REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2008 AT 9:00 A.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Henson.

 

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

 

Absent:  None.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. Raymon Leake of First Baptist Church and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas 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-9b; remove the executive session.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated January 15, 2008.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the following proclamations to be issued by the Mayor:

 

                                    February 8, 2008 – “Arbor Day”

                                    February 4-8, 2008 – “National School Counselors Week”

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14232       ORDER AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO WESLEY HOUSE

                                    CONCERNING PERSONNEL AND OPERATION COSTS ALLOWABLE

                                    THROUGH VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT #06NW2223

 

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

 

ORDER #14233       ORDER ACCEPTING DONATION FROM NORFOLK SOUTHERN

                                    FOUNDATION TO PURCHASE SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR THE

                                    MERIDIAN FIRE DEPARTMENT

 

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

 

RESO. #5495                        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 (MARCH 04, 2008

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

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14234       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO LONGER

                                    NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING THE

                                    SALE OF SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT

 

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

 

RESO. #5496                        RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI GRANTING EXEMPTION

                                    FROM AD VALOREM TAXES FOR A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD TO

                                    MAGNOLIA STEEL COMPANY, INC. AS AUTHORIZED BY

                                    SECTION 27-31-101 ET SEQ., OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE

                                    OF 1972, AS AMENDED

 

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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5497                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE ISSUANCE OF

                                    GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2008, OF THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT TO

                                    EXCEED ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000)

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5498                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND RATIFYING THE SIGNING AND

                                    DISTRIBUTION OF A PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENT FOR

                                    THE SALE OF THE ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000) GENERAL

                                    OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2008, OF 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, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14235       ORDER GRANTING QUITCLAIM DEED TO CLIFFORD CAMPBELL

                                    (CITY OWNED SURPLUS PROPERTY – “DICKEY CLAY” PROPERTY)

 

 

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.

 

 

            Connie Royal appeared before the Council regarding sidewalk stars.  The Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Center wants to place sidewalk stars in downtown in front of the MSU Riley Center to kick off MAEC’s new Mississippi Walk of Fame Sidewalk Star program.  The first star will be in honor of Jimmie Rodgers and will be placed during the Jimmie Rodgers Festival in April.    These sidewalk stars will honor Mississippians who have made substantial contributions in the arts and entertain-ment fields with a star on the Mississippi Walk of Fame.  The MAEC will provide the “stars” and the City of Meridian will place the stars and be responsible for maintenance and repair of the stars.  After discussion, Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14236       ORDER AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF “SIDEWALK STARS”

                                    PROVIDED AND PAID FOR BY THE MISSISSIPPI ARTS AND

                                    ENTERTAINMENT CENTER IN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN SIDEWALKS

 

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

 

ORDIN. #4327         ORDINANCE CLOSING, VACATING AND ABANDONING IN THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN, LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI 9TH

                                    COURT [PLATTED AS ANN AVENUE] FROM WATER VIEW AVENUE

                                    TO ITS END

 

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

 

RESO. #5499                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN QUITCLAIM

                                    DEEDS TO CONVEY THE CLOSED, VACATED AND ABANDONED

                                    RIGHT-OF-WAY OF 9TH COURT [PLATTED AS ANN AVENUE] FROM

                                    WATER VIEW TO ITS END

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14237       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF AGREEMENT WITH MCLAURIN

                                     PARKING COMPANY, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, FOR MANAGEMENT

                                     PARKING FACILITIES FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14238       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF BILLY SHUMATE CONSTRUCTION

                                    COMPANY, MERIDIAN, MS, FOR ASBESTOS ABATEMENT OF

                                    FOURTEEN (14) STRUCTURES IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,651.00

 

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

 

ORDER #14239       ORDER ACCEPTING LOW BIDS FOR 12 MONTH SOURCE

                                    OF SUPPLY FOR PIPES, VALVES & FITTINGS

 

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

 

ORDER #14240       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AMENDMENT #1 TO

                                    THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN WILLIFORD,

                                    GEARHART & KNIGHT, INC. AND 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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14241       ORDER ALLOWING WORD OF TRUTH WORSHIP CENTER

                                    USE OF CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY TO PROVIDE A TRAVEL LANE

                                    TO THE DIAGONAL PARKING ADJACENT TO THE CHURCH

 

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. #5500                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AND

                                    SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR GRANT TO THE FEDERAL REAILROAD

                                    ADMINISTRATION (ENHANCED EMERGENCY RESPONDER TRAINING)

 

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

 

RESO. #5501                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN INTERLOCAL

                                    COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF LAUDERDALE COUNTY,

                                    MISSISSIPPI (DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES)

 

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.

 

 

            Appearing before the Council at this time were Sam Whitehead and Emily Bryan with Colonial Pipeline Company.  They made a power point presentation on their pipelines.  Because of the demand for more gas, they plan to add another line along the route of their current line.  They are requesting permission to survey their line running through Meridian which is around the Northeast Park soccer fields.  Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14242       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF SURVEY PERMISSION

                                    BETWEEN THE COLONIAL PIPELINE COMPANY AND THE CITY

                                    OF MERIDIAN (PROPERTY AROUND NE PARK SOCCER FIELDS)

 

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 Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated January 31, 2008 in the amount of $4,075,920.49.

 

 

            President Henson advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) replacement of chlorine induction system at B Street freshwater plant.

 

 

            President Henson called for citizen comments.  Gary Turbville, 10898 Gilbert Joyner Road, appeared regarding the “Cans for Kids” recycling program.  He collects cans and uses the proceeds to help needy children.  No one else appeared.

 

 

 

            At this time the Annual Report was presented.  Those appearing to give their department reports were as follows:  Mayor Smith – letter to Council and citizens; Mark Naylor – Parks & Recreation Department; Jeff Homan – Fire Department; Ed Skipper – Finance & Records; Bunky Partridge – Homeland Security; Benny Dubose – Police Department; Monty Jackson – Public Works Department; Don Farrar – Community Development; Ed Skipper – charts on budget; Ken Storms – projects; Mayor Smith – comments.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to accept the 2007 Annual Report. (COPY OF ANNUAL REPORT)     

                 

 

            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