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June 24, 2004MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL JUNE 24, 2004 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, June 24, 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. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. Reverend David Moose of Rosewood United Methodist Church offered prayer. Phillip Para, City Cleric called the roll. Those present were: Mayor Vl~dliam H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples and Treasurer Frank Martin, Councilors: Lorraine Robinson, Clarence Davis, Ramona Taylor, AI Felton, James Holt, Harold Thomas, and James Pulliaum. Absent: Councilor Gheric Bruce, Man;o McClendon, and Herman Coleman. Mayor Johnson declared a quorum present and proceeded with the agenda. BID OPENINGS None Mayor Johnson read a Proclamation to the World Changers who were in town for their tenth year working on seventeen elderly, low-income family homes. Mayor Johnson proclaimed the week of June 21~through June 25"' as World Changers Week. MINUTES Councilor Davis moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to dispense with the reading of the minutes of June 3, 2004 and approve as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Johnson declared a Public Hearing open regarding creating a Redevelopment District for certain property located in the City of West Memphis, Arkansas; approving a project plan for such district; and authorizing and prescribing other matters pertaining thereto. Mayor Johnson asked if there was anyone present to speak for or against this matter. Sidney Runnels, Economic Development Director for the City of West Memphis stated that proper notices had been sent by certfied letter to the proper entities involved. Mr. Runnels also stated copies of the project plan were available in the office of Economic Development. Having no one come forwarci to speak against this matter, Mayor Johnson declared the Public Hearing dosed. OLD BUSINESS 2"d Reading An Orddinance to amend Section 257.080 of the West Memphis Municipal Code r+egardu~g the maximum number of policemen authorized for the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. 2"d Reading An Ordinance for the adoption of the International Fire Code, 2002 Edition, Volumes 1, N, and Itl, and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. 2"0' Reading An Ordinance adopting by reference the Arkansas Mechanical Code 2003 Edition with all amendmer-ts and revisions thenrof, and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. 2"d Reading An Ordinance adopting the Ir-ternational Building Code providing for regulations governing the construction, alteration, removal, demolition, equipment, use and occupancy, location and mainrtenance of buildings and structures. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. 2"d Reading An Ordinance adopting the International Residential Code Providing for regulations and governing residential design, constnx~ion, quality of materials, erection, installation, alteration, repair, location, rek~catron, replacement, addition to, removal, demolition, use or maintenance ofone-and-two-famity dwellings and townhouses and providing for the issuance of permits and collection of flees. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. NEW BUSINESS Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to suspend the rules and the titles only be read of R-1, R-2 and O-1 and O-2. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. R-1 A Resolution to ratify and confirm the action of the City Council approving the creation of a summer irrtem position with the Advertising and Promotion Commission. 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 approved and assigned No. 1784. PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JUNE 24, 2004 Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to add R-2 to the agenda. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. R-2 A Resolution approving a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration in the amount of $188, 808 00, authorizing the Mayor and City Cleric to execute documents to obtain the grant, and 1br other purposes. City Attomey Peeples read the Resolution. Coundlor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1785. Mayor Johnson stated this was a 100% grant, no match required. O-1 An Ordinance to amend Ordinance 1064 establishing water rates for the City of West Memphis, and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. O-2 An OMinance crr3afing a Rede~nelopment Dishict for certain property located in the City of West Memphis, Arkansas; approving a Project Plan for such district; authorizing and prescribing other matters pertaining thereto; and decl~ing an emergency. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Coundlor Thomas to suspend the rules and the Ordinance be read for the second time. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. Coundlor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Davis to further suspend the rules and the Orclinance be placed on its thircJ reading. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD and FINAL time. Coundlor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Coundlor Robinson to adopt the Ordinance. Upon roll call vote, the voting was as follows: AYES: Robinson, Davis, Taylor, Felton, Holt, Thomas, and Pulliaum NAYS: None The motion carried. Coundlor Thomas moved, seconded by Councilor Davis to adopt the emergency dause, section 8. Upon roll call vote, the voting was as follows: AYES: Robinson, Davis, Taylor, Felton, Holt, Thomas, and Pulliaum NAYS: None The motion carried. The Ordinance and its emergency clause was adopted and assigned No. 2096. PERMISSION REQUES Councilor Davis moved, seconded by Coundlor Holt to give pemnission to pay OMI $58,310 for operation of the sewer treatment plant for the month of June. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Coundlor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Coundlor Robinson to give permission to pay Scruggs Equipment Company $238,948 for two (2) 2004 Mack Front Loading Garbage Trucks. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Next, Mayor Johnson stated due to next Thursday's regular scheduled City Coundl meeting falling on the 4~' of July holiday weekend, he requested permission to move the next City Coundl meeting to July 8"'. Coundlor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Davis to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Holt to add permission to sign the contract with SBC for maintenance on our phone system lines and trunks to the agenda. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Coundlor Davis moved, seconded by Coundlor Pulliaum to approve signing the contract with SBC for five years at $4,774.00 per month, subject to audit and adjustments. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve, with the exception of Councilor Felton, who abstained from the vote. Coundlor Taylor reported the Fire Commission did not have a quorum but received information from Chief Robinson that all firemen applicants will be required to already be a certfied EMT, they are developing a physical fitness program for employees in July, any move from a paramedic from driver to hose man would be at a reduced salary, ladder truck should be operational by end of week, and they determined the regular meeting time will be the thin:! Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. Mayor reported that the Utility Department is repairing the emergency sirens and will continue to maintain them. Councilor Davis reported the Police Commission met and Chief Paudert reported he had looked into and redfied several complaints and established a project of meeting with different neighborhoods. He recently met with NAACP with positive results and discussed concerns and with Park Plaza Neighborhood Watd1 regaMing gangs, etc. A Community meeting, with Officer Isaac Christopher, is to be held next Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at the Police Department. PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL M-NUTES JUNE 24, 2004 Councilor Holt reported Park Commission met and he presented a tournament report showing that 187 total teams participating, which brought an estimated 8000 visitors to the city. He said that it is estimated that each visitor will spend $100.00 to $150.00 which has a huge economic impact in West Memphis. Councilor Thomas reported the Utility Commission met and discussed putting a sealer on the outside of the building to correct their problem, they approved the charge-off list, and approved an engineering consulting firm for the relocation of water and sewer lines at N. Airport Road and I- 40. Councilor Thomas reported Public Works Committee met and approved the bids on a portable air compressor and discussed Mayfair Apartments. Mayor Johnson said the city did go to Mayfair Apartments and clean up around the dumpsters. Councilor Robinson reported the Airport Commission met and fuel sales are up, officers were elected and the new Chairperson is David Pike, Vice-Chair Steve Jones, and Secretary Lewis Bastel. Fire Department came out and did an inspection to familiarize them of the layout in case of an emergency. They also discussed the possibility of building a new fire station. Councilor RotHnson reported the Personnel Committee met and employees want to know whether or not they will receive a cost of living raise this year and how much it will be. CITIZENS REQUESTS None ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilor Taylor reported Freedom Fest will be held Friday, June 25th at 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Rogers Park. Fireworks will be at 9:00 p.m. She also reported the county is having a Hazard Mitigation Plan information meeting from 2:00 to 4:00 at the Civic Center and asked the council to go by. The City of West Memphis will have to go through the process before the city can receive any more mitigation funds. Mayor Johnson announced there is an Open House at Pizza Hut today at 5:00 p.m. Councilor Pulliaum stated he attended a Police Chief Association Meeting while in Little Rock and there was a speaker there reganiing meth labs and the current problems elected officials need to be aware of regarding cost of clean-ups etc. and would like to see West Memphis Fire and Police Chiefs get together and schedule a meeting here. Mayor Johnson stated he would try to coordinate the two chiefs. Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson, to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this ~ day of July, 2004. ~/~~/ ~~~ WILLIAM H. JO SON, MAYOR ATTEST: _~ ~___~ PHILLIP P CLERK Minutes Prepared By: i~~-Le.,Q,n-"~l,~~s Cindy Green ~ od, Sr. Deputy City Clerk