June 7, 1979MINUTE S
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
June 7, 1979
The West Memphis City Council was called to order in regular
session at 1:30 P.M., June 7, 1979, by Mayor Joyce T. Ferguson.
Present at the Meeting were:
Mayor Joyce T. Ferguson
City Attorney Robert Smith
Aldermen:
Vince Angeletti
Bob Bentley
Leon DuVa11
James Hightower
- Prichard Horton
Roberta Jackson
Doug Morris
R.H. Ray
Gary Walker
Lloyd Woodell
Prayer was offered by Reverend Gene Lewis.
Next, Mr. Morris Fair introuduced Mr. Jim Ward, Mr. Jim Smitt,
Mr. Jim Ellis, who were present on behalf of Taylor Machine Works. Mr.
Ward then spoke to the Council, requesting that the city aid their company
with a proposed industrial bond issue. He told of the growth of the com-
pany, and of their anticipated progress in the future. At this time, no
action was taken.
The next citizen to address the council was Mr. Junior Smith,
of Jonesboro, who asked the Council for permission to set up Pentecostal
Holiness tent revial at 3301 Broadway for a period of five to ten days
without purchasing a permit. Alderman Walker recommended that Mr. Smith
contact the Ministerial Alliance and obtain a local sponsor. Mr. Smith
agreed, and is to come back before the Council at the next regular meeting.
Mrs. Lee m. owner of the commercial building at 1801 East
Broadway, was the next citizen to address the Council. She stated .that
the building was presently leased by Premier Buick, but the lease would
expire September 1, 1979. She stated that she had a chance to lease this
property to J & M Transportation Company of Georgia. However, because of
the present zoning regulation, this company would a^~r be able to use this
location. After some discussion, Alderman Bentley made a Motion, seconded
by Alderman Hightower, that this matter be sent back to the Planning Com-
mission for their recommendation. Alderman Woodell then moved that this
motion be amended to state that this matter be referred back to the Plan-
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Wing Commission, and that the Planning Commission follow the regular pro-
cedures and regulations governing this type situation. Alderman Walker
seconded this motion. Upon voice vote of the Council on this amendment,
the motion was passed unanimously. Upon roll call vote on the original
motion and the amendment, the vote was as follows:
AYE: Aldermen: Angeletti, Bentley, Duvall, Hightower, Horton, Jackson,
Morris, Ray, Walker, and Woodell
N0: Aldermen: None
This motion was passed unanimously.
The next citizen to address the Council was Mr. Gene Lewis, of
320 South 21st Street. He commented on three different problems:
(1) the pollution of the Drainage ditch on 21st Street; (2) the poor
condition of 21st Street due to the Urban Renewal work going on, and heavey
trucks hauling materials to the job site. He suggested that an extended
traffic light be installed; and (3) he objected to the City charging
citizens $85.00 for mowing various lots bordering the drainage ditch.
At this point in the meeting, there was a five minute recess.
Mayor Ferguson then called the meeting back to order, and cont-
inued with citizens requests.
Mr. Leo Chitman, 2506 East Jackson, then voiced his opposition
to the City's fee of $85.00 for mowing lots.
There being no further citizens requests, the meeting continued
with new business. Attorney Smith read an ordinance to amend Section 8.2
of Ordinance No. 715, establishing an emergency. Alderman Angeletti made
a motion, seconded by Alderman Walker, to delete the emergency clause
from this ordinance. Upon roll call vote, the vote was:
AYE: Aldermen: Angeletti, Duvall, Horton, Jackson, Morris, Ray, Walker,
and Woodell
N0: Alderman: Bentley
ABSTAIN: Alderman: Hightower
This motion was passed unanimously.
Next, Attorney Smith read an ordinance to rezone a tract of land
in the SE ~ of Section 10, Township 6 North, Range 8 East, in West Memphis.
Alderman Morris made a motion, seconded by Alderman Duvall, to adopt this
resolution. However, since a motion was already on the floor, Alderman
Morris and Alderman Duvall withdrew their motions. Upon roll call vote
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on the original motion to adopt the first reading of the ordinance, the
vote was as follows:
AYE: Aldermen: Angeletti, Bentley, Duvall, Hightower, Horton, Morris,
Ray, Walker, and Woodell
No: None
~"""` ABSTAIN:Alderman: Jackson
This motion was passed.
Alderman Walker then made a motion, seconded by Alderman Morris
to adopt the resolution which Attorney Smith had already read. Upon roll
call vote, the vote was:
AYE: Aldermen: Angeletti, Bentley, Duvall, Hightower, Horton, Jackson,
Morris, Ray Walker, and Woodell
N0: None
This motion was passed. This is Resolution Number 702.
Attorney Smith then read a resolution authorizing a memorandum
of intent by and between the City of West Memphis and Taylor Machine. Works.
Alderman Horton made a motion, seconded by Alderman Woodell, that this re-
solution be adopted. Upon roll call vote, the vote was as follows:
AYE: Aldermen: Angeletti, Bentley, Duvall, Hightower, Horton, Jackson,
Morris, Ray, Walker, and Woodell
N0: None
This motion was passed. This is Resol~ition Number 703.
Morris Fair then recommended that he come back on July 5, 1979,
with a presentation of a payment in lieu of taxes agreement from Taylor
Machine Works, and requested that at that time, an ordinance with an emerg-
ency clause be passed. Alderman Horton then made a motion to grant Mr.
Fair's request for an emergency clause. After some discussion, Alderman
Horton withdrew his motion.
Alderman Bentley then made a motion, seconded by Alderman Morris,
that a memo concerning this matter be made a part of the minutes, a copy
of which is on file in the Mayor's office. Upon voice vote, this motion
was unanimously passed by the council.
Next on the agenda were permission request. Morris Fair gave
a Port Authority report concerning G.O. Bond Financing. Alderman Ray then
made a motion, seconded by Alderman Horton, that the Council authorize Mr.
Fair to proceed with all necessary documentation in regard to the G.O.
Bond issue, to be presented to the Council as soon as possible. Upon roll
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i
call vote, the vote was:
AYE: Aldermen: Angeletti, Bentley, Duvall, Horton, Jackson, Morris,
Ray, Walker and Woodell
N0: None
Alderman Hightower was out of the room at the time of this vote. This
motion was passed.
Alderman Bentley then made a motion, seconded by Alderman Horton,
that Mr. Fair be allowed to work with Friday, Eldridge, and Clark, after
consulting with the City Attorney as to their fees and services. Upon
voice vote, this motion was passed unanimously.
During committee reports, Alderman Woodell gave a report from
the Higher Education Corr~mittee. He informed the Council that East Arkansas
Community College would give Freshman and Sophomore classes
and Arkansas
,
State University would give Junior and Senior classes, and other classes
as needed. He then made a motion, seconded by Alderman Morris, that the
Mayor be given the Authority to negotiate with EACC and ASU concerning this
matter. Upon voice vote, this motion was passed unanimously.
Alderman Morris then gave a Budget Committee report. He made
a motion, seconded by Alderman Duvall., that money be transferred from the
CD of the Sanitation Fund to the General Fund to pay for items which must
be paid for on the river port before the city actually received funds for
the Port. Upon voice vote of the Council, this motion was passed unanimously .
Next on the agenda were appointments. Mayor Ferguson reappointed
Mr. Roy Strong to the Airport Commission for another five year term. Upon
voice vote, the Council unanimously approved this reappointment.
Mayor Ferguson then asked the Council to waive the rules and place
a resolution appointing four Quorum Court members to work with the Port
Authority in regard to the River Port. Upon voice vote, the Council gave
the Mayor their unanimous approval. Attorney Smith then read this resolution.
Alderman Ray made a motion, seconded by Alderman Morris, that this resolution
be adopted. Upon roll call vote, the vote was:
AYE: Aldermen: Angeletti, Bentley, Duvall, Hightower, Horton, Jackson,
Morris, R.ay, Walker, and Woodell
N0: None
This motion was passed. This is Resolution Number 704.
Attorney Smith then recommended Dan Craft receiving Johnson
documentations to notify the persons that submitted the petition and publish
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in the paper within five days before the hearing on .July 5. Alderman Bentley
made a motion, seconded by Alderman Ray, that Dan Craft should notify the
persons that submitted the petition and publish in the paper within five
days before the hearing on July 5. Upon voice vote, this motion was passed
unanimously.
Alderman Walker then made a request that a committee do research
and find out the cost factor involved in bringing a referendum, who would
have to pay, and then set a date for the election.
There being no further business, Alderman Duvall made a motion,
seconded by Alderman Horton, that the meeting be adjourned. Upon voice
'', vote, this motion was passed unanimously.
AND APPROVED this ~% day of , 1979.
PASSED
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