A Recess Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Ocean Springs was called to order by Mayor Ainsworth at 6:00 p.m. on March 19, 2002, at City Hall in the City of Ocean Springs. Present were Aldermen Jalanivich, Lloyd, McDonnell, Cody, Carvin, Dalgo and Gill, City Attorney Oscar Jordan and Deputy City Clerk Diane Northrop.
Alderman Cody gave the Invocation.
The Ocean Springs 4-H Girls’ Nature Club led the Pledge of Allegiance.
At this time Mayor Ainsworth recognized the individual members of the Ocean Springs 4-H Girls’ Nature Club and presented them with certificates of appreciation for their outstanding community service. The Nature Club had participated in several community projects such as beach clean-up, the painting of 55-gallon drums for recycling, tree planting throughout Ocean Springs in celebration of Arbor Day, and delivering gifts to the residents and staff of the Dorchester Arms. They also received a Community Pride Grant from Chevron USA for development of a cloverleaf garden at the Ocean Springs Middle School.
Executive Director Natalie Robohm and Dr. Dewey Lane, along with several other members of the Board of Directors of the Gulf Coast Symphony, presented the following letter requesting $2,500.00 in financial support for their Memorial Day Concert. Dr. Lane announced that the free concert would be held on May 26, 2002, at the Pascagoula Beach Park and would be open to the public. They hoped that the concert would become an annual event in Jackson County, which would be rotated each year among cities willing to host the event.
(Gulf Coast Symphony Letter)
The matter was tabled until the April 2, 2002, meeting to allow review of the FYE 2002 budget.
At this time Mayor Ainsworth opened the lot cleaning hearing regarding 516 Jackson Ave. The Deputy City Clerk reported that she had not received any written communication from the property owner. Neither the property owner nor a representative was present for the hearing, and there were no comments from the public. The City Planner reported that the property had been sold prior to the hearing date and that he would contact the new owners with regard to the condition of the property.
Motion by Cody, seconded by Jalanivich, to close the lot cleaning hearing regarding 516 Jackson Ave.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Motion by Cody, seconded by Carvin, to table the lot cleaning issue regarding 516 Jackson Ave. until the next meeting.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
City Clerk:
a) Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting of March 5, 2002
b) Approve Minutes of Special Call Meeting of March 12, 2002
c) Accept Action Report
d) Pay Docket of Claims and spread docket summary upon the Minutes:
(Docket Summary)
e) Authorize $1,452.92 tax refund to Donald E. and Anne R. Sawyer regarding parcel no. 61034049.000:
(Memo re: Tax Refund)
f) Allow Accountant Karen Adams to attend Spring Session of Certification Training Program for Municipal Clerks-Tax Collectors in Hattiesburg on May 9-10, 2002, prepay $60.00 registration fee and pay all other reasonable and actual expenses
Police Dept.:
g) Approve travel, pre-pay tuition and pay all other reasonable and actual expenses: Lionel Cothern – Ethics & Integrity Training in Mobile on April 16-18, 2002; Teenna Francisco – Grant Writing ($89.00) in Long Beach, MS, on April 9, 16, & 23, 2002
h) Accept Brad R. Crombie, Harry B. Harris, Jr., Christopher Irvine and Dirk Thompson as Ocean Springs Police Reservists:
(Police Reservists Memo)
Fire Dept.:
i) Accept Fire Report for February 2002
j) Authorize Fire Chief to apply for $85,000.00 USFA Grant for items listed in March 5, 2002, memo:
(Memo re: USFA Grant)
k) Authorize City Clerk to advertise bids for: breathing apparatus air compressor; self-contained breathing apparatus; extra air masks:
(Bid Items Memo)
l) Allow Fire Chief to attend Technical Writing for Professionals class on April 11, 18 and 25, 2002, at USM Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach and prepay $99.00 registration fee
m) Allow Lt. Nate Williams to attend National Fire Academy course, Challenges for Local Training Officers, in Biloxi on April 8-13, 2002, at no cost to the City
Public Works:
n) Authorize City Clerk to advertise for two-year term bids for: sewer pumps; sewer panel boxes; pre-cast sanitary manholes with specifications provided by Public Works
o) Allow John Russell and Gerald Groue to attend MS Water & Wastewater Operators Assoc. Annual Workshop in North Biloxi on April 18, 2002 at no cost to City
Community Development & Planning:
p) Accept Building Report for February 2002
q) Accept Historic Preservation Commission recommendations with regard to the following COA’s:
1. John Green – 409 Ruskin Ave.:
(Green COA)
2. Alice Martin – 545 Front Beach Dr.:
(Martin COA)
r) Accept Planning Commission recommendations with regard to the following items:
1. Douglas Hall – Request to Rezone Lot North of Hall’s Cabinet Shop on Hwy 90 from I-2 (Industrial) to C-3 (Highway Commercial):
(Hall Documents)
2. Tri-Tel Communications – Request for Co-location of Antennas on Telecommunications Tower at 835 Ward Ave.:
(Tri-Tel Communications Documents)
3. Hidden Oaks Subdivision – Request for Final Plat Approval
4. Sign Ordinance Revisions:
(Memo re: Sign Ordinance Revisions)
City Attorney:
s) Pay City Attorney’s bill for February 2002 ($2,240.00)
Miscellaneous:
t) Accept Mayor’s recommendation to contract cellular phone service with Cellular South
Items d, r3 and t were removed from the Consent Agenda for further consideration.
Motion by Dalgo, seconded by Gill, to approve the Consent Agenda, excluding items d, r3 and t.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
City Clerk
At this time discussion was held regarding item d of the Consent Agenda. Alderman Dalgo requested that the claim from Batson & Brown Engineering be removed from the docket because they had agreed not to bill the City for the Shearwater Bridge project until the funds from Jackson County had been received.
Motion by Dalgo, seconded by Carvin, to pay the docket of claims, with the exception of the bill from Batson & Brown Engineering.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Motion by Cody, seconded by Jalanivich, to authorize the Mayor to request the funds from Jackson County for the Shearwater Bridge project.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Police Dept.
Motion by Jalanivich, seconded by Carvin, to rescind the motion from the previous meeting authorizing the school zone lights to be left on during school hours, with the exception of the lights in the Magnolia Park School zone which was on already.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
City Engineer
The
City Engineer reported that the CDBG grant drainage project was almost complete
and that the Fort Bayou Boat Ramp project had been advertised for bids. He told the Board that the Eagle Point sewer
system was basically designed and that the necessary easements had been
provided to the City Attorney for research.
Alderman Dalgo noted that the docket of claims included an invoice from
Moran, Seymour & Associates for the Eagle Point project and asked whether
or not the bill was to be paid now or upon receipt of CIAP funds. Mr. Seymour agreed that the bill should be
paid following receipt of the CIAP funds.
Alderman
Gill asked about the status of the grant for lighting Highway 90. Mayor Ainsworth stated that he and the City
Engineer were working on the grant and were in the process of reconfirming the
dollar figures for the project. He
expected to have a report for the Board at the next meeting. Alderman Jalanivich expressed safety
concerns specifically for the intersections of Carolyn Dr. and Gipson Rd., but
agreed to wait for the report if the lighting project would be accomplished in
the very near future.
Alderman
Lloyd asked about the status of the MOM Program and was told by the Public
Works Director that he anticipated making the extended deadlines.
Public Works
(CDBG
Downtown Drainage Project Memo)
Motion
by Jalanivich, seconded by Dalgo, to allow Public Works to run an additional
110’ of ADS drainage pipe and install a catch basin in the vicinity of 1211 Government
St. at a cost not to exceed $2,500.00 and that the work be done in-house and
not as a change order for the project.
VOTING
AYE ALL
VOTING
NAY NONE
At
this time Alderman Jalanivich addressed the issue of hiring a full-time
engineering tech to review subdivisions as they are being developed. Alderman Lloyd suggested a work session be
held on the matter and volunteered to be the coordinator. Alderman McDonnell requested copies of the
job descriptions for Building Official and Code Enforcement Officer for the
work session.
The
issue of City water meters on private property was held over until the next
regular meeting.
Community Development & Planning
At
this time discussion was held regarding item 5r.3 of the Consent Agenda. The City Planner and Public Works Director
asked that final plat approval for Hidden Oaks Subdivision be held over until
the developer and contractor install the correct sewer pump as specified.
(Lot
Reconfiguration – 1518 Porter Ave. – Dee Wichman)
Motion
by McDonnell, seconded by Carvin, to accept the City Planner’s recommendation
to approve the application of Dee Wichman for reconfiguration of her two lots
at 1518 Porter Ave. with lot sizes of 75’ x 120’ and 94’ x 120’.
VOTING
AYE ALL
VOTING
NAY NONE
Alderman Jalanivich recused himself at this time.
(Eagle
Point – Rezoning Request – Lots 1 and 2, Lakeview S/D)
Motion
by Gill, seconded by Dalgo, to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation
to approve the request of Eagle Point, Inc. to rezone Lots 1 and 2 of Lakeview
Subdivision from R-3 to R-1A and authorize the City Attorney to draft the
necessary ordinance amendment.
VOTING
AYE ALL
VOTING
NAY NONE
TEMPORARILY
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Jalanivich
Alderman Jalanivich returned to the meeting at this time.
The
City Planner explained the HOME Homeowner Rehabilitation Program to the Board
and advised them that no matching funds from the City were required.
(Resolution
Authorizing Filing of Application with MDA)
Motion
by Lloyd, seconded by Jalanivich, to adopt the above and foregoing Resolution.
VOTING
AYE ALL
VOTING
NAY NONE
(Affirmative
Marketing Policies and Procedures & Residential Anti-displacement and
Relocation Assistance Plan Under 104(d) of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974, as amended)
Motion
by Jalanivich, seconded by Dalgo, to adopt the Affirmative Marketing Policies
and Procedures and the Residential Anti-displacement and Relocation Assistance
Plan Under 104(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as
amended.
VOTING
AYE ALL
VOTING
NAY NONE
The
City Planner explained that the City had obtained a $40,000.00 grant to develop
a hazard mitigation plan, but it required the appointment of a hazard
mitigation commission. He advised the
Board that appointments to the commission did not require any special
qualifications, but suggested that each Board member appoint one representative
from their respective ward.
(Memo
re: Hazard Mitigation Plan)
Motion
by Lloyd, seconded by Jalanivich, to accept the recommendation to appoint a
Hazard Mitigation Commission.
VOTING
AYE ALL
VOTING
NAY NONE
Appointments
to the Hazard Mitigation Commission were to be made at the next regular
meeting.
The
Board agreed to table the bids for renovation of the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural
Center until a recess meeting planned for March 21, 2002.
The
City Planner submitted the following recommendation with regard to traffic
reconfiguration on I’berville Dr.
(Traffic
Recommendation)
Alderman
Jalanivich stated that the Church of Christ was not completely satisfied with
the recommendations and asked that the Board wait until after completion of the
Highway 90 construction project to see if the problems still exist. Alderman Lloyd stated it was the residents
of I’berville Dr. who have the traffic problems and not the church. He felt that the amount of traffic and the
speeding problem created a dangerous situation and that action was necessary
for the safety of the children and residents on the street. He added that he had promised the church
that if the traffic reconfiguration did not help with or solve the traffic
problems, that the issue would be redressed.
A spokesperson for the Church of Christ stated that the church was not
satisfied with the recommendations and was concerned that church members could
be put at risk. Another church member
suggested cutting the westerly flow of traffic from Vermont to Ames by making
it one-way during the weekdays.
Alderman Cody asked that the Police Chief review the recommendations
prior to taking any action. The Board
agreed to table the matter until the next regular meeting.
The
Board agreed to table the following issues until the April 2, 2002,
meeting: Kirk Home’s request for
sidewalk bond refund; Boathouses; and Buford D. Myrick’s request for a setback
variance at 2211 Government St.
At
this time Amanda Kennerly presented the Board with information concerning
guidelines for bridge construction. She
asked the Board to exercise its discretion when the final plans were submitted
for the Shearwater Bridge and to consider a walkway for the bridge using AASHTO
standards.
City Attorney
ORDINANCE NO. 2 - 2002
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE
COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE
OF THE CITY OF CEAN SPRINGS,
MISSISSIPPI, BEING ORDINANCE NO. 13-
1976, AS AMENDED, BY PROVIDING
FOR CHANGES TO THE REQUIREMENTS
AND REGULATIONS OF OFF-STREET
AUTOMOBILE AND VEHICLE
PARKING AND LOADING
Motion
by Jalanivich, seconded by Gill, to adopt the above and foregoing Ordinance.
VOTING
AYE ALL
VOTING
NAY NONE
ORDINANCE NO. 3 - 2002
AN AMENDMENT TO THE
COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS,
MISSISSIPPI, BEING ORDINANCE NO. 13-
1976, AS AMENDED, BY AMENDING
THAT SECTION RELATING TO
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION
FACILITIES WITHIN THE CITY OF
OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, BEING
ARTICLE X OF SAID ORDINANCE
Motion
by Jalanivich, seconded by Gill, to adopt the above and foregoing Ordinance.
VOTING
AYE ALL
VOTING
NAY NONE
The
City Attorney reported that he had consulted with the City Engineer, City
Planner and Public Works Director with regard to the drainage problems in
Trentwood Subdivision, and was in the process of drafting a proposal for all
parties involved.
Alderman
Cody was concerned about the upcoming cable rate increases and asked the
Board’s support in requesting Cable One to develop another level of programming
in consideration of elderly residents living on fixed incomes. The City Attorney advised the Board that it
had attempted cable regulation in the past, but opted out due to the expense
and had relinquished control to the FCC.
He suggested that the Board adopt a resolution objecting to the rate
increase or send a letter to Cable One; however, he was unsure what the result
would be.
Motion
by Cody, seconded by Jalanivich, to authorize the Mayor to write a letter to
the FCC and Cable One requesting they consider elderly residents on fixed
incomes when it comes to rate increases and ask them to provide, if possible, a
separate package that would include channels such as CNN and the local stations
at a much lower cost.
VOTING
AYE ALL
VOTING
NAY NONE
Risk Manager/HR Director
Alderman
McDonnell reported that the street light at Dewey Ave. and LaFontaine was out
and asked the Risk Manager to handle the matter.
Old Business
Motion by Dalgo, seconded by Gill, to remove financing for Shearwater Bridge and Tara and Katy Lane street repairs from the agenda and the action report.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
New Business
(MS
Press – Community Promotion Ad for City)
Motion
by Lloyd, seconded by Carvin, not to accept the offer from the Mississippi
Press for a community promotion ad for the City in their Outlook 2002 Progress
Edition.
VOTING
AYE Aldermen Lloyd, Carvin and Dalgo
VOTING
NAY Aldermen Jalanivich, McDonnell, Cody and Gill
THE MOTION FAILED.
Motion
by Gill, seconded by McDonnell, to approve placement of a community promotion
ad in the Mississippi Press Outlook 2002 Progress Edition at a cost of $509.10.
VOTING
AYE Aldermen Jalanivich, McDonnell, Cody and Gill
VOTING
NAY Aldermen Lloyd, Carvin and Dalgo
Motion
by McDonnell, seconded by Dalgo, that the ad showcase items of interest in the
community such as the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center, the Mississippi Vietnam
Veterans’ Memorial, some of the things going on out at the east end of town,
etc., and that the ad not include a picture of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
VOTING
AYE ALL
VOTING
NAY NONE
Motion
by Dalgo, seconded by Jalanivich, to contribute $500.00 in support of the “We
the People” program at the Ocean Springs High School to promote the assets of
the City of Ocean Springs.
VOTING
AYE Aldermen Jalanivich, McDonnell, Cody, Carvin, Dalgo and Gill
VOTING
NAY Alderman Lloyd
Mayor
Ainsworth reported that the committee reviewing the engineering proposals for
the Holcomb Blvd. project would have a recommendation to the Board at the April
2, 2002, meeting.
Alderman
Jalanivich asked that the median grass-cutting contract be held over until the
next regular meeting.
Park Superintendent Damian McKay submitted a letter on behalf of the Park Commission for the Board’s consideration.
Britt Sandblom complained of a safety issue with traffic turning left into Aunt Jenny’s Catfish Restaurant from N. Washington Ave. and suggested a road be built to go under the Fort Bayou Bridge. Mayor Ainsworth stated that the idea had been considered, but one of the issues was who would pay for the road, the City of Ocean Springs or the State of Mississippi.
Alderman Jalanivich expressed concern for the care of animals at the Jackson County Animal Shelter and asked the Board to consider using another facility next year if the care did not improve. Alderman Cody asked the City express its concerns in a letter to the Jackson County Board of Supervisors.
Motion by Jalanivich, seconded by Cody, to authorize the Mayor to write a letter to the Jackson County Board of Supervisors expressing the City’s concern for animal care at the Jackson County Animal Shelter.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
At this time discussion was held regarding item t of the Consent Agenda. Mayor Ainsworth recommended awarding the contract to Cellular South and reported that the Purchasing Agent had done a good job of evaluating the proposals and sampling the various phones available. The Board asked to review a list of current cell phone users with justification before awarding the contract. The issue was held over until the April 2, 2002, meeting.
Motion by Dalgo, seconded by Jalanivich, to go into Closed Session to determine the necessity for an Executive Session.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Motion by Dalgo, seconded by Carvin, to go into Executive Session to discuss the purchase of property and personnel matters in all departments, and to excuse the clerk.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
The Deputy City Clerk announced to the audience that the Board had elected to go into Executive Session to discuss the purchase of property and personnel matters in all departments.
After approximately 2 hours the Executive Session ended.
Motion by Carvin, seconded by Dalgo, to resume the regular session.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Alderman Cody announced that the Park Commission has presented the Board with a letter requesting the purchase of additional land.
Motion by Cody, seconded by Jalanivich, to set up a work session with the Park Commission to discuss the issue further.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Motion by Gill, seconded by Cody, to adjourn.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
______________________________ _____________________________
City Clerk Mayor
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Date Date