Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 2, 2010
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 March 2, 2010. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Ross, Gill, McDonnell, Cody, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan were present. Also present were City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards.
Alderman Cody gave the invocation and Boy Scout Troops 271 and 211 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATION
The Mayor read a proclamation declaring March 2, 2010 as Boy Scouts of America Day (Exhibit 4-a).
OLD BUSINESS
Supervisor John McKay stated the roads in his district had been assessed. A determination has been made of the worst roads which need to be paved and they are as follows: Hanshaw Road, Hanley Road, Saratoga Drive, Zettel Road, Gollott Road and Bristol Boulevard. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to accept the road paving list as presented by Supervisor McKay (Exhibit 5-a).
The Planning Director gave an overview of the Front Beach pathway project. Mr. Jack Holt of Brown & Mitchell, Inc. gave an update on the Front Beach pathway. He explained the drainage issues are being addressed and additional changes may need to be made in the original plans. Mr. Holt stated only 15% of the drainage is complete since it was originally included in Phase 2 of the project but a change order had been issued and approved by the Board to include the drainage in Phase 1. The Board had concerns with water standing for 24 to 36 hours after a heavy rain and further stating that was not acceptable. The Board asked Mr. Holt to give another update in a month.
Mr. Greg Cantrell presented the drawing of the Fort Maurepas sign. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to award the quote for the Fort Maurepas sign to be erected in front of the electric panel to E.J. Milligan Construction Co., Inc. in the amount of $9,017.00 and approve the Contract pending legal approval (Exhibit 5-c).
Motion was made by Alderman Ross, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to accept a donation in the amount of $11,382.33 from the Hurricane Katrina benefit funds for a line item for the Fort Maurepas signage.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Ross and unanimously carried to move item (9-a) to New Business.
NEW BUSINESS
Supervisor John McKay addressed the letter from Mike Mangum, President of the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, addressed to the Mayor of Ocean Springs regarding the fee of $2.00 per collection for real and personal property on behalf of the cities beginning December 01, 2010. He stated he had not seen the letter but stated the City had once collected their own taxes but then opted to allow the County to collect the City taxes because it was more cost effective. The City has the option to collect there own taxes now. The City Clerk advised the County charges the City 3% to collect mobile home and automobile taxes. Alderman Cody asked for a total breakdown of costs for what the County is charging for collection of taxes (Exhibit 9-a).
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Ross and unanimously carried to authorize up to $100.00 each from Mayor’s, Alderman at Large and all Ward Capital Improvement Accounts for a total amount of $800.00 to promote the resources of the City at the Boys & Girls Club Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 13th (Exhibit 6-a).
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to authorize the Special Event Permit for the Multiple Sclerosis 3-Mile Walk fundraiser event on Saturday, March 27th (Exhibit 6-b).
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to authorize up to $300.00 from Ward 4 Capital Improvement Account to promote the resources of the City at the Multiple Sclerosis 3-Mile Walk fundraiser event on Saturday, March 27th (Exhibit 6-b).
Public Comments
Mr. Tom Wilson, Colmer Circle, thanked the Public Works Department for helping with the west end of the drainage ditch and asked when something will be done about Davidson Road. He stated it was a bike and walking trail and it is very dangerous at night due to no sidewalks, lighting or striping.
Ms. Diane Boyd, host of the 1699 Arts and Crafts Festival, asked if street closures would be approved for the festival on April 24th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Ross and unanimously carried to authorize the traffic plan for the event.
Mrs. Julia Weaver, Lover’s Lane, spoke in favor of the Front Beach pathway. She said was very excited about the project and also that the walking community and mom and tots were enjoying the Front Beach pathway.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to accept the Consent Agenda with exception of item (b) which was pulled by Alderman Dalgo.
Alderman Dalgo pulled item (b) and asked if the agreement and stipulations had already been determined. The Mayor answered yes they have and the City of Gautier has agreed to the terms. Motion was made by Alderman Ross, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute the Agreement and Stipulations between the City of Ocean Springs and the City of Gautier regarding Annexation (Exhibit 8-b).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
The Mayor presented a Drainage Project Timeline. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Ross and unanimously carried to accept the Drainage Projects Timeline as recommended by the Drainage and Infrastructure Committee (Exhibit 9-b).
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Alderman Gill asked to send letter to Mississippi Power Company concerning the lighting of the subdivision entrances. The Mayor advised a letter had also been sent to Singing River Electric Power Association to convert all subdivision lighted entrance signs in the Singing River area from the homeowners’ associations to the City of Ocean Springs. It was brought to the attention of the Board that one subdivision, The Vineyards, was not within city limits. The Mayor said she would follow up on this matter and also send a letter to Mississippi Power Company addressing the subdivisions in the Mississippi Power area.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize up to $500.00 from Ward 2 Capital Improvement Account to Public Works Department for erosion control at Ocean Avenue.
Alderman McDonnell asked the Planning Director for a status on Jan Walker’s house on Front Beach. The Planning Director advised it was on Christus Victor’s list for March. Alderman McDonnell asked for a specific start date.
Alderman McDonnell asked the City Attorney to investigate what the process is to eliminate the train blowing the horn as it is approaching a certain of part of town.
Motion was made by Alderman Ross, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize up to $500.00 to the library to purchase to purchase the 2006 International Code Books.
The Mayor announced she had a meeting scheduled for March 3rd at 2:00 p.m. with representatives from Senator Cochran and Senator Wicker’s office concerning appropriations for some projects that we had submitted for economic stimulus funds.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to convert the entrance signs at Stark Bayou and Ashley Place to the City of Ocean Springs and billed as a street light. Alderman Gill suggested stating a cut off date for the association to stop paying and the City to start paying the power bill. Alderman Denyer asked for an update at the next meeting.
Alderman Denyer recognized the Public Works Department for putting in a culvert on Pine Hill Road.
Alderman Dalgo recognized the Public Works Department for the barricade they placed at the curve on Government Street and Magnolia Park School to protect the children on the playground. Alderman Denyer stated he would like to see the barricade extended at 100’ increments.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize the City Engineer to pursue Pat Harrison Waterway District funding for Johnson Street.
Alderman Hagan spoke in opposition of the fee $2.00 collection of real and personal property taxes and asked everyone to give more thought to this matter.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Dalgo 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 McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss Annexation and seek counsel of City Attorney regarding construction contract.
Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to authorize up to $500.00 from Ward 5 Capital Improvement Account to promote the resources of the City at the 2nd Annual Stroke for Hope Golf Tournament hosted by the Jackson County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to recess until 6:00 p.m. on March 16, 2010.
Meeting ended at 8:52 p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor
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