| Minutes – February 17, 2010 – 6: 00 p.m. Recess Meeting

Aldermen Minutes

MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS

RECESS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 17, 2010

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 February 17, 2010. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Ross, Gill, McDonnell, Cody, Denyer and Hagan were present. Also present was City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards. Alderman Dalgo was absent.

Alderman Cody led the invocation and the Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Moran requested an amendment to the agenda. Motion was made by Alderman Ross, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to amend the agenda to add an item under “Old Business” for a presentation by the Economic Development Council and to move item (6-p) from the “Consent Agenda” to “New Business” to allow the property owner to appeal the decision of the Historic Preservation Commission as item (4-b).

OLD BUSINESS

Mr. Sam Alsgood, Chairman of the Economic Development Council, spoke on behalf of the Council stating their purpose is to foster this robust economy within Ocean Springs by bringing in new business and adding to business currently here. They will be looking to provide superior support with respect to the municipal services and also streamlining the permitting process. The Council’s shared vision is to establish Ocean Springs as a recognized center for innovation and prosperous business environment. Their strategic plan is branding; marketing and cultivating a competitive cluster of industry within Ocean Springs.

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman Gill expressed his concern for the deteriorating condition of Highway 90 from Bechtel Boulevard to the East end of town and asked by MDOT would not commit to a date for overlaying Highway 90. He asked the Mayor to draft another letter to MDOT concerning this matter.

Mr. Dickey Arndt asked the Board to overturn the Historic Preservation Commission’s decision to deny the COA for fencing at 112 Shearwater Drive. Mr. Arndt stated he requested to install chain link fencing at 112 Shearwater Drive to replace fencing destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. Motion was by Alderman Cody and seconded by Alderman Ross to deny the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission and approve the COA for fencing at 112 Shearwater Drive because the applicant was repairing fencing damaged by Hurricane Katrina and thus a repair that did not involve a change from its previous design, material and appearance. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Cody, Ross and Denyer voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay (4-b).

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mrs. Hughley asked to honor Marshall and Elizabeth Keyes by naming the playground by the Baptist Church that was given by the Keyes to the City. Alderman Denyer asked the Parks and Leisure Services Director to research this matter and report back to the Board.

Mr. Dempsey Levi stated his concerns about the bad road condition of Highway 90 near North Halstead Road and Highway 90. He stated it is dangerous and needs to be repaired. He also stated concerns with cigarette butts all over the City. He also asked about unleashed dogs. The Mayor advised the only place dogs can run at large in the City is East Beach.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to add the addendum to the Agenda.

Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Cody to accept the Consent Agenda with exception of item (f) which was pulled by Alderman Denyer and item (c) which was pulled by Alderman Hagan. Motion carried with Alderman McDonnell, Cody, Ross and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Denyer voting nay.

Alderman Denyer pulled item (f) for clarification of the Change Order. The Planning Director advised the concrete work should be done in ten (10) days and punch list in mid March. He advised the drainage system was not scheduled to complete until the landscape phase of the project but the contractor has now proposed to install a drainage system now due to the standing water problem. Alderman Denyer asked if the Contract has used sand from the existing beach for the project.

Alderman Gill left the meeting.

Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Cody to authorize the Mayor to execute Change Order #5 for CDBG Round III Front Beach Sidewalk Project with the stipulation that the engineers and designers by present at the next meeting to answer questions. Motion carried with Alderman McDonnell, Cody, Ross and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Denyer voting nay (6-f).

Alderman Hagan pulled item (c). Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Ross and unanimously carried to transfer up to $500.00 from Ward 6 Capital Improvement Account to Miscellaneous Promotion Account for a Silver sponsorship of $1,000.00 to advertise the resources of the City at the 2^nd Annual Stroke for Hope Golf Tournament hosted by the Jackson County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) (6-c).

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

The Mayor presented a letter of support from the Walter Anderson Museum of Art Board of Trustees concerning the planned kitchen expansion project in the adjacent Ocean Springs Community Center (7-d).

Motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman McDonnell to adopt Ordinance No. 2010-04 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (Exhibit A-2a). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:

Alderman Ross Voted Aye

Alderman Gill Absent

Alderman McDonnell Voted Aye

Alderman Cody Voted Aye

Alderman Denyer Voted Aye

Alderman Dalgo Absent

Alderman Hagan Voted Aye

Risk Management/HR:

Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to memorialize the practice of hiring After School and summer camp program workers as needed to meet state licensed daycare facility staffing requirements without going through the Agenda process and further the hiring of School Crossing Guards and Summer Youth Corps workers is handled in the same manner.

Community Development & Planning:

The Planning Director advised there was public hearing held at the Department of Marine Resources concerning the East Beach walkway and DMR did approve the permit. Upon approval from MDOT, they should begin the project in March.

The Planning Director updated the Board on the Downtown Streetscape Project.

He advised the final intersection should be complete by Monday. Alderman McDonnell asked the Planning Director and City Engineer to check for a drainage problem at Robinson Street and Washington Avenue on the West side and a water leak on Washington Avenue.

The Planning Director stated it is proposed to have additional seat wall near Fort Maurepas Park and asked for Board input.

Public Works Dept.:

The Public Works Director stated his water department is short staffed due to an individual being out on Worker’s Compensation and asked to hire a laborer.

ALDERMEN’S FORUM

Alderman Ross asked to meet with Alderman Cody and the Public Works Director to look at a drainage problem at the First Baptist Church.

Alderman McDonnell asked for the status of the privacy fence to be erected at Freedom Field. The Parks and Leisure Services Director advised the materials were delivered today and will begin the project in a couple of days.

Alderman McDonnell asked for a status of Jan Walker’s property on Front Beach. The Planning Director advised that Christus Victor volunteers will help to replace the tyvek wrap and the clean-up of the property.

Alderman McDonnell asked for a status of the slab removals on Hurricane Katrina damaged properties. The Planning Director advised they will start working on slab removals.

Alderman McDonnell asked the Fire Chief to ask the state review board for an informal discussion to find out where we are in the process and how the City can obtain a lower fire rating to be eligible for insurance premium discounts on State wind and hail policies. The Fire Chief stated they are scheduled for a rate review this year.

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 a motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss potential litigation regarding East Beach; potential litigation regarding Alice Street Tennis Courts; Annexation and potential litigation that may arise from vicious dog bites.

Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.

Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to adjourn until 6:00 p.m. on March 2, 2010.

Meeting ended at 8:34 p.m.

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City Clerk Mayor

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