REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, JULY 03, 2007 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 an executive session regarding economic development and litigation.

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14080       ORDER AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF A STREET

                                    LIGHT ON 2ND AVENUE & 24TH 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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14081       ORDER AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF A STREET

                                    LIGHT AT 2901 10TH AVENUE

 

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 #14082       ORDER DECLARING 1996 TECHNIC PRUNER, SERIAL NO.

                                    4362 SURPLUS AND NO LONGER NEEDED BY THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING SAID PRUNER TO BE USED

                                    FOR PARTS

 

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 #14083       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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5444                        RESOLUTION CALLING HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER

                                    OR NOT CERTAIN PARCELS OF LAND ARE IN SUCH A STATE

                                    OF UNCLEANLINESS AS TO BE A MENACE TO THE PUBLIC

                                    HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY (AUGUST 07, 2007

                                    AT 9:15 A.M.)

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5445                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO

                                    APPLY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008 VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT

                                    FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND, WHEN

                                    APPROVED, TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT AGREEMENT

                                    WITH THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC

                                    SAFETY AND WESLEY HOUSE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR

                                    VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #14084       ORDER ACKNOWLEDGING AND PLACING ON MINUTES

                                    THE EMERGENCY PURCHASE OF A BLOWER FOR THE

                                    WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IN ACCORDANCE

                                    WITH SECTION 31-7-13(K), MISSISSIPPI CODE ANNOTATED

 

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 #14085       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF ALEX WEDDINGTON TO THE MERIDIAN COMMUNITY

                                    COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

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 #14086       ORDER GRANTING EXEMPTION FROM MUNICIPAL AD

                                    VALOREM TAXES (EXCEPT SCHOOL DISTRICT TAXES)

                                    FOR NEW STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 8TH STREET & 25TH

                                    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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14087       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF LAND PATENT

                                    AND DECLARING SURPLUS AND DONATING TO THE MERIDIAN

                                    HOUSING AUTHORITY CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY

 

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

 

ORDER #14088       ORDER APPROVING AND ADOPTING FINAL PLAT OF

                                    ACADIAN PLACE RESUBDIVISION, 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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14089       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF BILLY SHUMATE CONSTRUCTION

                                    COMPANY, MERIDIAN, MS, FOR ASBESTOS ABATEMENT OF

                                    EIGHT (8) STRUCTURES IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,218.00

 

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14090       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF HIGH VELOCITY SERVICES

                                    INC., JACKSON, MS, FOR CHLORINE SYSTEM IN THE AMOUNT

                                    OF $24,393.20

 

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

 

ORDER #14091       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF GRENADA GOLD-N-GUN,

                                    GRENADA, MS, FOR 113 HANDGUNS IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,910.00

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14092       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF BARNEY’S POLICE SUPPLIES,

                                    TUPELO, MS, FOR HOLSTERS & MAGAZINE POUCHES IN THE

                                    AMOUNT OF $12,021.20

 

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

 

ORDER #14093       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF MEMORANDUM OF

                                    AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MERIDIAN HOUSING AUTHORITY

                                    AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (LIAISON OFFICER)

 

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

 

ORDER #14094       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE MERIDIAN FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                    TO PARTNER WITH THE MERIDIAN HOUSING AUTHORITY

                                    FOR A COMMUNITY POLICING GRANT

 

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 #14095       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CHANGE

                                    ORDER NO. 1 BETWEEN ONYX, INC., BESSEMER, AL,

                                    (SWEETGUM BOTTOM ROAD SEWER LINE INSTALLATION)

 

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 #14096       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO EXTEND

                                    ITS CURRENT CONTRACT WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT,

                                    INC. FOR THE TERM OF ONE (1) YEAR

 

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.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated June 28, 2007 in the amount of $2,040,034.22.

 

 

            President Henson advised of the notification of legal advertisement for a backhoe.

 

 

            President Henson called on Mayor Smith for his report.  He asked Cultural Affairs Coordinator Connie Royal to come forward to announce the events planned for the 4th of July celebration.  The Pops Concert area will open at 3:00 p.m., the food vendors will be open at 4:00 p.m., the shuttles will start running at 5:00 p.m., the Montgomery Institute will present the Patriot of the Year award at 7:45 p.m., the fly-over will be between 8:02 and 8:07 p.m. and the fireworks will begin at 9:00 p.m.  Mayor Smith stated that around 6,000 people attended the concert at Singing Brakeman Park the weekend before.  The city needs a facility that will house this type of entertainment.  CAO Ken Storms appeared and presented a certificate to Barbara and Ralph Henson for making the Run for the Wall group welcome to Meridian.  Councilman Palmer asked Mayor Smith to explain how the process for work around the city is done.  Mayor Smith stated that the work is directed through the administration.  Citizens can call city hall direct, a particular department, the mayor’s office or the clerk of council to place complaints.  The city follows state law regarding unclean property and abandoned house and this is a timely process. 

 

 

            President Henson called for citizen comments.  No one appeared to speak.

 

 

            President Henson called for council comments.  Councilman Harris said the city needs to look at the police and fire departments to retain the employees.  There are a lot of traffic lights being replaced and he would like to see the traffic light at 29th Avenue & 20th Street replaced with a new one.  He asked the mayor for an update on the new police station and renovations to city hall.  Mayor Smith stated the city has interviewed possible architects for the police station.  They will be making a recommendation soon.  The non-historic demolition of city hall has been completed.  Exterior plans are complete and are being reviewed by the city staff and Archives & History.  The exterior work will be the first phase of the project.  Some interior construction work will begin during the exterior work.  This interior construction work has to be completed prior to the majority of the interior work.  More money will be needed for these projects because construction costs have gone up.  The police department has monies through the city’s drug interdiction measures that will help complete that project.  The bids for the exterior work will be let in early fall.  Councilman Harris said he attended the MML conference.  He said it was a good conference and he enjoyed the seminar on customer service.  Customer service is important in the city and citizens should be treated appropriately.  Mayor Smith stated that there is an educational CD regarding customer service that will be circulated among the city staff.  Councilman Harris said he wanted to reassure the constituents in Ward 5 that he is in control and he is out to serve to the best of his ability.  He will continue to be an ambassador.  Councilman Palmer thanked the inspection department and public works for taking care of the 46th Avenue situation.  He was in Memphis this past weekend and they lost 12,000 of their population last year with people moving out.  Councilwoman Perry stated she attended the MML classes and they lasted all day.  She attending a smoking session and said it was a very informative and interesting class.  She said she is proud of what the city staff is doing.  She is grateful for the rain, however she hopes it will hold off for the July 4th celebration.  She congratulated Councilwoman Henson on her certificate.  Councilman Thomas congratulated everyone involved in

the State Games and said it could not have been done without the volunteers.  He congratulated Coach Jerry Boatner of West Lauderdale for being named Coach of the Year in the nation.  Council President Henson said she attend the class on customer service and she said to give them sweet pickles. 

 

 

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

 

 

            President Henson 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