July 17, 2003MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
JULY 17, 2003
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on July 17, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. in
the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas. Mayor
William H. Johnson presided.
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:45 p.m. Reverend Herman Coleman offered
prayer. Phillip Para City Clerk called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson,
City Attorney David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin, Councilors: Lorraine Robinson,
Clarence Davis, Gheric Bruce, Ramona Taylor, Al Felton, Marco McClendon, Herman Coleman,
James Holt, and Harold Thomas. Absent: Councilor James Pulliaum. Mayor Johnson declared
a quorum present and proceeded with the agenda.
BID OPENINGS
Bids for the Municipal Court Roof and City Hall Plaza Repairs were opened at 1:00 and copies of
the bid tabulations were given to the City Council. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by
Councilor Robinson to accept the bids and refer to Administration for final disposition. Upon
voice vote, the voting was unanimous. (bid sheet attached)
MINUTES
Councilor Bruce moved, seconded by Councilor Thomas to dispense with the reading of the
minutes of July 3, 2003 and to approve as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous. The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS None
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Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Thomas to suspend the rules and the four
Resolutions that are on the agenda be read by title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
R-1 A Resolution to amend the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, drug testing policy and
procedures as adopted by Resolution No. 1398, and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Felton moved, seconded by Councilor
McClendon to approve. Lengthy discussion was held by several councilors that this resolution
was put on the agenda by the Personnel Committee and they did not agree with not giving a city
employee that has a drug or alcohol problem a second chance if they are rehabilitated. Upon roll
call vote, the voting was:
AYES: None
NAYS: Robinson, Davis, Bruce, Taylor, Felton, McClendon, Coleman, Holt, and Thomas
The motion FAILED.
R-2 A Resolution approving a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration in the amount of
$398, 587.00 and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute documents to obtain the grant
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor
Taylor to approve. Mayor Johnson requested Lynda Avery, Manager of the West Memphis
Municipal Airport to explain the grant. Mrs. Avery stated it was a FAA grant with them paying
90°k, Arkansas Dept. of Aviation paying 5% and the City paying 5% ($22,144) for runway and
taxi-way rehabilitation and a sweeper. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The
Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1771.
R-3 A Resolution to authorize pay raises for West Memphis Chief of Police, West Memphis
Fire Chief, and Data Processing Manager, and for other purposes.
_ Councilor Davis moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve. Councilor Bruce moved,
seconded by Coleman to table. Upon roll call vote, the voting was:
AYES: Bruce, Felton, McClendon, and Coleman
NAYS: Robinson, Davis, Taylor, Holt, and Thomas
The motion to table FAILED.
Lengthy discussion was held on the motion to approve. Roll call vote:
AYES: Davis, Taylor, Felton, McClendon, Holt and Thomas
NAYS: Bruce and Coleman
Councilor Robinson °passed".
The motion carried. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1772.
R-4 A Resolution certifying the condemnation and removal of houses, buildings, and/or
structures constituting a nuisance, within the City of West Memphis Corporate Limits
Page 2 City Council Minutes July 17, 2003
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Robinson to
approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was adopted and
assigned No. 1773.
PERMISSION REQUESTS
Councilor Davis moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve payment of $77,939.66 to
SBC for the installation of equipment to upgrade the 911 system (Ordinance #2046). Upon voice
vote, the voting was unanimous (Alderman Felton abstained). The motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilor Felton reported the Public Works Committee met, went over bids and reviewed the
recommendations from Eddie Brawley Engineer on what to do about the traffic and safety
problem at Maddox School. The parking in front is to be turned into adrop-off lane and no
parking signs during school hours will be put up at crossing guard area.
Councilor Davis reported the Fire Commission did not have a quorum. However they did receive
information from Ronnie Rogers, County Emergency Management Coordinator that the city will
be able to participate in the Emergency Hazmat operation and receive benefits at no cost to the
city.
Councilor Robinson reported on the Airport Commission meeting. They discussed the grant that
was approved today and she also reported the roofing project began Tuesday.
Councilor Thomas reported Utility Commission met and approved the low bid on the telephone
system and approved the Bettis Street improvements.
Councilor Felton reported Park Commission is having a hard time getting a quorum and
requested appointments be made. Mayor Johnson stated the Park Commission has seven
members and he has five appointments. Mayor Johnson to get the r~sum~'s to the council early
next week for them to review and he will put it on the next agenda to vote on.
CITIZENS REQUESTS None
APPOINTMENTS
Councilor Robinson asked the citizens of West Memphis to abide by Ordinance 1385 and if they
put their garbage container on the street for pick-up that they be sure and put their garbage
containers back after they are picked up by 7:00 p.m. that evening. She also asked that all
citizens clear their property of standing weeds, standing water, and remove all objects that hold
water to help with the mosquito problem.
Mayor Johnson announced Business Atter Hours would be held today at the Works Health and
Fitness Center.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Coleman moved,
seconded by Councilor Taylor to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The
meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this ~_ day of August, 2003.
WILLIAM H. JOH ,MAYOR
ATTEST:
PHILL ,CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by:
Cindy Gree od, Sr. Deputy Clerk
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