11/02/2017 MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
November 2, 2017
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, November 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 Minister Steve Smith of the First 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 Michael Stephenson, City Treasurer Frank Martin and
Council Members: Wayne Croom, Melanie Hutchinson, James Pulliaum, Ramona Taylor, Helen
Harris,James Holt, Marco McLendon, Lorraine Robinson and Willis Mondy. Late: Tracy Catt
Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
BID OPENING:
None
MINUTES
Council Member McClendon moved, seconded by Council Member Taylor to dispense with the
reading of the minutes of October 19, 2017 City Council Meeting and approve them as
submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve.
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS,
Council Member Pulliaum moved, seconded by Council Member Taylor to suspend the rules
and read R-1, and 0-1 by title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
R-1 A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE WILINGNESS OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS TO
UTILIZE-FEDERAL AID FUNDS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF BRIDGE NO. 19107 OVER TEN MILE
BAYOU ON LEHR ROAD
City Attorney Stephenson read the Resolution by title only. Council Member Pulliaum moved,
seconded by Council Member Taylor to approve the Resolution. Discussion followed. Upon
voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was assigned No.2150
0-1 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION CODE FOR THE CITY OF
WEST MEMPHIS,ARKANSAS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
City Attorney Stephenson read the Ordinance by title only for the First time.
PERMISSION REQUEST
PERMISSION TO ACCEPT INSURANCE BID- MRS. JANICE COLEMAN
Council Member Taylor reported that the Insurance Committee reviewed the insurance bids
and has made the recommendation to accept the bid from the lowest bidder Aetna Insurance
Company to provide Health Insurance coverage with a $500.00 deductible. Council Member
Taylor made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pulliaum to accept the low bid from Aetna
and as part of the motion increase the deductible to $1,000.00 dollars and increase the family
portion to $450.00 dollars which reflects a $30.00 a month increase to the family plan.
Discussion followed. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. (see attachment)
Council Member Taylor made a motion, seconded by Council Member Croom to accept the bid
from Aetna Insurance to provide Vision Care. Discussion followed. Upon voice vote, the vote
was unanimous. (see attachment)
Council Member Catt came into Council meeting at 1:45 p.m.
Council Member Taylor made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pulliaum to accept the
renewal rate from Delta Dental to provide dental services. Discussion followed. Upon voice
vote, the vote was unanimous. (see attachment)
Council Member Mondy made a motion, seconded by Council Member Hutchinson to release
the funds to the LR Jackson Girls Club in the amount of$22,718.98. Upon voice vote, the voting
was unanimous.
Council Member Taylor made a motion, seconded by Council Member Pulliaum to release the
funds to the JW Rich Girls Club in the amount of$22,718.98. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Police Commission- Council Member Mondy reported that the Police Commission met on
November 1, 2017. It was reported by Chief Oaks that the area where the "Deter program" is
located has been very successful with crime being reduced by 16.25 per cent. There has been a
reduction in city wide crime by 15.3 per cent. A$400,000.00 Tips grant has been awarded to
place computers in patrol cars. The computer will run all programs; such as NCIC, and will have
the ability to print tickets from cars. The police department should have a new police car within
the next few weeks with the installed computer system, to give a demonstration to the
commission and others. Some police officers are now wearing demo body cameras. Chief Oakes
should have the cost of the demo items by the first of the year. The Police Commission
approved a proposal to create a Community Outreach Coordinator Position. The Community
Outreach Coordinator Position will be designed to organize and coordinate the law
Enforcement Citizens Academy, Summer Youth Camp, Neighborhood Watch Style Program,
Youth Explorer Program and At-Risk Youth Employment Program.
ADVERTISING & PROMOTION: -Council Member Taylor said the Advertising & Promotion
Committee met on October 19, 2017. They approved funding for the Arkansas State University
Mid-South Foundation in the amount of$2,500.00 for the ASU Mid-South Greyhound Men's
Kick-Off Classic on November 3-4, 2017 and the Lady Greyhounds Kick-Off Classic November 17-
18, 2017. The Greyhounds will host Coahoma College and Parkland College and the Lady
Greyhound's will host National Park College and St Louis Community College. The Committee
also approved $2,000.00 in funding for the Delta Arts promotional for their Sunday Afternoon
Performing Arts Series for Regional Advertising. The Auditorium had 1 event with 550 visitors
but is technically closed until December 1, 2017 for renovations. The Civic Center had 13 events
with 1,064 visitors. Council Member Taylor said that the city continues to receive recognition
for their part of the Big River Crossing for their engineering design as highlighted in the multi-
page article in the October 2017 issue of the Civil Engineering magazine. Mr. Jim Jackson,
Director of the Convention Visitors Bureau said the City of West Memphis will be hosting the
Governor's Conference from March 11-13, 2018 and should generate 600 people in the tourism
industry from all over the state and will be a boost to the economy.
CITIZEN REQUEST
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council Member Robinson thanked everyone for their participation in the Keep West Memphis
Beautiful cleanup day on October 21, 2017. Council Member Robinson said there was 93
volunteers with 33 of the volunteers being under the age of sixteen. They picked up 550 tires
and 135 bags of trash.
Council Member Croom announced that Coffee with a Cop will be on Saturday November 4,
2017 at the Cross Roads Cafe located at 109 S. Worthington from 7-9 a.m.
Council Member Pulliaum announced that there will be a Community meeting at the Wonder
City Boys Club located at 412 S. 25th street on Monday November 13, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Council Member Pulliaum moved,
seconded by Council Member Taylor to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 2:06 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this 16th day of November 2017.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
PHILLI , CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by: Patricia Lane, Jr. Deputy City Clerk