October 18, 2001MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 18, 2001
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on October 18, 2001 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 1:35 p.m. Reverend Herman Coleman 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: Dr. C. W. Peeples, A/ Felton,
Hubert Bass, Herman Coleman, James Holt, James Pulliaum, Lorraine Robinson and Tracy Catt
Absent: Councilors Gheric Bruce and Harold Thomas. Mayor Johnson announced a quorum
was present and proceeded with the meeting.
Mayor Johnson read and presented a Proclamation proclaiming the month of October, 2001 as
Fire Prevention Month to Inspector Robinson and associates of the West Memphis Fire
Department.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
Jim Pugh came forward and requested a waiver of the requirement of building sidewalks at 400
Park Street, 200 S. Worthington, and 202 S. Worthington being there are no existing sidewalks
in this area. Councilor Peeples moved, seconded by Councilor Holt to grant the waiver. Upon
voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
MINUTES
Councilor Peeples moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to approve the minutes of October
4, 2001 as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Catt to suspend the rules and the titles only be read of
the remainder of the agenda. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
3rd reading of 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.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD time. Councilor Bass moved, seconded
by Councilor Pulliaum to table the ordinance indefinitely. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
2nd reading of an ordinance waiving competitive for uniform and laundry service to be provided
by Uniform Masters, and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the ordinance for the SECOND time.
2nd 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 SECOND time.
2nd reading of an ordinance to waive 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 Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
2nd reading of an ordinance to waive 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 SECOND time.
2nd 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 SECOND time.
2nd reading of an ordinance waiving competitive bidding on group health insurance and life
insurance for city employees with Insurex, and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
2nd reading of an ordinance waiving competitive bidding on dental insurance, and for other
purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
2nd 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 Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
NEW BUSINESS
R-1 A Resolution approving the purchase of certain real property from the U. S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk the authority to
execute the sales contract and for other purposes. (2901 Church Street)
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor
Robinson to approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was adopted
and assigned No. 1719.
R-2 A Resolution approving the transfer of certain real property from the City of West
Memphis to the Good Neighbor /Love Center for the use in the Hope-3 Program and authorizing
the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the deed and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Robinson to
approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was adopted and
assigned No. 1720.
Councilor Bass left the meeting.
O-1 An Ordinance to amend; Section 6, Exemptions; Paragraph H and Section 11, Wall
Signs; Paragraph A, of the Sign Regulations adopted by Ordinance 1484 and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
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O-2 An Ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the relocation of a 12'' water main at the
North 14th Street Bayou Bridge, and for other purposes.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. Councilor Pulliam moved,
seconded by Robinson to suspend the rules and the ordinance be placed on its second reading.
Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the
SECOND time. Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Pulliaum to further suspend the rules
and the ordinance be placed on its third and final reading. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the THIRD and FINAL time.
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Felton to adopt the ordinance. Upon voice vote, the
vo#ing was unanimous. The Ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2003.
O-3 An Ordinance to levy an annual Privilege License upon all persons, partnerships,
associations, 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.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. Mayor Johnson explained this
ordinance will be on the agenda for its second reading at the next meeting, November 1, 2001
and asked that anyone with concerns should contact the city council before the next meeting.
PERMISSION REQUESTS
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Robinson to give permission to sign contract with
Arkansas Highway Department for repair of 14th Street bridge, approximately $87,000 for our
portion. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Holt to approve the distribution of Councilor Lorraine
Robinson's share of dog track funds to Delta Neighborhood Action Council, Reverend Raymond
Shields - 2500 N. Woodlawn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilor Holt moved, seconded by Pulliaum to give permission to pay $150,043.00 to P & J
Fowler for South 9th Street improvements. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilor Robinson reported the Airport Commission met today but she was unable to attend.
She reported fuel sales were negatively impacted last month due to the restrictions on airplanes
since the September 11th tragedy. The restriction was lifted Monday at 10:15 a.m. Construction
projects proceeding as scheduled. Councilor Robinson also encouraged those who have not
visited the new terminal building at the airport to do so.
Councilor Catt announced there would be a quarterly budget review meeting at City Hall, one
week from today at noon.
Mayor Johnson announced it takes 3/4 vote of the council, which is eight votes, to approve the
Airport Commission appointments and due to there being only seven councilors present, Mayor
Johnson withdrew the appointments until the next council agenda.
Mayor Johnson announced he has not heard anything from the county regarding the dispatchers.
However, two part-time dispatchers have been hired at the Police Department and one was hired
at the Fire Department, but only lasted three days.
Councilor Robinson thanked those who voted for the 1/2 cent sales tax and stated that we really
needed it.
Mayor Johnson announced they have began the construction of the traffic light at Rich Road.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Coleman moved,
seconded by Councilor Robinson to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The
meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this day of November, 2001.
WILLIAM H. JOHNS ,MAYOR
ATTEST:
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PHI ,CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by:
Cindy Gr wood, Sr. Deputy Clerk