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08/04/2022 • MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL August 4, 2022 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, August 4, 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, Lorraine Mohammed, David Murray, Willis Mondy, and Charles Wheeless. Also present was Finance Director, Tori Perry. Evening Times Reporter, John Rech was not present. Quorum being present Mayor, Marco McClendon proceeded with the meeting. CDBG ROOFING REHIBILITATION-MARILYN,PHELIX (Tabled on August 4, 2022) WEST MEMPHIS 2022 OVERLAY & STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM-AMANDA HICKS WEST MEMPHIS UTILITIES- FLOOD PUMPING STATION CONTROL BUILDING- WARD WIMBISH Councilor Mohammed made the motion seconded by Councilor Mondy 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 JULY 21, 2022 • 111 Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Bruce to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the July 21, 2022, council meeting and to approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. OLD BUSINESS: ' NONE . Mayor McClendon asked council for permission to add the ordinance creating a question on the 2022 general Election Ballot for the qualified voters of West Memphis to transfer $2.3 million dollars and any other accumulated balance from the Crittenden County Jail and Detention Center,collected funds to now be allocated to the city of West Memphis general fund unrestricted, declaring an Emergency and for other purposes, and the distribution of.the Southland Charity Day Funds divided up between the mayor and council to the agenda. Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless to add the two items to the agenda. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. Councilor Croom asked if the Ordinance No. 2609 that was approved at the last Council Meeting that referenced this matter needed to be deleted. City Attorney Stephenson said no Section 6 states that all ordinances and parts thereof in conflict are herewith repealed to the extent of such conflict. They will just be giving it new number if it passes. NEW BUSINESS: AN ORDINANCE CREATING A QUESTION ON THE 2'022 GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT FOR THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF WEST MEMPHIS TO TRANSFER $2.3 MILLION DOLLARS AND ANY OTHER ACCUMALATED BALANCE FROM THE CRITTENDEN COUNTY JAIL AND DETENTION CENTER COLLECTED FUNDS TO NOW BE ALLOCATED TO THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS GENERAL FUND UNRESTRICTED, DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Councilor Mohammed made the motion, seconded by Councilor Bruce to read 0-1 by title only. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. • City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time. Councilor Bruce made the motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy to suspend the rules, 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 Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Wheeless 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 Bruce made the motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy to approve the ordinance. Mayor McClendon asked for a roll call vote. City Clerk,James Pulliaum called the roll. 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 votes, 0 No votes, 0Abstention votes and 0 Absent votes the ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2610 Councilor Bruce made the motion, seconded by Councilor Croom to approve the Emergency Clause in Section 7. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. The motion to' approve the Emergency Clause passed. PERMISSION REQUEST: • • • Mayor McClendon asked what council wishes were for the distribution of the Southland Charity Day Funds, and if they wanted to split the money evenly between the 4 Girls and Boys Clubs by the mayor and council. Councilor Bruce said that he would like to continue the distribution of the money as they have in the past. Councilor Croom seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. Councilor Catt wanted to clarify for the record that the money was the Youth Charity Day Money. Councilor Bruce made the motion, seconded by Councilor Harris to distribute the Youth Charity Day Money to the Youth Chanties. Upon voice vote voting was unanimous. The mayor asked for a motion for Charity Day money distribution by the mayor and council. Councilor Bruce made the motion, seconded by Councilor Murray. Upon voice vote 'voting was unanimous. • Mayor Marco McClendon asked Council for the approval to distribute $500.00 of his Charity Day money to Legacy of West Memphis. Councilor Mohammed asked Council for permission to distribute $1,000.00 of her Charity Day money to 7th Street Church of Christ Youth Department. Councilor Catt made the motion seconded by Councilor Murray to approve. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. COMMITTEE REPORTS: POLICE COMMISSION Councilor Murray presented the Police Commission report. The Police Commission met on August 1.;2022, at 12:05 p.m.The commission discussed having police presence at the intersection of Clement Road and Service Road for safety during peak hours, enforcing parking on streets and sidewalks violations, documenting repeat complaints and incidences. Currently'there are 78 out of 81 positions filled.There will be 2 or 3 candidates scheduled to attend the, academy in.September..All West Memphis Schools have School Resource Officers (SRO), Violent Crime Suppression Unit has been a great asset to the department. The department needs some'equipment and vehicles. They would like to see the Reserve Officer Unit brought back to handle misdemeanor matters. ' ADVERTISING & PROMOTION: Councilor Hutchinson presented the Advertising & Promotion report. CVB Director, Jim Jackson presented the Financial Report to the commissioners. The report showed collections for June in the amount of$232,376.52, which is an increase of 141% over last June and 61% over this time last year. Mr. Jackson reported that he purchased another CID two weeks ago to add to the two that A & P currently has and plans to purchase two more by the end of the year at $250,000.00 each. 23.97 % of the budget has been used. Mr. Jackson presented a . generic 3-day festival proposal idea with stock photos from Jim Carpenter and Associates. Mr. Jackson has also been in conversation with Mr. Abbot Widdicombe at Tom Sawyer's RV Park in regard to hosting a small event on the property that would accommodate two hundred people, the original location where the Levee has been developed on, this would be contingent on the weather due to the possibility of flooding. Mr. Jackson said he is still trying to finalize the projected project. Mr. Jackson said he has had conversations with MATA and MPO/City Engineer, Amanda Hicks regarding 111 MATA and plans are to schedule an upcoming meeting with all parties involved to discuss the project. Mr. Jackson reported when he spoke with Ladd Geary, Ladd stated he felt good with the numbers he presented with 25% spread, other than that. No changes have occurred since the last meeting. Mr. Jackson presented the ADA Compliance Audit to Mr. Roddy Geary for him to share it with the contractors, so that it can be bid out if necessary and taken care of properly. All doorknobs in Civic Center ' and Auditorium have been changed over to ADA compatible handles. PERSONNEL REPORT: Councilor Hutchinson presented the Personnel report. The Personnel Committee met on July 14, 2022. The committee discussed updating the tuition reimbursement policy and sick leave policy. The Health Fair is scheduled for October 13, 2022, Flu shots will be available at the health fair. They will be updating job descriptions August 3,2022 through August 5, 2022. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Councilor Mohammed presented the Public Works Report. The Public Works Committee met on Tuesday August 2, 2022. They did not have a quorum.present.They did discuss some matters that were presented to the committee. They discussed the Crisp Contractor's Overlay Bid and the request for proposals for the Master Storm Water Plan. No action could be taken at the time of the meeting for lack of a quorum. Councilor Mohammed asked all Public Works committee members to meet after the council meeting to discuss these matters. Councilor Mohammed presented the Fleet Report: Front End Loaders 3 operational none down, Rear End Loaders 4 operational none down, 1 Arm Bandits 2 operational none down and Grapple Trucks 5 operational nohe down. Public Works Report There were 10560/5.28 tons of recyclables and 1520 tires picked up. BUDGET.COMMITTEE: Wayne Croom presented the Budget Report. The Budget Committee met on July 21, 2022. At the time of the meeting the Tax Revenue for July for Southland Casino, City&County Tax receipts and Advertising&Promotion were not available, but the council received them today prior.to the council meeting. The committee also discussed ordinance 2609 regarding the 2.3 million a question on the 2022 general Election Ballot for the qualified voters of West Memphis to transfer $2.3 million dollars and any other accumulated balance from the Crittenden County Jail and Detention center collected funds to now be allocated to the city of West Memphis general fund unrestricted, declaring an emergency and for other purposes that has now been approved and assigned ordinance number 2610 to be put on the General Election Ballot for November 8, 2022. APPOINTMENTS: NONE PRESENTATIONS: NONE Mayor McClendon said last week he had the opportunity to spend some time with the Youth of Crittenden County at the Weems Week Razorback Tank Event that he was honored to able to be a part of. The mayor said that he realizes that the people see so much negativity regarding our youth, but there was so much positivity at this event. The mayor said what they had'was youth that actually live in our county that have started their own business that had the opportunity to present their business plans before a panel, and they did an excellent job articulating their plans. Mayor McClendon said he just wanted to recognize those youth that made it to council today and honor the individuals that headed this endeavor Mr.•Sonny Weems for everything that he does for the community of West Memphis and Ms. Tawana Smith for her work with the youth. Mr. Weems is an individual who grew up in Crittenden County played basketball for the Academics of West Memphis graduated and attended the University of Arkansas where he played basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks and was later drafted by the NBA in 2008. Mr. Weems has gone on to be successful in the world of sports and business but still finds the time to return to his childhood home to give back to his community. Mayor McClendon presented a plaque to Ms. De'Aria Rogers, Mijoy Gams. Adin Eslinger, • r • • Ta'Niyah Bailey, Ta'Nya Burnett , Christian Burnet, Macy Allen, Dakota Mills and Taylor Jackson. Mayor McClendon also presented Mr. Sonny Weems of the Sonny Weems Foundation with a certificate of appreciation for all the work he has done for the Crittenden County Community for over 20 years and acknowledge him for his unselfish dedication and support for the City of West Memphis. Mr. Weems said he was honored to be recognized by a community that has given him so much and he is honored to give back to the community where he was born and grew up in and loves. Mr. Weems said that sowing back into the community is the job that has been bestowed upon all leaders and it is their job to do so. Mr. Weems thanked the City of West Memphis for all their support. ANNOUNCEMENTS: • Councilor Mohammed reminded the Public.Works committee about meeting after the council meeting. Councilor Bruce said that he would like to see them move ahead with the 14th Street Park Hightower Park Project, because he feels that the Hightower Park is in the greatest need. Councilor Bruce made the motion, seconded by Councilor Murray to go ahead, and bid the 14th Street Park out. Discussion followed: Councilor Catt said the architect already said that the cost would be around 2.3 million dollars to 2.5 million dollars and they felt that the numbers are accurate but he feels that they need to get the numbers for all four parks and see how far over the 9 million dollars that they are and if you bid it out it is only going to be good for 30 days and they are not going to start work and the bids would no longer be good after that. Councilor Bruce still felt that they should move forward with bidding the project out and get started. Councilor Catt said if you read the ordinance that passed it does not meet'the wording of the ordinance. Councilor Catt said that they have not even floated the bond issue and the money is not there to spend yet. Finance Director, Tori Perry said that the council would have to approve the work to start, and for Auditing purposes she would like to make sure that it match,the ordinance. Councilor Catt said that the council should schedule a work session to try and work through everything. The council agreed to schedule a work session for Tuesday August 9, 2022. at 4:00 p.m. to discuss the matter. Councilor Bruce rescinded his motion. City Attorney Stephenson said that they need to follow the ordinance that the people voted on or the Finance Director, Tori Perry will be answering to the Legislative Auditors as to why they are not in compliance with the ordinance. CITIZEN REQUEST: Ms. Brittnay Williams a resident of 1208 Proctor Rd West Memphis, Arkansas, and Business owner at 700 N. Missouri Street West Memphis, Arkansas came back before council for their decision on her application fora certificate of convenience to operate a non-emergency medical transport. Councilor Mohammed made the motion, seconded by Councilor Bruce to approve Ms. Williams application. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous to approve. Ms. Sarah Grai Executive Director of American Red Cross Mid-South Chapter came before council to introduce herself to the Council. Ms.Williams also introduced Disaster Manager, Matt Saint Martin. They are responsible for servicing the Mid-South Area. Mayor McClendon asked Ms. Williams to communicate with the Communications Director. Nick Coulter, so that they could post the information about the Red Cross Program on the.City Website so the public would have the information about the services that they provide. Dr. Jeffery Ryan Futrell, Chairman of the YMU Fellowship Inc. Dr. Futrell runs the Young Man University and their mission is.entrepreneurship and academics came before council to introduce himself Dr. Jeffery currently has an office in Memphis Tennessee and is looking to set up a satellite location in West Memphis and eventually purchase property, He has also been a contractor'with the Federal Prison system for over 15 years. The course that he instructs is called Freedom over release. This program strives to promote purpose over violence, and this is what his program wants to do'in the West Memphis area to reduce crime. The program is self-sufficient. r i. 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 2:00 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this 18 day of August 2022. • CO MCCLENDON, MAYOR ATTEST: //Q , J ULLIA ' CITY LERK Minutes prepared by, Patricia Lane, Sr. Deputy City Clerk