Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 2, 2008
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 January 2, 2008. 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.
The Mayor gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Moran asked that the agenda be amended to move item 3-b to Public Comments.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Kelly Castleberry, representative for Mississippi Department of Transportation, gave an update on the bridge; that the signage would be evaluated when the project is complete; that a traffic study would be done on Highway 90 and MDOT would cover up the current graffiti done at the new bridge site.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to send a letter to the Mississippi Department of Transportation requesting a study concerning more lanes and service roads.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to send a letter to the Mississippi Department of Transportation requesting maintenance at intersection of Highway 90 and Hanshaw Road.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Jane Beaugez asked that item 3-b be tabled so that the public could be advised of the changes to the Ordinance and that she would ask that there are no acronyms on the agenda.
Ms. Pamela Cox stated her objections to the type of advertising used for the 2% tax levy on restaurant/lounge owners preceding the election.
Ms. Courtney Blossman asked that item 3-b be tabled because the area variance had not been defined or explained and there has been no discussion on the ordinance change.
Mr. Doug Denehie stated that he voted for the amendment to the Ordinance No. 15-2004 area variance; however after discussion with various people and asked there be a cap.
Ms. Karen Chance spoke in favor of the area variance.
Ms. Larry Cosper thanked the Mayor for moving item 3-b to Public Comments and stated that this amendment to the Ordinance would dramatically change several areas in the City.
The Community Development Director and the City Attorney explained the proposed Amendment to Ordinance No. 15-2004 providing for an area variance.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan to adopt the Amendment to Ordinance No. 15-2004 as presented. After further discussion, Alderman Hagan withdrew his motion. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo to table until January 15, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. for a work session to discuss this Ordinance with the public. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, Lloyd, Weaver, Denyer and Dalgo voting aye and Aldermen McDonnell and Hagan voting nay (Exhibit 3-b).
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of item (b) which was pulled by the Mayor; items (c) and (d) which were pulled by Alderman Weaver, items (l), (p), (q) and (r) which were pulled by Alderman Lloyd, and item (m) which was pulled by Alderman Denyer.
The Mayor pulled item (b) to request to advertise is for qualifications only for professional services for the recreational and public safety facilities. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo and seconded by Alderman Denyer to authorize the RFQs for professional services for the recreational and public safety facilities. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver, Denyer and Dalgo voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay (Exhibit 6-b).
Alderman Weaver pulled item (c) & (d) and asked what the time was for the proposed project. Carolyn Martin, Grants Administrator, briefed the board on the project. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize Mayor to execute Contracts with Compton Engineering and Bruce Tolar Architects for engineering and architectural services related to CDBG-funded Streetscape Project and authorize advertising RFPs for Architect Services; CDBG Round III Katrina Supplemental funds for the Fire Relocation Project (Exhibit 6-c and 6-d).
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (l) and asked for explanation of the budget amendments. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Hagan and unanimously carried to accept the Budget Amendments (Exhibit 6-l).
Alderman Denyer pulled item (m) to thank Detective Captain Louis Miller for his dedication and years of hard work for the City of Ocean Springs.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan to go into closed session to determine the need for executive session. Motion failed with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver, Denyer and Hagan voting nay and Alderman Dalgo voting aye.
Alderman Lloyd pulled items (p), (q) and (r) for clarification on the purchases of these items. The Police Chief explained that the purpose for the refrigeration unit is for cold storage in the event of a natural disaster or catastrophic event which requires long term storage and temperature sensitive items and could also be used as a temporary morgue. He further explained that the forensic video system would be beneficial in the investigation of crimes. The City Clerk explained the servers. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to award the bid for outdoor refrigeration system to Polar King International, Inc. in the amount of $28,763.60 (Exhibit 6-p). Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to award the bid for the forensic video system to Dynamic Technologies, Inc. in the amount of $32,146.00 (Exhibit 6-q). Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to award the bid for police server, EOC server and exchange server to AGJ Systems and Networks, Inc. in the amount of $57,672.00 (Exhibit 6-r).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor
The Mayor presented a letter sent to the Jackson-George County Regional Library Board (Exhibit 7-b).
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to budget up to two (2) newsletters to be sent between now and end of fiscal year to all water/sewer customers. All department heads will be asked for input (Exhibit 7-c).
The Mayor asked for a status report on the Elephant Walk. The Public Works Director advised that FEMA requested additional quotes because they felt that the first quote of $19,550.00 was unreasonable. Additional quotes were received ranging from $21,700.00 to $52,000.00. Motion was made by McDonnell, seconded by Lloyd, and unanimously carried to send a formal letter to FEMA concerning funding for the Elephant Walk (Exhibit 7-d).
City Clerk
Alderman McDonnell asked for an update on the 2% tax levy. The State Tax Commission will attend the work session scheduled for Friday, January 4, 2008, to answer questions and give an update. Alderman McDonnell asked to have an open discussion with the restaurant/lounge owners to provide them with factual information and support. The Mayor stated she would ask the Chamber of Commerce to set up this meeting.
Police
The Police Chief presented a Policy on Graffiti. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Weaver to accept the graffiti policy. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Denyer voting nay (Exhibit 7-f).
The Police Chief also reported that there had been zero traffic related fatalities for 2007.
ALDERMAN’S FORUM
Alderman McDonnell reported on dumping on Hudson Street and it was determined who had been dumping the trash. The Public Works Director stated the trash had been picked up.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan to hold a public meeting once a quarter at a location other than City Hall and to schedule the 2nd meeting in March at the Civic Center. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Weaver, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Lloyd voting nay.
Alderman Gill reported on late night activity at Marble Springs and asked for Parks Director, City Attorney and Police Chief to make determination if it is an official park.
Alderman Lloyd asked for contact information for emergencies in the water/sewer department for nights, weekends and holidays. The Public Works Director advised to call the police department and they will contact necessary city employees.
Alderman Lloyd asked for update on road repairs in his ward. The Public Works Director explained that there is still 70 days left on the Contract and asphalt work will begin on Monday, January 7, 2008.
Alderman Hagan asked that the Lemoyne Park lights be turned off at 10:00 PM.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, 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 that a motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss a personnel issue in the Police Department.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to accept the resignation of Detective Caption Louis Miller effective January 15, 2008, and authorize beginning the process to fill the vacancy.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to recess until 6:00 p.m. on January 15, 2008.
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City Clerk Mayor
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