Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
RECESS MEETING OF MAY 20, 2008
Be it remembered that the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Ocean Springs met in a Recess meeting at the Ocean Springs City Hall in the City of Ocean Springs at 6:00 p.m. on May 20, 2008. The Mayor presiding, Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan were present. Also present were City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards. Alderman Weaver was absent.
The Mayor gave the invocation. The Mayor led the pledge of allegiance.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to amend the Agenda to include the Addendum to the Consent Agenda, Old Business – Highway 90 traffic, and two (2) items under New Business – Garden Club letter and Port-o-lets and to correct item (6-w) to read “approve commercial plan use development at the Southwest corner of Highway 90 and Handshaw Road”.
PROCLAMATION
The Mayor read a proclamation declaring May 22, 2008, as Ocean Springs Hospital Auxiliary Day.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Cassie Wallace, 210 Mason Court, made a presentation concerning protected trees on the north end of her property she reported damaged due to construction. The Community Development Planner, City Tree Arborist and the Mayor will report at the next meeting of their findings (Exhibit 4-a).
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to accept the recommendations of the Community Center/WAMA to adopt the revised Rental Agreement, approval of the revised food preparation area plan for inclusion in the overall renovations and authorization to enter into the Joint Use Agreement (Exhibit 4-b).
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to enter into lease agreement with the Admiralty for placement of port-o-lets for short term use.
Ms. Marsha Smelly, Recording Secretary of the Ocean Springs Garden Center, presented a letter thanking the Board of Aldermen for their effort in beautifying the City. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to spread the letter from the Garden Club upon the minutes (Exhibit 4-c).
OLD BUSINESS
The Mayor advised that Mississippi Department of Transportation gave an update on the traffic light synchronization on Highway 90. The traffic count on Highway 90 is also complete.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Courtney Blossman, 207 Shearwater Drive, questioned the re-zoning at the Ferson Optic Property.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of items (d) and (e) which were pulled by the Alderman Lloyd; item (f) which was pulled by Alderman Dalgo, items (g), (t), and (u) were pulled by Alderman Hagan, and item (v) which was pulled by Alderman Denyer.
Alderman McDonnell temporarily left the meeting at this time.
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (d) to ask if this was a Contract to be approved. The Grants Administrator advised that it was a bid approval and the Contract will be negotiated. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize bid for replacement windows for City Hall and hurricane shutters for City buildings funded by USDA and amend budget accordingly (Exhibit 6-d).
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (e) and asked the City Attorney if the City could purchase a table for the Boys and Girls Club Steak and Steak Dinner. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize contribution to the Boys and Girls Club in the amount of $500.00 to advertise the resources of the City (Exhibit 6-e).
Alderman McDonnell returned to the meeting.
Alderman Dalgo pulled item (f) to make a correction to the minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 6, 2008, to state that he was present at this meeting. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of May 6, 2008, with the correction (Exhibit 6-f).
Alderman Hagan pulled item (g) to ask for clarification concerning the charges for fuel that are disputed. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to approve to approve payment of Docket of Claims and spread upon the minutes (Exhibit 6-g).
Alderman Hagan pulled item (t). The Community Development Director recused himself from the discussion of this matter. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to table item (6-t).
Alderman Hagan pulled item (u) for clarification concerning engineering information. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to table item (6-u).
Alderman Denyer pulled item (v) for clarification concerning the construction of duplexes. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo and seconded by Alderman Lloyd to accept the Planning Commission recommendation to approve sketch plat for Jackson Commons. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Denyer voting nay (Exhibit 6-v).
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to accept the Addendum to the Agenda.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor:
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to spread the petition of the Citizens opposing the placing of port-o-potties on our public streets such at the foot of the Biloxi/Ocean Springs bridge and front and east beach roads upon the minutes (Exhibit 7-h).
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the Finance Committee from May 16, 2008 (Exhibit 7-b).
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo and seconded by Alderman Hagan to accept the recommendations of the Finance Committee to approve the projects listed in the report/minutes and to amend budget by creating expense line items for each project and to decrease ending cash balance by $504,800. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Denyer and Dalgo voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay (Exhibit 7-c).
City Clerk:
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan and seconded by Alderman Denyer to adopt Ordinance No. 1-2008 AN ORDINANCE REGULATING AND RESTRICTING PARKING IN THE CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS AND PROVIDING A PARKING SYSTEM FOR RESIDENTS OF BRADFORD CIRCLE AND IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF (Exhibit 7-d). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Weaver Absent
Alderman Gill Voted Aye
Alderman McDonnell Voted Aye
Alderman Lloyd Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voted Aye
Alderman Dalgo Voted Aye
Alderman Hagan Voted Aye
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd and seconded by Alderman Gill to authorize the computer programmer to rewrite the water/sewer program to charge a percentage and to determine the percentage to be collected from each customer. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Lloyd, Denyer and Dalgo voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay (Exhibit 7-e).
Community Development & Planning:
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan and seconded by Alderman McDonnell to approve the refund of the Waterview Enhancement Fund and the partial building permit refund to Ocean Pointe in the amount of $275,725.60. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Lloyd voting nay (Exhibit 7-f).
The Arborist gave an update on the live oak located near the marquee at Washington Avenue and Bienville Boulevard (Exhibit 7-g).
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to draft resolutions asking the Jackson County Board of Supervisors and the Ocean Springs School District to reduce millage as much as possible so residents and business owners will experience the lowest impact of possible tax increases due to mandatory reassessments and also to request data from the Ocean Springs Board of Realtors, Jackson County Board of Realtors and the Jackson County Homebuilders Association to submit to Benny Goff, Jackson County Tax Assessor, to understand real value versus perceived value.
Appointments to the Boards and Commission:
Paul M. Campbell Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals
Tina M. Warren Historic Preservation Commission
Charliene Roemer Historic Preservation Commission
Dennis Warren Historic Preservation Commission
Brian Fulton Planning Commission
Rickey Authement Planning Commission
Willis White Tree Committee
Helen Effinger Tree Committee
Pamela Cox Civil Service Commission
Margaret Reynolds Library Board
Larry Cosper Museum Board
Maybelle S. Bowers Museum Board
Margaret Reynolds Museum Board
Catherine Gautier Taxi Board
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize an amount not to exceed $2,500.00 from Ward 2 Capital Improvement Account for landscaping at Ford Avenue in Cherokee Glenn predicated on a plan and estimated costs of materials being submitted to the City Planner prior to commencing the project.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to authorize $4,900.00 from Ward 1 Capital Improvement Account for landscaping and sprinkler system for Fort Bayou Civic Association.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize the necessary funds from Ward 3 Capital Improvement Account to complete the planter at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center.
Alderman Denyer asked for the revised attendance schedule of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen prepared by the City Clerk’s office.
Alderman Hagan asked about the letter he received from Betty Magee and was advised that the matter would be discussed in executive session.
Alderman Denyer commended the Public Works Department for the fencing at Hidden Oaks.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to inform Singing River Electric Power Association that the City is responsible for street lights at Whitney Oaks Subdivision.
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 Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss personnel in the Police Department, personnel at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center, potential litigation concerning annexation and potential litigation concerning defamation of character.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan and seconded by Alderman Lloyd to terminate Melissa Calihan effective immediately based on the exhibits presented by the City Attorney. Motion carried with Aldermen Dalgo, Hagan Lloyd and McDonnell voting aye and Aldermen Gill and Denyer voting nay.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to hire Slaughter & Associates as urban planning consultants for annexation.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to recess until 6:00 p.m. on June 3, 2008.
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City Clerk Mayor
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