Agenda: 7-20-2010
AGENDA
CITY OF D’IBERVILLE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
July 20, 2010
6:00 P.M.
I. Call to Order
1. Prayer
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Motion to come out of recess [APPROVED]
4. Manager’s Report
Michael Janus told the Council that he and his staff continue to work on both this year’s and next year’s budget. He repeated earlier reports that about $900,000 had to be cut from the current budget since revenue has thus far fallen short of projections. Janus said some of the MEMA reimbursement funds that City had been waiting on has been recovered, thanks to the work of a new MEMA liaison who has been very helpful. Last month the City recouped about $550,000 that goes into the general fund and another $120,000 is expected soon.
Janus repeated warnings that next year’s budget will be tight and difficult to manage, citing General Obligation (GO)Bonds that the City will begin to pay as well as upcoming TIFF Bond payments. Janus told the council he hopes to hold a workshop soon, giving the council and the public a plan to deal with next year’s budget.
Janus said the City received a generous grant from DMR, funded by BP. Though D’Iberville will likely be spared oil on our physical shores, a hurricane could change matters and the City is looking at purchasing equipment in anticipation of oil-related problems.
Construction has resumed on the Scenic Overlook, Janus said after delays due to debris and obstructions under water, requiring some change orders in the contract.
Shannon Nobles announced the Police Department’s 2nd Annual Night Out Against Crime on August 3 at 6pm at the D’Iberville Civic Center. Nobles encouraged the Council to participate as the Police Department reaches out to citizens as part of its ongoing mission of community policing.
Captain Walter Keck said the department had a busy two weeks with 735 calls for service and traffic on the river very busy.
Hank Rogers told the Council that his department is down to about $5,000 in their budget for clearing and cutting properties. He announced a new initiative from his department in conjunction with the Beautification crew of the Parks and Recreation Department. To save money and time, the Building Division will attempt to use its internal workforce to clear properties instead of calling for bids and contracting the work out. The cost of the work will be monitored and recorded and the property owners will still be assessed. Some jobs will still need to be contracted, Rogers said, depending on the type of work needed.
Mayor Quave asked if some literature can be distributed concerning the new CRS rating and its effect on Flood Insurance rates. Rogers responded affirmatively and said he hopes to hold a workshop to discuss the issue in more detail. He explained that homeowners in greater flood-risk areas will receive greater discounts on their insurance. About 45% or about 4,300 policy holders are in special-designated flood hazard zones, so the effect will be substantial.
5. Citizens Comments (All comments are limited to 3 minutes per individual)
Mayor Quave asked the audience to hold any comments that were related to a specific agenda item until that item was up for a vote.
Weber Cook of Berry Circle asked if the City plans to clean up an old truck and some overgrown bushes on Berry Circle. Parks and Recreation Director Mike Mullins told the Council that he sent members of his Beautification crew to Mr. Cook’s property and they reported back that they had spoken with Mr. Cook and came to amicable agreement.
Virginia Saucier spoke on behalf of the heirs of Mathew Moran and gave some requested documents to City Attorney W. Fred Hornsby.
II. Acceptance of Agenda [APPROVED]
1. Presentation by Wright, Ward, Hatten and Guel on 2008-2009 Audit
Jennifer Bell represented the above firm and gave a brief presentation of the 2009 Audit. “We have completed the audit and issued an unqualified opinion on financial statements of the whole,” she said. A synopsis of the revenues and expenditures for fiscal year 2009 showed an increase in general revenue from 2008 by $7.2 million and an increase of expenditures by $3.4 million, leaving a net reserve for fiscal year 2009. Business Revenue increased by about $2.2 million and expenditures decreased by $200,o00. Overall the net assets of the City (its equity) increased by $9.5 million, due mainly to capital projects and the Promenade. At the end of 2009 the City had an over $5 million unreserved fund balance in the general fund, about 53% of the total revenues. The only thing noted in the audit was the need for more oversight between various departments, mainly utilities and court. “Given the current economic situation, D’Iberville seems to be pretty steady,” Bell said.
2. Motion to approve June 15, 2010 City Council meeting minutes [APPROVED]
3. Motion to approve D’Iberville Moose Lodge to use Fishing Pier under I-110 for the City-Wide annual Children’s Fishing Rodeo to be held in August [APPROVED]
Shawn Mitchum of the Moose Lodge announced the Children’s Fishing Rodeo on August 28 from 7-11am. He thanked the City for its support and said that last year they saw over 200 kids. He asked for any donations for prizes or bait and invited everyone to attend.
4. Motion to authorize submittal of list of items to be purchased under the MSBPDHR Block Grant [APPROVED]
Janus explained that the council’s approval is needed in addition to DMR’s before the City can ask for bids to purchase heavy equipment with the DMR/BP grant.
5. Motion to approve Resolution Declaring Surplus Property [APPROVED]
Janus said in an effort to streamline the budget, the Police Department is auctioning off some used equipment and vehicles.
Numbers 6-16 were read and approved at once.
6. Motion to adjudicate the following parcel a menace to the public and order the Building Official to take action as defined by Ordinance [APPROVED]
- 1409E-01-060.000 – 0 Seymour Rd.
7. Motion to adjudicate the following parcel a menace to the public and order the Building Official to take action as defined by Ordinance [APPROVED]
- 1409K-01-044.000 – 9514 Fournier Ave.
8. Motion to adjudicate the following parcel a menace to the public and order the Building Official to take action as defined by Ordinance [APPROVED]
- 1409K-02-009.000 – 9469 Grady Lane
9. Motion to adjudicate the following parcel a menace to the public and order the Building Official to take action as defined by Ordinance [APPROVED]
- 1409F-04-002.000 – 10023 Byrd Ave.
10. Motion to adjudicate the following parcel a menace to the public and order the Building Official to take action as defined by Ordinance [APPROVED]
- 1309G-01-010.006 – 10229 Cottage Ct.
11. Motion to adjudicate the following parcel a menace to the public and order the Building Official to take action as defined by Ordinance [APPROVED]
- 1409K-01-057.000 – 9531 Pringle Ave.
12. Motion to adjudicate the following parcel a menace to the public and order the Building Official to take action as defined by Ordinance [APPROVED]
- 1409K-01-054.000 – 9480 Pringle Ave.
13. Motion to adjudicate the following parcel a menace to the public and order the Building Official to take action as defined by Ordinance [APPROVED]
- 1409F-04-009.001 – 10084 Fournier Ave.
14. Motion to adjudicate the following parcel a menace to the public and order the Building Official to take action as defined by Ordinance [APPROVED]
- 1409D-02-037.001 – 10418 Seymour Ave.
15. Motion to adjudicate the following parcel a menace to the public and order the Building Official to take action as defined by Ordinance [APPROVED]
- 1409F-05-066.000 – 10118 Byrd Ave.
16. Motion to adjudicate the following parcel a menace to the public and order the Building Official to take action as defined by Ordinance [APPROVED]
- 1308J-02-017.000 – 5103 W. Gay Rd.
17. Motion to approve adding Special Assessment in the amount of $571.00 to parcel number 1409D-04-018.000 – 10371 Boney Ave. for property clean-up [APPROVED]
18. Motion to approve adding Special Assessment in the amount of $695.00 to parcel number 1409E-02-004.000 – 10283 Boney Ave. for property clean-up [APPROVED]
19. Motion to rescind Amended Ordinance No. 29 [APPROVED]
City Attorney W. Fred Hornsby explained that this rescinding is the result of the City’s dealings with the bar Guitars and Cadillacs. The bar originally came before the Planning Commission and the they along with the Council put certain conditions on the approval of the bar. The conditions included requirements by the Police Department and requirements surrounding security at the bar. The conditions were not met and the requirements for operating violated repeatedly. The bar is now closed. This motion rescinds the conditional use permit that was provided to them by ordinance.
Planning and Zoning Director Deonne Olier added that this move will rescind the entire section of the regulated use ordinance that was added to accommodate Guitars and Cadillacs. It will also mean that changes in ownership of regulated use businesses will have to go through the Planning Commission and conditional use process again before they can operate a regulated use business.
20. Motion to approve Planning Commission Transcript of June 22, 2010 [APPROVED]
21. Case Number 2010-20-Back Bay Drugs- Application for a Variance Request for an additional pole sign (7 ½ x 8 ½ ) and 19 ft. high for Back Bay Pharmacy located at the J & L Desporte Plaza property at 10437 Lamey Bridge Rd. in a C-2 District (Approved by Planning Commission) [APPROVED]
22. Case Number 2010-21-Michael & Theresa Jones-Application for a Variance Request to allow a MEMA Cottage under Section 2 of Ordinance 121 (Must have been resident’s primary place of residency at the time Hurricane Katrina made landfall) and a variance on front, side and rear setbacks to be located at 11154 Dewey Lawrence Circle in an R-1 District (Approved by Planning Commission) [APPROVED]
Several citizens spoke in favor of the Council’s approval of this case.
III Public Agenda
1. Citizens Comments (All comments are limited to 3 minutes per individual)
Arlene Brightman delivered some requested documents to City Attorney Hornsby.
Louise Morales asked if speed bumps could be placed in Cottage Place Subdivision. Councilman Stephen Furney told her that speed bumps or rumble strips would soon be installed in that neighborhood.
Firefighter Joel Mayfield told the Council about his visit to St. Jude’s Research Hospital. He said seeing the children was inspiring and moving. He reported that most were in high spirits with positive attitudes. He gave the hospital a check for a little over $2,000, money he collected from the community.
IV. Routine Agenda
1. Docket of Claims [APPROVED]
2. Revenue/Expenditure Report [APPROVED]
3. Water/Sewer Refund Report [APPROVED]
