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03/02/2023 • MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL March 2,2023 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday,March 2, 2023,at 1:00 p.m.in the City Council Chambers at City Hall,205 S.Redding,West Memphis,;Arkansas. Invocation was given by Pastor Frederick Anthony of Old Saint Paul Church followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Sr.Deputy City Clerk,Patricia Lane,Mayor Marco McClendon called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.City Clerk,Patricia Joplin,called the roll.Those present were Mayor Marco McClendon, City Attorney Michael Stephenson, and Council Members:Gheric Bruce, Tracy Catt, Wayne Croom,Helen Harris,James Holt, Melanie Hutchinson,Lorraine Mohammed, Willis Mondy,David Murray.and Charles Wheeless,Absent was City Treasurer Charlie Suiter Jr.Also present was Evening Times Reporter Donald Wilburn.Quorum being present Mayor McClendon proceeded with the meeting. BID OPENINGS: NONE MINUTES: APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 16,2023. Councilor Catt made the motion,seconded by Councilor Bruce to dispense with the reading of the minutes of February 16,2023,Council Meeting and to approve them as submitted.Upon voice vote,the voting was unanimous to approve. OLD BUSINESS: NONE 2ND READING AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A SALARY FOR THE POSITION OF MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS,ARKANSAS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the SECOND time.The • ordinance will be placed back on the agenda for the third reading on March 16,2023. 2NDREADING AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH NEW COMPENSATION FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the SECOND time.The ordinance will be placed back on the agenda for the third reading on March 16,2023. 2ND READING AN ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR AERIAL SPRAYING,GROUND SPRAYING AND OTHER MOSQUITO CONTROL EFFORTS,AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the THIRD time. Councilor Catt made the motion,seconded by Councilor Croom to approve the ordinance.Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous to approve.The ordinance was adopted and assigned No.2618. Councilor Croom made the motion,seconded by Councilor Bruce to add 0-6 and 0-7 to the agenda.Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous Councilor Mohammed made the motion,seconded by Councilor Holt to read 0-1,0-2,0- 3,0-4,0-5,0-6,and 0-7 by title only.Upon voice vote,the voting was unanimous. 0-1 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 5 OF ORDINANCE NO.2361,SECTION 1 OF ORDINANCE NO.2402 AND SECTION 1 OF ORDINANCE NO.2516 REGARDING THE SALARY FOR THE OFFICE OF CITY CLERK,AND TO AMEND THE SALARY FOR THE OFFICE OF CITY TREASURER FOR THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS,ARKANSAS,AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time.Councilor Croom made the motion,seconded by Councilor Wheeless to suspend the rules,and place the ordinance its second reading.Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous,City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the SECOND time.The ordinance will be placed back on the agenda for the third reading on March 16,2023 0-2 AN ORDINANCE FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE 2018 ARKANSAS PLUMBING CODE AND THE 2018 ARKANSAS FUEL GAS CODE,WHICH CODES REGULATE THE INSTALLATION,ALTERATION,AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL PLUMBING WITHIN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS;PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS OF SAID CODE: REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT WITH SAID CODE. City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time.The ordinance will be placed back on the agenda for the second reading on March 16,2023 0-3 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ARKANSAS INTERNATIONAL BUILDING AND FIRE CODE,2021 EDITION,VOLUME I, II AND III PROVIDING FOR REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE CONSTRUCTION,ALTERATION,REMOVAL,DEMOLITION, EQUIPMENT,USE AND OCCUPANCY,LOCATION,AND MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES. City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time.The ordinance will be placed back on the agenda for the second reading on March 16,2023. 0-4 AN ORDINANCE FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, 2023 EDITION,PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF SUCH REGULATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time.The ordinance will be placed back on the agenda for the second reading on March 16,2023. 0-5 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE ARIAANSAS MECHANICAL CODE,2021 EDITION WITH ALL AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS THEROF,AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time.The ordinance will be placed back on the agenda for the second,reading on March 16,2023. 0-6 AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE CERTAIN PROPERTIES IN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS,LOCATED IN TAYLOR-HEMENWAY SUBDIVISION,ON NORTH 7TH STREET FROM I-1-C INDUSTRIAL LIGHT CORE DISTRICT TO SC-2,SUBURBAN COMMERCIAL 2 OPEN DISPLAY City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time.The ordinance will be placed back on the agenda for the second reading on March 16,2023. 0-7 AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1418 NORTH MISSOURI STREET,PERMITTING OUTSIDE DISPLAY OF BOATS DURING BUSINESS HOURS,AS WELL AS,OVERNIGHT IN A CONNECTING CORRIDOR DISTRICT. City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time. 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 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 its third reading.Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous.City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the THIRD and FINAL time. Discussion followed:Councilor Mohammed asked for an explanation and if it was just for advertisement is why they wanted the boats on display both day and night.Big River Marina Owner,William Burnett III said it would be for advertisement purposes to let people know what they are selling,and the boats are critical in letting people know what they are selling.Mr.Burnet said it would be for advertisement so that people would know that they are there,and they will have signage on the building to let them know what they are selling.Mr.Burnet said they are relocating the business from their current location on the service road to Missouri Street.Councilor Croom said he knows why they are wanting to move to Missouri to be more visible.Councilor Mohammed asked if there had been any resistance from anyone in the area objecting to them being in that area and the boats being on display.Mr. Burnet said that the Planning Commission has approved him to display up to eight boats 4 out front and along the side and they plan to move them in and out of the area. Councilor Hutchinson asked where they would be located.Mr.Burnet said they would be next to the Church of Christ and across from where the new Wendy business would be.Councilor Mondy asked if they would be selling sheds and Mr.Burnet said no,they would not be selling sheds.Mr.Burnet said that the area was vital to West Memphis,and they are wanting improve the esthetics and beautify the area.Councilor Hutchinson asked what their plans were to beautify the area.Mr.Burnet said just by occupying the area rather than having a vacant lot would beautify the area but they are also looking to plant shrubs and landscaping.They will still be doing selective repair service but it will kept in the rear of the building and not out front and will not look like a used car lot. There being no further discussion.Councilor Mohammed made the motion,seconded by Councilor Wheeless to approve.Mayor McClendon called for a roll call vote.City Clerk,Patricia Joplin called the roll.The roll call vote was as follows: YES: Bruce,Croom,Holt,Hutchinson,Mohammed,Mondy,Murray, Wheeless NO: None ABSTENTION: Catt,Harris ABSENT: None With 8 Yes votes,0 No votes.2 Abstention votes,and 0 Absent votes the ordinance passed.The ordinance was adopted and assigned No.2619. PERMISSION REQUEST: PERMISSION TO ADD 2784 WEST GROVE ON THE DEMO LIST • Councilor Catt made the motion,seconded by Councilor Wheeless to add 2784 West Grove to the demo list.City Inspector,Jimmy King made the following corrections to the demolition list.606 Stuart was corrected to 605 Stuart,603 Stuart was corrected to 607 Stuart and 524 N.27th Street was removed from the demolition list,because there was no such address.Councilor Mohammed asked if the properties identified were still condemnable.Inspector King said he has posted the properties.Mayor McClendon said that he wanted the public to know that when a property is determined to be uninhabitable,that the inspector will go to the properties to verify that it is condemnable.Inspector King said that the homes he inspected have has all the electrical wiring removed and litter,debris,and trash in them.Councilor Hutchinson asked if going forward when planning is compiling a list of condemnable properties if they would include a brief summary of what condition each property is in,so that they are able to address constituents questions on how the city came to their determination that the property is condemnable.Inspector King said he took pictures of all the properties at the time of his inspection.Mayor McClendon said he received the list of properties in question from the council members in those wards and said most of them were from Councilor Mohammed and should any other council members identify homes in their area that need to be addressed to send him the list and he would have the inspectors to look into them.Councilor Mohammed said the homes on the list have been spared for years and the property owners have failed to bring them to code.Inspector King said the homes identified on the demo list were originally posted last year.Mayor McClendon said they would continue to do their due diligence before demoing any home.Councilor Croom asked if once the properties were demoed,would the ownership of the property remain with the property owner.Mayor McClendon said yes with the exception of the properties that were purchased by the Public Utility Board. Councilor Mohammed asked had he met any resistance.The mayor said to his knowledge they had not There being no further discussion.Councilor Hutchinson made the motion,seconded by Councilor Harris to approve adding 2784 West Grove to the list and to approve the demolition list as amended.Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous to add it to the list. PERMISSION TO CONDEM 15 PROPERTIES(SEE MATERIAL IN PACKETS) Councilor Catt made the motion,seconded by Councilor Mohammed to approve the demolition list.Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous Mayor McClendon said the City Sanitation and litter department has been doing a great job in removing litter and debris and tires,but what amazes him that they can empty the trailers full of tires and within a day it is back full and they are not collecting that many tires in a day,so he is asking council for some type of legislation to get some type of control and idea on who is disposing of so many tires.The mayor said he would hate to believe that tire shops have made some type of deal to use the city trailer to dispose of a mass amount of tires at the city expense,The mayor said he has placed a camera at the shop and plans to investigate and get to the bottom of it and take action to correct it if need be.Councilor Mondy asked if they had looked at Ward 2 in the 20th block and Mayor McClendon said he had and that there were over 1000 tires dumped in that area. The mayor said he wanted to bring the matter to councils'attention,because when he begins to bring down the hammer on those that are in violation,he wants the council to be aware,so that they can inform their constituents. PERMISSION TO ACCEPT THE BUDGET AMENDMENT(SEE MATERIAL IN PACKETS) Councilor Catt said that this is for the Utility Department to pay for the meters.The Utility Department started acquiring the meters at the first of the year and did not realize how many they would actually need,they have completed the project and the cost came to$1,400,827.94.Councilor Catt said they have excess cash to cover the expenses.Councilor Croom made the motion,seconded by Councilor Hutchinson to approve.Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous to approve the Budget Amendment. PLANNING COMMISION RECOMMENDATIONS(SEE MATERIAL IN PACKETS) Councilor Croom made the motion,seconded by Councilor Wheeless to approve Planning Commission recommendations.Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous to approve the request. PERMISSION TO SHRED ALL 2017 FILES Councilor Croom made the motion,seconded by Councilor Hutchinson that Councilor Catt oversee the shredding of all 2017 files.Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous to approve the request. PERMISSION TO DIVIDE SOUTHLAND FUNDS AS PRESENTED ON PAGE TWO (MATERIAL IN PACKETS) Councilor Catt made the motion,seconded by Councilor Mohammed to divide the $44,587.53 evenly among the 4 boys and girls clubs.Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous. Councilor Catt made the motion,seconded by Councilor Croom to equally divide the Disaster Relief Funds in the amount of$3,906.07 between the Delta Neighborhood Action Council,Good Neighborhood Center,and Hope House.Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous. Councilor Mohammed made the motion,seconded by Councilor Croom to divide the Southland Breakage money in the amount of$1.953.14 equally among the mayor and each council member.The mayor and each council member will receive$177.55 dollars for Charity Day funds. COMMITTEE REPORTS: AIRPORT COMMISSION: Councilor Croom presented the Airport Committee report. The Airport Committee met on February 23,2023.Ms.Cook with Garver Engineers reported that they are waiting for the FAA to start releasing funds so that they can start the bidding process for the North Apron Rehab Project and hoping to have a bid date by the next time that the Airport Commission meets in March.Rebel Services has • requested that the Airport pay a 30%deposit for the fuel tank for the Fuel Farm Jet Rehab.City Attorney Stephenson advised the Airport Commission that the Airport could reimburse the deposit to Rebel Services from a paid invoice. SADVERTISEMENT COMMISSION: David Murray presented the Advertisement and Promotion report.CVB Director,Jim Jackson,presented the financials for January.Mr.Jackson said that they were still in discussion regarding the West Memphis Festival.They will be holding the Blues Off Broadway Event every Thursday in the Month of May.All the live entertainment is lined up.Mayor McClendon informed the commission that they are still in negotiations with the West Memphis Transit/MATA Proposal,and he hopes to finalize everything soon.ADA Compliance Audit Phase 1 Bid Opening bids were picked up but only one bid was turned in by Roeder Construction from Marion,Arkansas.They submitted a bid for both the Civic Center and Civic Auditorium at a total price of$73,041.00.Pastor Frederick Anthony came before the Commission to request funding for a event that the A&P Commission has funded in the past.Pastor Anthony is requesting$3,091.55 for the East Arkansas District Association Conference.The funds will be used for catering,advertising,banners,and posters.The commission voted to approve funding for the event.Ms.Cassie Hoskins came before the commission to request funding for the Families in Transition annual event Walk a Mile In Her Shoes.Ms.Hoskins is requesting$10,000 to sponsor the event.The commission decided to table the request until they could look at the annual budget for the event. Mayor Marco McClendon asked the commission if they would agree to pay$20,000 annually for a Community Development position that would cover social media, promoting the city and grant writing.The commission voted to approve the request.Mr. Jackson introduced Amanda Cook as the new Executive Director for Delta Arts and Ms. Teresa Bowe as Community Outreach Director for the City of West Memphis. APPOINTMENTS: NONE PRESENTATIONS: NONE ANNOUNCEMENTS: . Mayor McClendon introduced the two new employees for the City Of West Memphis Community Outreach Director,Ms.Teresa Bowe and Community Engagement Specialist,Mr.Raymond Whiteside. CITIZENS REQUEST: ' NONE • Having no further business to come before the City Council,Councilor Croom made the motion,seconded by Council Member Harris to adjourn.Upon voice vote,the voting was unanimous.The meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this 16th day March 2023. -"-1A4 CNA kk--e elLaci^—, MARCO MCCLENDON,MAYOR (AYcdahvg;--,1' ST• PATRICIA JOPLIN,CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by,Patricia Lane,Sr.Deputy City Clerk