Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 6, 2008
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 May 6, 2008. Mayor Pro Tempore Weaver presiding, Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan were present. Also present was City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards. Mayor Moran was absent.
The Mayor Pro Tempore gave the invocation.
Troop 271, Den 3, Tiger Cub scouts of Ocean Springs led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATIONS
The Mayor Pro Tempore read a proclamation declaring the week of May 18-24, 2008, as National Public Works Week (Exhibit 3-a).
The Mayor Pro Tempore read a proclamation declaring the week of May 4-10, 2008, as Goodwill Industries International Week (Exhibit 3-b).
The Mayor Pro Tempore read a proclamation declaring the month of May as Bicycle Month (Exhibit 3-c).
Alderman Denyer read a proclamation celebrating the life of Bruce Agnelly (Exhibit 3-d).
PRESENTATION
City Court Judge Matthew Mestayer gave a presentation concerning a new software program for the Municipal Court. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize the City Judge and City Attorney to examine the Syscon Software proposal and negotiate the options available for payment of the software program (Exhibit 4-a).
NEW BUSINESS
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to approve Option #3 as presented for Property and Wind/Hail Insurance coverage (Exhibit 5-a).
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to obtain quotes for liability coverage for all City buildings.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Joyce Shaw, 107 Pine Drive, announced a Community Emergency Response Team Training on June 6th, 7th, 8th, 2008, at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory at no cost to the public.
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 (f), (j) and (o) which were pulled by Alderman Dalgo and item (A-1c) which was pulled by Alderman Denyer.
Alderman Dalgo pulled item (f) to correct the minutes of April 23, 2008. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to correct the minutes of the Special Call meeting of April 23, 2008, as follows: Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman “Gill” and unanimously carried to hire Bolton, Lack, Furr Architects for the public safety center based on the results of the submitted scoring sheets (Exhibit 7-f).
Alderman Dalgo pulled item (j) and the City Clerk advised that the budget amendment should be $57,000.00. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to approve the budget amendments (Exhibit 7-j).
Alderman Dalgo pulled item (o) for the Police Chief to obtain another quote for the digital speed readers/counters. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to table item (o) (Exhibit 7-o).
Alderman Denyer pulled item (1c) and asked the Public Works Department to install the lettering on Bernard Beaugez Fire Station.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor:
The Public Relations Administrative Officer announced that the Lord is My Help Food Pantry is requesting the city’s support in establishing a city-wide food drive during the month of August and that there would be a friendly competition between the wards. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to proceed with the food drive (Exhibit 8-a).
City Clerk:
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to adopt the No Protest Resolution for Mississippi Development Bank bond issue (Exhibit 8-b).
Public Works:
The Assistant Public Works Director announced that the City of Ocean Springs has attained a Perfect rating from the State Department of Health concerning the City’s water system. The three areas that come under review are Technical, Managerial and Financial. With a perfect 5.0 score in each category, the system attained an Overall Capacity Rating of 5.0/5.0 (Exhibit 8-c).
Community Development and Planning:
The Community Development Director gave an update on the tree removal for sewer line repair on Lamey Court (Exhibit 8-d).
Parks and Leisure Services:
The Parks and Leisure Director gave an update on various projects ongoing for the Parks and Leisure Services Department (Exhibit 8-e). Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan to authorize the City Engineer to obtain a cost estimate for the access road to Clay Boyd Spray Park. Alderman Dalgo withdrew his motion and Alderman Hagan withdrew his second.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to accept the recommendation of the Selection Committee to accept the proposal and authorize negotiations with JFDS, Inc. for professional services for the Highway 57 Sports Complex and the Alice Street Halstead Road Tennis Facility project outlined in the recreational master plan and further to accept proposal and authorize negotiations with Architect Bruce B. Tolar, P.A. for professional services for the Gay-Lemon Multi-Purpose Center planned for the Deanna Road site outlined in the recreational master plan. Professional Services includes Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Architect Services, Environmental Services and Planning & Design (Exhibit 8-f).
City Attorney:
Fire Trax
The City Attorney presented a Schedule A “Price Sheet for Fire Trax, LLC” to be included in the Contract hereby known as Exhibit 8-g. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman Gill to authorize Mayor to proceed with the burn for an amount not to exceed $30,000.00. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Weaver, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Lloyd voting nay (Exhibit 8-g).
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize $300.00 from the Ward 1 Capital Improvements Account for repairs to sprinkler system and landscaping at Fort Bayou Estates Subdivision.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize the Purchasing Agent to purchase lettering for the red caboose.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to place two (2) additional port-o-lets labeled “His” and “Hers” at the end of the walking track at the foot of the bridge.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize the Public Works Department to obtain costs estimates for sidewalks at Porter Avenue to First Avenue to the new sidewalk at the bridge.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize the City Planner to research all available parking options for the bridge walkers.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize the City Engineer to determine who the property owners are on the North side of the bridge.
Alderman Lloyd discussed the surcharge for sewer and water to offset the money the City pays to Jackson County Wastewater Authority to process our water and sewer. Mr. Lloyd tasked the Finance Committee to address this matter again.
Alderman Lloyd asked that the street light at Cash Alley and Desoto Street be replaced.
Alderman Lloyd asked for a written report from the Tree Arborist concerning the condition of the oak tree at Highway 90 and Washington Avenue.
Alderman Weaver asked for signage to address the pedestrians, cyclists and litter on the bridge.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize $1,000.00 from the Ward 4 Capital Improvements Account for beautification at the Bernard Beaugez Fire Station.
Alderman Denyer expressed his concern about traffic on Alice Street and Davidson Road and the need for a 4 way stop sign and also the status of the stop sign at Brumbaugh. The City Attorney advised that there needs to be a recommendation from the City Engineer regarding installing stop signs at various locations.
Alderman Denyer asked to communicate with the Mississippi Department of Transportation asking for permission to spray paint ¼ mile markers on the bridge. The Grants Coordinator advised that MDOT will mark every 1/10th mile on the bridge.
Alderman Dalgo asked that the street light at Versailles Court be replaced.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize up to $1,500.00 from the Ward 5 Capital Improvements Account for beautification at in Magnolia Bayou.
Alderman Dalgo expressed his concerns regarding a request for a four way stop at Ocean Springs Road and Government Street.
Alderman Hagan asked for more communication between the sub-committees and the Board of Aldermen.
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 City Clerk returned to the meeting and announced that a motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss personnel in the Police Department and purchase and disposition of property.
The City Attorney, John Edwards, exited executive session and asked the City Clerk to call Melissa Calihan. The City Clerk called twice. Melissa Calihan was not present.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to table the personnel issue in the Police Department.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to recess until 6:00 p.m. on May 20, 2008.
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City Clerk Mayor Pro Tempore
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