A Special Call 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 August 27, 2003, 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.
Mayor Ainsworth read aloud the following Special Call:
(Special Call)
(Howell Resignation)
Motion by Jalanivich, seconded by Gill, to accept the resignation of City Clerk Adrienne Howell, effective September 9, 2003.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Alderman Cody read aloud the following statement:
“Losing a city clerk is always a traumatic event for both the city and for the clerk. Losing our city clerk at this time is even more traumatic. However, life must and will go on. We will miss Adrienne; she has served the city well as our city clerk. We wish her well in whatever the future holds for her and the staff and department heads will have to insure that the city does not lose its focus and that we will continue to serve the citizens of Ocean Springs.”
Alderman Carvin stated that he was going to sorely miss Mrs. Howell, as he depended on her for a lot of information concerning accounts and other items, and wished her well in the future.
Motion by Jalanivich, seconded by McDonnell, to go into Closed Session to determine the necessity for an Executive Session.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Motion by Jalanivich, seconded by McDonnell, to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters as pertains to the City Clerk’s office and other related personnel matters.
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 personnel matters as pertains to the City Clerk’s office and other related personnel matters.
The Board began the Executive Session at 6:05 p.m. and was joined by the Deputy City Clerk at 6:10 p.m. She remained until 6:25 p.m., when the Board was joined by John Edwards. Mr. Edwards remained in Executive Session with the Board until 6:35 p.m., when the session ended.
Motion by Jalanivich, seconded by Carvin, to resume the Regular Session.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Motion by Jalanivich, seconded by Cody, to request proposals from local accounting firms qualified and experienced in governmental accounting to perform accounting work on an as-needed basis until the position of City Clerk is filled and to promote Deputy City Clerk Diane Northrop to Interim City Clerk at the current City Clerk salary and to temporarily place her on exempt status during the interim period.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Motion by McDonnell, seconded by Carvin, to authorize the Mayor and Interim City Clerk to immediately advertise through Civil Service the position of City Clerk for the City of Ocean Springs and to list the salary range for the job in the ad.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Motion by Cody, seconded by Jalanivich, to adjourn.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
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City Clerk Mayor
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