January 6, 2011MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 6, 2011
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 1:30 p.m.
in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas.
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Invocation was given by Brother Andrew Craig of
the 8th Street Mission. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor Wi//iam H.
Johnson, and Councilors, Herman Co%man, Wi/lis Mondy, James Ho/f Taz Tyrone, Phi//ip Carter,
Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Catt, James Pu/liaum and Ramona Tay/o~ Absent were.• City Attorney David
Peep/es, City Treasurer Frank Martin and Councilor Marco McC/endon. Quorum being present, Mayor
Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
MINUTES
Councilor Taylor moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to dispense with the reading of the minutes of
December 16, 2010 meeting, and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to suspend the rules and read O-1 by title
only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
O-1 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 2187, CODIFIED AS CHAPTER 14.52 OF THE
WEST MEMPHIS MUNICIPAL CODE, TO COMPLY WITH CERTAIN SUGGESTED CHANGES BY THE
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
City Clerk Phillip Para read the Ordinance for the first time. Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by
Councilor Robinson to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its second reading. Upon voice
vote, the voting was unanimous. City Clerk Phillip Para read the Ordinance for the second time.
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to suspend the rules and place the ordinance
on its third and final reading. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Clerk Phillip Para read
the Ordinance for the third and final time. Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Tyrone to
approve the Ordinance. Denise Bosnick came before the council and told them the change was to put
wording in place of numeric limits which allows the utility to limit, which industry they can, without having
to pinpoint certain limitations. This just controls Industry that discharges to the Waste Water Treatment
Plant. The Ordinance was approved and assigned No. 2266.
PERMISSION REQUESTS
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Pub/ic Works- Commissioner Taylor stated there has been no final approval on Glen Bailey Drive. The
work should be finished this week and may have some single lane closures during repairs of rough
patches.
The Highway Department has approved the design of Southland Drive and is now working on the
construction. The anticipated start date is March or April of this year. Ingram Boulevard should start
approximately three months after Southland. The Street Department is assisting the Airport with drainage
issues around hanger one. There were two guests at the meeting. Mr. Gatewood with West Memphis
Recycling made a request for the City's old recycling equipment. This request was referred to the City
Attorney. Councilor Catt also attended the meeting and inquired about the use of compactors for the
trash containers.
Uti/ity Commission -Councilor Tyrone stated that the Commission approved Arkansas Department of
Environmental Quality recommendation to amend the sewer use ordinance No. 2187 and forwarded to
City Council for approval. Commissioners approved to hire R.W. Beck as the engineers for the
Cottonwood Project located in Deweyville, Texas. Commissioners discussed and approved the 2011
budget and forwarded to the City Council for approval. Commissioners awarded the Gateway Substation
Breaker Replacement Project bids to Service Electric from Chattanooga, TN, for the bid of $310,875.
Lastly Commissioners approved to loan the City $190,000. This loan is to be used for repairs to the
municipal court and future expense of fire truck and ambulance. The money can be paid back with
interest and is more beneficial to the utility, than borrowing money from the bank.
Budget Commission -Councilor Catt stated they have reviewed the 2011 budget. After amendments
were made during committee meetings the Commission voted unanimously to present the budget to the
Council and ask for its adoption today. Councilor Catt made a motion to approve the amended 2011
budget, motion was seconded by Councilor Robinson. Councilor Catt stated that there are still ~ few
issues that the commission is working on and once Committee chairs are appointed, those aC~~uit ent
can be made. This budget is projecting a $163,000 defecit, last years projection was $721,QQQ. a may
possibly breakeven on the 2010 budget, the year end adjustment are not made yet. Courlpl~q~ Pulliaum
had some concerns about overtime and is working with City Treasurer Frank Martin and Councilor Catt on
reviewing that. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Johnson referred the appointments to the Utility Commission to Councilor Tyrone. Councilor
Tyrone made a request to table the appointment for two weeks, until the next council meeting. Motion
was seconded by Councilor Holt. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
There was an additional resume for Alfred L. Felton that was passed out. Councilor Pulliaum had
questions about the term limits of the Commission and would like to be clear on the staggered terms.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Johnson announced that January 12th thru 14th was Municipal League.
Councilor Pulliaum wanted to know about having an overgrown graveyard cleaned up. The property has
been researched and a property owner has not been confirmed. Mayor Johnson had a thought on the
problem and asked to speak with Councilor Pulliaum after the meeting.
Councilor Coleman asked about submitting other names to the Utility Commission. He wanted to know if
another name was submitted, would they be voted on at the next Council meeting. Mayor Johnson stated
that any additional resumes had to be in by the close out of the council agenda. (which was Tuesday at
noon (City Hall was closed on Monday)) Councilor Mondy asked about the resume he submitted for
Alfred Felton. Mayor Johnson referred him to the City Attorney. Councilor Taylor wanted to know who
was responsible for keeping up with Commissioners who's terms are about to expire. Mayor Johnson
stated that it was the Council's responsibility.
Councilor Coleman announced that 1~t Community Bank is sponsoring an event on January 24th at 6:00
p.m. at the Unity Church. They will making a presentation about credit counseling, the importance of
credit scores, how to fix credit reports and much more.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by
Councilor Catt to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 1:50
p. m.
PASSED and APPROVED this a D-I~ day of January, 2011.
WILLIAM H. JOH N, MAYOR
ATTEST:
PHIL RA, CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by: Rhonda Standridge, Jr. Deputy City Clerk