October 15, 2015 MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
October 15, 2015
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, October15, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. in the
City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas.
Invocation was given by Reverend Gary Hair of Calgary Baptist Church. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to
order at 1:30 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, Helen Harris, Willis Mondy, James Holt,
Melanie Hutchinson, Lorraine Robinson, and Ramona Taylor. Absent were: Councilors Marco McClendon, Taz
Tyrone, Tracy Catt and James Pulliaum. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
MINUTES
Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to dispense with the reading of the minutes of
October 1, 2015 City Council meeting and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous to approve.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Councilor Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy to suspend the rules and the title only be read of
0-1. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
0-1 AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4112
EAST SERVICE ROAD ALLOWING A TOWING AND RECOVERY FACILITY IN A C-2, COMMERCIAL
DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
PERMISSION REQUEST
Councilor Taylor made motion, seconded by Councilor Robinson to approve payment of$306,636.08 for the 2015
Street Overlay Project. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve.
Councilor Robinson made a motion, seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve the Planning Commission
Recommendations as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve. (See attached)
Councilor Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilor Harris to table the Permission Request requesting
permission for the Mayor to sign a contract between the City of West Memphis and Mid-South Utility Consultants,
LLC until the next meeting. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilor Taylor made motion, seconded by Councilor Robinson to add Permission Request to give Mayor
Johnson permission to sign a contract for the Trail Head Project. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to
approve.
Councilor Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilor Harris to approve Mayor Johnson sign the contract for
the Trail Head Project. Mayor Johnson explained this project will be funded by a Metropolitan Planning
Organization TAP Fund Grant that will pay 80% and the Street Department funding the 20%. Upon voice vote,
the voting was unanimous.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Airport Commission—Councilor Robinson reported they are now working on the Master Plan Update and AGIS
has begun. The Airport Commission voted to renew their Airport Liability Insurance with Old Republic Aerospace,
through EBCO Aviation Underwriters. The premium and coverage remain the same as last year. The Airport
Commission voted to purchase a detachable snow plow to be mounted to their'/ton pickup truck. This will
enable the airport to remain open during normal snowfall.
Insurance Committee—Councilor Taylor reported they are going over the proposals with United, Cigna and Blue
Cross-Blue Shield.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Johnson announced that Business after Hours will be today at Guiltner Steele today from 5 until 7.
Councilor Harris announced the Core Unsung Heroes Awards are having a Gospel Celebration honoring Maggie
Hall Saturday at Hightower Park at 11:45 am.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
Alfred Knox—Executive Director of Arkansas Minority Health Commission LLC-He said minority healthcare is a
community economic issue. They will be conducting community forums at Bethel AME Church from 6-7 tonight
and at the Comfort Inn tomorrow at noon.
Ruby Johnson—Vice-President of the NAACP said the 36th annual NAACP Freedom Award Banquet will be held
at 6:30, October 24, 2015 at the Clarion Inn, 1-55 at Ingram Blvd. Mark Baker a saxophone player and DJ will be
performing. Tickets are$35.00 each or$40.00 at the door. A table of 8 is$280.00 and can be purchased at 812
E. Broadway.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Taylor moved, second by Councilor
Robinson to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this 5th day of November, 2015.
Ab,Zet..s./
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
PHI RA, CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk