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December 17, 2009MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL December 17, 2009 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, December 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 Reverend David Moose. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City Attomey David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin and Councilors, James Holt, Taz Tyrone, Phillip Carter, Tracy Cait, James Pulliaum, Ramona Taylor, Marco McClendon and Willis Mondy. Absent: Councilors: Lorraine Robinson and Herman Coleman. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting. Mayor Johnson said that Councilor Robinson's sister passed away and also Police Officer Lacy Robertson's brother past away this week and asked everyone to keep them in their prayers. BIDS West Memphis Utilities -College Blvd. water line relocation -Phillip Sorrell Councilor Tyrone moved, seconded by Councilor McClendon to accept the bids and refer the Utility Commission for final disposition. Motion carried by unanimous vote. MINUTES Councilor McClendon moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to dispense with the reading of the minutes of December 3, 2009, and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Councilor Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilor Taylor to read R-1 by title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. R-1 A Resolution certifying the amounts of liens imposed on certain properties for grass cutting contracted by the City of West Memphis pursuant to Ordinance 1385 and for the removal of construction materials pursuant to Ordinance No. 1697. City Attomey Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor Carter to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1935. Councilor McClendon asked if the city could poison the lots we have to cut with anon-hazardous chemical like the levee District use on the bayous. City Attomey Peeples is going to look into the liability of doing that and get with Paul Luker to see if it would be feasible. PERMISSION REQUESTS Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to approve the reorganization of the Animal Control Department. (See attached Organization Chart and salaries for animal shelter employees) Mayor Johnson said this is a positive step in the relationship between Humane Society, Animal Control, and the City of West Memphis. The Animal Control Commission is compiling a list for three additional appointments to this commission which will be made according to regulations in Ordinance 1811. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve. Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to approve the transfer of $100,000 from 9-1-1 funds to help offset the dispatcher's salaries. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Carter to approve the payment of $86,251.50 to Gephart Electrical Construction (lighting) and payment of $45,956.00 to Owens Irrigation Inc. DBA Owens Construction Services (landscaping) for Phase II of the Gateway Project. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Councilor Taylor commended Paul Luker for all of his hard work that went into this project. Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor Tyrone to approve the payment of $311,459.22 to Lehman Roberts for the 2009 Asphalt Overlay Program. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. ` Councilor McClendon moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to give permission to extend Crittenden Regional Hospital's contract for one year for EMS collections with the current rates. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Mayor Johnson said the collections this year exceed $300,000 and in years past the city had a hard time collecting the budgeted $160,000. The hospital had an option to increase their fees, but they did not do so. Mayor Johnson gave the 2008 State of the City Address. (See attached copy) COMMITTEE REPORTS Utility Commission -Councilor Tyrone re~orted they awarded bids on the upgrade of Pump Station #5 and the Water and Sewer relocation for I-40 ~ 7 Street. They also approved the Bad Debt Charge-Off List. A Special Called Utility Meeting has been scheduled for Friday, December 18 to approve the water relocation bids on the highway job which will widen College Blvd. from Broadway north to the Interstate. This job is 100% reimbursed by the State. Police Commission -Councilor Tyrone reported they discussed the parking ordinance. Paris Commission -Councilor Holt reported they should finish the year slightly under budget. They just completed the youth league soccer, youth league fall baseball, and adult league softball. They have begun an adult league fall football, which is hayed on Tuesday nights at Matthews Park on Vanderbilt and Rice Stree#. Additional water lines were installed on the softball fields to help field maintenance issues especially in dry weather conditions. The department assisted the A&P Department with the Christmas tree lighting, decorations, and tree lighting. They also assisted with the Christmas parade. They have not heard anything from Arkansas Outdoor Park & Recreation regarding the grant we applied for. Park Director Lorenzo Parker met with Phillip Sorrell, Engineer and State Representative Keith Ingram to discuss the shore line erosion problem at Tilden Rogers Park. Representative Ingram is going to visit with state offiaats to see what state funds can be dedicated to this project. We are to host the 2010 thirteen year olds AAA State Tournament. Sponsorships will be needed. The Commission also welcomed new commission member Heather Lancaster, who is going to assist with grant application and funding opportunities. Budget Committee -Councilor Catt reported they are to meet today at 4:00 and try to have the proposed 2010 budget ready for council to approve at a Special Called Meeting the 28th or 29th of December. Advertising ~ Promotion Commission -Councilor Pulliaum reported they approved the transfer of $100,000 to the General Fund Park & Recreation Budget and allocated $5,000 for the services of the City Attorney, and appropriated $15,000 for the 2010 Christmas lighting. He then gave the floor to Sarah Beth Christian, Tourism Director. Ms. Christian gave the council a commemorative poster which captures what Christmas is like in West Memphis which is Christmas lights and carriage rides. She said this year the carnage rides have attracted people from sixteen states. She said the event attracts more and more people every year. The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism sent a photographer last week to capture the park, homes around the park, and carriage rides. She said they are hoping the photos will get some prominent placement in state promotional material. She said there is 100°~6 participation of the homeowners in the area that decorated this year. She said without them we wouldn't have a tour for the carriages. Mayor Johnson said he has received numerous phone calls praising the event from individuals as far away as Washington State. Mayor Johnson said he did not think anyone knew how much work goes into this project and said Ms. Christian has done an excellent job. Fire Commission -Councilor Taylor reported there have been no hires, no dismissals, and one suspension. They discussed the ISO situation and expanding the fire protection for the city. CITIZENS REQUESTS Lawrence Brown - 614 Rainer Road -present to support the national health care reform and asked the City Council to adopt a Resolution supporting it. He urged the Mayor, City Council and citizen's to support the legislation. A gentleman in the audience stood up and asked to speak to the council. Mayor Johnson explained that in orcier to speak he needed to sign up by noon last Monday and that it would take a unanimous vote of the council to. allow him to speak today. Councilor McClendon moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to allow him to speak. Upon voice vote, there were two Aldermen that objected, Councilor Catt and Councilor Mondy. Permission denied. 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 2:00 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this ~ day of January, 2010. ~, Gc%v WILLIAM H. JOH N, MAYOR ATTEST: _ ~ - P LLIP P ,CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by Cindy Greenwood, CMC Senior Deputy City Clerk BID TABULATION COLLEGE BLVD. WATER RELOCATION AHTD JOB NO. 110505 WEST MEMPHIS UTILITY COMMISSION December 17, 2009 CONTRACTOR TOTAL AMOUNT BID 1 B & B UTILITY CONTRACTORS MARION, ARKANSAS ~ ~~ ~~L3 ~~~~ 2 CRITTCO CABLE & FIBER JONESBORO, ARKANSAS ~~ ~ Ij~ 3 JENKINS GRAVEL & CONSTR. GLENWOOD, ARIANSAS ~ } 4 J & R CONTRACTING PALESTINE, ARKANSAS `-~ L~ , 5 TRI-STATE UTILITY CONTR. SENATOBIA, MISSISSIPPI ~ ~ ~ ~ ~"~-~--~ V-- 6 WATER & WASTEWATER SRVS. MARION, ARKANSAS 1 ' ~~~T F Mf ~ *** ~O S a b ~ r < ~ r r ~wK4N. ~,~ Cn~~ ~~ ~~~ ~x~ t~ ~ ~ t.~~.t2tltt ~... ~II~2t~II2'[ ~t~tII~ MEMORANDUM TO: All City Council Members: Mr. 3ames Holt Mr. Tracy Catt Mr. James Pulliaum Mr. Phillip -Carter Mrs. Ramona Taylor Mr. Taz Tyrone Mrs. Lorraine Robinson Mr. Marco McClendon Reverend Herman Coleman Mr. Willis Mondy FROM: Mayor William H. Johnson DATE: November 13, 2009 I have spent a considerable of time recently on Animal Control. I have met with the two members remaining on the Animal control Commission, with the Consultant representing the operation and also some of the employees. We are all in agreement that a complete reorganization is necessary. Enclosed is a copy of Ordinance #1811 passed February 5, .1998, which establishes procedures and control of the operation. Please read carefully Section 4 which establishes the authority of this commission. The enclosed information reflects the organizational chart and salaries for animal shelter employees, this dollar amount is within the limits of the 2009 Budget and this is their recommendation. I do not have any reservation regarding this structure and pay scale. The council still approves their budget. This is a positive step in the relationship between Humane Society, Animal Control and the City of West Memphis. They are compiling a list for three additional appointments to this Commission which will be made according to regulations in Section of Ordinance 1811. 205 South Redding • Nest Memphis, Arkansas 72301 • (870) ?32-7500 :~... ~- '~ . ~~. 3~ . ''\ V ,~ -=~ ~. .~ ~. =C~ Y~ oO _ ~... .. .' '~ '. 4~ . f T,..~_ ~. ~~ era ,._-~,t i ;, ~h .~ ..i ,tea ~~ o~ ~~ ~ _. ~~ ~ _~ ~ N~ ~ ~ n ~ ~: O O ~ ~ ~ ~ O ~. :o ~~ sv .~ - ,~n' ~i Animal Control request the following staff. Executive Director $30,000.00 Office Manager 27,384.00 Senior Humane Officer 23,856.00 Junior Humane Officer 20,360.00 Sr. Animal Control Worker 10,020.00 Jr. Animal Control Worker 9,708.00 The Animal Control workers are part-time. I need your approval for the positions and the salaries. 2008 STATE OF THE CITY MESSAGE 2008 was a successful year financially with General Fund revenues of $16,098,962.00 and expenses of $16,028,274.00 leaving a positive balance of $70,688.00. This includes capital outlay and no debt was created. The Street Department reported revenues of $2,907,846 and expenses of $2,277,599 with a balance of $630,247.00. Sanitation showed increase of $2,344,047 and expenses of $2,115,024. The Utility Department reported revenue of $31,037,488 and expenses of $29,574,252 which does not include capital outlay. The Airport and Library both reported positive balances. Economic Development Department reports this year was the first full year of the City's new economic development program and it was successful on many fronts. One of the first successes was the location of DSC Logistics into the 600,000 sq. ft. TCB warehouse. It was the first time that West Memphis had competed one on one against other sites in north Mississippi and had won. DSC Logistics handles operations for Smuckers and the City gained a great deal of favorable industry press as a result of the win. After a 12+ month effort the City was awarded a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ 273) on April 15, 2008. This designation will allow the City to be competitive with Memphis and north Mississippi which have a total of three FTZ's between them. In the state of Arkansas the only other city with a FTZ is Little Rock. After 18 years of work the final phase of the South Loop was completed and opened for traffic. This is a major, restricted access truck route that provides direct access from the two interstates to the Port of West Memphis and the surrounding industrial area. Much of the funding for the project came from the City's annual Federal Highway grant funding. The project was delayed a number of years because the City gave up several years of funding so that infrastructure improvements could be made in the County and in Marion for Hino. The City's willingness to forgo its Highway money was a critical factor in Hino's decision to locate in Crittenden County. The City kicked off its China program in 2008 by being part of a group that visited with two Chinese trade delegations. Since over 60% of the containers offloaded in the Union Pacific Intermodal Yard are from China, developing business with Chinese companies is a natural step for the City. As part of the City's China program, Ward made a trip to China to call on businesses whose containers were being offloaded at the UP Yard. As part of his trip, Ward was the only foreigner invited to make a presentation during the opening ceremonies for the China International Logistics Week Expo. This is one of the largest Expos in China and the attendees were the very market the City needs to reach in its quest to develop distribution centers for the China containers. The Planning and Development Department of the City issued eighteen (18) permits for new construction of commercial projects. Additionally, another twenty-one (21) permits were issued to expand or re-model commercial business. The total estimated cost of commercial and industrial projects for the year is $10,506,000.00. This department had fifty-two (52) new housing starts in 2008 and one-hundred five (105) permits were issued for housing re-models or additions during the year. The City demolished thirty-three (33) substandard and vacant structures. Community Development was the overseer for the rehabilitation of sixty-seven (67) homes using the World Changers and Ozark Missions groups. These homes are owner- occupied by elderly/low income and/or handicapped individuals. The ridership continues to grow for the City's Bus Service which averages more than 20,000 riders a month. The Main Street Organization conducted a "branding exercise" with the help of a consultant that was paid by a grant from Arkansas Main Street. The aim of the exercise was to develop marketing tools and strategies to help promote the district and its business. The Police and Fire Departments continue to operate in a professional manner ever under difficult economic conditions.