REGULAR COUNCIL
MEETING, TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2008 AT 5:00 P.M.
Meeting
called to order by Council President Henson.
Present: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer.
Absent: Harris.
The meeting was opened with prayer
by Dr. John Temple of Poplar Springs Baptist Church 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 an
executive session regarding economic development.
Motion was made by Councilman Thomas
duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to
approve the minutes dated March 04, 2008.
Councilman Thomas offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14265 ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY
THE MAYOR
OF EUGENE F.
YOUNG TO THE BUILDING CODE BOARD OF
ADJUSTMENTS
& APPEALS
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.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Councilman
Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14266 ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY
THE MAYOR
OF JAMES
MCRAE TO THE BUILDING CODE BOARD OF
ADJUSTMENTS
& APPEALS
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.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Councilman Thomas offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14267 ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY
THE MAYOR
OF CASSIE
KAUERZ TO THE HOUSING CODE BOARD OF
ADJUSTMENTS
& APPEALS
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,
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Councilman Thomas offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #143268 ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE
MAYOR
OF SARAH S. DAVIS TO THE HOUSING CODE
BOARD OF
ADJUSTMENTS
& APPEALS
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.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Councilman Thomas offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14269 ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE
MAYOR
OF ED MOSLEY
TO THE MECHANICAL BOARD
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.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Councilman Thomas offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14270 ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY
THE MAYOR
OF ZANE
CHAPMAN TO THE MECHANICAL BOARD
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.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Councilman Thomas offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14271 ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO
LONGER NEEDED
BY THE CITY
OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SAID
SURPLUS
EQUIPMENT
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.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Councilman Thomas offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14272 ORDER APPROVING TAXI PERMIT FOR: GEORGE PARKS
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.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Councilman Palmer offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14273 ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CHANGE
ORDER NO. 1
BETWEEN
CREEL DEVELOPMENT, INC. AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN
(CONSTRUCTION
OF FIRE STATION NO. 8)
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.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Councilwoman Perry offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14274 ORDER DECLARING CITY-OWNED PROPERTY SURPLUS
AND
AUTHORIZED
TO BE LEASED AT A COST DETERMINED BY THE
AVERAGE OF
THREE PROFESSIONAL APPRAISERS
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.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Councilman Thomas offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14275 ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF LUCKETT PUMP
& WELL SERVICE,
INC., DUBLIN, MS,
FOR CHLORINE SYSTEM IN THE AMOUNT OF
$15,898.82
(FRESHWATER PLANT AT 1598 B STREET)
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.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Councilwoman Perry offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14276 ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF TRUSTMARK
NATIONAL BANK OF
MERIDIAN, MS,
FOR LEASE PURCHASE FINANCING OF A RESCUE
PUMPER FOR
THE ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE OF 2.85% ON THE
AMOUNT OF
$364,800.00 WITH THREE (3) EQUAL ANNUAL PAYMENTS
OF
$127,486.12
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.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Councilman Thomas offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Ordinance:
ORDIN. #4329 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY’S ZONING
ORDINANCE NO. 3966
SO AS TO
RECLASSIFY CERTAIN LANDS IN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN
FROM
DISTRICT R-1 TO DISTRICT B-1 (3839
OLD HWY 45 NORTH/IN
THE VICINITY
OF HWY 45 N & 39TH COURT) INCLUDING AMENDING
THE OFFICIAL
ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN
and,
Councilwoman Perry seconded the motion, whereupon said Ordinance was discussed,
passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:
Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Councilman Palmer offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14277 ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF LEASE
AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE
CITY OF MERIDIAN
AND GREYHOUND LINES, INC. (SPACE AT
UNION STATION)
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.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Councilman Thomas offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14278 ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF LETTER
OF AUTHORIZATION
FOR PERFORMANCE
CONTRACT INVESTIGATION BETWEEN THE CITY
OF MERIDIAN AND HONEYWELL
INTERNATIONAL, INC.
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.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Councilman Palmer offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14279 ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF 2008
ASSISTANCE TO
FIREFIGHTER
GRANT APPLICATION THROUGH THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT
OF HOMELAND
SECURITY (PORTABLE RADIOS AND HELMET COM
SYSTEMS)
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.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Councilwoman Perry offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14280 ORDER APPROVING INSTALLATION OF SEPTIC
TANK BY RUTHIE
MOFFETT AT 6105 OLD POPLAR SPRINGS DRIVE
INSTEAD OF
HOOKING TO
CITY SEWER LINE
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.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Motion was made by Councilman Thomas
to adopt the proposed amendment to the animal control ordinance which would
limit the number of dogs a person can keep or maintain at one time on their
premises inside the city limits to no more than three (3) dogs and that persons
can’t keep or maintain newly born puppies longer than two (2) months of
age. It was discussed that there needed
to be an appeals venue and consideration given for pet therapy animals and
seeing-eye animals. The city attorney is
to work on this ordinance and come back with a new proposed amendment. Councilman Thomas withdrew his motion. Councilman Thomas expressed his concern that
animal control does not pick up animals during the weekend and after office
hours. He mentioned an instance where
his wife came across a dog that was lying in the street after being hit by a
vehicle. She called 911 and was advised
that animal control did not pick up animals on the weekends. She also asked a police officer about this
and was told that it was not his job to do anything. Police Chief Dubose stated that animal
control will pick up injured animals on the weekend and that someone was always
on call. He will get with 911 and make
sure they have this information.
Next on the agenda was the public hearing
as called for regarding rezoning case RZ-08-02 (Nan Casciaro, 1105 & 1107 Myrtle Drive). Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly
seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to open the
hearing. President Henson asked City
Attorney Bo Bailey to explain the Council’s responsibility as far as the public
hearing He advised the City Council that in order to rezone property the burden
of proof to support the rezoning is upon the applicant. By clear and convincing evidence, the
applicant must prove that either (1) there was a mistake in the original zoning
or (2) the character of the neighborhood has changed to such an extent as to
justify reclassification and there is a public need for rezoning. The decision will be valid if it appears to
be fairly debatable and will be set aside only if it clearly appears that the
decision is arbitrary, capricious, discriminatory, illegal, or is not supported
by substantial evidence. Planner Don
Jemison with Community Development appeared and stated that he asked to brief
the Council about the history of this case.
This matter came before the Planning Commission as RZ-08-02 on January
22, 2008. It is identical to a case that
was proposed in 2005. The applicant is
trying to rezone property from R-1 to B-4.
This last time it was denied by the Planning Commission and the
applicant has appealed the case to the City Council. At the Planning Commission meeting the
representative from the Lakemont Residents Association voiced their opposition
to the rezoning. The applicant and her attorney
provided their side for the request before the Planning Commission. It was denied by the Planning Commission and
has come before the City Council. Those
speaking at the public hearing were as follows:
(1) Nan Casciaro, 1105 & 1107
Myrtle Drive, appeared and stated she wanted to
explain why she was requesting this. She
bought the house at 1105 Myrtle
Drive five years ago and the reason was her
husband was will and they lived in the county.
They wanted to get closer to work.
She bought the house and restored it.
The house next door was being shown for rent and she could not believe
who the property owner was showing it to.
She called Paul Broadhead and asked him to sell her the house so she
could control who lived there. A month
later Mr. Broadhead called her and said she could buy it. That is the reason she bought the
property. The reason the Planning
Commission turned her down was because she did not get up and explain
that. She did not buy the house to get
zoning and she did not buy it to make money.
After she got it she rented it for a while and it did not work out too
well. She was doing candles and soap
and selling on the internet and three or four places in Meridian.
She decided she needed to just do candles. Her husband was in the hospital two years ago
for six months and was in ICU. Now he
works in the mall, takes all the money that comes in, works up all the receipts
and does her book work. He is 86 years
old and he can live to be 100 if she can keep him working. She could only push and move heavy equipment
for so long. She can’t make money in the
antique business and can’t make a living to pay the rent. This is the reason she wanted the house across
the street so she can go over and have her internet business and her husband
can do the books and she can make candles.
Most of those who come to the house to buy candles would not have
children. She has not had any problem
with children. If they did come she
would not allow them to go up to the lake.
There is no chance of anyone falling into the lake from any of her
property. They have never had any kind
of incident from anybody coming to their mall.
There are two entrances on 22nd
Avenue that people can go to and from so they
don’t have to go on Highway 45 South.
She wanted to bring those points to the City Council for them to
consider before doing what they are going to do on the rezoning. (2) Esther Northam, 705 Elmwood Drive, appeared and stated
they came here about two years ago for this same situation and they can appreciate
Mrs. Casciaro’s situation that she is in but those are their homes, all of
their homes, out there and they have been there for many years. She is sure all of the City Council is
familiar with the location and that they have been out there. Mrs. Casciaro was aware that this was a
residential area when she bought that property and evidently her plans have
changed and she wants Lakemont Subdivision to conform to her plans. That is a dangerous intersection and there is
a caution light there. On the two
properties that she wants rezoned the only way if someone came in and put a
business there, the only way they can get in and out would be to back out into
the street. It is a narrow street and
there are tennis courts across the street and the highway is busy. Myrtle Drive is busy with traffic going from
the highway to 22nd
Avenue and from 22nd avenue down to the
highway and it would present a dangerous situation for the residents of
Lakemont Subdivision. She asked that the
City Council to please do not consider rezoning this area. (3) Frank Polizzi, 715 Elmwood Drive, appeared representing
the Lakemont Civic Improvement Association.
The organization is comprised of home owners and residents of the
Lakemont Subdivision. A small yearly fee
is paid by members to maintain the lake and groom the adjacent border. This association was formed when the
residents had an opportunity to obtain Echo Lake
and the immediate surrounding properties.
Since its’ inception, the primary function of the Lakemont Civic
Improvement Association is to promote a safe, clean environment conducive to
family living. While membership is not
mandatory, most families in their small community are members and thereby share
in the ownership of Echo
Lake. On or about December 15th, he
received a letter from Mr. Robert Dreyfus on behalf of Mrs. Casciaro advising
their Association of the intent to rezone two properties, 1107 and 1005 Myrtle Drive,
from R-1A to B-4. The signs were posted
accordingly on the property. While they feel the intentions of Mrs.
Casciaro are honorable, once rezoned to commercial, whoever gains control of
this property in the future may establish one of many uses of this property. Since the zoning board voted unanimously to
deny this request it was never re-advertised for B-1 zoning. They are a little concerned about that. It should have been re-advertised for
reposted. They feel they are being
brought up and down on this and they don’t know exactly what stances to take
with it. Development of this property
for a retail business will create traffic flow problems on Myrtle Drive, one of only two entrance
points to the Subdivision. Extremely
limited parking would create a hazardous area, especially for traffic turning
from either direction off of Hwy 145 and on to Myrtle Drive. The character of their neighborhood has not
changed in at least the 30 years he has been there and this would change the
character of their neighborhood if this was allowed to be changed to a
commercial area. The proposed rezoning would
allow commercial establishments to encroach beyond the clear boundary of
Lakemont Subdivision altering the neighborhood character. It should also be mentioned the parcels in
question are immediately adjacent to Echo
Lake. If rezoned, a commercial establishment with
signage, equipment, fences and dumpsters (although Mrs. Casciaro might not put
any there) would be in direct contract, and on, property that includes
waterfront property on Echo
Lake. He presented a list of eighty-seven
signatures, all residents of Lakemont Subdivision in opposition to rezoning at
this time. He asked that the Council
uphold the decision of the zoning board.
(4) Robby Dreyfus, attorney for Mrs. Casciaro, appeared next. He asked that his packet sent to the City
Council be made a part of the record and asked that the Community Development’s
recommendation be made a part of the record.
He said they are there today asking that the parcel of land be rezoned
B-1, that was the recommendation of the Community Development Department and
they concur with that recommendation.
There is some confusion how this transpired. Mrs. Casciaro went to the Community
Development Department and said she wanted to have her dandle shop and wanted
to know how to go about it. Three or
four years ago she did go before the city requesting B-4 and was turned
down. They are only asking for B-1
because that is what a candle shop will fall in. They are not asking for anything beyond that
use. Councilman Thomas asked if the
Council was considering B-1 or B-4. City
Attorney Bo Bailey said the notice was for B-4.
Councilman Thomas said they are considering B-1. Mr. Dreyfus said the Community Development
recommendation was for B-1 and they concur with that B-1 se. B-1 use is permitted in a B-4 so there is
nothing wrong with approving the request as modified. CAO Ken Storms told the Council they could
consider a more restrictive use than B-4.
Mayor Smith said they can not consider a more lax use. City Attorney Bailey said a B-1 is more of a
transition business use and is more restrictive. B-1 is transitional and B-4 is more
commercial. Mayor Smith stated as far as
advertisement, they can’t consider anything more expansive than a B-4, they can
consider something more restrictive than a B-4.
Councilman Thomas asked if this was OK and City Attorney stated it
was. Mr. Dreyfus said that as a former
city attorney he knows that is the case.
They can go to a more restrictive use but cant expand on the original
use. Councilman Thomas said he did not
want to waste anyone’s time if it was illegal.
Mr. Dreyfus said he wanted them to understand that they are only asking
for B-1. A B-1 is for professional
offices, small shops, small antique shops and floral shops which a candle shop
would fall under. If the B-1 is
approved, the people who are in Lakemont who are concerned about what future
people may do, they can’t do anything that is not permitted in a B-1 use
district. There won’t be anything more
than a candle shop, gift shop or professional business if they approve the
change. Mr. Dreyfus stated that as Mr.
Bailey said, the law requires them to prove that there was an error in the
original plan, but that is not their case, or the character of the neighborhood
has changed to the extent that it would justify the rezoning or there is a
public need for the rezoning. He said
you can argue what the neighborhood it.
If you go out the building and stand in front of it all you can see is
the tennis courts and the antique mall shop across from it and the highway. You see one house on the corner of Beech Street. The neighborhood they (Lakemont Subdivision
residents) are talking about is back across the lake, way away from where this
building is. Their neighborhood is the
highway, that corridor that goes into Meridian
and that is what they are talking about that has changed. The changes are that primarily in 1999 all of
that property on the west side of the highway was rezoned B-4. The property on the east side of 145 and
north of Myrtle Drive
is already B-4. This the change in the
zone. There have been some changes in
the uses of the property rezoned that is already there. On Beech
Street which is backside of the property on 145,
that happens to be in R-1. Apparently
the zoning boundary goes down the middle of the block and everything on the
west side is B- and everything on the east side is R-1. There is a lady up there who has a beauty
shop, Jeanelle Morgan. She has a
separate tax assessment for that shop and that is in their packet too. He said he does now know how many customers
she has but she pays taxes on a beauty shop.
Then, if you go up the road to 22nd
Avenue Heights there is a house that was a
residence which is above the Holiday Inn.
It has been converted to a restaurant named Bridgette’s. That has been a change. What is significant is that there has been,
there is the lack of no change. If you
go down Hwy 145 there is no residential zone.
It is all commercial. All of the
residential movement in this city is to the north. If anything is developing toward the south it
is all residential. Look at what is
happening at Bonita
Lakes and everywhere
else, that is the way the city is going.
That satisfies the public need as well as the change. He called their attention to the report from
the city’s Community Development Department on page 4, item A-F. The Community Development staff has addressed
each and every criteria of the zoning ordinance and what it takes to be
rezoned. They have justified in each and
every case why this piece of property should be rezoned. The folks from the Association are concerned
and he understands that but they have not presented any facts to the Council
that contradicts what the Community Development report says. This is chock full of facts and it was
prepared by people who have education, training and experience in this area and
know what they are talking about. It is
not supposition or fantasy. So, the
evidence is before the City Council and they have a duty to follow the evidence
and just follow supposition and allegations.
Mr. Alex Smith, who all of the Council knows well, is an experienced
appraiser in town with an MAI designation as well as others and he is going to
testify. Basically he confirms what the
Community Development staff said and that is the rezoning of this property to
B-1 is not going to devalue these properties in Lakemont. These people don’t have anything to worry
about their values going down and increased traffic. Mrs. Casciaro is going to be taking the
existing candle customers from the existing mall and move them across the
streets. How is that an increase in
traffic? He does not understand. He showed a map of the area. The yellow shaded area showed the portion to
be rezoned to B-1 and the pink shaded area is the rest of the property that
will stay R-1. This R-1 is a buffer
area. The facts are there. There has been a change. There is a change in what they consider the
neighborhood which is the Highway 145 corridor and there is a need for more
land for business development because there is no residential development going
on there. And, all the criteria that the
ordinance prescribes have been addressed by the Community Development staff and
they concur that all the criteria has bee met.
These professionals recommend that the B-1 rezoning be approved. He asked that the Council approve their
recommendation and enter an ordinance rezoning this property to B-1. City Attorney Bo Bailey said it came up on an
appeal of the B-4 denial and it was recommended by Community Development to
rezone it to B-1. The City Council can
reject all or part of the appeal. Mr.
Dreyfus once again stated they concur with the Community Development
recommendation. (6) Alex Smith appeared
next. Mr. Smith stated that is only
function is that Robby Dreyfus asked him about this. He was asking about changing this to a B-1 or
any commercial zone what it would do to other properties in the
subdivision. In order for it to be
detrimental, it would have to create a situation where it measurably affected
market value of property. If you look at
that property, it is very small. If you
are back there in the subdivision on the street you can’t see it as it is below
the dam. He seriously questioned if he
was appraising a vacant lot for a house, he doesn’t know who would want a house
below that body of water. The bottom
line is, to rezone it commercial, he does not see where it would create a
situation where it would adversely affect the market value of the residential
area of the subdivision. Mayor Smith
stated the original request was for B-4 but the Community Development
Department did not recommend it. They
recommended only a B-1. Councilwoman
Perry said she drove out there and looked at the area and drove up the hill to
see for herself what it would look like.
She said she denied a B-4 zone before and if this was for B-4 she would
deny it again but it is not for a B-4. Mr.
Polizzi was asking about the area. He
said Mrs. Casciaro was requesting a B-4 for her entire property. He was shown the map which shows only the
area they are wanting rezoned to B-1. He
said that their community owns the lake and the community surrounds the
lake. They want to do whatever it takes
to keep the lake beautiful. The piece of
property they are talking about is on the lake. He said the pink parcel was up for rezoning
and Councilwoman Perry stated the pink is not up for rezoning. The yellow parcel is up for rezoning to B-1. She said she denied it before because it was
all of the property to B-4. Mr. Polizzi
said it was requested that the whole area be rezoned B-4. Councilwoman Perry said they got what was the
original request for the B-4 and not for the B-1. Mayor Smith stated that the only part that
was recommended was the yellow part for B-1.
Mr. Polizzi stated that they recommended the entire area at the
hearing. Planner Don Jemison stated that
their recommendation was for that portion that Mrs. Casciaro has as rental
property that is closes to the highway.
Their recommendation is in the packet along with a map showing what they
recommended. That was even denied by the
Planning Commission. They did not
recommend what Community Development recommended. Councilman Thomas stated that he understood
it but he is not sure the property owners in the audience understand it. Mayor Smith asked the Lakemont Subdivision
residents if there was any compromise on just rezoning that small portion of
land. They indicated no. Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly
seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to close
the hearing. Motion was made by
Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by
the Council to not take any action until Councilman Harris was present. This will give the property owners and all
time to get clarification on the request.
(Copy of petition from residents of Lakemont Subdivision, copy of
recommendation from Community Development staff, copy of packet of information
from Attorney Robby Dreyfus.)
Councilman Thomas offered and moved
the adoption and passage of the following Order:
ORDER #14281 ORDER AUTHORIZING ADDITION OF A FULL-TIME
CUSTODIAN
POSITION IN
THE MERIDIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
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.
Nay: None.
Absent: Harris.
Motion was made by Councilwoman
Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council
to approve the claims docket dated March 13, 2008 in the amount of
$2,465,671.26.
President Henson called on Mayor
Smith for his report. He went over the
procedures when digital TV will go into effect on February 17, 2009. He stated that Meridian was just designated as a Preserve
America Community by First Lady Laura Bush.
There were 14 new communities nation wide to receive this designation
with 585 total in the nation. He thanked
Connie Royal, George French and Maureen Lofton for their efforts in applying
for this designation. The city will be
able to apply for Preserve America grants.
Mayor Smith stated that he recently toured the work at city hall. Some of the terra cotta on the northeast
corner of city hall is being removed because the bracing has deteriorated. There are 1500 pieces of terra cotta that
will be replaced. Some will be restored
in place on the building. Demotion to
create the new elevator and new stair well is being done. He introduced Bob Gray with the Disabled
American Veterans. Mr. Gray stated they
would be holding their annual golf tournament on Friday, April 4th
at NAS. He asked the City Council to
sponsor a hole for $200.00. This item
will be placed on the next agenda for approval.
(Councilman Thomas left the meeting at this time.
President Henson called for council
comments. Councilman Palmer mentioned a
couple of complaints. Councilwoman Perry
stated that there would be a Ward 2/District 2 meeting on April 22nd
at 6:00 p.m. at Velma Young. She
encouraged senior citizens to sign up for the economic stimulus package.
An executive session was requested
regarding economic development. 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
economic development. The Council then
went into executive session. Motion was
made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer 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