July 11, 2002MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
JULY 11, 2002
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on July 11, 2002 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. Brother Steve Smith of First Baptist
Church 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:
James Pulliaum, Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Catt, Dr. C. W. Peeples, Hubert Bass, Herman
Coleman, James Holt, and Harold Thomas. Absent: Councilors Gheric Bruce and Al Felton.
Mayor Johnson declared a quorum present and proceeded with the agenda.
City Clerk Phillip Para introduced Tiffiney Lackland the new Junior Deputy City Clerk hired to
replace Nanette Smith who worked for the City of West Memphis 16 years and recently resigned.
Mayor Johnson read and presented a Proclamation to Jim and Janie Spence who own and
operate the Sheltered Workshop/East Ark Enterprises which has employed disabled adults in
Crittenden County for thirty years. Mayor Johnson proclaimed Thursday, July 11th, 2002 as Jim
and Janie Spence Day in West Memphis.
Mayor Johnson read and presented a Proclamation to World Changers who are in town repairing
the houses of 20 low income senior home owners. Mayor Johnson declared July 8th - 12th, 2002
as "World Changers Week" in West Memphis.
Mayor Johnson read and presented a Proclamation to Ozark Mission Project who are also in
town working on low income senior's homes and proclaimed July 8th - 12th, 2002 as "Ozark
Mission Project" week in West Memphis.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
Gary Cordell, 1402 Stratford -present to remind everyone that the Babe Ruth Southwest
Regional Tournament will be held in West Memphis July 25th - 28th and families are desperately
needed to house the 16 - 18 year old team members from 5 surrounding states. They are 22
families short for housing the players which normally are two to a household and requires
washing their clothes, feeding them three meals a day and providing transportation. Mayor
Johnson said that anyone interested in housing the boys should contact Mr. Cordell or they could
call the Mayor's Office and talk to Dorothy Wallace.
MINUTES
Councilor Peeples moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to dispense with the reading of the
minutes of June 25, 2002 and approve as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous. The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
3rd reading of an ordinance to establish a Municipal Civilian Review Commission to review
charges of alleged discrimination and civil rights violations within the city's public municipal
agencies.
Thomas moved, seconded by Catt to remove the ordinance from the agenda. Upon voice vote,
the voting was unanimous.
3rd reading of an Ordinance to establish a Municipal Human and Civil Rights Commission t
encourage harmony among all city residents. The Human and Civil Rights Commission shall also
serve as an advisory commission to the West Memphis City Council and Mayor and to
investigate, inspect and review charges of alleged discrimination or human and civil rights
violations within the city's public municipal agencies and the provisions or distribution of any city
facilities, services, programs or amenities.
Bass stated that based on the amendments made at the last council meeting, the commission
would not meet his goals and he moved to strike the ordinance from the agenda. Councilor
Pulliaum seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS
R-7 A Resolution to approve the sale of certain real property to Riverbend Warehouse, LLC.
and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute the quitclaim deed on behalf of the City of
West Memphis.
Pulliaum moved, seconded by Robinson to table R-1 and R-2 until the next City Council
meeting. Upon roll call vote, the voting was:
AYES: Pulliaum, Robinson, Catt, Peeples, Coleman, Holt and Thomas
NAYS: Bass
The motion carried. R-1 and R-2 were tabled until July 18, 2002.
Councilor Bass moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to remove R-3 from the agenda. Upon
voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
PERMISSION REQUESTS None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
James Holt reported Fire Commission met and awarded the low bid for turn-outs, discussed the
need to replace the 1995 ambulance which a new ambulance would cost around $60,000. They
also discussed that due to there being a cost for each promotional test given, any non-eligible for
promotion firefighter wishing to take the test will have to pay for it. Councilor Pulliaum asked if
there wasn't another ambulance not being used. Mayor Johnson said both ambulances are in
operation at the present time.
Harold Thomas reported Utility Commission met and declined a couple of claims and approved
moving sewer lines that years ago were placed under houses on Pine Street.
Lorraine Robinson reported the Police Commission met and reported that between April 29th and
May 31st there were 153 warning citations issued, 35 arrests, 12 vehicles towed and 5 grass
cutting citations issued. Officer Bobby Wilson has been named permanently as Code
Enforcement Officer and Officer George Blair is Support Service Officer now. Chief Paudert
commended Officer Blair for his fine performance and what a fair job he is doing. Officer's
Eddie West, Mike Allen and Leroy Gillett were promoted. Attorney David Peeples was present to
discuss Policy & Procedures Manual. The manual will be brought back to the council on the 18th
for approval. Testing procedures were also discussed. Ms Robinson also said the new fireworks
regulations were very successful this 4th of July holiday.
Councilor Catt asked the Budget Committee to meet at noon next Thursday, prior to the council
meeting to discuss the construction of the new firing range. Officer Zachary to have the
specifications to go over in detail by that meeting. Councilor Pulliaum asked if they could be
mailed prior to the meeting. Mayor Johnson said if Officer Zachary was able to get everything
together before Thursday, he would have them hand delivered.
Councilor Peeples reported the Park Commission met and commended David Foret and his crew
for doing a good job maintaining the ball fields. Improving the bathroom facilities at Tilden
Rogers Park will be a priority in next year's budget. The commission expressed it's appreciation
to West Memphis Fence Company for providing a new back stop at one of the softball fields. He
also reported the Advertising & Promotion Commission met. Items of interest were some
continued discussion of air-conditioning repair, The Great River Road which comes through
West Memphis has been designated a Scenic Byway Project which will allow Advertising &
Promotion to apply for grants. The West Walk History Exhibit sponsored by Fidelity National
Bank opened at the Civic Center will be open through July 19th and the hours are 9-11 and 1-4.
Anyone with pictures of the history of West Memphis were encouraged to contact the Civic
Center. Councilor Peeples also reported the Personnel Committee met and said the revision of
the Personnel Manual is a work in progress and should be completed and presented at the next
council meeting for consideration.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilor Coleman commended the young people in his community for helping sponsor an old
fashion 4th of July cook-out and fireworks.
Councilor Bass added to Councilor Peeples report that the Advertising & Promotion Commission
also discussed the Juneteenth Resolution and Sara Beth Christian is to do some research and
put something together on it for next year.
Councilor Holt thanked the young people of West Memphis Christian for doing aclean-up project
in the Shady Grove area and said they are planning on doing it again.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Coleman moved,
seconded by Councilor Holt to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The
meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this day of July, 2002.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSO ,MAYOR
ATTEST:
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PHILLIP ,CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by:
Cindy Gree ood, Sr. Deputy Clerk