March 6, 2008MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
March 6, 2008
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, March 6, 2008 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. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City
Attomey David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin, and Councilors Ramona Taylor, Marco
McClendon, Helen Hams, James Holt, Chester Peeples, Phillip Carter, Lorraine Robinson,
Clarence Davis, and James Pulliaum. Absent: Herman Coleman. Quorum being present, Mayor
Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
MINUTES
Councilman Davis moved seconded by Councilwoman Taylor to dispense with the reading of the
minutes of February 21, 2008 and approved as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
3rd Reading of an ordinance to ban all real gun replicate toys that doesn't contain the color
mandated identity cap within the City of West Memphis, also to regulate all real gun replicate toy
guns containing the color mandated identity cap to daylight hours (9:00 A.M. - 5:30 P.M.), and
prohibit any toy guns or toy knives on any school campus within the City of West Memphis.
McClendon moved, seconded by Taylor to table the ordinance indefinitely. The two sponsors of
the ordinance are to gather more information from City Attomey Peeples regarding the legality of
banning replica firearms and bring back a new ordinance at a later date. Motion carried.
3`d reading An Ordinance to rezone from R-1, Single Family Residential, to Planned Unit
Development (PUD), A 4.46 acre tract of land lying in the SW'/. section 11, T-6-N, R-8-E, City of
West Memphis, Crittenden County, Arkansas, located at approximately 1305 West Broadway.
City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the third and final time. Alderman Carter moved,
seconded by Alderwoman Taylor to approve the Ordinance. The Ordinance was adopted by
unanimous vote and assigned No. 2181.
3rd Reading An Ordinance for the Adoption of the National Electrical Code, 2008 Edition,
providing penalties for violations of such regulation and for other purposes
City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the thircl and final time. Alderwoman Taylor moved,
seconded by Alderman Holt to approve the Ordinance. The Ordinance was adopted by
unanimous vote and assigned No. 2182.
NEW BUSINESS
Alderwoman Taylor moved, seconded by Alderwoman Harris to suspend the rules and read the
title only of Ordinances O-1 and O-2. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
O-1 An Ordinance granting a six (6) month moratorium on the acceptance of any new
development applications for trucking related businesses including truck stops, truck terminals,
cross-docking, truck servicing and other like facilities in designated areas of the city; making
various findings and provisions related to the subject, declaring an emergency and for other
purposes.
City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. Aldervvoman Taylor moved,
seconded by Alderman Holt to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its second reading.
Motion carried. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. Alderwoman
Taylor moved, seconded by Alderman Holt to further suspend the rules and place the ordinance
on its third reading. Motion carried. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD
AND FINAL time. Alderwoman Taylor moved, seconded by Alderwoman Robertson to approve
the Ordinance. Motion carried. Alderwoman Taylor moved, seconded by Alderwoman Robertson
to approve the Emergency Clause, Section 5. Motion carried. The Ordinance and its Emergency
Clause was adopted and assigned No. 2183.
O-2 An Ordinance to establish compensation for City Clerk and City Treasurer positions for
the City of West Memphis
City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
Police Commission -Councilwoman Taylor reported discussion was held regarding activities to
reduce their expenses. They received a report from Internal Affairs as required by Ordinance.
The Police Commission recommended Mayor Johnson set up a meeting with he, the City
Attomey, District Court Judge and Police Chief to try to find a way to reduce the overtime and
comp time officers receive from going to court.
Public Works Committee -Councilwoman Hams reported they discussed the problem of the
accumulation of old tires in the dty. Leroy Turner, Sanitation Superintendent checked into the
cost of purchasing a shredder and reported they are $300,000.00 which is not in the budget.
They were to ask Mayor Johnson if he could come up with the money. No action was taken.
Budget Committee -Councilman McClendon reported they reviewed special requests from the
Police Department for a shooting range, and turnout gear far the Fire Department. They also
discussed the ambulance service fee. For the period ending Jan 31, 2008, CRH has billed over
354,000 ambulance fees. This indudes all the late billing fees through 2007. 80% is
Medicare/Medicaid and CRH reported about 50% of that should be collected. Other budget
concerns were discussed and he asked the Council and the Mayor to stay after the meeting to
discuss some ideas the Financal Director had to cure the budget problem.
Reverend Shields -Missionary Baptist Church - 208 S. 8th Street -They are working to bring
their building up to code and requested assistance, spiritually and financially.
Rev. David Moose - 824 Pryor -Pastor of Rosewood Methodist Church -Invited the public to
attend another opportunity for inter-radal dialogue Saturday at 2:00 at Shoney's. March 17~' -
21~t is Hod Week and there will be noon services at area churches followed by a light lunch.
March 25 is the annual Lions Club pancake breakfast at the VFW from 6:00 -10:00 and tickets
are $5.00.
PERMISSION REQUESTS
Alderman McClendon moved, seconded by Alderwoman Taylor to approve the Planning
Commission Recommendations as presented. Motion carried by unanimous vote. (Copy
attached)
ANNOUNCEMENT8
Mayor Johnson announced the annual 8th Street Mission Banquet will be held Tuesday night at
the Holiday Inn. Also, the Lady Blue Devils are playing in the state finals in Hot Springs, Saturday
night at 7:45.
Alderman McClendon announced there will be a public meeting at 6:00 Monday at City Hall to
discuss youth violence. He also invited the public to attend a free Credit Conference at the
Holiday Inn March 15th at 1:30 and is free to the public.
Alderwoman Robinson thanked all those that partidpated in Black History Month and particularly
Sarah Beth Christian, Tourism Director, Caroline Redfeam, Librarian, and Josh Stark and Don
Christian, Advertising 8 Promotion for allowing it to be broadcast on Channel 17.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Alderwoman Taylor moved,
seconded by Alderman McClendon to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The
meeting adjourned at 1:47p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this a c~ day of March, 2008.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
--
P ARA, CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by:
Cindy Gree o ,Senior Deputy City Clerk
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CITY OF ~JEcST MEMPtIIcS
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
205 S. Redding • P.O. Box 1728 • West Memphis, Arkansas 72303 • (870) 732-7520 • Fax (870) 732-7650
MEMO
TO: Mayor William H. Johnson and City Council Members
FROM: Christine Byrd, Planning Commission Coordinator
DATE: February 28, 2008
RE: Recommendations from the regular scheduled Planning Commission meeting
held on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, to the Mayor and City Council, on Thursday,
March 6, 2008.
I. Consolidated Grain & Barge Comaany, Apalication Case# SUP-Ol-08 -This
Public Hearing was held to consider a Special Use Permit request presented by the
property owner for the applicant Consolidated Grain & Barge Company to operate a
trans-loading facility at 3301 Kuhn Road.
The Commission recommended approval, subject to the following criteria:
Bring existing site into compliance with city codes, in regards to,
grading/drainage improvements and instillation of dust free hardsurface, as
required by the City Engineer.
2. Comply with State Health Department regulations and ADEQ requirements in
regards to air quality and meet all.
Upon conformance with city codes in regards to grading/drainage improvements and
instillation of dust free hardsurfacing, an ordinance will be presented.
II. The Planning Commission discussed and recommended the City Council consider
an ordinance approving a (6) month moratorium on acceptance of any new
development applications for trucking related businesses along the Interstate Corridor
from 7~' Street west to State Highway 147. (See Ordinance in packet.)
An Equal Opportunity Employer