July 15, 1976~~
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS,
ARKANSAS, HAD AND HELD ON JUZY 15, 1976•
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 15th day of July, 1976. The following were present:
Vice-Mayor Thomas Dickerson, presiding, and Aldermen: J. C. King,
Dom Morris, Tilden Rodgers, R. T. Bentley, R. S. Cosgrove, D. M. Grimsley,
W. L. Harris, J. E. Hightower, and Pritchard Horton; and City Attorney
R. L. Smith.
Absent: Mayor Joyce Ferguson.
The invocation was given bY' Alderman Rodgers.
The following proceedings were had to-wit:
Alderman Cosgrove, seconded by Alderman Grimsley, moved to approve minutes of
Council Meeting on July 1, 1976, as included in the packet. Upon vote, the
voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: King, Morris, Rodgers, Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley,
Harris, Hightower, and Horton.
Nay: None.
Vice Mayor Dickerson announced bids would be opened for Rescue equipment and
a Fire Hose Dryer in accordance with Bid Notice published in the Evening Times
on June 2~.th and July 1st. The following bids were received:
Rescue Equipment:
Casco Industries, Shreveport, La.
Beaver Welding and Supply Co., Memphis, Tn. (One Item
Extractor)
Special Service and Supply Co., Normal, Ill.
Gordon B. Holloway & Associates, Memphis, Tn.
Hose Dryer:
Beaver Welding and Supply Co., Memphis, Tn.
Gordon B. Holloway & Associates, Memphis, Tn.
Casco Industries, Shreveport, La.
$1,350.00
886.00
1, 585.99
1,27.00
$2,117.00
2 , 2~t0.00
2, 2.9.00
Alderman Bentley, seconded by Alderman Grimsley, moved to turn bids over
to the Chairman of the Fire Commission. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: King, Morris, Rodgers, Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley,
Harris, Hightower, and Horton.
Nay.: None.
Mr. Morris H. Fair, President of United Municipal Investment Corporation of
Memphis, introduced Mr. Bob Stewart, Manager for Otis Elevator Company in
West Memphis, Mr. Earl Walker of Shreveport, La, a tool manufacturer acid
Mrs. Mary Jane Sykes a CPA of Shreveport, La. Mr. Fair commented on the -
following letter:
July 15, 1976
The Honorable Joyce Ferguson, Mayor
and Members of the City Council
West Memphis, Arkansas ?2301
Deax Mayor Ferguson and Council Members:
y4
I have discussed with Mr. Bob Stewart his proposal for the City of West Memphis to
issue up to $5,000,000 Industrial Revenue Bonds (Act 9). The purpose of the issue
would be to permit Mr. Stewart and his group to acquire the Otis 'Elevator Company
plant located in West Memphis. As you know, Otis Elevator Company is now operating
as a wholly owned subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (formerly United
Aircraft Corporation). Otis has announced a plan to transfer its equipment now
located in West Memphis to Cleveland, Ohio, and to dispose of its other investments
here .
Under the proposal submitted by Mr. Stewart, his group would provide the required
operating capital and the bond issue would provide financing to acquire from Otis
the existing building and equipment. The proposed operation would continue to
involve primarily the manufacture of fork lift trucks .
I have briefly reviewed projected income and expenses of the proposed operation
which shows cash flow sufficient to pay debt service on the bond issue. Mr. Stewart
will provide a more formal and more complete proposal for you.
After my brief review of the proposal and the plant, it is my recommendation that the
City indicate to Mr. Stewart its intention to cooperate in the issuance of the
proposed industrial revenue bonds. This indication of cooperation should be conditioned
by an agreement that:
1- The City will be provided more formal and complete details of the proposed financing.
2- The City is provided an unqualified approving opinion by Smith, Williams, Friday,
].dredge & Clark and the bond issue is completed and closed at no expense to the City.
3- The investors in the proposed bond issue must be institutional type investors such
as insurance companies, banks or similar major lenders.
lt- Mr. Stewart~s group will enter into an agreement with the local taxing agencies for
payments in lieu of taxes.
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance .
Sincerely,
/S/ MORRIS H. FAIR
President
UMIC, Inc.
Mr. Bob Stewart spoke on the proposal made to Otis Elevator, and Mr. Earl Walker
presented information on his operation in Shreveport and expansion plans. After
discussion of finances, a sound venture, employees, taxes, further study and
recommendations from Mr. Morris Fair, and responsibility to the citizens of
West Memphis, Alderman Rodgers, seconded by Alderman Cosgrove, moved that at
this time give our tentative cooperation. During consideration of the motion
City Attorney Smith advised of State Statute pertaining to bond issues. Vote
on the motion was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: King, Morris, Rodgers, Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley,
Harris, Hightower, and Horton.
Nay : None .
Vice Mayor Dickerson presented a Distinguished Service Award to Mr. Morris Fair
of United Municipal Investment Corporation of Memphis, also a Distinguished
Service Award was given to Mr. Fair for Mrs. Julia Clapp, a member of his staff.
Alderman Bentley reported recommendation of the Park Commission to transfer funds
from the Salary Account to the Maintenance Account due to the retirement of
Mr. Landrum, and moved that transfer approximately $4,500.00 from the Salary Account
to the Maintenance Account of the Park Commission Budget. The motion was seconded
by Alderman Grimsley, Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: King, Morris, Rodgers, Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley,
Harris, Hightower, and Horton.
Nay : None .
Alderman Bentley advised the Committee on Utility workers longevity was in process
of obtaining figures, and report will be made at a later date.
~~
Alderman Bentley advised the Utility Department had requested permission to
advertise for two items, and moved that permission be granted to advertise for
bids for one 750 KVA l~80 Volt Transformer for the Water Treatment Plant and
2000 feet of primary underground cable for the Water Treatment Plant. The
motion was seconded by Alderman King. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
A,ye: Aldermen: King, Morris, Rodgers, Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley,
Harris, Hightower, and Horton.
Nay : None .
Alderman Bentley summarized efforts being made by the City and: cities in the
states of California, Ohio, Florida, Kentucky, Indiana, Massachusetts, Vermont, and
others to challenge the exorbitant fuel adjustment costs. Also, explained
West Memphis fuel adjustment is separate from base rate, however, some fuel
adjustments are included in base rates of some companies.
Alderman Rodgers suggested that someone from Arkansas Power & Light Compar~y
be invited to come to the Council Meeting in August and explain the method
used to arrive at the fuel adjustment cost. After discussion, motion was
made by Alderman Rodgers, seconded by Alderman Grimsley, that a formal. request
from the Mayor and City Council be made for someone from Arkansas Power &
Light Company to be present at the next Council Meeting. Upon vote, the voting
was as follows:
r
Aye: Aldermen: King, Morris, Rodgers, Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley,
Harris, Hightower, and Horton.
Nay: None.
P. G. Para advised request had been made, and someone is to be present on August 5th.
Alderman Bentley announced a Utility Committee meeting after Council Meeting.
Alderman Horton announced a Police Commission Meeting will be held after the
Council Meeting.
Vice Mayor Dickerson informed the Council Mayor Ferguson requested three
members of the Council serve on a committee to discuss the longevity matter
with the Sanitation and Street workers, and had appointed the following:
Alderman King, Chairman, and Aldermen Harris and Morris.
An ordinance entitled "An Ordinance To Define City Employee Of The City Of
West Memphis, And Stipulate Mandatory Retirement at 65 Years" was read the
second time by City Attorney Smith. Alderman Horton, seconded by
Alderman Rodgers, moved that the second reading of the ordinance be approved.
The question was put by the Vice Mayor on the adoption of the motion, and the
roll being called, the following voted:
Aye: Aldermen: King, Morris, Rodgers, Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley,
Harris, Hightower, and Horton.
Nay: None.
The Vice-Mayor reported plans are being made to have the Personnel Manual
presented for approval at the next Council Meeting inasmuch as have received
input from the Civil Service Commission.
No one appeared to present the Historical Society's findings on the log cabin.
Mrs. Roberta Jackson presented request of the L. R. Jackson Girls Club to
utilize the Wonder Swimming Pool property, and elaborated on efforts to obtain
space for the Club since their building burned, hours and days of use,
renovation of the building, covering of the pool, use of the building by other
girl's organizations, funds available, donation of labor and funds, use of
Revenue Sharing Bands. Alderman Harris, seconded by Alderman Cosgrove, moved
that the City Attorney research and prepare a lease for the property to the
L. R. Jackson Girls Club. During consideration of the motion a lease for 20
years at $1.00 a year was suggested, if card will help with money for the project,
estimate of cost of work between $8,000 and $20,000 was presented by Building
Inspector Avery, location of the building, and if property leased by the Girls Club,
they would be responsible for insurance on the property were discussed. Vote
on the motion was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen; King, Morris, Rodgers, Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley,
Harris, Hightower, and Horton.
Nay: None .
~~
Alderman Harris, seconded by Alderman Morris, moved to grant permission to
advertise for bids for a chemical truck, pumper truck, and equipment for the
Fire Department. The items requested having been budgeted in Revenue Sharing
Funds were discussed. Vote on the motion was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: King, Morris, Rodgers, Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley,
Harris, Hightower, and Horton.
Nay: None. -
Alderman Harris, seconded by Alderman Bentley, moved to designate Richard Tidwell,
Finance Director, as a Department Head. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
lye: Aldermen: King, Morris, Rodgers, Bentley, Cosgrove, Dickerson, Grimsley,
Harris, Hightower, and Horton.
Nay: None.
Alderman Bentley reported recommendation of the Utility Committe to combine
the Plumbing and Sewer Inspectors positions, and moved that the recommendation
be accepted. The motion was seconded by Alderman Horton. After discussion of
the position not being a Department Head, testing by Civil Service, designation
of an employee to work with Mr. Avery until Civil Service test can be given,
the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Morris, Bentley, Dickerson, Harris, Hightower, Horton, and
Grimsley.
Nay : None .
Aldermen Rodgers, King, and Cosgrove were not present for voting.
Motion was made by Alderman Bentley, seconded by Alderman Horton, that application
be made to the State for temporary license for Gary Pospisil until get proper
certification from Civil Service. Vote on the motion was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Bentley, Dickerson, Harris, Hightower, Horton, Grimsley, and
Cosgrove.
Nay: None.
Aldermen Rodgers, King, and Morris were not present for voting.
City Attorney Smith read the following letter:
Crittenden Memorial Hospital
July 7, 1976
Mayor Joyce T. Ferguson
and City Council
City Hall
West Memphis, Arkansas 72301
Dear Mayor & Council Members:
On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the employees of Crittenden Memorial Hospital,
I wish to express our sincerest appreciation for the use of the parking area north
of the hospital. If any of you have visited the hospital recently during the day
you can appreciate what a tremendous help this has been, especially during this time
of construction and development. I wish to make a formal expression of our appreciation
of your cooperation and support which is always of such great value in our development.
Thanking you again for your consideration and understanding in helping solve the
parking problem in this area, I am
Sincerely yours,
/S/ RICHARD F. SCRUGGS
President & Chief
Executive Officer
,`'7 #
Alderman Bentley, Chairman of the Budget Committee, brought to t1~e Council's
attention recommendation of the Policy Commission requesting Civil Service
testing for an Assistant Chief of Police inasmuch as the position had not been
authorized. Alderman Horton, Chairman of the Police Commission, commented on
Chief of Police Keen attending the FBI School in Washington, D. C. for three months,
number of Captains, budget, Assistant Chief and Inspector positions. Motion
was made by Alderman Grimsley, seconded by ~..derman Rodgers, that refer to the
Budget Committee. After discussion, the roll call vote was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Rodgers, Bentley, Dickerson, Grimsley, Harris, and Hightower.
No: Aldermen: King, Morris, Cosgrove, and Horton.
The motion passed.
Alderman Bentley advised the Committee will present their recommendation to the
Council .
Alderman Harris inquired as to a trailer located at the end of 8th Street.
Building Inspector Avery advised the Board of Adjustment is considering the
matter, however, the Board had not met in two months.
Operation of a Woodyard at S. 22nd and Monroe Streets was brought to the Council's
attention by Alderman Harris. Building Inspector Avery stated he had been unable
to contact the owner, will ascertain if meets City requirements.
No further business being presented, Alderman Grimsley, seconded by Alderman Rodgers,
moved to adjourn. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: King, Morris, Rodgers, Bentley, Cosgrove, -Dickerson, Grimsley,
Harris, Hightower, and Horton.
Nay: None .
VICE-MAYOR
~ _~ 7 ,
ATTE , _
CIT
APPROVED: AUGUST 5, 1976