February 26, 1975
MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS,
ARKANSAS, HAD AND HELD ON FEBRUARY 26, 1975•
The City Council of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, met in an adjourned
session at its regular meeting place in West Memphis, Arkansas, at 5:00 p.m.
on the 26th day of February, 1975•
Alderman Cosgrove offered prayer. The following were present:
Mayor Joyce Ferguson, presiding, and Aldermen: Pritchard Horton, C. D. Hutcherson,
J. C. King, R. T. Bentley, R. S. Cosgrove, W. L. Harris, and A. 0. Holt; and
City Attorney R. L. Smith.
Absent: Aldermen: Thomas Dickerson, D. M. Grimsley, and J. E. Hightower.
It being determined a quorum was present, the following proceedings were
had to-wit: '
Alderman Horton reported on the meeting of the committee appointed to consider
the resolution favoring a bill in the Arkansas Legislature creating a Special
Judicial District for Crittenden, Cross, and Pdnsett Counties, and moved to
adopt the resolution. The motion was seconded by Alderman Hutcherson. After
deliberation on the resolution, expediting hearing of cases, financial costs,
involvement of the Council in the matter, bill pending in Legislature to
redistrict all of the State, number of cases in the District, the City Attorney
read the Resolution. Alderman Hightower made a delayed appearance. City
Attorney Smith advised the Council would take m~,goz~ty °of all elected to the
Council, being six affirmative votes, to pass the Eesolution. Upon roll call
vote, the voting was as follows;
Aye: Aldermen; Horton, Hutcherson, Bentley, Cosgrove, and Holt.
Pao: Aldermen: King, Harris, and Hightower.
Resolution did not pass.
A Resolution expressing appreciation to Senator John L. McClellan was presented
for consideration. Alderman Bentley, seconded by Alderman King moved that the
rule be waived and the matter placed on the agenda. Upon vote, the voting was
as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Horton, Hutcherson, King, Bentley, Cosgrove, Harris, Hightower,
and Holt .
No: None.
City Attorney Smith read the Resolution. Alderman Holt, seconded by Alderman Bentley
moved that adopt the Resolution. Upon roll call vote, the voting was as follows:
,A,ye: Aldermen: Horton, Hutcherson, King, Bentley, Cosgrove, Harris, Hightower,
and Holt .
No : None .
The Resolution read as follows:
~°~37
RESOLUTION N0. 520
WHEREAS, the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, was greatly honored on
February 17, 1975, by a visit from our Senior Senator from ~iashington, D. C.,
the Honorable John L. McClellan, and
WHEREAS, his interest in representing the fine people of Arkansas has been
paramount in his mind over a long period of years, and
WHEREAS, our Senior Senator has held a tight control over federal expenditures
on a national level, and
WHEREAS, our Senior Senator was instrumental in providing the funds for our
control tower at the West Memphis Airport and airport improvement before the
construction of the tower began; technical assistance and studies in connection
with the development of a proposed industrial park and park improvements;
Interstate highway improvements; assistance to Crittenden Memorial Hospital;
National juvenile program to specifically improve our law enforcement agencies;
assistance to the National Agricultural Program;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the West Memphis City Council wishes to take
this opportunity to publically express our sincere appreciation for the splendid
job Senator John L. McClellan has been doing in Washington, D. C., over a long
period of years, and especially wishes to commend him on taking time out of his
busy schedule to pay the City of 1rJest Memphis, Arkansas a visit and listen to
our local problems with an open mind. `~
,: .:„„.,
A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to make application to the Arkansas
Commission on Crime for Law Enforcement Administration Agency grant funds
was presented for consideration. Alderman Cosgrove, seconded by
Alderman King moved that waive the rule and the resolution considered.
Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
A,ye: Aldermen: Horton, Hutcherson, Bing, Bentley, Cosgrove, Harris, Hightower,
and Holt.
No : None .
City Attorney Smith read the Resolution. Administrative Assistant Gallagher
explained the application being prepared would be $1.~5,1~1~.86 the Federal
Government paying $x.0,872.86, the State $2,271.00 and the City matching the
State part of $2,271.00. The Grant would be for one year for 1 additional
secretary for CID, salar~r $5,000.00, Investigation law enforcement equipment,
3 cars - 2 sedans and 1 sports model car, 1 crime scene van. Alderman Bentley
brought to the Council's attention the matter had not been presented to the
Police Commission prior to the meeting. After discussion, Alderman Bentley,
seconded by Alderman Holt moved that approve the Resolution authorizing the
Mayor to make application for LEAA grant funds. Upon roll call vote, the voting
was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Horton, Hutcherson, King, Bentley, Cosgrove, Harris, Hightower,
and Holt.
No : None .
The Resolution read as follows:
RESOLUTION N0. 521
WHEREAS, the City of West Memphis, Arkansas is situated in a high crime rate
area, and
WHEREAS, the Federal Government has certain funds available to combat crime
to those areas which can qualify, and
WHEREAS, the City of West Memphis, Arkansas is greatly in need of the Law
Enforcement Administration Agency Funds, specifically designated to help
combat crime.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of West Memphis,
Arkansas authorize the Mayor of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas to make
application to the Arkansas Commission on Crime for LEAA grant funds.
~k'~S
mayor Ferguson informed the Council permission to transfer the fire station
project from Community Development to Revenue Sharing should be considered.
Thereupon, Alderman Bentley, seconded by Alderman Hutcherson moved~~o waive the
rule and consider the matter. Upon roll call vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Horton, Hutcherson, King, Bentley, Cosgrove, Harris,
Hightower, and Holt.
No : None .
City Treasurer Fred Owen explained the construction cost of the Fire Station
was originally in Revenue Sharing then put in Community Development Program,
however, funds of Community Development Program will not be available until
July or August and payments are due to the architect and contractor. Also,
the matter had been discussed with Don Manes, and may be handled by transfering
the project back duo Revenue Sharing. After discussion of City finances,
allocation of Community Development Program, and funds for the proposed park,
Alderman Cosgrove, seconded by Alderman King moved that take $107,000.00 for
fire station put in Revenue Sharing. Upon roll call vote, the voting was as
follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Horton, Hutcherson, King, Bentley, Cosgrove, Harris,
Hightower, and Holt.
No : None .
Mayor Ferguson informed the Council letter had been received from Municipal
Judge Lindsey Fairley, and it would be necessary to waive the rule to
consider the matter. Alderman Horton, seconded by Alderman King moved that
waive the rule and matter placed on the Agenda. Upon vote, the voting was
as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Horton, Hutcherson, King, Bentley, Cosgrove, Harris,
Hightower, and Holt.
No: None.
The letter requesting an informal expression of consent to the Legislative
Delegation for i cre se in the Municipal Judge's Salary from $15,000 to
$17,500 a year,/~ncre~ase in work load over ~.0~ and 5~ salary increases to
city employees was read by City Attorney Smith, also letter from
Representative Kent Rubens requesting response to the Legislative Delegation
as to approval of the request. After discussion of bill drafted, salary
increase included in County Budget, salary set by Legislature, City Budget,
employee salary increases, use of City reserve funds, additional revenue,
Municipal Court sessions, Utility grants, and elected officials salaries
roll call vote on the question of whether to recommend to the Legislative
Delegation a raise of $1,250.00 in the City's portion of the salary paid
the Municipal Judge was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Horton, King, Cosgrove, and Hightower.
No: Aldermen: Hutcherson, Bentley, Harris, and Holt.
Recommendation did not pass.
Alderman Hutcherson reported the committee appointed to study a raise for
the City Treasurer did not arrive at 100 agreement, and moved that Council
by~roll calf va~e~ on{ ~ch.e City ~~ea~i~er t s: ra~.se '~ req~es~. Alderman King
seconded the motion during discussion Alderman King recalled his second of
motion, and Alderman Cosgrove seconded the motion. The roll call vote on
the motion was as follows; after the City Attorney read ordinance with salary
of $250.00 per month as requested by the City Treasurer.
Aye: Aldermen: None.
No: Aldermen: Horton, Hutcherson, King, Bentley, Cosgrove, Harris,
Hightower, and Holt.
Alderman Harris requested check be made on gas truck parked at 10th and
Jackson.
Alderman Cosgrove requested a Resolution be prepared to indicate to the
Governor and Legislature that days not being used in the Judicial District
be allocated to Crittenden County as a definite need for additional Court
days .
~:
During discussion of deadlines for filing dates for LEAA Grants, and discussion
with Chief of Police Harper and Administrative Assistant Gallagher as to civilian
radio operator in the Police Department under 0. J .T . Program Alderman Bentle~r
requested major decisions of the Department be referred to the Police Commission
in order to cordinate activities. Police Commission meeting following the
Council Meeting was announced.
Alderman King inquired as to grant payments from LTtility Commission, and
Administrative Assistant Gallagher was requested to obtain information on
the matter.
Alderman Cosgrove inquired as to status of Bill in Legislature pertaining to
the college branch, and report was made.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
MAYOR
ATTES .:
CITY CLE
APPROVED: APRIL 3, 1975