20/59. = ; Mr. Brown presented a check for $1= 5,000 to the City of Meridian for this project. The total p= roject cost is $20,000 with the city’s portion being $5,000.

Mayor Smith said he had two re-appointments to boards and commissions – Tom= my Slayton and Natalie Purvis to the Meridian Board of Zoning Appeals.

President Palmer called on Mayor Smith for his report. He passed out C-Span School Bus t-= shirts to the council members. When = this bus was in Meridian, students who visited the bus learned about the news process. KAB Coordinator Beverly Knox and K= AB Chairperson Betty Lou Jones appeared before the council. They attended the national meeting= of KAB in Orlando, FL.&n= bsp; Mrs. Fordice was awarded the Lady Bird Johnson Award for her work in helping clean up Mississippi<= /st1:place>. The KAB program here won two award= s: 1) going above and beyond the call of duty in maintaining the standards of excellence required to be affiliated with KAB; and 2) Distinguished Citation which is nationally recognized. Public Works Director Monty Jackson reported that the second sweep of the city for Katrina debris clean-up has been finished. Greenworks left Meridian today. They have sub-contractor here who = will pick up any debris that was put out after the second sweep. Anyone with Katrina debris will ne= ed to call public works and report it in order to get it picked up. Waste Management has been given no= tice to start picking up debris. T= here were 28,070 tons picked up as of Monday.&n= bsp; Leaf season will start Wednesday in Meridian and Waste Management will begin picking up leaves with their leaf vacuum.&= nbsp; Mr. Jackson reported that all streets except Highway 45 North from t= he Coca Cola plant to the city limits and Highway 80 have been paved. Highway 45 has been milled. The asphalt plant is closed down f= or the holidays but they are hoping for a warm day in January so they can pave Hig= hway 45. Striping of the newly pav= ed streets will begin after Highway 45 is finished. Councilman Thomas had asked about = the city turning off the light at the intersection of <= st1:address w:st=3D"on">23^rd Avenue and 6^th Street because of blocked streets. M= onty stated that this light along with other lights are tied together and it cou= ld not be turned off. The city c= an put a bag over the light, however, CAO Storms said he would prefer not doing that. Once the street is open= ed back up people would tend to not stop at this light if it was not in use now. The crane being used at = the Riley Performing Arts center should be moved by the end of January and the street will be opened back up then. The city will be using STP money for the following projects: 1) new traffic signal at the intersection of 33^rd Street and Highway 39 North; 2) all traffic controllers on 8^th Street are being replac= ed; 3) Lake Drive intersection at Bonita Lakes Mall. The North Hills Street project is on ho= ld at this time until the funds come in to the state. A lot of STP funds are being used = for Katrina efforts. Mayor Smith introduced David Butler and B.B. Archer who have been working on a study of city hall and will be making recommendations for upgrades, repairs and renovations. Mayor Smith intr= oduced the city’s new Equal Opportunity Officer – Misbah Badat. There were visitors in Meridian earlier that day considering a possible investment in the city. Mayor Smith thanked the city council for the pleasure of working with them and said he was looking forward to working with them in the future. He wished everyone a Merry Christm= as.

Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated December 06, 2005.

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

ORDER #13654 ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE

= &nb= sp; MAYOR OF TOMMY SLAYTON TO THE MERIDI= AN

= &nb= sp; BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

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, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13655 ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE

= &nb= sp; MAYOR OF NATALIE PURVIS TO THE MERID= IAN

= &nb= sp; BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

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, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resoluti= on:

RESO. #5297 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

= &nb= sp; MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION

= &nb= sp; FROM AD VALOREM TAXES TO NEW BEGINNING

= &nb= sp; CHRI= STIAN FELLOWSHIP, A MISSISSIPPI NON-PROFIT

= &nb= sp; CHUR= CH AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 27-31-1(D)

= &nb= sp; OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, AS AMENDED

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resoluti= on:

RESO. #5298 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

= &nb= sp; MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION

= &nb= sp; FROM AD VALOREM TAXES TO NEW VISION HOUSE OF

= &nb= sp; GOD FAITH CETNER, A MISSISSIPPI NON-PROFIT CHURCH

= &nb= sp; AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 27-31-1(D) OF THE

= &nb= sp; MISSISSIPPI CODE= OF 1972, AS AMENDED

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resoluti= on:

RESO. #5299 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

= &nb= sp; MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION

= &nb= sp; FROM AD VALOREM TAXES TO MT. ZION MISSIONARY

= &nb= sp; BAPTIST CHURCH, A MISSISSIPPI NON-PROFIT CHURCH

= &nb= sp; AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 27-31-1(D) OF THE

= &nb= sp; MISSISSIPPI CODE= OF 1972, AS AMENDED

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13656 ORDER VACATING AND ABANDONING PLAT DESCRIPTION

= &nb= sp; OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HOPE VI RE-SUBDIVISION

= &nb= sp; BEING RECORDED AT BOOK 12, PAGE 18 AND 19, IN THE

= &nb= sp; PLAT BOOKS OF THE LAUDERDALE C= OUNTY CHANCERY=

= &nb= sp; CLER= K’S OFFICE; ADOPTING REVISED PLAT DESCRIPTION

= &nb= sp; OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HOPE VI RE-SUBDIVISION;

= &nb= sp; AND APPROVING AND ACCEPTING QUITCLAIM DEED

= &nb= sp; CONV= EYING CERTAIN RIGHT OF WAY AREA FROM THE

= &nb= sp; MERIDIAN HOUSING AUTHORITY TO THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

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, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resoluti= on:

RESO. #5300 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

= &nb= sp; OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI GRANTING=

= &nb= sp; EXEM= PTION FROM AD VALOREM TAXES FOR A FIVE-

= &nb= sp; YEAR PERIOD TO MERIDIAN MATTRESS FACTORY AS

= &nb= sp; AUTH= ORIZED BY SECTION 27-31-101 AND 27-31-105

= &nb= sp; ET SEQ., OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, AS AMENDED

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, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resoluti= on:

RESO. #5301 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACTUAL

= &nb= sp; AGRE= EMENT BETWEEN THE CLAY FIRM (BETH C. CLAY)

= &nb= sp; AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13657 ORDER GRANTING PERMISSION TO KENT DAVIS TO

= &nb= sp; BUILD HIS FENCE ONTO CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY AT THE

= &nb= sp; CORN= ER OF 10^TH AVENUE<= /st1:address> AND 45^TH STREET, AND

= &nb= sp; ACCE= PTING HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

Councilwoman Henson offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resoluti= on:

RESO. #5302 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE

= &nb= sp; AMEN= DED BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF MERIDIA= N

= &nb= sp; FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,

= &nb= sp; 2006, AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK IN

= &nb= sp; REFE= RENCE THERETO

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, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

Next on the agenda was a proposed lease between the city and Meridian Community = College. Councilman Harris recused himself = from the discussion and vote on this matter as he is employed by MCC. Councilman Thomas offered and move= d the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

RESO. #5303 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF LEASE

= &nb= sp; BETW= EEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND MERIDIAN

= &nb= sp; COMM= UNITY COLLEGE (LIONS CLUB BASEBALL

= &nb= sp; FIELD AT HIGHLAND PARK)

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer.

Nay: None.

Not Voting: Harris.

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

ORDER #13658 ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND SUBMISSION

= &nb= sp; OF GRANT APPLICATION TO COMCAST CABLE

= &nb= sp; FOUN= DATION TO BE USED TO UPGRADE EQUIPMENT

= &nb= sp; USED TO BROADCAST CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS LIVE

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13659 ORDER AUTHORIZING PURCHASE AND CLOSING

= &nb= sp; ON BUCKLEY PROPERTY

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13660 ORDER SETTING ANNUAL SALARIES FOR CERTAIN

= &nb= sp; MUNI= CIPAL COURT OFFICIALS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 01, 2006

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, Har= ris.

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 Decemb= er 15, 2005 in the amount of $2,339,206.51.

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

ORDER #13661 ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

= &nb= sp; OF KENNETH R. STORMS AS CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE

= &nb= sp; OFFI= CER FOR THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13662 ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

= &nb= sp; OF L. E. SKIPPER AS CITY CLERK FOR THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13663 ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

= &nb= sp; OF DON FARRAR AS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

= &nb= sp; FOR THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13664 ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

= &nb= sp; OF JEFF L. HOMAN AS FIRE CHIEF FOR THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13665 ORDER= CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

= &nb= sp; OF H. C. “BUNKY” PARTRIDGE AS HOMELAND SECURITY<= /p>

= &nb= sp; DIRE= CTOR FOR THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13666 ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

= &nb= sp; OF MARK NAYLOR AS PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR

= &nb= sp; FOR THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13667 ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

= &nb= sp; OF BENNY DUBOSE AS POLICE CHIEF FOR THE CITY OF

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; MERIDIAN

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13668 ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

= &nb= sp; OF MONTY JACKSON AS PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR FOR

= &nb= sp; THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

President Palmer called for citizen comments. No one appeared.

President Palmer called for council comments. Councilman Harris wished a Merry Christmas to the constituents of Wa= rd 5. He commented on the Nation= al League of Cities Conference held in Charlotte, North Carolina that he rece= ntly attended. He said it was a ve= ry good conference. Councilwoman Henson said she was in Highlan= d Park recently and noticed the new work on Gallagher Creek. She attended the opening ceremonie= s of the new weigh station at the Mississippi-Alabama line. She thanked the administration for= their work and wished everyone a Blessed Christmas. Council-woman Perry said she agree= d with Councilman Harris regarding the NLC Conference. She attended a great all-day class= . She said that those who have been driving on Highway 45 since it has been milled are having a smoother ride.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> She wished everyone a Merry Christ= mas. Councilman Thomas said it has been= a long year – the war, the worst storm to hit. Everyone has worked together. The school system has had a good y= ear – higher scores, athletic team competing in state tournaments. He read a poem and wished everyone= a Merry Christmas, Happy Honokaa or a happy holiday that they were celebrating. President Palmer commented on the NLC Conference and stated it was an outstanding one. He wished everyone a Merry Christm= as.

There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meet= ing was adjourned. Sine die.=

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; &= nbsp; Respectfully submitted,

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Pam McInnis, Clerk of Council

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp;