January 8, 2004Minutes
West Memphis City Council
January 8, 2004
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on January 8, 2004 at 1:30 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 1:30 pm. Councilman Reverend Coleman Jr.
offered prayer. Phillip Para City Clerk called the roll. Those present were Mayor Johnson, City
Attorney David Peeples and Treasurer Frank Martin; Councilors: Lorraine Robinson, Clarence
Davis, Ramona Taylor, Al Felton, Herman Coleman, James Holt and Harold Thomas. Absent
Councilors were James Pulliaum, Gheric Bruce and Marco McClendon. Mayor Johnson declared
a quorum present and proceeded with the agenda.
Bid Opening : None
Minutes
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Davis 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
City Attorney David Peeples read the Ordinance to Amend Section 3 of Ordinance ] 501, to Set
Garbage Collection Fees, And To Abolish Ordinance 1552, Declaring An Emergency And For
Other Purposes. Councilor Robinson moved seconded by Councilor Thomas to suspend the rule
and place the ordinance on it's second reading. Upon voice vote the motion was approved.
Councilor Davis moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to further suspend the rule and place
the ordinance on its' third reading. Upon voice vote the motion was approved. City Attorney
David Peeples read the ordinance for its' third and final time. Councilor Davis moved seconded
by Councilor Robinson to approve the ordinance. Upon voice vote the ordinance was approved.
City Clerk Phillip Para assigned the ordinance number 2088. During a brief discussion Mayor
Johnson explained to the council that the old ordinance did not have a due date for payment of
fees. He further advised the Council that we have a large company that has not paid its' fees for
the year 2003. The new ordinance will assess a penalty of $500.00 per dumpster from the old
ordinance. Fees hence forth are to be paid by January 31 of the following year. Councilor
Coleman asked if the penalty would affect fees assessed in 2003. City Attorney David Peeples
said no, as far as the penalties are concerned but, that the fees will still have to be paid.
Councilor Taylor moved seconded by Councilor Robinson to approve the Emergency Clause, that
would enable the Council to enforce the January 31 ~` date for the year 2004. Upon voice vote the
motion was approved. Attorney David Peeples advised that the Emergency Clause would not
need a number.
Councilor Davis moved seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve the City's 2004 Budget. Upon
voice vote, voting was unanimous. Mayor Johnson explained that this is a bare bones operational
budget with no raises and no new hires. He added that the Council would have a special meeting
to address special request at a later date.
Permission Request:
Councilor Coleman moved, seconded by Councilor Thomas to give Permission to Pay APAC
Tennessee, Inc., $321,125.69 for West Memphis 2003 Overlay. Upon voice vote, voting was
unanimous.
Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Thomas to give Permission to Pay Brawley
Consulting Engineers, Inc., $18,450.43, for Engineering Services for The West Memphis 2003
Asphalt Overlay Program. Upon voice vote, voting was unanimous.
Committee Reports
Councilor Felton reported that the Public Works Committee met after the last Council meeting.
The Commission awarded the annual supply bids to the low bidders. He added that the regularly
scheduled meeting was rescheduled for last Thursday in January 2004.
Councilor Taylor reported that the Advertising and Promotions Committee met Friday, but they
had no significant outcome.
Councilor Davis reported that the Budget Committee wrapped up the Budget hearings.
Fire Commission did not meet.
Airport Commission did not meet.
Councilor Thomas reported that the Utility Commission did meet this morning and approved the
bad debit charge off list. One person schedule to appear before the Commission regarding a claim
failed to show.
Police Commission did not meet.
Insurance Commission did not meet.
Mayor Johnson advised the Council that he had put two resumes in their packet concerning two
appointees for the Auditorium Commission. The Council will be asked to vote on them at the
next Council meeting.
Citizens Request: Reverend Earnest Coleman Sr. spoke about the monument for Martin Luther
King Park. He expressed his gratitude to all those who helped make this opportunity possible. He
had special thanks for Mayor William Johnson and City Attorney David Peeples. The senior
Coleman said he would like Mayor Johnson and City Attorney Peeples names to go on the
monument along with all those who helped on this project including Senator Steve Jones who
contributed $5,000.00 for the project.
Councilor Ramona Taylor announced to the Council and the public that Senator Blanche Lincoln.
would be in West Memphis Saturday January 10, at the Schoettle Medical Education Center. The
Senator will be holding discussions on the new Medicare Prescription Drug benefit from l O:OOam
until 11:30am.
Having no further business, Mayor Johnson asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilor Robinson
moved to adjourn seconded by Councilor Taylor. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this ~ J~ day of January 2004.
WILLIAM H. JO MAYOR
ATTEST:
PHIL ,CITY CLERK
Minutes Prepared By:
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~`Felecia Ellis, Jr. Deputy Clerk