September 6, 197352i
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS,
ARISANSAS, HELD ON THE 6TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1973•
The Council of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, 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 6th day of September, 1973•
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 Aldermen:
Pritchard Horton, C. D. Hutcherson, Ann Payton, M. P. Scott,
B. G. Smith, R. T. Bentley, Thomas Dickerson, D. M. Grimsley, and
J. E. Hightower, and City Attorney R. L. Smith.
Absent: Alderman W. L. Harris.
It being determined a quorum was present, the following proceedings were had
to wit:
Minutes of Council Meeting on August 16, 1973, were approved as read.
Alderman Dickerson reported the bid of Northside Burner Company Inc. $2,l~33.00
for Dog Incinerator was accepted by the Police Commission as met specifications
and was the low bid.
Mayor Rodgers announced bids for 1~ Ton Trash Truck would be received as per
Bid Notice published August 9th and 16th in the Evening Times. No bids were
received. The Mayor stated would readvertise for bids.
Alderman Smith informed the Council the Street Committee had advertised for
bids for a Wood Chipper and Stripper for the Streets, and will consider the
bids at a later date. The items were included in the 1973 Budget, therefore,
the bids were returnable to the Street Committee.
Alderman Smith, Chairman of the Cable TV Committee, stated he had requested
an~Yup to date report as to progress being made by Athena Corporation and
subsidiary West Memphis Cablevision Corporation. The following letter was
read:
September 6, 1973
Mr. Billy Smith, Chairman
Communication Commmittee
West Memphis City Council
West Memp~s, Arkansas
Dear Billy:
I submit the following information as a progress report that you requested
for your meeting on this date:
A. Received the Poll Contract from Southwestern Bell and forwarded it to
New York without changes;
B. Received letters (please find attached) from television stations in
Little Rock allowing us the authority to carry their signal;
C. The strand mapping of West Memphis has been completed and almost 30
miles of strand has been received wt~i construction to begin within
~5 days and the entire system to be completed in less than a year;
D. The proposals and requirements set forth by the council have been
reviewed and accepted by all parties and is reflected in the new
ordinance;
E. The legal council for Memphis and Washington has agreed on strategy to
provide the service from Little Rock on non network programming;
F. Our company has been employed to assist with advising the company on
programming and public relations;
59
G. Vice President of ~Zrigineer, Abe Rider, investigated the materials needed
for a tornado system and agrees with the proposal. that it can be plugged
into the system so that a buzzer can be sounded to alert the residents of
an impadi.ng emergency and suggesting the channel to switch to for further
details;
H. The company has agreed to purchase as much equipment locally as possible
and there will be approximately 12 people employed from West Memphis.
I believe this report generally covers those efforts in addition to those covered
in the ordinance.
If there is additional information needed, please let me hear from you.
Sincerely yours,
DELOSS WALKER
Mr. Henry H. Hancoc~t~~edf~r~~~~oration, presented an ordinance to amend
Ordinance No. 632,/p ans or an o ice eat Memphis, cable for 60 miles for
West Memphis received, land being acquired for equipment, pole contracts, and
complaint procedures. After discussion with the City attorney and Council the
matter was held in abeyance until September 20th meeting or a special meeting to be
called if matters completed prior to that date.
A delegation from the , Ce~x~aaiti~ Chmst composed of Miss Margaret Woolfolk,
Mr. A. K. Minter, and Judge Lindsey Fairley requested the Community Chest be
designated to receive funds derived from Southland Race Track in accordance with
Act 879 of the 1973 Legislature, and the Comrrtunity Chest would distribute the
funds for benefit of young female organizations as stipulated in the Act. Requests
to the Community Chest by the L. R. Jackson Girls Club of $17,853.00 and the
West Memphis Girl's Club of $7,200.00, appropriations, goal for 197, and
adm3_nistrat3.ve costs of the Chest were brought to the Council's attention. Motion
was made by Alderman Scott, seconded by ~Lderman Horton: That distribution of the
funds be as designated in Act 879 of 1973. After comments by delegation members,
Aldermen and others, vote on the motion was as follows:
.,
Aye: Aldermen: Hutcherson, Payton, ~cott, Smith, Bentley, ~ickerson, Grimsley,
Hightower, and Horton.
No: None.
Mayor Rodgers announced bidsfor the Construction Of A Neighborhood Center as per
Invitation For Bids published in the Evening Times on August 23rd, 30th, and
September 5th would be opened. Mr. Pat Magruder, Architect for the Neighborhood
Center elabored on requirements of the Government in design and documents as
specified by HUD. The following bids were received:
Grinder Bros. Construction Co., 1353 N. Willett, Memphis, Tenn. $30.,762.00
NATOMAS Development Corp., 1110 E. Thompson, West Memphis, Ark. $273,5.2.00.
After discussion of the bids, advertisement for bidders, authorization of
$216,000.00 for the Center, motion was made by Alderman Bentley, seconded by
Alderman Hutcherson: That the Council reject bids received for Neighborhood Center.
Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Hutcherson, Payton, Scott, Smith, Bentley, Dickerson, Grimsley,
Hightower, and Horton.
No: None.
1l Five Minute Recess was called
bo
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rodgers.
Attorney Ralph Sloan appeaxed on behalf of Union Planters National Bank
of Memphis, Trustee under the Last Wills~of Laura R. Morton, George
Randolph, Amy Randolph and Wessell Randolph, deceased, Manley H. Trezevant, Jr.,
Rebecca T. Rutter and Marye Trezevant to request acceptance of 260 acres
that had been annexed by order of the Crittenden County Court on
August 20, 1973. Mr. Sloan informed the Council an Improvement District is
being formed in order to construct water line`s sewer lines, storm sewers, and
some streets in the area, therefore, was requesting the ordinance accepting
the territory be adopted with the emergency clause in order to expedite the
matter. Also, development plan. for the area is being formulated by Manes &
Associates. Annexation of an approximately 17 acre triangle adjacent to the
property requesting acceptance of annexation was brought to hhe Council's
attention, and Attorney Sloan stated he would complete the paper work for
annexation if permission obtained from the property owners thought to be
Arkansas Highway Department and ATT. After discussion of proposed development,
erection of bill boards, annexation of the triangle area, motion was made by
Alderman Bentley, seconded by Alderman Dickerson: That acceptance of
annexation be postponed for two weeks. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Hutcherson, Payton, Scott, Smith, Bentley, Dickerson, Grimsley,
Hightower, and Horton.
No: None.
Mayor Rodgers announced Pat Johnson of the Utility Commission had received a
guarantee from the manufacturer of control light for N. Missouri and S. Serva.ce
Road would received within two weeks.
Alderman Horton inquired as to progress in preveiting fall-out from Temple-Gypsum
due to complaints received, Mayor Rodgers stated would check on status of matter.
Request for a mechanically operated traffic control light on N. 7th Street and
East Barton when the schools are commencing and dismissing was presented by
Alderman Horton. Mayor Rodgers advised would contact Highway Department for
authority on the matter.
Complains as to garbage pick-up and speeding in the Polk and Jackson Street
areas were fade by Alderman Hightower.
Alderman Payton inqu~~ed as to regulations on removal of doors on discarded
refrigerators, and condition of manholes at Ingram and Broadway, and was
informed the t~.ephone company is doing the work installing additional
equipmentment and gravel had been placed at the manholes.
Alderman Dickerson announced Police Commission meeting after adjournment of
Council.
No further business being presented, the meeting was adjourned.
~~~
Y CLERK
C
MAYOR
APPROVED: SEPTEMBER 20, 1973