REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2002 AT 9:00 A

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2005 AT 9:00 A.M.

Meeting called to= order by Council President Palmer.

Present: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Absent: None.

The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. John Sweeney of Victory Outreach and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meet= ing with an amendment to: add as C-4 a proclamation supporting the National Gua= rd & Reserve; add as R-10 designation of Eddie Ivy as applicant agent for federal disaster assistance; add as C-5 confirmation of the appointment of Bunky Partridge to fill a vacancy on the E-911 commission. Motion was made by Councilman Thom= as duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council = to remove from the table the order authorizing execution of an agreement for a street and traffic study in connection with the proposed Meridian Medical District Plan and add this as Item R-11.&n= bsp;

President Palmer advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following= : a) materials & labor to repair roof on admin engine room and digester building; b) flush truck; c) HVAC cleaning for the Meridian Police Departme= nt Complex.

Mrs. Patricia Flowers appeared to make a presentation on Rise Above Poverty, Inc= . The mission of Rise Above Poverty,= Inc. is to provide grants, volunteer opportunities, education and information to empower impoverished families to rise above poverty. The are planning a three on three basketball tournament and friend raiser at Ben Arthur Davis Park on 14^=
th Street on August 27^th.

At this time a presentation was made by Atmos Energy. John McDill, Harold Sturdivant and= Randy Wilson each appeared to go over the progress of Atmos Energy’s cast i= ron pipe replacement project throughout the city. This project should be completed i= n nine to twelve months. They have provided the city with copies of their videos of the sewer lines in Meridian. About 105,000 feet of new gas line= s have been placed with about 50,000 left to complete. They have spent $4.5 million to da= te on this project and have budgeted $2.5 million to complete the project.

The hour of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, the hearing as called for regarding the 2005-2006 motor vehicle assessment schedule was opened with motion by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and passed by a majority vote of the Council. Voting Yea: Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris. Voting Nay: Thomas. No one appeared to make comments. Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry to close the hearing. Councilman Thomas st= ated that this was another example of the wasteful effort by government. The City of Meridian had to approv= e the assessment schedule adopted by the State of Mississippi, had to schedule a public hearing, the clerk had to record it, and the City had to hold the hearing even though nothing could be done about any comments made during th= e hearing. The motion to close the hearing ca= rried with a majority vote of the Council. Voting Yea: Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris. Voting Nay: Thomas. Councilwoman Henson offered and mo= ved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

ORDER #13539 ORDER FINALLY APPROVING, ADOPTING AND CONFIRMING

= &nb= sp; THE ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AS

= &nb= sp; PREP= ARED BY THE STATE TAX COMMISSION AS THE

= &nb= sp; REGU= LAR 2005-2006 ASSESSMENT

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, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

President Palmer called on the Mayor for his report.= He thanked Atmos Energy for providing the city with copies of their tapes of the city’s sewer pipes.&nbs= p; He commented on the proclamation supporting the National Guard & Reserve. His office continues= to keep in touch with the A Team to monitor progress of the BRAC recommendatio= ns regarding the 186^th Air Refueling Wing. He stated everyone enjoyed Meridian day at the Neshoba County Fair and thanked= all the volunteers. He spent five= hours the day before with CAO Ken Storms, Ed Skipper and Dave Brown regarding the= FY 2006 budget. They hope to hav= e a balanced budget to the City Council by August 15^th. He stated that Councilman Thomas a= sked for a update on the fence at West End Harris. Public Works Director Monty Jackson stated that when the pavement of Gallagher Creek was done the city acquired= the right-of-way. At that time th= ere was no fence in the area. The= re were woods and a grown-up area that separated the school from the creek. There was a fence where the buses = are parked. The city was advised = by Archie Scarbrough that the fence by the buses would not have to be put back up. President Palmer stated t= here was a fence there several years ago but did not know when it was taken down. Mr. Jackson stated that= when the project was started there was no fence there. Councilman Thomas asked how much it would take to put up a fence. Mr. Jackson stated that $17,000 is to be placed in the 2006 budget to put a fen= ce up. Councilman Thomas stated = school was starting soon and wanted to know if this could be handled as an emergen= cy purchase. City Attorney Steve Kohnke stated he would have to check to see if this procurement could be ma= de through the emergency purchase laws. He said he would get back to the Council after he checked on this. Councilman Thomas asked about the traffic lights placed on 2= 0^th Street. CAO Ken Storms stated that this was done in accordance with the unif= orm traffic signal guidelines.

Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated July 19, 200= 5.

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

ORDER #13540 ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO

= &nb= sp; LONG= ER NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN= AND

= &nb= sp; AUTH= ORIZING THE SALE OF SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT

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, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resoluti= on:

RESO. #5267 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; RESOLUTION CALLING HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER

= &nb= sp; OR NOT CERTAIN PARCELS OF LAND ARE IN SUCH A STATE

= &nb= sp; OF UNCLEANLINESS AS TO BE A MENACE TO THE PUBLIC

= &nb= sp; HEAL= TH AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY (9/06/05 @ 9:30 A.M.)

and, Councilwoman Henson seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed= and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

= &= #8220;Proclamation Supporting The National Guard and Reserve”

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

ORDER #13541 ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE

= &nb= sp; MAYOR OF H. C. “BUNKY” PARTRIDGE TO THE

= &nb= sp; LAUDERDALE COUNTY EMERGENCY 911

= &nb= sp; COMM= UNICATIONS DISTRICT

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, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13542 ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT

= &nb= sp; AMEN= DMENT WITH LUKE & KAYE ARCHITECTS FOR

= &nb= sp; ADDI= TIONAL SERVICES NEEDED FOR THE CITY HALL

= &nb= sp; RE-R= OOFING PROJECT

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13543 ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION AND EXECUITON

= &nb= sp; OF GRANT APPLICATION TO THE RILEY FOUNDATION

= &nb= sp; (SPE= CIAL WEAPONS FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT)

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

Discussion was held regarding the grant application for the 2005 Transportation Enhancement Tree Planting program. Councilman Thomas stated he hated to see more trees planted on interstate interchanges. He d= oes not think the Meridian interchanges look= as good as some of the other ones along I-20/59. MDOT is cutting trees along the interstate and the city is going to put up more trees. The reason for MDOT cutting trees = is to give driver a better change of not hitting a tree if they have an accident = or run off the road while they are on the interstate. Council was advised that trees and flowers would be planted in beds at the Airport exit interchange. Councilman Thomas said he was for flowers being planted as long as the grass is cut. The city did not adopt this interc= hange, therefore MDOT will be cutting the grass.&= nbsp; The beds will be placed so that the grass can be cut more efficiently. Councilwoman Per= ry offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

RESO. #5268 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FILING AND EXECUTION

= &nb= sp; OF A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE 2005 TRANSPOR-

= &nb= sp; TATI= ON ENHANCEMENT TREE PLANTING PROGRAM

= &nb= sp; FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF TREES ON

= &nb= sp; PUBL= IC PROPERTY

and, Councilman H= arris seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

Yea: Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay: Thomas.

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

ORDER #13544 ORDER AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF TRACTOR/FRONT

= &nb= sp; END LOADER W/72” BUCKET FROM DAVIS TRUCK &

= &nb= sp; TRAC= TOR COMPANY, MERIDIAN, = MS, IN THE AMOUNT

= &nb= sp; OF $25,250.00

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, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13545 ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF DELTA TREE SERVICES,

= &nb= sp; INC., CLINTON, MS, FOR HAZARDOUS TREE REMOVAL

= &nb= sp; IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,800.00

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13546 ORDER ACKNOWLEDGING AND PLACING ON MINUTES

= &nb= sp; THE EMERGENCY PURCHASE OF LABOR AND EQUIPMENT

= &nb= sp; TO REPAIR POOL DECK AND FOUNDATION OF POOL PUMP

= &nb= sp; HOUSE AT VELMA = YOUNG PARK IN ACCORDANCE WITH

= &nb= sp; SECT= ION 31-7-13(K), MISSISSIPPI CODE ANNOTATED

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13547 ORDER REMOVING ONE (1) 2004 HARLEY DAVIDSON

= &nb= sp; MOTO= RCYCLE FROM SERVICE AND RETURING TO

= &nb= sp; CHUN= KY RIVER HARLEY DAVIDSON

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, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

Councilwoman Henson offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resoluti= on:

RESO. #5269 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE

= &nb= sp; AMEN= DED BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF MERIDIA= N

= &nb= sp; FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTMEBER 30,

= &nb= sp; 2005, AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK IN REFERENCE

= &nb= sp; THER= ETO

and, Councilman T= homas seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

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

ORDER #13548 ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION AND EXECUITON

= &nb= sp; OF GRANT APPLICATION TO THE RILEY FOUNDATION

= &nb= sp; (TRA= INING OF WASTE WATER PLANT PERSONNEL)

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

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated July 2= 8, 2005 in the amount of $1,464,003.97.

Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resoluti= on:

RESO. #5270 &= nbsp; &nbs= p; RESOLUTION DESIGNATING APPLICANT AGENT

and, Councilwoman Henson seconded the motion, whereupon said Resolution was discussed, passed= and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

Yea: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

City Planner Don Jemison appeared before the Council at this time regarding the agreement for a street and traffic study in conjunction with the proposed Meridian Medical District Plan. He stated that Attorney Walter Rogers looked over the proposed order and agreement. The following are the changes that= he recommended: (1) In the first paragraph of the agreement, the words “acting as administering and supervising agent for the Regional Medical Support Center, Inc.” be removed. (2) In the first paragraph of the orde= r, the sentence “The City of Meridian has determined that ABMB Engineers, In= c. should be selected to conduct the study.” was added. Councilwoman Henson offered and mo= ved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

ORDER #13549 ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT

= &nb= sp; FOR A STREET AND TRAFFIC STUDY IN CONJUNCTION WITH

= &nb= sp; THE PROPOSED MERIDIAN MEDICAL DISTRICT PLAN<= o:p>

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, Har= ris.

Nay: None.

President Palmer called for citizen comments. No one appeared.

President Palmer called for council comments. Councilman Harris thanked his supporters of Ward 5. They have started establishing neighborhood associations. He= is starting up “Yard of the Month” recognition in Ward 5. There is another ward meeting set = up for August 18^th at Union Station.&n= bsp; He asked all citizens of Ward 5 to come to the meeting. Councilwoman Henson stated that th= e next COG meeting on August 8^th would be held at City Hall for all ele= cted officials. She said the strip= ing of the streets was very good. Councilwoman Perry thanked the city forces for doing those things th= at have been called in. Councilm= an Thomas reminded everyone that school was starting. Kids will be out on the street and= he asked everyone to be cautious. He s= aid he hated to see the MCC baseball coach leave Meridian. He thanked him for his contributio= n to the community. President Palm= er said he would be having the first Ward 4 meeting on August 8^th at MCCSA. He is back teaching again. He teaches special kid= s at Alliance Health Center. Council-man Harris had the opportu= nity to address the GED graduating class at MCC. He congratulated them on achieving= their GEDs and urged them to continue their education. Councilwoman Perry stated she had = just finished a class this week. S= he will be working with the kids at MCCSA.&nb= sp; Councilwoman Henson thanked Bobby Vance for keeping her up to date on complaints she has turned in.

There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meet= ing was adjourned. Sine die.=

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; &= nbsp; Respectfully submitted,

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Pam McInnis, Clerk of Council

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp;