Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
RECESS MEETING OF MARCH 17, 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 March 17, 2009. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver, Dalgo and Hagan were present. Also present were City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards. Alderman Denyer was absent.
They Mayor gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to add the addendum to the agenda.
The Mayor announced that item 3-b was pulled from the Agenda.
OLD BUSINESS
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution authorizing an Amendment to the Administrative Services Agreement for Professional Services with Jimmy G. Gouras in connection with Katrina Supplemental CDBG Program and related purposes and authorize Mayor to execute amended contract pending legal review (Exhibit 3-a).
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to approve the Change Order Status Report for Fort Maurepas Park in the amount of $7,919.20 (Exhibit 3-c).
Project Manager Milady Howard presented the Board with the list of Additive Alternates for the Fort Maurepas Park. Ms. Howard asked for direction from the Board to prioritize the additive alternates at the next meeting.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to accept the recommendation of the Project Architect for the exterior split face color block for Fort Maurepas Park (Exhibit 3-d).
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. John Rainwater, III, Traffic Engineering Division Director of ABMB Engineers, Inc. gave a power point presentation on the traffic analysis done at Government Street at Hanley Road and Government Street at Ocean Springs Road. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to send a letter to Gulf Regional Planning Commission to dedicate the Government Street Widening Project funds to the traffic signals project to enhance flow of traffic on Government Street.
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize City Attorney to draft a Resolution to be sent to the Jackson County Board of Supervisors and Mr. Benny Goff requesting if a reappraisal across the board cannot be done that we explore Mr. Goff’s possibility of trending down the property values through computer manipulation and to send a letter to all municipalities in the county requesting they adopt a similar resolution to offer tax relief for the residents.
Alderman Gill left the meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. James Newton, head coach of the Ocean Springs Girls Lacrosse team, asked for sponsorship for the Lacrosse Program. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize sponsorship of $500.00 to the Ocean Springs Girls Lacrosse Team to participate in the Birmingham Lacrosse Tournament to advertise the resources of the City.
Alderman Gill returned to the meeting.
Alderman Lloyd stated he received a complaint from a citizen regarding barking dogs. She has contacted animal control and the police department with no results. The City Attorney advised there is an Ordinance concerning barking dogs in effect since 1966. Alderman Lloyd asked how the ordinance is enforced. Capt. Sweeney advised an affidavit must be signed by the Complainant against the dog owner.
Ms. Betty Magee and Ms. Joey Rice asked for permission to raise funds for the city museum by conducting fundraisers and form a foundation to protect the city museum. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize to raise funds for the city museum by conducting fundraisers and form a foundation.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to authorize up to $2,000.00 from the Mayor’s Capital Improvement Account; $1,000.00 from Ward 2 Capital Improvement Account; $1,000.00 from Ward 3 Capital Improvement Account and $1,000.00 from Alderman at Large Capital Improvement Account for the City museum cabinets.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Claire Brou thanked the Public Works Department for cutting the seawall for access to the front beach and further stated she was not satisfied with the results and decisions made about her building permit matter.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of items (u) and (z) which were pulled by Alderman Weaver; items (a), (l), (w) and (x) which were pulled by Alderman Hagan and items (f) and (v) which were pulled by Alderman Lloyd.
Alderman Hagan pulled item (a) and the Mayor stated we now have the wetlands permit for the public safety center. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to authorize Mayor to execute the wetlands permit from the Corps. Of Engineers for the Public Safety Center project (Exhibit 6-a).
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (f) to ask if the City Attorney has reviewed the Contract. The City Attorney advised there were a couple of changes but he has reviewed and approved the revised Contract. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute Contract with Fire Trax, LLC for controlled burn at Highway 57 (Exhibit 6-f).
Alderman Dalgo pulled (l) and commented that Lt. Mike Jensen was an asset to the police department and commended him for his time served with the City. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to accept medical retirement of Lt. Charles “Mike” Jensen effective March 20, 2009, and allow Lt. Jensen to purchase his handgun from the City for $1.00 (one dollar) (Exhibit 6-l).
Alderman Weaver pulled item (u) for clarification. The Mayor advised this is a “Stimulus” project for on-street bicycle lanes on Halstead Road from Brumbaugh Road south to East Beach Drive, continuing on East Beach Drive to Shearwater Drive. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo and seconded by Alderman Lloyd to authorize Mayor to execute Contract with Compton Engineering, Inc. to prepare bid package for on-street bicycle lanes; amend the budget accordingly and further the conceptual drawings will be made available for public input prior to any bid package being released. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver and Dalgo voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to approach Gulf Regional Planning Commission to install sidewalks on Groveland Road for consideration in the TIP Program.
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (v) for clarification. The Building Official advised this was for a temporary employee to help with code enforcement until the full-time employee begins in April. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize to enter into an interlocal agreement with another municipality to assist with code enforcement (Exhibit 6-v).
Alderman Hagan pulled item (w) to ask what was going to be built at this location and has concerns with a building a gas station. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo and seconded by Alderman Weaver to accept the Planning Commission recommendation to approve rezoning at 4021 Bienville Boulevard from I-1 to C-3. Motion carried with Alderman McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Gill voting nay (Exhibit 6-w).
Alderman Hagan pulled item (x) and stated he did not like the lay out of the project. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to accept Planning Commission recommendation to approve final plat of Jackson Commons – Eagle Express LLC (Morris Strickland) with no deviation (Exhibit 6-x).
Alderman Weaver pulled item (z) for clarification concerning setbacks. The Building Official stated the setbacks were met. Alderman Weaver noted the Board was accepting the construction of a guest cottage and other residents may wish to have guest cottages. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to accept Historic Preservation Commission recommendation to allow demolition of a shed and construction of a guest cottage at 311 Lovers Lane (Exhibit 6-z).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor:
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to amend the list of requirements to obtain a permit to build in a velocity zone (Exhibit 7-a).
Human Resources/Risk Management:
The Human Resources/Risk Management Director presented a proposed Contract for a Stress Management/Wellness Training Program. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Weaver to authorize to enter into a Contract with Jackson County Community Services Coalition for this program without authorizing Mayor to initial Paragraph 7 (Exhibit 7-b).
Mayor Moran left the meeting at 8:42 p.m. and Mayor Pro Tem Dalgo assumed control.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan and seconded by Alderman Weaver to transfer up to $20,520.00 from Ward 6 Capital Improvement Account to Human Resources Department for the Stress Management/Wellness Program. Alderman Hagan withdraws his motion and Alderman Weaver withdraws her second to the motion.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell and seconded by Alderman Gill to task the Finance Committee to find funding for the Stress Management/Wellness Training Program in the amount of $20,520.00. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Weaver and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Lloyd voting nay.
The Human Resources/Risk Management Director announced there will be a second round of the REACH Housing Scholarship program for public employees. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to change the criteria set by the City that requires to participate employees must have worked for the City to one year (Exhibit 7-c).
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Hgan and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute the Memorandum of Understanding concerning the REACH Housing Scholarship Program Round Two.
Public Works:
The Public Works Director asked the Board for their consideration concerning the the potential cemetery site at the east end of Groveland Road and Parktown Drive (Exhibit 7-d).
City Attorney:
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to authorize AT&T to allow T-Mobile to sub-lease on the cellular tower behind the police station.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried authorize Mayor to execute Warranty Deeds to Mississippi Land Trust.
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to issue a press release concerning Hurricane Katrina damaged homes stating these properties need to be taken care of right away.
Alderman Hagan asked the Animal Control Officer to make a daily pass on Highway 90.
Alderman Dalgo stated the Mary C. O’Keefe Studio has recorded eight (8) local bands from Ocean Springs. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to authorize to transfer up to $700.00 from Ward 3 Capital Improvement Account and up to $700.00 from Ward 5 Capital Improvement Account to Aldermen’s Miscellaneous Promotional Account.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to authorize up to $1,400.00 from Aldermen’s Miscellaneous Promotional Account to the Mary C. O’Keefe Studio for the completion of the album promoting the City of Ocean Springs.
Alderman Lloyd asked why there are temporary stop signs at Government Street and Washington Avenue. The Public Works Director advised power to the overhead stop light was disconnected and these are there temporarily.
Alderman McDonnell provided the City Clerk with a quote for landscaping at the Caboose and Indianhead.
Alderman McDonnell stated he received an email from the Ocean Springs Carnival Association indicating they have not heard from the City regarding parade routes. He asked that Mr. Munn be contacted concerning this matter.
Alderman McDonnell asked the Police Chief to look into how quickly speed limit changes from 45 mph on Highway 90 to 20 mph on Lover’s Lane and make recommendation if it should need a more gradual decrease in speed.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize up to $600.00 from Ward 6 Capital Improvement Account for beautification at entrance to Lakeview Subdivision.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver and seconded by Alderman Gill to adopt the Elks parade route for all large parades per the recommendation of the Police Chief. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, Weaver and Hagan voting aye and Aldermen McDonnell and Lloyd voting nay.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to follow the Elks parade route and the disbanding of the parade to be determined by the association.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Lloyd 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 Lloyd and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss personnel in the public works department and personnel in 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 to suspend without pay Calvin Jackson based on matters presented by department head and city attorney and as reflected in exhibits presented by city attorney and kept in personnel file and to begin process to temporarily fill the position.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to follow the recommendations of the Police Chief to discipline Adam Carter effective immediately.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to adjourn until 6:00 p.m. on April 7, 2009.
Meeting ended at 9:45 p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor
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