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October 7 2022 issuing just the amount that you need for the cities two projects.The two dollar amounts that they see on the ballot are the maximum issued by the city if approved. Councilor Croom asked if the 35 million included the 9 million bond issue that was approved last year for the Parks and Recreation improvements. Mayor McClendon said no it does not he also wanted to make it clear that they are not asking the citizens of West Memphis to vote for any tax. The 9 million that was approved from Southland was to be paid out of Southland money not the taxpayer. The mayor said 40 million is the ceiling, but his goal is to keep it at 35 million dollars. Mayor McClendon said he did not want inaccurate information to be put out there and rather or not the people vote yes or no he will be fine with it, so long as information given to the citizens is factual. Mr. Bowman said in December of 2019, the voters approved bonds for a different park project to be secured by the net casino gaming receipts received by the city. Mr. Bowman said the difference in this project is that it will need to be secured by a different revenue stream assuming that the voters approve the questions at the December election they are proposing and considering right now that tax can only be used to repay the 35 million for this park project and 4.5 million for the Police project. Mr. Bowman said no part of what was approved in 2019 for the pervious park project can be repaid by any collections of this sales and use tax. Councilor Mohammed said her only concern she had with putting something out of this magnitude was if there was a low turn out to vote that a handful of people would be deciding for everyone. Councilor Harris said it is up to each councilor to meet with their constituents and educate them. Mayor McClendon said he plans to also hold public forums to inform the citizens. Councilor Wheeless said that the city has the responsibility to be good stewards and not spend money like it's their own personal playground. Councilor Croom said that the City of West Memphis has the lowest cost of living but if they were to raise taxes, they would be at 16%. Mayor McClendon said the current taxes are 9.75%A& P Taxes at 3% and if the citizens of West Memphis voted to approve the 1%, they would be at 13.75. Councilor Croom said there is a 2% occupancy rate on hotels . Mayor McClendon asked how many citizens of West Memphis stay in the hotels and said this is what he means by accurate information being put out there. Mayor McClendon said we are going to put it to the people, and we will win or lose it with the truth. Mayor McClendon said he believes that if the citizens of West Memphis are given the facts, they will make the decision to vote yes, or no. Councilor Catt asked the significance of the December 14th date and what would prevent them from having a special election in 2022. Mr. Bowman said if they were to suspend the rules and read it out 3 times today with a two third vote, they would have to file in the County Clerks office on Friday wait 60 days before the election the next election is scheduled for the second Tuesday in December. Mr. Bowman said Legislation enacted a new law that in January you can only have for elections. Councilor Catt said they will have the general election in November scheduled and that would leave them three more slots. Councilor Catt said he likes the idea, but he would like to wait and read it out and have two scheduled meetings and have some input from the community as well as look at other ideas that might be better. Mayor McClendon said for years people have been asking for something for the children to do. The city paid $50,000 dollars to have a study group to conduct a study on what would be good for the city and generate tourism and revenue. The study showed recreational activities such as a water parks, volleyball and basketball courts and baseball fields that attract tournaments would help them to capitalize on the 1.4 million people that cross the bridge into our city and the 70 million people traveling on our interstates and 4.1 million that visit Southland There being no further discussion Mayor McClendon asked for a roll call vote. Councilor Bruce made the motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy to place the ordinance on its second reading. Upon voice vote. Councilor Wheeless objected. Mayor McClendon asked for a roll call vote. City Clerk, James Pulliaum called the roll. The roll call vote was as follows: YES: Bruce, Harris, Hutchinson, Mondy, Murray NO: Catt, Croom, Wheeless ABSTENTION: Mohammed ABSENT: Holt With 5 yes votes 3 No votes, 1 abstention vote, 1 Absent vote the motion to read it for a second time FAILED and was Tabled Indefinitely. 0-5 AN ORDINANCE CALLING A SPECAL ELECTION IN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS THE QUESTION OF LEVYING A CITY WIDE ONE FOURTH OF ONE PERCENT (0.25) SALES AND USE TAX; AND PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS PERTAINING THERETO City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time. Mr. Bowman asked when this would come back before council. Mayor McClendon said in two weeks at the October 21, 2021, Council meeting. Mr. Bowman said they would miss the deadline date established by the state law that it be adopted by council and filed in the County Clerk's office 60 days before the election date so he would have to start over again with a new election date and ordinance and it would have to be placed on the February 2022 ballot. Mr. Bowman said that would mean that they would need to suspend the rules and read it out 3 limes and approve it to get it on the February 2022 ballot for the people to vote. Mr. Bowman also said that that legislation only allows 4 elections a year. Tabled Indefinitely 0-6 AN ORDINANCE CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS ON THE QUESTIONS OF ISSUING BONDS UNDER AMENDMENT NO. 62 TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING ALL OR A PORTION OF THE COSTS OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS; LEVYING A NEW THREE-FOURTHS OF ONE PERCENT (0.75%) SALES AND USE TAX FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETIRING SUCH BONDS; AND PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS PERTAINING THERETO Councilor Mohammed made the motion, seconded by Councilor Bruce to table 0-4, 0- 5, and 0-6 indefinitely. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to Table Indefinitely. Councilor Bruce made the motion, seconded by Councilor Catt to add the ordinance to the agenda. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous Councilor Bruce made the motion seconded by Councilor Catt to read the ordinance by title only. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous 0-7 AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR ALLIED GROUP REALTY, PERMITTING A CONVIENCE STORE AND FUEL SALES IN A C-1 GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time. Planning and Development Director, Paul Luker said the proposed project is located at Broadway, and Woods on the East side of auto zone. It is a convenience store with fuel sales when they changed the zoning ordinance years ago to C-1 it was changed to require a special use permit. It was presented and unanimously approved by the Planning Commission the property was posted, notice was put in the newspaper and there was no oppositions. Councilor Croom asked if it was previously a service station. Councilor Mohammed made the motion, seconded by Councilor Bruce to suspend the rules, and place the ordinance on its second reading. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the SECOND time. PERMISSION REQUEST: PERMISSION FOR MAYOR MCCLENDON TO SIGN SALES CONTRACT WITH CSA SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS FOR MULTI-USER CONTRACT FUND ACCOUNTING (Tabled on August 19, 2021, September 2, 2021, and September 16, 2021) Councilor Catt made a motion, seconded by Councilor Croom to table the ordinance indefinitely. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to Table Indefinitely. COMMITTEE REPORTS: L POLICE COMMISSION: Councilor Mohammed presented the Police Commission report. The Police Commission met on October 4, 2021. The Police Commission went into Executive Session to discuss some personnel matters. The Commission reconvened Chief Pope presented Chief Pope's pinpoints. Mayor McClendon was at the meeting to meet the new recruits. One of the crossing guards retired after 40 years of service at Brag Elementary. The commission discussed the Smart Security Cameras for a safer city. Chief Pope gave the commission an update on the apprehension of Mr. Orlando Dowell on September 7, 2021, who was involved in vehicle theft. They also discussed the proposed Swat Headquarters the plans are to house the swat team at the Old Fire Station # 3. Building. The West Memphis Police Department collaborated with the Crittenden County Sheriff Department in a narcotic seizer and seized Meth, Cocaine marijuana and Fentanyl. The Police Department also busted a juvenile car theft ring the juveniles raged from 11 to 16 years of age. The Police department visited Southland to tour the facility and identify any potential hazards inside the new hotel. The Drone Demo Day was September 20, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Councilor Bruce gave a summary of the Public Works meeting. Councilor Bruce said that the commission discussed the new way that flood insurance would be accessed for the public some people will see an increase or decrease in their flood insurance dependent on where they live. They also discussed the clean up at the city shop the in operable vehicles will be auctioned off and the money will go back to the general fund account. Councilor Mohammed later said that she has received several calls regarding the four way stops and speedbumps. Councilor Mohammed said some of the responses have been good and some have not. Mayor McClendon said he started a safer streets campaign. He had been told in previous years that the city could not have speed bumps but after speaking with the Municipal League he was told that was incorrect. He has been working with the MPO Director, Amanda Hicks to conduct a study and they are currently doing a pilot program to see where they are needed. Mayor McClendon said the city could not possibly put them on every street but if people in the community wanted the speedbumps that the citizens in that area could discuss getting together to pay for them. BUDGET COMMITTEE: Councilor Catt said the Budget Committee met and they have updated council on the current financial information, and they are in the process of updating the financial system to ensure that the city clerk and city treasurer have the data they need to present their monthly reports. Councilor Catt said that hopefully they will have it updated to present to them by Tuesday of next week so that they can sign off on it and then present it to council at the second council meeting in October. ADVERTISING & PROMOTION Councilor Melanie Hutchinson presented the Advertising & Promotion report. The Advertising & Promotion Commission met on September 15, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. Mr. Jim Jackson presented the Financial Report with the itemized budget, The financials through the end of July and the collections were up 32% from last year. Mr. Jackson and the commissioners reviewed the cash in bank and maturity dates on CD's. Mr. Jackson has talked with the Finance Director, Tori Perry about putting some of the cash into some type of savings. Total collections to date for restaurants was $785,524.28 and $ 270, 316.49 for hotels. Mr. Jackson reported that the warehouse project was moving forward, and that they decided to add space inside and outside to store the portable stage trailer. Mr. Jackson said he is not satisfied with the quality of lawn service he has been receiving at the Civic Complex and suggested that they purchase their own lawn equipment and keep the lawn service in-house. Mr. Jackson said the $5,000.00 line item in the budget for lawn services could purchase a decent mower and the other equipment that would need to be purchased would cover the expenses over a couple of years. No decision was made at the time of the meeting. Mr. Jackson said he would like to wait and see if the matter could be resolved through the Public Works Department. Bids will be opened on September 16, 2021, they will be presented to the council and then be referred back to A & P for approval. Mr. Jackson asked the commission to approve $50. 000 since A & P will not meet again until next month. The bid request is for the same services and price as last year. The commission approved the request. Communications Director, Nick Coulter reported that he is currently working on several add campaigns revolving around the musical heritage of West Memphis. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: Ms. Janice Coleman, Human Resource Director and Mayor McClendon recognized the nominees for the 2020 City of West Memphis Employee of the Year.The nominees were Mr. Michael Lamb of the West Memphis Utility Water Department, Janet Wamble of West Memphis Payroll Department, Nick Coulter, Communications Director, Machella Nelson, EMT Collections West Memphis Fire Department and Kenneth Johnson, Purchasing Agent for the City of West Memphis. Mayor McClendon presented the award for Employee of the Year for 2020 to Mr. Kenneth Johnson. Mr. Johnson expressed his sincere gratitude to the Mayor and the City of West Memphis. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Councilor Croom announced that on Saturday October 23, 2021, Families in transition will be having their Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event fund raiser at Tilden Rogers Park. Anyone interested in participating can sign up on the Chamber of Commerce Website. City Clerk, James Pulliaum announced that Thursday November 11, 2021,beginning at 10:00 am at Lehr Arena located at 503 W. Broadway and ending at the VFW located at 406 S. Avalon they will be having a Veterans Parade to honor our military war heroes. Anyone wanting to participate can sign up by contacting the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce at 870 735-1134. A memorial Service will also be held at the VFW starting at 11:00 am. J CITIZENS REQUEST: NONE Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Mohammed made the motion, seconded by Councilor Harris to adjourn. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this 216T day of October 2021. CO MCCLENDON, MAYOR ATTEST JAM-PULL TY CLERK Minutes prepared by, Patricia Lane, Sr. Deputy City Clerk