January 10, 1985-19-
MINUTES
WEST MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
January 10, 1985
A recessed meeting of the regular January 3, 1985 West
Memphis City Council was held on Thursday, Januury 10, 1985,
at 4:30, p.m., in West Memphis, Arkansas, at City Hall, 205
South Redding Street, in the Council Chambers with Mayor Leo
Chitman presiding.
The following persons were present:
Mayor Leo Chitman
City Attorney Robert Smith
City Clerk Dan Craft
Aldermen:
Joe Brasfield
William Burnett
James Cooper
Clarence Guin
Pritchard Horton
Roberta Jackson
Doug Morris
Larry Shelton
Roger Sumpter
Absent: Alderman Curtis Dalton.
Mayor Chitman stated the purposes of the recessed meeting
was to receive the recommendation from the Utility Commission for
the hiring of an engineer for the Waste Water Treatment Plant.
At this time, Mayor Chitman called on Mr. Billy Johnson, Utility
Manager,
Mr. Billy Johnson, Utility Manager, stated that the Utility
Commission at their meeting of Thursday morning, voted unanimously
to accept the Resolution from the City Council, to hire Bond
Engineering as the Project Engineer for the Waste Water Treatment
Plant.
Alderman Horton made the motion, seconded by Alderman Burnett,
to accept the recommendation from the Utility Commission to hire
Bond Engineering as the Project Engineer for the Waste Water
Treatment Plant. Discussion. Mr. Johnson stated he would not at
this. time recommend the Council give the Mayor authority to sign the
contract until all Aldermen had time to study the contract. Would
advise the Council to give the Mayor this authority at the next
City Council Meeting, January 17, 1985. Upon roll call vote, the
voting was as follows:
AYE: Aldermen: Burnett, Cooper, Guin, Horton, Jackson, Morris,
Sumpter.
NU: Aldermen: Brasfield, Shelton.
The motion passed.
Discussion on whether the Engineer could start by April 1, 1985.
Mr. Jerome Alford, stated there were three things that had to be
done before the first shovel of dirt is turned. The plans have
to be approved, then sent to state agencies for approval, then
the contracts bidded and the contracts let before work could
start. It would be six months before they could start, but work
-20-
could begin on the buildings that needed be repaired for the
new treatment plant.
PERMISSION REQUEST:
Mayor Chitman requested permission from the City Council authorizing
him to write a letter entering into an agreement with the Highway
Department for the lighting of the interstate.
Mr. Johnson, explained that there would be 104 lights put
up by the Highway Department between the Club Road exit and the
Airport exit. After installation the Utility Department would
be responsibile for the electrcity and the maintenance of the
system. Total cost per year would be approximately $15,000.00.
Discussion.
Alderman Morris made the motion, seconded by Alderman
Burnett, to authorize the Mayor to write a letter to the
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department to accept
the proposed partial lighting system. Upon voice vote, the voting
was unanimous.
At this time alderman Guin made a statement concerning the
raises for the aldermen. Alderman Guin requested that Ordinance
No. 1028 be brought back on the floor for reconsideration.
City Attorney Smith explained that the Ordinance could not
be reconsidered, as it was passed on the emergency cluase and was
law, the only thing they could do would be to repeal or amend the
Ordinance. Discussion. City Attorney Smith also explained that
according to state law there is a statue that states that an
elected officials salary could be increased but not decreased
during his term of office. If they repealed the Ordinance, later
on one of the alderman could sue and win the case, plus punitive
damages. Discussion.
Alderman Shelton recommended to Alderman Guin that he re-
search the issue and bring it up at the next Council meeting.
Being no other business to come before the Council at
this time, Alderman Morris made the motion, seconded by Alderman
Cooper to adjourn. Upon voice vote of the Council, the voting
was unanimous.
The meeting ad jour~p~+ ~+- s • ~ ~~ ~ m
PASSED and APPROVE
1985.
J
Mayor
ATTEST:
Dan t
city Clerk