Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
REGULAR MEETING OF DECEMBER 4, 2007
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 December 4, 2007. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Gill, Lloyd, McDonnell, Weaver, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan were present. Also present were City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards.
Alderman Weaver gave the invocation and the Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to amend the agenda to include a proclamation and the addendum.
The Mayor presented a proclamation to Chamber of Commerce Director Margaret Miller regarding the Main Street Program.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to open a lot cleaning hearing for 4146 Bienville Boulevard. The owner’s son, Mr. Michael Fitch, explained that his mother is in a nursing home and he is trying to take care of the property in her absence. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to come out of the public hearing. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan and seconded by Alderman Weaver to continue the lot cleaning until the second meeting in January. Following further discussion, motion was withdrawn by Alderman Hagan and Alderman Weaver. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to continue the lot cleaning until December 18, 2007.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to open a lot cleaning hearing for 132 Siowan Avenue. Alderman Denyer explained that the homeowner passed away and the hurricane damage has not been repaired. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to come out of the public hearing. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to proceed with the lot cleaning with Public Works to complete the work and board the sides of the house because the house is a menace to public health and safety in such a state of uncleanliness that the necessary steps must be taken. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize Public Works to take care of the trees in the yard and anything else that needs to be done.
NEW BUSINESS
Ocean Springs Schools Superintendent Robert Hirsch set forth objectives for the school system and reported that the school board passed a resolution in support of the 2% tax on restaurants and lounges (Exhibit 4-a).
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. David Harris thanked everyone for help with the benefit for the Pizzetta family.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of items (c) and (q) which were pulled by Alderman Denyer and items (f) and (r) which were pulled by Alderman Lloyd and the Addendum to the Agenda.
Alderman Denyer pulled item (c) and asked about the architecture fees for the grant for repairs to the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center and Grant Writer Carolyn Martin explained that the architect has guided the process thru the Mississippi Department of Archives & History. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize advertising bid specification for window repairs and re-glazing for the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center to be funded with CDBG Round I Hurricane Supplemental Funds.
Alderman Denyer pulled item (q) and said he has received complaints about the MEMA cottages. The Community Development & Planning Director explained the program. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize placement of a MEMA Cottage at 623 Jackson Avenue.
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (f) and asked that the report be updated. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to accept the Action Report.
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (r) and asked if the City has any liability for a private pier and the City Attorney said no. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to accept the Building Departments recommendation to issue a permit for a pier at 110 Temple Terrace.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman Weaver to authorize a resolution adopting a Section 3 Plan as required by regulations governing the Katrina Supplemental CDBG Program and the Gulf Region CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Program and to be applicable to projects funded by the respective grant programs (Exhibit 7-a). Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, Lloyd, McDonnell, Weaver, Denyer and Dalgo voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute the annual Memorandum of Agreement for continuation in the Mississippi Main Street Association’s Main Street-Urban Main Street-Small Town Program 2007-2008 (Exhibit 7-b).
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute an agreement with CGI Communication, Inc. Streaming Video for the website (Exhibit 7-c).
The Mayor presented a letter from Cable One regarding an increase in rates (Exhibit 7-d).
The Mayor recommended that hybrid vehicles be introduced into the City fleet and a purchasing policy be adopted that favors environmentally sensitive products and procurement procedures.
Community Development & Planning
The Director of Community Development & Planning gave a Power Point presentation of the long range plan.
The Director of Community Development & Planning explained that the Human Resources building was tested for mold and the levels are not considered unsafe. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman McDonnell to demolish the Human Resources building. Motion failed with Aldermen Gill, McDonnell and Lloyd voting aye and Aldermen Weaver, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan voting nay. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman Dalgo to direct Facilities Director Robert Ladnier to have a qualified heating and air specialist and the Building Official examine the building for needed repairs and prepare a report and have the Director of Community Development & Planning prepare a site plan. Motion failed with Aldermen Weaver, Denyer and Dalgo voting aye and Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd and Hagan voting nay.
Public Works
The Public Works Director gave a report on backflow prevention in response to a citizen’s request. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to spread the report upon the minutes (Exhibit 7-j).
The Public Works Director gave a status report on the Frank Sutherland water bill. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan and seconded by Alderman McDonnell to adjust Mr. Sutherland’s water bill based on the fact that the user did not get the benefit of the water based on unforeseen circumstances to a three month average. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Weaver, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Lloyd voting nay.
City Attorney
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell and seconded by Alderman Lloyd to adopt Ordinance No. 22-2007 AN AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE NO. 13-1976 REZONING PROPERTY HEREIN DESCRIBED FROM R-4 TO C-1 (Exhibit 7-h).
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
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute an agreement with MCMR and ACOE for the Shearwater Bridge project (Exhibit 7-i).
ALDERMAN’S FORUM
Alderman McDonnell said that the incoming President of the WAMA Board requested a joint meeting with their board to discuss the kitchen facility. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to have the Mayor schedule a joint work session with the WAMA Board of Directors and the Board of Aldermen to discuss the kitchen facilities and prospective renovations.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize $1,250 from the Alderman At Large Capital Improvement Account and $1,250 from the Mayor’s Capital Improvement Account for the Stark Bayou entrance way.
Alderman Weaver asked the Code Enforcement Officer to contact the homeowners of 108 Ashley Place about clean up of the site and give them a target date.
Alderman Hagan asked for a hard copy of the City Code of Ordinances.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to recess until 5:00 p.m. on December 18, 2007.
