04/02/2026 MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
April 2,2026,
A regular City Council Meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday April 2,
2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 205 S. Redding. Mayor Marco
McClendon called the meeting to order.The invocation was given by Reverend David Murray,
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilor Wayne Croom.City Clerk Patricia Joplin called
the roll.Those present were Mayor Marco McClendon, City Attorney Michael Stephenson (Zoom),
City Treasurer Charlie Suiter Jr., Councilors:Gheric Bruce,Tammi Bell,Tracy Catt,Wayne Croom,
Helen Harris,James Holt,Willis Mondy, and David Murray.Absent were Melanie Hutchinson,
Lorraine Mohammed, Finance Director,Tori Perry,and Evening Times Reporter Don Wilbourn.
Quorum, being present Mayor Marco McClendon, proceeded with the meeting.
BID OPENING: REMODELING OF THE EXISTING BUILDING AT THE NEW ANIMAL SHELTER SITE,
LOCATED AT 200 SOUTHLAND DRIVE,WEST MEMPHIS
Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Bruce to approve the bids and to refer the
bids back to administration. Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous to approve.
MINUTES:
APPROVE OR CORRECT MINUTES OF THE MARCH 19, 2026, COUNCIL MEETING.
Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Murray to approve the March 19,2026,
City Council Meeting Minutes as submitted. Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous to approve.
OLD BUSINESS: NONE
Councilor Catt made the motion, seconded by Councilor Croom to read 0-1,and 0-2 by title only.
Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous.
AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CODE,
REGULATING AND GOVERNING THE CONDITIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL PROPERTY,
BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES, EXISTING PREMISES; BY PROVIDING THE STANDARDS FOR
SUPPLIED UTILITIES AND FACILITIES AND OTHER PHYSICAL THINGS AND CONDITIONS
ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE THAT STRUCTURES ARE SAFE,SANITARY AND FIT FOR OCCUPATION
AND USE;AND THE CONDEMNATION OF BUIDINGS AND STRUCTURES UNFIT FOR HUMAN
OCCUPANCY AND USE
City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time.(April 16,2026,
agenda)
AN ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR THE REMOVAL OF GRASSY ISLANDS,
VEGETATION,AND SILT BUILD-UP FOR A SECTION OF TEN MILE BAYOU DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST time.Councilor Croom
made a motion, seconded by Councilor Mondy to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its
second reading. Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous. City Attorney Stephenson read the
ordinance by title only for the SECOND time. Councilor Croom made a motion, seconded by
Councilor Bruce to further suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its third reading. Upon
voice vote,voting was unanimous. City Attorney Stephenson read the ordinance by title only for the
THIRD and FINAL time. Councilor Croom made a motion, seconded by Councilor Murray to
approve the ordinance. Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous to approve the ordinance was
adopted,and assigned ordinance No.2726. Councilor Catt made the motion,seconded by
Councilor Murray to approve the Emergency Clause in Section 2. Upon voice vote,voting was
unanimous to approve.
PERMISSION TO SELECT ROOFING PARTICIPANTS FROM THE EXISTING CDBG PROGRAM YEAR
2024 LIST TO COMPLETE PROJECTS FOR PROGRAM YEAR 2025.THE LIST INCLUDES THOSE
ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS NOT SELECTED DUE TO THE LIMITATION OF CDBG REHABILITATION
FUNDS
Councilor Croom made the motion,seconded by Councilor Harris to approve. Upon voice vote,
voting was unanimous to approve.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
UTILITY COMMISSION: Councilor Croom presented the Utility Commission report from
February.Safety Report for November there were 13 days since last recordable, 80 days since last
lost time injury and 1 recordable injury for November 2025.Financial Report-Ms. Ethel William
provided a financial report showing the total expenses through November 2025. Ms.Williams
provided a financial ratio worksheet which showed the days cash on hand,fixed charge coverage,
gross margin ratio,operating margin ratio, current ratio,and debt service coverage ratio.The utility
department currently has 8 open positions out of 79 budgeted positions. Engineer Eric Ardis gave a
reliability indices comparison of 2024 and March 2025- February 2026. He also presented a pie
chart showing primary cause distribution and primary cause distribution by duration of power
outages. Utility Commissioner Alfreda Robinson was elected as Chairperson Utility Manager Bob
Atkins presented a Contribution in Aid of Construction Master Agreement, Integrated Resource
Plan for West Memphis Utilities, and the APPE Average Revenue per KWH reports.The commission
went into closed session to discuss KPI's and bonuses.
APPOINTMENTS: NONE—
Mayor McClendon said that he would have the resumes of the potential candidates for
consideration for the Meadowbrook Golf committee for council to review by the next council
meeting.
PRESENTATION: NONE
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor McClendon said that the Parks&Recreation department would be having an Easter Egg
Hunt at Franklin Park on Friday April 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Mayor McClendon announced the retirement of Fire Chief Barry Ealy and wished him best in his
future endeavors.
Mayor McClendon announced that Chief Derrick Clay has been appointed to be the new Fire Chief.
Councilor Mondy said that there will be an Easter Egg Hunt at Hightower Park on April 4,2026.
CITIZENS REQUEST: NONE
ADJOURNMENT:
Having no further business to come before the City Council,Councilor Catt made the motion,
seconded by Councilor Harris,to adjourn. Upon voice vote,voting was unanimous.The meeting
adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED on the day 16th of APRIL 2026.
MA CO MCCLENDON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
PATRICIA JOPLIN,CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by Sr. Deputy City Clerk, Patricia Lane