October 21, 1976~~~J
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS,
ARKANSAS, HAD AND HELD ON OCTOBER 21, 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 21st day of October, 1976. The following were present: Mayor Joyce Ferguson,
presiding, and Aldermen: W. L. Harris, J. E. Hightower, Pritchard Horton,
J. C. King, Doug Morris, R. T. Bentley, R. S. Cosgrove, Thomas Dickerson, and
D. M. Grimsley; and City Attorney R. L. Smith.
Absent: Alderman Tilden Rodgers.
Rev. Henry Williamson, Pastoral Counselor, gave the invocation.
It being determined a quorum was present, the following proceedings were had
to-wit:
The following corrections to the Minutes of October 7th were made:
Page 1~.6 - (Top of Page) Fire Chief Burkhart instead of Fire Chief Burkhead
Page l~7 - (Letter from Mississippi-Arkansas-Tennessee Council Of Governments)
1. Conservation Award. b. Miss Piper instead of Mrs. Pipe
Alderman King, seconded by Alderman Grimsley, moved that Minutes be approved
as corrected included in the packet. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley, Cosgrove,
Dickerson, and Grimsley.
No : None .
Bids received as per Bid Notice published in the Evening Times on September 30th
and October 7th were read by City Attorney Smith.
Bids received as follows:
No. 1 - 1 Cab & Chassis body for front loading refuse collection packer body
Tom Gibson Ford $2~.,910.1~0
Memphis White Truck Company 29,685.00
Tri-State Mack 31,l~72.00
No. 2 - 1 Front Loading Refuse Collection Packer Body
Moody Equipment & Supply Company $19,717.00
Hawkins Equipment $16,323.00
l~89.69 - Sales Tax
Scruggs :Equipment $17,187.00
No. 3 - 3 Cab & Chassis for Rear Loading Refuse Packer Bodies
Tri-State Mack
Tom Gibson Ford
$2~., 860.00
62,580.00 - 3 Units Total
$13,320.36 -.Alternate A
17, 2t~l~..83 - Alternate B
51, 73ZG .~.9 - 3 Trucks
No. ~. Cab & Chassis for hydraulically operated brush and trash loader with grapple
Tom Gibson Ford
$12 , 511.x.6
No. 5.,'Behind the cab mounted, hydraulically operated trash loader with No. 210
bypass grapple
Tri-State Equipment Co. Inc. $11,207.00
Scruggs :Equipment Company, Inc. 15,290.00
Alderman Grimsley, seconded by Alderman Morris, moved to turn bids over to the
Sanitation Committee for evaluation with Mr. Scarbrough, and to award to the
lowest and best bidder. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
~ttia
Aye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley, Cosgrove
Dickerson, and Grimsley. '
No: None.
Bids for sign materials 607, 30~t x 30" Stop Signs, 136, 36« x 36" Yield Si
3 lb. per L. F. 12 ft. Channel Posts, 1,x.86 Nuts, bolts, and washers in ac ordance~
with Bid Notice published in the Evening Times on September 30th and October 7th
were read by the City Attorney. Bids were received as follows:
McRaney Enterprises $16,597.x.8
Traffic Supplies Inc . 19, 693.22
McDaniel Agency 16,727.0x.
Protection Services, Inc. No Bid
Vulcan Signs and Stampings Inc. 18,056.57
Arkansas Culvert & Supply Co. 16,903.67
Interstate Highway Sign Company 18,391.91
Harris enterprise Inc. 20 037.73
FSC Sale s 20, 903.50
Alderman Grimsley, seconded by Alderman King, moved to turn bids over to the
Street Department and Street Committee for evaluation, and to award to the
lowest and best bidder. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley, Cosgrove,
Dickerson, and Grimsley.
No : None .
Mr. Vernon Turk, Acting Chairman of the Auditorium Commission, presented the
following proposals:
To amend Ordinance. No. 815 Section 7, the Ordinance Creating the Auditorium
Commission, to permit increase from $300.00 to $1,000.00 for expenditures by
the Commission without bids. City Attorney Smith advised the $300.00 limit was
set by State Statute, and he would discuss with Kent Rubens a member of the
State Legislature.
Provide a pay parking lot next to the Auditorium. Mr. Turk elaborated on
obstacles as to legality of a pay parking lot, machine system to be installed
requiring no additional personnel, and revenue generated:
101 slots - 2 of slots used twice a day
156 cars - 25¢ per auto yearly income excess $1.Z~,000
50¢ per auto yearly income excess $28,000
Cost of Machine $6,300.00 plus electric service to machine - total cost
approximately $7,500.00
Service Contract $400 to $800.00
Projected Income: $7,500.00 Capital outlay
$6, 700.00 Net '} . ;
Each Year Thereafter $13,000.00
50¢ Charge $20,000.00 Net
Subsequent Years $28,000.00
Extended life of Machine 6 to 10 years.
Survey of parking by :Commission members.
After lengthy discussion as to revenue generated, control of revenue by the
Commission or General Fund, budget, metered parking in the city, parking for
Crittenden Memorial Hospital, parking at the Eugene Woods Civic Center,
charges for use of the Auditorium, buildings constructed with private or public
funds, and well lighted parking areas and areas available Alderman Dickerson,
seconded by Alderman Morris, moved that postpone indefinitely for further study.
Upon roll call, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley, Cosgrove, and
Dickerson.
No: None.
Alderman Grimsley was not present for voting.
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Mr. D. C. Neal, Chairman of the Energy Conservation Committee, reported
on objectives and activities of the Committee.
Alderman Bentley, seconded by Alderman Dickerson, requested five minute recess.
Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
dye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley, Cosgrove,
Dickerson, and Grimsley.
No : None .
RECESS
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Mayor Ferguson called the Council to order at 3:10 p.m., Alderman Dickerson
was not present.
City Treasurer Aubrey Holt presented recommendation of the Insurance Committee
to amend the present Aetna Plan which was bought originally it loflWeht°Memphhs
Utility Commission whereby all non-uniformed people of the C y
would be covered under the Plan. The City pay 5~ of gross income of all salary,
the employee be allowed to participate from two to ten percent on voluntary baasnis.
After employed for two years, an employee would be allowed to go under the p ,
and full vesting on the City's portion after ten years of participation in the
plan.
After discussion of cost of Plan being dependent on payroll amount, figuring budget,
current payroll $1,6~6,12?~.00, amendments to the Plan, City's present Plan, a
money purchase plan, bids, a new structured plan, guaranty, salary structure,
employee participation, vesting, retired employees, gt~n~~.AA, persons present at
the Insurance Committee meeting Charles DeGraff, Jim Bell, Rick Gallagher, P. G. Para,
and Aubrey Holt, time required to put together a plan, additional study, print-out
for employees; Alderman Horton, seconded by Alderman Grimsley, moved that pass
recommendation of Insurance Committee that amend Aetna Policy January 1, 1976•
During consideration of the motion, Alderman King, seconded by Alderman Cosgrove,
moved that amend motion before give authorization to start billing that see the
thing in its entirety and be reviewed by Council and Insurance Committee. Vote
on the amendment was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley, Cosgrove, and
Grimsley.
No : None .
Roll call vote on the motion as amended - Pass recommendation of Insurance Committee
that amend Aetna Policy January 1, 1976, and before give authorization to start
billing that see the thing in its entirety and be reviewed by Council and Insurance
Committe - was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley, Cosgrove, and
Grimsley.
No: None.
Alderman Bentley presented recommendations of the Budget Committee:
That Data Processing Account 8100 be taken out of General Fund and placed into
Utility Account. Motion was made by Alderman Bentley, seconded by Alderman Horton,
that transfer Data Processing Account 8100 from General Fund to Utility. Upon roll
call vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley, Cosgrove, and
Grimsley.
No: None.
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Alderman Bentley advised the Budget Committee had been requested to recommend
that salaries of the uniformed employees of the City be adjusted to the scale
being worked on by Dick Tidwell. The Mayor ruled matter could be presented.
Dick Tidwell distributed copies of Current Salaries, Proposed Pay Scale (Monthly),
Number in Each Range, proposed Salaries, Monthly salary .Ranges, Annual Salary Ranges,
and Increases for Fire Department and Police Department.
Upon inquiry as to legality of matter being presented at the meeting, City Attorney Smith
ruled that the Mayor had called for report from Budget Committee, and Chairman can
bring up items. chairman Bentley advised he was not involved in the matter as could
not attend the 10:00 A.M, meeting. Also, the Fire Commission had not met.
After explanation by Dick Tidwell as to information distributed, lengthy discussion
was had as to parrelling salaries for employees of the Fire and Police Departments,
recommendation for passage by the Police Commission, study needed by the Fire
Commission, vacancies existing, resignations pending, financial reasons for resignations,
Civil Service testing, jeopardy to citizens, unusal time for salary increases this time
of year, training and qualifications of employees, scales and increases for other City
employees, scale for hourly employees, funds available, budget, step-increases, payment
from Revenue Sharing for salaries; Alderman Horton, seconded by Alderman Cosgrove, moved
that these two Departments (Fire and Police) get raises as now worked out, and
Mr. Tidwell work up raises for other employees and let tk~em be retroactive to
November 1, 1976. After further consideration of the motion, roll call vote was as
follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, Morris, Bentley, Cosgrove, and Grimsley.
No: .Alderman: King.
Motion passed
Alderman Harris brought to the Councils attention working out a settlement as tc
longevity pay for sanitation workers. City Attorney Smith advised the matter is
in Court, and matter would have to be negotiated with the workers~s attorney.
After consideration, Alderman Harris, seconded by Alderman Bentley, moved that
authorize the City Attorney to settle the suit with the Sanitation Workers~s
Attorney, Mr. Samuel Turner, in best interest of the City. Upon vote, the voting
was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower; Horton, King, Morris, Bentley, and Cosgrove.
No: None.
Alderman Grimsley. was not present for voting.
During consideration of other employees who did not sue the City, Alderman Morris,
seconded by Alderman Cosgrove, moved that the Mayor appoint a committee to work
with others whose names not listed in the lawsuit. Upon roll call vote, the voting
was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Horton, Morris, Cosgrove, and Grimsley.
No: Aldermen: Harris, Highto~~rer, King, and Bentley.
Motion defeated.
Alderman Bentley, Chairman of the City Hall Building Committee, announced he had
received a check from Mrs. Cleo Holland, Treasurer of the Bicentennial Committee,
~.n the amount of $700.00 for 20 trees for landscaping for the Municipal Complex.
Also, Mrs. Holland will present a total financial statement of the Bicentennial
Committee to the City and County at a later date. Alderman Bentley presented the
check to City Treasurer Aubrey Holt, and expressed appreciation to the Committee.
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Alderman Bentley reported request of Utility Committee rnatorhrestrictttampering
be instrtz~ted to prepare an ordinance to regulate, go e ,
of all meters., water and electric, in the City of West Memphis for orderly
administration of business in the Utility Department.
Congratulations were extended to Lee Cramer, who was elected President of the
Arkansas Recreation and Park Association.
Lee Cramer reported after checking catalogues and other sources the bid for
chairs and tables from Moser-Fisher, Inc. is to be accepted. Another bid had
been received after the bid opening and was returned unopened. Also, the
twenty-five chairs for the Senior Citizens Project could be received at the
same price as bid. Dick Tidwell was instructed to have the chairs delivered
to the Senior Citizens Project.
Alderman Horton, Chairman of the Police Commission, informed the Council
Chief Bell would comment on items requesting permission to advertise for
bids. Chief Bell explained need for a dictating ~s~~ ~~~~ ~Q~~c~r~~~.~i~tfor
its costa roximately $x.,000.00;/recor~ing system for
for field repo , PP
telephones and radios, a second frequency for mobile units and base station
estimate $1,31.00, paint for jail cells approximately $~.~50.00 to $500.00,
and two battery emergency lights for jail complex one a single light the other
twin light cost approximately $362.50.
After consideration, Alderman Bentley, seconded by A~.~~~o~~~n~ moved that
waive bids for radio frequency equipment since have/ s r ce con ract with
Motorola. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Grimsley, Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley,
and Cosgrove.
No : None .
Alderman King, seconded by Alderman Cosgrove, moved that authorize Chief Bell
to purchase emergency lights and paint. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
ire: Aldermen: Grimsley, Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley,
and Cosgrove.
No: None.
Alderman King, seconded by Alderman Morris, moved to give authority to
advertise for bids for dictaphone equipment. Upon vote, the voting was as
follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Grimsley, Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley,
and Cosgrove .
No: None.
Chief Bell elaborated on a new Federal Program on crime prevention that would
assign six officers to work traffic accidents and traffic viola~a~as. Cost of
the Program is being negotiated 70~ Federal Funds, 30~ City, salary for the
officers, 2 police units including radio and radar, uniforms, etc. and gas for
units cost approximately $69,6t~7.10, City's portion $20,89.13. If just salaries
and. units~~cost approximately $62,872.00, City pay $18,861.60. The program for
three years may be extended for a longer period. After consideration,
Alderman Morris, seconded by Alderman Grimsley, moved to pursue the project.
Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Grimsley, Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley,
and Cosgrove.
No: None.
Alderman Grimsley reported the bid of Gordan B. Hon~oway~&o~~ooc fat$Le1s521r50hhad
High Pressure Air Compressor fog the Fire Departure ~
been accepted.
Alderman Morris requested additional time until the next Council Meeting for
report on adoption of a City Flag.
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An ordinance entitled ++An Ordinance To Rezone Lots 3~., 35, 36, 37, 38, 39,
~0, ~l, And The N 2 Of Abandoned Fourth Street Adjoining Lots 3~ and 35
Hulbert Heights Subdivision In The City Of West Memphis, Arkansas, Being
Known As 900 South Avalon Street, West Memphis, Arkansas++ was read the
second time by City Attorney Smith.
Alderman King, seconded by Alderman Grimsley, moved to adopt on second readin .
Upon roll call vote, the voting was as follows: g
No: None.
Aye: Aldermen; Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley, Cosgrove,
and Grimsley.
An ordinance entitled ++An Ordinance To Vacate Unnamed Street Or Road
Located In The SE4 Of Section 9, Township 6 North, Range 9 East++ was
read the second time by the City Attorney. .Alderman King, seconded by
Alderman Morris, moved to accept ordinance on second reading. Upon roll
call vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley, Cosgrove,
and Grimsley.
No: None.
Mayor Ferguson requested consideration of suggestions from MATCOG on
energy conservation be continued until the next Council meeting.
The Mayor announced the City is applying for 100 funding for a City Shop and S. 7th
under the Public Trlorks Employment Act of 1976, and requested authorization
to sign the contract. After discussion with City Engineer Bra~.ey,
Alderman Bentley, seconded by Alderman King, moved that the Mayor be authorized
to sign contract for the shop. Upon vote, the voting was as follows:
Aye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley, Cosgrove,
and Grimsley.
No : None .
Thereupon, Alderman Bentley, seconded by Alderman Grimsley, moved that
amend motion to include S. 7th Street. The motion read that the Mayor be
authorized to sign contract for the shop and S. 7th Street. Upon vote,
the voting was as follows ;
Aye: Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley, Cosgrove,
and Grimsley.
No : None .
Mayor Ferguson reminded the Council of Municipal League Meeting, and a
Community Development Hearing at 7:00 p.m. this date in Council Chambers.
Alderman Grimsley, seconded by Alderman Morris, moved to adjourn the meeting,
upon vote, the voting was as follows :
Aye; Aldermen: Harris, Hightower, Horton, King, Morris, Bentley, Cosgrove,
and Grimsley.
No : None .
ATTE __`~~i~
OITY CLERK ~ ~~~~
4 ~ .._~ MAYOR.
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APPROVED : NOVEMBER ~-, 1976