October 7, 2004Minutes
West Memphis City Council
October 7, 2004
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on October 7, at 1:30 p.m. in the
City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas. Mayor William
H. Johnson presided over the meeting.
E Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Reverend Herman Coleman offered
prayer. Phillip Para, City Clerk called the roll. Those present were Mayor Johnson, City Attorney
David Peeples, Treasurer Frank Martin. Councilors: James Holt, Harold Thomas, James
Pulliaum, Lorraine Robinson, Clarence Davis, Ramona Taylor, Al Felton, Marco McClendon and
Herman Coleman. Absent: Councilor Gheric Bruce. Mayor Johnson declared a quorum present
and proceeded with the agenda.
Bid Openin~s•
Bid openings for Street Department-2004 Asphalt Overlay Program -Striping of Streets -Eddie
Brawley. Having reviewed the bids Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to
refer the bids to Public Works for disposition. Upon voice vote the motion was unanimously
approved. Councilor Coleman questioned if this vote was for particular streets. Mayor Johnson
advised that this vote is for the price and price for tonage only. He stated that Public Works
would determine which streets would be affected.
Proclamation: Crittenden County Search and Rescue, established in 1982 was honored by
having October 7, 2004 proclaimed as Search and Rescue Day. Mayor Johnson presented
founders Charles Ashcroft and Denver Reed with plaques commemorating the day. Certificates of
appreciation were also presented to the founders for each current member of the Search and
Rescue Team. The certificates of appreciation; were presented, by Councilor Robinson and
Assistant Chief Mike Allen, on behalf the West Memphis Police Commission and the West
Memphis Police Department.
Minutes
Councilor Pulliaam moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to dispense with the reading of the
minutes of September 16, 2004 and approved as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimously approved.
Old Business
3 r~ eading of an Ordinance to Rezone certain property in the City of West Memphis, located on
Graham Street, City of West Memphis, Crittenden County, Arkansas, from C-i, Commercial: R-2
R-2 Residential; R-4, Residential and O-1, Office District to BW-1, General Broadway District.
City Attorney David Peeples read by title only.
Councilor Taylor moved seconded by Councilor Robinson to approve the Ordinance as read.
Upon voice vote the motion was unanimously approved. City Clerk Phillip Para assigned the
Ordinance number #2105.
New Rucineac -
Councilor Pulliaum moved seconded by Councilor Felton that all Resolutions and
Ordinances up for new business be read by title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimously approved.
A Resolution of the City of West Memphis City Council Supporting Arkansas
Constitutional Amendment 2 was read by title only by City Attorney David Peeples.
Mayor Johnson explained that the vote on this amendment is in support of the
amendment only. He further explained that this amendment gives the Governor,
Legislature and Economic Development the authority to issue revenue bonds for a super
project if a large corporation decides to locate in Arkansas. The amendment will not raise
taxes. It will be funded out of existing revenue and can only be a percentage of existing
revenue. The amendment will go on the November ballot for the people of Arkansas to
vote on next month. Councilor Pulliaum moved seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve
the Resolution. Upon voice voting the Resolution was unanimously approved. City Clerk
Phillip Para assigned the Resolution #1794.
A Resolution of the City Council of West Memphis, Arkansas, Certifying Local
Government Endorsement of MI 2, LLC to Participate in the Advantage Arkansas
Program (Formerly the Arkansas Enterprise Zone Program -Act 947 of 1993 as
Amended) was read by title only by City Attorney David Peeples. Councilor Taylor
moved seconded by Councilor Felton to approve the Resolution as read. After a brief
discussion clarifying the benefits of the Resolution the council voted on the motion. Upon
voice vote the motion was unanimously approved. City Clerk Phillip Para assigned the
Resolution #1795.
A Resolution Accepting the Annexation of Certain Territory to the City of West
Memphis, Arkansas and Making Same a Part of the City of West Memphis was read by
title only by City Attorney David Peeples. Mayor Johnson asked that the Council table
this Resolution until after the November 4~' election. He explained that approving the
Resolution at this time would create extra work for the County Clerk's office during
election time. Councilor Coleman moved seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to table the
Resolution until after the November 4`h election. Upon voice vote the motion was
unanimously approved.
A Resolution to Amend the West Memphis Police Department Policy and Procedures
Manual was read by title only by City Attorney David Peeples. Councilor Davis moved
seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve the Resolution. Upon voice vote the motion
was unanimously approved.
A brief discussion was held, in which Mayor Johnson explained that this Resolution will
allow the West Memphis Police Department to include the use of Tasers in it's policy
manual. The Taser will be used only by trained qualified police personnel. City Clerk
Phillip Para assigned the Resolution #1796.
1 ~` reading of an Ordinance Attaching and Incorporating Certain Described, Annexed
Territory to Ward 1 of the City of West Memphis and for Other Purposes was read by
title only by City Attorney David Peeples.
Permission Repuest
Councilor McClendon moved, seconded by Councilor Felton, to give permission for Mayor
Johnson to pay OMI $58,310.00 for the month of October for operating the Waste Water
Treatment plant and to pay OMI $78,851.47 for disposal of solid waste as per their contract.
Upon voice vote, the motion was unanimously approved.
Councilor Thomas moved seconded by Councilor Holt to approve Planning Commission
Recommendations. There was no discussion. Upon voice vote, the motion was unanimously
approved.
Councilor Coleman moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve the acceptance of a 2-year
100% Grant for The Crittenden County Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization
Enforcement Coalition Project and Hire Authorized Personnel. Upon voice vote, the motion was
unanimously approved.
Councilor Taylor moved seconded by Councilor Holt to approve the Budget Amendments
submitted by City Treasurer Frank Martin and Budget Commission member Councilor Al Felton.
Upon voice vote, voting was unanimously approved. (See Attached)
Committee Reports
Councilor Robinson reported that the Fire Commission has not met since the last Council
meeting. Councilor Davis reported that the Police Commission received ~ $330,000.00 grant and
now has a position open for a Coordinator. He stated that the grant can pe reapplied for after the
two years is up. They also discussed Search and Rescue and had a Taser demonstration and
discussed the benefits of the Taser.
Councilor Thomas reported that the Utility Commission has not het but will meet at 10:00am
next Thursday and will include a presentation of the new state n}andates and other improvements
to the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Those attending the meeting will take a tour of the plant
following the meeting and later have a Barbeque lunch provided by OMI.
Councilor Thomas reported that Public Works would have a called meeting following today's
Council meeting to approve the budget.
The Airport Commission and Insurance Commission have not met since the last Council meeting.
The Personnel Committee has not met since the last Council meeting.
Councilor Taylor reported that the A&P Commission gave tickets to the Council to attend a free
concert at the Civic Center. The US Army Seal Band and Soldiers Corp. will perform. The A&P
Commission is waiting to hear from the City Treasurer about funds before planning any new uses
for the Auditorium or Civic Center.
Councilor Felton reported that the Budget Committee met on October 6, 2004 and continued to
review the budget and spending. He reported that they are pretty well on target with spending.
They also addressed some suggestions that the State Legislative Auditors said they would like the
Budget Committee to implement. He reported that another Budget Committee meeting would be
held before the next Council meeting in order to make all necessary corrections before November
2004. This will enable the Budget Committee to have a true look at the expenditures we have at
that time.
Councilor Holt reported that the Parks Commission met and discussed renovation of the
bathrooms at Tildon Roger's Park and playground equipment at some of the other parks around
the City.
Mayor Johnson announced that Channel s News has given the City permission to run a story on
our Cable Access channel that it's station did on the West Memphis Police Department. The
Feature will be aired following the broadcast of the City Council meeting.
Having no further business Mayor Johnson requested a motion to adjourn. Councilor Coleman
moved seconded by Councilor Davis to adjourn. Upon voice vote ,the voting was unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 2:OOpm.
PASSED and APPROVED this ~-1 S~ day of October, 2004.
WILLIAM H. JOHN MAYOR
ATTEST:
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PHILL ,CITY CLERK
Minutes Prepared By:
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~' ,, elecia Ellis, Jr. Deputy Clerk