May 3, 2007MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
MAY 3, 2007
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, May 3, 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 1:32 p.m. Invocation was given by Reverend Kelly
Craft of First United Methodist Church in West Memphis. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll.
Those present were: Mayor wlliam H. Johnson, City Attomey David Peeples, City Treasurer
Frank Martin, Councilors, Mamo McClendon, Helen Hams, James Holt, Phillip Carter, Lorraine
Robinson, Clarence Davis, James Pulliaum, Ramona Taylor, and Herman Coleman. Absent:
Alderman Chester Peeples. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
A presentation was made by Rob Rash, CEO/Chief Engineer of the St. Francis Levee District
regarding FEMA's new regulations concerning levees. He encouraged everyone to contact their
legislators expressing their great concern with a new zone designation known as Zone X which
will be all the areas outside the 100 year flood zone protected by levees. A warning will be
placed on the new Flood Insurance Maps that wilt state that within this area, communities should
issue evacuation plans and encourage property owners to purchase flood insurance. He said the
unwarranted new Zone X on Flood Insurance Maps will have a dramatic and costly burden on all
residents, businesses and industries along the Lower Mississippi River and its Tributaries and
this economic disaster will be felt all over the nation. He also said the language proposed will
frighten the lenders and companies looking for industrial sites as well as causing millions of
dollars to be spent for unnecessary flood insurance premiums. Councilor Taylor moved,
seconded by Pulliaum to go on record as opposing this directive from FEMA. Mayor Johnson
said he would write a letter on behalf of the City of West Memphis.
MINUTEB
A motion was made by Pulliaum and seconded by Taylor to dispense with the reading of the
minutes of April 19, 2007 and approve as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
OLD BU81NE88
NEW BU81NE88
R-1 A Resolution of the City Council of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, approving the
Statement of Community Development objectives and projected use of funds for the B-2007-MC-
05-0009 Entitlement Program, making certain required cert~cations to the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development and authorizing the Mayor to submit the program materials to
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and authorizing the Mayor to submit the
program materials to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
A motion was made by Pulliaum and a second by Taylor, to suspend the rules and the Resolution
be read by title only. The motion carried by unanimous vote. City Attomey Peeples read the
Resolution. Taylor moved, seconded by Pulliaum to approve the Resolution. Alderman Coleman
said he
"Like I said in the work session I'm still strongly opposed to
Code Enforcement being paid out of CDBG money. It appears to be $150,000 for demolition but
actually it's not. It's $100,000 because $50,000 would go to Code Enforcement so I'm asking to
delete the portion that pays Code Enforcement. "Discussion continued regarding whether a police
officer/code enforcement officer should be paid using CDBG funds or the Police Department
budget. Roll call vote was as follows:
AYES: Harris and Coleman
NOES: Holt, Carter, Robinson, Davis, Pulliaum, and Taylor
Alderman McClendon voted as "present".
The motion to amend FAILED. Roll call vote to approve the Resolution:
AYES: Hams, Holt, Carter, Robinson, Davis, Pulliaum, and Taylor
NOES: Coleman
Alderman McClendon voted as "present".
The Resolution was approved and assigned No. 1873
O-1 An Ordinance prohibiting obstructions in the public roads of the City of West Memphis
and providing for the enforcement thereof
A motion was made by Pulliaum and a second by Robinson to suspend the rules and the
Ordinance be read by title only. The motion carried by unanimous vote. City Attomey Peeples
read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
O-2 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the repairs of Layne Pump Number 88367
and for other purposes.
Alderman Pulliaum moved, seconded by Alderman Taylor to table the orclinance indefinitely.
Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
O-3 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the repairs of Layne Pump Number 88367
declaring an emergency and for other purposes.
City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. Pulliaum moved, second by
Robinson to suspend the rules and the Ordinance be placed on its second reading. Upon voice
vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND
time. Pulliaum moved, second by Robinson to further suspend the rules and the Ordinance be
placed on its thins reading. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attomey Peeples
read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL time. Pulliaum moved, seconded by Holt to
approve the ordinance. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Robinson moved,
seconded by Pulliaum to adopt the Emergency Clause, Section 2. Upon voice vote, the voting
was unanimous. The Ordinance and its emergency clause was adopted and assigned No. 2160.
PERMISSION REQUE8T8
A motion was made by Hams, seconded by Taylor to approve the Planning Commission
Recommendations as presented. Motion carried by unanimous vote. (Copy attached)
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Holt reported the Budget Committee met and the budget is in good shape.
Councilman Pulliaum said he also feels strongly that codes should be enforced every day by a
certified officer and that the City Council needs to put the money in the Police budget next year
for a Code Enforcement Officer.
CITIZENS REQUE8T
McClendon moved, seconded by Coleman to allow Pat Bates to speak to the council. Upon voice
vote, the voting was unanimous. Ms. Bates said she was representing Deal with It Management
and Entertainment Company. She said they had previously been to a Park Commission Meeting
and gotten approval to pertorm at 14"' Street Park on May 19"' from 3:00 until 8:30 but wanted to
have the approval of the City Council also. Although Deal with It is a rap group, she said there
will be no profanity, no alcohol and security will be provided. There was no objection from the
council.
ANNOUNCEMENT8
Pulliam reminded everyone the next community meeting will be at 6:00 Monday May 7th at City
Hall. He also announced you can take advantage of a free ride to Memphis during Memphis in
May by parking your vehicle at the Park 8 Ride Park on the Service Road and take the MATA bus
free, to and from Memphis.
Coleman recognized Sr. Deputy City Clerk Cindy Greenwood for being accepted into the Second
Level Membership of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks Master Municipal Clerk
Academy. He said there was an article and picture in this month's City 8~ Town Magazine.
Holt congratulated the Senior High Softball and Baseball teams for going to the state
championship.
Carter announced this year the Crittenden County Relay for Life Fight against Cancer will be held
in West Memphis and encouraged everyone to get involved in such a good cause. He
recognized Mayor Johnson, Councilman Davis and Councilman Holt as cancer survivors.
Having no further business to come before the council, Pulliaum moved, seconded by Taylor to
adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:25 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this _~ day of May, 2007.
WILLIAM H. JOHN N, MAYOR
ATTEST:
P ,CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy Clty Clerk
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PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
205 S. Redding • P.O. Box 1728 • West Memphis, Arkanxas 72303 • (870) 732-7520 • Fax (870) 732-7fi50
MEMO
,,. TO: Mayor William H. Johnson and City Council Members
FROM: Christine Byrd, Planning Commission Coordinator
DATE: April 27; 2007
RE: Recommendations from the regular scheduled Planning Commission meeting held
on Wednesday, April 25, 2007, to the Mayor and City Council, on Thursday, May 3,
2007.
I. The City of West Memphis Planning Commission recommended to approve
Rainer Village Subdivision, Application Case# SD-02-07. This property is located just
off Rainer Road and backs up to the Arrlington Estates Subdivision. This site contains
approximately 25.02 acres and is Zoned R-4, Residential. The property owner is
proposing to construct houses similar the existing houses in the Arrlington Estates
Subdivision.
Approval is subject to the following criteria:
1. Proper execution of all Certificates;
2. Installation of grading and drainage improvements as required by the
Department of Public Works;
3. Approval of the improvement plans by the West Memphis Utility
Department, as to easements;
4. Installation of improvements, as required by the City Engineer;
5. Form subdivision association, or draft subdivision convents, in regards to
maintaining the water detention area and green spaces.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Planning Commission Recommendation
April 27, 2007
Page two
II. The City of West Memphis Planning Commission recommended to approve
Replat -West Memphis School District Property, Subdivision, Application
Case# SD-04-07. This property is located at the comer of Rich Road and West
Broadway. The purpose of this replat is to dedicate 30 feet of street right-of--way
and 15 feet of drainage and utility easement on the west side of Rich Road.
A royal is sub'ect to the followin criteria: ``
PP J g
1. Proper execution of all Certificates;
2. Installation of grading and drainage improvements as required by the Department
of Public Works;
3. Approval of the improvement plans by the West Memphis Utility Department, as
to easements;
4. Installation of improvements, as required by the City Engineer.
J