I like to say that council meetings are better than TV. But not always. Here’s the official recap:

Listed below are the actions taken by the City Council at their meeting May 5, 2015. All Council Members were present for the meeting. The next City Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2015.

Guests
Donald Gavagnie – Motion to approve the Revised Copy of the Lease and Resolution – made by Council Member Boudin, seconded by Council Member Favre – approved 7-0.

Planning & Zoning Applications
CHARLES & MARILYN MOORE – application for a Variance to the Zoning Ordinance. The applicants’ are asking to allow an accessory structure to be greater than fifty (50) percent of floor area of the principal structure. The applicants’ intentions are to construct an accessory structure which will be used as a garage. The principal structure currently consists of 2,309 sq. ft. of floor area and the proposed accessory structure will consists of 1,480 sq. ft. of floor area. The applicants’ are asking for a 14% variance to the floor area for the accessory structure. This property is located at 113 Austin Lane., Parcel 1 #144N-0-19-004.000, described as Part 94, 1st Ward, Parcel 2 #144N-0-19-003.000, described as Part 94G & Part 94F, 1st Ward, Parcel 3 #144N-0-19-005.000, described as Lot 94D, 1st Ward, Parcel 4 #144N-0-19-005.001, described as Part 94E, 1st Ward, Bay St. Louis, Hancock County, Mississippi. The property lies in an R-1, Single Family District. P&Z recommended approval 4-0. Motion to Approve the Application made by Council Member Seal, seconded by Council Member Falgout and approved 7-0.

CITY OF BAY ST. LOUIS is requesting the following text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. The reason for the amendment is changed or changing conditions in a particular area, or in the city, or in the regional area generally, in which an amendment to the Ordinance is in the public interest and is necessary and is desirable. The proposed amendment does not involve changing the classification of land and is necessary to facilitate accuracy and proper interpretation. P&Z recommended approval 4-0. Motion to Approve the Application made by Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Favre and approved 7-0.
Section 401.l0 as it currently reads:
“BUILDING REQUIRED FOR COMMERCIAL USES: All commercial uses shall provide at least the minimum size building in accordance with currently adopted codes. The building shall contain plumbing facilities adequate to serve the needs of the customers and the employees of the commercial use.”
The new amendment to Section 401.10 is to read as follows:
“BUILDING REQUIRED FOR COMMERCIAL USES: In accordance with adopted and accepted building codes and practices, all commercial uses shall have a minimum of five hundred (500) square feet in heated and cooled floor area. The building shall contain plumbing facilities adequate to serve the needs of the customers and the employees of the commercial use.”

City Clerk’s Report
Motion to Approve the Docket of Claims as follows:
General Fund $ 54,797.17
Debt Service Fund $ 8,831.51
Utility Fund $ 30,124.47
Municipal Harbor Fund $ 560.19
Total $ 94,313.34
Made by Council Member Boudin, seconded by Council Member Favre and approved 7-0.

Public Forum – Agenda Topics Only
No Action Taken

New Business
No Action Taken

Old Business
No Action Taken

Council Business
No Action Taken

Mayor’s Report
1. Travel
Department: Court
Employee: Clementine Sheppard and Mary Ann Bremer
Date: June 22-23, 2015
Location: Biloxi, MS
Reason: Summer Conference
Sponsoring Organization: MS Municipal Court Clerks Assoc.
Registration: -0-
Meals: Reimbursed
Transportation: City Vehicle
Lodging: -0-
Made by Council Member Favre, seconded by Council Member Reed and approved 7-0.

2. Approve using the Portable Stage
June 4, 2015 on the Depot Grounds
During the Mary Kay Deen Memorial Service
No action taken.

3. Approve Street Closures
June 4, 2015 5pm-6pm during the Mary Kay Deen
Memorial Walk – Washington and Beach to Citizen
To 3rd to Blaize to Depot
Made by Council Member Favre, seconded by Council Member Reed and approved 7-0.

Attorney’s Report
No Action Taken

Public Forum
No Action Taken
Minutes
a) Motion to Approve the Minutes of March 17, 2015 – made by Council member McDonald, seconded by Council Member Favre and approved 7-0.
b) No Action Taken

Adjourn
Motion to Adjourn made by Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Falgout and approved 7-0.