May 6, 2004MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
MAY 6, 2004
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, May 6, 2004 at 1:30
p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas. Mayor
William H. Johnson introduced the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce Junior Leadership
group from the local Junior High Schools and said that today was Local Government Day. The
group elected a Mayor for the day, Austin Hudson, and he presided over part of the meeting.
Mayor for the day, Austin Hudson called the meeting to order at 1:45 p.m. Reverend Jim Mattson
of the First Christian Church offered prayer. Mayor Johnson acknowledged that Reverend
Mattson was honored for receiving his Doctorate of Divinity from Colorado Theological Seminary
last week, is a reserve Deputy Sheriff for our county, and volunteers on any occasion that the city
needs him. Mayor Johnson thanked Reverend Mattson for all he does for our community. Phillip
Para, City Clerk called the roll. Those present were: Mayor Johnson, City Attorney David
Peeples, and Treasurer Frank Martin, Councilors: James Holt, Harold Thomas, Lorraine
Robinson, Clarence Davis, Ramona Taylor, A/ Felton, Marco McClendon, and Herman Coleman.
Absent: Councilors James Pulliaum and Gheric Bruce. Mayor Johnson declared a quorum
present and proceeded with the agenda.
BID OPENINGS
Bids for West Memphis Utilities (1) Sewer Treatment Plant Mixer (2) Directional Boring were
opened at 1:00 and copies of the bid tabulation were given to the council. Councilor Taylor
moved, seconded by Councilor Felton to accept the bids and refer them to the Utility Commission
for final disposition. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. (See attached)
Jr. Leadership-Mayor Hudson read and presented a Proclamation to Ms. Ramona Taylor for
Flood Awareness Month.
MINUTES
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Felton to dispense with the reading of the
minutes of April 15, 2004 and approve as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS None
NEW BUSINESS
R-7 A Resolution approving the selection of an engineering ffnn for professional design
services for a municipal baseball complex.
Councilor Thomas moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to suspend the rules and the title only
be read. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution.
Councilor Holt moved, seconded by Councilor Thomas to adopt the resolution, subject to the
Advertising and Promotion Commission's approval. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1782. Mayor Johnson explained this resolution is
for an economic impact study so that the council will be able to make a decision on whether to
proceed with the project.
R-2 A Resolution to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Special Warranty Deed
and other necessary instruments of conveyance regarding Proform Company, LLC, and for other
purposes.
Councilor Thomas moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to suspend the rules and the title only
be read of R-2 and 0.1. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attorney Peeples read
the Resolution. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Felton to approve. Upon voice
vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1783. City
Attorney Peeples explained this was an Act 9 Bond Issue which the bonds have been paid out.
Under the lease agreement with the city, Proform has opted to terminate the lease, and have the
property conveyed back to them.
O-7 An Ordinance to change the terms for Aldermen from iwo years to four years and to
provide that the Aldermen from each ward shall serve staggered terns and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
PERMISSION REQUESTS
Councilor Davis moved, seconded by Councilor Holt to reschedule the second City Council
Meeting in June from June 17"' to June 24"' due to the Arkansas Municipal League Conference
being June 16"'through the June 18th. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilor Davis reported the Police Commission met and discussed enforcing the law that no
vehicle shall be parked on the street from midnight until 6:00 am. Discussed a major drug bust
and said that there will be a major crack down in the city. Assistant Chief Allen reported May 9 -
15"' is National Police Week and blue ribbons for your vehicles are available at the Police
Department to show your support. Also, there will be a ribbon cutting May 14th at the new Police
Sub-Station at Holiday Plaza Mall, which was donated by Guaranty Loan. Everyone is invited.
They are also exploring the possibility of obtaining a state grant that would pay the salaries for
police officers at our schools. This is under consideration because at the end of the three year
period, the city would have to pick up the salaries of these officers. They also heard a complaint
from Ms. Shirley Brown regarding her dog being shot. Police Commission Chairman Lorraine
Robinson stated she will follow up on this matter.
Councilor Felton reported the Budget Committee will be rescheduled sometime next week.
CITIZENS REQUESTS None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Johnson announced that June is Cancer Awareness Month, and as a cancer patient
himself, he wanted to support cancer awareness. He said that June 4 - 5 at the Relay for Life in
Marion, they will be giving free prostate cancer screenings and encouraged everyone to have
screenings, especially African American males because statistics show they are more subject to
have prostrate cancer and if so, much more likely to die from it.
Councilor Robinson announced that May is West Memphis Clean up Month and encouraged
everyone to clean up their property and anything they do not want or use to put it out on the street
and Sanitation will pick it up.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Taylor moved, seconded
by Councilor Felton to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting
adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this ~ day of May, 2004.
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ATTEST:
PHILLIP P ITY CLERK
Minutes Prepared By:
Cindy Green ood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk
West Memphis Utility Commission
P.O. Box 1868 • 604 East Cooper
(870) 735-3355 • Fax (870) 732-7623
West Memphis, Arkansas 72303
DIRECTIONAL BORING FOR ELECTRIC DEPT.
4,077 FEET LALMAN TRAILER PARK
05-06-04
ART STEWARD & SONS INC.
COMO, MS 38619
ARK. CABLE ~ FIBER OPTIC
JONESBORO, AR 72404
CRITTCO CONSTRUCTION CO.
MARION, AR 72364
DEVINEY CONSTRUCTION
JACKSON, MS 39282-6717
OWENS IRRIGATION, INC.
MEMPHIS, TN 38187-0316
JIMMY G. WOODS CO., INC.
WYNNE, AR 72396
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An Equal Opportunity Employer
West Memphis Utility Commission
P.O. Box 1868 • 604 East Cooper
(870) 735-3355 • Fax (870) 732-7623
West Memphis, Arkansas 72303
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT MIXER
05-06-04
GULF STATES ENGINEERING CO. INC. ~~_ ~~,~~ 5 ~ ~ ~~
SOUTHAVEN, MS 38671
US FILTER/EMU ~ , ~~„ ~ ~y~'
TEMECULA, CA 92590
An Equal Opportunity Employer
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