February 2, 2012 MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 2, 2012
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, February 2, 2012 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 Jeff Pope of Fellowship
Baptist Church. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City
Attorney David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin and Councilors, James Pulliaum, Ramona Taylor, Herman
Coleman, Marco McClendon, Willis Mondy, James Holt, Taz Tyrone, Lorraine Robinson, and Tracy Catt. Absent
was: Councilman Phillip Carter. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
MINUTES
Councilman Catt made a motion to dispense with the reading of the Minutes of the January 19, 2012 meeting and
approve as submitted. Councilman Pulliaum seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to
approve.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
On behalf of the City of West Memphis, Mayor Johnson accepted an award from Paul Phillips of Crews and
Associates for Honorable Mention from the Arkansas Business City of Distinction for Main Street Preservation.
Next Mayor Johnson turned the floor over to Councilwoman Robinson. In honor of Black History Month,
Councilwoman Robinson honored approximately thirty Beauty Shops and Barber Shops. They each received a
framed Certificate of Appreciation and refreshments were provided. Mayor Johnson thanked Ms. Robinson for her
tireless efforts for taking this project on each year. Councilwoman Robinson thanked Mayor Johnson's Executive
Assistant Dorothy Wallace and Rhonda Standridge for their help with this presentation.
PERMISSION REQUESTS
Councilwoman Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Robinson to approve the shredding of the
2006 financial records. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve. Councilman Catt is going to
witness the destruction.
Next was a request from Fred Free, representing Community Development, Inc. Mr. Free said that he was here
on behalf of Jerry Gunstream, who was scheduled to attend the meeting, but was unexpectedly unable to attend
due to personal issues. Mayor Johnson explained that Mr. Gunstream had contacted him several times
requesting he sign a Letter of Support they needed to include with their application to the Arkansas Development
Finance Authority for funding of their plans to purchase and redevelop the old Mayfair Apartments. Mayor
Johnson said he would not sign the letter of support unless the City Council approved it. There was lengthy
discussion as to the renovation of the old Mayfair Apartments. Mr. Free said the application deadline was
tomorrow therefore they would need the letter today. Discussion continued. Councilman Catt made a motion,
seconded by Councilman Pulliaum to authorize Mayor Johnson sign the letter of support subject to Community
Development, Inc. coming back and meeting with city officials and the neighboring people that this would affect.
City Attorney Peeples advised that once the letter of support is submitted, there is nothing binding that would
assure they come back for a meeting with the people in that area. Discussion continued. Councilman Catt
withdrew his motion and Councilman Pulliaum withdrew his second. The issue died for lack of a motion and a
second.
Mayor Johnson pulled the approval of signing a letter of support for Pine Ridge Apartments. He said they were
renovating and he approved their project and signed the letter of approval.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
POLICE COMMISSION - Councilman Tyrone reported they are still working on the Neighborhood Watch
Program. Chief Oakes is currently working on curfew law. The roofing bid went to Delta Roofing for$92,340.00
which was borrowed from West Memphis Utility. Promotional testing is scheduled for Friday, March 2, 2012.
After concerns were discussed, Chief Oakes said he is working on cutting overtime and also to discourage break-
ins, they are beefing up patrol and putting neighborhood watch programs in place. Councilman Catt requested
monthly reports on burglaries, city wide.
Councilman Coleman reported the Insurance Committee will meet the 4th Tuesday at noon.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilman McClendon said he would like the city to pursue tearing down the old Mayfair Apartments.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
Shabaka Africa— He thanked the Mayor for allowing them to have a Town Hall Meeting at the Eugene Woods
Civic Center last Thursday. He also expressed his concern with the condition of the Roberta Jackson
Neighborhood Center. He talked about Black History Month.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilman Pulliaum moved, second by
Councilwoman Taylor to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at
2:50 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this /Co-f-, day of February, 2012.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
PHILLIP - - -A, CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by: Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk