Agenda 03/16/17 PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES
AGENDA
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 16, 2017
PRAYER:
CALL TO ORDER:
ROLL CALL:
BID OPENING WEST MEMPHIS RAIL EXPANSION-(TIGER IV GRANT) FOR
1. RAILROAD TIE MATERIALS
2. RAIL MATERIAL
OFFICE CLEANING SERVICES FOR DISTRICT COURT
BUILDING
MINUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF MARCH 2, 2017
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS: R-1 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND
CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE DOCUMENTS TO APPROVE
EXPENDITURES FOR THE DELTA REGIONAL RIVER
PARK TRAIL PROJECT, FUNDED BY TWO GRANTS
FROM THE ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY AND
TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
PERMISSION
REQUEST: APPROVAL OF UTILITY-- DEPRECIATION-B &B
UTILITY CONTRACTORS FOR$317,050.00
DISTRIBUTION OF DOG TRACK FUNDS
COMMITTEE
REPORTS:
APPOINTMENTS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
CITIZENS REQUEST:
ADJOURNMENT:
MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 2, 2017
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. in
the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas.
Invocation was given by Reverend Dan Read of the First United Methodist 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:
Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Catt, James Pulliaum, Ramona Taylor, Helen Harris, Willis Mondy, James Holt,
Wayne Croom and Melanie Hutchinson. Absent: Councilor Marco McClendon.
BID OPENINGS
Bids for the West Memphis Utilities—Mid America 1 Million Gallon Elevated Water Tank Rehabilitation
and One Compact Excavator-Hydraulic were opened at 1:00 and bid tabulations were handed out to the
City Council. Councilor Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilor Taylor to refer the bids to the
Utility Commission for final disposition. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. (See attached)
Bids for Community Development— Drainage Project were opened at 1:00 and bid tabulations were
handed out to the City Council. Councilor Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilor Taylor to refer
the bids to Community Development for final disposition. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
(See attached)
MINUTES
Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum, to dispense with the reading of the Minutes of
February 16, 2017 City Council Meeting and approve as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS None
NEW BUSINESS
0-1 AN ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETTIVE BIDDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF A TRIMBLE
R10, INTERNAL 410-470 MHZ RADIO AND RELATED ACCESSORIES, AND FOR THER PURPOSES
Councilor Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilor Taylor to suspend the rules and read the
Ordinance by the title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. Councilor Pulliaum made a motion,
seconded by Councilor Taylor to suspend the rules 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 Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilor Harris 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 Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by
Councilor Harris to approve the Ordinance. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Ordinance
was adopted and assigned No. 2433.
Councilor Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy to approve the Final Statement of
Community Development Objectives and Projected Use of Funds B-2017-MC-05-0009 as presented.
(copy attached) Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Personnel Committee—Councilor Taylor reported they met yesterday and representatives from VOYA
and United Healthcare were present. VOYA wanted employees to be aware of the 457 Voluntary
Pension option available to them. United Healthcare representatives announced they are providing
employees with a plan for lasting weight loss called Real Appeal at no extra cost. This program includes
personalized weight loss coaching, 24/7 online support and a Success Kit that includes all the gadgets
participants need to help kick-start their weight loss and keep going strong. It includes a Personal
blender, Digital food scale, Measuring cups and spoons, Perfect portion plate, Resistance, Pedometer,
Real Appeal water bottle, Electronic body weight scale, Body tape manager, and exercise DVD's.
Utility Commission —Councilor Croom reported they met March 1, 2017. It was reported that credit card
payments doubled from February, 2016 to February, 2017. May 1st, they will discontinue "call in credit
card payments". Walk in credit card payments will still be allowed. The Commission approved to
reschedule next month's meeting to April 13th and have a working lunch for the commission members and
any city council member who would like to attend and view a presentation called "Auto Meter Reading
Cost Benefit Analysis". Foster Rash is retiring March 17, 2017 after 47 years of service. Brett Sims, a
27-year employee has been promoted to Director of Safety and Training.
Budget Committee—Councilor Catt handed out the Sales Tax Report(copy attached). He said that each
Council member should have received a copy of the Audit Report for the year ending 2015 and reported
on some of the issues that were reported and have been or in the process of correcting. Councilor Catt
made a motion, seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve the 2015 Audit Report. Upon voice vote, the
voting was unanimous.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilor Robinson read a letter from Eddie Williams thanking the Mayor and City Council for the
recognition of School Councilors at the last meeting for Black History Month.
Councilor Pulliaum commended the Academy of West Memphis for hosting the 34 historical black
colleges and universities for high school students from West Memphis and Crittenden County and the
surrounding area. The College Fair was organized by Wonder Jr High and the local chapter sorority's
and fraternities.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
Arne Able— Executive Director of Kindred Hospice handed out literature and explained they were
selected by the Arkansas Department of Health to serve this area, including West Memphis and
Crittenden County, providing hospice home health care. His office is in Forrest City and serves eight
counties.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by
Councilor Taylor to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at
1:53 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this 16th day of March, 2017.
William H. Johnson, Mayor
ATTEST:
Phillip Para, City Clerk
Minutes prepared by: Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk