Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
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 May 16, 2006. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver, Denyer and Dalgo were present. Also present were City Attorney John Edwards and City Clerk Adrienne Howell. Alderman Hagan arrived at approximately 7:15 p.m.
Alderman Weaver gave the invocation and We the People led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATION
Mayor Moran presented a proclamation to Ms. Angela Sanders and her student team, We the People of Ocean Springs High School, declaring Tuesday, May 16, 2006 as We the People Day in recognition of their accomplishment winning the Southeastern Regional Championship (Exhibit 3-a).
Mayor Moran read a proclamation declaring the month of May 2006 as “Click It or Ticket” Safety Belt Enforcement Month (Exhibit 3-b).
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to spread upon the minutes the proclamation declaring Thursday, May 25, 2006 as Mrs. Anna Hurt Day which will be presented to her at a retirement party later in the week in recognition of her outstanding performance as Ocean Springs Superintendent of Schools (Exhibit 3-c).
NEW BUSINESS
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to table the Maurepas Landing Homeowner’s Association request to close Rouselle Place until the next board meeting (Exhibit 4-a).
HURRICANE KATRINA AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to approve items 5-a, 5-b, 5-c and 5-d to authorize payments to Compton Engineering, Inc.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize payment to Graham Construction Company, Inc. in the amount of $1,969.60 for ball field lighting (Exhibit 5-e).
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to amend the agenda to address item 8-d at this time.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to appoint Steve Gallagher to the Park Advisory Board.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of items (h) and (w) which were pulled by Alderman Lloyd, item (hh) which was pulled by Alderman McDonnell and item (rr) which was pulled by Alderman Dalgo.
Alderman Lloyd pulled items (h) and (w) and asked if the budget is being amended for the insurance payments and the City Clerk said that it is. Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to approve items (h) and (w).
Alderman McDonnell pulled item (hh) and said that it had come to his attention from several residents that they are concerned about some of the plans at the Harbor and on Front Beach for redevelopment; that the County Board of Supervisors that control the Harbor have not bought into the charrette process; and that we are acting prematurely before the neighbors are on board to find out what their true feelings are. The Mayor said that the purpose of bringing in the expert town planner group next week is to sit with the property owners, the Harbor Commission and Yacht Club Board to discuss what they would like to see and what could possibly work for redevelopment. The goal is to facilitate as much public input as possible including the landowners and Board of Supervisors. This will not be paid for by City tax payers but is being funded by the Governor’s Commission, the Hurricane Katrina Recovery Fund and private donors. The Governor’s Commission has signed a contract with Dover, Kohl & Partners of which the City is a third party beneficiary. Following a lengthy discussion, motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to notify by mail residents of Lafontaine, Harbor Drive, Washington Avenue, Front Beach Drive, Jackson Avenue, Martin Avenue, Dewey and Calhoun of the charrette meeting times to give them the opportunity to voice their opinions. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to execute a memorandum of understanding or other agreement drafted by the City Attorney with Dover, Kohl & Partners for the charrette next week.
*Note: Aldermen Hagan arrived at this point
Alderman Dalgo pulled item (rr) at the request of Mr. Greg Eleuterius. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve item (rr) and remove Nancy Glass and replace with Christy Brewster.
AUDIENCE REQUEST
Mr. Doug Denehie expressed his concern about the Choctaws trying to open a casino in Jackson County and hopes that the Board of Aldermen are paying close attention to the issue. Alderman McDonnell suggested that the Board should send a resolution to the Governor asking that he allow the citizens to vote on the matter. The Mayor said that Chief Martin said they would not be ready for a referendum until the next presidential election which will allow plenty of time for public hearings.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor
The Mayor presented a progress report on the Ferry Service between Biloxi and Ocean Springs which has been funded by Congress (Exhibit 8-a).
The Mayor said that the City has had ongoing meetings with FEMA and MEMA requesting that the Ocean Springs Community Pier be built back much stronger with concrete pilings and in a manner that it could survive future storms (Exhibit 8-b).
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to approve the budget amendment requests as presented (Exhibit 8-c).
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to accept the resignation of Alderman Dalgo as Mayor Pro Tempore effective May 31, 2006. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to elect Alderman Weaver as Mayor Pro Tempore beginning June 1, 2006 for a one year term ending June 30, 2007.
City Clerk
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to advertise for building repairs from storm damage.
Police
Officer Fowler is resurrecting the Explorer Program and gave a brief overview of the program which is for people between the ages of 14 and 20 interested in a career in law enforcement. The program is run through the Boy Scouts of America and is coed.
Mr. Reed Belton of Calhoun Avenue complained of speeding at night from Jackson Avenue to Pershing. Captain Cothern will set up a detail in the area.
Fire
Chief Hare recommended allowing bonfires on the beach to resume (Exhibit 8-e). Alderman McDonnell expressed concern about the lack of lighting on the beach. The Mayor said that the City will have to go ahead and buy the lighting because it is Federal Highway Administration money that will fund the project which may take up to two years for reimbursement. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to proceed with coming back to the Board with plans for lighting on the beach including fixtures and costs. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to allow bonfires on the beach to resume.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman Dalgo to table the issue of special appearance guidelines until the next meeting (Exhibit 8-f). Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver, Denyer and Dalgo voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay.
Public Works
Mr. Groue announced that the Right of Entries have been completed. Alderman Weaver said that there has been dumping at the underpass close to the entrance of Cherokee Glenn. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to authorize the Public Works Department to erect signs indicating the fine for dumping at the overpass by Cherokee Glenn and at Pabst Road.
Alderman Lloyd said that Fort Bayou Bridge looks like a dump. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell and seconded by Alderman Lloyd to write a letter Jackson County requesting that Fort Bayou Bridge be cleaned and the sand be cleared off the beach road. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Weaver, Denyer and Dalgo voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay.
Community Development & Planning
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to allow Mr. Harris to continue with the plans he presented on the ship store and office space for the high and dry (Exhibit 8-g).
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to table the appeal of denial for demolition of Del Castle until the next meeting.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to authorize payment to Compton Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $375.00 for subdivision review (Exhibit 8-i).
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to accept the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission to allow construction of garage and exterior renovations at 213 Washington Avenue (Exhibit 8-k).
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize the refund of the sewer tap fee at 325 Lovers Lane if sewer is not available (Exhibit 8-l).
City Attorney
Mr. Edwards presented the Heart With Hands memorandum of agreement (Exhibit 8-j). Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to table the issue and allow the City Attorney and Mayor to work on the agreement and come back with a recommendation.
ALDERMAN’S FORUM
Alderman Gill said that the left turn arrow onto Bristol from Highway 90 is not working. Officer Fowler said that he would call about it.
Alderman McDonnell requested a streetlight be placed at Pine and Shearwater.
Alderman McDonnell asked that the City take quick action to remand Mr. Fayard to clean his property at Ocean Springs Seafood which caused several houses to be damaged during Hurricane Katrina. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to authorize Mr. Scruggs to take whatever legal, necessary action possible to clean the site as quickly as possible.
Alderman McDonnell asked Chief Hare about members of the Fire Department organizing a union. Chief Hare said that he is not included in the discussions of the firemen but has heard rumors of a union. The Mayor and Chief Hare will investigate the issue and report back to the Board.
Alderman Weaver announced that the Rebuild Ocean Springs fund has received $50,000.00 for parks and playgrounds.
Alderman Denyer reported a letter was received from Dr. McKey requesting bike and walking paths which he would like the grant writers to investigate potential grants.
Alderman Denyer requested that the City Clerk prepare a report of contract service expenses to be discussed in Executive Session at the next meeting.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo and seconded by Alderman McDonnell to pledge $500.00 to the Ocean Springs Athletic Foundation to showcase opportunities and resources of the City. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Weaver, Denyer and Dalgo voting aye and Aldermen Lloyd and Hagan voting nay.
Alderman Hagan requested a report of rules and prices for on call wrecker services to be provided at the next meeting by the Police Department.
Alderman Hagan complained that recycling is not being picked up in his ward on a regular basis. The Mayor will address the issue with BFI.
Alderman Dalgo asked the Police Department to check the curve on Lynette Drive as a hot spot because mailboxes keep being run over.
The Mayor announced that she was notified by Supervisor McKay that the National Guard approached him for ten acres to locate their armory. He suggested that the City offer them ten acres of the recreation property on Highway 57. She discussed the issue with Mr. Joe Gill who is assisting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit for the project. His opinion is that the City would not want to do anything that would impair its ability to permit the project that has been envisioned. A consideration could be to donate part of the property to the National Guard with the understanding that they would have to be responsible for their own permitting separate from what the City is doing. The general consensus of the Board is that the permit process should be completed before offering ten acres to the National Guard.
OLD BUSINESS
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to table the Automatic Sprinkler Ordinance (Exhibit 10-a).
City Attorney John Edwards recommends leaving the current trash can ordinance as is regarding trash cans being picked up within a reasonable time versus setting a drop dead hour. Mr. Scruggs said there should be a requirement that the trash collection point should not be located on the street or in the front yard. Motion was made by Aldermen Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to table the trash can ordinance for further input.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to adopt a resolution for hospital expansion (Exhibit 10-c).
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to adjourn until 6:00 p.m. on June 6, 2006.
