December 18, 2003Minutes
West Memphis City Council
December 18,2003
A Public Hearing was held at 1:30 pm before the scheduled Council Meeting. At issue was the
question of the adoption of a Resolution authorizing the issuance of a not to exceed 2,000,000
principal amount of Revenue Bond by the City of West Memphis, Arkansas Public Facilities
Board (The Board) on application of Counseling Services of Eastern Arkansas, Inc., an Arkansas
non-profit corporation ("CESA"). Mayor Johnson called to order the hearing. No one spoke on
the issue. Mayor Johnson closed the hearing at 1:31 pm.
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on December 18, 2003 at 1:31 pm
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 1:31 pm. Mayor Johnson offered prayer. Felecia
Ellis, Junior Deputy Clerk, called the roll in the absence of Phillip Para, City Clerk. Those present
were Mayor Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples and Treasurer Frank Martin; Councilors:
Harold Thomas, James Pulliaum, Gheric Bruce, Clarence Davis, Al Felton, Marco McClendon
and James Holt. Absent Councilors were Lorraine Robinson, Ramona Taylor and Herman
Coleman. Mayor Johnson declared a quorum present and proceeded with the agenda.
Bid Opening : Councilor Bruce moved seconded by Councilor Davis to approve the Public
Works Department's Annual Supply Bid. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Minutes
Councilor Felton moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to dispense with the reading of the
minutes of December 4, 2003 and approved as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
Old Business -None
New Business
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Holt to approve a Resolution authorizing the
issuance of a Revenue Bond by the City of West Memphis, Arkansas Public Facilities Board.
Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous. The Resolution was assigned # 1776.
Councilor Thomas moved seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to approve distributing Dog Track
funds in the amount of $4,991.74 to the Good Neighbor Center. Upon voice vote, voting was
unanimous. Council agreed to hold a second check in the amount of $2,430.95 until the next
distribution of Charity Funds in January 2004. The Southland Racing Corporation will distribute
additional funds at that time.
Councilor Thomas moved seconded by Councilor Davis to approve one-twelfth of the City
budget. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous.
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Thomas to approve a Resolution approving a
policy of the West 1Vlemphis Police Department prohibiting Racial Profiling and for other
purposes. ];1pon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was assigned #1777.
Councilor Phlliaum offered a brief discussion on the issue of training.
Permission Request
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Davis to give permission to pay OMI
$58,310.00 for the month of January 2004. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous.
Committee Reports
The Utility Committee did not meet.
Councilor Davis reported that the Budget Committee did not meet, but added that the Budget
hearings have begun.
Councilor Bruce reported that the Fire Commission met on December 16, 2003. He reported that
they are in the process of choosing members for a Bi-Racial Committee.
Councilor Felton reported that Public Works has awarded the bid for the two Front Loading
Sanitation trucks. He said the lowest bid did not meet specifications, thus the committee went
with the next lowest bid. This bid did meet all the requirements. He also reported that the
committee paid the deductible on a claim against the City for damages to a vehicle.
Mayor Johnson reminded the Council that "Business After Hours" will meet at S:OOpm at
Guaranty Loans.
Councilor Davis moved seconded by Councilor Bruce to reschedule the next Council Meeting
from January 1, 2004 to January 8, 2004. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous.
Having no further business, Mayor Johnson asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilor Pulliaum
moved to adjourn seconded by Councilor Bruce. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this --day of January 2004.
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WILLIAM . JO ON MAYOR
ATTEST:
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PHILLI ,CITY CLERK
Minutes Prepared By:
Felecia Ellis, Jr. Deputy C erk