REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2005 AT 5:30 P.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Smith.

 

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

 

Absent:  None.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Assistant Police Chief Keith McCary 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 for this meeting with an amendment to: add as C-10 a resolution appointing deputy court clerks.

 

 

            Councilwoman Perry presented Christin Peters with a certificate of commendation for her acceptance to participate in the People to People World Leadership Forum.

 

 

            President Smith 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 City Planner Kevin Lock and Cynthia Boyd and Helen Gough with the Meridian Tree Commission.  The city was recently awarded the honor of being named a Tree City USA at the annual Celebration of Trees awards luncheon held in Jackson.  Meridian is one of 28 cities in the state qualifying for this recognition.  This is the 15th consecutive year the city has received this title.

 

 

            Councilman Palmer presented Devon Pruitt with a certificate of commendation for winning the Alabama/Mississippi District Oracular Contest with his oration entitled “My Hero Is….”.

 

 

            Mayor Smith stated he had three re-appointments to the election commission - Rick Entrekin, Minnie Hunter and Wilbert Jones, and one appointment to the election commission – Jason Dudley.

 

 

            President Smith called on Mayor Smith for his report.  He invited everyone to attend the dedication and grand opening of the Arts District Parking Garage on Wednesday, May 18th at 1:30 p.m.  He thanked everyone involved in the process to get this parking garage built.  He introduced Steve McLaurin, Vice-President of McLaurin Parking Company.  Mr. McLaurin stated that he and his firm were excited about managing the parking garage.  They will be known as the “Meridian Parking Service”.  Mayor Smith stated that on Monday, May 23rd, ceremonies will be held downtown celebrating the return of troops back home.  He urged everyone to come out and enjoy the ceremonies.  He stated that the city received goods new when the BRAC base closure list was made public.  NAS Meridian was spared being closed.  NAS Meridian could be added at another point but it will take a majority of the commissioners voting to add NAS Meridian to the list.  The 186th did not fair as well but will be leaving 700+ support staff in Meridian.  He stated that the community will fight to keep this base fully operational.  Mayor Smith introduced retired Sgt. Mitchell White.  He said Mitchell is a former Marine and is an ATV veteran of the New Hampshire police department, city of New Market, NH.  He is a retired sniper team commander of the emergency response team.  He was assigned as a police sniper for the past 15 years.  He is president of a training agency in charge of training military snipers and has taught schools in Meridian.  Mitchell contacted Mayor Smith and asked that he be allowed to make a presentation.  He told the story of the birth of his twin sons and the part Eddie Ivy with Homeland Security played in them being born.  He said he is glad the City of Meridian and Eddie Ivy came into his life.  The mayor’s office and the training facility gave unconditional support to him and his family during the time of the birth of his sons.  He said he truly has a home away from home in Meridian.  He thanked the council, the mayor’s office and the training facility.  He said he would forever be indebted to this city.  He said as a Justice of the Peace in the State of New Hampshire he has the power to issue medals.  He issued two life saving medals to Eddie Ivy.  He presented Eddie with two certificates (the medals will be coming in the mail at a later date) and a picture of his twin sons.  He said he has asked Eddie to be a god-father to his children and Eddie accepted.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the council to approve the minutes dated May 3, 2005.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the council to approve the following proclamation to be issued by the mayor:

                                    May 15-21, 2005 – “National Public Works Week”

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13481       ORDER AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO

                                    WESLEY HOUSE CONCERNING PERSONNEL AND

                                    OPERATION COSTS ALLOWABLE THROUGH

                                    VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT #3NW2222 

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13482       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE

                                    MAYOR OF JASON DUDLEY AS A COMMISSIONER

                                    OF ELECTIONS DUR TO A COMMISSIONER RESIGNING

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13483       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE

                                    MAYOR OF RICK ENTREKIN, MINNIE HUNTER AND

                                    WILBERT JONES AS COMMISSIONERS OF ELECTIONS

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13484       IN THE MATTER OF:  THE APPOINTMENT BY

                                    THE CITY COUNCIL OF GLORIA WILLIS TO THE

                                    LAUDERDALE COUNTY TOURISM COMMISSION

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5250                        RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION

                                    FROM AD VALOREM TAXES TO MISSISSIPPI ACTION

                                    FOR PROGRESS, INC. AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTIONS

                                    27-31-1(D) AND 79-11-501 OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE

                                    OF 1972, AS AMENDED

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5251                        RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION

                                    FROM AD VALOREM TAXES TO INTERNATIONAL CHURCH

                                    OF THE FOURSQUARE GOSPEL AS AUTHORIZED BY

                                    SECTIONS 27-31-1(D) AND 79-11-33C OF THE MISSISSIPPI

                                    CODE OF 1972, AS AMENDED

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5252                        RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION

                                    FROM AD VALOREM TAXES TO BRIDGE BUILDERS

                                    FELLOWSHIP AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTIONS 27-31-1(D)

                                    AND 79-11-33C OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972,

                                    AS AMENDED

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5253                        RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION

                                    FROM AD VALOREM TAXES TO AMERICAN RED CROSS –

                                    KEY CHAPTER AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 27-31-1(D)

                                    OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, AS AMENDED

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5254                        RESOLUTION APPOINTING DEPUTY COURT

                                    CLERKS OF THE MUNICIPAL COURT

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5255                        RESOLUTION TO PROCEED WITH CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT

                                    REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM (CAP LOAN) APPLICATION

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13485       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF GOVERNMENTAL

                                    RENTAL AGREEMENT (STALKER RADAR UNITS) BETWEEN

                                    APPLIED CONCEPTS, INC. 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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13486       ORDEDR GRANTING PERMISSION TO FERDIE MOORE

                                    TO GRADE PORTIONS OF 51ST AVENUE AND VALLY

                                    STREET RIGHTS-OF-WAY

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13487       ORDER AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF 2006 FORD

                                    F550 TRUCK/CREW CAB WITH HAULER BODY FROM

                                    FRONTIER FORD LINCOLN MERCURY, CARTHAGE,

                                    MS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,774.00

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13488       ORDER AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF FIRE-TRAX

                                    SOFTWARE FROM ALLISON SYSTEMS, INC.,

                                    WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN, IN THE AMOUNT OF

                                    $33,910.00

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13489       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF B&B ELECTRICAL

                                    & UTILITY CONTRACTORS, INC., BRANDON, MS,

                                    FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL UPGRADES (8TH STREET AT

                                    26TH, 29TH, 31ST, 44TH, & 45TH AVENUES AND STATE

                                    ROUTE 39 AT SATE ROUTE 145) IN THE AMOUNT

                                    OF $289,691.70

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13490       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF WEBSTER ELECTRIC

                                    COMPANY, INC., MERIDIAN, MS, FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL

                                    INSTALLATION AND ROAD WIDENING (STATE ROUTE

                                    39 AT 33RD STREET) IN THE AMOUNT OF $174,369.85

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13491       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF WEBSTER ELECTRIC

                                    COMPANY, INC., MERIDIAN, MS, FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL

                                    INSTALLATION AND ROAD REALIGNMENT (STATE ROUTE

                                    19 AT LAKE DRIVE) IN THE AMOUNT OF $334,618.43

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13492       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF REVISED

                                    AGREEMENT BETWEEN ARJEN LAGENDIJK, ARCHITECT,

                                    AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (FIRE STATION DESIGN)

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5256                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE

                                    MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO ENTER INTO

                                    NEGOTIATIONS AND TO PREPARE A LEASE AGREEMENT

                                    WITH THE MERIDIAN SHOOTING CLUB, INC.

 

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, Smith.

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 12, 2005 in the amount of $1,807,341.97.

 

 

            President Smith called for citizen comments.  No one appeared.

 

 

            There was an executive session scheduled for this meeting, however, President Smith stated he was not prepared to hold it at that time.

 

 

            President Smith called for council comments.  Councilman Palmer stated that there are many young people who have done outstanding things they need to be commended for.  It is a matter of this being brought to everyone’s attention so they can be recognized.  Councilwoman Henson stated that she wanted to use her time to allow City Attorney Steven Kohnke to comment on the request from Joe Stewart, owner of Midtown Grille, for a tax exemption on the entire property.  Mr. Kohnke stated that an Attorney General Opinion has stated that the tax exemption can be granted on the improvements only that are made to the building.  President Smith suggested having a work session to meet with Mr. Stewart regarding this.  Councilwoman Perry said she has been going to ball parks to watch kids play ball.  She watched kids throw trash on the ground instead of putting it in the trash cans and the parents allowed this to happen.  She said parents need to set an example to their kids and teach them to throw trash in cans and not on the ground.  She stated that graduation is set for Friday night at Southeast and Meridian High School and commended those students who did outstanding work.  Councilman Thomas commended Bill Godfrey’s daughter who transferred from Meridian Community College to Mississippi College for being awarded the top academic transfer student at Mississippi College.  He thanked WTOK-TV and Rick Justice for their scholar athlete program.  Fifteen kids were brought in for a banquet.  The guys with the “most hair on the air” brought the Saints traveling group through town last week.  He said he was pleasantly surprised at their friendliness, manners and taking time to meet with the kids.  They represented the NFL in a very positive way.  The public works department held events for public works week.  He thanked the vendors who provided items for this.  He thanked the workers for the good job they do and they deserved the recognition.  He reminded everyone of the Jimmie Rodgers celebration coming up.  The TISBA group has a celebration coming up at the same time.  He said if you like country music, like bluegrass and like to have a good time that these are two events you need to attend.  President Smith asked Monty Jackson about the paving project.  Mr. Jackson said 23rd Avenue is paved but the contractor is still waiting on materials.  Their supply has not been sufficient for them to get back on the project.  He said they closed Highway 45 this week to clip the shoulders so when it is paved the water will drain off the road better.  The contractor will not start this project until they are sure they have enough materials.  President Smith stated that he received a list of streets the County is going to pave inside the city limits.  Mr. Jackson said the contractor was supposed to pave on North Hills Street this week but he got word earlier that they would not be there Wednesday as planned.  The schedule on striping should be some time next week.  President Smith asked Mr. Jackson if he had sufficient employees to do what is needed to be done in the city.  Mr. Jackson said he did not think so.  He has included in his budget request the addition of five people for another crew for basically pro-active ditch maintenance.  President Smith asked Mark Naylor if he had sufficient people for his department.  He said they have not put in for additional positions.  He has asked for re-alignments.  They have a lot of openings constantly and they are looking at re-aligning some of their workers where they can maybe move up.  If they can be fully staffed he thinks they can make it.  President Smith asked Chief Dubose if he was fully staffed.  He stated he was not at this time.  They have a request for two tests in to Civil Service.  They are short four officers.  They have a lateral test where they hire officers from other cities.  He said they are hiring two this week from other states.  President Smith asked Chief Miller if the fire department was fully staffed.  He said they have four openings but they have hire letters to go to the administration on Wednesday.  They hope by mid-June to be full strength.  Councilman Palmer asked about the progress on cleaning ditches.  Monty Jackson said they are cutting them as fast as they can, however, this is growing season and they grown back up quickly.               

 

 

            There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meeting was recessed until Thursday, May 19, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. in the employee council room.

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                        Pam McInnis

Clerk of Council