August 15, 1968839
MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST P4II~IPHIS, ARKANSAS, HAD AND
HELD ON AUGUST 15, 1968.
The City Council of the City of West Memphis, ,Arkansas, met in regular session at its
regular meeting place in West Memphis, Arkansas, at 3:00 o'clock P.M. on the 15th day of
August, 1968. The following were present: Mayor Bob Eden, presiding and Aldermen: R. L. Smith,
F. C. Weis, H. R. Dabbs, 0. C. Haley, Pritchard Horton, Kirby Leggett, Paul Matthews, and
C. T. Rodgers; and City Attorney R. E. Wallin.
Absent: None.
The following proceedings were had to-wit:
Minutes of Council Meeting on August 1, 1968, were approved as read.
Mayor Eden welccmed Mr. H. R. Dabbs, who had been administered the oath of office as
Alderman of Ward 2 by County Clerk A. B. Carter prior to the meeting.
Mr. Donald S. Manes presented detailed preliminary report on the magnitude of the City's
involvement in the Urban Renewal Program for the next fifteen years. Mr. Manes gave a resume of
the recently adopted 1968 Federal Law pertaining to housing, and proposed a Concentrated Code
Enforcement Program for the area north of Broadway to Barton and from the Frisco cut-off west to
Avalon. A plat of the Eligible Renewal Area bordered on the west by Drainage Ditch No. 9 and on
the east by Drainage Ditch No. 11, the Rock Island Railroad on the south to Broadway and the area
north of Broadway between N. 7th and 14th Streets to Ten Mile Bayou showing the percentage of
deficiency or dilapidations of the structures was displayed. An outline of the Area Characteristics,
Structure Conditions, Cost Estimates, and Financing were presented as follows:
I Area Characteristics
Acres
Residential 328
Non-Residential 78
Streets and Row's 130
Total 53b
II Structure Conditions Res. Non-Res. Total
Standard 147 42 189
Sub-Standard-REP. 155 41 196
Sub-Standard N.R. 1309 26 1335
Totals 1~1 109 170
IIICost Estimates
Planning and Administration $1,200,000
Real Estate Purchases 6,810,000
Site Improvements 4,587,000
' Streets $2,243,950
Drainage 1,244,600
Sanitary Sewers 176,000
Water 246,200
Electric 276,000
Contingencies 400,250
Community Facilities $723,000
Schools $611,000
Library 32,000
Parks 80,000
Demolition and Site Clearance $195,000
Interest 450,000
Contingencies 260,000
Total Program Costs $14,225,000
Land Sales Proceeds-PI•inus 2,925,000
Net Program Costs $11,300.000
IV Financing
Net Program Cost $11,300,000
Federal Grants 9,435,000
Project - 75p of Net 8,475,000
Relocation 100 Fed. 620,000
Rehabilitation 100 Fed. 340,000
Total Fed. Grant 9, ,000
Local Share 25~ Req. $2,825,000
Method
1. Credits on Past Works
(Schools, Sewers, Water) $ 767,000
2. Future Works
Revenue Utilities
(Sewer, Water, Electric) $ 574,200
3. Fut. Improv. - General
(Parks, Demo., Streets, Drains) $1,483,800
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The City's financial obligations, feasibility of plans, financing £or homeowners,
appplications previously filed, subsidized rent, revitalizing areas, Governement Funds,
Hud Commitments, Credits, and Workable Programs were discussed by the Council, members
of the West Memphis Urban Renewal Agency, and Mr. Manes. Suggestion was made that the
Federal Compress Quarters be included in the Renewal Area. Mr. Manes informed the Council
he will attend a workshop in Fort Worth in September, and then will present a written
report that will be more specific. Mayor Eden expressed the appreciation of the Council
for the preliminary report. .
City Attorney Wallin presented the Fire Department and Police Department Pension Fund
Ordinances for consideration of the Counc~T. The ordinance entitled "An Ordinance Providing
For The Submission To The Qualified Electors Of The City Of West Memphis, Arkansas, The Question
Of Levying An Annual Tax Of One Mill On The Dollar Upon The Assessed Value Of The Real And
Personal Property Within The City For The Purpose Of Establishing The Firemen's Relief and
Pension Fund In Accordance With The Constitution Of The State Of Arkansas, Amendments Thereto,
And Legislation Of The General Assembly 0£ The State of Arkansas" was read in its entirety by
City Attorney tidallin. Mayor Eden requested roll call vote on the approval of the first reading
of the ordinance, the vote was as follows:
Yes: Aldermen: Smith, Weis, Dabbs, Haley, Horton, Leggett, Matthews, and Rodgers.
No : , None . r? tt, f
I~~t~o~e°~~uso~rTede~,°da?~d°~~i~~dtheaordi~iar~~~eb~e~'~~~~~gonhit~e~~~o~d°Pe~a~i~igdinance cn three different
The ordinance was read the second time by the City Attorney, and upon roll call vote on the
approval of the second reading of the ordinance, the vote was as follows:
Yes: Aldermen: Smith, Weis, Dabbs, Haley, Horton, Leggett, Matthews, and Rodgers.
o:, None. tt hh
d°ayso~ew~ur~~ier suspen~e~deandh~ha~h~he~ordin~n el~~ placec~aonngPtsft~i~r~rrea~ing.on three different
The ordinance was read the third time by the City Attorney, and upon roll call vote on the
adoption of the ordinance, the vote was as follows:
Yes: Aldermen: Smith, 6deis, Dabbs, Haley, Horton, Leggett, Matthews, and Rodgers.
No: None.
The P~fayor thereupon declared the ordinance adopted. The ordinance was given No. 566,
and read as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 566
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSIODI TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS,
ARKANSAS, THE QUESTION OF LE'TYING AN ANNUAL TAX OF ONE P~?ILL ON THE DOLLAR UPON THE ASSESSED
VALUE OF THE REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING THE
FIREh"EN'S RELIEF AND PENSION FUND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS,
AMENI~!ENTS THERETO, AND LEGISLATIOPI OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
WHEREAS, the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, is authorized by the Constitution of the
State of Arkansas to levy an annual tax not to exceed one mill on the dollar upon the assessed
value of all real and personal property within the City for the purpose of paying, pursuant to
statutory provisions, firemen's retirement pensions, and pensions to the widows and minor
children of deceased firemen: and,
WHEREAS, the establishment of such pension fund would be an inducement for the securing and
retaining of the services of an efficient class o£ personnel connected with the fire department
and every citizen is vitally interested in accomplishing same: and,
ZdHEREAS, a petition containing the required number of signatures of qualified electors of
such City requesting that such matter be placed on the ballot at the general election to be
held and conducted on the 5th day of November, 1968, has been presented to the City Council for
consideration; and,
irJF~REAS, the City Council of the City of West Memphis has determined that it is for the
best interest of the City of YJest r:emphis that such relief and pension fund be established and
it has been determined by the City Clerk of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, that such
petition contains the required member of signatures and that those who have affixed their
signatures to such petition are qualified electors in and for the State of Arkansas.
N0~^J, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas:
Section 1: That there shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the City of West
A?emphis Arkansas, at the general election to be held on the 5th day of November, 1968, the
question of the levying of an annual tax of one mill on the dollar upon the assessed value of
all real and personal property within the City for the purpose of paying pensions to retired
firemen, and pensions to widows and minor children of deceased firemen.
Section 2: That the ballot title- shall appear as follows:
"The question of levying an annual tax of one mill on the dollar of the assessed
value of the real and personal property within the City of West Memphis, Arkansas,
for the purpose of establishing a firemen's relief and pension fund in accordance
with the Constitution of the State of Arkansas and legislation of the General
Assembly of the State of Arkansas."
X41
Section 3: That the question shall be placed on the ballot for the election in
substantially the following form:
"Vote on measure by placing an X in the square beside the measure either for or
against:
FOR FIREMEN'S RELIEF AND PEPJSIOPJ FUND ..... ~?
AGAINST FIRENIIEN'S RELIEF AND PENSION FUND.. n"
.. -.
Section 4: That the election shall be held and conducted and the vote canvassed and
the resuI sl-declared under the law and in the manner provided by law and the Mayor shall
give notice of such election by an advertisement published once a week for four (1~)
consecutive weeks in a newspaper having a bona fide circulation in the City of Nest r°.emphis,
Arkansas.
Section 5: That the results of said election shall be proclaimed by the Mayor and his
Proclamation shall be published one time in a newspaper having a bona fide circulation in the
City of Trlest Memphis, Arkansas, which proclamation shall advise that the results as proclaimed
shall be conclusive unless atta3ced in the courts within thirty (30) days after the date of
such publication.
Section 6: That a copy of this Ordinance, duly certified by the City Clerk, shall be
furnished td the Crittenden County Floard of Election Commissioners so that the necessary
election officials and supplies may be provided and that this matter shall appear on the
ballot in the general- election as hereinabove set forth.
Section 7: That in the event said pension fund and tax levy is approved by the qualified
electors of the City o£ West PJemphis, Arkansas, the City Council shall take necessary action to
pass necessary legislation to implement the expression of the electors of said City.
The ordinance entitled "An Ordinance Providing For The Submission To The Qualified
Electors Of The City Of West Memphis, Arkansas, The Question Of Levying An Annual Tax 0£ One Mill
On The Dollar Upon The Assessed Value Of The Real And Personal Property Glithin The City For The
Purpose Of Establishing The Policeman's Relief And Pension Fund In Accordance With The Constitution
Of The State Of Arkansas, Amendments Thereto, And Legislation Of The General Assembly Of The State
Of Arkansas" was read in its entirety by City Attorney Wallin. Mayor Eden requested roll call vote
on the approval of the first reading of the ordinance. The vote was as follows:
NNYes: Aldermen: Smith, Weis, Dabbs, Haley, Horton, Leggett, Matthews, and Rodgers.
I^otio Nwas~made and s co ded that the rule re uiri the readin of a ordinance on three different
davs ~e suspended, an~ t~iat the ordinance be pl cerr~~ its seco d rea~~i
The ordinance was read the second time by the C~tydA~~orney, an~ upondro~Y call vote on the
approval of the second reading of the ordinance, the vote was as follows:
Yes: Aldermen: Smith, Weis, Dabbs, Haley, Horton, Leggett, Matthews, and Rodgers.
Mg'Cio pNwns'made and seconded th t the rule requiri tgge r adin of an ordina pe on three different
days be ~urther suspended, and hat the ordinance ~~ place on fits seco dd re in
The ordinance was read the third time by the City Attorney, and upon ro~l ca~~ v~te on the
adoption of the ordinance, the vote was as follows:
Yes: Aldermen:. Smith, Weis, Dabbs, Haley, Horton, Leggett, Matthews, and Rodgers.
No: -None.
The Mayor thereupon declared the ordinance adopted. The ordinance was given No. 567, and
read as follows:
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ORDINANCE N0. 567
AN ORDINANCE FROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF
WEST PIEMPHIS, ARKANSAS, THE QUESTION OF LEVYING AN ANNUAL TAX OF ONE MILL ON THE DOLLAR j
UPON THE ASSESSED VALUE OF THE REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY hIITHIN THE CITY FOR THE
PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING THE POLICEMEN'S RELIEF AND PENSION FUND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS, AMENDP4ENTS THERETO, AND LEGISLATION OF THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
WHEREAS, the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, is authorized. by the Constitution of the
State of Arkansas to levy an annual tax not to exceed one mill on the dollar upon the
assessed value of all real and personal property within the City for the purpose of paying,
pursuant to statutory provisions, policemen's retirement pensions, and pensions to the widows
and minor children of deceased policemen,„ and widows and minor children of deceased retired
policemen; and,
Ta!-IEREAS, the establishment of such pension fund would be an inducement for the securing
and retaining of the services of an efficient class of personnel connected with the police ~
department and every citizen is vitatlly interested in accomplishing same: and, i
WHEREAS, a petition containing the required number of si natures of ~
g qualified electors
of such city requesting that such matter be placed on the ballot at the general election to be I
held and conducted on the 5th day of November, 1968, has been presented to the City Council for
consideration; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of West Memphis has determined that it is for the
best interest of the City of 6Jest Memphis that such relief and pension fund be established and
it has been determined by the City Clerk of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, that such petition
contains the required number of signatures and that those who have affixed their signature to
such petition are qualified electors in and for the State of Arkansas.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas:
Section l: That there shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the City of
West Memphis, Arkansas, at the general election to be held on the 5th day of November, 1968, the qu stion
of the levying of an annual tax of one mill on the dollar upon the assessed value of all real and i
personal property within the City for the purpose of paying pensions to retired policemen, and
pensions to widows and minor children of deceased policemen, and pensions to widows and minor
children of deceased retired policemen.
Section 2: That the ballot titled shall appear as follows:
"The question of levying an annual tax of one mill on the dollar of the assessed
value of the real and personal property within the City of West Memphis, Arkansas,
for the purpose of establishing a policemen's relief and 'pension fund in accordance
*.iith the Constitution of the State of Arkansas and legislation of the General
Assembly of 'the State of Arkansas."
Section 3: That the question shall be placed on the ballot for the election in substantially
tie-meowing form:
"Vote on measure by placing an X in the square beside the measure either for or
against:
FOR POLICEMEN'S RELIEF AND PENSION FUND............
AGAINST POLICEMEN'S RELIEF AND PENSION FUND........~7
Section !~: That the election shall be held and conducted and the vote canvassed and the
results~ec~ed under the law and in the manner provided by law and the Mayor shall give
notice of such election by an advertisement published once a week for four (l.G) consecutive
weeks in a newspaper having a bona fide circulation in the City of ',lest Memphis, Arkansas.
Section 5: That the results of said election shall be proclaimed by the Mayor and his
Proclamation shall be published one (1) time in a newspaper having a bona fide circulation
in the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, which proclamation shall advise that the results as
proclaimed shall be conclusive unless attacked in the courts within thirty (30) days after the
date of such publication.
Section 6: That a copy of this Ordinance, duly certified by the City Clerk, shall be
furnis~to the Crittenden County Board of Election Commissioners so that the necessary
election officials and supplies may be provided and that this matter shall appear on the
ballot in the general election as hereinabove set forth.
Section 7: That in the event said pension fund and tax levy is approved by the qualified
electors of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, the City Council shall take necessary action
to pass necessary legislation to implement the expression of the electors of said City.
P4ayor Eden informed the Council due to insufficient space and soil conditions
at the 8th Street Pumping Station a proposal had been made by Wm. L. Johnson Co., Inc.
to exchange the 50 x 60' property at 1160 S. 8th Street for 145 x 50 " at 829 S. 7th
Street, and property 25 x 145' at 800 S. 13th for 120 x 50' at 606 S. 22nd Street plus
$1,000.00. After discussion of the sewer expansion program, property sites, sizes,
and vlaues, title of the property, combining the pumping stations, depth of sewer lines,
retain use of Facilities at 1160 S, 8th Street until new station is completed at 829 S. 7th,
and the recommendation of the Utility Commission, the following resolution was presented:
RESOLUTION NO, 337
WH~+REAS, the West Memphis Utility Commission has recommended to the City Council of
the City of West Memphis that it sell and exchange certain property located within said
City, County of Crittenden, State of Arkansas, to William L. Johnson Company, Inc,, for
andh~geoof1certainnotherhproperty presentlyaowneddby Wi0l~iam1000JohnsonlCorsannd the
mp y, Inc., and
WHEREAS, the West Memphis Utility Commission has determined that the acquisition of
said property is necessary for the orderly construction and operation of its new pumping
station facilities, and
ir1IiEREAS, the City Council of the City of 6°Jest Memphis has determined that the exchange
of said property is necessary for the City of West Memphis, and said transaction has been
recommended by the West Memphis Utility Commission.
NOYJ, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS,
that after deliberation and consideration of the recommendations of the West Memphis Utility
Commission, the sale and exchange of said property presently owned by the City of West Memphis,
for other property presently owned by William L. Johnson Ccmpany, Inc. is hereby accepted and
approved and the Mayor and City Clerk of the City of West Memphis are hereby authorized and
directed to execute the necessary deeds and documents conveying said property from the City
of West Memphis to ;dilliam L. Johnson Company, Inc., for and on behalf of the City of 6Jest
P4emphis, in accordance with Arkansas Statutes Annotated 19-2311.
The vote for adoption of the resolution was as follows:
Yes: Aldermen: Smith, Weis,/Habey, Horton Le
ggett, t^.atthews, and Rodgers.
No: None.
No:
The Mayor directed the Council's attention to the vacancy existing on the Board of
Adjustment due to the resignation o£ Alderman Dobbs, and recommended the appointment of
Nathaniel Morris to fill the unexpired term. The voting on the recommendation was as follows:
Dabbs
Yes: Aldermen: Smith, l,~reis,lHaley, Horton, Leggett, Matthews, and Rodgers.
None.
Mayor Eden presented proposal to employ 10 women as guards at school zone crossings, nine
to be paid $75.00 per month and one to be a substitute to receive $1.25 per hour, plus a uniform
allowance of $100.00. Capt. Morris Ward is to be in charge of the school zone guards. After
discussion, motion was made by Alderman Matthews, seconded by Alderman Haley: That the
Mayor and Chief of Police Young proceed with the project as outlined. Upon vote, the voting
was as follows:
Yes: Aldermen: Smith, Weis, Dabbs, Haley, Horton, Leggett, Matthews, and Rodgers.
No: None.
Alderman Smith brought to the Council's attention the proposed wheel tax for people
employed in Memphis and living elsewhere, and requested the Council go on record in opposition
to the tax, After discussion of the proposed tax, contributions to £und drives at places of
emplo~nnent in Memphis, motion was made by Alderman Smith, seconded by Alderman Leggett: That
the City Attorney be requested to write the Memphis City Attorney stating the wheel tax is
a discriminatory tax, Unon vote, the voting was as follows:
Yes: Aldermen: Smith, Weis, Dabbs, Haley, Horton, Leggett, Matthews, and Rodgers.
No: None.
Alderman Rodgers requested the Arkansas Highway Department be contacted as to allocation
of Funds for the construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge. T•?ayor Eden stated he would
obtain information on the status of the bridge project.
the deepdditch ongSouthlsidemof Tylerobetween 7thsandh8thband wideningtthelnarrowcstreet in
matter was taken under consideration. The
No further business being presented, the meeting was adjourned.
AT , S ~' _~'
`-C-~~ TY K
APPROVED: SEPTE[•~BER 5, 1968
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