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May 21, 2009MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL May 21, 2009 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 South Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Mayor Johnson opened the meeting with a word of prayer. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin, and Councilors, Ramona Taylor, Willis Mondy, James Holt, Taz Tyrone, Tracy Catt, and James Pulliaum. Absent. Herman Coleman, Marco McClendon, Phillip Carter, and Lorraine Robinson. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting. BID OPENINGS Mayor Johnson advised that the Insurance bids were opened today at 12:30 pm but were not on the agenda. Taylor moved, seconded by Catt to add the Insurance bids to the a~enda. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Bids for Economic Development Department -South 5 Street Improvements were opened and tabulated at 1:00 p.m. Copies of the tabulation sheet were given to the City Council. Mayor Johnson referred the South 5th Street improvement bids to Administration and Economic Development for disposition and he referred the health insurance bids to Administration for disposition with the advice of the Insurance Committee. MINUTES Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Tyrone to dispense with the reading of the minutes of May 7, 2009, and the special-called meeting minutes of May 12, 2009 and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS 2"d Reading of an Ordinance approving the hiring of Jacob Langley as an umpire and league commissioner for the West Memphis Parks Commission, and for other purposes City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. NEW BUSINESS Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to read R-1 and R-2 by title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. R-1 A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a contract with the City of West Memphis and Appalachian Center for Economic Networks for Kitchen Incubator Project Consultant. City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Mondy to approve. The Resolution was approved by unanimous vote and assigned No. 1921. R-2 A Resolution approving a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration in the amount of $176,357.00 for project number 3-05-0065-021-2009 authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute documents to obtain the grant, approving expenditures, and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve. The Resolution was approved by unanimous vote and assigned No. 1922. PERMISSION REQUESTS Pulliaum moved, seconded by Taylor to adopt the amended Final Statement of Community Development Block Grant FY2008 Program concerning CDBG recovery funds allocation. Mayor Johnson said in February, 2009, the City of West Memphis was notified that we would be receiving an additional Community Development Block Grant allocation of $113, 262. The Community Development Agency conducted two Public Hearings and this (see attached) is the amended Final Statement°. This is in keeping with our current program and helps address some projects that were on hold, waiting for funding. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Pulliaum moved, seconded by Mondy to approve the Southland Charity Day allocations for Alderman Herman Coleman as follows: $600.00 to Life & Hope Outreach, $100.00 to Boy Scouts of America, $253.87 to Wonder Boys Club and $253.87 to LR Jackson Girls Club. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Pulliaum moved, seconded by Taylor to approve changing the second regular meeting of the City Council in June from June 18th to June 25th due to the Arkansas Municipal League Conference being held June 17 -19th. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget -Catt reported the Budget Committee recommended the City Council's approval of one line item budget change in Municipal Court in the amount of $2,148.00 for the hiring of a part-time employee 20 hours per week through August of this year. Catt moved, seconded by Taylor to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve. A&P Commission -Taylor reported the Auditorium was booked every weekend in April and the representative from Shoney's tha# is on the Commission, reported Shoney's showed a great improvement in their business. A compressor is out on an air-conditioning unit at the auditorium and they will be bidding that out. She reported A&P paid for the new Main Street banners that are now up on Broadway, and approved purchasing the remaining banners to be put up from 15th to 19th Street. They also approved a similar design for banners on Missouri Street and Ingram Blvd. She asked Main Street Director, Leigh Ann Hastings to come forward. Ms. Hasting showed the council one of the new banners and she explained "Wide Open" is the new branding campaign done by a consultant last October who branded West Memphis: "Broadway Wide Open." She explained that Broadway is physically wide open but also wide open for new business. She also announced the first of the Arkansas Delta Music Trail Sounds from the Soil marker was placed at the old Plantation Inn site which is the first sign to be placed in Arkansas. The second sign is going to be placed at the old KWIN. Ms. Hastings further explained these two sites are part of a musical heritage trail Arkansas Delta Byways and all the Main Street communities are working on. This trail includes 15 counties along the river and will include a compact disc that you can listen to as you drive along the trail that tells you about the history of the noted locations. Ms. Hasting thanked the Mayor and City Council who attended the Blues on Broadway event celebrating Arkansas Heritage Month and National Tourism Week. Councilor Taylor said the A&P Commission is down two members and voted to appoint Barry Nix of Mocha's Grill to the Commission. Taylor moved, seconded by Pulliaum to approve the appointment of Barry Nix to the A&P Commission. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Mayor Johnson reported 16 quotes for insurance were opened today and there is a large volume of paper to be sorted through. Mayor Johnson said he referred the bids to Administration for disposition with the input from the Insurance Committee. He said Frank Martin was to begin the analysis today and tomorrow and he would like the Insurance Committee and the rest of the City Council to mee# Tuesday at noon to start reviewing these quotes. Fire Commission -Catt reported they reviewed turnout bids and approved the final disposition and also looked at new bids for new equipment. They also talked about the technical aspects of reactivating the ROOK Program and reported they are going to work with Todd at the Utility Company and hopefully, with some of the new software upgrades they are going through, they can get that program up and running again within the next 30 days. Utility Commission -Tyrone reported they approved the lowest bid for pump station #8 pump replacement, approved to sell scrap transformers to Utility Recycling- Services at $8,991.08 and approved the transfer of a 1998 Ford pick-up they were not using any more to the West Memphis Parks 8~ Recreation Department. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Johnson announced the reason Herman Coleman was absent today was because his mother is having surgery today and asked that everyone keep her welfare in their prayers. Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this ~-~h day of June, 2009. li ueit EZJ ~ c..s~--~ ,MAYOR ATTEST: ~ 19 ~.~ i +-10~ r.. r.. .... +P RA, CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by Cindy Greenwood, Senior Deputy City Clerk ~ O BID TABULATION SOUTH- 5TH STREET STREET & DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, AItI~ANSAS May 21, 2009 TOTAL AMOUNT BIDDER BASE BID DEDUCTIVE ALT. BID LESS DEDUCTIVE ALT. 1 CHANCELLOR BROTHERS CORDOVA, TN ¢~ 2 P & J FOWLER, INC. WEST MEMPHIS, AR I~~ sa ~ ~I3 ~~~ 3 4 5 PREP.A_RED BY SORRELL CONSULTING ENGINEERS, LI.,C 206 SHOPPINGWAY BLVD. WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM AlV.~NDED FINAL STATEMENT OF COl~~VIUNITY DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES AND PROJECTED USE OF FUNDS B-2008-MC-OS-0009 Arid CDBG-RECOVERY FUNDS May 27, 2009 Introduction: The U. S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has designated the City of West Memphis, Arkansas as an Entitlement City under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program as authorized by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. As an Entitlement City, West Memphis will receive a specified amount of funds annually for use in carrying out a variety of auspices of the CDBG Program. West Memphis will be entitled to receive the annual grant so long as its performance is in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements of the CDBG Program and HUD. This Final Statement of Community Development Objectives and Projected Use of Funds has been prepared by and is subject to modification through a process which affords maximum public accountability and citizen participation. The Community Development Agency of West Memphis conducted a public hearing on January 14, 2008 to receive citizen recommendations on the scope of the CDBG Program. A second public hearing was held on January 28, 2008 to allow citizens the opportunity to respond to the requests for funding. In February 2009, the City of West Memphis was notified that we would be receiving an additional Community Development Block Grant allocation of $113,262. These funds will be specifically tracked by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and have additional constraints from the traditional CDBG funding. HUD is also requiring that the funds be obligated quickly. The Community Development Agency of West Memphis conducted a public hearing on May 12, 2009 to receive citizen recommendations on the scope of the CDBG Program. A second public hearing was held on May 19, 2009 to allow citizens the opportunity to respond to the requests for funding. This amended "Final Statement" is in keeping with our current program and helps to address some projects that were on hold, waiting for funding The Final Statement was prepared and made available to the public prior to its being submitted to the Little Rock Area OfFice of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The City Council approved the content of the Final Program at its regular meeting on February 2 i, 2008 and the amended Final Statement on May Z i, 2009. Moreover, copies of this Final Statement and any modifications thereto will be available at the offices of the Community Development Agency of West Memphis, 205 South Redding Street, during normal business hours, Monday through Friday. The City of West Memphis looks forward to the Entitlement Community Development Block Grant Program and hopes to continue providing meaningful site improvements and various community development activities that are essential to revitalizing our neighborhoods and providing benefits primarily for low and moderate income persons within the community. The City recognizes that there are needs for community development and public improvements in many parts of West Memphis and that there are not sufficient funds available to satisfy all, or even a majority of these acknowledged needs. The City continues to strive toward implementation of a well conceived community development program that truly maximizes benefits for low and moderate income persons and/or eliminates slum and blight and prevents the recurrence of blighting influences. Statement of Community Development Objectives: The following community development objectives will be addressed through implementation of the CDBG Entitlement Program. l . To improve housing conditions available in the community, especially these which provide housing for low and moderate income persons. 2. To provide for public facilities improvements including street projects, drainage projects and neighborhood facilities in areas that are concentrated with low and moderate income persons. 3. To minimize displacement of site occupants through the carrying out of projects and activities, recognizing that should displacement occur, technical and financial assistance to relocate the displaces in replacement housing within his/her economic means will be provided in accordance with the stipulations of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act of 1970. Projected Use of Funds: The City of West Memphis will receive $417,073 under the FY2008 Year CDBG Entitlement Program and an additional allocation of $113,262 in CDBG-Recovery Funds. If less than this amount is received, the costs and scope of the projects described herein will be adjusted accordingly. An alternative would be to eliminate all or part of one or more projects from the proposed program. if more than this amount is received, the additional funds will be added proportionately to the line items described herein where such funds will remain until or unless they are required for another project activity. The following activities have been designed and will be implemented within the proposed FY2008 Program by the Community Development Agency based upon previously approved and planned activities and citizen involvement. it is understood that these activities may be revised in the future by the City Council of West Memphis, Arkansas as a result of the continuing citizen participation planning process. FY2008 Proposed Activities /Amendments Public Facilities and Improvements: Polk Street -Phase I: Engineering and design for street reconstruction Location: South 15th Street to South 18th Street Regulatory Citations: Eligibility: 24 CFR 570.201(c) National Objectives: 24 CFR 570.208(a}(ij Funding: $ 3 0, 000 Community Facility: Design and construction of neighborhood center Location: to be determined /will be in a low to moderate income area Regulatory Citations: Eligibility: 24 CFR 570.20i(c) National Objectives: 24 CFR 570.208(a)(1) Original Funding: $ 70,000 CGBG-R Funding: $ 25,000 Total Funding: $ 95,000 Economic Development: Design and development of a business/kitchen incubator and/or facade enhancement program Location: to be determined Regulatory Citations: Eligibility: 24 CFR 570.203 National Objectives: 24 CFR 570.208(4) Original Funding: $ 50,000 CGBG-R Funding: 25 000 Total Funding: $ 75,000 * NOTE: If either of the above designated projects fail to get underway in a timely manner, these funds may be re-allocated by the City Council to the ongoing activities of housing rehabilitation, demolition and/or public facilities. Housing Rehabilitation: Continuation of the housing rehabilitation program in which a maximum of $20,000 is expended on the rehabilitation for elderly/handicapped low and moderate income homeowners, and the Location: city wide Regulatory Citations: Eligibility: 24 CFR 570.202 National Objectives: 24 CFR 570.208{a)(3) Original Funding: $ 100,000 CGBG-R Funding: $ 32,000 Total Funding: $ 132,000 Demolition and Clearance: Demolition of vacant dilapidated structures and clearance of structure and lot. Location: city-wide Regulatory Citations: Eligibility: 24 CFR 570.201(d) National Objectives: 24 CFR 570.208{b)(2) Original Funding: $ 84,073 CGBG-R Funding: $ 20,000 Total Funding: $ 104,073 Program Administration and Planning: Administrative costs related to planning, oversight, management and implementation of the program. Location: not applicable Regulatory Citations: Eligibility: 24 CFR 570.206 National Objectives: not applicable Original Funding: $ 80,000 CGBG-R Funding: $ 11,262 Total Funding: $ 91,262 Fair Housing: Contribution to the Community Housing Resources Board to further fair housing efforts within the City. Location: city wide Regulatory Citations: Eligibility: 24 CFR 570.206(c) National Objective: not applicable Funding: $ 3,000 FY2008 CDBG Program: $ 417,073 FY2008 CDBG-R Allocation: $ 113,262 Total: $ 530,335 The previous items constitute the use of the CDBG funds as of the date of this Statement. In submitting this Statement to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the City of West Memphis certifies that these activities have been selected with maximum feasible benefits to persons of low and moderate income. The public facilities improvements are all located in geographic areas that are comprised predominately of residents of low and moderate income. Effectiveness: The Final Statement of Community Development Objectives and Projected Use of Funds has been prepared in light of the previous public hearings and input from members of the West Memphis City Council. Citizens are invited to comment on this Statement by sending their comments to the Community Development Agency of West Memphis, 205 South Redding Street, West Memphis, Arkansas 72301. The seven calendar day comment period for this substantial amendment ends on June 2, 2009. Copies of the Final Statement are available for public inspection and review during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, in the Community Development Agency offices. Various recommendations and comments or suggestions that are made as a result of citizen review of this statement as appearing in the West Memphis Evening Times will be forwarded to the City Council for the Council's consideration. The Final Statement will remain in full force and effect for the duration of the CDBG Program, or until it is modified or amended by the City Council. As with previous Community Development Block Grant Programs, the Community Development Agency of West Memphis will administer the CDBG Program on behalf of the City of West Memphis. * Please publish in LEGAL Section on Wednesday, May 27, 2009.