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June 5, 2003MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL JUNE 5, 2003 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on June 5, 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 Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Reverend David Moose of Rosewood United Methodist Church offered prayer. Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk called the roll. Those present were: Mayor INlliam H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin, Councilors: ,James Holt, Harold Thomas, James Pulliaum, Lorraine Robinson, Clarence Davis, Gheric Bruce (late 1:45 p.m.),Ramona Taylor, AI Felton, and Marco McClendon. Absent: Councilor Herman Coleman and City Clerk Phillip Para. Mayor Johnson declared a quorum present and proceeded with the agenda. Mayor Johnson asked Police Chief Paudert to come fonivard and explain the circumstances of the 22 hour standoff that took place with an armed and dangerous escaped convict from Tennessee last weekend in West Memphis. Chief Paudert first thanked local restaurants for bringing food and drinks to the officers involved and also thanked the fire department for having a pumper and an ambulance on the scene. Chief Paudert said that our local Police Department and SWAT Team worked with special agents from the Memphis FBI, West Memphis FBI, Little Rock FBI, and FBI negotiating teams from Nashville and Fayetteville, the US Marshal Service out of Little Rock and US Marshal Service out of Memphis, Tennessee Bureau of Identification and Crittenden County deputies. He explained how the incident began through how it ended. He then introduced members of the West Memphis Special Response Team and praised each of them for their special talents and said they were the best he has ever seen. BID OPENINGS Bids for the Street Department -Paver, were opened at 1:00 and copies of the bid tabulation were given to the city council. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to accept the bids and refer them to the Public Works Committee for final disposition. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. (bid sheet attached) MINUTES Councilor Davis moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to dispense with the reading of the minutes of May 15, 2003 and to approve as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The motion carried. OLD BUSINESS 2"d reading of An Ordinance to amend Zoning Ordinance 1988, Article 111-Specific District Regulations, Section 1, Residential Districts; Paragraph 8, Uses Permitted; No. 1, Residential Uses; and Article V, Special Provisions; Section 20, Manufactured Homes; Paragraph A, 8, C, D, and E, and for other purposes City Attorney Peeples read the ordinance for the SECOND time. NEW BUSINESS O-1 An Ordinance to amend Section 3.04.020 of the West Memphis Municipal Code for the purpose of levying an additional one percent (1 %) Tax for a total of two percent (2%) upon the gross receipts or gross proceeds from the rental of certain accommodations and the sale of prepared foods and beverages as authorized by A. C.A -Section 26-75-602, and for other purposes City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance in its entirety for the FIRST time. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to suspend the rules and the ordinance be placed on its second reading. Upon roll call vote, the voting was: AYES: Holt, Thomas, Pulliaum, Robinson, Davis, Bruce, Taylor, Felton, McClendon NAYS: None The motion carried. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. Mayor Johnson stated the ordinance would be read for the third and final time at the next City Council meeting which will be in three weeks, June 26tH PERMISSION REQUESTS Councilor Davis moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to approve the recommendation from the Fire Commission to eliminate the testing for the Captain position in the West Memphis Fire Department. Upon roll call vote, the voting was: AYES: Holt, Thomas, Robinson, Davis, Bruce, Taylor, Felton McClendon NAYS: None Councilor Pulliaum voted as "present' The motion carried. Page 2 Minutes June 5, 2003 Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve the Budget Amendment for restructuring in the Fire Department. Mayor Johnson explained that it was not a monetary item, it was a structure item, that was required after the changes in the classifications were made. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilor Felton reported the Advertising and Promotion Commission met and discussed the issue of the proposed tax increase. They voted to approve the one cent increase with one half percent to go towards transportation and one half percent going towards a tourism facility. Councilor Taylor reported the Police Commission had an informational meeting only, no action was taken. Mayor Johnson recognized Mr. Jafus Rogers and a part of the Council of Friendship's summer youth camp group. Fire Chief Arburt Robinson gave a brief update on the fire that occurred today at the East Ark Enterprises at 401 S. Woods which suffered a total loss. ITIZENS REQUESTS Jack Avery requested an exemption of the sidewalk requirement at 400 Country Club Road. He stated this is an extension of the original Country Club Subdivision and no sidewalks were ever put in that subdivision. There are ten lots in this extension of the subdivision and only five homes have been built. All five of those lots were given an exemption and there are presently no sidewalks there. Councilor Holt moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to grant the sidewalk exemption. Discussion was held regarding exempting aH of the remaining lots instead of just one. Councilor Holt amended his motion and Councilor Taylor seconded, to also include the remaining lots in the subdivision from the sidewalk requirement. Councilor Thomas stated he would be voting against the sidewalk exemption due to the fact that he knows the importance of sidewalks. Upon roll call vote, the voting was: AYES: Holt, Pulliaum, Robinson, Davis, Bruce, Taylor, Felton, McClendon NAYS: Thomas The motion carried. Mayor Johnson announced that r6sum~'s for the Utility Commission were inGuded in the packets for review and the appointments will be voted on at the next City Council meeting. Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this 2 fI0 day of June, 2003. ~~~~ ~/ WILLIAM H. JOHN AYOR ATTEST: HILLI ,CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by: Cindy Green d, Sr. Deputy Clerk CITY OF WEbT MEMPriIS 205 S. Redding • P.O. Box 1728 • West Memphis, Arkansas 72303-1728 • (870) 732-7500 BID TABULATION SHEET JUNE 5, 2003 CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS STREET DEPARTMENT FOR ONE (1) COMMERCIAL PAVING EQUIPMENT BIDDER POWER EQUIPMENT COMPANY BID PRICE g~~ ~ 3 ~ 1 ~ ~ ~'t/ ~ ' '!~~ $ `-~ ~ S An Equal Opportunity Employer ~..