REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, MARCH 04, 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 Pastor A. M. Mansfield of Abundant Life Tabernacle 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: add as R-11 purchase of property from Wayne and Beth Wuestefeld.

 

 

            At this time City Clerk Ed Skipper and Bond Counsel Demery Grubbs opened the bids received for the $1,000,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2008.  They were as follows:

 

                        Bank Plus                                                                   3.294645%

                        Ross Sinclair & Associates                                     4.712799%

                        Morgan Keegan                                                       4.117737%

                        Allubion Securities                                                 4.1838762%

                        First Tennessee Financial Capital Markets       3.799065%

                        Hancock Bank                                                          3.60%                       

                        Duncan Williams                                                     4.343131%

 

 

They left to verity the bids and stated they would report back later during the meeting.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilman Thomas and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated February 19, 2008.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilman Thomas and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the following proclamations:

 

                                    March 25-30, 2008 – “Navy Week”

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5503                        RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM TAXES

                                    TO FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTIONS

                                    27-31-1(D) AND 79-11-33 OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, AS

                                    AMENDED

 

and, Councilman Thomas 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 #14256       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    TOMMY DULANEY TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE MERIDIAN COMMUNITY

                                    COLLEGE DISTRICT

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14257       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO LONGER

                                    NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING THE

                                    SALE OF SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14258       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF VENUE USE AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND THE MERIDIAN ATHLETIC

                                    ASSOCIATION SUNFISH TRIATHLON (USE OF BONITA LAKES FACILITIES)

 

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 Ordinance:

 

ORDIN. #4328         ORDINANCE ACCEPTING FROM POPLAR SPRINGS DRIVE BAPTIST

                                    CHURCH A DEDICATION TO THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, LAUDERDALE

                                    COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, A SEGMENT OF AN UNNAMED ALLEY OUT OF

                                    LOTS 4 & 5, BLOCK 2 SAMUEL KAYE’S SUBDIVISION

 

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.

 

 

            Next on the agenda was the request from Connie Dean for the city to authorize waiver of city water and sewer taps for her new residence at 511 17th Street.  City Attorney Robert Bailey stated that in his opinion it would be unlawful for the City Council to grant this request.  No action was taken.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14259       ORDER AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF GRANTING HOME INVESTMENT

                                    PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM (HOME) FUNDS TO SIDNEY CRESS, 3951 40TH

                                    STREET, MERIDIAN, MS 39305, AND BRENDA CARPENTER, 735 64TH

                                    AVENUE, MERIDIAN, MS 39307

 

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. #5504                        RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE INTENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL

                                    OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO CALL A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE

                                    PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO ORDINANCE

                                    NO. 3966 ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON JANUARY 11, 1994, SO

                                    AS TO RECLASSIFY CERTAIN LANDS IN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN FROM

                                    DISTRICT R-1 TO DISTRICT B-1 (APRIL 01, 2008 @ 9:15 A.M.)

 

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

 

ORDER #14260       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT AGREEMENT

                                    WITH LPK ARCHITECTS, PA, TO PROVIDE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES

                                    OF SCHEMATIC DESIGN, DESIGN DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION

                                    DOCUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE MERIDIAN

                                    POLICE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AND COMMAND CENTER

 

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.

 

 

            The hour of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, the hearing as called for in Resolution #5495 regarding unclean property was opened with motion by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council.  No one appeared regarding the unclean properties.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to close the hearing.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5505                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A MENACE

                                    TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY (#54

                                    PT SWNW ¼ DESCRIBED IN DB 495 PAGE 427 & DB 1006 PAGE 102)

 

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. #5506                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A MENACE

                                    TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY (MARION

                                    PARK SURVEY BLOCK 7, LOT 1)

 

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. #5507                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A MENACE

                                    TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY

                                    (RAGSDALE SUR BLOCK 240 LOT 4)

 

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 #14261       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN AND SEASIDE INSTITUTE AND TOMLINSON-

                                    GRAHAM GROUP FOR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN

                                    RELATION TO DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT

 

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 Order:

ORDER #14262       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF COOPERATIVE

                                    AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND THE

                                    MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICE OF

                                    HOMELAND SECURITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007 FUNDING

 

 

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 Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated February 28, 2008 in the amount of $1,427,973.68.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14263       ORDER AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING PURCHASE OF CERTAIN

                                    REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY WAYNE AND BETH WUESTEFELD

                                    LOCATED IN SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 6 NORTH, RANGE 16 EAST,

                                    LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI FOR SEVEN HUNDRED AND

                                    SIXTY DOLLARS ($760) CONTINGENT UPON ACCEPTABLE TITLE

                                    EXAMINATION

 

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.

 

 

            City Clerk Ed Skipper and Bond Counsel Demery Grubbs appeared regarding the bond bids.  They reported that the bid from Bank Plus was verified and they recommended that the City Council accept the bid of Bank Plus.  Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5508                        RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE SALE AND AWARD OF GENERAL

                                    OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2008, OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI, DATED THE DATE OF DELIVERY THEREOF, IN THE

                                    PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000);

                                    AND A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE FORM

                                    OF, EXECUTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT

                                    PERTAINING TO THE ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000) GENERAL

                                    OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2008, OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI 

 

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 Henson called for the Mayor’s report.  CAO Ken Storms stated that the Mayor was out of town on personal business.  Mr. Storms advised that last night’s weather constantly monitored and watched.  All departments were ready to go in case they were needed, however, they did not have to be sent out.  He said the city will provide assistance to surrounding areas if needed.  He introduced Lauderdale County Supervisor Wayman Newell to the meeting.  Mr. Newell stated that one of his campaign priorities was condemned houses and their removal.  He thanked the City Council for signing the agreement with Lauderdale County.  The county started demolishing some of these homes Monday morning and will be continuing the demolitions that day.  They plan on getting all 39 buildings on the list demolished.

 

 

            President Henson called for citizen comments.  Dinah Farmer, 2201 44th Avenue, appeared regarding a high water bill she received.  She said she did not have a leak.  She had replaced the fixtures in her home several months before this high water bill occurred.  Accounts Supervisor Becky Parker stated that they checked Ms. Farmer’s meter and it indicated that she had a leak.  They replaced the meter with a new one.  After discussion, Councilwoman Perry offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14264       ORDER AUTHORIZING A WATER/SEWER BILL ADJUSTMENT

                                    FOR DINAH FARMER, 2201 44TH AVENUE, ACCOUNT NO.

                                    321640001 IN THE AMOUNT OF $107.40

 

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,

Nay:  Thomas, Harris.

 

 

            President Henson called for Council comments.  Councilman Harris stated that the laws are specific and that is why he voted the way he did on Ms. Farmer’s request.  He congratulated the MCC girls on having a good season.  He thanked Supervisor Wayman Newell and the Board of Supervisors for their assistance in helping get these condemned houses down.  He feels the city and county should continue working together.  He stated the prayer breakfast was a success.  Council-man Palmer stated that Southeast Lauderdale would be playing for a championship on Friday.  He thanked the Supervisors for moving so rapidly on the agreement.  He said that as fast as you tear one down more come to the city’s attention.  Councilwoman Perry stated that this week was Read Across America week.  She read to a class at Witherspoon.  She stated that in April she and Supervisor Newell will hold a ward and district meeting at Velma Young Park.  She stated she had asked the Mayor to submit the Code Red and HOME programs to NLC for recognition.  She encouraged everyone to read to kids this week.  Councilman Thomas stated that there would be a meeting that night at 6:30 regarding the Library at Union Station.  They need citizen input at this meeting as they are looking at a new facility.  The Young Professionals Group is having a soup bowl to raise money for after school programs at Oakland Heights.  Council President Henson states he had a pleasant experience with Ken Storms and Don Jemison during a meeting in a neighborhood in her ward.  She commended Don Jemison on a fine job and said she was proud of him.

 

                 

            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