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January 20, 2000MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 20, 2000 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, January 20, 2000 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 1:30 p.m. Bruce McCarty offered prayer. City Clerk Phillip Para called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin, Councilors: Gheric Bruce, Dr. C.W. Peeples, AI Felton, Thomas Burroughs, Roberta Jackson, Brian Reece, Harold Thomas, James Pulliaum, Lorraine Robinson, and Tracy Catt. Mayor Johnson declared a quorum was present. Bid Openings Bids for Public Works Department dumpsters were opened by Barbara Owens and read by City Attorney Peeples. Moved by Thomas, seconded by Catt to accept the bids and refer to Public Works Committee for final disposition. Motion carried unanimously. (See attached) Proclamation Mayor Johnson issued a proclamation to police officer Jamie Reaves who broke into a burning house trailer that had no adult present and removed five (5) children. Mayor Johnson proclaimed January 6, 2000 as "Jamie Reaves Day". Inspector Ball also issued Patrolman Reaves a Letter of Accommodation from the Police Department and Chief Paudert. Minutes January 6, 2000 & January 7, 2000 Moved by Peeples, seconded by Thomas to approve the West Memphis City Council Meeting Minutes of January 6 & 7, 2000 as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS 3RD Reading An Ordinance to amend ordinance 1258, as amended, Article V, Section 1, in regards to standards allowing mini-storage units as an accessory use to apartments in R-4, districts with a Special Use Permit was read for the third time. Moved by Catt, seconded by Thomas to approve the ordinance. Paul Luker, Director of Planning & Development stated this was aone-word text change only. YES Peeples, Felton, Burroughs, Jackson, Reece, Thomas, Pulliaum, Robinson, and Catt NO Bruce Motion carried. Ordinance adopted and assigned No. 1904. 2"d Reading Ordinance waiving competitive bidding and approving a Contract with Reliant Energy Gas Transmission Company for the relocation of a gas pipeline along West Barton. Moved by Peeples, seconded by Jackson to table the ordinance indefinitely. Motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS O-1 An Ordinance to designate accounting/auditing services as professional services and exempt from the requirements of competitive bidding. Ordinance read for the FIRST TIME. 2 Moved by Catt, seconded by Pulliaum to suspend the rules and the next five items title's only be read. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Robinson, seconded by Thomas to add ordinance O-5 to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. O-5 An ordinance granting a special permit use for 354 Afco Road, West Memphis, Arkansas, for the construction of a radio transmission tower, 210 feet in height, to service the Crittenden County Communication Center and declaring an emergency was read the first time. Moved by Peeples, seconded by Jackson to suspend the rules and the ordinance be placed on its second reading. Motion carried unanimously. Ordinance read for the second time. Moved by Robinson, seconded by Jackson to further suspend the rules and the ordinance be placed on its third and final reading. Motion carried unanimously. Ordinance read for the third time. Moved by Catt, seconded by Jackson to adopt the ordinance. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Catt, seconded by Jackson to adopt the emergency clause, section 3. Motion carried unanimously. The ordinance and its emergency clause, section 3 was adopted and assigned No. 1905. Discussion was held regarding the city locating their communications at the new county communications center. Attorney Peeples reported Judge Williams had concerns regarding the funding sources. Mayor Johnson stated dispatchers were included in the city 2000 budget. Burroughs stated it was also included in the county's 2000 budget to fund communications and to allow West Memphis to participate at the cost that was in the agreement. It was further discussed that a meeting was needed with county and West Memphis officials. O-1 An ordinance to designate accounting/auditing services as professional services and exempt from the requirements of competitive bidding was read for the FIRST time. O-2 An ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the purchase of the property at 3403 East Polk was read for the first time. O-3 An ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the purchase of the property at 3405 East Polk was read for the first time. Moved by Jackson, seconded by Catt that ordinances O-2 and O-3 be tabled indefinitely. Roll call vote was as follows: YES: Peeples, Burroughs, Jackson, Reece, Thomas, Robinson, and Catt N0: Bruce, Felton, and Pulliaum Motion carried. O-4 An ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the purchase and installation of 560 feet of fourteen foot tall heavy commercial grade chain link fence for the baseball complex, declaring an emergency and for other purposes was read for the first time. Moved by Peeples, seconded by Thomas to suspend the rules and the ordinance be placed on its second reading. Motion carried unanimously. Ordinance read for the second time. Moved by Catt, seconded by Burroughs to further suspend the rules and the ordinance be placed on its third and final reading. Motion carried unanimously. Ordinance read for the third time. Moved by Catt, seconded by Pulliaum to adopt the ordinance. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Catt, seconded by Thomas to adopt the emergency clause, section 3. Motion carried unanimously. The ordinance and its emergency clause, section 3 was adopted and assigned No. 1906. 3 R-1 A resolution certifying the amounts of liens imposed on certain properties for grass cutting contracted by the City of West Memphis pursuant to ordinance No. 1385 was read. Moved by Bruce, seconded by Pulliaum to remove the address of 107-111 S 9t" Street owned by First Church of Christ USA. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Catt, seconded by Bruce to approve as amended. Motion carried unanimously. Resolution adopted and assigned No. 1637. R-2 A resolution to authorize pay raises for city employees and to authorize the transfer of funds from the West Memphis Utility Department for such purpose and for other purposes was read. Moved by Catt, seconded by Peeples to table until the first meeting in February. Lengthy discussion was held. Roll call vote: YES: Peeples, Reece, Thomas, Robinson, and Catt NO: Bruce, Felton, Burroughs, Jackson, and Pulliaum Mayor voted yes and said it was because this had not been before the Utility Commission and did not include an exact amount. Motion carried. Burroughs brought up the Utility electric department raises given at the last council meeting. He said he was under the impression that all employees in the electric department were to get a raise. Ward Wimbish, Utility General Manager explained it only included the groundsmen and the street light repairman. Groundsmen were not included because they are being paid comparable to Conway and Entergy plus they are expected to move up to 1St year linemen after a year to a year and a half. Mayor Johnson recommended this matter be referred to the Utility Commission. Mr. Wimbish to bring this matter up at the next Utility Commission meeting. PERMISSION REQUESTS Moved by Pulliaum, seconded by Jackson to add a permission request to the agenda regarding South Loop funds. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Peeples, seconded by Jackson to give permission to allocate one million dollars from state grant funds dedicated for the South Loop project to be used to purchase land to accommodate a prospective industry. Motion carried unanimously. Catt abstained. Moved by Peeples, seconded by Thomas to give the Mayor permission to get bids on the removal of the burned-out Boy Scout Hut at Worthington Park except for the plaque and the frame of the fire place. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Felton, seconded by Robinson to allocate funds from Southland Greyhound divided equally to LR Jackson Girls Club, JW Rich Girls Club, West Memphis Boys Club and Wonder Boys Club with the stipulation they submit their quarterly report acceptable to Robert Gunter before he disburses the checks. Motion carried unanimously. Bruce left the meeting. Moved by Thomas, seconded by Peeples to approve the Planning Commission recommendations of December 15, 1999 and January 13, 2000 as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. Catt abstained. (See copies attached) Moved by Burroughs, seconded by Robinson to approve the destruction of records for the Finance Department as submitted with Bruce to witness the destruction. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Catt, seconded by Thomas to give permission to pay OMI $53,326.00 for the month of February, 2000. Motion carried unanimously. 4 Moved by Peeples, seconded by Burroughs give the Mayor permission to sign a Reliant Energy Disclosure Acknowledgement. Motion carried unanimously. CITIZENS REQUESTS Kathleen Fletcher of The Flower Shop requested reimbursement of garbage fees the City collected over a 2 year period totaling $240.00 when they were serviced by BFI. Thomas asked Ms. Fletcher for a copy of the BFI contract and to present the claim to the Public Works Committee. Mavis Wilson of 605 Hamilton asked to be reimbursed $75.00 that she had to pay a plumber for clearing a sewer line that was the cities problem. Mayor Johnson explained the utility has a policy that if you call at night, you must have a plumber check it before the city comes out. If it turns out that it is a city problem, they will reimburse up to $45.00. This was set to keep plumbers from over pricing the job. Ward Wimbish to look into this policy further. Lloyd Bourne resides at 308 S 13th. Requested the council allow him to finish the property at 511-513 S. 17th that is on the demolition list. Moved by Pulliaum, seconded by Jackson to leave this property on the demolition list but not to remove it until after 90 days. This will allow Mr. Bourne 90 days to bring the property up to code. If the work is not completed after 90 days, it is to be demolished. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Johnson gave the State of the City Address. Copy is included for the record. COMMITTEE REPORTS Reece gave a brief Airport Commission report and said Fire Commission to meet next week. Thomas reported Public Works Committee approved bids for supplies and discussed the proposed cutting back of the recycling program. Robinson reported her daughter had a bone marrow transplant and is doing well. She thanked everyone for their prayers and said her daughter should get to come home from the hospital tomorrow. Catt reported Insurance Committee to meet Monday and asked all council to attend. Also requested all council attend Budget meeting one week from today at noon. Police Commission met discussed reserve program and looking at policies and procedures. Thomas commended Utility Commission employees for their efforts and for working New Year's Eve in case of Y2K problems. Burroughs announced Lucille Webb, a long time resident of Ward 4 passed away and her funeral would be at 1:00 tomorrow. Having no further business to come before the council, Peeples moved, seconded by Jackson to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this ~_ day of 3- , 2000. WILLIAM H. JOHN ,MAYOR ATTEST: PHILLIP ,CITY CLERK BID TABULATION SHEET FOR STEEL FRONT LOADING DUMPSTERS January Z0, 2000 BIDDER 2 yd 4 yd b yd 8 yd 1. Scruggs $_ 3 4 (~ ,rk. $ '~'(~,c.c+.. $ (Q ~ $ ~3 9 Memphis, TN 2. Hill Steel $ $ $ $ Bartlesville, OK 3. Delta Material $ $ $ $ Memphis, TN 4. Rivercity Hydraulics $ $ $ $ N. Little Rock 5. $ $ $ $ 6. $ $ $ $ 7. $ $ $ $ 8. $ $ $ $ wu. a y O • CITY OF' ~XT~~T M~MPI~I~ PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 205 S. Redding • P.O. Box 1728 • West Memphis, Arkansas 72303 • (870) 732-7520 • Fax (870) 732-7504 MEMO TO: Mayor William H. Johnson and City Council Members FROM: Christine Byrd, Planning Commission Coordinator DATE: January 3, 2000 RE: Recommendations from the regular scheduled Planning Commission meeting held on Wednesday, December 15, 1999, to the Mayor and City Council, on Thursday, January 6, 2000. I.) The West Memphis Planning Commission recommended denial of Case# 06-99i ('omnrehensive Plan Change and Rezone An~lication. The Commission recommended to deny Ms. Lola Key's request to rezone the property located at 311 S. Woods, from I-1, Limited Industrial District to C-2, Open Display Commercial. This would allow her to rent a vacant space to a client for a beauty shop. The Commission felt that changing the zoning to C-2, Open Display Commercial District would not be appropriate for this area and agreed a text amendment would be a better solution in this situation. The Commission asked staff to run a public notice advertising a text amendment to allow a beauty shop in a I-1, Limited Industrial District. II.) The Planning Commission recommended approval of l~lson ~llev S~ uldiv:~n,~, C~~ 13-99. This case was preserrted by Dennis Sorrell, Sorrell Consulting Engineers, for the property owners, for the property located at approximately 310 W. Jackson. This plat is being presented for the dedication of utility easements and is also subject to the following items: 1. Proper execution of all Certificates; 2. Approval of the improvement plans by the West Memphis Utility Department as to easements; An Equal Opportunity Employer Planning Commission Recommendations January 3, 2000 page two 3. Approval of the City Engineer in regards to grading/drainage and street improvements; 4. Installation of improvements as required by the City Engineer. III.) The Planning Commission recommended approval of ReTlat o Block 2, The Lakes off' Richland, Case# SD-14-99. This case was presented by Dennis Sorrell, Sorrell Consulting Engineers, for the property owner, Guaranty Loan and Real Estate Co.. The property owner is requesting these lots to be replatted to allow for single story units to be constructed. The exterior of these units will be constructed similar to the existing 2-story units on Lots 8 - 11. The property owner is requesting this replat to allow for the construction of single story units, because there is no market for the 2- story units. The Commission recommended approval subject to: 1. Proper execution of all Certificates; 2. Approval of the improvement plans by the West Memphis Utility Department as to easements; 3. Approval of the City Engineer in regards to grading/drainage and street improvements; 4. Installation of improvements as required by the City Engineer. IV.) The Planning Commission recommended approval of Phase III-6th Addition to Richland ~ Subdivisions Case # SD-15-99. This case was presented by Dennis Sorrell, Sorrell Consulting ~ Engineers, for the property owner, Guaranty Loan and Real Estate Co.. This plat complies to our overall plat which has been previously submitted and also complies to the current zoning which is R-1, Single Family Residential. The Commission recommended approval subject to: 1. Proper execution of all Certificates; 2. Approval of the improvement plans by the West Memphis Utility Department as to easements; 3. Approval of the City Engineer in regards to grading/drainage and street improvements; 4. Installation of improvements as required by the City Engineer. Planning Commission Recommendations January 3, 2000 page three V.) The Planning Commission recommended approval of 2nd Addition - U...A Truck Subdivision, Case# SD-16-99. This case was presented by Dennis Sorrell, Sorrell Consulting Engineers, for the property owner U.S.A. Truck. _ The property owner is proposing to use the property for a truck terminal. The site contains approximately 15.60 acres. The Commission recommended approval subject to: 1. Proper execution of all Certificates; 2. Approval of the improvement plans by the West Memphis Utility Department as to easements; 3. Approval of the City Engineer in regards to grading/drainage and street improvements; 4. Installation of improvements as required by the City Engineer. . ,M••t ~• ~ • *** `•4 0 j CI'~I'Y OF' W~~ST' M~MPKI~ PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 205 S. Redding • P.O. Box 1728 • West Memphis, Arkansas 72303 • (870) 732-7520 • Fax (870) 732-7504 MEMO TO: Mayor William H. Johnson and City Council Members FROM: Christine Byrd, Planning Commission Coordinator DATE: January 3, 2000 RE: Recommendations from the special called Planning Commission meeting held on Thursday, January 13, 1999, to the Mayor and City Council, on Thursday, January 20, 2000. I.) The West Memphis Planning Commission recommended to approve Special Use Permit Gase# SUP-01-0. The Commission recommended to approve a tower for the Crittenden County Communication Center, located at 354 Afco Road, West Memphis, Arkansas. The tower will be located on the South side of the facility and will be 210 ft. in height. An Equal Opportunity Employer xEC~nrspos~, FoRrt .Approval is here~Y requested far the destruction of the following records. Ir is understood that the items listed describes completely documents that have served their usefulness to the City of West Memphis ar~d that said des- truction is in compliance with applicable state statutes. STATE OF THE CITY MESSAGE JANUARY 20, 2000 I SEE PROGRESS, I SEE COOPERATION, I SEE A WILLING SPIRIT AND A WILLING ATTITUDE. I SEE OUR CITY ON THE SPRINGBOARD TO A BETTER FUTURE. IT'S TOO EARLY FOR THESE POSITIVE FEELINGS TO BE GUARANTEED FACTS, BUT WEST MEMPHIS IS INDEED HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THOSE WERE THE IDENTICAL QUOTES FROM MY 1999 STATE OF THE CITY MESSAGE, TODAY I CAN ONLY REINFORCE THE ORIGINAL STATEMENTS AND OFFER THE FOLLOWING RESPONSES TO GOALS BROUGHT FORTH IN JANUARY OF 1999. THE SANITATION DEPARTMENT IS NOW ON A SOUND FINANCIAL BASE BROUGHT ABOUT BY BOTH A SLIGHT RATE INCREASE AND BY MORE EFFICIENT OPERATION. THIS YEAR IS THE FIRST TIME IN MANY YEARS THAT THIS DEPARTMENT INCLUDES NO SUBSIDY FROM THE GENERAL FUND. THIS WAS A GOAL LISTED ON THE 1999 STATE OF THE CITY MESSAGE. IN THE 1999 STATE OF THE CITY MESSAGE I STATED THAT WE DID NOT HAVE A POLICE CHIEF, BUT THAT I WOULD BE DELIBERATE IN THE SELECTION AND WOULD BRING YOU THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON AVAILABLE TO LEAD OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.. I SAY WITHOUT RESERVATION THAT THIS PROMISE HAS BEEN FULFILLED. OUR DEPARTMENT HAS UNDERGONE NUMEROUS CHANGES THIS YEAR AND I FEEL THAT TREMENDOUS PROGRESS HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BOTH WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT AND ALSO WITHIN OUR COI~MJNITY. IN ,, ADDITION WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACQUIRE A NEW POLICE STATION FOR THIS DEPARTMENT. THIS IS A FACILITY THAT WE DESPERATELY NEEDED. THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED AT A VERY ATTRACTIVE PRICE, NO DEBT WAS INCURRED. OUR AIRPORT EXPANSION WAS A GOAL LISTED IN THE 1999 STATE OF THE CITY MESSAGE, TODAY THIS IS A REALITY. ALL THE PAPER WORK IS FINISHED, THE BONDS HAVE BEEN SOLD, PLANS ARE FINALIZED FOR A NEW TERMINAL AND SEVERAL NEW HANGERS. THE BIDS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN A FEW WEEKS AND IF PRICES ARE ATTRACTIVE CONSTRUCTION WILL COMMENCE. THE REVENUE FROM THE AIRPORT OPERATION ARE TO REPAY THIS BOND ISSUE AND NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS FROM THE CITY ARE ALLOCATED TO THIS PROJECT. I AM UNABLE TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE IN A SATISFACTORY MANNER FOR THE COOPERATION OF OUR A & P COMMISSION. THIS GROUP AUTHORIZED A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF A MULTIPURPOSE ARENA FOR OUR CITY. THEY HAVE ALSO FUNDED A STUDY FOR A TRUCK AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER FACILITY THAT WOULD INCLUDE A MUSEUM AND OTHER AMENITIES. THESE TWO STUDIES ARE IN THE FINAL STAGES AT THIS TIME. THE A&P BROUGHT THE MOST EXCITING PROGRAM THIS COMMUNITY HAS EVER HOSTED DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER. WE CELEBRATED "A DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS" COMPLETE WITH A DICKENS VILLAGE, DICKENS CHARACTERS, VARIOUS ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS, AND AN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL SKATING RINK. THE UTILIZATION OF THIS RIN~ WAS TREMENDOUS AND I HAVE RECEIVED MANY GLOWING REPORTS OF THE ENTHUSIASM OF OUR CHILDREN WHO SKATED NUMEROUS TIMES. THIS WAS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A FESTIVAL THAT ADDED, TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN WEST MEMPHIS~IN 1999, WE WERE ABLE TO LOCATE A NEW TRUCKING TERNIINAL IN WEST MEMPHIS, ANOTHER FACILITY IS IN THE PROCESS OF A MAJOR EXPANSION AND CURRENTLY THERE ARE THREE NEW AUTOMOBILE DEALERSHIPS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. TWO NEW MOTELS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE UNDERGONE MAJOR RENOVATIONS. OUR LOCAL HOSPITAL IS NEARING THE COMPLETION OF A MAJOR ADDITION TO BETTER SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. OUR MSCC IS IN THE FINAL STAGES OF MASSIVE EXPANSION PROJECT. THIS YEAR WE BROUGHT TO WEST MEMPHIS MASS TRANSPORTATION , THROUGH THE CITY, THE TEA COALITION AND MATA, WE NOW OFFER MUCH NEEDED BUS SERVICE TO OUR CITIZENS, THIS IS A SERVICE THAT WAS DISCONTINUED APPROXIMATELY 30 YEARS EARLIER. THIS TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IS IN PLACE WITH NO CITY FUNDS INVOLVED. FUNDED ENTIRELY THROUGH TEA COALITION GRANTS. FUNDING IS IN PLACE FOR ONE MORE YEAR AND WE ARE DILIGENTLY SEEKING FUNDS TO CONTINUE THIS MUCH NEEDED SERVICE. IN A MOVE MOTIVATED BY KINDNESS, COMPASSION AND CONCERN FOR OUR FELLOWMEN, WE ANNEXED THE COI~~IlV1iJNITY OF SHADY GROVE. WEST MEMPHIS WILL HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF OFFERING CITY SERVICE TO OUR NEW CITIZENS AT RATES WHICH ARE CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN THEY CURRENTLY PAY AND ADDITIONAL SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE THAT THEY DID NOT ENJOY PRIOR TO ANNEXATION. MUCH WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE IN THIS NEW AREA OF WEST MEMPHIS BUT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR NEW CITIZENS. MANY GOOD THINGS ARE TAKING PLACE IN WEST MEMPHIS BUT MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE. WE HAVE SEVERAL LARGE PROJECTS LOOKING TO LOCATE IN OUR CITY AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN ENTICING SOME OF THEM TO LOCATE HERE SOON. THE COOPERATION AMONG OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS IS STILL STRONG AND EVEN WHEN WE DISAGREE WE DO SO IN A PROFESSIONAL I~tiANNER. TRULY, I BELIEVE THAT ALL INVOLVED LOVE OUR CITY AND ONLY WANT "' WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR CITIZENS. I HAVE ENJOYED THIS YEAR AND IT CERTAINLY HAS BEEN A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FORME. I HAVE ENJOYED THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COUNCIL AND ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS. TOGETHER WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SOME OF OUR GOALS AND IF WE CONTINUE THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION WE WILL ACCOMPLISH MUCH MORE. WE HAVE ONLY SCRATCHED THE SURFACE OF OUR POTENTIAL AND WE HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF BECOMING A GREAT DELTA CITY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS IF ONLY WE CONTINUE TO RESPECT EACH OTHER AND ALSO RESPECT ALL OUR CITIZENS. SOMETIMES OUR DIFFERENCES CREATE PROBLEMS BUT THESE SAME DIFFERENCES CAN ALSO MAKE US STRONGER AND THE DIVERSITY OF OUR CITY WILL ALLOW US TO ATTRACT A WIDER VARIETY OF INDUSTRIAL PROSPECTS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SERVE YOU IN 1999 AND TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE 2000 A GREAT YEAR.