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09/07/2017 s MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL September 7, 2017 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, September 7, 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 Gary Hair of Calvary Baptist Church. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Patricia Lane, Jr. Deputy City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples, and Councilpersons: Melanie Hutchinson, Wayne Croom, Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Catt, James Pulliaum, Ramona Taylor, Marco McClenden, Willis Mondy and James Holt. Absent was: City Treasurer Frank Martin and Councilperson Helen Harris. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting. BID OPENINGS None MINUTES Councilperson Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilperson Taylor to dispense with the reading of the Minutes of August 17, 2017 City Council meeting and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve. Old BUSSINESS None NEW BUSSINESS Councilperson Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Croom to suspend the rules and read R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 and 0-1 by title only. Upon voice vote, Voting was unanimous. R-1 A RESOLUTION SETTING THE ANNUAL TAX LEVY FOR THE POLICEMEN'S PENSION AND RELIEF FUND City Attorney David Peeples read the Resolution. Councilperson Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Taylor to approve the Resolution. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve the Resolution. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No.2142. R-2 A RESOLUTION SETTING THE ANNUAL TAX LEVY FOR THE PUBLIC CITY LIBRARY City Attorney David Peeples read the Resolution. Councilperson Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Taylor to approve the Resolution. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve the Resolution. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No.2143. R-3 A RESOLUTION CERITFYING THE AMOUNTS OF LIENS IMPOSED ON CERTAIN PROPERTIES FOR DEMOLITION CONTRACTED BY THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS PURSUANT TO ORDINANCE 1141 City Attorney David Peeples read the Resolution. Councilperson Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Taylor to approve the Resolution. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve the Resolution. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No.2144. R-4 A RESOLUTION SETTING THE ANNUAL TAX LEVY UPON THE ASSESSED VALUE OF ALL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS, FOR THE FIREMAN'S PENSION AND RELIEF FUND City Attorney David Peeples read the Resolution. Councilperson Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Taylor to approve the Resolution. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve the Resolution. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 2145. 0-1 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE HIRING OF STEVE MULLEN D/B/A SAFEGUARD WINDOW AND DOOR FOR WINDOW, DOOR, AND LOCK REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT FOR THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES City Attorney David Peeples read the Ordinance for the first time. The Ordinance will be placed on the agenda for next City Council Meeting on September 21,2017 for it second reading. PERMISSION REQUESTS PERMISSION FOR MAYOR JOHNSON TO SIGN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO ACCEPT THE 2017 EDWARD BYRNE JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT(JAG) PROGRAM AWARD t Councilperson Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilperson McClendon to give Mayor Johnson permission to sign the memorandum of understanding for Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program Award. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. COMMITTEE REPORTS Police Committee- Councilperson Mondy reported that the Police Committee met on Wednesday September 6, 2017. Councilperson Mondy reported that the pole cameras are ready to be installed and plans are to install them at Jackson and Avalon, Ingram and Barton, and Walker& Broadway. The Commission also discussed crime reporting and utilizing the Evening Times to report the areas where crime is happening so that the community is aware. The Commission also discussed restarting the Neighborhood Watch program and Night Out program. Airport Committee- Councilperson Robinson reported that the Airport has been notified that we have been awarded the grant for AIP#27 (South Apron Expansion). The Refueler was delivered at the end of August. Advertising & Promotion Committee- The Advertising & Promotion Committee met on Thursday August 31, 2017. Councilperson Taylor reported that the Advertising & Promotion committee met and has awarded the auditorium remodel to the low bidder, Frank A. Rogers their bid was $498,564.00. Councilperson Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilperson McClendon to authorize Mayor Johnson to sign the contract with Frank A. Rogers for the remodel of the auditorium. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to allow Mayor Johnson to sign the contract with Frank A. Rogers. Public Works Committee- The Public Works Committee met with MPO study Director Eddy Brawly to discuss the report on the South Avalon and West Jackson Intersection. Mr. Brawly reported that the warrants are set by national adopted traffic control device guidelines. The counts did not meet the minimal warrant for a traffic signal at this time. The Commission is going to continue to review this and address any further issues. Recycling Report- Recycling in August disposed of 14,580 pounds there was one a-waste pickup and they disposed of 160 truck tires. City Engineer- Council person Taylor reported that they have received the Hino Bridge Right of way approval and are getting permission to advertise for bids and putting together bid documents. The South Loop draft contracts for design engineering were submitted to the Highway Department in July and they are waiting for approval. Code Enforcement- Is working on the final grass sweep. The Commission also discussed having the Planning and Development Department and Community Development join the Public Works quarterly meetings to discuss how they can work closely together to help get the community cleaned up. They also plan to invite Melissa Rivers of East Arkansas Planning and Development to attend their next meeting to get new rules for disposal of tires. Personnel Committee-Councilperson Hutchinson reported that the personnel Commission met on September 6, 2017. Human Resource Director Janice Coleman introduced the new City Accountant Ellie Selden. The City will also begin the bid process for health care coverage. The employee health and wellness fair will be September 29, 2017 at the West Memphis Civic Center from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The East Arkansas Health Center will be assisting and will be giving flu shots. The biggest loser weigh in will also be done at that time. The Commission also discussed the leave policy for new hires and the possibility of setting up a leave sharing program. Ms. Janice Coleman, Human Resource Di,ector will research these policies with similar size municipalities and area industries and report her findings back to the commission. There was a request from employees to review the amount awarded for longevity and frequency of payments awarded for perfect attendance. CITIZENS REQUEST Pastor Donald Brown resides at 909 Balfour Road West Memphis, Arkansas. Pastor Brown is the Pastor of Straight Way Apostolic Deliverance Church located at 404 N 141h West Memphis, Arkansas Street. Pastor Brown came before council to make a request to purchase a home from the City of West Memphis located at 1801 N Mcauley. The church wants to purchase and renovate the home for their Good Deed Program. The home would eventually be given to a single parent family with children that meet financial and program requirements. Mayor Johnson suggested that Pastor Brown meet with City Attorney Peeples, Paul Luker, Planning and Development Director and, Councilpersons: Catt, Robinson, and McClendon to discuss the logistics and come back before council. ANNOUNCEMENTS Personnel Director, Janice Coleman introduced the new City Accountant Ms. Ellie Selden to the Council. Ms. Selden will be assisting the City Finance Director, Frank Martin. Ms. Selden addressed council and said that she is excited about her new position and is looking forward to working with the City of West Memphis. Councilperson Pulliaum asked that each chairperson on a commission update meeting information with the Mayor's Secretary so that it can be posted on the City Web page and in the local newspaper so that the public is aware of the meeting dates and time. Councilperson Pulliaum wanted to make sure that with the upcoming budget preparation is done in advance to ensure that elected officials considering retirement receive their retirement salary in a timely manner. Councilperson Pulliaum would also like to see the City's social media site updated and maintained to keep the public aware of what is happening in our community. Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilperson Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilperson Pulliaum to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:00 pm. PASSED and APPROVED this 21St day of September, 2017 WILLIAM H. HNSON, MAYOR ATTEST PHILLIP PARA, CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by Patricia Lane, Jr Deputy City Clerk