January 22, 2009MINUTES
WE8T MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 22, 2009
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, January 22, 2009 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. Reverend Gary Wheeler of the 8th Street
Mission gave the invocation. Cindy Greenwood, Senior Deputy City Clerk, called the roll. Those
present were: Mayor ~Iliam H. Johnson, City Attomey David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin and
Councilors: Herman Coleman, ~Ilis Mondy, James Hod, Taz Tyrone, Phillip Carter, Lorraine
Robinson, Tracy Cast, Ramona Taylor, and James Pulliaum. Absent.' Alderman Marco McClendon.
Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
1 U
The minutes of the meeting of January 8, 2009 and the special meeting of November 28, 2008 were
presented to the City Council for approval. Alderman Pulliaum moved, seconded by Taylor to correct
the misspelling of his name under New Business paragraph 4. Motion carried. Taylor moved,
seconded by Pulliaum to approve the minutes of January 8, 2009 as corrected and approve the
minutes of November 28, 2008 as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
3`~ Reading An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for aerial spraying, ground spraying and
other mosquito control efforts, and for other purposes
City Attomey Peeples read the OrcJinance for the THIRD and FINAL time. Pulliaum moved, seconded
by Robinson to approve. Alderman Coleman expressed concern about not putting this out for bid.
Mayor Johnson explained that bids were taken on the mosquito spraying last year and the low bid
offered a 2-year contract at the identical price for 2009. Mayor Johnson said that is why we did not bid
this year. Roll call vote was as follows:
AYES: Holt, Tyrone, Carter, Robinson, Catt, Taylor, and Pulliaum
NOES: Coleman
Alderman Mondy abstained from the vote. The motion carried. The Ordinance was assigned No.
2213.
Robinson moved, seconded by Pulliaum to suspend the rules and only read the title of Orclinance O-1.
Motion carried.
O-1 An Ordinance designating the office of the West Memphis District Court as primarily
responsible for the collection of fines assessed in the West Memphis District Court.
City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. Pulliaum moved, seconded by Carter to
suspend the rules and the Ordinance be placed on the second reading. Motion carried. City Attomey
Peeples read the Orciinance for the SECOND time. Robinson moved, seconded by Pulliaum to further
suspend the rules and the Orclinance be placed on the third and final reading. Motion carried. City
Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD time. Pulliaum moved, seconded by Robinson to
approve the Ordinance. Alderman Coleman asked for clarification as to why they were doing this
ordinance. City Attomey Peeples explained that it was brought to our attention by the auditors when
they met with the District Court Clerk's Office, that there were statutory provisions that require the
governing body of the city to designate the agency that is primarily responsible for the collection of the
fines and costs assessed in court. This ordinance was to satisfy the auditors and their requirements.
Upon voice vote, the Ordinance was approved and assigned No. 2214.
Advertising & Promotion Commission -Taylor reported the A8P Commission discussed line item
changes in their budget, but no decisions were made.
Park Commission -Holt reported they approved the transfer of the money that the council talked
about. He said they were working on projects for this next year and he would like to present a list of
things to the City Council by the second meeting in February that the Park Commission would like to
accomplish and would benefit the city. Mr. Holt said he would like to see Tilden Rogers Park finished
and the overiay of the tennis courts. He also said he would like for the council to pick four parks to
work on bringing up to standards. Robinson asked when the next meeting was because she would like
to address the Commission about maintaining the Martin Luther King Jr. Park fountain. Holt said the
next meeting was the second Tuesday in February. Holt said that tow water causes algae and algae
and debris cause the pump to bum out. He said they are constantly repairing and replacing pumps
there and the Lakes of Richland fountain. Taylor said she would like to remind the council and the
public, that if we are talking about using the $200,000.00, if we would develop a plan to turn iMo the
state, we can double that amount by funding a matching state grant.
It was announced the Police Commission will meet next Thursday, January 29th at noon. A Special-
Called City Council will be held at 1:00, following the Police Commission, to approve the 2009 budget.
Paul Luker invited the City Counal to attend the second Public Hearing regarding Community
Development Block Grant Funds on Monday, January 26"' at 5:00 p.m.
David Peeples invited the City Council to an educational session in the Mayor's Conference Room
immediately following the City Council meeting today.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Pulliaum moved, seconded by Coleman to
adjourn. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this ~_ day of February, 2009.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
IP PARA, CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by Cindy Greenwood, Deputy Clerk