06/03/2021 I LEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES
AGENDA
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 3, 2021
PRAYER:
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE: V. F. W.
CALL TO ORDER:
ROLL CALL:
BID OPENINGS:
MINUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF MAY 20, 2021
OLD BUSINESS: 3RD READING OF AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE
PERMIT FOR DEIBEL TOWING, PERMITTING AN AUTO
WRECKER SERVICE IN AN 1-1 GENERAL INDUSTRIAL
DISTRICT
3RD READING OF AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE
PERMIT FOR SUNBELT CAR WASH SERVICES, PERMITTING
A CAR WASH IN A C-1 GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
NEW BUSINESS: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF WEST MEMPHIS,
ARKANSAS CERTIFYING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENDORSEMENT
OF NEWBERRY TANKS & EQUIPMENT, LLC TO PARTICIPATE IN
THE TAX BACK PROGRAM (AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION15-4-2706
(d) OF THE CONSOLIDATED INCENTIVE ACT OF 2003)
PERMISSION
REQUEST: PERMISSION FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS AND TOWER
VENTURES TVT.LLC (TABLED ON MAY 6,2021 AND MAY 20,
2021)
COMMITTEE
REPORTS:
APPOINTMENTS:
PRESENTATIONS: MAYOR MARCO MCCLENDON
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
CITIZENS REQUEST: JAMES PULLIAUM SPEAKING ON:
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MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
06/03/2021
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, June 3,
2021, at 1:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall 205 S. Redding, West
Memphis, Arkansas.
Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Murray for City Clerk, James
Pulliaum to preside over the Council meeting in the absence of Mayor Marco McClendon.
Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous.
Invocation was given by Councilor Harris, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by
Councilor Croom. City Clerk, James Pulliaum called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
Sr. Deputy City Clerk, Patricia Lane called the roll. Those presents were: City Clerk,
James Pulliaum, City Attorney Michael Stephenson, and Councilors: Gheric Bruce,
Tracy Catt, Wayne Croom, Helen Harris, James Holt, Lorraine Mohammed, Willis
Mondy, David Murray, and Charles Wheeless. Absent were Mayor Marco McClendon,
City Treasurer, Charlie Suiter Jr., and Councilor Melanie Hutchinson. Quorum being
present City Clerk Pulliaum proceeded with the meeting.
BID OPENING: NONE
MUNUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF MAY 20, 2021
Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Mohammed to dispense with
the reading of the minutes of May 20, 2021, City Council meeting and to approve them
as submitted. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve.
OLD BUSINESS:
3rd READING OF AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR
DIEBEL TOWING, PERMITTING AN AUTO WRECKER SERVICE IN AN I-1 GENERAL
INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the THIRD and FINAL
time. Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Charles Wheeless to
approve the ordinance. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. The
resolution was adopted and assigned No. 2579.
3rd READING OF AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR
SUNBELT CAR WASH SERVICES, PERMITTING A CAR WASH IN A C-1 GENERAL
BUSINESS DISTRICT
City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the THIRD and FINAL
time. Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Charles Wheeless to
approve the ordinance. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. Councilor
Catt abstained from the vote. The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2580.
NEW BUSINESS:
Councilor Mohammed made the motion, seconded by Councilor Catt to read R-1 by title
only. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous.
R-1 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS
CERTIFYING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENDORSEMENT OF NEWBERRY TANKS &
EQUIPMENT, LLC TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TAX BACK PROGRAM (AS
I L. AUTHORIZED BY SECTIONS 15-4-2706 (D) OF THE CONSOLIDATED INCENTIVE
ACT OF 2003)
City Attorney Stephenson read the resolution by tile only. Councilor Croom made the
motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to approve the resolution. Discussion followed:
Councilor Mohammed asked for a brief explanation of the resolution. Economic
Development Project Manager, Mallory Darby said that Newberry is an existing industry
that currently has 39 employees, and they are looking to hire 8 new employees with an
average salary of$50,000 dollars each. The Tax Back program is administered through
the state. They would have to apply through the state, and it must be endorsed through
the local government by the city and county. Ms. Darby said what this will do is allow
them to get refunds on sales and use tax for construction of the expansion for building
equipment, machinery and all things involved with the expansion, so any sales and used
tax paid to the state will be refunded through the state. Councilor Catt asked what the
Capital Investment amount would be. Ms. Mallory said the Capital Investment would be
a little over 1.2 million dollars. There being no further discussion: Upon voice vote,
voting was unanimous to approve. The resolution was adopted and assigned No 2256.
PERMISSION REQUEST:
PERMISSION FOR THE MAYOR TO SIGN AN LOI AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY
OF WEST MEMPHIS AND TOWER VENTURES TVT. LLC
Council Member Catt made a motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy to approve the
permission request. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous Discussion followed:
Councilor Mohammed asked for an explanation on the tower. City Attorney Stephen
said that this is a letter of intent to enter into an agreement with Tower Ventures for the
Tower. The reason for the letter of intent is because there are a few changes they want
to make regarding the perpetual easement agreement. City Attorney Stephenson said
Tower Ventures have been agreeable with the changes that they have asked for. Council
Mohammed asked if this was a new tower. City Attorney Stephenson said they are acting
on a two-year option on the land and they are wanting to move forward. Council
Mohammed wanted to know if they foresaw any more towers being erected. City Attorney
Stephenson said he was unable to forecast that. Councilor Mohammed asked about
being able to place a moratorium to prevent any other towers or would there be some
legal ramifications. City Attorney Stephenson said there is some federal legislation that
he has not read entirely that protects certain aspects of communication towers but that
he believes that the purpose of this tower is to make communication better for the
residents and others in the park area as well as future business.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: NONE
BUDGET COMMITTEE: Councilor Catt said that he met briefly last week with
Finance Director, Tori Perry, City Treasurer Charlie Suiter Jr. and City Clerk, James
Pulliaum. Ms. Perry just recently returned to work full time and has hired a new
accountant. Since Ms. Perry's return, she has spent time catching up on somethings
that she needed to address right away. They will be having a budget meeting the
fourth Thursday in June and plan to have all the data current to present to Council to
give them better idea of where the city stands right now. There are a few budget items
they briefly looked at and will need to look at further. Councilor Catt said they might
need to pass an ordinance calling for an item to be placed on the agenda for the 2022
general election. to clear up one item in the audit report. Councilor Catt did not feel it
warranted a special election unless council wanted to call for a special election.
Councilor Catt said they would have a better idea of what they wanted to do after they
meet on the fourth Thursday. Once, they have a better idea they will bring it back
before council for them to decide how they want to move forward.
APPOINTMENTS: NONE
PRESENTATIONS: NONE
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
City Accountant, Tori Perry introduced the newly hired City Accountant Spann Wilson
Sr. Deputy City Clerk, Patricia Lane announced that all Elected Officials and
individuals that expressed and interest in wanting to participate in the Arkansas
Municipal League Conference from June 16-18 have been registered and they will be
receiving a link to log in to the zoom conference by email.
CITIZENS REQUEST: James Pulliaum requested to table his presentation to
council Indefinitely.
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Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Croom made the
motion, seconded by Councilor Harris to adjourn. Upon voice vote, voting was
unanimous to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m.
IL PASSED and APPROVED this 17, day of June 2021.
ALL w ` l `' U04-1/4_
MARCO MCCLENDON, MAYOR
ATTEST
ULL ITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by, Patricia Lane, Sr. Deputy City Clerk
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