REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, may 01 AT 9:00 A.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Thomas.

 

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

 

Absent:  None

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. Rhett Payne of First Presbyterian Church followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson 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-10 a grant for M & B Railroad; remove R-4; add as C-6 May 04, 2007 – “Excellence In Education Day”.

 

 

            President Thomas called for the Mayor’s report.  CAO Ken Storms advised that Mayor Smith was in San Francisco.  He stated that May 11th will be Police Officer’s Memorial Day.  President Thomas stated that if the city’s animal control ordinance is enforced then it can take care of the problems that have been brought to the city’s attention.  City Attorney Bill Hammack stated that the advisory board established in the ordinance has never functioned or met.  This needs to be addressed.  Either the advisory board needs to be a functioning board or it needs to be done away with and leave the responsibility to the police officers or animal control.  In his opinion this ordinances addresses the concerns if it is enforced.  Councilman Harris stated he feels the fines should be raised and that the owners of dogs should have insurance.  Councilwoman Henson said the leash law should be enforced.  Councilman Harris asked what needs to be done to get this advisory board back on track.  Mr. Hammack stated that if the advisory board is done away with then citizens will have the right to appeal to municipal court or county court.  CAO Storms stated that the city needs to talk to the county to see about the county animal control officers working more inside the city limits.  The county has three officers and the city has two.  The county officers are instructed to work only outside the city limits even though Meridian is in Lauderdale County.  Asst. Police Chief Tommy Miller stated that he will meet with the animal control officers on this. 

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated April 17, 2007.

 

 

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

 

 

ORDIN. #4316         ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2006 EDITIONS OF THE

                                    INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE AND INTERNATIONAL

                                    RESIDENTIAL CODE

 

and, Councilman Palmer 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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14034       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF LAND PATENTS

                                    AND PAYMENT OF BACK TAXES AND DECLARING SURPLUS

                                    AND AUTHORIZING SALE OF PROPERTY IN CONNECTION

                                    WITH THE CITY’S AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT

 

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

 

RESO. #5428                        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 (JUNE 05, 2007

                                    AT 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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14035       ORDER APPROVING TAXI PERMIT FOR: JAMMIE WASHINGTON

 

 

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.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the following proclamation:

 

                                    May 4, 2007 – “Excellence In Education Day”

 

 

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

 

ORDIN. #4317         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-3

                                    (VICINITY OF 53RD AVENUE AND 8TH STREET EXTENSION)

                                    INCLUDING AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

and, Councilman Palmer 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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14036       ORDER APPROVING AND ADOPTING FINAL PLAT OF

                                    CASTLEWOOD LOOP SUBDIVISION, A RESIDENTIAL

                                    SUBDIVISION OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

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

RESO. #5429                        RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

 

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

 

ORDER #14037       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF GRANT

                                    APPLICATION TO THE RILEY FOUNDATION (EXERCISE

                                    EQUIPMENT – MERIDIAN FIRE DEPARTMENT

 

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

 

ORDIN. #4318         ORDINANCE INSERTING SECTION 16-50 OF THE CODE OF

                                    ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO PROHIBIT

                                    THE USE OF OUTDOOR GRILLS WITHIN THE INTERIOR OR

                                    WITHIN FIFTEEN FEET OF DWELLINGS OF MORE THAN

                                    TWO UNITS

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14038       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND SEASIDE INSTITUTE AND TOMLINSON-

                                    GRAHAM GROUP FOR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN

                                    RELATION TO DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AND AUTHORIZING

                                    PAYMENT OF PART I FEES NOT TO EXCEED $75,000

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

 

ORDER #14039       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF 2007 ASSISTANCE

                                    TO FIREFIGHTER GRANT APPLICATION THROUGH THE

                                    DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (PORTABLE RADIOS)

 

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.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated April 26, 2007 in the amount of $1,516,406.53.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14040       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF FHWA TCSP

                                    TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNITY, AND SYSTEM PRESERVATION

                                    PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION (MERIDIAN MAINLINE

                                    SAFETY PROJECT – M & B RAILROAD)

 

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.

 

            An executive session was requested regarding possible litigation.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson 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 Henson duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to declare an executive session in order to discuss possible litigation.  The Council then went into executive session.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Council-man Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to go out of executive session.

            President Thomas called the meeting back to order.  No action was taken in regard to the executive session.

 

 

            President Thomas called for citizen comments.  Patricia Flower, executive director of the Meridian Transit Authority, appeared and stated that National Transportation week will be May 13-19.  They will have “Manic Monday”, “Two for One Tuesday”, “Water Wednesday”, “Trolley Thursday” and “Frolic Friday”.  On Trolley Thursday people can ride the downtown loop one way for 25 cents to nine selected stops for lunch.  If this program works out they will make it a permanent program to support downtown.  Kelly Cross, 3201 46th Street, appeared regarding Section 7-07 regarding storage of commercial vehicles.  She feels owners of tractor cabs are being treated different than RV owners.  They can park/drive into residential areas whereby RVs are driven on the streets and parked on property.  She also is concerned about Gallagher Creek.  The water is stagnant, there are mosquitoes and snakes.  Her property has eroded five to six feet off the back.  She was told by Tommy Irby that this is private property and the city can’t do anything about it.  President Thomas asked the City Attorney and Public Works Director to look at this and see what can be done.

 

 

            President Thomas called for council comments.  Councilman Harris congratulated those who were a part of Relay for Life.  The unveiling of the Blues Trail Marker in honor of Jimmie Rodgers will be on May 3rd at 1:00 p.m. at Singing Brakeman Park.  There is an MCC basketball tournament being held.  Councilwoman Henson stated that National Day of Prayer will be held Thursday, May 3rd at Dumont Plaza.  Councilwoman Perry stated that May is Senior Citizens Month.  For the next five weeks the state women’s USBC championship will be going on at Dixie Bowl Lanes.      

 

           

            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