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May 19, 1977MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL MAY 19, 19 7 7 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was held on May 19, 1977, at 1:30 p. m. , in the council chamber of City Hall in West Memphis, Arkansas. Present were: Mayor Joyce T. Ferguson City Attorney- Robert Smith Aldermen: Lloyd Woodell Don Grimsley Charles Hampton James Hightower Pritchard Horton Roberta Jackson Doug Morris R. H. Ray Doug Shelton W. R. Spencer b e ing a quo rum. Mayor Ferguson presented a distinguished service award to John Hollis Warren who retired from the employ of the city after twenty-two years of service; also to Charles Hampton who worked diligently collecting donations from merchants of West Memphis to help defray expense incurred for the fiftieth anniversary celebra- tion of the city. The Mayor announced certificates had also been given to Jay Woods for his work in coordinating the festivities for the celebration; to Ann Passmore for making the city flag which Cliff Jackson had designed; and to Dr. Horace E. Hartsell for East Arkansas Community College classes offered in West Memphis. The Mayor stated the necessity of approving or correcting the minutes of May 5, 1977. Alderman Grimsley made a motion to approve the minutes with the correction of a typographical error in the word "reading". Alderman Spencer seconded the motion and upon voice vote the minutes were unanimously approved as corrected. There being no old business on the agenda, the Mayor stated the first order of new business to be the first reading of an ordinance to amend Ordinance 586 concerning the building code. City Attorney Robert Smith read the ordinance. Alderman Grimsley made a motion to adopt the ordinance on the first reading. Alderman Hampton seconded the motion. After discussion and upon roll call vote, it was unanimously Insp. Dept. (building RESOLVED, That the ordinance to code) amend Ordinance 586 concerning the building code be and hereby is adopted on the first reading. City ,Attorney Robert Smith read an ordinance to amend Ordinance 710 concerning fire prevention. Alderman Shelton made a motion to adopt the ordinance on the first reading. Alderman Morris seconded the motion. After discussion and upon roll call vote, it was unanimously (fire dept.) RESOLVED, That the ordinance. to amend Ordinance 710 concerning fire prevention be and hereby is adopted on the first reading. City Attorney Smith read an ordinance to amend Ordinance 899 concerning riding of motocycles in the city. Alderman Grimsley made a motion to adopt the ordinance on the first reading. Alderman Shelton seconded the motion. During discussion Alderman Ray made a motion to amend Section 1 of the new ordinance. Alderman Spencer seconded the motion and upon roll call vote, the ordinance was amended to include the words "without muffler or with modified muffler" in Section One. Upon roll call vote,. it was unanimously (motorcycle RESOLVED, That the amended ordinance ordinance to amend Ordinance 899 be and hereby is amended) adopted on the first reading. Alderman Horton, acting chairman of the special committee to resolve the problem of city owned property behind Broadway Mobile Home Park, asked the council's approval of the committee's recommendation that Mr. Charles Brown form an association of the property owners and have the property owners sign a petition saying they are willing to pay the qty of West Memphis One Dollar ($1. 00). plus all legal expenses involved for said property, deeds to be made subject to existing and necessary easements. The city states there must be 100% participation of the owners or the agreement is null and void, Alderman Grimsley made a motion to accept the recom- mendation of the committee. Upon motion being duly seconded and after discussion and voice vote, it was unanimously RESOLVED, That the recommendation of the committee is hereby accepted. An association of the property owners will be formed by Charles Brown; the property owners will sign a petition stating they will pay the City of West Memphis One Dollar ($1.00) plus all legal fees; deeds will be made subject to existing and necessary easements; the foregoing only if there is 100% participation of the owners. Alderman Woodell, Chair~.an of a special committee to make a recommendation on the amount of building fee to be charged students registering for the new Arkansas State University classes to be held in West Memphis, made a motion that the City of West Memphis charge a Ten Dollar ($10. 00) building fee per student; fee to be collected prior to registration; to have a city employee collect (mini park Br. Mobile Home park) this fee and turn it over to the city, as per the recommendation of the committee. Alderman Ray seconded the motion. After discussion and voice vote, it was unanimously RESOLVED, That the recommendations (ASU of the committee be and hereby are ac- building cepted and an assessment of Ten Dollars fee) ($10. 00) per student,~er semester will be collected prior to registration. Alderman Morris, Chairman of the Fire Commission, made a motion to advertise for bids on a new fire truck to be stationed at Fire Station No. 4. Upon motion being duly seconded and voice vote, it was unanimously (Fire Dept. RESOLVED, That the Fire Commission adv. for bids be and hereby is authorized to advertise truck for #4) for bids on a new fire truck to be stationed at Fire Station No. 4. Alderman Morris made a motion that the city and the City Council support and enforce the fire prevention program. Upon motion being duly seconded and voice vote, it was unanimously RESOLVED, That the City Council does support and will enforce th~fire prevention program. Alderman Spencer, Chairman of the Budget Committee, made a motion to approve the recommendation of the Mayor and the Budget Committee that Paul McConnell be placed in the job as de- partment head of the Street Department with a salary set at Nine Hundred Dollars ($900. 00) per month with retreat rights after six months. Alderman Shelton seconded the motion. During discussion Alderman Shelton made a motion to limit debate. Alderman Jack- son seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, debate Was ceased and the Mayor asked for a voice vote on the original motion. Thereupon, it was unanimously (St. Dept. RESOLVED, That Paul McConnell is P. McConnell) hereby Department Head of the Street promoted Department with a salary of Nine Hundred ($900. 00) per month . Alderman Spencer made a motion that Mrs. Louise Wheeler be moved to department head status with a Fifty Dollar ($50. 00) per month increase in salary from fight Hundred Fifty Dollars x.$550. 00) per month to Nine Hundred Dollars ($900. 00) per month as Executive Secreary of the Public Works Department. Alderman Grimsley seconded the motion and after discussion and voice vote, it was unanimously (Public Works RESOLVED, That Mrs. Louise Wheeler I~. Wheeler pro- hereby does have department head status moted) with a salary of Wine Hundred Dollars ($900. 00) per month as Executive Secretary of the Public Works Department. Alderman Spencer made a motion that the city sell a photo sink for One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) to individuals wishing to purchase the sink. Upon motion being duly seconded and voice vote, it was unanimously RESOLVED, That the photo sink may be sold to individuals for a sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100. 00). Alderman Spencer made a motion to approve payment of Fifteen Hundred Dollars ($1500. 00) for a portable stage built in the Civic Auditorium from the Bond Construction Fund. Alderman (photo sink) Hampton seconded the motion and upon voice vote, it was unanimously RESOLVED, That a payment of Fifteen Hundred Dollars ($1500. 00) be made for the construction of the portable stage in the Civic Auditorium. Alderman Grimsley made a motion to allow the Finance Director to hire a person temporarily to replace the Personnel Director until proper steps can be followed for hiring permanent (Auditorium portable stage payment) employee. Alderman Horton seconded the motion and after discussion, it was unanimously RESOLVED, That the Finance Director be and hereby is allowed to hire a person temporarily to replace the Personnel Director until proper steps can be followed for hiring a permanent Personnel Director. Alderman Morris made a motion for afive-minute recess. Upon motion being duly seconded and voice vote, tree Mayor declared a five-minute recess. The Mayor called the meeting back to order at 3 :15 p. m. (Personnel Director) Alderman Horton, Acting Chairman of the Cable TV Committee, made a motion that the council give the Cable TV Committee permis- lion to spend a maximum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500. 00) for a preliminary survey to determine need for cable TV in West Memphis. After motion being duly seconded and during discussion Alderman Horton read a letter of May 3, 1977, to Dr. Jay, a member of the Committee, concerning the one day evaluation. Upon roll call vote, it was unanimously (Cable TV RESOLVED, That the Cable TV Com- evaluation mittee be and hereby is given permis- authorized) Sion to spend a maximum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for an evaluation to determine the need for CAble TV in West Memphis. Joryn Smith was instructed by the Mayor and the Council to inform Mr. T. C. Dowden of the council action. It was requested that the council be notified when Mr. Dowden is here so they can meet with him. Alderman Grimsley, Chairman of the Utility Committee, made a motion to accept the low bid from McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company for $4.62 per foot for the Holiday Gardens Subdivision, Sec. III, Phase II. Alderman Shelton seconded the motion and upon voice vote, it was unanimously (Utility Dept. RESOLVED, That the Utility Com- McWane bid) mittee is hereby authorized to accept the low bid from McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company for $4.62 per foot for the Holiday Gardens Subdivision, Sec. III, Phase II. Alderman Grimsley made a motion to permit the Utility Department to install ADT alarm system at the Wm. H. Hundhausen Building. Upon motion being duly seconded and after discussion and voice vote, it was unanimously (Utility Dept. RESOLVED, That an ADT alarm system ADT system) is to be installed in the Wm. H. Hundhausen Building. Alderman Grimsley made a motion to grant permission to advertise for bids for a transformer for Boise Cascade.. Alderman Hampton seconded the motion and upon voice vote, it was unanimously (Utility Dept. RESOLVED, That the Utility Department adY. for bids is hereby authorized to advertise for bids transformer) on a transformer for Boise Cascade. Alderman Grimsley, on recommendation from the Park Commission, made a motion that the Lamar Rodgers Swimming Pool be closed permanently and filled with- dirt. Alderman Morris seconded the motion and upon voice vote, it was unanimously RESOLVED, That the Lamar Rodgers (Lamar- Swimming Pool be closed permanently Rodgers and filled with dirt. pool ) Alderman Jackson, Chairman of the Sanitation Committee, recommended that ordinances be enforced concerning fifty gallon garbage barrels, debris and especially debris left from construction jobs. Alderman Jackson made a motion that Mr. Calvin Avery, Building Inspector, not issue a permit to a contractor who had not cleaned up the debris from previous construction job. Alderman Grimsley seconded the motion. During discussion, Alderman Ray said he would ask Chief Keen to send an officer to the City Inspector's Office to help Mr. Avery enforce ordinances. Alderman Horton advised he was holding a list of delinquent privilege license in the amount of Ten Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty-five Dollars ($10, 855. 00). Alderman Morris advised the Privilege License Committee will meet Tuesday, May 24, and make some decision on what to do about a penalty on delinquents. It was suggested that after date decided by the Mayor, the penalty for non-payment of privilege license would be to double the amount of the license. After discussion, City Attorney Robert Smith recommended not to pass this motion as the city has ordinances that can be enforced to regulate these problems. In view of the City Attorney's recommendation, Alderman Grimsley withdrew his second of the motion; Alderman Jackson withdrew the motion. The Mayor announced the necessity of changing the authorized signature for BOR funds from that of Robert Bentley to William R. Spencer. Alderman Grimsley made a motion that authorization for the signature be changed from Robert Bentley to William R. Spencer. Upon motion being duly seconded and voice vote, it was unanimously (BOR funds RESOLVED, That the authorized signature signature be and hereby is changed from that of change) Robert Bentley to William R. Spencer for BOR funds. The Mayor asked for council approval of the nomination of Lloyd Woodell for the municipality's appointment to the County Equalization Board to replace Mr. William H. Hundhausen who has resigned. Alderman Grimsley made a motion to approve Lloyd Woodell for the appointment. Upon motion being duly seconded and voice vote, it was unanimously (County Board RESOLVED, That Lloyd Woodell of Equalization) is hereby approved for appointment to the County Board of Equalization. Mayor Ferguson made the announcement for College Orientation Saturday, May 21, at the auditorium. Alderman Woodell asked to meet with the press immediately after council meeting concerning orientation for ASU classes. -- Alderman Hightower stated that Mr. Bill Slaughter of City Drug Store asked for someone in the city to try .to see where a leak was from on the west side of his store. Alderman Hightower asked who is taking care of the duties of Secretarty for the Civil Service Commission. The .Mayor asked Mr. Wheeler to answer the question. Mr. Wheeler replied that the Civil Service Commission has made a request to the Mayor and Council to amend the budget to take care of hiring a full time secretary. Alderman Hightower read a letter addressed to Mr. Lee Cramer regarding the use of the L. R. Jackson Community Center. After dis- cussion, the Mayor asked that the matter be referred to the Park Commission. Alderman Shelton made a motion to send this matter to the Park Commission and instruct the Commission to answer the letter in writing, with a copy of the letter to the council, stating what they plan to do about it. Alderman Grimsley seconded the motion and upon voice vote, it was unanimously RESOLVED, That the letter concerning L. R. Jackson Community Center be re- (Park Com. ferred to the Park Commission with the L. R. Jackson request that they answer the letter, with center) a copy to the council, stating what they will do about the situation. Alderman Spencer, Chairman of the Budget Committee, made a motion that a full time secretary for the Civil Service Commission be hired at the beginning salary for a secretary. Upon motion being duly seconded and voice vote, it was unanimously RESOLVED, That the Civil Service (Civil Service Commission be and hereby is per- secretary) mitted to hire a full time secretary at the beginning salary for a secretary. There being no further business to come before the council, Alderman Grimsley made a motion to adjourn. Upon motion being duly seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting adjourned at 4:40 p. m. ~ayo ATTEST: .- CITY Clerk