REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2007 AT 5:00 P.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. Raymon Leake of First Baptist 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 P-2a a presentation by the Grassrootz organization.

 

 

            President Thomas advised of the notification of legal advertisement for asbestos abatement of 8 structures.

 

 

            John Cutright with Carollo Engineers and Jim Forbes with Pipeline Analysis LLC appeared and presented the Wastewater Collection System Operational Review.  The subjects Mr. Forbes addressed were as follows: operations review purpose, areas of interest, staff training, technical support functions, maintenance, draft emergency response plan, fats, oils and grease, collection system engineering, pump station operations, draft performance indications, findings and recommendations, proposed implementation schedule and cost, field inspection/testing update, infiltration/inflow distribution, and smoke testing.  (COPY OF REVIEW)

 

 

            Mrs. Carol Williams, 3217 Grandview Avenue, with the Grassrootz organization appeared regarding condemned structures in the city.  She wanted to follow up regarding condemned structures and was discussed with the council at an earlier meeting.  They have seen some progress and appreciate it.  There are still 34 structures to be demolished on the list.  Since June, 2005 there have been 103 demolished by the county with 19 demolished this year.  They are concerned about the lots where these structures have been demolished.  Some of lots have not been completely cleaned.  She asked the City Council to address these issues.  They would like a schedule or plans for the restoration of the land involved.

 

 

            President Thomas called for the Mayor’s report.  He went on a trip with the U.S. Conference of Mayors to Poland for over a week and shared Meridian’s stories about downtown renovation and restoration as well as housing issues and development.  They had an opportunity to visit two concentration camps where 1.5 million people were exterminated. 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated May 15, 2007.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14041       ORDER AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO WESLEY

                                    HOUSE CONCERNING PERSONNEL AND OPERATION COSTS

                                    ALLOWABLE THROUGH VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT #05NW2223

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #14042       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES SURPLUS

                                    AND NO LONGER NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND

                                    AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT

                                    AND 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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14043       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO LONGER

                                    NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING

                                    SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT TO BE DISCARDED

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #14044       ORDER DECLARING ITEMS SURPLUS AND NO LONGER

                                    NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING

                                    SAID SURPLUS ITEMS TO BE DESTROYED

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #14045       ORDER APPROVING TAXI PERMIT FOR: FRANK REID

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #14046       ORDER AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF A

                                    STREET LIGHT AT 5200 27TH 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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14047       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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5430                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT AND AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN MAIN STREET AND

                                    “MIDNIGHT STAR PRODUCTION INC.” FOR ENTERTAINMENT

                                    AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION ON

                                    JUNE 16, 2007

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14048       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CHANGE

                                    ORDERS No. 2 & 3 BETWEEN PANOLA CONSTRUCTION

                                    COMPANY AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (SELECTIVE

                                    DEMOLITION – MERIDIAN CITY HALL)

 

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 #14049       ORDER APPROVING AND ADOPTING FINAL PLAT OF

                                    WAL-MART SUPERCENTER #1271 SUBDIVISION, A

                                    COMMERCIAL SUBDIVISION OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

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.

 

            Next on the agenda was the abandonment of a utility easement.  City Attorney Bill Hammack stated he had a conflict of interest in this matter and recused himself from discussion.  Council-woman Henson offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14050       ORDER ABANDONING, VACATING AND RELEASING

                                    UTILITY EASEMENT (POPLAR SPRINGS PLACE OFF OF

                                    NORTH HILLS 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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14051       ORDER AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF BACKHOE FROM

                                    SCOTT CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT LLC, JACKSON, MS.

                                    IN THE AMOUNT OF $70,941.00

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #14052       ORDER ACCEPTING LOW BID FOR SOURCE OF SUPPLY

                                    FOR THE PERIOD OF JUNE 15, 2007 THRU JUNE 14, 2008

                                    FOR ASPHALT MIX FROM APAC-MISSISSIPPI, INC.,

                                    MERIDIAN, MS

 

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 #14053       ORDER ACCEPTING LOW BIDS FOR SOURCE OF SUPPLY

                                    FOR THE PERIOD OF JUNE 15, 2007 THRU JUNE 14, 2008

                                    FOR CONCRETE MIX FROM AMERICRETE INC., MERIDIAN,

                                    MS, WITH MMC MATERIALS INC., MERIDIAN, MS, AS

                                    ALTERNATIVE BID

 

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

 

ORDER #14054       ORDER ACCEPTING LOW BID FOR SOURCE OF SUPPLY

                                    FOR THE PERIOD OF JUNE 15, 2007 THRU JUNE 14, 2008   

                                    FOR CONCRETE PIPE AND BITUMINOUS PLASTIC CEMENT

                                    FROM HANSON PIPE & PRECAST, INC., JACKSON, MS

 

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

 

ORDER #14055       ORDER ACCEPTING LOW BID FOR 12-MONTH SOURCE OF

                                    SUPPLY FOR THE PERIOD OF JUNE 15, 2007 THRU JUNE 14,

                                    2008 FOR SIGN BLANKS AND MATERIALS FROM CUSTOM

                                    PRODUCTS CORP., JACKSON, MS

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #14056       ORDER ACCEPTING LOW BID FOR SOURCE OF SUPPLY

                                    FOR THE PERIOD OF JUNE 15, 2007 THRU JUNE 14, 2008   

                                    FOR TRAFFIC PAINT FROM ENNIS PAINT, INC., ENNIS, TX

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14057       ORDER RATIFYING ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGISLATIVE

                                    PERSONNEL SALARY ADJUSTMENTS

 

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:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14058       ORDER APPROVING PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY AND

                                    AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT AND OTHER

                                    DOCUMENTS (NEW FIRE STATION #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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Next on the agenda was the request from the Meridian/Lauderdale County Public Library for the city to pay a $5,000 insurance deductible on work done to their air conditioning system.  City Attorney Hammack suggested that a representative from the City Council meet with someone from the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors before committing to spend this money.  After discussion, Councilwoman Henson offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14059       ORDER AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE

                                    FOR THE MERIDIAN/LAUDERDALE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

 

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 claims docket dated May 10, 2007 in the amount of $2,498,610.59.

 

            President Thomas called for citizens hearing.  Rev. Samuel Thompson, 6107 Oakland Heights Street, representing concerned citizens of Lauderdale and Meridian, appeared regarding the Meridian school district.  They have a problem with two individuals, (Preston Castleberry and Robert Markham) who have worked for the school system for many years, being told that they are no longer needed.  These two individuals have impeccable records.  This happens when two individuals have complete control over the school district.  His group feels Mr. Fred Wile, Mr. Ed Lynch and the Superintendent Autry were wrong when they told these two men they did not have a position any more.  He asked the City Council what they can do to put the school system in the position to attract industry to the city.  Randal Jennings, 6201 Oakland Heights Street, appeared regarding the same matter and Rev. Thompson.  He wanted to know who is responsible for the accountability of the school board.  He wanted to know the procedures to follow if citizens want to submit a petition regarding the school district.  He wanted to know how to make changes in the school system and work in unison with them.  He asked what the qualifications were for the board of trustees.  President Thomas advised him that he would get the City Attorney to address his questions.  Bob McGlothin appeared and wanted to know why the Council would not answer the questions.  Patricia Flowers, 4417 27th Street, with the Meridian Transit System appeared to remind everyone that this Thursday was “trolley loop” day where everyone could ride the bus for 25 cents to downtown eating places.  Kelly Cross, 3201 46th Street, appeared regarding Section 7-07 of the city code because she has concerns that they are unable to park their tractor trailer on their property.  She also said she has not heard anything about her concerns regarding Gallagher Creek.  City Attorney Hammack will get with her on this.

 

            President Thomas called for Council comments.  Councilman Palmer stated he was disappointed in the actions taken by the school board.  He would like to see the school board members elected.  Councilwoman Henson stated she favored of elections for superintendent and school board members.  Councilwoman Perry stated she knew Mr. Jennings expected an answer but she explained to him that when someone shows up and speaks during the citizens comments agenda they are for comments.  She advised that the school board meetings are open and citizens can attend them.  President Thomas stated he appreciated people coming forward and telling them information and asking questions.  He does not want to give a legal opinion.  He stated he and Councilman Harris had the opportunity to participate in a bi-state meeting in Monroeville, AL the previous day.  This was an opportunity to discuss business/economic opportunities between cities and states.

 

           

            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