October 2, 2003MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 2, 2003
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on October 2, 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 over the meeting.
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Reverend Herman Coleman offered
prayer. Phillip Para, City Clerk called the roll. Those present were: City Attorney David Peeples,
Councikxs: Marco McClendon, Herman Coleman, James Holt, Harold Thomas, Laraine
Robinson, Clarence Davis, Gheric Bruce, Ramona Taylor, and AI Felton. Absent: Treasurer
Frank Martin and Councilor James Pulliaum. Mayor Johnson declared a quorum present and
proceeded with the agenda.
Mayor Johnson recognized the participarrts of the Mid South Community College Youth Build
Program who were present to observe and learn about city government.
Mayor Johnson read and presented a ProGamation to Tony Wright an Eagle Scout who on
February 7, 2003 saved the life of an elderly lady after she fell. Mayor Johnson deGared
Thursday, October 2, 2003 as "Tony Wright Day' in West Memphis.
MINUTES
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Davis to dispense with the reading of the
minutes of September 18, 2003 and approve as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous. The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
and reading An Ordinance to amend the Personnel Manual of the City of West Memphis,
Arkansas and for other purposes. (increasing longevity pay from x5.00 to $10.00)
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Bruce to table the ordinance until the next
meeting and refer it to the Budget Committee for review. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS
R-1 A Resolution of the City Council of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, honoring the
memory of West Memphis Police Oll'icer Michael Waters.
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Holt
to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was adopted and
assigned No. 1775.
Councilor Bruce moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to suspend the rules and Ordinances
O-1 through O-8 be read by title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
O-1 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding on professional accounting services, and for
other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
O-2 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for aerial spraying, ground spraying, and other
mosquito control efrnrts, and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
O-3 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding on dental insurance, and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
O-4 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding on group health insurance and life insurance
for city empMyees with Insurex, and for other pur-poses.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
O-5 An OMinance waiving competitive bidding for Economic Development Services,
approving a contract between the City of West Memphis and the West Memphis Chamber of
Commence, and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
O-6 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the professional consulting services in
regulatory and other matters to be provided by David Ul~ilson, and f+~ other purposes.
City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
O-7 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the professional consulting services in
regulatory and other matters to be provided by A. J. Rowe and Associates, lnc., and for other
purposes.
City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
O-8 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the purchase of motor fuel, and for other
purposes.
City Attomey Peeples read the Orciinance for the FIRST time.
PERMISSION REQUESTS
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Davis to give permission to pay OMI $56,336.67 for the
month of October. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve a request from West
Memphis Municipal Airport for a time extension to grade and seed additional embankment areas
utilizing topsoil and seed quantities under run on the original contract, with no additional
expenditures for materials and labor incurred. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Holt to give permission to pay P8J Fowler,
Inc. $82,292.40 for Bettis Street drainage and street improvements .Upon voice vote, the voting
was unanimous.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilor Taylor reported Advertising & Promotion Commission had no quorum. Reminded
everyone the Lions Club Rodeo will be held October 3-4"' gates open at 6:00, pre-show at 7:00
and main event at 8:00. Main Street Fall Festival October 4"' from 10:00 to 5:00. State
Department of Tourism bus tour to stop in West Memphis, October 8"' at 11:00 at MSCC.
Destination Arkansas Bus Tour to bring peoples attention to tourism in Arkansas and see
ourselves as a tourist destination.
Councilor Coleman reported Police Commission met and are working on putting cameras in the
new patrol cars, addressed pursuit policy and that they are to pursue with caution and wisdom
with regard to human life. They discussed gang violence and the need new dispatchers. Budget
Commission to meet Tuesday regarding creating two new dispatcher positions. Insurance
Committee to meet 2"d Tuesday at noon.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
Maggie Hall -Wanted to go on record reporting an alleged incident which a woman Gaimed
police entered her home at gunpoint without a search warrant looking for suspects.
Evangelist Fay Bums -spoke on behalf of young people who are being harassed because of the
color clothing they wear. She said she witnessed a police officer at the high school take clothing
and shoe strings off of a young person because the color was associated to a gang. Ms. Bums
told the council that the people of West Memphis were not asleep and needed to know what was
going on.
Bery Brown -Requested the council approve a contract with Dena Neighbofiood Action Council
for in-kind services so they can go forward to complete Martin Luther King Jr. Panic. Mayor
Johnson stated it had been approved by the State Highway Department. Councilor Robinson
moved, seconded by Counalor Coleman to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
Councilor McClendon thanked those who called him while he was in the hospital and also for
expressing sympathy with the passing of his grandfather.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Coleman moved,
seconded by Counalor Taylor to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The
meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this fir' j_ day of October, 2003.
WILLIAM H. JOHN ON, MAYOR
ATTEST: Minutes prepared by:
P ,CITY CLERK CINDY GRE OOD
. ~~
.` .
Delta Neighborhood Action Council (DNAC)
P.O. Box 5182
West Memphis, Arkansas 72301
President
Rev. Raymond shields
(870)732-6790
Vice President September 26, 2003
Apostle Adam Davis
(901)387-0820
Lillie L. Davis
Secretary/T'reasure To the Honorable Mayor or Acting Mayor and City Council;
(870) 735-7913
These are the men that we have chosen to do In-Kind services
Asst Secretary for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park. They are as follows:
Berry Brown
(870) 735-7405
• Rev. E.D Whitfield -Building Contractor for 25 years.
Chaptain (will dig the footing)
Rev. M.C. White
(870) 735-7913
• Sam-Burn -Building Contractor and Concrete Finishing
Asst Chaplin
Rev. Ernest Coleman for 35 years. (will spread the concrete)
(870)732-2082
,.~ In addition, Keith Ingram will provide us with the Concrete and the Mayor will
provide lights, restrooms and a clean up crew to come out and clean all debris
upon completion of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Site.
Yours truly,
Rev. Ray and Shields
President
Rev. Earnest Coleman
Chaplin
~~~Y'.
Berry .Brown
Assistant Secretary
Rev. RS/baa
Working together to change the condition of our community.
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8283 Ellis Itvad tst Germantown Park~v~ay)
Memphis, Teaaessee 36133
Phone: (90l) 468-8748 j372-835?
Fay (901) 383-4b94/45$-5923
Pager: (901) 533.1624
SALES COl~i'T'I~A.C'~'`
FROi4I; LAM13E~tT,1NC, (dba LAMBERT MEMORIALS)
8283 Etas Road
Memphf5, TId 38133 WORK TO BE PERFORMED AT;
. . _ _. Dr, Mafirt Luther ding, Jr. Park
West Memphis, Arkansas
DATE: 19 September 2003
DEB~~RIPTION of WORK TO BE PERFORMED: COST: X7,137.00
Constriction of Monument as fiollows:
Bt>ick Qraritt8 - 7.0+0.9x40
atf ni~berial ie guariinnteed to. be ae 6pecHfed, and the above work to be performed to
:scta~rdance with the drawings and specifications provided for the above work, and to
be carepleted in a substantial workmantlke manner for the agreed sum of Seven
Thousand One HundredThirty-Seven Dollars (~7,137.00~
err t~E~ol~aLs
A lr8mbert, PresidBnt
DATis: D9.-~~^o.~
ACCEPTED: DNAC
BY: ~F
DATE: _ ~ '2 ~ -!' 3