REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2006 AT 5:30 P.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Palmer.

 

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

 

Absent:  None.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Eddie Cryer of New Prospect Baptist Church and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meeting with an amendment to: add as R-12 an Adopt An Interchange Agreement; add as R-13 the proposed jail contract.

 

 

            Mayor Smith said he had one reappointment to boards and commissions – Mable Oatis to the Meridian and Bonita Lakes Development Authority.

 

 

            President Palmer called on Mayor Smith for his report.  He stated he was in Starkville for two days last week meeting with the Mississippi Development Authority and for a round table discussion at the Seaside Institute.  Sharon Smith, Dorothy Allen, Carolyn Smith, Tiffany Mathis and Charlotte Scott appeared regarding the Little Mardi Gras celebration.  Rosie Ledet will be the headliner for the block part on Friday, February 24th beginning at 6:00 p.m.  On Saturday, February 25th the festivities will include and all day plaza party at Dumont Plaza, Krewe of Barkus pet parade, Krewe of Kids children’s parade, Jazz Dance presentation, Krewe of Trucks truck parade, gumbo cook-off competition winner announcement and Krewe of Midas Parade.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the council to approve the minutes dated February 07 and 10 , 2006.

 

 

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

 

February 24-25, 2006 – “Little Mardi Gras Downtown Block Party”

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13699       ORDER AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO

                                    WESLEY HOUSE CONCERNING PERSONNEL AND

                                    OPERATING COSTS ALLOWABLE THROUGH

                                    VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT #05NW2222

 

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 #13700       ORDER RE-ESTABLISHING PETTY CASH FUNDS

                                    FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006

 

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 #13701       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE

                                    MAYOR OF MABLE OATIS TO THE MERIDIAN AND

                                    BONITA LAKES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

 

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. #5316                        RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION

                                    FROM AD VALOREM TAXES TO EPISCOPAL CHURCH

                                    OF THE MEDIATOR, A MISSISSIPPI NON-PROFIT CHURCH

                                    AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 27-31-1(D) AND 79-11-33

                                    OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, AS AMENDED

 

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 #13702       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 Order:

 

ORDER #13703       ORDER AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF A STREET

                                    LIGHT AT 574 TANNER CIRCLE

 

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. #5317                        RESOLUTION DECLARING K-9 “MADUKE” SURPLUS

                                    AND TO BE OFFICIALLY RETIRED FROM THE K-9

                                    UNIT OF THE MERIDIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5318                        RESOLUTION DECLARING K-9 “YOI” SURPLUS AND TO

                                    BE OFFICIALLY RETIRED FROM THE K-9 UNIT OF THE

                                    MERIDIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

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 Ordinance:

 

ORDIN. #4279         ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY’S ZONING ORDINANCE

                                    NO. 3966 SO AS TO RECLASSIFY CERTAIN LANDS IN THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN FROM DISTRICT P-1 TO DISTRICT I-1

                                    (VICINITY OF 18TH AVENUE & “A” STREET) INCLUDING

                                    AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY      

                                    OF MERIDIAN

 

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

 

ORDER #13704       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF GRANT

                                    APPLICATION TO THE RILEY FOUNDATION

                                    (RESTORATION AND RENOVATION OF KRESS BUILDING)

 

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

 

RESO. #5319                        RESOLUTION ADOPTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

                                    FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FY 2005 EMPLOYER-

                                    ASSISTED HOUSING PROGRAM [EAH] HOME

                                    INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP (HOME) PROGRAM

 

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

 

RESO. #5320                        RESOLUTION DECLARING CERTAIN MUNICIPALLY

                                    OWNED REAL PROPERTY TO BE SURPLUS AND NOT

                                    NEEDED FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES AND AUTHORIZING

                                    AND DIRECTING SALE OF SAME

 

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 #13705       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND SUBMISSION

                                    OF SEATBELT ENFORCEMENT GRANT WITH THE OFFICE

                                    OF HIGHWAY SAFETY, DIVISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY

                                    PLANNING

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #13706       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF INTERLOCAL

                                    AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI

                                    AND LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI (2005 BYRNE

                                    JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT [JAG] PROGRAM AWARD)

 

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:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13707       ORDER ACCEPTING LOW BIDS FOR 12 MONTH SOURCE

                                    OF SUPPLY FOR PIPES, VALVES & FITTINGS

 

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 #13708       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF INNOVATIVE LANDSCAPE,

                                    INC., GUNTOWN, MS FOR SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF

                                    TREES/AIRPORT INTERCHANGE IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,914.80

 

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 #13709       ORDER AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF SKID STEER

                                    LOADER FROM EQUIPMENT INC., JACKSON, MS,

                                    IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,149.89

 

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

 

ORDER #13710       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CHANGE

                                    ORDER NO. 2 AND FINAL BETWEEN KEVIN COLEMAN

                                    CONSTRUCTION, INC. AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    (MERIDIAN LAUDERDALE COUNTY I-20/59 INDUSTRIAL

                                    PARK UTILITIES EXTENSION)

 

and, Councilman Thomas seconded the motion, whereupon said Order was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a bid as follows:

 

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

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13711       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF VENUE USE

                                    AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND

                                    THE STATE GAMES OF MISSISSIPPI, INC. (USE OF

                                    BONITA LAKES FACILITIES)

 

and, Councilman Thomas 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 #13712       ORDER REJECTING UNSOLICITED DEED

 

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.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated February 16, 2006 in the amount of $2,284,842.47.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13713       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ADOPT AN

                                    INTERCHANGE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MISSISSIPPI

                                    TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    (I-20/59 AND MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 11 INTERCHANGE)

 

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

 

RESO. #5321                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF 2006

                                    CONTRACT FOR THE USE OF THE COUNTY JAIL BETWEEN

                                    LAUDERDALE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

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.             

 

 

            President Palmer called for citizen comments.  No one appeared.

 

 

            President Palmer called for council comments.  Mayor Smith stated that Mr. Tommy Dulaney and two students from MSU (April Pierce and Cole Caldwell) were at the meeting.  They have to prepare a paper on the council meeting.  CAO Ken Storms stated that they were looking into an emergency operations center and are looking at a contract/bid from a communications service provider that looks like it will fill in the gaps we now have.  Police Chief Benny Dubose stated that Officer Mark Chandlee was selected as police officer of the year by the Exchange Club.  The city had five officers recognized in Jackson for DUI citations issued.  Councilman Harris congratulated Ed Skipper on being admitted to the MCC Hall of Fame.  He congratulated the MCC basketball teams.  He stated with the city and county working together that 18 homes have been demolished.  Councilwoman Henson stated she has been attending the COG meetings/ breakfasts and has felt real encouraged about the camaraderie there.  It is a great thing for the elected officials to come together.  Councilwoman Perry apologized for not attending the luncheon as she was in Jackson.  The Democratic women served at a reception held at the Capitol.  Councilman Palmer apologized to Mr. Dulaney for being unable to attend the meeting regarding Highway 80 and 65th Avenue held earlier that day.  He thanked Councilman Harris and Monty Jackson for attending the meeting.     

                                   

 

            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