City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, everybody. We've got a public hearing in effect here, and we'll go ahead and start that public hearing. It's 05:27, and it's regarding the request of Gustavo Flores Cabrera to establish a taxi cab service in the community. If you would, please go ahead and Anyone for or against any discussion from the public? I don't see any.

All right. We'll go ahead and start a meeting here in about three minutes. Yes, an invocation this evening, We'll if that's go ahead and stand. I'll lead in the pledge of allegiance and then Brian Emerson will lead the invocation.

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. Would you bow your heads and pray with me? Dear Lord, thank you for bringing us here this evening and continue to put your arms of protection around us as we go out of the Easter holiday. We are just constantly reminded of all of the good work in this world that you you continue to do for all of us and lord, just please be with us as we go forward tonight and help us in making the best decisions for the citizens of the city of Jonesboro and please forgive us where we fail you. Amen.

Amen.

Thank you, councilman. Alright. If we go on to item number three and this is roll call. If you would, please go ahead and cast your ballot. We do have 11 members present this evening. So there are no special presentations. So we'll move on to item number five, and these are items on consent agenda.

Move to adopt unless any changes are noted. Second.

We do have a motion on the floor to adopt unless any amendment. Do we have any? I don't see any. If you would, please go ahead and cast your ballot. Okay, items on the consent agenda, they do carry. So now council, we're gonna move on to resolutions removed from the consent agenda. And the first one is resolution 26,031.

A resolution authorizing the city of Jonesboro to enter into a two year lease contract for the purchase of five sanitation side load trucks, one sanitation front load truck, and one sanitation rear load truck. Whereas the city of Jonesboro continues to see a need and desires to maintain the current rotation of heavy equipment for use in the sanitation department, and whereas the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas approved the 2026 budget in resolution twenty five one ninety six, which included the lease obligations for five sanitation side load trucks, one sanitation rear load truck, and one sanitation front load truck. And whereas the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas desires to enter into two year lease contract with Arvest Bank for five MAC automated sideload trucks, one MAC front load truck, and one Freightliner rear load truck from River City Hydraulics Inc. The financing proposal for the trucks is attached here too. Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas that section one, the mayor Harold Copenhagen and city clerk April Leggett are hereby authorized by the City Council for the City Of Jonesboro to execute all documents necessary to effectuate the agreement.

Move to adopt. Second.

We have a motion to adopt and a second. Any discussion by council?

May I have one question or maybe two? So it's five trucks, it says five trucks, one sanitation front load and one sanitation resource. Seven total, correct? That's what I was listening to on finance. But then also when we, it's a lease and we're gonna sell it back to the vendor, what typically do they give us?

Just a rough number percentage wise, pay however much we pay, what do we typically get back? I know these trucks are going be beat up when they get them back. Just curious what and does that number go towards purchase of a new truck? How does it explain that a little bit to

me. Okay,

thank you.

They are it's capital lease. We take ownership of the property and it's through this financing arrangement. The conclusion of the lease, the buybacks are most usually always executed. We allow the vendor to do that. The return is about 55%, 60% of the purchase price.

And because of the utility of these vehicles, their daily usage, they are pretty heavily used at the end of a two year period. This is the third group of these specific trucks that's been entered into a lease contract. So this will get us through year six relative to this type of equipment here. And the discretion is ours whether they're retained or if they go back to the vendor.

In the past, we've usually sent them back to the vendor?

Most usually.

Okay. Perfect. Thank you.

Any other questions from counsel? I don't see anyone in the public. I don't see any as well. If you would, please go ahead and cast your ballot. And that does carry. Next, we'll move on to resolution 26,032.

Resolution by the City Council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas to make appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions as recommended by Mayor Harold Copenhagen. Whereas the following appointments reappointments have been recommended by mayor Harold Copenhagen. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council for the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas that the following appointments reappointments be confirmed. Metropolitan Area Planning Commission appointment of Mitch Johnson to a five year term ending 03/01/2031. Cricket County solid waste disposal authority reappointment of John Householder and Willis Tyler to three year terms ending 07/3129, reappointment of Dennis Burks, Brett Provost, and Danny Honnold to term ending 07/31/2027, reappointment of Wayne Bond, Rick Miles, and Mitchell Fitz to a term ending 07/3128.

Keep Jonesboro Beautiful, reappointment of Beverly Parker, Shelly Lam, Barbara Ring, Melissa Dooley, and Carlos Ramos to a three year term ending 10/07/2028. Appointment of Natasha Light, Brandon Stevens, Linda Yocum, Lisa Branham, and Janice Porter to three year term ending 10/07/2028. Reappointment of doctor Charles Coleman, Nate Schimmel, Rebecca Orr, Mona Broadway, and Pam Alexander to a two year term ending 10/07/2027. Appointment of Lakisha Miller, Amin Abbasi Puya, Taylor Holland, Beth Sherlock, Sherry Mitchell, and Donna Malone to two year terms ending 10/07/2027. City Water and Lightboard reappointment of Russ Hannah and Ashley Givens to a three year term expiring 03/01/2029, appointment of Matt Garner to a three year term ending threeonetwenty twenty nine, CDBG Citizen Advisory Committee, reappointment of Reginald Prunty, Loretta Brewer, Gabe Roberts, Rusty Clark, Pedro Ramirez, and Trina Long to three year terms ending threetwenty onetwenty twenty nine, appointment of Mark Morrow to a three year term ending threetwenty onetwenty twenty nine, Jonesboro Parks and Recreation Planning and Advisory Board, reappointment of Tina Cook, Marilyn Copeland, Trey McKee to three year terms ending threeseventeentwenty twenty nine, Municipal Airport Commission reappointment of Matt Heinemann to a five year term ending fourthirtythirtytwentythirty one, Stormwater Management Board reappointment of Rick Wyatt to a three year term ending 04/30/2029.

Northeast Arkansas Industrial Development Commission reappointment Harold Perrin to a three year term ending 03/2029 appointment of Beverly Nix and Mark Mayfield to a three year term ending fourthirtytwenty twenty nine impact fee research committee reappointment of Ann Williams, Anthony Coleman, Russell Hannah, Carol Caldwell, Robert Hester, Mark Morris, Rick Wyatt, Charles Stengerly, Carol Steele, Shanketa Cunningham, Weston Wagner to one year term ending threethirty onetwenty twenty seven.

Move to adopt, but I think there's some amendments to CDBG.

There are. Ryan, would you like to come forward?

Sure, on the CDBG, we just

think We have to a second council.

Second. I'll second the motion.

Yeah, we need to probably just all those and we'll catch those up on the next resolution which should be coming here pretty soon. There's a couple of people that weren't on that list that were intended to be and I think there's a couple of terms and a couple of people that are on the list that are conflicted out due to the contribution that CDBG gets a certain nonprofit. Just ask that we just remove them. We could clean all that up here, but I think that would probably constitute a significant change and there's just no need for that. So we'll just ask that strike those off and then we'll catch those up on the next resolution.

I'll amend my motion to strike the CDBG portion of the resolution.

I'll amend my second.

Okay, you have a motion on the floor. Any discussion by counsel?

I would ask that the record show that I'm recusing from discussion and from a vote because I'm one of the nominees. I am as well.

Do other Doctor. Coleman? Okay and Ms. Williams. Okay. All discussion by anyone in the chamber? I don't see any. If you would, please cast your ballot, counsel. All right. I appreciate And that does pass. I do appreciate the people for stepping up and volunteering to be a part of our community in so many ways. Next we'll move on to item number six, item on new business. The first of which is COM 26

Decision by the city council regarding the request by Gustavo Cabrera to establish a taxi cab service.

All right. Do we have any discussion by council? Anyone in counsel chambers? I don't see any. If you would, please go ahead and cash. Go ahead. Yeah.

Mayor Copenhaber has stated that it is his understanding that Mr. Gustavo Flores Cabrera has fulfilled all the requirements to establish this service. So we need a motion and a second to approve his service.

I'll make that motion. Second.

Everybody understand that? Okay. We do have a motion. Any discussion by counsel? Anyone in counsel chambers? I don't see any. If you would, please go ahead and cast your ballot. Right. And that does carry. Next we'll move on to ordinances on the first reading. We have ordinance 26,008.

Move to suspend the rules and offer by title only. Second.

You have a motion on the floor. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?

Ordinance twenty six zero eight, an ordinance to amend ordinance ninety three seven forty one to reinstate the multi way four way stop signs at Raines And Wilkins Intersections.

All right. Any discussion by council? I don't see any. Anyone in council chambers? I don't see any as well. If you would, please go ahead and cast your ballot. Excuse me. It moves on to the second reading. Next, we move on to ordinance 26,009.

Move to suspend the rules and offer by title only. Second.

An ordinance to the city of Jonesboro to place various traffic signs at designated locations as determined by the traffic control committee.

All in favor say aye. Aye. Backwards, Okay. That's okay. All in favor say aye and then he read it. Everybody in favor say aye. Aye. All right, now you can read it.

An ordinance to the city of Jonesboro to place various traffic signs at designated locations as determined by the Traffic Control committee.

Any discussion by council? Anyone in council chambers? I don't see any of that. I'll move on to its next reading. Next, we'll move on to ordinance 26,010.

Move we suspend the rules and offer by title only. Second.

Do I have motion on the floor? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Now you

can read it. An ordinance by the city of Jonesboro to place various traffic signs at designated locations as determined by the traffic control committee. Any discussion by counsel?

I don't see any anyone in counsel chambers. I don't see any as well. That'll next move on to its next reading. Next, we move on to ordinance 26,012.

An ordinance to amend chapter one seventeen known as the zoning ordinance providing for changes in zoning boundaries from r one to c three for property located at 6904 East Highland Drive. And then, yeah, do you have the ordinance in its entirety? Thank you. Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, section one, chapter 117, article three known as the zoning ordinance of the city of Jonesborough, Arkansas be amended as recommended by the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission by the changes in zoning classification as follows. From R1, single family medium density district to I one, general Industrial district to c three, general commercial district and I one, general Industrial district as shown on the attached rezoning plat, the land described as follows and then legal description follows.

She usually read it. Okay.

The legal description is a part of the west half of the Southwest quarter of Section 1910 Ship 14 Range North, Range 5 East, Craighead County, Arkansas being more particularly described as follows. Beginning at the Southwest corner of said southwest quarter, thence north one degree eight or zero zero minutes eight seconds east along the west line of said southwest quarter, a distance of 1,392.57 feet to a point, thence north eighty eight degrees fourteen minutes fifty one seconds east, departing said west line, a distance of 285.22 feet to a point, then south zero degrees fifty one minutes forty seconds west, a distance of 634.67 feet to a point, then south zero degrees thirty thirty two minutes twenty three seconds west, a distance of 401.84 feet to a point, then north eighty nine degrees fifty one minutes thirty one seconds east, a distance of 1,101.64 feet to a point on the east side of the said southwest quarter, then south zero degrees fifty seven minutes fifteen seconds east along said east line, a distance of 66.11 feet to a point, then south 87 Degrees 59 Minutes 58 Seconds West, departing said line a distance of 350.2 feet to a point, then south 0 degrees two minutes fifty one seconds east, a distance of 117.57 feet to a point on the northerly right of way of Arkansas Highway 18 Highland Drive, thence along said northerly right of way as follows.

South 87 degrees forty eight minutes one second west, a distance of two hundred and sixty seven point two two, South, 78 degrees, 20 Minutes, 52 Seconds West, a distance of 225.06 feet, South, 81 Degrees, twenty minutes, eleven seconds West, a distance of 237.63 feet, South, 76 degrees twenty minutes four seconds West, a distance of a 118.18 feet south 76 Degrees 57 Minutes 45 Seconds west, a distance of 219.48 feet to the point of beginning, containing in all 594,231 square feet or 13.64 acres more or less, subject to easements, restrictions, reservations, and rights of way of record. Section two, the rezoning of this property shall adhere to the following stipulations. One, the proposed site shall satisfy all requirements of the city engineer, all requirements of the current stormwater drainage design manual, and floodplain regulations regarding any new construction. Two, a final site plan subject to all ordinance requirements shall be submitted, reviewed, and approved by the planning department prior to any redevelopment of the property. Three, any change of use shall be subject to planning department approval in the future.

Section three, all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. Section four, the city clerk is hereby directed to amend the official zoning district boundary of the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas insofar as it relates to the lands described here and above so that the zoning classification of said land shall be in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance.

Carol dared me to have you do that. That's what I thought,

yeah. I think it was just cruel.

Sounds right. That was cruel.

You did a nice job, Tom.

Thank you. Thank you, Tom. All right, any discussion or questions by counsel? Anyone at council chambers? I don't see any. That'll move on to its next reading. Now we'll move on to item seven, unfinished business. These are ordinances on the second reading. First ordinance is twenty six thousand and eleven.

An ordinance to amend chapter 117 article three known as the zoning ordinance for the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas providing for changes in zoning boundaries from c two to c three for property located at 2005 East Highland Drive.

Any questions by counsel? I don't see anyone in counsel chambers. I don't see any as well. That'll move on to its next reading. Now we'll move on to ordinances on the third reading and first one is ordinance 26,006 and this will be voted on by council.

An ordinance by the city of Jonesboro to place various traffic signs at designated locations as determined by the traffic control committee.

Move to adopt. Second.

We have a motion on the floor to adopt and a second. Any discussion by counsel? Anyone in counsel chambers? If you would, please go ahead and cast your ballot, counsel. Okay.

And that does carry. So now we'll move on to the next item. And these are items that have been held in counsel. This is resolution 26,028, and I would like to ask counsel, if I can get a second, to remove indefinitely. Have come across Tony Thomas has been working, and I think we've got it worked out to where we're going be able to use the Veterans Cottage community room at no cost as an option to provide our nine eleven administrative staff ability to use that facility until another facility is built. Thus we don't have to get into a contract and negotiations for another couple of years with expenditures.

Motion to postpone indefinitely. Second.

We do have a motion on the floor. Any questions by counsel? Anyone in the counsel chambers? Okay, if you would please go ahead and cast your ballot. And that does carry. Thank you, counsel. Next we will move on to mayor's reports and I think you will have the financial statements for you as well on the annual airport commission. But I also want to remind you that now we have the second monthly end reports. They're there before you on the desk with Brian. They do have your name on them.

Please pick them up. After the meeting. I'm very pleased with the development of this process. It keeps not only counsel, and the next meeting we will have then a presentation, a summation of that report for the community as well so we can keep them abreast of everything going on. So as I move forward in the mayor's comments, Craig will be discussing several of the projects that are moving forward in the community, and then I'm gonna have Jim kind of give us an update of parks and recs.

I think it's important this time of year that we see a lot of traction and movement in that area. So good evening council. It's March 26. The March city report is ready to pick up as I just went over. Speaking of city staff, I want to give a big congratulations to employee of the month, Ryan Brashear, Gojo marketing coordinator.

He's new to City, just six months into the position, but he's jumped right in, helped launch a new transit branding with enthusiasm and professionalism. He's really taken on his role, his recognition is well deserved. Thanks to First Security Bank for sponsoring the Salute to the City Award, making it possible to show appreciation for city employees who go above and beyond their job duties. There's been three weeks since our last city council meeting, and it's been busy. I've been grateful to celebrate ribbon cuttings like the highly anticipated Whataburger proclamations like Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund supporting single parents by helping them pursue education and build financial independence.

Valley View Elementary hosted the Arkansas Rice in Schools program initiated by Governor Sanders this week. And needless to say, was very tasty. And it was an encouraging event, educating our youth all over our city about what rice and how we are very wholesome in that, and it's very locally grown. Always great to see students engage and take pride in the rice farming industry. We also had opportunities to welcome new folks to the community.

I had a meeting yesterday with the new UAMS chancellor, Doctor. Lowry Barnes, who will no doubt build a hospitable culture that fits right into Jonesboro and most generous community. Generous efforts to support the most vulnerable in our community were on display this month as well. It was a privilege to join Judge Day and others in support of the child abuse Prevention Month with the proclamation and CASA, a storybook luncheon fundraiser at Embassy Suites. The work of CASA continues to reach those who need our support the most.

The nonprofits within Jonesboro are amazing partners continue with much needed work within our region and I'm so grateful they do so. I believe CASA has now been here for thirty years and it was a wonderful event for those that have taken their time because it is not just a one year commitment. It's a multi year commitment as you continue to learn and how many youth it is affected for foster care in the city. Spring brings forth a lot of people out and about within opportunities for connecting as our community within two dozen parks and community centers. A lot of activities are happening around the city.

Make sure you take full advantage of the beautiful weather days and get out in the side pass and bypass. So at this point, Jim, if you don't mind coming forward, just kind of give us a little update like you did Monday morning in our directors meeting. I'd appreciate it.

Thanks, everybody. Always good to see you guys on a beautiful day. Can't get out enough. A couple of things I wanted to report to you guys. We're trying to make sure that we always have a financial summary at the conclusion of all of our events. So we want to give you a little update. As most of you know, we made a little over $70,000 in two volleyball tournaments this year. Some of you have been in other committees. I presented this to you as well. And then the question came up publicly is what have we done with that money?

And so I want to make sure we clear that up today so that there's no questions about that going forward. People keep asking us about tournaments and I just why we are not in the tournaments businesses will sum it up for you guys really quick. So the icebreaker tournament that we held January 17, we raised $42,207 for that tournament. And we totaled expenses of about $32,000 which left us about $9,645 of profit. On the surface that seems like a really good deal and it sounds great to make 10,000 on a tournament but the additional expenses that incur when you have a tournament by taking staff away from their normal duties to put on an additional event, it totals about $8,650 And so at the end of the day with the icebreaker the profit was about $995 We saw similar outcome with the We Care Tournament that was held on February 18.

We generated $27,920 in the tournament. The direct direct expenses left us at a hole at $960 minus. When you include that staffing cost of what it took people from their normal jobs with that term on that was a total of about $7,500 So with those two tournaments that we put on we lost $6,505 in real money and I have an expense report. You guys are welcome. I'll be glad to send that to you guys if you want to see it but when people ask about the tournament business we're not in the tournament business for that very reason.

We don't have the resources to go out and solicit sponsorship. We don't have the staffing that could do tournaments. So what we're going to focus on and continue to focus on is offering no cost low cost youth recreation. Recreation. And so we just concluded a six week basketball tournament or basketball seasons, pardon me.

That six week youth basketball season we saw nine seventy five kids signed up. We played 37 games every Saturday for six straight weeks, total of two twenty two games. We had three forfeits the week of spring break was the only missed opportunities we had the entire season. With that in the season, we had 7,717 spectators, family, friends and support that came to the tournament. We generated about $30,000 in revenue through the tournament.

We had expenses of 27,115 which left us a profit of about $3,000 So for us to continue to do due diligence with taxpayer money and for us to be really conscious of what we do with youth sports, we're in the youth sport business. We're not in the tournament business. And you can see by the financials that certainly I can share those with you, as you know. And the great news about that is we handled a lot of cash over those events. And we are now at the point, as been asked by many, that we're working on this cashless option for youth sports and for all Parks and Recs point of sales.

And so really excited about this and want to give you a thing. So since the beginning of the year, my team as well as the finance department, Steve Perty and his team, we've been discussing this issue and we've been investigating. And what we try to do is we try to use our existing equipment at first. And as you guys, I sent you guys an email on March 5 that kind of showed us where we were and the initial cost of that's going be about $25,000 And we're not trying to make excuses of why we haven't got there yet. We're trying to do our due diligence with the taxpayers' money.

And really it was hard for us to commit that $25,000 to start this cashless option up without continuing to research. And so what we did, and I'll just give you a quick summary, we met with the local baseball organization after they had announced that they were going to go cash less. And as we heard a lot of positive feedback from that committee, we reached out to another company that's offered a point of sale service. And we coordinated a meeting with them. Then we coordinated a meeting with the city's finance department for a demo.

And what we found is by really consciously making that good decision we actually are going to start the cashless option process in the next week or so. We've been approved and we're working on ordering equipment. We're hoping by maybe April 18 that we have that in place at All Field Sports at Joe MacCampbell. But that entire system to be cashless at all point of sales points in Parks And Rec outside of Craig Ed Forrest is going to cost us less than $20,000 And so we thought we made a better decision by being patient and looking at all our options. And so what we hope is by the end of the year we will have a cashless option at every facility, at every point of sales opportunity for youth sports?

You know, I've asked this question before and I still don't agree with that total cashless issue that we're dealing with. I think we need to find some alternative ways of helping communities, especially those people that don't have, you know, cards or these type of things. We to do something different. You know, you say the city is not in the part of making money, I guess I look at it from a different perspective, you know, and I'm not just talking about the North Side Of Jonesville, know, I brought this up once before and I'm not gonna keep kicking this down the can because it's a problem and we need to do something different.

Yes sir.

Councilman Coleman, Jim if you would expand. You said option.

Option, yes sir. It's not gonna be, we will have a cashless option at all our events. We will still accept cash at all of our events.

We all need to make that clear because when you say one thing then you do another and it might bring something up.

No sir, no sir. We will never move away from cash as an option to attend events. We wanna offer a cashless option for those people that don't cash that prefer to use debit credit.

I'm personally glad to hear that Mayor because I just got on Doctor. Coleman before the meeting. Jonesboro High School's moved to a completely cashless option at all their sporting events and you can't even take a debit card or credit card. You have to have an app on your phone and buy your ticket in advance and Yes, sir. Been over to Chandler's game the last couple of weeks and there's people walk up grandparents and other people walk up to buy a ticket to get in and they can't get in. Know, and so as long as there's a cash option

There will always be a cash option. Yes, sir.

Then that'll be good answer.

Our mission is is to not ever prohibit a family member or anybody to come and attend our sporting events. We want to just for us, in three events, handled $100,000 in cash. Every bit of though every outside of a small amount of concessions in the two volleyball tournaments and the six week basketball tournaments, my department handled $100,000 plus in cash. And what we're trying to do, one, just to be safer for everyone, lot of the problem with cash is it's

Well, I understand that, but you know, you got ought to have people in place to deal with this to make sure. Okay, I understand the problem with, you know, taking cash and make sure it ends up in the right perspective in the right place, right time. But, you know, you're talking to a council person, but when you're talking to people community that don't have funds, especially right now with this economic system, the way it's going right now, you know, I just feel for these, for the general area, Jonesboro. And once again, I'm repeating myself, it's not just about the North Side, even though I represent part of that area, Chris represents part of that area, but we need to be able to say thanks to those people in the community, you know, about, I've mentioned to you once before about even doing something about flyers and these type things, you know, to help out with the school because I did check because it was mentioned about last week, last year, was done, passes or something was done at the schools. Well, I'm on the school board.

There weren't no passes given out to nobody on the school board from administration or anybody else. So those things just need to be taken care of and I just like to make sure it's clear so when I'm talking to a constituent and community. So I'm glad to hear that 's an option.

Yes sir, it would be just an option.

Think it needs to be a little bit clear from a media standpoint.

We're going to work closely with the communication department of the city to make sure as we start promoting this that we're really keeping the public informed the best we can. And we'll also promote that in all our community centers and all our park facilities. We want to promote the fact that it's a cashless option, but we still always accept cash as entry fee concessions, etcetera. So really, great help with the city. My team really stepped forward, did a lot of diligence research.

The original system that we currently use now, the cost to make we just found a better option for the city and for taxpayers money. We're still challenged on how we're gonna pay for it and how we're gonna figure out our budget because this was not an item we had budgeted for or planned for. It was not planned in 2025 for 2026 but we're gonna make this work because we think it's what's best for Parks and Rec and we certainly think it's what's best for the community. And so we really we're getting there and we appreciate your patience with us and your guidance certainly because that's really what's helped fuel it. Certainly the feedback has been great to know that we want to get out there.

Quick update with our pools just to let you guys know pool season is close to round. Our goal is to have our pools up and operational fully both splash pads Craig Ed Forrest Allen Park and then have our pools operational by May 1. We're in place now. We have 19 lifeguards on board hired. We're hoping to add another 10 before the end of the month and we're closely going there.

So certainly again after conclusion of every event we want to make sure we have a financial report for you guys so you guys know where we stand and that we're being conscious of all of our decisions. U sports is about to start off field sports. Next Saturday we have 1,500 kids signed up for youth soccer. We have 300 plus kids signed up for flag football. I have 90 young ladies signed up for cheer. Those will be at Joe McCampbell starting Saturday. Unfortunately the rain last weekend kind of put us behind.

Right, Jim. Thank you very much.

Just one quick comment or I guess more of a question and I don't even know how we get there. But in regard to the three turn ins we put on, at the end of the day between the three we lost 3,000 which a loss is a loss, it sounds dismal. But I'd like to know how that translates into community impact dollars because those people were in town spending money and supporting local businesses and I'd just like to know how that translates in

some form or fashion.

Probably the two volleyball tournaments probably had a pretty high impact since most of those teams were from out of town. The basketball season is local Jonesboro children participated and we don't do it. We've stopped doing tournaments at the end of youth basketball because we're not about the competition part. We're really about the exposing them to the sport.

Jim, we also had a shooting tournament this past weekend. Now majority of those individuals, if I remember right, were competitors were from out of town. Yes, Councilman. So I think the report was that quite a few of them did spend the night.

We hosted a special black light trap Friday night for the Mountain Home Trap Team. They brought 30 plus shooters. And Joey Glaube reported to me that they indicated about half of the mountain home trap team spent the night this weekend and so they shot before the mosquitoes got bad.

One quick question please. Last year there was an issue with having adequate lifeguards to keep the pools open to the maximum amount. Do you feel like you're on track to have adequate coverage?

I'll just say that my new pool manager is a rock star. He is so locked into improving the pool and pool operations. I really feel like that he's created he's created a whole new lifeguarding swim lesson program. I really feel pretty confident that outside of something just unanticipated happening, I feel we'll be open for the full season.

You. Jim, you do have an answer in fullness to her question, you've got about two thirds of the lifeguards hired at this point, correct?

Yes, sir. Yeah, we have 19 guards hired and our goal is to have 30 by May 1.

Do have

public notices about maybe free classes for those kids that Ask for recognition if

you don't mind. What's Don't overstate. Yes sir, Councilman Coleman. Yes sir, what was your question?

I was asking about classes for kids that don't know how to swim.

We actually have a new swim instruction program that we've implemented this year. Darian, my pool manager, we're going to do morning swim lessons at Parker Park Monday through Thursday. We'll have eight total sessions. Sessions. And we're going to do evening lessons at the youth center. And we'll have the same eight sessions Monday through Thursday. And so we're going to really work hard to get more and more kids into a swim lesson opportunity.

Councilman Williams, you're Also last this coming week is the Jonesboro disc golf tournament coming to this side of heaven next door to Beatrice Park at Casey Springs Road. So if you've never been, you need go. This is a really cool event. I will not be playing, but the pros from all over the world will be here for a national event. In addition, the neighborhood cleanup hosted by the city sanitation and code enforcement departments will take place Saturday from 8AM to noon behind the First United Methodist Church on Union.

The West End Spring Spruce Up event will be taking place at the same time. So this is really gonna be key for West Jonesboro and all of our community, actually. Keep Jonesboro beautiful Facebook page is up, and they're looking for volunteers, so keep our neighborhoods clean, green, and beautiful. Community connection was on display last week during Play in Jonesboro Design Week. Thank you to all who attended, and a special thanks to council members.

I saw Councilman Miller and Councilman Porter and Councilman Williams and I think some others have participated as well. I would challenge you to really get involved in this process. And we had, I would say, what, over where's Daryl? About 300 participants or so all week, and ranging DPZ and Craft and Tall. They set up shop at the Jonesboro Youth Center supported by city staff.

There were two open houses, media hour, seven stakeholder group meetings, two pop up events all in a week. Again, I said 300 in attendance, but the input is important and it utilized to build a thirty year comprehensive plan. I'm especially proud, though, as well as the students who attended. A whole group of students were hanging out at the community center as well and they came in to engage and they gave their input. Now DPZ has been doing this for quite a while and they've never really had the input of the mayor's youth council like they had and so it was really important because their ideas were creative, they were strong, and it's their community for the future.

The survey is still open. We've had over 600 people take that survey, but we need to get to about 1,000 to have an active count of our community. So please visit planjonesborough.com to take the survey and to ensure your voice is heard. One thing we always hear about is we need more work on our roads. So we hear you.

As you recall, years ago, we engaged first step pavement management for a review of our roads. While we typically follow that, there were always special circumstances like utility work and hard impact our streets. For those of you who don't know, the West End will now have a lot of newly paved streets and a brand new sewer system courtesy of the recent completion of a multimillion dollar project that will be ongoing, I think, Craig, through '26 as well, correct, with City Water and Light for many years to come probably. When that project on the West Side concluded, it was mostly due to cold overlays, and so the repair areas were just patched. But now that the warmer weather has arrived, permanent weather repairs are following and coming soon.

I can't say enough. I want to thank city water and light for their constant investments in our committee and thanks to council for approving the 3,000,000 in overlays in '26. We've come a long way from 500,000 in our street budget. Now, there are four remaining roads that were left from 2025, and they were just completed a week or so ago. Huntington, Longcrest, East Craighead Forest Road, which are now all paved.

In 2026, overlay bids came back April 1 and the streets department is working on to preparing them as well. So I've asked Craig to kind of give us an update. He's provided, I think, to counsel. Craig, if you would please come forward and kind of go over your worksheet. I think it's important for counsel to hear this.

Thank you, mayor and city I handed out before the meeting a copy of my spreadsheet that I keep on where the projects are in my department try to keep up with everything that's going on. Just as the mayor was talking about the asphalt projects for 2025 are now complete, the 2026 projects, the award for the contract was at the public works earlier tonight, so it will be before city council at their next meeting to approve that. We did get pretty good bids on the overlays for 2026. Just to give you an idea of some of the projects we're currently working on, there's active construction Huntington Avenue lighting project, the contractor started work on that. Our on call contractor started work on the sidewalks on Rain Street that is between Highland Drive and Wilkins Avenue.

We're hoping to extend that all the way Nettleton if we have the available funds. We've been working on some drainage pipe, replacing some old plastic pipe in the Deerfield neighborhood out in Valley View. So we have contractor working down there on that project. Tomorrow we'll hold the pre construction meeting on the Craighead Forest Motorized Trail project. So we'll meet with the contractor tomorrow on that, set a start date and that work should begin pretty quickly.

We continue to work with the GOJO department on their bus stops. I think at last count there were 33 that had been installed. They were beginning to get the electrical pieces and the IT pieces on those facilities started. So moving through that project and hopefully to see that completed soon. Again, the asphalt overlay project was at public works earlier this evening along with the Johnson Avenue side path project.

It'll be before you in two weeks to approve that construction project. That is one of the bond projects. So we'll get that approved in two weeks I hope through city council and get that contractor started on that project. Our next project we will open bids on is the Southwest Drive and South Culverhouse pedestrian improvement project at that intersection. That bid opens on the April 15.

So we'll have that before council pretty quickly to award that contract as well and get that project started. We recently received the final plans for the Main Street pilot project. You'll remember that was a proposal that EDG design group brought forth to city council about taking Main Street down to a single lane from Washington to Cref. We do have those plans now and we're coordinating with the street department to implement that. Right now, paint guys are busy putting pavement markings down on Huntington and Matthews and out on Craigford.

So they need to get caught up on those projects before we start on it. But hopefully in the next few weeks, we'll begin work on that pilot project on Main Street. A few other, the bond projects, the real time intelligence center project, we hope to have the bids by May 5 to get the maximum guaranteed price for that contract with our construction manager and bring that before city council to get approved and that get that fully executed and hopefully see a groundbreaking in early June on that project for the new nine eleven real time intelligence center. We continue to work on the South Kerway Road project. We're targeting about an August bid opening for that project.

Currently, we do have all the right way acquired. We're working with utility companies on that project. And so we're aiming for an August bid opening on it. And then the survey work on the prospect side path trail project has started. So we should be getting that information to the designers in the next couple of weeks and they'll start the design on that side path project. There's a lot of projects on this list. Those are the ones that I kind of keyed in on that are really kicking off construction wise. But I'll be happy to try to answer any other questions about these other projects if you have any.

Counsel, do you have any questions on any of the projects?

Mayor, I just had one for him. Sure. Hey, Craig, I know you went over it right there but I was looking at your other list. What did you say the timeframe was for the one lane Main Street striping project? Because I have a lot of people ask about that.

We are coordinating with street department and just trying to get on their schedule to get it done. They need to get the center line on Huntington, on Matthews, out on Craig Ed Forrest to get those pavement markings done.

Just the time, Craig.

I'm hoping within the next couple weeks that I they're don't want Steve Tippett's not here and it's his department. I don't want to put him on the spot.

So would it be safer to tell him three or four weeks as opposed to two Yes. Or three

We're pushing to get that thing done.

Well that's a big deal. There's a lot of people waiting on that so when they reach out, I'll tell them three or four weeks or call you. One of the two. Thank you, that's the only question, Mr. Becker.

I've got one mayor.

Yes, your councilor.

Just looking over at the sidewalks, paths, the University Of Heights Link Trail, so it says 100% plans to RDOT utility relocation. So this is the part that goes beyond the new roundabout that's going this is going east on Aggie, correct?

This is going East Heights Bowling Lane I think is the eastern end of it. So it'd be from ASU's property to Bowling Lane.

So have we decided on which side of the road north or south?

That will be on the improvements will be to the whole road cross section. There'll be sidewalks on the north, the trail, the side path will be on the south on that project. And those were submitted. The consultant told me he was submitting those to RDOT today, the 100% plans. We still have to do the right of way certification and the utility certification before we can get authorization to advertise. But Pete?

Give me a timeline. We may see. I know we're trying to ask you to.

Yeah, I really would like to see us advertising this project this fall by September. I'd like to see it as advertising for a contractor on it.

Any other questions by council? Meyer? Yes.

About Winter Wonderland, kind of where we at on that and our thoughts and so forth.

That particular project has been we've been having some discussion on it. The architects have kind of been halted about what direction we're going to actually go for facility as a final. The estimated cost for the improvements is about $1,800,000 We do not have that money to do those improvements at this time. There's been some other conversations about what that building could be used for other than or as part of these improvements if whether or not they would satisfy those other things. A lot of discussions but we haven't set a target end date on that yet.

Any other questions from council? All right, Craig, thank you very much for your update. Matter of fact, that just kind of leads into the finalization of my mayor's notes. We celebrated RDOT's ribbon cutting this Friday. It's a grand opening of RDOT Northeast Jonesboro satellite office in Downtown Jonesboro. If you have not been there, you need to go, counsel. The design focused office will strengthen local collaboration and support the continued growth within the community. We're grateful to continue to work with the partnership with RDOT for the region. Jared Wiley, obviously I think we all know now is an Arkansas State University graduate. Ms.

Jessie is an assistant as well, is an Arkansas State University graduate, and so the footprint of what they're doing here for the community will be a big one for years to come. Now Northwest Arkansas, they have a satellite office. Obviously in Little Rock, they have their main office. Now in Northeast Arkansas, the second fastest growing community in the state, provided that opportunity. And I appreciate Jared Wiley and his leadership for getting that across the line, and obviously our previous director, Alec Farmer, and our current director as well for working with that.

There's going to be an impact for the city of Jonesboro Northeast Arkansas. And little known fact, we have more than a $100,000,000 of projects that are going on right here in Jonesboro and our surrounding areas, so the impact is greatly, needed. Jonesboro has great things happening, so stay aware away and here come here for events, get engaged, and give your input. Be sure to follow the city's social media outlets and visit the website and get the most accurate information. You are the heartbeat of Jonesboro. That's the end of my mayor's reports. Next we'll move on to city council reports.

Mr. Street?

No, thank you.

Mr. Miller?

No, thank you.

Mr. Bryant?

Federal changes are always aloof and out there, but it looks like CDBG could be on the chopping block. So I know a long time from planning next year's budget, I'm sure that's on your radar screen anyway.

Councilman, and so I'll just go ahead and reiterate, so I'm headed to Washington next And so those visits are set up and that's on the agenda for our congressmen and senators to be discussed. You bet.

Mr. Haffner?

No thanks.

Mr. McClain? No thank you. Gibson?

No thank you.

Miss Williams?

I think Miss Williams had to leave.

She stepped away for some water.

Yes. Alright, just a couple things, mayor. I was glad to hear Craig address Oh, wait a minute, miss Williams.

I have nothing to say. Thank you.

Thank you.

I was

glad to hear Craig address the one way on Main Street. That's gonna be popular, especially after we had the death down here on Washington. I thank you for the list of streets. They look great down here on the West West End. Lots of Good. People commented about how nice it is now to have the streets paved up for CWL. Also, I read the other day that ASU, excuse me, is fixing to start with the first class of veterinarians. So look forward a lot of upside to that having a veterinarian college out here. A lot of good things happening and thank you for your work.

Doctor. Charles Coleman? Mr. Emerson?

Nothing at this time. Thank you.

Ms. Porter?

I'd just like to reiterate that great things are happening in Jonesboro. Last week the Arkansas State Supreme Court held oral arguments for two cases here in Jonesboro and that was a great opportunity for citizens to observe close-up that work in of our Supreme Court.

I'll just add to that Councilman, if I may. I enjoyed seeing all the youth from every one of our schools were there in the community to actually see what oral arguments look like and the Supreme Court the evening before, I think you were there as well, attended a community event and so they were able to know more about our community as well and the people in it. So we were very well represented. It was a good, I would would say, a packed house. Jonesboro is on the way up. You bet. You bet. Thank you for your comments, counsel. Next we'll open it up to public comments. Anyone in the audience can make a public comment? Yes, sir. If you would, please come forward, state your name and address.

Hello, can everyone hear me? My name is Steve Garrett. I live at 407 West Matthews here in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Moved here in 2009 and I'm coming to the City Council. I appreciate your time tonight.

I'm coming to you guys on behalf of a community group called Skate Jonesboro. We're a passionate group hoping to encourage lifelong involvement in skating and hopefully encourage the youth of Jonesboro to have an activity that they can get out and participate in, make friends with and be active outside in this great town, great environment that we have. So why this matters is obviously getting youth outside and getting them active, getting a pathway to fitness in our community and creating a active community of people who support each other, who try hard, have fun and also work together in a diverse group of people. So our immediate concern and why we're here today is Allen Park skate place which is the only sanctioned skate place in Jonesboro has really hit a maintenance level that was alarming enough to the community to reach out to the park department. We've reached out to Jim and his team and had an amazing response.

We had a field day last Friday. The whole Parks Department crew came out and walked it with us and had immediate feedback. We reached them on Monday. We were out there by Friday. So it's reached enough maintenance level concern amongst the group that we want to get the city involved to help repair what's already there and maybe work with us in the future toward expanding skating into all neighborhoods and into different parts of town.

Obviously not one mega park but maybe help get it to our people who don't have transportation, who have work schedules or life commitments that keep them from making it out there, get it out to other parks and other places here in town. But the most recent addition to the park just from a few years ago has not really lasted the life expectancy you would expect for the money that the city put into it. It's a large expansion a couple of years ago and the concrete there, we were documenting it back in January and kind of talking amongst ourselves about the status of it. Been ongoing for a couple of years, but the recent winter storm has greatly accelerated the failure of the concrete and there's a lot of patches that are unsafe for people that are there to skate or travel. There's just rocks everywhere, large holes.

Like I said, Jim quickly came out with the team. I think he's got a good grasp on what we need to do going forward to protect the city's investment and the community's investment in this park. But the good news is there should be some quick repairs that we can do. It's not something I feel like we can kick the can until next year's budget on the Parks Department with what we have going on. It's not something we can work a lengthy grant process and planning process on and hopefully Jim and his team can come up with a quick resolution to fix what we already have there in place but we invite any of the city council members who are available anytime to reach out to us so we can take you out there and show you what's going on.

We're gonna need your support to come up with funding or a resolution for this so we can meet up with you guys at any time. I'll provide our point contacts and stuff for you guys but long term we'd like to see parks get into every neighborhood. We have an abundance of parks. We have abundance of projects going on now but we don't need a 500 square foot, sorry 5,000 square foot park extension there at Allen Park. We'd like to see maybe get to all the neighborhoods, maybe city water and light park down here off Sherry maybe off the Parker Park you know on the North Side and get a small piece of skating available to every person in the community but we just want to kind of start a network with you guys, introduce ourselves and see what we can do to most importantly resolve Allen Parks so the people this summer, this good spring and summer season can still take advantage of that park.

Thank you, Mr. Garrett. And I'll go ahead and say on top of that Jim, contact me because I remember that we did have some donations to make that park a reality a couple of years ago. So maybe that's something we can look at too for immediate response on that. Thank you Mr. Garrett.

Just another thing, as a community we went to the master plan meeting there at Allen Park. We were active in talking to the groups there and I know that a fair amount of grant money was turned back in on that project. We obviously had made huge improvements on other parts of the park but there was funding available at the time to maybe get this maintenance done ahead of the problem but now that we have the problem it's I hate that we're chasing our tail to maybe find a way to get it fixed when we had money to do some maintenance so.

Thank you for your update. Appreciate it.

I did have a question for Mr. Garrett if you don't mind. We had actually spoke previously at a public safety meeting. Did we get the issues with the hours of that park straightened out for y'all?

I don't know consistently, sorry, I don't know consistently if everyone is in tune to what hour that's open, if it's marked correctly across websites, social medias, Google Maps and Park Ranger. We've had Park Rangers telling people to leave early when the hours are that. I question.

For you.

Thank you. I will just give a quick little handout, kind of a history of skateboarding in Jonesboro, just a little information packet and a QR code to our information.

You would just go ahead and lay it on

that desk and they can pick it up on way. All right, thank you. Anyone else in the audience? I don't see any. Next, we'll move on to the last item. That's adjourned. So moved. Second. Do you have a second? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?