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04/15/2021 PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES AGENDA WEST MEMPHIS crry COUNCIL APRIL 15,2021 I'RA Y ER: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: AME:RICAN LEGION CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL: BID OPENINGS: MINUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF APRIL 1, 2021 OLD BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: R-1 A RESOLUTION TO DISTRIBUTE SOUTHLAND CASINO RACING "CHARITY DAY" PROCEEDS BY ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS AS PROVIDED BY LAW AND FOR OTHER I'URI'OSES 0-1 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE OF SOLAR ENERGY,CAPACITY, AND ANCILLARY SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES PERMISSION REQUEST: PERMISSION FOR A CETIFICAI'E OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE FOR TAXI-CAB SERVICE COMMITTEE REPORTS: APPOINTMENTS: PRESENTATIONS: MAYOR MARCO MCCLENDON ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1 - f. MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL April 15, 2021 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, April 15, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas. Invocation was given by Councilor David Murray, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Croom, Mayor Marco McClendon called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. City Clerk, James Pulliaum, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor Marco McClendon, City Attorney Michael Stephenson, City Treasurer Charlie Sutter Jr., and Councilors: Tracy Catt, Wayne Croom, James Holt, Willis Mondy, David Murray, and Charles Wheeless. Absent were: Councilors: Helen Harris, Lorraine Mohammed and Melanie Hutchinson Quorum being present Mayor McClendon proceeded with the meeting. BID OPENINGS: NONE MINUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINITES OF APRIL 1, 2021 Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Croom to dispense with the reading of the minutes of April 1, 2021, City Council meeting and to approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. MAYOR MCCLENDON ASKED COUNCIL FOR PERMISSION TO ADD TWO ITEMS TO THE AGENDA. THE FAIR HOUSING PROCLAMATION AND PERMISSION TO PURCHASE BODY CAMERAS FOR WEST MEMPHIS POLICE DEPARTMENT Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Croom to add the Proclamation for Fair Housing and Police Body Cameras to the agenda. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Croom to read R-1. and 0-1 by title only. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. R-1 A RESOLUTION TO DISTRIBUTE SOUTHLAND CASINO RACING CHARITY DAY" PROCEEDS BY ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS AS PROVIDED BY LAW AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES City Attorney Stephenson read the resolution by title only. Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to approve. There beginning no discussion Mayor McClendon asked for a roll call vote. City Clerk, James Pulliaum called the roll. The roll call vote was as follows: YES: Catt, Croom, Holt, Wheeless NO: Mondy, Murray, ABSTENTION: None ABSENT: Harris, Mohammed, Hutchinson With 4 yes votes, 2 No votes, 0 Abstention votes and 3 absent votes the motion FAILED • 0-2 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE OF SOLAR ENERGY, CAPACITY, AND ANCILLARY SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by Title only for the FIRST time. Council Catt made the motion seconded by Murray 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. Mayor McClendon asked for a roll call vote. City Clerk, James Pulliaum called the roll. Th e roll call vote was as follows: YES: Catt, Croom, Holt, Murray, Mondy, Wheeless, Mayor McClendon NO None ABSTENTION None ABSENT None With 7 yes votes, 0 No vote, 0 Abstention votes and 3 Absent votes the motion to read the ordinance for third and final time passed. City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance for the THIRD and FINAL time. Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to approve the ordinance. Utility Manager Todd Pedersen provided an overview. Mr. Pedersen said that it is a power purchase agreement for a large utility scale. solar facility that will provide the citizens of West Memphis stable retail rates. once they take delivery for the next 30 years. The reason that they must have a partner is because municipalities are not able to take benefits of the investment tax credit and that is why they need a good partner. The company that they are partnering with is one of the largest developers of renewable energy in the world There being no further discussion Upon voice vote, voting. was unanimous. The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2575. Councilor Catt made a motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to adopt the Emergency Clause Section 4. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve the Emergency clause Section 4. PERMISSION REQUEST: PERMISSION TO APPROVE BODY CAMERAS Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy to approve the body cameras. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. Mayor McClendon said he would be bringing it back before council before ordering them. Councilor Catt also said they would bring it back to council after they do a budget amendment to keep everything in line. PERMISSION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE FOR TAXI- CAB SERVICE Mr. Terry Hardin a resident of 1807 HWY 149 Tyronza, Arkansas is asking council to approve his application for public convenience to operate a Taxicab service. Mr. Hardin will come back before Council at the next City Council Meeting on May 6, 2021 for Councils decision. APPOINTMENTS: NONE PRESENTATIONS: Mayor McClendon presented the Proclamation on Fair Housing to Assistant Planning Director, Jim Carpenter and declared the month April 2021 as Fair Housing month for the City of West Memphis. Assistant Planning Director, Jim Carpenter said that Fair Housing is one of the most important goals of the city and the Community Block Grant program and they look forward to serving the city for another year and further their Fair Housing goals. PCouncilor Mohammed came into the Council meeting at 5:15 p.m. COMMITTEE REPORTS: UTILITY COMMISSION: Councilor Croom presented the Utility Commission report. The Utility Commission met on April 8, 2021 at 8:30am. Safety Director, Brett Sims reported that there was 149 days since the last recordable injury and 533 days since last lost time injury. General Manager, Todd Pedersen presented the personnel; update there are currently 13 open positions out of 83 budgeted positions. The financial update for year ending 2020 showed an operational revenue of$26,434.832,49 and operational expenses of$26,351, 421.34. General Manager, Todd Pedersen updated the commissioners on the fuel adjustment for March. The amount collected was $60,000.00 and amount left to collet is $698,548.86. The commission approved the bid for the roof replacement that was presented by Assistant General Manager, Ward Wimbish. The bid was awarded to the lowest bidder Delta roofing who bid $86,400 dollars. CHAMBER COMMISSION: Councilor Croom presented the Chamber report. The West Memphis Chamber Commission met on April 14, 2021. The Chamber is still meeting by ZOOM. The Chamber staff is currently assisting with a few City projects as well as some upcoming events with details to come later. The Chamber will be hosting a crawfish and cornhole event on Saturday at the Meadowbrook Country Club. The event will start at 6:00 pm there are only 13 tickets left at the cost of$40.00. All leadership programs are now open for enrollment anyone interested can contact the chamber for an application. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: Councilor Croom presented a brief update on public works. Councilor Croom said that the members available did discuss some issues with the Brentwood and Evergreen subdivision that was having some problems with the drainage system that appears to be sinking and blocking water that is running off into the street. City Engineer, Amanda Hicks was not available for comment, but they are in the process of conducting drainage inspections and they will have to do some repairs. They are also in the process of doing some road improvements at the Family dollar location. Councilor Croom said Code Enforcement Officer, George Phillips assisted the Clerk's office with the collection of$19,336.74 dollars in outstanding Advertising and promotion taxes and over $2000.00 dollars in out standing privilege licenses and has done an outstanding job in the month of April. The city has collected over 600 tires to date but there are still a lot more to pick up. Mayor McClendon said that the City Attorney is in the process of reviewing the current ordinance on tires and once he has revised it, they will be bringing it back before council for their approval. Dumpsters are still available for the citizens to dump debris. Councilor Mohammed has submitted the letter for Keep West Memphis Beautiful Day the date has been scheduled for May 15, 2021. The county will be providing the dumpsters at no cost to the city, and they will be placed in each of the 5 wards each city council member will be responsible for recruiting volunteers from their wards to assist with clean up. AIRPORT COMMITTEE: Councilor Wheeless presented the Airport Commission report. Hangar # 3 rehab is underway. Advertising has started for the new beacon project and the bid opening is scheduled for April 29, 2021 that will be funded 100% by the FAA with Airport Improvement Project Grant money and a special COVID Relief Grant that is available through the FAA. Susana with Garver Engineers is also continuing to work on submitting drawings and other paperwork for the North Apron rehab project. Approval for this project is expected sometime in 2022 and should be funded 100% by the FAA. POLICE COMMISSION: Councilor Mohamed presented the Police Commission report. The commission continued the discussion on illegally dumped tires and placing cameras in the areas where the tires are being dumped to catch people. Chief West said no action has been taken yet but they are working on it. Chief West said he would get quotes to purchase the cameras and suggested that they be placed at each end of town. The commission also discussed motorcycle riders speeding up and down the neighborhoods and loud music and what could be done. Councilor Mohammed said the commission will be reviewing the current law that addresses nuisance and look at creating an ordinance to address the issues. Chief West said that Mayor McClendon has approved $35,000.00 to get 5 new police vehicles upgraded to four wheel and they are on order. Chief West offered his condolences for retired Inspector Burt Shelton who recently passed away. Mayor McClendon said the police academy graduated 8 new officers on Thursday and they would begin patrolling the streets in the next week. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor McClendon recognized the newly elected City Council Member for Ward 2 Position 1, Dr. Gheric Bruce. PERMISSION TO ADD THE DISTRIBUTION OF CHARITY DAY FUNDS TO THE AGENDA. Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy to add the distribution of Charity Day Funds to the agenda. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. Mayor McClendon asked for permission to distribute $502.36 dollars to the LEAD program and $502.36 dollars to the DEERS program. Councilor Monday asked permission to distribute his Charity Day Funds in the amount of$1,004.72 dollars to the Wonder City Boys & Girls Club. Councilor Wheeless asked permission to distribute his Charity Day Funds in the amount of$ 1,004.72 dollars to the Crittenden County Boys & Girls Club. Councilor Holt asked permission to distribute his Charity Day Funds in the amount of$ 1,004.72 dollars to the Missouri Church of Christ youth program. Councilor Croom asked permission to distribute his Charity Day Funds in the amount of$1,004.72 dollars to the Marion West Memphis Ministerial Alliance Councilor Murray asked permission to distribute his Charity Day Funds in the amount of$ 1,004.72 dollars to the Wonder City Boys & Girls Club. Councilor Catt asked permission to distribute his Charity day Funds in the amount of$3,648.48 to the VFW. Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy to approve the distribution of Charity Day Funds as presented. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. Mayor McClendon asked everyone to be in prayer for Mrs. Lola Adaway who recently lost her sister. Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Murray made the motion, seconded by Council Member Mohammed to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this 6th day May 2021. L .,„,. ..4,..,,, . eiy....,/,, MARCO MCCL NDON, MAYOR ATTEST: PULLIAU , CLERK Minutes prepared by, Patricia Lane, Sr. Deputy City Clerk I I 1