BSL Council Update - December 8 Meeting

12/12/2020

by Councilman-at-Large Gary Knoblock

Councilman at Large Gary Knoblock reports on drainage improvements, Hurricane Zeta damages and cleanup, Planning and Zoning votes, cameras at city parks and more.

Hurricane Zeta cleanup on Citizen Street in Bay St. Louis on November 23.

On December 8, the BSL City Council met for the first meeting on the month. First up on the agenda: The council voted and approved two resolutions to receive CDBG funds for drainage improvements on St. John and Easterbrook Streets located in Wards 2 and 3.

For almost two years, Councilmen Reed and Hoffman have worked very hard with the Mayor’s office on this project. If we can get past this hurdle, we are looking at close to $1 million in drainage improvements to these streets and on Hwy 90. I will keep you posted as information becomes available.

Debris clean-up is progressing at a rapid pace. The Mayor and Council are strongly urging all residents to have your debris and limbs by the curb by Sunday, December 13. If your debris has not been picked up, please contact Public Works at 467-5505 or the Mayors office at 466-8951.

Also, if a tree has fallen from the city right-of-way onto your property, you must call and sign a right-of-entry form to allow the debris crews to work on your property.

Planning & Zoning:

The council voted five recommendations from the city's Planning and Zoning board:

Application presented by Benfatti construction for 223 Caron Lane to split one parcel of land into two smaller parcels. P & Z made a motion to deny, however the vote tied 3-3 and the motion failed. The council voted 5-2 and passed the application. Myself and Councilman Reed voted not to pass this application. Ward 4.

Application submitted by Tommy Murphy asking for a 2' variance to the rear yard setback so he could build a screened-in porch at 103 Oak Drive. P & Z recommend approval by a vote of 6-0 and the Council approved 7-0

Application submitted by Jimmie Ladner for a special subdivision plat approval and variance to the zoning ordinance. Applicant asked to reconfigure two parcels into three parcels. These parcels are zoned R-3 multi-family which require 60' lot width and 7,500 sq ft lot area. Parcels 1 and 3 required no variances and parcel 2 needed a 1,348 sqft variance. P & Z recommended approval 6-0 and Council approved recommendation 7-0.

Fourth on the list was the Shieldsboro Subdivision on the corner of Old Spanish Trail and St. Charles Ave. P & Z recommended approval of the Special Use District and Preliminary subdivision Plat by a vote of 6-0. This was presented by Bay St. Louis Homes & Properties, Jeff Valle. This application has come before the council several times. The first time the council denied the application because of the extreme density of housing. The original application plat called for 134 homes on 50' lots. The application was redrawn to allow 114 homes on 70' lots which was one of the biggest concessions that most residents were asking for. Also, there are many precious and protected Live Oak trees on these properties that have to be built around. After assurances, the council voted 7-0 to pass the preliminary subdivision plat. Ward-4

Our last application was for Special Subdivision and Variance to the Zoning ordinance for 2169 Mole Drive presented by Malcom Jones. P & Z recommended approval by a 5-1 vote. Presenter wanted to split one parcel 100' into two 50' parcels. Council voted 5-2 to approve. Myself and Councilman Zimmerman voted nay.

Consent Agenda & Comptroller's Report

Cash balances: currently the City has $10,791,593.48 on the books. Keep in mind, $6,000,000.00 is the road improvement bond which I will touch on later. We had two payrolls to consider.
Financially speaking the city is doing well considering all the issues we have had to deal with.

Comptrollers report:
Council approved docket of claims totalling $490,958.27 as of December 8, 2020.

Engineer's Report

Council passed a motion to advertise for bids Phase 3 in asphalt paving for Ward-6 which will total approximately $2,000,000.00 in road improvements. We have two other bids, Phase 1 and 2, which will be on the upcoming agenda soon.

Council approved a bid to award McKinney Petroleum to provide and install new fuel pumps in the harbor in the amount of $34,500.00 to be paid from the harbor municipal fund. McKinney Petroleum was the lowest and best bid.

Council approved a sub-award Agreement between the Ms. Dept of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the City to provide grand funds to replace an existing gravity sewer line between Sunset and Dunbar Ave. Ward-1. The City and the Council have been working on this project for the last 3 years. This will be a major improvement to our sewer system in Ward-1. Council voted 7-0

The Mayor asked for a series of motions to be passed designating Dana Feuerstein as our MEMA/FEMA contact agent for Hurricane Sally, and Hurricane Zeta. Council voted 7-0 to approve.

The Mayor asked for approval to spend $24,000 to purchase red clay soil to shore up several locations in Ward 6 so we can pave over with asphalt. This was the lowest and best bid. Funds were paid from road and paving bond. Council passed 7-0

A motion was passed 7-0 to approve lease purchase financing for 2-Ford F-250 crew cabs pickup trucks through Peoples Bank at an interest rate of 1.98% for 60 months.

New/Old Business

The Old City Hall building lost its cupola during Hurricane Zeta

Council and The Mayor discussed the placement of cameras in area parks around the city. The city will be testing a sample camera. Councilman Reed asked that this be addressed again at the next council meeting.

I bought up the condition of city building from damages caused by Hurricane Zeta. Mayor Favre said he will forward damage reports. The Old City Hall and the Depot both have roof damage and are leaking water

Krewe of Seahorse parade will run on February 15, at 5pm and Krewe of Real People Next Generation parade will run on February 16, at 1pm.

Please get the storm debris to the curb by this Sunday and report any debris piles that have not been picked up. Please clean up all debris and bag leaves and small limbs.

Debris trucks will not pick up black bags of leaves and small sticks, but waste management is supposed to pick up that. If Waste Management does not pick up, call the City or any your councilman and we will report this to Heather Smith, our City Attorney.

Call with any questions, 228-216-0800

Thank you
Gary Knoblock,
Council President