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 February 17, 2004, at City Hall in the City of Ocean Springs. Present were Aldermen Jalanivich, Lloyd, McDonnell, Cody, Carvin, Dalgo and Gill, Attorney John Edwards and Deputy City Clerk Diane Northrop. City Attorney Oscar Jordan was absent.
Alderman Cody gave the Invocation.
Chris Hill, a Boy Scout from Troop 271, was present earning his communication merit badge and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
At this time Mayor Ainsworth read aloud the following Proclamation proclaiming the week of February 22-28, 2004, as National Engineers Week in Ocean Springs.
(Proclamation)
Motion by Cody, seconded by Dalgo, to appoint Karen Whitley to a 5-year term on the Ocean Springs School Board of Trustees expiring February 28, 2009.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Motion by Dalgo, seconded by Carvin, to send a letter of appreciation to Steve Robinson, signed by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, to thank him for his years of service on the School Board.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
City Clerk:
a) Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting of February 3, 2004
b) Accept Action Report
c) Pay Docket of Claims and spread docket summary upon the Minutes:
(Docket)
d) Place Vannessa Benedict on full-time status as Water Office Clerk, effective February 18, 2004, and increase pay to $9.70 per hour:
(Benedict Probation Memo)
Police Dept.:
e) Allow Terrilee Young to attend How to Deliver Exceptional Customer Service seminar in Biloxi on March 31, 2004, prepay $99.00 registration fee and pay all other reasonable and actual expenses
f) Accept resignation of Traffic Ptn. Scote Renfro, effective March 5, 2004 (end of work day), and authorize Police Chief to begin process to fill vacancy:
(Renfro Resignation)
Fire Dept.:
g) Allow Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Lt. Terry Webb and Police Det. John Flowers to attend International Association of Arson Investigators training seminar in Biloxi on March 10-12, 2004, and prepay registration fee of $100.00 each
h)
Allow Firefighters Paul Baker, David Fisher and
i) Allow Firefighter Ray West to attend Airport Firefighter NFPA 1003 course on October 4-8, 2004, prepay $600.00 course fee and pay all other reasonable and actual expenses
j) Adopt Resolution Authorizing Greg Denyer, as Civil Defense Shelter Coordinator, to attend National Hurricane Conference in Orlando, FL, on April 5-9, 2004, prepay $300.00 registration and pay all other reasonable and actual expenses:
(Resolution – Denyer Hurricane Conference)
City Engineer:
k) Pay invoice from Moran, Seymour & Associates ($1,882.50) regarding Evergreen Cemetery:
(MSA Invoice)
Public Works:
l) Hire Dawn Rogers as Public Works Clerk, effective February 18, 2004, at hourly rate of $10.25 and place her on six months probation:
(Rogers Hire Letter)
m) Establish position of Maintenance Supervisor and allow Public Works Director to fill one of the two vacancies from within:
(Maintenance Supervisor Letter)
Community Development & Planning:
n) Accept Building Report for January 2004
o) Allow Asst. Planner Jason Swaggart to attend National APA Conference in Washington, D.C., on April 24-28, 2004, prepay registration fee and pay all other reasonable and actual expenses
p) Authorize City Planner to apply to MDOT for Urban Youth Corps Grant 2004 ($25,000.00 grant/$5,000.00 city match) and approve Memorandum of Understanding:
(Youth Corp Grant Letter)
q) Approve plan for City Hall parking improvements and authorize City Clerk to solicit proposals or advertise bids for project as required:
(City Hall Parking Plan)
r) Accept recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission with regard to the following Certificates of Appropriateness:
1. Tom Reynolds, Sr. – 523 Front Beach Dr.:
(Reynolds COA)
2. Dennis Ryan – 417 Jackson Ave.:
(Ryan COA)
3. Dennis Ryan – 419 Jackson Ave.:
(Ryan COA)
4. Cody Green – 401 Ruskin Ave.:
(Green COA)
s) Accept recommendation of Planning Commission with regard to the following:
1. Henry Furr – Rosemary Grove Subdivision – Preliminary Plat Approval:
(Furr Documents)
2. Joan L. Ladnier/Elmyra Ross – Request to rezone 526, 524 and 522 Jackson Ave. from C-2 to R-4:
(Ladnier Documents)
City Attorney:
t) Pay City Attorney’s bill for January 2004 ($4,250.00)
Miscellaneous:
u) Release $3,000.00 community promotion funds to 1699 Historical Committee for advertising the opportunities, possibilities and resources of the City of Ocean Springs:
(1699 Funding Letter)
v) Provide $5,000.00 community promotion funds to Gulf Coast Symphony for advertising the opportunities, possibilities and resources of the City of Ocean Springs:
(Symphony Funding Letter)
w) Pay invoices from Delgado, Acosta, & Wallace, P.L.L.C. totaling $4,811.83 regarding D’Iberville v. Biloxi, et al, and Annexation 2003:
(Annexation Invoices)
x) Pay invoices from Batson & Brown, Inc. totaling $10,517.75 regarding Shearwater Bridge Replacement Project:
(Batson & Brown Invoices)
Motion by Gill, seconded by Cody, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
(Budget Amendments)
Motion by Cody, seconded by Carvin, to adopt the Amended Budget for FYE 2004 as presented by the Interim City Clerk and authorize publication of those items which exceed 10% of the original adopted budget.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Police Dept.
Alderman McDonnell requested signs be posted on Washington Ave. to warn truck drivers about vehicle height limits due to overhanging tree limbs. The Police Chief said he would take care of the issue immediately.
Alderman Jalanivich asked about the large sign at the foot of Washington Ave. on Front Beach. The Police Chief replied that the sign was donated to the Ocean Springs Police Officers’ Association. Aldermen Jalanivich said that he was willing to fund the sign being put back up from his capital project account and asked that the person in charge of the sign contact him.
Alderman Gill asked that the Public Works Director contact the Hwy Dept. to overlay a couple of sections on Hwy 90 where the asphalt had eroded and to request that the turning bay on Hwy 90 at Ocean Springs Rd. heading south be extended.
Fire Dept.
The Fire Chief reported that a major structure fire occurred at an apartment complex on Front Beach over the weekend and that all of the equipment and personnel had performed very well. He said that assistance had been received from Biloxi, West Jackson County, Fort Bayou and Gautier. He commended Water Dept. Supervisor John Russell for his assistance in restoring water service to residents of the 110 apartment units after the fire crews had left the scene.
Motion by Cody, seconded by Jalanivich, to allow the Mayor or his designee to attend the Governor’s 2nd Annual Emergency Response Conference in Hattiesburg on March 22-24, 2004, and to pay mileage expenses.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
(Quotes – Land Clearing Next to Civic Center Property)
Motion by Jalanivich, seconded by Cody, to waive the City’s bid requirement and award the quote for clearing the property next to the Civic Center to Bobby Lambert Excavation at a total cost of $11,500.00 and to authorize the Police Chief and Fire Chief to contact the architects to determine which trees need to be removed.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
The City Engineer reported that he had reviewed the ditch on Holcomb Blvd. and felt that the pipe needed to be extended up the road. He added that the school would need to do some on-site property work as well. He told the Board that the work was scheduled for a STIP funds project and that the city’s cost of doing the drainage work on its own was about the same as the city’s share of improving both the road and the drainage. He recommended keeping the project on the list for next fiscal year and doing the project all at one time. Alderman Jalanivich asked if it was possible to ditch down in the culvert and do some minor work to relieve some of the water off of the school grounds. The City Engineer replied that the culvert was deep enough to make a small break into the existing bottom enough to bring the water around.
The City Engineer reported that he had provided the City Attorney with a list of property owners on the south side of Hwy 90 so he could move forward with negotiations with appraisers for the water and sewer line extension. He said the cost of the easements should be weighed against the risk of installing the lines in the Hwy 90 right-of-way and then bearing the cost of relocating the lines later if necessary. Mayor Ainsworth said that he expected to have a recommendation for an appraiser by the next Board meeting.
The City Engineer said that he had reviewed the drainage on Pine Lake Court and felt the problem could be resolved with a low profile pipe and replacement of the sidewalk portion with regular curbing. The Public Works Director suggested the developer pay part of the cost to correct the problem. Alderman Jalanivich said the developer advised him that the previous city engineer had dictated how it was to be done and that he would not pay for any corrections. The City Engineer was asked to develop a cost estimate for Public Works to perform the work.
Alderman Dalgo reported that there was $31,000.00 left of Jackson County’s contribution to the sidewalk project on Government St. He told the Board that the project was halted at the west side of the Heron Bayou bridge because of some wetlands issues, but that the Corp of Engineers and DMR had approved a permit to construct a sidewalk next to the marsh to connect the two sidewalks. He said the City Engineer had estimated the cost of a wooden walkway to be about $180,000.00 and felt it was cost prohibitive. He asked about the feasibility of installing a crosswalk to the north side in order to utilize the sidewalk that is already on the south side of the bridge. The Police Chief said it would create a dangerous situation for school children and did not advocate putting a crosswalk there. The City Engineer said that he would review the matter further.
(FYE 2004 Paving)
Motion by Gill, seconded by Carvin, to divide the Jackson County paving allocation of $200,000.00 seven ways amongst the aldermen’s wards.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
(Forsyth Hire Letter)
Motion by Cody, seconded by Carvin, to hire Ron Forsyth in the Maintenance Dept., effective February 23, 2004, at an hourly rate of $14.50 and place him on six months probation.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Alderman Dalgo reported a large pothole on the westbound side of Pabst Rd. and requested Public Works to repair it.
The Risk Manager presented a proposed Revised Drug and Alcohol Policy for the Board’s review. She said the city could save money by switching to a local testing company in Biloxi. She also said adhering to the new policy would save the city 5% on its liability insurance. She requested the Board’s comments and input before presenting it for adoption at the next meeting.
Alderman McDonnell asked about the cost of liability insurance for the fireworks display proposed by the Park Commission. The Risk Manager replied that the city’s liability insurance carrier would not cover the event and that the Park Commission would be required to obtain their own coverage. Alderman McDonnell said he would like to know the cost of the policy being obtained by the Park Commission, what the rating of the insurance carrier was and what additional coverage the city would get by being named additional insured.
(Letter – Parking Study)
Motion by Lloyd, seconded by Cody, to remove the downtown parking study from the agenda.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Motion by Cody, seconded by Gill, to move forward with the Bechtel Blvd. widening project at an estimated cost of $11,600.00 and to fund it with $4,000.00 from Ward 1 capital project funds and to fund the remaining cost from Ward 3 capital project funds.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Motion by Cody, seconded by Carvin, to move forward with the Pecan Park School parking lot project at an estimated cost of $1,600.00 and split the cost between the Ward 3 and Ward 5 capital project accounts.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
(Contract – Renovation of Dewey St. Public Safety Facility)
Motion by Jalanivich, seconded by Gill, to authorize the Mayor to execute the contract with Walter Bolton and William Lack for architectural services regarding Renovation of Dewey St. Public Safety Facility.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
(Emergency Purchase – Heating System for Senior Citizens Center)
Motion by Cody, seconded by Gill, to ratify the emergency purchase of two heating units for the Senior Citizens Center from Foster’s Heating & Air Conditioning at a cost of $3,984.68.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
(Chamber Letter – Champions of Industry 300 Award – 2004)
Motion by McDonnell, seconded by Jalanivich, to approve the request of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce and release $8,000.00 from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund for the 2004 Champions of Industry 300 Award.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
New Business
Alderman Jalanivich reported that the drainage running up under the road on East Beach and Front Beach was in dire need of repair. He said he had spoken with Supervisor Frank Leach and was going to set up a meeting with Public Works, the Jackson Co. Road Dept. and anyone else interested. He said he was trying to get Jackson County to do the work with seawall tax money and asked that the matter be held over until the next meeting.
(City Planner’s letter re: resignation of Larry Galle)
Motion by Jalanivich, seconded by Gill, to appoint Dave Jensen to the Historic Preservation Commission to fill the unexpired term of Larry Galle.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Britt Sandblom asked about the status of the light that was supposed to be placed on the flagpole purchased by HOSA for Freedom Field. She was advised to contact the Park Commission for information.
An unidentified member of the audience asked about the status of the water and sewer extension on Hwy 90 east. He said that he and other businesses were concerned about being shut down for an extended period of time while the work was done. He was advised that the businesses should not be shut down for more than a day.
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
Motion by Cody, seconded by Carvin, to go into Executive Session to discuss a matter of potential litigation.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
The Deputy City Clerk announced to the audience that the Board had elected to go to Executive Session to discuss a matter of potential litigation.
The Executive Session began at approximately 7:10 p.m. and ended at 7:30 p.m.
Motion by Gill, seconded by Cody, to resume the Regular Session.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
Motion by Cody, seconded by Carvin, to adjourn.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
______________________________ _____________________________
City Clerk Mayor
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