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July 17, 2008MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL July 17, 2008 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, July 17, 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 Alderman Phillip Carter. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor l~lliam H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin and Councilors, James Pugiaum, Ramona Taylor, Marco McClendon, Helen Hams, James Holt, Phillip Carter, and Helen Harris. Absent.• Councilors: Herman Coleman, Chester Peeples and Lorraine Robinson. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting. INUT S Councilor McClendon moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to dispense with the reading of the minutes of July 3, 2008, and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS 2nd Reading An Ordinance to amend the West Memphis Zoning Map from Conservation Extra- Territorial to R-1-E and R-2-E, Extra Territorial for certain property located along the east and west sides of Waverly Road located within the City of West Memphis One Mile Extra-Territorial Zoning Jurisdiction Boundary. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. 2nd Reading An Ordinance to amend the West Memphis Zoning Ordinance 1988, as amended, and the West Memphis Zoning Map from R-1, Single Family Residential, to R-E, Single Family Residential Estate, for certain described property. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. 2"d Reading An Ordinance to amend the West Memphis Zoning Ordinance 1988, as amended, and add development criteria in reganis to trucking related businesses along the interstate corridor within the city limits of West Memphis. City Attorney Peeples read the Orclinance for the SECOND time. NEW BUSINESS Pulliaum moved, seconded by McClendon to suspend the rules and read R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, O-1, and O-2 by title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. R-1 A Resolution regarding group health insurance payments by City Employees and for other purposes City Attomey Peeples read the Resolution Taylor moved, seconded by Davis to amend the Resolution adding in the amounts of $50.00 and $50.00 in the blanks. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Pulliaum moved, seconded by McClendon to approve the Resolution as amended. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1892. R-2 A Resolution setting the annual tax levy upon the assessed value of all real and personal property within the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, for the Firemen's Pension and Relief Fund. City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Taylor moved, seconded by Davis to approve. After discussion, the Resolution was approved by unanimous vote and assigned No. 1893. R-3 A Resolution setting the annual tax levy for the Public City Library City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Taylor moved, seconded by McClendon to approve. Motion carried by unanimous vote and was assigned No. 1894. R-4 A Resolution setting the annual tax levy for the Policemen's Pension and Relief Fund City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Davis moved, seconded by Taylor to approve. Motion carried by unanimous vote and was assigned No. 1895. O-1 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the bus service to be provided by Memphis Area Transit Authority (MAYA) and for other purposes City Attomey Peeples read the Or1dinance for the FIRST time. Taylor moved, seconded by Davis to suspend the rules and the Ordinance be placed on the second reading. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. Harris moved, seconded by Taylor to further suspend the rules, and the Ordinance be placed on the third reading. Upon voice vote, the motion carried. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL time. Hams moved, seconded by Taylor to approve the Ordinance. Mayor Johnson explained the bus service is provided free of charge to our citizens, which last month was over 20,000 riders. The service is being funded from two sources. Fortwelve months of service, the cost is $640,000, $320.00 is being paid out of our A8P funds and the Arkansas State Highway Department pays the other $320,000. After discussion the Ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2193. O-2 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the purchase of approximately 5.2 acres of Real Property, approving the Real Estate Contract for unimproved property, and for other purposes. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. Davis moved, seconded by McClendon to add the distribution of Charity Day Funds from Southland Gaming and Racing to the agenda. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Davis moved, seconded by McClendon to divide the Charity Day Funds in the amount of $109,595.63 equally between the West Memphis Boys Club, Wonder City Boys Club, LR Jackson Giris Club, and the JW Rich Girls Club, pending they meet the financial information requirements. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. COMMITTEE REPOR A8P Commission -Taylor reported they discussed whether to go forvvard with the renovations of the Civic Auditorium and are to meet again to discuss. Utility Commission -Davis reported they approved the hiring of Sorrell Engineering for the sewer extension under Highway 77 and the relocation of water and sewer on N. Airport Road and also approved the charge-off list of bad debts. Personnel Committee -Davis reported they discussed charging city employees for their insurance. They talked about the city raising the travel mileage allowance and the per diem food allowance and referred that matter to the Budget Committee. Insurance Committee -Taylor reported they recommended charging employees $50.00 a month for their insurance. She also said they were going to meet more often to keep a close eye on the utilization and if the utilization is high, they might have to increase the $50.00 a month rate. Neighborhood Center -Paul Luker, Director of Community Development reported the city is using CDBG funding for the renovation of the building. Therefore, they are required by federal guidelines to have an environmental review including a 15 day local comment period, which was completed in June, and now they are in the process of the state 15 day comment period. When this is completed they will be able to proceed. APPOINTMENTS Mayor Johnson appointed Anthony Hampton too fill the unexpired term of Isaac Christopher on the Park Commission to expire in 2009. McClendon moved, seconded by Pulliaum to approve the appointment. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Mayor Johnson stated the air conditioning units were stolen from the Wonder City Boys and Girls Club and was estimated it would cost around $18,940.00 to replace them. He said that CDBG funds could be used if lt was approved by the City Council. Taylor moved, seconded by Pulliaum to add the approval to the agenda. The motion carried by unanimous vote. Pulliaum moved, seconded by Carter to approve payment up to $10,000 from CDBG funds to assist the Wonder City Boys 8~ Gins Club with replacing the air conditioning units. Motion carried by unanimous vote. CITIZENS REQUESTS David Moose - 824 Pryor -reported following a tragic death in our community almost 13 months ago, about 50 concerned and hopeful citizens attended a "Goodwill Gathering" and out of that gathering, ten "Interracial Dialogue" sessions have been held on Satun;lay afternoons leading to a better understanding and appreciation of the differences in history, culture, and experiences of Caucasians and African-Americans. The next dialogue/community service planning meeting will be Saturday, July a 26, at the home of Wayne & Tobia Fuller, 717 Auburn, at 2:00 p.m. ,~,~ Vicky Moore - 995 N. Parkway Memphis, TN -Executive Director of Youth United with Senior Citizens She said they are now a part of the West Memphis Concerned Citizens Group. Their 501-C3 Organization got together because of the high crime rate and gang activity in the Memphis area. She explained that they take youth into the homes of the elderly and girls ages 5 -19 dust, mop, and wash dishes while the males, the same age, are outside cleaning and cutting. The older children are role models for the younger ones. The senior atizens do not pay with money, they in part their wisdom and moral teachings onto the children. For payment of their services, they take the children on outing such as boat riding and skating. They also have different programs such as a tutoring program, music, and art. She said they are excited about bringing this program to West Memphis. ANNOUNCEMENTS Phillip Para announced the Crittenden Arts Council is having a Blues in the Park concert Saturday at Worthington Park from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The Daddy Mack Band will be performing. Having no further business to come before the City Council, Taylor moved, seconded by Carter to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this ~ -th day of August, 2008. WILLIAM H. JOHNSO ,MAYOR ATTEST: i P ARA, CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk