REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2005 AT 9:00 A.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council Vice-President Palmer.

 

Present:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer.

 

Absent:  Smith.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev Bill Harper of Savannah Grove Baptist Church 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:  add as R-8 adoption of Annexation Implementation Plan; remove the executive session.

 

 

            Vice-President Palmer advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) F550 truck; b) Fire-Trax software; c) detection equipment for chemical gas.

 

 

            Mayor Smith stated he had three appointments to boards and commissions: Bill Williams – Keep America Beautiful Commission; Robert Loeb – Planning Commission; and Rev. Roderick Steel – Election Commission.

 

 

            Vice-President Palmer called on Mayor Smith for his report.  The construction company who was awarded the bid on the water tower is in town.  Work is underway for repair of the dam at Bonita.  The paving project is still going on.  He stated he was informed that the Juneteenth celebration was short of funds and that they were considering moving this to Bonita Lakes and charging an entrance fee.  He worked with the Main Street budget and Community Development budget and found $10,000 that will be allocated to this celebration.  Sharon Smith, Louis Sutton and Gloria Willis, members of the Juneteenth committee, appeared before the council.  They thanked the city for coming up with the funds.  They have not decided on the location yet as they are looking at Bonita Lakes, Dumont Plaza and the downtown 5th Street area.  They said they would put the safety of the people who will be celebrating this event.  Mayor Smith thanked Beth Clay with the Clay Firm and our local legislators for the important legislation passed in the regular session.  He went over the various bills adopted.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated April 19, 2005.

 

 

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

 

                        May, 2005 – “Older Americans Month”

                        May, 2005 – “Better Speech & Hearing Month”

                        May 16-22, 2005 – “National Insurance Women Week”

                        May 15-21, 2005 – “Peace Officer Memorial Week”

 

 

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

 

 

 

ORDER #13469       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE

                                    MAYOR OF BILL WILLIAMS TO KEEP AMERICA

                                    BEAUTIFUL 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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Smith.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13470       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY

                                    THE MAYOR OF ROBERT LOEB TO THE MERIDIAN

                                    PLANNING 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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Smith.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13471       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE

                                    MAYOR OF REV. DR. RODERICK L. STEELE, SR.,

                                    AS COMMISSION OF ELECTIONS DUE TO A

                                    COMMISSIONER RESIGNING

 

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:  Smith.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13472       ORDER AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF A

                                    STREET LIGHT AT 3910 HOOPER STREET

 

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:  Smith.

 

 

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

 

 

RESO. #5247                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SIGNATORIES

                                    FOR SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Smith.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13473       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT

                                    BETWEEN THE MERIDIAN UMPIRE ASSOCIATION 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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Smith.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13474       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF MEMORANDUM

                                    OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN PYROTECNICO, NEW CASTLE,

                                    PA AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (JULY 4, 2005 FIREWORKS

                                    DISPLAY)

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Smith.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13475       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF CROSS ROOFING,

                                    MERIDIAN, MS, FOR LIBRARY ROOF IN THE AMOUNT

                                    OF $76,621.00

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Smith.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5248                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FILING AND EXECUTION

                                    OF A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE 2005 URBAN AND

                                    COMMUNITY FORESTRY CHALLENGE GRANT PROGRAM

                                    FOR A TREE MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP TO BE HELD IN

                                    MERIDIAN FOR STATE AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES,

                                    ARBORISTS, FORESTERS, AND MUNICIPAL TREE BOARD

                                    MEMBERS

 

and, Councilman Thomas seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Smith.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13476       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF LETTER

                                    CONTRACT BETWEEN OPERATION RESPOND

                                    INSTITUTE, INC. AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    (SUB-CONTRACTOR FOR FEDERAL RAILROAD

                                    ADMINISTRATION TRAINING GRANT)

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Smith.

 

 

            The hour of 9:30 a.m. having arrived, the hearing as called for in Resolution No. 5238 regarding unclean property was opened with motion by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the council.  The Clerk of Council advised that the property located at the NWC of 36th Avenue & Interchange Road was to be removed from the list of unclean property.  Berta Fitch (1521 35th Avenue) appeared regarding the property located at 614 44th Avenue.  She stated that this was her father’s property and he passed away several years ago and she is in charge of it.  She asked for 30 days to clean this property.  No one appeared regarding the property located west of 2618 14th Street.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the council to close the hearing.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5249                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND

                                    TO BE A MENACE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND

                                    SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY (RAGSDALE SUR

                                    BLOCK 160 10’ OFF W SIDE LOT 12 & LOT 11

                                    LESS 15’ OFF W SIDE)

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Smith.

 

 

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

 

 

ORDER #13477       ORDER GRANTING OWNER OF PROPERTY LOCATED

                                    AT GALLAGHER’S ADDITION BLOCK 26, 30’ N&S X

                                    135’ E&W BEG 240’ S NWC THIRTY (30) DAYS TO

                                    CLEAN PROPERTY

 

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:  Smith.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13478       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN ARJEN LAGENDIJK, ARCHITECT, PLLC AND

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (FIRE STATION DESIGN)    

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Smith.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13479       ORDER SETTING PARKING FEES FOR

                                    DOWNTOWN PARKING GARAGE

 

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:  Smith.

           

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated April 28, 2005 in the amount of $1,268,859.87.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13480       ORDER ADOPTING “ANNEXATION IMPLEMENTATION

                                    PLAN” AS PREPARED BY BRIDGE & SLAUGHTER, LLC

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Smith.

 

 

            Vice-President Palmer called for citizen comments.  Tavio Rand (1607 18th Avenue) appeared regarding the Juneteenth Heritage Festival.  He said that the African-American downtown business owners had not been advised that this event would be moved to another location.  They want this celebration held in the same area as it has been held in the past.  Amos Parker, 2025 15th Avenue, appeared and stated that young people need to be involved more in community efforts.  He said he works with young people and tries to get them involved in the community.

 

 

            Vice-President Palmer called for council comments.  Councilwoman Henson stated she watched the crane remove flooring from the Marks-Rothenberg building.  A company in Jackson purchased this flooring and her son, Ricky, is building a house and using some of that flooring for his house.  Councilwoman Perry said she was happy to see the young man come up and was impressed he said he is doing something for the young people.  She reminded everyone it was election day.  She stated the Juneteenth celebration needs to be downtown.  Councilman Thomas encouraged people to volunteer for committees.  He congratulated the MCC baseball team, soccer and softball teams.  He reminded that graduation is coming up.  Councilman Palmer commented on the Juneteenth celebration and stated the council was not a part of the committee that made the decisions on this event.  He was glad to see the administration designate money for this event.  Councilwoman Henson stated that National Day of Prayer services will be held this coming Thursday at 12:00 noon at City Hall.  Councilman Palmer thanked Waste Management for donating dumpsters this past weekend and for picking up tires.  Councilman Thomas stated that Senior Citizens day celebration will be held this coming Friday at Frank Cochran Center for lunch.

 

 

            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