December 5, 2013 MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
December 5, 2013
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. in the
City Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas.
Invocation was given by the Reverend Dr. Andrew MacBeth of Holy Cross Episcopal Church. Mayor Johnson
called the meeting to order at 1:30p.m. Phillip Para, City Clerk, called the roll. Those present were: Mayor
William H. Johnson, City Attorney David Peeples, City Treasurer Frank Martin and Councilors: Melanie
Hutchinson, Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Catt, James Pulliaum, Ramona Taylor, Herman Coleman, Marco
McClendon, Willis Mondy, and James Holt. Those absent were:Alderman Taz Tyrone. Quorum being present,
Mayor Johnson proceeded with the meeting.
MINUTES
Councilman Catt moved, seconded by Councilwoman Taylor to dispense with the reading of the minutes of
November 21, 2013 City Council meeting and approve them as submitted. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous to approve.
OLD BUSINESS
3rd reading AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 8.04.120 OF THE WEST MEMPHIS MUNICIPAL CODE
TO SET GARBAGE COLLECTION FEES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the third and final time. Councilwoman Taylor made a motion,
seconded by Councilman Mondy to approve. Upon voice vote,the voting was unanimous to approve. The
Ordinance was assigned No. 2327. Mayor Johnson said this increase was for dumpster rates only.
NEW BUSINESS
R-1 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO ENTER INTO THE POWER
SUPPLY AGREEMENT WITH NRG POWER MARKETING, LLC, IN ORDER TO ALLOW SAID COMPANY TO
SUPPLY POWER FOR THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Councilman Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilwoman Taylor to suspend the rules and read the title only of
Resolution R-1 and Ordinance 0-1. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve.
City Attorney Peeples read the Resolution. Councilwoman Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilman Catt
to approve the Resolution. Upon voice vote,the voting was unanimous. The Resolution was assigned No. 2043.
0-1 AN ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR THE REPAIR OF FAIRBANKS MORSE
PUMP NUMBER 1644632-0, DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
City Attorney Peeples said some language needed to be added to the third line of the Emergency Clause that
reads"lift station 8 which is a vital part of the wastewater system ". Councilwoman Taylor made a motion,
seconded by Councilman Pulliaum to amend the Ordinance adding the language. Upon voice vote, the voting
was unanimous to approve. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time as amended.
Councilman Catt made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Taylor to suspend the rules and place the
Ordinance on the second reading. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous. City Attorney Peeples read the
Ordinance for the SECOND time. Councilman Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilwoman Taylor to further
suspend the rules and place the Ordinance on the third and final reading. Upon voice vote,the voting was
unanimous. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the third and final time. Councilwoman Robinson
made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Taylor to approve the Ordinance. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous to approve. The Ordinance was adopted and assigned No. 2328. Councilwoman Taylor made a
motion, seconded by Councilwoman Robinson to adopt the Emergency Clause, Section 2. Upon voice vote, the
voting was unanimous to approve. The Ordinance and its emergency clause was adopted.
PERMISSION REQUEST
Councilwoman Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilman Mondy to give Mayor Johnson permission to pay
Lehman Roberts $304,814.00 for the 2013 Asphalt Overlay Program. Upon voice vote,the voting was
unanimous.
LCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Public Works Commission—Councilwoman Taylor reported the 2014 Material Supply Bids will be on the next City
Council agenda. The 2014 was presented to the Commission. A claim was denied to replace a baby playpen
that was picked up by the Sanitation Department. It was reported the Regional Maintenance Crew from Brickeys
Prison worked five days clearing ditches. Southland Drive Phase II preconstruction meeting has been scheduled
for December 4th. It was reported that when citizens purchase a yard Sale Permit in the City Clerk's Office,they
are asked to sign a form acknowledging that they understand that yard sale signs are a violation and they are
subject to a fine if they do not adhere to the law. Councilwoman Robinson reported that she has applied for a
$10,000 GIF Grant to be used on projects for Keep West Memphis Beautiful.
Fire Commission—Councilman Catt announced that ISO came unexpectedly because we were not due for our
rating visit until 2017. He said it takes a scale of 90 to be rated number one and we scored 89.04. We are going
to try and improve our communications droll be re-assessed in mid-January.
Councilman Catt also reported that our Emergency Medical Service (EMS)was rated#1 in the State of Arkansas.
Councilman Catt reported the new and improved budget for 2014 was handed out to the City Council. They are
to begin budget hearings with Department Heads Monday, December 9th at 4:00 and every day following until
they are through.
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilman Pulliaum moved, second by Councilman
Coleman to adjourn. Upon voice vote,the voting was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at
1:50 p.m.
PASSED and APPROVED this 19th day of December 2013.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
P IP PARA, CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by: Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk