01/30/2019 MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CALLED COUNCIL MEETING
January 30,2019
A special called meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Wednesday, January 30,
2019 at 1:30 p m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis,
Arkansas.
Invocation was given by John Rech, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor McClendon
�I called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. City Clerk, Joyce Gary, called the roll. Those present
were: Mayor Marco McClendon, City Attorney Michael Stephenson, City Treasurer, Frank Martin
and Council Members: Wayne Croom, Melanie Hutchinson, Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Cott,lames
Pulliaum, Charles Wheeless and lames Holt.Absent were Willis Mandy and Helen Harris.
Quorum being present, Mayor McClendon proceeded with the meeting.
Council Member Helen Harris came into meeting at 1.35 p.m.
BID OPENING: NONE
MINUTES
APPROVE MINUTES OF JANUARY 3, 2019 COUNCIL MEETING
Council Member Croom moved, seconded by Council Member Wheeless to dispense with the
reading of the minutes of January 3, 2019 City Council meeting and approve them as submitted.
Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve.
APPROVE MINUTES OF JANUARY 23, 2019 COUNCIL MEETING
LCouncil Member Pulliaum moved, seconded by Council Member Robinson to dispense with the
reading of the minutes of January 23, 2019 City Council meeting and approve them as
submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve.
OLD BUSINESS: NONE
NEW BUSINESS
2019 BUDGETAPPROVAL
Council Member Catt deferred the budget to City Treasurer Frank Martin for explanation of
adjustments made throughout the budget in January. Council Member Catt asked as Budget
Chairman that the budget be approved, subject to Human Resource recommendations, after
review by the administration. City Treasurer Frank Martin said the main changes were in Capital
Improvement Purchases into the General Funds account in regards to the Mayors vehicle,
police cars and fire equipment. City Treasurer Martin said $128, 000 dollars that was allocated
for bus services was moved out. That made the adjustments on allowance for cash reserve
$293,767.00 dollars. Last year's budget that was approved had $787,886.00 cash reserve
allowance and is roughly Y,, million dollars better than the 2018 budget. Discussion followed.
Council Member Pulhaum addressed the Utility Department raises that were previously
discussed and approved in August. Council Member Pulliaum said the funds are available to
approve the Utility Department raises Council Member Holt was in agreement Council
Member Robinson recommended that the Utility raises be tabled until further discussion, but
move forward with approving the budget. Council Member Pulhaum made a motion, seconded
by Council Member Holt to approve the 2019 Budget and discuss the Utility raises separately.
Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve the 2019 budget.
Council Member Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Council Member Holt to approve the
Utility raises if they are already included in the budget,to become effective February 1, 2019.
Discussion followed: Council Member Pulliaum said the funds to cover the Utility raises are
available and felt that the Utility Department has done what they need to do to justify
approving the raises. Council Member Hutchinson was in agreement so long as the raise are not
already included in the budget. Utility Director,Todd Pedersen addressed the Council and said
that his budget he submitted did include his step increases and salary increases in his budget
that he submitted. Council Member Robinson asked who would receive the raises. There will be
three positions receiving raises Assistant Office Manager, Environmental Control Officer and
Utility Purchasing Agent. There will be across the board step increase raises for the office staff.
There being no further discussion. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve.
PERMISSION REQUEST:
PERMISSION TO PAY ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE
WORKMANS/COMP. $492,952 00
MLDP $91,857.50 LEGAL DEFENSE PROGRAM
AML SER. CHG. $ 1,877.15 (MEMBER SHIP)
Council Member Pulhaum made a motion, seconded by Council Member Catt to allow City
Treasurer, Frank Martin to pay the Arkansas Municipal League. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous
PERMISSION TO ACCEPT GUARANTY AGREEMENT
Council Member Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Council Member Robinson to accept
Guaranty Agreement. City Attorney Michael Stephenson said it is an 8,000 000 million-dollars
guaranty to the City of West Memphis from another company and there is no liability. Council
Member Croom asked for an explanation of the agreement. Utility Manager Todd Pedersen
gave a brief explanation, the current power supply company NRG South Central LLC is being
sold by the parent company NRG Holdings to Cleco. The agreement is a contract that states if
they default on the power supply contract the parent company will honor the contract and will
pay the City of West Memphis 8,000 000 million dollars. Upon voice vote, voting was
unanimous.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: NONE
APPOINTMENTS: NONE
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Council Member Pulliaum stated that he would like to see them look into the salaries for public
safety officers. The City of West Memphis has several tasks ahead of them with three
dispensaries and the growth of Southland. Council Member Pulhaum would like to see livable
wages for Police Officers
Mayor McClendon said he has met with his Police Chief and Fire Chief to look into wage
increases in order to retain police and fire staff and to remain competitive with surrounding
Cities
CITIZEN REQUEST: NONE
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Council Member Pulliaum moved,
second by Council Member Catt to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The
meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this day of FEBRUARY 2019.
a�w
ARCO MCCLENDON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
L
JO R Y, CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by Patricia Lane,Jr Deputy City Clerk
L
L