Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
RECESS MEETING OF JUNE 16, 2009
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 June 16, 2009. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, 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.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to amend the agenda to add item (4-d) – Authorize Change Order for Alice Street Tennis Courts under Old Business.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to authorize to extend the terms of all boards, commissions and appointed positions until August 17, 2009 (Exhibit 6-e).
Motion was made by Alderman Gill and seconded by Alderman McDonnell to appoint Matthew Mestayer as City Judge. After further discussion, Alderman Gill withdrew his motion and Alderman McDonnell withdrew his second. Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to table item (3-a) until next Board meeting on July 7, 2009.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to create a beautification committee with a representative from each ward and selected department heads (Exhibit 4-a).
OLD BUSINESS
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman Lloyd to approve the revisions to Substance Abuse in the Workplace Policy. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver, Denyer and Dalgo voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay (Exhibit 4-a).
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to submit the following projects to the Department of Marine Resources for the FY2010 Tidelands funding: 1) $250,000.00 for boat ramp and boat trailer parking at foot of Highway 90; 2) $100,000.00 toward the Front Beach Walkway for lighting and vegetation where appropriate and 3) $300,000.00 toward the purchase of the Ocean Springs Seafood property (Exhibit 4-b).
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to submit the following priorities to the Department of Marine Resources for the FY2010 Tidelands funding: 1) $250,000.00 for boat ramp and boat trailer parking at foot of Highway 90; 2) $100,000.00 toward the Front Beach Walkway for lighting and vegetation where appropriate and 3) $300,000.00 toward the purchase of the Ocean Springs Seafood property/capital improvement (Exhibit 4-b).
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to re-submit these and the following projects to the Department of Marine Resources for the FY2011 Tidelands funding due July 1, 2009: 1) $70,000.00 toward the Blue Ways to accommodate small kayaks at Marble Springs and Twelve Oaks properties on Fort Bayou, tying into nature trails, and 2) $200,000.00 toward boardwalk, bike path, lighting and landscaping for harbor walk from harbor parking lot near harbormaster office around toward LaFontaine as in proposed Master Plan. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Weaver voting nay.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman McDonnell to accept the recommendation of the City Engineer and Project Manager to discharge water into the sanitary sewer system for the splash pad at Fort Maurepas Park. Motion failed with Aldermen Lloyd, McDonnell and Gill voting aye and Aldermen Weaver, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan voting nay.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver and seconded by Alderman Dalgo to install recirculation system under the splash pad at Fort Maurepas Park. After further discussion, Alderman Weaver withdrew her motion and Alderman Dalgo withdrew his second.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo to authorize the Project Manager, City Engineer and Architect of Fort Maurepas Park to meet with three (3) Aldermen to gather all information and data on the splash pad system to allow the Board to make an informed decision. Motion failed with Aldermen Denyer and Dalgo voting aye and Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver and Hagan voting nay.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman McDonnell to reconsider a motion to accept the recommendation of the City Engineer and Project Manager to discharge water into the sanitary sewer system for the splash pad at Fort Maurepas Park. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, and Weaver voting aye and Aldermen Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan voting nay (Exhibit 4-c).
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to task the Public Works Director, City Engineer and the Mayor to provide funding sources to upgrade the lift station.
The Project Manager for Fort Maurepas Park advised she did not have cost estimate to install a drinking fountain at the pavilion. No action taken (Exhibit 4-c).
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell and seconded by Alderman Lloyd to approve Additive Alternates 8, 9, 10, 6 and historic flags pending approval from related funding source and availability of funds. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver and Denyer voting aye and Aldermen Dalgo and Hagan voting nay (Exhibit 4-c).
Mr. Joey Furr gave an update on the Highway 57 Sports Complex. He advised that the project is moving very well. The site is completely cleared and they are in the process of putting in sewer pipes and water pipes.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute Changer Order in the amount of $4,225.00 for pipe junction box for Colonial Street and court drainage pending review of City Attorney, City Engineer and Public Works approval (Exhibit 4-d). Mr. Furr advised the site work will be finished by the end of the week and once soil test done, they will begin forming up the tennis courts next week.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Alderman Weaver stated she was honored to serve with the Board, Mayor and department heads and proud of all the things accomplished over the last four (4) years.
Alderman Lloyd thanked the department heads and city staff and further stated this was the best board he has served on.
Ms. Tammy Tarazano with the Gulf Coast Canine Research & Rehab asked for help with volunteers and cash donations to be able to keep their doors open. She stated this was a non-profit organization and they have helped more than 200 dogs in the past year to find new homes.
Mr. Brian Sanderson, 312 Washington Avenue, presented sales tax data from the Mississippi State Tax Commission.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor:
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to apply for MDOT permit for turning bay for Highway 57 and any other permit applications to MDOT.
Public Works:
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to authorize moving the department head table to south side of room and purchase lapel microphones for each department head to wear during the board meetings.
Community Development & Planning:
The Planning Director advised the Comprehensive Plans is out for public comments. A second public hearing is scheduled for July 14, 2009.
City Attorney:
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan and seconded by Alderman Denyer to adopt Ordinance No. 2009-14 An Amendment to Ordinance No. 13-1976 Rezoning Property Herein Described from C-4A to C-3 – 3401 Bienville Boulevard (Exhibit 7-d). 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 Voting Aye
Alderman Dalgo Voting Aye
Alderman Hagan Voting Aye
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan and seconded by Alderman Dalgo to adopt Ordinance No. 2009-15 An Amendment to Code of Ordinances, the City of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Redefining the Speed Limits on Porter Avenue from its Intersection at Magnolia Avenue, Westward to its Intersection at Beach Drive (Exhibit 7-e). 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 Voting Aye
Alderman Dalgo Voting Aye
Alderman Hagan Voting Aye
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize up to $5,000.00 from Ward 5 Capital Improvement Account for piping drainage ditch on Pine Hills Road.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver and seconded by Alderman Lloyd to allocate $8,000.00 to the Walter Anderson Museum of Art from ending cash balance. Motion failed with Aldermen Lloyd, Weaver and Denyer voting aye and Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Dalgo and Hagan voting nay.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to adopt a resolution to determine the described property of an unnamed alley abandoned (Exhibit 8-c).
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize up to $4,000.00 from Alderman at Large Capital Improvement Account for equipment, microphones for theater and display case for art at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize up to $3,000.00 from Alderman at Large Capital Improvement Account for a telephone system for the library.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize up to $4,000.00 from Ward 3 Capital Improvement Account for grease trap for Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center Culinary Café.
Alderman McDonnell asked to follow up on lot cleaning at the Fayard property on Front Beach and clean up the graffiti.
Alderman McDonnell thanked Aldermen Lloyd and Weaver for the time spent serving on the Board of Aldermen and serving on certain committees.
Alderman Gill asked the Mayor to send letter to Mississippi Department of Transportation asking where the City is on the list for the paving of Highway 90.
Alderman Gill thanked Aldermen Lloyd and Weaver for serving on the Board of Aldermen and making Ocean Springs a better place to live.
Alderman Denyer also thanked Aldermen Lloyd and Weaver and how quietly they worked behind the scenes and took very little credit for the things they did.
Alderman Dalgo thanked Aldermen Lloyd and Weaver for serving on the Board of Aldermen and enjoyed working with them the past four (4) years.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to transfer $1,391.10 from Ward 3 Capital Improvement Account to the Police Department for back supports and hand grips for the motorcycles.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, 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 Gill, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss personnel in the police department; potential litigation regarding property ownership and potential litigation regarding invoice payment.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
The City Attorney, John Edwards, exited executive session and asked the City Clerk to call Teena Francisco. The City Clerk called twice. Teena Francisco was not present.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Weaver to accept Police Chief’s recommendation to suspend Teena Francisco for 30 days without pay and to return on one-year probation with a reprimand in her file.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize Police Chief to place Officer Stephen Bond on inactive status and authorize to begin the process to fill the vacancy.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize the Parks and Leisure Services Director to withhold the amount of $4,100.00 from invoice of Jefcoat Recreation.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to recess until 5:30 p.m. on June 25, 2009.
Meeting ended at 9:20 p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor
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