REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2007 AT 5:00 P.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Henson.

 

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

 

Absent:  None

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. Ralph Henson of Church of The Way 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 a personnel matter.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated July 03, 2007.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14097       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE

                                    OF 100 TASER X26’S

 

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 #14098       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 #14099       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF LARRY DUDLEY TO THE MERIDIAN COMMUNITY

                                    DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

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 #14100       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF PAUL E. GRAVES, JR. TO THE HOUSING BOARD OF

                                    ADJUSTMENTS & APPEALS

 

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 #14101       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF DONIA EVANS TO THE MERIDIAN TREE 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.

 

 

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

 

                                    July 21-27, 2007 – “World Changers Week”

 

 

            Lucy Johnson, representing Christ’s Church in Action, appeared before the Council at this time regarding the proposed order revoking the tax exemption granted to Christ’s Church in Action’s property at 518 41st Avenue.  Ms. Johnson said she was told this was put on hold for a year.  She said she was confident the City Council will do what is right.  She passed out documents which include a letter from the Internal Revenue Service dated September 15, 2006, a letter from the Secretary of State dated March 7, 2007, a copy of Chapter 11 of the Mississippi Code and an explanation of Section 79-11-33 with the Church’s comments on this section of the code.  She talked about incidents during the civil rights movement and the action taken against some of those involved in this movement.  She said there are people who are against the church and what they are doing.  She said they have been trying to sell this property as well as the property where the church is located.  Councilman Thomas stated that none of the City Council members are terrorists or racists.  The law says that the property must be used entirely for church purposes.  He said he went by this property earlier that day and it is in terrible condition and has been for sale for quite a while.  Councilman Palmer said he asked that it be extended for a year.  He agreed this building was used for storage.  Councilwoman Perry said she made the motion to give them 30 days because it was stated they were going to do something about it.  She went by and the windows were boarded up, etc. and it is not being used by the church.  The church is using a different building to hold services.  She said she is not against the church.  She said she would be happy if they could sell it.  The building the Council is acting on is not the church.  Councilman Palmer said he went by there and went through the building.  He does not believe someone who does not have anything insured would burn it themselves.  Councilman Harris said there were a lot of speculations about the property and thinks the Council did what was right.  He said he has been by the property and there have not been any improvements.  Councilwoman Henson said their business was racially burned in the 70’s and they tore it down and put a new one there.  There was also another church in her ward that the City Council recently revoked the tax exemption on.  Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14102       ORDER REVOKING TAX EXEMPTION GRANTED TO CHRIST’S

                                    CHURCH IN ACTION, 518 41ST AVENUE, MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  Palmer.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14103       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE CANCELLATION OF LIS PENDENS

                                    NOTICES, THE PRESENTATION OF A REQUEST FOR VOIDING

                                    OF BACK TAXES TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF

                                    LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI AND FILING OF CONFIR-

                                    MATION SUITS DECLARING PROPERTIES TO BE SURPLUS AND

                                    AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF TITLE, ALL IN CONNECTION WITH

                                    THE CITY’S AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVE

and, Councilman Thomas 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 Ordinance:

 

ORDIN. #4321         ORDINANCE CLOSING, VACATING AND ABANDONING IN THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN, LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, A

                                    PORTION OF 16TH STREET BETWEEN 20TH AVENUE AND 22ND

                                    AVENUE AND THE SOUTH EIGHTY-FIVE FEET OF 21ST AVENUE

                                    NORTH OF 16TH STREET

 

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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5446                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN QUITCLAIM

                                    DEEDS FOR CLOSED AND VACATED PORTION OF 16TH STREET

                                    BETWEEN 20TH AVENUE AND 22ND AVENUE AND THE SOUTH

                                    EIGHTY-FIVE FEET OF 21ST AVENUE NORTH OF 16TH STREET

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #14104       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CHANGE ORDER NO.1

                                    WITH MANDAL’S INC. (CLAY TILE PROJECT AT UNION STATION)

 

and, Councilman Thomas 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 Ordinance:

 

ORDIN. #4322         ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY’S ZONING ORDINANCE

                                    NO. 3966 SO AS TO RECLASSIFY CERTAIN LANDS IN THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN FROM DISTRICT R-3 AND P TO PUD

                                    DISTRICT (VICINITY WEST OF 45TH AVENUE SOUTH OF 8TH

                                    STREET) INCLUDING AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING

                                    MAP 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 #14105       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF LETTER OF CREDIT

                                    APPLICATION/AGREEMENT (STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT)

 

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 #14106       ORDER ADOPTING ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE FOR MOTOR

                                    VEHICLES AS PREPARED AND ADOPTED BY THE STATE

                                    TAX COMMISSION

 

and, Councilman Harris seconded the motion, whereupon said Order was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14107       ORDER AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF FIRE APPARATUS

                                    RESCUE PUMPER FROM PRO-FIRE EQUIPMENT COMPANY,

                                    LLC, OLIVE BRANCH, MS IN THE AMOUNT OF $564,800.00

 

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

 

ORDER #14108       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF D & E CONSTRUCTION CO.,

                                    INC., MERIDIAN, MS. FOR SERVICES AND INSTALLATION OF

                                    A SHOOT HOUSE COMPLEX IN THE AMOUNT OF $411,750.00

 

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

 

ORDER #14109       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF TRUSTMARK NATIONAL

                                    BANK OF MERIDIAN, MERIDIAN, MS, FOR LEASE PURCHASE

                                    FINANCING OF A 75’ QUINT FIRE APPARATUS FOR THE

                                    ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE OF 4.14% ON THE AMOUNT

                                    OF $649,617.00 WITH THREE (3) EQUAL ANNUAL PAYMENTS

                                    OF $272,722.56

 

and, Councilman Thomas 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 #14110       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF TRUSTMARK NATIONAL

                                    BANK OF MERIDIAN, MERIDIAN, MS, FOR LEASE PURCHASE

                                    FINANCING OF A BACKHOE FOR THE ANNUAL PERCENTAGE

                                    RATE OF 4.14% ON THE AMOUNT OF $40,841.00 WITH TWO

                                    (2) EQUAL ANNUAL PAYMENTS OF $21,130.78

 

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 #14111       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF TRUSTMARK NATIONAL

                                    BANK OF MERIDIAN, MERIDIAN, MS, FOR LEASE PURCHASE

                                    FINANCING OF A FLUSH TRUCK FOR THE ANNUAL PERCENTAGE

                                    RATE OF 4.14% ON THE AMOUNT OF $139,474.00 WITH THREE

                                    (3) EQUAL ANNUAL PAYMENTS OF $49,101.04

 

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.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated July 12, 2007 in the amount of $2,754,283.30.

 

 

            Ed Brown with the Mississippi Forestry Commission appeared and stated that the City of Meridian was recently named a Tree City USA by The National Arbor Day Foundation.  This is the 17th consecutive year Meridian has received this recognition.  Meridian is the 4th oldest Tree City in Mississippi.

 

 

            President Henson called for the Mayor’s report.  He stated he did not have anything to report but that he had requested an executive session.

 

 

            President Henson called for citizen comments.  No one appeared.

 

            An executive session was requested regarding economic development, a personnel matter, litigation and potential litigation.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Thomas 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 Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to declare an executive session in order to discuss economic development, a personnel matter, litigation and potential litigation.  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 Henson called the meeting back to order.  Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5447                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RETENTION OF FIRST NATIONAL

                                    CAPITAL, A DIVISION OF FIRST NATIONAL BANK, FOR THE

                                    PURPOSE OF PREPARING A “PRE-APPLICATION” PACKAGE TO

                                    SUBMIT TO THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY;

                                    AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF FEE; AND AUTHORIZING MAYOR

                                    TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR SUBMISSION

                                    OF APPLICATION

 

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.

 

 

            President Henson called for Council comments.  Councilman Harris wished Georgia Frye the best on her move and thanked her for what she has done for the city.  He quoted some chapters from the Code of Ordinances regarding the difference between cuttings, trimmings and tree removal.  There is so much on the streets and sides of the streets that something needs to be done.  He also quoted a section of the Code of Ordinances regarding control of weeds and grass on private property.  Those who leave tree limbs on the side of the road should be made to remove them within 24 hours or be charged for the removal.  He thanked Jinnell Miller for being awarded Yard of the Month for July in Ward 5.  He thanked the city for the donation of a car to MCC and thanked the Sheriff’s department for donating a car to MCC also.  He congratulated the youth baseball teams that went to Biloxi.  They need to keep up the good work.  He thanked animal control for what they are doing and trying to do to take care of animals in the city and protect the citizens.  Something stronger needs to be put into the animal control ordinance.  Councilman Palmer said the city does not cause over-growth and houses to deteriorate.  The ones who need to be taking care of these are those who own them.  The first obligation should be the owners.  Some of this property can be donated for affordable housing purposes.  He stressed the fact that everyone needs to wear seat belts.  Councilwoman Perry sent her condolences to the family of the young man killed in the recent accident.  She congratulated Georgia Frye.  She sent her condolences to DeKalb on the loss of one of their officers.  She said she appreciates what the city has done and appreciates what has been said about the weeds and grass.  It is in the best interest of the owners to clean these themselves.  Councilman Thomas said it is getting time for school to start back and registration is underway.  He brought up sewer/water bills.  If you live inside the city and you don’t pay your bill then the city disconnects your service.  We have an agreement with a town whereby the city cannot disconnect their sewer service when they don’t pay their bill.  The residents of this town are being charged triple what the city is charging the town for this sewer service.  It is election time.  People are running for county and state offices.  The city is part of the county and the state.  He urged people to go and discuss with these candidates their relationship with the city.  The Junior Miss program is coming up.  There will be 45 to 50 young girls in town with several thousands of dollars in scholarships given away.  Councilman Palmer stated that many cities are compiling a list of persons who abandon their water bills and this will be available to all cities to monitor.  Councilwoman Henson said she went to Mississippi State where the Sheriff and deputies became accredited.  She said the Seventh Day Adventist Church will hold an open house on Saturday.

 

           

            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