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February 19, 2004MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 19, 2004 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, February 19, 2004 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 1:35 p.m. Sidney Runnels, Diredor of Economic Development offered prayer. Phillip Para, City Clerk called the roll. Those present were: Mayor Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples, and Treasurer Frank Martin, Councilors: Gheric Bruce, Ramona Taylor, AI Felton, Marco McClendon, Harold Thomas, James Pulliaum, and Lorraine Robinson. Absent.• Rev. Hem7an Coleman, James Holt, and Clarence Davis. Mayor Johnson declared a quorum present and proceeded with the agenda. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to add Bid Openings/Parks Departmentto the agenda. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Bids for the Park Commission -One (1) 2004 3: ton crew cab four door pick up were opened at 1:00 pm and bid tabulations were given to the council. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Bruce to accept the bids and refer to the Park Commission for final disposition. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. (See copy attached) Next, Fire Chief Arburt Robinson and Mayor Johnson made presentations of Perted Attendance Awards to: Joey Cavitt, Jacob Simpson and Blake Hudson, firefighters who had perfect attendance in 2003 and also to officers: Captain Wayne Gately, Captain Randall Brown, Assistance Chief Eddie Spears and Chief Arburt Robinson with perfed attendance. In honor of Black History Month, Mayor Johnson and Councilor Lorraine Robinson presented Dorothy Wallace, the first black secretary hired at City Hall, with over 25 years with the city, and has been secretary under the last five mayor's, with a Certificates of Appreciation. Mayor Johnson praised Ms. Wallace for her dedication and hard work and commended her many accomplishments. MINUTES Councilor Robinson stated there was one correction in the minutes of February 5, 2004. The name of Essie Holbrook, a reapient of a certificate of appreciation should be S.E. Holbrook. Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Thomas to approve the minutes of February 5, 2004 as amended. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Councilor PuAiaum moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to suspend the rules and the title on be read of R-1 and O-1. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. R-1 A Resolution to create within the West Memphis Police Department a third inspector position, and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Thomas to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1779. O-1 An Ordinance to waive competitive bidding for uniforms and laundry services to be provided by G & K Services and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Felton to suspend the rules and the Ordinance be placed on its second reading. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. Councilor FeRon moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to further suspend the rules and the Ordinance be placed on its third and final reading. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attorney read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL time. Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to adopt. Renita Rash, Purchasing Agent reported this service would be for Street, Sanitation, Shop, Water, Sewer, Waste Water, Metering, Meter Reader, Line Crew, City Shop and Paris Employees. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2089. PERMISSION REQUESTS Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor McClendon to table the final statement of Community Development Block Grant B-2004-MC-05-0009 until the next meeting. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilor Thomas reported the Utility Commission met and approved bids and heard comments from a citizen. Page 2 City Council M/nutes February 79, 2004 Lorraine Robinson reported the Airport Commission met and heard a presentation from Bob Schneider of Morgan Keegan and Jim Buttry, Friday Law Firm, regarding the reissuing of the airport bonds and also were updated on other projects. She also reported Personnel Committee met and new officers were selected. Police Commission has not met, however she reported the Police Department would be at the old K-Mart Parking lot, Saturday, February 28, 2004 8:30 checking child car seats to check if they have been re-called and in proper working orcler. If they are not in working order, a new one will be given out. Mayor Johnson reported Monday at 10:00 there will be a ground breaking ceremony at the Meadowbrook Mall -Police Sub-Station which Guaranty Loan, at their expense, are constructing the city a Police Sub-Station that will be 1000 square foot brick building with two offices, a conference room and a bathroom. Mayor Johnson thanked Guaranty Loan for this tremendous gesture. Mayor Johnson also reported the city is looking into re-financing the million dollar port bond issue which will save $300,000 with the same maturity date and same number of payments, and also the airport 2.8 million dollar bond issue, which will save $800,000 with the same maturity date and same number of payments. Mayor Johnson reported this would come back to the City Council for approval. Mayor Johnson updated the council on the industry that will possibly come to Marion. In order to entice this company, Red Cross Road and Airport road would have to be updated. Marion has agreed to transfer money that was allocated to Hwy 77 to this project. Mayor Johnson said that West Memphis is asking that MPO, which he is a part of, allow $600,000 that was allocated to the South Loop, be allocated to this project. This is a contribution that West Memphis is making to make this project happen, which would benefd the entire county. Mayor Johnson reported the Advertising & Promotion Commission authorized a feasibility study to see if a baseball complex would be viable to West Memphis. The study was completed and showed that it would be positive and suggested it be located in the Mound City. They proceeded with and there are three key elements (1) land (2) financing and (3) contract with Southeastern Sports Management, who will operate the faality. The land is available in the Mound City Road area for 11 fields, to start out with, and has provisions for 13 fields. The financing will require the A8~P tax to be raised '~ cent to finance a bond issue. The City Council has the authority to raise the tax and the A8P Commission would have to make the allocation. A presentation will be made to the City Council before they are asked to vote on any thing. CITIZENS REQUESTS Berry Brown - 812 S. 18"' -requested the Mayor and City Council partiapate in a march and rally for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Giris Club on March 27"' at 11:00 with the march starting at 12:00. James Ezell - 808 Pecan -stated he represented West Wood Acres and there were 14 houses that could not get their trash picked up. He stated they were only getting one pickup a week. Mayor Johnson explained that every house only gets one trash pick up and one gart~age pick up per week. Mr. Ezell stated they are putting garbage on the streets for the elderly people. Councilor Rot~inson stated we have back yard pick up for their garbage. This matter was referred to the Public Works Committee which meets the Z"~ Thursday of each month. Mr. Ezell said he could be reached at 735-0169 or 702-1127 to let him know when the next meeting was. Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this '~`~ day of March, 2004. .-----~ WILLIAM H. JOHN N, MAYOR ATTEST: PHILLI ,CITY CLERK Minutes Prepared By: Cindy Greenwo r. Deputy City Clerk CITY OF WEST MEMPri18 205 S. Redding • P.O. Box 1728 • West Memphis, Arkansas 72303-1728 • (870) 732-7500 CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS PARK COMMISSION One (1) 2004 3/a ton crew cab 4 door pick-up BIDDER Ford of West Memphis ' Morrow Brothers Ford, Inc. Steve Jones Chevrolet-Buick Cadillac-GMC Machen Ford & Chrysler Ross Ford Oakley-Keesee Ford Lewis Ford North Point Ford Chuck Hutton Chevrolet Gwatney Chevrolet Dobbs Ford Landers Ford Chuck Hutton Dodge BIDDER TOTALS ~1~ ~ t$~ i ~Trzloy[ $ t.~C~-an Qy s ~ ~8 , ~~~ $ ~o~~yS ~~l , 154 ~--- $ ~ ~ ~ ~'1 S Ci~o~ S~A~-5 bi , a shy 1 s~euK An Equal Opportunity Employer