Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 2, 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 October 2, 2007. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Gill, Lloyd, McDonnell, Weaver, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan were present. Also present were Interim City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards.
The Mayor gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
OLD BUSINESS
Dr. Billy Walker, Executive Director of the Department of Marine Resources, gave an overview of the FEMA and U.S. Corps of Engineers programs for buying out repetitive flood properties which would be voluntary, the properties would be turned into green spaces and become part of the State of Mississippi.
Mr. Dennis Cowart presented a design for the Culinary Arts room at the Mary C. O’Keefe Center (Exhibit 3-b). Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to accept the plan for the Culinary Arts room.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to send a letter to Choctaw Chief Beasley Denson from the Mayor & Board of Aldermen that includes a copy of the resolution passed on March 20, 2007 (Exhibit 3-a) and ask that Chief Denson honor the will of the people, whatever it may be, in the upcoming, non-binding referendum and also send a copy of the letter and resolution to Governor Haley Barbour, the head of Indian Affairs, along with Travel Gaming in Washington D.C. so they to are updated on our position here in the City of Ocean Springs which will be the closest municipality to this possible project.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Barry Page discussed difficulties he has had setting up his commercial property at 2600 Government Street. The Mayor explained that a concrete parking lot was installed at the property right up to the building due to an error by the contractor and Mr. Page has agreed to cut out some of the concrete for green space.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to authorize the Annual Elks Mardi Gras Parade on January 19, 2008, block the streets based on the route and the authority for the Public Works Department and Police Department to work in support of the event.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Bill Lucuas, 203 Front Beach, expressed his disappointment in the approvals given at the last Board meeting to the Admiralty project on Front Beach (Exhibit 5-a).
Ms. Claire Brou requested that the Mayor & Board of Aldermen institute a policy to send a letter of congratulations from the Mayor to citizens of Ocean Springs on their 100th birthday. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to accept the suggestion of Ms. Brou that the Mayor send special greetings to those citizens reaching their 100th birthday.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda and the Addendum to the Agenda with the exception of item (c) which was pulled by Alderman Denyer, item (e) which was pulled by the Mayor and item (A-1d) which was pulled by Alderman Weaver.
Alderman Denyer pulled item (c) and said that the item on the Action Report regarding contacting the Highway Commissioner about naming the new Biloxi Bay Bridge in honor of Governor Haley and Marsha Barbour was not his intent which was to contact our legislatures and the Highway Commissioner about putting a plaque on the Ocean Springs side of the bridge honoring Governor Haley & Marsha Barbour for their contributions to the Coast. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to approve item (c) to accept the Action Report.
The Mayor pulled item (e) at the request of the Police Chief and asked that it be held pending a background check.
Alderman Weaver pulled item (t) to inform the audience what is included on the Tree Committee Report. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to accept the Tree Committee Report.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to adopt resolutions pertaining to the application and use of CDBG funding (Exhibit 7-a) and adopt a resolution to revise the downtown map for the City related to the application and use of CDBG funding (Exhibit 7-b).
Community Development & Planning
The Community Development & Planning Director presented proposals for a Garage/Yard Sale Ordinance (Exhibit 7-c), Vehicles for Sale Ordinance (Exhibit 7-d) and Marquee Tower banner application process (Exhibit 7-e) for the Aldermen to study.
ALDERMAN’S FORUM
Alderman Hagan said that he understands that Mr. Kenneth Ross repaired a roof at one of the Fire Stations several months ago that has not been paid and asked that it be placed on the agenda for payment at the next Board meeting.
Alderman Hagan said that Captain Gary Demery retired from the Police Department and he would like to give him a plaque with a key to the City. The City Attorney said that the City cannot give employees mementos which are considered a donation. Alderman Denyer said that he would pay for a plaque.
Alderman Weaver commended the Public Works Department on the street cleanup for Cruising the Coast.
Alderman Weaver asked if the underpass for the bridge will be open November 1, 2007 and the Public Works Director replied that it will not open until the full bridge is complete. She requested the Police Department have a traffic person work with the school bus drivers on the issue.
Alderman Lloyd requested that Code Enforcement remove the political signs on public property.
The Mayor requested the Public Works Director to take some big pieces of equipment to the elementary schools to display for Community Helpers Week.
Alderman McDonnell reported that there is overgrown shrubbery on LaFontaine and Dewey which is dangerous.
Alderman McDonnell said that MDOT plans to have motorcycles lead the parade over the bridge at the opening and requested that Police, Fire and Public Works employees on motorcycles take the lead.
Alderman McDonnell said that there are citizens that are not happy about the Martin Street Pier not returning and asked that the Brumfield Development explore building a pier at that location.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman Gill to go into closed session to determine the necessity of going into executive session. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, McDonnell, Weaver, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Lloyd voting nay.
The Interim City Clerk returned to the meeting and announced that a motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss a personnel issue in the City Clerk’s Department, potential litigation and an appeal able decision.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried authorize $3,500 from the Ward I Capital Improvement Account for new fencing, landscaping and a sprinkler system at Fort Bayou Subdivision.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize a monthly supplement of $160.00 for Kristen Holley for a temporary expansion of job duties in purchasing until a Purchasing Agent is hired.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to recess until 6:00 p.m. on October 16, 2007.
