November 19, 2009MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
November 19, 2009
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. in
the City Counal Chambers at City Hap, 205 South Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas.
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Invocation was given by Father McCaslin, of 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 Martin and Councilors, Marco McClendon, Willis Mondy, James
Holt, Taz Tyrone, Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Catt, James Pulliaum, Ramona Taylor, and Herman Coleman.
Absent: Councilor Phillip Carter. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the mee#ing.
MINUTES
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Tyrone to dispense with the reading of the minutes of
November 5, 2009, and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
3~ reading of an ordinance providing for the levy of a one-fourth of one percent (0.25%} sales and use tax within
the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, and prescribing other matters pertaining thereto.
3"~ reading of 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 pertaining thereto.
Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to table the third reading of the Ordinance's listed above
and O-1 and O-2 under New Business until the March 4th , 2010 City Council Meeting. Upon voice vote, the
voting was unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS
O-1 An Ordinance calling a Speaal Election in the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, on the question of
levying aone-fourth of one percent (0.25°~) Sales and Use Tax within the City of West Memph ts, Arkansas and
prescribing other matters pertaining thereto, and declaring an emergency (Tabled until March 4 , 2010)
O-2 An Ordinance calling a Special Election in the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, on the question of
amending the distribution of the one percent (1 °~) Sales and Use Tax approved on November 4~h1986, and
prescribing other matters pertaining thereto, and declaring an emergency. (Tabled until March 4 , 2010)
w... Councilor Pulliaum made a motion to read R-1 and R-2 by title only. Motion was seconded by Councilor
Robinson. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
R-1 A Resolution authorizing the removal of liens for grass cutting services performed by the City of West
Memphis
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Catt to approve.
Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1932.
R-2 A Resolution approving the transfer of certain Real Property from the City of West Memphis to the Good
Neighbor Center for use in the Hope-3 Program and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the deeds
and for other purposes. (2918 Dickson Street)
Mayor Johnson explained the city purchased this property from HUD for $1.00 and this will transfer the property to
the Goon Neighbor Center who has funds through their Hope 3 Program that allows first time home buyers to
purchase the property for the amount it costs the Good Neighbor Center to remodel the house.
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Mondy to
approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1933.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Airport Commission -Councilor Robinson reported the engineer Stacey Morris's office is ready to design the next
capital improvement of taxiway Alpha rehab when FAA funds are available. Airport Manager Lynda Avery has
been appointed to a two year term on the Arkansas Airport Operators' Board of Directors.
Police Commission- Councilor Robinson reported they approved bids on selling seized firearms and approved
bids on purchasing radio equipment.
Advertising & Promotion Commission -Councilor Taylor reported the Auditorium held 6 events with
approximately 3200 visitors and the Civic Center held 4 events with approximately 2900 visitors. She announced
the West Memphis Gateway lighting ceremony will be held November 30th at 5:30 p.m. at the Walgreens parking
lot. She also announced the Christmas Tree Lighting will be Tuesday November 24th at 6:00 p.m, and the
carnage tours begin November 27 until December 18. The Chamber Christmas Parade will be Tuesday
December 1, 7:00 p.m.
Utility Commission -Councilor Tyrone reported they approved the proposed 2010 budget that is to go to City
Council for final approval.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Johnson announced Business After Hours is today at Accent Florists from 5:00 until 7:00 and the stage
door production of Pieces of Christmas presented by Little Theatre of Crittenden County will be at the Civic
Auditorium November 21 and November 22"d the cost is $10.00 with a new unwrapped toy for 8 Street Mission.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
Berry Brown -said the water has gotten out of hand and is flooding in her area. She suggested the city put
screens on the storm drains to keep debris from stopping them up. Alderman Mondy said he talked to Street
Superintendant Odetl Slaughter and he is to dean out the ditches in Ward 5 with a track hoe.
Councilor McClendon asked everyone to keep Helen Harris in their prayers for the loss of her husband, and also ''
James Pulliaum for the loss of his brother and the Rob Lytle family for the loss of their 9year old son. He also
wished Alderman Herman Coleman a happy birthday today.
Councilor Catt wished Mayor Johnson a happy birthday this Sunday and Mayor Johnson wished Councilor
Ramona Taylor a happy birthday for last Saturriay.
Councilor Coleman announced there will be an Insurance Committee Meeting Monday at 4:00.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Tyrone moved, seconded by Councilor
Coleman to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this day of December, 2009.
WILLIAM H. JOHNS MAYOR
ATTEST:
PHI~P ,CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by Cindy Greenwood, CMC
Senior Deputy City Clerk