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11/18/2021 PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES AGENDA WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 18, 2021 PRAYER: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: V. F. W. CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL: BID OPENINGS: MINUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF OCTOBER 21, 2021 1" D BUSINESS: 3RD READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL ORDINANCE 1988, AS AMENDED,AND ADOPT A NEW COMPREHENSIVE ZONING TEXT AND ZONING MAP, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (TABLED ON NOVEMBER 4,2021) 3" READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL ORDINANCE NO. 876 OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS AMENDING SECTION TWO OF ORDINANCE NO.372 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 3RD READING OF AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY OF A ONE-FOURTH OF ONE PERCENT (0.25%) SALES AND USE TAX WITHIN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS; AND PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS PERTAINING THERETO 3" READING OF AN ORDINANCE CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS,ARKANSAS ON THE QUESTION OF LEVYING A CITY-WIDE ONE-FOURTH OF ONE PERCENT (0.25%) SALES AND USE TAX; AND PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS PERTAINING THERETO 3"D READING OF AN ORDINANCE CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS,ARKANSAS ON THE QUESTIONS OF ISSUING BONDS UNDER AMENDMENT NO. 62 TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING ALL OR A PORTION OF THE COSTS OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS; LEVYING A NEW THREE-FOURTHS OF ONE PERCENT (0.75%) SALES AND USE TAX FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETIRING SUCH BONDS; AND PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS PERTAINING THERETO NEW BUSINESS: MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL November 18, 2021 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, November 18,2021 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 Marco McClendon called the meeting to order at 500 p.m. City Clerk, James Pulliaum called the roll. Those present were Mayor Marco McClendon, City Attorney Michael Stephenson, City Treasurer, Charlie Suiter Jr., City Clerk, James Pulliaum Councilors: Gheric Bruce, Tracy Catt, Wayne Croom, Helen Harris, James Holt, Lorraine Mohammed, Willis Mondy, David Murray, and. Charles Wheeless. Absent was Councilor Melanie Hutchinson. Quorum being present Mayor, Marco McClendon proceeded with the meeting. BID OPENING: CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS 2022 MEDICAL BID PROPOSALS- CIGNA Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to add the City of West Memphis 2022 Medical Bid Proposals to the agenda. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Harris to approve the bid submitted by Cigna as the 2022 medical provider. There being no discussion. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. MUNUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF November 4, 2021. Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to dispense with the reading of the minutes of November 4, 2021, Council meeting and to approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. OLD BUSINESS: IMO 3rd READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL ORDINANCE 1988, AS AMENDED, AND ADOPT A NEW COMPREHENSIVE ZONING TEXT AND ZONING MAP, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance for the THIRD and FINAL time by title only. Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Catt to approve the ordinance. There being no discussion. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2591. 3rd READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL ORDINANCE NO 876 OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS AMENDING SECTION TWO OF ORDINANCE NO 372 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the THIRD and FINAL time. Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy to approve the ordinance. Discussion followed. Councilor Croom asked if this would affect Mainstreet. Mayor McClendon said yes. Councilor Catt said he wanted to make sure on what exact sections were being amended for clarification it was his understanding that they would not removing the requirements for business license issued by the State of Arkansas. That they would not be removing the requirement that it cannot be located within 300 feet of a zoned residential subdivision and not removing the requirement that there be adequate parking for all patrons. Councilor Catt said the only thing that they would be repealing is the requirement for all five corridors which is Broadway, Missouri, Woods, Avalon, and Walker allowing them within 300 feet of a zoned residential area. Mayor McClendon said he thought it was to allow dancing on Broadway only. Councilor Catt said when they repealed it took those out and thought they should do an amendment to clarify that they are deleting the 300 feet requirement withing the five corridors which are Broadway, Missouri, Woods, Avalon, and Walker, but they are not deleting the requirement for State licensing, cannot be within 300 feet of a zoned residential area, and must provide adequate parking. Councilor Wheeless asked if this would include topless dancing on Broadway. Mayor McClendon said no topless dancing is only allowed in a I-2 zone. There being no further discussion, Mayor McClendon asked for a roll call vote. City Clerk James Pulliaum called the role. The roll call vote was as follows: Councilor Melanie Hutchinson came into the Council Chamber at 5:15 p.m. Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Croom to amend the ordinance. Mayor McClendon asked for a roll call vote. The roll call vote was as follows: YES: Bruce, Catt, Croom, Harris, Holt, Hutchinson, Mohammed, Mondy, Murray, Wheeless NO: None ABSTENTION: None ABSENT: None With 10 yes vote, 0 No votes, 0Abstention votes, and 0 absent votes the motion to amend the ordinance was approved. The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2592. Mayor McClendon made a statement to council and the citizens of West Memphis. Mayor McClendon said when they first started, they began looking at what they can do to affect public safety, Economic Development and activities for our youth and senior citizens we reached out to our council and citizens for ideas. Through Advertising & Promotion they were able to get studies done to show what would be good financially for the city. Mayor McClendon said he had the opportunity to go around to some of the churches and schools and hear their concerns and based on the area that you live in your ideas and needs were different. He also said that he met with people that were in support of the plan and some that were against it which he felt was fair because it is the people that will vote for or against it. Mayor McClendon said in some of his conversations with the people it was shared with him their dissatisfaction with the West Memphis Police Department and the West Memphis Fire Department, and he was disheartened by the comments. Mayor McClendon said that the Police Department and Fire Department personnel are our first responders and in the event of a life-threatening emergency they would be the first to respond and he felt they deserved more respect than that. Mayor McClendon said he will be continuing to go around to the schools, churches, and individuals in the community about this plan. Mayor McClendon said that although there may be a difference of opinion, he is deeply committed to promoting a One West Memphis and though you might not always like the direction that he is going it is not just enough to say it's not the right time without offering other ideas to help West Memphis grow. . the mayor is asking for the council and citizens to give him their ideas on what they think he should do to move West Memphis forward. Mayor McClendon will begin holding meetings with council from December through February and asking them to present their plan on how they can work together to make West Memphis better and move the city forward. He said he is tired of seeing the city sit still and he understands through his conversations with the citizens that there is a greater or lesser need dependent upon what area you live in, and he needs the councils and citizens input and ideas. Mayor McClendon said people do not build and purchase homes in a city that does not have growth or nothing for youth and senior citizens to do. He said our police officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect us need a new police station, the current building is dilapidated and falling apart, we need emergency services to care for our citizens and we need Economic Development. Mayor McClendon said over 65,000 people travel through our instate and we are not getting any of that money. Mayor McClendon said all he is asking is for the people that say we don't need these additional taxes to bring their ideas to the table, he also said that he does not want to divide the council he wants starting in December to have an open discussion to address public safety, economic development and something for our youth and seniors' citizens. Mayor McClendon said that from 1992 to 2021 there have been 141 murders in our city and 135 of them were young black males that look like him and it is time to invest in our youth to change those statistics and t.o make things better for them and our city. There is no one coming here and no one building here and sitting around hoping it changes will not make something happen we have done that for the past 30 years. Mayor McClendon said as a sign of unity he is asking for a motion to table the next three ordinances indefinitely. Mayor McClendon said he wants to work in accord with his council and the citizens of West Memphis to come to a resolve but will revisit it in May if they cannot come up something. Councilor Monday made the motion seconded by Councilor Murray to table the next three ordinance indefinitely. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to Table Indefinitely 3rd READING OF AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY OF A ONE -FOURTH OF ONE PERCENT (.25%) SALES AND USE TAX WITHIN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS; AND PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS PERTAINING THERETO Councilor Monday made the motion seconded by Councilor Murray to table the ordinance indefinitely. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to Table Indefinitely. 3rd READING OF AN ORDINANCE CALLING A SPECAL ELECTION IN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS THE QUESTION OF LEVYING A CITY WIDE ONE FOURTH OF ONE PERCENT (0.25) SALES AND USE TAX; AND PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS PERTAINING THERETO (TABLED OCTOBER 7, 2021) Councilor Monday made the motion seconded by Councilor Murray to table the ordinance indefinitely. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to Table Indefinitely. 3rd READING OF AN ORDINANCE CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS ON THE QUESTIONS OF ISSUING BONDS UNDER AMENDMENT NO. 62 TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING ALL OR A PORTION OF THE COSTS OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS; LEVYING A NEW THREE-FOURTHS OF ONE PERCENT (0.75%) SALES AND USE TAX FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETIRING SUCH BONDS; AND PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS PERTAINING THERETO Councilor Monday made the motion seconded by Councilor Murray to table the ordinance indefinitely. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to Table Indefinitely. NEW BUSINESS NONE PRESENTATIONS: NONE COMMITTEE REPORTS: UTILITY COMMISSION: Councilor Croom presented the Utility Commission report. The Utility Commission met on November 10, 2021, Safety Director, Mr. Brett Sims presented the safety report. There have been 14 days since the recordable injury and 749 days since the last lost time injury. There were 4 injuries reported in the month of October. There were no new hires and one voluntary resignation for the month of September. The utility department currently has 18 open positions out of 83 budgeted positions. The commission voted on unanimously to assist with helping to purchase a drone. They also voted unanimously on salary adjustments and approval of the 2022 Budget. The Commission approved the 2019 write-offs in the amount of$239,117.75. I CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Councilor Croom presented the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce Repot. The West Memphis Chamber met on November 10th, 2021, Mayor McClendon presented updates for business and detailed administrative accomplishments and goals for the new year. The Chamber will be welcoming 10 new directors at the December meeting. The Chamber staff recently helped coordinate the City's Veteran Parade which was a huge success and are currently coordinating the Christmas Parade scheduled for December 7th, 2021.The Parade will start at 7:00 p.m. Anyone interested in being in the parade should contact the Chamber of Commerce. AIRPORT COMMISSION: Councilor Wheeless presented the Airport Commission report. Hangar#3 rehab is complete pending final city inspection. The commission approved extending Garver Engineers contract for 2 more years. The 2022 budget was approved as presented. The airport received an FAA grant for a new beacon. There has been an increase in cost of$20,000 from the time that the project was bid out until receiving FAA approval for the project. The commission approved splitting the cost 50/50 up to $10,000 of the overage of the cost of the beacon with Broadway Electric. FIRE COMMISSION: Councilor Harris presented the Fire Commission report. The Fire Commission met on Tuesday, November 16th, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. The fire department hired 3 new fire fighters 2 fire fighters are in AFA school there are no vacancies on the fire side and 8 vacancies on the pandemic side and 2 Firefighters retired last month. The fire department finally received the 2021 order of turnout gear for the year, and we are now in the process being measured for the 2022 year. The EMS calls year to date are $3,698 and the EMS collections year to date are $391,173.28. The 2022 proposed fire department budget has been submitted. The Commission discussed the Updates Emergency Operation Plan, Updating the SOP's (Standards Operation Procedures), New Training Facility, talks with the Superintendent concerning the Jr. firefighter program and talks concerning the High - rise strategies and tactics for Southland Casino. PARKS DEPARTMENT: Councilor Mohammed presented the Parks Commission report. There were no new financials. The Parks Commission budget has been submitted with a slight increase in in services and labor. Tori is managing the capital budget and once the numbers are finalized a copy will be given to each council member. The renderings for the new sign to be placed at the Sony Weems Basketball court were distributed. Due to weather conditions painting of the court and Franklin Park has been delayed. The lights at Franklin Field will be added to the Parks Capital improvement projects for next year. The utility Department has agreed to do the work if they supply fixtures, wiring, cross trellises, to complete the upgrades. Parks Director, Lorenzo Parker spoke with LR Jackson Activity Director, Billy Hayes and commission members about usage and needs for the field and lights a meeting will be scheduled after the center completes their basketball season and begin their baseball and softball season. There have been no updates on the contracts for the architects on the bond renovation plan. The trout fishing program will begin at Tilden Rogers once the ambient temperature of the lake is below 53 degrees This will ensure the survival of the trout that is being furnished and stocked by the states game, fish, and wildlife department. The A & P Department has begun decorating Worthington Park for the Annual Christmas Lighting Program. A date will be announced when the official tree lighting will occur. The West Memphis Christian High School has concluded playing their Fall Girls softball schedule. The Crittenden County Boy's and Girls Club have concluded their fall soccer schedule. The Adult League Softball is currently playing games at the Marion Rose softball complex and the Academies of West Memphis has begun practicing for the spring baseball season. The Miracle League has concluded their season at the Adaptive Sports Field at Tilden Rogers Park. A meeting has been scheduled for 11/29/21 with the Arkansas USSSA State Director, Trey Tucker, and owner of the Southeast Sports Productions to host tournaments at Tilden Rogers Park next year. USSSA State Director, Clay Richie is wanting to meet to discuss hosting tournament at Tilden Rodgers Park next year. Parks Director, Lorenzo Parker gave Marion High School a verbal agreement to partner with Marion High School and allow usage of the High School Field at Tilden Rodgers so that Marion high School could submit a bid to host the 6A State baseball Tournament in May of 2022. BUDGET: Councilor Catt said that council, city treasurer and city clerk have been presented with copies of the September 30, 2021, Revenue verses Expenses report. Councilor Catt apologized for the delay in getting the information to council and said they would be giving council some time to review the information so that they could ask any question that they might have. A copy of the 2022 budget handout is in the council's packet and budget meetings with the department heads will begin Monday November 22, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. CITY TREASURER: City Treasurer, Charlie Suiter said they just received the data on the city financials, and they will have a report ready in a week or so during the budget meetings and will present it to the public at the next scheduled council meeting on December 2, 2021. APPOINTMENTS: NONE PRESENTATIONS: NONE ANNOUNCEMENTS: City Clerk, James Pulliaum thanked everyone that came out to make the West Memphis Veterans Day a success. City Clerk, James Pulliaum said that he has had the opportunity to have a discussion with the Mayor regarding the men and women on our police force, fire department, and EMS and when you look at the amount they are paid hourly for the job that do and type of training they are required to undergo, he feels that it is vitally important to sit down with council and the finance department and try and find ways to increase those salary's. He said it would be a way to boost morale and retention. He did not feel that the current starting wage of $14.00 per hour and $15.00 per hour with experience was not enough. He also felt that dispatchers should be considered for a salary increase because they are the lifeline of the emergency services Mayor McClendon said he is in full agreement with City Clerk, James Pulliaum recommendations. Mayor McClendon said they have already been working on some things to try and find the money to increase ways the police, fire department and EMS salaries. The mayor said that is why when he spoke on the subject, he became emotional and that it hurts him when he hears about people speaking against his police officers, firefighters, and paramedics because they put their lives on the lives each day. Mayor McClendon acknowledged that there are some things and actions that they need to address and take corrective action on. Councilor Mondy said that he toured the police station and said that the police station is in poor condition there is water leaking in the building and causing mold, and they need a new station. CVB Director, Jim Jackson announced that the Christmas Tree Lighting event will be Tuesday November 23, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. at Worthington Park CITIZENS REQUEST: NONE Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Mondy made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to adjourn. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this 2nd day of December 2021. '� MARCO MCCLENDON, MAYOR ATTEST J S PULL UM ITY CLERK Minutes prepared by, Patricia Lane, Sr. Deputy City Clerk