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02/04/2021 PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CE 4L PHONES AGENDA WEST MEMPHIS CITY Clâ–ºUNC1L FEBRUARY 4,2021 PRAYER: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: AMERICAN LEGION CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL: BID OPENINGS: MINUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT M INUTES OF JANUARY 21,2021 APPROVE OR APPROVE SPECIAL CALLED MINUTES OF JANUARY 27, 2021 OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS: 0-1 AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR 312 SHADY GROVE,PERMITTING A GREENHOUSE IN A R-2 LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT 0-2 AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE A 2.58 ACRE PLOT OF LAND IN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 1418 MISSOURI FROM C-1,GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT TO(PUD) PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT WITH COMMERCIAL USES 0-3 AN ORDIINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 38-45 OF THE WEST MEMPHIS MUNICIPAL CODE FOR THE PURPOSE OF LEVYING AN ADDITIONAL ONE PERCENT (1%) TAX FOR A TOTAL OF THREE PERCENT(3%) UPON THE GROSS RECEIPTS OR GROSS PROCEEDS FROM THE RENTAL OF CERTAIN ACCOMMODATIONS AND THE SALE OF PREPARED FOODS AND BEVERAGES AS AUTHORIED BY A.C.A. SECTION 26-75-602,AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES PERMISSION REQUEST: PERMISSION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE WEST MEMPHIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR SERVICES PROVIDED DURING 2021 IN SUPPORT OF THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS (SEE MATERIAL IN PACKETS) COMMITTEE REPORTS: MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL February 4, 2021 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday. February 4, 2021 , at 1 :00 p.m. at the West Memphis Eugene Woods Civic Center, located at 212 W. Polk, 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. City Clerk, James Pulliaum, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor Marco McClendon, City Attorney Michael Stephenson. City Treasurer Charlie Suiter Jr., and Council Members: Tracy Catt, Wayne Croom, Helen Harris, James Holt, Melanie Hutchinson, David Murray, and Charles Wheeless. Present by Zoom was Council Member Mondy. Absent were: Council Member 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: NONE MINUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF JANUARY 21, 2021 COUNCIL MINUTES. APPROVE OR CORRECT SPECIAL CALLED MINUTES OF JANUARY 27, 2021 Council Member Catt made the motion, seconded by Council Member Wheeless to dispense with the reading of the minutes of January 21 , 2021 Council Meeting and Special Called meeting of January 27, 2021 , and to approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. OLD BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: Council Member Catt made the motion, seconded by Council Member Wheeless to read 0-1 , 0-2, and 0-3 by title only. Upon voice vote. voting was unanimous. 0-1 AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR 312 SHADY GROVES, PERMITTING A GREENEHOUSE IN A R-2 LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT City Attorney Stephenson read the Ordinance by title only for the FIRST time. The ordinance will be read for the second time at the next council meeting on February 18, 2021 . 0-2 AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE A 2.58 ACRE PLOT OF LAND IN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 1418 MISSOURI FROM C-1, GENERAL BUSIINESS DISTRICT TO (PUD) PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT WITH COMMERCIAL USES City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time. Council Member Croom made the motion, seconded by Council Member Wheeless to suspend [ the rules, and place the ordinance on its second reading. Council Member Catt abstained. Mayor McClendon asked for a roll call vote. City Clerk, James Pulliaum called roll. The roll call vote was as follows: YES: Croom, Harris, Holt, Hutchinson, Mondy, Murry, Wheeless NO: None ABSTENTION: Catt ABSENT: Mohammed With 7 yes votes, 1 no vote, 0 abstentions and 1 absent vote the motion to place the ordinance on its second reading passed. City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance for the SECOND time. The ordinance will be read for the third time at the next council meeting on February 18, 2021. 0-3 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 38-45 OF THE WEST MEMPHIS MUNICIPAL CODE FOR THE PURPOSE OF LEVYING AN ADDITIONAL ONE PER CENT (1%) TAX FOR A TOTAL OF THREE PERCENT (3%) UPON THE GROSS RECEIPTS OR GROSS PROCEEDS FROM THE RENTAL OF CERTAIN ACCOMMODATIONS AND THE SALE OF PREPARED FOODS AND BEVERAGES AS AUTHORIZED BY A.C.A. SECTION 26-75-602, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time. Council Member Croom made the motion, seconded by Council Member Wheeless to table the ordinance Indefinitely until council could conduct some further studies. Council Member Catt said it was his understanding there would be a meeting scheduled to discuss the matter with local businesses concerning this matter, he would like to wait to hear their comments before the decision is made. Mayor McClendon called for a roll call vote. City Clerk, James Pulliaum called the roll call vote. The roll call vote was as follows: YES Croom, Wheeless NO: Catt, Harris. Holt, Murray, ABSTENTION: Hutchinson ABSENT: Mohammed No voice vote recorded: Mondy. With 2 yes votes, 4 no votes, 1 abstention vote,1 absent vote 1 no response to vote recorded. Council Member Mondy was present by zoom could not hear his response to thu vote. The motion to table the ordinance FAILED. The ordinance will be read for the second time at the next council meeting on February 18, 2021 . Mayor McClendon said he would be scheduling a meeting to meet with business owners to discuss the tax but asked if anyone was going to speak on the taxes to please give out accurate information. Mayor McClendon said if council voted to pass the tax it would not take effect until June 1, 2021 . On March 1 , 2021, the 1% tax from the hospital would fall off this would mean businesses would be paying the same amount they were previously paying, and the citizens would be paying 1% percent less than they were paying. The A& P taxes will support the general funds that helps to support our police department, fire department, EMS and parks and recreation department and would benefit the citizens. Council Member Croom said that the city has already had three increases a 7% millage tax and sanitation and water rate increases he said he would like to wait and do some more research to see how it will be a benefit and who it will benefit. Mayor McClendon said that the City of West Memphis has the lowest water and utility rates other than Conway. The taxes will affect the people that travel through West Memphis. Mayor McClendon said he has solicited ideas from the council on other ways to generate revenue for general funds and they have not presented any suggestions. Council Member Harris said that the City of West Memphis needs to grow and the only way to grow is by raising taxes. Council Member Harris said the Council needs to work together to help the City of West Memphis grow. Council Member Croom said it was his understanding that the A & P commission voted to support the Mayor and Councils decision if they decided to pass the tax. Mayor McClendon confirmed that the governing body would have to vote to support the tax the governing body being the council members. The Commission vote was to split .5% to A & P and .5% to parks and recreation. Mayor McClendon said even with the increases West Memphis has the second lowest water, utility, and garbage rates and even with the millage increase it is still lower than the City of Marion. 50% of the city's revenue comes from of the interstate. Mayor McClendon said any money that he spends must be approved by the City Council. Council Member Croom said he was not opposed to raising taxes but was worried about the timing. Council Member Wheeless said that he has had conversations with several hotel owners, and they were not in favor of the tax. PERMISSION REQUEST: PERMISSION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE WEST MEMPHIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR SERVICES PROVIDED DURING 2021 IN SUPPORT OF THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Council Member Croom made the motion, seconded by Council Member Catt to give permission to Mayor McClendon to execute an agreement with the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce. Discussion followed: Council Member Catt said that they needed to correct the date on page 2. City Attorney Stephenson said he would correct the date. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS (PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT STORAGE (SEE MATERIAL IN PACKETS) Council Member Catt made the motion, seconded by Council Member Croom to accept the Planning Commission recommendations. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. COMMITTEE REPORTS: FIRE COMMITTEE: Council Member Harris presented the Fire Committee report. Council Member Harris was named as the committee chairman. The fire committee will meet the third Tuesday of every month. There is currently 1 Assist Fire Chief position, 1 Division Fire Chief, 1 Fire marshal position, 2 fire fighter position 3 single roll paramedic positions and 1 fire fighter paramedic position openings with the West Memphis Fire Department. DISTRIBUTION OF 2020 SOUTHLAND CHARITY DAY FUNDS Mayor McClendon asked for permission to distribute his 2020 Charity funds of $500.00 dollars to the DEERS program and $500.00 to Quincy's Q 3 H Foundation. Council Member Harris asked for permission to distribute her 2020 Charity Day Funds of $700.00 dollars to the Wonder City Boy's Club and $700.00 dollars to the L R Jackson Girl's Club. Council Member Murray asked for permission to distribute his 2020 Charity Day Funds of $700.00 dollars to the Wonder City Boy's and Girl's Club and $ 700.00 dollars to the L R Jackson Girls Club. For lack of a first or second motion to add the distribution of the 2020 Southland Charity Day Funds no further action could be taken. DISTRIBUTION OF THE 2021 SOUTHLAND CHARITY DAY FUNDS Finance Director, Tori Perry asked for permission to add the distribution of the 2021 Southland Funds to the agenda Council Member Harris made the motion, seconded by Council Member Wheeless to add the Southland Charity day funds to the agenda. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to add the Charity Day Funds distribution to the agenda. Council Member Croom made the motion, seconded by Council Member Wheeless to approve the distribution of $19,714.41 each to LR Jackson Girls Club, Wonder City Boy's Club, JW Rich Girls Club and West Memphis Boy's Club. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. Council Member Croom made the motion seconded by Council Member Hutchinson to distribute the Southland Disaster Relief Funds in the amount of $ 2,349.23 each to Hope House, Delta Neighborhood Action Council, and the Good Neighbor Center. Council Member Catt abstained. With 8 yes votes 1 abstention vote 0 No votes and 0 absent votes the motion passed. Finance Director, Tori Perry said the Mayor and Council Members would each have $1,004.72 each to distribute to at their discretion. Emergency Management Director, Dewayne Rose and Mr. Steve Jones gave an update on the 1000 campaign logistics. The mayor and City of West Memphis will be hosting a mass vaccination on Friday February 12. 2021 at the Lehr Arena to vaccinate 1000 people. Mr. Jones has sent out communication to all the Council Members to share with civic organizations, churches, and people in their wards to get the information out. The plan is to vaccinate people age 70 and above, first responders, teachers, and day care workers. There are two links to go to one to register and one to sign up to volunteer. They anticipate they will need approximately 165 people to volunteer to assist with helping it to be a success. The members of the Mayor's Covid-19 task force, Kenneth Johnson, Tawana Bailey, Rhonda Standridge, Police Department. Fire Department, EMS, County OEM office, Health Department and the East Arkansas Family Health Department have all been essential in organizing this event. Director, Dewayne Rose said the second round of shots is scheduled for March 5, 2021 at the Lehr arena at the same scheduled time. Director Rose is asking everyone that can to assist the elderly 70 and above with registering for an appointment especially those that do not have internet or a computer and suggested that they might want to set up laptops at the church to help the elderly with registration. Currently there is no plans to provide vaccinations to the shut in. Mr. Jones said they have reached out to the churches to help with transport to the Lehr arena. Mayor McClendon is asking the Council Members that were given laptops to donate their laptops for the day. APPOINTMENTS: NONE PRESENTATIONS: NONE ANNOUNCEMENTS: NONE Council Member Hutchinson gave her condolences on behalf of the Carter family and asked everyone to be in prayer for the family and all the other families that have lost loved ones because of COVID-19. Mayor McClendon congratulated the Newly Elected City Treasurer, Charlie Suiter Jr. Council Member Croom asked about the Legislative Audit report that council received in November 2020 that governing body is required to discuss and respond to. Council Member Catt said that it was given to council, but he will send it to him again and it will be added to the agenda in February. CITIZENS REQUEST: Ms. Evelyn Beason a resident of 176 Anna Lane West Memphis, Arkansas, was not present at the February 4, 2021 council meeting. Ms. Beason met with Council Member Hutchinson prior to the council meeting. Ms. Logan's Issue regarding zoning for a day care in a residential area was resolved. Ms. Latoya Logan a resident of 114 Stuart street in West Memphis. Arkansas, came before council for their final approval for a Certificate of Convenience to operate a transportation business. Council Member Harris made the motion, seconded by Council Member Hutchinson to approve the Certificate of Convenience. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. Ms. Logan will contact the City Clerk's office to complete the requirements to obtain her privilege license to operate a transportation company. Having no further business to come before the City Council, Council Member Harris made the motion, seconded by Council Member Wheeless to adjourn. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m. PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 18th DAY OF FEBRUARY 2021. GLt lVer/o-t_e;MARCO, MCCLN, MAYOR ATTEST: JA S PULLIA M, CLERK Minutes prepared by Patricia Lane, Sr. Deputy City Clerk