July 15, 2013 MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
July 15,2013
A Special-Called Meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Monday, July 15, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. in
the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas.
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 12:07 p.m. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present
were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples and Councilors, Melanie Hutchinson, Lorraine
Robinson, Tracy Catt,James Pulliaum, Ramona Taylor, Herman Coleman, Marco McClendon, James Holt, and
Taz Tyrone. Absent: Councilman Willis Mondy. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson proceeded with the
meeting.
Mayor Johnson said the reason for the special-called meeting was to consider two Resolutions relating to an
airspace permit with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. He said they thought they had until
Friday, but found out late Friday that the Highway Department would need the permit by Wednesday for the City
of Memphis to receive a 30 million dollar grant.
R-1 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE AIRSPACE PERMIT ISSUED BY THE ARKANSAS STATE
HIGHWAY COMMISSION TO THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS, FOR PART OF SEGMENT 4 AND
5 OF THE MAINSTREET TO MAINSTREET MULTIMODAL CONNECTOR,AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Councilwoman Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilman Coleman to suspend the rules and the titles only
be read of Resolutions R-1 and R-2. Upon voice vote,the voting was unanimous to approve.
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution the first Resolution. Councilwoman Taylor made a motion,seconded
by Councilman Tyrone to approve the Resolution. Eddie Brawley, Engineer explained the City of West Memphis
are co-applicants of a 30 million dollar grant for the construction of a "Multimodal Connector"that starts at
Riverside Drive in Memphis and ends at Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and Highway 70. This permit is a
requirement of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. This permit used to be called a "land-use
permit". Mr. Brawley said he thinks this trail will attract people from out of state, but it will be up to us to draw
them into West Memphis. He went on to explain the construction of the"multi-use trail"is to be paid for with
federal grant funds but the City will be responsible for the cost of maintenance and restoration to its original
condition, if the permit is terminated. Mayor Johnson said the city does have an option to terminate the permit
with a sixty day notice. Crittenden County and the City have agreed to share equally in the costs of maintaining
the "multi-use trail"and the costs of restoration as required by the terms of the permit, and to share equally in any
liability the City may incur. After further discussion, the motion to approve the Resolution passed with a
unanimous voice vote of the council. The Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 2028.
R-2 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF WEST
MEMPHIS AND CRITTENDEN COUNTY, ARKANSAS, TO SHARE EQUALLY IN THE COSTS OF
MAINTENANCE, RESTORATION,AND ANY LIABILITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE"MULTI-USE TRAIL"TO BE
CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED PURSUANT TO AN AIR SPACE PERMIT ISSUED TO THE CITY OF
WEST MEMPHIS BY THE ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT,AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilman Tyrone made a motion, seconded by Councilman
Pulliaum to approve the Resolution. Discussion was held regarding the amount of maintenance that would be
required. Mayor Johnson said the city will use their street sweeper when needed and County Judge Wheeless
said he could use trustees to pick up trash in that area. Mayor Johnson said he does not foresee the bike trail to
require much maintenance at all for several years and the County is to share equally with the city for any costs of
restoration of the trail and will reimburse the City for one-half of any damages for any liability it incurs for personal
injury, property damage, and attorney's fee arising out of the issuance of the permit to the city. After further
discussion, the motion to approve the Resolution passed with a unanimous voice vote of the council. The
Resolution was adopted and assigned No. 2029.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilman Tyrone, moved, second by Councilman
Catt to adjourn. Upon voice vote,the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this rg+iI day of July, 2013.
WILLIAM H. JO NSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
PHILLIP PARA, CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by: Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk