August 16, 2007MINUTE8
WE8T MEMPHI8 CITY COUNCIL
AUGU8T 16, 2007
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Councl was held on Thursday, August 16, 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 osier at 1:30 p.m. Invocation was given by Reverend David
Moose. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson,
City Attorney David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin, and Councilors, Lorraine Robinson,
Clarence Davis, James Pulliaum, Herman Coleman, Marco McClendon, Helen Hams, James
Holt, Chester Peeples, and Phillip Carter. Absent: Ramona Taylor. Quorum being present,
Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
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MINUTE8
Councilor Peeples moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to dispense with the reading of the
minutes of August 2, 2007, and approve as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
OLD BU81NE88
3rd Reacting An Ordinance to re-name North 24th Street within the Steeplechase Apartments
to DeAurrta Farrow Drive.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL time. McClendon moved,
seconded by Pulliaum to approve. The motion carried by unanimous vote. The Ordinance was
assigned No. 2163.
2"~ Reading An Ordinance granting a special use permit for the property located at 205 South
Avalon, fo allow a U-Haul rental facility in a C-1, General Commercial District.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
2"~ Reading An Ordinance to amend guidelines for the position of Director of Internal Affairs
and the West Memphis Police Commission and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
~yEW BU81NE88
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Harris to suspend the rules and read R-1 by
title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
R-1 A Resolution of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas supporting the outdoor recreation
grants program application.
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Pulliaum moved, seconded by Hams to approve.
The motion carried by unanimous vote. The Resolution was assigned No. 1878.
PERMI881ON REQUE8T8
A motion and second was made to give permission to pay Roeder Construction Company
$203,890.83 partial payment for park construction. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
COMMITTEE REPORT8
FIRE COMMISION West Memphis now has a #2 ISO rating which lowers home insurance
rates. The work on station #4 is 95°~ completed. Discussion continued on building a new fire
station on Airport Road and finding the money to maintain it. Coleman asked that the Fire
Commission members stay immediately after the council meeting to award bids.
AIRPORT COMMISSION APre-construction meeting was held on the new runway project,
the airport will receive two more estimates on surveillance equipment, they are reviewing the
airport engineering consuftaMs applications, and the annual Arkansas Airport Operators
Conference is to be held in Ft. Smith Sept.,16 -18"'. Robinson said Mayor Johnson's response
to the change of status report was discussed and should the Airport Commission choose to bring
this before the City Council, it will be voted on again and proper procedures will be followed.
ADVERTISING 8 PROMOTION Discussed working with Economic Development Director
Ward Wimbish and ad agents on the marketing plan, a new billboard should be going up this
week, reported on the renovation project at the Civic Auditorium, and said they are partnering
with the library and Crittenden Arts Council on a blues symposium featuring the Plantation Inn to
be held in October. Hams reported a new commeraal is now advertising our aty on Channel 5.
PARK COMMISSION Holt invited the City Council to attend the next meeting the second
Wednesday at 5:00 at City Hall to discuss several issues.
FIRE COMMISSION Recommended the Fire Chief receive a $300.00 car allowance
retroactive to June 1 2007. A motion and second was made to approve the car allowance
retroactive to June 1`~ The motion carried unanimously.
UTILITY COMMISSION Ward Wimbish, Economic Development Director made a
presentation on marketing strategies for the Memphis area and is to give the presentation to the
council in the near future.
CIT
Mayor Johnson recognized the Farrow family and welcomed them to the City Council Meeting.
He also extended our deepest sympathy to the family for their loss.
A motion and second was made to allow Brant Sitzes to speak. Motion carried by unanimous
vote.
Brant Sitzes -1008 Arlington Mr. Sitzes daughter Brittney was tragically killed in an accident at
Arlington and Rich Road and he would like the same consideration like the re-naming of a street
after Deaunta Farrow. He asked that a memorial plaque be placed on the comer of Rich Road
and Arlington. Mayor Johnson stated the proper procedure was to refer the matter to the Public
Works Committee for a recommendation, which that recommendation will be brought back to the
City Council for approval.
ANNOUNCEMENT8
Pulliaum said the Fire Department used to have a computerized system called "Are You OK?"
that would check on senior citizens periodically but no one knows what happened to it. He would
like for the city to check on getting another system. Fire Chief Spears is to check on an "Are You
OK" computer system. He also said he would like to see a designated shelter for people to use
when it is extremely hot or cold added to the city's emergency plan. A fund for assisting people
that can not afford to pay their utility bills was discussed. City Attorney Peeples said there are
restrictions regulating what the Utility Commission can do and he would like to sit down and go
over those with Councilor McClendon. The possibility of adding the option for utility customers to
donate an extra dollar to go toward a relief fund was also discussed.
A motion and second was made to allow the Farrow family to speak. The motion carried by
unanimous vote. Deaunta Farrow's uncle thanked the council for everything they have done.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, a motion and second was made to
adjourn. The motion carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this ~_ day of September, 2007.
WILLIAM H. JOHNS ,MAYOR
ATTEST;
PHILL ,CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk