August 19, 2004Minutes
West Memphis City Council
August 19, 2004
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on August 19, 2004 at 1:39 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 1:393 p.m. Reverend Tom Hunter -First Church
of the Nazarene -West Memphis, Arkansas offered prayer. Phillip Para, City Clerk called the
' roll. Those present were Mayor Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples, Treasurer Frank Martin.
Councilors: Al Felton, Herman Coleman, James Holt, Harold Thomas, James Pulliaum, Clarence
Davis, and Ramona Taylor. Absent Councilors Marco McClendon, Lorraine Robinson and Gheric
Bruce. Mayor Johnson declared a quorum present and proceeded with the agenda.
Bid OpeninQSâ˘
None
Certificate of Appreciation
Mayor Bill Johnson presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Courtney Chaff in grateful
recognition for Meritory Service in the City of West Memphis. Mayor Johnson went on to
commended Mr. Chaff for his desire to be a role model to the youth of this community. Mr. Chaff
is offering free back to school haircuts to any child that comes to his Barbershop.
Minutes
Council Pulliaum moved, seconded by Council Davis to dispense with the reading of the minutes
of August 5, 2Q04 and approved as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Old i s
z` reading of an Ordinance Amending the Lakes of Richland PUD and For Other Purposes. City
Attorney Davin l?eeples read by title only. This concluded the second reading. Mayor Johnson
said this Ordinance will go on to Council in two weeks for its' final reading.
New Business
None
Permission l~e~u~est
None
Citizen's Regiitest
Mayor Johnson advised the Council that Mrs. Berry Brown made a request to address the Council
but was too late to get on the agenda. Mayor Johnson asked the Council to approve adding her to
the agenda. Councilor Pulliaum moved seconded by Councilor Holt to add Mrs. Berry Brown to
the Agenda. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Mrs. Berry Brown of 812 S. 18`~ West Memphis, AR along with Reverend Ernest Coleman of
600 S. 18`~ Street West Memphis, AR updated the Council on efforts to get a monument placed
in Martin Luther King Park. Mr. Earnest Tilrr}~n of Earnest Monuments is Memphis also
addressed the Council. Mr. Tilman's company will now build the black granite statue that will
stand in Martin Luther King Rark.
Committee Reports
Councilor James Holt reported that the Parks Fpmmission met and discussed problems around
Tildon Roger Complex dealing with trash. He advised that the trash problem has been taken care
of. The commission is now in the process of ~jQ~ing out how many people use our local parks.
Councilor Harold Thomas reported that the Utilities Commisson met a week ago today at 8:30am.
They heard a couple of request from two citizens. There was an executive meeting scheduled but
the employee did not show up for the meeting. Public Works met at noon the same day and did
review the claim of two gentlemen that had a broken window but no action was taken. He also
reported that all Council members have been asked to check the streets in their wards for
recommendations to the acting City Engineer regarding overlays, patchwork or whatever repairs
are needed. The Personnel Committee met last Wednesday and there was not a quarum.
Councilor Ramona Taylor reported that the Fire Commission met yesterday, three of the five
members were present. The two chiefs gave a report about equipment and facility needs. They
also talked with employees about some of their concerns and will address those concerns again
next month.
Appointments: A & P Commission
The Council was asked to confirm the appointments of four people elected by the A & P
Commission to serve on that board. The four names submitted are as follows: Mrs. Ross Hooper,
Mr. J.O. (Buddy) House, Mr. Mitch Taylor and Mr. Frank Waggoner. Mayor Johnson advised
that Mrs. Ruthie Kidd was confirmed by the Council nearly two months ago. After a brief
discussion Mayor Johnson called the names alphabetically for a confirmation vote. Councilor
Coleman moved, seconded by Councilor Davis to confirm Mrs. Hooper. After a lengthy
discussion between Councilor Pulliaum and City Attorney Peeples a roll call vote was taken for
confirmation of Mrs. Hooper. Councilors voting in favor of the motion: Felton, Holt, Thomas and
Davis. Councilors abstaining: Coleman, Pulliaum and Taylor. The motion failed.
Councilor Thomas moved, seconded by Councilor Davis to confirm Mr. House. A roll call vote
was taken. Councilors voting against the motion: Felton, Coleman, Thomas, Davis and Taylor.
Councilors abstaining: Holt and Pulliaum. The motion failed.
Councilor Holt moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to confirm Mr. Taylor. A roll call vote was
taken. Councilors voting in favor of the motion: Felton, Coleman, Holt, Thomas, Davis and
Taylor. Councilor Pulliaum abstained. The motion passed.
Councilor Holt seconded by Councilor Taylor to confirm Mr. Waggoner. A roll call vote was
taken. Councilors voting in favor of the motion: Felton, Coleman, Holt, Thomas, Davis, Pulliaum
and Taylor. Voting was unanimous.
Councilor Pulliaum stated that he hoped the A & P Commission would become more diversified.
Councilors Holt and Davis expressed a hope that the new Commission would work harder at
helping with local projects and not be so quick to turn applicants down.
Having no further business Mayor Johnson requested a motion to adjourn. Councilor Pulliaum
moved, seconded by Councilor Coleman to adjourn. Upon voice vote ,the voting was unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
Sets} gyn. be r
PASSED and APPROVED this day of ., , 2004.
WILLIAM H. JOHN AYOR
ATTEST:
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_~~% ^,
PHILLIP PARR, CITY CLERK
Minutes Prepared
Felecia Ellis, Jr. eputy Clerk