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06/02/2022 j% MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL June 2, 2022 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at 1:00 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 1:00 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: Gheric Bruce, Tracy Catt, Wayne Croom, Helen Harris, James Holt, Melanie Hutchinson, David Murray, Willis Mondy, and Charles Wheeless. Absent was Councilor Lorraine Mohammed. Also present was City Finance Director, Tori Perry and Evening Times Reporter, John Rech. Quorum being present Mayor, Marco McClendon proceeded with the meeting. Mayor McClendon recognized State Representative, Dr. Deborah Ferguson and congratulated her on her re-election and thanked her for all that she does for the City of West Memphis. BID OPENING: CDBG DEMOLITION BIDS FOR 2022 Mayor McClendon said they would be removing 809 E. Broadway from the bid list. Councilor Croom made a motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to accept the bids as presented and to refer them back to administration for distribution. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. MINUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF MAY 19, 2022 Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Murray to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the May 19, 2022, council meeting and to approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. Councilor Catt, made the motion, seconded by Councilor Holt to read 0-1 under old business and 0-1, 0-2, 0-3 and 0-4 under new business by title only. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS: 0-1 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTIONS 4 BENEFITS SUBTITLE: SICK LEAVE OF THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK OF THE CITY OF WEST I MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (TABLED ON MAY 19, 2022) City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance for the FIRST time by title only. Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless 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 Murray made the motion, seconded by Councilor Harris to further suspend the rules, and place the ordinance on the third reading. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance for the THIRD and FINAL time by title only. Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Hutchinson to approve the ordinance. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2604 NEW BUSINESS: 0-1 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING TORI PERRY, AS CITY FINANCE DIRECTOR, TO OPEN ONE NEW ACCOUNT AND TO AUTHORIZE TORI PERRY, TRACY CATT AND CHARLES SUITER, JR., TO BE THE AUTHORIZED SIGNERS ON THE NEW ACCOUNT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance for the FIRST time by title only Councilor Harris made the motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy 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 Murray made the motion, seconded by Councilor Harris to further suspend the rules, and place the 'ordinance on the third reading. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance for the THIRD and FINAL time by title only. Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to approve the ordinance. Mayor McClendon said the one million dollars was the largest amount ever awarded to a city and thanked Economic Director, Philip Sorrell, and Mallory Darby for their hard work. There being no further discussion: Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2605 0-2 AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO PURCHASE SERVICES FROM JEFFERY MIDDLEBROOK D/B/A BLUE LINE PRESSURE WASHING, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance for the FIRST time by title only Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Holt 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 Catt 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 Harris made the motion, seconded by Councilor Catt to approve the ordinance. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2606 0-3 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 4: BENEFITS, TO ADD SUBTITLE: MISCELLANEOUS EMPLOYEE REIMBURSEMENT OF THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance for the FIRST time by title only Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless 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 Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Murray to further suspend the rules, and place the ordinance on the third reading. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance for the THIRD and FINAL time by title only. Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to approve the ordinance. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2607 0-4 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 205 N. WALKER STREET, IN THE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL- CORE (11-C) DISTRICT City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance for the FIRST time by title only Councilor Harris made the motion, seconded by Councilor Murray 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 Catt 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 Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Holt to approve the ordinance. Discussion followed Councilor Mondy asked for an explanation of the ordinance. Planning & Development Director, Paul Luker explained this this was for Newberry Tanks that has been at the location for a long time, they purchased the old Dick Moore property and they are looking to expand but before they can expand they would need to go through the rezoning process and instead of doing a straight rezoning they are doing a planned development that would let them continue their tank service, but not anything else that would be heavy industrial, They are also going to market two pieces of property on Broadway for commercial, usage. As a biproduct of that they are going to give the whole property a face lift there will be some fencing that will protect Broadway from their tank activities, tree planting and landscaping. They have also purchased some property south of Walker Street where they have been working on getting rid of the old trailers, it is going to allow an existing business to expand and improve upon the esthetics on Broadway. Councilor Mondy asked if they would still be able to see the tanks. Mr. Luker said not as much, and screening will be put up to screen them somewhat from Broadway. Councilor Catt asked how the two properties that they plan to market will they be zoned. Mr. Luker said they will be commercial Downtown Mixed Use. There being no further discussion: Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2608 COMMITTEE REPORTS: BUDGET: Councilor Croom Budget Committee Report. The Budget Committee met on May 26, 2022. The budget committee reviewed the Tax Revenue from Southland Racing Casino which was a little over one million dollars which is down from May of 2021, the combined city and county tax revenue was up by from May 2021 at 1.1 million dollars Advertising & Promotion 3% tax was $ 175,000 up from May 2021. Finance Director, Tori Perry informed the Budget Committee that they put the cities Advertising & Promotions first quarter million-dollar CD in the bank. The utility commission presented their request to the budget committee for funding to update the city pumping station, the budget committee approved their request, and it will be presented to council for their approval for disposition. The budget committee also reviewed the funding for the repair and restoration of plumbing and air conditioning at the Roberta Jackson Neighborhood Center, it was approved by the budget committee and will be presented to council for disposition. All purchasing request for purchases • and or repairs over $25,000 which includes bids and funding request will be presented to the Budget Committee by Purchasing Director, Kenneth Johnson before being presented to council for approval. KEEP WEST MEMPHIS BEAUTIFUL: Councilor Wheeless presented the Keep West Memphis Beautiful report. The Keep West Memphis Beautiful cleanup date will be Saturday June 4, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Volunteers will meet at the Eugene Woods Civic Center at 212 Polk Street. All volunteers will receive free shirts while supplies last and dumpsters will be in all 5 wards where they were last year for residents to place trash. Councilor Bruce said that the number of overgrown lots has gotten out of control and the process in place is not working. Councilor Bruce said that council needs to get together and discuss some alternatives, even if it means having to go back to bidding some of the properties out to grass contractors. Councilor Bruce also said that the city is overran with junk cars especially in Ward 2, with one issue being car lots that park junk cars on sidewalks and impede pedestrians' ability to walk on the sidewalks. Councilor Bruce said the police department needs to start issuing citations. Councilor Harris said they are having the same issue in Ward 5 the police department is issuing tickets, but it is not being enforced. Councilor Wheeless said they are having the same problem in Ward 3. Councilor Bruce said they are also having a problem with loud music, and these are all examples of nuisance and blight and deters people from wanting to move to West Memphis. Councilor Bruce said that the Mayor Council Government is as team and that they need to work together to improve things although they might not always agree but they owe it to the citizens of West Memphis to put differences aside and come to a mutual agreement for the betterment of West Memphis and put all the animosity aside. Lastly Councilor Bruce spoke on the plans ' previously discussed to build a Fire Training Academy and asked that they not let that fall by the wayside and asked that the Fire Commission reopen the discussion and find a way to make it happen. Mayor McClendon announced that he would be traveling to Forest City at 2:30 p.m. He has been invited to the Rockefeller Foundation meeting where they will be giving away money for Infrastructure and other endeavors. Mayor McClendon said that he believes if you need you must ask and if there is any money to be given, he intends to ask for it, to bring it back to better West Memphis. APPOINTMENTS: NONE PRESENTATIONS: NONE PERMISSION REQUEST: Mayor McClendon asked for permission to add the Southland Charity Day money to the agenda. Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Hutchinson to approve adding the distribution of Charity Day funds to the agenda. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. Councilor Holt asked for permission to distribute $400.00 dollars of his Charity Day money to Families in Transition and $905.36 to Missouri Street Church of Christ. Councilor Mondy asked to give 2,607.36 to Wonder City Boys and Girls Club. Councilor Harris asked to give $652.68 to Wonder City Boys and Girls Club and $652.68 to LR Jackson Girls Club. Councilor Bruce asked to give $1305.36 to the Wonder City Boys and Girls Club. Councilor Wheeless asked to give $1,305.36 to Crittenden County Boys and Girls Club. Councilor Murray asked to give $652.68 to the Wonder City Boys and Girls Club and $652.68 to the LR Jackson girls club. Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Harris to approve. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor McClendon announced that the Fire Department would be hosting Fire Safety Day at Tilden Rogers Park Saturday June 4, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be bounce house, food trucks and more, music and fire training demos. On May 10, 2022, several City Council Members and the Mayor met to discuss the request from several organizations to utilize the Roberta Jackson Neighborhood Center. The decision made was as follows: Friday Saturday and Sunday the building will be available for rental for events at $150.00 for 4 hours and $250.00 for 6 hours the council will need to let the mayor know what type of events will be approved for rental of the building. The Council agreed to accept the East Arkansas Area of Aging proposal to rent additional space for an additional amount of $300.00 per month to expand on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Council also agreed to accept the proposal from Let's Read Program Monday through Thursday the Council and Mayor will get together to discuss the time that the building will be available. Councilor Catt asked to reintroduce the rental agreement that was previously in place to council for review. Councilor Catt said anyone wanting to lease the building would be subject to signing the lease agreement and going through a pre inspection and post inspection of the building and held accountable for cleaning and or repairs and consider hiring someone part time. The mayor said they are still working out some details before the building is available for rental for private engagements. • Mayor McClendon and Council and several staff members will be attending the Arkansas Municipal League Conference June 15, 2022, through June 17, 2022, in Little Rock, Arkansas Mayor McClendon asked for a motion to reschedule the June 16, 2022, Council meeting to June 23, 2022, at 5:00 p: m. Councilor Monday made the motion, seconded by Councilor Harris to change the June 16, 2022, Council Meeting to June 23, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous CITIZENS REQUEST: . .NONE Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to adjourn. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m. . PASSED and APPROVED this 23RD h day of June 2022. • . rGt ar � �'1J CO MCC NDON, MAYOR ATTEST: • . . • PULL , CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by, Patricia Lane, Sr. Deputy City Clerk