Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 5, 2010
Be it remembered that the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Ocean Springs met in a Regular meeting at City Hall in the City of Ocean Springs at 6:00 p.m. on January 5, 2010. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Ross, Gill, McDonnell, Cody, Denyer and Hagan were present. Also present were City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards. Alderman Dalgo was absent.
Alderman Cody gave the invocation and the Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATION
The Mayor read a proclamation declaring January 5, 2010 as Donna Dee Burke Day (Exhibit 3-a).
Alderman Dalgo arrives at the meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Joey Furr was not present for the Alice Street Tennis Facility update (Exhibit 4-a).
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Bruce Duckett spoke against the Mary C. obtaining an ABC license for the center and stated various reasons why it would be inappropriate and further stated it was across the street from a church and adjacent to a school and it is zoned residential and it would violate the zoning.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to accept the Consent Agenda with exception of item (r) which was pulled by Alderman Denyer.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to table item (r) until the next meeting.
The Mayor asked to add a discussion item concerning a letter from Supervisor John McKay regarding the removal of two (2) stop signs at the intersection of Old Spanish Trail and Fountainbleau Road. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo and seconded by Alderman Denyer to add this discussion item to the agenda. Alderman Dalgo withdrew his motion and Alderman Denyer withdrew his second. After further discussion, motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to place this discussion item on the next agenda.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Public Works:
The Assistant Public Works Director advised their department met with Mr. David Harris from Harbor Landing concerning the road problems in that area. He requested authorization to request quotes for the road repairs. Once this is accomplished, they will meet again to determine who will pay for the road resurfacing in the city right of way. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to receive quotes to repair Harbor road problems and authorize the Mayor to request participation from the Jackson County Board of Supervisors (Exhibit 7-a).
Police Department:
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to authorize the purchase of a 2010 Ford Crown Victoria patrol vehicle to replace Unit #0704 which was wrecked by a third party and to be paid from the seized forfeiture account and the insurance proceeds (Exhibit 7-b).
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Alderman Gill asked for a discussion item on the next agenda regarding the Economic Development Commission. The Mayor asked the Board to give her a list of potential candidates for the commission.
Alderman Gill asked for the status of the bike rack and bulletin board for Fort Bayou Park. The Parks and Leisure Services Director advised her department would be receiving the bike rack and the City Clerk advised she would check the status of the bulletin board.
Alderman McDonnell asked for the status of the Ordinance concerning the speed limits at Lover’s Lane and Cherokee Glenn. He asked that it be placed on the next agenda.
Alderman McDonnell asked for a cost estimate for a privacy fence to be erected on the West side of Freedom Field. The Parks and Leisure Services Director advised the work could be done in-house and will provide an estimate at the next meeting.
Alderman McDonnell asked for the status in dimming the lights at Fort Maurepas. The Mayor advised the shields have been ordered by Mississippi Power Company and she would follow up with Mississippi Power Company.
Alderman Cody asked about a paving list. The Assistant Public Works Director asked the Board to finalize the list and the Public Works department would measure the roads to provide a cost estimate to the County for paving.
The Mayor asked for advice concerning a resident, Ms. McNutt, on Autumn Ridge. The Assistant Public Works Director advised a sink hole occurred around the drainage pipe. Her sprinkler system is on top of the drainage pipe. She was asked to remove that section of the sprinkler system in order for Public Works to work on this problem but Ms. McNutt refuses to remove the system or sign a waiver.
The Mayor asked that the Beautification Committee explore the idea of making Ocean Springs a “Keep America Beautiful” city and make a recommendation to the Board concerning this campaign.
The Mayor stated if the City had a formal “Safe Routes to School Program” in conjunction with the school system then the City could be eligible for more sidewalk funding.
Alderman Ross asked if the lights on Highway 90 had been synchronized by MDOT. The Mayor advised MDOT said this had been done.
Alderman Denyer stated that although he liked the improvements at the intersection by Broome’s, the quality of the paving is rough and asked the City Engineer to follow up on this matter. The City Engineer stated he would follow up but further stated the Contractor will clean off the asphalt.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize an emergency road repair to Iroquois Avenue in Culeoka Subdivision in the amount of $30,000.00 and amend the budget accordingly.
Alderman Hagan announced the lights at Lemoyne Park are not working. The Parks and Leisure Services Director stated she was aware of the problem and they would be repaired by the end of the week.
The Mayor announced the City is pursuing the acquisition of Pine Grove Water System, a privately owned water system that lies directly off Ocean Springs Road. She further stated that she, along with the Public Works Director, the City Engineer, representatives from DEQ and the Department of Health is meeting with the Governor to request that the City be able to utilize the $370,000.00 remaining from the water and sewer project on Highway 90, Highway 57 and Ocean Springs Road to acquire the system.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to go into closed session to determine the necessity of going into executive session.
The City Clerk returned to the meeting and announced that a motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss personnel in the Police Department and Mayor’s office; potential litigation regarding Annexation and potential litigation regarding the East Beach sidewalk.
Motion was made by Alderman Ross, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to accept the recommendation of the Police Chief to reprimand a Dispatcher with one-day without pay and six (6) months probation.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Ross and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to negotiate water and sewer rates at Sunplex Industrial Park.
The Mayor left the meeting and the Mayor Pro Temp took control.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to recess until 6:00 p.m. on January 19, 2010.
Meeting ended at 7:40 p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor
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