January 20, 2011MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 20, 2011
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, January 20, 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 Councilman Herman
Coleman. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City
Attorney David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin, and Councilors, Marco McClendon, Willis Mondy,
James Holt, Taz Tyrone, Phillip Carter, Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Catt, James Pulliaum, Ramona Taylor
and Herman Coleman. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
MINUTES
Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Mondy to dispense with the reading of the minutes of
January 6, 2011 meeting, and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to suspend the rules and read O-1 thru O-4 by
title only. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
O-1 AN ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE
CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS AND THE WEST MEMPHIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO BE
PROVIDED BY GASKILL SRTEGIES, LLC, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the first time.
O-2 AN ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR CONSULTING SERVICES AND
ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION FOR THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS AND THE WEST MEMPHIS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO BE PROVIDED BY RED DELUXE, LLC, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the first time.
O-3 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE ARKANSAS MECHANICAL CODE, 2010
EDITION WITH ALL AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the first time
O-4 AN ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF 99
SUBSTATION BATTERIES, DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the first time. Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by
Councilor Tyrone, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance 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 Councilor Tyrone, to further suspend the rules and place the ordinance 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 Councilor Taylor to
approve the Ordinance. Mayor Johnson explained these batteries are essential for the proper operation of
Hudson Sub-Station and they all have to be replaced at an approximate cost of $35,000. Upon voice
vote, the voting was unanimous. The Ordinance was approved and assigned No. 2267. Councilor
Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor to adopt the emergency clause, section, 3. Upon voice
vote, the voting was unanimous.
PERMISSION REQUESTS
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Advertising & Promotion -Commissioner Taylor reported on the recent events held at the Community
Center and the Civic Auditorium. She gave a brief report on the Christmas events and said she would
have a detailed report on the carriage rides at the next meeting. The new telephone system was
installed. Two entities requested assistance and she reported they are researching before making a
decision.
Airport -Councilor Robinson reported fuel sales were up 9% in 2010. The design phase of taxiway A is
on schedule. The construction phase is to be bid the end of March.
Utility Commission -Councilor Tyrone stated that the Commission met January 13~h and went in to an
executive session to discuss internal policies.
APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Johnson clarified that there are seven members on the Utility Commission to be appointed by the
City council. They are to be appointed by staggered terms. If the City Council approved the existing
Commissioners: three Commissioners terms will expire June, 2011: Carl Holden, Dana Parker, and Bill
Beck. T Holmes, Willie Bruce and Susan Marshall's terms will expire June, 2012. John Ross's term will
expire June, 2013. Mayor Johnson said that if the Council reappoints the existing Commissioners today,
three will expire in June, 2011. Councilor Pulliaum asked how will they know who gets appointed to what
position and who has the one year term? Mayor Johnson said after the first year, the terms all go to three
year terms. Councilor Tyrone made a motion, seconded by Councilor Carter, to reappoint the seven
existing Utility Commissioners and retain the same expiration dates. Councilor Robinson asked if they
keep the present Commissioner, were there any pressing issues that would need their expertise. Mayor
Johnson said January the 1St we changed suppliers. We have not had any problems yet, but it is a
potential volatile time and he feels it is critical that you have experienced Commissioners to deal with
problems that could occur. He also reported they are looking into purchasing additional generation that
would benefit the city ten to fifteen years from now. Council Robinson asked of the resumes that were
submitted, which ones were filed in a timely manner. Mayor Johnson said the only seven existing
commissioners that were put in the packets December 13th. Discussion continued on submitting
resumes. City Attorney Peeples said Resolution 1616 clarifies resumes shall be filed with the Mayor's
Office no later than the date and time established as the cut off for the agenda for the regularly scheduled
meeting of the West Memphis City Council which precedes the meeting which such nominations are to be
made. Councilor Pulliaum called for the vote.
AYES: Tyrone, Carter, Robinson Catt, and Taylor
NAYS: Mondy, Holt, Pulliaum, and Coleman
Councilor McClendon abstained from the vote. Mayor Johnson voted yes. The motion carried. Councilor
Catt asked if the resumes brought in that were not presented in a timely manner would be considered in
June, 2011, or if they would have to be re-submitted. Mayor Johnson said they would qualify for the next
appointments, but they need to know what position they are filing against. The existing Commissioners
resumes will have to be resubmitted if they want them to be reappointed. If they want to replace one of
the Commissioners with a new person, they will need to know which Commissioner they would be
replacing in June.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Johnson announced that the Janine Earney Day planned for today has been rescheduled due to
inclement weather and has been rescheduled for January 27th from 5 until 7 at the Arts Council office at
the Holiday Plaza Mall.
Councilor Coleman announced that First Community Bank is sponsoring a credit counseling, how to buy
a house, how to refinance a house, and the importance of saving. The session is to be held at no charge
on Monday, January 24 at 6:00 p.m. at the Unity Baptist Church at 719 S. 11th.
Councilor McClendon apologized for his abstinence.
Councilor Pulliaum said it was a new year and he hoped they all could work together and get off on a
better foot than they have in the past.
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 ~ r~ day of February, 2011.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
IP RA, CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by: Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk