[0:00] Heat. Heat. [0:44] Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, Lord, we pray and thank you for our [0:51] city. We pray today that you would grant our mayor and our city council people [0:59] wisdom and peace for the coming decisions that we're about to go into. [1:06] And Lord, we thank you for blessing this city with prosperity [1:10] and well-being. Bless all of its citizens. We thank you for growing our [1:15] great city and for taking us further into the future in a positive manner. [1:21] Lord, we pray for our officials in this city, our police officers and fire [1:27] people and first responders and everybody that comes together to make [1:32] this city work as it does now. And Lord, we know that you can do all things and [1:37] take us further than we've ever been before. And Lord, we come in faith and [1:41] ask that you would grant this city the prosperity that has been coming for [1:47] years. In Jesus' name, let every heart say amen. [1:51] » Amen. >> Amen. [1:53] » Let us all remain standing and face the flag for the pledge [1:59] to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it [2:04] stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice [2:10] for all. >> Thank you. And you can have a seat. [2:17] » Eight out of 10. [2:21] » I'm going to call this meeting to order. I'm going to have my city clerk. Would [2:24] she please call the role? >> Mlendon, [2:27] » present. >> City attorney Stevenson [2:29] » here. >> City Treasure Suda Jr. [2:32] » here. >> Councelor Bale [2:34] » here. Councelor Bruce >> here. [2:35] » Councelor Krone >> here. [2:37] » Councelor Catz >> here. [2:38] » Councelor Harris >> here. [2:40] » Councelor Holt >> here. [2:42] » Councelor Hutchinson. >> Council Muhammed [2:45] » present. >> Councelor Monday. [2:47] » Council Mary >> here. [2:50] » I did have the opportunity to speak to Councilwoman Hutchinson and uh [2:53] Councilman uh Monday. So uh they won't be in but we got eight out of 10 [2:59] present. So >> nine out of 10. [3:00] » Huh? >> Was it nine? [3:02] » No, eight. >> Okay. Excuse me. [3:04] » We got eight out of 10. Correct. We'll go ahead and start our meeting. Uh we [3:08] had no bid openings. Uh any corrections to the minutes? [3:12] » Motion approve is submitted. Second. >> All in favor? I [3:16] » oppose. Uh those minutes are approved. We'll [3:19] move down to old business. City attorney. [3:23] This the third reading of an ordinance to adopt and establish clear standards [3:27] for the development of accessory dwelling units in compliance with act [3:32] 313 of 2025 which mandates that all municipalities allow at least one [3:38] accessory dwelling unit ADU on single family residential lots significantly [3:45] enhancing housing flexibility in the city of West Memphis, Arkansas to [3:50] declare an emergency and for other purposes. [3:53] Hear that red for third and final time. Can I get a motion and a second? [3:58] » So moved. >> Second. [3:59] » We got a motion, a second. Is there any discussion at this point? [4:03] » Uh, mayor, just the ordinance you have in front of you now is the fourth [4:08] revision of the original ordinance that was passed out. So, planning development [4:12] has asked that you adopt this ordinance as it's been amended [4:17] u at today's meeting. So moved. [4:22] » Second. >> Motion. All in [4:24] » favor. I >> oppose. The amendment has been approved. [4:30] Now I got a motion to second to approve it. [4:34] » All in favor? I >> I [4:35] » oppose. It is approved. Will you give that ordinance a number? And we got the [4:41] emergency clause coming up. >> There's no emergency clause. Mayor with [4:44] the amended version. Okay. >> It was okay. Take it out. [4:48] » The order. Order is number 2720 2720 [4:54] » 27 >> 20 [4:56] » 2720 is that number 2720 [5:00] we had no old business I mean no new business I'm sorry but actually we need [5:06] to add a city need to city attorney need to speak on an offer that he need tell [5:11] you all about so can we add that to the agenda the offer [5:14] » so moved >> second all in [5:16] » favor I >> opposed Yes, added s attorney. You go [5:20] ahead. >> Thank you, mayor. U I'm gonna call it a [5:22] litigation update and u I've been in communication with the municipal league [5:27] this week and one of the things that they had asked me to do was update the [5:31] council on some litigation that's coming up in federal court in West Hela [5:35] starting on the 9th which is Monday. U this is a case that uh the plaintiff in [5:42] this case is named Chey Pulium. the city has actually been dismissed from the [5:47] lawsuit. So, uh the city has no liability based upon the ruling of the [5:55] judge as a matter of law. The officer has not been dismissed. So, the trial [6:00] will go on with regard to the officer as the only defendant. The municipal league [6:05] still provides coverage for that officer due to the type of claim it is. And so [6:12] usually in cases where they're about to go to trial, it's not unusual for a [6:19] plaintiff to make a demand upon the defendant to avoid a trial to see if [6:24] they can get a settlement and not go through the trial. Even though we've [6:28] been dismissed from the case, uh the lawyer who likes to sue us and has 90% [6:33] of the lawsuits against us believes that their demand that they've made is for [6:39] $250,000. And so the municipal league believes [6:44] that I've spoken with John Wilkerson who is the head of litigation and the also [6:49] Jen Adams who has the uh particular defense of this case and they believe [6:54] that demand is way out of line and so far out of line that it doesn't even [7:01] uh merit a counter offer. So that that's the position that they feel they're in [7:08] and they in this particular case it's a 9010 coverage situation. So the [7:13] municipal league pays 90% of any judgment or settlement and the city [7:18] would only be paying 10%. So I listen to them carefully about these things [7:22] because they've got the biggest stake in these claims especially with with regard [7:27] to police uh claims. So, uh, what I would need from the council is a motion [7:34] to either, uh, accept, reject, or make a counter offer to this $250,000 demand. [7:42] Uh, my recommendation is to reject it with no counter offer. [7:47] » I recommend that we reject it as well. So, can I get a motion second to [7:51] » Motion to approve? >> Second. [7:55] » Motion second. >> Could you reject? What's the name again [7:58] on the >> motion and second to reject? Yes. [8:01] » You got a motion and second in the court. [8:03] » Yes. Who's what's the name again? >> Cheesy pull you. [8:08] » I abstain. >> Okay. [8:11] All right. We got a motion to second toward Jack. So, will you call the role, [8:15] please? [8:18] » Councelor Bale, [8:22] » reject. Councelor Bruce, [8:26] » reject. >> Councelor Kroom, [8:28] » reject. >> Councelor Kat, [8:30] » reject the offer. >> Councelor Harris, [8:32] » reject. >> Councelor Holt, [8:37] » Council Hutchinson, Councelor Mohamd, >> abstain. [8:42] » Council, >> sorry, I'm not [8:46] » rejected. Okay. >> Council Mary, [8:50] » reject. We have several uh rejection and one [8:55] abstension. I do understand why Miss Muhammad is uh objecting. [9:01] » All right. It fails uh s I mean no it passed to the attorney the rejection [9:05] did. >> Yes. I'll let Migo. [9:08] » All right. >> And just to add to this, they wanted me [9:11] to tell you also that there could be other [9:15] uh demands made during the trial and they would be in contact with me if that [9:19] happened. Uh so maybe next week uh I may have some more information but but right [9:26] now that's all I know. >> Thank you. Uh we're going to go down to [9:30] permission request. Uh we have one item for permission request to approve and [9:34] this which is what the planning commission has approved the new [9:37] apartment complex that's going like to go down on airport boulevard. I'm sorry. [9:43] College college boulevard. I got to get a motion to second approve it. So moved. [9:49] » Second. >> All in favor? I [9:51] » I oppose. >> It's approved. Then we're going to go [9:55] down to committee reports. We're going to start out with our police department. [10:01] » Good afternoon. Police department met on Monday, February 2nd, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. [10:08] And we had a lengthy meeting. We were introduced to our new staff on the [10:13] police and we had a good meeting. And the highlights of that meeting is uh we [10:18] have personnel, we have 88 out of 105 um positions filled. We have seven in [10:27] training at the academy as of now. Uh we also had last year we had eight [10:34] new units cars. This year they are asking for five only [10:39] five to reserve money for outfitting. They also stated that they need an [10:45] armored vehicle. The one that we have now is [10:49] outdated and I think it's an offer. So they are they are planning a fundraiser [10:54] and we are asking everyone to support them in this effort. [11:01] We are continuing our grant search to supply better supply police department [11:07] with equipment. our community outreach program. They are revamping it and they [11:14] want to build a positive relationship with our [11:18] youth and our citizen as a whole in West Memphis. [11:24] Crime rate has gone down relative to this time [11:28] last year. I'm looking forward to a wonderful [11:34] working relationship with our police department who are doing a very good [11:37] job. We want to thank you all and report. Thank you. We're going to move [11:42] down the budget. >> Yes, sir. Budget met last Thursday. Uh [11:47] Miss Perry has emailed everyone several reports this morning. I believe we'll be [11:52] closing the 2025 book year midFebruary maybe. Um and then of course after the [11:59] order's over with, there'll always be a couple adjustments you'll have to go [12:02] back in and address. Uh the 2026 budget is in the system and everybody's working [12:08] with that now. Thank you. Were there any other [12:13] committees? All right. We have no appointments. [12:18] Now we're going down the presentation by the mayor. I know some of you council [12:22] people may see a a large uh group of people in the building today. And I [12:26] personally want to first say I want to read a few things and then say thank you [12:30] to all the men and women that comes to work for West Memphis to make it be what [12:34] it needs to be. Thank you. [12:43] Our city has endured so much whether it was the pandemic of COVID nearly over a [12:49] year ago as well as the nearly over a year ago catastrophic historic flood. [12:55] now historic snowstorm. And I want to remind everyone, the citizens of West [13:00] Memphis, that this too shall pass. I can express how proud I am of the great work [13:07] that our department heads and staff, city members, and citizen volunteers did [13:12] during this recent weather storm. to have snow, sle, and freezing rain come [13:18] down on our city for approximately 24 hours where below freezing temperatures [13:24] for the days following is very unusual. Yes, we learning that God works in [13:32] mysterious ways. But yes, this is the one thing we can learn and learn from. [13:38] You all know that I don't hide my faith and what God's mean to me. I pray in my [13:44] office every day for each one of my city family members on a daily basis that you [13:49] are performing your task to the best of your ability. And it reminds me of [13:52] Romans 13:7 where it said admonishes us to give honor to to whom honor is due. [14:01] Our emergency response efforts were led by OEM director [14:07] Dwayne Rose. He coordinated with all of our [14:12] departments to ensure that city government was there for our citizens. [14:18] Director Rose, I want to say thank you for doing that for us. [14:27] Our police far EMS departments responded to every call [14:33] that came in with little regard for their own life and safety. They once [14:40] again overachieved. Our public works and street departments [14:45] worked around the clock to ensure that as many of our major streets and [14:51] thorough affairs were passable as soon as it was possible. teams led by Odell [14:57] Slaughter and Danny Montgomery [15:01] and the team did the basic needs but not overtime was not overlooked because they [15:09] done everything they could do during the time that we have. So many people have [15:13] to understand that we don't necessarily have all of the million-dollar equipment [15:19] that major cities up north have because guess what? They have snow on a daily [15:24] basis. So, it'd be smart for this council to come in and buy the equipment [15:28] if we had all snow throughout the year, but we have to work with what we have. [15:33] And many people have gotten hurt on we're doing this. Long before the storm [15:38] set in, our utility department understood that one of the best things [15:43] that they could do was to implement an aggressive tree cutting program to clear [15:48] lands lines as as many tree limbs as possible. and they did that. That's why [15:55] our power didn't go out. They also was ready to address any power outages if [16:01] some had occurred. Every one of our team members was ready [16:07] to contribute. Even as mayor, I didn't miss a day of work because if I asked [16:14] them to come in, I needed to be here as well. Even if it was just in their [16:19] office, they need to see me. if I'm going to ask these men and women to put [16:24] their lives on the line. As I have grown, I have learned that it may be [16:29] though few little citizens that may complain, but there are thousands of [16:34] them who are so thankful. It also reminded me of John 16 and 33 [16:41] and it says in the world you will have tribulation [16:46] but take heart I will overcome the world. God never said that it would be [16:52] it wouldn't be struggles, but he assured us that we will always be for us to see [16:58] things through. So I imagine myself a crazy thought. [17:06] If I had a dream, I said, "Let me go to heaven and talk to [17:12] God." And I thought was so important when I were thinking about this. And I [17:16] said, "Why did you let the why did you let it snow in the city of West [17:20] Memphis?" And you know, his response was, "I [17:25] allowed to snow in 75% of the United States." [17:30] Then I said, "But some of my citizens wanted to get out and see and check on [17:34] their family." His response once again was, "It's best [17:39] not to get out because over 65 families and your neighboring states like [17:44] Tennessee and Mississippi are making funeral arrangements. [17:48] If no one died here in the city of West Memphis, my citizen was complaining [17:53] about staying at home and just watching TV." [17:57] His response once again was Tennessee was one of the worst power allergies [18:02] from Nashville to the middle of the state and West Memphis didn't have no [18:08] power allergies. Some was complained about not having [18:12] drink well some complained about having water to drink and didn't get to the [18:19] store. And guess what respond once again to me was at least you had water and [18:25] some people like in Park and Arkansas right down the road are under more [18:29] water. Some people wanted to drive anyway but [18:34] they said it was limited. Once again, his response was, "It's best [18:40] to drive limited because right in Mississippi, they can't go nowhere [18:45] because most of the highways and Interstate 55 was closed." [18:52] People saying that they trash didn't get picked up. [18:57] Now, many I got I can name three people, but due to I don't want to call their [19:03] name publicly, they are hurt right now. I was injured and Danny Montgomery knows [19:08] what I'm talking about. They are in injured picking up people's trash and [19:12] helping in the streets picking up the mess that we throw out. But we rather [19:16] risk our own people life to pick up our mess and we can't take one or two days [19:21] just to hang tight to make sure that all of us is safe. [19:29] » So his response was, "No, they are working overtime to pick up trash. You [19:34] know that." and getting hurt picking up trash. If the trash is more important [19:38] than the most precious commodity in the city, which is his people, look right [19:44] across the bridge in Memphis. They still haven't start picking up trash. [19:50] » That's true. So, my last thing God said, Marco, this [19:56] going to be the last question I'm going to answer right now. I got to ask him a [20:01] lot of question. So he said we have to open up a warming shelter and many of us [20:08] had to go up there and volunteer. I had to get Councilwoman Muhammad at the [20:13] house to >> to come with me as well. Uh Councilman [20:17] uh Mundy was there to come help me open up this shelter and to get to help the [20:23] homeless. But not just the homeless. It was people that some people that wasn't [20:27] homeless. Some of them had HVAC issues where they cannot have quality uh [20:34] warming in their home. So they had to come there. And some [20:39] that were just hungry because let me tell you this at the woman shelter they [20:44] feed you better than when you at home. [20:49] and his respond was simply that was really my doing because I believed and [20:54] wanted to see the horror of the people of West Memphis [20:59] and because of that this is why I allowed that to happen. So he said so [21:05] when some people pray for strength I'm not going to come from heaven and give [21:09] you muscles >> I'm going to give you challenges to help [21:13] to build your strength. So I looked at him, he looked at me, [21:20] » I looked back at him and he looked at me and then I looked at him again and he [21:24] looked back at me and I said, [21:31] "I'm I'm sort of upset." He said, "Well, what you going to do?" [21:36] » I said, "What I'm going to do? I'm going to go down there and tell the people [21:41] what I told them last time to stay that [21:47] And he looked at me and said, "No, this not what you're going to tell him, but [21:50] what you're going to do, you're going to motivate and you're going to encourage [21:53] your citizen by saying, "Be strong, be courage, [21:58] do not be afraid or dismayed for me, the Lord your God will be with you all [22:05] forever as we go." So he said, "Honor your people." And when I think about the [22:12] people who have helped us to the storm, I honor the Wayne Rose. Thank you. Odell [22:19] Slaughter, your men and women. Danny Montgomery, your men and women. [22:27] Chief Taylor, your men and women. [22:33] Chief Elely, your men and women. Bob Atkins, [22:39] your men and women. Nick Coulter for making sure that the world knew what was [22:45] going on. [22:49] Buzz Spears from the county, thank you for taking care of the whole county [22:57] and all of the city family members here in the city of West Memphis, this city [23:01] council and all of you, but not just you all. [23:05] New Beginning Methodist Church, the Bridge Church, [23:10] Jean Stimson, Big Star. I thought I seen some of them back in the back. [23:14] » Done. It's back there. >> Okay. Done. I see you. I see you. Pizza [23:18] Pro, New Beginning Methodist Church, Robert Skill Bosch. [23:26] I seen Kenny Phillips, Judge Woody Willis, Dennis Sumpter, [23:32] Rob Thorne. Can y'all believe it? For the first [23:36] time, the Patriots and the Devils got together to do something together. West [23:40] Memphis School District and Marian School District, they brought food. [23:48] our city council, but also I want to tell you all about Miss Carla Meris, [23:55] Jolie Wales, [23:58] Victoria Phillips, Miss Ursula Williams, [24:07] Toana Tana Tana Bailey, [24:14] Dena And I'm telling y'all, she is a beast. A [24:19] real beast. She came in and ran this show like that was her own house. Dr. [24:24] Afreda Robinson, [24:29] Joanne Clark, Kathy Hot Baker, [24:35] Call the Grove. Where you at? Call the Grove. Barry Brad Johnson, where you at? [24:43] Ricky Felix, [24:47] Carrie Sullivan, Lawrence Carter, Andre Dunigan, [24:54] Darcier Robinson, Lawrence Carter, Emerald Whitley. [25:01] I don't know how to pronounce this name is a Y A L Y. What's that? [25:10] and Cecilia. Bass for Bass for >> analise. That a what? This ain't what [25:17] this Anelise Beford. [25:25] Did I leave anyone out? Cuz you was there all today. You was there every [25:28] day. I think I got everyone. Did I leave any businesses out there? Could you [25:33] » Wall Bass? >> Wall Basset. [25:35] » Walt Mass. >> Walt Mass. That's right. W Mass Bass [25:38] Chevrolet. They they donated >> him. [25:48] » All right. I hear them deltas in the house. Hey, let me hear that little [25:52] noise. Let me hear that little noise y'all do. [25:56] It was the Deltas. Okay. >> New Beth Church as well. [26:03] All right. Oh, I I Nick gave me some real good real [26:09] good I'm getting ready to bring to I want to make sure we got everything real [26:13] acknowledge everything because during this time and we still going through it. [26:16] We not over. So I want folks to know we still my men and women out there are [26:19] battling with this this weather as weather still slipping and falling. Our [26:24] police department was on the little 4x4 chasing people. Well, not chasing people [26:29] but it uh the the ambulances are going everywhere. So, it's it's still going [26:34] on. But let me show you why this is so good. Because when you you go through [26:38] this and you show that you have a great heart. [26:42] I tried to get us some help. And I think uh Mr. O Slaughter, he went and talked [26:46] to a young man by the name of Nick Haynes in Santino and said that we need [26:51] some help trying to get these streets. They were doing what they do, but you [26:55] know, but it was impossible for us to do every street in West Memphis. So, we had [27:00] to try to get some help. And we did go and try to get the schools and [27:05] SN, that's their proper name, they came out and um got lots of uh street [27:11] shoveling for us and they charged us $28,842. [27:19] That what they charged us to do. And then guess what they did? They came to [27:24] me and said, "Guess what, Dwayne Rose? We want to donate that [27:30] $28,842,000 [27:34] check back to the warming center. Nick, raise your hand. You said stand [27:40] for a minute. Stand for a second. Yeah. [27:53] So, it's great people like this within our community. So, we have learned when [27:57] we need one another. We be we really become one West Memphis and we work [28:02] together and I I'm I'm going to go to war for my city family members because [28:07] regardless, uh I know what you all go through and you all are appreciated. I [28:12] know when people say, "Well, hey, they ain't doing this. They ain't doing [28:15] this." I know what you're doing. And I just want to say thank you as mayor and [28:20] this council, I'm sure they feel the same way that I feel. We appreciate you [28:24] for everything that you are doing for our city. [28:42] All right. I got one more other thing I want to add. [28:47] I have this great opportunity right now to introduce [28:52] our new police chief. I'm going to bring him forward. A young man that has been [28:56] with us almost 20 years who is now leaning homebased [29:02] and got a homebased team that's with him. So I'm going to let him introduce [29:06] his men and women. Chief Taylor, will you come forward, [29:11] please? [29:21] Hey everybody. >> First of all, uh I want to thank you [29:24] mayor for this opportunity. Um make sure you know council know I'm going to do [29:29] everything I can to make sure to make this choice worthwhile for you guys um [29:33] for the city of West Memphis and for the West Memphis Police Department. Um, one [29:39] of the ways that I've been trying to do that right now, uh, trying to get me a [29:42] staff together that's full of, um, experience and knowledge and that's as [29:47] well as vested in this community and and in the department. Um, introduce my [29:52] assistant chief um, well known James Presley, been serving this community 28 [29:58] years. [30:03] Uh, we got Captain Captain Brad Brent Bradley been serving this community for [30:07] 23 years. [30:12] So, Major Anthony Hampton, been serving this community for 26 years. [30:19] Uh, we got a Captain Eric Johnson, been serving this community for 18 years. [30:27] And we got Captain Mickey Strahorn. Yes, sir. I've been serving this community [30:31] for 37 years. I got one captain that's um that's he's [30:37] been hired u actually his orientation he'll be he'll be here in in uniform [30:41] starting February 23rd and he also has another 20 25 plus years of service in [30:47] this community. Um our analyst we hired a crime analyst [30:52] Joseph White. He also has 18 years of service. And [30:58] just want everybody know we're going to do what we got to do to make sure that [31:01] uh build our build this relationship with you guys with the community and [31:05] make sure that uh we we >> support each other. [31:08] » Ma'am, >> support each other. [31:09] » Yes, ma'am. This department going to support each other and we going to all [31:12] be we're going to be one West Memphis. [31:22] So I I definitely want you all to meet our new police department and the great [31:26] men that's locally here who's coming our department [31:30] » also. Um [31:37] do we have an announcement to by the council? Did you all have an [31:41] announcement? >> I do have one announcement. Our next [31:44] council meeting on February 19th, we will be having our annual black history [31:48] program in our five five o'clock session and it's going to be directly after our [31:53] meeting. All of the participants and honores have been contacted and they [31:57] most certainly are looking forward to such a grand event. [32:01] » Thank you. I guess we'll go down this way. I just I'm also I just want to [32:06] recognize transit equality day uh here so you all would know about that. [32:12] transfer quality today. You all have an announcement thing you [32:17] want to add? >> Chamber dinner tonight. [32:19] » Chamber commerce dinner is it's at the W. [32:26] » I'm sorry. Mayor Ferguson >> the George Ferguson Center. [32:30] » What time is that? 7. >> 6. Thanks start getting here at 6. [32:34] Thanks to start program starts at 6:30. >> Dan Betty, can I call your name up on [32:39] this one? I know you stand up and tell her who in the chamber. [32:43] » All right. Good afternoon everyone. Um the annual [32:48] chamber banquet Saturday night banquet will be tonight at the mayor city center [32:53] at 6:30 p.m. Our guest speaker for the hour is [33:00] grouped [33:04] over to the next president of the board of directors for [33:11] » uh what we want you to keep. [33:16] I was just joking. All right. Uh, was there any other announcements? [33:24] Well, I guess I got to get back to work. So, I [33:28] look at you then you going to look at me. I look back at you. Got to get a [33:34] motion. Second to move. Second. Second. All in favor? I oppose. That's all.