REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 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 Dr. Bob Schwanebeck of Northpointe Presbyterian and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Harris duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meeting with an amendment to: add as C-6 an order authorizing funding to EMBDC to assist in the Image Campaign; add as R-12 an order authorizing a raise for full-time city employees; add as R-13 an ordinance amending Sections 25.40 and 25.41 of the Code of Ordinances to revise various rates for water and sewer service; add as R-14 a resolution authorizing execution of contract for use of county jail by the City of Meridian; and add as R-15 an order authorizing police officers who live in Lauderdale County to take their vehicle home for use only to and from their City of Meridian job as a police officer.

 

 

            CAO Ken Storms said the following were re-appointments to boards and commissions: Meridian Redevelopment Authority – Billy Beal; Meridian Historic Preservation Commission – Liz Dudley, Greg Cartmell and Gary Houston.

 

 

            CAO Ken Storms stated that a mayor’s report would not be given.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated September 05, 2006 and September 06, 2006.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13860       ORDER AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO WESLEY

                                    HOUSE CONCERNING PERSONNEL AND OPERATION COSTS

                                    ALLOWABLE THROUGH VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT #05NW2222

 

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

 

ORDER #13861       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT

                                    BETWEEN THE MERIDIAN UMPIRE ASSOCIATION 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:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13862       ORDER DECLARING VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT SURPLUS

                                    AND NO LONGER NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND

                                    AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SAID SURPLUS VEHICLES AND

                                    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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13863       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF BILLY BEAL TO THE MERIDIAN REDEVELOPMENT 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, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13864       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF LIZ DUDLEY TO THE MERIDIAN HISTORIC PRESERVATION

                                    COMMISSION

 

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

 

ORDER #13865       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF GREG CARTMELL TO THE MERIDIAN HISTORIC

                                    PRESERVATION COMMISSION

 

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

 

ORDER #13866       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF GARY HOUSTON TO THE MERIDIAN HISTORIC

                                    PRESERVATION COMMISSION

 

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

 

ORDER #13867       ORDER AUTHORIZING FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF

                                    $15,000 TO EAST MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

                                    CORPORATION TO ASSIST IN THE IMAGE CAMPAIGN

 

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

 

ORDER #13868       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT

                                    BETWEEN SERVICEMASTER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

                                    AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (JANITORIAL SERVICES AT

                                    UNION STATION)

 

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 #13869       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT

                                    BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND REAL

                                    LIFE JUNCTION INCORPORATED (EXPANDED AFTER

                                    SCHOOL PROGRAM AT VELMA YOUNG PARK)

 

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 #13870       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF LEASE BETWEEN

                                    GOLF CARS OF MISSISSIPPI, LLC, RIDGELAND, MS AND

                                    THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (FORTY 2007 MODEL GASOLINE

                                    GOLF CARS)

 

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 #13871       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF CROSS ROOFING, INC.

                                    MERIDIAN, MS, FOR SHINGLE ROOF AT UNION STATION

                                    AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT FOR

                                    SAID WORK

 

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

 

ORDER #13872       ORDER TO CHARGE OFF INACTIVE AND UNCOLLECTIBLE

                                    WATER ACCOUNTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005 IN THE AMOUNT

                                    OF $43,456.37

 

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 #13873       ORDER AUTHORIZING FUNDING FOR WINDOW

                                    SCREENING FOR DOWNTOWN STORE FRONT PROJECT

 

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.

 

 

            Financial Advisor Demery Grubbs and Bond Counsel Sam Keyes appeared regarding the sale of the $1,225,000 Taxable Note.  They reported that five bids were received and the bid of Newton County Bank at a rate of 5.45344% was the lowest and best bid received.    Councilwoman Henson offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

RESO. #5372                        RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE SALE AND AWARD OF A    

                                    TAXABLE NEGOTIABLE NOTE, SERIES 2006, OF THE CITY

                                    OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI TO BE DATED THE DATE OF

                                    DELIVERY THEREOF, IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF

                                    ONE MILLION TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND

                                    DOLLARS ($1,225,000)

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5373                        RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE BUDGET

                                    FOR THE CITY OF MERIDIAN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR

                                    ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2007, 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:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Next on the agenda was the ordinance setting city millage.  The millage is as follows:  City general fund – 30.51, fire & police retirement – 5.40, general retirement – 3.00, general bond & interest – 11.17, for a total of 50.08 for city; City schools – district maintenance – 54.00, bond & interest – 1.87 for a total of 55.87 for city schools; MCC support – 3.00, enlargement – 3.00, adult education – 1.00 for a total of 7.00 for MCC; Total schools – 62.87 and Total for all – 112.95.  This is slightly under the total city millage last year which was 113.73.  Councilwoman Henson offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Ordinance:

 

ORDIN. #4291         ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE A REVENUE FOR THE CITY OF

                                    MERIDIAN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2007           

 

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

 

ORDIN. #5292         ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE A REVENUE AND LEVY A TAX

                                    FOR THE MERIDIAN SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR

                                    THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2007

 

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.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated September 19, 2006 in the amount of $1,904,452.86.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #13874       ORDER AUTHORIZING A 5% RAISE FOR FULL-TIME

                                    CITY EMPLOYEES EFFECTIVE WITH THE FIRST PAY

                                    PERIOD IN OCTOBER 2006         

 

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 stated that the amendment to the code section regarding water and sewer rates will allow the city administration to look at the water and sewer financial situation on a quarterly basis and adjust rates for water and sewer service according to reflect the income versus the expenditures.  There is a 10% rate increase cap in the ordinance. Councilwoman Perry offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Ordinance:

 

ORDIN. #4293         AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTIONS 25.40 AND 25.41 OF

                                    THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, TO

                                    REVISE VARIOUS RATES FOR WATER AND SEWER SERVICE

 

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

 

RESO. #5374                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT

                                    FOR THE USE OF THE COUNTY JAIL BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

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.

 

 

            Discussion was held regarding the proposed order allowing police officers who live in Lauderdale County to take their vehicle home.  Councilman Harris said this is an incentive and studies have shown that the officers take better care of the vehicles and that they last longer.  Police Chief Benny Dubose said that in order to implement this, the city would have to purchase at least 10 more police vehicles.  Councilman Harris offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #13875       ORDER AUTHORIZING CITY OF MERIDIAN POLICE OFFICERS

                                    WHO LIVE IN LAUDERDALE COUNTY TAKE THEIR VEHICLE

                                    HOME FOR USE ONLY TO AND FROM THEIR CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    JOB AS A POLICE OFFICER

 

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.

 

 

            President Thomas called for citizen comments.  Bill McBride, 1806 Apache Ridge Road, appeared and thanked the Council for the actions they took and for listening to the public.  Pastor Wade Demers, 4015 Paulding, appeared regarding his home being burned down in Jun 2003 and the threats he has received.  He said the Mayor and CAO have not done anything about these incidents.  Patricia Demers, 4015 Paulding, appeared and went over some of the same incidents that Pastor Demers went over.  Mike Sims, President of Local 52 (firefighters union) appeared and thanked the Council for giving the 5% raise at one time instead of splitting it.  He hopes this will be a start to get a pay scale working and salaries up.

 

 

            President Thomas called for council comments.  Councilman Palmer commented on the fire at a local school.  He mentioned the poem “For Whom The Bell Tolls” by Ernest Hemmingway.  Council-woman Henson said she had a marvelous time at her Ward meeting earlier that day at the Senior Citizens Center.  She thanked those who came.  Councilwoman Perry thanked CAO Storms for finding money in the budget to help improve the black community.  The gala was well received and well attended.  She will hold a Ward 2 meeting on October 24th at 6:00 p.m. at Velma Young Center.  President Thomas said there is a steady stream of people purchasing tickets at the MSU/Riley Performing Arts Center.  There will be an education program for children held the next day.  He urged everyone to attend Meridian High School’s football game Friday night.  The softball teams and volley-ball teams are having interesting years.  The bands and cheerleaders are looking good.  These events need more people out supporting them.

 

 

            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