August 21, 197598
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS,
ARKANSAS, HAD AND HELD ON AUGUST 21, 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 21st day of August, 1975• The following were present:
Mayor Joyce Ferguson; City Attorney R. L. Smith; and Aldermen Thomas Di~zkerson,
D. M. Grimsley, W. L. Harris, A. 0. Holt, Pritchard Horton, J. C. King,
Tilden Rodgers, R. T. Bentley, and R. S. Cosgrove.
Absent: Alderman: J. E. Hightower.
Alderman A. 0. Holt offered prayer.
It being determined a quorum was present, the following proceedings were ~
to-wit:
Alderman Grimsley, seconded by Alderman Harris, moved that Minutes of
August 21st as included in the packet be approved. Upon vote, the voting
was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Holt, Horton, King, Rodgers,
Bentley, and Cosgrove.
Nay: None.
Mayor Ferguson presented Mrs. Gilbert D. Jay a Distinguished Service Award and
a Bicentennial Medal in appreciation of her services as Bicentennial CommitteE:
Chairman. Mrs. Jay paid tribute to the members of her Committee, and announced
the Committee had received $13,000.00 Bicentennial Funds.
Due to the absence of Parker Eubanks a Distinguished Service Award for services
as an Airport Commissioner will be presented at a later date.
The Mayor presented Twenty Year Service Pins to Otis Rushing and Charles Powers
of the Fire Department, and expressed appreciation to Otis Rushing, who recently
retired from the Department.
Alderman Bentley, Chairman of the City Hall Building Committee, reported plans
are being made with the architect and contractor for final acceptance of the riew
City Hall, and will commence on the project with the Bicentennial Committee.
Alderman King, Chairman of the Shop Maintenance Committee, expressed appreciation
for the clean-up at the shop area and reported all city vehicles had been repaired
and in operation.
Alderman King requested a meeting with the Budget Committee to discuss funds
of approximately $3,000.00 for uniforms and equipment for additional firemen.
Alderman Holt brought to the Councils attention excerpt from August 8, 1975, letter
from the Office of the Attorney General in response to letter from the City Attorney
pertaining to the eligibility of a Civil Service Commissioner on the basis the
Commissionerts wife is a City employee, the excerpt read as follows: "since the
Commissioners spouse would apparently be subject to the rules and regulations
promulgated by the Civil Service Commission and since any appeal by the
Commissionerts spouse of a personnel decision would be heard by the Civil Service
Commission, this would raise an apparent conflict of interest and would make this
Commissioner1s presence on the Commission questionable at best." Also, referred
to the City Attorney's letter of August 12, 1975 on the matter. Thereupon,
Alderman Holt, seconded by Alderman Cosgrove, moved that we replace the Civil
Service Commissioner from Ward ~ upon ruling of Attorney General as requested
by the Council. During discussion of the motion, City Attorney Smith elaborated
on his letter of August 12th, and consideration was given as to the qualification:
of the Commissioner, due to the controversy the Council being remiss if does not
clarify the position, tests to be given by the Commission, removal of a Civil
Service Commissioner for cause, what constitutes cause, hearing on the matter,
and request and receiving opinion from the Attorney General on the matter. Roll
call vote on the question was put by the Mayor, and the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Grimsley, Harris, Holt, King, Bentley, Cosgrove.
Nay: Aldermen: Dickerson and Rodgers.
Alderman Horton abstained
City Attorney Smith ruled the motion failed due to requirement of two-thirds
of all members of Council elected.
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99
The Mayor stated that consideration should be given to a resolution approving
the sale of airport revenue bonds. City Attorney Smith read the resolution
entitled: A Resolution Approving The Sale Of Airport Revenue Bonds, Series
1975, Authorized By Ordinance No. 839 Approving The Designation Of A Trustee
And Paying Agent; And Prescribing Other Matters Relating Thereto.
Alderman Cosgrove, seconded by Alderman Harris, moved that the resolution
be adopted. During discussion, Mr. Morris Fair, Financial Consultant for the
City, advised no city property used as collateral for retirement of the bonds,
secured solely from revenue of the airport operation. The question was put by
the Mayor on the adoption of the motion and the roll being called, the following
voted
Aye: Aldermen Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Holt, Horton, King, Rodgers,
Bentley, and Cosgrove
and the following voted
Nay : None .
The Mayor thereupon declared the resolution adopted and signed the resolution,
which was attested by the City Cleric and impressed with the seal of the City.
The resolution was given No. 5~.1. The resolution read as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 5~1
A RESOLUTXON APPROVING THE SALE OF AIRPORT REVENUE
BONDS, SERIES 1975, AUTHORIZT;L~` BY ORL'INANCE NO. 8~~9
APPROVING THE DESIGNATION OF A TRUSTEE AND PAYING
AGENT; AND PRESCRIBING OTHER MA ITERS REI.ATINf~ THERETC3.,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the authorit~r coni'erred by Ordina:~ce No. $39
of the City, adopted and approved July l 7 , 197S (the "Authorizing Ordinance ") ,
there were duly authorized the City's Airport Revenue Bonds , Serie {~ 1975 ,
dated .April 1, I975 , in the principa I amount of $ 75 , 000 (the "bor~c's"}; and
v.
WHEREAS , the bonds have , pursuant to the authority confe rre d by the
Authorizing Ordinance, been sold on the terms set forth below.
NOW, TI-IEREFORE, BE I'f RESOLVED by the City Council of tl~c City
of West Memphis , Arkansas:
Section 1. The sale of the bonds is hereby approved and confirmed,
__ .The bonds .shall be .sold at a price of par plus ar_crued i~~*~rest fio t'r~e daii of
delivery.- The bonds shall be delivered to the purchasers named in a letter of_
delivery instructions signed by the Ma}ror and delivered to the Trustee, and
the Trustee shall be fully entitled to rely thereon, Tha bonds shall be dated
April 1, 1975. The bonds shall bear interest and be numbered, and the principal
of and interest on the bonds shall be payable, as follows:
- - _ _. ~__ _.._ __, ~._,......._.._ - ~ z
w. :. _. - _
4
- ._ __ .
Page 2
YF~AR
PRINCIPAL BONS
NOS. ~ INTEREST
R11TE ~` ~ INTEREST .
April 1 October 1
TOTAI,
~~ 1975 2907.50 2907.50
19 76
- ..
2907.50
2907.50
5815.00
1977 1,000 1 2907.50 2870.00 681.5
00
1978 ~ 2,000 2-3 2870.00 2795 .00 .
7740, 00
1979 2,000 ~4-5 2795.00 2720,00 7590.00
1980. 2 , 000 6--7 2 720.00 2645.00 7440.00
1981 2,000 8-9 7-1/2;~ 26x5.00 25'10.00 7290.00
1982 3,000 10-12 2570.00 2457.50 814Q,0Q
1983
3,000
13-15
2457,50
2345.00 .
7935.00
1984 3,000 16-18 2345.00 2232.50 7690.00 '
1985 3,000 19-21 2232.50 2120.00 74G5.00
1986 3 ,000 22-24 21.20.00 2007. SO
, 7240.00
1987 3,000 ZS-27 _ 2007.50 .
1891.25 ~ 7015.00
19 $8 ~ 4 , 000 2 8-31 1.891.25 1736.25 ~~ 778?.. SO
I9~9 4,000 32-35 7-3/4~'~0 1736.25 ].581.15 7472.50
- 7.990 5 , 000 36-40 1581.25 13 87.50 81.62.50
1991 5,000 41.-45 1387.50 1193, 75 7775.00
1992 5 , 000 46-50 ~_ _ 1 1.93.75 1000.00 73 87. ,0
1993 S , 000 S 1-55 ___ 1. t)U0.00 800.00 1000.OQ
1994 6,000 56-61 800.00 560.00 7600.00
1995
- 7,000
~ 62-68 8% - 560.00 280.00 8120.00
. - .
1996 ~ 7, 000
_ 69-75 ~ 80.00 ~- 7560.00 "
- - Section 2, lank of ~'l~est 1iI`r,~i.~~~i:? , ~ft~f:st ~~ `~=rnp?pis, nrl:~r~;;as, is hereby
appointed and approved as Trustee and P~,~,~ir~g Agent for the bonds ,
Section 3. 7`his Resolution is ass;;;.tc~d pursuant to the authority conferred
by the Authorizing Ordinance, and tie Ate;~d~>rizing Ordinance, toget:?~er vaitl-c and
as supplemented by this Resolution, is ~~~ft.='fi~~d and confirmed anti shall continue
- In full force and effect.
Section 4 . The provisions of tl~~i ~~ l?c, solution are hereby declareC to be
severable and if a SeC1:loI1, phrase ur pr~c~E~ision sh::Il be decl?red invalid such
. declaration shall not affect the VuliGity of the remainder of the Resolution.
Section 5 . This Resolution sha 11 be in full force and effect from ant?
after its adoption ,
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101
City Engineer Brawley reviewed a proposed sign study and implementation
of the recommendations provided in the study as to upgrading "Stops' and
t'Yidldss signs, signing deficiencies along streets not on a Federal-aid System,
and 90~ Federal financing and 10~ local for installation of the signs . A
resolution entitled "A Resolution expressing The Willingness Of The City Of
West Memphis, Arkansas To Cooperate With. The Office Of The Coordinator Of
Public Safety_And Other Agencies In The Preparation Of A Signing Study And
program For The City Of West Memphis, Arkansas's was read by the City Attorney.
Alderman Grimsley, seconded by Alderman Rodgers, moved that the resolution
be adopted. During discussion of the motion as to criterion, traffic count,
~-way signs, description of signs, removal of signs, and citizen reaction
Alderman Horton, seconded by Alderman Dickerson moved that the motion be
tabled. Roll call vote on the motion was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Horton, and King.
Nay: Aldermen: Holt, Rodgers, Bentley, and Cosgrove.
Motion failed .
The question was put by the Mayor on the adoption of the motion to adopt
the resolution, and the roll being called, the following voted:
Aye: Aldermen: Grimsley, Rodgers, Bentley, and Cosgrove.
Nay: Aldermen: Dickerson, Harris, Holt, Horton, and King.
# The motion failed .
Mayor Ferguson recommended the designation of Mrs. Sarah Y. Smith as a
Department Head. After discussion, vote on the designation was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, Holt, Horton, King, Rodgers,
Bentley, and Cosgrove.
Nay: None.
Mr. Morris Fair, Financial Consultant far the City, elaborated on reasons
for recommending to the Mayor she execute mor-~gage release on-1.09 acres
unto fast St, Louis Castings Company as authorized by the Council on
August 7, 1975, and an opinion on the matter had been requested by the Mayor
and City Attorney.
Mrs. Connie Stewart, Executive Director of the Tenn-Ark.-Miss. Council of
Girl Scouts requested a portion of the funds received by the City from
Southland Greyhound Park for the benefit of young females. Mrs. Stewart
commented on funds available from tie Community Chest, cookie sale,
approximate cost of $25.00 per girl for the X50 to 500 girls involved in
Scouting in West Memphis and development and upkeep of property for scout
camps. After discussion, the matter was taken under advisement.
Upon inquiry Alderman Grimsley was informed additional work is to be completed
by the railroads at their city street crossings.
Building Inspector Avery reported information is not available as to repairs
at the Boy Scout Hut, and the dilapidated houses program will commence within
thirty to forty-five days.
Alderman Harris requested the Park Commission consider increasing the proposed
height of fence aound the Jackson baseball field, and was informed by Lee Cramer
would depend on bids and money alloca~d.
Alderman Cosgrove inquired as to ordinance oe the1Council forsl~dnesstduring the
Alderman Dickerson expressed appreciation t
illiness of his wife. ,Suggestion was made the request for financial assistance
by the Girl Scouts be made in writing.
Mayor Ferguson announced Municipal League Meeting November 16-18th in Hot Springs,
and a public hearing in connection with the Community Development Program at
7;30 p.m., August 27, 1975, in the Courtroom. Building Tnspec~r Avery announced
the Southern Building Code Congress will meet in Hot Springs November 15-16th.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourne d.
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MAYOR
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ATT '`~ CITY CLERK
APPROVED: #~ AMENDED-SHPT R 18, 1975