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October 5, 2006MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 5, 2006 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, October 5, 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 Gary Hair of the Calvary Baptist 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, Joyce Gray, Lorraine Robinson, Clarence Davis, Vickie Robertson, Ramona Taylor, Marko McClendon, Helen Hams (late: 1:35), James Holt, and Chester Peeples. Absent. Councilor Herman Coleman. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting. Mayor Johnson recognized the new reporter for the Evening Times, Laura Smith and also Lindell Staggs who is from a radio station out of Wynne, AR. Mayor Johnson presented keys to the city to two public servants that have served on the Library Board; Dr. Deneke who served for 50 years until his recent retirement and is an original board member since the board's inception in 1955. Caroline Redfeam, Librarian accepted the key in Dr. Deneke's behalf. Mayor Johnson presented Mrs. Florence Bollinger a key to the city. For her 40 years of service on the Library Boar<i. MINUTES Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to dispense with the reading of the minutes of September 21, 2006, and approve as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS O-1 An Ordinance to establish the amount of sick leave for firefighters employed by the City of West Memphis and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples addressed some changes there were more specific definitions for those firefighters who are currently serving 8 hour shifts rather than 24 hour shifts. This ordinance is intended to allow 20 days of sick leave for the firefighters that are working 8 hour shifts and ten 24 hour days for those on 24 hour shifts. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Peeples to approve the amendment as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL time, as amended. Councilor Hams moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve the ordinance as amended. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Ordinance was assigned No. 2151. NEW BUSINESS Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Holt to suspend the rules and read R-1 by title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. R-1 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 Attomey Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Harris moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve R-1. Councilor Gray asked Paul Luker how the property owners were noted. Mr. Luker said they post the lots and also mail to the property owner that is listed on the tax records for the county. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1866. PERMISSION REQUESTS Councilor Hams moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to give permission to pay APAC Tennessee $61,927.14 for airport improvements requested by the Airport Commission. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Councilor Harris moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve the Planning Commission Recommendations as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. COMMITTEE REPORTS Police Commission -Councilor Robinson -Police Commission recommends the City Council approve donating a 1986 Font van, which was donated to the city, and is inoperable at this time, to the Olive Group in exchange for free training to our Police Department. Councilor Robertson moved to approve the recommendation, seconded by Councilor Robinson. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. 2 Mayor Johnson reported the city received the Charity Day funds from Southland in the amount of $4,125 which is normally divided between the mayor and the council to distribute to the charity of their choice. That amount will be $375.00 each now; however another check is due in January if they chose to wait for additional funds. Mayor Johnson said there was an item that needed to be added to the agenda for discussion and asked John Rimmer, General Manager of West Memphis Utilities to explain. Mr. Rimmer said we are looking into the possibility of going in with some other cities and purchasing power from a plant in Louisiana. A faalities study is required to purchase power and he is requesting permission from the council for the mayor to enter into a contrail for a facilities study with Entergy at a cost of approximately $150,000.00. Counalor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Gray to approve plating this item on the agenda for discussion. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Discussion continued. Mayor Johnson explained that the federal government passed an Open Access Transmission Policy. That meant that Entergy had to let outsiders use their transmission lines. When the federal government passed that law, they also went before FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) and they established these criteria that Entergy can follow which is charging a tariff to use their lines and that they can require a facilities study to use their lines. Lengthy discussion was held. Counalor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Davis to approve Mayor Johnson sign the contrail for the faalities study. Upon roll call vote, the voting was: AYES: Davis, Taylor, Hams, Holt, and Peeples NOES: Gray, Robertson, and McClendon Councilor Robinson abstained. Mayor Johnson votes "yes". The motion carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Johnson and the City Council extended their deepest sympathy to Counal Holt for the loss of his mother, Mildred Bolick. Councilor Robertson requested any information given out in Pre-Council be given to all council members because she does not attend Pre-Council. Having no further business to come before the City Counal, Councilor Davis moved, seconded by Councilor Holt to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this -~-~~= day of Odober, 2006. G- ~~ WILLIAM H. JOHNS N, MAYOR ATTEST: --~ PHILL ,CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by: Cindy Green oil, Sr. Deputy City Clerk