Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
RECESS MEETING OF DECEMBER 16, 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 December 16, 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.
Father Henry McInerney gave the invocation. The Mayor led the pledge of allegiance.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to add the Addendum to the Agenda and to add item under Mayor’s Report for discussion of an upgrade of water line for the new intersection at Highway 90 and Ocean Springs Road.
Members of the Mayors Youth Council addressed the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to ask permission to proceed with a request to organize city-wide blood drive on January 30, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at City Hall. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to allow the Mayors Youth Council to proceed with the city wide blood drive and allow the City employees to participate.
PRESENTATION
Mr. Joseph B. Garrard II made a check presentation to Father Henry McInerney from St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and Father Charles E. McMahan from St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in the amount of $60,000.00 each from money he received from the recent sale of his downtown property to the City of Ocean Springs. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to name the property “Keyes Municipal Park” in honor of Myrtle and Earl Keyes.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Bruce Tolar presented the conceptual drawing for the downtown parking lot on Desoto property (Exhibit 4-a). Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize the Architect to prepare bid specifications for Phase 1 Desoto parking paid by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Streetscape Improvements Grant.
Mr. Bruce Tolar presented the conceptual drawing for the parking lot improvements at the Chamber of Commerce depot (Exhibit 4-c).
The Mayor requested that Item 4-d be pulled and discussed in Executive Session.
Architects, Bolton, Lack and Furr, presented the elevation drawings for the public safety facility and courtroom. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to accept the conceptual drawings reviewed by the Public Safety Committee on December 15th (Exhibit 4-e).
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. David Harris advised that he formed a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization, Youth Alternative Development Activities, to help financially disadvantaged and physically disabled children. The organization receives donated items for re-sale to raise funds. Mr. Harris requested permission to use the armory to store the donated items such time as they can lawfully and legally be re-sold.
Alderman Weaver arrives at the meeting.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize the City Attorney to evaluate the parameters of Mr. Harris’ request (Exhibit 5-a).
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill to authorize the rezoning request from C-3 Highway Commercial to R-4 Multifamily Residential at 2005 Government Street (Magnolia State Development Group, LLC – Alwyn Luckey). Alderman Gill withdraws his second. After further discussion, Alderman Lloyd seconded the motion. Motion carried with Aldermen McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver and Dalgo voting aye and Aldermen Gill, Denyer and Hagan voting nay (Exhibit 5-b).
Mr. Dennis P. Carlin requested to retain R-4 zoning for an additional two (2) years at southeast corner of Deana and Groveland Roads. The property owners will meet with the Planning Department to give an update on the project and the Planning Department will make a recommendation (Exhibit 5-c).
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Glenn Miller, 417 Dewey Avenue, spoke against the parking lot expansion at Calhoun Street and Dewey Avenue and stated he was not consulted about this project.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to stop the parking lot expansion project at Calhoun Street and Dewey Avenue until the City obtains drainage calculations.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to obtain drainage calculations from the engineers on the parking lot expansion project at Dewey Avenue and Calhoun Street.
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 (d) and (i) which were pulled by the Mayor and items (e), (m) and (n) which were pulled by Alderman McDonnell.
The Mayor pulled item (d) for discussion on the Fort Maurepas project regarding the bids and the budget. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer to award base bid to Orocon Construction for Schedule 1 – Fort Maurepas Park with Additive Alternates 2, 3 and 7 and reject additive alternates 8, 9 and 10 and accept Schedule 2 – Gazebo with Additive Alternate 1 (Exhibit 7-d).
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to move $100,000 additional tidelands funds to the Fort Maurepas project.
Alderman McDonnell pulled item (e) to ask the City Attorney to draft an additional resolution to increase homestead exemption for all residents and senior citizens. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to table item (7-e) until the next meeting.
The Mayor pulled item (i) to remove The Very Thing from the Docket of Claims. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve payment of the Docket of Claims with the exception of the payment to The Very Thing (Exhibit 7-i).
Alderman McDonnell pulled item (m). The Police Chief stated that this equipment has no value and is over 20 years old. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize various equipment to be declared surplus; of no value the City and to destroy the property (Exhibit 7-m).
Alderman McDonnell pulled item (n) for clarification to hire Wesley Hall as Patrolman because there is no step scale in effect. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to authorize employment of Wesley Hall as Patrolman, hourly rate of $14.92, effective December 17, 2008, one-year probationary period, pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements (Exhibit 7-n).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor:
The Mayor presented a spreadsheet of projects submitted for approximately $178,000,000.00 in federal funds requests from department heads to meet city’s needs for future infrastructure, parks and municipal buildings (Exhibit 8-a).
The Mayor asked the Board to consider limiting the free uses of the Ocean Springs Civic Center to public entities. The Mayor will provide more information before the next meeting.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Lloyd to authorize a budget amendment in the amount of $7,000.00 to upgrade the size of the water line at Ocean Springs Road and Highway 90. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Weaver, Denyer and Dalgo voting aye and Aldermen Denyer and Hagan voting nay.
Community Development & Planning:
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to accept the gift from Smith Properties, L.C. to the City of Ocean Springs, 40’ Iberville Drive (Exhibit 8-c).
City Attorney:
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman Gill to adopt Ordinance No. 13-2008 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI BEING ORDINANCE NO. 13-1976, AS AMENDED, BY MODIFYING SIGNAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR SHOPPING CENTER (Exhibit 8-d). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Weaver Voted Aye
Alderman Gill Voted Aye
Alderman McDonnell Voted Aye
Alderman Lloyd Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voted Aye
Alderman Dalgo Voted Aye
Alderman Hagan Voted Aye
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Alderman Lloyd asked for clarification concerning the future delivery transient vendor licenses. Vendors do not pay for licenses if selling products door to door such as magazines subscriptions and make delivery the next day and the City is not aware they are selling products. Alderman Lloyd asked the City Attorney to research the laws and make suggestions to control all vendors selling in the City and to give the Police Department more authority to control this type of activity.
Alderman Lloyd requested that a trash receptacle be placed at Robinson Road.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to place a street light on first pole on right on East side at Catchot Place.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to reimburse Public Works Department for constructing the bus stop at Samaritan House if any funds are received from Coast Transit Authority.
Alderman McDonnell asked why the City does not display a manger scene and would like to allow local churches to decorate in designated areas in the City. Alderman Weaver opposes this idea due to space would be needed to provide all forms of religion’s observances. The City Attorney advised that cities display manger scenes to show the historical context of why people celebrate Christmas but to avoid lawsuits, they also display other associated historical symbols of Christmas such as candy canes, wreaths, etc.
Alderman Denyer addressed problems with getting responses about junk vehicles and derelict houses by code enforcement. The Planning Director will make a recommendation concerning code enforcement issues.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize the City Attorney to draft an ordinance reducing the speed limit in Bienville Place Subdivision to 21 m.p.h.
Alderman Hagan asked for input concerning erecting bus stops in all the neighborhoods.
Alderman Hagan said he thought the safety check at the high school was a good idea.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan 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 Gill and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss property acquisition on Highway 90; personnel in Police Department; personnel in Fire Department; personnel in Public Works Department and property acquisition – Chamber parking lot.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver and seconded by Alderman Lloyd to rescind the agreement of Item A-1a on the Addendum to the Agenda and authorize Public Works to hire a temporary employee. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Denyer voting nay.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to accept the recommendation of the Human Resources Committee to approve salary increases for the 9 firemen and 2 police officers as listed in (Exhibit 10-b) effective January, 2009. Alderman McDonnell amended his Motion and Alderman Gill amended his second to authorize the salary increase to begin the next pay period. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Denyer voting nay.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Gill and unanimously carried to officially abolish the step pay scale established for the police and fire departments under the 2-year plan and return them to an annual promotion.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell and seconded by Alderman Lloyd to amend the budget accordingly to fund the salary increases of 2 police officers and 9 firemen as presented in (Exhibit 10-b).
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to accept the revised offer of Alice Austin Martin to sell to the City the real property for the Public Safety Center project in the amount of $1.2 million with an acknowledgement of the charitable contribution of $300,000.00. The purchase amount of $1.2 million is funded by the Round III Community Development Block Grant as part of the Public Safety Center Project.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize the litigation for acquisition of property on Highway 90 and 57.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to authorize up to $6,000.00 from Ward 6 Capital Improvement Account for traffic calming device in Lakeview Subdivision.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to adjourn until 6:00 p.m. on January 6, 2009.
Meeting ended at 11:10 p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor
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