July 15, 2004MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
JULY 15, 2004
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, July 15, 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 1:30 p.m. Reverend Denton of Calvary Baptist
Church offered prayer. Phillip Para, City Clerk called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William
H. Johnson, City Attomey David Peeples and Treasurer Frank Martin, Councilors: Ramona
Taylor, Marco McClendon, Herman Coleman, James Holt, Harold Thomas, Lorraine Robinson,
and Clarence Davis. Absent: Councilor's Gheric Bruce, Al Felton, and James Pulliaum. Mayor
Johnson declared a quorum present and proceeded with the agenda.
Bids for West Memphis Utilities -Radio Equipment were not opened as scheduled and the bids
were returned to the bidders.
MI TES
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor HoR to dispense with the reading of the minutes
of July 8, 2004 and approve as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
3'~ Reading An Ordinance to amend Ordinance 1064 establishing water rates for the City of
West Memphis, and for other purposes.
Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor, to amend the Ordinance: PER
MONTH BEGINNING WITH SECOND 12 MONTH INCREMENT, second line, to read: Next 3,500
gallons ~ $.067 per hundred gallons instead of 0$.062 per hundred gallons. Upon voice vote,
the voting was unanimous. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance, as amended, for the
THIRD AND FINAL time. Councilor Thomas moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to adopt the
ordinance as amended. Mayor Johnson reported there has not been an increase in 25 years. The
average consumption for residential customers is 8,600 gallons. The customer's water and
sewer portion of the bill will increase monthly as: Year 1: $3.04, Year 2: $1.98 Year 3: $2.27 for
a total of $7.29.Discussion continued. Upon roll call vote, the voting was:
AYES: Taylor, Holt, Thomas, Robinson, and Davis
NAYS: None
Councilor's McClendon and Coleman voted "present". Mayor Johnson voted "yes". The
Ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2102.
3'~ Reading An Orddinance waiving competitive bidding for the purchase of computer
equipment and maintenance for the West Memphis District Court and for other purposes.
City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL time. Councilor Taylor
moved, seconded by Councilor Davis to adopt. Counalor Coleman questioned why waiving
competitive bidding was necessary. City Attomey Peeples stated the company they were buying
from would inGude the new equipment under the existing maintenance agreement at no
additional cost and they got quotes for new equipment and separate maintenance agreements on
the new equipment and this would cost less. Upon roll call vote, the voting was:
AYES: Taylor, McClendon, Holt, Thomas, Robinson, and Davis
NAYS: Coleman
The motion carried. The Ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2103.
NEW BUSINESS None
PERMISSION REQUESTS
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Coleman to give permission to pay OMI $58,310
for operation of the sewer treatment plant for the month of July. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilor Thomas reported the Personnel Committee met and discussed health insurance. Don
Brawley, Administrator of our insurance was present to explain the benefits of our plan. A big
concern was the cost of family coverage. They also discussed the possibility of Mr. Brawley
meeting with the various departments. Employee pay increase concerns were also discussed.
Councilor Coleman reported the Insurance Committee met and discussed insurance rates and
also the fact that more money had been paid out last year than collected, but reported that we are
beginning to catch up. The possibility of employees paying for individual coverage instead of
employees receiving their insurance at no cost to help compensate for the high cost of dependent
coverage was discussed. They will be asking for competitive bidding for next year.
Councilor Holt reported the Park Commission did not have a quorum and complimented Mr.
Parker, Park Director for being very well informed and looking at every park in the city.
PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 15, 2004
Councilor Robinson reported for the Airport Commission. The airport was approved for a state
grant from the State Department of Aeronautics for $11,000. A 5% match was approved for the
Master Plan update was approved on July 14"' which makes it a 100% grant. 2003 Audit was
completed and showed an income of $86,530. Jet fuel sales were down this month due to the
heat.
CITIZENS REt1U_ESTS None
ANNOUNCEMENT
Councilor Taylor reported the Business After Hours will be held today at the Delta Area Health
Education Center located on the south campus of the hospital from 5 until 7.
Councilor Coleman announced the E. Ark. District Congress of Christian Education is in session
today and youth night was tonight at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 300 S. 14~h Street. He invited all
those interested to attend.
Councilor Robinson asked everyone who owns property in the city to please keep it mowed to
help with our mosquito problem.
Mayor Johnson asked Emest English, Supervisor for VDCI, to come forward and give a mosquito
control report. Mr. English reported that the mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus breed in
water and asked that everyone eliminate all containers in their yams that holds water, such as
tires and buckets. If you have a bind bath, change the water every 2 to 3 days. Any complaints or
concerns should call 735-4680.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Taylor moved, seconded
by Councilor Coleman, to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting
adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this ~~ day of August, 2004.
' Gam---- ~ '-z---
WILLIAM H. JOHNS ,MAYOR
ATTEST:
PHILLIP PARR, CITY CLERK
Minutes Prepared By:
Cindy Green ood, Sr. Deputy Crty Clerk