REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, APRIL 03, 2007 AT 9:00 A.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Thomas.

 

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

 

Absent:  None

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. John C. Harris and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Harris and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meeting with an amendment to:  add as C-7 a grant application for restraint enforcement; add an executive session regarding potential litigation.

 

 

            President Thomas advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) backhoe 4-wheel drive w/multi purpose bucket; b) flush truck; c) asphalt mix; d) concrete mix; e) concrete pipe; f) sign blanks & materials; g) traffic paint.

 

 

            Mayor Smith stated he had three re-appointments to the Planning Commission: Gloria Brassfield, George Meyers and Billy Mitts.

 

 

            President Thomas called on Mayor Smith for his report.  He thanked Councilman Harris for including his safe return from China in his invocation.  He said his trip to China was an eye-opening trip.  It is a magnificent country with warm people.  There is a great opportunity for Chinese investment in our state and city.  He appreciated the opportunity to go to China and thanked those who helped keep the city going while he was away.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated March 20, 2007.

 

 

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

 

                        April, 2007 – “Child Abuse Prevention Month”

                        April 2-6, 2007 – “Junior Auxiliary Week”

                        April, 2007 – “Sexual Assault Awareness Month”

                        April 22-28, 2007 – “National Crime Victims Week”

                        April, 2007 – “Fair Housing Month”

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14013       ORDER ACCEPTING DONATION FROM WAL-MART FOUNDATION

                                    TO PURCHASE SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR THE MERIDIAN FIRE

                                    DEPARTMENT

 

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 #14014       ORDER ACCEPTING DONATION FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

                                    HOMELAND SECURITY TO PURCHASE SEVEN POWER GENERATORS

                                    FOR THE MERIDIAN FIRE DEPARTMENT

 

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 #14015       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    GLORIA BRASSFIELD TO THE MERIDIAN PLANNING 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 #14016       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    GEORGE MEYERS TO THE MERIDIAN PLANNING 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 #14017       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    BILLY MITTS TO THE MERIDIAN PLANNING 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 #14018       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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14019       ORDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND SUBMISSION OF

                                    SEATBELT ENFORCEMENT GRANT WITH THE OFFICE OF

                                    HIGHWAY SAFETY, DIVISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY PLANNING

 

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 #14020       ORDER ALLOWING JAMES MARTIN TO MAINTAIN A FENCE ON

                                    CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY AT 2326 32ND STREET WITH RESTRICTIONS

 

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 No. 5417 regarding unclean property was opened with motion by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council.  No one appeared regarding any of the properties.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to close the hearing.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5421                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A

                                    MENACE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE

                                    COMMUNITY (CALDWELL SUR BLOCK 13 LOTS 8 TO 12 INCL.)

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5422                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A

                                    MENACE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE

                                    COMMUNITY (GARDEN HEIGHTS ADD #2 BLOCK 4 LOT 1)

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5423                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A

                                    MENACE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE

                                    COMMUNITY (SOUTH SIDE LAND CO SUR BLK 22 41’ OFF

                                    W END LOT 5 & PT VACATED ALLEY)

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14021       ORDER AUTHORIZING AN ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE IN

                                    CALENDAR YEAR 2007 FOR SHIVANI INC., D/B/A RAMADA

                                    INN LIMITED, 2915 ST. PAUL STREET, ACCOUNT 29 01 11 0050

                                    IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,001.26  

 

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.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5424                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO SUBMIT

                                    AN APPLICATION TO THE GOVERNOR’S MUSEUM COMMISSION

                                    FOR THE LOCATION OF THE “NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM

                                    IN MISSISSIPPI” IN 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.

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

 

ORDER #14022       ORDER APPROVING AND ADOPTING FINAL PLAT OF LEXINGTON

                                    RIDGE SUBDIVISION, A RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION OF THE CITY

                                    OF MERIDIAN

 

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 Resolution:

 

RESO. #5425                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION AND EXECUTION

                                    OF A GRANT APPLICATION FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,

                                    INVESTIGATION & PROSECUTION WITH THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

                                    DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, DIVISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY

                                    PLANNING

 

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.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14023       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CODERED SERVICES

                                    AGREEMENT BETWEEN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

                                    NETWORK, INC. AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN

 

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 9:35 having arrived as the time to accept bids for the sale of the $3.6 million water & sewer bonds.  Sam Keyes and Demry Grubbs appeared and opened the bids.  Bids received were: Stephens, Inc. – 4.023253%; Duncan Williams – 4.030255%; First Tennessee Financial Capital Market – 3.859685%; Ross Sinclair & Associates – 4.068984%; and Morgan-Keegan – 3.990299%.  Mr. Grubbs advised that the bid received from First Tennessee Financial Capital Market appeared to be the lowest bid.  He and Mr. Keyes left to verify the bid.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14024       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL

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

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN (NORTH HILLS STREET FROM 11TH AVENUE

                                    TO HWY 39N)

 

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 Councilwoman Henson duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated March 29, 2007 in the amount of $2,226,898.79.

 

 

            President Thomas called for citizen comments.  No one appeared.

 

 

            President Thomas called for council comments.  Councilman Harris reminded everyone of the 5th annual Mayor’s prayer breakfast this Friday at the Temple Theater.  He thanked City Clerk Ed Skipper for do such a good job with the election.  He said he was glad Mayor Smith was back from his trip.  He thanked everyone for keeping him aware of what was going on while he served as acting mayor.  He gave his condolences to the Palmer family on their loss.  Speakers for the breakfast Friday will be former Governor William Winder and Dolphus Leary.  Councilman Palmer stated there was a dangerous situation at the intersection of 12th Street and 29th Avenue that needs attention.  He asked about the improvements needed on Old 8th Street Road/65th Avenue.  Public Works Director Monty Jackson stated they were working on this and have been talking to Lauderdale County and the asphalt plant.  There is no time frame on this project yet.  He thanked the people for their concern on the death of his four month old grand daughter.  Councilwoman Perry gave her condolences to Councilman Palmer, Derrick and the child’s mother.  She thanked Mark Naylor for getting the field repaired for use by MCC.  The new Chapel dedicated at MCC is outstanding.  The students did a fantastic job building this.  He thanked Monty Jackson for getting the markers on the bridges.  A lot of areas are being put on a paving list.  She cautioned young people who ride motor cycles and urged them to slow down.  Councilman Thomas congratulated the girls power lifting team at Meridian High.  There have been a lot of comments on the Smithsonian Institute’s exhibit.  He discussed problems with vicious dogs in the city.  Councilman Harris stated

 

that they are in the process of making revisions to the animal control ordinance.  He hopes this will be ready for the next city council meeting for action.

 

 

            Mr. Keyes and Mr. Grubbs returned to the meeting and advised they had verified the bid submitted by First Tennessee Financial Capital Market for the $3.6 million water & sewer bonds.  Councilwoman Perry offered and moved the adoption and passage of the following Resolution:

 

RESO. #5426                        RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE SALE AND AWARD OF GENERAL

                                    OBLIGATION WATER AND SEWER BONDS, SERIES 2007, OF THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, DATED APRIL 1, 2007, IN THE

                                    PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THREE MILLION SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND

                                    DOLLARS ($3,600,000); AND A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND

                                    AUTHORIZING THE FORM OF, EXECUTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF

                                    AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT PERTAINING TO THE THREE MILLION

                                    SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3,600,000) GENERAL

                                    OBLIGATION WATER AND SEWER BONDS, SERIES 2007, OF THE

                                    CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI

 

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.

 

 

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

 

 

            President Thomas 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