May 15, 2014 MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
MAY 15, 2014
A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. in the City
Council Chambers at City Hall, 205 S. Redding, West Memphis, Arkansas.
Invocation was given by Reverend John Beaumont of the First Presbyterian Church offered prayer. Mayor
Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.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: Herman
Coleman, Willis Mondy, Taz Tyrone, Lorraine Robinson, Tracy Catt, James Pulliaum, and Ramona Taylor.
Absent: Marco McClendon, James Holt, and Melanie Hutchinson. Quorum being present, Mayor Johnson
proceeded with the meeting.
MINUTES
Councilwoman Taylor moved, seconded by Councilman Pulliaum to correct the minutes of April 17, 2014 City
Council meeting to correct the Fire Commission Report to read there was one resignation and strike through there
was one dismissal due to excessive tardiness. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve the
minutes as corrected. Councilwoman Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Robinson to dispense
with the reading of the minutes of May 1, 2013 and approve as presented. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Councilman Pulliaum moved, seconded by Councilwoman Taylor to read the title only of 0-1. Upon voice vote,
the voting was unanimous to approve.
0-1 AN ORDINANCE TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR THE NEW INSTALLATION OF A POLE
AND DOUBLE MAST ARM AT THE INTERSECTION OF MISSOURI STREET AND THE SERVICE ROAD,
ESTABLISHING AN EMERGENCY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Mayor Johnson explained that a truck hit the pole that supports the traffic light at Missouri and the Service Road
and needed to be repaired immediately. The amount of the bid to fix it was$23,000 which is over the allowable
$20,000 that he has the authority to approve. City Attorney Peeples read the Ordinance for the FIRST time.
Councilman Pulliaum made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Robinson 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 Mondy made a motion, 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. Councilman Tyrone made
a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Taylor to approve the Ordinance. Upon voice vote, the voting was
unanimous to approve. Councilwoman Robinson made a motion, seconded by Councilman Tyrone to adopt the
Emergency Clause, Section 2. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous to approve. The Ordinance and the
Emergency Clause, Section 2 was adopted and assigned No. 2343.
PERMISSION REQUESTS
Councilwoman Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilman Coleman to add permission for the Mayor to sign
a Contract of Settlement and Release Agreement with Comcast. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
Mayor Johnson said that the City Council recently authorized an audit of the Comcast payments being made to
the city. The cost of the audit was$6,000 and this settlement and release agreement will allow the city to receive
a check from Comcast in the amount of$45,045.71. Councilman Catt made a motion, seconded by
Councilwoman Taylor to approve the Settlement and Release Agreement with Comcast. Upon voice vote, the
voting was unanimous.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE-Councilwoman Taylor reported they accepted the low bid of$73,272 from Crisp
Asphalt for the Tilden Rodgers Pedestrian Trail. This project is funded through a Transportation Alternative
Program and is a 20% city match. Mr. Sorrell reported that we have hauled approximately 500 truckloads of tree
debris from the storm. The Committee approved to go back to our normal procedures for picking up tree limbs by
the end of the week. The April total for recycling was 7260 pounds. The Street Department's two new John Deer
Tractors are in service and Councilwoman Taylor said they were outside for the City Council to see after the
meeting. Construction is underway on Southland Drive Phase 2. The preliminary engineering phase of Phase 3
has been sent to the Mayor for his approval. He also reported they are collecting traffic data at Avalon and Tyler
to see if this area needs a traffic light. The Friday Graham Rail has been repaired and will most likely be paid out
of funds received from Union Pacific. The Committee gave permission to order two stake bed trucks, one for
Street and one for Sanitation. Code Enforcement Officer Mike Antle reported yard sale signs on utility poles have
started to lesson and he has started working on grass complaints. Councilman Coleman asked if they would still
pick up limbs if they were left from the storm but just now getting them to the street. Mayor Johnson said they
would handle that on a case by case basis because they would have to determine if they were actually left from
the storm by the age and condition of the limbs.
Councilwoman Robinson reported the Keep West Memphis Beautiful 3rd Annual Clean-Up Blitz was held Saturday
May, 3, 2014 and had 56 volunteers at kickoff and 90 volunteers on cleanup day. 27 bags of litter were collected
during kickoff and 101 bags during cleanup. The total for the Ewaste was estimated at 2500 pounds.
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AIRPORT COMMISSION—Councilwoman Robinson reported that Airport Engineer, Stacey Morris, reported that
we are hopeful our legislators will announce FAA participation in FY2014 projects this month. The Airport plans to
request grant funds for rehab of the North Ramp. The first passenger airliner, a 1929 Ford Tri-Motor, designed by
Henry Ford, has been fully restored and will be at our airport May 29th—June 1st. Advance reservations can be
made online at www.flytheford.orq or by calling 877-952-5395.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilman Pulliaum asked for an update on the drainage project in the southeast section of the city. City
Engineer, Phillip Sorrell reported that the City Council approved using a portion of CDBG funs this year to make
drainage improvements to 9th& 10th Street from around Jackson to Jefferson where there are open ditches. He
reported they should have drainage improvement plans done by July or August.
Councilman Pulliaum announced to the public that if you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch
Program in your neighborhood, to call the Police Department or your City Councilperson to get that set up.
Early voting is available until Monday May 19th and Election Day is Tuesday, May 20th
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Councilman Pulliaum moved, seconded by
Councilwoman Taylor to adjourn. Upon voice vote, the voting was unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 1:47 p.m.
APPROVED this 5th day of June, 2014.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, AYOR
ATTEST:
IL , CITY CLERK
Minutes prepared by: Cindy Greenwood, Sr. Deputy City Clerk