May 22, 2001MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
MAY 22, 2001
A special called meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on May 22, 2001 at
4:00 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 4:05 p.m.
City Clerk Phillip Para called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson,
City Attorney Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin, City Clerk Phillip Para, Councilors:
Dr. C. W. Peeples, Al Felton, Hubert Bass, .lames Holt, Harold Thomas, James Pulliaum
and Tracy Catt. Absent were: Councilors: Gheric Bruce, Herman Coleman and
Lorraine Robinson. Mayor Johnson declared a quorum present.
Councilor Coleman came in the meeting at 4:08 p.m.
Mayor Johnson asked Councilor Catt if he would like to open the meeting and make a
statement as to the purpose of this meeting. Councilor Catt stated at the last council
meeting and for the last several months the council has discussed a Sales and Use Tax
proposal for additional funding for the General Fund for emergency services. This is
bringing backforth the one percent Sales and Use Tax, removing the residential garbage
fee and the mosquito control fee. It also allows some general appropriations within the
General Fund for the Library portion of the millage and for the Police Pension Fund for
their millage.
NEW BUSINESS
O-1 An Ordinance providing for the levy of a one percent Sales and Use Tax within
the City of West Memphis, Arkansas; and prescribing other matters pertaining thereto.
Mayor Johnson asked City Attorney Peeples to read the Ordinance in its entirety.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance in its entirety for the FIRST TIlVIE. Councilor
Peeples moved, seconded by Councilor Coleman to suspend the rules and place the
ordinance on its second reading. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilor Felton asked about the changes in this ordinance regarding the distribution of
funds. He was concerned about the Law Enforcement being 28% and Public Safety being
25.5% and the 2.5% for the Airport Fund. Mayor Johnson stated the changes were made
to the Fire Department because their needs are not as great as the Police Department due
to the difference in personnel. He felt it was an ongoing source of financing for the airport
due to their growth. Councilor Pulliaum stated he felt the same way as Councilor Felton.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance by title only for the SECOND TIlViE.
Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor Peeples to suspend the rules and place the
ordinance on its third and final reading. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance by title only for the THIlZD and FINAL TIME.
Mayor Johnson asked if there were any amendments prior to this vote.
Councilor Catt stated he felt these adjustments on this ordinance were better in the long
run. This will enable the Library and Police Pension Fund to receive state funding that
they would have never received before. Councilor Thomas stated he would like for the
Airport to be included because it is one of greatest assets in our future as it continues to
grow. Councilor Coleman asked about the dollar amount regarding the millage to the
Library.
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Councilor Felton made the motion to amend the Ordinance by: 1) increasing Public
Safety by 2.5%, removing the 2.5% to the Airport Fund and 3) removing Section 5,
seconded by Councilor Pulliaum. Councilor Catt stated he felt this was handicapping
these departments.
City Clerk Para called the roll. Upon roll call vote, the voting was:
AYES: Councilors Felton, Bass, Coleman and Pulliaum
NAYS: Councilors Peeples, Holt, Thomas and Catt
The amendment FAILED.
Mayor Johnson stated we have an Ordinance that has been read for the THIRD and
FINAL TIlV~. Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor Peeples to approve the
ordinance.
After discussion City Clerk Para called the roll. Upon roll call vote, the voting was:
AYES: Councilors Peeples, Coleman, Thomas and Catt
NAYS: Councilors Felton, Bass and Holt
Councilor Pulliaum abstained.
The Ordinance FAILED.
Councilor Holt stated he would have gone as much as one-half of one percent, but not one
percent.
Mayor Johnson stated he had been requested to present another ordinance to increase the
contribution from West Memphis Utilities to 5% of their gross revenue.
O-2 An Ordinance to amend Section 2.30.170 of the West Memphis Municipal Code to
increase the payment from the West Memphis Utilities to the City General Fund from
41/4% to S% and for other purposes.
Councilor Pulliaum made the motion to read title only, seconded by Councilor Felton.
Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
City Attorney Peeples read the ordinance by title only for the FIRST TIlVIE. Councilor
Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Felton to suspend the rules and place the
ordinance on its second reading. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
City Attorney Peeples read the ordinance for the SECOND TIlVIE. Councilor Pulliaum
moved, seconded by Councilor Holt to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its
third and final reading. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
City Attorney Peeples read the ordinance for the THIIZD and FINAL TIlVIE. Councilor
Pulliaum made the motion, seconded by Councilor Peeples to approve the ordinance.
Councilor Pulliaum asked City Attorney Peeples to explain this ordinance and its
amendments, which would make it 5% of the gross revenue with the exception of fees
and taxes.
After discussion Mayor Johnson asked the City Clerk to call the roll. City Clerk Para
called the roll. Upon roll call vote, the voting was:
AYES: Councilors Felton, Bass, Coleman, Holt, Thomas and Pulliaum
NAYS: Councilors Peeples and Catt.
The ordinance passed and was assigned No. 1987.
There begin no further business to come before the council, Councilor Holt made the
motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Peeples. The meeting adjourned at 4:36 p.m.
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PASSED and APPROVED this 1.~..h day of June, 2001.
. `,lam .-. -~
WII,LIAM H. JOHN N, MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
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