STATE OF THE CITY 2006

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STATE OF THE CITY -- 2006
City of Ocean Springs

• WELCOME
• Mayor Connie Moran
• Board of Aldermen
• Julia Weaver Alderman-at-large
• John Gill Ward I
• Matt McDonnell Ward II
• Curtis Lloyd Ward III
• Greg Denyer Ward IV
• Jerry Dalgo Ward V
• James Hagan Ward VI

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STATE OF THE CITY 2006
City of Ocean Springs

• Master of Ceremonies Dr. Robert Hirsch
• Principal, Ocean Springs High School
• Invocation Rev. Michael Barnett,
• First Baptist Church, Ocean Springs
• Address Mayor Connie Moran

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Thanks to our Sponsors
City of Ocean Springs

• Ocean Springs Hospital
• Merchants and Marine Bank
• Ellis Branch Realty
• Henry Furr Architecture and Development
• Singing River Electric Power Association
• Hancock Bank
• Broomes Grocery

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KATRINA RESPONSE
City of Ocean Springs

• The City was prepared
• Effective Communications
• Coordinated effort with the county and schools
• Excellent first responders
• Streets accessible within two days of storm
• First city with safe drinking water
• Offered large scale Disaster Recovery Center

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SERVICES TO CITIZENS
City of Ocean Springs

• Ocean Springs Middle School Secondary Emergency
  Operations Center
• Food and supplies distribution from two major
  points of distribution
• Large scale Disaster Recovery Center with all
  agencies

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RECOVERY EFFORTS
City of Ocean Springs

• Coordinated with other cities for emergency
  relief and operations
• Provided shelter for emergency responders, Red
  Cross
• Communicate with faith-based organizations and
  volunteer efforts
• Weekly meetings with Jackson County
  municipalities and federal and state agencies
• 75 of debris and private property demolition
  complete
• June 30 is deadline for 100 federal
  reimbursement for clean up activities

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WHERE WE STAND NOW
City of Ocean Springs

• Citizens are resilient and determined despite
  devastating circumstances
• Our downtown and commerce are vibrant
• Chamber of Commerce bounced back with Peter
  Anderson festival, holiday celebrations
• Expect loss of one-third (1 million) in property
  taxes
• Sales tax increase of 500,000 over last year

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THANKS TO OTHERS
City of Ocean Springs

• Cities around the country have contributed time,
  goods and donations for our relief efforts
• Donated patrol cars every patrol officer has
  own vehicle to take home, deters crime
• Funds have been received and placed in two
  non-profit organizations for both humanitarian
  and other projects to benefit the city and
  citizens of Ocean Springs
• Churches, colleges, and non-profit organizations
  have and still are giving generously
• We must prepare to respond in a likewise fashion

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WHAT WE CAN DO BETTER
City of Ocean Springs

• Improve equipment to better communicate with
  other cities and first responders after storm
• Upgrade emergency operations center
• Have pre-approved emergency contracts in place
  with vendors (generators, services)
• Designate shelters, points of distribution,
  medical services and communicate clearly before
  storm
• Have clear communication and areas of operation
  for FEMA, MEMA and other state/federal agencies
• Have our own plan to assist other cities and
  reciprocal emergency management agreements

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REBUILDING
City of Ocean Springs

• Governors Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and
  Renewal provided new conceptual plans for
  waterfront, Wal-Mart area
• Held two community meetings and plan another May
  22-25th to obtain more community input.
• CDBG grants soon available for homeowners without
  flood insurance not in flood zone
• Ensure affordable housing available Katrina
  cottage instead of trailers
• Adopt SmartCode mixed use

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OUR STRATEGIC PLAN TO 2009
City of Ocean Springs

• PLAN THE WORK AND WORK THE PLAN!!
• Drainage
• Streets
• Public Safety
• Waterfront Infrastructure Improvements
• Beautification
• Recreation

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DRAINAGE
City of Ocean Springs

• Create Drainage Department in Public Works
• Strategy Set schedule for cleaning and
  maintaining drainways on regular basis
• Update drainage study and set priorities and
  improvements per recommendation of engineer
• Targeted areas Trentwood basin Holcomb Ashley
  Place Little Childrens Park/Ocean

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STREETS and INFRASTRUCTURE
City of Ocean Springs

• Widen Reilly Road
• Improve Porter Avenue
• Implement sidewalk building plan
• Water/Sewer completion on east end of Hwy 90 and
  west side of Hwy 57
• Support new regional wastewater authority
• Upgrade existing wastewater lines with new grant
  money
• Improve water/sewer meter reading system

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PUBLIC SAFETY
City of Ocean Springs

• Improve existing facility and build new fire,
  police, courtroom, jail, and emergency operations
  center within three years
• Acquire new communications system in compliance
  with 911 county system
• Provide emergency medical training for
  firefighters to supplement Acadian response
• Implement new court records software system
• Consider co-location with National Guard to
  congregate first responders in emergencies

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WATERFRONT IMPROVEMENTS
City of Ocean Springs

• Solicit public input and coordinate with Corps of
  Engineers and Jackson County for beach and harbor
  improvements
• Consider new seawall, storm buffer walkway,
  higher beach front road and beach
• Plan for mixed use zoning in harbor area
  restaurants, retail, green areas, parking beneath
  buildings Community meeting in May
• Coordinate development of Plummer Point area with
  MDOT, county, OS Yacht Club and landowners

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City of Ocean Springs
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City of Ocean Springs
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FORT MAUREPAS PARK
City of Ocean Springs

• Smart Growth Committee has held meetings to
  discuss new use of park property
• Maintain outline of park with green lawn
• Commemorative plaques and possible sculptures to
  recognize historical significance of 1699 landing
  of dIberville
• Construct pavilion that could be used for small
  gatherings and events

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City of Ocean Springs
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BEAUTIFICATION
City of Ocean Springs

• Offer matching grants to homeowners associations
  for subdivision entranceways
• Hire horticulturist
• Complete new gateway marquees at Hwy 57/90 Ft.
  Bayou and Biloxi Bay Bridge
• Become a certified Green City
• Implement Hwy 90 beautification plan
• Light the downtown oak trees
• Bury utility lines where feasible

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RECREATION
City of Ocean Springs

• Consolidate and expand tennis facilities at Alice
  Street facility Build new Fort Bayou playground
• Construct first phase of roads, ball fields, and
  soccer fields at Hwy 57 after permitting
• Reconfigure Stephen Parker field and replace all
  existing ball field lighting
• Pursue funding for new Multipurpose facility that
  functions as a secondary storm shelter
• Expand athletic programs and leisure activities
  for citizens of all ages and continue support of
  Mary C. OKeefe Cultural Center

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City of Ocean Springs
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THANK YOU, DAMIAN!!
City of Ocean Springs

• We appreciate the dedicated service of Damian
  McKay Director of Parks and Recreation
• We welcome incoming Parks and Leisure Services
  Director Greg Eleuterius

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FORWARD TO THE FUTURE!
City of Ocean Springs

• Plan the Work and Work the Plan!
• Grateful to all city employees and elected
  officials throughout the county
• Look forward to working together to make Ocean
  Springs and Jackson County the jewel of the
  Mississippi Gulf Coast!!!