REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 04, 2007 AT 9:00 A.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Henson.

 

Present:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

 

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Cory Stott of Trinity Presbyterian and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meeting with an amendment to: add an executive session regarding litigation.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated November 20, 2007.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14213       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES SURPLUS AND NO

                                    LONGER NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING

                                    THE SALE OF SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES

 

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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14214       ORDER ACKNOWLEDGING AND PLACING ON MINUTES THE

                                    PURCHASE OF A SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS

                                    SYSTEM THROUGH STATE CONTRACT

 

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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5479                        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 (JANUARY 02,

                                    2008 @ 9:15 A.M.)

 

and, Councilman Harris seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14215       ORDER AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF GRANTING HOME

                                    INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM (HOME) FUNDS

                                    TO KITTRA HUDNALL AT 707 64TH AVENUE, MERIDIAN, MS 39307

 

and, Councilwoman Perry 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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14216       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION AND EXECUTION OF

                                    AN OPERATION RANGER GRANT (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:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14217       ORDER AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF NINE (9) TOWN AND

                                    COUNTRY STYLE STREET LIGHTS INSTALLED BY MISSISSIPPI

                                    POWER COMPANY IN THE LEXINGTON RIDGE SUBDIVISION

 

and, Councilman Palmer 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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14218       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF UNITED CONSTRUCTION

                                    COMPANY, BRANDON, MS, FOR RENOVATION OF THE CORNICE

                                    AT THE MERIDIAN MUSEUM OF ART IN THE AMOUNT OF $41,977.70

 

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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14219       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF RETAINAGE TO ONYX,

                                    INC. (SWEETGUM BOTTOM ROAD SEWER SYSTEM)

 

and, Councilman Palmer 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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

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

 

RESO. #5480                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES FOR A

                                    VOLUNTEER SERVING AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE CITY’S KEEP

                                    AMERICA BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION TO REPRESENT THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN AT THE KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL’S 54TH NATIONAL

                                    CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, DC ON DECEMBER 5-8, 2007

 

and, Councilman Palmer seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5481                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREED ORDER

                                    BETWEEN THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL

                                    QUALITY AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

and, Councilman Palmer seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated November 29, 2007 in the amount of $1,554,384.55.

 

 

            President Henson advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) landscaping services for supply and installation of trees.

 

 

            Sr. Planner Don Jemison appeared to make a presentation on the National Flood Insurance Program.  The city’s participation in this program and the Class 8 rating results in a 10% discount to those persons who purchase flood insurance in the city. 

 

            The hour of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, the hearing as called for in Resolution #5473 regarding unclean property was opened with motion by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council.  No one appeared regarding any of the unclean properties.  Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to close the hearing.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5482                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A MENACE

                                    TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY

                                    (RAGSDALE SUR BLOCK 160 10’ OFF WEST SIDE LOT 12 & LOT 11

                                    LESS 15’ OFF WEST SIDE)

 

and, Councilman Harris seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5483                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A MENACE

                                    TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY

                                    (POOL’S SUB BALL SUR BLOCK 71 LOT M)

 

and, Councilman Harris seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5484                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A MENACE

                                    TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY

                                    (YOUNG SUR BLOCK 13 LOTS 3, 4, 22, 23 & PT LOTS 2 & 24)

 

and, Councilman Harris seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5485                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A MENACE

                                    TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY

                                    (MARION PARK SURVEY BLOCK 28 56’ E&W OFF E END LOT 9)

 

and, Councilman Harris seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

            President Henson called for the Mayor’s report.  He said the holiday season for the city got off to a joyous start.  He thanked the media for their coverage of the events.  He also thanked Connie Royal for her zeal and energy in putting things together along with crews from public works, police and fire working on this effort.  Lori Scoggins appeared and showed the trophy the City of Meridian won for first place in the parade.  Mayor Smith thanked her and city employees who worked on this float.

 

 

            President Henson called for citizen comments.  No one appeared.

 

 

            President Henson called for council comments.  Councilman Harris said it was good to see Ken Storms back and expressed sympathy to Ken and his family on the loss of his brother.  He stated that the ceremony honoring R. D. Harris was a good night.  He congratulated the Meridian High School, Lamar, and West Lauderdale football teams.  All of the schools in the area had great seasons.  He congratulated the many up and coming artists in the city.  Their work was displayed in the holiday festivities.  He also congratulated the winners of the beauty pageants.  He thanked city employees for their great work in seeing that the city was clean for the holiday festivities.  The parade was awesome.  Councilman Palmer stated he attended the EZTAG meeting which included nine counties.  They discussed ways to provide more transportation to those who can’t get other transportation.  East Central granted money for the survey that will be done.  He stated that fore-closures are tremendous now.  Congress is considering a moratorium because they have realized the unfair practices by lending companies.  He has some information on a resolution that other cities have adopted that he will pass along.  Councilwoman Perry expressed her condolences to Ken Storms on the loss of his brother.  She stated that long time educators, Mrs. Barksdale, passed away and her funeral will be held Wednesday at St. John’s.  She congratulated Mr. R. D. Harris.  She said this was the first parade that she has missed due to surgery on her knee and she is using crutches.  Councilwoman Henson said she has moved to a new period in her life.  They have had to stay home because of her husband’s health situation.  She thanked the media for an open door to those who have to stay home.

 

 

            An executive session was requested regarding litigation.  Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to close the meeting to determine whether to declare an executive session.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to declare an executive session in order to discuss litigation.  The Council then went into executive session.  Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to go out of executive session.

 

 

            President Henson called the meeting back to order.  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