REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2007 AT 5:00 P.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Henson.

 

Present:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris (late to meeting).

 

Absent:  None

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Councilwoman Barbara Henson 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: remove P-2; remove R-4.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated August 07, 2007.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5453                        RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM

                                    TAXES TO CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH AS AUTHORIZED BY

                                    SECTIONS 27-31-1(D) AND 79-11-33 OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE

                                    OF 1972, AS AMENDED

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5454                        RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI, GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM

                                    TAXES TO NEWELL CHAPEL CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL

                                    CHURCH AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTIONS 27-31-1(D) AND 79-11-33

                                    OF THE MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, AS AMENDED

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14126       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF DONNIE SMITH TO THE MERIDIAN HOUSING 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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14127       ORDER AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO WESLEY HOUSE

                                    CONCERNING PERSONNEL AND OPERATION COSTS ALLOWABLE

                                    THROUGH VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT #05NW2223

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14128       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, 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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5455                        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 (SEPTEMBER 18,

                                    2007, AT 5:15 P.M.)

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14129       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF GRANT APPLICATION

                                    TO THE RILEY FOUNDATION (SEMS ELECTRONIC PERSONNEL

                                    ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM)

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14130       ORDER AUTHORIZING CITY ADMINISTRATION TO ENTER INTO

                                    CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH GRAPHIC PRINT AND

                                    COMMUNICATION FOR PRODUCTION OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    ANNUAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEARS 2007 AND 2008

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14131       ORDER GRANTING EXEMPTION FROM MUNICIPAL AD VALOREM

                                    TAXES (EXCEPT SCHOOL DISTRICT TAXES) FOR NEW STRUCTURE

                                    AT 1501 23RD AVENUE (VITAL CARE OF MERIDIAN/WEST ALABAMA)   

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

            Councilman Thomas said he would like to see this program stay for employees only instead of going out to the public.  Senior Planner Don Jemison explained that there is a time line on using this money or losing it and that is the reason they are opening it to city residents also.  (Councilman Harris arrived at the meeting during this discussion.)  Councilman Palmer offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5456                        RESOLUTION ADOPTING AMENDED POLICIES, PROCEDURES

                                    AND GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF HOME BUYER

                                    ASSISTANCE (AMENDED EMPLOYER-ASSISTED HOUSING

                                    PROGRAM)

 

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

 

ORDER #14132       ORDER AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF GRANTING HOME

                                    INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM (HOME) FUNDS

                                    TO CONNIE DEAN AT 511 17TH AVENUE, MERIDIAN, MS

 

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 #14133       ORDER APPROVING AND ADOPTING FINAL PLAT OF BUSH         

                                    GARDENS SUBDIVISION, A RESIDENTIAL RESUBDIVISION

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

 

ORDER #14134       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI AND

                                    KEMPER COUNTY LANDFILL FOR LEACHATE DISPOSAL

 

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.

 

 

            Discussion was held regarding the change order with Onyx regarding the Sweetgum Bottom Road sewer line installation.  Councilman Thomas stated that he felt when a bid was submitted that the contractor should do the job for what was quoted.  Jeff Green with Engineering Associates appeared and went over the circumstances that caused this change order.  While the project was being worked on they encountered terrible soil conditions that slowed the project because the soil conditions had to be corrected.  There were provisions in the contract with Onyx that cover circumstances such as this happening.  City Attorney Bill Hammack stated that it was legal for the City Council to approve this change order.  Councilwoman Perry offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14135       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CHANGE ORDER

                                    NO. 2 BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND 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 Thomas asked about the circumstances surrounding the change order with H. E. Mosley regarding the 52nd Street drainage project.  Public Works Director Monty Jackson stated that the lines put in would not connect to the box culvert, therefore, a larger box culvert was called for.  Councilman Thomas offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14136       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CHANGE ORDER

                                    NO. 1 BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND H. E. MOSLEY,

                                    INC. (52ND STREET DRAINAGE PROJECT)

 

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 Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated August 16, 2007 in the amount of $2,321,381.13.

 

 

            President Henson advised of the notification of legal advertisement for: liquid alum, hydrated lime, hydrofluosilicic acid, liquid chlorine, polymer, sodium silicofluoride, sulfur dioxide.

 

 

            Community Development Director Don Farrar appeared and stated that 24 security cameras were recently installed at Union Station.  They have the capability to go up to 36 cameras.  These cameras as well as those put in the parking garage were paid for by a 100% grant through the State of Mississippi Homeland Security.  Maurice Strickland, Union Station Manager/parking garage manager, stated that the security cameras in the parking garage give full coverage of the parking garage even showing license tags.

 

 

            President Henson called for the mayor’s report.  CAO Ken Storms stated that Mayor Smith was in Hawaii meeting with Japanese mayors and talking about cities.  He thinks it will be a positive meeting for the City of Meridian.  Mayor Smith will be back in his office next week.

 

 

            The hour of 5:30 p.m. having arrived, the hearing as set for comments regarding the FY 2008 budget was opened with motion by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council.  Those appearing to speak were:  (1)  Michael Lamoreaux, 1099 Hickory Grove Road, Lauderdale, MS – He  was present representing the fire fighters.  He said the city is losing fire fighters because of pay.  41% of the fire fighters have less than five years experience.  (2)  James Fisher, 3030 Russell Mt. Gilead Road – He was present representing the fire fighters also.  He said the fire department has great facilities and equipment but the fire fighters need to be taken care of.  They want to maintain experienced fire fighters and have presented a pay plan that they think will help with this.  He asked the city to make an investment in the people.  (3) Randy Hammon, 2516 28th Avenue – He said there was a lot of money designated for downtown beautification and he is not against that.  However, he is concerned about taking care of abandoned houses.  He asked that the city contract to have these houses demolished and cleaned up.  He said this would be a big improvement for the city.  (4)  Bill McBride, 1806 Apache Ridge Road – He said the city needs additional personnel in the police, fire, public works and parks & recreation departments.  He said there is a lot of money transferred and going to activities that are a drain on the budget.  He said something needed to be done about the public transportation system.  This needs to be looked at.  There are bridges in the city that need work.  (5)  Steve McCartney, 3102 36th Street – He said he was there on behalf of the police and fire personnel.  Something needs to be done so the city can keep these experienced personnel.  He said he would not mind his taxes going up if it was to increase the pay for the police and fire personnel.  (6)  Billy Harris, 2809 Meehan Road – He said the city is down to two heavy equipment operators because of the pay.  The city can’t get people to take the jobs because of the pay.  He said they are down in ditches just about every day and are subject to cave-ins, etc.  He would like their pay increased and not be left out of the loop when raises are given.  No one else appeared.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to close the hearing.

 

 

            President Henson called for citizen comments.  Bill McBride appeared and made various comments.

 

 

            President Henson called for council comments.  Councilman Harris thanked his supporters during the recent election.  He made comments regarding the budget regarding working together not only in the community but working together between the city and county.  Everyone needs to come together for the entire community’s welfare.  The city is working shorthanded in several departments.  Councilman Palmer said as a retired person who raised his family on a teacher’s pay that he knows how these workers feel.  He said he wished it was possible that the city could pay these workers what they are worth.  Councilwoman Perry stated that there was not an issue brought up that the Council has not already addressed.  She is concerned about the shortage of workers in public works.  These positions and all open positions need to be filled and the city needs to keep the employees.  They have talked about the bridges that need work in the city.  The police and fire personnel know how much the Council cares about them and will do as much as they can to keep them.  Councilman Thomas said the budget is not easy here at the city and at home.  There is a limited amount of money.  At present the city does not know how much a mil will bring in.  They have been looking at the needs but don’t know how much money will be available to meet those needs.  He said volunteers help save the city money in running different activities.  He said public schools need to be improved but they are at their tax limit.  Only six people spoke during the public hearing.  The public needs to speak and not wait two more years until elections.  He thanked those who came forward.  President Henson said they are dealing with unknowns as far as mils.  The property valuations come from the county and the millage can’t be set until these numbers are known.  The Council takes every budget item very seriously when going over it.  They have listened to the views spoken with great thoughtfulness.  She thanked those who came and spoke.  

 

 

            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