August 26, 2013 MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
August 26, 2013
A Special-Called Meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Monday, August 26, 2013 at 12:00 p.m.
in the Mayor's Conference Room at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas.
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present
were: Mayor William H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples and Councilors, Willis Mondy, Melanie Hutchinson,
Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Catt, James Pulliaum, Ramona Taylor, Herman Coleman, James Holt, and Tai Tyrone.
Absent: Marco McClendon. 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 park
grants. One of the grants has a Friday deadline, so that is why a special-called meeting was necessary.
Councilman Tyrone made a motion, seconded by Councilman Pulliaum to read the titles only of R-1 and R-2.
Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve.
R-1 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO MAKE APPLICATION TO THE ARKANSAS
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND TOURISM FOR ASSISTANCE TO DEVELOP RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN
TILDEN RODGERS PARK LOCATED IN THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilman Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilman Holt
to approve the Resolution. City Engineer Phillip Sorrell explained this will allow the city to apply for a grant that
would fund the construction of an adaptive sports field at Tilden Rodgers Park. Mr. Sorrell said the adaptive
sports field will have the look of a regular baseball field with a special composite surface that would accommodate
children with disabilities, both mental and physical, and allow them to play a game of ball modified to fit their
needs, whether it is a wheelchair, some other type of device or with an on-field assistant. The project budget is
$500,000 but we have been told that if we are awarded the grant from the Department of Parks and Tourism,the
other 50% match of$250,000 is expected to come from the Cal Ripken Foundation. Mayor Johnson said if we
receive this grant, we have Senator Keith Ingram to thank. 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.
2031.
R-2 A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE WILLINGNESS OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS TO UTILIZE
FEDERAL-AID FUNDS FOR THE FOLLOWING CITY PROJECT: Reconstruction of the Tilden Rodgers Park
Pedestrian Trail
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilman Tyrone made a motion, seconded by Councilman
Pulliaum to approve the Resolution. Discussion was held. City Engineer Phillip Sorrell said the city received a
federal grant earlier this year from the Transportation Alternative Program for the resurfacing of the walking trail
around the lake at Tilden Rogers Park. The grant is an 80/20% grant with TAP paying $61,632 and the city
paying $15,408. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve. The Resolution was adopted and
assigned No. 2032.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilman Pulliaum, moved, second by Councilman
Tyrone to adjourn. Upon voice vote,the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 12:17 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this fir'+ti day of September, 2013.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
•--''r'ARA, CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by: Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk