01/21/2021 •
MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
January 21, 2021
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, January
21, 2021, 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,
111 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, Lorraine Mohammed, Willis Mondy, David Murray, and Charles
Wheeless. Absent was Melanie Hutchinson. Also present was Finance Director, Tori
Perry and Evening Times Reporter, John Rech. Quorum being present Mayor
McClendon proceeded with the meeting.
BID OPENINGS:
Mayor McClendon asked for a motion to add the Airport Bids that were discussed at
the January 7, 2021 City Council Meeting that was not properly added to the agenda.
Council Member Croom made a motion, seconded by Council Member Mohammed to
add the West Memphis Airport bids to the agenda. Upon voice vote, voting was
unanimous.
Council Member Croom made the motion, seconded by Council Member Murray to
approve the bids as submitted and refer them back to administration. Upon voice vote,
voting was unanimous.
MINUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF JANUARY 7, 2021
Council Member Croom made the motion, seconded by council Member Mohammed to
dispense with the reading of the minutes of January 7, 2021 council meeting and to
approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve.
OLD BUSINESS: NONE
Council Member Mohammed made the motion, seconded by Council Member Croom to
read R-1 and R-2 by title only. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS:
A RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO EXECUTE A LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
WITH JAGUR FOR THE 20-ACRE TANDEM PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE RAIL-
PORT LOGISTICS PARK
City Attorney Stephen read the resolution by title only. Council Member Croom made
the motion, seconded by Council Member Mohammed to approve the resolution. Upon
voice vote voting was unanimous. The resolution was adopted and assigned No. 2250.
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE OPERATION OF THE CITY OF
WEST MEMPHIS FOR THE YEAR 2021, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Council Member Mohammed made the motion, seconded by Council Member Mondy
to table the resolution until after Council meets on Tuesday January 26, 2021, for a
I IL work session to review the changes made to the budget. There will be a Special
Council Meeting on Wednesday January 27, 2021, to approve the budget. Upon voice
vote, voting was unanimous to table.
PERMISSION TO CHANGE THE GRANT WRITER'S POSITION TO A FULL TIME
POSITION
Council Member Croom made the motion, seconded by Council Member Mondy to give
Mayor McClendon permission to change the Grant Writer position from a part time
position to a full-time permanent position. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
WEST MEMPHIS CHAMBER: The West Memphis Chamber Committee met
on January 13, 2021 and approved the annual chamber budget. The chamber is
exploring different features to bring to the city's freedom fest and tree lighting events
to encourage community engagement. They are also working on updating the
relocation packets, business booklets and printed directories, which is part of their
contract with the tourism and economic development departments.
UTILITY COMMISSION : Council Member Croom presented the Utility
Commission report. The Utility Commission met on January 14, 2021 at 8:30 a.m.
Safety Director Brett Sims reported that there was 65 days since last recordable injury
and 449 days since last lost time injury. There were no new hires or resignations for
the month of December. Utility currently has 11 open positions out of 83 budgeted
positions. Utility Manager, Teed Pederson presented quotes and permission to sale
scrap metal transformers. Mr. Pederson recommended the highest quote from Sunbelt
Solutions in the amount of$7,108.50. The commission unanimously approved. The
commission also approved the Employee Handbook.
AIRPORT COMMISSION: Council Member Wheeless presented the airport
commission report. The airport commission met on January 21, 2021.On January 18,
202 1permission was granted to proceed with the rehab on hangar # 3. The FAA has
approved a 90/10 grant for 2021 for a new beacon and for the design phase of the
north apron rehab.
ADVERTISING & PROMOTION COMMISSION: Sr. Deputy City Clerk, Patricia
Lane presented the Advertising & Promotion report for Council Member Mondy. The
West Memphis A& P commission met on January 20, 2021 via zoom. The commission
addressed some old business regarding Kenny Farrell/Gateway Point. The warehouse
space is still being worked on with square footage flags still in place. Sky cops are in
and will be installed before the next scheduled commission meeting. The Mississippi
River Catfish Tournament has been sponsored by A & P they are requesting a larger
amount for 2021. The motion failed due to lack of a motion. The commission voted to
renew the contract with the West Memphis Chamber for 2021.
APPOINTMENTS:
REAPPOINTMENT OF SCOTT FERGUSON TO THE ADVERTISING AND
PROMOTION COMMISSION EXPIRATION DATE DECEMBER 31, 2024 - JIM
JACKSON
Council Member Croom made the motion, seconded by Council Member Wheeless to
reappoint Scott Ferguson to the Advertising and Promotion Commission. Upon voice
vote, voting was unanimous to approve.
PRESENTATIONS: NONE
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor McClendon offered his congratulations to President Joe Biden, and Vice
President Kamala Harris.
Council Member Mohammed made a motion, seconded by Council Member Croom to
add the nomination of Mr. Fred Leonard for the vacant City Treasurer Position.
Discussion followed. Council Member Catt said that it was his understanding that
there was another nominee interested in the City Treasury position and several weeks
ago they had opened it up for additional people interested in the position to submit
their resumes. Council Member Catt said he understood the importance of filling the
position. Council Member Mohammed felt that the matter has dragged on long
enough. Council Member Croom said it was his understanding that there were only
two individuals interested in the position and to his understanding one of the
candidates has rescinded his resume and was no longer interested. Mayor McClendon
said he has a meeting scheduled for Tuesday with the individual. Council Member
Murray said he would like to verify that the other individual has declined before
voting. There being no further discussion. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to
add the nomination of Fred Leonard to the agenda.
Council Member Mohammed made the motion, seconded by Council Member Croom to
appoint Fred Leonard to fill the vacant City Treasurer position. Mayor McClendon
asked for a roll call vote. Sr. Deputy City Clerk, Patricia Lane called the roll. The roll
call vote was as follows:
YES: Catt, Croom, Holt, Mohammed, Wheeless
NO: Monday, Murray
ABSTENTION: Harris
ABSENT: Hutchinson
With 5 yes votes 3 no votes 1 abstention vote and 1 absent vote the motion to appoint
Fred Leonard to the Treasury position failed.
Council Member Catt said that he felt it was important that the person appointed to
the position have some knowledge of municipal accounting. Council Member Catt
suggested that Council consider separating some of the duties under the City
treasurer position and assign them to the Finance Director, Tori Perry who has an
accounting degree and is knowledgeable of municipal accounting practices.
Council Member Catt said when the Council read the ordinance for the Employee
Handbook it was read out three times ordinance 2566 was marked for that ordinance
but was never approved or used because the ordinance was tabled. The next number
used was 2567. Council Member Catt is asking council to void the ordinance 2566.
Council Member Harris made the motion, seconded by Council Member Mondy to void
ordinance 2566. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous.
Council Member Croom asked if any amendments could made to the Employee
Handbook, specifically the nepotism section. City Attorney Stephenson said it could be
amended by ordinance.
CITIZENS REQUEST: Ms. Latoya Logan a resident of 114 Stuart Avenue West
Memphis, Arkansas, came before council to speak on obtaining a Certificate of
Convenience to operate a medical transportation business. Ms. Logan will come back
before council at the next scheduled council meeting on February 4, 2021 for council's
decision.
ADJOURNMENT:
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Council Member Croom
made the motion, seconded by Council Member Harris to adjourn. Upon voice vote,
voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this 4th FEBRUARY 2021.
CO MCCLENDON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
4AM 1 PU IA I r1 CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by, Patricia, Sr. Deputy City Clerk