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06/17/2021 PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES AGENDA WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL JUNE 17, 2021 PRAYER: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: AMERICAN LEGION CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL: BID OPENINGS: MINUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF JUNE 3, 2021 OLD BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: PERMISSION REQUEST: PERMISSION FOR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR MICHAEL BONNER TO PURCHASE A TRUCK FOR SANITATION DEPARTMENT COMMITTEE REPORTS: APPOINTMENTS: PRESENTATIONS: MAYOR MARCO MCCLENDON ANNOUNCEMENTS: C1T17,ENS REOUFST: MR. CHARLIE GARRETT SPEAKING ON: LAKES OF MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL June 17, 2021 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, June 17, 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 Harris, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Croom. Mayor McClendon called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. City Clerk, James Pulliaum called the roll. Those presents were: Mayor Marco McClendon, City Clerk, James Pulliaum, City Attorney Michael Stephenson, and Councilors: Gheric Bruce, Tracy Catt, Wayne Croom, Helen Harris, James Holt, Melanie Hutchinson, Lorraine Mohammed, Willis Mondy, David Murray, and Charles Wheeless. Absent was City Treasurer, Charlie Suiter Jr. Quorum being present Mayor McClendon proceeded with the meeting. BID OPENING: NONE MUNUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF June 3, 2021 Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy to dispense with the reading of the minutes of June 3, 2021, City Council meeting and to approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. OLD BUSINESS: NONE Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy to add 0-1 to the agenda. Upon voice vote voting was unanimous. NEW BUSINESS: Councilor Mohammed made the motion, seconded by Councilor Catt to read 0- 1 by title only. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. AN ORDINANCE MAKING JUNETEENTH A RECOGNIZED CITY HOLIDAY AND OBSERVED FOR THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time. Councilor Monday made the motion, seconded by Councilor Harris to suspend the rules, and place the ordinance on its second reading. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance for the SECOND time by title only. Councilor Bruce made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to further suspend the rules, and place the ordinance on its third reading. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance for the THIRD and final time by title only. Councilor Mohammed made the motion, seconded by Councilor Murray to approve the ordinance. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. The ordinance was adopted and assigned No.2581. Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Murray to add a budget amendment to the agenda. Upon voice vote voting was unanimous. Councilor Catt passed out the budget amendment to council. Councilor Catt said that the budget was discussed previously at the May 20, 2021, meeting. Councilor Catt said City Accountant Tori Perry has given them a more accurate number. They have seen an increase in revenue, in the amount of $437,500 dollars for the past 7 months of 2021. Half of the money will go to Advertising and Promotion and half of the money will go to the Parks Department. The money will go into Advertising and Promotion and Ms. Perry will do a journal entry from 4 the general fund to the Parks Department. They are asking the Council to approve it today since they are already collecting the tax, so they can go ahead with getting it implemented and injected into the budget. Councilor Catt said he will get with the City Attorney to draft a resolution for the auditors and get it on the July 1, 2021, agenda to be compliant. Discussion followed Councilor Mohammed said she did not like using the word assumed and preferred something more concrete. Councilor Catt said he could change it to read approximately but there was no way to be exact. Councilor Catt said it was off a based trend analysis from previous spending. Councilor Bruce suggested they use projected. Councilor Bruce made the motion, seconded by Councilor Mohammed to change the wording to read projected. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. Councilor Mohammed made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to approve the amended budget. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. PERMISSION REQUEST: PERMISSION FOR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR MICHAEL BONNER TO PURCHASE A TRUCK FOR THE SANITATION DEPARTMENT. Councilor Bruce made the motion, seconded by Councilor Hutchinson to table the permission request indefinitely. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to Table Indefinitely. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 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. COMMITTEE REPORTS: POLICE COMMISSION: Councilor Mohammed presented the Police Commission report. The Police Commission met on June 2, 2021. The following Commissioners were present Lorraine Mohammed, Willis Mondy, James Holt and Charles Wheeless. Commissioner Hutchinson was absent. Other present were Mayor Marco McClendon, Chief Pope, Major Allen, City Clerk, James Pulliaum, Public Affairs Director, Tawana Butler, Communications Director, Nick Coulter, Citizen Joseph Tucker and Evening Times reporter, John Rech. The commissioners voted Willis Mondy as vice chair. City Clerk Pulliaum discussed the laws on conducting legal and successful meetings. Police Chief Pope shared his vision for the West Memphis Police Department. Some of things he discussed implementing was moving the Internal Affairs Bureau away from the police department building, zero tolerance, renaming the intelligence unit, partnering with other law enforcement agencies, establishing a West Memphis SWAT team, considering the use of Flock Cams for better reading of license plates, etc., creating a motorcycle unit, creating a drone unit and the updating the evidence room. Mayor McClendon introduced the West Memphis Police Chief Pope to full Council for those that had not had the opportunity to meet him. Councilor Croom asked if the police stations by Poncho's and on Airport Road that are combined with the Fire Stations are being occupied. Chief Poke said that he has plans to house the Internal Affairs Office and Drone team in those locations. Mayor McClendon said the buildings are occupied. PUBLIC WORKS: Councilor Croom presented the Public Works Committee report. The Public Works committee met on June 3, 2021.The Committee elected Councilor Gheric Bruce as the New Public Works Chairman and Councilor David Murray as Vice Chairman. Councilor Bruce said he was glad to serve and if there was anything he could do to help the Public Works Department to let him know. Councilor Mohammed said she was happy to see the Street Sweepers on the East End of Town and wanted to suggest that just like they have scheduled trash and garbage pickup days per ward that they might want to consider having specific street sweeping days to help keep the city looking good especially with all the new infrastructure. Councilor Bruce said that he would speak with the Commission and the Public Works Director, Michael Bonner regarding Councilor Mohammed suggestion. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Councilor Croom presented the Chamber of Commerce report. The Chamber Committee met on June 9, 2021, in person at ASU Mid-South. The mayor introduced the new Police Chief and gave an update on the bridge repairs. The Chamber is helping A & P with attractions at the upcoming Freedom Fest, and they will host their Annual Awards Banquet at the Civic Center on August 19th. Tickets are $65.00 each and a table for eight people will cost $520.00 dollars. UTILITY COMMISSION: Councilor Croom presented the Utility Commission report. The West Memphis Utility Commission met on June 10, 202,1 at 8:30 a.m. Safety Director, Brett Sims reported that there was 212 days since last recordable injury and 596 days since last lost time injury. General Manager, Todd Pedersen presented the Personnel update. The Utility Department currently has 10 open positions out of 83 budgeted positions. Mr. Pedersen also gave an update on the fuel adjustment. The March amount that needed to be collected is $758,548.86. The amount collected was $60,000.00 and the March residential sales was $960,499.09. The April fuel amount that needed to be collected was $698,548.86 the amount collected was $340,000.00 and the April residential sales were $685,864.67. The May fuel adjustment is $0.020442. The amount that needs to be collected was $358,548.86 and the May residential sales were $678,622.74. The commission unanimously approved the fuel adjustment calculation. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: Councilor Hutchinson presented the Personnel Update. The Personnel Committee met on June 9, 2021. Emergency Management Director, Dewayne Rose gave them a Covid update. Community Outreach Coordinator, Tawana Bailey gave the committee an update and Finance Director, Tori Perry gave the committee an update on workman's comp. Personnel Director, Janice Coleman gave the commission an update on terminations and openings. Councilor Hutchinson announced that the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to all employees through the Methodist Health system should they need it. EAP offers up to 10 free sessions. BUDGET COMMITTEE: Councilor Catt said the Budget Committee will meet the 4th Thursday of every month. APPOINTMENTS: NONE PRESENTATIONS: NONE ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor McClendon gave an update on the traffic, Mayor McClendon said that the citizens of West Memphis have been greatly affected by the eighteen- wheeler trucks driving through the residential areas especially on the East end of town damaging the streets and our retail business, restaurant, and hotel taxes have really taken a hit. The mayor said that he has been in daily contact with Washington and the Governor's office regarding the issues that that have affected our city because of the bridge closing. Mayor McClendon said he and City Engineer/MPO Director, Amanda Hicks also road through the city to look at some of the damage done by the eight-teen wheelers to the drainage work, curbs, and gutters. Councilor Harris asked about the road near Park Plaza. Mayor McClendon said that College Blvd, Missouri Street, 7th Street, Broadway, Ingram Blvd, Martin Luther King, Mound City, and the Service Road are all State Highway and maintained by the State, they just happen to run through the heart of the city. Mayor McClendon said with said with the increase of traffic and damage to streets there is a definite need for some assistance to help get the streets repaired and he is doing everything within his power to get some type of assistance. Mr. Jim Jackson announced that Freedom Fest would be held this year at Tilden Roger Park on June 25, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. There will be live entertainment and Fireworks. Councilor Mondy said that there will be a Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 19, 2021, starting at 12:00 p.m. There will be live entertainment, food, and a bouncy castle for the children. The event will be at the park next to the Wonder City Boys and Girls Club located at 412 S 25th Street. Councilor Harris asked utility Manager, Todd Pedersen about the time process from when a contractor pulls a permit for a gas and water test before they receive an inspection. Mr. Pedersen said that inspections do not fall under his department's responsibility. Mr. Pedersen said the Planning & Development inspector's office is responsible for conducting the inspections and she would need to speak to Planning & Development Director, Paul Luker. Mayor McClendon asked the contractor to come forward. Mr. Phil Davis of Phil Davis Electric who is a resident of 1303 Windover Lane in West Memphis, Arkansas. Mr. Davis is an Electrical contractor that was hired to do some electrical work at 728 S. 12th Street. Mr. Davis pulled permits on June 6 and June 12 and has completed the work but has not been able to get an inspection scheduled. Mr. Davis said that he was told he had to wait until the other contractors working at that location were finished with their work before an inspector would inspect it. Mayor McClendon said he would reach out to the inspector's office to have them go out and conduct the inspection for Mr. Davis. City Clerk, James Pulliaum spoke on the ESGR program and the law on military leave. City Clerk. Pulliaum suggested to the mayor and council that they schedule a training class with all department heads, so that they would have a clear and concise understanding of what the ESGR law is regarding military leave for their city employees. Mayor McClendon said he would get with the Human Resource Director, Janice Coleman to see about scheduling a training session. CITIZENS REQUEST: Mr. Charlie Garrett and Mrs. Diana Garret residents of 210 S. Rich Road signed up for citizens request to address some concerns with the Lake of Richland but did not address council. Mayor McClendon and Councilor Catt were able to address their concerns prior to council. Ms. Doris Wright a resident of 2515 E. Jackson Avenue was not present at council to address council regarding underground drainage. Ms. Linda Dowling a resident of 2404 S Woodlawn was not present at council meeting to address her concerns regarding people parking in from of her residence and loud music. 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 5:45 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this 1st, day of July 2021. MARCO MCCLENDON, MAYOR ATTEST S PULLIA6M—C CLERK Minutes prepared by, Patricia Lane, Sr. Deputy City Clerk 1 1 1