A Regular 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 December 2, 2003, at City Hall in the City of Ocean Springs. Present were Aldermen Lloyd, McDonnell, Cody, Carvin, Dalgo and Gill, and Deputy City Clerk Diane Northrop. Alderman Jalanivich and City Attorney Oscar Jordan were absent.
Alderman Cody gave the Invocation.
Mayor Ainsworth led the Pledge of Allegiance.
At this time Carl Germany and Larry Cosper of HOSA presented the Mayor with a check in the amount of $12,000.00 which they had pledged toward the cost of the decorative railing on the new Shearwater Bridge. The Mayor and Board thanked HOSA for their contribution to the City.
At this time Beth Jones with the Ocean Springs Alliance for Academic Excellence in Education gave an update on the status of their public records request to the Ocean Springs School District. She said that the request was submitted on August 25, 2003 and that complete information was finally received in November. She told the Board that she would supply them with copies of the information they had received. She also told the Board that the consensus of the community was that the Future Growth Committee appointed by Superintendent Anna Hurt was skewed. She said the Alliance had circulated a petition in support of K-4 schools with little effort and had collected 575 signatures thus far. She felt the community did not formally have a voice in the realignment issue and asked that the Aldermen try to gauge the sentiment of their constituents and inform the School Board. She added that the Future Growth Committee was scheduled to present their recommendation to the School Board at their next meeting.
City Clerk:
a) Approve Minutes of Recess Meeting of November 18, 2003
b) Pay Docket of Claims and spread docket summary upon the Minutes:
(Docket Summary)
c) Accept resignation of Field Supervisor Donna Laumeister, effective December 12, 2003, and allow Deputy City Clerk to review water billing and tax offices for possible changes in employee structure:
(Laumeister Resignation)
Police Dept.:
d) Accept recommendation to place Harry “Bucky” Harris, Charles “Mike” Jensen and Katina Ashley on full-time status as requested at specified salary:
(Harris/Jensen/Ashley Probation)
e) Accept resignation of Patrolman Kenneth Bell, effective November 20, 2003:
(Bell Resignation)
f) Adopt Resolution Renewing Interlocal Agreement for Multi-Agency Narcotics Task Force:
(Narcotics Task Force Resolution)
Fire Dept.:
g) Allow Dep. Fire Chief Pat Williams to attend Principles of Emergency Management in Jackson on January 28-30, 2004, at no cost to the City
City Engineer:
h) Pay invoice from Soil Tech Consultants, Inc. ($7,757.00) for geotechnical report on Contract A - New Elevated Water Tank (DWI-280035-02):
(Soil Tech Invoice)
Public Works:
i) Pay invoice from Graham Construction Co., Inc. ($941.00 - retainage) regarding sewer rehab at Groveland Rd. Lift Station:
(Graham Invoice)
j) Pay invoice from Graham Construction Co., Inc. ($562.48 – retainage) regarding sewer rehab at 4111 Yosemite:
(Graham Invoice)
k) Pay invoice from Graham Construction Co., Inc. ($178.80 – retainage) regarding sewer rehab at 302 Halstead Rd.:
(Graham Invoice)
l) Pay invoice from Graham Construction Co., Inc. ($200.88 – retainage) regarding sewer rehab at 614 Halstead Rd.:
(Graham Invoice)
m) Pay invoice from Graham Construction Co., Inc. ($141.20 – retainage) regarding sewer rehab at 509 Bechtel Blvd.:
(Graham Invoice)
n) Pay invoice from Graham Construction Co., Inc. ($338.65 – retainage) regarding sewer rehab at Lift Station #8 (Bienville Blvd.):
(Graham Invoice)
o) Pay invoices from Compton Engineering, P.A. for engineering work related to Hwy 90 Street Lighting ($4,902.00) and Government St. Widening ($4,899.00) as part of STP Grant:
(Compton Invoices)
Community Development
& Planning:
p) Place Asst. City Planner Jason Swaggart on full-time status, effective December 2, 2003, and approve 3% salary increase:
(Swaggart Probation)
q) Allow purchase of ½ ton GMC Pick-up Truck for Building Dept. at state contract price not to exceed $14,750.00:
(Truck Purchase Letter)
r) Begin lot cleaning process at 602 Rhonda Lane and schedule hearing for January 6, 2004 council meeting:
(Lot Cleaning Letter)
Motion by Gill, seconded by Cody, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Jalanivich
(Hanley Rd. Intersection Improvements)
Motion by Lloyd, seconded by Cody, to approve Pay Requests No. 3 and 4 from SCI, Inc. in the amount of $67,148.77 and $15,452.51 respectively, and to approve a change order in the amount of $5,313.00 for sidewalk installation, cleanup, grubbing and seeding.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Jalanivich
Motion by Gill, seconded by Cody, to amend the FYE 2004 budget to transfer an additional $13,546.00 from the General Fund to the Government/Hanley Turning Lane Fund and appropriate an additional $17,415.00 to line item 309-000-719 for construction and engineering costs.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Jalanivich
Engineer David Compton reported that the water and sewer infrastructure study was complete and had been given to the City Planner and Public Works Director for review.
(Stormwater Resolution)
Motion by Lloyd, seconded by Carvin, to adopt the above and foregoing Resolution.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Jalanivich
The City Planner reported that he was awaiting the results of the traffic studies on Pershing/Calhoun and Shearwater/Pine, and on Brumbaugh. He added that the traffic study for parking in the downtown area was underway and being conducted by the Asst. City Planner and Engineering Inspector. He excepted them to have a recommendation sometime after the first of the year.
Motion by Lloyd, seconded by Gill, to have a traffic study performed on Bristol Blvd. and Cumberland Rd.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Jalanivich
The City Planner submitted the following recommendation with regard to the appeal of Ed McMurtry for removal of a large oak tree from Lot 156, Bienville Place Subdivision, Phase IV.
(McMurtry Recommendation)
Mr. McMurtry was present and said he agreed with the City Planner’s recommendation. Alderman Dalgo said he had been in contact with the next door neighbor and the Bienville Place Homeowners Association, and neither had a problem with the tree coming down. However, he said he could not support the tree being removed based on the principal that the Tree Committee had denied the request. Alderman McDonnell wanted to see the tree replaced with a substantial tree somewhere in its place. The City Planner felt the money should be used for green spaces and trees.
Motion by Carvin, seconded by Lloyd, to accept the recommendation of the City Planner to issue a permit to Ed McMurtry for removal of the large oak tree on Lot 156, Bienville Place Phase IV, contingent upon receipt of documentation that the $6,000.00 donation has been made to the Bienville Place Homeowners Association, and that the Bienville Place Homeowners Association submit their landscaping plans to the City for review prior to spending the money.
VOTING AYE Aldermen Lloyd, McDonnell, Cody, Carvin and Gill
VOTING NAY Alderman Dalgo
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Jalanivich
The City Planner suggested that a redistricting committee be appointed for the upcoming elections and asked the Board to submit the names of potential committee members by December 10, 2003. He hoped to recommend a consulting firm at the next meeting to assist with accomplishing the redistricting and noted the process would take several months.
Mayor Ainsworth announced that Frank Leach and City Auditor Mark Toups had dissolved their accounting firm and that the practice was being sold to Piltz, Williams LaRosa & Co. Mr. Toups said that he would remain with the firm at 515 Washington Ave. and continue to provide substantial services related to the annual audit, and would come back with an official engagement letter for the City.
(Tony Parnell Invoice)
Motion by McDonnell, seconded by Cody, to approve Partial Pay Estimate No. 4 from Tony Parnell Construction Co. in the amount of $97,270.00 regarding Shearwater Bridge replacement.
At this time discussion was held regarding the motion. Alderman McDonnell asked when the lighting fixture on the Shearwater Bridge would be replaced. Mayor Ainsworth expected the repairs to be made this week. Alderman McDonnell asked how much retainage was being withheld and the Deputy City Clerk replied that 5% ($5,120.00) was withheld on Pay Estimate No. 4. Alderman Lloyd asked about the guardrails leading up to the bridge. Mayor Ainsworth replied that the engineer had hoped to reuse the existing guardrails, but was unable to. He was waiting for an estimate from the Public Works Director, but expected the cost to be about $5,000.00. After hearing all discussion on the motion, the question was called and the vote was as follows.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Jalanivich
Motion by McDonnell, seconded by Lloyd, to hold the invoice from Batson & Brown, Inc. until the lamp fixture on Shearwater Bridge has been replaced and the issues of wattage on the lighting and extension of the guardrails have been addressed.
VOTING AYE Aldermen Lloyd, McDonnell, Cody, Carvin and Gill
VOTING NAY Alderman Dalgo
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Jalanivich
“Highway 90 East Water and Sewer” and “Location of Speed Signs” were held over until the next meeting.
At this time Mark LaSalle, an environmental specialist with the Mississippi State Extension Service, gave a presentation on a proposed Birding Trail for Ocean Springs. Five different viewing sites were proposed: Fort Maurepas Nature Preserve, Little Children’s Park, Hellmer’s Lane Preserve, Inner Harbor Roosting Area and Outer Harbor Pier. He proposed placing informational kiosks along the near 3-mile trail, as well as viewing platforms and foot bridges where needed. He asked for help from the City for parking at the Hellmer’s Lane Preserve. He expected development within the next couple of months, with the structures to be completed by next year. Alderman Lloyd suggested Inner Harbor Park as a potential sight. Alderman McDonnell offered some Ward 2 capital funds to assist.
Alderman Gill reported problems on Diller Rd., Queen Elizabeth Dr. and Courtney Circle where asphalt was buckling in the middle or sides of streets due to large oak tree roots growing beneath, creating speed bumps. He noted that the same situation exists throughout the city. He said he had contacted the Public Works Director and was advised that the procedure was for the Board to approve looking at the areas, then he would submit the information to the Tree Committee for their review. He said if the roots were detrimental to the tree, the tree committee would recommend putting a cloth over the roots and paving over them so as not to disturb the roots; if the roots were not detrimental to the tree, they would grind them down and fill in the hole with asphalt.
Motion by Gill, seconded by Cody, that any Aldermen who have problems in their ward with tree roots buckling the street asphalt to submit the street names and location to the Public Works Director so he can address the situation.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Jalanivich
Gay Young addressed the Board concerning the removal of a dilapidated trailer at 401 Porter Ave. Mr. Young was advised that the trailer was not on private property, but on the city’s right-of-way and that the cost had been assessed to the property owner. Mr. Young complained that the cost was too low, but was advised that the rates charged were based on rates used by FEMA.
Gloria Skillestad of the Fort Maurepas Foundation reported that there was a wonderful write-up about the City of Ocean Springs and Fort Maurepas in the Kipling Reports.
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
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Jalanivich
Motion by Dalgo, seconded by Cody, to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters in the Police Dept. and the purchase of property.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Jalanivich
The Deputy City Clerk announced that the Board had elected to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters in the Police Dept. and the purchase of property.
The Executive Session began at 7:15 p.m. and ended at 7:55 p.m.
Motion by Carvin, seconded by McDonnell, to resume the Regular Session.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Jalanivich
Motion by Cody, seconded by Carvin, to advertise for a Training and Standards Officer for the Police Dept. and follow all recommended and required Civil Service procedures.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Jalanivich
Motion by Dalgo, seconded by Gill, to recess until 6:00 p.m. on December 16, 2003.
VOTING AYE ALL
VOTING NAY NONE
ABSENT AND NOT VOTING Alderman Jalanivich
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City Clerk Mayor
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