July 2, 1959u~
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS,
___ __ HELD AT THE CITY HALL IN SAID CITY ON THE 2ND DAY OF JULY 1959 AT 7.30 P M
it
On the 2nd day of July, 1959, the City Council of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas,
met in the City Hall in said City in regular session. The meeting was called to order at
7:30 o'clock P.M. by the Mayor, and on the roll call the following members of the Council
were found to be present:
Aldermen: Y. G. Sims, 0. I. Bollinger, B. J. David, Bob Eden, J. E. Rimes,
R. H. Ray, Jr., and L. E. Roleson.
Absent: Alderman James Bledsoe and City Attorney W. H. Dillahunty.
It being determined a quorum was present, the following proceedings were had to-wit:
Minutes of Council Meeting on June 18, 1959, were approved as read.
Mayor Price informed the Council since receiving the bids for Public Liability and
Property Damage on June 18, 1959, at which time Crittenden Insurance Company was the low
bidder, Judge Ward of the Chancery Court of Crittenden County has issued an order that
~ommisaioners of the West Memphis Utility Commission may not do business with any company
or concern that a Commissioner owns or owns stock in and a member of the Utility Cosuniaeion
has an interest in Crittenden Insurance Company. However, prior to Judge Ward's ruling in
order that the City be covered by insurance he, the Mayor, had authorized Charles J. Upton
Company to put a "binder" on the policy in force and the City has been billed for the 30 day
"binder". Alderman David, Chairman of the Insurance Committee, composed of Aldermen Bledsoe
and Yoleson reported all the bidders bid on the same equipment, but that the committee did
not take any action on awarding the bid. After discussion of the court orders and the
premium for the 30 day "binder", Alderman Ray moved: That the City take no action on
awarding the insurance bide until after July 18, 1959. The motion was seconded by
Alderman Roleson, and the following vote was recorded:
Ayes: Aldermen: Sims, Bollinger, David, Eden, Nimes, Raq, and Roleson.
Nays: None.
riayor Price brought to the Council's attention numerous complaints have been received
as to motorists failing to stop at stop signs, and in order to enforce the regulation it
will be neeeasary to adopt an ordinance designating location of each stop sign. Also, that
since City Attorney W. H. Dillahunty took office he has been unable to perform the normal
duties of a City Attorney due to the numerous law suits filed against the City. After
discussion, Alderman Ray moved: That the City adopt a Resolution authorizing employment of
an Attorney or Attorneys to assist the City Attorney. The motion was seconded by
Alderman Hfines, and the following vote was recorded:
Ayes: Aldermen: Sims, Bollinger, David, Eden, Rimes, Ray, and Roleson.
Nays: None.
Thereupon the following Resolution was introduced and read in full:
RESOLUTION N0. 219
Due to the excessive load of legal work, brought upon the City Attorney by the lawsuits
that have been filed, making it impossible for him to attend to the norsu;l legal requirements
of the City of West Memphis -
That the Piayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to employ additional legal counsel,
with approval of the City Attorney, to assist him in whatever the City needs might be relative
to the pending litigation or matters related thereto.
r***~*
Alderman David moved that the Resolution be adopted, the motion was seconded by
Alderman Ray, and upon a roll call vote, the following vote was recorded:
Ayes: Aldermen: Sims, Bollinger, David, Eden, Rimes, Ray, and Roleson.
Naga: None.
Mayor Price informed the Council that Graham Street from Thompson to Broadway had been
omitted from Improvement Districts 1 and 2 and is now to be improved and the payment will be
made from the money appropriated in the budget, however, the amount will be inexcess of
$1,000.00 and in accordance with Act passed by the 1959 Arkansas Legislature it will be
necessary to advertise for bids. Notice of Bida to be received in the Mayor*s Office on or
before 12:00 Noon July 9, 1959, published in the Arkansas Democrat of Little Rock, Arkansas,
on June 26, 1959, was read.
Alderman Roleson brought to the Council" s attention condition of the street by
Worthington Park Swimming Pool. Mayor Price stated the Street Superintendent is working
to eliminate the duet problem and has completed the work in the Walker Street area and
is now working the southeastern section of the City, and as soon as possible will start
patching the streets with blacktop.
The Mayor informed the Council the Arkansas Highway Department is putting a 48 inch
the from Ingram Boulevard down Wheeler or Goodwin to Ten Mile Bayou to prevent water
from standing on Ingram Boulevard after a heavy rain.
Fire Chief Elmo Anderson reported he had contacted Mrs. Bertha Lum as to the fire
hazard created at 11th and Broadway by the large tree cut in the yard, The 4layor stated
ae soon as necessary legal work can be done the matter will be taken care of,
The removing of signs permitting right turns on red signal lights was discussed,
and Mayor Price advised due to a 1959 Act of the Legislature it was necessary to remove
the signs and the cost of converting the lights to have green arrows is being obtained,
Mayor Price requested the Council to stand behind the decisions of Mrs, Melba Carpenter
in admitting patients to the State Hospital in order that the Citq'e quota will not be
exceeded.
Speeding vehicles in city limits were discussed, and motion was made by Alderman
Bollinger and seconded by Alderman Himes: That the Mayor be authorized to advertise
for bids for a radar unit. The following vote was recorded:
Ayes: Aldermen: Sims, Bollinger, David, Eden, Himes, Ray, and Roleson.
Nays: None,
Mayor Price submitted to the Council the Maq report of the operation of the
West Memphis Utility Commission.
There being no further business to come before the meeting, Alderman Ray moved
the meeting adjourn, which motion was duly seconded by Alderman David, and the following
vote was recorded:
Ayes: Aldermen: Sims, Bollinger, David, Eden, Himes, Ray, and Roleson.
Nays: None,
The Chairman thereupon declared the meeting adjourned.
ATT6ST~--~~e~~~"~
CITY C &RE
iAYUR
APPROVED: ,TULY 16, 1959