Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
RECESS MEETING OF DECEMBER 15, 2009
Be it remembered that the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Ocean Springs met in a Recess meeting at City Hall in the City of Ocean Springs at 6:00 p.m. on December 15, 2009. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Ross, Gill, McDonnell, Cody, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan were present. Also present were City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards.
Alderman Cody led the invocation and the Boy Scout Troop 220 led Pledge of Allegiance.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman McDonnell 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 McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Ross and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss potential litigation regarding annexation.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
OLD BUSINESS
Motion was made by Alderman Ross and seconded by Alderman Cody to adopt Ordinance No. 2009-24 AN ORDINANCE ENLARGING, EXTENDING AND DEFINING THE CORPORATE LIMITS AND BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS, JACKSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI; SPECIFYING THE IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE IN THE ANNEXED TERRITORY AND THE MUNICIPAL OR PUBLIC SERVICES TO BE RENDERED THEREIN; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES RELATED THERETO (Exhibit 3-a). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Ross Voted Aye
Alderman Gill Voted Aye
Alderman McDonnell Voted Aye
Alderman Cody Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voting Aye
Alderman Dalgo Voting Aye
Alderman Hagan Voting Aye
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Karla Owens was not present.
Ms. Maralou Guice Richards spoke about the Building Department’s refusal to issue a Building permit for her residence located at #7 Gulfview Drive.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Ross and unanimously carried to spread upon the minutes a letter from Cowart Architects, PC dated December 10, 2009 regarding the renovations and additions to Mary Lou Richards’ residence. The Planning Director advised that once Ms. Richards provides a stamped and certified foundation form then a building permit will be issued by the Building Department (Exhibit 4-b).
Mr. Mike Daigle gave an update on the Ferson Optics clean-up (Exhibit 4-c).
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. John McKay spoke on behalf of the Trentwood Homeowner’s Association concerning the erosion of the monster ditch and asked for any help concerning this matter. Mr. McKay spoke as Jackson County Supervisor concerning the 3-way stop sign at Fountainbleau and Old Spanish Trail that was installed by the City. He asked the Board for their consideration to remove the stop sign due to light traffic on this road.
Mr. Bill Gregory presented the Reviewed Financial Statements Year Ended December 31, 2008 and the Independent Accountant’s Report of the Friends of the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to spread the report on the minutes. (Exhibit 5-a).
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to adopt the addendum to the agenda.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of item (A-1b) which was pulled by Alderman Denyer.
Alderman Denyer pulled item (A-1b) to explain he met with the Mayor, Alderman Dalgo and members of the Parks Advisory Commission for presentations from Mr. Henry Furr and Mr. Joey Furr concerning the Halstead Street Tennis Court pavilion. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute the Contract with Henry Furr Architects for professional services to design Halstead Street Tennis Court pavilion, pending review by the City Attorney (Exhibit A-1b).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor:
The Mayor presented the current status of the Water/Sewer expansion project that encompasses Highway 90, Highway 57 and Ocean Springs Road (Exhibit 7-a).
The Mayor presented a drainage project update and asked the Board to keep this for future informational purposes (Exhibit 7-b).
The Mayor presented the drainage priorities in strategic plan as presented by the Drainage and Infrastructure Committee. It includes a list of projects completed or are underway along with future projects as recommended by the Drainage and Infrastructure Committee. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to accept the list of drainage priorities (Exhibit 7-c).
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to contract with Compton Engineering for engineering services for area drainage work at Simon Blvd., Ogden Ave., and White Ave. (Exhibit 7-d).
Public Works:
Motion was made by Alderman Ross, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize to advertise bid specifications for annual sewer maintenance.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to authorize to fill the position of Supervisor and any subsequent vacancies as a result of the promotion caused by the retirement of Johnny Moore.
Community Development & Planning:
Motion was made by Alderman Cody and seconded by Alderman Hagan to adopt Ordinance No. 2009-25 AN AMENDMENT TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS TO ALLOW TWO-WAY TRAFFIC ON BOWEN AVENUE (Exhibit 7-e). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Ross Voted Aye
Alderman Gill Voted Aye
Alderman McDonnell Voted Aye
Alderman Cody Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voting Aye
Alderman Dalgo Voting Aye
Alderman Hagan Voting Aye
Police Department:
Deputy Police Chief requested an Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue in the Police Department.
Department Reports – ADDENDUM
Mayor:
Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to authorize to begin the notification process to change zoning at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center from R-2 to C-2 (Exhibit A-2a).
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Alderman Gill asked that the Economic Development Council be formed as a commission by Ordinance. The City Attorney will research what kind of committee would best serve the City (Exhibit 8-a).
Alderman Ross asked for a cost estimate for the drainage issues to be a factor when the Board is prioritizing the list.
The Mayor asked to include drainage problems on Biddix Street on the drainage list.
Alderman Cody asked to discuss a personnel issue in Executive Session.
Alderman McDonnell asked for the status of the Ordinance setting new speed limits at Lover’s Lane and Cherokee Glenn. The Planning Director advised the Ordinance will be ready for the agenda in January, 2010.
Alderman McDonnell asked to grant the property owners additional time no later than first of February, 2010 to demolish the house at 1305 Cove Drive.
Alderman Gill stated the road conditions at Highway 90 and Ocean Springs Road are bad. The Mayor stated MDOT is not repairing the road since the road will be reworked but she will contact the road department and ask again for any assistance.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman McDonnell 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 Gill and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss potential litigation in the Police Department and potential litigation in Circuit Court.
The City Clerk announced that a motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss personnel in the Public Works Department.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Ross and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Ross and unanimously carried to adjourn until 6:00 p.m. on January 5, 2010.
Meeting ended at 8:39 p.m.
________________________ ______________________
City Clerk Mayor
___________ __________
Date Date
