Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 6, 2007
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 6, 2007. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Gill, Lloyd, Weaver, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan were present. Also present were City Attorney John Edwards and Deputy City Clerk Shelly Ferguson. Alderman McDonnell and City Clerk Adrienne Howell were absent.
Alderman Hagan gave the invocation and Mayor Moran led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Mayor removed item 5-n of the Consent Agenda.
The Mayor announced that the Ocean Springs Schools are collecting items for the city of Enterprise, Alabama that was hit by a deadly tornado last week and City Hall will be a drop off point.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Russell Thompson requested that the City consider allowing the YMCA to purchase or lease the Armory building and grounds. The Mayor said that she would be happy to meet with him to discuss the possibility but the National Guard has not yet released the site. Chief Hare gave a presentation of pictures of the building and said that the National Guard is planning on giving the City a Memorandum of Agreement releasing the building in the next two to three weeks. There is roof damage from the hurricane that will have to be repaired. The Mayor asked the City Engineer to give an estimate of the roof repair. Alderman Lloyd suggested that the property would be the perfect place to expand the City recreation program.
ADDENDUM
Mr. Arturo Baraja, co-owner of Mosaic Tapas Bar, asked for permission to block off a portion of Government Street for May Fest, a downtown music and food festival, on Saturday, May 5, 2007 (Exhibit A-1a). Several Aldermen expressed their concern about the cost to the City to provide security, set up and cleanup for the festival. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to allow Alderman Hagan and any other Aldermen to meet with the business owners to discuss May Fest and give a presentation at the next meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of item (n) which was removed by the Mayor and items (j) and (k) which were pulled by Alderman Hagan.
Alderman Hagan pulled item (j) and asked how many job openings are there in the Police Department. Interim Police Chief Lionel Cothern replied that there are two vacancies and the position requested will be an additional officer on Traffic duty. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize the creation of an additional Traffic Officer position.
Alderman Hagan pulled item (k) and asked that the request to advertise request for proposals for a Time and Attendance system be held off because he does not feel that Police Officers should have to punch time cards and would like the issue to be researched further. Several Aldermen and several Department Heads gave examples of the importance of time cards and said that FEMA and some of the grant programs require time cards for reimbursement. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo and seconded by Alderman Weaver to authorize advertising request for proposals for a new Time and Attendance system. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, Lloyd, Weaver, Denyer and Dalgo voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Bill Tash, Parktown resident, requested that the lighting be restored at Lemoyne Park on Groveland. There were lights on the park which were inadvertently cut by the contractors during the playground installation. The Recreation Director has proposed hours of operations for the parks and recommended that Lemoyne Park be dawn to dusk (Exhibit 6-g). Alderman Hagan will discuss the issue with the Parktown Civic Association and go door to door to ask the neighbors their wishes regarding the hours of operation of the park. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to table item 6-g to establish the park hours of operation for two weeks.
Ms. Carol Jones, Parktown resident, said that she would like the park to be lit until 10:00 p.m.
Alderman Denyer asked the City Attorney to bring back a sample of a sculpted ordinance for park hours of operation.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor
The Mayor said that a Public Hearing was held yesterday to discuss the adoption of the 2006 Building Codes. The City Attorney presented the corresponding ordinances. Alderman Dalgo left the room at this point.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman Gill to adopt Ordinance No. 2-2007 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2006 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE (Exhibit 6-h). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Weaver Voted Aye
Alderman Gill Voted Aye
Alderman McDonnell Absent
Alderman Lloyd Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voted Aye
Alderman Dalgo Absent
Alderman Hagan Voted Aye
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman Gill to adopt Ordinance No. 3-2007 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2006 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE FOR ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS (Exhibit 6-i). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Weaver Voted Aye
Alderman Gill Voted Aye
Alderman McDonnell Absent
Alderman Lloyd Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voted Aye
Alderman Dalgo Absent
Alderman Hagan Voted Aye
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman Gill to adopt Ordinance No. 4-2007 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2006 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE (Exhibit 6-j). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Weaver Voted Aye
Alderman Gill Voted Aye
Alderman McDonnell Absent
Alderman Lloyd Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voted Aye
Alderman Dalgo Absent
Alderman Hagan Voted Aye
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman Gill to adopt Ordinance No. 5-2007 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2006 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE (Exhibit 6-k). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Weaver Voted Aye
Alderman Gill Voted Aye
Alderman McDonnell Absent
Alderman Lloyd Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voted Aye
Alderman Dalgo Absent
Alderman Hagan Voted Aye
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman Gill to adopt Ordinance No. 6-2007 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2006 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE (Exhibit 6-l). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Weaver Voted Aye
Alderman Gill Voted Aye
Alderman McDonnell Absent
Alderman Lloyd Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voted Aye
Alderman Dalgo Absent
Alderman Hagan Voted Aye
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman Gill to adopt Ordinance No. 7-2007 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2006 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE (Exhibit 6-m). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Weaver Voted Aye
Alderman Gill Voted Aye
Alderman McDonnell Absent
Alderman Lloyd Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voted Aye
Alderman Dalgo Absent
Alderman Hagan Voted Aye
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman Gill to adopt Ordinance No. 8-2007 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2006 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE (Exhibit 6-n). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Weaver Voted Aye
Alderman Gill Voted Aye
Alderman McDonnell Absent
Alderman Lloyd Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voted Aye
Alderman Dalgo Absent
Alderman Hagan Voted Aye
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman Gill to adopt Ordinance No. 9-2007 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2006 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE (Exhibit 6-o). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Weaver Voted Aye
Alderman Gill Voted Aye
Alderman McDonnell Absent
Alderman Lloyd Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voted Aye
Alderman Dalgo Absent
Alderman Hagan Voted Aye
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman Gill to adopt Ordinance No. 10-2007 AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE 8-1970 AND 11-2003, BEING AN AMENDMENT WHICH ADOPTS THE STANDARD ELECTRICAL CODE 2006 EDITION OF THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE (Exhibit 6-p). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Weaver Voted Aye
Alderman Gill Voted Aye
Alderman McDonnell Absent
Alderman Lloyd Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voted Aye
Alderman Dalgo Absent
Alderman Hagan Voted Aye
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman Gill to adopt Ordinance No. 11-2007 AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE 8-1970 AND 11-2003, BEING AN AMENDMENT WHICH ADOPTS THE STANDARD ELECTRICAL CODE 2006 EDITION OF THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE (Exhibit 6-q). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Weaver Voted Aye
Alderman Gill Voted Aye
Alderman McDonnell Absent
Alderman Lloyd Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voted Aye
Alderman Dalgo Absent
Alderman Hagan Voted Aye
Alderman Dalgo returned to the meeting at this point.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to adopt a resolution pertaining to the application of MDOT Safe Routes to School Funds (Exhibit 6-a).
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo and seconded by Alderman Gill to make a budget amendment and fund the drainage improvement in Fort Bayou Estates out of ending cash (Exhibit 6-b). Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, Lloyd, Weaver, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Denyer voting nay.
The Mayor explained that contrary to what was reported at the last meeting, the Jackson County Emergency PSAP consolidation study is going to go forward (Exhibit 6-c).
Interim Police Chief Lionel Cothern said that a twelve month probation should have been included with the new hire information on the Consent Agenda. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize a twelve month probation for the new patrolmen (Exhibit 5-h).
The Mayor announced that a work session will be held with the Planning Commission to discuss the Waterview Ordinance on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. to be followed by a special call meeting at 6:00 p.m. to interview candidates for the Director of Community Development and Planning. A public hearing will be held on March 27, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the Waterview Ordinance.
Fire
Chief Hare led a discussion regarding the consideration for a public alert siren to alert citizens of dangerous weather conditions. The issue will be referred to the Public Safety Committee for consideration.
Parks & Leisure Services
Parks & Leisure Services Director Sean Campbell presented a capital improvement report (Exhibit 6-f).
ALDERMAN’S FORUM
Alderman Gill asked Mr. Groue to go out for bid for the ditch in Fort Bayou Estates that was discussed earlier. Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize Public Works to draw up the specifications and advertise for bid for the ditch in Fort Bayou Estates.
Alderman Lloyd says he has a litigation matter that should be discussed in Executive Session.
Alderman Dalgo asked Mr. Groue to look at the pot holes on Pabst Road.
Alderman Hagan asked Mr. Groue if the ditch crew is fully staffed and Mr. Groue said that there is one opening.
Alderman Weaver asked Mr. Groue for some help at 1705 Carpenter Circle because the drive way easement was dug up for some type of work and never repaired properly.
Alderman Denyer asked Mr. Groue to look at a catch basin on the corner of Government Street and Halstead where a new business is going in and would like to run an underground pipe.
Alderman Dalgo said that he is using his paving money to replace concrete street panels and has $38,000.00 remaining to address the worst panels. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to continue to spend the funds from the Street Department to replace the concrete street panels until the funding is expended.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to go into closed session to determine the necessity of going into executive session.
The Deputy 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 matters in the Police Department and Municipal Court and current litigation involving the Concerned Citizens lawsuit.
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 Gill and unanimously carried to recess until 6:00 p.m. on March 20, 2007.
