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April 16, 2009MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL April 16, 2009 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 South Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas. PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Johnson called a Public Hearing to order on a Justice Assistance Grant that has been made available to the Police Department. Mayor Johnson asked if there was anyone present to speak against this matter. Being none, Mayor Johnson asked if there was anyone present to speak for this matter. Being none, Mayor Johnson declared the Public Hearing closed. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Invocation was given by Rev. Trask of First Baptist Church. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor Wi//iam H. Johnson, CityAttomey David Peep/es, Cily Treasurer Frank Martin, and Counci/ors, Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Catt, Ramona Tay/off Herman Co%man, Marco McC/endon, Wi//is Mondy, Taz Tyrone and Phillip Cartes Absent. James Pu/liaum and James Ho/t. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting. MINUTES Councilor McClendon moved, seconded by Councilor Mondy to dispense with the reading of the minutes of April 2, 2009, and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to read R-1 and R-2 by title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. R-1 A Resolution expressing the willingness of the City of West Memphis to utilize Federal-Aid Funds. City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor McClendon moved, seconded by Councilor Tyrone to approve. This Resolution allows the City to accept Federal Funds in the amount of approximately $1,300,000 to rebuild Glen Bailey Drive from Missouri Street to 7th Street. This money will be provided through the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department and their funds are provided through stimulus money. The money should cover 100% of the cost of the Glen Bailey Drive rebuilding. The Resolution was approved by unanimous vote and assigned No. 1914. R-2 A Resolution approving a contract for the City of West Memphis to purchase a 6.9179 acre tract of real property to be part of the West Memphis Municipal Airport property, and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor McClendon moved, seconded by Councilor Catt to approve. This is being paid by 100% grant money: 95% Federal Money and 5% State Money. After discussion, the Resolution was approved by unanimous vote and assigned No. 1915. COMMITTEE REPORTS Airport Commission -Councilor Robinson reported that the land acquisition is on track for the May 1 grant application. The Airport is looking forward to having one of the Commemorative Air Force's Warbirds based here. The arrival of the T-33 should be in the next several weeks. TSA has begun enforcing segments of their security measures by way of a Directive at Colorado airports. City Attorney Peeples is working on a draft Resolution which will be presented to City Council May 7th reflecting the serious, negative repercussions enactment of TSA's Large Aircraft Security Program will have on our City. Po/ice Commission -Councilor Robinson reported on the special called meeting about the proposed Toy Gun Ordinance. City Attorney Peeples presented a draft that was composed in 2007, after studying the draft the commission decided there was a lot of work to be done to get the right legislation that would best fit our City's need. City Attorney Peeples will be updating the draft so it will be ready for the next commission meeting. The Police Commission is also looking at toy gun laws received from Beaverton, Oregon and Dallas, Texas. Fine Commission -Councilor McClendon reported that 52 turnout and 62 pairs of boots have been ordered. An amendment will be submitted for Assistance to Firefighters Grant to reimburse us for the 10 turnouts that were ~ purchased in 2008. The Commission is also looking at the Safer Grant which requires a 10% match t0 purchase afire truck. The City stills owes approximately $100,000 on one truck which caused a rejactjpn of the previous grant requested. Discussion of restructuring the debt to release the fire truck as collateral, will hopefully make us eligible for the grant. The Commission is also exploring stimulus funds to build a nevMl fire station. At the meeting Alderman Catt reported on an opinion received from City Attorney Peeples confirming the power of the City to establish service charges for emergency medical services. An ordinance will be presented at the City ~pt~~cil meeting in May allowing the Commission to review once more. Aldo Officer ~rogdan reported that ,,,~:~~~,7Q~~.54 in CMS fees have been collected so far in 2009. Chigf Spears is working on trying to reimplement ~~ ~r~ YoN Oit~~ program in the City. MA~~f ~IQhniQll statQd that the amount owed on the fire truck is approximately $150,000 at this time. Pub/i~ ~V(gnfc~s--Councilor Taylor reported on a discussion about the City p~oWiding uniforms for Sanitation and Street Department compared to the Police and Fire Department. Rev. Turner asked that several things be reported to the public; #1 When your lawn is damaged it may be the way you position your trash, #2 Lawn clippings need to be bagged and not blown into the street. A city wide clean-up was discussed, but no date has been set. A reminder was given to the public that individuals can turn in four tires free at the landfill. The City will not pick up tires. Advertising and Promotion - Councilor .Taylor reported that in the month of March the Auditorium hosted three dance competitions with over 3600 in attendance. They were asked by several fast food restaurants to be notified when competitions come to town, because they were selling out of food. The Civic Center had 2 notable events; one was the 20th Annual String of Pearls Banquet, there were 300 attendees and the second was the Arkansas Homeland Defense Training Program. It was in the building for the day with about 200 participants. Channel 17 has received new equipment and is enhancing the look of their programming. Budget-Councilor Catt thanked several council members and the Mayor for meeting with Rotarians. Since that nrg, there have been many conversations and the budget committee needs a clear direction of where to go ~ resolve the deficit problem. Councilor Catt asked for a meeting of the entire Council next week. ~OUNCEMENTS mayor Johnson announced a ribbon cutting this afternoon at Martin Wireless, 1705 Missouri. Mayor Johnson ~nounced the Custom Catering is hosting business after hours, at 5:00 p.m. at the Holiday Plaza Mall. C~TlZENS REQUESTS PERMISSION REQUESTS Mayor Johnson asked for permission to pay $118, 944.35 to Interstate Improvements. Councilor McClendon moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to approve payment. Upon voice vote, motion was unanimous. Planning Director Paul Luker gave an update on the Gateway project. The cleaning and painting phase is complete. The second phase, which is lighting, is being worked on. There will be LED light fixtures lighting up the bridge supports. The consultant is working on the bid documents that will be submitted to the state. We will then be advertising for bids and construction can start. Hopefully by mid summer the lights will be up. Councilor Tyrone is working on coming up with a solution to the pigeon problem and the highway department is working on getting some expansion joints fixed to decrease the amount of water running down the bridge supports. Mayor Johnson needs permission to sign a memorandum of understanding for grant money to the Police Department. This grant was made available in the amount of $434,528.00 and West Memphis, Earle, Marion and the County had to be in agreement or no one would receive any funds. Crittenden County will receive $55,796, Marion will receive $37,106, Earle will receive $19,067 and West Memphis will receive $322,559. This money has a restricted use. Councilor McClendon moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve. Upon voice vote, motion was unanimous. APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS City Attorney Peeples announced another grant that the City and County is participating in called a Burn Justice Assistance Grant, in the amount of $23,000. Half of the money would go to the city and the other half to the county. This grant has been previously approved, but there was a notice requirement that had to go along with the grant. City Attorney Peeples said there was no action to be taken and let the Council know the grant had been applied for and it will be received. Councilor Carter recognized a few citizens in the audience and announced that Councilman Marco McClendon's birthday is tomorrow. Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor McClendon to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:02 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this day of May, 2009. WILLIAM H. JOHN ON, MAYOR ATTEST: ~f.~ ._ HIL RA, CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by Rhonda Standridge, Jr. Deputy City Clerk