Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 6, 2009
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 6, 2009. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Ross, Gill, McDonnell, Cody, Denyer and Hagan were present. Also present were City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards. Alderman Dalgo was absent.
Alderman Cody gave the invocation and the Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATIONS
The Mayor read a proclamation declaring the week of October 4-10, 2009, as Fire Prevention Week.
The Mayor read a proclamation declaring the week of October 19-23, 2009, as National Business Women’s Week.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to move New Business Items 5-c and 5-a before Old Business.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. K.C. Arnold stated she was a responsible dog owner and requested the Board to rescind the motion made concerning the ban of animals on the bridge (Exhibit 5-a).
Jackson County Supervisor John McKay gave an overview of the joint City and County projects. Supervisor McKay also reviewed the road paving procedure. He advised the City will submit a list of roads to be paved to Joe O’Neal. The Supervisor will review the list and make a recommendation. (Exhibit 5-b). Supervisor McKay and Mr. Lance Moffa gave an update on the Harbor project. They advised the entire bulkhead needs to be replaced. The plan also includes a ¼ mile fishing pier; the completion of the harbor house and if any money is left, it will used for the beautification portion of the project.
OLD BUSINESS
Motion was made by Alderman Gill and seconded by Alderman Cody to approve Change Order #1 for Alice Street Tennis Facility project for removal of sub-surface debris and back fill; installation of 24” drain pipe and an extension of 106 additional days to contract. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Cody, Ross and Denyer voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay (Exhibit 4-a).
Motion was made by Alderman Gill and seconded by Alderman McDonnell to approve Change Order for installation of transformers by Singing River Electric Power Association in the amount of $89,500.00 at the Highway 57 Sports Complex. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Cody, Ross and Denyer voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay (Exhibit 4-b).
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to approve Change Order to the Phase 1 Site Work contract to install 6” instead of 4” electrical conduit for the site power feed in the amount of $2,400.00 at Highway 57 Sports Complex (Exhibit 4-b).
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Steve Munn spoke on behalf of the Ocean Springs Carnival Association to announce the Ocean Springs night parade will be held on February 12, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. and requested to use the same parade route as last year’s night parade. He further stated the Police Department and Public Works concur. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to follow the same parade route as last year’s route for the Ocean Springs Carnival Associate night parade on February 12, 2009, at 7:00 p.m.
Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to transfer up to $500.00 from Ward 3 Capital Improvement Account to the Miscellaneous Promotions Account to advertise the resources of the City at the 9th Annual Sheriff’s Gospel Sing on November 21, 2009.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to amend the agenda to include (Item 5-e) – Conceptual designs for Fort Maurepas sign – Mr. Frank Burandt.
Mr. Frank Burandt presented conceptual designs for the Fort Maurepas sign. Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize Frank Burandt to proceed with drawings to obtain cost estimates for Sign #2 pending Historic Preservation Commission review and approval and further to retain Frank Burandt through the construction phase of the sign.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Ross and unanimously carried to provide a list of any and all funds available in connection with Fort Maurepas Park by the next Board meeting to be able to make a good decision on signage at the Park.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Donna Stevens spoke against the ban of animals on the bridge and asked the Board to reconsider their motion.
Ms. Amanda Kennerly spoke concerning the loud music at Harbor Landing on October 3, 2009, and asked that their permit be revoked for numerous noise and hours violations.
Ms. Mary Marr Beckman, 1209 Cove Avenue, requested the Building Official to inspect the property at 1305 Cove Avenue. She stated nothing has been done to the house in the last four (4) years and there is a rat problem. She also asked to inspect 810 Handy Avenue; it is in a deplorable condition.
Ms. Courtney Blossman, 207 Shearwater Drive, asked the City for due diligence on protecting the oak trees. She stated a contractor and/or city truck tore down a large oak tree limb located on the East end of Shearwater Drive on October 1, 2009. She further stated another accident occurred today on Washington Avenue involving an oak tree and an 18 wheeler truck.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to enter the picture of the oak tree into the minutes.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to enter the Exhibit presented by Amanda Kennerly concerning Harbor Landing into the minutes.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of items (l) and (y) which were pulled by Alderman Hagan.
Alderman Hagan pulled item (l) to amend the time for the temporary open container permit. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize to amend the Special Event Permit for the Rotary 5-K Run for Art, Culture and Education to approve temporary permit for open containers on November 6, 2009, beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. (Exhibit 7-l).
Alderman Hagan pulled item (y) to ask the Department Heads to consider hiring part-time employees for a cost savings to the City. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize to begin the process to fill the position of full-time Custodian at an hourly rate of $9.50 (Exhibit 7-y).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor:
The Mayor advised she had not received the agreement with Planet Fitness and would present it at the next meeting.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to waive the fee charged for use of the Civic Center to decorate on November 4, 2009, for the United Way campaign.
Alderman Denyer asked the Mayor for clarification on the collection of the 2% tax levy by vendors during events such as Cruisin’ the Coast and the Peter Anderson Festival. He stated his concern was the established businesses in town selling beverages during such events. The City Clerk advised she would research this matter further by doing spot auditing.
City Clerk:
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to adopt the Intent Resolution for Ocean Springs $4.6 Million General Obligation Bond, Series 2009 (Exhibit 8-b).
Community Development & Planning:
The Planning Director advised the public hearings to discuss the Master Plan for Front Beach, Downtown and Bienville Boulevard will be held at the Planning Commission meetings on October 13, 2009 and November 10, 2009.
Parks and Leisure Services:
Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to authorize the Recreation Steering Committee to interview architects for plans for the tennis court pavilion (Exhibit 8-d).
The Parks and Leisure Services Director requested allocation for landscaping at the Alice Street tennis court facility. Mr. Joey Furr advised there was a landscape plan in the first bid that was rejected. He stated he will provide the Board with the cost of the original landscape plan (Exhibit 8-e).
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to authorize the Parks and Leisure Services Director to contact the Jackson County Board of Supervisors to request their assistance with the removal of stumps and a dead pine tree in the Inner Harbor Park (Exhibit 8-f).
Alderman Denyer asked the Parks and Leisure Services Director to place signs at the Clay Boyd Splash Park to notify the public it is closed for the off-season.
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Alderman Hagan provided a Timeline of Board action for the Gay-Lemon Multi-purpose Center including authorization to execute the agreement with MEMA for the Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program. He stated the City has spent approximately $234,000.00 on design fees for this project to date and the expected remaining expenses total approximately $60,000.00. The construction cost for the base building is estimated at $4.5 million. The grant will be for the cost to harden the structure to FEMA 361 standards and all related Architect fees. He further stated the City committed to funding the shortfall and proceeding with the project as planned. There was discussion on how to fund the needed $4.5 million commitment for this project. The Grants Coordinator and the Mayor will provide the Board with funding mechanisms and possible solutions to proceed with the project at the next Board meeting.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan and seconded by Alderman Cody to adopt Ordinance No. 2009-20 AN ORDINANCE SETTING SALARY OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS AND THEREBY AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1-2001, ET AL. (Exhibit 9-b). The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:
Alderman Ross Voted Aye
Alderman Gill Voted Aye
Alderman McDonnell Voted Aye
Alderman Cody Voted Aye
Alderman Denyer Voting Aye
Alderman Dalgo Voting Absent
Alderman Hagan Voting Aye
Alderman Hagan stated he would like the City to have a Mardi Gras float in both Mardi Gras parades and asked if someone could find a way to accomplish this to contact him.
Alderman Hagan asked if anyone was proficient with Facebook and willing to help host a City of Ocean Springs site, please contact him.
Alderman Ross stated Boy Scout Troop 211 would like to help the City and build animal cages for cats to be able to address the issue with numerous stray cats. The cats would be caught in the cages and then transported by volunteers to the Humane Society to be spayed and neutered at no cost to the City. Alderman Ross asked if there is an ordinance prohibiting the City from taking part in this project. The City Attorney’s concern was that by the City participating in this project, it could be said the City is taking some type of ownership of the cat. The Board may want to make a finding stating they are not taking ownership of the cat by participating.
Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to proceed with the execution of the lot cleaning at 140 Linda Circle and spread the pictures upon the minutes (Exhibit
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize the Public Works Department to determine the dimensions of the property located at the east end of Groveland Road and Parktown Drive for a potential cemetery site; cost of infrastructure to develop the site and an approximate number of grave sites this property could accommodate to be given to the Cemetery Board for their review.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to place street light at end of Martin Avenue and Porter Avenue.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize up to $1,000.00 from Ward 2 Capital Improvement Account for crushed limestone at the end of Pontchartrain Court if determined by Public Works to be City right of way.
Motion was made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to remove the speed hump on Shearwater Drive and authorize the Planning Director to study the area after the removal.
Alderman McDonnell asked the Planning Director for a timeline as to the hiring of a Code Enforcement Officer. The Planning Director advised the position was being advertised at this time. Alderman McDonnell further asked for other solutions to address code enforcement issues in addition to personnel.
Alderman McDonnell thanked Alderman Cody for volunteering to be the site coordinator for the Ocean Springs Cruisin’ the Coast site.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to authorize up to $500.00 from Ward 1 Capital Improvement Account for a bike rack at Fort Bayou Park.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to authorize up to $500.00 from Ward 1 Capital Improvement Account for landscaping and improvements at Fort Bayou Estates Subdivision.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan and seconded by Alderman Gill to place new street light on Trentwood Drive. Motion carried with Alderman Gill, McDonnell, Cody, Ross and Hagan voting aye and Alderman Denyer voting nay.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill 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 Ross, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss litigation in Circuit Court; litigation regarding a Contract; litigation regarding a criminal appeal and personnel in the Fire Department and personnel in the Planning Department.
Alderman Hagan exited executive session and asked the City Clerk to call Ryan Stevenson. Alderman Hagan called twice. Ryan Stevenson was not present.
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 authorize to move forward with constructing Civic Center roof with Saucier Brothers Roofing and accept offer from Surety with approval by City Attorney.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to accept the recommendation of the Fire Chief for disciplinary action of an employee.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to recess until 6:00 p.m. on October 20, 2009.
Meeting ended at 9:46 p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor
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