Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
REGULAR MEETING OF DECEMBER 5, 2006
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 December 5, 2006. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen McDonnell, Weaver, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan were present. Also present were City Attorney John Edwards and City Clerk Adrienne Howell. Aldermen Gill and Lloyd were absent.
Mayor Moran gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to amend the agenda to hear an update by Kelly Castleberry of MDOT on the status of the Biloxi-Ocean Springs Bridge. Mr. Caslteberry reported that the bridge construction is on schedule and two lanes should be open by next November.
The Design Review comments by Tim West and John Allen representing West Quality Foods were withdrawn at their request (Exhibit 3-a).
The Mayor asked that the USDA grant of $900,000.00 for equipment and repairs (Exhibit 6-b) be addressed at this time. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to address item 6-b. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to execute the resolutions to enter into a grant agreement with USDA. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize advertising for a public meeting on December 19, 2006 regarding these grants. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute the grant documents to obligate the funds to the City.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to adopt a resolution to accept the 154 Counter Alcohol Measures grant (Exhibit 3-b).
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of items (a) and (i) which were pulled by Alderman Denyer.
Alderman Denyer pulled item (a) to accept the resignation of Robert Milling from the Library Board and asked the Mayor to write a letter on behalf of the Aldermen and the City thanking him for his efforts and dedication. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to approve item (a) to accept the resignation with regrets of Robert Milling as member and Chairman of the Ocean Springs Library Board.
Alderman Denyer pulled item (i) to authorize the retirement of Captain Gary Demaree effective January 3, 2007 and thanked him for his thirty four years of dedicated service. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize the retirement of Captain Gary Demaree with regrets and allow him to purchase his duty weapon for $1.00.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell and seconded by Alderman Hagan to adopt a joint resolution with the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to support the mitigation cost of wind insurance which will be sent to the Governor and legislative delegation (Exhibit 6-a).
The Mayor presented the ranking of Jackson County proposed projects for CIAP funding (Exhibit 6-c).
City Clerk
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to engage the City Attorney to assist the City Clerk and City Engineer with a resolution to repairs to storm damaged City buildings.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman Weaver to accept the Department of Labor Grant employee recommendations (Exhibit 6-e). Motion carried with Aldermen McDonnell, Weaver, Denyer and Dalgo voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay. Alderman Denyer expressed his concern that the Board has philosophically agreed to some large Capital Improvements for recreation and asked the City Clerk to provide a Parks & Leisure Services budget report at the next meeting.
Parks & Leisure Services
The Mayor commended the Parks & Leisure Services Department and the Public Works Department on the building of the Kaboom Park and reported that 323 volunteers were in attendance to help with the build.
City Attorney
The City Attorney presented his recommendation concerning the pro rata reimbursement of fire fighter training to the Jackson County Fire District (Exhibit 6-f). Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize payment of $7,167.92 to the Jackson County Fire District and include the recommendation of the City Attorney.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to appoint Judge Gene Henry to hear City of Ocean Springs vs. Frank Leach (Exhibit 6-g).
ALDERMAN’S FORUM
Alderman Weaver said that there needs to be a policy regarding new developments and needed infrastructure. She will follow up with the City of Chattanooga to discuss adopting a policy regarding a mix of rental units, home ownership and affordable versus market rate. Her goal is to have a mix of housing options in Ocean Springs from very low income to market rate.
Alderman Weaver reported that a motion will be brought in the future regarding the City’s intent for development of Front Beach. The City will work with Front Beach neighborhoods to develop a Neighborhood Plan through the Smart Code process.
Alderman Weaver said that she would like to expand the distance for notification of zoning changes to be sent by regular and registered mail. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver and seconded by Alderman Hagan to expand the distance for notification of zoning changes from 500 to 1,000. Following further discussion, motion was withdrawn by Alderman Weaver. Mr. Scruggs recommended that signs be erected on properties that are under consideration for a zoning change.
The Mayor announced that a meeting will be held for Front Beach residents on Thursday, January 11, 2007 to discuss the grants that are underway, the conceptual plans and get neighborhood input.
Alderman Hagan announced that he will be absent from the next board meeting. He also said that the Ocean Springs Hospital Emergency Room is being renovated and the cross walk leading to it across Ocean Springs Road needs to be moved. The Mayor said the Hospital should contact MDOT because Ocean Springs Road is a state road.
Alderman Hagan recommended that a Technology Master Plan for the City be developed. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to form a Technology Committee with Alderman Hagan as the Chairman.
Alderman McDonnell reported that he has received a request from a resident on Cleveland Avenue concerning the repair of the walkway from Schmidt Drive to Front Beach. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to allow the Mayor with the Public Works Department to outline a plan to gather costs for upgrading or replacing/repairing the ornamental fence, low level lighting, increased patrol by the Police Department and the feasibility of handicapped accessibility of the walkway.
Alderman McDonnell said that many citizens are not taking advantage of the $1.00 building permits due to insurance and grant constraints. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to extend for six additional months the $1.00 building permit for the original property owner for homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Alderman Weaver abstained from the vote.
Alderman McDonnell said that the Ocean Springs Hospital was not successful in getting an approval for expanding the number of beds. He requested that the City Attorney draft a resolution to unanimously support the efforts of the Ocean Springs Hospital expansion. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to have the City Attorney draft a resolution to unanimously support the efforts of the Ocean Springs Hospital to expand the number of beds.
Alderman Denyer requested that the Mayor write a letter regarding the Mississippi Home Corporation Tax Credit program regarding the proposed Tax Credit Facility on Government Street by Broome’s #2 stating that the citizens are overwhelmingly not in favor of the proposal. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to task the Mayor to write a letter to the Mississippi Home Corporation and the developer to inform them that the City is not in favor of the project at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Julie Johnson, representing several Ocean Springs business owners, said that she works for a local sign company and requested a public meeting on the Sign Ordinance. She feels that the Ordinance is too constrictive on Highway 90.
Dr. Pontius asked Alderman Weaver for a definition of Harbor stakeholders and what meeting was held to discuss improvements to the Harbor. Alderman Weaver said that the Harbor stakeholders which include the Harbor Master Commissioners, Jackson County Board of Supervisors, Mayor and interested Aldermen and the Department of Marine Resources have been meeting to discuss improvements to the Harbor regarding traffic and boat storage.
Ms. Kim Pham, owner of Kim Jewelry, said that the sign for her business was destroyed in the storm, complained that it must be cut down to ten feet in height and said that she would like it to be replaced at its previous height. Mr. Scruggs said that her application for a sign variance has been received and will be considered at a Zoning & Adjustment Board meeting next Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.
Dr. Godsey liked the suggestion of placing signs on properties that are being considered for a change in zoning and recommended that the signs be large and angled in both directions.
Ms. Jayne Beaguez asked Alderman McDonnell if he had the results of the survey of homeowners in the Waterview District and the height of the tree canopy. He replied that the information is being gathered. She requested that the information be released to the public and the Mayor said that it will be put out in a press release. Ms. Beaugez also requested that the agenda be changed to recognize citizen input and the research for the grant for a transit boating pier be ceased.
Ms. Carol Jones displayed the letter she received from the City regarding a request for change in zoning at Deena and Groveland. She expressed her concern that the appeal of the builder to the Planning Commission with the revised plan was not included in the information. Mr. Scruggs explained that the letter includes the new plan and announces the time and date of the Planning Commission meeting to allow public comment.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo 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 Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss personnel in the Mayor’s Department, personnel in the Police Department and current litigation regarding the Concerned Citizens.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to advertise and accept applications for the school board appointment which will be due on January 15, 2007.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to recess until 6:00 p.m. on December 19, 2006.
