Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 7, 2009
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 April 7, 2009. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen McDonnell, Lloyd, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan were present. Also present were City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards. Aldermen Gill and Weaver were absent.
The Mayor gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATION
The Mayor read a proclamation declaring the entire month of April, 2009 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
ADDENDUM
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to add the Addendum to the Agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Judy Steckler gave a presentation on the Old Fort Bayou Blueway water trail for canoes and kayaks.
Mr. Jeff Loftus of Gulf Regional Planning Commission gave a power point presentation for the Bicycle Suitability Report and Map. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to approve the Ocean Springs Bicycle Suitability Report and Map prepared by Gulf Regional Planning Commission (Exhibit 4-b).
Mr. Christian Preus, Landscape Architect, presented a conceptual design of the Power Trail in east Ocean Springs (Exhibit 4-a).
Mr. James Foster of Compton Engineering presented the conceptual design for a six to eight foot walkway to accommodate walkers and bikers. The proposed pathway will begin on Week’s Bayou Bridge on East Beach and continue east to Halstead Road up to Brumbaugh Road. The City will hold a public meeting to show the conceptual designs to be held in approximately two (2) weeks (Exhibit4-d) .
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to authorize $500.00 to Grow, Cook, Dine to promote the resources of the City (Exhibit 4-e).
Ms. Shari Newman spoke on behalf of the Municipal Republican Executive Committee and gave a status report on the upcoming primary election. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to allow to coordinate availability of election day supplies with the City Clerk Office including cell phones and the ballot boxes; access to City Hall for filling ballot boxes outside of regular City Hall hours; use of small space in City Hall on election day outside of the Board room to coordinate with the workers and the poll books to be printed from the CD provided by the County Registrar.
NEW BUSINESS – Addendum
Ms. Maralou Hutto Richards stated her objections to the matters concerning the due process of law which was denied to her concerning the legal notices that appeared in the paper in regards to her property located at #7 Gulfview. The Mayor advised the City would not proceed with the public hearing on the lot cleaning based on Ms. Richards’ agreement to pull a building permit within 45 days.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to create an Insurance Issues Task Force and appoint Alderman McDonnell and Alderman Hagan to serve on the committee.
OLD BUSINESS – Addendum
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to award the bid for Culinary Arts Room CDBG repairs at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center to SMF Services in the amount of $25,328.56 and Culinary Arts Room Interior Build-out to Gibson Maintenance, LLC in the amount of $62,600.00 and to authorize up to $500.00 from Mayor’s Capital Improvement Account and $500.00 from Ward 3 Capital Improvement Account for the Mary C. O’Keefe Culinary Arts Café (Exhibit A-2a).
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Mickey Williams, Merchants and Marine Bank, objected to the bidding process concerning city depository funds.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo and seconded by Alderman McDonnell to rescind the action to award the proposal to Hancock Bank for the city depository. After further discussion, Alderman Dalgo withdrew his motion and Alderman McDonnell withdrew his second.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to adopt an official policy to notify by registered mail all lending institutions in the City advising them the City will be accepting proposals for the depository 30 days prior to publication of such notice.
Mr. Mike Strife, spoke on behalf of Bancorp South, thanked the City for their action concerning the city depository funds.
Ms. Pam Dalton, 4084 Groveland Road, stated her house is located next to a big drainage ditch and almost flooded on March 28th due to rain event. Ms. Dalton asked what could be done to improve it.
Ms. Claire Brou, 313 Jackson Avenue, requested the Noise Ordinance be enforced on Front Beach Drive and also expressed her concerns about construction problems she has had with the City.
Mr. Mike Siler, 414 Oakwood Avenue, asked for an adjustment on a water bill issue. He stated he was billed for 76,000 gallons of water for the month of December and 50,000 gallons for the month of January.
Mr. Glenn Miller, 417 Dewey Avenue, stated his complaint was concerning flood waters due to the rain event on March 28th and he was not notified of the parking lot expansion at Little Children’s Park.
Ms. Carol Jones, 4077 Groveland Road, asked the City to find funds to improve the drainage in Parktown East Subdivision.
Ms. Katie Yow, 1219 Parktown Drive, stated there are ongoing drainage problems causing flooding and sewer issues in Parktown East Subdivision.
Mr. Veries Metz, 122 Gettysburg Circle, stated there are ongoing drainage problems causing flooding and sewer in Parktown East Subdivision.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of items (a) which was pulled by Alderman Lloyd; item (c) which was pulled by Alderman Denyer and item (p) which was pulled by Alderman Dalgo.
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (a) and asked to hold off on the statue Park until the project is further along to make sure we have this money in the budget. The Mayor advised some funding sources are for this particular statue and not eligible for use in another project (Exhibit 6-a). Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo and seconded by Alderman McDonnell to authorize to award the D’Iberville statue proposal in Fort Maurepas Park and amend the budget accordingly. Motion carried with Alderman McDonnell, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Lloyd voting nay (Exhibit 6-a).
Alderman Dalgo pulled item (c) at the request of the City Clerk. The City Clerk stated the City will not be entering into an agreement with Transworld Systems. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to approve payment of Docket of Claims with exception of Transworld Systems (Exhibit 6-c).
Alderman Denyer pulled item (p) to increase the amount of payment to B.M.T. Electric for additional emergency electrical work done in the amount of $2,700.00. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve payment to B.M.T. Electrical for a total amount of $4,573.73 (Exhibit 6-p).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor:
The Mayor presented a letter from Mississippi Power Company recognizing the Ocean Springs Police Department.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell and seconded by Alderman Denyer to authorize the Mayor to execute the Agreement for Access related to the Brownfield Assessment Activity at the former Fallo’s Drycleaners. Motion carried with Alderman McDonnell, Denyer, Lloyd and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Dalgo voting nay (Exhibit A-3a).
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman McDonnell to authorize the 7th “Volley-ball on the Beach” on Saturday May 2nd and use of bleachers and port-o-lets. Motion carried with Alderman McDonnell, Denyer, Lloyd and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Dalgo voting nay (Exhibit A-3b).
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to continue negotiations with the Jackson County Board of Supervisors concerning the sharing of engineering costs for traffic lights at intersections of Beachview Road and Government Street and Hanshaw on Government Street and provide written documentation from the County at the next meeting (Exhibit A-3c).
City Clerk:
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to adjust the water bill at 414 Oakwood and determined it was unreasonably increased due to unforeseen circumstances and he received no benefit of the water.
The City Clerk reported on House Bill 348, the Sales Tax Holiday, advising the first year is mandatory for cities and towns, and after the first year any city may opt out of further tax holidays.
The City Clerk reported on the damage at the library due to recent rain event. Some sheetrock and all of the carpet needs to be replaced and anticipates opening by May 1st.
Police:
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to include the Chester M. McPhearson Pier to the Ordinance for the designated areas for after hours parking permits.
Community Development and Planning:
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize to permit the encroachment of a new commercial structure over the City sidewalks at 1000 Government Street. Alderman Dalgo abstained from the vote (Exhibit A-3d).
The Planning Director reported that construction work was complete at the new welcome sign at Highway 57 and 90 but there is no electricity on-site. The Public Works Director advised his department could handle this request to supply the subject sign with electricity (Exhibit 7-d).
Parks and Leisure Services:
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman McDonnell to authorize the Mayor to execute Contract with Moran Hauling, Inc. for Highway 57 Sports Complex Phase No. 1 – Roadway, Water/Wastewater and Site Grading upon the approval of the City Attorney. Motion carried with Alderman McDonnell, Denyer, Lloyd and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Dalgo voting nay (Exhibit A-3e).
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to approve the proposal and authorize the City Attorney to draft an agreement for property on Gibson Road (Exhibit 7-e).
The Parks and Leisure Services Director reported that the Easter Egg Hunt held at Little Children’s Park was a success. She also reported the restrooms are complete and open to the public.
Public Works:
The Public Works Director asked that his department be provided a copy of the Special Events Permits to review them before the permits are presented to the Board for approval.
City Attorney:
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo and seconded by Alderman Denyer to adopt Ordinance No. 2009-08 An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 12-2004 to Correct an Error in the Legal Description of the Boundary of Ward 4 and Ward 5 an Desiring to Correct the Legal Description so as to Accurately Reflect the Adopted Redistricting Map (Exhibit 7-f). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Weaver Absent
Alderman Gill Absent
Alderman McDonnell Voted Aye
Alderman Lloyd Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voting Aye
Alderman Dalgo Voting Aye
Alderman Hagan Voting Aye
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan and seconded by Alderman Denyer to adopt Ordinance No. 2009-09 An Amendment to Ordinance No. 13-1976 Rezoning Property Herein Described from I-1 to C-3 (Exhibit 7-g). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Weaver Absent
Alderman Gill Absent
Alderman McDonnell Voted Aye
Alderman Lloyd Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voting Aye
Alderman Dalgo Voting Aye
Alderman Hagan Voting Aye
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize up to $500.00 for the purchase of a power pole at Iola Road, if needed.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve requests from Ocean Springs Renaissance Faire with the exception of 2 electrical outlets on 50 amp breakers on East side of field and make sure walking track is safe for general public (Exhibit 8-a).
Alderman McDonnell asked the Police Chief and the City Attorney to review the wrecker service Ordinance and report back to the Board in 30 days.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize up to $1,075.00 from Ward 3 Capital Improvement Account and up to $1,075.00 from Mayor’s Capital Improvement Account to relocate a power pole at the Alice Street Tennis Courts and Joey Furr will pay $2,150.00.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize up to $3,076.30 from Ward 3 Capital Improvement Account for parking lot improvements on the west side of the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to send a letter to the Jackson County Board of Supervisors asking when sand would be replenished on Front and East Beaches.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize the remainder of the Mayor’s Capital Improvement account for landscaping at Little Children’s Park.
The Mayor advised that she was working on a Tax Abatement Ordinance to be presented to the Board at a later date.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to advertise the resources of the City in the amount of $500.00 at Golf Tournament benefiting the Mississippi Special Olympics.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to advertise the resources of the City in the amount of $200.00 at the Sound of America on behalf of Breauna Pollard.
Alderman Dalgo asked the Public Works Director when the paving would begin. The Public Works Director advised it should begin in approximately 3 weeks.
Alderman Hagan addressed the drainage problems in the City and asked the Board to designate certain areas as special flood areas.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to recess until 6:00 p.m. on April 21, 2009.
Meeting ended at 10:13 p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor
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