REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, MAY 16, 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 Bishop Dennis Huggins of The New First Apostolic Church 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-2a a presentation by Randle Jennings; add amendments to the claims docket; add an executive session regarding potential purchase of real property; add as C-11 order granting non-exclusive easement to Graham and Genie Coats; add as P-2b a presentation by Bill McBride.

 

 

            President Palmer advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) asphalt; b) concrete mix; c) concrete pipe; d) sign blanks & materials; e) traffic paint.

 

 

            Appearing before the Council at this time were Ed Brown with the Mississippi Forestry Commission and Planner Kevin Locke.  Mr. Brown stated that the City of Meridian was awarded for the 16th year as a Tree City USA.

 

 

            Randle Jennings, executive director of Real Life Junction, Inc., appeared before the Council at this time.  He is interested in setting up a sports/educational program in Meridian for the age groups of pre-kindergarten to 5th grade.  Their mission is to cultivate partnerships with diverse sectors of the community.  They will do this through the use of athletic students participating at local colleges throughout Meridian and Birmingham.  They will use innovative technology bases curriculums focusing on math and reading comprehension levels.  They believe the ultimate solution for some troubled youth is to be able to actually understand the whole education make-up and the acceptance and self-esteem needed along with guidance.  He will be asking the City of Meridian to contribute to this effort. 

 

 

            Bill McBride, 1806 Apache Ridge Road, appeared before the Council regarding North Hills Street.  He wanted to know when the North Hills Street project will be started.  North Hills Street from Highway 39 N to 10th Avenue is full of potholes and needs to be over-laid until such time as the project is started and completed.  Public Works Director Monty Jackson stated that the North Hills project has been delayed because the city is waiting on STP money from the state.  The state did not fully fund MDOT so MDOT used the STP monies for their expenses.  It has been two years since the city as received any STP money.  MDOT has advised that the money should be released in October for STP projects.  They have an estimate of the cost to over-lay North Hills Street and they will be coming back to the City Council for approval.

 

 

            There was one appointment to boards and commissions on the agenda – Lee Moffett to the E-911 Commission.

 

 

            Since Mayor Smith was not present at the meeting at this time, no mayor’s report was given.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated May 02, 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 by the Mayor:

                                    May 20, 2006 – “Charles L. Young Day”

                                    May 21-27, 2006 – “National Public Works Week”

                                    May, 2006 – “Better Hearing & Speech Month”

                                    May 14-20, 2006 – “National Transportation Week”

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13754       FINAL ORDER GRANTING AD VALOREM TAX

                                    EXEMPTION TO MERIDIAN MATTRESS FACTORY

 

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 #13755       FINAL ORDER GRANTING AD VALOREM TAX

                                    EXEMPTION TO MID-SOUTH LUMBER, INC.

 

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 #13756       ORDER AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO WESLEY

                                    HOUSE CONCERNING PERSONNEL AND OPERATION COSTS

                                    ALLOWABLE THROUGH VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT #05NW2222

 

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 #13757       ORDER AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF A

                                    STREET LIGHT AT 3401 12TH STREET

 

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 #13758       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT

                                    BETWEEN THE MERIDIAN UMPIRE ASSOCIATION AND

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

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 #13759       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, 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 #13760       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO

                                    LONGER NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND

                                    AUTHORIZING SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT TO BE

                                    DESTROYED

 

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 #13761       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF LEE MOFFETT TO THE E-911 COMMISSION

 

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 #13762       ORDER GRANTING NONEXCLUSIVE EASEMENT TO GRAHAM

                                    C. COATS, III AND WIFE, GENIE COATS, TO UTILIZE A

 

                                    DEDICATED BUT UNOPENED STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY BETWEEN

                                    LOTS 10 AND 11 IN LOCKARD SUBDIVISON NO. 2

 

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.

 

 

            Appearing before the Council at this time were Sam Keyes and City Clerk Ed Skipper regarding the bids received for the $10,000,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2006.  Mr. Keyes stated that there were four bids received: 1) Duncan Williams, Inc. – 4.596958%; 2) Stephens, Inc. – 4.641704%; 3) Wiley Brothers – 4.549962%; and 4) Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. – 4.524913%.   The winning bid was made by Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. and it was recommended that the City Council accept that bid.  Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5345                        RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE SALE AND AWARD OF GENERAL

                                    OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2006, OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI, DATED JUNE 1, 2006, IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT

                                    OF TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000); AND A RESOLUTION

                                    APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE FORM OF, EXECUTION     

                                    AND DISTRIBUTION OF AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT PERTAINING

                                    TO THE TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000) GENERAL

                                    OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2006, OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI

 

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 Ordinance:

 

ORDIN. #4284         ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY’S ZONING ORDINANCE

                                    NO. 3966 SO AS TO RECLASSIFY CERTAIN LANDS IN THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN FROM DISTRICT P-1 TO DISTRICT R-2

                                    (2916 CHANDLER STREET) INCLUDING AMENDING THE

                                    OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

 

and, Councilman Harris 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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13763       ORDER APPROVING AND ADOPTING FINAL PLAT OF

                                    THE GREENS AT NORTHWOOD 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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13764       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CHANGE ORDER

                                    NO. 2 BETWEEN LANDMARK STRUCTURES I, L.P. AND THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN (WATER TANK AT INDUSTRIAL PARK)

 

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

 

ORDER #13765       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF MEMORANDUM

                                    OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN PYROTECNICO, NEW CASTLE,

                                    PA, AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (JULY 4, 2006 FIREWORKS

                                    DISPLAY)

 

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 #13766       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF HEBLON HEATING &

                                    AIR CONDITIONING CO., INC., MERIDIAN, MS, FOR

                                    HVAC B STREET FRESHWATER TREATMENT PLANT IN

                                    THE AMOUNT OF $27,162.00

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13767       ORDER ACCEPTING DONATION FROM LYNN BARRUTH

                                    OF A 15-MONTH OLD GERMAN SHEPHERD FOR THE

                                    MERIDIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5346                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES

                                    FOR BOB MALONE, MEMBER OF THE MERIDIAN COMMUNITY

                                    DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT COMMITTEE, WHO WILL

                                    REPRESENT THE CITY OF MERIDAIN AT THE MISSISSIPPI

                                    HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

                                    IN JACKSON, MS, JUNE 7-8, 2006

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Discussion was held regarding the request from the Meridian Transportation Commission for an additional $25,000 contribution.  Mayor Smith stated that there are other avenues to provide public transportation that need to be looked into prior to the FY 2006 budget.  Councilman Thomas stated he would vote for the request but felt other avenues should be looked at also.  Councilwoman Henson stated that she was pleased with the efforts of the Transportation Commission to raise revenues.  Councilwoman Perry offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #13768       ORDER AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE

                                    MERIDIAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION IN THE AMOUNT

                                    OF $25,000

 

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.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated May 11, 2006 in the amount of $2,329,185.64 with an amendment to add Purchase Order No. 605350 in the amount of $186,702.17, Purchase Order No. 605606 in the amount of $345.00, and Purchase Order No. 605607 in the amount of $345.00.

 

 

            President Palmer called for citizen comments.  No one appeared.

 

 

            President Palmer called for council comments.  He stated that farewell was bid that day to G. V. Sonny Montgomery.

 

 

            An executive session was requested regarding potential purchase of real property.  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 Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to declare an executive session in order to discuss potential purchase of real property.  The Council then went into executive session.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas 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.  No action was taken regarding the executive session.  

           

             

            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