September 17, 2009MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
September 17, 2009
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, September 17, 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. Invocation was given by Minister Allen McCaslin, Holy
Cross Episcopal Church. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson,
City Attorney David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Marlin, and Councilors, Tracy Catt, James Pulliaum, Ramona
Taylor, Herman Coleman, Marco McClendon, Willis Mondy, James Holt, Taz Tyrone, Phillip Carter and Lorraine
Robinson. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
BID OPENINGS
Bids for the West Memphis Gateway Project Phase III- Landscaping were opened and tabulated at 1:00 p.m.
Copies of the tabulation sheet were given to the City Council. Mayor Johnson accepted the bids and referred
them to Planning & Development for final disposition.
PRESENTATION
Mayor Johnson presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Danny Foster, Michael Rushing, and Jerry Catt for their
efforts in modifying the home of Marc Floresca making it wheelchair accessible after a tragic accident on June
12~' left him paralyzed below his waste for life. Mayor Johnson said he received a letter from Shanaaz Khan who
works at Crittenden Regional Hospital expressing the Floresca family and friends heartfelt gratitude to the three
focal community members for their specific contributions.
MINUTES
Councilor Tyrone moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to dispense with the reading of the minutes of
September 3, 2009, and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
O-1 An Ordinance to establish a fee for preparation of appeal transcripts and certified copies of documents in
the West Memphis District Court, and for other purposes.
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to suspend the rules and read the Ordinance by title
only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
A&P Committee -Councilor Taylor reported 4 events were held at the Civic Center in August with more than 900
people in attendance and the Auditorium was used 21 out of 31 days with over 1200 people in attendance. West
Memphis will be hosting the Arkansas Del#a Byways Award Banquet in January, 2010. Work has begun on "It's a
Wonderful Life in West Memphis."
Fire Commission -Councilor Coleman reported the Fire Commission met and Chief Spears reported all
firefighters have been EMT certified °in house", which saved money. October is Fire Prevention Month. They
discussed the need for money collected by the Fire Department to be put back into the Fire Department budget so
they can purchase needed equipment. On behalf of the West Memphis Fire Department, he thanked Skill Bosche
for their donation of an 18 volt reciprocating saw.
Airport Commission -Councilor Robinson reported the rehab is continuing on Hangar 1 and the commission
approved drainage improvements on the west side of the building. Airport Manager Lynda Avery requested input
from the Corps of Engineers regarding approved methods for tree removal on an outflow ditch at the edge of the
Runway Object Free Area. The commission will review all the options at next month's meeting.
Police Commission -Councilor Robinson reported they held a forum for all of the City Council. The Mayor and
the Chief of Police were also invited for them all to try and get together on some #houghts and ideas that they
could put together to make our city a better city to live in and work on a better working relationship between the
police department, citizens and legislators. She said they had a very good meeting.
Councilor Coleman said he fel# like his rights have been violated. He said he was insulted when the Mayor and
Police Chief did not show up for the Police Commission meeting. He said when he was a boy, West Memphis
Police Department~atrolled one side of town differently than the other side of town but they didn't tell them about
it. Today in the 21 Century, our Police Chief told them he was going to do that. He said they all need to sit down
and work out the problems. He said Marco McClendon and Lorraine Robinson are not the only ones concerned.
They want our Police Department, but insist on fair and just treatment.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Johnson announced the Business Expo is going on today at the Holiday Plaza Mall from 11-5 and
Business After Hours will be held after the Business Expo at the mall from 5-7.
PERMISSION REQUESTS
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to give the Mayor permission to sign a contract with
Brawley Consulting Engineers, Inc. for engineering services for the 2009 Asphalt Overlay Program. Upon voice
vote, the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Coleman #o give permission for the Mayor to sign a Traffic
Control Device Agreement wi#h the AHTD for the traffic signal at the intersection of Highway 70 and Highway 118.
Upon voice vote, the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
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Mildred Smith - 306 N. 35th -She said her Gothes and furniture had been kidnapped and she needs help getting it
back. City Attorney Peeples explained this is a civil dispute and that Ms. Smith has hired a private attorney,
trespassing charges have been fried, and a trial date has been set.
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Carter to allow Ms. Ethel Pratt to address the council. The
motion carried by a unanimous vote of the council.
Ethel Pratt - 233 S. 17th -She complained about the condition of the chairs being used at the Neighborhood
Center. Councilor Taylor said the chairs were donated and are being used until funds are available to upgrade.
Councilor McClendon addressed the Swine Flu outbreak in the area. Mayor Johnson said all city employees will
be given a free flu shot October 1~t and on September 24th, Ms. Cagle with the Crittenden County Health
Department will be meeting with each department of the city to educate them on how to help prevent the flu.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Coleman moved, seconded by Councilor
Pulliaum to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this ~ day of October, 2009.
WILLIAM H. JOHNS ,MAYOR
ATTEST:
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iLLIP ~ TY CLERK
Minutes prepared by Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk