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October 15, 2009MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL October 15, 2009 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, October 15, 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 Reverend Lee Crawford of the 8th Street Mission. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City Attomey David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin and Councilors, Ramona Taylor, s Herman Coleman Marco McClendon, Willis Mondy, James Holt, Phillip Carter, Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Catt, and James Pulliaum. Absent.• Councilor Taz Tyrone. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting. PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Johnson opened a Public Hearing regarding the issuance of Public Utility Revenue Bonds for the purpose of financing public utility system improvements. He asked if there were anyone present to speak for or against this matter. Being none, Mayor Johnson closed the Public Hearing at 1:33 p.m. BID OPENINGS Bids for Streetscape and Fagade Improvements and Neighborhood Center Improvements -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 the Streetscapes & Fagade Improvements to Main Street and the Neighborhood Center Improvements to the Neighborhood Center Committee for final disposition. (Copies attached} MINUTES Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to dispense with the reading of the minutes of October 1, 2009, and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS O-1 An Ordinance authorizing the issuance of Public Utility Revenue Bonds, for the purpose of financing Public Utility System improvements; authorizing matters related thereto; and declaring an emergency. Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Taylor to suspend the rules and read the Ordinance by title only. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on the second reading. Roll call vote: AYES: Taylor, Coleman, McClendon, Mondy, Holt, Carter, Robinson, Catt, and Pulliaum NAYS: None The motion carried. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to further suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on the third reading. Roil call vote: AYES: Taylor, Coleman, McClendon, Mondy, Holt, Carter, Robinson, Catt, and Pulliaum NAYS: None The motion carried. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD and FINAL time. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to approve the Ordinance. Roll call: AYES: Taylor, Coleman, McClendon, Mondy, Holt, Carter, Robinson, Catt, and Pulliaum NAYS: None The motion carried. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to adopt the Emergency Clause, Section 9. Roll call: AYES: Taylor, Coleman, McClendon, Mondy, Holt, Carter, Robinson, Catt, and Pulliaum NAYS: None The motion carried. The Ordinance and the Emergency Clause was adopted and assigned Number 2232. Mayor Johnson called a five minute recess to process the paper work for the bond issue. Mayor Johnson called the meeting back to order at 1:42 pm. Mayor Johnson recognized the Crittenden County Leadership Group in the audience. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor McClendon to suspend the rules and read Ordinance O- 2, O-3, and O-4 by their titles only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. O-2 An Orciinance granting a special use permit for the property located at 896 South Walker, allowing an agricultural grain trans-loading facility in a CVE, Conservation Extra-Territorial District. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. O-3 An Ordinance providing for the levy of a one-fourth of one percent {0.25°6) sales and use tax within the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, and prescribing other matters pertaining thereto City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. O-4 An Ordinance calling a Speaal Election in the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, on the question of levying one-fourth of one percent (0.25°~} sales and use tax within the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, and prescribing other matters pertaining thereto, and declaring an emergency Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to table the Ordinance until November 19, 2009. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to add Ordinance O-5 to the agenda. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. O-5 An Ordinance to amend Ordinance 1257 to amend the distribution of revenue from the one percent (1 %) sales and use tax passed on November 4, 1986, and prescribing other matters pxrtaining thereto. Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to suspend the rules and only read the title of the ordinance. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. COMMITTEE REPORTS Airport Commission -Councilor Robinson reported they welcomed the new Commissioners Tandy Anthony and Marvin Steele. They presen#ed outgoing Commissioner Lewis Bastel with a gift. It was reported the airport's finances are in good shape. The renovation of hangar doors, drainage and plumbing improvements should be completed within 60 days with a projected total cost of $69,483.81. This is 90110 grant and the grant application is for $62,535.43 and the 10% match {$6,948.38) has been set aside for this project from airport revenues. Fire Commission -Councilor Coleman reported EMS collections are at $308,683.00. They continued discussion on Fire Stations. They discussed the cost of building a 5"' Fire Station, the cost of manpower to operate it and the upkeep costs. They also discussed the possibility of reducing the number of station to 3 and strategically locate them and have representatives from ISO come and advise us of our options to keep our ISO rating a No. 2. Public Works Committee -Councilor Taylor reported they approved the overlay t~id and heard a claim request which was rejected. Park Commission -Councilor Holt reported Damn McCollum was elected Chairperson to replace Mikki Hooper who resigned. He commended Ms. Hooper on a job well done. They reviewed the budget and everything is in line. They have applied for a grant to build a skate park, splash pad, walking trail and supply new equipment in several of the city's parks and received a message from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism that the city received a score of 30 points of a possible 33 in the application for the state's Outdoor Recreation Grant. Budget Committee -Councilor Catt reported they reviewed the expenses for the first nine months of this year and they are pretty much in line with the projections. The sales tax projections for 2009 are less than what they were this time last year and less #han what the original budget projections were. The two Orciinances 0-3 and 0-5 came from the Budget Committee to help stabilize the revenue sources of the city. Insurance Committee -Councilor Coleman said they will meet next Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. APROINTMENTS Mayor Johnson appointed Heather Lancaster to the Park Commission. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Holt to approve the appointment. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Johnson announced flu shots will be given today at Crittenden Regional Hospital Women's Center circle drive. They are drive thru shots for $20.00; you don't have to get out of your car. Councilor Coleman wanted to recognize Mr. Ogee for his efforts in helping rehab a house that he drove by and saw that it was in bad need of repairs. Councilor Coleman wanted him to know that his efforts were noticed and appreciated. Mayor Johnson said he definitely was a Good Samaritan. Councilor Catt announced the budget schedule for this year begins Thursday November 5th from 5:00 - 7:00 and continues every Thursday thereafter and will try to have ready for City Council approval December 17th. PERMISSION REQUESTS Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Catt to approve the Planning Commission recommendations as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. (See attached) CITIZENS REQUESTS Marilyn Kuntz - US Census 2010 -Here today to ask them as city leaders to join partnership to promote the 2010 census, increase the response and help get an accurate count. She said there are only 10 questions and the census takers will be going around in mid March. Mayor Johnson said we need to develop a plan to educate the public on how important it is to be counted. Federal funding depends on population data. Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to join partnership and approve Mayor Johnson sign the Partnership Agreement subject to City Attorney Peeples reviewing the contract. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Shaba+ca Afrika - Owner of Afrika Books 812 E. Broadway - he said he was present to ask the City Council to show the citizens of West Memphis and take the lead in the form of a Resolution supporting a Healthcare Initiative with a strong public option. He also spoke regarding the perpetual conflict between the police department, the black community and some members of the City Council. He would like to see a Citizens Review Board put into place consisting of police officers, elected officials and responsible citizens with full subpoena power. Councilor McClendon asked if Mayor Johnson would have the Street Department paint the lanes on Ingram Blvd. Mayor Johnson is to look into the matter. Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Tyrone to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this 5 day of November, 2009. ~.:~r ~~~ WILLIAM H. JOHM ON, MAYOR ATTEST: LIP ,CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by: Cindy Greenwood, CMC, Senior Deputy City Clerk co m n m ~ m ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~° ~ 3 -a 3 -~a co' -a ~o __ m ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ _ ~ ~ ~' ~_ 3 ~' ~ :" c~D ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A :" p 3 a ~ z ~° ~ z c~ z~ -~ ~ 3 z cn ~ W~ •~ W~ - w~ 00 _ z~ W W C O° ~ ~ 00 N ~ oo W ~D~ W C W p ~ ~ O. ~ ~ A N C ~ Nf ~ V ~ ~ N n ~ rt = o rt _ ~ ~ O • y ~ ~ A A ~ r n ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ g ~ ~ 4 ~ ~ ~ d ~ ~ o c C~ o to f~ la l o ~ o ~ n O. rt ~ ~ a ~ O ~ ~ ~* , rn y ~ ~D rt a R° 3 3 rn ~ ~ `~ ' d C ~D Vf 'a C ~D ~D ~ W ~ a ~, ~ ~ v W ~ ~: 't ~D 0 N n v ~ ~ ~ ~, = a 3 0 ~ c~ ~ 3 s ~ ~ cn' fl. a a -~ ~v ~ N O F+ a C rt, O rt Z O N ~ 3 O ~ ~ ~ O rn ~ Cri -v co m ~ ~ 3 ~ 3 ~ ~ ~ ~ Z1 [ D f D r~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ n _ z p Z 3 Z n Z~ Z w ~ owo ~ w ~~ owo ~ ~ ~ ~ N~ W ~D~ W Q ~ ~. ~ ~ v tv O -p ~ w rt Q' 3 ~ ~ ~ ~ A _ ~ rt n O C ~ H O 3 ~ ~ ~ r ~ ~"'~ A n A ~° ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ s- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~, ~ _ w ~ ~ ~ G ~ L ~ ~' ,a t ~ ~ ~ 1 ~~ rrG 0 1 10 W ~ n ~. a ' ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ , rn o ~ o ~, z p rt a a 3 3 n c~ rn ~ ~ ~ rr ~ H O H 'a O tD ~D ~ Q W a ~ ~. v 0 ° ~ o N n ~ N°+ ~' n rt O ~ ~D 3 rt - ~D = '~ ~ ~N~ fl. a a -~ ~o ~ N W O F+ O F+ N O a rt 3 'o 0 0 o°~ 3 t") Z -.~ rn f BEST M V ~ M ~• .TA FCA Mg'y CITY OF WEcST MEMPKIcS PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 205 S. Redding • P.O. Box 1728 • West Memphis, Arkansas 72303 • (870) 732-7520 • Fax (870j 732-7650 MEMO TO: Mayor William H. Johnson and City Council Members FROM: Christine Byrd, Planning Commission Coordinator DATE: October 9, 2009 RE: Recommendations from the regular scheduled Planning Commission meeting held on Wednesday, September 30, 2009, to the Mayor and City Council, on Thursday, October 15, 2009. I. PUBLIC HEARING: A. Consolidated Grain and Barge, Special Use Permit, Application, Case #SUP- 02=09 - The West Memphis Planning Commission recommended to approve a Special Use Permit request, to allow an Agricultural Grain Trans-Loading Facility, for the property owner Consolidated Grain and Barge, for the property located at approximately 896 S. Walker Avenue. This property is Zoned CVE, Conservation Extra-Territorial District and contains 10.38 acres. (See Enclosed Ordinance.) Approval is subject to the following criteria: 1. Add additional staging lanes if needed, so trucks will not back up on South Loop. II. SUBDIVISIONS: A. APAC Property Plat, Application, Case #SD-11-09 -The West Memphis Planning Commission recommended to approve the APAC Property Plat, for the property owners APAC -Tennessee and St. Francis Levee District, for the property located at approximately 896 S. Walker Avenue. This property is Zoned CVE, Conservation Extra- Territorial District and contains 10.38 acres. An Equal Opportunity Employer Planning Commission Recommendations October 9, 2009 Page two Approval is subject to the following criteria: 1. Proper execution of all Certificates; 2. Approval of the improvement plans, easements and right-of-way, by the Crittenden County Judge; 3. Installation of improvements, as required by the Crittenden County Judge.