2-2-2010: Agenda [NOTES ADDED]

NOTES ADDED

AGENDA

CITY OF D’IBERVILLE

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

February 2, 2010

3:30 P.M.

I. Call to Order

1.     Prayer

2.     Pledge of Allegiance

3.    Motion to come out of recess

4.     Manager’s Report

City Manager Michael Janus reported on his recent trip to Washington, D. C., where he met with Mississippi Congressional representatives, briefing them on D’Iberville’s needs and how our representatives can help us with important projects.

The city recently received a Water and Sewer usage analysis that determined that our loss rate for water/sewer billing is approximately 23%.  Janus proposes the continued conversion to digital meters as one possible solution.

Jerry Dodge, the city’s commissioner on the CTA attended his first CTA board meeting where David Hardy or Eli, Guild & Hardy was confirmed as CTA architect. The next project for CTA is D’Iberville’s Multi-modal station, an important part of the city’s overall plan for future growth and development.

Janus spoke about an ongoing complaint about non-working streetlights on Mallet and Cinema Drives. Janus pledged to work with Coast Electric to have the lights repaired soon.

Janus announced the creation of an Economic Advisory Commission made up of about 25 citizens. The commission, [which is temporary-in nature] will meet over a period of time, creating opportunities for public input, decide on recommendations for the city’s future and report back to the city administration and Council.

Police Chief Wayne Payne began his report by introducing Patricia Musgrove, the newest addition to the Police Department. Musgrove accepted the position of Animal Control Officer and will also serve as a Reserve Officer. Mayor Quave swore Officer Musgrove in as a member of the D’Iberville Police Force.

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Chief Payne said his department is completing its operational plan for the upcoming Mardi Gras parade on Saturday, February 14. Chief Payne has commitments for extra personnel from departments in Ocean Springs, Long Beach, Stone County, Biloxi, and the Department of Marine Resources. For many of these departments, the D’Iberville Police Department will return the favor and help them on days when their own parades are planned.

Fire Chief Gerald Smith reported on recent calls for service. Those included three vehicle fires, gas spills and numerous alarms. The Fire Department is currently testing its equipment, with hose tests completed recently. The Fire Department is also preparing for Mardi Gras and Chief Smith is working with AMR to make sure the city is patrolled by EMTs throughout the parade route areas. Chief Smith reported on what he called a recent “minor rescue,” executed by his staff. A man in a small boat on the Tchoutacabouffa River fell into the river when a gust of wind lifted the front end of his boat causing it to overturn. The gentleman was found on top of the overturned boat and firefighters brought him to shore and delivered his boat to a dock. Chief Smith reported that two of his firefighters are currently at the Mississippi Fire Academy. Also, Smith announced a plan by his department to begin a fire hydrant training program, beginning with schools and daycare centers and possibly moving to businesses.

Building Official Hank Rogers turned in his annual report. [post to follow]

Public Works Director announced that four odor control units have been installed and two are functioning.  more?

Community Development Director Jeff Taylor provided a report on the ongoing complaint of Dr. Mallet and the lakes on his family’s property near Mallet Road. According to Taylor, the lakes have been determined to be without any chemical pollution, but are suffering from sediment that is producing a clouding or turbidity. [Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by individual particles (suspended solids) that are generally invisible to the naked eye, similar to smoke in air. The measurement of turbidity is a key test of water quality.] Taylor proposed to meet with Mr. Mallet and other experts to discuss solutions to his on-going problem that may include replacing filter fabrics and rock in water areas that flow into Mr. Mallet’s lakes.

5. Citizens Comments (All comments are limited to 3 minutes per individual)

Dr. Harrell Mallet thanked Mr. Janus and Mr. Taylor for addressing his concerns about his lakes. He gave the council some photographs and newspaper articles. He reported that the turbidity problem has now moved from one lake to a second lake. The second lake showing signs of contamination beginning on September 23, 2009. He reported that Mississippi State University analyzed samples of water and the level of turbidity has steadily risen. He expressed his desire to see a solution to the problem as soon as possible.

Sissy Andrews of the Chamber of Commerce announced the Chamber’s Annual Membership Banquet will be held on February 26, 2010 at the IP Casino. The speaker for the evening will by Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant. She also thanked the city for their continued support of the chamber.

II. Acceptance of Agenda       APPROVED

1.     Motion to move the February 16th meeting to February 17th due to City Hall being closed for Mardi Gras.                              APPROVED

2.     Motion to approve Resolution Authorizing the Mayor of the City of D’Iberville to Establish Just Compensation and Sign Certification Regarding Properties Related to the Central Avenue Road Widening.            APPROVED

City Attorney W. Fred Hornsby explained that this step is in accordance with the Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance Act and is a step allowing just compensation to be paid to property owners along Central Avenue for portions of their land. This will allow the city to move forward with the widening of Central Avenue. [See Current Projects for more].The affected property owners have agreed to the amount paid. Hornsby said there will be more such items presented to the council in the near future.

3.     Motion to approve fair market value offers to purchase properties related to the Central Avenue Road Widening Project                 APPROVED [see explanation above]

4.     Motion to approve Construction Change Directive for CDBG Project #R-109-166-03-KCR (Community Complex)                    APPROVED

John Stolarski reported that this change is a decrease by $3,232 in the Site Construction Allowance.

5.     Motion to approve donation to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission for the purpose of advertising and bringing into favorable notice the opportunities, possibilities and resources of such municipality or county.   APPROVED

Mr. Janus said that the Sports Commission is publishing a directory of sports facilities-Coast-wide to use as a marketing tool. D’Iberville will have a section in it, with our contribution of $1,000.

6.     Motion to approve donation to the D’Iberville Girls Softball League for the purpose of advertising and bringing into favorable notice the opportunities, possibilities and resources of such municipality or county.   APPROVED

This is a donation the city gives annually. [$3,000]

7.     Motion to approve School Raise for Firefighter John Pritchard for completing the MSFA Course for Hazardous Materials Technician Level I                           APPROVED

8.     Motion to approve School Raise for Firefighters Austin Graham, Duon Ladner and Jack Williams for completing their basic firefighting school      APPROVED

9.     Motion to approve Contract for Professional Services between the City of D’Iberville and the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain.            APPROVED

Judy Steckler, Executive Director of the MS Land Trust told the council that she will work for the city to assist with the acquisition of land along the Tchoutacabouffa River for the purpose of creating “greenways” along the river, or lands that would be put in conservation for perpetuity. Steckler will also assist with completion of a grant application and work closely with the Harrison County Board of Supervisors and their Greenway Project.

10. Motion to approve Contract between the City of D’Iberville and LeBatard Denmark Jones Architects, P.L.L.C for the Planning and Design of the French Market Square

LeBatard Denmark Jones Architects is being retained to work with the city for planning, advisory and design services for the city’s various old town, waterfront, French Market and Town Green development areas, among other, as identified in the Citizens’ Master Plan and other studies.

11. Motion to approve MDOT MOU regarding Mallett Rd. Improvements.

This project funds the installation of sidewalks in the Mallet Road portion of the Lakeview Shopping Center with the goal of making the area around the Grand Theatre, the bowling alley and on to the Sangani area retail stores, more walker-friendly.

12. Motion to approve Seymour Engineering and Jimmy G. Gouras Urban Planning Consultants for the current CDBG grant proposal.              APPROVED

Janus reported that this item is for planning and design for a proposed Public Safety Complex.

13. Motion to approve CenterPoint Energy’s request to accept J.W. Lee Company, Inc.’s proposal to relocate its 4″ intermediate pressure steel natural gas main regarding the replacement of Gorenflo Rd. Bridge.                         APPROVED

Janus reported that CenterPoint Energy will be relocating a gas line so that the Gorenflo Road Bridge can be widened to three lanes.

14. Motion to approve Request for Cash and Summary Support Sheet for CDBG Project #R-103-166-01-KED (Promenade)              APPROVED

15. Motion to approve Request for Cash and Summary Support Sheet for CDBG Project #R-109-166-01-KCR (Central Ave/Rodriguez)         APPROVED

16. Motion to approve Request for Cash and Summary Support Sheet for CDBG Project #R-109-166-02-KCR (Town Green/Waterfront Overlook)   APPROVED

17. Motion to approve Request for Cash and Summary Support Sheet for CDBG Project #R-109-166-03-KCR (Community Complex/Façade Grants)              APPROVED

III      Public Agenda

1.       Citizens Comments

Jerry Dodge thanked the council for allowing him to represent the city on the CTA Board.

Janus also reported that the Federal Government is requiring an Environmental Assessment of the widening of Sangani Boulevard before work begins. Janus is hoping that this unforeseen requirement can be waived given the situation and he hopes that the city can move forward with the improvements as soon as possible.

Councilwoman Brenda Broussard expressed to the council some concerns that an elderly citizen of Arbor View apartments brought to her attention. The citizen is wheel-chair bound and has a difficult time going to the grocery store, located just behind the apartment building. Jeff Taylor said that there may be projects in the future that will install sidewalks along Automall Parkway. The suggestion was then made that the apartment complex might open their back gate to allow quicker access to the grocery store.

Councilman Henry Toncrey thanked everyone for the support he received after the recent passing away of his father, Henry Toncrey, Sr.

Building Official Hank Rogers added that his department met the CRS deadline and he hopes to know in 45 days or so whether our rating will remain the same or be lowered.

IV.    Routine Agenda                              APPROVED

1.     Docket of Claims             APPROVED

2.     Privilege License Report                APPROVED

3.     Water/Sewer Refund Report       APPROVED