Finance & Administration Council Committee - Regular Meeting

The City of Jonesboro Finance and Administration Council Committee meeting today.

Come in as fast as

you can. Once

doctor Coleman takes his seat, we will we will take roll for the day.

Delaying the proceedings as usual.

If you would mark your attendance the device in front of you please. Okay I do show four members present today and that does give us a quorum today. Moving in to the first item on our agenda will be the approval of minutes from the previous finance committee meeting which was on Tuesday 04/28/2026.

Move to approve unless there's a noted

change. Second. Okay I have a motion and a second to approve the minutes minutes as presented. If we don't have any questions or any comments regarding those minutes, if you will vote on the approval of the minutes on the device in front of you please. Okay and that item does carry.

Thank you all very much. Moving on to the next item on the agenda is new business and this will fall underneath ordinances to be introduced. Our first ordinance and only ordinance of today is ordinance or ordinance twenty six zero one six and just for the record I will go ahead and I will read that ordinance in its entirety so if anybody has anything else that they need to do for about five minutes we'll be we'll be we'll be good. So this we have ordinance twenty six zero one six an ordinance to authorize the issuance of industrial development revenue bonds under the municipalities and counties industrial development revenue bond law for the purpose of securing and developing industry to authorize the sale of the bonds and the approval of a bond purchase agreement and a payment in lieu of taxes agreement in connection therewith to authorize the execution and delivery of a trust indenture securing the bonds to authorize and prescribe certain matters pertaining to the project, the acquisition, the construction and equipping thereof, and the financing thereof to authorize execution and delivery of a lease agreement relating to the project and for other purposes. Whereas the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas is authorized under the provisions of amendment 65 to the Arkansas Constitution and the Municipalities counties industrial development revenue bond law Arkansas code annotated fourteen one sixty four two zero one Arkansas annotated fourteen one sixty four seven zero one each as amended from time to time to own acquire, construct, equip, and lease facilities to secure and develop industry and to assist the financing thereof by the issuances of bonds payable to the revenues derived from such facilities and whereas Nietzsche Ray.

Thank you. Global Foods LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of innovation cuisine enterprises or their affiliate company has evidenced its interest in acquiring, constructing, and equipping an industrial facility in the city if permanent financing can be provided through the issuance of revenue bonds under the authority of the act. And whereas the city has agreed to cooperate with the company in the acquisition of real estate, construction of a warehouse and manufacturing facilities, infrastructure and improvements, and acquisition and installation of equipment for the preparation, processing, packaging, handling, storage of food products, and other manufacturing, development, research, office storage, building operations, and warehousing activities that are supportive or ancillary to such operations to be located on approximately 60 acres of property located in the Craighead Technology Park with an address of 2905 Quality Way, Jonesboro, Arkansas relating to the operations of the company and whereas to provide the permanent financing of project costs necessary costs and expenditures incidental hereto and cost of the issuance of bonds, the city will issue its taxable industrial development revenue bonds under the provisions of the act designated City Of Jonesboro, Arkansas taxable industrial development revenue bonds, innovation project series twenty twenty six or such other series as otherwise designated in the principal amount of not to exceed $180,000,000 and whereas the bonds will be issued pursuant to the provisions of a trust indenture to be entered into between the city and a trustee to be selected upon the mutual agreement of the city and the company and whereas the city and the company intend to enter into a lease agreement relating to the real estate and personal property constituting the project which contemplates that the project will be leased to the company with an option to purchase for a nominal price and the rental payments therefore together with other monies available shall be sufficient to pay the debt service on the bonds and all related costs and whereas to induce the city to proceed with the issuance of bonds for the purposes indicated which will in Europe to the benefit of the company, the city and the company will enter into a payment in lieu of taxes agreement in substantially the form presented at this meeting which provides 65% Adviram tax abatement for the period of thirty years and whereas the city and the company caused a form of a notice of a public hearing to be published on May 8 and 05/15/2026 and the city hereby ratifies the form of the notice to be published and whereas an open an open public hearing on the question of the issuance of the bonds was held before the city council on 05/19/2026 following publication of notice of the hearing and that having heard all persons desiring to be heard in that manner, the City has taken under advisement the comments and statements of such persons and declared the public hearing duly closed and whereas the City proposes to sell the bonds to an affiliate of the company pursuant to the bond purchase agreement by and between the City purchaser, and whereas the company has obtained or may obtain independent loans from one or more lenders secured by liens on or security interest in title to all of part of the project granted pursuant to various agreements, agreements, instruments, and documents.

Whereas the city acknowledges and consents to all liens encumbrances on security interest in and rights to the title to the project granted by acknowledges that the company's interest in the project will be transferred to the city subject to such liens, encumbrances, and security interest and such acknowledgment and consent may be evidenced through the execution of the recognition of prior interest, non disturbance, and a torment agreement between the city, the company, the lenders of the company benefiting from such lien encumbrances or security interest. Whereas copies of the herein described bond purchase agreement, indenture lease agreement, RNA agreement, and pilot agreement have been presented to and are before this meeting and a copy of each are on file with the city clerk and available for inspection by any interested persons and whereas the completion of the project will furnish additional employment and other benefits to be the best interest of the city and its residents. Now, therefore, be it ordained by the city council of the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas Section 1. There be and there is hereby authorized the directed the following. The bond shall be issued in one or more series in an aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $180,000,000 and the bond shall be sold to the purchaser for a price of par plus the cost of issuance upon the terms and conditions set therefore in the bond purchase agreement.

The execution and delivery of the pilot agreement by the mayor and city clerk on behalf of the city in substantially the forms submitted to this meeting with such changes shall be approved by such persons executing their execution to constitute conclusive evidence of such approval is hereby authorized and directed. An executed copy of the pilot agreement shall be filed in the city clerk's office. Section C, the acquisition, construction, and equipping of the project and in connection therewith, to the extent, covenant, or convenient or necessary, the execution of any necessary architectural engineering or construction contracts or the acceptance of any assignment of such contracts previously executed by the company for the construction and equipping of the project on behalf of the city is hereby authorized and directed. Section two, the issuance of the bonds in total principal amount of not to exceed $180,000,000 is hereby authorized. The bonds shall be issued in the forms and denominations shall be dated and numbered and shall mature, shall bear interest, and shall be subject to redemption prior to maturity, all upon the terms and condition to be set forth in the trust indenture.

That to further prescribe the terms and conditions upon which the bonds are to be executed, authorized, issue, accepted, held, and secured, the mayor is hereby authorized and directed to execute and acknowledge the trust indenture, and the city clerk is hereby authorized and directed to execute and acknowledge the trust indenture and affix the seal of the city hereto and the mayor and the city clerk are hereby authorized and directed to cause the trust indenture to be accepted, executed, acknowledged by trustee. The trust indenture is hereby approved and substantially in the form and submitted to in this meeting. The mayor is hereby authorized to confer with the trustee and the company in order to complete the trust indenture in sustainability the form submitted to this meeting with such changes shall be approved by such persons executing the document. Their execution to constitute conclusive evidence of such approval. Section three.

There be and there is hereby authorized and directed the execution and delivery of the lease agreement and the mayor and the city clerk are hereby authorized to execute, acknowledge, and deliver the lease agreement for and on the behalf of the city. The lease agreement is hereby approved in substantially the form submitted to this meeting and the mayor is hereby authorized to confer with the company in order to complete the lease agreement and substantially the form submitted to this meeting with such changes as shall be approved by such persons executing the document, their execution to constitute conclusive evidence for such approval. Section four, there be and there is hereby authorized and directed the execution and delivery of the bond purchase agreement and the mayor and the city clerk are hereby authorized to execute, acknowledge, and deliver the bond purchase agreement for and on behalf of the city. The bond purchase agreement is hereby approved in substantially the form submitted to this meeting and the mayor is hereby authorized to confer with the purchaser in order to complete the bond purchase agreement in substantially the form submitted to this meeting with such changes as shall be approved by such persons executing the document, their execution to constitute conclusive evidence of such approval.

Section five, there be there is hereby an authorized and directed execution delivery of the RNA agreement if the company determines that such an agreement is required by its lenders. The mayor and the city clerk are hereby authorized to execute, acknowledge, and deliver the RNA agreement for and on behalf of the city. The RNA agreement is hereby approved in substantially the form that's been submitted to this meeting and the mayor is hereby authorized to confer with the company and lenders of the company in order to complete the RNA agreement and substantially the form submitted to this meeting with such changes as shall be approved by such persons executing the document, their execution to constitute conclusive evidence of such approval. The mayor and city clerk for on behalf of the city are hereby authorized and directed to do any and all things necessary to affect the execution of lease agreement, the performance of the city's obligations under the lease agreement, the execution and delivery of the trust indenture, the performance and all obligations of the city under and pursuant to the trust indenture, the execution and delivery of bonds, the execution and delivery of the palate agreement, the performance of the city's obligations under the palate agreement, the execution and delivery of the bond purchase agreement, the purchase of the city's obligations under the bond purchase agreement, the execution and delivery of the RNA agreement, the performance of the city's obligations under the RNA agreement, the performance of all other acts of whatever nature necessary to affect and carry out authority conveyed conferred by this ordinance.

The mayor and the city clerk are further authorized and directed for and on behalf of the city in connection with the issuance of the bonds and in connection with ongoing rights and obligations that arise after issuance and prior to the maturity of the bonds to execute all papers, documents, certificates, and other instruments that may be required for carrying out such authority or to evidence exercise thereof, including but not limited to the execution of a home office payment agreement, a memorandum of lease, delivery instructions, and other closing certifications. Section seven, the project involves the acquisition, constructing, equipping of a complex industrial project requiring highly specialized work and specialized types of machinery and equipment. In compliance with Arkansas Code Annotated fourteen one hundred sixty four two zero four. It has been and is hereby determined by the City Council that competitive bidding be and the same as hereby waived as this particular indus let's make sure I get that right. Waived as to this particular industrial project.

This action is taken by the city council pursuant to applicable laws of the state of Arkansas including particularly the act. Section eight. The city hereby confirms consents to the company's request with respect to bonds for Mitchell, Williams, Segal, Gates, and Woodard, PLLC to serve as bond counsel. Section nine, all actions therefore, all sections here heretofore, heretofore, all set all actions taken by the city and the company and the purchaser's connection with the issuance offer and sale of the bonds and the development and completion of the project are hereby in all respects ratified and approved. Section 10, severability.

In the event that any title, section, paragraph, item, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this ordinance is declared or adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration of adjudication shall not affect the remaining portions of this ordinance, which shall remain in full force and effect as if the portion so declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional was not originally a part of this ordinance. Section 11 repeal. All ordinances or resolutions of the city in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.

Move to forward the full council. Second.

Okay, I have a motion and a second to forward that to full council. Do I have any questions from anybody on the committee today? Okay, this time I'll have Ms. Michelle Allgood come up and tell us a little bit about this instrument.

So I just want to respond to some questions that I've seen. First of all, this is a project that the city is facilitating. As you know, the purpose of these bonds is to implement the tax abatement. It does not result in an actual financial obligation to the city. None of the city's revenues, none of their taxes, none of their revenues will be used or can be used to facilitate this project.

The the bonds will be issued and will be purchased by an affiliate of the company. So it's similar if you borrow money from your four zero one ks and then pay yourself back. That's essentially what the company is doing. They are lending themselves the the money so that we can implement the tax abatement. So again, just wanna emphasize no financial obligation on behalf of the city in connection with this.

At the previous meeting of the the city council, the resolution was approved that set the public hearing. So we are required by Arkansas law to have a public hearing before the city council can adopt to this ordinance. So we're getting the cart before the horse a little bit. We've noted you noticed whenever Brian was reading the the ordinance, we have published the notice of public hearing on May 8. It will published again on May 15.

And so that will happen at 05:25 on May 19 right before your city council meeting. I'm happy to answer any other questions, but again, just wanna emphasize that this does result in a financial obligation for the city and also there's been some some confusion Nichiri is a Japanese entity.

Great, thank you Michelle. Does anybody have any more questions for Ms. Allgood? Okay, thank you ma'am. Okay, are there any questions from anybody from the administration and anything from the public in attendance? And if you don't mind ma'am if you'll just state your name and address for the record.

Yeah it's Patty Leck 4108 Forest Hill Road and Michelle I'll probably have you just come up here and answer some questions on that because I have to tell you, all what you've read, Brian, you know, that is all foreign. And I don't understand. It's just kinda really basic questions that I know that I've been asked by a lot of people on that. And I looked up on why Arkansas allows to have bonds issued to get the companies talking about investments and business incentives and stuff like that. So from this is that we're we're doing a hundred and a hundred and eighty million dollar bond for this company to build this facility.

In an article, and it was with Mark that had mentioned, it was mentioned is that Nerichi Ray, thank you, will make a capital contribution of approximately a 100 and fifth a $105,000,000 to this company in 2026 to initiate the project. So, you're talking about a $105,000,000 plus using the $180,000,000 I don't understand that.

No. So the $105,000,000 will go towards the 180,000,000 So the $180,000,000 is a not to exceed amount. What they are estimating, what they hope their budget will end up being is 105,000,000 and but up to 180 could be invested by Nietzsche Ray here in Jonesboro to build this facility and so again, the bonds are a conduit. So, the money is going to come through the company, pass through the bond structure, and then circle back to the company. And the reason that we have to have that conduit, that pass through, is to comply with Arkansas law and case law with respect to the local incentives that are available to allow the tax payment. Okay.

So why would there be $75,000,000 is a lot of difference between the two. Why that much of

a difference? So part of this is the company structure. So the 105,000,000 coming from the parent company. So they're making a capital infusion into it. That isn't the only money that the company is putting into the project. It is what they have identified to this point in time. Okay. Okay.

Next question to you is that I know that in companies in Blyvo Osceola, you look at the steel mills and the companies building manufacturing and stuff like that. I kinda looked into that and those cities did not need to offer a bond. Why?

Actually actually that you don't have the right information there. So all of the steel mills, Big River Steel, US Steel, and High Bar. Okay. All of those through the city of Osceola using an ordinance that looks identical to this because I did it. They issued bonds up to the largest bond that was issued was for US steel and it's over 3,500,000,000. So they use the same structure. And, again, it is the same process. They're lending themselves money, and it's does not result in financial obligation for the

cities. Okay. Okay. That's good that's good to know on there. So so the incentive to the company is is that they're gonna be exempt from paying real estate taxes on the property. What is the dollar amount that it would be if they were paying it on that property?

So they're not exempt. Technically, they're exempt from property taxes, but they are paying a portion of the taxes. So right now, the property taxes that are being paid on this Greenfield Mhmm. Is not a lot. It's just whatever it is.

When they invest up to a $180,000,000, then it will be the millage that is associated with that foot that plot of land, which is in the Nettleton School District, and we'll calculate the math, the the the pilot payment, the same way that you're and I ad valorem taxes are calculated for our house and for our cars. And then when we get to the number, then it's 35% of what would otherwise be due. So if they owe a 100 without abatement, they will pay 35 Okay. For that for the property, which in this instance, I don't know what the actual number increase is, but is a significant increase over the taxes that are currently being played paid for that dirt.

So when you say significant, what are you talking or number wise?

Well, whatever the taxes would be on a 180,000,000 because right now

That would be what?

I would have to do the math. Okay. We can be prepared to give you some examples or to have some of the the calculations at the city council meeting.

Okay. Okay. Are there any other perks that this company will get other than these two?

Not from the the city of Jonesboro. So they will likely be entering into an incentive agreements with the state of Arkansas. And with the state of Arkansas, those incentives typically relate to workforce and some of the rebate that they get on the taxes that they pay.

Okay. Okay. And last question for you. So you look at we had a factory butterball.

Okay.

Okay? And it sits there. And I know that is 24,000 square feet, and there was 180 workers that left there. And so the square feet of this facility is gonna be a 175,000 square feet and there's 200. So it's a much larger facility. I mean, on there but not employing that many more people. I think butterball is that you never thought that they would go close their shop. What happens and hopefully not what happens if this business closes shop here? What happens?

Well, with respect to the tax abatement, then the there isn't any effect. So the for purposes of ad valorem tax abatement and pilots, it is not tied to the number of employees or the operation of the the facility. Even if you weren't living in your house, you'd still have to pay taxes on it if you were the owner. So the same thing goes for this company. So even if they're not operating, they would still have to make the agreed pilot payments that they told the city that they're gonna make. Okay, thank you.

Thank you, that was very helpful, thank you.

Sure, you're welcome, thank you, thank you Michelle. Okay, do we have any other questions from anybody from the public? Okay, seeing none we'll go ahead and we

will call a vote on this item.

I'm showing that we have four votes to yes and that means that this item does pass so we will go ahead and we will forward this on to full counsel at the next meeting. Great, thank you everybody for putting up with my horrible pronunciation at some points throughout that.

Made me feel better. I mispronounced it last time.

Okay moving on to the next item on the agenda and I apologize April I may have to have you bring up those because through that book I think I've misplaced some of other ordinance information here. Next item on the agenda is resolution two six zero four three. A resolution of the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the United Way of Greater Jonesboro to lease space at 407 Union Avenue. Whereas the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas and the United Way of the Greater Jonesboro desire to enter into a lease agreement for property located at 407 Union Avenue, Jonesboro, Arkansas, and whereas the United Way is a local independent nonprofit in good standing with its own board of directors and bylaws, and whereas the lease agreement is attached hereto and the terms set out therein. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council for the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas that a lease agreement between the city is approved with the United Way of Greater Jonesboro for property located at 407 Union Avenue, Jonesboro, Arkansas.

That the term that the agreement shall be for a period of ten years and the rental cost for the space shall be $1 to be paid annually. All other details of the agreement are set out in the attachment. Mayor Harold Copenhaber and city clerk April Leggett are hereby authorized by the city of city council of the city of Jonesboro to execute all documents necessary to effectuate this agreement.

Move forward full council. Second.

Okay. I have a motion a second forward full council. Do I have a question from anybody on the committee? Okay. Anything from the administration? And anything from the public in attendance? Name and address for the record. Thank you, ma'am.

Patty Lack, 40 01/2008. Looking at the contract here is that this contract started in 12/01/2025, and it goes for ten years. Why are we just getting to it right now?

We had some we had some back and forth on editing of it. That's that's why. I mean, we could have changed the start date, but it it's just updating a previous lease, but we wanted to put some more details in it.

Okay. And and it says for business purposes, the city's gonna use it? Or

United Way.

United Way is gonna

use it? They're currently using it. They have been using it. It's just updating their lease that they've had for some time.

Okay, thanks.

Any other questions from the public in attendance? Seeing none, we will call a vote on this item. Showing four votes yes, so that item does pass. Thank you everybody. Okay, moving on to the next item on our agenda is resolution 26,044.

A resolution of the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the North Jonesboro Community Development Corporation to lease space at 911 Magnolia Road. Whereas the city of Jonesboro acquired donated property from Magnolia Road Baptist Church in June 2025, and whereas the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas and the NJCDC desire to enter into a lease agreement for property located at 911 Magnolia Road, Jonesboro, Arkansas, and whereas the NJCDC is a local independent nonprofit and in good standing with its own board of directors and bylaws and whereas in keeping with the request of membership, Friends and Neighbors Network and the Diaper Store house will continue to operate through an approved sublease as provided by the attached lease agreement and whereas said lease agreement is attached hereto and the term set out therein. Now therefore it be resolved by the city council for the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas that one, the city of Jones the city of Jonesboro approves the lease agreement with NJCDC for the property located at 911 Magnolia Road, Jonesboro, Arkansas. That the term of the agreement shall be for a period of one year and the rental cost of space shall be a dollar to be paid annually.

All other details of the agreement are set out in the attachment. Two, the mayor the mayor Copenhaver, oh my gosh, and city clerk April Leggett are hereby authorized by the city council of the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas to execute all documents necessary to effectuate this agreement.

Move forward to full council.

I have a motion and second to forward to full council. Do you have a question from anybody on the committee? Any from the administration and any from the public in attendance? Yes ma'am. Name and address sorry.

Happy Lac 4108 Forest Hill Road. So Carol, this is the same thing because it was from January to December.

I do think it's the same in that we were still making some changes to the lease. It is a new lease though. Correct. Yeah.

It is a new lease and both organizations have operated out of this building. They were prior tenants with Magnolia They have operated out of the facility since January, since we acquired And it in June 2020 so and in initiating the lease, we went back and forth and they're in working out the language and it officially began January 1.

But the the main lessor will be North Jonesboro CD. Correct. I think, I spoke to Brian about it and, he I was under the impression that he was gonna speak to you about this as far as tabling it because I think there may need to be more details worked out as far as like people reserving space there and how that will be handled, especially if they have a fee and all. And I think Breonna Palmer had been willing to it's fun to help with that. She's with the diaper store house.

And so I think to avoid problems on down the road, maybe we could table this because I think some of the details just to avoid misunderstanding and because we have three groups working out there and the fan and North Jonesboro CDC and the diaper storehouse, they're located there now. And I think I personally think it would be good to to if there's no harm in it or no problems as far as postponing or tabling it until we could have that worked out.

What I'm I'm just trying to understand.

Because I was thinking that there will be whoever is leasing it will be in charge of scheduling groups there and all that and I think it might be good to have that worked out as far as who will have the responsibility of that, whether it's one of the groups, one of these parties mentioned, in addition to the North Jonesboro CDC, the Doctor. Storey House and they do have meetings there, but they might have other meetings there. Who will be in charge of

Of that scheduling. And I think at a part of our discussions with those two groups, we needed primary lease seat. Needed a primary, we needed someone as a primary.

Right.

And as a part of any sublease, then we have an approved sublease that we use with all of our entities. Right. Then we have those details as a part of that sublease.

Have you spoken to Brianna Palmer? Yes, have. Okay. Alright.

So I mean I'm open either way, but you know just like with United Way, we have one lease or and then they sub lease to two other entities as a part of that. Right. And so I just think having a lease with multiple parties is a little trickier. We need someone in charge and then as a part of those sub leases. And the resolution actually approves Fan and the diaper storehouse as approved entities already.

Normally they have to come through our office and get approval, but we're approving that today. We know Fanning, we know the diaper store house will be there and then in that sublease, we're working on that language. We'll sit down with all parties. We're working on that language in order to ensure that that kind of control is worked out among entities.

Yeah. I realize. And also though, it's a responsibility for whoever does it as a primary leasing person that scheduling the groups and making sure they they, you know, can get in and out and all that.

Not necessarily if the sublease allows others to partake in that responsibility then that's something we can approve.

Okay. I I I could just I I understand complicated, but I could also see how it could be a little bit tricky.

But whatever the wishes of the committee are today, we'll be obligated by that and work on terms of a lease or sublease or whatever is necessary.

Okay. I would move that we table this because I think there are some questions from what I've heard from people involved and if that's alright. And will there be any harm in tabling it till the next finance committee meeting? Do you see? All the all these those three parties have have been there for some time and operating, so there shouldn't be any harm in postponing it two weeks with there.

Again, there's no issue with a postponement or tabling it to the next meeting. Again, I just wanna know what is the desire of the committee in regards to what we bring back.

Okay, sure. Okay. I would move that we table this till the next finance committee meeting if that's possible.

Who who did the second on it? If he's willing to remove his second, I'll remove my motion. Okay? I'll remove my motion forward for council and I'll move we postpone temporary for two weeks.

Okay, second. I

have a motion and a second for tabling this item for the next two weeks to be brought back up on finance for May 26. All in favor of tabling this item until the next finance meeting on May 26? Aye. Any opposed? Okay that motion does carry for tabling.

Okay thank you everybody. Moving on to the next item on our agenda will be resolution 26,046. I think I'm ready at this point just to go back to title only so if anybody has any questions about the language they're in, please let me know and I'll be more than happy to read it in its entirety. Resolution two six zero four six, a resolution authorizing the mayor and the city attorney to certify the city of Jonesboro 2026 annual federal transit administration certifications and assurances for City of Jonesboro Transportation System.

Move forward to full council.

Second.

Okay. I have a motion and second to forward this item to full council. Do I have any questions from anybody on the committee? Okay. Any from the administration? And any from the public in attendance? Okay, seeing none, we'll go ahead and we will call a vote on this item. Okay and that item does carry. Thank you everybody. Moving on to the next item on the agenda is resolution 26,050. A resolution to authorize the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas to approve use of the Arkansas information network with necessary equipment purchases for the GOJO transit system.

Move forward to full council.

Okay. I have a motion and a second to take this item to full council. Do I have any questions from anybody on the committee? Any from the administration and any from the public in attendance?

Patty Lack 4108 Forest Hill Road. I was wondering if Lee could come up here and explain this one. I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Lee, would you mind coming to the podium, sir? Thanks, sir.

So the AWIN system or the Arkansas Wireless Information Network is a system for radios. That is something that a majority of the city actually utilizes currently. The AWIN system, we are not on. We actually use another system, which is an older system that city had. It's Moto Turbo, I believe is what that system is.

That system will still stay in effect as a backup system in case of emergencies. The AWEN system is what most of the city is on now, specifically the police, fire and things like that. And with GOJO as the transit system being a part of the emergency system in case there were ever a need for mass transportation or anything like that. And also just for general communication to have that same connection that the rest of the city has. We are needing to upgrade our system and change over to that AWIN format.

This will give approval for us to enter into that AWIN program and then also to allow for us to use budgeted funds to purchase the necessary equipment to have our entire fleet to operate on that system.

Does anybody else have any questions for Lee? Okay, thank you, Lee. Okay, and this time we will go ahead and take a vote on this item. And that item does carry and will be forwarded on to full council. Moving on to the next item on our agenda is resolution 26,051. A resolution authorizing the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas grants and community development department to apply for a Bureau of Justice Assistance FY 2025 Edward Bryan Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.

Move forward to full counsel.

Second.

Okay, I have a motion and second to forward to full counsel. Do I have any questions from the committee regarding this item? Okay, any from the administration and any from the public in attendance? Seeing none, we'll go ahead and we will take a vote on this item. And that item does pass and will be forwarded on to full council. Moving on to the next item on our agenda is resolution 26,052. A resolution authorizing the city of Jonesboro Grants and Community Development Department to apply for the FY 2027 selective traffic enforcement from the Arkansas State Police.

Move forward to full counsel. Second.

Okay. I have a motion and a second to forward this item to full counsel. Do you have any questions from anybody on the committee? Any from the administration and any from public in attendance? Seeing none, we'll go ahead and we will take a vote on this item.

That item does carry. Thank you everybody. Moving on to the next item on the agenda, we have resolution 26,053. A resolution authorizing the city of Jonesboro Grants and Community Development Department to apply for the FY 2026 safe streets and roads for all grants from the US Department of Transportation.

Move forward to full council. Okay

I have a motion and a second to forward this item to full council. Do you have any questions from anybody on the committee? Any from the administration And any from the public in attendance? Seeing none, we'll go ahead and we will take a vote on this item. And that item does carry and be forwarded to full council. Thank you everybody. Moving on to resolution 26,054. A resolution by the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas to execute a release and withdraw of petition of property located along Strawford Drive.

Move forward to full council. Second.

Okay, I have a motion and second to forward this item to full council and I believe that we have Mr. Sloan and his legal counsel here with us today and if either would like to come up and tell us a little bit about this item please.

Absolutely Brian. I'm Bradley Isbell, counsel for Mr. Sloan as well as E. Sloan Farms and the other involved parties in this requested release. So whenever this petition was signed and delivered back in 1998, there was a proposed project at that time to widen portions of Straw Floor Drive.

And following discussions between city officials and Mr. Sloan on behalf of his respective entities, he agreed to or those entities agreed to donate lands necessary for Floor Drive in connection with that project. That project was never actually completed or started. As a result, there was never acceptance by the city city of of of those donated areas of land. They were never used and that area is actually developed around the existing Straw Floor Drive at the width that it presently sits at.

So, what we're asking is is simply an acknowledgment from the city that that donation has been released. The donating entities have since withdrawn that donation. I believe Arkansas law would would would affirm that the donation was effectively withdrawn upon the donate the donor's withdrawal of it. But because this petition was actually recorded in the land records, title company is not going to take my word or Mr. Sloan's word unfortunately for the effectiveness of that withdrawal.

And so just as a matter of good practice, we're requesting that there be a bilateral release and withdrawal of that donation executed by the city as well as those entities and then recorded in the land records to clear up that title issue. I'll also note, I think it's important that this release would in no way affect the right of way for Straw Floor Drive as it exists presently. And this pertains only to the portions alongside the right of way on either side of Straw Floor Drive that were contemplated to be included in the road widening project, but that ultimately weren't used for any type of road widening project. And I'm happy to answer any questions that the committee or the public or administration has on this.

Thank you, sir. Is there any questions from the committee for Mr. Isbell? Thank you for that explanation, sir.

Thank you.

Appreciate you. Any questions, any comments from anybody in the administration? Okay, and any from the public in attendance? Okay, seeing none, we'll go ahead and we will take a vote on this item. And that item does carry. Thank you all very much and that is all for the resolutions that's on our agenda for today. Next one that we have is going to be pending items. I know of none. And our next item on the agenda being other business. I believe that if Mr.

Jim Stearns if he would like to come up, believe I that we've got some information in front of us about some previous questions that was asked about the gun range and I think that he's prepared to present those numbers for us today.

Thanks.

Councilman McLean asked me last finance meeting to bring a little report from the range and and you before you have a little summary and you can see that that number that you see in 2023, 2024 and 2025, that's a loss of $412,000 So that totals $14,500,001,415,000 dollars over the last three years of just a profit loss, revenue loss statement. There were some specific questions, a few that he had asked about members. And you can see that I listed twenty twenty four and twenty twenty five of memberships that were sold or renewed. In 2024, that was three fifty nine. And in 2025, that was three forty two that were sold.

So we're staying pretty steady with yearly or annual memberships. And those are $100 a year. One of the questions they were talking about total revenue from dues paying members and there wasn't really a lot of information that we could correct on that. So I just kind of answered that. But then you can see in question number three where they asked about the membership and participants.

Twenty twenty four nonmembers saw 2,613 pistol and rifle participants. And then the trap and skeet side had 5,900 rounds of trap or skeet, and that's 25 clays equals per round. And then twenty twenty four, members shot 3,129 participants on the pistol rifle side and 3,446 rounds that were purchased on the trap skeet side. And then you can see as well as the archery range, had a 19. 19.

Quarter quarter of And

had a

and skeet and five stand we had 7,600 nonmember rounds of trap or skeet. And then members had fourteen oh four pistol rifle participants where trap and skeet grew to about the same as it was in '24, 3,492 rounds purchased. And then 199 non archery, two fifty four member participants. And in the finance report, you can kind of see the numbers of gross sales on the last page with question four. 2024 had a total of $208,087 of gross sales and 2005 had $238,966 of gross sales that year.

And so that's just a quick summary of what they were asked. I'm sure there may be questions in the next finance meeting in a couple of weeks. I'll be prepared as well if there's some more discussion. You guys have those numbers. Just certainly reach out if you have questions, but I'd entertain any questions that you may have at this time.

Sure. Does anybody on the committee have any questions for Mr. Stearns today? You, Mr. Stearns. Okay. That brings us to our next item on the agenda being public This is an opportunity for anybody from the general public to come and address the city's finance to finance committee today. Okay seeing none that moves us on to our final item of the day being adjournment.

So move.

Okay I have a motion and a second to adjourn. All in favor. Aye. Any opposed. Okay we do stand adjourned. Thank you everybody. Hope you have a good rest of your day.