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December 21, 2000MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 21, 2000 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on December 21, 2000 at 1:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas. Mayor William H. Johnson presided. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. Reverend William Gatty offered prayer. Phillip Para, City Clerk called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin, Councilors: A/ Felton, Thomas Burroughs, Roberta Jackson, Brian Reece, Harold Thomas, James Pulliaum, Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Catt, Gheric Bruce and Dr. C. W. Peeples. BID OPENINGS Bids for Demolition and Clearance of 3215 E. Polk and 3405 E. Polk were opened and tabulated at 1:00 p.m. Copies of the tabulation sheet were provided to the City Council. Mayor Johnson stated these were the remaining two houses to be demolished under the Flood Mitigation Program grant funds. Councilor Burroughs moved, seconded by Councilor Thomas to accept the bids and refer them to Public Works for final disposition. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. (See attached sheets) CITIZENS REQUEST Ms. Maggie Hall, 2208 E. Jackson -reported her purpose in coming was concerning the ice storm victims. She said she read in the paper that on December 18th funds were distributed to West Memphis and she needed answers to what was going on and if funds were available for replacing perished foods for those without power for five days. Rita Graves, representing residents on E. McAuley whom were without power for four to five days. She complained about utility crews not working all night. She stated the city needed to get qualified people in West Memphis. She stated Entergy came and her lights were on in ten or fifteen minutes. She also wanted to know where the money was from the governor. Mayor Johnson stated he normally does not respond to citizens requests, however he said Entergy did not work in West Memphis at any time and did not turn on one person's lights. Mayor Johnson stated that the City of West Memphis had not received any funds. However he was to meet with FEMA next week for restitution of funds expended by West Memphis Utilities and he would ask if any federal funds were available for residents of West Memphis. Thomas Burroughs commended the West Memphis Utility crews and said they worked as long and hard as they could. Mayor Johnson stated he was with them so he knew they worked Wednesday until 1:00 a.m. ,Thursday and Friday from 7:00 a.m. to midnight, Saturday from 7:00 till 11:00 p.m. and Sunday until they got everybody back on which was around 3:00 p.m. Councilor Peeples moved, seconded by Councilor Jackson to commend the utility employees for a job well done. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Catt to add distribution of dog track funds to the agenda. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Catt moved, seconded by Reece to allocate the Southland Greyhound charity funds in the amount of $5,015.38, with the exception of Councilor Burroughs portion, to the Good Neighbor Center to be distributed to aid residents of West Memphis who lost perishables due to the power outage caused by the ice storm. These funds are the charity day funds normally divided between the Mayor and the City Council to donate to the charity of their choice. Councilor Burroughs said he had already committed his portion to another charity. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Pulliaum moved, seconded by Robinson to donate disaster relief funds from Southland Greyhound in the amount of $6,859.22 to the Good Neighbor Center. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. MINUTES Councilor Peeples moved, seconded by Councilor Jackson to approve the minutes of December 7, 2000 as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS Third Reading of an Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for Aerial Spraying, Ground Spraying and other Mosquito Control Efforts, and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL TIME. Pulliaum moved, seconded by Peeples to approve. Roll call vote: AYES: Felton, Jackson, Reece, Thomas, Pulliaum, Robinson, Catt, and Peeples. NAYS: Bruce Councilor Burroughs was absent from the vote. The motion carried. The Ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 1968. Third reading of an Ordinance to waive competitive bidding for Uniform and Laundry Service to be provided by Uniform Masters, and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL TIME. Catt moved, seconded by Jackson to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The motion carried. The Ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 1969. Third reading of an Ordinance to waive competitive bidding for the purchase of Motor Fuel, and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL TIME. Catt moved, seconded by Jackson to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The motion carried and the Ordinance was assigned No. 1970. Third reading of an Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the Professional Consulting Services in regulatory and other matters to be provided by David Wilson, and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL TIME. Pulliaum moved, seconded by Catt to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The motion carved and the Ordinance was assigned No. 1971. Third reading of an Ordinance to waive competitive bidding for Economic Development Services, approving a Contract between the City of West Memphis and the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce, and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL TIME. Peeples moved, seconded by Catt to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Ordinance was assigned No. 1972. Third reading of an Ordinance waiving competitive bidding on Group Health Insurance and Life Insurance for City Employees with Trustmark Insurance Company, and for other purposes. Catt moved, seconded by Thomas to amend the Ordinance changing from Trustmark to Insurex. Discussion. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL TIME as amended. Peeples moved, seconded by Thomas to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 1973. Third reading of an Ordinance waiving competitive bidding on Dental Insurance, and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL TIME. Thomas moved, seconded by Jackson to approve the ordinance. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 1974. Third reading of an Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for a Service Agreement between Methodist Health Systems, Inc., and the City of West Memphis, approving the Agreement, and for other purposes. City Attomey Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL TIME. Thomas moved, seconded by Peeples to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 1975. Third reading of an Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the Professional Consulting Services in regulatory and other matters to be provided by A. J. Rowe and Associates, Inc., and for other purposes. City Attorney read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL TIME. Felton moved, seconded by Thomas to approve. Discussion. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 1976. Third reading of an Ordinance to levy an annual Privilege License upon all persons, partnerships, ass~iations, firms and corporations engaged in carrying on or following certain trades, businesses, professions, vocations, and/or callings within the corporate limits of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas: to provide the time for payment of such Privilege License: to provide penalties for nonpayment thereof Pulliaum moved, seconded by Thomas to table indefinitely. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. This ordinance was tabled for further study. Second reading of an Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for mowing services at the West Memphis Airport and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND TIME. Burroughs moved, seconded by Thomas to suspend the rules and the ordinance be placed on its third reading. Upon roll call vote, the voting was: AYES: Felton, Burroughs, Jackson, Reece, Thomas, Robinson, Catt and Peeples NAYS: Pulliaum and Bruce The motion carried. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL TIME. Burroughs moved, seconded by Thomas to approve. Discussion was held. Roll call vote was as follows: AYES: Felton, Burroughs, Reece, Thomas, Catt and Peeples NAYS: Jackson, Pulliaum, Robinson, and Bruce The motion carried. The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 1977. Second reading of an Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for roofing repairs to the West Memphis Municipal Court, establishing an emergency and for other purposes. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND TIME. Burroughs moved, seconded by Pulliaum to suspend the rules and the Ordinance be read on its third reading. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD AND FINAL TIME. Catt moved, seconded by Peeples to approve. Upon roll call vote, the voting was: AYES: Burroughs, Reece, Thomas, Robinson, Catt and Peeples NAYS: Felton, Jackson and Bruce Pulliaum voted as "present". The motion carried. The ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 1978. Councilor Peeples moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to adopt the emergency clause, section 2. Upon roll call vote, the voting was: AYES: Burroughs, Reece, Thomas, Robinson, Catt, and Peeples NAYS: Felton and Jackson Councilor Bruce voted as "present". Council Pulliaum passed and then voted "yes". The motion carried and the emergency clause was adopted. NEW BUSINESS Peeples moved, seconded by Pulliaum to suspend the rules and R-1 be read by title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. R-1 A Resolution certifying the amounts of liens imposed on certain properties for demolition contracted by the City of West Memphis pursuant to Ordinance 1141. City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Catt moved, seconded by Peeples to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1677. R-2 A Resolution commending Roberta Jackson for her service on the West Memphis City Council. City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution in its entirety. Robinson moved, seconded by Catt to approve. Roll call vote which included the Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer and the entire City Council was unanimous. Ms. Jackson stated it had been a joy serving West Memphis for twenty- fouryears and told a few stories that were milestones during her tenure. Mayor Johnson stated there were two words describing Ms. Jackson, stability and consistency. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1678. R-3 A Resolution commending Robert "Brian" Reece for his service on the West Memphis City Council. City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution in its entirety. Pulliaum moved, seconded by Thomas to approve. Roll call vote which included the Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer and the entire City Council was unanimous. Brian Reece said it was an honor serving on the council for the past six years. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1679. R-4 A Resolution commending Thomas Burroughs on his service on the West Memphis City Council. City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution in its entirety. Pulliaum moved, seconded by Robinson to approve. Roll call vote which included the Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer and the entire City Council was unanimous. Councilor Burroughs stated he was going to miss working with the mayor and city council and was thankful for the opportunity of serving West Memphis. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1680. PERMISSION REQUESTS Catt moved, seconded by Thomas to approve payment of $53,326.00 to OMI for the month of January. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Burroughs moved, seconded by Peeples to give permission to transfer funds in the amount of $500,000 from the Utility Commission to the city general fund which was approved by Utility Commission. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilor Catt reported the Budget Committee will be scheduling meetings to balance the budget and to make long term plans. Insurance Committee wil! meet after the first quarter of 2001 to evaluate the new self insured program. Councilor Thomas stated Public Works Committee did not meet in December but will meet the third Tuesday in January. He personally thanked the Utility Commission workers for their work during the ice storm. Councilor Reece passed out copies of aerial photos of the new terminal/hanger project at the Airport. Councilor Burroughs read a letter of resignation addressed to Mayor Johnson resigning his position on the Port Commission. Mayor Johnson stated he tried to talk Mr. Burroughs out of resigning but Mr. Burroughs sta#ed he wanted Mayor Johnson to appoint someone that had more time and would do a better job than him. Councilor Jackson asked Councilor Burroughs to ask the county about the port payments due to our Advertising and Promotion Fund in the amount of $250,000. Councilor Burroughs said he would mention it to them. There being no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Jackson moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this _~~ day of January, 2001. ~--'" WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, AYOR ATTEST: ~~ S~ t PHIL ~ ,CITY CLERK Bid Tabulation Sheet for December Z1, 2000 Demolition and Clearance of 3215 East Polk Bidder's Name Bid -~ 2. :~ ., nn ~~:~~t t~l.~~r~`-stn . $ ~ `~ -~ .~ ', 3. ~ 4. $ 5. $ 6. $ 7. ~ j Bid Tabulation Sheet far December 21, 2000 Demolition and Clearance of 3405 East Polk Bidder's Name Bid '_~` .~ V '~"""` 3. $ 4. $ 5. ~ 6. $ 7. $