REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, APRIL 04, 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 Rev. Bill Harper and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meeting with an amendment to: add as P-2a Pat Dillard with Mission Meridian concerning the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast; add an executive session regarding litigation; add as R-7 request from Meridian/ Lauderdale County Public Library.

 

 

            Sister Andre’ Burkhardt appeared before the Council and made a presentation on the Way of the Cross walk which will be held on Good Friday, April 14th in downtown Meridian.  She urged everyone to participate in this walk.  Mayor Smith presented Sister Andre’ with a proclamation designating April 4th as Sister Andre’ Day.  Sister Andre’ will be leaving Meridian this summer.

 

 

            Pat Dillard with Mission Meridian appeared and invited everyone to the Mayor’s prayer breakfast on Friday, April 7th at St. Patrick Catholic Church.

 

 

            Mayor Smith stated that he had two re-appointments to boards and commissions – Scott Morgan to the Zoning Board of Appeals and Doris Harper to the Trustees of Meridian Municipal School District.

 

 

            President Palmer called for the mayor’s report.  He advised everyone that the American Profile publication entitled “Train Whistles and Country Crooners” is about Meridian.  This issue can be seen at www.americanprofile.com/issues.  Asst. Police Chief Tommy Miller stated that the four police officers in the motorcycle unit participated in the Great American Motorcycle Police Motor Officers Skills Competition.  Officer John Griffith placed 1st, Officer Donny Jenkins placed 2nd, Officer Dan Moody placed 3rd and Officer Howard Cole placed 8th out of 30 officers participating in this competition.       

 

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated March 21, 2006.

 

 

            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:

 

                                    April 2-8, 2006 – “Boys & Girls Club Week”

                                    April 2-8, 2006 – “Junior Auxiliary Week”

                                    April 23-28, 2006 – “Days of Remembrance”

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13727       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE

                                    MAYOR OF SCOTT MORGAN TO THE MERIDIAN

                                    BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

 

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 #13728       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE

                                    MAYOR OF DORIS HARPER TO THE TRUSTEES OF

                                    MERIDIAN MUNICIPAL SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

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. #5333                        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 (05/02/06 @ 9:30 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 #13729       ORDER APPROVING SIX (6) INCH ENCROACHMENT

                                    ON CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY AT 1330 B STREET FOR A

                                    HANDICAP RAMP

 

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 #13730       ORDER RATIFYING ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL

                                    SALARY ADJUSTMENTS

 

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 #13731       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF PROJECT

                                    APPLICATION AND EXECUITON OF CONTRACT WITH

                                    THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND

                                    HISTORY FOR THE FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2006 CERTIFIED

                                    LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT-IN-AID FUNDS

 

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 left the meeting at this time.)

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13732       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CHANGE

                                    ORDER NO. 1 BETWEEN DAVIDSON HAULING, INC.

                                    AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (GALLAGHER CREEK

                                    STABILIZATION)

 

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:  None.

Not Present:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13733       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A TEMPORARY

                                    ACCESS/TURNAROUND EASEMENT FOR LOT 10, WINDMILL

                                    CROSSING SUBDIVISION-UNIT 1 AND ABANDONING

                                    TEMPOARY ACCESS/TURNAROUND EASEMENT FOT LOTS

                                    14 AND 15, WINDMILL CROSSING SUBDIVISION-UNIT 1

 

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:  None.

Not Present:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13734       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A GRANT AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE,

                                    UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE CITY          

                                    OF MERIDIAN (GALLAGHER CREEK STABILIZATION IMPROVEMENT)

 

 

and, Councilwoman Henson 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:  None.

Not Present:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13735       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF 2006 ASSISTANCE

                                    TO FIREFIGHTER GRANT APPLICATION THROUGH THE

                                    DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (SIX GENERATORS)

 

and, Councilman Harris 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:  None.

Not Present:  Thomas.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated March 30, 2006 in the amount of $945,460.38.  (Councilman Thomas not present.)

 

 

            Discussion was held at this time regarding the request from the Meridian/Lauderdale County Public Library for the City of Meridian to pay for routine inspections on the new roof which replaced the roof damaged by Hurricane Katrina.  CAO Ken Storms stated that the city and county approved an inter-local agreement whereby the county would assess a 2 mil tax on the property owners of Lauderdale County for the Library.  He said this 2 mil tax has not been assessed as it is only at approximately .97 of a mil.  The city owns the building housing the Library, however, the agreement indicated that routine maintenance would be handled by the county.  Mayor Smith advised that his office only saw the request that morning and asked that they be given an opportunity to look into this matter and let the Council know something at a later date.  No action was taken on this matter.

 

 

            President Palmer called for citizen comments.  No one appeared.

 

 

            President Palmer called for council comments.  Public Works Director Monty Jackson stated that Amnesty Day for household hazardous waste disposal will be held on April 26th at the public works complex.  Citizens will have to bring this stuff to public works as Waste Management will not pick it up.  Parks & Recreation Director Mark Naylor stated that the pool at Velma Young Park and the pool at Highland Park will be opened for the summer.  Monty Jackson stated that the city is through with the paving project except Highway 80.  Councilwoman Perry stated that on April 7th at 7:30 p.m. the Jackson State scholarship banquet will be held at the Council of Organizations building.  On April 25th at Noon and 6:00 p.m. there will be Ward 2 meetings at Velma Young Park.  Councilman Harris urged everyone to attend the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Friday.  He stated that the animal control situation needs attention.  He would like to discuss this at a later date.  Councilman Palmer stated that the Pinnacle Institute brought the Mississippi Mass Choir to Meridian.  They put on an outstanding concert.

 

 

            An executive session was requested regarding litigation.  Motion was made by Council-woman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to close the meeting to determine whether to declare and executive session.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to declare an executive session in order to discuss litigation.  The Council then went into executive session.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Council-woman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to go out of executive session.

 

 

            President Palmer called the meeting back to order.  Councilwoman Henson offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #13736       ORDER AUTHORIZING DISMISSAL OF CLAIM AGAINST

                                    BELLSOUTH TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND FOR

                                    MAYOR TO EXECUTE RELEASE

 

and, Councilman Harris 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:  None.

Not Present:  Thomas. 

 

 

            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