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July 21, 2011MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL July 21, 2011 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, July 21, 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 Jones of the Cypress. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin and Councilors, l~llis Mondy, James Holt, Taz Tyrone, Phillip Carter, Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Catt, James Pulliaum, Ramona Taylor, and Herman Coleman. Absent: Alderman Marco McClendon. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting. BID OPENINGS Bids for RECONSTRUCTION OF STORAGE/LAYDOWN AREA-WEST MEMPHIS PORT were opened at 1:00 and copies of the bid tabulation sheet were given to the City Council. Councilor Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to refer the bids to the Port Authority for final disposition. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. (Copy attached) MINUTES Councilor Robinson moved, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to dispense with the reading of the minutes of July 7, 2011 City Council meeting, and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Councilor Robinson made a motion, seconded by Councilor Pulliaum to suspend the rules, and read the title only of Ordinance O-1. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. O-1 AN ORDINANCE TO BE EFFECTIVE ON JANUARY 1, 2015 TO REQUIRE COMPENSATION OF ALDERMEN TO BE BASED ON ATTENDANCE AT REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM B-2005/2008/2010-MC-05-0009 AMENDMENT Councilor Tyrone made a motion, seconded by Councilor Taylor to table until the next meeting. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. PERMISSION REQUESTS COMMITTEE REPORTS Airport Commission -Councilor Robinson reported airport engineer Stacey Morris reported the first phase of Taxiway A Rehab has been approved. Construction will begin when Congress fully funds FAA's AIP Program. The Mid South Community College is considering several methods for getting a FedEx 727 to their campus. One option is to land the aircraft at our airport and tow it to the college. Since the weight of the aircraft exceeds the pavement limits of the runway, the Airport Commission tabled a decision to issue a waiver until the full Commission is present to review the pavement study and geotechnical data. City Treasurer was present to answer any questions on the 2010 audit of airport operations. He reported the airport had a good year, with net assets for 2010 up from the previous year. Fire Commission - Councilor Catt reported there has not been any dismissals, suspensions, promotions, or hiring's. One firefighter has requested to attend paramedic school beginning in August. He received a scholarship so there will be no cost to the department but it will be necessary to accommodate his class schedule. An open paramedic slot has been filled with an existing firefighter. The new fire truck, Engine 5, was put into service at Station 2 on June 20, 2011. The new ambulance has been ordered with a 6-8 month delivery date. Brogdon reported that the existing Osage ambulance was repaired at no cost to the city and that the city was awarded an EMS grant of $19,573.00. EMS collections as of 7/11/11 were $213,758.73. A&P Commission -Councilor Taylor reported there were 5 family events, 1 church event and one city department ~, event at the Civic Center in June. The Civic Auditorium had no events in June due to storm damages. However, insurance money has arrived and the work should be completed in three weeks. The first event will be the annual Delta Arts Carnival auction set for August 7 through 9, 2011. While the building may not be ready fora "seated" audience, the lobby, stage, and dressing rooms will be able to serve the event. They hope to have the roof, concrete work and interior repairs completed by the end of August. Park Commission -Councilor Catt reported they discussed the situations with the grant for Horton and Grimsley Parks. The architect's contract is signed and preliminary work can begin and bids can be advertised upon approval from the state. Lorenzo Parker, Director is to schedule meetings in the parks with neighborhood residents so that they can get a concept of what changes can be made before the work is finalized. They discussed the ponds at Lakes of Richland and Sundown Designs Landscaped which is owned by Robert Rivers, the maintenance manager at Meadowbrook Country Club has submitted a quote to get all three lakes in working order. He will also give additional quotes for the lake at Martin Luther King Park and the three at Family Dollar Distribution Center. Lorenzo will also discuss a possible ongoing maintenance arrangement with Mr. Rivers. They discussed the budget and priority issues that need addressing. Tower Ventures, LLC has approached the park with a potential agreement to tease land for the purpose of constructing a cell tower that would generate revenue for the parks. The tower would be attached to the top of the current ball field lights and in the appearance of a flag pole. More research will need to be done on safety and other issues. The initial offering is a onetime upfront payment of $125,000 or $800 to $1200.00 a month for life. Partnership programs are going on. The summertime food programs are going on at Rowe, Hightower, Horton, Mathews, and Franklin Parks. RBI baseball is sponsored by the Memphis Redbirds and the Wonder City Boys and Girls Clubs is in session and games are played at Worthington Park. Delta Farmers Market is going on today at Worthington Park. They assisted Freedom Fest activities at Tilden Rogers Park. The whiffleball league is currently going on Wednesday nights at Tilden Rogers Park and the adult softball leagues are Tuesdays and Thursdays. Four tournaments remain on the schedule at Tilden Rogers Park. AR Game and Fish are continuing to stock the John Gammon Lake with catfish the first of every month at Tilden Rogers Park. They are discussing having a fall baseball league at Tilden Rogers Park. ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilor Pulliaum asked everyone in Crittenden County to keep the 39th Brigade in their prayers. They have been deployed back to Afghanistan for the third or fourth time. One of our police officers, Anthony Hampton is a part of that brigade and is leaving this weekend for Afghanistan. CITIZENS REQUESTS Danny Gatewood - 3101 Autumn, Apartment 137 - He represents Residents of Council at the Courtyard Apartments and was wanting information on the VFW pool. If the pool was going to open he wanted someone to come and teach children how to behave at pools. Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Pulliaum moved, second by Councilor Tyrone to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 1:40p.m. PASSED and APPROVED this ~_ day of August, 2011 ,~~- ~' WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, AYOR ATTEST: _-- PHI A, CITY CLERK Minutes prepared by: Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk