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November 2, 1978r~1I~~UTES WEST ME~Y1PHIS CITY COUfdCIL November 2, 1978 F The City Council of the City of ~°~est Memphis, Arkansas, met in regular session in the Council Chambers at City Hall at 1:30 P. M., on November 2, 1978. The following persons were present: f'layor Joyce T. Ferguson City Attorney Robert Smith Aldermen: Lloyd J. Woodell Charles Hampton James Hightower Pritchard Horton Roberta Jackson Doug P~1orris R. H. Ray Doug Shelton W. R. Spencer Absent from the meeting was Don Grimsley. Mayor Ferguson called the meeting to order and asked Alderman Roberta Jackson to lead in prayer. She then asked if there were any additions or corrections to the r~~inutesof the meeting held October 19, 1978, included in their packets. Alderman Morris made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Alderman Spencer seconded this motion, and it was approved unanimously by voice vote of the Council. Citizens requests were then heard, the first request being made by Mrs. W. .J. Passmore, 912 South Roselawn, who came as ,deigh- borhood Chairman of the Girl Scouts to ask the Council to allocate $6000.00 from the 1979 breakage fees to be set aside for girl scout- ing programs in West f~1emphis and Crittenden County. She asked that if breakage fees were not available, that a fee be set aside by the Council in the 1979 budget. Mayor Ferguson told Mrs. Passmore that this would be taken under advisement by the Council, but would not be able to give her an answer until possibly February. Alderman Spencer asked Mrs. Passmore to submit a letter with her request. The next citizen's request came from C~1s. Loretta Williams, 500 South 19th Street, who asked the Council to grant her a license for a beauty shop in her home for another year., in an area that is not zoned commercial. Alderman Morris made a motion that the Council grant the 1 i cense to P~Irs . 4~i 1 1 i ams for a year. Thi s motion was seconded by Alderman Shelton. After some discussion, Alderman Hampton called for the question, and this was seconded by Alderman Shelton. The motion for calling the question was passed unanimously by voice vote of the Council. The Mayor then asked for a roll call vote on granting Mrs. Williams a license. The voting was as follows: Aye: Aldermen: Woodell, Hampton, Hightower, Horton, Jackson, Morris, Ray, Shelton, & Spencer No: None !phis motion was approved unanimously by the Council. The next request was heard from Per. Don Burnett, Rynne, Arkansas. h1r. Burnett stated that he and Mr. Bobby Rowland, also of Wynne, own the mini warehouses on East Barton. Ele then asked the Council for their ruling on the zoning in this area. He stated that he operated a wholesale business--not a retail business. Therefore, he asked the Council to allow him to continue his business in this area. Alderman Horton made a motion that the Council defer this action and let he and Alderman Woodell contact the people adjoining this area to get their feelings on this matter, and the Council could then make a decision at the next Council meeting. Upon roll call vote ~' ~: on this motion, the vote was as follows: Aye: Aldermen: Woodell, Hampton, Hightower, Horton, Jackson, Morris, Ray, Shelton, & Spencer No: None This motion was passed unanimously by the Council. ., Alderman Hampton then made a motion to allow P~1r. Burnett and Mr. Rowland to continue this business until a decision has been ' made on this matter. After some discussion, Alderman Hampton then withdrew his motion. Alderman Shelton then made a motion that this matter be re- verted to the Ordinance Committee so that they could work out a definition of wholesale aid retail, and be turned back over to s the Council in two weeks. Alderman Spencer seconded this motion. Upon roll call vote of the Council, the voting was as follo~r,~s: Aye: Aldermen: Hampton, P~lorris, Ray, Shelton, Spencer rJo: Aldermen: Hightower, Horton, Jackson, & Woodell This motion was defeated. (2) firs. Ethel Pratt, 233 South 17th Street, then addressed the Council. She offered her thanks to the Mayor and City Council for their service to the City. She then spoke on demolishing old houses and following up on ordinances such as people making dumps in their yards. She asked that the Council strictly enforce the ordinance concerning this matter. She also asked that the Council enforce the Stray Dog Ordinance. Alderman Horton then made a motion that the Council give he and Alderman Woodell permission to go along with Mr. Burnett and canvas the property owners adjacent to the mini warehouses as had previously been discussed in the meeting, and if there were no ob- jections, that the Council grant permission to the two aldermen for them to authorize Burnett to continue his industry in the City after this survey. Alderman Shelton seconded this motion. This decision is to be reflected in the next council meeting minutes. Upoa~voice vote of the Council, the motion was passed unanimously. attorney Smith then read ~ a resolution than k~i rag Mr. E. C . "Tool" Gathings for his service to the City of l~Jest Memphis, as well as to all of the people of Eastern Arkansas. Alderman Ray made a motion that the Council adopt this resolution, seconded by Alderman Hampton. Alderman Hampton then presented a letter to the Council showing his appreciation to Mr. Gathings. He asked that this letter be a matter of~=record. Mayor Ferguson also asked that her letter to Mr. Gathings be a matter of record. Ahderman Ray then asked that the records show that he, too, appreciated fair. Gathings, and further stated that, ~Mr. Gathings means more to West Memphis than any other one person has meant to West Memphis in a long time=and will for many years to come. Upon roll call vote on the motion to adopt this resolution, the vot- ing was as follows: ~- Aye: Aldermen: Woodell, Hampton, Hightower, Horton, Jackson Morris, Ray, Shelton, & Spencer No: fJone This Resolution was adopted unanimously. This is Resolution fJo. 653. f~ayor Ferguson then told of a letter she had received from the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. She stated that the City owes $1183.64 for the South Avalon project. She added (3) that the Street Department does have'enough~money available for this bill., but Community Qevelopm~ent does ~~ot.She then asked for the Council's permission to pay this bill with Street Department funds. Alderman Hampton made a motion to pay this amount as requested by the Mayor, and it was seconded by Alderman Horton. Upon voice vote of the Council, the motion passed unanimously. Alderman l~oodell then asked the Mayor to write a letter to East Arkansas Community College, stating the City's desire for the: college to come into West Memphis on a full-time basis, which would mean higher education here and give freshman and sophomore classes for the benefit of our citizens. The Mayor asked the Council to give. her permission to write this letter. The Council then unanimou sly voiced their permission. There was no oppos#tion to this suggestion. Alderman Horton then brought the Street Committee's recommenda- tions before the Council. He made a motion to leave the 14th Street and Wilson Road area which had been discussed at the last Council meeting, as it is, and ask Mr. Cramer, Park Commission, to cut the grass as needed in this area, which would be approximately once a week. Alderman Ray seconded this motion, and it was passed unan- imously by voice vote of the Council. Mayor Ferguson then asked Alderman Horton to appoint a Com- mittee to determine the size of trucks that are prohibited on resi- dential streets. This came after a discussion of "NO TRUCK" signs. Alderman Horton then made a motion that the Council approve the Street Committee's recommendation that a sign be put up on Danner, between Pine and Missouri, to read:"SCHOOL PICK UP--WEST BOUND-- CURB SIDE ONLY." Also, a sign "NO PARKING, STOPPIPJG, OR STANDING TO CORfJER" be placed approximately fifty feet from the intersection of Danner and P~lissouri on the north side of the street. Alderman i~1orris seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote of the Council, the vote was as follows: Aye: Aldermen: Hightower, Horton, Jackson, h1orris, & Spencer No: Aldermen: Ray Abstain: Aldermen: Hampton, Shelton, & Woodell Th#s motion was defeated. (4) RESOLUTION N0. ( ~: CONGRESSMAN E. C. "TOOK" GATHINGS WHEREAS, the West Memphis City Council have been gratified that the many honors bestowed upon The Honorable. E. C. "Took" Gathings by our Federal .Government in Washington, D. C., the State of Arkansas, Crittenden County, and also, the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, and; WHEREAS, the new Federal Building in Jonesboro, Arkansas, has been named the E. C. "Took" Gathings Federal Building, and; WHEREAS, The Honorable E. C. "Took" Gathings has ~a endeared himself to all of us since retiring from Congress by helping and assisting the City of West Memphis in many problems, especially in the Flood Control Program and as a member of the Port Authority, and; WHEREAS, the City of West Memphis, Arkansas, is not unmindful of. the many other civic deeds that he continues to~ do for the City. of West Memphis, Arkansas; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas: That the City Council wishes to thank The Honorable E. C. "Took" Gathings for his continued support. of our City in the many civic efforts that he has accomplished and congratulates him for his many past deeds in Congress and to the other good people of Eastern Arkansas. PASSED AND APPROVED THIS ~ day of , 1978. ATTEST:. CZ '•' e~ e~ i~ `~. ~ ~ I~YOR Alderman Horton next made a motion that "PJO PARKING" signs be placed on Gibson near the Holy Cross School. This motion was seconded by Alderman Shelton. Upon roll call vote, the voting was as follows: Aye: Aldermen: Hampton, Hightower, Horton, Jackson, & Spencer No: Alderman: Ray Abstain: Aldermen: h9orris, Shelton, ~ Woodell This motion was defeated. Alderman Shelton then made a motion that the Street Committee survey all streets connected with the schools, find out their prob- lems in regard to traffic and parking on streets, and straighten out all of the schools in regards to this matter. This motion was de- feated for lack of a second. ~~ Next, Alderman Jackson made a motion that the $500.00 remaining from the Mike Haney case be used for legal fees for the Ronnie Blair case. Alderman Shelton seconded this motion. After a brief dis- cussion, Alderman Jackson withdrew her motion, and Alderman Shelton withdrew his second. A motion was then made by Alderman Jackson, seconded by Alderman Morris, that up to $500.00 left from the Haney case be used for a court reporter for the Blair case. Upon roll call vote, the voting was as follows: Aye: Hightower, Horton, Jackson, Morris, Spencer, Ray, Hampton Shelton, Woodell No: None This motion was passed unanimously by the Council. Alderman Spencer then made a motion that the meeting adjourn, seconded by Alderman Morris. This motion was passed by the Council unanimously. ~~1AYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK ~~ Cp, __ -~.~~t dbe \J~ ~ V V ES,~ ~!'IZ /2LS. O ~JYt ~ff«t of f~t ~ayo~c 20~ c~out~s ~ic~i.n9 - ~isf ~c-R~t~Ls, ~t~a~ssas 7230/ . ~~a,~ 735-2720 i November 15, 1978 aoe~ct ~ ~st9uson ', dr(ayos ~lonorable E. C. Gathings !Holiday P1 aza i~al 1 s 72301 ;West «emph~s, Arkansa Dear "Took": I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know how thankfulDal~~ yam that I had the privilege of attending the E. C. Gathings y 'in Jonesboro, at which the beautiful Federal Bui 1 di ng a~as named ~~~~~;in your honor. Anyone who missed this event missed a rare treat.. 'I had the opportunity to sit in a chair in front of the podium at ,the dedication ceremony, but I chose to stand, for by so doing, 1 'could see seated on the podium the great man that was being honored-- ou: As I stood there and listened to your great colleagues of maas y Texasy and Mississippi, :years, from the good states of i~1i ssouri , they made remark after remark of nothing but praise for you, 1 thought of how you never gave up in despair, but rather you worked that r~uch harder for vrhat you believed in, to see legislation you sponsored be- come a reality. that you were my congressman for all thirty years, May I say, Took, Viand I would also like to say I don't know what you took to get that nickname, but I do know that in those thirty years representilg ourt~ -east Arkansas, you gave an abundant supply of blessings to a y "constituents . I would like to reminisce and think back for many years to when you were a small child in Mississippi, and as ail children sometimes do, -get on the "soap box" and say what they want to be when they .grow up, I can visualize you as saying I want a beautiful and great Federal Building to bear the name- of E. C. Gathings" some day." G~dell, Took, as you sat on that podium, I could visualize those long arms resting on top of that beautiful- Federal Building and saying, "Look, my dream became a rea i ~ ty . " Like vou, I, too, was born in the State of ^1ississippi. You served ey¢+~ ~91°~ ~ppoit~ty F..~oyse • i~~..... 4 } S 'Honorable E. C. Gathings November 15, 1978 :;Page 2 me well those thirty years, and now that you have come back home to West Memphis to live among us, I count it a great privilege to serve ;you as your alderman in Ward One. ;May I say,. in closing, to Tolise, your beautiful wife, and no doubt. a wonderful help mate, we thank you for guiding him back tows in Test 'Memphis, Arkansas. I am sending you this letter to show my appreciation to you, as I ;did not get the opportunity:to write in the large book my memoir to ;you in Jonesboro. .Sincerely, _. ~` ~ . _ ~~.~ ` ~ -, Ch~ar1 es N. Hampton ~j ~,~,,._ e { - Y: ~ i L ~ ~ ~ ~ .r.~.,..... ~c~ o ~~E~.~ ~m ~ic~. c~ ~ ~' Vf~CCE Of EhE ~A.~O2 205 cSouE~ c.Rt~c~in9 - ~ist ~tm~i~iis, oTtsas 72301 f So~~ 73s-2?2o October 27~ 1978 cc ~: ~ct9uson d~ayos dir. E. C. Gathings West ~~temp~li s , Arkansas 72301 Dear "Took": It is quite a task to say in a few short 4~rords -~rhat you have meant to me personally and to this area in general, but if I had to describe it in single phrase it would be, this: "You represent the indefatigable spirit of Eastern Arkansas." On this occasion, I want to take a few moments to tell you something of that spirit, a spirit that was reflected in your thirty years i n Congress . ,, «e in this area have been very fortunate that your father decided to leave Mississippi and come to Earle in Crittenden County, far in doing- so, he provided us with a son of truly great leader- ship ability, a leader of this state-and nation. ': I think what has most impressed me about your leadership is that if it was good for the people of your district, it must also b~ good for the rest of the nation. That seems to be an underlying cord of your years of service. In going back over your long and distinguished record, I find. that not only ~~~ere you concerned, dedicated, and deeply involved w th ~ tine people of your Ji stri ct, but ai so you were very much i n tune with the problems facing other people and other sections of the country. ~;..; I have noticed that early on, you vrere i n the forefront of legislation that helped the farmer and at the same. ti me, .the every- day citizen of your district who was at the mercy of poor drainage : and flooding. 4n the one hand, this may seem to the outsider that the problem of drainage was regional in scope, but if one checks your record, he'll find your name splashed across-other ~~rater pro- j-acts that not only benefitted the state, but other parts of our .country.. That spirit was reflected as well in legislation that helped ti o~~. ~9i°~ Jppott~.,~uy ~p~y« f - - -. F k .. ~ .~. ~` Mr. E. C. Gathings October 27, 1978 Page 2 ' cotton and rice farmers and small farmers who lived in and outside your district. Some of the bills you sponsored and the amendments you got through on other 1 egi sl ation E:ept tree farmer from 1 osi ng • out in the economic shuffle when times were changing rapidly. across our land. I think that spirit was best exemplified when you co-sponsored a': bill that put bridges across the Mississippi River. This did more than provide mere access of one state to another---it was a bridge of communication, opening up new roads physically as well as mentally. This brings me to another subject of which few people are a- ware. Today, you are still serving the state, the First District, and more pointedly, the people of Eastern Arkansas. You serve on the West Memphis Port Authority and have been a guiding hand on the pilot wheel for some years. You have added immeasurably in just recent days in the complex and difficult task of securing a slack water port in ;Jest Memphis. Your spirit and service continue. • It is indeed fitting that this magnificent federal building have as its name E. C. Gathinos. There have been others who have served the state and nation well, but one vrill have to look long to find a man vri th more spirit, compassion, a sense of history, and a' profound understanding of the people than you. Your record is a guidepost for anyone who seeks to serve his fellow man. It has been a beacon for me. I would only like to add that when it comes to a cornerstone o',f spirit, the E. C. Gathings Building will not be found lacking. Sincerely, ~~ ';; Joyce T. Ferguso Mayor City of West Memphis, Arkansas ORDINANCE N0. ~ "! / AN ORDINANCE TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING, ESTABLISHING AN EMERGINCY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. WHEREAS, Arkansas Statute 19-4~~25 allows waiving of competitive bidding in exceptional situations where such procedure is deemed not feasible or practical, and ~` WHEREAS, there are many. items necessary for the Cityt s use where competitive bidding is deemed not feasible or practical; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST MEPIPHIS, ARKANSAS: 1. That competitive bidding be waived for the following item to be used by the City, which is described as follows: Transmission bolt loose - jumping aut of 4th and 8th gear - Total Price $3,450.46 TO BE REPAIRED BY: MEMPHIS WHITE TRUCKS, INC. 2. Emergency Clause. - It having been found and determined by the City Council of the City of West Memphis, Arkansas that there is an urgent need by the City of West Memphis for the item '~, described above, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this Ordinance being necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety and welfare of the citizens of West Memphis, Arkansas, shall be in full force and effect from and. -after the date of its passage and approval. PROVED this da o f N~ ~`. T 0 /~ ~ /~ ~ rASSEI ANl At Y . 1 ~` ~ MAYOR '; ATTEST: l CITY CLERK