RECESS MEETING OF MARCH 15, 2005

 

 

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 March 15, 2005.  Mayor Pro Tem Jalanavich presiding, Aldermen Lloyd, McDonnell, Cody, Carvin, Dalgo, and Gill were present.  Also present were City Clerk Adrienne Howell and City Attorney John Edwards.  Mayor Ainsworth was absent.

 

Alderman Cody gave the Invocation.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Jalanavich led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Jalanavich read proclamations declaring March 30, 2005 as Doctor’s Day in Ocean Springs (Exhibit 3-a) and May 8 – 14, 2005 as Family Week in Ocean Springs which was presented to Diane Hale (Exhibit 3-b).  Diane Hale gave a presentation about the 1st Annual Week of the Family which will be held in May starting on Mothers Day.  Alderman Cody read a Resolution of the immense value of the Home of Grace which has provided important and needed services to the City of Ocean Springs (Exhibit 3-c).

 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Carvin and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda, except item (r), which was pulled by Alderman Dalgo, item (s) which was pulled by Alderman McDonnell and item (u) which was pulled by Mayor Pro Tem Jalanavich.

 

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

 

City Clerk

 

City Clerk, Adrienne Howell, reviewed the budget amendment to combine funds for the Human Resources and Safety/Risk Management Departments (Exhibit 5-a) and asked to place a copy of the summary budget on the minutes (Exhibit 5-b).   A motion was made by Alderman Cody and seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to adopt the budget amendment as presented by the City Clerk.  

 

City Clerk Howell gave a presentation on Debt Service vs. Millege to fund the $1.6 million bond issue (Exhibit 5-c).  She said that Mr. Edwards, the City Attorney, has advised that a letter should be requested from the Park Commission that states that the park, like the one suggested in the bond document, would meet the national standards for a regional area park and under those standards benefit all of the areas that are contributing to the fund, then the board could ratify the findings and recommendations of the Park Commission in order to use the money housed in a restricted fund ($179,000) that has been set aside for Park development.  Alderman Lloyd made a motion, seconded by Alderman Dalgo, asking for a letter to be sent to the Board by the Parks and Recreation Department stating that the park meets the national standards which carried unanimously.  Half of the money in the restricted fund, if permissible, can be used in 2006 to offset the debt service.  Based on the study that the City Clerk has done she feels that it will not be necessary to raise taxes or increase millege to fund the $1.6 million recreation project and current debt. 

 

City Clerk Howell presented the attached memorandum (Exhibit 5-b).  Motion was made by Alderman Lloyd, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to accept the City Clerk’s recommendation, and authorize the budget amendment to transfer Mary C. O’Keefe debt from the General Fund into the Debt Service Fund and to then have the City Clerk give a report of the total debt service dollars compared to the total bond capacity for determination of the ratio of borrowing capacity.

 

City Clerk Howell asked for authorization to pay two professional fees which are not budgeted (Exhibit 5-c).  Both bills are to Compton Engineering, one is for the Hwy. 90 boat ramp at the old bridge for $1,860.00 and the other is pertaining to the recreation complex access road and utilities for a total of $1,875.00.  Mr. Lloyd said there is a Tidelands grant that the bridge portion should come out of and be billed back to that account.  Upon the recommendation of the City Clerk, motion was made Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to approve a budget amendment to increase Other Cultural – Contractual Services from $5,000 to $10,000 for Professional Services and to pay the two bills which will leave an encumbered amount of $1265 for miscellaneous. 

 

City Clerk Howell asked how professional services should be handled, if they were to be included on the consent agenda or on the docket.  Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to include professional services on the consent agenda. 

 

City Clerk Howell presented the Chase credit card bill for $1480.13 which had been received after the docket had been completed for payment (Exhibit 5-f).  Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to approve payment of the bill.

      

 

 

 

Police Department

 

Alderman McDonnell asked if there is a plan of action outlining the arrangement for manpower covering the beach this summer.  Chief Belk gave a brief overview of the plan which will be to take the same approach as last year and will start this weekend due to Spring Break.  He will provide Alderman McDonnell a written plan at a later date. 

 

Alderman McDonnell said he received a complaint from Ms. Brou about speeding on Jackson Avenue and asked to have radar run on her street.  Mr. Scruggs offered to order a traffic/speed study.  Alderman Dalgo asked to have a study done on Hunter Drive and Alderman Gill asked to have a study done in Fort Bayou Estates on Guilford to Nottingham, onto Princess Anne and King Henry.

 

 

Fire Department

 

Chief Hare gave a briefing on the Public Safety Complex and expressed the urgency that some action needs to be taken if it is to be brought to the voters. Mayor Pro Tem Jalanavich scheduled a work session at 6:00 p.m. on Monday March 21, 2005 to discuss the bond issue.   

 

 

Risk Manager/HR

 

No report.

 

 

City Engineer

 

Alderman McDonnell asked for a ballpark figure on the Hwy. 90 boat ramp which will alleviate pressure on the Harbor.  Mr. Compton said that should be available soon pending a meeting this Friday.

 

 

Public Works

 

Alderman Dalgo objected to sending Mr. Kaufman and the City Attorneys to the 2005 Trenchless Technology Conference in Orlando on April 24 – 29, 2005 (Exhibit 4-r).  City Attorney Mr. Edwards suggested sending Mr. Kaufman by himself to the conference and he could bring back the information and literature for the City Attorneys.  Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Lloyd to approve sending Mr. Kaufman to the conference.  The motion passed with Aldermen Lloyd, McDonnell, Cody, Carvin and Gill voting Aye and Alderman Dalgo voting Nay.

Community Development and Planning

 

Mayor Pro Tem Jalanavich recused himself from disscusion regarding the C-4B District (Exhibit 4-s).  Alderman McDonnell pulled the item off of the consent agenda because the Planning Commission did not exclude Mr. Harris’s business, Mr. Dinero’s business and the Harbor Master’s house in their recommendation for a 6 month moratorium on the district.  Motion made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to place a six month moratorium for any further development in the harbor area (C4-B district) (excluding Mr. Harris’s business, Mr. Dinero’s business and the Harbor Master’s house) because of traffic, water runoff, congestion from parking and further encroachment on adjacent neighborhoods.  A directive was made to include the Planning Commission’s reasons for their recommendation in the minutes.  It is attached as Exhibit 4-s-a.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Jalanavich abstained from voting and discussion on the Planning Commissions recommendation for an amended lot split for Anchor Realty and Development, Inc. (Exhibit 4-u).  Motion made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to approve the lot split.

 

Mr. Scruggs reported that Mike Harrison, Building Official, has resigned effective Friday, March 25, 2005 (Exhibit 4-cc).  Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Carvin and unanimously carried to accept the resignation and authorizing Mr. Scruggs to begin the process to fill the position using the existing list of available applicants.  Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Carvin and unanimously carried to allow Mr. Scruggs to use a temporary professional service.  Mr. Scruggs requested a brief Executive Session regarding property.

 

 

Parks and Recreation

 

Mr. Damian McKay asked for support for the 4th of July celebration in the amount of $3,000.  Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to donate $2,500 from the Promotional Fund for the event.

 

 

Mayor

 

No report

 

 

 

 

 

City Attorney

 

Motion was made by Alderman Cody and seconded by Alderman Carvin to adopt Ordinance No. 5-2005 ALLOWING PART OF BOWEN STREET TO BE A TWO-WAY      STREET (Exhibit 5-e).  The motion passed with a roll call vote as follows:

 

Alderman Jalanivich                    Presiding

Alderman Lloyd                          Voted Aye

Alderman McDonnell                   Voted Aye

Alderman Cody                          Voted Aye

Alderman Carvin                        Voted Aye

Alderman Dalgo                         Voted Aye

Alderman Gill                                      Voted Aye

 

City Attorney John Edwards reported that the Mayor had received a letter with regard to Singing River Power who had asked for a special use on a piece of property off Hanshaw Road last year which was denied.  They have taken their cause to the Public Service Commission who has issued an order telling them that they can go ahead and build their electric substation on that property.  He would like to discuss it further in Executive Session.

 

 

ALDERMAN’S FORUM

 

Motion made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Carvin and unanimously carried to put a streetlight at 910 Yellowstone Road.

 

The speed limit on Ocean Springs Road may need to be reduced from CCC Camp Road to Hwy. 90.  Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman Carvin and unanimously carried to do a traffic study from Hwy. 90 to city limits. 

 

Alderman McDonnell reported that he had received two calls from residents of Cherokee Glen complaining about trees being removed from public property.  Mr. Scruggs said that the Tree Commission has to approve any removal and wanted to know the name of the trimmer.  Alderman McDonnell asked that the trimmers be reminded of the rules.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Ms. Betty Magee of the Mary C. O’Keefe Center is in need of insurance for artwork that will be displayed in the gallery.  She will come back at a later date with estimates.  Currently there is only insurance on the building not the contents.

 

Joseph Wilkerson of the OSHS “We the People Team” reported that they have won the state championship competition for the 5th year in a row and are fundraising to attend the national competition in Washington D.C. in one month (Exhibit 7-c).  Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to transfer $1,000 from the At Large Capital Improvements account to Promotional funds (at the recommendation of Alderman Jalanavich) and to donate $3,000.

 

Mr. David Hill of Ocean Springs Citizens for Progress gave a presentation about his organization which is a group of concerned citizens that have joined together to define and promote facility and infrastructure needs and to promote recreation for all ages in the community (Exhibit 7-c).  They will be hosting a Meet the Candidate’s Forum on March 29, 2005 at the Ocean Springs Civic Center at 7:00 p.m. which will give each candidate the opportunity to express his or her opinion on recreation and other topics pertinent to his or her campaign. 

 

Mrs. Becky Gillette of the Sierra Club voiced her objections about the proposed recreation site on Hwy. 57 which would be built on wetlands and presented a letter she had written to the Board (Exhibit 7-d).

 

 

 OLD BUSINESS

 

Item 8-a was stricken from the agenda by Amanda Kennerly.  Item 8-b Bond Issue – Acquisition of Property was pulled off by Alderman Lloyd and will be retained until the Monday March 21, 2005 work session meeting.

 

Alderman Lloyd reported that he and City Clerk Howell had been working on the Bank Depository Proposals and they recommend continuing with Hancock Bank as the Lead Bank and to further recommend the following:

 

Hancock Bank – Lead bank with 50% of city funds to remain with Hancock Bank

M&M Bank – To receive 16.67% of the split

Bancorp South – To receive 16.67% of the split

People Bank – To receive 16.67% of the split

Southtrust Bank – Investments only

Coast Community Bank – Investments only

 

Motion made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried to accept the recommendation as presented (Exhibit 8-c).

 

Alderman Lloyd presented the attached overtime recommendation (Exhibit 8-d).  Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Carvin and unanimously carried to accept the recommendation as presented.  Other department heads were instructed to get with Alderman Lloyd if they needed overtime allotment.

 

 

AUDIENCE REQUEST

 

Citizen Morris Sonnier representing the O.S. Civic League asked for a copy of the 2003 audit and said that he would like it to be available to the voters before election time.   City Clerk Howell said that once the audit is received and accepted by the Board it will be made public immediately. 

 

Citizen Anne Burke asked about the Mayor’s uniform allowance on the docket of claims and said there have been 14 payments for this allowance. 

 

Citizen Marilyn Lunsford suggested that the Mayor and Board of Alderman give an annual State of the City Address in a public forum.  Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried for the Mayor to give an annual report.  Motion made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Gill and unanimously carried for the Mayor and Board of Alderman to give an annual State of the City Address on the 2nd scheduled meeting in January.

 

Citizen Don Abrams asked about the status for a marina on Hwy. 90 with a proposed 400 boat slips.  Alderman McDonnell said that the City has taken that project off of the table and it will not be addressed until the regulatory agencies have come back with their findings.  Citizen John Anderson said that the slips at the proposed marina will be sold which will become 400 condominium like settings out in public water and feels that it is a questionable use of public area.  Citizen Julia Weaver announced that the public hearing with DMR has been postponed until April 21, 2005.

 

Citizen Kevin Alves presented a petition to the Board for Mrs. Claire Brou requesting speed bumps on Jackson Avenue.  Motion was made by Alderman Gill, seconded by Alderman McDonnell and unanimously carried to place the petition on the minutes (Exhibit 9-a).

 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Lloyd and unanimously carried to go into closed session to see if they would remain in executive session.  

 

The City Clerk returned to the meeting and announced that a motion was made by Alderman Carvin, seconded by Alderman McDonnell, and unanimously carried to remain in executive session to discuss matters relating to litigation, potential land purchase and personnel in the Planning and Development department.

 

Motion was made by Alderman Cody, seconded by Alderman Carvin and unanimously carried to come out of executive session and return to regular session.

 

Alderman Dalgo reported that a few months ago, Singing River Power with plans to build a substation on Hanshaw Road had come to the Planning Commission and the Board of Alderman requesting a lot split which had been denied.  They have since appealed to the Public Service Commission and do not believe that they have to abide by the city laws or ordinances.  Motion made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Gill to authorize City Attorney Edwards to get involved and do whatever it takes to insure that the recommendation made by the Planning Commission and Board of Alderman to deny the substation is upheld.  Mr. Edwards is allowed to make contact with Steve Mullins who is an attorney and is President of the Bienville Place Homeowner’s Association to see if he has an interest in getting involved.  Mayor Pro Tem Jalanavich included in the motion the request for a buffer if the substation is built. The motion was unanimously carried. 

 

Motion made by Alderman McDonnell, seconded by Alderman Cody and unanimously carried to add an exit interview to the termination process gathering information that will be documented in the employees file and sent to the Mayor.

 

Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Carvin and unanimously carried to allow money taken out of Alderman Dalgo’s Ward 5 Capital Improvement Fund account for Public Works to repair concrete street panels in a neighborhood in his district which has been budgeted. 

 

Motion was made by Alderman Dalgo, seconded by Alderman Gill, and unanimously carried to adjourn until 6:00 p.m. on April 5, 2005.

 

 

________________________                        ______________________

             City Clerk                                                        Mayor

 

 

          ___________                                               __________

                 Date                                                            Date