08/18/2022 •
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MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
August 18, 2022
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, August 18,
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. 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 Treasurer Charlie Suiter Jr., City Attorney Michael Stephenson, —
City Clerk, James Pulliaum; and Councilors: Tracy Catt, Wayne Croom, Helen Harris,
James Holt, Melanie Hutchinson, Lorraine Mohammed, David Murray, Willis Mondy,
and Charles Wheeless. Absent was Councilor Gheric Bruce. Also present was Finance
Director, Tori Perry. Evening Times Reporter, David Wilbur was present. Quorum being
present Mayor, Marco'McClendon proceeded with the meeting.
BID OPEINING:
A& P COMMISSION CHRISTMAS DECORATION- MR. JIM JACKSON
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Council Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Murray to accept the bids as
presented and to refer them back to administration for distribution. Upon voice vote,
voting was unanimous.
MINUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF AUGUST 4, 2022
Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Murray to.dispense with the
reading of the minutes of the August 4, 2022, council meeting and to approve them as
submitted. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS: NONE '
NEW BUSINESS: •
Councilor Mohammed made the motion, seconded by Councilor Catt to read R-1, R-2,
and 0-1 by title only. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous.
R-1_, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO SELL THE
PROPERTY AT 502 N. 11TH STREET, FOR THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED
DOLLARS ($3,200.00), AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
• City Attorney Stephenson read the resolution by title only. Councilor Catt made the
motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to approver the resolution. There being no
discussion. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. The resolution was adopted and
assigned No. 2273.
R-2 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A REVISION TO THE 2021 BUDGET.
City Attorney Stephenson read the resolution by title only. Councilor Harris made the
motion, seconded by Councilor Murray to approve the resolution. There being no
discussion. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. The resolution.was adopted and
assigned No. 2274.
0-1 AN ORDINANCE 'WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR THE REPAIR OF
PUMP NO. 3 AT THE WEST MEMPHIS FLOOD PUMPING STATION AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSESr
• City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time. Councilor
Mohammed made the motion, seconded by Councilor Harris to suspend the rule , and
place the ordinance on the second reading. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous, City
Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the SECOND time. Councilor
Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Mohammed to further suspend the rules,
and place the ordinance:on it third reading. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous.
City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the THIRD and FINAL
time. Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to approve the
ordinance. There being no discussion. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to
approve. The ordinance was adopted and assigned NO. 2611.
•
PERMISSION REQUEST:
PERMISSION TO PAY THE IRS $25,219.32
Councilor Mohammed made the motion, seconded by Councilor Murray to give Finance
Director, Tori Perry permission to pay the IRS $25,219.32. There being no discussion.
Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous.
PERMISSION TO ADD THE DISTRIBUTION OF COUNCILOR DAVID MURRAY'S
CHARITY DAY MONEY TO THE AGENDA.
Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Hutchinson to add the
distribution of Councilor David Murrays Charity Day Funds to the agenda. Upon voice
vote, voting was unanimous .
Councilor David Murray would like to donate$500.00 to the Promoting Change Through
Involvement Organization and the balance of $646.20 to Wonder City Boys and Girls
Club. Finance Director Tori Perry asked for Councilor Murray to provide her with a copy
of their 501-3C. Councilor Murray said he would get it for her. Councilor Catt made the
motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to approve. Upon voice vote, voting was
unanimous.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: •
UTILITY COMMISSION: Councilor David Murray presented the Utility Commission
report. The Utility Commission met on August 11, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. Safety Report-
There has been 67 days without a lost time injury, 56 days since last recordable injury,
and 0 recordable for the month of July. Personnel Report-There were no new hires and
1 voluntary resignation for the month of July. The Utility Department currently has 8
open,positions out of 79 budgeted positions. General Manager,Todd Pedersen presented
the Write- offs for 2020. The amount of, accounts pending Write-Off is $200,356.00
dollars. The commission unanimously approved the right offs. General Manager, Todd
Pedersen presented the review of the 2021. Audit, the results of the 2021 Audit was
unanimously approved by the commission. General Manager Todd Pedersen recognized
Casey Collins for 30 years of service with the West Memphis Utility Department.
FIRE COMMISSION: Councilor Mohammed presented the Fire Commission
report. The Fire Commission met on August 16, 2022. The commission did not have a
quorum starting.off. Chief Ealy discussed the strategy for reducing over time and gave
the commissioners a comparison sheet of the overtime pay from the previous year. Chief
Ealy gave the council an explanation of the information presented. Chief Ealy said when
the current administration took office one of the things that he and Chief Clay
recognized was that overtime was out of control and was trending toward one million
dollars in overtime spending. Chief Clay said after studying the budget he realized that
they had Captains making over $100,000.00 a year due to overtime pay. Chief Ealy said
he does not have a problem with Captains making overtime, but he does have a problem
with Captains working overtime with entry level.responsibilities. Chief Ealy said what
they determined is if they had a Lieutenant or a hose man it would be $300.00 a shift .
for one person to occupy that entry level position that would $300.00 dollars times 365
days that would be$110,000 dollars andwould be a substantial saving to the city. Chief
Ealy said what they are proposing to do is to determine if they need a Captain, they will
call a Captain or if they need a Lieutenant, they will call a Lieutenant or if they only
need a hose man they will call a hose man, by doing that they will reduce the overtime
pay significantly.The other thing they realized is that there was a lot of sick leave abuse,
and the cities sick leave policy was not being enforced. They have now reviewed the sick
leave policy with their staff and made them aware that they are required to provide a
doctor's excuse if they miss three or more days upon returning to work per the city sick
leave policy. Chief Ealy said this time last year the department had spent $326,000.00
thousand dollars in overtime but as a result of implementing the new changes in
overtime six months into the year the department has spent approximately $100,000
00 thousand dollars in overtime which is a $230,000.00 thousand dollar saving in
overtime pay. Chief Ealy said if they continue this trend, they will probably save
$500,000.00 thousand dollars in overtime pay this year. Councilor Mohammed said the
commission also discussed the need to.have the fire hydrants operational. Councilor
Catt said the fire department went out in January and made an extensive list and gave
it to the Utility Department there were approximately 50 hydrants and most of those
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have been repaired. Councilor Catt is scheduled to meet with Utility Manger, Todd
Pedersen in the upcoming week to get an update and they will be looking at setting up
a routine inspection schedule to ensure that the hydrants are maintained going forward.
Chief Ealy said the West,Memphis Fire Department is one of four fire departments in
Arkansas to have an ISO rating of' 1', 40% of that rating is ensuring that the cities
hydrants are operational. Councilor Mohammed said she would also like to see the
hydrants painted: Mayor McClendon said as soon'as the hydrants are repaired, he has
already looked into having them painted. —
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: Councilor Wheele'ss presented the Personnel Committee
report. The Personnel Committee met on August 10, 2022; The City Health &Wellness
Fair will be held on October 20, 2022, at the Eugene Woods Civic Center from 11:00
a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Flu shot will be given for free and Health Care providers will also be
available. •
APPOINTMENTS: NONE
PRESENTATIONS: NONE
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
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Mayor McClendon asked if the insurance committee could meet Tuesday August 23,
2022, at 12:00 p.m. to have an insurance committee meeting. The mayor said he
received some good news from the insurance agent. Cigna is proposing that if the city
opts not to bid out the insurance, they will only increase the insurance by a 2%increase.
The mayor said they will bring it back before council for their approval once they get all
the information for their approval, if they think it would be beneficial for the city.
Mayor McClendon said that the city received a 1.million dollar grant from the Arkansas
Water Way and,a 1 million dollar grant from the Port Security grant which has a 25%
match and after speaking with Emergency Management Director, Dewayne Rose and
City Finance Director, Tori Perry they can use that money to pay for the AWIN system.
111 Ms. Perry explained that the grant was submitted to pay for some of the equipment and
there are two parts to it, they can use'some of the money to prepay for some of the
equipment which will lesson the amount for the lease payment, or they can put it
towards the first lease payment next year. Mayor McClendon said they will continue to
look for more grants.
City Clerk, James Pulliaum announced the passing of Ms. Ethel Pratt who was a pillar
in the community and activist and served on the Quorum Court. Ms. Pratt's Homegoing
will be Saturday, August 20, 2022, at Pilgrim Rest Church.
CITIZEN REQUEST:
Serena Curtis President of Curtis Construction located at 300 N Missouri Street West
Memphis Arkansas came before council to ask for their approval to keep her sign for
her new business. Ms. Curtis said her request was denied for the right to keep her sign
where her base is at her new office located at 300 N. Missouri Street from her previous
business address located at 903'Missouri Street. Ms. Curtis said she did not build the
sign base without following the proper procedures. Ms. Curtis said she went through —
Planning & Development and was given instruction, on what the ordinances are
concerning signs and,when she went to her new sight, she realized that 15 feet from the
edge of the city side walk was too much for her.building being that it is located where it
is and if she was to put the sign 15 feet it would be to close .to the entrance of her
building and limits the visibility of her'Company earning revenue. Ms. Curtis said that
she discussed her issues concerning the requirements with Planning & Development
Director, Paul Luker and he told her to follow up with City Engineer,Amanda Hicks who
checked google maps and informed Ms. Curtis that she just had to be 6 feet from the
edge of the city sidewalk and suggested that she follow-up with the Arkansas Highway
Department to ask for their recommendations. Ms. Curtis .said she contacted the
Arkansas Highway Department and spoke with Mr. Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson informed
her that so long as she was behind their right-a-way sign that she would be fine. Ms.
Curtis said that she did not take it upon herself to just put it up and called herself
following the rules and procedures that city officials gave her. Ms. Curtis said that she
is also requesting that the sign base remain where it is at because there is another
business that has a similar sign less than a block away and it is only 18 inches from
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the edge of the city sidewalk while her sign is 6 feet as suggested by the City Engineer,
Amanda Hicks, where she said she could put her sign. The other sign is just as big as
her sign and the business that has the sign is another contractor's sign. Ms. Curtis said
she is not coming before council to throw anyone under the bus but is asking to be
treated fairly. Ms. Curtis said she has been in business over 20 years and financially
the Covid-19 pandemic has hit the construction market hard, and it has been difficult.
Ms. Curtis said her company builds hospitals and commercial buildings and it has been
a difficult market to work in especially with the cost of materials. Ms. Curtis does not
want to spend additional money to move it especially since a competitor in the same
business has been allowed to have his sign 18 inches from the edge of the city sidewalk.
Ms. Curtis said the sign is not installed yet, but the base of the sign is already in place
and all other signage will be removed. Councilor Mohammed made a motion, seconded
by Councilor Murray that Curtis Construction be allowed to, keep her sign. Discussion
followed; City Treasurer, Charlie Suiter Jr, said the issue is that the sign blocks the view •
pulling out into traffic and they have offered Ms. Curtis a compromise. City Treasurer
Suiter Jr said the reason the City Engineer, Amanda Hicks was brought in was to
establish the right-away and it should have brought back to DRC. City Treasurer Suiter
Jr feels that it will be a liability. Councilor Catt said that is what his issue is and that
they have to have a process for working things out and asked before council voted, to
drive by and look at both signs and see if eighter sign does affect their view, he believes
that some of it depends on what type of vehicle a person is driving and there is a unique
problem with telephone poles and other signage. Councilor Catt is asking the other
council members to look at all the factors and safety issues:and then come back with
their decision, since it could possibly result is some legal issues for the city as well as
Ms. Curtis if someone was to have an accident because their view was obstructed. Once
they have all the facts then they can come back and give Ms. Curtis their honest opinion. .
City Clerk, James Pulliaum said that when a person comes in to pull a permit, they can
only go on what the city staff have told them and when you look at it. Ms. Curtis followed
the staffs suggestions.'City Clerk, James Pulliaum said you can see the other side as
well, but you have to be fair. Councilor Croom asked if they could revisit her request
after they get a chance to speak with Planning &Development Director, Paul Luker and
City Engineer,Amanda Hicks to get their input. Ms. Curtis said she has been here three
times waiting for a decision and she has not been able to open her office due to being
busy building a hospital and issues with the electrical and gas line and she would like
to get her building open before winter, as well as to her knowledge the other sign at the
competitors building is not even permitted according to the information that she was
given at the last meeting. Ms. Curtis said it.has been one obstacle after another that she
has had to go through..City Treasurer Charlie Suiter Jr said that Ms. Curtis's sign was
not permitted. Ms. Curtis said that it has been two years since she started this process
and does not recall if she pulled a permit or not but reiterated that she has met with
Mr. Luker and Ms. Hicks and did what was recommended. City Attorney Stephenson
said in his opinion in reference to the sign that is south of Ms. Curtis building on the
corner what needs to be determined first before any decision is made or a•vote is taken
in regard to the other sign is to determine if it was grandfathered in. City Attorney
Stephenson said it is his understanding that it was grandfathered in although it was
modified which you can do. City Attorney Stephenson said he does not know the exact •
circumstances of the sign and said that the people that might know are not in the
council chamber to ask but believes that it does cause a problem with liability if they
allow a sign to be put there that is not according to the ordinances that they have
written, City Attorney Stephenson said the city and Ms. Curtis could be open to liability
should there be an accident.Attorney Stephenson said council needs to look at it before
they vote. City Attorney Stephenson said he would like answers before council makes a
hasty decision. There being no further discussion. Mayor McClendon asked for a roll
call vote. City Clerk, James Pulliaum called the roll. The roll call vote was as follows:
YES Harris, Hutchinson, Mohammed Mondy, Murray, Wheeless
NO: Catt, Croom, Holt •
Abstention: None
Absent: Bruce
With 6 yes votes, 3 No votes, 0 Abstention votes and 1 Absent vote the motion to allow
Curtis Construction to keep her sign passed.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Mohammed made
the motion, seconded by Councilor Catt to adjourn. Upon voice vote, voting was
unanimous to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this 1st day of September 2022.
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(/‘-e:
• CO MCCLENDON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
J d ES P i LLIAUM', RK
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Minutes prepared by, Patricia Lane, Sr. Deputy City Clerk
Patricia Lane
From: Janice Coleman
Sent: Wednesday,August 24, 2022 3:20 PM
To: Patricia Lane
Cc: Tammy Anderson;Treshauna Lark; Marco McClendon
Subject: Medical Insurance - CIGNA
Good afternoon,
I hope all is well. I would like for Matthew Glass to present an insurance report, including a 2% increase to the city
council for CIGNA's medical insurance at the next council meeting(September 1, 2022). If there is anything additional
that you need from me please let me know.
Respectfully,
Janice Coleman
HR Director—City of West Memphis
604 E. Cooper Avenue
West Memphis, AR 72301
870-702-5121 Office
800-566-7409 Fax
icoleman@westmemphisar.gov
4tECEIVED
Clerk'
L77,7rn
Cigna.
Cigna Healthcare Financial Exhibit for: Draft
City of West Memphis
Effective Date:January01,2023
Renewal
acibrieffEBEV r r-
Open Access Plus
$5000 deductible
Plan Offering Dual Option
Plan Name Copy of OAMC plan$5000 deductible
Situs AR
OAP(AROAPD?AROAPF:AROAf H,AROOP_I AROAPQ MO PG MSOAPA.t51SOAPD:
' Subscribers " Members, GuirentRnte Renewal Rcte` Month h BERedt i�
I /ro - An oust, YP!
Employee _ � 281 $597.00 $609.75 $171,340.23 2.005%
Emp,+Family. 68 $1,591.71 $1,623.54 $110,400.82 2.00 0
Monthly Billed Amount_.°",` 77r3a9 507 _. _• _ — '412811,74105 .__._
Included in the proposed Monthly Billed
Amount is the Benefit Advisor Fee which is
not part of the monthly premium.
Acct#:0635085/0P-5193855/Q1/3096342 Page 1 of 1 8/26/2022 10:49 AM
-041 *
* h
. AmFirst Insurance Company
, -
August 24,2022
City Of West Memphis
Attn: Janice Coleman
604 E Cooper Ave
West Memphis,AR 72301
RE:AmFirst Premium Saver Renewal#CPY-713
We welcome this opportunity to acknowledge and thank you for your 12-month contract with AmFirst Insurance
Company. This renewal letter should be kept with your contract documents and serves as an amendment to your
AmFirst contract.
Your contract renewal period is 1/01/2023 through 12/31/2023.
CURRENT RATES RENEWAL RATES
Participant: $55.31 $55.31
Plus Spouse: $121.00 $121.00
Plus Child(ren): $106.30 $ 106.30
Family: $ 171.24 $171.24
If due to the effects of the Affordable Care Act you find it necessary to switch to a different major medical plan,
please ask your agent to contact us.We will be glad to design a new Premium Saver plan that will fit your plan
and: •Save Premium •Maintain Benefits •Comply with ACA
Current Benefits
Benefit $4,000
Deductible $1,000
Co-insurance 20%to$2,900
The above rates and benefits are valid with the major medical carrier and plan design listed on the employer application.
Any changes to the major medical carrier or plan design render this renewal invalid.
To renew your contract for one year,please sign below and return to us by 12/15/2022. If we do not receive a
confirmation or declination,the renewal rates and benefits will automatically be updated on your renewal date.
Signature/Title Date
Your continued confidence in AmFirst Insurance Company is appreciated. We are proud of our association with you
and look forward to a long and mutually successful relationship in the future.
Sincerely,
David R.White
President,CEO
cc; MATTHEW GLASS
P.O. Box 16708 • Jackson, MS 39236 • (888)859-3795
Patricia Lane
From: Amanda Hicks
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2022 1:37 PM
To: Patricia Lane
Subject: Please apply to September 1, 2022 City Council Agenda
Attachments: striping bid.pdf
r
Amanda Hicks
City Engineer/MPO Director
City of West Memphis
203 S. Avalon
West Memphis, AR
72301
(870)-702-5109
(870)-636-5411
: �r�� ''f,,. WEST MEMPHIS AREA
çMPO
etro Metropolitan PlanningOrganization
p 9
RECEIVED
ByL.,At rl..rlr i4
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BID PROPOSAL
2022 Pavement Marking Project (Streets)
City of West Memphis, Arkansas
ITEM ESTIMATED UNIT BID
NO UNITS. ITEM DESCRIPTION QUANTITIES PRICE BID AMOUNT
Painted 4" Reflective
1 L.F. 109,149
Solid White Line " VI' a 5-9.
Painted 4" Reflective
2 L.F.
Solid Ye 68,051 9-0 27 2 zo. yo„
llow Line
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Painted 4" Reflective
2 L.F. 14,939 0 9 7 "
Skipped White Line
Painted 4" Reflective
2 L.F. 33,206 v0. a 2,8z. yo
Skipped Yellow Line
Painted 24" Reflective
3 L.F. 21 7. 0,0 1 v.7. 0 0 White Line '
•
6 Each Painted Reflective Arrow 3 75: 6 0
7 Each Painted Reflective "RXR" 8 Y oo- 31oo 00
Total Bid:i gy DO
Submitted by: —S&- Z-hor
Company Name: -77-4F-- 4144e- L
Address: Z 8 o 444Ami .4v4/1•16
Street
iePex 79. , ,ie0/7
'City/State/Zip Code _
Signature: 4.441
Printed Name and Title: gzrr 747,0)z... lire& vL ,egie.vje,./r
Arkansas Contractors License Number: coo 7z2.305-Z3'
,
RECEIV
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