Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 7, 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 October 7, 2008. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Lloyd, McDonnell, Weaver, Denyer and Dalgo were present. Also present were City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards. Aldermen Gill and Hagan were absent.
Alderman Weaver gave the invocation and the Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLAMATIONS
The Mayor read a proclamation declaring the week of October 5-11, 2008, as Fire Prevention Week.
The Mayor read a proclamation declaring the week of October 20-25, 2008, as National Business Women’s Week.
The Mayor read a proclamation declaring the week of October 27-31, 2008, as Red Ribbon Week.
PRESENTATION
Sonia Cowart presented a check in the amount of $200.00 to Jerry Dalgo, Ward 5, as the food drive winner. Alderman Dalgo then donated the check back to Sonia Cowart for the benefit to the Lord is My Help Food Pantry. Mr. Mike Davis, Assistant Director of Convention Sales at the Beau Rivage, donated up to $500.00 worth of plants to be used throughout Ward 5.
OLD BUSINESS
Ms. Kim LaRosa, President and CEO of the Gulf Coast Renaissance Corporation, spoke regarding the REACH Scholarship program. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize the Human Resource Committee to establish the criteria for the REACH Scholarship program and to forward their recommendations to the Board of Aldermen.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize to advertise for bids for Mary C. O’Keefe Culinary Arts Café and exterior work at Ocean Springs Community Center pending approval by the permit committee of MDAH.
Mr. Eric Zala asked on behalf of the Friends of the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center Board to change the operating hours of the center. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to change operating hours at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center to Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. David Pearson presented an appeal of the tree committee’s recommendation to deny the removal of three (3) trees on the property of Wesley United Methodist Church. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize Wesley United Methodist Church to remove three (3) trees on the property due to the economic hardship that will be imposed by the applicant if the permit were denied and to plant five (5) 15-gallon live oaks prior to receiving certificate of occupancy.
No one was present on behalf of the Toys for Tots. No action taken.
Mr. Sam Tootle, Mississippi Gulf Coast Bike Fest, asked the City to provide use of the Civic Center grounds for vendors; provide security and city services and provide a letter stating they are allowed to sell water, soda, beer and food at the Bike Fest from June 28-July 5, 2009. Mr. Tootle was advised to meet with the Police Chief, Public Works Department and to provide a site plan, hours of operation, address restroom and trash facilities, security and to provide insurance to the Director of Facilities (Exhibit 6-c).
No one was present on behalf of Southern Coast Taxi. No action taken.
No one was present on behalf of the 333rd TRS Booster Club. No action taken.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of item (a) which was pulled by Alderman Lloyd; items (c), (v), (y) and (mm) which were pulled by Alderman Weaver; item (m) which was pulled by Alderman Denyer; item (o) which was pulled by Alderman Dalgo and item (m) which was pulled by Alderman Denyer.
Alderman Lloyd pulled item (a) and asked if the Parks and Leisure Department would be participating in the MS Gulf Coast Senior Games. The Parks and Leisure Director advised that they will participate in the Senior Games. Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to authorize the City’s participation in the MS Gulf Coast Senior Games (Exhibit 8-a).
Alderman Weaver pulled item (c) for clarification on the road closure for the annual trick-or-treat Down the Street event. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to close streets on Washington from Robinson to Porter and on Government from Washington to Russell (Exhibit 8-c).
Alderman Denyer pulled item (m) and the Police Chief asked that the hourly rate be changed to $15.64 as Patrolman 2nd class. Motion was made by Denyer, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to authorize employment of Michael Pol, hourly rate $15.64, Patrolman 2nd class, probation one year, effective October 13, 2008, pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements (Exhibit 8-m).
Alderman Dalgo pulled item (o) to thank Delta Sanitation for their donation. Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to accept donation in the amount of $10,698.50 from Delta Sanitation to purchase Patches and Pumper robotic education tool and fire prevention presentation materials (Exhibit 8-o).
Alderman Weaver pulled item (v) to accept the tree committee report. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to accept the tree committee report with exception of the recommendation to deny the request of Wesley United Methodist Church.
Alderman Weaver pulled item (y) for clarification on the demolition. The Planning Director advised that none were in the historic district. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to authorize demolition of structures located at 1109 Bienville Boulevard, 1108 Ames Avenue and 1112 Ames Avenue (Exhibit 8-y).
Alderman Weaver pulled item (mm) for clarification. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to accept the Historic Preservation Commission recommendation to approve to demolish home and expand parking lot at East side of Bellande between Bowen and Porter (Exhibit 8-mm).
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Community Development & Planning:
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to table the Ordinance requiring all vehicles in the City of Ocean Springs to stop for pedestrians crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk and imposing penalties for violation thereof (Exhibit 9-a).
The Community Development Director gave a power point presentation on the comprehensive plan update.
Parks & Leisure Services:
The Parks and Leisure Services Director gave an update on the Alice Street Tennis Court project (Exhibit 9-c).
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to table item 9-c and schedule a work session with Financial Consultant, Demery Grubbs, and all of the design professionals to answer any questions relating to the 2% tax funding for the Alice Street tennis court project, Gay Lemon and Highway 57 projects and Public Safety Facility and any other capital projects.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to authorize to reject the bids for improvements for Colonial Drive.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver and seconded by Alderman McDonnell to authorize the Mayor to request assistance from Jackson County Board of Supervisors for improvements to Colonial Drive and that the Ocean Springs Public Works Department will complete water and sewer improvement. The Assistant Public Works Director advised a cost estimate of $40,000.00 out of the water/sewer budget. Motion carried with Alderman McDonnell, Weaver, Lloyd and Dalgo voting aye and Alderman Denyer voting nay.
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Alderman McDonnell asked the Human Resource Committee to perform a comparison of current police and fire raises versus the step program raises.
Alderman McDonnell asked the Mayor to send a letter and the interior package to Mr. Ken P’Pool with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and to advise that the City is responsible for the Community Center.
Alderman Lloyd asked to remove a large tree stump on the side of the road on the Admiralty property. The Planning Director advised he will address this issue with the property owner.
Alderman Weaver asked to schedule a meeting with the finance committee to discuss the vehicle policy and have input from the Board about their concerns with the policy prior to their meeting. Each department will submit a written summary how they are handling vehicles now.
Alderman Denyer reminded everyone that Cruisin’ the Coast will be held in downtown Ocean Springs this weekend.
Alderman Denyer asked to be able to speak about the paving list before it becomes an official list.
Alderman Denyer asked for a cost estimate from the Public Works Department to build a small bridge at Ashley Place and Halstead Bayou.
Alderman Denyer asked to be replaced on the Finance Committee since he is also serving on the Human Resource Committee. Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to remove Alderman Denyer and appoint Alderman Lloyd to the Finance Committee.
Alderman Lloyd asked the Public Works Department to pull up the poles at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center.
Alderman Denyer asked the Police Chief to move speed sign to Halstead Road by the tennis court area.
Alderman Dalgo asked the Police Chief to move speed sign to Bergerac Lane.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to authorize replacement of a decorative street sign for Canebrake Drive from Ward 5 Capital Improvement Account.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Weaver and unanimously carried to authorize attendance at the Bays and Bayous Symposium 2008 on October 28-29, 2008, at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to accept $500.00 worth of plants from the Beau Rivage for Ward 5 Capital Improvement Account.
Alderman Dalgo stated all crosswalks need to be painted. The Planning Director advised that thermoplastic paint has been purchased and will be used at Ocean Springs Middle School.
The Mayor presented the 2008 paving list (Exhibit 9-e).
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, 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 McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss personnel in the Public Works Department, potential litigation in Jackson County Circuit Court; potential litigation in Jackson County Chancery Court; potential litigation in the Mississippi Supreme Court and potential litigation regarding historic structures.
The City Attorney, John Edwards, exited executive session and asked the City Clerk to call Barry Darnell. The City Clerk called twice. Barry Darnell was not present.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to accept the recommendation of the Public Works Director to terminate an employee in Public Works Department effective immediately.
Motion was made by Alderman Weaver, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to recess until 5:30 p.m. on October 16, 2008.
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City Clerk Mayor
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