January 17, 1974142
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MINUTES OF A REGULAR MELTING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS,
ARKANSAS, HELD ON THE 17TH DAY OF JANUARY, 197l~.,,,
The City Council of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, met in regular session at
its regular meeting place in West Memphis, Arkansas, at 1:30 p.m. on the 17th dear
of January, 1971. The following were present: Mayor Tilden Rodgers; and
Aldermen: J. E. Hightower, Pritchard Horton, C. D. Hutcherson, Ann Payton,
M. P. Scott, B. G. Smith, R. T. Bentley, Thomas Dickerson, D. M. Grimsley, and
W. L. Harris; and City Attorney R. L. Smith.
The following proceedings were had to-wit:
Minutes of Meeting on January 3, 19711 were approved as read.
Mayor Rodgers announced Mr. Morris Fair, bond consultant for the Utility Cission,
would conduct sale of $1,000,000 City of West Memphis Public Utility Revenue Bonds,
dated December 1, 1973 as per Notice of Sale. City Attorney Robert Smith, opened the
bids, and the following bids were read by Morris Fair:
Powell & Satterfield, Inc., Rauscher Pierce Securities Corp., W. H. Satterfield
Co., Inc, and A. S. Hart
Coupon Rate !~ . 90
Cash Premium $2,975.00
Interest Rate 1~.8796~
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, Inc., Matthews Robertson & Co., Inc.,
Womeldorff & Lindsey
No preri.um
Interest Rate. 5.07
T. J. Raney & Sons, Stephens, Inc., Hill Crawford & Lanford, Inc., Sullivan, Trulock,
Dillingham & Co., Inc.
Coupon Rate 5~
Cash Premium $2,6.5.00
Interest Rate l~.981895~
Members of the Utility Commission and their Attorney, R. E. Wallin, were present
and recommended that accept bid of Powell & Satterfield and Account.
After discussion, motion was made by Alderman Scott, seconded by Alderman Horton:
That accept recommendation of the Utility Commission. Thereupon, City Attorney
Smith read the following Resolution awarding purchase of bonds:
RESOLUTION N0. X79
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A RESOLUTION AWARDING TO PURCHASER THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS PUBLIC UTILITY
REVENUE BONDS, DATED DECEMBER 1, 1973 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000,000.
WHEREAS, the City of West Memphis, Arkansas (called "City~~) duly advertised and now
has under consideration the sale of $1,000,000 City of West Memphis, Arkansas Public
Utility Revenue Bonds, dated December 1, 1973 (called ~~bonds~~); and
WHEREAS, the following bids were received:
Powell & Satterfield, Inc. and Account - ~.8796~ --
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. and Account - 5.07
T. J. Raney & Sons and Account - l~.981895~
and;
WHEREAS, the City has received and considered the bids; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas:
Section 1. That the bid of Powell & Satterfield, Inc. and Account, for the bonds
is hereby found and declared to be the best bid and the bid is hereby accepted,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Notice of Sale of the bonds .
Motion was made by Alderman Scott, seconded by Alderman Hutcherson: That the
Resolution as read be adopted. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
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Aye: Aldermen: Hightower, Horton, Hutcherson, Payton, Scott, Smith, Bentley,
Dickerson, Grimsley, and Harris.
No: None.
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Alderman Smith reported Mayor Rodgers, Alderman Bentley, five others, and
himself had met with Arkansas Highway officials in Little Rock pertaining
to funding of construction .~' S. Avalon. The work is to be accomplished,
however, on a different time table than anticipated the drainage, curb, and
gutters to be started in Mayor or June 1971, and complete in 1975, cost
approximately a half million dollars.
Awarding of bids for Fire Department car and station wagon to Tom Gibson. Ford, Inc.,
the.low bidder, by the Fire Commission was announced by Alderman Smith.
Kttorney Lindsey J. Fairley representing Mr. and Mrs. Joe Davis, who operate
Davis' Answering Service at 511 N. 17th Street, and Odle S. Graves, who
purchased irhe West Memphis Answering Service formerly operated at 1t1~8 N. Roselawn
by Mrs. Eulalee Watson, requested variance for operation of the Answering
Service to be co-owned by Davis and Graves at 511 N. 17th Street. The Council
was informed the Davis and Graves privilege license for 19?1~ would not be
issued due to noh conformance as a home occupation inasmuch as a 100 space
switchboard had been installed that can not be considered a household appliance.
gfter discussion of scope of operations, West Memphis not having potential for
commercial operation at this time, letter from Mr. Graves, Questionnaire petition,
jurisdiction of Board of Adjustment, importance of an answering service, no
advertising sign in yard, and temporary permission for operation, motion was made
by Alderman Horton, seconded by Alderman Grimsley: That grant permit for one
year for telephone answering service. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton Hutcherson, Payton, Scott, Smith,
Bentley, Dickerson, and Grimsley
`No : None .
a delegation from the Girls Club of West Memphis, Inc. requested funds from
Act 879 of 1973, derived from 1/3 of the unredeemed winning tickets at
Southland Race Track, be designated to the Club in order to construct a gym
and office space on a site to be donated. Due to absence of Al Boals, Club
President, Judge Lindsey Fairley and Mr. James Spradling acted as spokesmen
for the delegation explaining organization of the Club, Fund Raising, building
plans, membership, club activities, loss of present building, and budget.
Fonds and place for activities for a recent],y organized girls club affiliated with
the national organization of Girl's Clubs of America were brought to the Council's
attention by Alderman Payton and Mrs. Roberta Jackson. Mayor Rodgers suggested
plan whereby when the West Memphis Boys Club building is paid for in a year from
funds allocated by Charity Day at Southland Race Track, the funds be seed to
construct facilities for the Wonder Boys Club and the Girl's Club of America.
After lengthy discussion of history of integrated clubs, dues to national organization,
use of L. R. Jackson Community Center, requirements for Clubs affiliated with Girls
Clubs of American, location of clubs, request to Representati~ Lloyd McCuiston .
by the Girls Club of West Memphis for enactment of Act 879, and interpretation of
the Act, motion was made by Alderman Grimsley, seconded by Alderman Horton: Dispose
of money as originally intended. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Hri.msley, Horton, Scott, Smith, Hutcherson, and Dickerson
No: Aldermen: Payton, Hightower, and Harris
Alderman Bentley abstained.
City Attorney Robert Smith presented the following report:
Mayor Tilden Rodgers
Members of the City Council
Gentlemen:
In accordance with Arkansas Statute 19-91.J.~, the following information is
submitted as a report for the year, 1973.
1. The City Attorney's office, West Memphis, Arkansas, i~.s now staffed with a
full time secretary whose hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., five C5) days a week.
2. The City Attorney attends Court three (3) times a week, on Monday, Wednesday,
and Friday, and serves as counsel to the Administrative Boards of the City with
the exception of the Utility Department.
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3. The City Attorney is on call twenty-four (2~.) hours a day, seven (7) days
a week for people who desire to swear out warrants. However, daylight hours are
recommended.
~.. During the year, 1973, the City Attorney's office handled appro~.i.mately 300
complaints of which 63 warrants of arrest were issued. All complaints are
documented and filed regardless of the outcome. Most of our warrants of arrest
consist of bad checks, non-support charges, and assault and battery offenses.
5• The City Council authorized part time deputies be employed in the absence
of the City Attorney at the sum of $20.00 per Court Session. During the year,
1973, part time deputies were paid $380.00, which amounted to a savings to the
City of $3,220.00, as formerly the City had a full time deputy at a salary of
$3,600.00 per year.
Respectfully submitted,
/S; ROBERT L. SMITH
City Attorney
Mayor Rodgers informed the Council consideration should be given purchase of
property from Mrs. Marguerite Copeland, however, the matter was not on the Agenda.
Motion was made by Alderman Scott, seconded by Alderman Horton: That rule be
waived to consider the matter not on the Agenda. Upon vote, the voting was as
follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, Hutcherson, Payton, Scott, Smith,
Bentley, Dickerson, and Gri.msley
No: None.
The Mayor advised the property will be paid from the General Obligation Bond Issue,
and will be parking area for I~ity Hall proposed construction. City Attorney Smith
read the resolution. Motion was made by Alderman Grimsley, seconded by Alderman
Hutcherson: That the Resolution be approved as read. Upon vote, the voting was as
follows
Aye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, Hutcherson, Paton, Scott, Smith,
Bentley, Dickerson, and Grimsley
No : None .
The resolution read as follows:
RESOLUTION N0. l~80
WHEREAS, the City of West Memphis, Arkansas desires to purchase a certain piece
of property in the City of West Memphis, Arkansas from Mrs. Marguerite Lehr
Copeland, which property is described as follows:
Lots 3, 1~, 5, and 6 in Block 5 of the
Eugene Woods Subdivision in the City of
West Memphis, Arkansas,
and
WHEREAS, Arkansas Statute ~ 19-2.03 states that on passage of every contract the
City Council shall state the "Yeas" and "Nays", and the same be recorded in the
Minutes of the City Council, and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and the City Clerk of the City of West Memphis need the
authority of the City Council to execute the Contract of Sale, and the Mayor
and the City Clerk need to be given authority to execute the notes described
below and to approve payments of interest on said notes;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVEll by the City Council of the City of West Memphis,
Arkansas, that the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized to execute a
Contract of Sale and also execute the notes for the property described above
on the terms listed below:
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The Purchaser agrees to pay therefor the sum of $128,000.00, $28,000.00
cash in hand paid, the receipt. of which is hereby acknowledged, and the
balance of $100,000.00 to be paid as follows:
$25,000.00 on February t~, 1975
$15,000.00 on August !~, 1975
$25,000.00 on February !~, 1976
$25 , 000.00 on ~.ugust t~, 1976
together with interest at 6~ per annum. Interest to be paid with and in
addition to the principal amount of each note.
Mr. James Spragins, owner of Victory Radio & T.V. Hospital, 135 S. 10th Street
appeared to protest action of the Council on January 3, 19?!~ pertaining to order
not to issue privilege license. Mr. Spragins was informed of complaints of
citizens and promises he had made. After discussion, motion was made by
Alderman Bentley, seconded by Alderman Hightower: Grant James Spragins privilege
license provided upon first written compAsint the Council receives that he can
not substantiate that the license be revoked. Upon vote, the voting was as
follows:
Aye; Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, Hutcherson, Payton, Scott, Smith,
Bentley, Dickerson, and Grimsley
No: None.
Mr. and Mrs. James Swan, owners of West Memphis Cab Company, requested increase
in cab rates. Tentative rates discussed were:
70¢ for first mile, each ~ mile 15¢
Each acxditional passenger 25¢ - school children 10¢
10¢ per minutE ..h waiting time
Package delivery $1.00 minimum for first t miles
If driver leaves cab to be .25¢ for each ~ mile .
Due to rate schedules required to be advertised for public hearing, Mr. Swan
was advised to contact the City Attorney as to publishing the notice.
Mr. Jim Corona presented complaint as to mud covering the street at his new
business at 1201 E. Jefferson stating venders are refusing to deliver due to
street condition. The mud caused by work being done in the Urban Renewal Area
was explained, and the City Engineer directed to investigate the matter.
A meeting of builders and electricians with new city personnel) was announced
for ~ p.m. Tuesday, January 19th in the Courtroom.
Mayor Rodgers brought to the Council's attention he and Vice-Ma~'or Scott will
be out of the city January 6th to 30th. Alderman Dickerson nominated Alderman
Bentley as Mayor Pro Tem, the nomination was seconded by Aldermsann Hutcherson.
Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
A,ye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, Hutcherson, Payton, Scott, Smith,
Bentley, Dickerson, and Grimsley
No : None .
Alderman Grimsley requested street lights on Dover Road are not operating
properly.
Alderman Horton requested Police Department check on out of State license.
Alderman Hightower related complaint of resident at 182 S. 18th Street as to
parking congestion at food stamp office and requested No Parking Sign. The
Mayor suggested a uniform system for signs will have to be instituted.for
residential and commercial areas.
Alderman Dickerson announced a Police Commission Meeting after the Council
meeting .
No further business being presented,
ATTEST: .
dpPROVED: FEBRUARY 7, 74
the meeting was adjourn d.
C
MAYOR