City Council - Regular Meeting

Heat. Heat.

Shana, we still have some council members that are headed this way, but why don't you go ahead and get started, please? Ma'am, you were on TV. Not on candy cameras. It's live. Well, hello council. Hey y'all. Hey Dave. Here comes Spencer. Oh yeah. Okay, they're coming on to you.

Pull that out. We'll go ahead and get started. First, I'd like to say thank you, Mayor Castleberry, for trusting us with such a great responsibility in being able to help shape what our city looks like and what our city feels like and to help improve the quality of life for our residents here in the city of Conway. We really take great pride in the work that we do and we love what we do um in the community development such as like our um Spruce Street Cottage development old Conway Village when we start talking about the emergency shelter and we look at the Fifth Avenue park improvements that have been done at Fifth Avenue. So we'll do a quick overview of the community development department al together. We'll talk briefly about like community involvement, what that looks like, um, city events, city projects, and we'll talk about the community development block grant. So, when we talk about community involvements, I have the ability to staff, and I'm excited about that opportunity, three of our boards and commissions. Our cemetery board, I mean, don't move. Okay, I'm a walker and talker. Um, our our Robinson Cemetery Board, our public art advisory comm community committee, and our community engagement council. And all three of those boards are doing some pretty interesting things within the city. We're excited about the Robinson Cemetery Board because they have received a grant to fully survey the cemetery. So, they received the Curtis H. Sykes memorial grant along with the

help of the Black History Commission of Arkansas. It was a able to allow them to do this survey within the cemetery. So, they were able to assess the plots that were already taken, the plots that were not taken, so they can take out those that had already been been um purchased as well. So, it gave them a a view of the cemetery as a whole to see the longevity of the cemetery. So, that was um nice to work with. they put in the hard work. They were able to get that done and um they were excited about that grant that was received. In the public art advisory committee, we um have new board members on that board and they have been working great together. Um we are there to kind of help them guide through the pro guide them through the process of like really implementing the public art master plan that they have and utilizing some of the ideas that they have in this plan so we can see that manifest. um and bring it to fruition. We're um looking at public arts citywide. So looking at art throughout the city of Conway and one of the things that the the council wanted to do or that committee wanted to do was to make sure that the public art committee had a public presence. So they wanted to have a community presence. So tying them to different events in the city to where people know we have an active public art board such as art walks and things of that nature. We are um looking to engage in that capacity. Then we have the community engagement council. So there's two events that the community engagement council does per year. Um we have an upcoming community roundt which will be held on the 23rd here in city council chambers. Um and we also host the culture in the park. With the community roundt and culture in the park, we want to make sure that we continue to grow those programs and to enhance those in quality and quantity. they have done such a great job. Um last year we had such a great panel with

engaging the next generation that this year with the community round table they wanted to continue that conversation with different panelists but to keep that conversation going and to add some young people to that particular panel. So we will have that on the 23rd. So we would love for you to join us if you're available. And then we'll have culture in the park which is the same Saturday each year for the past three years. September 26, which is the fourth Saturday in September. So, we look forward to those events. So, some of the city events through community development that we um work with and help put together is our employee appreciation days that we have. Um we did one with the opening of the community center where the city employees were able to come out, them and their families, and enjoy um the community center and we had a great time with that. our employee appreciation party. We do the ribbon cutings, the groundbreings, and last year for the first time and we looked to continue it maybe in a different capacity, but continuing it on, we worked with the city of hope outreach to provide a toy drive. So, we had um city hall here, we had quite a few of our employees that provided toys, wrapping paper, bows, nice notes, and things of that nature to provide to children during the Christmas season. City projects is something else that um I have the pleasure of being able to work with that I thoroughly enjoy with um community development. The planning code committee was something that we worked on with CDBG subreients um using transportation. It was important to be a part of the microtransit um portion of it. We're currently in the microtransit survey. So that was essential. The Office of Financial Empowerment is something else that we work with. Short-term rentals. I've had the pleasure of working with Troy and some other members on short-term rentals. Um

had the opportunity to work on the Don Owens Park Improvement Project. So, that was pretty neat. And something that you all can look forward to that is upcoming are um listening sessions. We will have one coming up soon with the Arkansas Municipal League on housing. So, that will be a listening session that we will be providing to community members that we're looking forward to. that will be upcoming. So, now we'll talk about CDBG, the community development block grant. We'll provide a brief update on our Conway emergency shelter. We'll talk about our 2026 20 through 2030 consolidated plan and our 26 annual action plan. Talk about some of the strategic engagement and some of our community development projects. So when we talk about our Conway emergency shelter, that is um a project that I actually inherited but had the opportunity to help close out and they have been doing a great job. Um the first year you kind of see the numbers that we have for the emergency shelter. In 2024 we had 324 participants that were served. with that almost 10,000 nights provided of shelter. Um they were able to place 17 individuals in permanent housing which is awesome for them to find permanent housing for our um unhoused neighbors. and some of those milestones that they implemented during that first year where they had um a 30-day stay limit that came in along with a tracking system and some of the ways that they used their home ARP funding to help those unhoused residents. And when we look at that in our second year in 2025, we see the growth that has happened in the shelter. They were able to um service 474

individuals. They provided 30,000 almost 31,000 nights of shelter for individuals and they had 29 people that were placed in permanent housing. So they um now are looking to implement stronger polic policies around their length of stays and stronger case management engagement to kind of help get those people into permanent housing and finding those um people that can be sustained in those places in permanent housing. So the What's the maximum

maximum oy occupancy with beds is 36, but they do have room for overflow. So sometimes they'll pull out those cotss and turn that um day room area to into extra space. No problem. Then with the the emergency shelter and that was a great question, David, because when we look at the um winter warming station, they are able to do winter warming and they're able to increase that capacity because of the overflow space that they have. And then the city also does a winter warming station that we work with with Don Owens where we turn the Don Owens sports complex into a winter warming station when we have extreme temperatures and we provide or help provide the um the food or the the access through community members that are wanting to donate to the winter warming station and I have the um opportunity to work with that as well.

I have a couple questions. Do you want them all at once or do you want them spaced out? I'm writing down you you going you you want to do them now or you want to hold them to the end for So on one of them the case management since we just hit that. What does the case management look like with our housing and what are we looking to grow into? And

so with the case management portion with the emergency shelter we don't provide it. Um that is through CAPKA because they do the day-to-day operations. So, they have all of the case management information and how they work through that process with their um their residents. I will say in 2024, there was an individual that um I call her friend um I still keep in contact with her that they were working with and they found her permanent housing and we were able to help her get some things for her home um moving into her apartment. We actually helped her move in and make sure that we moved those things in with her. So, they they do work with the person. Sometimes it is longer than the 30 days, but they work with those people to try to get them into that also. Thank you. No problem.

Okay. No problem. Total participants served 474. Is that unique different people or if I come 10 times, am I 10 of that 474? The 474 are the individual serves. But I think you're seeing like with the overnight stays the 30,000 if we take the 474 into the 30,000 that's where you see the duplication 474 unique difference permanent housing that they're going to that's a good question. Um I I try to ask the

from my experience it's it's kind of around the city with those individual places that are um affordable or that are based on income. Okay. They're not a lot of them. So, but they do work with those that we do have to get them into those places. Thank you, Shana. And Kapka has a number of different sources of funding. Not a lot, but for like rapid rehousing and and have good relationships with a lot of different um landlords around town and Conway Housing Authority, correct? Another option. That was a good Thank you.

And and I'll say the young lady that did move, it was in one of the Conway Housing Authority um properties. So, they do work well with them. We are in our um next 5-year con plan, which is our 2026 to 2030 um consolidated plan and our 26 annual action plan. And I'll talk a little bit about that. Um we'll talk about briefly about the cost of the consultant um community needs assessment that was provided to our community members um that identified our top three priority needs along with some of our public service programs that we have. So when we talk about the cost of of uh oh the cost of our consultant, the thing about um the consultant is the cost of the consultant this year was significantly more than what it was or it would have been significantly more than what it was in the past five years. So, I'm currently the president of the Arkansas Community Development Association and um we we all got together and started talking about cost and what we decided to do was we have a standing committee that is a con plan committee that works together outside of our Arkansas Community Development Association, but all of us are part of it to work on our con plans because the cost pretty much doubled. And when you look at it, we're going to have to go through it to pull the information anyway. So, we meet once a month or twice a month. I lead those meetings with those individuals. We get together. We brainstorm ideas. We talk about challenges that we may have come come with with information because some of the um data that we're used to having is not readily accessible like it used to be. It has changed online. So, we had have had to work together and work around that. And we've also kind of shar shared survey ideas. I will say I was proud to say that Conway survey was the um primary survey that everybody wanted

to use. So we were pretty excited about that. So we are um not just assisting here in Conway, we are helping our state as as well. So I was pretty excited about that. And we'll talk about those top three needs that were identified in that survey and also just to give us um a synopsis of some of the public service programs that we actually serve. So when we talk about those top three needs that we have in the community needs assessment and thank you all that participated in that community needs assessment. We appreciate that feedback and that input. We had um around 200 participants somewhere close to that that actually participated in the survey and the top three needs that were identified were housing, economic development and those community services which are things that we are already working towards. So when we identified those top three priority needs according to the survey, they all still aligned with our top five goals that we're looking to implement into our 2026 2030 consolidated plan. And those goals are the affordable housing, streets and sidewalk, drainage and storm water runoff, community facilities and public services, and economic opportunities. So we're pretty excited about those. And when we talk about uh oh our public service piece of that, we have been really fortunate to help a lot of our nonprofit agencies with much needed assistance in administering the programs that they administer, especially through transportation. Um those are some of our current and past recipients of CDBG fund funding, but the funding that we give them is essential to those programs operations. And we consistently hear stories from our subreients or our services on how community development block grant funding has helped them and

how it helps make sure that they're able to continue those services. This last week was community national community development week and we were able to spotlight and highlight some of our services. So, we always enjoy doing that and getting their feedback. And these are some of the photos that we got from that National Community Development Week and those spotlights. So, another thing that we're looking or we have already began the process of doing is having strategic engagement. We want to make sure that we are intentional because we don't know what we don't know and we can't fix or help in areas that we don't know are out there. So, what we've done to we've done is shifted to a proactive approach to where we have started meeting um with our stakeholders and some of our nonprofit organizations. We have currently met with um the City of Hope outreach. We have met with um City of Hope Outreach. We met with the Boys and Girls Club. We have met with the Conway Housing Authority, which was an amazing meeting because we were able to identify some needs that they had as well. So, it gives us a a list and some assessments of what our actual community needs are. We also met with Immerse, which is new to the city of Conway. They've been here about two years. Um, as you see in the photo and the meeting there was really good. So, we are shifting to a more proactive approach to make sure that we stay engaged with our community partners. All right. And another thing that we're looking to do is make sure that we strengthen those partnerships with our nonprofits and stakeholders. And we do that by not just making sure we're engaged with meetings, but that we're also engaged outside of the four walls of this building. So, um I am a part of the housing and economic development mobility council, which I enjoy. We just had um a different kind of assessment with housing in that meeting on our last

meeting. So that was really interesting. Um a part of the group that is working to see what an office of financial empowerment looks like for the city of Conway. Um our monthly with the toad suck coalition who works with the balance of state. that we go through what that looks like, but it helps us stay informed on what's actually happening within the city of Conway with our nonprofits and to assess the needs of those the people that they serve, which are typically the low to moderate income individuals and families and also on our microtransit committee. So, uh our transportation committee, we work together with them as well. Shauna, I'm curious what Okay.

What are these first? Uh this is the first time I've ever heard of Housing and Economic Development Mobility Council. What is that? So it is

it is an organization that is started by the United Way. Um Jessica Clawson heads that up and you have several of your nonprofit organizations within the city of Conway and then some of those that are serviced in Faulner County as well that are part of that. They we meet monthly um and we talk about the needs. We're we're part broken up into different committees to kind of come up with the plan for those particular areas. I currently serve on the transportation committee with Shelly, so we kind of identify what that looks like, but it also helps when we're in those meetings with Rock Region and doing the survey to kind of see what the needs are um to be able to bring that to the table for the people that are making those decisions so that particular clientele won't be left out.

Right. And then how about the Office of Financial Empowerment Committee? So, the Office of Financial Empowerment is something new that we're looking at and we're kind of on the exploratory stages of that to see what that would actually look like for the city of Conway and how we would implement that and what would what would a good fit for the city of Conway look like. So, we kind of were kind of exploring that a bit to see, but it kind of ties to into the stakeholders that we currently work with such as our Conway housing authority. We had a meeting with them that was really good and they kind of talked about how do they put their people in a position of financial empowerment to get them out of public housing into home ownership. So that conversation went really well and it it's it's kind of like all of the pieces of the puzzle coming together. So when we had the meeting with the housing authority and then to know that we're looking at an office of financial empowerment, it's just like everything coming together and it's something to see how everybody's doing their their different things but how all of it still works together.

Thanks. That was one of my questions, Drew. So just just looking out for you.

Perfect. Awesome. That works. But we'll kind of talk about some upcoming community development projects. I am really excited about this. Um I um when I inherited the position, we were kind of wrapping up some things and we were wrapping up the emergency shelter and wrapping up some some different programs that we had um with the spruce street cottage development, but we're now looking to diving into some ongoing programs for community development. So we're looking at Conway small business grants that we're starting and Conway housing rehabilitation program. Those will be continuous programs that we are looking to run for the city of Conway through community development and we're really excited about that. Um, when it comes to affordable housing, it is it's it's a monster, but there are so many different pieces to that particular piece and we're trying we're finding the piece that we can actively engage in and that is rehabilitation as it is preserving our current housing stock and how do we do that? So, that is one of the ways that we are stepping into that. Um there will be um a consistent application process for that like we do with our public service applications. We know that they open January 1st through January 31st every year. And Jen, so we'll do the same with small business and housing rehabilitation. It'll open the same time so people will know when those particular programs are coming online. Then we have Airport Park, the airport park improvement project. really excited about that project, especially with it being on Sixth Street. With it being on Sixth Street, it's becoming a major thorough affair through the city. I'm a Sixth Street driver. I try to avoid park rider and Oak Street at all costs. When I'm in the car with Felicia, we are going down Oak Street. I do not know why, but we she's a Oak Street rider. I would prefer to go down Sixth Street. Me, too. So, but to see that park, we

are looking to reactivate that park and re-imagine what that park looks like. Um, we have met with parks, the parks department. We have already started the RF RFQ RFP process with that. Um, and we are looking forward to the design that comes out of that to what reimagining that space looks like. And I can't wait till we get it to share that with you all. but it's also in a true low to moderate income area. And to bring that park back to life, to still have it accessible as a free park to where they can practice there as they have been, but have it made alive. We're looking forward to that. So, pretty excited about Airport Park.

I ask a qu Can I ask a question? Absolutely. Can we rename that park? Because my mind immediately went to the airport out by the river. We take a look at it. It is on the list. We've talked about it. It's on the list. Could that be is that something that could be talked about? We've already been in conversation about it. Step ahead. Old airport.

Well, that's a good one. So, I'll just give you a timeline of what we're looking at with um starting small business grants and the rehabilitation programs. Um having public meetings for our small business grants on the 23rd and having a rehab our housing rehab public meeting on the 25th. Those are dates that we have, but if individuals have questions outside of those dates, we're always open to walk people through those processes um of of what that looks like. We're looking for the application to actually open online July the 1st. So when they open online July the 1st this year, they will open online July the 1st in the years to come. So that will be a set time frame that we know that they're opening. And then I have one more thing to close out and then we'll open for questions is we are excited to be hosting the Arkansas Community Development Association spring conference.

Starting tomorrow, not tomorrow, Thursday. We need a day to to finish getting everything else together, but starting on Thursday right here in city council chamber. So, we are looking to host that particular um conference. It is really good when we get together because we're able to share ideas, we're able to share information, we're able to share successes, we're able to share challenges and different strategies. So, I'm looking forward to that as always. And it's been a pleasure for the last six months to serve as president. So, I'm looking forward forward to what's to come with that. and we are open for questions. Thank you for your time. I just have one more. Okay.

Um the listening session that you had mentioned about housing, when is that? Do you have the date? We hadn't set the date for it yet. It will be with the Arkansas Municipal League and we are currently working on setting that up now and the dates for that. So, we'll make sure council gets that as soon as that date has been solidified. Thank you so much. No problem. I so appreciate you. This is it was Conway. Great. Thank you. Appreciate it. Nobody at this point. Okay. Thank you. Thank you for the job that you do, Shana. Very much appreciate it. Appreciate it.

So, Andy, are we back at six? Mayor Default, are we back at six? Sure. Cool. Yeah, but he got up. Just making sure it's coming back. Oh, I think he stopped, but I wouldn't swear to it. How are you, sir? We hostage. I'm doing well. How are you doing? Good.

Great crowd tonight. We proceed each council meeting with a pledge of allegiance and a word of prayer. If you would like, please would like to please feel free to join us. Miss Isby, can I get you a word of prayer? Sure. You'll bow with me. Our gracious heavenly father, we thank you, Lord, for the abundant blessings that you've given us. We thank you Lord for this city that you have graciously blessed us with and we are so mindful and thankful for being stewards of this city. We just ask Lord that everything that we do and everything that we touch our hands touched that Lord we just pray that you will get the glory and the honor that you're so deserving of. And we ask and pray this in your name. Amen.

Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay. All the ladies with the women's leadership academy, please stand. Welcome. Welcome. We are glad you are here. All right. Well, now I call this meeting to order. Miss Herd, would you call the role, please? Yes, sir. Mr. Hawkins here. Mr. Grimes here. Mr. Spurgers here. Miss Mill here. Mr. Hawks

here. Mr. Jones here. Missby here. Should have received copies of the minutes from the March 24th, 2026 city council meeting. Any corrections, changes, or comments? Make a motion for approval as submitted. Second. Have a motion and a second to approve the minutes as submitted. There's no further discussion. All in favor say I. I.

Any oppose? Passes seven to zero. First up, we have a public hearing and we will open this public hearing regarding the 2026 through 2020 2030 consolidated plan of action. I will now declare this public hearing open and we will ask Shir Shawana to give us a quick update. I scared Shawana a while ago and I'm still having trouble pronouncing her name because she threatened to kill me. You're gonna have to hold on to that one because you got me good story there.

So um this is um our 20 26 through 2030 um 5-year consolidated plan along with our action plan for 2026. Um we kind of talked about it a bit in our committee meeting and um it is required by Hood that I have a public hearing and we actually have a public input meeting um later on in the month as well. So um there was an information sheet that was passed out to you all with the priorities and goals on it. So I am in favor and just in favor of our plan so we can submit it once it's complete. Thank you for the information that you brought to us earlier today. We sure appreciate that.

Glad to be in Thank you. Anyone like to speak for or against this? Any questions for Miss Rogers? Seeing none, I will now declare this public hearing closed. And uh council, you have any questions or comments? Thank you, Shannon. This public meeting is closed. Thank you, council. Thank you.

Next up, we have on the agenda, we have a resolution to execute the agreements regarding the replacement of the independent steam electric for Conway Corporation. Jason Carter is here to address this for common corporation. He met, he and Mr. Carol met with the city attorney and I yesterday, and Charles does not have any issues with this, but I'll open the floor to you, Jason.

Uh, mayor and council, we uh met last year and talked about uh new combined cycle gas plant to be built. uh where the independence coal plant is uh participating in that and we have a 4% interest in that plant. Oola is uh looking to uh back out of their 0.5% interest. We have an opportunity to take a proportionate share of that. It would expand our interest from 4% to 4.095%. So, not a lot, but it is an opportunity to uh expand our interest in a plant where we've already got uh administrative uh ties built in. Uh so, it's an uh it's efficient and it's affordable and we're recommending approval and I'll I'm happy to answer whatever questions the council might have. There's uh one thing that I wanted to add and I'll let Jason correct me um because there was some remediation requirements in the initial agreement and this one this agreement would specify that Oola remains responsible for the old plant the yes this is this agreement is looking forward only uh all obligation rights and obligations with the existing coal plant would remain with Oola which includes both the cost of demolition and environmental remediation. So they would they would continue to hold those obligations. Those do not transfer to the city to Conway is a city too. Like I should clarify that. Oh, it will.

Council, any questions of Mr. Carter? I'll take a motion if he wants to give one. So moved. Second. I have a motion and second to approve the execution of the agreement for Common Corporation. Any further discussion? Missurd, would you call for the vote? All in favor say I. Any opposed? This is seven to zero. Thank you, Jason. Thank you. Next up, we have community development. Mr. Hawkins, I will turn this over to you, sir. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. First item here is an ordinance approving Well, let's see. We usually wave the readings. Yes, that's what I've got. We need to wave the readings first for the ordinances on tonight's agenda and uh there are four of those. So I would take a motion to that effect.

So move. Second. We have a motion and a second to approve the waving of the three readings for tonight's ordinances. Any further discussion? Missurd. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed?

Seven to zero. Mr. Hawkins. Next item, Mr. mayor is annual boards and commissions were advertised February 16th to April 6th for the civil service commission. Three applicants were received applications were received and the following nominations are recommended for approval to the 2026 boards and commission season. Uh number one Mark VA and number two Susan Wilson. Um, both positions will receive a six-year term beginning in April of this year. And I move that we accept uh those nominations. Second.

I have a motion and a second to approve the nominations of Susan Wilson and Mark Paul to six-year terms on the Conway Civil Service Commission. Any further discussion? It's heard. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Passes seven to zero. Mr. Hawkins. Next item, Mr. Mayors, a resolution setting a public hearing to discuss the vac vacation of the right of way for the unimproved street to the west of Sherwood Lane in the city of Conway. And u we have a resolution to be read for this item. It's resolution R26 12 number 12. And Miss Tucker,

yes, I've got this to work, believe it or not. So Mr. Craftton is looking at buying these two lots of land right here. And this is an unimproved street that was dedicated and he is looking to close that so that he can have his access other places. He did that on the advice of our transportation guru, Mr. Kurt Jones. So, we're looking to set a public hearing.

Very good. Any questions on that? And the public hearing is being set for the 28th of this month in case you are at home and wanting to mark that on your calendar. 28th at 6 o'clock in these chambers, I would imagine. Correct. Sounds great. Thank you. Uh we do need to pass a resolution for this. Need a motion. Make a motion for the adoption of the resolution R26 uh

12. Yes. Second. I have a motion and a second to set a public hearing on Tuesday, April 28th at 6 PM here at city hall to discuss vacating the rightway for an unimproved street to the west of Sherwood Lane. Any further discussion? Missurd. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? That passes seven to zero. Thank you. Thank you, Ann Mr. Hawkins. Next item, Mr. Mayor is a resolution approving the 2026 to 2030 consolidated plan and the 2026 action plan for the community development department. and Shana one more time.

Yes, this is um just approval to go ahead once we are at that um after our 30-day comment period and we fine-tune everything we need into our consolidated plan and our annual action plan to um submit it to um through HUD. Questions from anyone from anyone? and Schwan, I appreciate the great job that you guys do. It's uh y'all have really kicked it up a notch. We appreciate it. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to do it. So, we couldn't do it without y'all. Make a motion for the adoption of the resolution R2613. Second.

Have a motion and a second to approve this resolution. Any further discussion? Missurd. All in favor say I. Any opposed? That passes seven to zero. Thank you, Shan. Mr. Hawkins, hope you're still here. Next. you are. Yes. Next item is a resolution approving the Conway housing rehabilitation and small business grants program for the community development department. And Shuana, can you update us one more time? Yes, it is kind of talking about this is just to approve us starting those programs. We um are looking to start those starting in July, July 1st to get it kicked off. So this is our approval. questions. I'll take a motion.

Second. Have a motion, a second to approve the resolution submitting the consolidated plan of action. Any further discussion before we move on? Shana, what's the proposed funding mechanism for these items? It will be through the community development block grant funding. So, all% through community development. There will be no general funds used. Thank you. Appreciate that, Missurd. R 2614. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? That passes seven to zero. Thank you, Sean. Thank you, Mr. Hawkins.

Uh, Mr. Mayor, the next item is an ordinance approving the private club permit location for Rally X Hospitality LLC, DBA Crushard, 565 Front Street. Good evening. if you'll identify yourselves and tell us about your place. Yes, sir. Uh, good evening. My name is Evan Lawrence and I'm the attorney for Crush Yard. And this is Mr. Sax and he can introduce himself. Are you Mr. Crush? No. Okay. Yes, sir. Yeah. Zach Saxon, owner of or co-owner of Rally X and Crushard.

Looks like your construction's coming along. Yeah, it does. Yeah, we should be done with the white box in the next few weeks and then hopefully get tenants uh crushard moved in, you know, within a couple months after that and hopefully have a grand opening, you know, July at some point. Well, folks, I always ask just give us a brief real brief menu Oh gosh. Uh

I wasn't prepared for this. Uh burgers, flatbread pizzas, uh wings. They've got uh healthy options for those who are going there to actually get some exercise. Uh but for people like me who just want to eat a lot of food, they've got some good finger foods too that are good for, you know, if you're out on the turf and just want to watch people play or, you know, on the rooftop deck. Um you know, just there's quite a variety. So those play what? Pickle ball. Yeah.

We've got four courts. Uh three are covered, one is uncovered. We should see that uh canopy installed on the 21st or at least start erecting steel. So, it's been kind of open. We tried to mimic the original shape of the block plant, but basically by redoing it all. Um so, we should should see that outline kind of forming in the next couple weeks and then um yeah, turf get installed in the middle and get some landscaping. So, you might see me out there doing some of that just cuz it's a good uh good stress reliever sometimes doing some landing. I heard there was over 40 million Americans playing pickle ball right now and it's they're expecting it to double.

Yeah. And what's cool about Crushyard, the the franchise, is they partnered with a certain family who owns a big nationwide network and uh that family owns Pickle Ball TV. So, we'll actually have uh some live events being broadcasted there. Um, so it'll be kind of a cool little marketing thing for Conway as well. Great. Mr. Saxon, uh, Alderman Hawkins has already beat me in tennis pretty badly some years ago. Will you give lessons in pickle ball? There is a pickle ball coach. You can get lessons there. Yeah, it's just time passed, you know. But I I I've reached the age of decline on several points.

We could try pickle ball. Pickle ball's good. It's good. It's a little slower pace. Council, back to you. Make a motion for the approval of the ordinance 02621. Is that correct? 22. 22. Second. Have a motion and a second to approve the ordinance approving the private club permit location for Rally X Hospitality LLC, Crushyard at 565 Front Street. Any further discussion? I got one question. Yes, sir. It's not nothing big. Are y'all going to have a open bar with ex for alcohol? What are y'all serving the sky's the limit on or what? Um, as far as like what types of drinks? Um,

I mean, you don't have to name. What I'm saying is just an open bar type thing. Pretty similar to just I guess um oh gosh, just any restaurant around here like Mike's Place or anything like that. Just if that I hope that answers your question. I was the reason I was asking because you having some sporting activities and I was just wondering what y'all would be serving during this. So curiosity. Okay. Yeah, just normal drinks, normal kind of bar situation, mostly restaurant. Thank you, Mr. Jones.

One one more question that I actually had someone ask me today at the dentist. They were like, "Hey, that uh private club permit, they said, "How did they work that so close to a church?" So, this may be a U question. Is it because I mean, is that on ABC because doesn't have to be a specific distance from Yeah. So, what uh what they're asking for, this is required by state law, before they can get a permit from the state, which is really what they need, they have to get permission from the city in which they're going to operate. So, if y'all approve this tonight, what you're approving is them to take the next step to apply to the state for the actual permit. They would have to follow any rules that the state has.

And that applies, there's a lot of confusion. I was worried about that when we bought the place originally. Um it is uh liquor stores that can't be close to schools and churches. Uh restaurants that serve as um not a Yeah, it's just I assumed that since it was on the agenda, it was probably fine. But yes, ask a question. Great. Glad to see it finally coming together. Thank you. I'm sure you are as well. Absolutely. Zach, good luck with that. Thank you. I think it'll go well. Thank you. Yes, sir. Missurd. Mr. Spurs. I. Mr. Hawkins. Yes. Miss Mill. Hi, Mr. Jones. Yes, Mr. Hawks. Yes, Mrs. Yes, Mr. Grimes. Hi, that passes 70 to zero. Welcome.

Thank you, guys. Thank you. Thank Mr. Hawkins. Next item, Mr. Mayor, is an ordinance approving the private club permit location for RCC Conway LLC, DBA, Routolo's Craft, and Crust at 2553. Good evening. if we could get an identification from Thank you, Mr. Mayor, council members. Matthew Brown on behalf of the applicant, RCC Conway LLC, and I have Mr. Taylor Boowbo, who is the owner, well, husband of the owner of the applicant. Any questions for Mr. Brown or the gentleman who is opening up the business?

This is the one that's right next to uh Rock. Thank you. Trail, another good looking new addition. It is. Yeah, I say those those signs look sharp. Walked by there this morning. Looks great. Yeah, it's this uh new concept with the design and stuff. So, we we I'm enjoying I'm I'm looking forward to opening. When is the anticipated opening? When in uh it's probably going to be uh June 1st. I think it the the liquor laws here are a little different than uh Louisiana and Mississippi and Tennessee. So, we were trying to get as close as

I am uh following their social media in pursuit of this and I think they announced an April date on Instagram. Yeah, we thought we knew more than we did and we hired them to help us get through. That was until they met me. There we go. Hey, wait, wait. Attorney slow things down. What? No, no, not at all. The building looks great. I'm going to have to ask you the same question before Mr. Hawkins does. Just give us a brief menu rundown. Yes, sir. Uh craft pizzas, uh burgers, salads, uh wings, um pastas, and uh cowzones. Cowzone. Yes, ma'am. Uh and uh and and craft beer is is mainly our our go-to. Yes, sir.

And a second level to look out over the people who are using the trails. Yeah, we're excited about the Ducker Creek Trail. I think it'd be it'll be great stop for uh hosting some running events or something and get people out in the community and healthy. We couldn't tell. Is there a second level or is it just a high ceiling? That's just a high ceiling. You're still you're still looking down. Sure. And nice nice patio as well. It looks like upstairs. Great patio area. Looking forward to it. It's about a seven minute walk from my house, which may be dangerous. Glad to have you, Jacob. And uh Jacob and Kurt and Troy uh did a tremendous job on working with with Rotellos and the other businesses on getting the cross access put in there.

Yes. So we'll not be dump will not be holding up and dumping a lot of traffic on Prince. That does look good, guys. That looks good. That road y'all put back there. Thank you, Taylor. Good luck. Yeah, council. Back to you. I'll make a motion for the adoption of the ordinance 02623. and I have visited the one in Prairville, Louisiana. It's awesome. Great. Second. Have a motion and a second to approve the ordinance approving the private club permit for Rattellos's RCC Conway uh craft and crust at 2555 Prince. Any further discussion? Third. Mr. Grimes. I Mr. Jones. Yes. Miss Mill. Hi. Mr. Spurgers. Hi. Mr. Hawks.

Yes. Missby? Yes. Mr. Hawkins. A ringing. Yes. seven to zero. Thank you, gentlemen. Welcome to Conway. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank council. And uh we forgot to mention, too, that uh this will be their ninth location once opened, their first foray into the state of Arkansas. So, not only are we welcome to our city, but it's their first location in Arkansas. That's right. Very good. And their reputation has preceded them. I already had one person reach out to me and say, "Hey, Matt, did you know this hotel is coming?" I was like, "Yeah, but I can't really tell you about it." I'll second that if possible. Yeah, I think it was that was the location that I I can say I had more questions about that building, what was going in it, than any question that I that I get at uh at my church. And so

turned out to be a beautiful spot. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I'm just excited about all these restaurants coming. At my age, eating is the only thing I do well next to sleeping. Thanks y'all very much for being Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Mayor, the final item I've got is a resolution to approve the low bid and enter into an agreement for the Court Street Alleyway project. And Mr. Jones, hello, sir.

Yes, sir. So, so this is a project we're we're pretty excited about. It's uh it's the alleyway that runs between um I guess between Maine and Oak Street, connects Maine and Oak Street between Court and Chestnut in there. And we've got some plans to uh improve that area. I don't know. I'm sure most of y'all have looked back there and seen what it looks like right now. Um, we we recently had a project where we closed in that drainage ditch. And this project would go ahead and complete some, you know, park-like amenities in the area and create just a there'll be vehicular access from from Main Street to Oak Street, but then pedestrian access off of both Chestnut and uh Court Street and connect those areas there and just create like some seating areas. The other uh the other big thing it will do is consolidate some of the trash service back in that area. We've we've made uh provisions for a trash compactor back in that area so that the all the uh property owners, business owners, and so forth back there can can instead of having eight different dumpsters back in that area. The plan is to consolidate all those into one trash compactor that will have, you know, a lot less odor um and and so forth. Anyway, we did bid the project recently and the low bidder for the project was Fury Heavy Construction with a bid of uh 1,690,4 or $4227. We had a total of it looks like five biders on the project. Um, and we're we're asking for a resolution approving awarding that contract, at which time we'll go ahead and award the contract and and and get them started hopefully in June. Any questions?

Make a motion for the adoption of the resolution R2615. Second. I have a motion and a second to adopt this resolution for the uh approve a low bid of Fury Electric. Any further discussion? I do believe this is going to enhance every structure that is touched by. Yeah, that that whole block. Every structure that is touched by this. It's going to give the businesses a place to park in the back of their business during regular business hours. Then when they close, it'll be open to the public. It's heard. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? That passes seven to zero. Thank you. And I think this is a great idea doing little things like this. Thank you, Mr. Hawkins.

Yes, sir. Mr. Next up, we have public service. And our first item is consideration to uh remove and dispose of inventory of boat and vehicle for the Conway Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. TS, how's that little girl doing? Oh my gosh, she's amazing. But I will say our Beaver Fork manager, Rodrigo Ramirez, and his partner just had triplets yesterday, so they've got their hands full. Well, congratulations to them. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. But she's good. I appreciate you asking.

So, um this is just the approval to remove um a vehicle and a boat that have kind of spent their time um you know, doing their job for us, but are no longer needed. Um, one is a vehicle with over 100,000 miles and the boat's over 25 years old. They just they serve no purpose. So, we're looking to to offload those. Make a motion for the approval of the disposal of these assets. Second. I have a motion and a second to approve the request. Remove a vehicle and boat from inventory. Any further discussion? Missurd. Favor say I. I.

Any opposed? passes seven to zero. Next up, Andrew again, uh, resolution to approve the submission of the TAP and RTP grant for Conway Parks and Recreation. This is a great investment in Laurel Park. Go ahead, Andrew.

I agree. So, we're we're looking to um submit an application for the TAP and RTP program for Laurel Park. Right now, we've got a trail that goes around that is made of crushed gravel. Um, it is not a solid trail. it's not really ADA accessible or, you know, a new uh mom that's got kids or or whatever in a stroller. It's just not ideal. Um, when the tennis center came along, that kind of disrupted this trail. So, we're looking to put in a 10-ft paved path around the park for easy access.

There any kind of matching? This uh sorry, sorry. Uh, so this is an 8020. Um, and we're looking at a total investment of about $125,000. So that $25,000 um from the city will come from the A&P fund from parks. Thank you, Mr. Things. Make a motion for adoption of the resolution. Second. Have a motion and second to approve submitting the RTP grant for Laurel Park Trail. Any further discussion? Murdard. All in favor say I. Any opposed?

Passes seven to zero. Well, thank you, Andrew. Hope you're still up. Next up, a resolution to approve the city to enter an agreement for the Don Owen Sports Complex. This is the big one. Renovation project for the Conway Parks and Recre Department. This is this is something council, y'all know we it's time for us to do. Go ahead, Andrew.

We've talked about this uh this one a lot um with Tiffany. We did an RFP a couple of weeks ago and we had a lot of great interest in this um project. At this point for our our needs, we're looking to enter into an agreement with H&N um architects. They'll, you know, produce um drawings of a concession stand, restrooms, uh storage areas, redoing the dugouts, and all of kind of the main complex of Donn. The fields won't be touched by any means. Um this is just for more of an architecture standpoint. Um, this is going to be a quick process with quick design, quick bid process, and quick building. We're hoping, um, from the information that we've received for construction to begin in the fall. Um, and so at this point, we're just looking for approval to enter into that agreement.

Make a motion for the adoption of the resolution R2617. Second. Have a motion, a second to approve this resolution. Any further discussion? Drew, any idea about the cost on this? I know we've not not that far along the line, but do we have a ballpark of what we're looking at? We do have a budget for it. It was already approved in the uh 2026 budget. Um, for now, I think we're going to meet with H&N here in the coming days and kind of get their ideas. Um, but we'll we'll kind of see what that budget looks like, but it is already been approved. Yes, sir. Thank you. Do you recall what dollar amount was approved? Andrew 2.1. That's correct.

All right. Thanks, council. Back to you. Have a motion in a second. Oh, we have a motion to second. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Passes seven to zero. Now, thank you, Andrew. Thank you. Thank you, Andrew. Next up, we have the public safety committee. We have an ordinance to appropriate funding for office furniture for district court. I think judge is here. He is Judge Hogue.

I don't have the resolution in front of me. Um, council uh the Thank you so much. the city attorney and his staff moved out to the new street department where we have a lot of room and that's what they want to do. they have a lot of room and a lot of lot of space that they needed. Uh we offered the old building over there to the judges and uh they have glad glad they they said yes and I'd like to spank thank Spencer Clawson. Spencer too big a board for me to spank Spencer Clawson is his team for all the hard work they did moving them over. Anyway, Judge Ho, glad to have you, sir.

Thank you. Um, we're asking for $25,000 to pay for some furniture, including a few offices and um a conference room, plus chairs and all the furnishings that would go in that so that the judges and the first clerk can go into the old city attorney's building and furnish it and make it presentable so that we can use it as they did. I know you guys needed the room. Yes, we did. And Felicia is smiling about something. What are you going to say, Felicia? No, no, did he? He did good. He did good. Yeah. So, that I mean that that's going to be a great space for the judges. Um Oh, yeah.

Spencer did a great job of of getting it ready for them. Charles moved out lightning speed and Spencer got right in. And so, if we could get some furniture, we can we can get them all moved over and then create more space for district court as well because they are kind of all each other. Move for adoption. Paint one of the rooms to get it away from Charles thinking minor blue and now it's David Gray. David, I'm just think I'm just thinking about that Saturday that Charles spent the whole day fixing the sign just to pull it down. I think I think that's going to be preserved as a monument. Okay. Yeah, I forgot about the sign. We'll preserve it somewhere. Mr. Jones, you make a motion.

Oh, yes, sir. And I'll second that. We have a motion and a second to approve this ordinance appropriating funding for office furniture for district court. Any further discussion? Missurd 2624. Mr. Hawks. Yes. Mr. Jones. Yes. Miss Mill. Hi. Mr. Hawkins. Yes. Mr. Grimes. Hi. Mr. Spurgers. Hi. Missby. Yes. It passes 70. Thank you, judge. Thank you. Next, we have considerations dispose uh inventory computers for the Conway Police Department. Chief Harris.

I am not asking for money. You know what? That's a first. That's good. Oh, good evening. So, we're just asking that we have a bunch of old computers, either obsolete or broken. So, we're just asking that they be removed from our inventory and the ones that work be sold off on auction online. Make a motion that we get rid of this stuff. Second. Have a motion and a sec. Uh second to dispose of inventory for the Conway Police Department. Any further discussion? Miss her. All in favor say I. I. Any oppose. This is seven to zero. Next up is consideration remove inventory K9 Chase for the Conway Police Department. Chief.

So yes, Chase uh he's he's getting up there and he's had some health issues, but he's recovered from that, but he's nine years old, so it's time for him to go live out his years with his handler. Um, so with that, we'd ask that y'all just, if y'all approve that, remove them from the inventory. Make a motion to do so. Second. Have a motion and a second to uh, instead of saying remove, let's say retire K9 Officer Chase, and he be turned over to his handler, Officer Williams. Any further discussion? Will we be getting a replacement dog?

Yeah. So, I'm down actually three, but they get them around the same time. So, that just kind of It's kind of like officers. They retire at the same time. And so yes, we're trying to Missurd. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? That passes seven to zero. Thank you, Chief. Thanks, Chief.

And the last uh ordinance tonight is uh authorizing personnel changes with the Conway Fire Department. I met with Chief Winter and Chief Weedor here a few weeks back. Uh Chief Weedle will answer your question. This is something that's probably been needed in the fire department for quite some time. The firefighters that choose to go today's undergo a lot of extra training to be in the training division, to be in the fire marshals division to learn how to uh solve fires. You know, they they go through arson school and everything else and they're stuck. Uh and that they can go up to captain, but there's no higher rank there in order to promote, which any firefighter is going to want to do. They would have to go back to line. That in turn causes Kenny to lose a a well-trained individual. So

yeah, we're just we're just trying to reclassify a captain's position to a battalion chief's position just to give them, you know, another level to go to. So somebody don't have to go back to line to to get to promote. They can promote with, you know, I've got I've got 12 year guys, I got 19, they're nine year guys that they have nowhere to go. So it's just creating reclassifying a position. There's no uh no damage to this year's budget on it. So there's no cost. Are there multiple of these positions that we're talking about? Are we talking just one right now? Just one particular person. Okay. But we have others coming down the road. Sounds like

just depends on how big um how big that um the different divisions get. Thank you, Chief. I'll make a motion for the adoption of the ordinance 02625. Second. Have a motion and a second to adopt this ordinance to approve a uh personnel change within the Conway Fire Department. Any further discussion here you guys got a 100 folks testing tomorrow. 100 I hope we have a hundred pass and we have a 100 candidates that that we can look at because there you go. We have we do have some hiring to do. Good deal. Miss her. Mr. Mr. Hawkins. Yes. Miss Mill. Hi. Mr. Hawks. Yes. Mr. Spurs. Hi. Mr. Jones. Yes. Msby. Yes.

Mr. Grimes. Hi. That passes 70. Thank you, Chief. Council. That is all I have for tonight. I'll take a motion to adjourn. So moved. We are journ. Thank you, everybody.