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April 3, 2003MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL APRIL 3, 2003 toS~- A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Apri13, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas. Mayor William H. Johnson presided. Mayor William H. Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Reverend Raymond Shields, of 201 S. 15th Street, West Memphis, Arkansas 72301 gave Prayer. PRESENTATION The Delta Neighborhood Action Council and Reverend Raymond Shield gave Mayor William H. Johnson a certificate of appreciation for the donations that were given by him as well as the City Council. A Community Development Block Grant was given to Delta Neighborhood Action Council to help local residents with high utility bills. City Clerk Phillip Para called the roll. Those present were: City Attorney David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin, Councilor Ramona Taylor, Councilor AZ Felton, Councilor Reverend Herman Coleman, Councilor James Holt, Councilor Harold Thomas, Councilor Lorraine Robinson, and Councilor Clarence Davis. Late: Councilor Marco McClendon arrived at 1: 38 p. m. Absent Councilor James Pulliaum and Councilor Gheric Bruce. Mayor William H. Johnson declared a quorum present and proceeded with the agenda. BID OPENING Bid for West Memphis Utilities, (5) 250 KVA Single Phase Padmount Transformers, were opened and tabulated at 1:00 p.m. Copies of the tabulation sheet were given to the City Council. Councilor Ramona Taylor moved seconded by Councilor Al Felton to accept the bids and refer to the Utility Commission for final disposition. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The motion carried. (See attached) MINUTES Councilor Ramona Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Clarence Davis to dispense with the reading of the minutes of March 20, 2003 and approve as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The motion carried. OLD BUSINESS 3' reading of an Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for mowing services at the West Memphis airport and for other purposes. City Attorney David Peeples read the Ordinance for the Third and Final time by Title Only. Councilor Reverend Herman Coleman discussed that the person that the City of West Memphis was using is a dear and personal friend. He felt to eliminate public bidding, to eliminate other people the opportunity to bid on City business would ultimately~lead-fie -sawYng the City money. Councilor Lorraine Robinson mentioned according to the contract that was placed in everybody packet was self-explanatory. Also, I would say we should go ahead and award T.C. Lawn Service and perhaps do something differently later. A lengthy discussion took place between Councilor Lorraine Robinson and Councilor Reverend Herman Coleman. City Attorney David Peeples read the contract to Councilor Reverend Herman Coleman about the specification were incorporated by reference and made apart of the contract. Upon roll call vote, voting was: AYES: Councilor Ramona Taylor, Councilor Al Felton, Councilor Marco McClendon, Councilor Rev. Herman Coleman, Councilor James Holt, Councilor Harold Thomas, Councilor Lorraine Robinson, and Councilor Clarence. ABSENT: Councilor James Pulliaum, and Councilor Gheric Bruce. ~I''lo3 The motion passed. Councilor Ramona Taylor moved seconded by Councilor James Holt to approve waiving competitive bidding for mowing services at the West Memphis Airport and for other purposes. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. The Ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2068. NEW BUSINESS R-1 A Resolution to amend The City of West Memphis, Arkansas, Drug Testing Policy and Procedures as adopted by Resolution No. 1398 and for other purposes. Councilor James Holt moved seconded by Councilor Harold Thomas to table indefinitely. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. The Resolution was tabled indefinitely. PERMISSION REQUESTS Councilor Clarence Davis moved seconded by Councilor Harold Thomas to give the Mayor permission to sign an agreement with The Council of Friendship for the sale of the City-Owned property at 200 South Second Street. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. Councilor Lorraine Robinson moved seconded by Councilor James Holt to approve the Planning Commission recommendations. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. Councilor Ramona Taylor moved seconded by Councilor James Holt to table indefinitely the open bids on grass cutting at the Airport. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. Councilor Reverend Herman Coleman moved seconded by Councilor Al Felton to move the second Council meeting in June from the 19`h to the 26th due to the Municipal League meeting. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilor Clarence Davis reported that the Budget Committee met April 1, and discussed several items. We basically discussed what we have been discussing for the last 2 to 3 months. There is a packet of the minutes in each Councilmen packet. Those of you who are on the Budget Committee that was not present can go over the minutes and be prepared to vote the next meeting. Councilor Harold Thomas reported that the Utility Commission will meet April 10, 2003 at 8:30 a.m. Councilor Reverend Herman Coleman reported that the Police Commission met March 21, 2003. They had some good and bad news. Detective Joplin retired and Captain Gillette is hospitalized and may not come back to work again. We also discussed purchasing some high tech equipment for the Police Department. Special training is required, so we will be sending two Police Officers to be trained on this high tech equipment soon. The Police Department is a little understaffed, we discussed hiring several people. Our Police Department is doing a good job with keeping up with the modern technology. Also, the Chief of Police discussed with us that some things that he will be discussing with the Police Commission would be confidential due to security purposes. Councilor Reverend Herman Coleman made an announcement about interstate 55/40 coming from Memphis, Tennessee Exit 228 the highway branches off to the left. It looks just like part of the highway, but its not a part of the highway its going right between the two bridges. Somebody eventually is going to drive through there. I felt like a marker or something she be placed there. Mayor William H. Johnson is going to mention the problem to Eddie Brawley, he is the Director of the MPO and that's under the jurisdiction of the Highway Department. If any signs were erected they would have to come from the Highway Department. Eddie Brawley is of Head of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and he will mention it to the Highway Department. PROCLAMATION Mayor William H. Johnson stated he has a Proclamation to present for Fair Housing Act. Mayor William H. Johnson asked Joyce Gray to come and accept the Proclamation that was originally suppose to have been accepted by Rev. Nelson that was out of town. Mayor William H. Johnson read the Proclamation and announced that the month of April 2003 is proclaimed as Fair Housing Month. AJOURNMENT a There being no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Lorraine 1~ Robinson moved seconded by Councilor Ramona Taylor to adjourn. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourn at 1:50 p.m. Passed and Approved this [ 7 ~v day of April 2003. WILLIAM H. JOHNSON ,MAYOR ATTEST: PH ,CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by: T' ey Lackland, Jr. Deputy City Clerk WEST MEMPHIS UTILITIES (5} 250 KVA SINGLE PHASE PADMOUNT TRANSFORMERS 04-03-03 ARK. ELECTRIC _~ ,~ -~ ~ 5 LITTLE ROCK, AR ~'~ ~ - DIVERSIFIED ELECTRIC N. LITTLE ROCK, AR '-~ 5 3 `f ~ ~ a ~ . TVESCO MEMPHIS, TN 'r ~ (0 5. ~ ~: UTILICOR JACKSON, TN „~J C~cLO~'~