REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, AUGUST 01, 2006 AT 9:00 A.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Thomas.

 

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

 

Absent:  None.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Odell Hopkins and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meeting with an amendment to: add as R-6 an order authorizing execution of purchase agreement for the Threefoot property; add as R-6a a resolution authorizing the advertisement for sale of Taxable Negotiable Notes; add as R-6b a resolution hiring Bond Counsel; add an amendment to the claims docket; add as R-7 emergency declaration for removal of additional Hurricane Katrina debris on city streets; and add as R-8 an agreement with Waste Management to pick up and dispose Hurricane Katrina debris on streets for $95.00 per site..

 

 

            President Thomas advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) alum, b) hydrated lime, c) hydrofluosilicic acid, d) liquid chlorine, e) polymer, f) sodium silicofluoride, g) sulphur dioxide.

 

 

            Mayor Smith stated he had three appointments to boards and commissions – Duffee Williams and Tom Carmichael to the Tree Commission and Barbaree Heaster to the Meridian Redevelopment Authority.

 

 

            President Thomas called on Mayor Smith for his report.  Planners Virginia Williamson and Kevin Locke made a power point presentation on the 8th World Changers Project.  16 homes were worked on.  They presented awards to the following for contribution to this project: Atlas Roofing, Citizens National Bank, First Baptist Church, Great Southern National Bank, Jeff Anderson Regional Hospital, Kimbrell-Ruffer Lumber Company, Maples Gas, Sunrise Sunday School Class at Central United Methodist Church, and Structural Steel.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated July 18, 2006.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13812       ORDER AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO WESLEY

                                    HOUSE CONCERNING PERSONNEL AND OPERATION COSTS

                                    ALLOWABLE THROUGH VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT #05NW2222

 

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 #13813       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENTS BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF DUFFEE WILLIAMS AND TOM CARMICHAEL TO THE

                                    MERIDIAN TREE COMMISSION

 

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 #13814       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF BARBAREE HEASTER TO THE MERIDIAN REDEVELOPMENT

                                    AUTHORITY

 

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 #13815       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO LONGER

                                    NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING THE

                                    SALE OF SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT

 

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 #13816       ORDER GRANTING EXEMPTION FROM MUNICIPAL AD

                                    VALOREM TAXES (EXCEPT SCHOOL DISTRICT TAXES)

                                    TO THE MCGINNIS LUMBER COMPANY, INC. FOR

                                    RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROPERTY

                                    LOCATED AT 905 22ND AVENUE

 

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 #13817       ORDER ACCEPTING BIDS FOR TREE DEBRIS REMOVAL –

                                    PRIVATE 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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13818       ORDER ALLOWING THE G.V. “SONNY” MONTGOMERY

                                    FOUNDATION TO PLACE A STATE OF MISSISSIPPI HISTORIC

                                    MARKER ON CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY ON 23RD AVENUE AT THE

                                    ENTRANCE TO SONNY MONTGOMERY’S GRAVESITE

                                    LOCATION

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5357                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FILING AND EXECUTION OF A

                                    GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE 2006 TRANSPORTATION

                                    ENHANCEMENT TREE PLANTING PROGRAM FOR THE

                                    PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF TREES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY

 

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.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated July 27, 2006 in the amount of $1,126,930.91 with an amendment to add Purchase Order No. 607314 in the amount of $16,513.20.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13819       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF PURCHASE

                                    AGREEMENT FOR THREEFOOT BUILDING AND FOR

                                    CLOSING ON THIS 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 Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5358                        RESOLUTION DECLARING THE INTENTION OF THE CITY

                                    COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI (THE

                                    “CITY”), TO ISSUE A TAXABLE NEGOTIABLE NOTE,

                                    SERIES 2006, IN THE MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF

                                    NOT TO EXCEED ONE MILLION TWO HUNDRED TWENTY

                                    FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,225,000) TO RAISE MONEY

                                    FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE

                                    ACQUISITION OF A BUILDING AND LAND FOR REDEVELOP-

                                    MENT WITHIN THE CITY’S URBAN RENEWAL DISTRICT NO. 1

                                    AND DIRECTING PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF TAXABLE

                                    NOTE SALE - $1,225,000

 

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

 

RESO. #5359                        RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI (THE “CITY”), AUTHORIZING

                                    THE EMPLOYMENT OF PROFESSIONAL IN CONNECTION

                                    WITH THE ISSUANCE OT A TAXABLE NEGOTIABLE NOTE,

                                    SERIES 2006 IN THE MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO

                                    EXCEED ONE MILLION TWO HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE

                                    THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,225,000) TO RAISE MONEY FOR

                                    THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR ACQUISITION

                                    OF A BUILDING AND LAND FOR REDEVELOPMENT IN THE

                                    CITY’S URBAN RENEWAL DISTRICT NO. 1

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13820       ORDER AND PROCLAMATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY

 

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.

 

 

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

ORDER #13821       ORDER ACCEPTING BID FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR

                                    ADDITIONAL HURRICANE DEBRIS PICKUP AND DISPOSAL

                                    IN THE AMOUNT OF $95.00 PER SITE

 

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.

           

            President Thomas called for citizen comments.  Mr. Gil Carmichael appeared and congratulated everyone on the plans for the Threefoot Building.  He said this will help stimulate growth in downtown Meridian.

 

            President Thomas called for council comments.  Councilman Harris recognized Mr. Ernest Smith for his recognition at Meridian High School this past Sunday.  They have started a scholarship in his name.  He invited all citizens in Ward 5 and the other wards to a town meeting on August 3rd at 6:00 p.m. at Union Station.  He thanked the Mayor for allowing his staff to be at this meeting.  They will be awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving student in Ward 5 at that time.  Supervisors Joe Norwood and Ray Boswell as well as Councilman Palmer will be at this meeting.  Councilman Palmer stated that Mr. Ernest Smith well deserved the honor he received.  He secured scholarships for students and took a personal interest in the students’ lives.  Councilwoman Henson stated that Wade Heggie is one of her most favorite people.  He heads up the MCC swim program.  He is a very giving person and during State Games he was right there helping.  Councilwoman Perry stated that Mr. Ernest Smith always looks out for young people.  She congratulated him.  She thanked Officer Travis Ruffin and Beverly Knox in their efforts to do a great job in getting the city clean.  She hopes citizens will continue to help in this effort.  She said the Threefoot Building is a personal interest of hers because her father’s first job was helping to build it.  Councilman Palmer said the meeting on Thursday will be an informative one.  Citizens will be able to learn more about city government and everyone’s duties.  Councilman Thomas stated that there have been high school and college church affiliated groups coming through Meridian and spending the night on their way to the coast.  They have given up their summers with the relief effort on the coast.  Local churches have provided a place for them to sleep and breakfast.  On August 1st at 7:00 p.m. Habitat will have a meeting.  He asked citizens who are interested in helping new homes in Meridian to attend this meeting.  He said the parking garage was full with cars for the Jr. Miss program.  The Temple was sold out for this event.  School is starting and the bands, cheerleaders and football teams are practicing.  They should have a great school year.  The schools and students need support to make them successful.  He asked people to get out and support their events.  He said people have complained about the cost to attend the events at the Riley Center, however, people can go to these events for about $30.00 or less per event.    

 

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