January 15, 2004MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 16, 2004
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Counll was held on January 15, 2004 at 1:30 p.m.
in the City Counll Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas. Mayor
wlliam H. Johnson presided over the meeting.
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Mayor Johnson offered prayer. Phillip
Para, City Clerk called the roll. Those present were: Mayor Johnson, CityAitomey David
Peeples, and Treasurer Frank Martin, Councibrs: Lorraine Robinson, Clarence Davis, Ramona
Taylor, AI Felton, Marco McClendon, Rev. Herman Coleman, James Holt, and Harold Thomas.
Councilors Gheric Bruce and James Pulliaum were absent. Mayor Johnson declared a quorum
present and proceeded with the agenda.
MINUTES
Councilor McClendon moved, seconded by Counllor Taylor to dispense with the reading of the
minutes of January 8, 2004 and approve as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS None
NEW BUSINESS
Councilor Felton moved, seconded by Councllor Robinson to suspend the rules and Resolution
(R-1) be read by title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
R-1 A Resolution certifying the amounts of liens imposed on certain properties for grass
cutting, leaning litter, debris and pools, contracted by the City of West Memphis pursuant to
Ordinance 1385.
City Attomey Peeples read the Resolution. Counllor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor
Felton to approve. Counllor Coleman moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to amend the
Resolution to exclude three names from the list: Johnny LaBattes- 512-514 S. 17"' Street, Gwen
Brown- 306 Peachtree, and Sandra Irvin- 223 S. 12"' Street. Discussion was held. Paul Luker,
Director of Planning & Development explained the procedures staff has for notifying each
property owner when their property needs cutting. He explained the property is posted and a
letter is sent giving them ten days to cut/dean the lot. After the ten days, the grass cutting is bid
out and then a bill is sent certified mail to the property owner. If the bill is not paid, a past due
letter is sent certified and includes notfication of the lien process. This gives them an additional
30 days to pay before they are put on the lien list. Counllor Coleman explained why he wanted
these three names removed. Roll call was held on the motion to amend the resolution.
AYES: Robinson, Davis, and Coleman
NAYS: Taylor, Felton, Holt, and Thomas
Counllor McClendon voted as "present°. The motion FAILED.
Roll call vote was held on the original motion to approve.
AYES: Davis, Taylor, Felton, McClendon, Holt and Thomas
NAYS: Robinson, and Coleman
The motion carried. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1778.
None
Counllor Robinson reported the Airport Commission met and the following items were
discussed: the negotiation between the Airport Commission and Garver Engineers failed to
produce a mutual confusion in the EPA penalty incurred during removal of obstruction north of
the airport and the matter was referred to City Attorney Peeples. Field flowage increased from
last year, jet fuel sales increased, and A V gas declined. Our airport was highly recommended in
the February issue of Private Pibts Magazine. Presentations were given by Delta Airport
Consultants on the airport master plan.
CITIZENS REQUESTS None
Mayor Johnson appointed Sarah Joplin Wilson to the Auditorium Commission. Counllor Taylor
moved, seconded by Robinson to confirm the appointment. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
Mayor Johnson appointed Rick Roberts to the Auditorium Commission. Counllor Felton moved,
seconded by Counllor Taylor to confirm the appointment. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
Counllor Taylor moved, seconded by Counllor McClendon to add the confirmation of the
appointment of the Advertising & Promotion Commissioner to the agenda. Upon voice vote, the
voting was unanimous.
PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 15, 2004
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Holt to confirm the re-appoint Ruthie Kidd to the
Advertising 8 Promotion Commission. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Coleman moved,
seconded by Councilor HoR to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The
meeting adjourned at 1:48 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this .7't~-~~ day of February, 2004.
WILLIAM H. JOH ON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
PHILLI ,CITY CLERK
Minutes Prepared By:
Cindy Green ood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk