05/03/2018 MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
MAY 3,2018
A regular meeting of thr West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in the City
Council Chambers at 1'.ity Hall, 205 S. Redding,West Memphis, Arkansas.
PROCLAMATIONS i:
Councilmember Taylor'said this meeting will be recessed until 6:00 pm to present the West Memphis Blue Devil
asketball Team a Pr�i:lamation, followed by a reception.
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ouncilmember Croon, read a Proclamation from Mayor Johnson recognizing May 3, 2018 as"National Day of
rayer in West Memphiis, Arkansas.
Invocation;was.given 15y Reverend Gary Hair, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by the VFW representative
Councilmember Jamep1 Pulliaum. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order. City Clerk Phillip Para called the
roll. Those present vw t,ire: Mayor William H. Johnson, City Attorney Michael Stephenson, City Clerk Phillip Para,
City Treasurer Frank 11e1artin, Councilmembers: Melanie Hutchinson, Lorraine Robinson Tracy Catt, James
Pulliaum, 'Ramona Tajelor, Helen Harris, Marco McClendon, Willis Mondy, James Holt, and Wayne Croom.
Quorum being prese�l:�, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
MINUTES f,
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Councilmember Catt iPiiade a motion, seconded by Councilmember Pulliaum to dispense with the reading of the
Minutes of April 19, 2018 City Council Meeting, and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous. I
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OLD BUSINESS None
NEW BUSINESS
Councilmember Pulli��:i'um made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Croom to suspend the rules and read the
title only of Ordinanceis O-1 through 0-6. Upon voice vote, the voting was'unanimous.
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0-1 AN ORDINA�PICE TO AMEND SECTION 8.04.183 OF THE WEST MEMPHIS MUNICIPAL CODE
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EGARDING FAILURE TO REMOVE DEBRIS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
ity Attorney Stephel son read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
0-2 AN ORDINAII ICE TO AMEND SECTION 8.04.080 OF THE WEST MEMPHIS MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING GARHiXdE DISPOSAL RESTRICTIONS,AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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City Attorney Stephe', son read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
0-3 AN ORDINa.IVCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 6.20 OF THE WEST MEMPHIS MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING LITTER, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
City Attorney StephE i son read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. j
0-4 AN ORDINA,,IMCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 6.26 OF THE WEST MEMPHIS MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD
A PENALTY PROVISHON SECTION REGARDING WEEDS, GARBAGE AND STAGNANT WATER,AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSECi+i'
Ci Attorney Ste ho son read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
City Y P 1,��
O-5 AN ORDIN/1i NCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 6.52 OF THE WEST MEMPHIS MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING INOPI-RABLE MOTOR VEHICLES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
City Attorney StephE'nson read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
0-6 'AN ORDIN�'II�LE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 500
WEST BROADWAtiJ�,SUITE 3, PERMITTING AN INDOOR STORAGE FACILITY IN A C-1, GENERAL
COMMERCIAL DIS'TRICT
City Attorney Stephianson read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
PERMISSION REQUESTS r
Councilmember Moi-idy made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Taylor to table the request to approve a
lease of the Roberts it Jackson Neighborhood Center between the City of West Memphis and the East Arkansas
Area Agency on AgEing until the next City Council meeting so that a work session can be held. Upon voice vote,
the voting was unaruimous. A work session was scheduled for Thursday, May 10th at 4:00 pm.
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Page 2 Minutes 5-3-18
The next item under Permission Requests was the distribution of Charity Day funds from Southland Gaming &
Racing as determined by the governing body. Councilmember Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by
Councilmember Taylor to amend the agenda adding additional requests for distributions from five
Councilmembers. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Councilmember Taylor made a motion,
seconded by Councilmember McClendon to accept the distributions as amended from James Holt, Tracy Catt,
Lorraine Robinson Wayne Croom, James Pulliaum, Melanie Hutchinson and Marco McClendon. (see copy
attached). Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilmember Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Taylor to give permission for Mayor
Johnson to sign a contract with Orion Planning & Design for the West Memphis Growth and Development Plan,
not to exceed $100,000.00. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilmember Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Catt to approve the Planning Commission
Recommendations as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. (See attached)
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Personnel Committee—Councilmember Hutchinson reported they discussed updating the Personnel Manual,
catastrophic leave, and were introduced to Nick Coulter, Communications Director for the City of West Memphis.
She also reported that Twanna Bailey, with the West Memphis Police Department updated the committee on the
things going on at the Police Department. The Job Fair is scheduled for May 16, 2018 at the Civic Center from
9-12.
Airport Commission—Councilmember Robinson reported the Commission voted to select Garver as their new
engineer.
Public Works Committee—Councilmember Taylor reported March recycling was 15760 pounds and no a-waste
pick up. Southloop Extension is in the beginning stages of design with Pickering and are going through surveys
and environmental assessment. Hino Bridge project should be completed by November 20, 2018.
Councilwoman Taylor reported two out of four trash trucks have been out of service and with the community
cleaning up yards and spring cleaning, there has been a lot more debris to pick up, which is causing delays in
city-wide pickups. The repairs of the City Shop breakroom, bathroom, and mechanic's lights will begin on May
14th. Also, on May 14th the work to raise the foundation of the Controls Building at the Main Pump Station on
Southloop Rd. will begin. WMPD reported they have had 53% compliance for inoperable vehicles.
Lorraine Robinson - Keep West Memphis Beautiful reported a city-wide tire pick up is scheduled for May 19th On
May 5th Wonder Jr. High Clean Up Team will be cleaning the city to kick off the"Clean-up Campaign".
Advertising & Promotion Commission —Councilmember Taylor reported tax collections for March were$121,257.
Year to date collections were 1.62% higher than the same date the previous year. The Civic Center was closed
in March. The Auditorium had five events with 1880 visitors. The Commission approved: repairs for flood
damage to Big River Trail, splitting the cost of a Sky Cop at 14th & Broadway with Main Street, purchasing
banners to extend to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. They discussed working with Economic Development setting
up a fast action closing fund for tourism businesses. They reviewed the possible sites for Welcome signs at the
north entrance to the city on 1-55 and the west entrance on 1-40. They accepted the resignation of Dr. G.W.
Sorrells to the Commission and voted to add Dr. Scott Ferguson who is one of the owners of the new Holiday Inn
Express in West Memphis. Appointments to the A&P Commission require City Council approval so
Councilmember Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Pulliaum to approve the appointment of Dr.
Scott Ferguson to the A&P Commission. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Jim-Jackson, Director of
Convention &Visitor's Bureau gave an update on the Bike Share Program. He said they are working with the
City of Memphis with the Bike Share. There are 60 stations, and 600 bikes. West Memphis will have two
stations, one at the trail head across from Pancho's and one on the Arkansas landing of the Big River Crossing on
Dacus Lake Road. On May 23rd they will have an official roll-out of the 600 bikes; and are looking for volunteers
of city dignitaries to ride bikes across the bridge to each station. He introduced Nick Coulter, the neve
Communications Director and reported that they are in the process of having a new city website that will be
westmemphisar.gov. He reported they are also in the process of updating Channel 17 and working on installing
new equipment in the City Council Chambers for televising the City Council meeting.
Mayor Johnson announced the Arkansas Highway Department will be closing one lane from the travel center on
the Service Road going west to the first red light and then go to one lane from the traffic light under the bridge to
the front of Walgreen's from Sunday 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 am. Also, they asked that Lake Shore traffic be.re-routed
to Afco Road over to Highway 77.
Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk asked the Council to stay for a brief meeting to discuss the adoption of
the New Municipal Code, Fee Ordinance, and new Privilege License Ordinance.
Councilmember Pulliaum made a motion, second by Councilmember Taylor to recess the meeting until 6:00 p.m.
Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting recessed at 2:15 p.m.
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Page 3—Minutes 5-3-18
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Mayor Johnson called the 1r'I eeting back to order at 6:05 p.m. Councilmember McClendon made a motion,
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seconded by CouncilmeTaylor to reconvene the meeting'. Councilmember Taylor welcomed the West
Memphis Blue;Devil Basketball Team, Manager and Coaches. She then read a Proclamation from Mayor
Jon PROCLAIMING "hursday, May 3, 2018 as"West Memphis,Blue Devil Basketball Team Day" in West
M his,Arkansas. CoLliaicilmembers presented a framed Proclamation and a back pack to each team member.
C cilmember McClendon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Mondy to adjourn. Upon voice vote,
th ting was unanimous: The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. A reception followed with refreshments.
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PASSED and APPROVEL:I,this 17th day of Mav 2018.
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ILLIAM H. JOHNSON, AYOR
ATTEST: I
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PHILLIP PA Y CL1=RK
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Minutes prepared by: Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk
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