1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,000 Heat. Heat. 2 00:00:44,879 --> 00:00:55,280 Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, Lord, we pray and thank you for our 3 00:00:51,840 --> 00:01:03,120 city. We pray today that you would grant our mayor and our city council people 4 00:00:59,440 --> 00:01:08,560 wisdom and peace for the coming decisions that we're about to go into. 5 00:01:06,799 --> 00:01:13,119 And Lord, we thank you for blessing this city with prosperity 6 00:01:10,720 --> 00:01:18,159 and well-being. Bless all of its citizens. We thank you for growing our 7 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:23,920 great city and for taking us further into the future in a positive manner. 8 00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:29,520 Lord, we pray for our officials in this city, our police officers and fire 9 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:35,280 people and first responders and everybody that comes together to make 10 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:38,960 this city work as it does now. And Lord, we know that you can do all things and 11 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:44,640 take us further than we've ever been before. And Lord, we come in faith and 12 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:50,960 ask that you would grant this city the prosperity that has been coming for 13 00:01:47,520 --> 00:01:52,640 years. In Jesus' name, let every heart say amen. 14 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:55,520 » Amen. >> Amen. 15 00:01:53,439 --> 00:01:59,159 » Let us all remain standing and face the flag for the pledge 16 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:08,239 to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it 17 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:11,680 stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice 18 00:02:10,560 --> 00:02:15,879 for all. >> Thank you. And you can have a seat. 19 00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:20,599 » Eight out of 10. 20 00:02:21,040 --> 00:02:26,239 » I'm going to call this meeting to order. I'm going to have my city clerk. Would 21 00:02:24,239 --> 00:02:27,840 she please call the role? >> Mlendon, 22 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:30,800 » present. >> City attorney Stevenson 23 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:33,200 » here. >> City Treasure Suda Jr. 24 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:35,599 » here. >> Councelor Bale 25 00:02:34,319 --> 00:02:36,879 » here. Councelor Bruce >> here. 26 00:02:35,920 --> 00:02:38,160 » Councelor Krone >> here. 27 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:39,519 » Councelor Catz >> here. 28 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:41,120 » Councelor Harris >> here. 29 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:44,319 » Councelor Holt >> here. 30 00:02:42,239 --> 00:02:46,000 » Councelor Hutchinson. >> Council Muhammed 31 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:48,640 » present. >> Councelor Monday. 32 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:51,920 » Council Mary >> here. 33 00:02:50,160 --> 00:02:56,879 » I did have the opportunity to speak to Councilwoman Hutchinson and uh 34 00:02:53,599 --> 00:02:59,760 Councilman uh Monday. So uh they won't be in but we got eight out of 10 35 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:01,280 present. So >> nine out of 10. 36 00:03:00,959 --> 00:03:02,800 » Huh? >> Was it nine? 37 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:07,040 » No, eight. >> Okay. Excuse me. 38 00:03:04,879 --> 00:03:11,040 » We got eight out of 10. Correct. We'll go ahead and start our meeting. Uh we 39 00:03:08,560 --> 00:03:14,239 had no bid openings. Uh any corrections to the minutes? 40 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:18,000 » Motion approve is submitted. Second. >> All in favor? I 41 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:21,840 » oppose. Uh those minutes are approved. We'll 42 00:03:19,920 --> 00:03:25,120 move down to old business. City attorney. 43 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:29,519 This the third reading of an ordinance to adopt and establish clear standards 44 00:03:27,599 --> 00:03:36,080 for the development of accessory dwelling units in compliance with act 45 00:03:32,159 --> 00:03:42,080 313 of 2025 which mandates that all municipalities allow at least one 46 00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:47,760 accessory dwelling unit ADU on single family residential lots significantly 47 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:51,920 enhancing housing flexibility in the city of West Memphis, Arkansas to 48 00:03:50,239 --> 00:03:56,159 declare an emergency and for other purposes. 49 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:58,879 Hear that red for third and final time. Can I get a motion and a second? 50 00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:01,920 » So moved. >> Second. 51 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:05,760 » We got a motion, a second. Is there any discussion at this point? 52 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:10,239 » Uh, mayor, just the ordinance you have in front of you now is the fourth 53 00:04:08,319 --> 00:04:15,360 revision of the original ordinance that was passed out. So, planning development 54 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:21,040 has asked that you adopt this ordinance as it's been amended 55 00:04:17,840 --> 00:04:23,280 u at today's meeting. So moved. 56 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:26,880 » Second. >> Motion. All in 57 00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:32,320 » favor. I >> oppose. The amendment has been approved. 58 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:35,199 Now I got a motion to second to approve it. 59 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:38,800 » All in favor? I >> I 60 00:04:35,919 --> 00:04:43,120 » oppose. It is approved. Will you give that ordinance a number? And we got the 61 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:46,080 emergency clause coming up. >> There's no emergency clause. Mayor with 62 00:04:44,639 --> 00:04:51,600 the amended version. Okay. >> It was okay. Take it out. 63 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:55,520 » The order. Order is number 2720 2720 64 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:58,160 » 27 >> 20 65 00:04:56,479 --> 00:05:03,120 » 2720 is that number 2720 66 00:05:00,880 --> 00:05:09,120 we had no old business I mean no new business I'm sorry but actually we need 67 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:13,280 to add a city need to city attorney need to speak on an offer that he need tell 68 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:15,440 you all about so can we add that to the agenda the offer 69 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:17,520 » so moved >> second all in 70 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:20,639 » favor I >> opposed Yes, added s attorney. You go 71 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:25,199 ahead. >> Thank you, mayor. U I'm gonna call it a 72 00:05:22,639 --> 00:05:29,759 litigation update and u I've been in communication with the municipal league 73 00:05:27,360 --> 00:05:32,960 this week and one of the things that they had asked me to do was update the 74 00:05:31,280 --> 00:05:39,759 council on some litigation that's coming up in federal court in West Hela 75 00:05:35,919 --> 00:05:45,759 starting on the 9th which is Monday. U this is a case that uh the plaintiff in 76 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:53,039 this case is named Chey Pulium. the city has actually been dismissed from the 77 00:05:47,919 --> 00:05:58,639 lawsuit. So, uh the city has no liability based upon the ruling of the 78 00:05:55,520 --> 00:06:03,360 judge as a matter of law. The officer has not been dismissed. So, the trial 79 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:07,440 will go on with regard to the officer as the only defendant. The municipal league 80 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:16,319 still provides coverage for that officer due to the type of claim it is. And so 81 00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:22,319 usually in cases where they're about to go to trial, it's not unusual for a 82 00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:26,400 plaintiff to make a demand upon the defendant to avoid a trial to see if 83 00:06:24,319 --> 00:06:31,360 they can get a settlement and not go through the trial. Even though we've 84 00:06:28,319 --> 00:06:36,960 been dismissed from the case, uh the lawyer who likes to sue us and has 90% 85 00:06:33,840 --> 00:06:41,440 of the lawsuits against us believes that their demand that they've made is for 86 00:06:39,039 --> 00:06:46,880 $250,000. And so the municipal league believes 87 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:52,000 that I've spoken with John Wilkerson who is the head of litigation and the also 88 00:06:49,440 --> 00:06:58,080 Jen Adams who has the uh particular defense of this case and they believe 89 00:06:54,720 --> 00:07:06,240 that demand is way out of line and so far out of line that it doesn't even 90 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:11,120 uh merit a counter offer. So that that's the position that they feel they're in 91 00:07:08,639 --> 00:07:16,479 and they in this particular case it's a 9010 coverage situation. So the 92 00:07:13,759 --> 00:07:21,120 municipal league pays 90% of any judgment or settlement and the city 93 00:07:18,080 --> 00:07:25,360 would only be paying 10%. So I listen to them carefully about these things 94 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:31,280 because they've got the biggest stake in these claims especially with with regard 95 00:07:27,759 --> 00:07:38,479 to police uh claims. So, uh, what I would need from the council is a motion 96 00:07:34,479 --> 00:07:45,840 to either, uh, accept, reject, or make a counter offer to this $250,000 demand. 97 00:07:42,319 --> 00:07:50,080 Uh, my recommendation is to reject it with no counter offer. 98 00:07:47,680 --> 00:07:54,080 » I recommend that we reject it as well. So, can I get a motion second to 99 00:07:51,759 --> 00:07:56,319 » Motion to approve? >> Second. 100 00:07:55,199 --> 00:07:59,199 » Motion second. >> Could you reject? What's the name again 101 00:07:58,639 --> 00:08:02,720 on the >> motion and second to reject? Yes. 102 00:08:01,039 --> 00:08:05,759 » You got a motion and second in the court. 103 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:09,280 » Yes. Who's what's the name again? >> Cheesy pull you. 104 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:13,440 » I abstain. >> Okay. 105 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:18,360 All right. We got a motion to second toward Jack. So, will you call the role, 106 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:18,360 please? 107 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:22,039 » Councelor Bale, 108 00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:27,199 » reject. Councelor Bruce, 109 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:29,360 » reject. >> Councelor Kroom, 110 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:31,840 » reject. >> Councelor Kat, 111 00:08:30,400 --> 00:08:34,640 » reject the offer. >> Councelor Harris, 112 00:08:32,959 --> 00:08:40,000 » reject. >> Councelor Holt, 113 00:08:37,279 --> 00:08:42,719 » Council Hutchinson, Councelor Mohamd, >> abstain. 114 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:46,200 » Council, >> sorry, I'm not 115 00:08:46,240 --> 00:08:53,040 » rejected. Okay. >> Council Mary, 116 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:57,200 » reject. We have several uh rejection and one 117 00:08:55,200 --> 00:09:03,760 abstension. I do understand why Miss Muhammad is uh objecting. 118 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:06,720 » All right. It fails uh s I mean no it passed to the attorney the rejection 119 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:08,720 did. >> Yes. I'll let Migo. 120 00:09:08,240 --> 00:09:13,760 » All right. >> And just to add to this, they wanted me 121 00:09:11,200 --> 00:09:17,920 to tell you also that there could be other 122 00:09:15,279 --> 00:09:23,920 uh demands made during the trial and they would be in contact with me if that 123 00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:27,839 happened. Uh so maybe next week uh I may have some more information but but right 124 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:32,560 now that's all I know. >> Thank you. Uh we're going to go down to 125 00:09:30,399 --> 00:09:35,839 permission request. Uh we have one item for permission request to approve and 126 00:09:34,399 --> 00:09:40,480 this which is what the planning commission has approved the new 127 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:46,800 apartment complex that's going like to go down on airport boulevard. I'm sorry. 128 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:50,480 College college boulevard. I got to get a motion to second approve it. So moved. 129 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:53,839 » Second. >> All in favor? I 130 00:09:51,680 --> 00:09:57,279 » I oppose. >> It's approved. Then we're going to go 131 00:09:55,760 --> 00:10:04,480 down to committee reports. We're going to start out with our police department. 132 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:11,600 » Good afternoon. Police department met on Monday, February 2nd, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. 133 00:10:08,959 --> 00:10:16,000 And we had a lengthy meeting. We were introduced to our new staff on the 134 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:24,160 police and we had a good meeting. And the highlights of that meeting is uh we 135 00:10:18,959 --> 00:10:30,560 have personnel, we have 88 out of 105 um positions filled. We have seven in 136 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:37,200 training at the academy as of now. Uh we also had last year we had eight 137 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:43,680 new units cars. This year they are asking for five only 138 00:10:39,440 --> 00:10:47,200 five to reserve money for outfitting. They also stated that they need an 139 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:52,640 armored vehicle. The one that we have now is 140 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:57,360 outdated and I think it's an offer. So they are they are planning a fundraiser 141 00:10:54,720 --> 00:11:05,279 and we are asking everyone to support them in this effort. 142 00:11:01,519 --> 00:11:10,880 We are continuing our grant search to supply better supply police department 143 00:11:07,760 --> 00:11:16,880 with equipment. our community outreach program. They are revamping it and they 144 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:21,680 want to build a positive relationship with our 145 00:11:18,959 --> 00:11:25,600 youth and our citizen as a whole in West Memphis. 146 00:11:24,079 --> 00:11:31,519 Crime rate has gone down relative to this time 147 00:11:28,959 --> 00:11:35,600 last year. I'm looking forward to a wonderful 148 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:39,839 working relationship with our police department who are doing a very good 149 00:11:37,279 --> 00:11:43,839 job. We want to thank you all and report. Thank you. We're going to move 150 00:11:42,800 --> 00:11:49,519 down the budget. >> Yes, sir. Budget met last Thursday. Uh 151 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:56,640 Miss Perry has emailed everyone several reports this morning. I believe we'll be 152 00:11:52,320 --> 00:12:01,360 closing the 2025 book year midFebruary maybe. Um and then of course after the 153 00:11:59,920 --> 00:12:05,600 order's over with, there'll always be a couple adjustments you'll have to go 154 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:10,639 back in and address. Uh the 2026 budget is in the system and everybody's working 155 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:15,279 with that now. Thank you. Were there any other 156 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:20,399 committees? All right. We have no appointments. 157 00:12:18,800 --> 00:12:25,120 Now we're going down the presentation by the mayor. I know some of you council 158 00:12:22,079 --> 00:12:28,560 people may see a a large uh group of people in the building today. And I 159 00:12:26,880 --> 00:12:33,200 personally want to first say I want to read a few things and then say thank you 160 00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:38,839 to all the men and women that comes to work for West Memphis to make it be what 161 00:12:34,959 --> 00:12:38,839 it needs to be. Thank you. 162 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:52,560 Our city has endured so much whether it was the pandemic of COVID nearly over a 163 00:12:49,519 --> 00:12:58,720 year ago as well as the nearly over a year ago catastrophic historic flood. 164 00:12:55,839 --> 00:13:04,639 now historic snowstorm. And I want to remind everyone, the citizens of West 165 00:13:00,560 --> 00:13:09,519 Memphis, that this too shall pass. I can express how proud I am of the great work 166 00:13:07,279 --> 00:13:15,120 that our department heads and staff, city members, and citizen volunteers did 167 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:22,160 during this recent weather storm. to have snow, sle, and freezing rain come 168 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:28,320 down on our city for approximately 24 hours where below freezing temperatures 169 00:13:24,639 --> 00:13:35,040 for the days following is very unusual. Yes, we learning that God works in 170 00:13:32,079 --> 00:13:40,720 mysterious ways. But yes, this is the one thing we can learn and learn from. 171 00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:46,399 You all know that I don't hide my faith and what God's mean to me. I pray in my 172 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:50,800 office every day for each one of my city family members on a daily basis that you 173 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:56,079 are performing your task to the best of your ability. And it reminds me of 174 00:13:52,880 --> 00:14:03,839 Romans 13:7 where it said admonishes us to give honor to to whom honor is due. 175 00:14:01,279 --> 00:14:10,880 Our emergency response efforts were led by OEM director 176 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:14,959 Dwayne Rose. He coordinated with all of our 177 00:14:12,639 --> 00:14:19,760 departments to ensure that city government was there for our citizens. 178 00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:23,720 Director Rose, I want to say thank you for doing that for us. 179 00:14:27,600 --> 00:14:36,880 Our police far EMS departments responded to every call 180 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:42,320 that came in with little regard for their own life and safety. They once 181 00:14:40,160 --> 00:14:48,480 again overachieved. Our public works and street departments 182 00:14:45,519 --> 00:14:53,760 worked around the clock to ensure that as many of our major streets and 183 00:14:51,040 --> 00:14:59,120 thorough affairs were passable as soon as it was possible. teams led by Odell 184 00:14:57,279 --> 00:15:06,320 Slaughter and Danny Montgomery 185 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:11,120 and the team did the basic needs but not overtime was not overlooked because they 186 00:15:09,120 --> 00:15:16,079 done everything they could do during the time that we have. So many people have 187 00:15:13,920 --> 00:15:21,519 to understand that we don't necessarily have all of the million-dollar equipment 188 00:15:19,279 --> 00:15:25,760 that major cities up north have because guess what? They have snow on a daily 189 00:15:24,079 --> 00:15:30,959 basis. So, it'd be smart for this council to come in and buy the equipment 190 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:35,839 if we had all snow throughout the year, but we have to work with what we have. 191 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:41,279 And many people have gotten hurt on we're doing this. Long before the storm 192 00:15:38,560 --> 00:15:45,839 set in, our utility department understood that one of the best things 193 00:15:43,199 --> 00:15:52,720 that they could do was to implement an aggressive tree cutting program to clear 194 00:15:48,320 --> 00:15:58,079 lands lines as as many tree limbs as possible. and they did that. That's why 195 00:15:55,360 --> 00:16:04,399 our power didn't go out. They also was ready to address any power outages if 196 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:11,360 some had occurred. Every one of our team members was ready 197 00:16:07,759 --> 00:16:17,440 to contribute. Even as mayor, I didn't miss a day of work because if I asked 198 00:16:14,560 --> 00:16:22,320 them to come in, I needed to be here as well. Even if it was just in their 199 00:16:19,920 --> 00:16:26,880 office, they need to see me. if I'm going to ask these men and women to put 200 00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:31,440 their lives on the line. As I have grown, I have learned that it may be 201 00:16:29,759 --> 00:16:37,279 though few little citizens that may complain, but there are thousands of 202 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:44,320 them who are so thankful. It also reminded me of John 16 and 33 203 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:48,800 and it says in the world you will have tribulation 204 00:16:46,079 --> 00:16:54,800 but take heart I will overcome the world. God never said that it would be 205 00:16:52,399 --> 00:17:02,639 it wouldn't be struggles, but he assured us that we will always be for us to see 206 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:06,120 things through. So I imagine myself a crazy thought. 207 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:14,559 If I had a dream, I said, "Let me go to heaven and talk to 208 00:17:12,160 --> 00:17:19,120 God." And I thought was so important when I were thinking about this. And I 209 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:22,640 said, "Why did you let the why did you let it snow in the city of West 210 00:17:20,959 --> 00:17:28,319 Memphis?" And you know, his response was, "I 211 00:17:25,360 --> 00:17:32,559 allowed to snow in 75% of the United States." 212 00:17:30,559 --> 00:17:36,320 Then I said, "But some of my citizens wanted to get out and see and check on 213 00:17:34,799 --> 00:17:42,799 their family." His response once again was, "It's best 214 00:17:39,360 --> 00:17:46,240 not to get out because over 65 families and your neighboring states like 215 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:51,039 Tennessee and Mississippi are making funeral arrangements. 216 00:17:48,720 --> 00:17:55,600 If no one died here in the city of West Memphis, my citizen was complaining 217 00:17:53,760 --> 00:18:00,400 about staying at home and just watching TV." 218 00:17:57,039 --> 00:18:04,960 His response once again was Tennessee was one of the worst power allergies 219 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:10,240 from Nashville to the middle of the state and West Memphis didn't have no 220 00:18:08,160 --> 00:18:15,520 power allergies. Some was complained about not having 221 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:21,919 drink well some complained about having water to drink and didn't get to the 222 00:18:19,600 --> 00:18:27,200 store. And guess what respond once again to me was at least you had water and 223 00:18:25,360 --> 00:18:31,120 some people like in Park and Arkansas right down the road are under more 224 00:18:29,120 --> 00:18:36,880 water. Some people wanted to drive anyway but 225 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:42,799 they said it was limited. Once again, his response was, "It's best 226 00:18:40,480 --> 00:18:47,280 to drive limited because right in Mississippi, they can't go nowhere 227 00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:55,440 because most of the highways and Interstate 55 was closed." 228 00:18:52,000 --> 00:19:00,799 People saying that they trash didn't get picked up. 229 00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:05,520 Now, many I got I can name three people, but due to I don't want to call their 230 00:19:03,039 --> 00:19:10,080 name publicly, they are hurt right now. I was injured and Danny Montgomery knows 231 00:19:08,559 --> 00:19:14,400 what I'm talking about. They are in injured picking up people's trash and 232 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:19,360 helping in the streets picking up the mess that we throw out. But we rather 233 00:19:16,720 --> 00:19:23,840 risk our own people life to pick up our mess and we can't take one or two days 234 00:19:21,440 --> 00:19:27,400 just to hang tight to make sure that all of us is safe. 235 00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:36,000 » So his response was, "No, they are working overtime to pick up trash. You 236 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:41,919 know that." and getting hurt picking up trash. If the trash is more important 237 00:19:38,559 --> 00:19:47,520 than the most precious commodity in the city, which is his people, look right 238 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:53,360 across the bridge in Memphis. They still haven't start picking up trash. 239 00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:57,679 » That's true. So, my last thing God said, Marco, this 240 00:19:56,400 --> 00:20:04,080 going to be the last question I'm going to answer right now. I got to ask him a 241 00:20:01,280 --> 00:20:10,559 lot of question. So he said we have to open up a warming shelter and many of us 242 00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:14,320 had to go up there and volunteer. I had to get Councilwoman Muhammad at the 243 00:20:13,280 --> 00:20:20,240 house to >> to come with me as well. Uh Councilman 244 00:20:17,440 --> 00:20:25,919 uh Mundy was there to come help me open up this shelter and to get to help the 245 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:31,200 homeless. But not just the homeless. It was people that some people that wasn't 246 00:20:27,679 --> 00:20:36,080 homeless. Some of them had HVAC issues where they cannot have quality uh 247 00:20:34,240 --> 00:20:41,120 warming in their home. So they had to come there. And some 248 00:20:39,280 --> 00:20:48,520 that were just hungry because let me tell you this at the woman shelter they 249 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:48,520 feed you better than when you at home. 250 00:20:49,280 --> 00:20:57,039 and his respond was simply that was really my doing because I believed and 251 00:20:54,559 --> 00:21:02,159 wanted to see the horror of the people of West Memphis 252 00:20:59,840 --> 00:21:07,760 and because of that this is why I allowed that to happen. So he said so 253 00:21:05,039 --> 00:21:11,600 when some people pray for strength I'm not going to come from heaven and give 254 00:21:09,840 --> 00:21:16,880 you muscles >> I'm going to give you challenges to help 255 00:21:13,600 --> 00:21:22,159 to build your strength. So I looked at him, he looked at me, 256 00:21:20,320 --> 00:21:29,880 » I looked back at him and he looked at me and then I looked at him again and he 257 00:21:24,159 --> 00:21:29,880 looked back at me and I said, 258 00:21:31,039 --> 00:21:38,960 "I'm I'm sort of upset." He said, "Well, what you going to do?" 259 00:21:36,799 --> 00:21:46,120 » I said, "What I'm going to do? I'm going to go down there and tell the people 260 00:21:41,039 --> 00:21:46,120 what I told them last time to stay that 261 00:21:47,760 --> 00:21:52,000 And he looked at me and said, "No, this not what you're going to tell him, but 262 00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:56,480 what you're going to do, you're going to motivate and you're going to encourage 263 00:21:53,200 --> 00:22:02,720 your citizen by saying, "Be strong, be courage, 264 00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:09,360 do not be afraid or dismayed for me, the Lord your God will be with you all 265 00:22:05,440 --> 00:22:14,480 forever as we go." So he said, "Honor your people." And when I think about the 266 00:22:12,159 --> 00:22:23,039 people who have helped us to the storm, I honor the Wayne Rose. Thank you. Odell 267 00:22:19,760 --> 00:22:32,919 Slaughter, your men and women. Danny Montgomery, your men and women. 268 00:22:27,520 --> 00:22:32,919 Chief Taylor, your men and women. 269 00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:43,280 Chief Elely, your men and women. Bob Atkins, 270 00:22:39,760 --> 00:22:48,760 your men and women. Nick Coulter for making sure that the world knew what was 271 00:22:45,520 --> 00:22:48,760 going on. 272 00:22:49,919 --> 00:22:57,159 Buzz Spears from the county, thank you for taking care of the whole county 273 00:22:57,520 --> 00:23:03,600 and all of the city family members here in the city of West Memphis, this city 274 00:23:01,440 --> 00:23:08,240 council and all of you, but not just you all. 275 00:23:05,280 --> 00:23:12,960 New Beginning Methodist Church, the Bridge Church, 276 00:23:10,720 --> 00:23:15,200 Jean Stimson, Big Star. I thought I seen some of them back in the back. 277 00:23:14,240 --> 00:23:23,120 » Done. It's back there. >> Okay. Done. I see you. I see you. Pizza 278 00:23:18,559 --> 00:23:29,440 Pro, New Beginning Methodist Church, Robert Skill Bosch. 279 00:23:26,320 --> 00:23:35,120 I seen Kenny Phillips, Judge Woody Willis, Dennis Sumpter, 280 00:23:32,960 --> 00:23:38,880 Rob Thorne. Can y'all believe it? For the first 281 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:42,159 time, the Patriots and the Devils got together to do something together. West 282 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:46,600 Memphis School District and Marian School District, they brought food. 283 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:58,440 our city council, but also I want to tell you all about Miss Carla Meris, 284 00:23:55,039 --> 00:23:58,440 Jolie Wales, 285 00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:04,760 Victoria Phillips, Miss Ursula Williams, 286 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:13,320 Toana Tana Tana Bailey, 287 00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:22,159 Dena And I'm telling y'all, she is a beast. A 288 00:24:19,279 --> 00:24:29,000 real beast. She came in and ran this show like that was her own house. Dr. 289 00:24:24,880 --> 00:24:29,000 Afreda Robinson, 290 00:24:29,760 --> 00:24:36,880 Joanne Clark, Kathy Hot Baker, 291 00:24:35,279 --> 00:24:41,559 Call the Grove. Where you at? Call the Grove. Barry Brad Johnson, where you at? 292 00:24:43,279 --> 00:24:46,840 Ricky Felix, 293 00:24:47,679 --> 00:24:58,159 Carrie Sullivan, Lawrence Carter, Andre Dunigan, 294 00:24:54,400 --> 00:25:04,080 Darcier Robinson, Lawrence Carter, Emerald Whitley. 295 00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:15,440 I don't know how to pronounce this name is a Y A L Y. What's that? 296 00:25:10,640 --> 00:25:20,240 and Cecilia. Bass for Bass for >> analise. That a what? This ain't what 297 00:25:17,360 --> 00:25:23,799 this Anelise Beford. 298 00:25:25,520 --> 00:25:31,600 Did I leave anyone out? Cuz you was there all today. You was there every 299 00:25:28,559 --> 00:25:34,559 day. I think I got everyone. Did I leave any businesses out there? Could you 300 00:25:33,440 --> 00:25:36,559 » Wall Bass? >> Wall Basset. 301 00:25:35,679 --> 00:25:39,919 » Walt Mass. >> Walt Mass. That's right. W Mass Bass 302 00:25:38,640 --> 00:25:42,919 Chevrolet. They they donated >> him. 303 00:25:48,640 --> 00:25:53,200 » All right. I hear them deltas in the house. Hey, let me hear that little 304 00:25:52,080 --> 00:25:56,440 noise. Let me hear that little noise y'all do. 305 00:25:56,880 --> 00:26:06,240 It was the Deltas. Okay. >> New Beth Church as well. 306 00:26:03,600 --> 00:26:10,880 All right. Oh, I I Nick gave me some real good real 307 00:26:09,440 --> 00:26:14,400 good I'm getting ready to bring to I want to make sure we got everything real 308 00:26:13,039 --> 00:26:17,840 acknowledge everything because during this time and we still going through it. 309 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:22,480 We not over. So I want folks to know we still my men and women out there are 310 00:26:19,919 --> 00:26:27,679 battling with this this weather as weather still slipping and falling. Our 311 00:26:24,720 --> 00:26:32,799 police department was on the little 4x4 chasing people. Well, not chasing people 312 00:26:29,520 --> 00:26:37,200 but it uh the the ambulances are going everywhere. So, it's it's still going 313 00:26:34,960 --> 00:26:40,240 on. But let me show you why this is so good. Because when you you go through 314 00:26:38,400 --> 00:26:44,720 this and you show that you have a great heart. 315 00:26:42,080 --> 00:26:48,960 I tried to get us some help. And I think uh Mr. O Slaughter, he went and talked 316 00:26:46,640 --> 00:26:54,080 to a young man by the name of Nick Haynes in Santino and said that we need 317 00:26:51,840 --> 00:26:58,240 some help trying to get these streets. They were doing what they do, but you 318 00:26:55,600 --> 00:27:01,679 know, but it was impossible for us to do every street in West Memphis. So, we had 319 00:27:00,159 --> 00:27:07,919 to try to get some help. And we did go and try to get the schools and 320 00:27:05,440 --> 00:27:14,960 SN, that's their proper name, they came out and um got lots of uh street 321 00:27:11,919 --> 00:27:17,960 shoveling for us and they charged us $28,842. 322 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:27,279 That what they charged us to do. And then guess what they did? They came to 323 00:27:24,559 --> 00:27:33,480 me and said, "Guess what, Dwayne Rose? We want to donate that 324 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:33,480 $28,842,000 325 00:27:34,000 --> 00:27:45,720 check back to the warming center. Nick, raise your hand. You said stand 326 00:27:40,559 --> 00:27:45,720 for a minute. Stand for a second. Yeah. 327 00:27:53,919 --> 00:27:59,600 So, it's great people like this within our community. So, we have learned when 328 00:27:57,520 --> 00:28:04,880 we need one another. We be we really become one West Memphis and we work 329 00:28:02,320 --> 00:28:10,480 together and I I'm I'm going to go to war for my city family members because 330 00:28:07,679 --> 00:28:14,240 regardless, uh I know what you all go through and you all are appreciated. I 331 00:28:12,000 --> 00:28:18,080 know when people say, "Well, hey, they ain't doing this. They ain't doing 332 00:28:15,919 --> 00:28:21,840 this." I know what you're doing. And I just want to say thank you as mayor and 333 00:28:20,399 --> 00:28:26,640 this council, I'm sure they feel the same way that I feel. We appreciate you 334 00:28:24,399 --> 00:28:29,880 for everything that you are doing for our city. 335 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:50,240 All right. I got one more other thing I want to add. 336 00:28:47,120 --> 00:28:54,640 I have this great opportunity right now to introduce 337 00:28:52,240 --> 00:29:00,000 our new police chief. I'm going to bring him forward. A young man that has been 338 00:28:56,960 --> 00:29:04,159 with us almost 20 years who is now leaning homebased 339 00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:09,279 and got a homebased team that's with him. So I'm going to let him introduce 340 00:29:06,799 --> 00:29:14,679 his men and women. Chief Taylor, will you come forward, 341 00:29:11,679 --> 00:29:14,679 please? 342 00:29:21,200 --> 00:29:27,520 Hey everybody. >> First of all, uh I want to thank you 343 00:29:24,480 --> 00:29:31,600 mayor for this opportunity. Um make sure you know council know I'm going to do 344 00:29:29,200 --> 00:29:36,240 everything I can to make sure to make this choice worthwhile for you guys um 345 00:29:33,919 --> 00:29:40,240 for the city of West Memphis and for the West Memphis Police Department. Um, one 346 00:29:39,120 --> 00:29:44,799 of the ways that I've been trying to do that right now, uh, trying to get me a 347 00:29:42,799 --> 00:29:50,080 staff together that's full of, um, experience and knowledge and that's as 348 00:29:47,279 --> 00:29:55,679 well as vested in this community and and in the department. Um, introduce my 349 00:29:52,559 --> 00:30:01,559 assistant chief um, well known James Presley, been serving this community 28 350 00:29:58,559 --> 00:30:01,559 years. 351 00:30:03,360 --> 00:30:11,080 Uh, we got Captain Captain Brad Brent Bradley been serving this community for 352 00:30:07,600 --> 00:30:11,080 23 years. 353 00:30:12,320 --> 00:30:19,480 So, Major Anthony Hampton, been serving this community for 26 years. 354 00:30:19,760 --> 00:30:26,520 Uh, we got a Captain Eric Johnson, been serving this community for 18 years. 355 00:30:27,840 --> 00:30:35,120 And we got Captain Mickey Strahorn. Yes, sir. I've been serving this community 356 00:30:31,919 --> 00:30:39,600 for 37 years. I got one captain that's um that's he's 357 00:30:37,360 --> 00:30:44,799 been hired u actually his orientation he'll be he'll be here in in uniform 358 00:30:41,679 --> 00:30:50,320 starting February 23rd and he also has another 20 25 plus years of service in 359 00:30:47,200 --> 00:30:55,279 this community. Um our analyst we hired a crime analyst 360 00:30:52,720 --> 00:30:59,440 Joseph White. He also has 18 years of service. And 361 00:30:58,320 --> 00:31:03,520 just want everybody know we're going to do what we got to do to make sure that 362 00:31:01,600 --> 00:31:07,039 uh build our build this relationship with you guys with the community and 363 00:31:05,279 --> 00:31:08,880 make sure that uh we we >> support each other. 364 00:31:08,320 --> 00:31:11,279 » Ma'am, >> support each other. 365 00:31:09,919 --> 00:31:16,760 » Yes, ma'am. This department going to support each other and we going to all 366 00:31:12,399 --> 00:31:16,760 be we're going to be one West Memphis. 367 00:31:22,080 --> 00:31:28,880 So I I definitely want you all to meet our new police department and the great 368 00:31:26,000 --> 00:31:34,200 men that's locally here who's coming our department 369 00:31:30,559 --> 00:31:34,200 » also. Um 370 00:31:37,840 --> 00:31:41,600 do we have an announcement to by the council? Did you all have an 371 00:31:41,120 --> 00:31:46,320 announcement? >> I do have one announcement. Our next 372 00:31:44,240 --> 00:31:51,840 council meeting on February 19th, we will be having our annual black history 373 00:31:48,880 --> 00:31:55,200 program in our five five o'clock session and it's going to be directly after our 374 00:31:53,679 --> 00:31:58,960 meeting. All of the participants and honores have been contacted and they 375 00:31:57,600 --> 00:32:04,240 most certainly are looking forward to such a grand event. 376 00:32:01,519 --> 00:32:10,159 » Thank you. I guess we'll go down this way. I just I'm also I just want to 377 00:32:06,240 --> 00:32:15,120 recognize transit equality day uh here so you all would know about that. 378 00:32:12,240 --> 00:32:17,840 transfer quality today. You all have an announcement thing you 379 00:32:17,360 --> 00:32:23,279 want to add? >> Chamber dinner tonight. 380 00:32:19,919 --> 00:32:29,360 » Chamber commerce dinner is it's at the W. 381 00:32:26,080 --> 00:32:32,720 » I'm sorry. Mayor Ferguson >> the George Ferguson Center. 382 00:32:30,720 --> 00:32:37,600 » What time is that? 7. >> 6. Thanks start getting here at 6. 383 00:32:34,640 --> 00:32:41,919 Thanks to start program starts at 6:30. >> Dan Betty, can I call your name up on 384 00:32:39,519 --> 00:32:45,039 this one? I know you stand up and tell her who in the chamber. 385 00:32:43,840 --> 00:32:50,960 » All right. Good afternoon everyone. Um the annual 386 00:32:48,559 --> 00:32:57,600 chamber banquet Saturday night banquet will be tonight at the mayor city center 387 00:32:53,919 --> 00:33:03,480 at 6:30 p.m. Our guest speaker for the hour is 388 00:33:00,480 --> 00:33:03,480 grouped 389 00:33:04,080 --> 00:33:10,440 over to the next president of the board of directors for 390 00:33:11,360 --> 00:33:15,320 » uh what we want you to keep. 391 00:33:16,000 --> 00:33:23,720 I was just joking. All right. Uh, was there any other announcements? 392 00:33:24,399 --> 00:33:30,640 Well, I guess I got to get back to work. So, I 393 00:33:28,880 --> 00:33:38,240 look at you then you going to look at me. I look back at you. Got to get a 394 00:33:34,000 --> 00:33:44,519 motion. Second to move. Second. Second. All in favor? I oppose. That's all.