REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2006 AT 5:00 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 Councilman John Harris 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 P-1A presentation by members of the “Meridian Five” committee; add as C-2b May 03, 2006 as “Meridian Five Day”; add as R-12 raise for public defenders; add an executive session regarding potential litigation; change R-8 to R-9; change R-9 to R-8; and move Robert Markham and Clayton Tynes from Citizens hearing to P-5.

 

 

            President Palmer advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) intent to solicit Statements of Q&E from architects for the design of police station.

 

 

            Harrison Lewis, Obie Clark and Judy Cox Andrews appeared before the Council requesting a proclamation proclaiming May 3, 2006 as “Meridian Five Day” in honor of the five African-American young women who were the first to attend Meridian High School.  A picture of these five women will be framed and placed at Meridian High School.

 

 

            Connie Royal, Debbie Martin, Doris Slaughter and David Stephens with the Meridian Arts Council appeared and made a presentation on Art in the Park.  This festival was held April 1st at Bonita Lakes.  This festival was moved from Highland Park to Bonita Lakes this year.  It was reported that this was a success but that they recognized changes and improvements that need to be made.  They will be working on these changes to ensure the event is more successful in the future. 

 

 

            Mayor Smith stated that he had one re-appointment to boards and commissions – Bill Williams to the KAB Commission.

 

 

            President Palmer called on Mayor Smith for his report.  Mayor Smith asked Eddie Ivy with Homeland Security to come forward with an announcement.  Mr. Ivy stated the city received $1,802,190.61 from FEMA to help offset the cost of debris removal on city streets and rights-of-way from Hurricane Katrina.

 

 

            Appearing before the Council next were Robert Markham and Clayton Tynes regarding the difference between how the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency and Mississippi Home Corporation award tax credit points in developing housing in Mississippi.  They feel that (1) Meridian would benefit most from scattered site development; (2) it is critical that housing be restored on our Gulf Coast; (3) local governments deserve a voice in the planning and development of their communities; and (4) allowing county developments to use city services is a losing situation for the community.  They asked Council to contact our state and national elected officials and the Mississippi Home Corporation asking them to take immediate action to give preference to scattered site development, give preference to our Gulf Coast in awarding tax credits and give local governments a voice in awarding these tax credits.  They feel the Mississippi Home Corporation should award these tax credits like the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency is awarding their tax credits.  They urged the city to not extend city services such as water and sewer to any of these developments outside the city limits.  Mayor Smith made various comments on this subject and the contacts being made to change the way these tax credits are awarded in Mississippi.   

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated April 04, 2006.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the following proclamations to be issued by the Mayor:

 

                                    May, 2006 – “Older Americans Month”

                                    May 3, 2006 – “Meridian Five Day”

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13737       ORDER AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO WESLEY

                                    HOUSE CONCERNING PERSONNEL AND OPERATION COSTS

                                    ALLOWABLE THROUGH VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT #05NW2222

 

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 #13738       ORDER DECLARING VEHICLES SURPLUS AND NO LONGER

                                    NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING

                                    THE SALE OF SAID SURPLUS VEHICLES

 

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 #13739       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE

                                    MAYOR OF BILL WILLIAMS TO THE KAB COMMISSION

 

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. #4282         ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY’S ZONING ORDINANCE

                                    NO. 3966 SO AS TO RECLASSIFY CERTAIN LANDS IN THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN FROM DISTRICT R-1B TO DISTRICT B-1

                                    (VICINITY OF 45TH AVENUE AND 11TH STREET) INCLUDING

                                    AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN

 

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.

 

 

            Misbah Badat, Equal Opportunity Officer, appeared before the Council at this time regarding the proposed amendments to the Workplace Harassment Policy.  After discussion, Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #13740       ORDER ADOPTING REVISED “WORKPLACE

                                    HARASSMENT POLICY”

 

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

 

ORDER #13741       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF SERVICE

                                    AGREEMENT BETWEEN WASTE MANAGEMENT AND

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (MERIDIAN HOUSEHOLD

                                    HAZARDOUS WASTE AMNESTY DAY)

 

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 #13742       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL

                                    AGREEMENT BETWEEN WEBSTER ELECTRIC COMPANY,

                                    INC. AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (HIGHWAY 39 NORTH

                                    AND 33RD STREET SIGNALIZATION PROJECT)

 

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

 

ORDER #13743       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CHANGE

                                    ORDER NO. 1 BETWEEN B&B ELECTRICAL & UTILITY

                                    CONTRACTORS, INC. AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    (8TH STREET SIGNALIZATION PROJECT)

 

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. #5334                        RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE AMENDED

                                    BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF MERIDIAN FOR THE FISCAL

                                    YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 AND DIRECTING THE

                                    CITY CLERK IN REFERENCE THERETO

 

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. #5335                        RESOLUTION AMENDING URBAN RENEWAL PLAN,

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, CENTRAL

                                    BUSINESS DISTRICT PROGRAM PROJECT NO. 1

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5336                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND RATIFYING THE SIGNING

                                    AND DISTRIBUTION OF A PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENT

                                    FOR THE SALE OF THE TEN MILLION DOLLAR ($10,000,000)

                                    GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2006, OF THE CITY

                                    OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI

 

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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5337                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE ISSUANCE

                                    OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2006, OF THE CITY

                                    OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF

                                    TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000) TO RAISE MONEY FOR

                                    THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR ERECTING MUNICIPAL

                                    BUILDINGS, AND PURCHASING BUILDINGS OR LAND THEREFOR,

                                    AND FOR REPAIRING, IMPROVING, ADORNING AND EQUIPPING

                                    THE SAME; PURCHASING OR CONSTRUCTING, REPAIRING,

                                    IMPROVING AND EQUIPPING BUILDINGS FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES

                                    AND FOR PURCHASING LAND, EQUIPMENT AND BOOKS THERE-

                                    FOR; ESTABLISHING SANITARY STORM, DRAINAGE OR SEWER

                                    SYSTEMS, AND REPAIRING, IMPROVING AND EXTENDING THE

                                    SAME; PROTECTING MUNICIPAL STREETS AND SIDEWALKS FROM

                                    OVERFLOW, CAVING BANKS AND OTHER LIKE DANGERS; CON-

                                    STRUCTING, IMPROVIGN OR PAVING STREETS, SIDEWALKS,

                                    DRIVEWAYS, PARKWAYS, WALKWAYS OR PUBLIC PARKING

                                    FACILITIES, AND PURCHASING LAND THEREFOR; PURCHASING

                                    LAND FOR PARKS, AND PUBLIC PLAYGROUNDS, AND IMPROVING,

                                    EQUIPPING AND ADORNING THE SAME, INCLUDING THE CON-

                                    STRUCTING, REPAIRING AND EQUIPPING OF SWIMMING POOLS

                                    AND OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES; CONSTRUCTING BRIDGES

                                    AND CULVERTS; ALTERING OR CHANGING THE CHANNELS OF

                                    STREAMS AND WATER COURSES TO CONTROL, DEFLECT OR

                                    GUIDE THE CURRENT THEREOF; PURCHASING FIRE-FIGHTING

                                    EQUIPMENT AND APPARATUS, AND PROVIDING HOUSING FOR

                                    SAME, AND PURCHASING LAND THEREFOR; PURCHASING

                                    MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT WHICH HAVE AN EXPECTED

                                    USEFUL LIFE IN EXCESS OF TEN (10) YEARS AND NOT INCLUDING

                                    ANY MOTOR VEHICLES WEIGHING LESS THAN TWELVE THOUSAND

                                    (12,000) POUNDS)

 

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #13744       ORDER ACCEPTING DONATION FROM THE MERIDIAN

                                    HOUSING AUTHORITY OF A FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION

                                    TRAILER FOR THE USE BY THE MERIDIAN FIRE 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, 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 April 13, 2006 in the amount of $2,649,365.66.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13745       ORDER REALIGNING THE PAY OF PUBLIC DEFENDERS

                                    TO REFLECT ADDITIONAL APPEARANCES NECESSARY

                                    TO ACCOMPLISH THE PRELIMINARY HEARINGS FOR

                                    FELONY PRISONERS

 

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.

 

 

            President Palmer called for citizen comments.  Rev. Clayton appeared and asked that 6th Avenue between 29th & 30th Streets be paved.  There is a lot of traffic going on in this area because of the new housing development between 10th Avenue and Highway 39 North.

 

 

 

            President Palmer called for Council comments.  Councilwoman Henson stated that May is senior citizens month.  On May 1st there will be a kick-off at the Senior Citizens Center for senior citizens month.  Councilwoman Perry stated that the President of Jackson State will be the guest speaker at the NAACP banquet.  She invited everyone to her church for the women’s musical.

 

 

            An executive session was requested regarding potential litigation.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris 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 Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to declare an executive session in order to discuss potential litigation.  The Council then went into executive session.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry 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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5338                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE

                                    CONDEMNATION OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY AND

                                    IMPROVEMENTS LOCATED IN LOT 1, BLOCK 92,

                                    RAGSDALE SURVEY, CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI,

                                    OWNED BY JOSEPH L. BROWN AND WIFE, CHOXIE

                                    D. BROWN

 

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 Harris thanked everyone for making the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast a success.

                                   

 

            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