RECESS MEETING OF NOVEMBER 16, 2004

 

 

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

November 16, 2004. Mayor Seren Ainsworth, presiding; Aldermen, Jalanivich, Lloyd,

McDonnell, Cody, Carvin, and Dalgo and Gill, were present. Also present were City Clerk

Janet Dudding, Deputy City Clerk, Sue Ann London and City Attorney, John Edwards.

 

Alderman Cody gave the Invocation.

 

Mayor Ainsworth led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

The Mayor announced that on Monday, November 22, the Macedonia Missionary Baptist

Church is holding a community Thanksgiving service at 7:00 p.m. Rev. Jessie Trotter

invited all to attend.

 

A motion was made by Alderman Jalanivich with a second by Alderman Gill to approve

the Consent Agenda except items d, e, f, g, h, and i that were pulled by the Mayor until

he obtains additional information. The motion carried unanimously.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

 

City Clerk

 

City Clerk Dudding reported that she and Karen Adams, Accountant, went to Moran &

Seymour to discuss remaining outstanding invoices. In reviewing Mr. Seymour's

records, the largest of the two invoices does not have anything to do with the SRF loan.

The invoice is a separate City of Ocean Springs contract for $30,240.00 for Southern

Consultants, through Moran & Seymour, invoice for the water tank construction.

 

Alderman Gill made a motion with a second by Alderman Dalgo to have Andre Kaufman

and John Edwards further investigate all outstanding Moran & Seymour invoices to

resolve any questions. After discussion, the motion passed with a vote of six aye and

Alderman Jalanivich voting nay. The motion carried. It was determined that the funding

would come from the water and sewer enterprise fund.

 

City Clerk Dudding also explained the digital imaging software is rollable into the 2.98

percent lease financing on equipment. She will have further information regarding the

complete cost at the next meeting. She explained to Alderman Jalanivich, who

questioned the need for the purchase, that this software accompanies the hardware

 

 

 

that has already been purchased. The purpose is to streamline computer usage

throughout City Hall.

 

City Engineer

 

City Engineer Compton reminded the Board that they had approved his going forward

with the sewer investigation and funding. CES has agreed to continue the work for the

same price and Compton recommends continuing the work with CES.

 

Alderman Jalanivich made motion with a second by Alderman Gill to have CES continue

the sewer work as already begun. The Mayor noted this will be done with additional CF

monies. City Engineer Compton added that as soon as he has the amount of the CF

fund, he will add a "not to exceed" amount. The motion carried unanimously.

 

City Engineer noted that the bids were turned in on the Fort Bayou pier. The low bidder

was Graham Construction at $48,500.00.

 

Alderman Gill made a motion with a second by Alderman Jalanivich to accept the bid of

Graham Construction Company of $48,500.00 for Phase II of the Percy Miller Boat

Ramp and Park. Alderman Gill questioned what would happen if problems developed

causing an overage in the bid amount and City Engineer Compton stated that he would

keep a check on that issue and could cut down the liner footage of the project to keep

costs down. Alderman Gill requested that the Board be informed if problems develop.

Alderman Gill also requested that the new asphalt in the area not be damaged. City

Attorney Edwards noted that usual procedure is written recommendation on company

letterhead along with the bid which is then put in the agenda packet and he requests

that requirement be met. Alderman Gill amended the motion to state to accept the bid

of Graham Construction Company of $48,500.00 for Phase II of the Percy Miller Boat

Ramp and Park upon the receipt of the written recommendation of City Engineer David

Compton. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Community Development and Planning

 

Alderman Jalanivich made a motion with a second by Alderman Cody to approve the

Resolution Assessing Lot Cleaning Cost for 328 Teringo Circle of $325.00. The motion

carried unanimously.

 

Alderman Cody made a motion with a second by Alderman Jalanivich to approve the

rezoning of Government Street as recommended by the Planning Commission. City

Planner Scruggs noted that this will be reduced to Ordinance form by the City Attorney.

The motion carried unanimously.

 

City Planner Scruggs presented an invoice for payment from Cowart Architects, P.c. for

additional charges for the City Hall parking lot. Even through the original cost was not

to exceed $2,400.00 there were additional costs due to re-biddings. The total cost is

now $2,563.00.

 

Alderman Cody made a motion with a second by Alderman Jalanivich to table this

payment approval until next meeting in order to have the City Attorney review the

invoice. The motion passed unanimously.

 

City Planner Scruggs presented an invoice for payment from LMI for services related to

the supervision of the summer youth program and the construction of the City Hall

parking lot.

 

Alderman Jalanivich made a motion with a second by Alderman Gill to pay the invoice to

LMI as presented for $740.00. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Parks and Recreation

 

Amy Armata, a citizen, asked to speak to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen regarding

the lack of a gymnasium for basketball and other recreational sports for the citizens of

Ocean Springs. The gym previously used was damaged by Hurricane Ivan. A very

lengthy discussion was held with most of the Aldermen and Parks and Recreation

Director, Damien McKay, explaining different aspects of the problem. It was noted by

members of the Board that property has been purchased on Highway 57 and the City is

also considering purchasing a piece of property, owned by Charlie Carr, that is in a

more centrally located part of town.

 

After discussion, Alderman Cody made a motion with a second by Alderman Jalanivich

to pursue property suitable for building a gymnasium and have the finance committee

look into financing options for the Carr property and/or any other properties that may

become available. The motion carried with a vote of six aye and Alderman McDonnell

voting nay.

 

Aldermen's Forum

 

Alderman Lloyd discussed the idea of changing Bowen Avenue from an all one way to a

no outlet so that traffic will have to turn around to come out of the street. There are

new businesses on this street that Alderman Lloyd feels this traffic pattern would

benefit. Alderman Lloyd would like to try this traffic flow for 30 days and then

determine if the change should be permanent. Rather than making a motion to make

this change, Alderman Gill suggested that he seek the input of the Fire Chief and the

Police Chief before trying this situation. Alderman Lloyd agreed to meet with the Police

Chief and Fire Chief and assess the situation.

 

 

 

New Business

 

Citizen, Lenora Petijean requested to be on the agenda to discuss the need for

stoplights in certain areas of the city. She did not attend the meeting.

 

A motion was made by Alderman Dalgo with a second by Alderman Carvin to remove

this item from the agenda. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Citizen, Tommy Broadnax requested to be on the agenda to discuss boat storage. He

did not attend the meeting.

 

Alderman Dalgo made a motion with a second by Alderman Carvin to remove this item

from the agenda. The motion carried unanimously.

 

A motion was made by Alderman Gill with a second by Alderman Lloyd to allow the

Ocean Springs Museum Commission to proceed with adding Larry Cosper to the

Commission. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Audience Request

 

Dorian Jones, representing the Ocean Springs Hospital and their Walk for Cystic

Fibrosis, requested to close streets from Calhoun to Porter on Washington from 8:00

a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on October 22, 2005. The purpose of the street closure would be

to have a small festival with booths that would raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis

Foundation. Ms. Jones was requesting assistance from the Police and Fire Departments

for the event.

 

A motion was made by Alderman Jalanivich with a second by Alderman McDonnell to

support this project, upon approval from Police and Fire Departments and subject to

ratification of the new Board of Aldermen. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Laura Hensley wanted to thank the Board for help with a drainage problem that she

had previously brought to the Board's attention. The problem is not completely fixed

and additional action will be taken to aid with this problem.

 

Mayor's Report

 

At 7:25 p.m., Alderman Jalanivich made a motion with a second by Alderman Gill to go

into closed session to see if the Board will remain in Executive Session. The motion

carried unanimously.

 

 

 

 

Alderman Jalanivich made a motion with a second by Alderman Carvin to remain in

Executive Session to discuss purchase of property, ongoing and potential litigation and

personnel matters in the Fire Department. The motion carried unanimously.

 

At 9:25 p.m., Alderman Cody made a motion with a second by Alderman Jalanivich to

return to regular session. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Alderman Jalanivich made a motion with a second by Alderman McDonnell to adjourn

until the Regular meeting of December 7, 2004.

 

 

________________________                        ______________________

             City Clerk                                                        Mayor

 

 

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