May 15, 19698~
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS,
HELD ON THE 1KTH DAY OF MAY. 1969.
The City Council of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, met in regular session at its
regular meeting place in West Memphis, Arkansas, at x:30 o'clock P.M, on the 15th day of
May, 1969. The following were present: Mayor Bob Eden, and Aldermen: Pritchard Horton,
Kirby Leggett, C. T. Rodgers, R. L, Smith, F, C. Weis, R. T. Bentley, R. C. Bowie, and
H. R. Dabbs; and City Attorney R:, E. Wallin.
The following proceedings were had to-wit:
Minutes of Council Meeting on May 1, 1969, were approved as read.
Mr. Hugh Sullivan spokesman for a group protesting the Park Commission's changing of
rules regarding the ball program discussed with the Council rules adopted last season,
by-laws of the League, sportsmanah~p of players and coaches, and purpose of the .ball program.
Mayor Eden appointed a committee composed, of Aldermen Bowie, Leggett, and Horton to meet with
the Park Commission on the matter.
Alderman Smith introduced Mr. John Ramer, Jr. of the Weat Memphis Citizens Band Radio,
who presented complaint that the organization is being deprived of use of the room adjacent
to the kitchen at the Eugene Woods Civic Center on the 4th Monday Night of each Month.
Mr. Ramer stated they have 48 registered members, and need kitchen facilities in order to
have pot-luck suppers at their meetings as has been the custom since March 1966, however, a
controversy has developed pertaining to use of the loom with Mr. W. C. Hill, custodian of the
Civic Center and the DBS Sorority. After discussion, it was concensus of opinion the Citizens
Band Radio be granted permission to use the room May 26th, and Mayor Eden appointed a Committee
of Aldermen Bowie, Horton, and Smith to meet with Mr. Ramer, representative of DBS, and Mr. Hill
for a solution to the problem.
Mrs. Alma Roas, 701 S. 8th Street, requested extension of the permit for a trailer at her
store due to the illness of her husband. On December 5, 1968, permission was granted for six
months extension. After discussion, motion was made by Alderman Rodgers, seconded by Alderman
Leggett: That Mrs. Alma Ross be granted six months trailer permit extension. Upon vote, the
voting was as follows:
Ayess Aldermen: Horton, Leggett, Rodgers, Smith, Weis, Bentley, Bowie, and Dabbs.
Nays: None.
Mayor Eden reported 146 junk vehicles have been removed since the last report, making a
total of 696 vehicles, The Mayor stated two places have refused to remove care. The matter
was discussed, and it was agreed if do not voluntarily comply action is to be taken by the
City Attorney.
• An ordinance entitled "An Ordinance Establishing The West Memphis Motor Vehicle License
And Tax Upon Any Motor Vehicles Not Licensed In The State Of Arkansas, Which Are Owned By
Non-Residents Of The City Of West Memphis: Providing For Registration Stickers; Providing For
Penalties For Violations: And For Other Purposes" read the first time on April 17th, and the
second reading was postponed for 30 days on April 17th was read by the City Attorney. Motion
was made by Alderman Rodgers, seconded by Alderman Leggett: That the ordinance be opposed.
Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Ayes: Aldermen: Horton, Leggett, Rodgers, Smith, Weis, Bentley, Bowie, and Dabbs.
Nays: None.
Mayor Eden informed the Council of the expiration of P. G. Para's term on the Utility
Commission; thereupon, motion was made by Alderman Weis: That P. G. Para be nominated for
another five year term on the Utility Commission. The motion was seconded by Alderman Horton.
Alderman Bentley nominated Aubrey Holt. Comments were made by Aldermen Rodgers, Smith, and
Bentley as to conflict of interest of Mr. Para due to his business association with the Mayor,
reappointment of members to various boards, and appointment of younger men to the Boards. It
was brought to the Council's attention the Utility Commission has recommended Mr. Para be
reappointed. Upon roll call vote as to the appointment of Mr. Para as a Utility Commissioner,
the vote was as follows:
Ayes: Aldermen: Horton, Leggett, Weis, Bowie, and Dabbs.
Nays: Aldermen: Rodgers, Smith, and Bentley.
Mayor Eden declared the motion carried.
Thereupon, motion was made by Alderman Bentley, seconded by Alderman Smith: That P. G. Para's
appointment be approved by acclamation. Upon roll call vote, the voting was as follows:
Ayes: Aldermen: Horton, Leggett, Weis, Bowie, Dabbs, Bentley, Rodgers, and Smith.
Nays: None.
Mayor Eden reported Razorback Concrete Company, the low bidder for the Airport runway
extension, had agreed to reduce their b~d~:for:concrete 80¢ per yard, also redesign of items
approved by the FAA had decreased the amount of the contract, and Cy Bond, Jr., the engineer
had reduced his fee $1,000.00. Navigation Easement for Airport was considered, and the Mayor
proposed purchase of 17.4 acres in the amount of $15,678.00 from Mr. J. A. Thurs~o.~s, the
payment to be over a three year period rather than an a three year option then purchase. After
discussion of FAA participation on a 50-50 purchase basis, interest, options, Utility Cortanisaion
grant, motion was made by Alderman Smith, seconded by Alderman Dabbs: Proceed according to
recommendations of the Mayor to purchase the land for the airport, and request the Utility
Commission to assume obligation to pay $7,900.00 over a three year period, and approve the
contract for extension of airport runways. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Ayes: Aldermen: Horton, Leggett, Rodgers, Smith, Weis, Bentley, Bowie, and Dabbs.
Nays: None.
The following Proclamation was issued by the Mayor:
PROCLANLATION
WHEREAS, The Crittenden County Rescue Squad is a non-profit organization dedicated to the
purpose of rescue, life-saving, and
WHEREAS, The Crittenden County Rescue Squad served on a voluntary basis and is subject to
call 24 hours a day, and
WHEREAS, One of the many objectives of the Crittenden County Rescue Squad is to foster a
program of accident prevention and to cooperate in the conduct of reaeaxh designed to advance the
science and art of Rescue work throughout the State of Arkansas, and
WHEREAS, The Crittenden County Rescue Squad makes a contribution to many peogrbe in the
City of Weat Memphis in making their services available in time of disaster, destruction and
emergency:
NOW, THPREFORE, I, Bob Eden, Mayor of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas do hereby proclaim
the week of May 18-2~., 1969 as
"RESCUE SQUAD WEEK"
in West Memphis, Arkansas and urge all citizens to give theip worthwhile organization recognition
and respect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand and caused the Seal of the
City of West Memphis, Arkansas to be
affixed this the 5th day of May, 1969.
/S/ BOB EDEN
YR
Mayor Eden presented information on a tentative proposal by an ambulance service for a
subsidized county-wide service of $1500.00 a month, $500.00 to be paid by West Memphis, and
the balance to be paid by Earle, Marion, Crawfordsville, Turrell, Edmondson, and the County.
The number of calls, Federal Government specifications for ambulances on super-highways,
highway grants, and ambulance service by the Fire Department were disc{~ssed, and the Mayor advised
additional information would be presented at a later date.
Act 326 of 1969 providing that firemen of cities with 15,000 or more population shall have a
maximum 64 hour work week was discussed. The Council was informed Chief Simmons had estimated four
additional metl would be required for the Fire Department. Motion was made by Alderman Rodgers,
seconded by Alderman Leggett: That the Fire Department personnel be increased in order to comply
with the bly hour work week. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Ayes: Aldermen: Horton, ~,eggett, Rodgers, Smith, Weis, Bentley, Bowie, and Dabbs.
Nays: None.
Alderman Smith requested the City Attorney check into State Statutes regarding retirement for
non-uniform employees.
Alderman Smith commented on State Statutes requiring members of the Plumbers and Gas
Examiners Boards to be citizens of West Memphis, the matter was referred to the City Attorney.
Reduction in cost of feeding of prisoners was brought to the Council's attention by
Alderman Smith. Mayor Eden informed the Council the amount depends on number of prisoners, also
the 1969 State Statutes increase prisoner allowances from $1.00 to $5.00 per day, also prisoners
will no longer be taken to Mississippi County Penal Farm.
Recently enacted State Statutes pertaining to elections were discussed.
Mr. Bill Lindsey, Captain of the Crittenden County Rescue Squad, summarized the work of
the Squad, and informed the Couneil of need for housing of their equipment. Mr. Lindsey was
assured the matter would be given consideration.
Alderman Smith reported the Auditorium Committee composed of himself, Aldermen Bentley and
Dabbs had met, and due to scarcity of suitable land were anxious to have further instructions
as to authority of the committee. Motion was made by Alderman Weis: That the committee proceed
to try to find a location, obtain price of the land, and return with recommendation to the Council.
The motion was seconded by Alderman Leggett.
Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Ayes: Aldermen: Horton, Leggett, Rodgers, Smith, Weis, Bentley, Bowie, and Dabbs.
Nays: None.
Alderman Leggett requested the spraying of mosquitoes commence as soon as possible.
No further business being presented, the meeting was adjourned.
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APPROVED: JUNE S, 19b9
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