Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
RECESS MEETING OF DECEMBER 18, 2007
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 18, 2007. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Gill, Lloyd, Weaver, Denyer, and Dalgo were present. Also present were City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards. Aldermen McDonnell and Hagan were absent.
Alderman Weaver gave the invocation and the Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Moran asked that the agenda be amended to add Old Business, Placement of the Cottage; to remove the 3 items under New Business; accept the Addendum to the Agenda; to add two (2) Action Items under Mayor’s Report and to remove item 6-c.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to request that item 3-c be tabled until the January 15, 2008, meeting.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to remove 3-a and 3-b from the agenda.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to add an Old Business item regarding placement of the donated cottage on the City Hall compound (Exhibit 6-j).
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to add 2 Action items under the Mayor’s Report which are to accept HOSA donation of a welcome sign and the funding of dog waste stations on East and Front Beach.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to adopt the Addendum to the Agenda.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize re-advertising of bids for Heron Bayou walkway and bridge.
OLD BUSINESS
The Community Development Director offered two (2) options for the placement at the City Hall compound of the cottage which will become the new Human Resources building. The Interim Building Official gave some costs estimates for renovation for construction of a pitched roof on the old jail. Following further discussion, motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman Weaver to agree to place the cottage on the footprint presented by the Community Development Director which is near the street next to City Hall. Motion failed with Aldermen Weaver and Denyer voting aye and Aldermen Gill, Lloyd, and Dalgo voting nay.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill to tear down the existing Human Resources building. Motion dies for lack of second.
PROCLAMATION
Mayor Moran read a proclamation declaring December 18, 2007, as Charles Aldrich Day and a proclamation declaring December 18, 2007, as Ham Radio Day and to thank them for their assistance during Hurricane Katrina.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Bernard Wabel, Promenade Boulevard, spoke against the setback variance at 3507 Government Street (Exhibit 3-c).
Ms. Courtney Blossman voiced her concerns about the proposed changes in the existing zoning ordinances regarding the period allowed for appeals, parking restrictions for hotels and the measurement of an area variance.
Ms. Jane Beaugez asked why the Bay Village issue was postponed and the Mayor explained that the applicant has withdrawn their application.
Mr. Shane Jackson spoke concerning the Ferson Optics work session and expressed that he hopes the City will keep the property and not sell to a developer to become a commercial property.
Alderman Hagan arrives at meeting at 6:45 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda and the Addendum Consent Agenda with the exception of item (c) which was pulled by Alderman Weaver, item (d) which was pulled by Alderman Dalgo, item (e) which was pulled by the Mayor, items (y), and (bb) which were removed by the Mayor, and item (aa) which was pulled by Alderman Denyer.
Alderman Weaver pulled item (c) and asked why there are multiple charges for port-o-lets and the City Clerk explained that the vendor had done an audit of all their accounts and found that we had not been billed properly. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to approve item (c).
Alderman Dalgo pulled item (d) and asked for an update of the status of the reversion of property donated by the Broom family on Government Street. The Mayor explained that she is in conversation with the family. Alderman Dalgo asked the Assistant Public Works Director to bring an estimated cost for building a road in that area to the next Board meeting. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer to approve item (d).
The Mayor removed item (e) at the request of Captain Miller and it will be addressed at the next Board meeting. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to table item (e) until January 2, 2008. Motion was by Alderman Hagan to proceed with filling the future vacancy for the position. Following discussion, Alderman Hagan withdrew his motion.
The Mayor removed item (y) because the application was withdrawn. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to remove item (y).
Alderman Denyer pulled item (aa) and asked about the zoning changes. The Community Development Director explained the hotel/motel parking requirements; the length of notice to file appeals and area variance. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve item (aa).
The Mayor requested item (bb) to be tabled at the request of the applicant and discussed at the January 15, 2008, meeting. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to table item (bb).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor
The Mayor presented a request to authorize $1,000 bronze sponsorship for Senator Trent Lott Appreciation Day on February 6, 2008. There was discussion about whether this would promote the resources of the City or would this support a scholarship. The Mayor will investigate further. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to table until the January 2, 2008, meeting to obtain more information.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to re-advertise RFP for CDBG Appraisal/Appraisal Review Services.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to accept the generous donation from HOSA for a wooden Welcome sign for the City of Ocean Springs.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to authorize up to $300.00 from the Mayor Capital Improvement Account, up to $300.00 from the Alderman at Large Capital Improvement Account and up to $300.00 from the Ward II Capital Improvement Account for Dog Waste Bins to be located on East and Front Beach. The County has agreed to pay for several bins also.
Human Resources/Risk
The Mayor reported on new positions that have been added to the staff in the last two years (Exhibit 6-d).
Community Development & Planning
The Community Development Director reported on the Ferson Optics work session. The developer asked what the City‘s intentions were regarding their portion of the property so that they may proceed with development plans. There was discussion on whether or not to sell any portion of the property to a private investor or to move the Public Works Department to another location. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman Dalgo that the City of Ocean Springs does not entertain selling any property on Pine Street. Motion carried with Alderman Lloyd, Gill, Dalgo and Denyer voting aye and Alderman Weaver and Hagan voting nay.
The Community Development Director gave an update on the Charnley House demolition request. This request went back before the Historic Preservation Commission for consideration but MDAH did not attend the meeting and HPC asked to hear from the City Attorney. Therefore, it was tabled until further notice. No action taken.
The Community Development Director presented an Amendment to Ordinance No. 15-2005 providing for an Area Variance (Exhibit 6-g). The City Attorney requested that the item be tabled at this time. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to table item 6-g until January 2, 2008.
The Parks and Recreation Director requested a transfer of $250,000 from line item #738-Capital Tennis Court Improvements in the parks budget to line item #702-Capital Park Improvements to complete certain projects that went over budget (Exhibit 6-h). Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Dalgo to transfer budgeted funds. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, Dalgo, Hagan and Denyer and Alderman Lloyd and Weaver voting nay.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to accept the Contract with Joey Furr, Landscape Architect, for design of the initial phase of tennis court improvements at the Alice Street facility with funding from Jackson County Board of Supervisors (Exhibit 6-i).
ADDENDUM
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to approve items A-1a, A-1b and A-1c of the Addendum to the Agenda.
The Mayor thanked the staff for their hard work on the election. She further advised that she and the City Clerk met with Mr. Demery Grubbs about the bond issues and contacting the State Tax Commission to move forward with that process.
Alderman Denyer asked for consideration to clarify the State Tax determination of the proprietor’s who will be affected by the 2% restaurant and lounge levy. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Weaver to authorize the City Attorney to provide an explanation of the legislation and expertise to the Board regarding the 2% tax increase in order to properly advise the public.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute the Quitclaim Deed to William A. and Jeanette L. Oster concerning the vacating of a portion of the right-of-way on Ruskin Avenue.
ALDERMAN’S FORUM
Alderman Lloyd requested an update on Fort Maurepas. The Mayor explained that we are waiting on an electrical plan and approval from CDBG and FEMA to go out for bids. The Mayor announced that she would go before the Jackson County Board of Supervisors to ask for permission to cut through the seawall to get to the pier.
Alderman Gill reported traffic problems on Highway 90 in the evening and morning. The Mayor reported that she had spoke with Mr. Butch Brown and Mr. Kelly Castleberry with MDOT and was advised that they were sending their traffic unit to synchronize the lights at Highway 90 and Bechtel. Mr. Castleberry was invited to attend the January 2, 2008, meeting to speak concerning traffic issues and give a bridge update.
Alderman Gill asked if the comprehensive study would address how many condominiums does the City need or if it has too many. The Community Development Director advised that there are consultants to do this type of study and it would cost around $20,000.
Alderman Weaver asked for an update on employee office space for the January 2nd or 15th meeting. Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Weaver to accept the cottage and move it to the City Hall parking lot as recommended by the Planning Department. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, Weaver and Denyer voting aye, Alderman Lloyd, Hagan and Dalgo voting nay and the Mayor breaking the tie by voting aye.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to support funding for the replacement of damaged equipment at the Hanley Road toddler park that was destroyed by fire.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize the Parks Director to obtain quotes for the removal and replacement of the damaged equipment at the Hanley Road toddler park.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize the Community Development Director to request the developer to do a traffic study at Ferson Optics area.
Alderman Denyer reported traffic congestion at Highway 90 at Holcomb Blvd. and Bechtel Boulevard and that the lights should be synchronized by MDOT.
Alderman Denyer asked about a Judgment received from the Chancery Court regarding a 3rd hearing for the Concerned Citizens. The City Attorney said the hearing has not been scheduled as of yet.
Alderman Denyer asked that a sign be placed at the park regarding the reward for the person responsible for starting the fire and destroying the park equipment.
The Mayor left the room at this point and Mayor Pro Tempore Weaver assumed control of the meeting.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman Denyer to adopt Ordinance No. 23-2007 AN ORDINANCE RESCINDING THAT PORTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 7-2005 REMOVING FROM THE COVERAGE AFFORDED BY THE CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM THE POSITION OF CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI (Exhibit A-1d). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Weaver Presiding
Alderman Gill Voted Aye
Alderman McDonnell Absent
Alderman Lloyd Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voted Aye
Alderman Dalgo Voted Aye
Alderman Hagan Voted Nay
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to adjourn until 6:00 p.m. on January 2, 2008.
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City Clerk Mayor
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