Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
RECESS MEETING OF JANUARY 16, 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 January 16, 2007. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver, Denyer and Hagan were present. Also present were City Clerk Adrienne Howell and City Attorney John Edwards. Alderman Dalgo was absent.
Mayor Moran gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
NEW BUSINESS
Matthew Langlinais was not in attendance (Exhibit 3-a).
Stephen Mullins explained that he had represented some individuals regarding the Seglio lot split which was approved last January (Exhibit 3-b). Dr. Seglio has sold the property to Dr. Noblin who would like to rescind the request for the lot split and road widening and asked that the road be abandoned. The City Attorney said that in order for the road to be abandoned the abutting property owners must agree, petition the City and waive their rights to damages due and an ordinance will be written. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize the City Attorney to proceed drawing up the documentation to abandon the right of way, rescind widening the road, the creation of a cul-de-sac and the original lot split on Indian Trail.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman Lloyd to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of items (s), (v) and (z) which were pulled by Alderman Lloyd, items (z) and (aa) which were pulled by Alderman Denyer and item (bb) which was pulled by Alderman McDonnell. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver and Denyer voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay.
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (s) to authorize the employment of an Arborist and asked if this would be paid by a grant. The Mayor explained that a grant has been received from the Mississippi Forestry Commission to hire an Arborist for one year. Alderman Lloyd stated that he will not support adding the position to staff once the grant has been completed. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver and seconded by Alderman Gill to authorize the employment of David Minkler, Arborist, annual salary $36,860.80, effective January 29, 2007, pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements (Exhibit 5-s). Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Weaver, Denyer and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Lloyd voting nay.
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (v) and asked if all of the buildings at Bienville Commons would be raised to allow for parking underneath. Assistant City Planner Angela Mohar said that the two residential buildings in the front would be raised to allow parking underneath and the planned parking structure will be eliminated. Alderman Lloyd expressed his concern that the developer may want to build another five story building where the parking garage was proposed and voiced his opposition. Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to table the recommendation of the Planning Commission to approve the revised site plan at Bienville Commons until the developers can attend a Board meeting and answer questions; be encouraged to incorporate green space in place of the parking garage; and have a meeting with the Public Works Department, Fire Department and the Assistant City Planner to review the project.
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (z) to approve a side yard variance at 435 East Beach Drive and asked if the abutting homeowners have been notified. Ms. Mohar answered affirmatively. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to accept the Zoning & Adjustment Boards recommendation to approve a side yard variance at 435 East Beach Drive.
Alderman Denyer pulled item (aa) and asked that it be discussed in Executive Session. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to discuss item (aa) to accept the extension of retirement date of Donovon Scruggs, Community Development Director, effective January 26, 2007 in Executive Session.
Alderman McDonnell pulled item (bb) and asked that it be discussed in Executive Session. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to discuss item (bb) to authorize a change in policy: compensation for personal leave on termination of employment in Executive Session.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to adopt the resolutions pertaining to the Application of CDBG funding (Exhibit 6-a).
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to recognize the Joint Harbor Committee and appoint Mayor Moran, Alderman Weaver and Alderman Lloyd to serve as members (Exhibit 6-b).
The Mayor announced that the School Board candidates will be interviewed Thursday, January 18, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. She also said that four applications were received for the vacancies on the Library Board.
The Mayor announced that the Historic Preservation Office of the State of Mississippi has made a finding of no adverse effects on archeological resources on the Fort Maurepas soil borings. The official word will go to FEMA which will determine the amount and obligate the funds to go forward and redevelop the Fort Maurepas site.
The Mayor presented a status listing of county and state CIAP proposals (Exhibit 6-h).
City Clerk
The City Clerk presented the recommendation to appoint Mr. Robert Mohler to the Taxi Board and explained that there is not a requirement to live in city limits to serve on a board or commission. The Mayor recused herself and left the room for the discussion and Mayor Pro Tempore Weaver assumed control of the meeting. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to appoint Mr. Robert Mohler to the Taxi Board. Mayor Moran returned following the vote and assumed control of the meeting.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to accept the CDBG Selection Committee recommendations (Exhibit 6-e).
Fire
Chief Hare announced that the Gulf Park Estates/St. Andrews Fire Protection District has waived the reimbursement of training costs for a recent hire and is most appreciative of the donation of a 1975 Firetruck (Exhibit 6-f).
Parks & Leisure Services
Ms. Gerry Straight reported that the recreational surveys have been distributed to the community via the website and program participation and the results so far rank the Highway 57 project as a top priority (Exhibit 7-h). Alderman Denyer asked that a notice be placed on the water bill to direct citizens to the survey on the website.
ALDERMAN’S FORUM
Alderman McDonnell asked what the deadline is for the return of the Waterview surveys and the Mayor replied that it is January 20, 2007.
Alderman McDonnell said he is concerned that the Design Guidelines are too stringent and may be discouraging developers. He asked the Assistant City Planner to investigate how many projects met the criteria and have been approved under the Design Guidelines. Alderman Lloyd asked that she investigate the number of commercial applicants in the past three years for a comparison. Alderman Weaver said a meeting was held with local architects regarding changes to the Design Guidelines and they made some good suggestions but the changes to the Waterview Ordinance took precedence.
Alderman Lloyd asked the Assistant Police Chief to patrol Linda Circle for speeding.
Alderman Weaver said the residents of Gulf Oaks Condominiums did not receive the Waterview Survey. Ms. Mohar said she would investigate.
Alderman Weaver said that there is a drainage problem behind 225 Linda Drive and Mr. Kaufman said that it has been taken care of.
Alderman Denyer said that the Sign Ordinance is too inflexible; signs are placed low and cannot be seen. Ms. Mohar said she would review the sign regulations for the next meeting.
Alderman Weaver asked that the Planning Commission consider changing the height of buildings in the Central Business District. Currently they are allowed five stories which is 75 feet high and it may be more appropriate that they be limited to three to four stories.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill 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 McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss personnel issues in the Police Department, Building Department and Planning Department in relation to items (aa) and (bb) of the agenda, current litigation and economic development.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to allow Donovon Scruggs to change his resignation date for up to four weeks from now in order to help with the transition.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to adjourn until 6:00 p.m. on February 6, 2007.
