Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
RECESS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 19, 2008
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 19, 2008. Mayor Pro Tempore Weaver presiding, Aldermen Gill, Lloyd, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan were present. Also present was City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards. Mayor Moran and Alderman McDonnell were absent.
The Mayor Pro Tempore gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer, and unanimously carried to move Item 5a to be presented before Item 4.
PROCLAMATION
The Mayor Pro Tempore read a proclamation declaring February 23, 2008, as Levi Joseph Krystotek Day.
Alderman McDonnell arrives at the meeting at 6:05 p.m.
PRESENTATION
Mr. Robert E. Hirsch, Ocean Springs School Superintendent, presented an information packet concerning the bond issue of $35 million for the purpose of building a new high school.
PUBLIC HEARING
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to open a public hearing for the purposes of discussing fluoridation (Exhibit 4-a).
Opponents speaking against fluoridation:
Ms. Nisha Daynes spoke against fluoridation in the city water system.
Ms. Jane Beaugez spoke against fluoridation in the city water system.
Ms. Christina Halat spoke against fluoridation in the city water system.
Ms. Joyce Shaw spoke against fluoridation in the city water system.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan, and unanimously carried to include all documentation received at the Public Hearing to be spread on the minutes.
Documentation submitted against fluoridation:
1. New Evidence on Fluoride and the Developing Brain
2. Fluoride, Arthritis, and the Specter of Misdiagnosed Skeletal Fluorosis in the US
3. CDC Releases New National Data on Dental Fluorosis in American Children
4. Silicofluorides Linked (Again) to Lead Exposure Risk
5. NRC Panelists Release Risk-Assessment on Fluoride
6. Low-Level Fluoride Linked to Sperm Damage in Animals
7. U.S. Dentists “Unaware” of Recent Fluoride Research
8. No Link Found Between (Low-Fluoride) Bottled Water and Tooth Decay
9. Fluoridated Water for Adults: Very Little, If Any, Benefit
10. Second Thoughts on Water Fluoridation
11. The Absurdities of Water Fluoridation
12. Fluoride Facts
13. Fluoridation of Water Supply
14. Artificial Water Fluoridation
15. Statement from Jane Beaugez
*Note: Mayor Moran arrived and assumed control of the meeting at this point.
Proponents speaking in favor of fluoridation:
Dr. Nicholas Mosco spoke in favor of fluoridation in the city water supply.
Dr. John Justice spoke in favor of fluoridation in the city water supply.
Dr. Marvin Morgan spoke in favor of fluoridation in the city water supply.
Dr. Lauren Timmons spoke in favor of fluoridation in the city water supply.
Dr. Charles Smith spoke in favor of fluoridation in the city water supply.
Ms. Heidi Holland spoke in favor of fluoridation in the city water supply.
Dr. William Dunn spoke in favor of fluoridation in the city water supply.
Dr. Brian Maxey spoke in favor of fluoridation in the city water supply.
Dr. David Frank spoke in favor of fluoridation in the city water supply.
Dr. David Kiser spoke in favor of fluoridation in the city water supply.
Documentation in favor of fluoridation:
16. 10 Reasons to Fluoridate Public Water
17. Mississippi Fact Sheet – Community Water Fluoridation and Oral Health
18. Statements from Six Leading Health Organizations Regarding Community Water Fluoridation
19. AWWA Government Affairs – Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies
20. Percentage of county pws population receiving fluoridated water
21. Public Water Systems with Water Fluoridation
22. Water Fluoridation – Nature’s Way to Prevent Tooth Decay
23. Letter from Dr. Marvin W. Morgan, M.D.
24. Community Water Fluoridation Program – Mississippi State Department of Health
25. National and International Organizations that Recognize the Public Health Benefits of Community Water Fluoridation for Preventing Dental Decay
Mr. Philip Brent Dunaway gave a presentation against fluoridated water systems.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to close the Public Hearing and accept all documentation provided and include as public record.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell and seconded by Alderman Weaver to enter into the water fluoridation program with the Mississippi State Department of Health and participate in the grant program. Motion failed with Alderman McDonnell and Weaver voting aye and Alderman Gill, Denyer, Dalgo, Lloyd and Hagan voting nay.
Alderman Lloyd asked that the Public Works Department to investigate how to implement fluoride into the city water system.
OLD BUSINESS
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to authorize windstorm and excess windstorm coverage for the Police Department trailer (Exhibit 6-a).
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman Dalgo to authorize windstorm and excess windstorm coverage for the Armory and accessory buildings. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Weaver voting nay (Exhibit 6-a).
Mr. Chris Anderson gave a presentation about the benefits of the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation (Exhibit 7-a). Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to continue the partnership with the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation and extend the commitment for five (5) years for $27,000.00 per year.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Jane Beaugez asked that item 10-e be pulled and expressed her concern about exchanging a current holiday. She also expressed concern about the proposed new high school.
Mr. Tom Wilson expressed his appreciation of the Public Works Department for their continued help with the drainage ditch located on his property.
Ms. Melanie Bosarge asked for the support from the Mayor and Board with her efforts to convince MDOT to add a left turn lane from Highway 90 into her hotel, Indian Head Station.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of items (g) and (j) which were pulled by the Alderman Hagan, item (q) which was pulled by the Mayor, and items (h), (i), (p) and (t) which were pulled by Alderman Denyer.
Alderman Hagan pulled item (g) and asked for explanation of the budget amendments. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Gill and unanimously carried to adopt the Budget Amendments (Exhibit 9-g).
Alderman Denyer pulled item (h) and asked if any law firms located in Ocean Springs had submitted proposals for bond counsel and the City Clerk advised that no law firms from Ocean Springs had submitted proposals. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to approve the recommendation of the Finance Committee to award Bond Counsel services relating to the financing for Municipal Buildings and Recreations Facilities to Page, Mannino, Peresich and McDermott (Exhibit 9-h).
Alderman Denyer pulled item (i) and asked if this was a new position. The City Clerk explained it was not a new position; it was a replacement position. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize employment of Jennie Heines, General Administrative Clerk, hourly rate $10.72, effective February 20, 2008, pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements (Exhibit 9-i).
Alderman Hagan pulled item (j) and asked for clarification from the Police Chief. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize amending the Part-time Police Janitor to Full-time Police and City Hall Complex Janitor (Exhibit 9-j).
Alderman Denyer pulled item (p) and asked for clarification from the Community Development Director. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to accept the Planning Commission recommendation to deny the change in zoning district from R-1 single family residential district to R-1A special apartment use district at 1112 Lafontaine Street (Exhibit 9-p).
The Mayor pulled item (q). The Community Development Director gave an overview of the Fort Maurepas Park plans. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to accept the Historic Preservation Commission recommendation to approve the Fort Maurepas Park plans as presented (Exhibit 9-q).
Alderman Denyer pulled item (t) and asked for clarification from the Parks and Leisure Director concerning the Contract. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan to authorize the Mayor to execute the Professional Services Contract with Thompson Engineering to assist in revamping and designing existing plans for improvements to Little Children’s Park (Exhibit 9-t).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman Dalgo to approve the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Ocean Springs and Jackson County to fund improvements to the intersection of Highway 90 and Ocean Springs Road and adopt Resolution. Motion was carried with Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Weaver, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Lloyd voting nay (Exhibit 10-a).
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan and seconded by Alderman Denyer to approve the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Ocean Springs and Jackson County to fund improvements to the Alice Street Park Tennis Courts and adopt Resolution. After further discussion, Alderman Hagan withdrew his motion and Alderman Denyer withdrew his second. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to table item 10-b to get clarification on the maintenance of the Inner Harbor Park Tennis Facility (Exhibit 10-b).
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Gill, and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute the Memorandum of Agreement between the Mississippi Transportation Commission and the City of Ocean Springs for Art Placement on Aesthetic Walls (Exhibit 10-c).
City Clerk
The City Clerk reported that she received a quote in the amount of $6,700.00 for 7 laptops and running network lines. The Board authorized Alderman Hagan and any other Board member with computer knowledge to meet with the City Clerk to make a recommendation concerning the operating system to be used and how the laptops will benefit the Board.
Human Resources/Risk Manager
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to amend the budget accordingly for payment of the insurance premium for windstorm and excess windstorm coverage on the Police Trailer and the Armory and accessory buildings (Exhibit 6-a).
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman McDonnell, and unanimously carried to table the change in the City Holiday from Good Friday to Confederate Memorial Day (Exhibit 10-e).
Community Development & Planning
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Weaver, and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute the contract with Bruce Tolar to develop construction documents and solicit bids for the proposed addition to the current Human Resources building (Exhibit 10-f).
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer, and unanimously carried to adopt the Resolution requesting that public hearings be held in Jackson, George and Greene Counties, MS, and that the Environmental Impact Statement be made available on the Richton Salt Dome Project.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman McDonnell, and unanimously carried to adopt a policy recognizing that the Mayor’s “receiving” an ordinance occurs at the time the motion is properly made, voted and declared passed or, at least, 10 days from the date the monthly meeting is adjourned as in an appeal by a citizen.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo, and unanimously carried to allow the withdrawal of the Mayor’s Veto dated January 31, 2008.
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan, and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to contact Wayne Brown, Southern District Transportation Commissioner, to address the left turn lane at Indian Head Station or provide as much signage as possible.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer, and unanimously carried to draft a resolution opposing State Representative Brandon Jones formal repeal to Senate Bill 2403.
Alderman Denyer asked the Mayor to a draft letter for Board approval to start annexation proceedings with Jackson County concerning the 80 acres of school property.
Alderman Denyer asked for cost estimates from the City Engineer for a concrete boardwalk on the south side of East Beach.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill, and unanimously carried to authorize $1,580.00 for a street light at the end of Ashley Place to be paid from the general fund, and amend the budget accordingly.
Alderman Hagan asked if the City had a Recreational Vehicle Ordinance in place.
Alderman Hagan suggested purchasing several digital cameras for the officers to be kept in their police vehicle.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan and seconded by Alderman Dalgo to accept the quote for the 7 laptops and amend the budget accordingly. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Weaver, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Lloyd voting nay.
Alderman Hagan asked to start a rotation for each of the Aldermen to attend “Breakfast with the Mayor”.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to adjourn until 6:00 p.m. on March 4, 2008.
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City Clerk Mayor
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