08/06/2020 •
MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 6, 2020
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, August 6,
2020, at 1:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West
Memphis, Arkansas.
Invocation was given by Council Member Helen Harris, followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance led by Council Member Wayne Croom. Mayor Marco McClendon called the
meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. Sr. Deputy City Clerk, Patricia Lane, called the roll. Those
present were: Mayor Marco McClendon, City Attorney Michael Stephenson and Council
Members: Tracy Catt Wayne Croom, Helen Harris James Holt, Willis Mondy David
Murray, James Pulliaum and Charles Wheeless. Absent were: Council Member Melanie
Hutchinson and Lorraine Mohammed. Also present were City Accountant, Tori Perry
and Evening Times reporter John Rech. Quorum being present Mayor McClendon
proceeded with the meeting.
BID OPENINGS:
WEST MEMPHIS UTILITIES- PUMP STATION NO. 9- REHAB- A J ELHAJ
Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Croom to
approve the bid and to refer the bid back to Utility. There being no discussion. Upon
voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve.
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT- BIG RIVER TRAIL ASPHALT OVERLAY PROJECT
Council Member Croom made the motion, seconded by Council Member Pulliaum to
approve the bid and refer the bid back to Planning & Development. There being no
discussion. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve.
MINUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF JULY 16, 2020. COUNCIL
MEETING
Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Catt to
dispense with the reading of the minutes of August 16, 2020, City Council meeting and
to approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve.
OLD BUSINESS: NONE
NEW BUSINESS:
Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Catt to add
0-5 to the agenda. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve.
Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Mondy to
read R-1 , R-2, R-3, R-4, 0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 0-4, and 0-5 by title only. Upon voice vote, voting
was unanimous to approve.
R-1 A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF THE STREET
DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF
LWEST MEMPHIS
City Attorney Stephenson read the resolution by title only. Council Member Croom made
the motion, seconded by Council Member Pulliaum to approve the resolution with the
amendments made by City Attorney Stephenson. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous
to approve. The resolution was adopted and assigned No. 2236.
R-2 A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS
COORDINATOR POSITION WITHIN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OF THE
CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS
City Attorney Stephenson read the resolution by title only. Council Member Croom made
the motion, seconded by Council Member Mondy to approve the resolution with the
amendments made by City Attorney Stephenson. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous
to approve. The resolution was adopted and assigned No. 2237.
R-3 A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF THE SANITATION
DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF
WEST MEMPHIS
City Attorney Stephenson read the resolution by title only Council Member Croom made
the motion, seconded by Council Member Wheeless to approve the resolution with the
amendments made by City Attorney Stephenson. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous
to approve. The resolution was adopted and assigned No. 2238.
R-4 A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF THE MECHANIC'S
DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF
WEST MEMPHIS
City Attorney Stephenson read the resolution by title only. Council Member Pulliaum
made the motion, seconded by Council Member Murray to approve the resolution with
the amendments made by City Attorney Stephenson. Upon voice vote, voting was
unanimous to approve. Discussion followed: Council Member Pulliaum asked if they were
looking into upgrading the certifications of the mechanics. Mayor McClendon said they
are looking into getting the mechanics ASC certified. Council Member Croom asked for
the new Public Works Director to come forward to introduce himself. Public Works
Director, Michael Bonner said that he is looking forward to working with the Council and
implementing changes within the public works department to move the city forward and
improve upon services. There being no further discussion. The resolution was adopted
and assigned No. 2239.
0-1 AN ORDINANCE TO DESIGNATE FIVE MOST PUBLIC PLACES TO POST
WRITTEN OR PRINTED NOTICES FOR THE PUBLICATION OF ANY LAW OR
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WEST MEPHIS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
City Attorney Stephenson read the Ordinance for the FIRST time by title only.
for the FIRST time.
0-2 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A RENTAL PROPERTY ORDINANCE FOR THE
CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS IN ORDER TO INSURE THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND
WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY
City Attorney Stephenson red `the Ordinance for the FIRST time by title only.
0-3 AN ORDINANCE TO ABOLISH ORDINANCE NO. 1288 AND TO ESTABLISH
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CURBSIDE GARBAGE PICKUP OF BAGGED
GARBAGE, WASTE AND REFUSE
City Attorney Stephenson read the Ordinance for the FIRST time by title only.
0-4 AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR THE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 1105 BALFOUR., PERMITTING A 150 FT. TALL COMMUNICATIONS
TOWER IN A R-1 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
City Attorney Stephenson read the Ordinance for the FIRST time by title only.
0-5 AN ORDINANCE ALLOWING THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS TO DO BUSINESS
WITH TAWANA BAILEY FOR FACE MASK SERVICES, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
City Attorney Stephenson read the Ordinance for the FIRST time by title only. Council
Member Catt made the motion, second by Council Member Croom to suspend the rules
and place the ordinance on the second reading. Upon voice vote, voting was
unanimous. City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance for the SECOND time by title
only. Council Member Catt made the motion to further suspend the rules and place the
ordinance on the third reading. Discussion followed: Council Member Croom questioned
if it was not a conflict of interest to conduct business with Ms. Bailey since she is an
employee of the City of West Memphis. City Attorney Stephenson said that there was
no conflict interest, so long as there was an ordinance in place allowing the City to do
business with an employee of the City of West Memphis as they have done in previous
situations. Mayor McClendon asked for a roll call vote. Sr. Deputy City Clerk, Patricia
Lane called roll. The roll call vote was as follows to place the ordinance on the third and
final reading:
YES: Catt, Croom, Harris, Holt, Mondy, Murray, Pulliaum and Wheeless
NO: None
ABSTENTION: None
ABSENT: Hutchinson, Mohammed
With 8 Yes votes, 0 No votes, 0 Abstention votes and 2 absent votes the motion to read
the ordinance for the third time and final time passed.
City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance for the THIRD and FINAL time by title
only. Council Member Mondy made the motion, seconded by Council Member Murray to
approve the Ordinance. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. The
Ordinance was adopted and assigned NO. 2553.
Council Member Catt clarified that the payment for services being rendered were
coming from Federal Grant funds and was not coming out of the local general funds
account. The city will apply to the federal agency for reimbursement for the PPE
equipment. Council Member Catt said as they apply for reimbursement, they will provide
council with a list of what was reimbursed. If there is something that they do not
reimburse, they will present it to council to see how they want to handle it going forward.
PERMISSION REQUEST:
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS —PAUL LUKER
COMMUNICATION TOWER- VERTICAL BRIDGE DEVELOPMENT- 1105 BALFOUR-
APPLICATION
Council Member Pulliaum stated that he wanted to wait until the ordinance was passed
to approve Planning Commissions recommendations, Council Member Catt said that
the ordinance did not become law until council accepted it. Council Member Catt made
the motion, seconded by Council Member Croom to accept Planning Commission's
recommendations as presented. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: NONE
APPOINTMENTS: NONE
PRESENTATIONS: MAYOR MCCLENDON- NONE
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor McClendon announced several months ago after the
George Floyd incident the West Memphis police department implemented some
changes. The West Memphis Police Department began de-escalation training, diversity
training and brought in a new Internal Affairs Director. The Police Department has had
several officers to retire. Mayor McClendon said he would be remiss in not addressing
some issues that have occurred within the City of West Memphis. To date there have
been three murders in the City of West Memphis and recently an incident on Gathings
street where two individuals were shot. Officer Allen took Mayor McClendon through the
crime scene. Mayor McClendon said that if he was going to speak out on the George
Floyd situation that he also needed to speak out and could not ignore the black on black
crime within the City because it affects our Communities safety as well as the economic
growth of the City. Mayor Mcciendon said that he has met with Police Chief, Eddie
West and Assistant Chief Robert Langston to discuss ways to be more aggressive with
the Violent Crime Unit to detour crime.
Mayor McClendon announced that the City will be moving into the twenty first century in
technology. The Mayor has asked Purchasing Agent, Kenneth Johnson to purchase
new tablets for the Council, City Clerk and City Treasurer to conduct City business on.
The tablets will be subject to FOI monitoring and the Council will be given City emails.
Tutorial classes will be made available for those that need assistance in learning how to
use the tablets. Mayor McClendon said that it will improve on how information is made
readily available to the Council and will be more efficient as well as improve the cities
carbon footprint.
Mayor Marco McClendon acknowledged Ms. Aryaha Hazley and Ms. Tatum Brown. The
young ladies participated in the six-week Project Yield Work Experience and Mentoring
Program sponsored by Dr. Anthony and her husband Darrell Anthony. Ms. Hazley is a
recent graduate of West Memphis Academy and will be attending Tennessee State
University on a full academic scholarship and will be continuing her basketball career
as point guard for Tennessee State. Ms. Brown will be a senior at Marion High School
and is a cheerleader.
Mr. Shabaka Africa acknowledged Mayor McClendon and thanked Mayor McClendon
for his support of the NAACP and assistance with securing PPE equipment.
Ms. Ruby Johnson came before Council to provide an update on the 2020 Census.
There are two events scheduled for August 20, 2020 and September 17, 2020 at the
Roberta Jackson Neighborhood Center for people to sign up for the census and to
register to vote. The deadline to complete the census has been moved up to the end of
September and they are encouraging everyone that has not done so to complete the
Census, so that they be counted. Ms. Johnson said that you can also stop in at the
NAACP office located at 812 E, Broadway to complete the Census form and register to
vote.
City Accountant, Tori Perry also distributed the Budget package for May 2020 and the
finance report through August 2020 to the council.
Mayor McClendon gave his condolences on behalf of the City to the Stokes Family,
Calvin Family and the Lewis family for the loss of their family members who were City
employees and to Council Member Melanie Hutchinson who loss her father. Mayor
McClendon asked everyone to be in prayer for the families.
CITIZENS REQUEST: None
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Council Member Pulliaum
made the motion, seconded by Council Member Mondy to adjourn. Upon voice
vote, voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 20th DAY OF AUGUST 2020.
MA CO, MCCLENDON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
Pc$' e4v .
, LANE, SR DEPUTY CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by Patricia Lane, Sr. Deputy City Clerk