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10/15/2020 MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL October 15, 2020 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, October 15,2020, at 5:00 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 5:00 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 was City Accountant Tori Perry and Evening time reporter John Rech. Quorum being present Mayor McClendon proceeded with the meeting. BID OPENINGS CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS-JIM JACKSON Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Mondy to accept the Bid for Christmas Decorations and to refer them back to administration for distribution. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. C N G TRASH TRUCK BID-AMANDA HICKS (ADDED TO AGENDA) Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Hutchinson to add the C N G Trash Truck bid to the agenda. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Hutchinson to approve the bid for the C N G Trash Truck and to refer it back to administration for distribution. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Mohammed to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the September 29, 2020, Special Called Council Meeting and to approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF OCTOBER 1, 2020 COUNCIL MEETING. Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Mohammed to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the October 1, 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 Croom to read 0-1 and 0-2 by title only. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve 1ST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE ALDERMEN AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO PURCHASE SERVICES FROM CHARLES SUITER D/B/A SUITER CONSTRUCTION CO., INC., AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES City Attorney Stephenson read the Ordinance for the first time by title only. Council Member Catt made the motion, seconded by Council Member Hutchinson to correct the Ordinance to read Charles Suiter Jr. D/B/A Suiter Construction. Co. where ever it says Charles Suiter. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve the corrections to the Ordinance. 1st READING OF AN ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR REPAIRS OF THE WEST MEMPHIS FLOOD POND PUMPING STATION, DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES City Attorney Stephenson read the Ordinance for the FIRST time by title only. Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Hutchinson to suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on its second reading. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. City Attorney Stephenson read the Ordinance for the SECOND time by title only. Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Hutchinson to further suspend the rules and place the Ordnance on its third reading. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance for the THIRD and FINAL time by title only. Council Member Croom made the motion, seconded by Council Member Wheeless to approve the Ordinance. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Wheeless to approve the Emergency Clause in Paragraph 3 Section 2. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to accept the Emergency Clause in Paragraph 3 Section 2. The Ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2560 PERMISSION REQUEST: PERMISSION FOR THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH GLOBAL LOCATION STRATEGIES TO DEVELOP MATERIALS TO ASSIST THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN RECRUITMENT OF INDUSTRIAL PROSPECTS- OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Croom to give permission to the Mayor to execute a professional services agreement with Global Location Strategies to develop materials to assist the office of Economic Development in recruitment of industrial prospects. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. PERMISSION FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN A FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH STATES SYSTEMS- AMANDA HICKS Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Mohammed to table the permission request for the Mayor to sign a five-year agreement with States System. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to table. Council Member Pulliaum asked for permission to distribute his Charitable funds in the amount of $2,130.76 dollars to Bethel AME Church $500.00 dollars, Hope House $500.00. $500.0 to Girl Scouts Heart of Soul, $315.38 dollars to the Wonders City Boys and Girls Club and $315.38 to the LR Jackson Girls Club. Council Member Mohammed asked for permission to distribute her Charitable funds in the amount of $1,630.76 dollars to Street Sense Youth Organization. Council Member Catt made the motion, second by Council Member Pulliaum to add Council Member Pulliaum and Council Member Mohammed Charitable Day funds to the agenda. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Mohammed to approve the distribution of the Charitable Funds as presented. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. COMMITTEE REPORTS: PARKS COMMITTEE: Council Member Murray presented the Parks Department Committee report. The Parks Committee met on October 1, 2020 there were no new financial statements. The Parks Director has spoken with Senator, Keith Ingram regarding wi-fi service in the parks. Senator Ingram has requested that information be submitted to him to see if there was possible funding available through the Department of Education to aid with the funding of the project since it was in line with the virtual learning project the schools are currently engaged in. There is currently work that needs to be done at Tilden Rogers Park on the docks, pier, wood fence. pavilions, fields, concession area, and press area. Parks Director, Lorenzo Parker said that the repairs have been put on hold for now since all the major repairs should be covered under the bond. Three tennis court fences have been torn down at three of the city parks and the Parks Director, Lorenzo Parker is currently working with Purchasing Agent, Kenneth Johnson to secure and finalize bids to resurface the tennis courts and place outside work out equipment at the three sites. The West Memphis dog park that will be located on Auburn street are 50% complete. Obstacle activities for the dogs are being considered and will be ordered. A small pavilion and site monitor are the only things that need to be added. The Parks Department would like to give a special thanks to West Memphis fence for donating all of the fence to be added free of charge. The truck for the Parks Department has been ordered. All of the water leaks at Tilden Rogers Park have been repaired. The Parks Director thanked the utility water department for their assistance in making the repairs. The improvements and repairs identified by Council Member Murray at Horton Park at Scotswood and McAuley are scheduled for repair in the next two weeks. They will also be re-mulching all of the city parks. The APA regulations require 2 inches of loose material around all playground equipment fall impact zone a local landscape company will perform this work. The following programs have begun since opening the parks on August 15, 2020. The West Memphis Christian High School girls' fall softball, Crittenden County Girls and Boys club soccer, local youth and adult baseball and softball practice and Marion High School baseball has received the authorization to begin their softball practice at Tilden Rogers softball fields. On October 23 through October 24 the Premier softball association will host a 35-team softball tournament and all social distancing requirements will be enforced including the warring of mask and temperature checks upon entering the complex. Arkansas Game & Fish is continuing to stock the lake on a regular basis with catfish as soon as the temperature changes, they will be stocking the lake with trout to encourage outside activities. The fall fishing rodeo event will not be held due to COVID-19. The department is wanting to open a general labor position to help with parks work since overload since the summer workers have returned to school and the Department of Corrections has been unable to provide workers due to restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic this position is much needed and filling this position is necessary to keep services at an acceptable level. PUBLIC WORKS: Council Member Mohmmed presented the Public Works report. The Public Works Committee met on October 6, 2020. There was one citizen complaint. Ms. Bernice Gilford reported a claim for tire damage and several of the commissioners went to the site where Ms. Gilford alleges her tire was damaged and the commissions found no proof that the damage could have happened at the spot that Ms. Gilford indicated. The committee denied Ms. Gilford's claim for $166.00. There was 30,140 pounds of recycle and 1 E-waste pick up. The fleet report was 2 Front end loaders that were operational with 1 down, 4 rear end loaders that were operational with 1 down, 3 Grapple trucks that were operational with 3 down. The commission also discussed several things that are going on in the city and causing concern and are in violation of city ordinances. The commission discussed meeting with the police commission and police officers to try and get the officers to assist the code enforcement with enforcing the codes especially on the weekends when a lot of the violations are occurring so that they can put a stop to it. More garbage containers have been ordered for the citizens that did not receive one, anyone needing a handicapped sticker can contact the public works department for assistance and your address will be identified as needing help with getting your garbage picked up. CHAMBER COMMITTEE: Council Member Croom presented the Chamber report. The Chamber met by zoom on October 14, 2020. The City gained three new business in September. Council Member Croom said that they discussed having a smoother transition for new business coming into West Memphis. The Chamber is coordinating with the City for the Christmas Parade on December 1, 2020 and will be working on the annual banquet arrangements soon. AIRPORT COMMISSION: Council Member Croom presented the Airport Commission report. The aviation gas tanks were cleaned and are in good condition. Garver Engineer presented a plan for the rehab of hanger # 3 the cost will be $400,000 thousand with $250,000 thousand coming from a State Grant and the remaining $150,000 thousand will come out of the Airport funds that are available in the Airport Depreciation account. Airport Director, Candra Suiter will be presenting it to full Council at the November 5, 2020 Council Meeting for their approval. UTILITY COMMISSION: Council Member Wheeless presented the Utility Commission report. The Utility Commission met on October 8, 2020. Safety Director Brett Sims reported that there was 45 days since the last recordable injury and 354 days since last lost time injury. There was no new hires or resignations for the month of September. The Utility department currently has 10 open positions. General Manager Todd Pedersen reported the financial report for July. Utilities has loss $2,654.089 through July. Engineer 1, AJ presented the bids for the 2020 Manhole Rehab. He recommended Upchurch Services, Inc. bid in the amount of $437,315.00. General Manager Todd Pedersen presented the bids for the 1500 KVA transformer he recommended Arkansas Electric who was the low bidder in the amount of $22,586.00. The next item on the agenda was the approval to loan the City $1,000.000 dollars for the Flood Pond Improvements the commission approved. The last thing on the agenda was the approval to issue bonds for Sewer Improvements and Automated Metering Infrastructure up $30,000,000.00. dollars APPOINTMENTS: NONE PRESENTATIONS: Mayor Marco McClendon presented the Arkansas Municipal League Jack R. Rhodes Sr. Distinguished Service Award to Council Member Pulliaum for 25 years of dedicated service. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Marco McClendon announced that he was in the process of selecting a new Fire Chief for the West Memphis Fire Department. Mayor Marco McClendon announced that Mrs. Tory Perry has been selected to fill the position of Finance Director for the City of West Memphis. Mayor Marco McClendon asked everyone to keep Sanitation Supervisor, Ms. Robbie Amos and Purchasing Director, Mr. Kenneth Johnson in their thoughts and prayers in the sudden passing of their loved ones. Council Member Mohammed thanked Mrs. Perry for providing a copy of the job description for the City Finance Director Position. City Attorney Stephenson said he has drafted an Ordinance to clarify the responsibilities and has given it to Ms. Perry and she will be passing it out to the Council. Mayor McClendon said that they will be taking resumes of other people that have expressed an interest and will be getting with them to interview them and asked that the Council consider the applicants experience and knowledge in accounting rather than popularity. Convention Visitor Bureau Director, Jim Jackson announced that Platinum Productions would be hosting a pop-up drive-in theatre event the movie being shown will be Jeb's Girl. The event will be held in the Civic Center Parking lot the cost will be $10.00 dollars in advance and $15.00 dollars at the gate per person on Friday October 16 and October 17, 2020. Council Member Pulliaum announced that early voting will be from October 19, 2020 until November 2, 2020. Council Member Pulliaum announced that anyone voting by absentee vote to remember to put a copy of your identification in with your ballot. Council Member Pulliaum addressed that with all the new flag poles being erected that it was important to remember that no flag was to tower over the American flag. CITIZENS REQUEST: NONE Having no further business to come before the City Council, Council Member Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Council Member Harris to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this 5-day NOVEMBER 2020. 144 e...) . ' ,a % MA CO MCCLE 5ON, MAYOR . /ATT- ST: K .61., . i ZA / i PATRICIA LANE, SR iEPUTY CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by, Patricia Lane, Sr. Deputy City Clerk