REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, MARCH 07, 2006 AT 9:00 A.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Palmer.

 

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

 

Absent:  None.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Pastor Dorothy Lloyd of Global Harvest Worship Center and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meeting with an amendment to: remove R-6; remove R-8; add as C-1A a proclamation honoring James Bishop.

 

 

            First on the agenda was scheduled a report from Sylvia Autry and Fred Wile regarding Meridian Public Schools.  They were not present at the meeting.

 

 

                        President Palmer called for the mayor’s report.  Mayor Smith was not present at that time, therefore, this item would be put off until later in the meeting.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated February 21, 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:

 

Honoring James Bishop

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13714       ORDER AMENDING ORDER NO. 13688 TO CORRECT

                                    THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS AUTHORIZED TO BE TRANS-

                                    FERRED TO WESLEY HOUSE CONCERNING PERSONNEL

                                    AND OPERATION 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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5322                        RESOLUTION APPOINTING DEPUTY COURT

                                    CLERKS OF THE MUNICIPAL COURT

 

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. #5323                        RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 5317

                                    ENTITLED “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. #5324                        RESOLUTION DECLARING K-9 “DINO” 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 Order:

 

ORDER #13715       ORDER DIRECTING THAT OLD HIGHWAY 80 FROM

                                    THE INTERSECTION OF 5TH SSTREET AND OLD

                                    HIGHWAY 80 TO THE OKATIBBEE BRIDGE BE PAVED

                                    AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

 

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. #5325                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION AND

                                    EXECUTION OF A GRANT APPLICATION FOR DOMESTIC

                                    VIOLENCE, INVESTIGATION & PROSECUTION WITH THE

                                    STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY,

                                    DIVISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY PLANNING

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Discussion was held regarding the agreement with Carollo Engineers.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Harris to approve this agreement.  After discussion, motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to amend the order to state “substantially the form” as recommended by the City Attorney.  Councilwoman Perry offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #13716       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT

                                    FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN AND CAROLLO ENGINEERS (I & I INVESTIGATION)

 

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

 

ORDER #13717       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF DEVELOPMENT

                                    AGREEMENT AMENDMENT BETWEEN THE COMMONS,

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

 

ORDER #13718       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF DEVELOPMENT

                                    AGREEMENT BETWEEN QUALITY DEVELOPERS, INC. AND

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

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

 

ORDER #13719       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT

                                    FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH CREATING

                                    A FOCUSED IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM FOR DOWNTOWN

                                    REVITALIZATION

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDIN. #4280         ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2-35(B) TIME AND PLACE

                                    OF MEETINGS OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY

                                    OF MERIDIAN IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE TIME OF THE

                        SECOND REGULAR MEETING FROM 5:30 P.M. TO 5:00 P.M.

 

and, Councilman Thomas 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.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated March 2, 2006 in the amount of $2,340,607.81.

 

 

            President Palmer called on Mayor Smith for his report.  He commented on the loss of Mr. James Bishop who was involved in all aspects of the community.  He discussed the proposed developments concerning tax credits from Mississippi Home Corp.  He said the city has Qualified Census Tracts that are in need of new affordable housing.  He read is letter to Dianne Bolen, Executive Director of Mississippi Home Corp.  He said the city has taken aggressive steps in the last 10 years to provide low to moderate housing for our citizens.  President Palmer advised that it was time for the public hearing and asked Mayor Smith to finish his report after the public hearing. 

 

 

            The hour of 9:30 a.m. having arrived, the hearing as called for in Resolution No. 5311 regarding unclean property was opened with motion by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council.  The property at 606 37th Avenue was removed.  No one appeared regarding the other properties.  Motion was made by Council-man Thomas 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. #5326                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A

                                    MENACE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE

                                    COMMUNITY (BROWN SUR BLOCK 3 LOT 8)

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5327                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A

                                    MENACE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE

                                    COMMUNITY (RAGSDALE SUR BLOCK 230 38’ N&S X 135’

                                    E&W BEG 160’N SEC)

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5328                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A

                                    MENACE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE

                                    COMMUNITY (RAGSDALE SUR BLOCK 123 36’ N&S X 100’

                                    E&W BEG 80’N SWC)

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

 

RESO. #5329                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A

                                    MENACE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE

                                    COMMUNITY (MITHCELL’S SUR BLOCK 4 LOTS 1 & 2)

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5330                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A

                                    MENACE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE

                                    COMMUNITY (BALL SURVEY BLOCK 62 75’ N&S X 150’

                                    E&W BEG 70’N SWC)

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            President Palmer called on Mayor Smith to finish his report.  Councilwoman Perry said she talked to someone with the development proposals regarding areas in Ward 2.  Monty Jackson gave an update report on North Hills Street.  He said he talked to MDOT and they hope the money will be set up in October for projects to begin.  Since there has not been a project number given to the North Hills Project, no public hearings have been held.  He hopes these can start in June.  Discussion was held regarding the paving of Old Highway 80.  Mr. Jackson stated that the part of Old Highway 80 in question is concrete and not asphalt.  It will take more funds that those available to fix this highway.  Councilwoman Henson asked I there had been anything further done on making Highland Park a pedestrian park.  Mary Naylor said they are looking at closing off the intersection and putting up bollards to stop the thru traffic in the park.  Councilwoman Perry asked about the pool at Velma Young Park.  Mark Naylor stated that they are working on this.  The fence is back up and they are hoping to get a crane to put the filter back up.                  

 

 

            President Palmer called for citizen comments.  No one appeared.

 

 

            President Palmer called for council comments.  Councilman Harris asked the administra-tion to not forget about Marion Park.  He wants the city to make this a neighborhood park.  There will be a Ward 5 meeting on Thursday, March 16th at 6:00 p.m. at Union Station.  Councilwoman Perry said visitation for Mr. Bishop will be Thursday from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m.  The Jackson State Choir will be at St. Joseph’s on March 19th at 4:00 p.m.  She urged people to not continue to dump debris.  As soon as a large pile of debris is picked up, people rush to put out more instead of putting the stuff out in front of their homes for pick-up.  Councilman Thomas said it was good to see citizens get involved, speak up and voice their opinions as they have done regarding the proposed housing developments.  He thanked those involved in the Mardi Gras program.  This was a big success with a big turnout.  It was a good time for all those who attended.  He stated that Mrs. Kinard at West Lauderdale was recognized as one of the top three science teachers in the nation.  There are two area girls team still competing in state championships – Meridian High School and Southeast Lauderdale.  The Meridian High boys had a good year.  Councilman Palmer stated that long-time educator Mr. Robert Hawthorn, principal in Neshoba, passed away.       

 

 

            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