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01/20/2022 PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES AGENDA WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 20,2022 PRAYER: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: V F W CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL: BID OPENINGS: tMINUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF JANUARY 6,2022 OLD BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: PERMISSION REQUEST: COMMITTEE REPORTS: APPOINTMENTS: REAPPOINT TO A&P COMMISSION-SHAWNA RHINEHART BY JIM JACKSON PRESENTATIONS: MAYOR MCCLENDON-AKA,DELTA,AND ZETA SORORITIES ANNOUNCEMENTS: MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL January 20,2022 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, January 20,2022, 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. r 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, LCharlie Suiter Jr., City Clerk, James Pulliaum Councilors: Tracy Catt, Wayne Croom, Helen Harris, James Holt, Lorraine Mohammed, Willis Mondy, David Murray and. Charles Wheeless. Absent were Councilors Gheric Bruce and Melanie Hutchinson. Quorum being present Mayor, Marco McClendon proceeded with the meeting. BID OPENING: NONE MUNUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF JANUARY 6, 2022 Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Croom to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the January 6,2022 council meeting and to approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. OLD BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE RECOMMENDATION 1 Councilor Harris made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to add the recommendation from Lthe Arkansas Municipal league Lawyers to the agenda. Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous. City Attorney Stephenson presented the recommendation from the Arkansas municipal League regarding a situation where he will need some action from the City Council on a lawsuit that has been filed against the West Memphis Police Department and Police Chief and one Police Officer in particular. The Arkansas Municipal League is overseeing the case and will be providing coverage. The Arkansas Municipal League will cover 90% and the city will be responsible for 10% of the judgement or settlement. City Attorney Stephenson said in the settlement discussion between the Municipal league lawyers and the plaintiff's lawyer, the plaintiff lawyer has made a demand of $60,000. The Municipal League lawyer is recommending that council reject the demand and make a counteroffer of$5,000. City Attorney Stephenson said that no medical information has not been submitted at this time but could be potentially submitted later should they choose to accept or reject the offer of $5,000 which he fully expects them to, and litigation would continue and if so, he would have to present their demand back to council for consideration so long as they make a reasonable request. The Municipal Lawyers are asking that council approve or reject the recommendation made by the Arkansas Municipal League Lawyer. There being no discussion. Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to accept the Arkansas Municipal League Lawyers recommendations. Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous. PERMISSION REQUEST: NONE COMMITTEE REPORTS: POLICE COMMISSION: Councilor Murray presented the Police Commission report and passed out copies to all the council members. The Police Commission met on January 3, 2022, the highlights from the meeting were the commission discussed reinstating "Shop with A Cop" Reinstituting the "Violent Crime Suppression Unit. Joel Johnson was hired for the position of Information Technology. Lt. Gardner and Officer Hightower will supervise the training staff. 9 recruits will receive an additional 5 weeks of training. There were two promotions Major Taylor and Captain Hall. Major Taylor will oversee the Special Response Team & Narcotics. The Patrol Division had 3 new hires and there are 4 pending with 19 slots to be filled. There are 8 dispatchers with 7 pending positions Lt. Kennedy will be over Dispatch, Evidence and Records. The commission also discussed short term goals to rebuild the police patrol division and dispatch and providing HR classes for supervisors and patrol going to bid shifts. The commission also discussed the radio system upgrade. Emergency Management Director, Derrick Rose is looking for grant funding UTILITY COMMISSION: Councilor David Murray presented the Utility Commission report. The West Memphis Utility Commission met on January 13, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. Safety Director Brett Sims reported that there were 70 days since last recordable, 813 days since last lost time injury and 5 recordable injuries for the year 2021.There were no new hires and no resignations for the month of December.The Utility department currently has 13 open positions out of 79 budgeted positions. Assistant manager Ward Wimbish presented the Broadband Feasibility Draft Study report. Mr. Wimbish gave an update on the west Memphis residential phone survey questionnaire. He reported that 34%of people worked from home and 30% reported that it was not enough broadband to work from home. 70% reported they would change service if offered a competitive price. AIRPORT COMISSION: Mayor McClendon presented the Airport Commission Report submitted by Airport Director, Candra Suiter. The Airport Commission met on January 20, 2022, at 8:40 a.m. The Apron striping Rehab grant was approved yesterday at the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics meeting. It will be 90/10 grant. The contractor is waiting on materials to get started on the Beacon replacement project. He is hoping to get started on the groundwork in March. City Treasurer, Charlie Suiter Jr. said that the cost for the Apron striping would be $55,000 the grant would cover 90% of the cost and the city would pay 10%. The Beacon replacement is a combined design phase and would cost $375,000. PARKS COMMISSION: Councilor Mohammed presented the Parks Commission minutes. The Parks Commission met on January 11, 2022,The Parks Department is in the process of planting rye grass on both high school athletic fields to ensure that they are operational for the spring The backstop and netting will need repaired and or replaced before the season starts.All playgrounds will need the impact surfacing replaced to meet APA standard compliance The signed Architect contracts have been forwarded to the architects and Parks Director, Lorenzo Parker will coordinate a working meeting with everyone involved to move the Parks Bond issue forward in the upcoming weeks.Trout Fishing program has begun, and the State Game Fish and Wildlife Department has tagged several fish for a contest that will result in prizes for any person that catches one of the tagged fish. Details will be posted on the city's website and the Arkansas Game and Fish website. Crittenden County Boy's and Girl's Club will begin its Spring soccer season at Tilden Rodgers Park. The department will assist with field preparation as well as maintenance and upkeep of soccer equipment. APPOINTMENTS: Mayor McClendon received a request from the Convention Bureau Director, Jim Jackson requesting that Ms. Shawna Rhinehart be reappointed to the A & P Commission with her term to expire December 31, 2025. Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Holt to approve the reappointment of Ms. Rhinehart to the Advertising & Promotion Commission. Upon voice vote voting was unanimous. PRESENTATIONS: Mayor McClendon recognized three organizations that have continued to provide community service to the City of West Memphis community throughout the years who are all celebrating Founders Day. Mayor McClendon honored The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc for 102 years of Steller service to the community. Zeta Phi Beta Inc was founded on January 16, 1920, for their core values of scholarships, service, sister love and woman hood and their commitment to the community. Mayor McClendon honored the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc for their 109 years of Public Service. The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc was founded on January 13, 1913, by 22 colligate women at Howard University to promote academic excellence and to aid those in need and are committed to public service with a focus on sustaining growth and development of the African American community. Mayor McClendon honored the Alpha Kapa Alpha Sorority Inc for their 114 years of excellence in the social advocacy and the empowerment of African American Women through the enhancement of social economic education and wellbeing of its members and the community to thrive in higher education and for their focus and commitment to the community and others. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor McClendon announced that the funeral for Honorable Mayor Leo Chitman will be January 22, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the West Memphis Auditorium and asked council to attend. Councilor Holt thanked Utility Director Todd Pedersen and his staff for the good job they did during the increment weather to get the utilities on. City Clerk James Pulliaum asked for the commissions to turn in their commission meeting schedules for 2022, to the clerk's office. City Treasurer Charlie Suiter said the November financial data would be available for council at the next meeting. CITIZENS REQUEST: Mr. Roderick Brown a resident of 7840 Pyramid Place Memphis,TN 38132 came before Council to request an Application of Public Convenience to operate a non-emergency medical transportation business in the City of West Memphis. was not present at the January 6, 2022, council meeting to get councils decision. He will be added to the February 3,2022,agenda Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Wheeless made the motion, seconded by Councilor Murray to adjourn. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this 3rd day of February 2022. "Ig MAR CO MCCLENDON, MAYOR ATTEST: JAMES' ULLIAUM, CITY ERK Minutes prepared by, Patricia Lane, Sr. Deputy City Clerk L