2629 ORDINANCE NO. 2 Z J
AN ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR THE HANGING OF
ELECTRICAL LINES AND FIBER ACROSS I-40. DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS,Arkansas Code Annotated Section 14-58-303 allows waiving of competitive
bidding in exceptional situations where such procedure is deemed not feasible or practical; and
WHEREAS, there are many items necessary for the City's use where competitive bidding
is deemed not feasible or practical; and
WHEREAS,the businesses on the north side of I-40, which include the hospital, the
Arkansas Welcome Center, Southland, Flying J Travel Center and many other businesses, are
supplied power from two electrical substations; and
WHEREAS,using two substations allows the West Memphis Utilities to provide reliable
services to these businesses; and •
WHEREAS,this area north of I-40 has experienced growth in recent years, including the
construction of the hospital and the Arkansas Welcome Center; and
WHEREAS, Southland has greatly-increased its electrical consumption because of major
expansion and has additional expansions planned in the near future; and
WHEREAS,there is private, as well as federal, interest to establish Electrical Vehicle
charging stations in this area that will also greatly increase electrical demand; and
WHEREAS,the electrical lines from the Gateway Electrical Substation that provide
service to this area were not sized to carry the electrical loads that will be needed and must be
Fl
replaced with larger lines; and
WHEREAS,the replacement of these lines will require hanging new lines across I-40;
and
RECEIVED
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WHEREAS,the West Memphis Utilities is constructing a fiber network to all of its
facilities, including those on the north side of I-40 and will need fiber hung across I-40; and
WHEREAS,the West Memphis Utilities does not have the expertise nor the equipment to
hang wires and fiber across the interstate; and
WHEREAS,this work needs to be completed before the summer months when electrical
demand will increase even more; and
WHEREAS,there is not time to bid the work out; and
WHEREAS,the West Memphis Utilities has sought quotes from various qualified
contractors to do the work and the quotes have ranged from$150,000 to $500,000; and
WHEREAS,the low quote of$150,000 was submitted by Gray's Power Supply which is
experienced in this matter and comes highly recommended by City Light and Water of
Jonesboro; and
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WEST MEMPHIS,ARKANSAS:
SECTION 1: That competitive bidding be waived for the hanging of electrical wires and
fiber across I-40 by Gray's Power Supply in the amount of$150,000.00.
SECTION 2: EMERGENCY CLAUSE. It having been found and determined by the
City Council of the City of West Memphis,Arkansas that the hanging of electrical lines and fiber
across I-40 is necessary to provide adequate services to current and future businesses on the
north side of I-40 and that there is an urgent and immediate need for said services to be
completed prior to the summer months when electrical demand will increase, an emergency is
hereby declared to exist, and this Ordinance being necessary for the preservation of the public
peace, health, safety and welfare of the Citizens of West Memphis, Arkansas, shall be in full
force and effect from and after the date of its passage and approval. -
PASSED AND APPROVED thi' day of 40424; , 2023.
MA CO M. McCLENDON MAYOR
ATTEST:
PATRICIA BOYD JOPLIN, T CLERK
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