January 2, 1975~+ 1
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MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS, HAD AND
HELD ON JANUARY 2, 1975•
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 o'clock p.m.
on the 2nd day of January, 1975• The following were present:
Mayor Joyce Ferguson; Aldermen: R. T. Bentley, Robert S. Cosgrove,
Thomas Dickerson, D. M. Grimsley, Willie Lee Harris, J. E. Hightower,
Aubrey 0. Holt, Pritchard Horton, C. D. Hutcherson, Jasper C. King; and
City Attorney R. L. Smith
Absent: None.
It being determined a quorum was present, the following proceedings were had
to-wit:
Alderman Bentley, seconded by Alderman Hutcherson moved to dispense with
reading of minutes until next meeting. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Hightower,
Holt, Horton, Hutcherson, and King..
No: None.
Mayor Ferguson requested recommendations of the Aldermen for accomplishments
and priorities during this administration. Recommendations and goals suggested
were: Drainage, street repair, adopt budget without additional burdens on the
citizens, utilize Revenue Sharing Funds to the best advantage, work together,
better relations between city employees, and a better West Memphis.
Mayor Ferguson announced appointment of Fire Chief, Vice Mayor, and committees
will be made at a later dais due to study and background information meressary for
important decisions. Request was made by the Mayor for approval of appointment
of Mr. Richard Joe Gallagher II as Chief Administrative Officer. Alderman Grimsley,
seconded by Alde~~ ~~~on moved the appointment of Richard Joe' Gallagher II be
approved. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Hightower,
Holt, Horton, Hutcherson, and King.
No: None.
Mr. Gallagher was introduced to the Council.
Mayor Ferguson recommended the appointment of Mr. Ness Sechrest to the
Crittenden County Joint Planning Commission. Alderman Dickerson, seconded by
Alderman Hutcherson moved the appointment of Ness Sechrest be approved. Upon
roll call vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Hightower,
Holt, Horton, Hutcherson, and King.
No : None .
Alderman Hutcherson reported an inventory of Police Department cars had been
requested prior to a decision being made on bids for six police cars.
Mr . Jay Woods informed the Council the Committee had been unable to ~me~,~and canvas s
the bids for furniture and equipment for the Neighborhood Facility Center due
to illness and business.
Alderman Bentley brought to the Councilts attention discussion with representatives
of Burrough Corporation pertaining to the computer system~.that the program is
progressing in proper order.
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Mr. Tom Coleman, Executive Director of the West Memphis Community Development
Progra~ requested a meeting with the Council to consider plans for projects
to be funded by the Community Development Program. After discussion,
Alderman Grimsley, seconded by Alderman Harris moved that a Special Meeting
of the Council be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, January 9, 1975, to discuss
the Community Development Program only. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Hightower,
Holt, Horton, Hutcherson, and King.
No : None .
Attorney Ralph Sloan on behalf of owners of property recently annexed to the
City known as West Memphis Industrial Park, Missouri Improvement Company
informed the Council the Planning Commission on December 30, 197t~, recommended
all of Sections 26 and 35, T-7-N, R-8-E be rezoned M-2 Intensive Industrial
District. Mr. Sloan requested an ordinance with emergency clause to rezone
the property be considered. Alderman Bentley, seconded by Alderman Hutcherson
moved waive the rule, and the ordinance be considered. Upon vote, the voting
was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Hightower,
Holt, Horton, Hutcherson, and King.
No : None .
Alderman Cosgrove introdn~ed,.~. an ordinance entitled '~An Ordinance To Rezone
From R.A To M-2 All Of Sections 26 And 35, Township 7 North, Range 8 East,
Iying South Of The Center Line Of The Missouri Pacific Railroad, And
Declaring An Emergency~~ and the City Attorney read the ordinance in full.
Alderman Hutcherson 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: Bentley, Cosgrove, Drickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Hightower,
Holt, Horton, Hutcherson, and King.
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 ordinance was then read the second
time by the City Attorney.
The Mayor put the question on 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 thrd reading, and the roll being called the following voted:
Aye: Aldermen: Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Hightower,
Holt, Horton, Hutcherson, and King.
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.
The question was put by the Mayor on the ado~ion of the ordinance, and the
roll being called, the following voted:
Aye: Aldermen: Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Hightower,
Holt, Horton, Hutcherson, and King.
No : None .
Alderman Bentley, seconded by Alderman Hutcherson, moved that Section 3,
the emergency clause, be adopted, and on roll call the following voted:
Aye: Aldermen: Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Hightower,
Holt, Horton, Hutcherson, and King.
No : None .
The Mayor thereupon declared the ordinance and the emergency clause adopted
and signed the ordinance, which was attested by the City Clerk and impressed
with the seal of the City. The ordinance was given No. 823, and read as
follows:
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ORDINANCE N0. 823
AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE FROM RA TO M-2 ALL OF SECTIONS 26 AND 35, TOWNSHIP 7
NORTH, RANGE 8 EAST, LYING SOUTH OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE MISSOURI PACIFIC
RAILROAD, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, application was made to the City Planning Commission to rezone the
hereinafter described property and after notice having been published for
the time and in the manner as provided by Ordinance No. 715 the matter was
heard by the City Planning Commission and no persons appearing to protest
the same the Planning Commission recommended that said application be granted:
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS:
SECTION 1: That the following described property, to wit:
All of Sections 26 and 35, Township 7 North, Range 8
East, lying South of the center line of the Missouri
Pacific Railroad, containing 523.1 acres, more or less,
being also known as West Memphis Industrial Park,
Missouri Improvement Co.,
be and the same is hereby rezoned M-2, Intensive Industrial District.
SECTION II: That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith
are hereby repealed.
SECTION III: EMERGENCY CLAUSE: It is found and determined by the City Council
of the City of West Memphis that this ordinance is necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health and welfare of the City of West Memphis and the
growth and expansion of the City of West Memphis; therefore, an emergency is
hereby declared to exist, and this ordinance shall be in full force and effect
from and after its passage and approval.
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Mr. S. E. Holbrook presented request from the East Central Opportunity
Commission to obtain location for the Headstart School as the Housing
Authority requested the School move from building provided by the Housing
Authority. Mr. Jay Woods elaborated on efforts being made to obtain new
location for the school, and problems due to City having to provide building
as no funds available from the Federal Government for rent and rigid guidelines
imposed as to size and other requirements. Mayor Ferguson referred the matter
to a committee compered of Alderman King, Chairman, Alderman Hightower., and
Mr. Woods.
Mr. John Dozier, Vice-President of Guaranty Loan & Real Estate Company, commented
on far reaching aspects of the proposed West Memphis Industrial Park, Missouri
Improvement Company, and expressed appreciation to the Council.
There being no further business, the Council adjourned.
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TES a
CITY C
d^
MAYOR
APPROVED: J,~~y 16, 1975