March 11, 1975~~ r~ r~
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS,
ARKANSAS, HAD AND HELD ON MARCH 1~, 1975•
The City Council of the City of ~t~lest Memphis, Arkansas, met in a special
session at its regular meeting place in T~Test Memphis, Arkansas, at 5:00 p.m.
on the 13th day of March, 1975•
City Engineer Brawley offered prayer. The following were present:
Mayor Joyce Ferguson, presiding, and. Aldermen: J. C. King, R. T. Bentley,
R. S. Cosgrove, Thomas Dickerson, D. M. Grimsley, W. L. Harris,
James Hightower, A. 0. Holt, Pritchard Horton, and C. D. Hutcherson; and
City Attorney R. L. Smith.
lfi.bsent : None .
The following proceedings were had to-wit:
Mayor Ferguson expressed appreciation to the Aldermen, citizens, and city
employees for assistance in the recent emergency caused by flooding in some
areas of the City.
City Engineer Brawley summarized the Corps of Engineers flood plan, and
future plans. Flood control, assistance received from individuals,
organizations, and businesses, organization of a disaster program,
evaluation by the office of Emergency Service, and report to the Governor's
office were discussed.
Mayor Ferguson commented on the drainage problem, and plans of the Drainage
Committee composed of~Ann Payton, Chairman, Mary Jay, Leonard Warden,
E. C. Gathirygs, and Robert Lehr appointed a year ago.
The Mayor announced she had received five letters of resignation from the
Utility Co~runission. City Attorney Smith read the following letter from
Commissioner Leo Chitman:
March 11, 1975
Honorable Joyce Ferguson
Mayor of the City of West Memphis
West Memphis, Arkansas 72301
Dear Mayor Ferguson:
An exact letter of the same text as this is today being presented to you by
each member of the West Memphis Utility Commission, confirming our respective
positions which each of us made known to you at yesterday's Commission meeting.
I therefore regretfully tender to you my offer of resignation as a member of the
Tritest Memphis Utility Commission subject to your acceptance of same at such time
as you deem appropriate. This action will allow your present Commission to
exist until your acceptance of the tender of resignation respectively.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your recent voice of support by your
statements and actions vetoing the Ordinance of the West Memphis City Council
which recently abolished the Utility Commission. I personally feel that all
members of the Commission have attempted in all good faith to the best of their
ability to perform their duties in a conscientious manner in the interest of the
City of West Memphis, in protecting the Systems facilities, in speaking for its
employees, and not least of all, in trying to keep the System out of politics
which I regret to say appears unavoidable under the circumstances.
I don't feel that the integrity, competency, character or ability of any member
of the Commission should be reflected upon in any way by action such as that
recently taken by the City Council, and the fine employers of the System deserve
no less because they are able people trying hard to serve the people of our City.
It is our hope that the people of Z~Jest Memphis realize the gravity and importance
of the present situation and speak out on the matter to our City officials.
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Again, for your part, you have made your feelings clear on the issue and
for that we are deeply grateful. And for this additional reason, we each
would not wish to see you put in a position of unrelenting pressure from
any source relative to this Commission, therefore we await your decisions
on these tenders of resigr~tion from each of us.
With kindest best wishes and sincere appreciation for your cooperation and
support, I remain
Sincerely yours,
Leo Chitman
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Letters were received from: William H. Hundhausen, Charles J. Upton,
I4ynn Stanfield, Dick Bland.
The Mayor commented on each member of the Commission, operation of the
Utility Department by the Commission, added responsibility to the Council
to operate the Utility Department.
The purpose of the special meeting, status of the Commission, submitting of
resignations by the Commissioners, emergency existing, and authority to make
appointments were discussed.
Mayor Ferguson suggested the following businessmen or others be considered
for appointment as Commissioners: Bob Eden, Milton Beck, Took Gathings,
John Mac Smith, Hugh Chalmers, and Jessie Cooper.
Qualifications of the men suggested, qualified citizens in other Wards,
newspaper articles, organization structure, consolidation of functions,
affront to Commissioners who had submitted resignations were debated.
Thereupon, Mayor Ferguson announced she accepted the resignation of all
five of the Commissioners as set forth by their reasons for resignation.
City Treasurer Fred Owen brought to the Councils attention the responsibili-~y
of the Mayor, City Clerk, and City Treasurer pertaining to operation of the
Utility Department.
Upon request as to operation of the Department upon resignation of the
Commissioners, City Attorney Smith presented opinion no change in the
functions and operation of the Utility De~~:~tment, the Department is
still in existence.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
A
CITv LERK
MAYOR
APPROZTED : APRIL 3, 1975