West Memphis council extends contracts

New year brings new agreements for the city

By John Rech

news@theeveningtimes.com

In West Memphis, Baby New Year came in on the budget coattails of 2019.

Instead of having the budget ready for the second year of Mayor Marco McClendon’s tenure, city council concluded business last year extending of last year’s budget into January and making a handful of unanimous votes on other issues.

Resolution 3 was added to the agenda on the council floor to adopt a temporary operating budget for the city during January.

“This will be one-twelfth of 2019,” said Budget Chairman, Councilman Tracy Catt.

City council voted for its meetings and commission meetings to be recorded and kept as official documents. Under the new resolution the elected city clerk was named to maintain audio or video tapes of all city council and commission meetings for at least a year. The measure codified established practice. Some recording may be kept longer at the request of any elected city official. Mayor Marco McClendon said the resolution was common sense after contention with the elected city clerk throughout the year.

“I think that’s a no-brainer,” said McClendon.

In other business:

• The council adopted a resolution endorsing the continuation of a half cent state sales tax earmarked to build and maintain transportation infrastructure in the state under Amendment 91.

“It’s going to come up as resolution the next general election,” said Councilman James Pulliaum.

“That’ because it (current provisions) would expire.

The Municipal League asked for a resolution from each city to point to continuation.”

• The council approved a communication tower in the uptown area on Bill’s Grill Road. The tower expands capacity for the growing area including Baptist-Crittenden Hospital, a new car dealership, the new hotels and the 20 story hotel and gaming floor coming out of the ground at Southland Casino and Racing. Councilman Tracy Catt abstained from the vote which unanimously passed otherwise.

• Council members also endorsed an annual continuation with its emergency services communication provider, Motorola Solutions.

• Finally, city council received a donated office space formerly used for a dental practice. The building was located on South Avalon, immediately west of city hall. City Attorney Mike Stephenson explained the deal to council.

“This building was donated to the city, and is located at 203 South Avalon. It has 3700 square feet. We pay closing costs and he has to do it by year end for tax benefit.”

The city would pay closing cost, 2019 taxes.

Stephenson estimated a $2,900 expense to accept the donated building.

What the building would be used for remained unsettled.

“That building is worth it,” said Pulliaum. I’d like us to take it on. It could make a great building inspectors office. I don’t see how they work out of the space they have now.”

Mayor McClendon is considering moving the Metropolitan Planing Organization to the building. The MPO plans roads and applies for transportation funding for the Greater West Memphis Area.