04/19/2018 MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 19, 2018
A regular meeting-of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in the City
Council Chambers at City Hall; 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas.
Invocation was given by Brother John Rech, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Jim Fiveash of the
American Legion. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order. City Clerk Phillip Para called the roll. Those
present were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City Attorney Michael Stephenson, City Clerk Phillip Para, City
Treasurer Frank Martin, Councilmembers: Wayne Croom, Melanie Hutchinson, Tracy Catt, James Pulliaum,
Ramona Taylor, Helen Harris, Willis Mondy and James Holt. Absent: Councilmembers Lorraine Robinson and.
Marco McClendon Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
PROCLAMATION
Mayor Johnson and the City Council honored the Arkansas State University Mid-South Men's Basketball Team for
their outstanding performance this year. Their team won the Region XII Junior College Championship and went
on to place fifth in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament. Mayor Johnson declared Thursday April 1'9,'2018
as ASU-Mid South Men's Basketball Day in West Memphis and each team member received a framed copy of the
proclamation and a backpack.
MINUTES
Councilmember Catt made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Pulliaum to dispense with the reading of the
Minutes of April 5, 2018 City Council Meeting, and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
3rdReading .AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND.ARTICLE VI, SECTION_1 (E)(2)OF THE,PAVEMENT
REQUIREMENTS IN THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS,ARKANSAS, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Councilmember Croom made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Pulliaum to table the Ordinance indefinitely.
Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS None
PERMISSION REQUESTS
Councilmember Mondy made a_motion, seconded by Councilmember Pulliaum to table the request for approval of
a lease for the Roberta Jackson Neighborhood Center between the City of West Memphis and the East Arkansas
Area Agency on Aging until the next City Council meeting so that a work session could be held. Upon voice vote,
the voting was unanimous.
Councilmember Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Croom to approve the distribution of
$55,868.15 Charity Day funds from Southland Gaming & Racing benefiting young females and young males of
the city and divided four ways: $13,967.04 to West Memphis Boys/Girls Club, $13,967.04 to JW Rich Girls Club,
$13,967.04 to Wonder City Boys/Girls Club, and $13,967.03 to LR Jackson Girls Club. Upon voice vote, the
voting was unanimous.
Councilmember Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Croom to approve the distribution of
Charity Day funds from Southland Gaming & Racing as determined by the governing body as follows: Mayor
Johnson;- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity$200.00, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority$200.00, Mt. Olive M.B. Church
$250.00 and Boy Scouts $200.00 for a'total of$850.00; and from Ramona Taylor to: Boy Scouts$50.00,
American Legion Auxiliary/Girls State$200.00, Young Life$100.00, WMSD FTD/Boys State or Basketball
Program $200.00, MSCC FTD$250.00, Families in Transition $100.00, Mid-South Health Systems/Child
Advocacy Center$100.00, Keep West Memphis Beautiful$100.00, Main Street$119.41, and WMPD FTD
Community Outreach $300.00 for a total of$1,519.41. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilmember Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Croom to add the distribution of Disaster
Relief funds from Southland Gaming & Racing from 1/31/2017 in the amount of$7,739.18, 7/1/2017 in the
amount of$9,905.22, and 1/28/18 in the amount of$12,914.82 for a total of$30,559.22 to the agenda. Upon
voice vote, the voting:was unanimous. Councilmember Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilmember
=Croom to distribute the-Disaster.Relief funds from Southland Gaming and Racing with $10,000 going to Delta
Neighborhood.Action Council and $20,559.22 going to the Good Neighbor Center. Upon voice vote, the voting
Was unanimous.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Public Works Committee—Councilmember.Taylor reported the staff received quotes on purchasing dumpsters
and will order when needed. March recycling was 12,171 pounds with one a-waste pick up. City Engineer,
Amanda Hicks reported a preconstruction meeting is set for April 10th for the Hino Bridge project. Captain Baker
with WMPD attended the meeting and gave an update on the inoperable vehicles sweep. Approximately 600
vehicles were written up. He said they are now verifying compliance and sending letters out. Lorraine Robinson
gave a Keep West Memphis Beautiful report. She reported there was a large number of tires dumped on Bettis
Street. They should complete the litter index by April. The women's correctional crew have been cleaning the
Mainstreet area from 14th Street to Rhodes twice a month and this area is looking much better. Quotes were
presented-for repairs to the breakroom at the City Shop.The low bid was awarded to Quality Flooring for$70,755.
The'Committee also received foundation repair quotes on the Control Building at the Flood Pond. The low bidder
was awarded to Olshan for$26,450.00. City Engineer Amaa Hicks reported the estimate for repairs to
Redding Bridge was$140,000 and approved hiring Allen,& Hndoshall to do the design engineering and to be
responsible for the bidding and construction inspections for an estimated cost of$14,000.
Mayor Johnson advised that he authorized the removal of over 100 illegal dumped tires on Bettis. WMPD and
Public Works are looking into ways to enforce illegal dumping and prosecuting whoever is dumping tires and
debris in town.
Utility Commission—Councilmember Wayne Croom reported there were no injuries or accidents. They hired two
new employees and they currently have.16 job openings. General Manager Todd Pedersen requested approval.
to hire Spiegel &.Spiegel&.McDiarmid LLP and GDS Associates Inc for the Investigation of Potential Generation
Project.. He also requested the approval to hire HR Partners to assist in writing job description. Assistant
General"Manager,Ward Wimbish reported the Lehr Pump-Station replacement pump is scheduled to be delivered
May 20. Thesewer treatment-plaht bids and the rehab of Pump Station 1 at Broadway and Woods will be
opened in May. He also reported the proposed Corrective Action Plan being developed by Fisher Arnold is due
to ADEQ by April 20th. They also heard a concern from an employee.
Fire Commission—Councilmember Tracy Catt reported there were no dismissals, no suspension, two promotions
and three new hires which will start on April 16th. A promotional ceremony was held for firefighters/paramedics
Bullard and Story. Chief Jones represented the WMFD at the Arkansas fallen Firefighters Memorial Service held
at the State Capital on Saturday March 31St. The WMFD has only one name on the Fallen Firefighters Memorial
which is David Eason,who died in the line of duty during a training exercise at the Arkansas Fire Academy
January26, 2011. Six attendees completed an IFSAC Core Rescue Class here from Wynne, Paragould and
Jonesboro. An IFSAC Trench Rescue Class is scheduled for May 7-11. Our annual SCBA Fit and Flow tests
Will be held the following week. The testing of all fire hose is scheduled for the week of the 16th at the Lehr Arena,
parking lot. Prom Promise is'scheduled-for May 3rd at 10:00 am. EMS collections as of April 9, 2018 are
$60,672.23.
Having no further business'to come before the City Council, Councilmember Pulliaum made a motion, second by
Councilmember Taylor to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at
1:50 pm.
PASSED and APPROVED this 3rd day of May 2018.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
PHILL PARA, CITY C RK
Minutes prepared by: Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk