Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
RECESS MEETING OF JUNE 3, 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 3, 2009. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Denyer, and Hagan were present. Also present were City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards. Aldermen Weaver and Dalgo were absent.
The Mayor gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC HEARING
The Planning Director advised that Ms. Richards hired Cowart Architects to prepare plans for the renovation of the existing structure and construction of new addition. Mr. E. Foley Ranson, attorney for the property owner, Ms. Mara Lou Hutton Richards, confirmed this fact. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to table the lot clearing public hearing on 7 Gulfview Drive and spread a copy of the letters presented upon the minutes.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to open a lot cleaning hearing for 1311 Glacier Drive. The Building Official stated the property has been cleaned but neighbors are still complaining about condition of the house. The property owner, Mr. Larry Jackson, explained repairs will begin on the roof; house will be gutted and restored. Ms. Carol Jones, President of the Parktown East Civic Association, spoke with concerns about the condition of the house. She stated the property owners have been given ample time to bring the house up to code and it has become a safety and health hazard. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to come out of the public hearing. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to table the lot cleaning hearing on 1311 Glacier Drive and direct the property owner, Mr. Jackson, to prepare a timeline of his plans to bring the house up to code by the next Board meeting and spread a copy of the various emails concerning this property upon the minutes.
OLD BUSINESS
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to accept the recommendation to install 16-150 watt MH acorn fixtures on concrete aggregate poles in the amount of $6,059.00 and maintained by Mississippi Power Company at a monthly cost for lights and poles of $603.20 to cover electricity and maintenance at Fort Maurepas Park (Exhibit 4-a).
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to accept the Architect’s color recommendations of gray for the pavers and 3 shades of blue for the playground pads at Fort Maurepas Park.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Charles Rivers and Mr. Scott Lemon presented the insurance proposal for the City’s building insurance. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to accept the insurance proposal (Exhibit 5-a).
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Scott Walker thanked all of the citizens who voted in the election and also the city clerk and city staff and congratulated the Mayor and all the Aldermen who were successful in the election.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of items (b) and (l) which were pulled by Alderman Lloyd and item (j) which was pulled by Alderman Hagan.
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (b) to ask if there were intentions to update and revise the guidelines for Ocean Springs Historic District Design. The Planning Director stated there were plans for such an update. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute the Memorandum of Agreement for Certified Local Government Grant award of $3,000.00 to help fund the update and revision of the Ocean Springs Historic District Design Guidelines (Exhibit 7-b).
Alderman Hagan pulled item (j) to table until the next meeting. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to table item (7-j) until the next meeting and provide a letter from each Department Head stating whether they agree or disagree with this policy and to further state why they disagree (Exhibit 7-j).
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (l) to state he does not approve of this type of expenditure. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman Gill to advertise city resources with the Ocean Springs Athletic Foundation at their 8th Annual Coach Hugh Pepper Golf Classic in the amount of $700.00 and amend the budget accordingly. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Lloyd voting nay (Exhibit 7-l).
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Mr. James Warren, Halstead Bayou Subdivision, requested support for replacement of hurricane damaged subdivision entrance feature. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize up to $5,000.00 from Ward 4 Capital Improvement Account for subdivision entrance feature at Ashley Place/Halstead Bayou Subdivision. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize up to $5,000.00 from Ward 2 Capital Improvement Account for subdivision entrance feature at Ashley Place/Halstead Bayou Subdivision. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to authorize the Public Works Department to remove the remnants of original wall and street sign once clearance is given (Exhibit 9-b).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor:
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to appoint Planning Director, Eric Meyer, to be the representative for the ad-hoc committee to coordinate beautification campaign for the National Governors Association Annual Meeting to be held July 17-20, 2009 on the Mississippi Gulf Coast (Exhibit 8-a).
The Mayor asked the Board to submit project lists for the 2011 Tidelands Grants before the next Board meeting (Exhibit 8-b).
The Mayor presented a letter from Mississippi Department of Transportation concerning construction overlay of U.S. Highway 90 including bays, turn lanes, driveways, etc. (Exhibit 8-c).
Human Resources/Risk Management:
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to observe the 4th of July, 2009, holiday on Friday, July 3, 2009.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell and seconded by Alderman Gill to set the swearing-in ceremony for July 1, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. at the Ocean Springs Community Center and to ask Judge G. Charles Bordis, IV to perform the ceremony. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd and Denyer voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to appoint Ms. Sue Ray to coordinate the arrangements for the swearing-in ceremony.
Public Works:
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to declare the heavy rain event on March 25-28, 2009, as an emergency. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to designate Andre Kaufman, Public Works Director, as the Applicant’s Agent and to authorize to sign all necessary documents (Exhibit 8-d).
Parks and Leisure Services:
The Parks and Leisure Services Director stated there will be a city employee picnic on Saturday, June 13th at 10:00 a.m. at Gulf Islands National Seashore Park.
Community Development and Planning:
The Planning Director announced the Comprehensive Plan is out for public comment and a public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9th.
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Alderman Gill explained there is a sinkhole at 1323 Diller Road. The Public Works Department investigated the problem and found that the 42” ADS pipe has become egg shaped and is starting to split and separate at the joints. The Public Works Director advised he has applied for a matching grant from the Pat Harrison Waterway in the amount of $25,000.00 to match $25,00.00 which is currently in the budget for a total of $50,000.00 (Exhibit .
Alderman Gill advised he needs a lighting study done by Singing River Electric Power Association on Portree Place.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize up to $2,500.00 to allow Joe Gill to attend the Special Session of the Legislature for all matters pertaining to the City of Ocean Springs and amend the budget accordingly.
Alderman McDonnell asked the Planning Director for a timeline for the plans for Myrtle Keys Municipal Park and report at the next meeting.
Alderman Lloyd asked for a status on the steps going to the bridge. The Planning Director reported this was an MDOT project and the steps were included in their plans.
Alderman Lloyd asked for an update on the oyster shells at the end of the new pier. Alderman Denyer advised it was scheduled to be done.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to authorize the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to change the speed limit on Porter Avenue from Washington Avenue to Magnolia Avenue from 30 mph to 25 mph.
Alderman Denyer asked the Planning Director to remove the demonstration strip by the harbor.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to authorize the Board and the City Attorney to meet with Supervisor John McKay and Tax Assessor Bennie Goff to review the properties on East Beach Drive to investigate which property lines go to the waters edge and report back to the Board.
Alderman Denyer asked the Mayor to check on the lights on the overpass that stay on continuously.
Alderman Denyer complimented the work done by the Public Works Department on Halstead Road.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize up to $1,500.00 from Ward 6 Capital Improvement Account for lighting at the entrance sign at Highway 90 and 57.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, 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 Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss personnel in the fire department; personnel in parks and leisure services department and potential litigation.
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 Gill, seconded by Alderman McDonnell to extend the probationary period for an employee in the Parks and Leisure Services Department from six months to an additional 90 days for the purpose of evaluating of additional job duties.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to accept the resignation of Fire Chief, Pat Williams, effective June 30, 2009, and appoint Jeff Ponson as Interim Fire Chief effective July 1, 2009, at the current Fire Chief’s salary.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to authorize to begin the process to fill the vacancy of the Fire Chief.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman McDonnell to implement that all children enrolled in the Ocean Springs Summer Camp program will pay fees for these services including all city employees. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, and Denyer voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to recess until 6:00 p.m. on June 16, 2009.
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City Clerk Mayor
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