REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2006 AT 5:00 P.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Thomas.

 

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

 

Absent:  None.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Greg Massey of Central Baptist Church and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meeting with an amendment to: remove R-1; add as R-14 an agreement with Kansas City Southern Railroad; add as R-1 letter of intent from Historic Restorations, Inc. Properties.

 

 

President Thomas advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) selective demolition of City Hall.

 

 

            Mayor Smith advised he had one re-appointment to the Meridian and Bonita Lakes Development Authority – Duffee Williams.

 

 

            President Thomas called on Mayor Smith for his report.  He stated that there were representa-tives of the Historic Restorations Inc. (HRI) at the meeting regarding the letter of intent which was added as item R-1 regarding the renovations of the Threefoot property.  Mr. Pres Kabacoff addressed the City Council first and went over their initial plans for the Threefoot building.  The plan to put in a 100+ room hotel with future plans to purchase the old parking garage for a possible conference area.  This will tie in with the development of the downtown area.  With him were Honore’ Aschaffenburg, president of HRI lodging and Hal Fairbanks, project engineer.  They will be receiving some funding through various means to offset the cost of the project  Those appearing to express their support and thanks for this project were Dennis Sandkovich, director of the Riley Center, Wade Jones, EMBDC director, Supervisor Craig Hitt and Stuart Rockoff with the Southern Jewish Institute.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated August 1, 2006.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the following proclamations to be issued by the Mayor:

 

                                                September, 2006 – “Save a Life Month”

                                                August 19, 2006 – “Scouting Awareness Day”

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13822       ORDER AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO WESLEY

                                    HOUSE CONCERNING PERSONNEL AND OPERATION COSTS

                                    ALLOWABLE THROUGH VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT #05NW2222

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13823       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO

                                    LONGER NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND

                                    AUTHORIZING 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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13824       ORDER DECLARING 15 MONTH OLD GERMAN SHEPHERD

                                    DONATED TO THE MERIDIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT SURPLUS

                                    AND RETURNED TO ITS ORIGINAL OWNER, LYNN BARRUTH

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

ORDER #13825       ORDER REJECTING BIDS RECEIVED FOR “SHINGLE ROOFS

                                    ON UNION STATION” AND AUTHORIZING RE-ADVERTISEMENT

                                    FOR BIDS

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13826       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF DUFFEE WILLIAMS TO THE MERIDIAN AND BONITA LAKES

                                    DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5360                        RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 5358 ENTITLED

                                    “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 REDEVELOPMENT

                                    WITHIN THE CITY’S URBAN RENEWAL DISTRICT NO. 1; AND

                                    DIRECTING PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF TAXABLE NOTE SALE –

                                    $1,225,000” AS ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON AUGUST 1, 2006

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5361                        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 REDEVELOPMENT

                                    WITHIN THE CITY’S URBAN RENEWAL DISTRICT NO. 1; AND

                                    DIRECTING PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF TAXABLE NOTE SALE –

                                    $1,225,000”

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13827       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND ACCEPTANCE OF

                                    LETTER OF INTENT FROM HRI PROPERTIES

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5362                        RESOLUTON ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPREHENSIVE

                                    PLAN TO CONDENSE, SIMPLIFY AND IMPROVE THE ZONING ORDINANCE

 

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

 

ORDIN. #4286         ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY’S ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 3966

                                    SO AS TO RECLASSIFY CERTAIN LANDS IN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    FROM DISTRICT R-1B TO DISTRICT B-2 (VICINTY OF OLD 8TH STREET

                                    ROAD AND HIGHWAY 19 NORTH) INCLUDING AMENDING THE

                                    OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

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

 

ORDIN. #4287         ORDINANCE CLOSING, VACATING AND ABANDONING IN

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI,

                                    A PORTION OF 1ST STREET BETWEEN 48TH & 49TH AVENUES

 

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

 

RESO. #5363                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN QUITCLAIM  

                                    DEEDS TO CLOSED AND VACATED PORTION OF 1ST STREET

                                    BETWEEN 48TH AND 49TH AVENUES

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

 

ORDER #13828       ORDER ACKNOWLEDGING AND PLACING ON MINUTES THE

                                    EMERGENCY PURCHASE OF LABOR AND MATERIALS TO

                                    LOCATE AND REPAIR UNDERGROUND CABLE AND SCHEDULE

                                    AND OUTAGE TO CLEAN, INSPECT AND REPAIR THE FOUR

                                    HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCHES AT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT

                                    PLANT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 31-7-13(K), MISSISSIPPI

                                    CODE ANNOTATED

 

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.

 

 

            Wallace Heggie appeared before the Council regarding the emergency purchase of labor and materials for the renovations of the USDA building.  He said that the Mississippi Code Section 31-7-13(k) allowed this emergency purchase due to the fact that the delay caused by going out for competitive bids would cause a delay that could have an adverse affect on the citizens of the city.  President Thomas asked City Attorney Steven Kohnke if this was legal and he advised that it was.  Councilwoman Perry offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #13829       ORDER ACKNOWLEDGING AND PLACING ON MINTUES THE

                                    EMERGENCY PURCHASES OF LABOR AND MATERIALS TO

                                    DEMOLISH AND RECONSTRUCT SECTIONS INSIDE THE OLD

                                    USDA BUILDING IN ACCORDANCD WITH SECTION 31-7-13(K)

                                    MISSISSIPPI CODE ANNOTATED

 

and, Councilman Palmer 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 #13830       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF SOUTHEASTERN

                                    TRANSPORTATION SAFETY TRAINING CENTER GRANT

                                    THROUGH THE DOT/FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION

 

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 #13831       ORDER AUTHORIZING LIGHT POLES THAT WILL BE OWNED

                                    BY THE MICHAELS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY/MERIDIAN

                                    HOUSING AUTHORITY TO BE PLACED ON CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY

                                    IN JT DAVIS COURT AND VICTORY VILLAGE

 

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 #13832       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT WITH

                                    MISSISSIPPI POWER COMPANY TO PAY FOR THE OPERATIONS

                                    OF THE STREET LIGHTS IN JT DAVIS COURT AND VICTORY VILLAGE

 

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

 

ORDER #13833       ORDER ALLOWING 15TH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH TO

                                    ENCROACH ON CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY ON 14TH AVENUE

                                    TO INSTALL A RAMP UP TO THEIR NEW KITCHEN AND

                                    ACCEPTANCE OF HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5364                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT

                                    BY AND BETWEEN THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY

                                    OF MERIDIAN, THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF LAUDERDALE COUNTY, AND

                                    THE SHERIFF OF LAUDERDALE COUNTY, FOR THE CREATION OF A

                                    JOINT TASK FORCE EFFORT TO ENFORCE THE CRIMINAL LAWS OF

                                    THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, ESPECIALLY THOSE REGARDING

                                    CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES IN THE CITY AND COUNTY

 

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 #13834       ORDER ACCEPTING PROPOSAL FROM GEORGE T. FORE &

                                    ASSOCIATES FOR MERIDIAN CITY HALL HISTORIC FINISHES

                                    ANALYSIS AND CONSERVATION CONSULTING SERVICES

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated August 10, 2006 in the amount of $3,647,887.04.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13835       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF TEMPORARY PRIVATE

                                    ROAD CROSSING AGREEMENT WITH THE KANSAS CITY                                                                           SOUTHERN RAILWAY COMPANY

 

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, Harris.

Nay:  None. 

 

 

            President Thomas called for citizen comments.  Mary Ann Todd appeared and said she was excited about the opening of the Riley Center.  She is concerned that the city is not meeting the needs of the citizens.  Residents have complained about ordinances not being enforced, loud music, profanity coming out of vehicles, burglaries, robberies, etc.  They have been told that the city did not have enough police officers to regularly patrol the neighborhoods.  Houston Britt, Petal resident who is a student in Meridian, appeared and said the city is doing a great job re-developing the downtown area.  He complained about the unprofessional attitudes in the police department.  He commented on his experience in being stopped by a police officer outside the city limits.  Ralph Walters of 38th Avenue discussed the decrepit houses, streets and sale of drugs in the city.

 

 

            President Thomas called for Council comments.  Councilman Harris thanked those people for coming to the meeting and expressing themselves.  He said everyone needs to get together and make things happen.  He thanked those who were a part of the Ward 5/Ward 4 town meeting.  He congratu-lated Lucky and Carol Lizenbee for having the yard of the month in Ward 5.  He recognized Mrs. Torgerson for being at the meeting.  Councilman Palmer said he concurred with Councilman Harris on the meeting.  He said the restoration of Davis Court is a beautiful project.  Councilwoman Henson stated that Meridian was in the Mississippi Best Magazine: 1) best place to exercise – Bonita Lakes; best theater – Meridian Little Theater.  Councilwoman Perry congratulated Billy Joe Jones on his retirement from the city.  The Housing Authority has done a great job with Davis Court.  Victory Village will be looking better soon.  The police are doing a great job and are trying hard to do so.  She thanked Beverly Knox and Officer Ruffin for helping clean up the city.  The ditches that have been cleaned look great.  She thanked public works for that.  President Thomas said it takes a long time to see projects come together.  We all make mistakes but try to correct those things the best we can.  It is good to have constructive criticism.  Good things are going on in Meridian.  The midnight run had 150 participating and the bicycle race had over 100 participating.  The State Games just had their awards meeting.  It takes a lot of volunteers to make this a success.  Ralph Morgan continues to put on events twice a year.  School is starting, coaches are talking to their players about positive attitudes, teachers are working hard, students are working hard.  Community support is needed to make schools successful.  He said he appreciated the police officers.  Sometimes they do things wrong and they do things right.   

 

 

            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