07/03/2019 MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
July 3, 2019
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Wednesday, July 3,
2019, at 1:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West
Memphis, Arkansas.
L
nvocation was given by Council Member Helen Harris, followed by the Pledge of
`` Allegiance led by Council Member Croom, Mayor Marco McClendon called the meeting
to order at 1:30 p.m. Deputy City Clerk, Joyce Gray, called the roll. Those present were:
Mayor Marco McClendon, City Attorney Michael Stephenson, City Treasurer Frank
Martin and Council Members: Lorraine Robinson, James Pulliaum, Helen Harris, Willis
Mondy, James Holt, Wayne Croom and Melanie Hutchinson. Tracy Catt, Charles
Wheeless and David Murray Quorum being present, Mayor McClendon proceeded with
the meeting.
Mayor McClendon welcomed new Council Member David Murray who will represent
Ward 4 position 2. Council Member Murray thanked the Council and Citizens for the
opportunity to represent them and said he is looking forward to doing the right thing and
serving all the Citizens of West Memphis and is honored to serve on the Council.
BID OPENING: NONE
PRESENTATIONS: Mayor Marco McClendon and Council Member Hutchinson,
recognized Council Member Lorraine Robinson for her actions and dedication that she
has given to the Community of West Memphis
Minutes:
Council Member Catt moved, seconded by Council Member Croom to dispense with the
reading of the minutes of June 20, 2019 City Council Meeting and approve them as
submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve.
OLD BUSINESS
AN ORDINANCE TO ABOLISH ORDINANCE 2124, REGARDING THE COLLECTION
OF MATERIAL OTHER THAN GARBAGE AND TO ABOLISH ORDINANCE 1789,
REGARDING REMOVAL OF CONSTRUCTON DEBRIS (JUNE 6, 2019 and JUNE 20,
2019 AGENDA)
City Attorney Stephenson read the Ordinance for the THIRD and FINAL time by title
only. Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member
Hutchinson to approve the Ordinance. Discussion followed, Council Member Pulliaum
made a motion to amend the Ordinance that stipulates the use of clear bags. Council
Member Pulliaum said he understood the reason for the clear bags but felt so long as a
heavy duty are used to prevent breakage and or spillage that it would be suffice.
Council Member Croom had reservations with passing the Ordinance due to excluding
the pickup at multi- dwellings curbsides trash. City Engineer Amanda Hicks gave a brief
explanation. Council Member Catt addressed residents who live in duplex and four plex
dwellings being held responsible for their properties and landlords being responsible for
removing their own debris due to clean outs and evictions. Ms. Hicks said that the
debris that is left curbside due to evictions and clean outs at multi units and commercial
business has caused a major problem with slowing down the trucks and a delay in
picking up at residential areas that are paying for that service. Council Member Pulliaum
said he would like to amend the Ordinance to allow pickups at the duplex and four plex
units. Council Member Pulliaum made a motion to withdraw his motion, Council Member
Hutchinson also withdrew her motion to approve the Ordinance, and to amend the
Ordinance to read to include pick up at duplex and four plex curbside trash.
Council Member Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Council Member Mondy to
approve the amendments to include pick up at duplex and multi plex units. Mayor
McClendon asked for a roll call vote. City Clerk, Joyce Gray called roll. The vote was as
follows to approve the amendments:
YES: Council Members: Catt, Harris, Holt, Hutchinson, Mondy, Murray,
Pulliaum, Mondy and Wheeles
No: Council Member Croom
ABSTENTION: None
ABSENT: None
With 9 yes votes, 1 no vote 0 abstentions and 0 absent votes the amendments to the
Ordinance were approved.
Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Robinson to
approve the Ordinance as amended. Discussion followed: Council Member Croom
asked for a roll call vote. Mayor McClendon called for a roll call vote. City Clerk Joyce
Gray called roll. The vote was as follows:
YES: Council Members: Catt, Harris, Holt, Hutchinson, Mondy, Murray,
Pulliaum, Robinson and Wheeless
No: Council Member None
ABSTENTION: Croom
ABSENT: None
With 9 yes votes, 0 no vote 1 abstentions and 0 absent votes the Ordinance passed.
The Ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2510
NEW BUSINESS:
Council Member Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Council Member Hutchinson to
read R-1 and R-2 and 0-1 by title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS CERTIFYING
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENDORSEMENT OF TENNESSEE SOFT DRINK
PRODUCTION COMPANY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TAX BACK PROGRAM (AS
AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 15-4-2706 (d) OF THE CONSOLIDATED INCENTIVE
ACT OF 2003)
City Attorney Stephenson read the Resolution. Mayor McClendon asked for an
explanation of the Resolution. Economic Development Director, Phillip Sorrell. Earlier
this year Coca Cola Bottling Company announced the expansion of their existing
production facility in West Memphis. It would be a thirty-five million-dollar expansion and
would create 65 new jobs to the community. Part of the negotiations with them the
Economic Development office and the State's Economic Development office worked
with the company to provide certain incentives competing for the project. One incentive
was the Tax Back administered through AEDC. This is a standard procedure for these
types of business developments. It is a State administered rebate of the refund sales
tax collected on all qualifying production equipment and building material that go into
construction of the expansion project. A line share of the taxes abated come from the
State and the City will have a local portion that will come to the City. They competed
with the State of Tennessee for this project. The State requires that the City pass a
Resolution and it will be on the County Quorum Court agenda this month's meeting for
passage There being no further discussion. Mayor McClendon asked for a roll call vote
City Clerk Joyce Gray called role The vote was as follows:
YES: Council Members: Catt, Croom, Harris, Holt, Hutchinson, Mondy, Murray,
Robinson, Pulliaum and Wheeless
No: Council Member None
ABSTENTION: None
ABSENT: None
With 10 Yes votes.0 No votes, 0 Abstention votes and 0 absent votes The Resolution
was adopted and assigned No. 2202
RESOLUTION TO BEST ESTABLISH THE TIME FOR THE CITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS
City Attorney Stephenson read the Resolution by title only. Council Member Catt made
a motion, seconded by Council Member Croom to amend the Resolution to read the first
Thursday of the month Council Meeting, remain at 1 '00 pm as always and the second
Council Meeting of the month be on the third Thursday at 5:00 pm. Discussion followed:
Mayor McClendon asked for a roll call vote to amend the Resolution. City Clerk Joyce
Gray called roll. The roll call vote was as follows:
Yes: Council Members: Catt, Croom, Harris, Holt, Murray and Wheeless
No: Council Members Hutchinson, Mondy, Pulliaum, Robinson
Abstention: Council Members None
EAbsent: Council Members None
With 6 Yes votes, 4 No votes 0 Abstention votes and 0 Absent votes, to motion to
amend the Resolution passed.
Council Member Catt made the motion, seconded by Council Member Pulliaum to
approve the Resolution. Mayor McClendon asked for a roll call vote. City Clerk, Joyce
Gray called roll. The vote to approve the Resolution was as follows
YES: Council Members: Catt, Croom Harris, Holt, Hutchinson, Murray,
Pulliaum, Robinson and Wheeless
No: Council Members: None
Abstention: Council Members: Mondy (Council Member Mondy changed his
abstention vote and voted yes)
ABSENT: None
With 10 yes votes ,0 No votes,0 Abstentions and 0 Absent the Resolution was adopted
and assigned No. 2203.
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR THE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 825 N. COLLEGE BLVD. PERMITTING A COMMUNICATIONS
TOWER IN A R-1 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT.
City Attorney Stephenson read the Ordinance for the First time by title only. Discussion
followed, Council Member Tracy Catt asked for clarification from City Treasurer, Frank
Martin. Council Members Catt said it was to his understood that the tower had been
before the Architect, and had been signed off on, he did not see any reason not to read
it a second time. City Treasurer Martin said that there was still some opportunity to
present some additional changes to the towers. Council Member Croom asked if the
tower would interfere with the Airport and if the Airport had approved it. City Attorney
Stephenson said that it was subject to the approval by the Airport and FAA. Planning &
Development Director, Paul Luker said the matter had been before the Planning
Commission and it was recommended that it be approved. A Special use permit is
required, and notice was published in the news paper and the property was posted; they
did not receive any inquiries about it. The applicant also worked with The Airport
General Manager, Mrs. Candra Sutter and she has reviewed it and is accepting of
anything that FAA will approve regarding the tower height. The tower is 107 feet and
has been approved by the FAA. The applicant has requested that the FAA look at it
again and approve 10 additional feet. Council Member Catt asked that they read it one
time until they get clarification.
PERMISSION FOR MAYOR MCCLENDON TO SIGN THE LEASE FROM AT & T
(TABLED ON JUNE 6,2019)
Council Member Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Council Member Catt to give
Mayor McClendon permission to sign the Agreement with AT & T. Upon voice vote, the
voting was unanimous to approve.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS (SEE MATERIAL IN PACKETS)
Council Member Catt made a motion seconded by Council Member Robinson to
approve the Planning Commission recommendations as presented. Upon voice vote,
the voting was unanimous to approve.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Personnel Committee: Council Member Hutchinson stated the Personnel
Committee did not have a quorum. Council Member Hutchinson said that they did have
some guest from the ESGR present to speak about Military leave and they will be
speaking to the Committee later to address the employee's concerns.
Public Works Committee: Council Member Lorraine Robinson presented the Public
Works report. The Public Works Committee met on July 2, 2019. The meeting was very
productive. The Storm Water Ordinance, Sanitation Ordinance, EDAQ and Front-End
loaders are all on track. Mayor McClendon attended the Sanitation Department to
discuss initiatives to improving the Sanitation department and improving services. One
item initiated was a grass cutting department, where the City would cut the vacant lots
rather than bidding them out to individual contractors. They are looking to putting this in
place some time next year. This initiative would be cost effective to the City There have
been some staff changes at the Sanitation department. Arthur Jackson will now be over
the trash pickup; Mr. Charles Clark will be over garbage and Ms. Robbie Amos will be
over dumpsters. Mayor McClendon has suggested these changes to try and improve
upon the Sanitation services and to get the City cleaned up as well as have
accountability. The City will be purchasing 10 additional trash carts for back yard pick up
and hiring a welder to maintain existing dumpsters. The Committee approved the street
overlay bid, the contract was awarded to BKB. The Shady Grove street overlay will also
be part of the bid. Recycling is back on track. Keep West Memphis Beautiful was a
great success. There were approximately 25 volunteers. There will be a Public Works S
called meeting immediately after Council. J
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor McClendon commended CVBC Director, Jim Jackson, staff, West Memphis
Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works and Utility Department for their hard
work in helping to make Freedom Fest a success.
Mayor McClendon announced that he would be able to hire 100 youth for the Summer
program this summer. He also expressed the positive feedback he has received from
titude to the
fthprogram so far. Mayor McClendon or iwanted
all their support. The youth will beginwo koJuly 9to h are 1
2019andawill work five weeksil
HutchinsonCouncil Member
add Ms. SchorlettTrner to the made
agenda to address Cou bCouncil
Council.. Up nvoice vote, the voting
was unanimous.
CITIZEN REQUEST:
Ms. Tabia M. Fuller a resident of 717 Auburn came before Council to ask for a variance
to put up a Greenhouse. Ms. Fuller presented pictures of the type of greenhouse that
she wants to put up. City Attorney Stephenson recommended that Ms. Fuller follow the
set procures for requesting a variance.
Ms. Schorlett did not address the Council.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Council Member Pulliaum
moved, seconded by Council Member Croom to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting
was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this 18'",day
yoof July 2019.
MARCO MCCLENDON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
J CE RAY, CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by, Patricia Lane, Sr. Deputy City Clerk
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