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April 21, 2011MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL April 21, 2011 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas. Mayor Johnson was absent from the meeting. Councilor James Pulliam made motion, second by Councilor McClendon to elect Councilor Ramona Taylor as President Protempore. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Councilor Taylor opened the meeting with calling a Public Hearing to order for the Utility Easement between lot 1 and lot 11, block 2 Eugene Woods subdivision. She opened the floor for anyone to speak for or against the Easement. No one to speak, the Public Hearing was closed. Councilor Taylor called meeting to order at 1:30pm. Prayer was given by First United Methodist Rev. Sheila Jones. In the absence of Phillip Para, City Clerk; Cindy Greenwood, Senior Deputy City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: City Treasurer Frank Martin, and Counci/ors, Tracy Catt, James Pulliaum, Ramona Taylor, Herman Co%man, Marco McC/endon, Willis Mondy and James Ho/t. Those absences were: Mayor Wil/iam H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peep/es, City C/erk Philip Para, Councilors, Lorraine Robinson, Phillip Carter and Taz Tyrone. Quorum being present, President Protempore Taylor proceeded with the meeting. BID OPENINGS PROCLAMATION Councilor Taylor read a Proclamation by Mayor Johnson proclaiming the month of May as National Preservation Month. MINUTES Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor McClendon to dispense with the reading of the minutes of April 7, 2011 City Council meeting, and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous OLD BUSINESS 2"d Reading AN ORDINANCE BE IT ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS, AND ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED: "AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." Cindy Greenwood read the ordinance for the second time. Councilor Pulliam moved, seconded by Councilor McClendon, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on its third and final reading. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Cindy Greenwood read the Ordinance for the third and final time. Councilor Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilor Catt to approve the Ordinance. Phillip Sorrell, City Engineer, explained the Ordinance to the public. He states that basically it is to replace current flood plain management on the books now. The major difference is it adopts new maps and code. Mr. Sorrell also stated that it is required by FEMA if we wish to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA as you may know backs all flood insurance in this area. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Ordinance was approved and assigned No. 2274. ~"d Reading AN ORDINANCE FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, 2011 EDITION, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF SUCH REGULATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Cindy Greenwood read the Ordinance for the second time. NEW BUSINESS Councilor Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilor Catt to suspend the rules and read the title only of O- 1. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. O-1 AN ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF A UTILITY EASEMENT BETWEEN LOT 1 AND LOT 11, BLOCK 2, EUGENE WOODS SUBDIVISON TO THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS. Cindy Greenwood read the Ordinance for the first time. PERMISSION REQUESTS COMMITTEE REPORTS Insurance Committee -Councilor Coleman reported that the insurance companies are not as interested in bidding new insurance as opposed to last year. Also wants to make the public more aware of the Cigna Wellness Program. Healthier people get better insurance. A Representative from Cigna Wellness Program, Kenya Holmes, was introduced. We have people in our City participating in the program and were entered into >;V drawing. Mr. Sam Flowers was the first winner of a George Forman Grill, Healthy Cooking Cookbook, and one- hournutritional consultation with a dietitian. Advertising and Promotion Committee -- Councilor Taylor reported there have been nine events at the Civic Auditorium. Restaurants and hotels in the area have noticed the large number of participants. Civic Center also reported seven events last month with over one thousand guests. A & P received a thank you letter for sponsoring the refreshments at the annual Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism. The new ad for Arkansas Delta Byways for the year was introduced. She asked the council to take and hang posters promoting Delta Market at Worthington Park which started today from 1-6pm. Fire Committee-Councilor Catt reported that there was one new employee hired, that is certified and can go directly to work. State grant was received in the amount of $10,000, which was used to purchase extraction equipment for station 3's & station 1's Rescue Trucks. The 12 Lead EMS monitors have been trained on and put in service. 30 days waiting period before transmission from on-site information to multiple hospitals. New fire trucks are due around the end of April, 2011. All SCBA's (Air Paks) have been flowed tested for the year as required by NFPA & ISO. One failed and has been since repaired. Yearly fit testing of all personnel except secretaries is being done next week. Parks Commission Committee-Lorenzo Parker reported the contract was approved for the architect to precede with grant on Horton and Grimsley Park. Noted that there are eleven tournaments on the books for Tilden Rogers Park. 3 already completed and 9 more to come. APAC is getting ready to start the overlay project at Tilden Rogers. West Memphis is hosting the 6A State Tournament this year. Residents fo~A~kansas are wanting to take on the renovation project of the tennis courts at Tilden Rogers Park. Lorenzo discussed with Mr. Kenneth Arden that two key components must be met before we can consider his organization; we must have an IRS tax exemption statement and proof of non-profit from the IRS. Lorenzo suggested Mr. Arden speak with Frank Martin in the Finance Office. Lastly, Horton, Franklin, and Matthews Park will be offering a summer program to help neighborhood children receive a healthy snack. ANNOUNCEMENTS CITIZENS REQUESTS C.J. Harris -Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America.. - 3035 Directors Row, Memphis, TN - Introduced NACA, anon-profit community advocacy and home ownership organization that has been around for 20+ years and in Memphis, Tennessee for 12 years. NACA is here to educate the community and local area of the "Save the Dream Tour Workshop". Councilor Catt would like to see the information on our Public Service Network Station. Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Pulliam moved, second by Councilor Catt to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this day of May, 2011 WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, AYOR ATTEST: PH ARA, CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by: Tracy Camper Jr. Deputy City Clerk B