December 18, 2014 1
MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 18, 2014
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. in
the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding,West Memphis, Arkansas.
Invocation was given by John Rech. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. Phillip Para, City
Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples, City
Treasurer Frank Martin and Councilors, James Holt, Taz Tyrone, Melanie Hutchinson, Lorraine Robinson, Tracy
Catt, James Pulliaum, Ramona Taylor, Herman Coleman, Marco McClendon, and Willis Mondy. Quorum being
present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
MINUTES
Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to dispense with the reading of the minutes of
December 4, 2014 and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve.
Councilor Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilor Taylor to add 0-1 to the agenda. Upon voice vote, the
voting was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
3rd READING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 6.72.010 OF THE WEST MEMPHIS MUNICIPAL
CODE TO PROHIBIT EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM THE MANIFOLD OR EXHAUST SYSTEMS OF MOTOR
VEHICLES IN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS AND TO REGULATE THE DATES AND TIMES OF MOTOR
VEHICLE RACING AT CAR RACE TRACKS IN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Councilor Coleman made a motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy to amend the ordinance changing the time
from 8:00pm to 10:00pm. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance
as amended for the third and final time. At this time Mayor Johnson said he was going to allow those who signed
up to speak under Citizens Requests regarding Riverside Speedway to come forward and allowed them each five
minutes to speak before the vote was taken
Clayton Allen—214 Quinton Drive, Munford, TN—He said he has been the owner of Riverside Speedway for
eight years. He was told by the city he was grandfathered in. Five years ago, based on Councilor Coleman's
concerns, he started requiring mufflers on the cars, adjusted the speakers to point downward, and changed the
class structure and times of the races. He said 10:00 p.m. is not workable. They are open one night a week on
Saturday nights. Their goal is to end by 10:30— 11:15 pm. They had 28 race days scheduled this year and it
rained out 13 of those nights so they only ran 15 nights this year. He asked for the council's support when they
vote today.
Glen Graves—He said he owned and operated Riverside Speedway for twenty years before he sold it Mr. Allen.
He respectfully requested the City Council turn down this Ordinance.
Tommy Mullins- He is Race Director of Riverside Speedway and said the track brings in a lot of tourism money
into West Memphis by the fans staying at our hotels and eating at local restaurants.
Councilor Coleman made a motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy to allow Joyce Gray to speak under Citizens
Requests even though she did not sign up. Mayor Johnson said it would take a unanimous vote from the
Council. Upon roll call vote, Councilor Holt voted no so the motion FAILED.
Councilor Coleman made a motion, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to approve the Ordinance as amended.
Lengthy discussion was held. Roll Call vote was as follows:
AYES: Coleman and Mondy
NOES: Holt, Tyrone, Hutchinson, Robinson, Catt, Pulliaum, Taylor, and McClendon
The motion to approve the Ordinance FAILED.
2ND READING AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR THE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 500 WEST BROADWAY, ALLOWING A CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE FACILITY IN A C-
1, COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
2"d READING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND CORRECT CHAPTER 2.45 OF THE WEST
MEMPHIS MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE POSITIONS OF CITY CLERK AND CITY TREASURE, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Councilor Catt said the Budget Committee will have a recommendation for the salary by the next City Council
meeting. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance as presented for the SECOND time. Councilor Catt called a
Special Called Budget Committee Meeting for Monday, December 22, 2014 at noon.
2
NEW BUSINESS
R-1 A RESOLUTION COMMENDING HERMAN COLEMAN FOR HIS SERVICE ON THE WEST MEMPHIS
CITY COUNCIL
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilor Tyrone to
approve the Resolution. Several Councilors thanked Councilor Coleman for his service to the city. Upon voice
vote, the voting was unanimous to approve. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 2068.
Councilor Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilor Robinson to suspend the rules and read the title only
of 0-1. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
0-1 AN ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETITIVE FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO STRYKER EMS POWER
COTS AND ACCESSORIES, DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. Councilor Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by
Councilor Robinson to suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on the second reading. Upon voice vote, the
voting was unanimous. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. Councilor Tyrone made
a motion, seconded by Councilor Taylor to further suspend the rules and place the ordinance on the third reading.
Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD and FINAL
time. Councilor Catt made a motion, seconded by Councilor Tyrone to approve the Ordinance. Discussion was
held. Mayor Johnson explained this would cut down on back injuries in the Fire Department and the money was in
the budget this year but it would be gone after the end of the year. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to
approve the Ordinance. The Ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2360. Councilor Catt made a motion,
seconded by Councilor Tyrone to approve the Emergency Clause Section 2. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
PERMISSION REQUESTS
Councilor Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve the payment of$272,362.95 to
Lehman Roberts for the Street Overlay Project. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Airport Commission—Councilor Robinson reported the Commission voted to pay the$6,000 invoice incurred for
the audit of our federal grant award and the$750 Friday Law Firm invoice for preparation of an SEC Report on
the Airport's Bond Issue. ENGINEER Stacey Morris reported that APAC completed installation of the new tie-
downs on the north ramp; however, the balance of the project will not be completed until spring due to weather
requirements.
Fire Commission—Councilor Catt reported they recommended the approval of the purchase of the two power
cots.
Budget Committee—Councilor Catt reported the Budget Committee met every night last week and presented the
2015 Budget to the Council. Councilor Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve the
2015 Budget as recommended by the Budget Committee. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
June Simmons—421 S. 14th—She asked if the city owns the building that the LR Jackson Girls Club is in, why is
it dosed. City Attorney Peeples stated that the city owns the building and they lease it to the LR Jackson Girls
Club. They are the current tenants of the building.
Kyle Watkins—867 Proctor Road—Wanted to know where the money is going that the city gives to the LR
Jackson Girls Club. He requested the city close that building because there are no activities going on there.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor
Coleman to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this 8th day of January, 2015.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
PHILLIP P , CITY CLERK
'fid- �R'`k
Minutes prepared by Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk