REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, JUNE 03, 2008 AT 9:00 A.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Henson.

 

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

 

Absent:  None.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Parks & Recreation Director Mark Naylor and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meeting with an amendment to add two additional purchase orders to the claims docket; add to the executive session discussion of economic development; move executive session up to be taken up after the presentation agenda.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated May 20, 2008.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the following proclamation to be issued by the Mayor:

                                    June 14-20, 2008 – “World Changers Week”

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14323       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF G. WILLIAMSON “B.B.” ARCHER TO THE MERIDIAN

                                    PLANNING 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 #14324       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION

                                    FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT TO SAM’S CLUB (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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14325       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO LONGER

                                    NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING THE

                                    SALE OF SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT

 

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 #14326       ORDER RESCINDING ORDER NO. 14247 ENTITLED “ORDER

                                    AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF VENUE USE AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND THE STATE GAMES

                                    OF MISSISSIPPI, INC. (USE OF BONITA LAKES FACILITIES)”

 

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 #14327       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF VENUE USE AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND THE STATE GAMES OF

                                    MISSISSIPPI, INC. (USE OF BONITA LAKES FACILITIES)

 

 

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 #14328       ORDER AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF A STREET LIGHT

                                    AT 2224 13TH AVENUE

 

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

 

RESO. #5517                        RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI GRANTING EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM

                                    TAXES FOR A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD TO SLAY STEEL, 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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5518                        RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI GRANTING EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM

                                    TAXES FOR A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD TO CLEARSPAN COMPONENTS, INC.

                                    AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 27-31-101 ET SEQ., OF THE MISSISSIPPI

                                    CODE OF 1972, AS AMENDED

 

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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5519                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FOR

                                    ALCOHOL COUNTER MEASURES GRANT WITH THE MISSISSIPPI

                                    OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY

 

and, Councilman Harris 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 Harris offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5520                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRIBUTION FROM THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN TO THE JUNETEENTH HERITAGE FESTIVAL COMMITTEE

                                    FOR THE SIXTH ANNUAL JUNETEENTH HERITAGE FESTIVAL ON

                                    JUNE 21, 2008

 

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 #14329       ORDER DIRECTING THE LAUDERDALE COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR

                                    TO PROCEED WITH THE SALE OF ADJUDICATED PROPERTY KNOWN

                                    AS THE MEMO DIGEST SITE AT 2509 & 2511 15TH STREET IN MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI, IN CONNECTION WITH THE CITY’S DOWNTOWN

                                    REVITALIZATION PROGRAM

 

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

 

ORDER #14330       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE INSTALLATION OF CERTAIN SIGNS

                                    AND BANNERS FOR THE POPLAR SPRINGS DRIVE HISTORIC

                                    AREA OF 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 Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5521                        RESOLUTION SUPPORTING CONSTRUCTION OF THE HAWKINS

                                    CROSSING INTERCHANGE

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5522                        RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOLDING OF A PUBLIC HEARING

                                    CONCERNING THE URBAN RENEWAL PLAN (CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI THREEFOOT BUILDING PROJECT), SETTING A PUBLIC

                                    HEARING WITH RESPECT THERETO, DIRECTING THE PUBLICATION

                                    OF NOTICE OF SUCH PUBLIC HEARING; DECLARING THE

                                    INTENTION TO PROCEED WITH THE ISSUANCE OF URBAN RENEWAL

                                    BONDS OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED

                                    PURPOSES

 

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.

 

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated May 29, 2008 in the amount of $1,769,867.88 with an amendment to add Purchase Order No. 804383 in the amount of $480,777.71 and Purchase Order No. 805883 in the amount of $30,000.

 

 

            President called for the Mayor’s report.  Public Works Director Monty Jackson stated that the 8th Street polymer paving testing project was done this past Saturday and Sunday.  This type material will preserve what you have and won’t deteriorate.  It is guaranteed for 10 tears but they expect it to last at least 25 years.  This is a very thin coating of a polymer type material and will look gray.  This lighter color cuts down on heat retention and is therefore good for the environment.  He reminded everyone of the public hearing on the widening of North Hills Street which will be held on July 16th at EMEPA from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  CAO Ken Storms read a letter from Mayor Smith dated June 3rd regarding the additional contribution to the Meridian Transit System.  He advised in his letter that he would not veto the contribution on the conditions that:  1) the City Council does not authorize any additional funds in this fiscal year; and 2) the administration and council take aggressive steps to ensure the development of a transit system that meets the needs of the people and operate within its means.  The city’s internal auditors’ examination showed that MTS will end the fiscal year with a deficit of approximately $6,000 which does not take into account unpaid garage charges to the municipal garage and unpaid Fuelman charges for the purchase of fuel.  The unpaid garage charges plus project for the remainder of the year total more than $24,000.  The unpaid Fuelman charges plus project for the balance of the year total approximately $24,670.  As MTS enters the new fiscal year on October 1, its existing debt will be in excess of $50,000.

 

 

            An executive session was requested regarding a personnel matter and economic development.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer 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 a personnel matter and economic development.  The Council then went into executive session.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to go out of executive session.

 

 

            President Henson called the meeting back to order.  Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14331       ORDER SETTING ANNUAL SALARY FOR SPECIFIC EMPLOYEE IN THE

                                    PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AS PER RECOMMENDATION FROM THE

                                    PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

 

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.

 

 

            (President Henson left the meeting at this time.)

 

 

            Vice-President Perry called for citizen comments.  No one appeared.

 

 

            Vice-President Perry called for council comments.  No comments were made.

           

                             

            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