REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009 AT 5:00 P.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Smith.

 

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

 

Absent:  None.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Councilwoman Mary Perry 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 remove R-3, remove R-4, remove C-3, and add an executive session regarding economic development.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated July 07, 2009.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14599       IN THE MATTER OF:  THE APPOINTMENT BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF

                                    M. WADE SIMS, JR. TO THE LAUDERDALE COUNTY TOURISM 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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            At this time Angela D. Williams appeared before the Council regarding her appeal regarding denial of her claim for damages to her vehicle after she ran over a cut in the street.  She said she was out about $2,600.00 because of this.  Risk Manager Donald McDowell appeared and went over the procedure he followed prior to denying the claim.  He and the CAO at that time came to the conclusion that the damage Ms. Williams was making a claim for could not have been caused by running over a cut in the street.  Ms. Williams submitted another claim for damage to her tire and alignment of her vehicle.  Council members discussed the matter and felt that she should be paid for the damage to her tire and alignment of her vehicle in the amount of $341.86.  After discussion, Councilwoman Henson offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Order:

 

ORDER #14600       ORDER AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIM TO ANGELA D.

                                    WILLIAMS IN THE AMOUNT OF $341.88 AND ACCEPTANCE

                                    OF A RELEASE

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14601       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF PERMIT TO CELLULAR

                                    SOUTH TO PLACE A 150’ MONOPOLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS

                                    TOWER ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 5320 8TH STREET EXTENSION

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14602       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND SUBMISSION OF

                                    UNDERAGE ALCOHOL GRANT RFP APPLICATION WITH THE

                                    STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY,

                                    DIVISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY PLANNING

 

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, Smith.

Nay:  None.

 

 

            Next on the agenda was the proposed amendment to the Agenda Ordinance which would have removed citizen comments.  This item was moved to the Study Agenda for further study.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated July 16, 2009 in the amount of $2,202,290.36.

            President Smith advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) safety shoes.

 

 

            At this time Don Jemison, Senior Planner, appeared to make a presentation on city staff efforts related to the 2010 Census.  He stated that the city has signed up for all programs in regard to a complete count.  They have been working on an accurate and updated list of residences and have submitted this to the Census Bureau.  They are working diligently to make sure there is a complete count of all residents of the city.

 

 

            President Smith called for the Mayor’s report.  Mayor Barry stated she had a wonderful trip attending the MML conference.  She is working on setting up an educational advisory committee.  She is asking that those wishing to serve on the school board to submit their resume’ and a ten-point plan for the school system.  The deadline for this information is August 7th.  There are on-going efforts to get the city clean by involving various groups in the effort.  Miko Denson from the Choctaw Reservation has donated $50,000 for tourism for the City of Meridian.  Connie Royal appeared and reminded everyone of Meridian Day at the Neshoba County Fair.  The Meridian Day program will be held Wednesday, July 29th from 11:30 to 12:30.  Monty Jackson stated that a public meeting was held at 4:00 that day to answer questions regarding the consumer confidence report on the city’s water.  No one showed up for the public meeting.  He mentioned the problem with water pressure in the Sweetgum Bottom Road, Hwy 11 & 80 and I-20/59.  A boil water notice was issued, however, this problem should be taken care of quickly.  Bunky Partridge appeared regarding the award the city received for greening efforts.  He thanked the Green Team and everyone for making this happen.  He also stated that a certificate for this award was issued by Donald Borut with the National League of Cities.

 

 

            President Smith called for Council comments.  Various comments were made by Council members.

 

 

            An executive session was requested regarding economic development.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson 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 Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to declare an executive session in order to discuss economic development.  The Council then went into executive session.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Henson and unanimously passed by the Council to go out of executive session.

 

 

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

 

 

            President Smith called for citizen comments.  No one appeared to speak.

 

 

            There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meeting was recessed until Monday, July 27, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at Union Station.

 

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,  

 

 

                                                                        Pam McInnis, Clerk of Council