September 16, 1971.~.~I
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS , HELD ON THE 16TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 19 71.
The Council of the City of West Memphis, in the County of
Crittenden, State of Arkansas, met in regular session in the City
at 1:30 o'clock p.m. on the 16th day of September, 1971.
The meeting was called to order by the Vice~iayor, and the roll
being called there were:
Present: R. L. Smith, Vice-Mayor in the chair, and the following
named Aldermen: Pritchard Horton, C. D. Hutcherson,
R. T. Bentley, W. R. Dabbs, and D. M. Grimsley; and
City Attorney R. E. Wallin.
Absent: Mayor Tilden Rodgers, and Aldermen M. P. Scott,
Thomas Dickerson, W. L. Harris, and J. E. Hightower.
After City Attorney Wallin determined a quorum was present, the
following proceedings were had to-wf t:
Minutes of Council Meeting on September 2, 1971, were approved as
read.
Alderman W. L. Harris made a delayed appearance.
Vice-Mayor Smith, Chainaaan of the Street Committee, reported
Warren Brothers had completed the intersection overlays as per bid
received October 15, 1970.
A proposed resolution authorizing the filing of an Application for
Demolition Grant was read by City Attorney Wallin. Mr. Tom Coleman,
Executive Director for Urban Renewal Agency, informed the Council
the City's one-third share will be provided by equipment, etc. and
will not require cash expenditure. The demolition will be under
supervision of the City's Building Department. After discussion,
Alderman Horton, seconded by Alderman Grimsley moved that the
Resolution as read be adopted. Upon roll call vote, the voting was
as f o11 ows : .
Aye: Aldermen: Horton, Hutcherson, Bentley, Dabbs, Grimsley, Harris,
and Vice-Mayor Smith.
No : None .
The Resolution read as follows :
RESOLUTION N0. 424
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF TAE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS
AUTHORIZING I~MOLITION GRANT APPLICATION
WHEREAS, under Section 116 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development #.s authorized to.make grants
to municipalities and counties to assist in financing the cost of
demolia~ing structures which under State or local law have been deter-
minued to be structurally unsound or unf it for human habitation or a
harborage for rats; and
WHEREAS, by reason of the existence in the locality of structures
which constitute a public nuisance and a serious hazard to the public
health, it is in the public interest to carry out a program of
demolition of such structures on a planned neighborhood basis with
grant funds authorized under Section 116; and
!~/ ¢~~
WHEREAS it is recognized that the grant of funds pursuant to
Section 116 will impose certain obligations and responsibi-
lities upon the City of West Memphis, among which is the
obligation to assure that any persons who may be displaced as
a result of the demolition activities are relocated into decent,
safe, and sanitary housing, in accordance with the regulations
of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and
WHEREAS Title VI of the Civil Fights Act of 1964, and the regula-
tions of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development effectuat-
ing that Title, provide that no person .shall, on the ground of
race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation
in, be .denied the benefits of, or be subjected to, discrimination
in the undertaking and carrying-out of any .program or activity
receiving Federal financial assistance under Title I of the Housing
Act of 1949, as amended:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WEST MEMPHIS:
1. That an application be filed on behalf of the City of West Memphis
for a grant under Section 116 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended,
of two-thirds of the cost of undertaking and carrying out a program
of demolition in an area or areas to be designated in such application,
which cost is now estis-ated to be $ 55,075, and that the Mayor is hereby
authorized and directed to execute and file such application, to execute
such comEnitments as may be necessary for the grant applied for, to
execute such commitments for funds, to approve all claims for reloca-
tion payments made in accordance with the applicable regulations of the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to provide such information
and furnish such documents as may be required by the Department of
Housing and Urban Development, and to act as the authorized repre-
sentative of the City of West Memphis in the accomplishment of the
demolition program.
2. That the United States of Amercia and the Secretary of Rousing
and Urban Development be, and they hereby are, assured of f u11
compliance by the City of Weat Memphis with regulations of the
Department of Housing and Urbaa Development effectuating Title VI
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
3. That there exists in the locality decent, safe, and sanitary
housing whf ch is available to persons displaced as a result of the
demolition activities to be performed with the Federal grant, at
prices which sre within their financial means and which are generally
not less desirable in regard to public utilities and public and
commercial facilities than the dwellings of the displaced individuals
and families, and it is the sense of this body that such diaplacees,
if any, will be relocated in accordance with applicable regulations
of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Attorney Ralph Sloan appeared on behalf of R. C. Moore, Sr.,
L. C . Moore, R, C . Moore, Jr. , and Humble Oil & Refining Company
presented an ordinance requesting annexation of territory to the
northeast section of the City between Highway 70 and Interstate
Highway I-55 containing 88.5 acres. Mr. Sloan informed the
Council 240 apartment units are planned for the area, and the City
has no obligation to furnish utilities . The ordinance entitled
"An Ordinance Accepting Territory Annexed To The City Of West Memphis,
Arkansas" was read the first time by City Attorney Wallin. Alderman
Harris, seconded by Alderman Dabbs, moved that the first reading of
the ordinance be approved. Upon roll call vote, the voting was as
follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Horton, Hutcherson, Bentley, Dabb ~ Gr,imsley,
Harris, and Vice-Mayor Smith.
No: None.
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Mr. Ralph Sloan, Attorney for the property owners who had requested
an unnamed street in Holiday Gardens Subdivision be vacated, informed
the Council the property owners can not afford to construct the
sidewalk if the street is vacated, therefore, request the City have
the property mowed regularly.
Mr. Jimmy Rogers of Houston, Texas, requested permission for
Mr. Leroy Furface, an independent minister, to erect a tent west of
North Missouri between Dover and Balfour for a three week revival
commencing September 24, 1971. After discussion~of traffic problems
in the area and adjacent residences, motion was made by Alderman Horton,
seconded by Alderman Bentley: That the request of Ji~d~y Rogers to
erect a tent be denied. Upon vote, the voting was a8 follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Horton, Hutcherson, Bentley, Dabbs, Grimsle y,
Harris, and Vice-Mayor Smith.
No; None .
Mr. Jimmy R. Fall requested information on garage sales in a residential
area, and was advised by City Attorney Wallin that the sales are prohibited
by the zoning ordinance.
Alderman Bentley reported on efforts of the Health Department to obtain a
lot.
Alden~nan Horton requested information on pipe to be laid along Club Road,
and Mr. Charles Hampton of Engineering Department outlined plans for the
drainage for Fourth and Fifth Rich E a8tern Subdivisions.
No further business being presented, the meeting was adjourned.
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ATTEST-•
CITY
! MAYOR
APPROVED: OCTOBEk 7, 19 71