September 20, 2001MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 20, 2001
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on September 20, 2001 at
1:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 So. Redding, West Memphis,
Arkansas. Mayor William H. Johnson presided.
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:47 p.m. Prayer was given by David Pike,
Chaplain for the West Memphis Police Department.
City Clerk Phillip Para called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson,
City Attorney David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin, Councilors: Lorraine
Robinson, Tracy Catt, Gheric Bruce, Dr. C. W. Peeples, Hubert Bass, Herman Coleman,
James Holt, Harold Thomas and .lames Pulliaum. Absent was: Councilor Al Felton.
Mayor Johnson declared a quorum present.
Bids for West Memphis Utilities, Painting for 500,000 Gallon Water Storage Tank and
Instrumentation Upgrade at Sewer Treatment Plant were opened and tabulated at
1:00 p.m. Copies of the tabulation sheets were provided to the City Council. Councilor
Peeples moved, seconded by Councilor Thomas to accept the bids and refer to the Utility
Commission for final disposition. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. (See
attached}
ITIZENS REQUEST
Sandra Hebron came before the City Council to discuss and give her opinion of the
ordinance regarding the Human and Civil Rights Commission that was to come before the
City Council. She stated she felt the City needed this commission.
Mike Downing, Sr. Lineman for West Memphis Utilities, came before the City Council to
discuss the job positions that were to be created at the Utility Department. He stated he
felt doing away with a position and creating another would hinder the lineman from
moving up.
John Rimmer, General Manager of West Memphis Utilities, came before the City Council
explaining the jobs that were to be created.
MINUTES
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Peeples to approve the minutes of
September 6, 2001 as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Third reading of an ordinance to amend Article VII, Section 1 and Section 2 of the Land
Subdivision and Development Code of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, and for other
purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the ordinance by title only for the THIRD and FINAL TIME.
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to approve the ordinance.
Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The ordinance passed and was assigned No.
1999.
Second reading of an ordinance to rezone a 14.89 acre parcel in the City of West
Memphis, located at approximately 2201 East Polk from R-2, Low Density Residential to
(PUD) Planned Unit Development.
2
City Attorney Peeples read the ordinance by title only for the SECOND TIlV1E.
O-1 An Ordinance establishing a Municipal Human and Civil Rights Commission
(Quasi-Court) to investigate and appraise all conditions and practices of Human and
Civil Rights and of Personal Dignity Standards within the City 's Public Agencies and to
investigate all forms of invidious discrimination, whether carried out legally or illegally,
by Public Municipal Agencies (the same ordinance that was tabled for .the Attorney
General 's opinion)
Councilor Pulliaum made the motion to table this ordinance indefinitely and to bring the
ordinance from the City Council meeting of September 6, 2001 back to the table,
seconded by Councilor Bass. Upon roll call vote, the voting was:
AYES: Councilors Robinson, Bruce, Peeples, Bass, Coleman, Thomas and Pulliaum.
NAYS: Councilors Catt and Holt.
Mayor Johnson stated the ordinance is tabled indefinitely.
Mayor Johnson stated the original ordinance is back on the table. Councilor Peeples
moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to read the ordinance by title only. Upon voice
vote, the voting was unanimous.
City Attorney Peeples read the original ordinance by title only for the FIRST TIlV1E.
R-1 A Resolution approving a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration in the
amount of X175, 000.00 and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute documents
to obtain the grant.
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to read the resolution by title
only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
City Attorney Peeples read the resolution by title only. Councilor Pulliaum moved,
seconded by Councilor Robinson to approve the resolution. Upon voice vote, the voting
was unanimous. The Resolution was passed and assigned No. 1718.
Mayor Johnson stated the West Memphis Municipal Airport had to put up $10,000.00, the
stated to put up $10,000.00 and the FAA put up $175,000.00.
Mayor Johnson stated he had a lease between the City and the Sahara Shrine Temple he
would like to add to the agenda. Councilor Peeples moved, seconded by Councilor Holt
to add the lease to the agenda. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Mayor
Johnson further stated this was for a circus that was being held on October 8, 2001.
Councilor Thomas moved, seconded by Councilor Peeples to give the Mayor permission
to sign the lease. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Mayor Johnson asked permission to create three new jobs 1. GIS/CAD Operator, 2.
Assistant Ofl'ice Manager, 3. Utility Engineer at the Utility Department. Councilor
Thomas moved, seconded by Councilor Peeples to approve. There was lengthy discussion
among the City Council regarding the other employees at the Utility Department that
deserve a raise. Councilor Pulliaum made the motion to table this until the second City
Council meeting in October, seconded by Councilor Robinson. Upon roll call vote, the
voting was:
AYES: Councilors Robinson, Bruce, Bass, Coleman and Pulliaum.
NAYS: Councilors Catt, Peeples, Holt and Thomas.
The motion to table FAILED.
Mayor Johnson stated we now have a motion and a second on the floor to approve the
positions. There was further discussion among the City Council.
3
Councilor Bass made a motion to table this until the General Manager can propose a raise
and introduce this along with the raise, seconded by Councilor Bruce. Upon roll call vote,
the voting was:
AYES: Councilors Robinson, Bruce, Bass, Coleman and Pulliaum.
NAYS: Councilors Catt, Peeples, Holt and Thomas.
Mayor Johnson stated the table FAILED.
Mayor Johnson stated there was a motion and a second to approve on the floor. Upon
roll call vote, the voting was:
AYES: Councilors Catt, Peeples, Holt and Thomas.
NAYS: Councilors Robinson, Bruce, Bass, Coleman and Pulliaum.
Mayor Johnson stated the motion to approve FAILED.
Mayor Johnson asked permission to pay OMI $54, b59. l6 for the month of October.
Councilor Thomas moved, seconded by Councilor Peeples to pay OMI. Upon voice vote,
the voting was unanimous.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilor Peeples stated the Advertising & Promotion Committee met in two sessions in
September, most recent being September 17th. Reports were given on events held at the
Auditorium and Civic Center. He stated there had been several compliments on the Livin'
on the Levee Lions Club Rodeo that was held this year. They also voted to purchase a
"Community Tree" and hold a city wide lighting program on November 26th.
Councilor Catt stated the Insurance Committee met and stated the committee will be
making their recommendations to the City Council for the coverage for the year 2002. He
further stated they hope to present a proposal for a better package for the city employees.
Councilor Robinson stated the Airport Commission met this morning. She further stated
with the terrible tragedy in New York, the bombing of the twin towers, it has greatly
affected our airport as well and the flight school. The construction at the airport has
continued.
Councilor Coleman stated the Public Works met, Tuesday, September 18th. He stated the
church will not handle the recycling program anymore and that the City may have to run
the recycling program at this time.
aDJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Peeples
moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this ~.~ day of October, 2001.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by:
Nanette B. Smith, Jr. Deputy City Clerk
BID TABULATION SHEET
REPAIR, CLEANING & REPAINTING OF 500,000 GALLON
WATER STORAGE TANK
WEST MBMPHIS, ARKANSAS
1:00 P.M.
September 20, 2001
BIDDER
• a
i
~ ;
PHOENIX TANK SERVICES
MEMPHIS, TN
2 ! JACKSON INDUSTRIAL COATING
WEST MEMPHIS, AR
''3 ARKANSAS TANK SERVICE
SEARCY, AR
',4 MPC
BRIGHTON, TN
', g INDUSTRIAL PAINTING LTD.
,~
BRIGHTON, TN
', g PROTECTIVE LININGS 8~ COATINGS, INC.
ALEXANDER, AR
TOTAL AMOUNT BID
i dfl ~~a_
6~ d
110 ~,+cl
~+a Bea ~
qq qoo.. o~
~ 2 S75 °C-'
PREPARED BY
SORRELL CONSULTING ENGINEERS, LLC
WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS 72301
PRtt'AKtU tSY
SORRELL CONSULTfNG ENGINEERS, LLC
WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS 72301