Board of Directors - Regular Meeting

Hey, hey, hey. Yep. Heat. Hey, Heat. Heat. Heat. Jack.

Hey. Hey. Director Peek, I mean web

right here. Both of you. Uh, good evening. I would like to call to order the April 7th city of Little Rock Board of Directors meeting. We would like to welcome those that are in attendance as well as those watching at home or streaming online. Madam clerk, if you would please call the role. Director Miller, Director Richardson, Director Webb, Director Peek, Director Hines, Director Lewis, Director Compirus, Director Phillips, Director Adcock, Vice Mayor Hayrick, Mayor Scott

present. Um well now let me recognize our city attorney who will give the invocation briefly. Please join me. I'm just joking. Tom there are people watching you mayor that hope that you were joking. I want you to know that

we come together tonight to discuss issues that affect us as people living within a civilization within a local community. We come from different backgrounds and different experiences. We come with different interests and different points of view. But the beauty of our coming together tonight is that all of those views can properly be addressed and the issues that are decided will be done on the best interest of the citizens of the city of Little Rock. That is all we can ask of anybody who takes a position of public service that they be servants. That they not work or achieve things for their own uh egos or their own excitement but for the betterment of others. Amen.

Amen. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I aliance 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. I ask Miss Williams to come join us.

Before I give my comments, I want to ask Amber to us. Introduce yourself. Thank you, mayor. Uh, good evening, mayor, city manager, and board. My name is Amber Jackson, and I serve as a chief engagement and opportunity officer here at the city of Little Rock. Thank you for joining us in congratulating Miss Wanina Williams on her retirement after 25 years of service to the city of Little Rock. And in case you were wondering, because I know you are, yes, she has made it widely known that she was indeed born here in the Rotunda, Wanina began her career answering the city's main phone line in January of 2001. Since then, her path took her from the city manager's office to community programs and finally to our office of engagement and opportunity. This is where she spent her last five years. Through every transition, she brought the same steadfast passion for centering and serving our residents. And through it all, she raised four daughters. No small feat uh for alongside a 25-y year career in public service. To say our team will miss her is an understatement. Her sense of humor, humility, and most of all institutional knowledge are simply irreplaceable. Um, but thankfully she has chosen to share her personal phone number with me. Wanina, thank you and congratulations as you choose yourself in this next phase of life.

Thank you,

Wanita. I won't add much more but to also share with the members of the city board not only her dedication of 25 years and yes she started when she was about five or six years old here in the city of Little Rock. Uh but she has such great passion for what she does. um that passion instigates energy on behalf of this team and she's a great representation of the city of Little Rock and we're grateful um for her time well spent and what you've given back to the state capital city. So on behalf of city of Little Rock, we want to wish you well and many blessings upon your retirement and you do not look like you should be retired. You can say something.

Oh, uh, thank you, mayor and board and, uh, my former colleagues. I just want to say, are you off? Uh, yes. I retired. I retired on the 30th.

I did want to come back and, uh, say thank you to all of you. And, mayor, just want you to know that I appreciate you. um your uh leadership here has helped me to rest and I feel like I have leaving the city in good hands. So you uh your leadership helped me to feel good about my decision. So thank you and thank you Amber for being one of the best team leads I could ever ask um to be a part of and the city manager. Thank you. Uh I feel like our people are in good hands now. So thank you to all of you and good night. Thank you.

Thank you so much. All right. All right. We'll ask the Arkansas Energy Association if you'll join us. as well as our sustainability commission. I don't know if they want. We're fine. Never mind. All right. Members of city board, we want to uh pronounce this proclamation. Um whereas access to dependable energy resources is fundamental to sustaining economic growth, supporting public safety, and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents and businesses in the city of Little Rock. And whereas Arkansas's energy sector played a vital role empowering key industries including manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and emerging technologies contributing to a strong and dynamic economy. and maintaining a reliable, resilient, and cost-effective energy system is essential to fostering continued economic development, encouraging innovation, and attracting new businesses and job opportunities. And whereas the state's energy landscape continues to evolve in response to increasing demand, population growth, and advancements in technology requiring thoughtful planning and strategic investment. And whereas a balanced and diverse approach to energy production, infrastructure, and innovation strengthens Arkansas's ability to meet both present and future energy needs while supporting sustainability and efficiency. And whereas Arkansas Energy Week serves as an opportunity to recognize the contributions of energy professionals,

highlight workforce opportunities, and encourage collaboration among industry leaders, policy makers, and communities to support strong energy future. Now, therefore, I, Frank Scott, Jr., mayor of the city of Little Rock, Arkansas, do hereby proclaim April 5th through the 11th Arkansas Energy Week. When I was the first chair of the sustainability commission, it feels like close to 20 years ago or so, um, Mayor Scott and I worked together to do the, uh, first assessment of the city in regards to sustainability. I was struck then, as I am now, at the extraordinary things that the city is doing in regards to sustainability, but especially for energy, and that leadership rests solely on Mayor Scott's shoulders for some of the innovations that have happened as of recent. Um we are happy to share uh at Arkansas Advanced Energy with my colleagues Jill Ballister and Joel Depipa. Um we are happy to share energy week. Our members represent a wide diversity of energy users, producers, efficiency, policy and workforce all dedicated to lowcost reliable energy. And that's why we're involved in a number of regulatory proceedings while also addressing economic opportunities like workforce and finance. related to announce the release of our Arkansas Advanced Energy Industry Report, uh, the first of its kind in the state, providing facts and data, not only for organizations like the city, but also residents, businesses, and industry to help them make informed energy decisions. Thank you, Mayor Scott. Thank you to the board for this wonderful proclamation.

I'd like to approve these very picky blinders.

All right, congratulations. We'll now have our National Community Development Week participants which are part of our house neighborhood programs division. Whereas the week of April 6 through the 10th, 2026 is recognized as National Community Development Week, an opportunity to highlight the impact of community development programs that strengthen neighborhoods and improve quality of life for residents. And whereas since its establishment in 1975, the community development block grant program has provided critical resources and flexibility to local governments to address community priorities including affordable housing, public infrastructure, public services, and economic development opportunities for low to moderate income individuals and families. And since 1992, the home innovate in investment partnerships program has served as a vital source of funding dedicated to expanding and p oh lord preserving got to get that right safe, decent and affordable housing for low-income residents. And whereas through strategic investment of CDBG and home funds, the city of Little Rock can strengthen neighborhoods, supported essential services, enhance public facilities, and increase access to safe and affordable housing for residents in need. And whereas these programs represent a strong partnership between federal and local governments, empowering communities to respond to local needs while fostering equity, opportunity, and long-term sustainability. And whereas National Community Development Week serves as a time to recognize the lasting impact of these investments and to honor the organizations, partners, and the community members who work tirelessly to build stronger, more resilient communities. I also want to recognize uh in addition to these team members are

here, uh both city directors Lewis as well as Miller who play a vital role in the ecosystem of affordability and housing. Uh let's all give them a round of applause for National Community Development Week. Thank you, mayor. As the mayor stated, uh we're recognizing National Community Development Week, um mayor, board of directors, um and residents of the city of Little Rock, it is my honor to stand before you today recognition of National Community Development Week. as we set aside time to highlight all of the critical impact of community development programs across our nation and here at home in Little Rock. This week, we proudly join communities across country celebrating the transformative work made possible through federal programs such as community development block grant, home investment partnership program funds, our home arbor funds, our community development block grant disaster relief funds that the city of Little Rock received, $20.8 million to celebrate the leadership of the city of Little Rock department of housing neighborhood programs and our community development division. Our staff works tirelessly hard. We did not receive any additional staff but two staff members to work to do the CDBGDR program. That's $20.8 million we have to get out the door. And so our staff works hard. We work with a little um they do a lot each and every day. We have a lot of programs that we have to administer each and every day. So I want to give them a round of applause for for their hard work. Tracy Shine as our community development manager. Uh we have a lot of programs that we'll be doing this week to celebrate National Community Development Week. We'll be out at University District Development uh partnership their pro property that we have. They're

one of our community development housing agencies that we work with. Also, we work with better community developers as our community uh development housing organization. just some of the things that we've done uh over the past year as you heard the mayor's initiative about affordable housing and creating those units. So, we surplused that goal that he he established. Also, we fully expended our home uh funds for our down payment assistance program. If you know about our down payment assistance program, we provide up to $10,000 to residents so they can get into home with no money down. Also uh we provided eviction and homeless prevention assistance to over 100 individuals and families to make sure that they have a place to live. Also we have hosted housing and shelter fairs for homeless uh unsheltered individuals around the city. Also providing public service grants partnering with agencies such as CH CHI St. Vincent Care Link uh to provide health services and meals on wheels to homebound residents. uh we provided over 10,000 uh uh meals and assistance to those individuals that need health services and then also generating over a million dollars in program income by developing affordable housing using our home investment partnership program funds. I know we've done a lot when I go around the country and speak. I know we have some board members that have been around the country and heard me speak. They are looking at what we're doing here in Little Rock because we're doing a lot. I call it big Little Rock. We're not in Little Rock. So, we're doing big things in Little Rock. I appreciate the board for your support passing all our annual action plans. We have a con plan going on currently right now. We just had a public meeting last night. I encourage you to go to our next public meeting. It'll be on the city's calendar. Please attend those events. It's important that we get residents input for our needs assessment for our next five-year comp plan. Thank you, mayor, for your support and your leadership. Thank you. Follow.

Members of the board, we have a few modifications. We have a mo motion to to add M1, M2 to consent, and M3 to group, M4 to a public hearing. There's a motion. All right. Okay.

Thank you. Um, we have two items that were are added as a modification to the agenda tonight and it's to uh show the franchise fees for water and for sewer to be 10%. And if the board will remember, I brought this up in our budget hearing or our budget meeting in December and I said I didn't feel like we could pass the budget because we had some illegal fees or appeared to be illegal fees to me because what I'd done was try to figure out my water bill to see what my franchise fees were and I couldn't determine it because every ordinance I saw said as previously approved. So, I went all the way back to 2008 or 2007 when the franchise fees for water were 6.9 and sewer were 5.8. And so, um, here we are collecting the 10%. I got that number from our finance director. So, I called Mr. Carpenter. He could not find any ordinances, any resolutions, could not find any memorandums. He spoke to memorandums, but he couldn't put his hands on them. And uh when I brought it up in the meeting, I was told that I didn't know what I was talking about. And I truly did because we were collecting illegal franchise fees from 2008 on till now. And in fact, we passed the budget in December. We passed some illegal franchise fees in that. I talked to Mr. Carpenter and I said, "We can't pass this budget because we have illegal fees in here." and he said, "Oh, we'll pass the budget and we'll talk about it next year and we'll fix it." So, in the meantime, the board passed the budget. There was a lawsuit filed because we were collecting illegal franchise fees. And so, now Mr. Carpenter's going to fix it. And what this resolution does is it

says that it is appropriate to charge 10% for water and sewer from 2008 until now. But all those years, we collected illegal franchise fees. The other thing that's happened in 2008 when the so-called budget was approved that had the 10% in there, we did not lay this out for the public to review a week before we voted on it. In fact, the night we voted on it, it was added just like this was added to the agenda without any public review. We're doing the same thing tonight. Here we are passing 10% and we've not laid it out to the public because we're adding it to the agenda tonight. Not only that, we have an impending lawsuit. So, I think this is totally inappropriate to add to our agenda tonight.

Mr. Attorney, if you will share um I'm talking right now. I'm sorry. Uh Mr. I'm talking right now. I I understand. I can hear you. You're literally right next to me. Um Mr. Attorney, if you again walk through Yes, sir. then remind uh the director

things of 2008. Well, the board should note that the two resolutions tonight are confirmation that since January 1 of 2008, we have assessed 10% franchise fees for Central Arkansas Water and for the Little Rock Water Reclamation Commission. Fees of this amount are authorized by a specific state statute. The city of Little Rock has two ways to increase franchise fees. One is by election and one is by agreement with the parties. In 2007, we have correspondence between assistant city man, then assistant city manager Brian Day and the executive directors of Central Arkansas Water and the Little Rock Water Reclamation Commission, pointing out that it was the city's intention to seek a 10% franchise fee beginning January the 1st. State statute says that a franchise fee has to be on the books for 10 days before it can be collected. These taxes were passed on December the 18th and uh or December the 21st of 2007. December the 31st was the 10th day. The collection didn't start until January the 1. In addition, notices were sent to every rateayer within the city of Little Rock by the Central Arkansas Water, which is also the collection agency for Central Arkansas Water and for the Water Reclamation Commission to note that beginning January the 1st, franchise fees of 10% would be collected by the city of Little Rock. Um, basically what we have done in these two resolutions is note that we have been doing it since those dates. At the

budget hearings in December of 2007, the question of franchise fees being 10% for water and sewer were a specific part of the documents that were presented to the board of directors and that had been presented in public meetings around the city about the uh proposed budget for 2008. Two people spoke expressly about their concerns about the 10% increase the increase to 10% of these particular fees and asked the board to consider not doing so. There are comments from others that have been made that they wondered about that. When director wrick asked me to find a resolution, I couldn't find one that's done in the typical way that our resolutions are done. and um was a bit shocked at that. One of the things that needed to be done was to figure out what's going on in terms of the litigation. We have few concerns about the litigation. Uh one of the important reasons is is that a franchise fee is something that's covered by the public service commission and is really not a court case at all. If there is a question about the collection of a franchise fee in Arkansas on a utility which includes water and wastewater or sewage, then it is be taken within 30 days of its imposition to the public service commission. Failure to do so weighs any such ability to bring an action in that case. In addition, there is a statute that says if there is a challenge about franchise fees on utilities, then the action is simply to enjoin their collection not to have any type of reimbursement for them. This will become particularly important to this board at the end of the agenda tonight because that was a major question that was asked

as we looked at the capital improvement bonds that are about to be done. There was a great concern at the time this issue came that the city might be in some um uh serious potential uh uh position. But since then and reading all the documents and looking at the tapes of the meetings and using the assistance in this case of Right Lency and Jennings and Miss Judy Henry, we do not feel that way. We filed the city through Miss Henry has filed a motion for summary judgement as have the other two utilities. At the very last minute before it was time to answer the motion for summary judgement, the uh plaintiff filed an amended complaint. The amended complaint has been answered by the city by CAW and by the city of Little Rock and a motion to dismiss has been filed by water reclamation on this matter. I would not bring this before you if I thought this was not legal. I do bring it before you because I think we need to clarify and never again have a situation where our office is not preparing the franchise fee ordinances.

Uh thank you so much um city attorney for sharing that the work that was done by Mr. Brian Day and the late Mr. more uh was perfectly legal and that's the reason why all of those budgets were unanimously approved um since that time except uh for last year. Director Barrett, you said except for last year. What what do you see the difference between last year and the previous budgets? There wasn't a unanimous approval. It wasn't a unanimous approval. No, ma'am. Are you talking about the number of votes? Okay. All right. That's what you know. Yes.

Okay. So, one of the things that I wanted to bring up was that in April of last year, we um gave incentives to a data center that was going into the port. And in we did two ordinances the way we're supposed to do them. And the one for water, the incentive for water was the 6.5 and the incentive for sewer was 5%. So in last year at that point we're putting out ordinances that say a different number than 10%. I found those in the the num the ordinances that I pulled up. So I still say that we collected these illegally and the fact that we did not give proper notice to the individuals even as today when we're trying to add this to the agenda of it's either 7 days or 10 days according to the ordinance the the state law

the statute is 10 days after passage before there is there is an ordinance or law that says that they should be laid out to the public prior to the city vote. It has to be on the books, and we've not done that.

It has to be on the the franchise itself has to be on the books for 10 days before it takes effect. That's not 10 days before it's voted upon. And the uh most important point about that is that the resolutions that set the franchise fees for water and for sewer were done over 20 years ago and they were on uh public display for that period of time. So the question of assessing a franchise has never been the issue. The question that was raised last year was the amount. you're correct that those two amounts on the ordinances were not correct. Uh that's because they just weren't and I'll take the blame for that. However, that issue is one we're trying to address. The only reason we're not addressing it tonight is we didn't think we would have enough people to suspend rules.

Okay. So, I I still stand the the way I started this out. Uh there is litigation. Uh I feel like the city has uh done this illegal taxation without representation uh since 2007 and I think it's inappropriate to add it to the agenda.

Director W, I truly appreciate that. But I do want you to remember in all the time I've been here when we have had a challenge on a tax, I'm the one that said hold it in escrow until the litigation is over. I would do that now if I thought we were at risk. This is a franchise fee. It's not a tax, but we're treating it like it is a tax. We pass it and individuals do not know that we're increasing their franchise fees, which impacts their water bills. Are you aware that last year in 2025, we had 11,500 people that had some sort of treatment on their water bills because they couldn't pay them. 6.5 six 6,500 people uh had to shut their water down because they couldn't pay it. Utilities are very expensive. We're talking about affordable housing and we don't talk about utility bills. These are expensive to the ind individuals as well as their their cost for rental or housing.

Thank you again, city attorney, for sharing the facts and the legal uh perspective. All right. There's there's a motion and a second. All in favor, please say I. All those post say nay. Eyes have it. Madame clerk, if you would please read the consent agenda, plus these two items,

plus these items, these reference items. A resolution is to certify local government endorsement of JA Rigs Track Company, a wholly owned subsidi subsidiary, sorry, of Jacko Holdings Incorporated located at 9125 I30, Little Rock, Arkansas to participate in the Arkansas Taxback program is authorized by Arkansas Code section 15-4-27060d of the Consolidated Incentive Act of 2003. And for other purposes, a resolution to amend LRO, Arkansas resolution number 16,678, May 6, 2025 to reflect a change in the name of the participating entity for the Arkansas Taxback program from Headlands Tech Holdings LLC to Arkansas Tech Systems LLC located at 15900 Arkansas Systems Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas, as the participation in the Arkansas Taxback program is authorized by Arkansas Code section 15-4-2706D of the Consolidated Incentive Act of 2003 and for other purposes. Resolution authorizes city manager to accept a subreient agreement and grant funds for metrop plan through the environmental protection ay's climate pollution reduction grant program for native restoration projects at the little rock zoo and for other purposes. A resolution authorizes city manager to enter into a contract with Pinnacle Consulting Management Group in an amount not to exceed $103,400 for ride-of-way and acquisition services for the Markham Street improvements and further purposes. A resolution authorized the mayor to accept from municipal purposes permanent construction easements, rightway dedications, and fee simple acquisitions and to authorize a city manager to acquire temporary construction easements as needed to complete the construction of the Markin Street improvement project and for other purposes. A resolution authorizes city manager to enter into a contract with Whitell Evans and Rasco, PA doing business as where architects and an amount not to exceed $72,756.25 25 cents plus applicable taxes and fees to provide architectural services for

the Little Rock Medical Clinic and for other purposes. A resolution authorized the mayor to enter into a contract with Johnny L. and Peggy A. Robinson for the purchase of approximately 5 acres of land and a residential structure for use by the Little Rock Port Authority for economic prospect recruitment and for other purposes. A resolution authoriz city manager to enter into a contract with Clarity Pools LLC in an amount not to exceed $85,000 plus applicable taxes and fees for monthly and annual regular pool maintenance and repair services at Gym Daily Fitness and Aquatic Center and Southwest Community Center and for other purposes. A resolution authorizes city manager to enter into a contract with Curtis Construction Incorporated an amount not to exceed $100,56 for the 700 West Markham Demolition Project and further purposes. A resolution to confirm a 10% franchise fee to be paid to the city of Little Rock, Arkansas by the Little Rock Water Reclamation Commission beginning January 1, 2008. And for other purposes, a resolution to confirm a 10% con 10% franchise fee to be paid to the city of Little Rock, Arkansas by Central Arkansas Water beginning January 1, 2008 and for other purposes. That concludes the consent agenda.

There's a motion. Is there a second? All those in favor, please say I. Post say nay. Eyes have it. Madame Clerk, if you would please read the grouped items at an M3 for the first time. Oh, sorry. Um, Director Web, apologize. That's okay. Thank you, Mayor Scott. I have a question on item seven. Um, and and I don't know. I guess I'll direct it to you. Yes, ma'am. Um, do you know if the port has identified a project for this property? And if so, do you know what it is?

At this point in time, the port has a number of different projects. uh for th those particular prop properties and they're under uh some disclosures. Okay. And so hopefully we'll be able to find out what that what those are. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. Thank you, mayor. Thank you. And I'll get that to you.

Madame clerk, if you would please uh read the grouped items in M3 for the first time. An ordinance to approve a plan zoning development and to establish a plan development residential titled Two Main Moon Properties LLC from R4 to PDR located at the southwest corner of Charles Bessie Avenue and Park Lane, City of Little Rock, Arkansas, amending the official zoning map of the city of Little Rock, Arkansas. For other purposes, an ordinance to declare it impractical and unfeasible to bid to amend litter rock ordinance number 22,140 June 21st, 2020 to authorize a city manager to enter into a contract amendment to the sole source agreement with locality media incorporated doing business as first due for fire service software used by the Little Rock Fire Department to modify the subscription term and payment structure to a month-to-month arrangement beginning January 1, 2026 and for other purposes. An ordinance to declare an impractical impractical and unfeasible to bid to authorize a city manager to enter into a three-year contract with Environmental Systems Research Institute Incorporated. An amount not to exceed $736,800 plus applicable taxes and fees for the purchase of ESRI GIS Enterprise Software Licensing to upgrade existing software for a period of 3 years and further purposes. An ordinance to declared impractical and unfeasible to bid to authorize a city manager to enter into a one-year advanced purchase order contract extension with JA rigs tractor company an amount not to exceed $500,000 plus applicable taxes and fees for Caterpillar parts and service for Caterpillar heavy equipment and machinery in the city's fleet and for other purposes. An ordinance to declare it impractical and unfeasible to bid to authorize the city manager to enter into a one-year advanced purchase order contract extension with River City Hydraulics Incorporated an amount not to exceed $500,000 plus applicable taxes and fees for hell parts and service for hell heavy equipment and machinery in the city's fleet to declare an emergency and for other purposes an ordinance to declare it impractical and unfeasible to bid to authorize a city manager to enter into a one-year advanced purchase order contract extension with Sitins Martin

Emergency Group LLC in an amount not to exceed receive $500,000 plus applicable taxes and fees for Pierce Fire apparatus parts and service for the fire trucks and the city's fleet and for other purposes. An ordinance to declare an impractical and unfeasible to bid to authorize a city manager to enter into a contract extension with government jobs.com Incorporated doing business as NeoGV an amount not to exceed $100,000 plus applicable taxes and fees for the NEOGV platform module subscriptions for continued access to the Biddle online test genius insight on board and candidate text messaging subscriptions for a one-year term from January 1, 2026 through December 31st 2026 to declare an emergency and for other purposes first reading There's a motion. Is there a second?

All those in favor, please say I. All those oppos say nay. Eyes have it. Second reading.

An ordinance to approve a plan zoning development to establish a plan development residential titled Two Moon Properties LLC from R4 to PDR located at southwest corner of Charles Busy Avenue and Park Lane. An ordinance to declare an impractical and unfeasible to bid to amend Little Rock ordinance number 22,140 June 21st, 2020 to authorize the city manager to enter into a contract amendment to the sole source agreement with locality media incorporated doing business as first due for fire service software used by the Little Rock Fire Department to modify the subscription term and payment structure to a month-to-month arrangement beginning January 1, 2026 and for other purposes in order to declare it impractical and unfeasible to bid to authorize the city manager to enter into a three-year contract with Environmental Systems Research Institute Incorporated and about not to exceed $736,800 plus applicable taxes and fees for the purchase of ESRIG GIS enterprise software licensing to upgrade existing software for a period of 3 years and for other purposes. An ordinance to declare it impractical and unfeasible to bid to authorize a city manager to enter into a one-year advanced purchase order contract extension with JA Rigs Tractor Company an amount not to exceed $500,000 plus applicable taxes and fees for the Caterpillar parts and service for Caterpillar heavy equipment and machinery in the city's fleet and for other purposes on an ordinance to declare it impractical and unfeasible to bid to authorize a city manager to enter to a one-year advanced purchase order contract extension with River City Hydraulics Incorporated an amount not to exceed $500,000 plus applicable taxes and fees for hill parts and service for hill heavy equipment and machinery in the city's fleet to declare an emergency and for other purposes. An ordinance to declare impractical and unfeasible to bid to authorize a city manager to enter to a one-year advanced purchase order contract extension with Citizens Martin Emergency Group LLC an amount not to exceed $500,000 plus applicable taxes and fees for the Pierce Fire apparatus parts and service for the firetrs in the city fleet and for other purposes.

An ordinance to declared impractical and unfeasible to bid to authorize a city manager to enter into a contract extension with Government Jobs Incorporated doing business as Neo gov in an amount not to exceed $100,000 plus applicable taxes and fees for NEOGV platform module subscription for continued access to Viddle online test genius insight on board and candidate text messaging subscriptions for a one-year term from January 1, 2026 through December 31st, 2026 to declare an emergency and for other purposes second reading defend the rules and place on third and final reading. There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor, please say I. All post say nay. Eyes have it. Third and final reading.

An ordinance to approve a plan zoning development to establish a plan development residential title to Moon Properties LLC from R4 to PDR located at the southwest corner of Charles Busy Avenue and Park Lane. An ordinance to declare an impractical and unfeasible to bid to amend Little Rock or ordinance number 22,140 June 21st, 2020 to authorize a city manager to enter into a contract amendment to the sole source agreement with locality media incorporated doing business as first due for fire service software used by the Little Rock Fire Department to modify the subscription term and payment structure to a month-to-month arrangement beginning January 1, 2026. and for other purposes. An ordinance to declare it impractical and unfeasible to bid to authorize a city manager to enter into a three-year contract with Environmental Systems Research Institute Incorporated an amount not to exceed $736,800 plus applicable taxes and fees for the purchase of ESRI GIS Enterprise Software Licensing to upgrade existing software for a period of 3 years and further purposes. An ordinance is to declare it impractical and unfeasible to bid to authorize the city manager to enter into a one-year advanced purchase order contract extension with JA rigs tractor company and an amount not to exceed $500,000 plus applicable taxes and fees for Caterpillar parts and service for Caterpillar heavy equipment and machinery in the city's fleet and for other purposes. An ordinance to declare it impractical and unfeasible to bid to authorize a city manager to enter into a one-year advanced purchase order contract extension with River City Hydraulics Incorporated an amount not to exceed $500,000 plus applicable taxes and fees for hell parts and service for hell heavy equipment and machinery in the city's fleet to declare an emergency and for other purposes. An ordinance to declare it impractical and unfeasible to bid to authorize a city manager to enter into a one-year advanced purchase order contract extension with Citins Martin Emergency Group LLC and amount not to exceed $500,000 plus applicable taxes and fees for Pierce Fire apparatus parts and service for the firet trucks in the city's fleet and for other purposes. An ordinance to declared impractical and

unfeasible to bid to authorize a city manager to enter into a contract extension with government jobs.com incorporated doing business as neo gov and amount not to exceed $100,000 plus applicable taxes and fees for neo gov platform module subscriptions for continued access to the bidd online test genius insight on board and candidate text messaging subscriptions for a one-year term from January 1, 2026 through December 31st, 2026 to declare an emergency and for other purposes third and final reading. Members of the board, we've had three readings. Are there any questions? Are there any questions? Are there any questions? All those in favor, please say I.

All those oppos say nay. Eyes have it. We also have emergency clause uh for 14 and M3. All those in favor, please say I. All say nay. Eyes have it. Um members of the city board, uh we do know there are other uh other board members who have to get to other engagements immediately following this meeting. So, we will uh postpone the annual evaluation of the city manager and city attorney until we have M4 that we still have to do. Um it's the public hearing. It's for the capital bonds.

Well, I'll finish. We'll still postpone the city manager and city attorney. Thank you for uh flagging that for me. Madame clerk, if you would please read item M4. Will you open the public hearing? Madam clerk, an ordinance to authorize the issuance of capital improvement refunding revenue bonds to authorize a trust and denture securing the bond to authorize the placement of the bond prescribing other matters pertaining there too to declare an emergency and further purposes first reading. Is

there a second? There's a motion second. All those in favor, please say I. Those opposed say nay. Eyes have it. Second reading. An ordinance to authorize the issuance of a capital improvement refunding revenue bond. To authorize a trust and ensure securing the bond to authorize the placement of the bond prescribing other matters pertaining there too to declare an emergency and further purposes. Second reading. There's a motion there. Second. All those favor please say I. Those oppos say nay. Eyes have it. We've had three readings on We only had two. Oh, that's us out of here. I'm sorry. I know some board members they want to get somewhere so I'm trying to help them out. Third reading an ordinance authoriz director pick

it's taste of little rock everybody in trio's an ordinance to authorize the issuance of a capital improvement refunding revenue bond to authorize a trust and insured securing the bond to authorize the placement of the bond prescribing other matters pertaining there too to declare an emergency and for other purposes third and final reading thank y'all we've had three final readings are there any question I'm now close the hearing Is your question for this director? All those in favor, please say I. Those oppos say nay. Eyes have it. Director Web, there's emergency clause M4. All those in favor, please say I. I. All those in favor, please say I. I. All post say nay. Eyes have it. Director Web.

Thank you. And this is just an announcement from the sustainability office. They wanted to point out that we have a new water dispenser that was donated by CW and the hope is that we will reduce our use of uh single-use plastics and this would put in us in compliance with objective one of the sustainability plan that we passed earlier this year regarding uh single-use plastics. Thank you so much. That's a big deal. Director Webb, Vice Mayor Wyrick, thank you. Do we have any citizens communication cards? We do not. Okay, Mr. I have a question for Mr. Carpenter if he's listening. I am.

Okay. Thank you. Um I would like for you to recite to us what the laws are in regards to religious organizations that will be involved could be involved in reszoning, zoning, developing subdivisions and how that relates to the Fair Housing Act. I've had a lot of questions in the last weekend and I've said what I know about it, but I think it would be good if we could state what those rules are and what the city board has to look at in regards to those types of organizations as they reszone, zone, plan subdivision, sell those kinds of things. the state statutes that deal with planning and zoning uh which are the basis for and creating the ordinances that deal with planning and zoning and the planning commission within the city of Little Rock are basically designed to have compatible uh uses throughout the city and zoning and reszoning are done for the betterment of the community in terms of livability. that does not focus at all upon religion. We have a use I think I think we do use conditional use permits for churches because a lot of them like to be within residential neighborhoods. Uh and is it a residential use? Is it not? So we have allowed that throughout. But except for that particular provision, uh the the board is really not to consider religious issues. You had an issue several years ago where uh a group of from the Islamic faith wanted to create a particular um uh area for them and they wanted to have a church and school and and several questions came up at that time as to whether that should be allowed and and Melinda was the deputy

city attorney that attended the meeting that night and her comment after several questions several times was the issue for the board of directors is whether this is compatible with city zoning. The Fair Housing Act from the federal court from the United States government and the Fair Housing Act from the Arkansas uh state government both expressly state that there can be no discrimination in housing based upon religion. It includes other factors, but that specific one is in there. So, um how do we deal with that? the city has an anti-discrimination ordinance. Uh, in general, I'm not sure that it actually would apply to a zoning situation. It deals mainly with vendors and city programs. And and my question is, would a zoning decision be considered a city program? I just don't know the answer. But I do know this. There is a state housing commission and there's a federal housing commission and they have enforcement authorities and investigative authorities that the city does not have. So were the city to take action because of a particular religion wishing to uh develop an area uh and either grant it or deny it based upon religion, it would be an illegal action by the city. And um if the entity that is given authority to do a development decides that they're not going to let people live there unless they were of a particular religion, then they're going to be subject to violation of the Fair Housing Act and the State Housing Act and and I think those provisions will be set aside.

Okay. So specifically, if you're a religious organization and you want to sell lots to somebody that is your like um religion um and and that's it. Can a religious organization do that? If the if they own all the land, they can sell it to the people in their in their church, for example, but they can't limit it to the people in their church. If they get a legitimate offer from somebody who's not a member, if they if they refuse to sell to them simply because of that religion, that's a federal and state law violation. Okay. Thank you.

There's a motion in a second. All those in favor, please say I. All say nay. Eyes. Meeting journal.