Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
RECESS MEETING OF MARCH 16, 2010
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 March 16, 2010. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Ross, Gill, McDonnell, Cody, Dalgo and Hagan were present. Also present was City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards. Alderman Denyer was absent.
Alderman Cody led the invocation and the Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Moran requested an amendment to the agenda. Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to amend the agenda to add an Old Business item – Ocean Springs Renaissance Faire as Item 4-b and also to move Old Business before New Business.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Henry Furr presented the revised plans for the pavilion at the Alice Street Tennis Court Site. Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to accept the revised plans for the pavilion at the Alice Street Tennis Court site and continue with bid specifications for advertisement (Exhibit 4-a).
Mr. Herb Moore and Ms. Michelle Hale reported that the Ocean Springs Renaissance Faire would be held on Saturday, May 1st and Sunday, May 2nd at Freedom Field. Mr. Moore advised they received a grant for media advertisement with Cable One for the event. They also thanked the City and all the various departments for their help with the past events. Mr. Moore requested financial assistance from the City along with the other requests made.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize up to $200.00 each from Ward 1, 2, 3, 6 and Alderman at Large Capital Improvement Accounts to advertise the resources of the City at the Ocean Springs Renaissance Faire (Exhibit 4-b).
NEW BUSINESS
Alderman Gill reported the Cemetery Board met on March 9, 2010, and discussed Evergreen Cemetery; additional expansion to Evergreen Cemetery; property on Groveland Road as a possible cemetery and Bellande Cemetery. Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to hire an engineering firm to identify and mark the 62 plots acquired by the City at Evergreen Cemetery.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to authorize the City Engineer to add the property acquired by the City from Smith Properties on the Evergreen Cemetery plat or map (Exhibit 3-a).
Alderman Gill asked to postpone the discussion on the In-House Engineer for Project Reviews until the next meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Walter Bolton of Bolton/Lack/Furr, architects of record for the Public Safety Center, asked to be added to the Department Reports for the Police and Fire Departments.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to accept the Consent Agenda. Alderman Gill abstained from the vote.
Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Ross and unanimously carried to add the addendum to the Agenda. Alderman Gill abstained from the vote.
Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Ross and unanimously carried to accept the Consent Agenda on the Addendum to the Agenda. Alderman Gill abstained from the vote.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor:
The Mayor reported their has been discussion to rename Park Road in honor of Ranger Robert L. McGhee who was killed in the line of duty on Park Road 20 years ago on May 26, 1990. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize the City Attorney to draft a Resolution supporting the National Park Service to rename Park Road in honor of the late Ranger Robert L. McGhee (Exhibit 7-a).
The Mayor presented correspondence regarding the Mary C. O’Keefe Café No Action Taken (Exhibit 7-b).
Police and Fire Departments:
Mr. Walter “Buzzy” Bolton reported there were some issues with the inspection and testing at the Public Safety Complex and would be presenting a Change Order to deduct these items from the contract if necessary. Following discussion of these issues, Ms. Martin and Mr. Meyer were asked to review the situation and bring an update back to the next regular Board meeting.
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Alderman Cody asked the Public Works Department to check the cutoff valves for water on Davidson; they are recessed and need to be brought up to make the road smoother.
Alderman Cody stated a problem with roots growing around the trees along Bechtel Blvd. He asked the Planning Director to research mats made to be placed over the roots to redirect the roots to grow into the ground.
Alderman McDonnell asked the Planning Director for an update and a timeline in writing regarding the clean-up at Jan Walker’s house to allow him to inform the residents in that are of the progress.
Alderman McDonnell asked for an update in writing on the demolition of 1305 Cove.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Ross and unanimously carried to authorize to apply for the Hazard Mitigation grant funds to elevate the south end of Washington Avenue and the Mayor to execute all necessary documents.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize up to $1,000.00 from Ward 2 Capital Improvement Account for beautification at the caboose.
Alderman Gill stated there is problem on Highway 90 where the asphalt meets the concrete near Quint Eye Clinc and also in front of AT&T. The Mayor advised she spoke to Kelly Castleberry with MDOT and he advised MDOT may be able to fix and overlay all of Highway 90 if the new round of Economic Stimulus funding goes through Congress. She hopes to hear something within the next six (6) weeks.
The Mayor asked the Public Works Department to build a bollard to allow MDOT to run wiring to mount a crosswalk button on Bristol Boulevard.
Alderman Gill stated there is a tree alongside the road on Ray Street impeding the drainage of some of the residents in that area and also growing into the power lines. Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to authorize the City Arborist to inspect the tree in the City right of way on Ray Street.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan 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 a motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss personnel in Police Department; potential litigation regarding a Contract; litigation regarding a Construction Contract; litigation regarding involving a nuisance and Annexation.
The City Attorney, John Edwards, exited executive session and asked the City Clerk to call Renee Rosscup. The City Clerk called twice. Renee Rosscup was not present.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to accept the recommendation of the Police Chief concerning the disciplinary action of a dispatcher.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to adjourn until 6:00 p.m. on April 6, 2010.
Meeting ended at 8:46 p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor
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