August 17, 1972~~
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUDAYLOFFAUGUSTIT1972•
OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS, HELD ON THE 17TH ~
The Council of the City of West Memphis, in the County of
Crittenden, State of Arkansas, met in a regular session in the
City Hall in said City at 1:30 o'clock p.m. on the 17~h day of
August, 1972.
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor, and the roll
being called there were:
Present: Tilden Rodgers, Mayor in the chair, and the following
named Aldermen: W. R. Dabbs, Thomas Dickerson,
D. M. Grimsley, W. L. Harris,
Pritchard Horton, C. D. Hutcherson,
M. P. Scott, B. G. Smith, and
R. T. Bentley; and City Attorney
R. L. Smith.
Absent: James Hightower.
It being determined a quorum was present, the following
proceedings were had to-wit:
Minutes of Council Meeting on August 3, 1972, were approved as
read.
Alderman Bentley reported action of the Insurance Committee
pertaining to hospital insurance. Mayor Rodgers informed the
Council of discussion with Mr. Glen Zimmerman and Mr. Fleming
of the Arkansas Municipal League as to the hospital insurance
increase and maintaining the January anniversary date of the
policy. The Mayor advised the Insurance Committee will make
recommendation as to the advertising for bids for insurance.
An ordinance entitled "An Ordinance To Amend Ordinance No. 7l6
Declaring An Emergency And For Other Purposes" was introduced
by Alderman Harris, and read by the City Attorney.
Mr. Robert Jontz requested that the developers be given an
opportunity to study the proposed changes. After discussion
with Mr. Charles Hampton and Mr. Eddi~r Brawley as to technical
changes studied by the Street Committee, Council approval of
preliminary subdivision plats, the Fire Chiefts approval as to
accessibility for fire fighting apparatus, and consideration of
proposed changes, motion was made by Alderman Scott, seconded
by Alderman Dickerson: That the first reading of the ordinance
be approved. The Mayor put the question on the adoption of the
motion, and the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Dabbs, Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Horton,
Hutcherson, Scott, Smith, and Bentley.
No: None.
Fire Chief R. L. Simmons presented an ordinance providing for
penalty for false fire alarms, and commented on the expense and
danger involved in responding to false alarms. Alderman Bentley
stated the ordinance had been reviewed by the Fire Commission,
and other cities are considering adopting a similar ordinance.
The ordinance entitled "An Ordinance To Control False Fire Alarms
And Unlawful Interference With Fire Alarms Apparatus For The City
Of West Memphis" was introduced by Alderman Grimsley, and the City
Attorney read the ordinance in full.
Alderman Horton, seconded by Alderman Dabbs moved that the
rule requiring the reading of an ordinance in full on three
different days be suspended and that the ordinance be placed
on its second reading. The Mayor put the question on the
adoption of the motion and the roll being called, the following
voted:
Aye: Aldermen: Dabbs, Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Horton,
Hutcherson, Scott, Smith, and Bentley.
No : None .
Thereupon the Mayor declared that at least two-thirds of all
members of the Council having voted in favor of the motion to
suspend the rule, the motion was carried and the rule suspended.
The a~rdinance was then read the second time by the City Attorney.
Alderman Hutcherson, seconded by Alderman Bentley then moved
that the rule requiring the reading of an ordinance in full on
three different days be further suspended and that the ordinance
be placed on its third reading. The Mayor put the question on
the adoption of the motion and the roll being called the follow-
ing voted;
Aye: Aldermen: Dabbs, Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Horton,
Hutcherson, Scott, Smith, and Bentley.
No; None.
The Mayor declared that at least two-thirds of all members
elected to the Council having voted in favor of the motion to
suspend the rule, the motion was carried and the rule suspended.
The ordinance was then read the third time by the City Attorney.
Alderman Scott, second~l by Alderman Smith, moved that the
ordinance be adopted. The question was put by the Mayor on
the adoption of the motion and the roll being called, the
following voted:
Aye: Aldermen: Dabbs, Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Horton,
Hutcheson, Scott, Smith, and Bentley.
No: None.
Alderman Dickerson, seconded by Alderman Harris, moved that
Section 3, the emergency clause be adopted and on roll call
the following voted:
Aye: Aldermen: Dabbs, Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Horton,
Hutcherson, Scott, Smith, and Bentley.
No: None.
.~
The Mayor thereupon declared the ordinance and the emergency clause
adopted and signed the ordinance, t~hich was attested by the
City Clerk and impressed with the seal of the City. The ordinance
was given No. 732. The ordinance read as follows:
~~4.
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ORDINANCE N0. ?32
AN ORDINANCE TO CONTROL FALSE FIRE ALARMS AND UNLAWFUL
INTERFERENCE WITH FIRE ALARMS APPARATUS FOR THE CITY OF
WEST MEMPHIS.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST
MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS, THAT:
SECTION 1. FALSE ALARM OF FIRE PENALTY: Any person who
willfully, or knowingly, gives or aids or abets in giving,
any false alarm of fire, by any means, shall be guilty of a
~"' misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by
imprisonment for not less than five (5) days, nor more than
Three Hundred Sixty t360) days, or fine not to exceed Two
Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250), or both.
SECTION 2. UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE 4dITH FIRE ALARM APPARATUS
PENALTY: A person who willfully, or knowingly, tampers with,
interferes with or impares any public fire alarm apparatus,
wire or associated equipment, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished not less than
five t5) days or more than three hundred sixty (360) days, or
fine not to exceed Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250), or both.
SECTION 3. All Ordinances and parts of Ordinances in conflict
herewith are hereby repealed.
SECTION l~.. EMERGENCY CLAUSE: It is hereby found and declared
by the City Council that this Ordinance is immediately needed
for the proper functioning of the Fire Department; therefore,
an emergency is declared to exist and this Ordinance being
necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, and
safety, shall take effect and be in full force from and after
the date of its passage and approval as required by law.
Adopted this 17th day of August, 19?2.
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Mayor Rodgers commented on the deterioration of postal service
due to the mail being sent to the Memphis Distribution C enter,
the closing of the Hulbert Office, and a resolution adopted by the
Chamber of Commerce. After discussion, motion was made by
Alderman Bentley, seconded by Alderman Smith: That the Council
go on record opposing the Post Office changes, and the City
Attorney be instructed to prepare a Resolution and send to the
Representatives and Senators. Upon vote, the voting was as
follows :
Aye: Aldermen: Dabbs, Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Horton,
Hutcherson, Scott, Smith, and Bentley.
No: None.
Mr. C. Taylor, 1}.05 S. McAuley, presented complaint as to bills
for electricity for gas air conditioners in comparison to
electric air conditioners. Utility rates were discussed, and
Mr. Taylor advised to contact Mr. P. G. Para of the Utility
Commission, and if satisfactory information is not received to
return to the Council.
Alderman Bentley informed the Council of complaints as to weeds
and snakes. The Mayor advised maintaining of some ditch banks
is not the City's responsability.
Alderman Scott recommended the Utility Commission distribute
information as to reading meters and figuring utility bills.
Mr. P. G. Para st~.ted pamphlets have been ordered to be placed
in the resident's door when meters are read. Alderman Dickerson
announed the garbage committee will meet at 8 PM, August 23rd.
No further business being presented, the meeting was adjourned.
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ATTE ` ~~ ' , -`' CITY CLERK MAYOR
APPROVED: SEPTEMBER j, 1972