September 20, 1962-.-- MINUTES OF A REGiTT..AR ACTING OF THE CITY COU~'CILvF THE CITY OF WnST AiEh:FHIS, ARKANSAS,
HELD AT THE CITY HALL IN SAID CITY ON THE 2GT'r1 DAY OF SE?TEA;BER, 1962, AT 3:00 P.M.
The City Council of the City o£ West Memphis, Arkansas, met in a regular session in
the City of West Memphis at 3:00 P.M. on the 20th day of September, 1962. The meeting was
called to order by City Attorney W. H. Dillahunty in the absence of Aiaycr Howell B. Price.
The following were present: Aldermen: R. E. Eden, Earl Felts, Kirby Leggett, Paul Matthews,
Y. G. Sims, and C. H. Rowton; and City Attorney W. H. ~Dillahunty.
Absent: Mayor Howell B. Frice, Aldermen 0. I. Bollinger and R. C. Bowie.
It being determined a quorum was present, the following proceedings were had to-het:
City Attorney Dillahunty announced the first order of business would be an election
for a President Pro Tempere due to the absence of the Aiayor. Motion was made by
Alderman Rowton, seconded by Alderman Leggett: That Alderman R. E. Eden be elected
President Pro Tempore. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Felts, Leggett, Matthews, Sims, ROwtGn.
No: None.
Minutes of Council Aeetings on August 27th and September 6th, 1962, were approved as
read.
Mr. Earnest Sherrill of 226 W. Danner and Mrs. Aileen Field of 230 W. Danner appeared
before the Council to request action by the City in condemnation proceedings pertaining to
a three story concrete block building located at 228 W. Danner that is in a dangerous
condition as to the inhabitants and surrounding property. City Building Inspector Perrine
substantiated the statements of Prs. Sherill and stated there is no way to repair the
building due to its hazardous condition. After discussion, motion was made by Alderman Leggett,
seconded by Alderman Rcwton: That the City Attorney and City Building Inspector be instructed
to proceed with condemnation proceedings regarding the buil.d.ing at 228 W. Lanner. Upon vote,
the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Felts, Leggett, Aiatthews, Sims, Rowten.
Na: None.
Fire Chief Elmo Anderson brought to the Councils attention the condition of a two
story building located at corner of S. 16th and Poly, Streets owned by Filmere Griffin.
The Council was informed utility connections have been ordered discontinued at the building.
After discussion, City Attorney Dillahuntv and Fn:ilding Inspector Perrine were instructed to
proceed with condemnation proceedings in the matter.
Attorney Ralph W. Sloan presented the following letter
September 18, 1962
City Council
City of West Memphis
West Memphis, Arkansas
Gentlemen:
The residence at 207 Roosevelt Street is in an extremely bad state cf repair. The grass
has net been cut or the house mantained in any manner in the past three or four years. It
is gradually rotting down and is infested witY, rats, mice, and somebody reported seeing
snakes about the premise score time during the sumsr.er.
No one lives in the house or has lived in it during the past three or Sour years. The
roof leaks, the back porch is rotting down, shrubbery and brush has groom up around the house
which is causing it to Further deteriorate and nothing is being done to cause it to get arty
better.
The property belongs to the estate o£ Airs. C. L. Allison and she is survived by her
husband, C. L. Allison, who is totally blind, 100 incapacitated and mentally incompetent,
together with a number of nieces and nephews o£ Airs. Allison.
I have been in touch with the next of kin, have offered to rent or buy the property in
order to clean it up and fix it up so that it would be habitable. I have been unable to
interest anybody in either renting, selling or causing the property to be repaired and put
in a state of habitation. Each nephew and niece say they are not interested and to see
someone else.
I do not want the property but would buy or rent it in order to fix it up and put it in a
state of habitation, but have been unable to do either.
Here in the last few years I have bought two houses on this street that were r~,uz dohm and
in a delapidated condition and Fixed them up in order to keep the neighborhood ir. a mere
respectable condition.
The house is a Health and fire hazard and something should be done about it.
I hope you hill take appropriate action to see that the horse is either repaired and put
in a state of hal?tattion or destroyed.
Yours ver,,r truly,
/S! J. H. SPEARS