01/07/2010MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
January 7, 2010
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, January 7, 2010 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 Gary Hair. Cindy
Greenwood, Senior Deputy City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor ~Iliam H. Johnson, City
Attorney David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin and Councilors, Phillip Carter, Lorraine Robinson, Tracy
Catt, James Pulliaum, Ramona Taylor, Herman Coleman, Marco McClendon, Willis Mondy, James Holt, and Taz
Tyrone. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
MINUTES
Councilor McClendon moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to dispense with the reading of the minutes of
December 17, 2009, and the Special Called City Council Meeting December 28, 2009 and approve them as
submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
R-1 A Resolution of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas to support President Barack Obama Health Care
Reform that would provide health care for millions of uninsured Americans as well as hundreds of thousands of
Arkansans
Councilor McClendon moved, seconded by Councilor Mondy to table the Ordinance until the next meeting. Upon
voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
PERMISSION REQUESTS
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget Committee -Councilor Catt reported they have a couple of new items to address at their next meeting in
February.
Public Works Committee -Councilor Taylor reported they approved the 2010 supply bids. Councilor Robinson
asked if she knew how we got the new bus shelters in town. Ms. Taylor said MATA provided federal funding if we
had the matching funds for 6 shelters which are located on Jackson St. at Ecumenical Village, at Ingram Court on
Ingram, at Southland, at the hospital, at Wal-Mart and at the Health Department on 7th Street. She said they used
some set aside funds from CDBG for the matching funds and that they hope to get some more shelters later.
Insurance Committee -Councilor Coleman thanked the professional brokers and sales people that took the time
to give quotes on the dental insurance and life insurance bids. They received 19 dental bids and 6 life insurance
bids. He reported the lowest dental insurance bid was not accepted because they only had 6 local dentists listed
in their PPO Plan. They accepted the next lowest bid. He asked the Insurance Committee to meet immediately
after the City Council meeting to decide on the group life insurance bids.
Mayor Johnson asked Inspector Shelton to come forvvard and give an update on the Crittenden County
Emergency Management's plans to shelter those people that are homeless and those without gas or electricity to
stay ward during this extreme cold weather. Inspector Shelton advised the 8th Street Mission has about 15 open
spots and when the mission is filled, individuals who need a place to stay away from the frigid temperatures will
be sent to the Eugene Woods Civic Center. He said that mission personnel will be used at the Civic Center and
the mission will feed them at the mission. Mayor Johnson said that the Utility Commission announced that they
would follow the lead of MLG&W in Memphis and reconnect utility services to individuals who have been
disconnected in the last 30 days. The reconnections will not include gas service provided by Center Point
Energy. Mayor Johnson said the utility department will not cut off customers' service as long as the temperature
was below 32 degrees.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
Lee Crawford, Director of the 8th Street Mission for Jesus Christ said he was here today to make an appeal for the
city's support and for the community's support with the campaign to raise money for a new roof. He said Sun
Trust has set up an account for this purpose. He said they will need to raise anywhere from $32,000 to $48,000
for new roofs on the buildings they own. Mayor Johnson said he appreciated what all they do for our community.
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:adj.aurned at 2:00 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this 2. day of January, X2010.
WILLIAM H. JOHNS ,MAYOR ~' VV __
ATTEST:
PF~FCCI~RA, CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by Cindy Greenwood, CMC, Senior Deputy City Clerk (,o~~