May 19, 2005MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
MAY 18, 2005
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, May 19, 2005 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 Loren Strickland of Vanderbilt
Baptist Church offered prayer. Cindy Greenwood, Deputy City Clerk called the roll. Those
present were: Mayor ~Iliam H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples, City Trr3asurer Frank
Martin and Councilors: Marco McClendon, Helen Hams, James Holt, Harold Thomas, Joyce
Gray, Lorraine Robinson, Clarence Davis, and Vickie Robertson. Absent: Councilors Rev.
Herman Coleman and Ramona Taylor.
Mayor Johnson and Ms. Nancy Forsythe presented President's Volunteer Service Award's to
fifteen local students and six adults who completed between 50 and 100 hours of documented
volunteer service. Mayor Johnson thanked all the volunteers for being the backbone and a vital
part of the community.
BID OPENINGS None
MINUT
Councilor Rot~nson moved, seconded by Councilor Davis to dispense with the reading of the
minutes of May 5, 2005 and approve as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS None
I„1~W BUSINESS
Mayor Johnson explained that the Arkansas Highway Department was widening East Broadway
from 14"' Street east to Martin Luther King Drive, making it 5 lanes with curbs and gutters.
Southwestern Bell Telephone now has to relocate their easement and has requested acquiring
100 feet of easement for underground faalities from the City of West Memphis located in front of
the old branch library property. They are to pay $1.00 per linear foot and are to put it back to its
original condition or better. Mayor Johnson asked for permission to add a Resolution authorizing
the easement to the agenda. Councilor Davis moved, seconded by Councilor Thomas to add
Resolution (R-1) to the agenda. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
R-1 A Resolution approving an easement for underground facilities from the City of West
Memphis to Southwestern Bell Telephone, authorizing the Mayor to sign the easement on behalf
of the City of West Memphis, and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Thomas moved, seconded by Councilor
Davis to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was adopted and
assigned No. 1817.
PERMI8SION REQUESTS
Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Thomas to pay OMI $59,476.25 for operation
of the Wastewater Treatment Plant for the month of June. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Fire Commission -Councilor Davis reported the following items were discussed: Lorraine
Robinson was elected Chairman, Chief Robinson discussed the need for three additional fire
fighters, recommended submitting the of the positions of Deputy Fire Inspector and an EMS
Administrator due to losing two paramedics, to the mayor for his evaluation.
Utility Commission -Councilor Thomas reported the low bids were awarded and discussed and
designated a firm to study a future rate increase that may have to referred to the counal after the
current contrail expires..
Park Commission -Councilor Holt reported there is to be a lot of activity this summer at Tilden
Rogers Park.
Public Works Committee -Councilor Holt reported they will have something to bring to the
council after their next meeting.
Airport Commission -Councilor Robinson reported the taxi-way widening project bids were over
the allowable limit, therefore the project has been re-bid adding a third schedule. Bid opening
scheduled for 2:00 p.m. June 2"d at the airport. Master Plan update should be completed within
two months. Elections of officers were held and they are: Chairman, David Pike, Vice-
Chairman, Steve Jones, Secretary, Louis Bastel.
CITIZENS REQUESTS None
ANNOUNCEMENTS None
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Thomas moved, seconded
by Councilor Davis to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting
adjourned at 1:50 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this ~hc~. day of June, 2005.
WILLIAM H. JOH ON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
PHILL`ti}PARA, CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by:
n ~ ei
Cindy Greenwo~i, senior Deputy City Clerk