October 16, 2003MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 16, 2003
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on October 16, 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 Cleric called the roll. Those present were: City Attorney David Peeples,
Councilors: Hannan Coleman, James Holt, Harold Thomas, James Pulliaum, Lorraine Robinson,
Clarence Davis, Ghent Bruce, Ramona Taylor, A/ Felton, and Marco McClendon. Mayor
Johnson declared a quorum present and proceeded with the agenda.
MINUTES
Councilor Felton moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to correct Page 2 the minutes of
October 2, 2003, the second paragraph of Committee Reports, changing the word `purse"to
`pursue° and approve as corrected. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
3rd reading An Ordinance to amend the Personnel Manual of the City of West Memphis,
Arkansas and for other purposes. (increasing longevity pay from 55.00 to $10.00)
Councilor Davis moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to table the ordinance because the
Budget Committee felt the money could better serve the employees in another way. Upon roll
call vote, the voting was as follows:
AYES: Holt, Thomas, Pulliaum, Robinson, Davis, Bruce, Taylor, and McClendon
NAYS: Coleman and Felton
It was discussed, that due to the ordinance not being tabled indefinitely, it is to come back under
old business for the third reading at next meeting.
2"d reading of an Ordinance waiving competitive bidding on professional accounting services, and
for other proposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Orciinance for the SECOND time.
2nd reading of an Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for aerial spraying, ground spraying, and
other mosquito control efforts, and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
2nd reading of an Ordinance waiving competitive bidding on dental insurance, and for other
purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
2"d reading of an Ordinance waiving competitive bidding on group health insurance and life
insurance fnr city employees with Insurex, and for other purposes.
Counalor Coleman moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to table the ordinance. Upon voice
vote, the voting was unanimous. (2nd reading next meeting)
2"d reading of an Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for Economic Devebpment Services,
approving a oonh~ct between the City of West Memphis and the West Memphis Chamber of
Commerce, and for other p~poses_
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
2nd reading of an Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the professional consulting services
in regulatory and other matters to be provrded by David VYlson, and for other proposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
2nd reading of an Ordinance waiving cvrnpetitive bang for the professional consulting services
in regulatory and other matters to be provided by A. J. Rowe and Associates, Inc., and for other
Purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
2"d reading of an Ordinance waiving cornpet~ive bidding far the purrhase of motor fuel, and for
other proposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
Page 2 City Council Meeting October 16, 2003
NEW BUSINESS None
PERMISSION REQUESTS
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Davis to add two requests to the agenda. Upon voice
vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Holt to approve payment of 364,676.00 to
River City Hydraulics for the sweeper at the airport. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor McClendon to distribute Southland Racing
Corporation funds in the amount 62,218.75 Charity Days and 35,286.19 Disaster Relief Days to
the Good Neighbor/Love Center. Upon roll call vote, the voting was:
AYES: Pulliaum, Bruce, Felton and McClendon
NAYS: Coleman, Holt, Thomas, Robinson, Davis, and Taylor
The motion FAILED.
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Thomas to distribute the 65,286.19 Disaster
Relief Funds to the Good NeighboNLove Center. Upon roll call vote, the voting was:
AYES: Thomas, Bruce, Taylor and McClendon
NAYS: Coleman, Holt, Robinson, Davis, and Felton
Councilor Pulliaum voted as `presets'. The motion FAILED.
Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Coleman to pay one-half of the 65,286.19
Disaster Relief Funds to the Good Neighbor/Love Center (32,643.10) and one-half to the Delta
Neighborhood Action Council (62,643.09) for utilRy bill assistance. Roll call vote:
AYES: Coleman, Hoft, Robinson, Davis, Bruce, Taylor, Felton, and McClendon.
NAYS: Thomas
Councilor Pulliaum voted as `present". The motion carried. The 62,218.75 to be distributed later.
COMMITTEE_ REPORTS
Councilor McClendon reported the Personnel Committee met and discussed increasing the
pension for non-uniformed employees, and scheduled a workshop through EAP Program on
`How To Im~rove Your Credit' to be held at West Memphis Utility Training Room, two sessions,
October 14 and October 21~ and encouraged all city employees to participate.
Councilor Felton reported the Public Works Committee met and addressed the parking issues at
Maddox and Bragg Elementary Schools and reported Sanitation Department is out of dumpsters.
There were no dumpster bids received today and Barbara Owens was calling for quotes. Mayor
Johnson said that he could purchase up to 610,000 without bidding and if necessary, he would do
that to get them by.
Counalor Taylor reported Advertising ~ Promotion Commission met and announced at the
Arkansas Dena Byways dinner, West Memphis won 2nd place in the Hospitality Award, 2"d place
in Entrepreneur Award for West walk, 2"d place for the Festival Event of the Year for Freedom
fest and 3`d place for Bootstrap Award for Dickens of a Christmas. Matt Fite, Editor of the
Arkansas Advertiser won 1 ~ place for media support award. The Commission also met in a
special meeting to discuss a proposal to develop a tournament level sports complex.
Southeastern Sports Development made the presentation. The commission approved a
feasibility study be done to determine whether to proceed with this proposal. The results from the
study should be completed in six to eight weeks.
Councilor Bruce reported the Fire Commission is to meet Tuesday at noon.
Councilor Davis reported the Budget Committee met and discussed increasing the longevity pay
from 65.00 per year to 610.00 per year and they feR that there may be better ways the money
could benefit employees.
Councilor Bruce left the meeting (1:55 p.m.)
Councilor Robinson reported the Airport Commission met and reported the City Attorney is
wonting on large hanger leases, engineers did their final walk through of AIP 16 and contractors
are completing their punch list. Re-roofing of hangers 182 have been completed.
Councilor Thomas reported the Utility Commission met and discussed waste water and water
rates presently being charge but no action was taken.
Councilor Coleman reported the Insurance Committee met and based on the city's Gaim
experience looking good, they felt we should bid insurance for 2004 to get the best possible rate
for our employees money.
For a matter of record, Mayor Johnson reported that the MATA bud rider-ship figures for the
month of September was 10,193 riders. He explained that was not people, but riders.
Page 3 City Council Minutes October 16, 2003
Mayor Johnson, for the record, reported on the Union Pacific Railroad purchasing Burlington
Northern line and their plans to route five to seven trains, one and a half miles long, through
West Memphis. He said that would block every intersection from Broadway to the Service Road.
He read a letter he had sent to Senator Lincoln, Senator Pryor, Congressman Berry, the
Chairman, the Director, the Chief Engineer, and District Engineer out of Wynne, Ark., and the
Planner of the Arkansas Highway Department strongly opposing this.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
_ Pastor Stephen Chitman - 760 W McAuley Present reganiing his property at 511 Johnson
and complained that Code Enforcement did not give him a list of items necessary to bring his
house up to code. He also stated the perception of the West Memphis Police Department has
declined in our community. Mayor Johnson recommended Mr. Chitman go and visit with Police
Chief Paudert.
Bridgette Turner - 304 S. 31 ~ #86 Back again about the matter of being reimbursed for her
teeth that were lost when she was an'ested. She presented copies of photos taken when she was
incarcerated. City Attomey Peeples recommended the City Council do not waive their tort
immunity and recommended they do not pay the claim. Councilor Robinson asked City Attomey
Peeples to define tort immunity. Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Coleman to
pay the dental office on Shoppingway for the replacement of Ms. Turner's teeth, not to exceed
$500.00. Upon roll call vote, the voting was:
AYES: Coleman, Pulliaum, Robinson, Felton and McClendon
NAYS: Holt, Thomas, Davis and Taylor
The motion FAILED.
Mary Jackson - 333 Lincoln Street and Aureas Lowe - 332 Lincoln Street Both ladies
were present on behalf of Shady Grove streets and houses that need repairs. She asked that
they inGude them in street repairs and housing repairs. Mayor Johnson informed Ms. Jackson
that Shady Grove is next in line for Community Development Block Grant funds for street repair.
Mayor Johnson announced the Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours was today from
5:00 until 7:00 at Guittner Steele Tire.
Councilor McClendon announced that he and Councilor Robinson were having a Ward Four
meeting October 23"d at Maddox Elementary School Cafeteria at 6:30 p.m. Several City
Department Heads will be present to hear any concerns.
Councilor Pulliaum asked City Attomey Peeples to put together a prrn~dures and practices
manual for the City Council to guide them in doing things the corned way. City Attomey Peeples
stated he was working on that.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Coleman moved,
seconded by Councilor Holt to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The
meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this Cg_~t~,L day of November, 2003.
ATTEST:
PHI P ,CITY CLERK
WILLIAM H. JOHN N, MAYOR
Minutes prepared by:
CINDY GR NWOOD