Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 3, 2009
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 3, 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.
Alderman at Large Weaver gave the invocation and the Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Claire Brou asked for the procedures to approve residential permits. She stated she was given a permit after her plans were presented to the building official on December 18, 2008, and approved but was later issued a stop work order due to a discrepancy in the 8’ chain wall and fill dirt. The discrepancy was addressed by removing the chain wall and fill dirt and the stop work order was lifted. Ms. Brou recommends residential construction procedures are understood by all concerned parties and possible revisions of city ordinances may be necessary. The Mayor and Alderman McDonnell will meet with the Building Official to review Ms. Brou’s plans (Exhibit 3-a).
Mr. Mark Spicer will make his presentation later in the meeting (Exhibit 3-b).
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to add the Addendum to the Agenda.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of items (a) and (b) which were pulled by Alderman Dalgo, item (c) which was pulled by Alderman McDonnell and item (j) which was pulled by Alderman Lloyd.
Alderman Dalgo pulled item (a) for clarification of the Change Order No. 2 for the Chester M. McPhearson, Jr. pier and asked if any costs were involved. The Public Works Director advised it involved water lines and the City’s request to install the pier sign on pilings for added strength and it was a decrease in the contract price. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute Change Order No. 2 for the Chester M. McPhearson, Jr. pier (Exhibit 5-a).
Alderman Dalgo pulled item (b) for clarification of the amended contract and if any costs were involved. The City Attorney advised he had not reviewed the amended Contract and resolution. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to table item (5-b) until the next meeting to get clarification.
Alderman McDonnell pulled item (c) and the Project Manager clarified the changes to the Change Order for the Fort Maurepas project. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell and seconded by Alderman Weaver to allow the Public Works Director, City Attorney and Project Manager to work out Change Order No. 4; provide a report and approve Change Order not to exceed $28,820.20 to be paid out of the contingency funds. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver, Denyer and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Dalgo voting nay (Exhibit 5-c).
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to task the City Clerk to research how much was originally in the contingency fund for the Fort Maurepas project.
Alderman Lloyd pulled (j) to ask if Little Children’s Park was a sufficient size to hold the event for Earth Day due to very limited parking and if the Parks and Leisure Department was involved with this event. The Public Information Officer stated it was held there the last two (2) years and the event was very successful. The Parks and Leisure Services Director advised that her department was involved with the event. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve the applications for special event permits (5-j).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Community Development & Planning:
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to approve the 5-year NPDES Phase II Stormwater Management Plan (Exhibit 6-a).
The Planning Director advised there is a middle school traffic study public meeting at the Ocean Springs Middle School on Thursday, March 5th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The consultant will be looking at intersection of Hanshaw and Old Spanish Trail and Beachview and Old Spanish Trail and pedestrian issues in that area.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to task the Mayor to obtain status of on any and all stimulus funding and report at the next meeting.
Parks & Leisure Services:
The Parks & Leisure Services Director reported there are underground electrical problems at Alice Street fields and Clay Boyd ball fields. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize Compton Engineering and the Parks and Leisure Services Director to obtain two (2) quotes – one quote for repairing entire facility and one quote for emergency repairs and a recommendation to the Board (Exhibit 6-b).
City Attorney:
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo and seconded by Alderman Denyer to adopt Ordinance No. 2009-07 An Amendment to Code of Ordinances of the City of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, providing for stop signs at the intersection of Point Clear Drive and Fernwood Drive (Exhibit 6-c). 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. 2009-06 An Amendment to Ordinance 13-1976 rezoning property herein described from C-1 to C-2 (Exhibit 6-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 Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute the revised Memorandum of Understanding – Mississippi Alternative Housing Program between Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the City of Ocean Springs (Exhibit 6-e).
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute no interest response to lawsuit.
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Alderman Gill stated a fund raiser was being planned for Tony Gagliano on April 26th. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to waive rental fees for the Civic Center for fundraiser for Tony Gagliano on April 26th.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize up to $1,500.00 from Ward 2 Capital Improvement Account and $250.00 from Ward 4 Capital Improvement Account for the cleaning and spring planting at the Caboose and the Indianhead.
The Mayor advised that she was approached by a business owner asking to allow wine tastings at her place of business and asked if the City would consider to adopt a resolution for a local and private bill, if possible, that would allow wine stores in Ocean Springs to have wine tastings. Mr. Joe Gill is researching whether or not it is legal and the Mayor will provide additional information.
Alderman Weaver asked the City Clerk to research why some cell phone fees are higher than others.
Alderman Denyer asked the Police Chief about parking on East Beach Drive.
Alderman Denyer asked the Public Works Director to email the stimulus project package he prepared to Hank Zuber.
Alderman Denyer asked where to get information on an easement issue on McMillan property on Woody Circle. The Public Works Director advised that the tax collector has the recorded plats for the subdivisions.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to allow Parktown Civic Association to utilize Lemoyne Park on April 18, 2009 for a yard sale.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to obtain quotes to overlay parking lot at Marble Springs.
The Public Works Director asked the Board to consider making the park at the East end of Groveland as a City cemetery. Alderman Hagan suggested a community garden for the East end of Groveland but also liked the idea of a City cemetery.
Alderman Lloyd stated there is a cemetery in Vancleave for indigents.
Alderman Hagan asked the Board to consider designating a couple of areas in the City to allow candidates to place political signs.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to repair or add street lights at on Iola at Hillcrest Drive.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer 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 McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss personnel in the public works department and personnel in fire department.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
Mr. Mark Spicer, President of Board of Directors of CASA, a 501(3)(c) organization, addressed the Board to ask for financial support for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) that service the abused and neglected children in Jackson County. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize the Gold Sponsorship ($2000.00) for the 1st Annual Stroke for Hope Golf Tournament on April 18, 2009 and $500.00 for table at the special event on March 17th to advertise the resources of the City.
The Mayor asked for consideration concerning sending out a newsletter to report on progress and projects being done city wide and to include voting information. There was further discussion about when to send it out. The City Clerk advised a budget amendment would be necessary. No action taken.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to follow the recommendations of the Public Works Director to terminate the employment of Charles Toche for the reasons presented including but not limited to conduct unbecoming a city employee and insubordination. Termination is effective March 3, 2009.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to follow the recommendations of the Fire Chief and Human Resource Director to terminate the employment of Eric Smith as he is no longer capable to perform the essential duties of his job. Termination is effective March 3, 2009.
Alderman Hagan asked the Human Resources Director to look for funding for stress management for all City employees.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to recess until 6:00 p.m. on March 17, 2009.
Meeting ended at 9:20 p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor
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