December 7, 2006MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 7, 2006
A regular meeting of the West Memphis CRy Council was held on Thursday, December 7, 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 Methodist Church. Phillip Para, City Clerk called the roll. Those present
were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin, and
Councilors -Ramona Taylor, Herman Coleman, Marco McClendon, Helen Hams, James Holt,
Chester Peeples, Joyce Gray, Lorraine Robinson, and Clarence Davis. Absent: Councilor Vickie
Robertson. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
B~$
Bids for the 2007 Annual Supply, Mosquito Spraying, and West Memphis Utility -installation of a
500 KV Emergency Standby Generator and a 2000 AMP Automatic Transfer Switch were
opened at 1:00 and bid tabulation sheets were given to the council. Councilor Taylor moved,
seconded by Councilor Robinson to accept the bids for the 2007 Annual Supply and refer them to
Public Works Committee for final disposition. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Davis to accept the bids for Mosquito
Spraying and refer to Administration for final disposition. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous. Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to accept the Utility bids
and refer to the Utility Commission for final disposition. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous. (See attached)
IM NOTES
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Davis to dispense with the reading of the
minutes of November 16, 2006, and approve as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
PERMISSION REQUESTS
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Frank Martin reported Budget Hearings started yesterday with the Airport and passed out a
calendar of the meeting dates for each department. Mr. Martin said there was one change and
that was the Library would be on the 19"' instead of the 18"'.
Councilor Coleman reported the Insurance Committee met and recommended the dental and life
insurance be bid out. He said that hopefully by the time we go through the bid process, we will be
ready by mid year, and that is when our medical insurance is due.
Councilor Taylor reported Advertising and Promotion is sponsoring a Christmas Music Concert
December 18"' at 7:30 p.m. at the Crvic Auditorium.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Johnson announced the Christmas Parade was tonight beginning at 6:00 across the street
from the High School and ending at West Memphis Christian School on Missouri.
Councilor Coleman asked when the Special Election was to take place for the position in Ward 3
that was held by Harold Thomas, who is deceased. City Attorney Peeples said that after
checking with the Arkansas Municipal League, he was told that since Dr. Peeples was appointed
to the position that Harold Thomas held, and due to the fact that Mr. Thomas was elected to that
position in the general election, a special election was not necessary. City Attorney Peeples said
that he also contacted the Secretary of State's office and was informed that the Arkansas
Constitution states that when you are appointed to an office, you continue to serve in that
capacity until a successor is elected and duly qualified. City Attorney Peeples stated since Dr.
Peeples is his father, he has requested that Representative Sumpter ask for an opinion from the
Arkansas Attorney General's Office to be certain.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Taylor moved, seconded
by Councilor Coleman to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting
adjourned at 1:50 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this a l 5.1'- day of December, 2006.
~, ,~~
WILLIAM H. JOHNSO ,MAYOR
AT
PHILL ,CITY CLERK