September 16, 2004MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 16, 2004
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, September 16, 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 Herman Coleman offered
prayer. Cindy Greenwood, Senior Deputy City Clerk called the roll. Those present were: Mayor
William H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples and Treasurer Frank Martin, Councilors:
Herman Coleman, James Holt, Harold Thomas, Lorraine Robinson, Clarence Davis, Ramona
Taylor, A/ Felton, and Marco McClendon. Absent.• Councilor's James Pulliaum and Gheric Bruce
and City Cleric Phillip Para. Mayor Johnson declared a quorum present and proceeded with the
agenda.
BID OPENINGS None
MINUTES
Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to dispense with the reading of the
minutes of September 2, 2004 and approve as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
Next, Sgt. Larry Brown presented a plaque to Mayor Johnson and thanked the City Council for
the opportunity. Sgt Brown served over twelve months in the war in Iraq and wanted to make a
small contribution to the city of West Memphis, where he grew up.
OlD BUSINESS
2nd Reading of an Ordinance to rezone certain property in the City of West Memphis, located on
Graham Street, City of West Memphis, Crrtter-den County, Arkansas, from C-1, Commercial; R-2
Residential; R-4, Residential, and O-1, Office District to BW-1, General Broadway District
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND TIME.
NEW BUSINESS
Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Thomas to suspend the rules and
Resolution's R-1, R-2, and R-3 be read by title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
R-1 A Resolution certifying the removal of grass; weeds; litter; debris; inoperable vehicles;
unsanitary; unsafe and other unsi~rtly items from private property within the City of West
Memphis. (606 E. Woodlawn)
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Coleman moved, seconded by Councilor
Holt to approve the Resolution (R-1). Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The
Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1791.
R-2 A Resolution certifying the removal of grass; weeds; litter, debris; inoperable vehicles;
unsanitary; unsafe and other unsightly hems from private property within the City of West
Memphis. (2520 E. Broadway)
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Hott moved, seconded by Councilor
Robinson to approve the Resolution. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The
Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1792.
R-3 A Resolution adopting the National Incident Management System established by the
United States Department of Homeland Security for all emergency response by all departments
and agencies of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas.
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor
Coleman to approve the Resolution. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The
Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1793.
PERMISSION REQUESTS
Councilor Thomas moved, seconded by Councilor Thomas to give permission for the Mayor to
sign an agreement with Brawley Consulting Engineers for the 2004 Asphalt Overlay Project.
Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilor Davis moved, seconded by Councilor Holt to give permission for the Mayor to sign a
contract with Brawley Consulting Engineers for the CDBG Shady Grove, Ford, Nash and Lincoln
Streets drainage and street improvements. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Davis to give permission to pay OMI
$58,310.00 for operation of the sewer treatment plant for the month of September. Upon voice
vote, the voting was unanimous.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilor Taylor reported the Fire Commission met and discussed how to adequately cover the
city. They meet the third Wednesday at 4:00.
Councilor Robinson reported the Airport Commission met and discussed the Master Plan update,
and reported that FAA had began the process to convert the airport's non-directional beacon to a
federal fadlity, which means the FAA will install a new piece of equipment and be responsible for
all maintenance. The airport is to hold a pilot safety meeting sponsored by FAA at Mid South
Community College November 18, 2004 from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m.
Coundlor Thomas reported the Utility Commission met and awarded bids on equipment, tentative
to the General Manager's approval. A monthly payment agreement was worked out with a
customer that had meter reading problems. Public Works Committee met and discussed the over-
lay program.
Coundlor Holt reported the Park Commission did not have a quorum.
Councilor Coleman reported the Insurance Committee is still accepting proposals for health and
dental insurance and information can be obtained from Coleman Insurance, 707 E. Broadway.
Councilor Robinson reported that the Personnel Committee did not have a quorum.
APPOINTMENTS
The Advertising and Promotion Commission elected Ross Hooper and Mike Patel to the
Advertising and Promotion Commission subject to confirmation of the City Council. Councilor
Holt moved, seconded by Coundlor Thomas to confirm the appointment of Ross Hooper. Upon
voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Coundlor FeRon moved, seconded by Councilor
Robinson to confirm the appointment of Mike Patel. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
Thomas Aldridge, 520 N. 9"' -requested permission to have an open-air revival for two
weekends in October, in drug infested areas, on Friday and Saturday evenings between 5:30 -
10:00 p.m. at Horton Park and at Imperial Homes at McAuley and 18"' Street. Paul Luker,
Director of Planning ~ Development reported zoning regulations for tent revivals require they be
held in a commercial district, 200 yards from residential areas. Although Mr. Aldridge said he
would not be using a tent, concerns were expressed regarding the noise level when Mr. Aldridge
stated he would be using a commercial PA system. Coundlor Coleman requested council's
permission to work with Mr. Aldridge on a solution and bring the matter bads at the next coundl
meeting. Mayor Johnson asked that City Attorney Peeples or Paul Luker be involved also. There
were no objections.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Johnson announced a National Guarc1 Unit, which inducted two of our firefighters, has
returned from military senrice in Cuba. There will be a parade this Saturcay honoring this guard
unit at 10:30 am, beginning at 7~' Street and ending at Federal Street. At 11:30 at the Civic
Center, there will be a BBQ lunch for the guard unit and their families. At 1:30 at the Civic
Auditorium, there will be an awards ceremony :Mayor Johnson encouraged the public to attend.
Mayor Johnson announced there has been a legal defense fund set up thru Community Bank to
assist the three police officers that were indicted in Tennessee for an inddent that occurred while
doing their job. The officers had to hire their own attorneys because the city is not allowed to
defend them. Anyone wanting to contribute may do so at Community Bank, City Hall, or the West
Memphis Police Department.
Business After Hours will be held today at the Business Expo being held at the Holiday Plaza Mall
from 5:00 p.m. uMi17:00 p.m.
Mayor Johnson issued a Prodamation prodaiming the month of September, 2004 as Prostate
Cancer Awareness Month. Ramona Taylor accepted the Prodamation and announced that Mid
South Urology would be giving free prostate cancer screenings, this Saturcay, at the Main Street
Fall Festival at Union Planters Bank Plaza from 10:00 until 5:00.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Coundlor Robinson moved,
seconded by Coundlor Holt, to adjourn. Upon voice vale, the voting was unanimous. The
meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this ~~~L_ day of October, 2004.
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WILLIAM H. JOHNS ,MAYOR
ATTEST:
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Minutes Prepared By:
PHILL ,CITY CLERK CINDY G EENWOOD/DC