August 2, 2007MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 2, 2007
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, August 2, 2007 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 Fred
Parker of 8~h Street Mission. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor
Wi/liam H. Johnson, CityAttomeyDavid Peeples, and Counci/ors, Phi//ip CaRer, Lorraine
Robinson, C/arence Davis, James Pulliaum, Ramona Tay/or, Herman Co%man, Marco
McClendon, He%n Harris, James Holt and Chester Peep/es. Absent. City Treasurer Frank Martin
Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
BIDS
MINUTES
Councilor Peeples moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to dispense with the reading of the
minutes of July 19, 2007, and approve as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
2"~ Reading An Ordinance to rename North 2~fh Street within the Steep/echase Apartments
to DeAunta FarrowOrive.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
NEW BUSINESS
Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to suspend the rules and read O-1
thru O-2 by title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
O-7 An Ordinance granting a special use permit for the property located at 205 South A va/on,
to a//ow a U-Hau/rental facility in a C-1, Genera/ Commercia/District.
City Attomey Peeples read Ordinance for the FIRST time.
Q2 An Ordinance to amend guidelines for the position ofDirector of /nterna/AfJ`airs and the
West Memphis Police Commission and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
PERMISSION REQUESTS
Distribution of Dog Track Funds -Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor McClendon
to distribute dog track funds equally between all four boys and girls clubs. Upon voice vote, the
voting was unanimous.
Permission for the Mayor to sign a contract with Arkansas State Highway Department, for a grant
we are eligible to receive, in the amount of $750,000. The money is allocated to pay for one-half
of the e~dsting bus service for a period of two years. The bus service currently costs around
$500,000 a year. Half of the money will be paid from this grant and the other half is paid by a
contribution by the Advertising and Promotion Fund. MATA has requested an increase but
negotiations are not finished. Motion was made by Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor
Pulliaum. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Pub/ic Works - On July 23~d there was a meeting with Ross Street Residents about the type of
pavement they preferred on the street . The residents deckled on asphalt and the bid was
awarded to APAC of Tennessee for $275,355. Councilor Robinson inquired about the $381,000
allocated for this project and wanted to make sure the remaining balance would be transferred
back to the Street Department from the General Fund. Mayor Johnson stated that the money will
never leave the Street Fund and will be paid directly from the Street Fund; therefore the amount
left over will still be in the Street Fund. On August 1 ~ bids were awarded for two new trucks, one
for the Street Department and one for the City Shop. Ford of West Memphis was awarded the
low bid. At the meeting City Engineer, Eddie Brawley explained why adding a 4-way stop sign at
Cooper and Redding would not help the traffic flow at that intersection, but putting up regulatory
signs posting the speed limit may help.
APPOINTMENTS
Councilor McClendon moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to confirm the appointment of Troy
Keeping to the West Memphis A & P Commission. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
Maggie Hall (2208 East Jackson) -Wanted to thank the residents who supported the renaming of
19th Street after Reverend Coleman and reminded the council of her appeal. Councilor Coleman
wanted to reiterate that this was his father Reverend Earnest Coleman not himself.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilor Peeples stated that the Police Commission needed to be changed to Police
Committee, because the Commission had no statutory authority. City Attorney Peeples said he is
continually reminded by lawyers with Arkansas Municipal League that we should rename the
Police Commission to a Police Committee. Commission implies that there is statutory authority
and there is no statutory authority in regards to Police Commissions; therefore it should be called
a Committee. Councilor Robinson asked if Ordinance O-2 needed to be changed. City Attomey
Peeples said the authors of O-2 have the authority to establish a Committee, set the guidelines,
and set the authority for the Committee. It is simply a different word for the organization.
Ordinance O-2 can still be submitted without any problems. Councilor Pulliaum stated if the
Ordinance creating the Commission needed to be changed, then let's change it. Councilor Davis
mentioned we may want to look at the Police and Fire Commission while we are updating the
Ordinances.
Councilor McClendon wanted to remind everyone that Tuesday, August 7th is National Night Out
and wants everyone to show their support.
Councilor McClendon asked at this time to have Lawrence Brown added to the agenda under
Citizens Request. Councilor Robinson motioned, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to allow him to
speak. Upon voice vote, the vote was unanimous.
Lawrence Brown (614 Rainer Road) -Wanted to express his concem over the Police
Commission. He didn't want the Police Commission to be disempowered but empowered and to
control over aggressive policing. He would also like to see a Citizen's Review Board to work in
conjunction with the Police Commission.
Councilor Pulliaum reminded everyone of the Town Hall Meeting next Monday Night at City Hall.
This afternoon there is public hearing on a new Basketball and Skateboarding Park. The meeting
will be held at City Hall at 5:00 pm.
Councilor Taylor reminded everyone of Taste of the Town being held tonight at 7:00 pm, at
Southland Gaming and Racing.
Councilor Coleman expressed the concem of citizens regarding gang activity at Jackson Heights.
He said there have been reports of four or five gangs in the area. He and Councilor Harris will be
having meetings in the community to try to resolve the problems in that area.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded
by Councilor Coleman to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting
adjourned at 1:55 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this ~_ day of August, 2007.
~` i-
WILLIAM H. JO NS YOR
ATTEST:
i ~.~'_ ~~
~`-J_ _~,
PHILLIP PARR, CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by Rhonda Standridge, Jr. Deputy City Clerk