REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2007 AT 9:00 A.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Henson.

 

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

 

Absent:  None.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Parks & Recreation Director Mark Naylor 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 R-5,R-17, R-18, and R-19.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated August 21, 2007.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the following proclamations to be issued by the Mayor:

 

                        September 2007 – “Save a Life Month”

                        September 9-15, 2007 – “National Assisted Living Week”

                        September 2007 – “National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month”

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14137       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.

 

 

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

ORDER #14138       ORDER RE-ESTABLISHING PETTY CASH FUNDS FOR

                                    FISCAL YEAR 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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14139       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO PAY THE

                                    COST OF FLU SHOTS FOR CITY OF MERIDIAN EMPLOYEES

 

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

 

ORDER #14140       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE OF BIOXIDE

 

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

 

ORDER #14141       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF SERVICE AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN WASTE MANAGEMENT AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    (MERIDIAN HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE AMNESTY DAY)

 

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

 

ORDER #14142       FINAL ORDER GRANTING AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION TO

                                    SPECIALTY ROLL PRODUCTS, INC.

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #14143       ORDER GRANTING EXEMPTION FROM MUNICIPAL AD VALOREM

                                    TAXES (EXCEPT SCHOOL DISTRICT TAXES) FOR NEW STRUCTURE

                                    AT 801 22ND AVENUE (FIRST STATE BANK)

 

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. #5457                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND FILING OF GRANT

                                    APPLICATION TO THE KATRINA SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNITY

                                    DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

 

and, Councilman Thomas 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 #14144       ORDER ACCEPTING LOW BID FOR SOURCE OF SUPPLY FOR THE

                                    PERIOD OF SEPTEMBER 07, 2007 THRU SEPTEMBER 06, 2008 FOR

                                    SAFETY BOOTS AND SHOES FROM THE BOOT STORE “ON WHEELS”,

                                    WEST MONROE, LA

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #14145       ORDER AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF TWO POLICE VEHICLES –

                                    CHEVROLET TAHOES FROM ROGERS DABBS CHEVROLET

                                    HUMMER, INC., BRANDON, MS IN THE AMOUNT OF $57,388.00

 

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

 

ORDER #14146       ORDER AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF POLICE VEHICLE

                                    EQUIPMENT FROM VARIOUS VENDORS

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #14147       ORDER AUTHORIZING CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH S & C TREE

                                    SERVICE, MERIDIAN, MS, FOR 2007 RISK TREE REMOVAL

 

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 #14148       ORDER ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDS FROM HOMELAND SECURITY

                                    FOR CITIZEN CORPS/NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM

 

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.

 

 

            The hour of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, the hearing as called for in Resolution #5448 regarding unclean property was opened with motion by Councilman Harris duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council.  No one appeared regarding the unclean property.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to close the hearing.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5458                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A

                                    MENACE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE

                                    COMMUNITY (#124 PT N1/2 SWSE1/4: 75’ E&W X 392’

                                    N&S BEG 25’N & 255’E SWC [8’ ON S FORMERLY IN ST])   

 

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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5459                        RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE AMENDED

                                    BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF MERIDIAN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR

                                    ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2007, AND DIRECTING THE CITY

                                    CLERK IN REFERENCE THERETO

 

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

 

ORDER #14149       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF MARKETING SERVICES

                                    AGREEMENT 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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14150       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF BLUE CROSS & BLUE

                                    SHIELD OF MISSISSIPPI FOUNDATION GRANT APPLICATION

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5460                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND FILING OF ECONOMIC

                                    DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE-SPECIAL PROJECT GRANT APPLICATION

                                    TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT,

                                    COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

 

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.

 

 

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

 

 

 

ORDER #14151       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT FOR SERVICES

                                    BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND SPEC.RESCUE

                                    INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

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 Order:

 

ORDER #14152       ORDER AUTHORIZING CONTRIBUTION/EXPENDITURE OF

                                    $50,000 FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI ARTS AND

                                    ENTERTAINMENT CENTER

 

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 #14153       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN

                                    CAMP DRESSER & MCKEE, INC. AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

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.

 

 

            Next on the agenda was an agreement with Williford, Gearhart and Knight, Inc. for work at the freshwater treatment plant.  City Attorney Bill Hammack stated that there were sections of the agreement that needed to be amended/removed.  No action was taken on this matter so Mr. Hammack could make corrections to the agreement.

 

 

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

 

 

ORDER #14154       ORDER RESCINDING ORDER NO. 14102 ENTITLED “ORDER

                                    REVOKING TAX EXEMPTION GRANTED TO CHRIST’S CHURCH

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

 

and, Councilwoman Perry 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.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated August 30, 2007 in the amount of $2,408,562.13.

 

 

            President Henson advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) asbestos abatement, demolition & removal of debris from Brookshire building; b) lease of four Road King motorcycles; c) cornice repair for Museum of Art.     

 

                                   

            Planner Virginia Williamson appeared regarding the 2007 World Changers post-project.  There were 165 kids and leaders from eight stated in Meridian and they worked on 14 homes.  Local churches provided meals and snacks.  Certificates of appreciation were given to the following major contributors:  Atlas Roofing, Citizens National Bank, Commercial Bank, First Baptist Church, Great Southern National Bank, Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center, Kimbrell-Ruffer Lumber Company, Structural Steel and UBS Financial Services.

 

 

            President Henson called for the Mayor’s report.  He asked Connie Royal to given a report on the Rock at the Lake concert held at Bonita Lakes.  She stated there were 5,000 to 6,000 people who attended the concert.  She said everyone involved pulled together.  She thanked everyone for their work to make sure this was a successful event.  CAO Ken Storms commended Connie for her leadership role in this event.  Homeland Security Director Bunky Partridge appeared and urged all citizens to fill out the forms to be registered for Code Red.  Public Works Director Monty Jackson stated that a public meeting would be held that night at EMEPA from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  They will be going over the preliminary plans for the widening of North Hills Street.  A public hearing will be held later on.  He reminded everyone that Household Hazardous Waste day would be Saturday, September 15th.

 

 

            President Henson stated that on the Study Agenda there was a proposed amendment to the Animal Control Ordinance limiting the number of dogs that can be kept by a city resident.

 

 

            President Henson called for citizen comments.  David Hodge with Camp, Dresser and McGee appeared and thanked the city for their earlier action and stated his firm is looking forward to working with the city.

 

 

            President Henson called for council comments.  Councilwoman Perry stated she hoped everyone had a safe and happy holiday.  Councilman Palmer stated that there is a need to speed up the meeting with the supervisors on a paving project.  Councilwoman Perry thanked the police chief for what he has done.  She thanked public works for working on a flood problem.  She urged people to get tag numbers when they see people dumping illegally.  Councilman Thomas sent special thanks to Peavey Electronics, city employees and local businesses for the concert.  The Jimmie Rodgers birthday part held at the Best Western on Saturday.  The Council is still working on the budget.  Mr. R. D. Harris is retiring from the public school system.  The city owes a lot to him for his efforts to improve the public school education in the city.  Councilwoman asked everyone to support the football teams and other sports in the city.  President Henson stated that there are many wonderful things about Meridian.  She thanked those who keep the city going day to day and in special events.

 

           

            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