REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2009 AT 5:00 P.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Perry.

 

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 Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the agenda for this meeting with an amendment to: move P-3 to P-2 and P-2 to P-3; add as R-13 a correction quitclaim deed to Love’s Kitchen; add as R-14 appointment of Joyce Neal to the Tourism Commission; add a special presentation before the Consent Agenda; and change R-8 to an order authorizing encroachment upon an unnamed avenue.

 

 

            Councilwoman Perry and Councilman Palmer made a special presentation to Mrs. Melba Clark, wife of Obie Clark.  They presented street name plates to Mrs. Clark.  Mrs. Clark thanked everyone for their assistance in getting 30th Avenue named in honor of her husband.  The formal ceremony dedicating this street will be held on Saturday, February 28th at noon.

 

           

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated February 03, 2009.

 

 

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

 

                                    March-May 2009 – “Great American Cleanup Campaign”

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14479       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO LONGER

                                    NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING SAID

                                    SURPLUS EQUIPMENT TO BE DISCARDED

 

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 Resolution:

RESO. #5556                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES FOR

                                    VOLUNTEERS SERVING AS COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY’S KEEP

                                    AMERICA BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION WHO REPRESENT THE CITY

                                    OF MERIDIAN AT THE GREAT AMERICAN CLEANUP NATIONAL

                                    KICKOFF IN WAVELAND, MISSISSIPPI, TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2009         

 

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

 

ORDER #14480       ORDER GRANTING EXEMPTION FROM INCREASE IN MUNICIPAL

                                    AD VALOREM TAXES ARISING FROM RENOVATIONS AND

                                    IMPROVEMENTS TO PROPERTY SITUATED WITHIN A HISTORIC

                                    DISTRICT (2110 FRONT STREET)

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14481       ORDER APPROVING AND ADOPTING FINAL PLAT OF DRURY INNS

                                    RESUBDIVISION, A COMMERCIAL SUBDIVISION 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 Harris offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14482       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND ACCEPTANCE OF

                                    INTEROPERABLE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION GRANT

                                    PROGRAM AWARD FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT

                                    OF PUBLIC SAFETY

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14483       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF HOMELAND SECURITY

                                    COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

                                    AND THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY   

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5557                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION AND EXECUTION

                                    OF GRANT APPLICATION BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO KEEP

                                    AMERICA BEAUTIFUL, INC. FOR THE CIGARETTE LITTER

                                    PREVENTION PROGRAM OF THE CITY’S KEEP AMERICA

                                    BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION

 

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.

 

            Discussion was held regarding the Agreement for the Threefoot project.  Councilman Thomas and Councilwoman Henson asked questions about certain sections of the agreement.  After discussion, Councilman Harris offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14484       ORDER RATIFYING AND APPROVING THE “AGREEMENT FOR

                                    THE SALE, PURCHASE AND REDEVELOPMENT OF URBAN

                                    RENEWAL PROPERTY, THREEFOOT BUILDING, 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, Palmer, Harris.

Nay:  Thomas, Henson.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14485       ORDER AUTHORIZING ENCROACHMENT INTO UNNAMED

                                    AVENUE ADJACENT TO BLOCK 3 OF THREEFOOT’S SURVEY

                                    OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, FOR PURPOSES OF

                                    INSTALLING A SIGN

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14486       ORDER DIRECTING THAT 15TH STREET BETWEEN 30TH AVENUE

                                    AND MARTIN LUTHER KING DRIVE BE DESIGNATED ONE-WAY

                                    DURING THE HOURS BETWEEN 6:00 A.M. AND 6:00 P.M.

 

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 #14487       ORDER RESCINDING ORDER NO. 14462 ENTITLED” IN THE MATTER

                                    OF: ACCEPTING THE BID OF TRADEMARK COMMERCIAL

                                    CONSTRUCTION, FLOWOOD, MS, FOR CONCESSION STAND/

                                    RESTROOM AT THE SOCCER COMPLEX 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 Harris offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14488       ORDER ACCEPTING THE BID OF D & E CONSTRUCTION COMPANY,

                                    MERIDIAN, MS, FOR CONCESSION STAND/RESTROOM AT THE

                                    SOCCER COMPLEX AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT

                                    FOR SAID WORK

 

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.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated February 12, 2009 in the amount of $1,771,912.61.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14489       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN,

                                    MISSISSIPPI, TO SIGN AND DELIVER CORRECTION QUITCLAIM

                                    DEED TO LAUDERDALE OUTREACH & VOLUNTEER EFFORT, INC.

                                    (LOVE’S KITCHEN)

 

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 #14490       IN THE MATTER OF:  THE APPOINTMENT BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF

                                    JOYCE NEAL TO THE LAUDERDALE COUNTY TOURISM COMMISSION

 

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.

 

 

            Council President Perry advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) herbicide treatment for Sowashee Creek.

 

 

            Mr. Jack Hampton, 1503 Glendale Circle, Columbia, MS, with Crystal River technologies appeared and made a presentation regarding their bacteria that could be used in connection with the city’s wastewater treatment.  He made a power-point presentation and showed results of their bacteria used in other cities.  He said his company wanted to get the city’s business for this treatment.

 

 

            Mr. Alex Smith, Water Resources Treatment, LLC, and Jerry Bidleman, Sludge Solutions International, LLC, appeared and made a presentation regarding their bacteria that is currently being used by the City of Meridian in connection with the city’s wastewater treatment.  He went over the savings the city has seen using their bacteria.

 

 

            President Perry called for the Mayor’s report.  No report was made.

 

 

            President Perry called for citizen comments.  Emanuel Michael of Jackson, MS, ECOMDirect (wireless internet) appeared and said that he was there to ask for a resolution from the city by Thursday so he could file for stimulus money to provide services to the residents of Lauderdale County who do not have access to wireless internet services.  He was advised that the City Council could not take action at that time and would not meet before Thursday.  He was asked to contact the head of the city’s information systems department to get the information he needed.

 

 

            President Perry called for Council comments.  Councilman Harris congratulated Erica Turner for being crowned Miss MCC.  He also congratulated Angela Partridge for being runner-up to Ms. Turner.  He said the city is getting close to making something happen regarding those who move out and dump their stuff on the side of the road.  The school system is starting a program where parents and teachers meet and work together to assist students.  Councilman Palmer said he has a problem with dumping in his Ward.  He hopes the Stimulus Bill the President signed into law will do what it is supposed to do.  Councilwoman Henson said she attended the grand opening of the Charles Young Head Start Center.  She said it was a beautiful building.  Councilman Thomas stated that there was another big weekend in Meridian – ball gamed, concerts, Love’s Kitchen ball, Mardi Gras, etc.  The Meridian Symphony Orchestra will be performing soon.  There are a lot of people out looking for jobs.  He is glad to see Handy Hardware coming to Meridian.  He stated he has qualified to run for re-election.  Council President Perry stated it was great to have Handy Hardware coming to Meridian.  She urged everyone to get a copy of the book honoring the Meridian High School football team.   

 

 

            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