Aldermen Minutes
MINUTES
MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS
RECESS MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2009
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 September 15, 2009. Mayor Moran presiding, Aldermen Ross, Gill, Cody, Denyer, Dalgo and Hagan were present. Also present were City Clerk Shelly Ferguson and City Attorney John Edwards. Alderman McDonnell was absent.
Alderman Cody led the invocation and the Mayor led Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to amend the agenda to add an Old Business item – Update of Ocean Springs Harbor Road Improvement project.
PRESENTATION
Mr. Bobby Culumber of Culumber, Fletcher, Harvey & Associates, P.A. gave an overview of the FY07-08 Audit. Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to accept the FY07-08 Audit (Exhibit 3-a).
PUBLIC HEARINGS
The Building Official presented pictures of 1311 Glacier Drive and further explained the property owner, Mr. Jackson, was given additional time to clean the property at the Public Hearing on June 3, 2009. He further stated a new roof was put on the house and cleaned the property but has had to contact Mr. Jackson twice since the Public Hearing to keep the property clean.
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Ross and unanimously carried to open the Public Hearing.
At this time a public hearing was held to determine whether property located at 1311 Glacier Drive is in such a state of uncleanliness so as to be a menace to public health and safety. There was not a property owner in attendance. The Building Official provided testimony as to the existing conditions of the lot. It was described with the following problems: a) abandoned house since Hurricane Katrina. Ms. Carol Jones, President of Parktown East Civic Association, spoke on behalf of the neighbors about the safety concerns existing because of this abandoned house and young children are getting into the house. The Building Official stated he informed Mr. Larry Jackson that this lot cleaning matter would be addressed at the September 15, 2009, Board meeting concerning his property at 1311 Glacier Drive.
Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to close the public hearing.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to table the matter to proceed with the lot cleaning at 1311 Glacier Drive (Exhibit 3-b).
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to open the Public Hearing.
At this time a public hearing was held to determine whether property located at 140 Linda Drive is in such a state of uncleanliness so as to be a menace to public health and safety. There was not a property owner in attendance. The Building Official provided testimony as to the existing conditions of the lot. It was described with the following problems: a) junk and debris scattered about the yard and b) overgrown condition of lot (Exhibit 3-c).
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to close the public hearing.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to accept the recommendation of the Building Official to proceed with the lot cleaning at 140 Linda Circle but delay the execution of the action until the next Board meeting (Exhibit 3-b).
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Morris Strickland spoke on behalf of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art and asked the City to recognize the importance of the museum and what it does for the City. He further asked for an appropriate funding amount for the museum from the City every year. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer and seconded by Alderman Dalgo to allocate $15,000.00 in the FY09-10 budget for the Walter Anderson Museum of Art to promote the resources of the City and the artwork of Walter Anderson. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, Cody, Ross, Denyer and Dalgo voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Frank Burdant with Greg Cantrell, Inc. presented a revised conceptual drawing of Harbor Drive reflecting the increase of parking spaces to 86 spaces.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Eric Zala spoke on behalf of the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center to request a temporary alcohol permit for October 24th and 25th for the Music Festival to allow people to walk back and forth across the street from the Mary C. to Shaddy’s New World Cuisine with alcoholic beverages during the festival.
Ms. Melanie Allen spoke on behalf of the Historic Ocean Springs Association (HOSA) to thank the City for their past support. She asked if the City would consider their request of $5,000.00 to support this association in the upcoming budget year.
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 (b) and (c) which were pulled by Alderman Hagan and item (k) which was pulled by Alderman Denyer.
Alderman Hagan pulled item (b) to include a beginning date for the event in the resolution. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to adopt the Resolution of the City of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to temporarily allow consumption of alcoholic beverages on public property for the duration of Cruisin’ the Coast from Thursday, October 8, 2009, through 12:01 a.m., Sunday, October 11, 2009 (Exhibit 7-b).
Alderman Hagan pulled item (c) to include a beginning date for the event in the resolution. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to adopt the Resolution of the City of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to temporarily allow consumption of alcoholic beverages on public property for the duration of the opening of Fort Maurepas Park from Saturday, October 24, 2009, through 12:01 a.m., Sunday, October 25, 2009 (Exhibit 7-c).
Alderman Denyer pulled item (k) to discuss the allowance of the consumption of alcohol at the Mary C. O’Keefe Music Festival on October 24th and 25th. Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to issue a temporary alcohol permit to allow people to walk back and forth across the street from the Mary C. to Shaddy’s New World Cuisine with alcoholic beverages during the festival in the area where the streets are blocked off.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mayor:
The Mayor presented a request from the First Presbyterian Church to hold their 2010 Easter Sunrise Service at Fort Maurepas Park. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to allow First Presbyterian Church the use of Fort Maurepas Park for 2010 Easter Sunrise Services with the stipulation that they adhere to the rules and stipulations to be established for the park (Exhibit 8-b).
The Mayor presented a request from Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) to consider a trade for the Ocean Springs Community Center rental fee of $800.00 for air-time on MPB radio or television. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan to table this request to obtain more information. After further discussion, Alderman Denyer withdrew his motion and Alderman Hagan withdrew his second. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to authorize the Mayor to negotiate a price less any clean up fees and fees the City does not customarily waive.
The Mayor asked for input from the Board concerning the creation of the Economic Development Council as an ad-hoc committee with a mission to enhance recruitment and expansion of business in Ocean Springs. She asked for guidance from the Board to determine how many people should serve on the council and who might be interested in becoming a member. Any person interested in serving on the council should contact the Mayor or their Alderman.
City Clerk:
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo and unanimously carried to adopt the FY09-10 Budget as presented at the Public Hearing. After further discussion, Alderman Denyer withdrew his motion and Alderman Dalgo withdrew his second. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo to adopt the FY09-10 Budget with amendments of $15,000.00 allocated to Walter Anderson Museum of Art and an additional $2,000.00 to Historic Ocean Springs Association (HOSA) for a total allocation to HOSA of $5,000.00 include City Clerk remarks. City Clerk, Shelly Ferguson, stated the changes from the Public Hearing budget to the proposed final budget were raises, Fort Maurepas insurance and the reduction of 2 mills (Exhibit 8-d).
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan and unanimously carried to adopt the Resolution Fixing the Levy of the Municipal Ad Valorem Taxes on the City of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and the Ocean Springs School District, Jackson County, for the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 (Subsection 20-33-45) (Exhibit 8-e).
Police Department:
The Mayor presented a letter from the Police Chief stating that 35 noise violations had been issued since June 1, 2009.
ALDERMEN’S FORUM
Motion was made by Alderman Hagan, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to remove dog waste receptacles and post signs stating “No Animals Allowed on the Bridge”.
Alderman Denyer asked the Deputy Police Chief to research battery operated 3-wheel vehicles at t3motion.com.
Alderman Denyer asked the Public Works Director to obtain a cost estimate for paving at the end of Bechtel Boulevard.
Alderman Denyer thanked the Building Official for doing a good job.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to purchase from Ward 5 Capital Improvement Account $1,034.35 to Police Department for animal control supplies; $448.00 to Police Department for refrigerator for traffic division and $352.00 to Emergency Management for emergency vehicle magnets (Exhibit 9-a).
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to change the policy to not require Board action for transfers of the Aldermen’s capital improvement accounts within the city departments but would still require Board action for external expenditures of the city.
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Hagan to authorize to begin the process to fill the vacancy of a Code Enforcement Officer with a salary range of $30,000.00 to $35,000.00.
Alderman Hagan asked for input from the Board concerning the Communications Policy draft and the duties and goals of the Public Information Officer.
Alderman Denyer requested Compton Engineering to evaluate the ditch between 107 Myrtle Avenue to Davidson Road.
The Mayor stated thus far no contingency funds have been expended for Fort Maurepas Park and asked to install two (2) permanent signs at the park and by the D’Iberville statue. Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Cody to authorize the Mayor to obtain a cost estimate for design, construction and installation of two (2) signs for Fort Maurepas Park to be paid out of the contingency money. Motion carried with Aldermen Gill, Cody, Ross, Denyer and Dalgo voting aye and Alderman Hagan voting nay.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by Alderman Denyer, seconded by Alderman Dalgo 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 Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Denyer and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss personnel in the Police Department and personnel in the Mayor’s office; litigation in Circuit Court and litigation in City Court
The City Attorney, John Edwards, exited executive session and asked the City Clerk to call Karen George. The City Clerk called twice. Karen George was not present.
The City Attorney, John Edwards, exited executive session and stated litigation in Chancery Court was discussed in Executive Session.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to accept the recommendation of the Police Chief for disciplinary action of an employee.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to authorize to move forward with hearing in Chancery Court.
Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to adjourn until 6:00 p.m. on October 6, 2009.
Meeting ended at 9:59 p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor
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