10/01/2020 MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS COUNCIL
October 1,2020
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday,October 1,2020 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,Melanie Hutchinson, Lorraine Mohammed, Willis Mondy, David Murray,
James Pulliaum and Charles Wheeless.Also present were: City Accountant,Tori Perry, and Evening
Times Reporter John Rech. Quorum being present Mayor McClendon proceeded with the
meeting.
Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council member Croom to add the
West Memphis Utility Bid for the 15 KB Paramount transformer to the agenda. Upon voice vote,
voting was unanimous.
BID OPENINGS: WEST MEMPHIS UTILITIES -2020 MANHOLE REHABILITATION-
A.J. ELHAJ
CDBG HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM-ROOF
REPLACEMENT-PAUL LUKER
WEST MEMPHIS UTILTIES- 15 KB PARAMONT TRANSFORMER-
DAVID GOACHER
Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Mondy to
approve the bids as presented and to refer them back to administration for distribution. Upon
voice vote,voting was unanimous to approve.
MINUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 17,2020.
Council Member Catt made the motion, seconded by Council Member Mohammed to dispense
with the reading of the minutes of September 17, 2020,City Council meeting and to approve
them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve.
OLD BUSINESS:
Council Member Catt made the motion, seconded by Council Member Mondy to Table the three
Ordinance under old business. Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous to Table Indefinitely.
3RD READING OF 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
The ordinance was Tabled Indefinitely
3RD READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT A PURCHASING CARD POLICY&
PROCEDURES HANDBOOK FOR CITY EMPLOYEES, ELECTED AND APPOINTED
OFFICIALS FOR THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS,AND OTHER PURPOSES
The ordinance was Tabled Indefinitely
3RD READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO 2537 ADOPTING A
TRAVEL POLICY FOR CITY EMPLOYEES, ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS FOR
THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS
The ordinance was Tabled Indefinitely
..
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
PERMISSION REQUEST: PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS (SEE
MATERIAL IN PACKETS)
Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Catt
To approve the Planning Commission recommendations as presented. Upon voice vote,
voting was unanimous to approve.
PERMISSION TO DONATE MELANIE HUTCHINSON CHAIRITABLE FUNDS IN
THE AMOUNT OF$500.00 TO THE LR JACKSON GIRLS CLUB and $750.00 TO FAITH
COMMUNITY CHURCH
PERMISSION TO DONATE WAYNE CROOM CHAIRITABLE FUNDS IN THE
AMOUNT OF 748.00 TO THE HENRY BELL CHARITY
PERMISSION TO DONATE CHARLES WHEELESS CHAIRITABLE FUNDS IN THE
AMOUNT OF 748.00 TO THE HENRY BELL CHARITY
PERMISSION TO DONATE WILLIS MONDY CHAIRITABLE FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT
OF 748.00 TO THE LR JACKSON GIRLS CLUB
PERMISSION TO DISTRIBUTE JAMES HOLT CHAIRITABLE FUNDS IN THE
AMOUNT OF 748.00 TO THE MISSOURI STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST
Council Member Croom made the motion, seconded by Council Member Harris to approve the
distribution of Charitable funds for Council Members Melanie Hutchinson,Wayne Croom,
Charles Wheeless,Willis Mondy and James Holt as presented.Upon voice vote,voting was
unanimous to approve.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: None
APPOINTMENTS: Council Member Mohammed made the motion, seconded by Council
Member Pulliaum to appoint Mr. Fred Leonard to fill the remaining term of the City Treasurer
position vacated by Frank Martin. Mayor McClendon asked for a roll call vote. Sr. Deputy City
Clerk,Patricia Lane called the roll call vote. The vote was as follows:
•
YES: Mohammed and Pulliaum
NO: Catt, Holt,Mondy,Murray,Wheeless
ABSTENTION: Croom,Harris,Hutchinson,
ABSENT: None
With 2 yes votes,5 No votes,3 abstention votes and 0 absent votes the motion FAILED
PRESENTATIONS:
Mayor Marco McClendon presented an award to Mr. Deardrick P. Crawford and Mr.Jerry
Johnson two members of the Street Since organization for their dedication to developing young
Leaders and promoting advocacy for social justice and their service to the City of West
Memphis.
Mayor Marco McClendon and Human Resource Director,Janice Coleman presented the
Employee of the year award to Community Outreach Coordinator,Ms. Tawana Bailey.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Marco McClendon announced the retirement of Fire Inspector Jeff Carter effective
September 30,2020 from the West Memphis Fire Department after 31 years of dedicated service.
to the City of West Memphis.
Council Member Pulliaum announced that early voting would begin on October 19, 2020
through November 2, 2020 and for the first time the citizens of West Memphis will be able to
early vote at the Eugene Woods Civic Center.
Ms. Ruby Johnson provided an update on the Census. Ms.Johnson said that the final day to
complete the Census would be on Monday September 28, 2020 and encouraged anyone who
had not yet completed the Census to do so before Monday. Ms. Johnson said although they
came up short of their targeted goal that this was Crittenden County highest National ranking
number then in previous years for completing the Census.
Council Member Monday thanked everyone that helped to make the celebration for Fire Chief
Dennis Brewer a success.
Council Member Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Council Member Mondy to break for
Executive Session. Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous. Council went into Executive
Session at 1:26 p.m.
Council Member Croom made the motion, seconded by Council Member Mondy to call the
October 1,2020 Council meeting back to order. Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous. The
Council meeting reconvened at 1:36 p.m.
Mayor McClendon explained that the reason the Council went into Executive Session is because
he needed permission from Council to seek outside Independent Legal Counsel. Mayor
McClendon said that it was a personnel issue that involved three West Memphis Police Officers
that he needed to discuss with the Council Members. Council Member Harris made the motion,
seconded by Council Member Hutchinson to give the Mayor permission to seek outside
Independent Legal Counsel. Upon voice vote voting was unanimous to approve. Discussion
followed Council Member Catt asked that if the fee amount for outside counsel should exceed
$25,000 dollars that it be brought back before the Council for approval. Council Member Harris
made the motion,seconded by Council Member Hutchinson to approve Council Member Catts
request. Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous to approve up to$25,000 dollars for outside
Independent Legal Counsel.
CITIZENS REQUEST:
Ms. Ruby Furr a resident of 393 Rocky Chute Road# 6 West Memphis, Arkansas was not
present to address council at the October 1,2020 Council Meeting.
Ms. Laura Goodman a resident of 392 Cypress Point#112 was not present to address council at
the October 1,2020 Council Meeting
Mr.Jerry Blansett of First Christian Church was not present to address Council at the October 1,
2020 Council Meeting. Council member Catt said that he would be getting with Planning and
Development Director,Paul Luker for a date to hold a public meeting and notify the citizens
and press of the date and time of the meeting for the citizens to voice their concerns regarding
the cell tower.
Having no further business to come before the City Council,Council Member Pulliaum
made the motion,seconded by Council Member Wheeless to adjourn. Upon voice
vote,voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 15th DAY OF OCTOBER 2020.
MARCO,MCCLENDON,
MAYOR
ATT ST:
PATRICIA LANE, SR DEPUTY CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by Patricia Lane, Sr. Deputy City Clerk