A Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Ocean Springs was called to order by Alderman Jalanivich at 6:00 p.m. on December 4, 2001, at City Hall in the City of Ocean Springs. Present were Mayor Ainsworth; Aldermen McDonnell, Cody, Carvin and Dalgo; City Attorney Oscar Jordan; and City Clerk Adrienne Howell. Alderman Gill was temporarily absent and Alderman Lloyd was absent. Although Mayor Ainsworth was present, due to recent dental surgery he was unable to chair the meeting. Therefore, Alderman Jalanivich spoke on the Mayor’s behalf, but made motions and voted on all issues as indicated.

Alderman Cody gave the Invocation.

Boy Scouts from Troop 271 led the Pledge of Allegiance.

At this time DMR Executive Director Glen Carpenter and Chief of Staff Joe Ziegler presented the Mayor and Board of Aldermen with a Tidelands Trust Fund check in the amount of $200,000.00 for the Fort Bayou Boat Ramp project. Senator Tommy Moffat and Representative Hank Zuber were present for the presentation.

At this time Alderman Jalanivich opened the public hearing regarding the Local Law Enforcement Grant Program Funds. After soliciting comments from the audience and having received none, Alderman Jalanivich declared the public hearing closed.

Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting of November 6, 2001

Approve Minutes of Recess Meeting of November 13, 2001

Pay Docket of Claims and spread docket summary upon the Minutes:

(Docket Summary)

Accept Action Report

Authorize Mayor to sign lease agreement with Ford Motor Credit regarding purchase of new police cars (36 months, 4.30% APR, $7,151.58 per month):

(Lease Agreement Memo)

Terminate contract with Advantage Collection Service, allow them 30 days to clean up current accounts and return them to the Ocean Springs Police Dept., and enter into a non-binding contract with Central Investigations and Collections of Long Beach and authorize the Mayor to execute contract:

(Advantage Collection Memo)

Allow Officer Lisa Bradley to attend MLEOTA Basic Training Course beginning January 7, 2002, prepay tuition and pay all other reasonable and actual expenses

Allow Animal Control Officer James Catchot to return to Dispatcher position at his current rate of pay and allow Police Chief to hire a temporary Animal Control Officer at Band 3/Step 1 ($9.33 hr.):

(Catchot Memo)

Hire Timothy J. Heath as Firefighter at Band 4/Step 1 ($8.46 hr.), pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements, and place him on 1 year probation:

(Heath Hire Memo)

Pay invoice from Twin L Construction ($434.62 – retainage) regarding Forest Hill Bulkhead associated with Tropical Storm Allison:

(Twin L Invoice)

Approve Pay Request No. 5 from Graham Construction Co, Inc. in the amount of $30,960.00 ($21,052.80-CDBG and $9,907.20-City) regarding CDBG Public Facilities Project (Ocean Springs Drainage Improvements, Project No. 00-282-PF-01), and release payment upon receipt of funds from CDBG:

(Graham Invoice)

Approve Invoice No. 4 from New South Architects ($15,120.00) regarding design work related to Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center and release payment upon receipt of HUD funds:

(New South Invoice)

Authorize City Clerk to advertise bids for purchase of Live Oak and Magnolia Trees through Transportation Tree Planting Program:

(CD&P Memo re: Tree Planting Grant)

Accept Planning Commission’s recommendation to grant special use permit to Mrs. Lou Young at 1601 Government St. to construct 16’ x 15’ addition:

(Young Special Use Permit)

Pay invoice from Huntington T. Block Insurance Agency ($8,800.00) for Fine Arts Insurance Policy Renewal for Walter Anderson Mural at Ocean Springs Community Center:

(Mural Insurance)

Accept easement from Randall J. Wrigley and authorize placement of master water meter on Gibson Rd.:

(Wrigley Easement)

Motion by Carvin, seconded by McDonnell, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

VOTING AYE Aldermen Jalanivich, McDonnell, Cody and Carvin

VOTING NAY Alderman Dalgo

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Aldermen Lloyd and Gill

(Progress Report (2) – Water & Sewer Billing)

Motion by Jalanivich, seconded by Cody, to accept the three recommendations from the City Clerk with regarding to water and sewer billing and go forward with them.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Aldermen Lloyd and Gill

(Resolution – Renewing Interlocal Agreement Multi-Agency Narcotics Task Force)

Motion by McDonnell, seconded by Cody, to adopt the above and foregoing Resolution.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Aldermen Lloyd and Gill

The Fire Chief reported that the Volunteer Fire Co. was planning to reorganize and would possibly disband or become a social organization. They had offered to donate their 1976 pumper truck to the City, which, according to the Fire Chief, could be upgraded at a cost of approximately $8,000.00 and have an estimated use of 5 years. He recommended the City accept their offer.

Motion by Cody, seconded by Jalanivich, to assume ownership of the 1976 pumper truck from the Volunteer Fire Co. and upgrade the vehicle when funds become available.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Aldermen Lloyd and Gill

The Fire Chief advised that the Mississippi Gulf Coast Council of Professional Firefighters was an organization for Fire Dept. unions, of which the Ocean Springs Fire Dept. was not a member, and stated that no benefits or funds contributed to the organization go to the Ocean Springs Fire Dept.

Motion by Jalanivich, seconded by Carvin, to authorize the City Clerk to advertise bids for the Fort Bayou boat ramp project, with specifications provided by the City Engineer.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Aldermen Lloyd and Gill

The Public Works Director reported that there were two sewer line failures under Diller Rd. approximately 12 ft. down and requested Graham Construction Co. be used after the first of the year to make the repairs. He estimated the project to take 3-5 days at a cost of $6,000.00-$7,000.00.

Motion by Jalanivich, seconded by Cody, to accept the Public Works Director’s recommendation to use Graham Construction Co. after the first of the year to repair the two sewer line failures on Diller Rd.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Aldermen Lloyd and Gill

Motion by McDonnell, seconded by Carvin, to authorize the Planning Dept. to send a lot cleaning letter to the owner of 516 Jackson Ave. for structure abatement.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Lloyd

The City Planner reported the owners of 309 Lovers Lane were working to clean their property and that he would check their progress by next meeting.

(Culeoka S/D, Phases 4A & 4B – Release of CD)

Motion by Carvin, seconded by Gill, to accept the City Planner’s recommendation to accept Culeoka Subdivision, Phases 4A and 4B for maintenance and authorize the City Clerk to release the Warranty Certificate of Deposit in the amount of $47,600.00.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Lloyd

Motion by Cody, seconded by McDonnell, to accept the Risk Manger’s recommendation to pay the invoices for drug testing services totaling $1,246.10.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Lloyd

(Chamber of Commerce – Request for Promotional Funding FYE 2002 (Tourism Funds)

Motion by McDonnell, seconded by Cody, to accept the request of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce and release the $44,122.00 budgeted in the Tourism Fund for FYE 2002.

VOTING AYE Aldermen Jalanivich, McDonnell, Cody, Dalgo and Gill

VOTING NAY Alderman Carvin

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Lloyd

(Sparkes Resignation)

Motion by Dalgo, seconded by Cody, to accept the resignation of Jean Sparkes from the Ocean Springs Library Board of Trustees and authorize the Mayor to send her letter of appreciation for her service to the City.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Lloyd

Motion by Carvin, seconded by Dalgo, to appoint Mary Lee Garrard to the Library Board to fill the unexpired term of Jean Sparkes.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Lloyd

The agenda item "Paving Projects" was held over until the next meeting.

Alderman McDonnell requested that residents in the area of the Ocean Springs Harbor be allowed to speak regarding Jackson County’s proposed project for additional boat slips.

Henry Furr of 1600 Warren Dr. expressed concern for the bird sanctuary and possible increased garbage and noise.

John Kohler, who is building a home at 310 Shearwater Dr., was concerned the eastern side of the Harbor would be paved.

Harriet Perry of 1108 Calhoun submitted the following letter, along with a copy of a resolution adopted by a previous Board of Supervisors.

(Letter & Resolution)

Motion by McDonnell, seconded by Gill, to adopt a resolution to let the Jackson County Board of Supervisors and Harbor Commission know that at the present time the City of Ocean Springs does not want the additional boats slips at the Ocean Springs Harbor and to forward it to the Jackson County Board of Supervisors.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Lloyd

Tim Williams of 17 Bryant Court was concerned about television cable mistakenly laid to his house and placed only 3" into the ground. He said he was given information from the Building Dept. which required cable to be laid 12"-18" deep. The City Planner advised Mr. Williams that the City of Ocean Springs did not regulate the laying of utility cables or lines. Alderman McDonnell requested clarification be given to Mr. Williams by the Building Official.

Elmer Williams of Bancorp South in Ocean Springs took issue with a newspaper article regarding employee health insurance and a local insurance agency. He informed the Board that Bancorp South owns The Insurance Center and the Stewart Sneed Hewes Group. He added that 24 of their combined 190 employees reside in Ocean Springs and make a direct impact on the Ocean Springs economy, including $27,000.00 in property taxes in Ocean Springs. He stated that although the insurance office is not located in Ocean Springs, they are a part of the community.

Representative Hank Zuber announced that the bill to expand the Park Commission had passed the House and that Senator Moffat was to file the bill on the Senate side to ensure passage.

Cynthia Ramseur of 256 Lovers Lane asked if the City would support a local land trust or easement that would preclude Jackson Co. from developing the harbor area. The City Attorney advised that there may be a problem with trying to perpetually preclude the use of the area by Jackson County and stated that any designation of the area as an easement, nature area, park, sanctuary, etc., would have to be done by Jackson Co.

Harriet Perry stated that Gail Bishop, Superintendent of GINS, had worked hard to get the harbor area qualified as an ecological wildlife site, however the Board of Supervisors was unwilling to enter into an agreement because of safety concerns that there was no designated viewing area. She suggested a viewing area be incorporated into the harbor construction or bridge replacement project so that Jackson Co. might be more willing to enter into such an agreement.

Motion by McDonnell, seconded by Dalgo, to authorize Singing River EPA to turn on three streetlights on Farrington Court.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Lloyd

Motion by Cody, seconded by McDonnell, to authorize Public Works to extend water to the landscaping area at the entrance to Parktown East Subdivision.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Lloyd

Motion by Cody, seconded by McDonnell, to authorize the Mayor to write a letter to the Highway Commissioner stressing the importance of completing the Highway 90 widening project in a timely manner and requesting their assistance in expediting the project.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Lloyd

Motion by Cody, seconded by Carvin, to go into Closed Session to determine the necessity for an Executive Session.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Lloyd

Motion by Gill, seconded by Cody, to go into Executive Session to discuss the purchase of property and excuse the City Clerk.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Lloyd

The City Clerk announced to the audience that the Board had elected to go into Executive Session to discuss the purchase of property.

After approximately 15 minutes the Executive Session ended.

Motion by Cody, seconded by Gill, to resume the Regular Session.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Lloyd

Motion by Carvin, seconded by McDonnell, to recess until 6:00 p.m. on December 18, 2001.

VOTING AYE ALL

VOTING NAY NONE

ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Lloyd

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City Clerk Mayor

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