REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 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 Pastor Clarence Tilghman of Corner Stone Church of God 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:  remove R-5; add to C-4 appointment of Tim Allred to Tourism Commission.

 

 

            President Thomas advised of the notification of legal advertisement for: rescue pumper/fire apparatus; generator for each fire station; two motorcycles; and state contract purchase of 2007 Ford F-150 crew cab.

 

 

            Mayor Smith stated he had the following appointments to the Tourism Commission: Betty Lou Jones, Helen Gough, Jeffrey Dubose, Dorothy Sampson and Willie Mae Brown. 

 

 

            President Thomas called on Mayor Smith for his report.  He said he attended the grand opening of Tower Automotive.  They have not only updated the facility but they have enlarged it.  There were positive words by the employer about the employees.  The employees commented favorably on the management.  He looks to see this business expand in the future.  Mayor Smith stated he is sending a letter to Mayor Joe Riley of Charleston, South Carolina, on behalf of the city expressing sympathy and condolences on the loss of nine firefighters in a terrible fire.  Councilman Palmer brought up three complaints: drainage at 3rd Street & 49th Avenue and log trucks coming through that area and tearing up streets and curbs; the need for a 4-way stop at 29th Avenue & 12th Street (Public Works Director Monty Jackson looked at this and contacted the owner of the house at this intersection who has agreed to move the fence and put it off the city right-of-way and allow the city to cut the bank down for a better view.); a dead tree off 23rd Avenue & 23rd Street that needs to be removed.  Councilwoman Perry asked how long it will take to finish the sewer on Sweetgum Bottom Road.  Monty Jackson said there are about two months left on this project and as soon as it is completed the road will be resurfaced.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated June 05, 2007.

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

 

ORDER #14067       ORDER AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO WESLEY

                                    HOUSE CONCERNING PERSONNEL AND OPERATION COSTS

                                    ALLOWABLE THROUGH VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT #05NW2223

 

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

 

ORDER #14068       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF MEMORANDUM

                                    OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN PYROTECNICO, NEW CASTLE, PA

                                    AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (JULY 4, 2007 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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14069       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    BETTY LOU JONES TO THE KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL 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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14070       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    HELEN GOUGH TO THE KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL 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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14071       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    JEFFREY DUBOSE TO THE KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL 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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14072       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    DOROTHY SAMPSON TO THE KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL 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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14073       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    WILLIE MAE BROWN TO THE KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL 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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14074       ORDER APPOINTING BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF TIM ALLRED

                                    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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14075       ORDER DETERMINING THAT CERTAIN POLICE VEHICLES ARE

                                    USED FOR CRIME DETECTION AND UNDERCOVER WORK AND

                                    SHOULD NOT BE MARKED SO AS TO BE IDENTIFIABLE AS CITY

                                    VEHICLES

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5442                        RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI GRANTING EXEMPTION

                                    FROM AD VALOREM TAXES FOR A NINE-YEAR PERIOD TO

                                    SPECIALTY ROLL PRODUCTS, INC. AS AUTHORIZED BY

                                    SECTION 27-31-101 ET SEQ., OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE

                                    OF 1972, AS AMENDED

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14076       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF DEVELOPMENT

                                    AGREEMENT AMENDMENT NO. 2 BETWEEN STEVE A.

                                    JELLENC, 42ND COURT SUBDIVISION/THE GREENS AT

                                    NORTHWOOD SUBDIVISION AND 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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5443                        RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE AMENDED

                                    BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF MERIDIAN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR

                                    ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2007, AND DIRECTING THE CITY

                                    CLERK IN REFERENCE THERETO

 

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

 

ORDER #14077       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF S & C TREE SERVICE,

                                    MERIDIAN, MS, FOR RISK TREE REMOVAL IN THE AMOUNT

                                    OF $14,000.00

 

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 Ordinance:

 

ORDIN. #4320         ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY’S AGENDA ORDINANCE

                                    BY AMENDING SECTION 2-42 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES

                                    OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

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 #14078       ORDER APPOINTING BARBARA HENSON AS PRESIDENT

                                    OF THE MERIDIAN CITY COUNCIL

 

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 #14079       ORDER APPOINTING MARY A.B. PERRY AS VICE-PRESIDENT

                                    OF THE MERIDIAN CITY COUNCIL

 

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 June 14, 2007 in the amount of $4,707,137.20.

 

 

            President Thomas called for citizen comments.  Kelli Cross, 3201 46th Street, appeared regarding parking tractor trucks on private property in the city.  She also said Gallagher Creek behind her house is causing her property to erode.  She said she has not been contacted by Monty Jackson or City Attorney Bill Hammack.  Monty Jackson said this was a tributary of Gallagher Creek and is not a ditch that the city maintains.

 

 

            President Thomas called for council comments.  Councilman Palmer said there were mis-understandings regarding appointments to boards and commissions.  The mayor-council form of government provides that the mayor directs all personnel except the clerk of council.  The mayor makes appointments to boards and commissions (except the Tourism Commission) and the city council confirms the appointments.  Many in the community do not feel those being placed in these positions represent them but represent the person who appoints them.  He said everyone needs to work together and get the educational situation straightened out.  CAO Ken Storms stated that the mayor studies the needs for the make-up of the school board members and considers appointees who he feels bring the best qualifications and dedication before he appoints them.  Councilwoman Henson thanked Councilman Thomas for his leadership.  Councilwoman Perry thanked Councilman Thomas and Councilwoman Henson for their leadership.  She said the ceremonies at Tower Automotive were nice.  She asked about the work force.  It was a pleasure to hear what they said about the employees.  Dr. Jimmy Franklin is in the leadership role at Tower Automotive and is glad to be back in the city.  The residents on Sweetgum Bottom Road were concerned about the street not being paved but it will be paved as soon as the sewer work is completed.  She sent her sympathies to the Horne and McAlpin families.  President Thomas recognized Merrill White, a boy scout attending the meeting for a merit badge and welcomed him back to future meetings.  He thanked those who helped with State Games.  These games are still going on and will finish up this coming weekend.  There are 5,000 to 10,000 people participating in these games and are visiting the city.  There have been positive comments from those who come to participate.

 

           

            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