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November 20, 2003Minutes West Memphis City Council November 20,2003 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on November 20, 2003 at 1:35 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 1:35 p.m. Councilor Reverend Herman Coleman offered prayer. Phillip Para, City Clerk called the roll. Those present were Mayor Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples, Treasurer Frank Martin. Councilors: Harold Thomas, James Pulliaum, Lorraine Robinson, Clarence Davis, Ramona Taylor, Al Felton, Marco McClendon, Herman Coleman and James Holt. Absent Councilor Gheric Bruce. Mayor Johnson declared a quorum present and proceeded with the agenda. Mayor Johnson presented a proclamation to Cindy Parker director of Home Care and Rosetta Johnson a Home Care aid, proclaiming November National Home Care and Hospice Month. Minutes Council Taylor moved, seconded by Council Thomas to dispense with the reading of the minutes of November 6, 2003 and approved as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Old Business 3`d reading An Ordinance to waive competitive bidding for Professional Accounting services and for other purposes. Councilor Taylor moved seconded by Councilor Holt to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The ordinance was adopted and assigned #2085. 3'~ reading An Ordinance to waive competitive bidding for Dental Insurance and for other purposes. Councilor Taylor moved seconded by Councilor Davis to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The ordinance was adopted and assigned #2086. 3`d reading An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding on Group Health Insurance and Life Insurance for city employees with Insurex, and for other purposes. Councilor Coleman moved to table the ordinance indefinitely. There was a roll call vote. Councilors voting in favor of the motion: Lorraine Robinson, Al Felton, Marco McClendon and Herman Coleman. Councilors voting against the motion: Harold Thomas, Clarence Davis, Ramona Taylor and James Holt. The motion to table indefinitely failed. Councilor Thomas moved and Councilor Taylor seconded to table the ordinance until the next meeting. Roll call vote, the vote was unanimous. Discussion -Councilor Coleman and Frank Martin agreed to have another meeting to discuss insurance options before the next council meeting. New Business -None Permission Request Councilor Thomas moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor, to give permission to pay OMI $58,310.00 for the month of December. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded Councilor Pulliam to give permission to sign proposal for Economic Evaluation Generation -West Memphis Utility Commission. Discussion -Councilor Ramona Taylor asked Mayor Johnson what this study hope to accomplish. Mayor Johnson explained how the city is charged for utilities according to its energy peak each year. The study will show if it's feasible to use a peaking generator to shave that peak back and save three or four megawatts off of that peak and save the city money. Mayor Johnson explained that the generators have to run at the time of the peak and run for that hour. The study will show if our load factor is such that peak shaving will be feasible. This will lower our bill from our supplier. Upon voice vote, the vote was unanimous to approve. Councilor Al Felton made a motion to table until the next meeting permission to sign Milsoft License Agreement -West Memphis Utilities. Councilor Pulliam seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. Discussion -Councilor Al Felton expressed problems with the contract concerning the warranty and the liability of damages. Council Felton asked that the contract be referred by to the city attorney to make a recommendation. City Attorney David Peeples said he had reviewed the contract and that some changes had been made. Contract is being referred back to the city attorney's office for review. Councilor Ramona Taylor moved, Councilor Marco McClendon seconded to give permission to pay P&J Fowler $80,587.80 for Bettis Street drainage & street improvements. Discussion was held. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. Committee Reports Councilor Taylor reported that A& P met Tuesday and presented a budget but will have several more meetings. She said they did receive a request from the Crittenden Arts Council for $15,000.00 and West Memphis Hospitality Association made a cooperative request where hotel owners, restaurant owners and A&P would share the expense. West Memphis Retail Merchants made a similar request where they would pay 60% of the cost and ask A&P to pay the remaining cost for advertising in downtown Memphis. Councilor Al Felton reported Public Works met and went over the bid received for the dumpsters. He added that the dumpsters have been ordered. The also discussed ways to track the dumpsters. The utilities department is working with GIS to come up with a form to help keep track of the dumpsters. They also reviewed claims for damages from trash tucks. One claim they agreed to pay and the other they have requested more information on the claim. As a result the committee has created an AccidentlIncident form report to send to each street and sanitation supervisor. This is an attempt to cut down on claims. The Budget Committee did not meet. Councilor Robinson reported that the Airport Commission met this morning, the draft budget was presented and approved. The airport has two potential tenants for hanger two office space. She also reported that the final inspection for ART 16 runway and the taxiway rehab project is scheduled for December 1, 2003. Council Thomas reported that the Utility Commission met last Thursday and two of the items they discussed were on today's agenda. The other item was a claim by an apartment landlord, which was denied. Councilor Coleman reported that the Insurance Commission met and discussed conflict with people submitting proposals. This problem is still being worked on. He added that the Police Commission has two meeting scheduled on holidays. Mayor Johnson advised Councilor Coleman that as chairman he had the discretion to reschedule the meetings. Councilor Taylor suggested that they discuss the schedule changes after the council meeting. Having no further business Mayor Johnson asked Councilor Marco McClendon's son who was sitting in the audience to come forward. Mayor Johnson allowed the younger McClendon to request a motion to adjourn. Councilor McClendon moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliam to adjourn. Upon voice vote ,the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this 7 ~ day of December, 2003. WILLIAM H. JOHNSON AYOR ATTEST: _~~` PHIL ARA, CITY CLERK Minutes Prepared By: r-~ Felecia Ellis, Jr. Deputy Clerk