Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
RECESS MEETING OF AUGUST 19, 2008
Be it remembered that the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Ocean Springs met in a Recess meeting at the Ocean Springs City Hall in the City of Ocean Springs at 6:00 p.m. on August 19, 2008. The Mayor presiding, Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan were present. Also present were City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards.
The Alderman at Large gave the invocation. The Mayor led the pledge of allegiance.
Mayor Moran asked that the agenda be amended to add the addendum to the agenda. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to amend the agenda to add the addendum.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to move items 6-w and 6-x on the Consent agenda to be discussed after Old Business.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to hear the Presentation by Robert Hirsch, Ocean Springs School Superintendent and also item 4-a upon his arrival of Mr. Hirsch.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Herman Neese made a presentation to the Board concerning the new proposal for Bienville Commons for input prior to making their formal request to Planning and Zoning.
Old Business – Addendum
The City Attorney reported that after diligent search, the transfer documents for the Katrina Cottage were never received and therefore, ownership was not perfected and the City has no interest in the cottage. Mr. Brian Sanderson from the Governor’s Commission on Recovery updated the Board on the Katrina Cottage. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to move that the donation to the City of the Katrina cottage never came to fruition and the City is in favor of the cottage being donated by the Governor’s Commission on Rebuilding and Recover to a non-profit agency.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. Mike Boudreaux gave a power point presentation concerning Bay Village. Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to accept the amended recommendation of the Planning Commission to approve rezoning of property located on the north side of Bienville Boulevard between Bechtel Boulevard and North Halstead Road from R-1 to C-3 to depth of 300 feet from Bienville Boulevard. Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to enter the presentation into the minutes (Exhibit 6-w).
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to accept Planning Commission recommendation to approve rezoning request from C-4A to C-3 located at Ocean Springs View Estates Subdivision, conditional upon Mr. Hinton building within one year, and provided the structure is not greater than one story in height (Exhibit 6-x). Ms Katie Bachman voiced concerns about the intersection at Reilly Road.
Old Business – Addendum
The Mayor gave an update on Little Children’s Park property improvements (Exhibit A-1b). Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to obtain quotes for the irrigation system at Little Children’s Park and to authorize Public Works Department to do water and sewer improvements pending Alderman McDonnell’s review.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Sandra Morrison, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Women’s Center for Nonviolence, thanked the Board for their previous funding and requested $5,000.00 for FY09.
Mr. Mark Barhanovich, insurance representative, addressed the Board about the employee benefits program and announced there would be no change in rates.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to name the new road to Clay Boyd Splash Park as Curmis Broome Drive and to use decorative street signs to indicate the road.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize the City Attorney to prepare the Ordinance for placement of stop sign at Curmis Broome Drive.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Dr. Bill Lucas asked for the overgrown grass at The Admiralty property be cut and cleaned up; asked to restrict dogs on the beach, asked the Fire Department wash away the sand that builds up between the railings back onto the beach; asked all who speak at the Board meetings use the microphones and asked for clarification about an article in the newspaper.
PRESENTATION
Mr. Robert Hirsch, Ocean Springs Schools Superintendent, and Ms. Donna Nester, Ocean Springs Schools Business Manager, presented the school district 2008-2009 Budget (Exhibit 3-a). Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to accept the school district budget.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to adopt a Resolution supporting the Ocean Springs School District and the future of education.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize advertising in the Ocean Springs Record, Mississippi Press and the Sun Herald one week prior to the election supporting the Ocean Springs School District bond issue.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Parks and Leisure Services
The Mayor asked to pull item (7-f) for discussion at this point in the meeting. The Recreation Master Plan Steering Committee reported that they met to discuss the budget for the overall Master Plan. They reported the need to finalize the budget and commit to fully fund the projects as presented. There was further discussion on how the overall budget impacts the ability to seek funds to “harden” the Gay Lemon Multi Purpose Center. The City is in an excellent position to receive FEMA/MEMA Hazard Mitigation funds for this purpose, but there needs to be an approved budget for the basic building in order to complete the application. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to allow the Grants Administrator to receive a budgetary number to apply for the grant to “harden” the Gay-Lemon Multi Purpose Center to emergency shelter standards (Exhibit 7-f).
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of items (m) and (u) which were pulled by the Alderman Hagan; items (a), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (n) which were pulled by Alderman Lloyd and item (k) which was pulled by Alderman McDonnell.
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (a) asked for clarification. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute the garbage collection contract with Delta Sanitation effective October 1, 2008 (Exhibit 6-a).
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (c) to ask if these renovations were included in this year’s budget. The City Clerk advised that these renovations are in the budget. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize to advertise bid specifications for renovations to City Hall and Library and for new energy efficient HVAC system for City Hall (Exhibit 6-c).
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (d) and asked for clarification. The Mayor advised this item was only to receive and approve the minutes of the Steering Committee for downtown marketing. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the steering committee for business incentives (Exhibit 6-d).
Alderman Dalgo left the meeting at this time.
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (e) to ask for clarification. The Public Works Director advised this was a 5 year facilities agreement between the City and the School District. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Ocean Springs and the Ocean Springs School District and adopt resolution (Exhibit 6-e).
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (f) and asked for clarification. The Mayor advised this item was only to receive and approve the minutes of the Drainage and Infrastructure Committee meeting. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the Drainage and Infrastructure meeting (Exhibit 6-f).
Alderman McDonnell pulled item (k) and asked to consider out-sourcing this work. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to accept the resignation of Thomas Kennedy, IT Technician, effective August 25, 2008 (Exhibit 7-k).
Alderman Hagan pulled item (m) to ask for clarification on the pricing of the vehicle. The Police Chief advised the City will have it’s own Narcotics Division and will need a vehicle. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to accept item (6-m) pending review that the price is in line with state contract.
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (n) to ask if exit interviews were being conducted. The Mayor asked the department heads to conduct exit interviews. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to accept the resignation of Jason Hudson effective August 26, 2008, and authorize beginning the process to fill the vacancy (Exhibit 6-n).
Alderman Hagan pulled item (u) asked about calculations done on drainage on Trentwood Subdivision. The Public Works Director advised that developer has been making improvements to alleviate some of the problems. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to accept Planning Commission recommendation to approve the preliminary plat for PUD at South Breeze, II (Exhibit 6-u).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor
The Mayor gave a report on the status of the community pier (Exhibit 7-a).
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to table items (7-b) and (7-c) until the next meeting.
Community Development & Planning:
The Community Development Director advised his staff will be contacting the Board to help set up meetings with neighborhood groups concerning the update of the Comprehensive Plan.
The Community Development Director gave an update on the live oak located by the marquee (Exhibit 7-e).
Facilities
The Facilities Director advised the Board of additional expenses incurred since the new dance studio has been added to the Civic Center.
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Alderman Gill asked to reactivate the Cemetery Board and determine if the City could develop any plots to sell in Evergreen Cemetery.
Alderman Gill asked if we have received paving money from the Jackson County Board of Supervisors.
Alderman Weaver left the meeting at this time.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize up to $5,000.00 from Alderman at Large Capital Improvement Account for flooring for the community room at the Ocean Springs Library.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize up to $3,500.00 from Ward 2 Capital Improvement Account to Chandelier Homeowners for the plans submitted and up to $1,500.00 for irrigation.
Alderman McDonnell asked the City Attorney to provide guidelines for city employees to run for office.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to place stop sign at Holcomb Boulevard and Lafitte Avenue.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer 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 McDonnell and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss personnel in the Police Department and the Parks and Leisure Services Department.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to accept the recommendation of the Police Chief to suspend the Records Clerk and the Court Clerk from 1 to 5 days without pay and one year probation to be stricken from file upon one year without incident.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to authorize the Interim Parks and Leisure Director to offer resignation to probationary Athletics Coordinator, and if does not resign, terminate on or before August 22, 2008.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to adjourn until 6:00 p.m. on September 2, 2008.
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City Clerk Mayor
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