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March 19, 2009MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL MARCH 19, 2009 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, March 19, 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 David Young of Ingram Blvd. Baptist Church offered prayer. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City Affomey David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin and Councilors: Taz Tyrone, Phillip Carter, Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Cast, James Pulliaum, Ramona Taylor, Herman Coleman, Marco McClendon, Willis Moudy, and James Holt. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting. BI S Bids for West Memphis Public Library -Integrated Library Systems were opened at 1:00 pm and the bid tabulations were given to the City Council to review. Pulliaum moved, seconded by McClendon to accept the bids and refer them to the Library Board for final disposition. Motion carried. MINUTES Pulliaum moved, seconded by Catt to approve the minutes of City Council Meeting March 5, 2009 as presented. Motion carried by unanimous vote. OLD BUSINESS 2"d Reading An Ordinance to amend the ATM Oil Company, Inc. Planned Unit Development Outline Plan for area ~A" to allow a shop, warehousing and office, for the property located at 427 Dacus Road, West Memphis, Arkansas City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. McClendon moved, second by Tyrone to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on the third and final reading. Motion carried. City Attomey Peeples read the Orciinance for the THIRD time. Pulliaum moved, seconded by Taylor to approve the ordinance. Mayor Johnson said this was in the Hopefield-Mound City area and Paul Luker had talked to the area residents and they have no problem with this. Motion carried. The Ordinance was assigned No. 2220. NEW BUSINESS Robinson moved, seconded by Pulliaum, to suspend the rules and only read the title only of Resolution R-1 and Ordinance O-1. Motion carried. R-1 A Resolution expressing the willingness of the City of West Memphis, Crittenden County to utilize federal aid monies for the following city project: Reconstruction of traffic signals at the following locations: Highway 191 at Glenn Bailey Drive, Highway 70 at Avalon Street, and Highway 70 at Rhodes Street. City Attomey Peeples read the Resolution. McClendon moved, seconded by Mondy to approve the Resolution Mayor Johnson said this is a 100°rb grant paid by MPO and Federal funds that we have been trying to get done for three years at a cost of approximately $850,000. The motion carried. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1911. O-1 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for advertising services for the City of West Memphis Economic Development to ~ provided by Memphis Business Journal, and for other purposes. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. McClendon moved, seconded by Taylor to suspend the rules and the Ordinance is placed on the second reading. Motion carried. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. Taylor moved, seconded by Tyrone to further suspend the rules and the Ordinance is placed on its third reading. Motion carried. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD and FINAL time. Catt moved, seconded by Taylor to approve the Ordinance. The motion carried and the Ordinance was assigned No. 2221. COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget Committee -Catt reported they continued to discuss the options of dealing w~h the deficit and if an election to increase sales tax .25% was held the 2"d quarter of the year, It would be the 1 st quarter of 2010 before revenues would be received and if the election is held the third quarter of the year it would be the second quarter of 2010. He said .25 % would add 25 cents on a $100.00 purchase. Airport Commission -Robinson reported they approved the 2010 - 2014 Capital Improvement Plan, discussed the Homeland Security proposal, and accepted the low bidder True Green Lawn Care. Fire Commission -Catt reported there was a misunderstanding at the last meeting and they did not approve the hiring of three additional firefighters. The budget is set up for fi5 firefighters and they are staffed at 62. They are spending a little more in overtime than was anticipated, so they might have to come bed the council for a budget change request at a later date. They asked for a legal opinion from the aty attorney to see if they had the authority to increase the fee structure of the ambulance service. The fee structure we are currently using has not been altered in approximately twenty years. Chief Spears informed they received notification in regards to the grant from the Assistance to Firefighters Associa#ion funding of sixty-two sets of turnouts. He will be requesting permission to waive competitive bidding and use emergency clause for the purchase. The Fire Department submitted a grant for a simulator fire extinguisher for fire safety education, additional clothing and equipment, and heart monitors. Each grant would require a 10°x6 match. Gately attended the Governor's signing of the ban on novelty cigarette lighters. Insurance Committee -Coleman reported they are working on the bid process to make sure we are getting the best for our buck. Public Works Committee -Taylor reported they awarded the supply contract bid. Park Commission -Holt reported on upcoming events and turned the floor over to Parks Director Lorenzo Parker. Mr. Parker gave the council a handout that included a Parks Capitol Improvement Timeline, a project budget for each park, and the opportunity for a free installation of a Bom Learning Trail to be located at Hicks Park. Mr. Parker said he, Mayor Johnson and Ramona Taylor would like to see the city hire an expert and also apply for grants to update our parks; but the Park Commission is leaving that deasion to the City Council. Alderman Holt said the Park Commission also said they would like to see four parks renovated. Alderman Pulliaum requested the availability of water and electricity be put at the park on N. 11 cn Mayor Johnson said he would take care of that. Alderman Catt said the council will need to address the Legislative Joint Audit Report at the next meeting. Aldennroman Robinson requested athree-way stop sign be put up at the intersection of Parkway and N. McAuley. She said there is a very bad problem with speeding through there. She said that a car ran into a house at that intersection on two occasions and one of the times a car crashed into the bedroom of the woman that lives there. After lengthy discussion, Mayor Johnson said he would check into the matter and get back with her. PERMISSION REQUESTS Robinson moved, seconded by Taylor to give permission for Mayor Johnson to sign an agreement between the City of West Memphis and Economics Research Associates (ERA) for an economic impact study for the new Welcome Center in West Memphis. Mayor Johnson said this is a study to determine what type of businesses to approach to locate in that area. The study will cost $10,000 and Southland Gaming & Racing is to pay $5,000 and the city is paying $5,000. Motion carried. Moody moved, seconded by Robinson to give permission to pay the Arkansas Municipal League $54,334.00 for automobile insurance. Motion carried. McClendon moved, seconded by Taylor to approve Mayor Johnson sign the Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve. Motion carried. Alderman Pulliaum explained this Statement of Support shows employer support of the Guard and Reserve and promotes a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees. He said the ESGR recognize outstanding employer support, increase awareness of the law, and resolve employer/service member conflicts through mediation. Pulliaum said there will ~ a symposium a# Holiday Plaza Mall March 2fi, 2009 at 10:00 -11:00 AM. McClendon moved, seconded by Robinson to approve the distribution of the .charity dog track funds as follows: James Pulliaum - $700.00 Helping Young People to Excel, $100.00 Boy Scouts of America, $100.00 Families in Transition, and $207.74 Wonder City Boys Club. Willis Mondv - $1,207.74 Wonder City Boys Club. Motion carried. Alderman Coleman asked the City Counal to give the authority for the work to proceed on the house at 205 S. 20~'. This item was tabled until more information was available regarciing this house. CITIZENS REQUESTS Hany Goodbar -complained about the speeding in his neighborhood. Discussion was held regarding putting three-way stop signs on Parkway and West McAuley. Robinson made a motion, seconded by Moody to erect stop signs at W. McAuley and Parkway. City Attorney Peeples said this needed to go through proper protocol which would be to first refer it to the Public Works Committee. Discussion continued. Robinson withdrew her motion. Mayor Johnson is to run this request through the proper channels. Bridge# Turner -said she was back again regarding the partial bridge she lost when she was arrested several years ago. She said she was still not able to afforcl the $480.00 to replace it. Barbara Patterson -requested she be allowed to repair the house at 224 S. 13~' and it not be tom down. Mayor Johnson asked Paul Luker, Community Development Director to give them an update on the house. Mr. Luker showed the council pictures of the house and advised it was on the demolition list. McClendon made a motion, seconded by Coleman to give Ms. Patterson a ninety (90) day extension to bring the house up to code; providing she got all the necessary building permits and that the electrical and plumbing work to be done by a licensed contractor. Motion carried. Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this day of April, 2009. WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, MAYOR ATTEST: ____- --- tel. ;_ ___- , C---- - _ P L ,CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by Cindy Greenwood, Deputy Cierk c~ _