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05.16.24 MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL May 16,2024 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday May 16, at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall,205 S. Redding, West Memphis,Arkansas. Invocation was given by Reverend Dr. R.L. Brown of Philadelphia Outreach Ministry followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Wayne Croom. Mayor Marco McClendon called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. City Clerk, Patricia Joplin called the roll.Those present were Mayor Marco McClendon, City Attorney, Michael Stephenson, City Treasurer Charlie SuiterJr., and Council Members: Tracy Catt, Wayne Croom,James Holt, Melanie Hutchinson, Lorraine Mohammed, Willis Mondy, David Murray, and Charles Wheeless. Absent was Finance Director Tori Perry and Councilors Gheric, Bruce, and Helen Harris.Also Evening Time's Reporter Donald Wilburn was present. Quorum, being present Mayor McClendon, proceeded with the meeting. BID OPENING: NONE MINUTES:APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF MAY 2,2024, COUNCIL MEETING Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy,to dispense with the reading. of May 2,2024, Council Minutes and to approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote,voting was. unanimous to approve. OLD BUSINESS: 3rd READING OF AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SUBDIVISION REPLAT/LOT SPLIT FOR WEST. SERVICE ROAD/KROGER DRIVE OF LOTS 5, PHASE 1 AND LOTS 8,9,AND 10PHASE II OF WALMART SHOPPING CENTER ADDITION AND DESIGNATING KROGER DRIVE AS A CITY STREET City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the THIRD and FINAL time. Councilor Croom made the motion,seconded by Councilor Wheeless to approve. Discussion Followed: Mayor McClendon said that he had the opportunity to speak with the company proposing to do this project and they are proposing to have it done by May 31, 2024.They have already bid the project out and have submitted their scope of work.They are proposing to have the paving done by May 31, 2024. He said they would have started the project earlier but there were some issues with the paving company Councilor Mohammed asked what the advantage would be to the city for annexing the road.The mayor said it would become a city street and along with doing the lot splits it would offer more ways to get to those streets as well. Councilor Mohammed asked for confirmation that Guaranty Loan would be repairing all the damages to the road and if they were going to dig up all the old pavement.Councilor Catt said to his understanding all the old asphalt would be ground up and new asphalt would be poured. There being no further discussion Mayor McClendon asked for a roll call vote. City Clerk, Pat Joplin called the roll.The roll call vote was as follows: YES: Croom, Holt, Hutchinson, Mondy, Murray, Wheeless NO: None ABSTENTION: Catt, Mohammed ABSENT: Bruce, Harris With 6 Yes votes,0 No votes, 2 Abstention votes, 2 absent the ordinance passed.The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2671 NEW BUSINESS. Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Catt,to add the new water rate date to the agenda. Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous to approve adding it to the agenda. Councilor Mohammed made the motion,seconded by Councilor Croom to read R-1,0-1 by title only and Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous to approve. R-1 A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE WILLINGNESS OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS TO UTILIZE FEDERAL AID TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM FOR RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM FUNDS City Attorney Stephenson read the resolution by title only. Councilor Catt made the motion,seconded by Councilor Murray,to approve. Discussion followed: Councilor Catt said he knew that they had to apply for a grant but asked if he had a time frame and if it was 6 months to 1 year. Mr.Whiteside said that they would announce it by the end of the year if they got it. Councilor Croom asked if this would apply to the homicide rates that they have had along the interstate. Mr. Whiteside said no, it applies to roadside pedestrian traffic. Councilor Mohammed asked what the alternative recreational trails programs would be. Mr.Whiteside said the grant name is broad, he said it is a TAP and recreational trail grant, however they are not applying for the recreational part they are applying for the Planning study alternative transportation part of it. Mr. Whiteside said they list some of the things that you can do with the grant money and some of things that he said you can do with that money is a Planning Study that is non - infrastructure it will be an 80-20 match. He said they want you to look for alternative plans to reduce vehicular traffic and promote foot traffic such as walking or biking. Councilor Mohammed asked about using it for sidewalks. Mr.Whiteside safety programs is also something you could use the money for. Councilor Croom asked what the next phase would be. Mr. Whiteside said with the studies and data that they would get with the vulnerable road data and master plan and depending on the solutions they find they could turn around next year and apply for a pedestrian walking bridge or better cross walks especially on the Northside where there are no pedestrian crosswalks on Broadway to safely cross.They will also take into consideration their vision for the South Loop. Councilor Croom asked about the data showing that there had been 4 pedestrian fatalities on the Interstate and if that was from people crossing over the Interstate. Mr.Whiteside confirmed that it was the data collected from 2018-2022. There being no further discussion. Mayor McClendon asked for a roll call vote. City Clerk, Patricia Joplin called the roll.The roll call vote was as follows. YES: Catt, Croom, Holt, Hutchinson, Mohammed, Murray Wheeless NO: None ABSTENTION: None ABSENT: Bruce, Harris With 8 Yes votes,0 No votes, 0 abstention votes, and 2 absent the resolution passed.The resolution was adopted and assigned No.2299 0-1 AN ORDINANCE EASTABLISHING OBLIGATIONS OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN FACILITIES WITHIN THE CITY; IMPOSING FEES ON THE GROSS REVENUE COLLECTED BY PUBLIC UTILITIES FOR SERVICES PROVIDED WITHIN THE MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY; ESTABLISHING THE METHOD OF PAYMENT OF FEES; MANDATING COMPLIANCE WITH GENERALLY APPLICABLE RULES: EXEMPTING WEST MEMPHIS UTILITIES ON SERVICES;AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (TABLED ON May 2,2024) City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time. Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Mohammed 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 Mohammed made the motion,seconded by Councilor Catt 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. Councilor Catt made the motion,seconded by Councilor Murray,to approve. Discussion followed; Councilor Croom asked for an explanation of the ordinance. Utility Manager, Bob Atkins said that this ordinance requires Public Utilities that operate within the boundaries of the City of West Memphis to pay 4% Franchise Fee Agreement to the City of West Memphis. Mr. Atkins said any Public Utility that has a current Franchise fee would not be impacted only those that do not have an applicable ordinance. There being no further discussion: Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous.The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2672 PERMISSION REQUEST: PERMISSION TO AMEND ORDINANCE 2664 DATE ON THE WATER RATES THAT WAS ADDED TO THE AGENDA • City Attorney Stephenson said on March 7,2024,they passed ordinance number 2664 for the Utility rate increase with the ordinance not to take effect until April 1, 2024.They then amended the date not to be effective until May 1, 2024. City Attorney Stephenson said they are now asking to amend the date again to June 1, 2024,to have it published as stipulated in Section 14 of ordinance number 2664.The ordinance must be published before they can impose the rate increase. He is asking for a motion to amend the ordinance date until June 1, 2024. Councilor Croom made the motion, seconded by Councilor Holt,to amend the date to June 1,2024. There being no discussion. Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous to approve. PRESENTATIONS: PRESENTATION OF THE PROM PROMISE-COUNCILOR MELANIE HUTCHINSON Councilor Melanie Hutchinson, Fire Chief Barry Ealy,Assistant Chief Derrick Clay, Division Chief Chuck Brakensiek, and Fire Inspector Pat Roberts recognized the three recipients of the Prom Promise Awards. 1st Place winner Allen Walker, 2"d Place winner Shamar Taylor, 3rd Place winner William Tennison. Councilor Hutchinson thanked Mayor Marco McClendon, Councilor Tracy Catt and Finance Director,Tori Perry and the West Memphis Fire Department and Police Department whose work behind the scenes helped to make the prom promise possible. COMMITTEE REPORTS: ADVERTISING &PROMOTION: Councilor David Murray presented the Advertising& Promotion report. CVB Director,Jim Jackson presented the A& P financials, he reported that the collections are almost to the penny as last year, and there has been an increase for the year. Mr.Jackson said the investments are climbing. There were three funding requests submitted Mississippi River Monsters request for$10,000 dollars was approved. Families In Transition request for$4,000 for their annual Walk a Mile in her Shoes awareness event was approved. Clark's Promotions made a request to the commission for$3,500 dollars to host the 13th annual Radio Broadcast for the Dutchess Annie Ruth Clark.The commission has requested that Ms. Clark come before the commission to give them more information before they made a decision. Under old business Ladd Garey, AIA Evans Taylor Foster Childers Architect were not present to give the commission an update on the Civic Center renovations. Mr.Jackson said to his knowledge the project should be put out for bid in early May and under contract by June hopefully.The commissioners asked Mr.Jackson to request that the architects be present at the next scheduled meeting. Mr.Jackson announced the Blues Off Broadway line-up will take place every Thursday in May at the Civic Center Complex. All shows will be held outside unless they have inclement weather,then the show will be held inside the Civic center. Commissioner Altoria Brisbon announced the new patio is opening at Blackberry Molasses. Commissioner Willis Mondy announced that Faith International Church is feeding Senior Citizens a free lunch every third Thursday of each month at the Old Wonder Jr. High School building. AIRPORT COMMISSION: Councilor Wayne Croom presented the Airport report.As of April 29, 2024,work has begun on the North Apron Project. Garver Engineers will issue a notice June 16, 2024,to proceed to Rebel Services for the Jet A Fuel Project. Advertising for the Spall repair project for the Taxiway and Apron bid opening are scheduled for May 23, 2024. POLICE COMMISSION: Councilor Charles Wheeless presented the Police Commission report.The Police Commission reviewed grants and discussed hiring an outside consultant to assist with finding grant funding.The department has received 6 new police vehicles, and they are waiting for all the equipment to be installed before they are put into rotation.The 911 board is transitioning, and they expect to have it in full implementation with 3 to 4 months.They will be replacing SRT vest in the next couple of months.The commission also discussed increasing funds to aid crime stoppers. PARKS&RECREATION : Councilor Mohammed presented the Park& Recreation report and keep West Memphis Beautiful Report Councilor Mohammed Thanked Malik Walker and David Smith with the West Memphis Fire Department who assisted her when she was involved in a traffic accident. Keep West Memphis Beautiful. Councilor Mohammed Thanked Mayor Marco McClendon,James Pulliaum, Kenneth Johnson, DC Lawn Service, Patricia Lane, Crye Leike Realty, Nickie Stewart with West Memphis Utilities and the 41 volunteers that came out to assist with clean up. Councilor Mohammed said that they picked up 42 bags of litter and debris. Councilor Croom said the dumpsters will be out until Friday if people still needed to dump litter and debris. Parks Report Tilden Rogers Parks Projects are expected to be completed by November 2024,USTA would like to match monies to the city for reimbursement for the refurbishing of the tennis courts.The Academies of West Memphis, Marion High, and West Memphis Christian schools plan to utilize the tennis courts for season games. High Tower Park running electricity and laying grass.The Hicks Park project is expected to be completed by June 2024.The West Memphis Dog Park on Auburn has been repaired and they plan to build another Dog Park at the East end of town. Councilor Mohammed said all of the Easter Egg Hunts were a huge success 75%of the eggs were donated by Hino motors and other donors were the Temple of Refuge, DCA Reality, and the West Memphis Boys and Girls Clubs.The Roberta Jackson Trail Blazer Awards was a huge success, and the names of the honorees will be displayed on a plaque inside the center. Parks & Recreation hosted a solar Eclipse Festival and there was strong participation from the community.The West Memphis Public Library,Alpha Kappa Sorority donated nearly 1000 pairs of Solar Eclipse Glasses to safely view the Eclipse. Parks and Recreation is planning the following events, Farmer Market, Food Truck Festival sometime in May at Tilden Rogers Park,they will be informing the public of the dates. APPOINTMENTS: NON ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor McClendon announced that he will be highlighting some of his City Departments that are often overlooked but do an amazing job especially in situations when things happen out of the norm.The mayor recognized Animal Shelter Director, Ms. Kerry Facello, who recently received a call from another county that was called out to take procession of over 70 dogs that were being housed in the most deplorable conditions. Ms. Facello and her staff stepped into action and was abled to get the dogs out and rehomed and he wanted to take the opportunity to thank her, and her staff for the wonderful job they did. Councilor Mondy said he himself went to the animal shelter and adopted a beautiful female husky and she is a well behaved do and does well with children. His great grandchild named her Coco. Mayor McClendon said on Monday May 20, 2024, he will be giving a press conference with his Police Department where they will be addressing some issues that are going on in the city. He said he recently attended a balloon release, and someone asked him what he was going to do to fix it, his reply was what are we going to do.The problems going on in our city is not a "I "problem or just a Police Problem it is everyone's problem, and we are all effected by it, and it is going to take the community as a whole to get it under control.The press conference will be to inform the public on the steps that the Police Department and Administration will be taking to try and resolve some of the issues.The mayor said that they are going to do what they need to do to keep the people in our community safe and they are going to need the community and parents to do there part to make the people in our community to feel safe. Mayor McClendon said he spoke to Mike Foster of Pickering in regard to Walkable West Memphis and they are at 60%completion and that's going from 20'street to 25'Street . Once they get to 90%they will start the bid process and then move forward to get those streets done. Mayor McClendon said he was contacted by Ned Seacrest several times who was inquiring about when the West Memphis Animal Shelter would be completed.The mayor said it is currently out for bid and once they get them back then they will be able to move ahead with construction. Mayor McClendon gave an update on the Rich Road Bridge that he received at 5:21 p.m. on May 16, 2024,. He said they have received the easement documents for the city to sign but it did not include the exhibits. He has requested the exhibits and once he receives the exhibits he will forward everything to the City Attorney to make sure everything looks good then they will start the bid process. Mayor McClendon said that he will start his mayor tour at Faulk Elementary School June 4, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. He would like to invite all citizens and Council Members to attend. On June 11, 2024, he will be at Richland Elementary,June 18, 2024, he will be at Weaver Elementary and on June 25, 2024, he will be at Wonder Jr. High School. He is encouraging all of the council members to be at all 4 meetings so that they can hear the citizens' concerns and suggestions. Mayor McClendon said he will be meeting with Ladd Gary to discuss plans for a new Police Station, and he would like to have all the council members to attend the meeting as well to hear their input. He will forward them the date and time of the meeting. Councilor Mohammed, also wanted to thank Ms. Canice Denise for her support of Keep West Memphis Beautiful Event in posting it on social media. Councilor Mondy asked for everyone to be in prayer for his family his aunt Roberta Mondy passed away. Mayor McClendon reminded everyone about Blues Off Broadway CITIZENS REQUEST: None Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Mohammed made the motion, seconded Councilor Mondy,to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this 6th of June 2024. 111 C MARCO MCCLENDON, MAYOR ATTEST: PATRICIA JOPLIN, CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by, Patricia Lane,Sr. Deputy City Clerk