06/01/2017 MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 1,2017
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. in the City
Council Chambers at City Hall,205 S.Redding,West Memphis,Arkansas.
Invocation was given by Pastor David Young of Grace Baptist Church.Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at
1:30 p.m. Phillip Para, City Clerk called the roll. Those presents were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City Attorney
David Peeples, City Treasurer, Frank Martin, and Councilors: Willis Mondy, James Holt, Wayne Croom, Melanie
Hutchinson, Lorraine Robinson,Tracy Catt,Ramona Taylor, and Marco McClendon. Absent were: James Pulliaum
and Helen Harris. Quorum being present,Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
BID OPENINGS
None
MINUTES
Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to dispense with the reading of the minutes of May 18, 2017;::
City Council meeting and approve them as submitted.Upon voice vote,the voting was unanimous to approve.
OLD BUSINESS
2"d READING ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 2.30.060 OF THE WEST MEMPHIS MUNICIPAL
CODE TO CHANGE THE MEETING DATE OF THE WEST MEMPHIS UTILITY COMMISSION AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
NEW BUSINESS
R-1 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SELECTION OF AN ENGINEERING FIRM AND
APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $440,377.00 FOR
ADDITIONAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS RAIL PORT LOGISTICS
PARK-WESTERN WYE FOR PHASE 1B UNDER THE TIGER IV GRANT AGREEMENT, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Councilor Robinson made a motion, seconded by Councilor Taylor to suspend the rules, and read R-1 by title only.
Upon voice vote,the voting was unanimous.
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilor Robinson to
approve the Resolution.Upon voice vote,the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No.
2132.
PERMISSION REQUEST
PERMISSION TO ACCEPT THE APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE
TAXI CAB SERVICES IN THE NAME OF LATRICE PREWITT AND DEBBIE DEAR DBA: D & L
TRANSPORTATION SERVICE LLC.AND SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR JUNE 22,2017,AT THE
NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
Permission to accept application for Certificate of Public Convenience Taxi Cab Services in the name of Latrice
Prewitt and Debbie Dear: DBA: D&L Transportation Service.to be allowed to provide transportation to customers
in West Memphis and surrounding areas. Councilor McClendon made a motion seconded by Councilor Mondy
pursuant to Section 5.44.030 of the West Memphis Municipal Code to accept the application and set a public hearing
date for June 22, 2017 at the next City Council meeting. City Clerk's office is to publish a notice in the newspaper
and notify the other taxicab services in town of the public hearing date.Upon voice vote,the voting was unanimous
to accept the application for Certificate of Public Convenience.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget Committee- Councilor Catt said the Southland Gaming and Racing Revenue is up 6.61% same as this time
last year approximately$86,894.00 dollars.Advertising&Promotion is still slightly down 3.05%by a small margin
of$15,000.00 dollars. General Fund is down $21,000.00 dollars for the year compared to budget down $77,000.00
dollars year to date.All departments are in-line where they need to be with budget with the exceptions of some single
year-end expenditures but are in line with what Council approved.
APPOINTMENTS
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilor Taylor announced that Main Street is sponsoring the second Movies on Broadway on Friday night June 9,
2017 at 8:00 p.m.the movie will be Despicable Me 2 at the Regions parking lot and is sponsored by Poncho's.
Councilor McClendon asked for a status update on purchasing Sky Cop cameras that were discussed at previous
Council meeting.
Councilor Catt made a motion,seconded by Councilor Taylor to add the purchase of Sky-Cop Cameras to the agenda.
Upon voice vote,the voting was unanimous
Councilor McClendon made a motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy to transfer$20,000 dollars from the General
Funds to the police department to purchase Sky Cop cameras.Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous.
CITIZENS REQUEST
Fred Leonard, State Farm Representative for State Farm Insurance located at 515 N Missouri came before council to
introduce himself to the council as a new resident of West Memphis and business owner. Mr. Leonard said he was
excited to be a part of the community.
Nathaniel Allen-800 S. 12th Street.Mr.Allen said he has had an ongoing problem with people illegally dumping tires
on his property and is requesting permission to be able to put up a fence in the alley behind his property.City Attorney
Peeples said there was no legal reason Mr. Allen could not put up a fence however, if there is a utility easement the
utility department has right of access and if they were unable to gain access they might have to take the fence down
to gain access. Mr. Allen said that he would have a key made available for the City workers to gain access all they
would have to do is knock on his door.Mr.Allen was directed to meet with the Planning&and Development Director,
Paul Luker and submit plans for their review and approval.
Ms. Latrice Prewitt of 1101 S. Avalon Apt#6 owner/operator for D& L Transportation came before council to ask
for consideration for a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a Taxi Cab Service in West Memphis. A Public
hearing has been set for June 22,2017.
Having no further business to come before the City Council,Councilor Taylor moved,seconded by Councilor Catt to
adjourn.Upon voice vote,the voting was unanimous.The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this 22"day of June 2017
William H. Johnson, Mayor
ATTEST:
PHILLIP PARA,CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by: Patricia Lane,Jr. Deputy City Clerk