REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY, AUGUST 07, 2007 AT 9:00 A.M.

 

Meeting called to order by Council President Henson.

 

Present:  Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer.

 

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

            The meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. Zachary Operton of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to confirm the agenda order for this meeting with an amendment to: remove from C-4 the pistol; remove R-7; move C-8 to R-7; add an executive session regarding litigation.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the minutes dated July 17, 2007.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14112       ORDER AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF STREET

                                    LIGHTS AT ARCADIA PLACE SUBDIVISION

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14113       ORDER AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF STREET

                                    LIGHTS AT FIRST BANK ON 22ND AVENUE & 8TH STREET

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14114       ORDER DECLARING PROPERTY LOST OR STOLEN

                                    AND TO BE REMOVED FROM INVENTORY

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14115       ORDER DECLARING EQUIPMENT SURPLUS AND NO LONGER

                                    NEEDED BY THE CITY OF MERIDIAN AND AUTHORIZING THE

                                    SALE OF SAID SURPLUS EQUIPMENT

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5448                        RESOLUTION CALLING HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER

                                    OR NOT CERTAIN PARCELS OF LAND ARE IN SUCH A STATE

                                    OF UNCLEANLINESS AS TO BE A MENACE TO THE PUBLIC

                                    HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY (SEPTEMBER 04,

                                    2007 AT 9:15 A.M.)

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14116       ORDER CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR

                                    OF MYLES FRANK TO THE MERIDIAN AIRPORT AUTHORITY

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14117       ORDER CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF

                                    BAILEY HONEYCUTT TO THE MERIDIAN PLANNING COMMISSION

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14118       ORDER AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO WESLEY

                                    HOUSE CONCERNING PERSONNEL AND OPERATION COSTS

                                    ALLOWABLE THROUGH VICTIM/WITNESS GRANT #05NW2223

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5449                        RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FILING AND EXECUTION OF A

                                    GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE 2007 TRANSPORTATION

                                    ENHANCEMENT TREE PLANTING PROGRAM FOR THE PURCHASE

                                    AND INSTALLATION OF TREES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14119       ORDER GRANTING EXEMPTION FROM MUNICIPAL AD VALOREM

                                    TAXES (EXCEPT SCHOOL DISTRICT TAXES) FOR NEW STRUCTURE

                                    109 US HIGHWAY 11/80 (HILTON GARDEN INN)

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14120       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF LEASE AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI AND PATTY A.

                                    SANDERS (CAFÉ AREA AT UNION STATION)

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14121       ORDER AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF BACKHOE FROM

PUCKETT MACHINERY COMPANY, MERIDIAN, MS IN

THE AMOUNT OF $70,617.00

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14122       ORDER AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF TWO LAW ENFORCEMENT

                                    MOTORCYCLES FROM CHUNKY RIVER HARLEY-DAVIDSON,

                                    MERIDIAN, MS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,714.00

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14123       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF CHANGE ORDER

                                    NO. 1 BETWEEN J & J CONTRACTORS, INC., COLLINSVILLE,

                                    MS AND THE CITY OF MERIDIAN (RILEY CENTER RIGHT-OF-

                                    WAY ELECTRICAL OUTLETS)

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14124       ORDER AUTHORIZING THE SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE

                                    OF CAR VIDEO SYSTEMS

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

            Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to approve the claims docket dated August 02, 2007 in the amount of $4,146,422.93.

 

 

            The hour of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, the hearing as called for in Resolution #5444 regarding unclean property was opened with motion by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council.  No one appeared regarding the unclean properties.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and unanimously passed by the Council to close the hearing.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5450                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A

                                    MENACE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE

                                    COMMUNITY (RAGSDALE SUR BLOCK 158 45’ N&S X

                                    90’ E & W IN SWC)

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5451                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A

                                    MENACE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE

                                    COMMUNITY (RAGSDALE SUR BLOCK 8 LOT 2 & N ˝ LOT 3)

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

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

 

RESO. #5452                        RESOLUTION ADJUDICATING PARCEL OF LAND TO BE A

                                    MENACE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE

                                    COMMUNITY (#107 PT NWSW1/4: 365.98’ N&S X 122’

                                    E&W IN SWC LESS PT IN ST)

 

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.

Nay:  None.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

            President Henson advised of the notification of legal advertisement for the following: a) safety shoes (12 month source of supply); b) Chevrolet Tahoe for police department (2); c) equipment for the new police vehicles.

 

 

            At this time Mayor Smith presented Patricia May with an honorary award on her retirement from the City after 30 years.

 

 

            President Henson called for the Mayor’s report.  He reminded everyone that today was election day and encouraged everyone to vote.  He went over a couple of errors in The Meridian Star concerning the sample ballots.  CAO Ken Storms presented Richard Whitehead with a certificate to the Disabled America Veterans for their support of the Run for the Wall.

 

 

            President Henson called for council comments.  Councilman Palmer stated this was a very important election going on in Ward 4 for supervisor.  He urged everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to go out and vote.  He said he is retiring from teaching again.  Councilwoman Perry reminded everyone that school started this week.  Meridian has some new principals.  She asked everyone to be careful and asked the students to do all they can while they can.  Councilman Palmer asked the parents to take charge of the discipline of their children so the teachers can teach.  Councilman Thomas said it was time for public schools to re-design themselves.  They have been operating schools the same way for about 150 years.  There is so much technology available today that was not previously available and this technology should be utilized.  He said voting was the same because the procedures have not changed.  He does not understand people have to go to a certain place to vote and not go to the closest place to their residence or work.  He feels this could be worked out whereby you could vote at any location.

 

 

            The hour of 9:30 a.m. having arrived, the hearing as called for in Order #14106 regarding the vehicle assessment schedule was opened with motion by Councilman Palmer duly seconded by Councilwoman Perry and passed by a majority vote of the Council.  Voting yea: Perry, Henson, Palmer.  Voting nay: Thomas.  No one appeared to make comments regarding this schedule.  Councilman Thomas stated that this was one of the most foolish and ridiculous things the City Council does.  He does not know why the Legislature doesn’t just present this with no action required by the cities.  Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to close the hearing.

 

 

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

 

ORDER #14125       ORDER FINALLY APPROVING, ADOPTING AND CONFIRMING

                                    THE ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AS

                                    PREPARED BY THE STATE TAX COMMISSION AS THE REGULAR

                                    2007-2008 ASSESSMENT

 

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.

Nay:  Thomas.

Absent:  Harris.

 

 

            President Henson called for citizen comments.  No one appeared.

 

 

            An executive session was requested regarding litigation.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas 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 litigation.  The Council then went into executive session.  Motion was made by Councilman Thomas 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