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05/06/2010MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL May 6, 2010 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, May fi, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 South Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Invocation was given by Brother David Moose, Rosewood United Methodist. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor Wi//iam H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peep/es, City Treasurer Frank Martin and Counci/ors, James Ho/t, Taz Tyrone, Phi/lip Carter Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Catt, James Pu/liaum, Ramona Tay/or, Herman Co%man, Marco McC/endon and Willis Mondy. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting. BID OPENING Mayor Johnson presented bids for the Street Department for a stake bed truck and for West Memphis Utilities for rehab of pump station #9. Councilor McClendon made a motion to refer the bids to the appropriate departments; motion was seconded by Councilor Taylor. Upon voice vote, motion was unanimous. (see attached bids) MINUTES Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to dispense with the reading of the minutes of April 15, 2010 meeting, and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. PRESENTATION BY CITY ENGINEER City Engineer, Phillip Sorrell, gave a presentation on last weekends' flooding. Specifics of the storm: He reported that the rain began at 3:00 am on Saturday, May 1 ~. By 8:00 am the City had received 5.5" of rain. From 8:00 am to midnight the City had received another 4.5" of rain. There was a total of 10" rainfall in a 21 hour period. The rainfall totals were collected at the Wastewater Treatment Plant as part of our ADEQ permit. According to the US Weather Bureau 8" in a 24 hours period constitutes a 100 year storm, so we were in excess of a 100 year storm. City Response to storm: He said Friday prior to the storm, he met with the emergency response coordinator to make sure everything was in place and all the proper names were on the list to be contacted in case of a severe storm. At 5:00 am the Street Superintendant, Odell Slaughter, was on the street accessing the situation and the decision was made at 5:30 am to turn on the pumps in the City. At 6:30 am, Mr. Slaughter noticed the 1~ water had reached the flood pond and those pumps were turned on at 7:00 am. By 7:00 am every pump in the City was operating. While all of this was happening the Street Department was out barricading intersections and delivering sandbags. The pumps were manned 24 hours a day throughout the weekend. The last pumps were turned off on Tuesday. Action Plan: 1~ priority is to the victims. Everything is being done to compile the information from people who have had damage. FEMA and Red Cross have been here. FEMA is assessing the information from the flooding and we are now in a wait and see mode. The Red Cross is taking care of more immediate needs such as displaced citizens. Surveyor Crews are out now measuring high water marks and obtaining elevations. We are going to take a look at past storm data and compare to this data and try to come up with a plan to present to the Council to execute so we can move forward. In closing he stated that he thought the City crews did an excellent job. City Engineer, Phillip Sorrell, stated that there are four sets of pumps. The pumps in town are pumping at a capacity of 50,000 gallon per minute, the pumps on 10 mile bayou pump at a rate of 75,000 gallons per minute and the pumps at the flood pond are 400,000 gallons a minute. Councilor McClendon wanted to know if there is anything we could do to prevent this happening again. City Engineer said there are some things we can do, but he needs to put together a plan. Councilor Robinson wanted to know if we could add more pumps. City Engineer said that is an option but he would like to solve the problem without adding pumps, because pumps are machines, they break down, require maintenance and operation. He said moving the water by more natural means would be better. Councilor Robinson stated that as citizens we can do our part by not blowing leaves and grass trimmings into the sewer, because that stops up a lot of the drainage. Councilor Pulliaum suggested that everyone who got water in there homes, sign up at City Hall. Councilor Catt wanted to know if the work that the Corps is doing by cleaning out the 15 mile bayou will help with flooding. Mr. Sorrell said it would help but he does not have first hand knowledge of the time frame on when that project will actually reach West Memphis. The plan is to clean 10 mile bayou out from 15 mile bayou to the City. Councilor Catt wanted to know if he could add to a provision in his plan to keep people out of the street when they are flooded because it only adds to the problems. Also he wanted to know if there was a maintenance schedule that could be put in place and asked if there is any kind of Ordinance or something that can be done legislatively to help enforce the problem of dumping debris into the drainage system. 2 NEW BUSINESS Councilor Pulliaum made a motion to read the items in new business by title only, motion was seconded by Councilor Robinson. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. R-1 A Resolution authorizing the removal of liens for grass cutting services performed by the City of West Memphis. Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Catt to approve the resolution. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Resolution was assigned No. 1956. R-2 A Resolution of the City Council of West Memphis, Arkansas, certifying local government endorsement of Consolidated Containers Company, to participate in the Tax Back Program (as authorized by section 15-4-2706(d) of the Consolida#ed Incentive Act of 2003)-Located at 110 East Jefferson. Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to approve the resolution. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Resolution was assigned No. 1957. Mayor Johnson explained that this company wants to participate in a state program to refund sales tax on items purchased to be used during construction. Once the project is finished the sales tax benefit will go away. This company will be a satellite producer for Awesome Products. O-1 An Ordinance to amend the West Memphis Land Subdivision and Development Code in regards to fire hydrants. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. PERMISSION REQUESTS Mayor Johnson presented Planning Commission recommendations. Councilor Taylor made a motion to approve, motion was seconded by Councilor Catt. Upon voice voting, motion was unanimous. The following distributions were made from Charity Days' funds from Southland Racing. Ramona Taylor -Crittenden Regional Hospital Foundation $500; 8th Street Mission $100; Boy Scouts $100; American Legion Auxiliary $100; Girls Scouts $100; Families in Transition $100; Mainstreet $83.04 Phillip Carter -15th Street Church of God in Christ $1083.04 Mayor Johnson -American Cancer Society $500; Miracle Temple Ministries $200; Families in Transition $133.04; Boy Scouts $250. James Holt -Boy Scouts $200; Crittenden Regional Hospital Foundation $100; JW Rich Girls Club $183.04; Families in Transition $600 Lorraine Robinson -Boy Scouts $100; LR Jackson Girls Club $100; Wonder City Boys Club $100; 8th Street Mission $100; Roberta Jackson Neighborhood Center $200; 15th Street Church of God in Christ $233.04. Councilor Pulliaum made a motion to accept the distributions as presented, motion was seconded by Councilor Robinson. Upon voice vote, motion was unanimous. Mayor Johnson asked for permission to pay $102,595.64, for water damage clean up at the LR Jackson Girls Club. Mayor Johnson stated that this money is insurance money and not City funds. Councilor Robinson made a motion to approve, motion was seconded by Councilor Catt. Upon voice vote motion was unanimous. Mayor Johnson asked for permission to sign a contract with Brawley Consulting Engineers, Inc. for professional services required for various work tasks of the West Memphis-Marion Area Transportation Study. Councilor Robinson made a motion to approve, motion was seconded by Councilor Holt. Upon voice vote motion was unanimous. COMMITTEE REPORTS Pub/ic Won-~s-Councilor Taylor reported that City Engineer, Phillip Sorrell gave a report on the flooding. All of the information he covered in the meeting was covered previously in his presentation. She did mention doing area meetings regarding flooding. The pilot project of carts was discussed and asked for a recommendation of how to continue with that areas garbage pick up. Mayor Johnson stepped out of meeting. /nsurance Committee- Councilor Coleman stated that the wellness program was discussed. They also looked at ways to minimize premiums Mayor Johnson re-entered meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilor Coleman made the statement that he supported Councilor McClendon. He said that he has known him for a long time and he is innocent until proven guilty. He also stated that attacks made against Council people will not intimidate them. CITIZENS REQUESTS Ms. Debra Parker - 421 South 12th- stated she had bought a vacant lot at 200 South 13th on March 30th and there were grass liens on the property and she was wanting them removed. She said she was not aware of the liens when she purchased the property. Planning Director Paul Luker reported that there were 5 or 6 liens on the property. Mayor Johnson asked that they come back to the next meeting with an amount of the total liens. Lawrence Brown - 614 Rainer Road- stated that he had been doing research on policing and from January 2000 til December 2009 there has been thirty cases in court for over aggressive policing and excessive force; and six deaths as a result of the police department. He also complained about statements made by Police Chief, Bob Paudert. He mentioned that one of Pauderts' own officers had been charged with domestic battery of the third degree and he did not make verbal attacks on him. He mentioned a specific case regarding Officer DJ O'Claire, on June 7, 2006. He also stated that the NAACP will be having a meeting on May 17th and stated that the people did not want him there. Brock West - 273 Winchell -wanted to complain about officials. He wants officials to get help for people instead of trying to destroy them. He said that people should show respect for one another and everyone needs to get close to the Lord Jesus Christ. Shabaka Afrika - He said that we have to be careful about our rhetoric, because we are all very sensitive, because race still is a major determiner of the outcome of most political, social and economic outcomes. He also suggested that the Police Chief not come to the NAACP meeting. The President of the NAACP cannot make a unilateral decision to hold political forums without the consent of its members. Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Coleman moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 2:35 p. m. PASSED and APPROVED this a day of May, 2010 ~~ ~ ~~~ WILLIAM H. JOHNSON AYOR ATTEST: PHIL A, CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by Rhonda Standridge, Jr. Deputy City Clerk 4 BID TABULATION SAEET ONE NEW MODEL ONE (1) TON S~'AKE BED TRUCK WITH HYDRAULIC LIFE GATE May 6, 2010 BIDDER PRICE TRADE-IN BAD ALLOWANCE T ~-.- 6. ~ ~ ~,k }~v `r`~"a~r>_ ~7 9' h~ .1,v~7 ~':.~r ~ $ '76'x' . $ ? ~r~ ~ • ~7 . BID TABULATION UPGRAi)E OF PUMP STATION N0.9 WEST MEMPHIS UTILITY DEPARTMENT May t16, 2010 TOTAL AMOUNT TOTAL AMOUNT Bll? CONTRACTOR BASE BID W/ALTERNATE 1 ARGO CONSTRUCTION CO. CORDOVA TN , ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~'~ '~ # ~€ , ~ 2 B & B UTILITY CONTRACTORS MARION, AR ` ~ ~ ~~ I~ ~ (~ ~ ~~~ ~ r ~~~°_..~ 3 CRITTCO CABLE & FIBER ~ ~-~~ ~ ~ r ~ r' ~`"'' r „- ~ f ~ JONESBORO, AR x" ~ F ' ' ` / ' 4 WATER & WASTEWATER SERVICES MARION AR _ ~^.,--- , - k ~ f ,. F