February 16, 2006MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 16, 2006
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, February 16, 2006 at
1:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas.
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Invocation was given by Reverend David
Moose of Rosewood United Methodist Church. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those
present were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City Attomey David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank
Martin, and Councilors, Ramona Tay/off Herman Co%man, He%n Hams, James Holt, Harold
Thomas, Joyce Gray, Lorraine Robinson, Clarence Davis and Vickie Robertson. Absent.• Marco
McClendon. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
Next, was the recognition of Black History Month. Mayor Johnson stated this year the city was
recognizing African-American pastors that have served our city for many, many, years. Councilor
Robinson read a speech to start the award ceremony. Next, City Clerk Phillip Para read a list of
approximately 30 Certificates of Appreciation which were given to African American pastors with
ten or more years of service. Refreshments were served afterwards.
MINUTES
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Gray to dispense with the reading of the minutes
of February 2, 2006 and approve as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
O-1 An Ordinance to waive competitive bidding for economic development services,
approving a contract between the City of West Memphis and the West Memphis Chamber of
Commerce, and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD and final time. Councilor Taylor moved
seconded by Councilor Thomas to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The
ordinance was adopted and assigned #2131.
O-2 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding on dental insurance and for other purposes.
City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD and final time. Councilor Harris moved
seconded by Councilor Holt to approve. Councilor Robertson questioned why we were waiving
r bidding. Councilor Coleman stated not many people are active with Dental Insurance. He placed
several calls and not many people were interested. Councilor Coleman also said that the life
insurance policy we have with Met Life, no one could touch. Councilor Coleman stated we would
be pursuing bids next year. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The ordinance was
adopted and assigned #2132.
O-3 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding on life insurance for city employees with
MetLife, and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD and final time. Councilor Robinson
moved seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
The ordinance was adopted and assigned #2133.
O-4 An Ordinance to waive competitive bidding for the purchase of motor fuel, and for other
purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD and final time. Councilor Robinson
moved seconded by Councilor Thomas to approve. Quotes are taken for fuel over the phone
because gas prices change daily. The lowest price is then used. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous. The ordinance was adopted and assigned #2134.
O-5 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the professional consulting services in
regulatory and other matters to be provided by David Wilson, and for other purposes.
City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD and final time. Councilor Thomas
__ moved seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve. City Attorney Peeples stated that David Wilson
represents the City of West Memphis as well as other Arkansas municipalities and utilities before
the Federal Entergy Regulatory Commission. This is a very specialized area of service. Mayor
Johnson also stated that we co-op the bill with other utilities around the state. Mayor Johnson
also said A J Rowe and Associates in the next ordinance is the same situation. Upon voice vote,
the voting was unanimous. The ordinance was adopted and assigned #2135.
O-6 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the professional consulting services in
regulatory and other matters to be provided by A. J. Rowe and Associates, Inc., and other
purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD and final time. Councilor Holt moved
seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The
ordinance was adopted and assigned #2136.
O-7 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for aerial spraying, ground spraying and other
mosquito control efforts, and for other purposes.
City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD and final time. Councilor Taylor moved
seconded by Councilor Robinson to approve. Councilor Gray stated that someone approached
her at Municipal League wanting to bid. City Attomey Peeples said that this is the last year for
the multi-year contract with Vector and it will be put out for bid next year. Upon voice vote, the
voting was unanimous. The ordinance was adopted and assigned #2137.
O-8 An Ordinance to waive competitive bidding on professional accounting services, and for
other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD and final time. Councilor Robinson
moved seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve. City Treasurer Martin stated he has already
signed a contract in order to get an audited inventory completed. This will be bid out next year.
Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The ordinance was adopted and assigned #2138.
O-9 An Ordinance to waive competitive bidding for uniform and laundry service to be provided
by G&K Services, and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD and final time. Councilor Taylor moved
seconded by Councilor Thomas to approve. Mayor Johnson stated that we have tried several
uniform companies. Because the employees participate in the contract with the City, we try to
keep a company the employees are happy with and they are happy with this company. Upon
voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The ordinance was adopted and assigned #2139.
NEW BUSINESS
Councilor Robinson moved seconded by Councilor Coleman to read titles only on R1, 01 and
02. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimously approved.
Councilor Coleman moved seconded by Councilor Taylor to amend R1 to remove the property at
320-322 South 17th from the list. The property is in the process of being sold and this will clear it
up from having to cut the grass. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
R1: A resolution certifying the condemnation and removal of houses, buildings and/or
residential structures constituting a nuisance within the City of West Memphis corporate limits.
City Attorney Peeples read the amendend Resolution. Councilor Taylor moved seconded by
Councilor Coleman. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The resolution was assigned
#1831.
There are two ordinances on the agenda to purchase a fire truck. Mayor Johnson would like to
read and pass the ordinance on the emergency clause. We do not want to lose the opportunity to
purchase this demo truck.
02: An ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the purchase of a new pumper truck,
establishing an emergency and for other purposes.
City Attomey David Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. Councilor Robinson moved
seconded by Councilor Gray to suspend the rules and read the Ordinance for the second time.
Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attomey read the Ordinance for the SECOND
time. Councilor Harris moved seconded by Councilor Gray to further suspend the rules and read
the Ordinance for the third and final time. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City
Attorney read the Ordinance for the THIRD and final time. Councilor Taylor moved seconded by
Councilor Robinson to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The ordinance was
adopted and assigned #2140.
Councilor Thomas moved seconded by Councilor Robinson to pass the emergency clause
section 2. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Financing is being worked out and it will
be brought before the council in March.
PERMISSION REQUESTS
Mayor Johnson varied from the agenda to allow Reverend Shields to speak on the Disaster Relief
funds from Southland. Reverend Shields is the President of the Delta Neighborhood Action
Council. He gave a brief overview about their program. He is requesting funds from the Disaster
Relief Funds.
Mayor Johnson also stated that Nedra with the Good Neighbor Center came to precouncil to let
everyone know that they are still open. They are volunteering on Wednesday's to pass out food
for people.
Councilor Coleman moved, seconded by Councilor Gray to divide the Southland money equally
between the Good Neighbor Center and the Delta Neighborhood Action Council. The distribution
of the Disaster Relief funds from Southland Racing Corporation is $22,815. Discussion was held.
Upon voice vote, the,voting was unanimous.
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Davis to approve the distribution of charity day
funds from Southland Racing Corporation as follows:
J. Holt ($1081.53) $360.51 -Families in Transition, $360.51 - W.M. Boys & Girls
Club, & $360.51 -Boy Scouts of America
R. Taylor ($1081.52) $500.00 - CMH Foundation, $200.00 -Veteran's Memorial
Fund, $100 -Boy Scouts of America, $131.52 -Girl Scouts of
America, $100.00 Families in Transition, $50 -Grow and Show
Garden Club
H. Thomas ($1081.52} $300.00 - Eastark Enterprises Shelter Workshop, $500 -Boy
Scouts of America, $281.52 -Families in Transition.
~~`,~~
J. Gray ($1081.52) ~ ~
$540.76 -Wonder City Boys Club
3-Z-~ ~
$540.76 Grow and Show Garden Club
C. Davis ($1081.52) $300.00 -Families in Transition, $381.52 - W. M. Boys & Girls
Club, $100.00 -Boys Scouts of America, $300 Eastark
Enterprises Shelter Workshop
H. Coleman ($1081.52) $300.00 -Grow and Show Garden Club, $390.76 -Wonder City
Boys Club, $390.76 LR Jackson Girls Club
L. Robinson ($1081.52) $81.52 -Grow and Show Garden Club, $1000.00 - 15th Street
Child Care Dev. Center
Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Gray to table acceptance of the Final Statement
of CDBG Funds. There were questions that needed to be answered. It will be brought back up at
the next meeting. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Davis to approve payment of $59,476.25 to
OMI for operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant for the month of March. Upon voice vote,
the voting was unanimous.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget Commission -Councilor Holt there was a meeting held and they had some questions for
Frank. There will be more information available after the next meeting.
Personnel Commission -Councilor Taylor reported they discussed raises and how to finance
raises for employees at the end of the first quarter.
A & P Commission -Councilor Taylor presented the new insert that was in the Commercial
Appeal and the Evening Times. The insert was about Arts and Entertainment this month.
Parks Commission -Councilor Holt reported they were finishing up with the ball fields. The
school is going to help on a few things at the park. They are taking a look at the other parks to fix
vandalism and get new equipment for the other parks.
Airport Commission -Councilor Robinson reported the Airport was looking at adding signage to
fencing show restricted area and have people check in at the office before admittance. The
master plan paperwork had been submitted and is near completion. The updated capital
improvement plan is expected by the end of March.
Utility Commission -Councilor Thomas reported the only discussion was about the discharge of
oil into our Waste water treatment plant by an industry. It was well contained and the Department
of Environmental Quality complimented the Utility Department on the way they handled the
matter. There was no damage to the machinery. They were able to trace it back to the industry.
Police Commission -Councilor Coleman reported they meet and approved the purchase of cars.
A work schedule on the CDBG money was set after City Council.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
Reverend Earnest Coleman: Wanted to express thanks and is happy for the Dr. Martin Luther
King Monument on I-40 and reported history was made and we were going to make more history.
Mayor Johnson made two presentations to churches in the City of West Memphis that are one
hundred years or older. Mayor Johnson presented a symbolic key to the City to Morning Star
Missionary Baptist Church and Old St Paul Missionary Baptist Church.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Harris moved, seconded
by Councilor Robinson to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting
adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this ~~~ day of March, 2006.
~~~ ~
WILLIAM H. J SON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
~~
PHILLIP PARR, CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by:
Rho da Standri ge, Jr. Deputy City erk