REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 AT 5:00 P.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Henson.

 

Present:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

 

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Bro. Gary Bickford of Four Square Gospel Agape Fellowship and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meeting with an amendment to: add as R-16 agreement with Williford, Gearhart & Knight, Inc.; add as R-17 Mayor’s veto of Order #14154; add an executive session regarding a personnel matter.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated September 04, 2007.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14155       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF PAUL W. ENTREKIN TO THE MERIDIAN AND BONITA

                                    LAKES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

 

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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14156       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF JET SCARBROUGH TO THE KAB COMMISSION

 

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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14157       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE SURPLUS AND

                                    NO LONGER NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND

                                    AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT AND

                                    VEHICLE

 

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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14158       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:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14159       ORDER AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF A STREET LIGHT ON

                                    34TH STREET BETWEEN 10TH AVENUE & 11TH PLACE

 

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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

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

 

ORDIN. #4323         ORDINANCE CLOSING, VACATING AND ABANDONING IN THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN, LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI,

                                    LOUISE AVENUE BETWEEN WATER VIEW AVENUE AND OLD

                                    8TH STREET ROAD

 

and, Councilman Palmer seconded the motion, whereupon said Ordinance was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5461                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN QUITCLAIM

                                    DEEDS TO CONVEY THE CLOSED, VACATED AND ABANDONED

                                    RIGHT OF WAY OF LOUISE AVENUE BETWEEN WATER VIEW

                                    AVENUE AND OLD 8TH STREET ROAD

 

and, Councilman Harris 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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5462                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND FILING OF GRANT

                                    APPLICATIONS FOR THE FY 2008 HOMETOWN MISSISSIPPI

                                    RETIREMENT MARKETING MATCH GRANTS PROGRAM AND

                                    AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT AGREEMENT

                                    WITH THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY UPON

                                    APPROVAL OF GRANT APPLICATIONS

 

and, Councilman Palmer 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: None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14160       FINAL ORDER GRANTING AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION

                                    TO MERIDIAN MATTRESS FACTORY

 

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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14161       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL

                                    AGREEMENT #2 BETWEEN NEEL-SCHAFFER, INC. AND THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN (8TH STREET SIGNAL PROJECT)

 

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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14162       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CHANGE ORDER

                                    NO. 2 BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND H. E. MOSLEY, INC.

                                    (52ND STREET DRAINAGE PROJECT)

 

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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

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

 

ORDER #14163       ORDER ACKNOWLEDGING AND PLACING ON MINUTES THE

                                    PURCHASE OF A NEW 2008 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE VEHICLE

                                    FROM WATSON QUALITY FORD VIA STATE CONTRACT PRICING

 

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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14164       ORDER TO CHARGE OFF INACTIVE AND UNCOLLECTIBLE

                                    WATER ACCOUNTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 IN THE AMOUNT

                                    OF $55,276.19

 

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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14165       ORDER AUTHORIZING TH EXECUTION OF POLICE K-9 SALES

                                    CONTRACT BETWEEN SPECIALTY CANINE OF MISSISSIPPI

                                    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:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay: None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

 

RESO. #5463                        RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING

                                    SEPTEMBER 30, 2008, AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK IN

                                    REFERENCE THERETO

 

and, Councilwoman Perry 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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDIN. #4324         ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE A REVENUE FOR THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2008           

 

and, Councilman Palmer seconded the motion, whereupon said Ordinance was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDIN. #4325         ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE A REVENUE AND LEVY A TAX

                                    FOR THE MERIDIAN SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR

                                    THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2008     

 

and, Councilman Palmer seconded the motion, whereupon said Ordinance was discussed, passed and adopted by the Council by a vote as follows:

 

Yea:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14166       ORDER AUTHORIZING RAISES FOR FULL-TIME CITY EMPLOYEES

                                    EFFECTIVE WITH THE FIRST PAY PERIOD IN OCTOBER 2007

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:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14167       ORDER RATIFYING THE EXECUTION OF RIGHT OF ENTRY

                                    AND TESTING AGREEMENT BETWEEN CELLULAR SOUTH

                                    REAL ESTATE, INC. AND 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:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated September 13, 2007 in the amount of $2,168,663.79.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14168       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

                                    AGREEMENT BETWEEN WILLIFORD, GEARHART & KNIGHT, 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:  Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Thomas.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry to over-ride the Mayor’s veto of Order No. 14154.  Mayor Smith read his veto message.

 

 

VETO PACKET NO. 99

 

 

Mayor Smith asked the Council to sustain his veto.  Councilman Palmer said the reason whey they returned the tax exemption was because of the circumstances surrounding it.  They were not permitted to continue and make this place accessible for their purposes.  He is still of the opinion that they should be given the opportunity to do so.  He asked the City Council to give these people the opportunity to fix this building.  He called for the previous question.  Councilwoman Henson said the Council was ready to make a decision.  Those voting in favor of over-riding the Mayor’s veto were:  Palmer.  Those voting against over-riding the Mayor’s veto were: Perry, Henson, Harris.  The motion to over-ride the Mayor’s veto of Order No. 14154 failed due to the lack of a majority, therefore, the veto was sustained.

 

           

            The hour of 5:15 p.m. having arrived, the hearing as called for in Resolution #5455 regarding unclean property was opened with motion by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council.  All the properties were removed from the list because of change of ownership.  Motion was made by Councilman Harris duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to close the hearing.  No action was taken.

 

 

            President Henson called on Mayor Smith for his report.  Mayor Smith stated that the new Quint combination ladder/pumper fire truck was outside for viewing.  When the new fire station is built off Highway 19, this fire truck will be moved there to serve that area as well as the new construction around Bonita.  This fire truck was built by Pierce in Appleton, Wisconsin and was featured at a fire exposition.  Fire Chief Jeff Homan said it was an honor to have this fire truck displayed at the Fire & Rescue International which is the largest fire expo in the world.  He said it will serve the city well for 20+ years.  There was recent training at Union Station where fire fighters received safety and response training.  Meridian is one of five cities on the Trans Care tour.  Homeland Security Director Bunky Partridge said experts from different chemical companies were at this training and they will fly into Meridian to assist if the city ever needs their assistance.  They were taken to the training center.  They looked at the trains the city has and made a film which will be used in their promo next year.  Mayor Smith stated that in appreciation to the fire department for bringing this training to Meridian, Norfolk Southern presented the fire department with two scholarships for advance rail car specialist school training in Pueblo, Colorado.  Mayor Smith extended sympathy to Dr. George Thomas, his wife, Glenda, and their family on the loss of their son, Robbie.

 

 

            President Henson called for citizen comments.  Pastor Wade Demers with Christ’s Church in Action appeared and read a letter to the City Council dated September 7, 2007 from Lucinda Johnson, executive assistant.  Ms. Lucinda Johnson, executive assistant with Christ’s Church in Action, appeared and read her letter to the City Council dated September 9, 2007.  Mrs. Patty Demers, wife of Pastor Wade Demers, appeared and made comments.  Councilwoman Perry stated she was the one who placed their request to be on the agenda under citizens hearing as the routine agenda is for action.  She said the Council already had the letters that were read.  She said her name was mentioned but she was not on the City Council when some of the things occurred.  The Council has listened to them at previous meetings and a work session.  She was invited to look at this building and she thought there was electricity there because of the lights.  She was told this was being used as a chapel.  She said since there were lights on that she thought they had electricity.  She did not know that they had run an electrical cord to the building for lights.  Before she left she asked Pastor Demers to get the entire building in place because she really did not like voting for that room only.  She sustained the veto because of information given to her by the fire marshal.  The Council has to rely on the people hired to inspect buildings and enforce the codes.  She said she could not approve this with the building in the shape it is in.  As soon as they get it fixed, she said she would make the motion to grant them tax exemption.  She thought when they were given the tax exemption that the letters would stop but they didn’t.  Councilman Palmer said this was in his ward and the rest of the Council did not see it the way he did.  He said since this happened the way it did that he thought they could give the Pastor and his flock the opportunity to fix the building up.  He said they had previously been exempted from taxes and he would do what he could to see that it was restored to them.  He said he did not like it and would not pretend that he did.  He said the Mayor had even been to the place but that he relied on what other people said.  He said this is the first time he has every disagreed with the Council’s decision and he does not like it at all.  He sent his sympathy out to Dr. Thomas and his family on the death of his son.  President Henson said there are two main duties for the Council.  They get calls from people who wonder why they don’t patch pot holes and do other things.  The Council does not have that authority.  They are charged with passing the laws and the budget.  They cannot direct department heads or anybody in the administration, under this form of government, to do anything.  They can subpoena records if it is for something they need but they don’t have the authority to interfere with the workings of the administration.  The Council can hire their clerk, hire the auditor, handle the money and pass the laws that govern the city.  They have no authority over anything such as she heard that night.  She is certainly glad that they had the opportunity to do that.    Michael Laberaux with the Fire Department appeared and thanked the City Council, Fire Chief, Mayor Smith, CAO Ken Storms, and City Clerk Ed Skipper for their help.  He appreciated the recognition for the senior employees.  James Fisher with the Fire Department appeared and stated that everyone he has call on has helped him out.  He thanked everyone for the time and hard work and their professional treatment.    Ms. Virginia Coleman, 3104 10th Street, appeared and asked for help to clean up her neighborhood.  There are two houses on the side of her that the people will not do anything to clean them up.  These houses need to be condemned.  The first of May she reported water leaks in the middle of the block of 32nd Avenue.  The water line has been busted in six places and the problem still has not been fixed.  The ditches also need to be cleaned out.  She said she also needed help with garbage collection as Waste Management is not stopping and picking up her garbage.  Also, the sidewalks need to be fixed.  Mr. Greg Gearhart and Mr. Phillip Gibson with Williford, Gearhart & Knight appeared and thanked the City for approving the contract and for the opportunity to work with the city.  He said they have enjoyed meeting the people working with the city in the freshwater and wastewater departments.  He said the city has a good group of people working on staff.    

 

 

            President Henson called for council comments.  Councilman Palmer stated that he was hoping that night’s vote would put this behind them.  He tries to do the best he can to represent his ward.  They just disagree on this part.  He extended his sympathy to Councilman Thomas and his family.  Councilwoman Perry said the City Council does not always agree.  It is a pleasure to work with people who disagree with each other but are not disagreeable.  She told the Council that she appreciates the way they work with each other.  She attended a ribbon cutting for a learning center at North Hills Manor.  This center has been established by HUD.  Citizens are invited to come and learn about technology.  She said Dr. Thomas and his family know they have the Council’s prayers.  President Henson said on September 7th her husband was told he had leukemia.  He has taken eight days of chemo with no side effects.  She thanked the people for their calls, prayers and the blood drive.  They will be in Jackson until some time in October.

 

 

            An executive session was requested regarding a personnel matter.  Motion was made by Councilman Harris duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to close the meeting to determine whether to declare an executive session.  Motion was made by Councilman Harris duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to declare an executive session in order to discuss a personnel matter.  The Council then went into executive session.  Motion was made by Councilman Harris duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to go out of executive session. 

 

 

President Henson called the meeting back to order.  No action was taken regarding the executive session.  

           

 

            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