August 18, 2011MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
August 18, 2011
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, August 18, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. in the
City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas.
In the absence of Mayor Johnson, Councilor Catt made a motion, seconded by Councilor Tyrone to elect
Councilor Ramona Taylor as the "President Pro Tempt". Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. Councilor
Taylor called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Invocation was given by Reverend Mosley, Pastor of the First
United Methodist Church. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were:, City Attorney David
Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin and Councilors, Marco McClendon, Willis Mondy, James Holt, Taz Tyrone,
Phillip Carter, Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Catt, and Ramona Taylor. Absent: Mayor William H. Johnson and
Councilors: Herman Coleman and James Pulliaum. Quorum being present, Councilor Taylor said Mayor
Johnson and Councilor Coleman were attending an Arkansas Municipal League Executive Committee meeting in
Northeast Arkansas and proceeded with the meeting.
MINUTES
Councilor Catt moved, seconded by Councilor Robinson to dispense with the reading of the minutes of
August 4, 2011 City Council meeting, and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
3~a Readinq 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
Councilor Catt made a motion, seconded by Councilor McClendon to table until the next meeting (September 1,
2011). Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
2~a Readinq AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 372 REGULATING DANCE HOUSES; TO
PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF THIS ORDINANCE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, TO ALLOW
DANCE FLOORS & DANCING ON BROADWAY ST.
City Attorney Peeples noted that there has been a change in the sponsorship. Councilor Pulliaum asked that his
name be removed from the ordinance. (See attached). Councilor Mondy is now the second sponsor of the
ordinance along with Councilor McClendon.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
2~a Readinq AN ORDINANCE TO PERMIT CITY EMPLOYEES TO PURCHASE SERVICES FROM MIKE
NELSON AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the SECOND time.
NEW BUSINESS
Councilor Robinson made a motion, seconded by Councilor McClendon to suspend the rules, and read the title
only of Resolution R-1. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
R-1 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS, CERTIFYING LOCAL
GOVERNMENT ENDORSEMENT OF NEWBERRY TANKS & SONS LLC TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TAX BACK
PROGRAM (AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 15-4-2706(d) OF THE CONSILIDATED INCENTIVE ACT OF
2003).
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilor McClendon made a motion, seconded by Councilor Catt to
approve. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 1993.
PERMISSION REQUESTS
Councilor McClendon made a motion, seconded by Councilor Robinson to distribute Southland Gaming & Racing
charity day funds to be used benefiting young males and females in the city, in the amount of $74,257.26, to be
1 divided in four equal parts to the LR Jackson Girls, JW Rich Girls Club, Wonder City Boys Club and the West
Memphis Boys & Girls Club. (Approximately $18,564.32 each) Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Councilor McClendon made a motion, seconded by Councilor Catt to distribute disaster relief funds from
Southland Gaming & Racing in the amount of $3,601.54 to be divided equally between the Good Neighbor Center
and the Delta Neighborhood Action Council. (Approximately $1,800.77 each) Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous. (Councilor Robinson abstained from the vote)
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Utility Commission -Councilor Tyrone said he would be reporting on two meetings. The first meeting July 14~''
they awarded bids on a 2011 backhoe to Heartland Equipment in Jonesboro, AR, a 6" trailer mounted trash pump
to Heartland Pump Rental & Sales in Horn Lake, MS, and directional boring at Country Club Gardens to B&B
Utility Contractors in Marion, AR. Commissioners were given the 2010 audit to review. They discussed the
option of going into the cable business. The cities franchise agreement is coming up for renewal in a couple of
years. John Rimmer is to review the matter. John Rimmer announced he hired a new Office Manager Rob
Hollon and he will start August 1St. The second meeting he reported on was held on August 11, 2011. They
approved the audit prepared by Jackson, Howell, & Associates. Todd Pedersen updated commissioners on
Entergy matters. John Rimmer introduced the new Office Manager, Rob Hollon. Chairman Dana Parker asked
Frank Martin for a one page financial summary each month.
Park Committee -Councilor Holt reported the plans for Grimsley and Horton Parks were resubmitted for final
approval. ors,. (~..-•..~,.C 9/ ~/ ~ ~ )
Airport Commission -Councilor Robinson reported they met August 2 in a called meeting to discuss MSCC's
request for a waiver to land the donated FedEx 727 at the airport. After reviewing the pavement expert's opinion
and warnings from two engineering companies, the Commission agreed that they could not grant a waiver that
would overstress the pavement unless the college or FedEx would assume full liability. At their regular meeting
August 18th, a grant agreement was received from FAA in the amount of $1,316,887.00 to accomplish the first
phase of construction on Taxiway "A". Progress is being made on the Hangar 2 Rehab project, with an
anticipated completion date of August 31. Storm damage repairs to all 4 major hangars and terminal building are
still in progress.
A&P Commission -Councilor Taylor reported repairs are underway at the Auditorium but they were able to have
the cable cast auction for the benefit of the Delta Arts Council the weekend of August 19 - 21St. The two events
coming this weekend are the annual Quota Club Flatland Hillbilly Hoedown and a local Gospel Program both
understand that repairs are not yet finished. The Governor's Conference on Tourism will be in March, 2012 in
West Memphis. The Welcome Center Managers Tour of West Memphis will be held in October this year. They
are working on Christmas activities for this coming season. Delta Market is today at Worthington Park. The
banner replacement on Missouri Street is in the process and FEMA is expected to pay for the damages.
Fire Commission - Councilor Catt reported the Methodist Hospital praised the WMFD paramedics on the 2
STEMI patients and the 1 frozen protocol patient that received care recently. Chief Gately reported he is seeking
volunteers for the bi-racial committee with 3 responding at present. The Commission voted to enforce the city
ordinance requirement of monthly meetings. They also agreed to review the WMFD Policies and Procedures
annually in March. They discussed overtime and absences in the fire department and then discussed
standardized overtime policies for all city departments. EMS collections as of 7/29/11 were $236,550.58.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilor Taylor stated Mayor Johnson included resumes of appointments to fill vacant slots on the Library Board
and the Airport Commission in the City Council packets. Mayor Johnson made the following appointments
subject to the City Council's ratification at the September 1, 2011 City Council meeting:
Library Board
1. Nathan Smith term expires 11/2015
2. Candice Johnson term expires 5/2016
Airport Commission
1. Clarence Davis term expires1l/2011
CITIZENS REQUESTS
Shabaka Afrika - 812 E. Broadway and President of the Crittenden County NAACP. He said Steve Jones;
Crittenden County Democratic Party Chair spoke at the last meeting on August15th. He showed a trophy the
chapter received for membership growth. He said his phone number was 735-1212 if anyone had any concerns
or questions to ask him.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilor Catt moved, second by Councilor
McClendon to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this ~ day of September, 2011
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
P RA, CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by: Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk