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March 1, 1979)~7 MINUTES WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL March 1, 1979 A regular meeting of the West Memphis City Council was ~-'~ held Thursday, March 1, 1979, at 1:30 P. M. in the Council Cham- bers of City Hall. Mayor Joyce Ferguson called the meeting to order. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Joyce T. Ferguson City Attorney Robert Smith Aldermen: Pritchard Horton Roberta Jackson Doug Morris R. H. Ray Gary Walker Lloyd Woodell Vince Angeletti Bob Bentley Leon Duvall James Hightower Prayer was offered by Reverend Henry West of Ingram Boulevard Baptis Church. Mayor Ferguson then asked the Council to approve the minutes of the Council meeting held February 15, 1979. Alderman Duvall stated that he felt there was an error in the minutes. ~-layor Fer- guson, with the consent of the Council, asked that the minutes be held until the next meeting. Next on the agenda were citizens requests. Mr. Robert Bates, 267 Winchell Circle, addressed the Council, and stated that he had submitted a letter for a hearing and was withdrawing his letter x of resignation from the Police Department. Alderman Ray then sug- gested`that Per. Bates be present at the next Police Commission meet- ing o~ Monday, March 12, 1979, at 7:30. Mr. Bates agreed to this. Mayor Ferguson then recognized Mr. Bill Carver, Assistant to the Dean of the Department of Continuing Education of Arkansas State University. Mr. Carver stated that West Memphis had been selected as a center for various courses, and would supplement the training .that would be offered at the Vo-Tech School. He stated that last summer different business men offered scholarships, and he added that they would certainly appreciate anything of this nature now. There being no further citizens requests, Attorney Smith then 288 read, for the second time, an ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 793, increasing the fare of taxi cabs in West Memphis. Alderman Ray made a motion, seconded by Alderman Jackson, to adopt the ordinance on the second reading. Upon roll call vote, the vote was as fol- lows: AYE: Aldermen: Horton, Jackson, Morris, Ray, Walker, Woodell ~ Angeletti, Bentle ' y, and Duvall N0: Aldermen: None ABSTAIN: Alderman Hightower This motion was passed by the Council. Under new business, there was the first reading of an ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 915, dated August 25, 1977, and to repeal Ordinance No. 950, dated October 19, 1978, enlarging the West P~lem- phis Utility Commission by two members, designating their .terms, and declaring an emergency. Alderman Duvall made a motion, seconded by Alderman Morris, that this matter be tabled for an indefinite period of time. Upon roll call vote, the vote was as follows: AYE: Aldermen: Jackson, Morris, Ray, Walker, Angeletti, Bentley, Duvall N0: Aldermen: Horton, Woodell, and Hightower This motion was passed by the Council. Attorney Smith then read, for the first time, an ordinance to establish fees for plumbing, sewer, water, and gas inspections at residential rates, and commercial and industrial rates within the City of West Memphis.. Alderman Horton made a motion, seconded by Alderman Duvall, that this ordinance be adopted on the first reading. Upon roll call vote, the vote was as follows: AYE: Aldermen: Horton, Jackson,-Morris, Ray, Walker, Woodell, Angeletti, Bentley, Duvall, and Hightower N0: Aldermen: None This motion was passed unanimously. ' Next, Attorney Smith then read a resolution commending ~1r. Virgil Irwin and Staff for their part in a recent auction held,in which confiscated and/or police property was sold with proceeds goy ing to the Policemen's Pension and Releif Fund. Alderman Morris made a motion, seconded by Alderman Horton, to adopt this resolution. Upon roll call vote, the vote was as follows: AYE: Aldermen: Horton, Jackson, Morris, Ray, Walker, Woodell, ~~ Angeletti, Bentley, Duvall, and Hightower ~z .~ . ~, ~. N0: None This motion passed unanimously. This is Resolution is No. 676. Attorney Smith then read a resolution commending Mr. Larry Tackett of the Music Scene for his assistance in the above mentioned auction. Alderman Duvall made a motion, seconded by Alderman Ray, to adopt this resolution. Upon roll call vote, the vote was as fo - lows: AYE: Aldermen: Horton, Jackson, Morris, Ray, Walker, Woodell, Angeletti, Bentley, Duvall, and Hightower N0: Aldermen: None This motion passed unanimously. This is Resolution No. 677. Attorney Smith then read a resolution requesting the City Attorney to review all contracts, and render .an opinion of said contracts. Alderman Morris then made a motion, seconded by Alder- man Angeletti, to adopt this resolution. After some discussion, Alderman Angeletti made a motion, seconded by Alderman Woodell, that the resolution be amended as follows: 1) the City Attorney review all written contracts; 2) City Attorney and/or Assistant >..-.,~. City Attorney render an opinion on contracts; 3) initials appear on any and all contracts which exceeds $2000 or more. After fur- ther discussion, Alderman Ray made a motion, seconded by Alderman Duvall, that this resolution be tabled for further study. Upon roll call vote, the vote was as follov~rs: AYE: Aldermen: Horton, Jackson, Ray, Bentley, Duvall, and Hightower N0: Aldermen: Morris, Walker, Woodell, and Angeletti This motion passed, and the resolution was tabled. Attorney Smith then read a resolution concerning the Mayor's Action Committee. Alderman Walker made a motion, seconded by Alder- man Morris, that this resolution be adopted. After some discussion, Alderman Woodell made a motion, seconded by Alderman Ray, to table this resolution for further study. Upon roll call vote, the vote was as follows: AYE: Aldermen: Horton, Jackson, Ray, Woodell, Bentley, Duvall, and Hightower N0: Aldermen: r~orris, Walker, and Angeletti This motion passed, and the resolution was tabled. The next item on the agenda were permission requests. Alderman ~3) ~~ :7 Ray made a motion, seconded by Alderman .Jackson, to grant the Police Department permission to advertise for bids for special investigative equipment. Upon roll call vote, the vote was as follows: AYE: Aldermen: Horton, Jackson, Morris, Ray, Walker, Woodell, Angeletti, Bentley, and Duvall N0: None Alderman Hightower was out of the room when the Council voted on this item. The motion passed unanimously. Alderman Horton then gave a report from the Public Works Com- mittee. The Council discussed an ordinance concerning the parking of cars on city streets after 12:00 midnight. Alderman Horton made a motion, seconded by Alderman Morris, that the Police enforce the above-mentioned ordinance. Attorney Smith then replied that it was up to the Mayor to see that this ordinance was enforced. Mayor Ferguson then asked for an opinion from the Council about this mat- ter. Alderman Horton then suggested that people be given a week to get their cars off of the street. Upon roll call vote, the vote was as follows: AYE: Aldermen: Horton, Jackson, Morriss Ray, Walker, VJoodell, Angeletti, Bentley, Duvall, and Hightower ******N0: None --Later in the meeting, Alderman Jackson changed her vote to "NO" This motion was passed. After a five minute recess, the Mayor called the meeting back to order, and asked for committee reports. Alderman Horton gave a report from the Public Works Committee. He made a motion, seconded by Alderman Morris,that the Council approve the Public Works recom- mendation of these bids. A copy of these bids is on file in the Mayor's office. After some discussion concerning the bid on the packer, as listed in the report, Alderman Bentley made a motion to amend Alderman Norton's motion by deleting the packer from the list of bids, and send it back to the Public Works Committee for their evaluation. Alderman Ray seconded this motion. Mayor Fer- guson then called for a roll call vote on Alderman Bentley's motion. Upon roll call vote, the vote was as follows: AYE: Aldermen: Jackson, Morris, Ray, Walker, Woodell, Angeletti, Bentley, Duval 1 , and Hi ghto~ver N0: Alderman Horton The motion to delete the packer was passed. (4) )gl The Mayor then called for a roll call vote for Alderman Norton's motion, deleting the packer. Upon roll call vote, the vote was as follows: AYE: Aldermen: Horton, Jackson, Morris, Ray, Walker, Woodell, Angeletti, Bentley, Duvall, and Hightower N0: None ~~. This motion was passed unanimously. Alderman Morris, in a report of the Budget Committee, made a motion to amend the budget to permit the Airport Authority to pay bonds due April 1, 1979. Alderman Walker seconded the motion, and upon roll call vote, the vote was as follows: AYE: Aldermen: Horton, Jackson, Morris, Ray, Walker, Woodell, Angeletti, Bentley, Duvall, and Hightower N0; None G The motionrpassed unanimously. Alderman Walker then gave a report from the Ad-Hoc Committee. He announced that there would be a public hearing on March 5, 1979, to discuss the Juvenile Detention Center. Mayor Ferguson then asked the Council to approve the reappoint- . ~' ment of Mr. Willie Bruce to the Planning Commission, and the appoint- ment of Mr. Lee Cramer as Trustee of the Employee Pension Plan. Upon voice vote of the Council, the vote was unanimous;, and the appointments were confirmed. Mayor Ferguson then asked the Council to accept the bids of the pest control and mosquito control. Alderman Morris made a motion, seconded by Alderman Bentley, to accept the low and best mid, a copy of these bids are on file in the Mayor's office. Alderman Ray then made a motion, seconded by Alderman Jackson, to table this matter for further study. Upon voice vote of the Council, the motion to table this matter was passed unanimously. Alderman Ray then suggested that the Mayor appoint a committee to work with _,f ,the mosquito Control Committee, and 'try to work with them in reach- ing a figure for this program within the city budget. The Mayor asked Alderman Morris to appoint this committee and bring information back to the next Council Meeting. Alderman Walker than made a motion to have one night meeting (5~ 292 per quarter. Alderman Duvall seconded the motion. Attorney Smith then ruled that this would need to be in the form of resolution. Alderman Walker then withdrew his motion, and Alderman Duvall with- drew his second. This is to be discussed at the next meeting. Alderman Jackson then announced that she wanted to change her vote to "NO" concerning enforcing the ordinance prohibiting parking on the street which had been discussed earlier in the meeting. Alderman Hightower then yielded his time to Mr. Robert White, President of the NAACP, 720 South ]0th Street, who talked about the ordinance concerning parking on the street. P~layor Ferguson suggested that ~1r. White attend the Street Committee meeting. Next. Alderman Duvall made a motion to waive the rules and put the Dog Track issue on the agenda. This motion was seconded by Alderman Angeletti. Upon rol] call vote, the vote was as follows: AYE: Aldermen: Jackson, Morris, Walker, Angeletti, Bentley, Duvall, and Hightower N0: Alderman Horton ABSTAIN: Aldermen Ray and Woodell This motion was defeated. Alderman Walker then made a motion., seconded by Alderman Duvall, that the Council take a vote of intent as to what the Council would do if the Dog Track issue was a resolution. Mayor Ferguson sais that this, too, would require that the rule be waived for the agenda. Alderman Walker and Alderman Duvall changed their motion to waive the rule so that they could then take a vote of intent. Upon roll call vote, the vote was as follows: AYE: Aldermen: Jackson, Morris, Walker, Angeletti, Bentley, Duvall, and Hightower N0: Aldermen: Horton ABSTAIN:- Aldermen Ray and Woodell J J Th~:s motion was defeated. Alderman Bentley made a motion, seconded by Alderman Duvall, that the meeting be adjourned. Upon voice vote of the Council, the motion passed unanimousl y, and the meeting was adjourned. PASSED AND APPROVED this ~ day of ~ ~,~ 1979. ,~~~` ~f . MAYOR t' AA ~b~ pBE I TY CL