Meridian swears in city council aldermen

Meridian swears in city council aldermen Subhead Council approves budget amendments, parking sign changes, new park lights Nathan Diebenow Wed, 05/22/2024 - 06:12 Image

• Incumbent city council members Dana Williams and Sharon Wilson and newly elected council members Buster Felan took the oath of office in a swearing-in ceremony administered by Ryan Nieuwenhuis on Monday, May 13. Nathan Diebenow | Meridian Tribune

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The City of Meridian swore in new aldermen during the Meridian City Council’s regular meeting on Monday evening, May 13.

In addition the council followed up with city staff on budget amendments, parking signs, and high grass issues at certain residences.

Incumbent city council members Dana Williams and Sharon Wilson and newly elected council members Buster Felan took the oath of office in a ceremony administered by Mayor Ryan Nieuwenhuis.

Prior to the ceremony, the Meridian City Council canvassed the vote, which showed 304 total votes were cast in the municipal elections this season.

Williams and Wilson both received 86 votes followed by Felan with 85 and Mary Jo Christensen with 47.

The council approved keeping Wilson as the mayor pro-tem, which means she remains a signatory for the City of Meridian’s bank accounts and can run the city council meetings, if needed.

For this meeting, present were all council members: Buster Felan, Rubin Felan, John Oldham, Dana Williams, and Sharon Wilson.

Next year, council members Oldham and Rubin Felan as well as Mayor Nieuwenhuis will be up for re-election.

Budget Amendments

The council approved resolution #240513 amending the city’s budget in 17 accounts in the general fund.

“I’m comfortable sending them this,” City Administrator Kris Garza said. “We can do another budget amendment with the revenue fund.”

Garza said in two weeks, she will be attending a conference to learn more about city budget process and coding different accounts.

“You have an extremely hard job when you were hired on,” Mayor Nieuwenhuis said. “You had nothing to do with the budget, but you’re trying to figure out what was on the budget.”

The council will be holding its own budget workshops starting in August 2024.

Garza reported that the City’s auditors had been at City Hall for three days last week, and things seemed to run smoothly with them.

She said the City’s next audit has been scheduled for January 2025.

No Parking Signs

By a 4-1 vote, the council approved a variance to an ordinance thereby allowing for the removal of a “one-hour parking” sign and a “no parking to corner” sign at 120 West Morgan Street.

Council member Oldham cast the lone vote against the variance after a discussion among the city staff and the council members about “no parking” signs in historic downtown Meridian.

At the meeting, Meridian EDC President Jerry Mobley requested the sign’s removal on behalf of the MEDC, stating that the city’s sign would interfere with a new awning outside the front door of the Meridian Economic Development Corporation’s new office.

While researching this specific signage ordinance, Meridian Police Chief Cody Woosley discovered that the ordinance and the signage failed to match the times in which parking is allowed in the area.

Public Works Director Gary Rohrer reminded the council that the Texas Department of Transportation requires enough clearance at intersections for drivers to see around corners safely.

“The curb is painted, so legally you can’t park there,” Rohrer said.

Consent Agenda

The council tabled action on the minutes from the April 15, 2024, so city staff can clarify the wordage on how the City will pay for a temporary employee in the public works department this summer.

The council approved the City’s financial statement and payment of bills.

Park Lights

Council member Rubin Felan explained to the council that the volunteers plan to complete the lighting at Meridian City Park and Lions Club Park this summer after baseball season.

City Secretary Tiffany Gentry said that all the electric plugs had been replaced since the last flood but more electricity will be needed to power lights and other amenities in the parks.

Felan asked the public works department to shut down the electricity to the parks if and when the floodwaters ever break the river’s banks in the future.

Tall Grass

The council discussed the City’s process for working with property owners on cutting the tall grass on their properties.

Council members Rubin Felan and Sharon Wilson gave updates on gaining permission from a few residents for possible volunteers to mow their yards for them.

Mayor Nieuwenhuis reiterated the City’s limits on assisting property owners with their tall grass.

“We’re not in the landscaping business. I don’t mind [the public works department] going out mowing, but I would expect you to send an invoice to them,” he

said.

New Hires

After an executive session, the council approved permitting the Meridian Police Department to hire a new officer.

In addition, the council approved permitting city staff to research renovating the building where Meridian City Hall is currently located.