City Council - Regular Meeting

and we're just, you know, we're we're not happy about it. Um, and and so I'm wondering how do we know the rest of the story? Because I'm I'm told that quite a bit. Like, sills, just let it go because you don't know the whole story. No, I don't. But if you all aren't transparent with the whole story or or I just I don't understand what I need what we need to do to know and nobody still told me the rest of the story. You know what I'm saying? So, as a taxpayer that's involved, uh, who I do advocacy work and I try to let the public know, and I always want to be right. I always want to be right or accurate with my information. I've had to step back and say, "This was inaccurate. Here's the accurate information. Here's the correct information." And I don't mind doing that. But I just I you know, the big thing about it is let's just be good financial stewards with all all taxpayer money. That That's the thing about it. And I, like I say, I'm not for or against. I'm just concerned about our money, our dollars, because y'all know we work hard for these dollars. All of y'all work hard for these dollars, right? And we elect you. We trust you. We believe in you. We really do. I want to work with y'all. I don't want to call out nobody, you know. I don't. That's not, you know, that's not building bridges. I want Pine Bluff to succeed. I want this go-kart track to succeed. I want it to succeed. Everything, you know, but we just want to know the full story. We want y'all to, you know, I don't know certain meetings. I just I don't know. I don't know. And I've been in politics 35 years. So, I do understand what happens in the smoke field rooms. Now, I know that went back about 30 years because we don't use those terminologies anymore. But, I do understand that because I've been a part of those systems. You know what I'm

saying? I've been a part of those systems and so uh I think my bed the bell has rung for me for me to uh take my seat but that's all that's that's what I want to say just a second if you would you be willing yes absolutely council member absolutely you said a word that most people could know and may not know you said complex explain that

well from from the way I understand it um the the whole just the process of uh Pineluff Urban Renewal Development A Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Agency the whole system seems complex. Okay. And because of the relie Explain the word complex to the people that don't know.

Oh, they know what they know what complex is. It's just there are it's like a lot of moving parts and at times there were partnerships or I guess it is partnership with go forward Pine Bluff. Now that's I had issues with that as well. Some lack of transparency but but you've got an organization that that uses taxpayer dollar partnership taxpayer dollar private dollars maybe philanthropy grant funds maybe federal. I mean, I don't know all the sources, but it's a combination of dollars. And for the the tax dollars, I want us to be accountable. We can't tell them what to do with money they get from WRF or the Walton F. You know what I'm saying? And I understand how the partnerships work, but it is complex. And there have been some not good things happen. And I'm trying to be as respectful as possible, but we've all we all know about some of the not so great things that have happened under the watch of urban renewal, which causes us concerns. And I understand that's that complexity is in the past, but now we're going into the future and we're still giving them the 8 $160,000 for whatever was whatever the deal was in 2024. I still can't completely understand that. But I know my my knowledge is limited because I'm not on the inner workings of it. You see what I'm saying? But as a taxpayer on the outside who keeps up fairly well, it's it's just it's confusing. So that's that's what I meant.

That's what that's what I trying to say. Confusing confusing. Right. It is. It's not right. I wish they would leave town, you know. Yeah. Right. Seriously, they just causing trouble up here in in politics and in our city government. Yeah. Because they're not right bank and I said it. Yeah. Any further questions for Miss Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Hob. Agenda item A, the ordinance involing the Urban Renewal Agency, city of Pus, Arkansas, resolving the renewal agency board of commissioners and discharging the members thereof responsibility as board members, providing for transfer of all assets and liabilities of the urban renewal agency to the city of Pine Love and for related purposes up for the third and final read. An ordinance abolishing the urban renewal agency of the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, dissolving the urban renewal agency board of commissioners and discharging the members thereof of further responsibility as board members providing for the transfer of all assets and liabilities of the urban renewal agency to the city of Pine Bluff and for related purposes.

Move for adoption. It's been moved and seconded that item A uh be adopted. Any discussion? Yes, council member.

Renewal, let the city council run the government of the city. Nobody else should be into the government of the city. And that's that's the problem. And that's why our city is in is in a confusing mess like it is. because the bank want to run the city of Pine Bluff and they want to run the city council uh Simmons Bank and and what they do they try to get people in city government to roll and ride with them. I'm not one of I'm for you all taxpayers totally. I'm done.

Any further discussion? Um, I'll make a few points and then we'll call the vote. Um, so without going into the history because we did quite a bit and had quite a bit of discussion on this last time, uh, this ordinance was filed prior to any of the resolutions that were filed last week um or in previous weeks. And uh I just want to be clear about what this does. This ordinance would dissolve urban renewal at the end of the year, allowing them to complete the go-kart track project according to the discussion, the last discussion that I had with the chairman of the urban renewal agency. It would also allocate $66,000 to supplement the deficit to complete existing projects per the request for $860,000. So, the $14,000 at the time that was in the bank account plus the $800 or near $800,000 that was in their um bank account and reserve plus this $66,000 would amount to the $860,000 that all throughout 2025 was expressed that was needed in order to trigger the $1.2 $2 million in private funds that were pledged, but that where there was never any other um information, there was never anou and MOA to indicate how these funds would be distributed and what that trigger was and there was never any mention of a match.

Um section three also um pertains to the discussion that I had with Chairman Dill where he was agreeable to transfer uh the Six and Main project which is currently in operation as well as 219 Main Street property which is a property acquired by Urban Renewal down the street and there has been no development or revitalization of that property. and then all of the demolition, mechanical, recycling, receptacle and disposal equipment as well as motor vehicles. So those were the things that we agreed to um when we had this discussion about how to move forward when it was requested that instead of a full uh dissolution that there be uh that they be given another year. Um the fourth thing uh the four section four just amounts to accountability and it and it amounts to transparency and I mentioned previously in all of the years that I have been aware and even since then since I've been sworn in I've heard from um at least two members if not three of this council that the um and and two others who agreed that there needs to be um regular reporting of information as it relates to the tax dollars as well as update on the projects and um it talked about section five talks about the uh transfer of assets. It talks about uh item uh section six talks about um the routine operation and

I'll point out that it was it has been reported that the funds that our private partner uh go forward had um pledged those funds were applied for and they and it was stated that those funds were raised uh to complete construction for both of the projects. One has been completed, one has not. Those are the primary components of this. This is basically what that would do. And it's in accordance with the con the conversation that I had with uh Mr. deal and to date I have not heard from him that anything had changed. Um the other points that I think are critically important to consider is with the response um by the council to pass two additional resolutions in addition to the overturning of the veto to continue the initial resolution. One was to put in writing something and uh regarding the pledged money. That was item six at the last meeting where it was a resolution authorizing the Pineluff Urban Renewal Agency to enter into anou concerning matching funds which on its face is not even correct. There's nothing in writing ever anywhere in the history of urban renewal. go forward the

city of Pine Bluff that this this these PR or that pledge was in any way referred to as matching funds until this resolution. But the thing that I think that is important is um halfway down the page it talks about oh the matching piece. I just mentioned that. And then toward the end it says, "Whereas should the city should the Pine Bluff City Council dissolve Pine Bluff urban renewal on or before December 31st, 2027, the $1.2 million pledge shall become null and void." Now, I'm unsure as to how you understand and what I'm supposed to understand uh this pledge to be because nowhere in the remainder of this resolution does it stipulate when urban renewal will receive these funds or when uh these funds will be spent on What? There's no specification still in this agreement that states how when we will ever receive the money. All it does is say that the money has been pledged and then later on it says that if the city dissolves urban renewal that by before December 31st, 2027, the pledge is nullified. Now, what that says to me is if the pledge can be nullified all the way up to December 31st of next

year, that means the money won't be spent. How do you nullify something if you've already spent the money? And if the money that is being depleted out of the city's coffers first before this money is triggered is basically along with the the reserve money and the money that's currently in the account for urban renewal will be spent to complete construction. What is the 1.2 million being spent on and why is that not specified in this resolution? So, that's problematic. The other resolution that was passed was in a um a resolution that amended the original resolution expressing ongoing support and uh op operations of the Pineluff Urban Renewal Agency. In this item, it stipulates that the public works director who operate who is employed under the authority of the mayor will inspect the construction project that is already in in place. It is already ongoing. So, he's going to inspect a construction project that is overseen by someone else that is paid as a contractor to do so and overseen by a current executive director who is also paid to do that

and shall forward all invoices related thereto the mayor's office for approval. What would I be approving? Based on what? The executive director is not required nor has ever except the one time that I asked almost begged her to come and report out to this council. She's not required. You all have not required the executive director for the commission to come before this council and the mayor to report on how public dollars are being spent and what the update is for the project which purportedly will be complete this year. But without talking to me, you've put in a resolution that someone who operates under the mayor's authority report to you about an independent commission's activities and construction on the back end halfway through the project. I don't know if we've ever done that in the history of this city. I doubt it. And then I guess I'm supposed to approve when no one reports to me, no one meets with me. The the my understanding is the previous mayor enjoyed weekly meetings with go forward and urban renewal. I have not. No, it's not. These are still city dollars.

And where I sit, I have no issue with any bank, no bank, no entity, no corporation runs this city. We run the city. We make decisions twice a month at least. And when we don't make decisions or when we do, that is what moves this s city forward or backward. Nobody else. I'm very clear. A lot of people keep telling me, mayor, you know, can you count? I've been counting since before I started school. I know how to count. Just because I don't think I might get the votes doesn't mean that I don't bring an issue forward for us to decide on when I bring pertinent factual information to you as a body. I have done that. I did that in my veto. I don't have to rehash that. I'm assuming everybody read it. I know people in the community read it. I didn't take it lightly and I brought you further information. This is problematic. If we move forward in this way and you all are ultimately still putting it back on my plate, even though you don't want to listen to the facts that have been brought before you about how we can move forward and still complete the project and still work together and still work, make sure that there is adequate reporting at least every month. That's all this would do and save money while doing it.

Why in the world we would support spending money to continue to fund a whole department and property and everything that goes along with it. And I've had this conversation with just about everybody on this panel to the tune of almost $100,000 for one employee paying ADP to process payroll over $4,000 to pay one payroll. It makes no sense when we could save money by housing that employee within economic development. You approved the position. It's right there. So, I have done and said everything I can within the parameters as mayor. I'd be open to any questions. My prayer is that you all have heard the facts and that we can do this the right way because I have no doubt I have no doubt that if we do this this way that the leadership at Go Forward Foundation, the board at Urban Renewal, I have no doubt that they would do the right thing and work with us and we could still get this thing done and do it right. That is all I've been trying to do and I hope that we can. But if if we don't and we move forward and we blindly dedicate these dollars, and when I say blind, we we are blind as to how and

when the $1.2 million would come into effect. It it will not be on me. Any questions? Any further discussion? Yes, council member MS. We don't need any outside sources running the city council. We are council member. I didn't say that. Just to for the record, I did not say that. I see it. Okay.

I see it. I'm my own man. Anyway, uh the city council runs my blood. You you got a war between the bankers and city council just constantly. But the at the end of the day, the city council going to win. Watch and see what I'm saying. It's just like you work all week and you got to take your money to somebody else. They would love to to control the budget up here. You know, see, y'all want to see what's going on behind the scenes. You know, if you can just open your mind, council member, I I I got I know, but you're repeating and

Well, I want I want them to hear because they don't know what's going on. Well, they hear us. They do. Well, hearing and and knowing what's going on are two different things. So, any further discussion with that? All of those who wish to vote for item A for the I'm sorry for the uh passage of item A. Uh it's been moved and second. All of those who wish to vote for item A indicate by saying I. I knows. No. Madame clerk, please call the vote. Council member Mains. Hi. Council member Hok. No. Council member Brown, no.

Council member Lockett, no. Council member Frasier, no. Council member Brunson, no. Council member Denton, Council Member Fails, no. Motion fails. Thank you, council. Council member Hulcom. Item number two, a resolution expressing the willingness of the city of P of Arkansas to utilize federal aid transportation alternative program funds.

Whereas the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas understands federal aid funds are available at 80% of federal participation and 20% local match to develop or improve the Pineluff Delta Rhythm and Bayou's cultural district pedestrian trail. And whereas the city of Pine, Arkansas understands that the federal aid funds are available for this project on a reimburseable basis requiring work to be accomplished and proof of payment prior to actual monetary reimbursement. And whereas this project using federal funding will be open and available for use by the general public and maintained by the applicant for the life of the project. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Pine Arkansas section one that the city of Pine Arkansas will participate in accordance with this designated responsibility including maintenance of this project. Section two the mayor of or her designated representative is hereby authorized and directed to execute all uh appropriate agreements and contracts necessary to expedite the construction of the above stated project section three. The city council pledges its full support and hereby authorizes the Arkansas Department of Transportation to initiate action to implement this project.

Move for adoption. Second. It's been moved and seconded that item number one be adopted. Any discussion?

Okay. Um the only thing that I want to point out is that uh about this I believe this is TAP grant that economic and community development uh wrote and received for this uh Delta Rhythm and Bayou's effort um broadly and I just I believe it's in the amount of $500,000 and I um want to thank and congratulate uh economic and community development for that work. And with that said, um it's been moved and seconded that item number one be adopted. All those who wish to vote for item number one indicate by saying I.

Any opposed? Motion passes. Item number three, resolution creating the position of transit service supervisor within the transit department and approving the job description and salary for the position. Whereas after review, it has been determined that there is a legitimate need for a position of transit services supervisor in the transit department. And whereas the human resources department in consultation with the trans transit director has drafted a job description and arrived at an appropriate annual salary for the position. And whereas the need for the position, job description and salary has been vetted and endorsed by the relevant council committees. Now therefore be resolved by the city council of the city of Pine Bluff of Arkansas section one. There is created within the transit department position of transit services supervisor to serve under the direction of the transit director. Section two, the job description for the position of transit director as detailed in the attachment is approved with the attachment incorporated into this resolution by reference. Section three, the annual salary for the position is set at $42,724. This amount will be funded from the funds already appropriated for the transit department in the 2026 municipal budget. The finance department is authorized to modify the budget accordingly.

Move for adoption. Second. It's been moved and seconded that resolution number three be adopted. Any discussion? No discussion. All of those who wish to vote for the adoption of resolution number three indicate by saying I. I. Any opposed? Motion passes. Agenda item number four, a resolution authorizing the city collector to destroy outdated records.

Whereas ACA 1459114 permits a municipality to destroy certain accounting records which are at least four years old and have been subject to audit. And whereas the city collector's office has identified many such records in her office which meet the criteria for destruction and desires to dispose of the documents. And whereas no good reason exists to continue to maintain these records and the city collector should be authorized to destroy them. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Pine, Arkansas, the collector is authorized to destroy the following records which are more than four years old and have been subject to audit audit receipts, deposit slips, receipt listing, monthly reports, payroll records, budget documents and bids, quotes, and related documentation created prior to January 1, 2019 which have been maintained by the city collector's office. The destruction of these documents shall be witnessed by a representative of the mayor's office, the city collector, and a member of the council's Ways and Means Committee, who shall each sign a sworn declaration as witnesses of the destruction.

Move for adoption. Second.

It's been moved and seconded that item number four be adopted. Any discussion? With no discussion, all of those who wish to vote for item number four, uh, indicate by saying I. I. Any opposed? Motion passes. Okay. So, next we will read the announcements for this week. The first announcement live at 5 featuring Cilea Marcellet on Friday, March 6 at the Arts and Science Center. Siltha Marcellet is a southeast Arkansas based songwriter, musician, and performer with a southern and soulful rap sound. She has performed across the United States and is based in southeast Arkansas. Come join us for fun and live entertainment. Announcement number two, join us for the community peace walk on March 7th from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m. at Rose Hill Baptist Church, 2121 West 26th Avenue, Pineluff, Arkansas. This gathering is dedicated to promoting unity, healing, and hope throughout our community. For more information, please contact Reverend Kevin Crumpton, Senior, at 870-510386. And in the event of inclement weather, this event will be rescheduled. Um March uh item number three, March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of women past and present. Join us for the fourth annual Hidden Figures of Pine Bluff. Women's History Month celebration as we honor 11 outstanding local women

across various categories. Nominate a deserving woman today at https colon slashtinyurl.comhiddenfigurespb. The celebration will take place on March 28th at the Pineluff Convention Center. Save the date. Item number four. Join us for the 2026 state of the city address and hear the latest on Pine Bluff's growth and what's ahead. I will share key updates on the progress and vision shaping our city. The address the address will take place on March 31st, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the Pineluff Convention Center. Waste Management Contract Transition Cart Retrieval Update. The city's 30-year contract with Waste Management ended in October of last year. The contract previously served approximately uh 13,500 households in Pineluff, and Waste Management did make an effort to retrieve all of the carts. However, approximately 1,000 company-owned carts remain with residents. Prior to Thanksgiving, the mayor's office began coordinating with Waste Management to complete pickup. We recently learned this was a similar issue in Springdale where households were similarly impacted after the waste management contract expired. The city is asking residents who still have Waste Management cards to contact the mayor's office so we can compile a list. We are compiling that list and we've been um making this announcement for a little over about a month and a half and we will be this month actually picking up the cards. We're finalizing the agreement with Waste Management on how that will be

done and we will continue to uh utilize this platform as well as our uh social media page, website and the press to provide more information once it's available. Um, residents should provide their addresses and contact information so we can coordinate the pickup. For questions, residents may call 870-7302000 extension 7. Our priority is protecting the city's interest and ensuring an orderly transition for residents.

Sorry, the state of the city address is on Tuesday, March 31st, 6 p.m. at the convention center. And that flyer is being finalized, so all members of the council will get that soon as well. Um, okay. So, the last thing we have on the agenda is the public comments um after we adjourn. So, I will uh entertain a motion to adjurnn. So, move to adjourn.

It's been moved and seconded. And without objection, we'll be adjourned. And now we will hear from Mr. Kevin Harris who will speak on a non-aggenda item and he will speak on the topic of the Memorial Garden Park. Hi Mr. Harris. Good evening everyone. Good evening.

Uh I'm coming to you tonight speaking to you on behalf of the Rotary Club of West Pine Bluff. I'm serving as president and I wanted to talk with you tonight about our service project that we're going to be doing this spring. If I may come forward, I bring your hand out. That'll answer a lot of questions. Is that raining? That's got it a lot of your questions will consist of peace in the memorial. You can see some details about the general information is focused on peace. They'll have the rotary um emblem and so forth on that pole as as well as uh May peace prevail on earth will be spelled out in multiple languages. Uh we have the funds to purchase the poll and I've already looked at some sites in the memorial garden park. Uh it's focused on u peace as you heard somebody talk about

the church talking about a peace wall. We want to install a peace poll and when we do that we will to have a public uh ceremony and celebration where you would be of course invited and you can see the details. You can go to a website to learn more about uh there there are number of peace poles that have been uh installed uh internationally uh and throughout the US. The closest one that's been installed here is in uh Dallas County for ice. They installed one there about two years ago. Um, we're looking at the time frame of April or May is when we would like to do it. Again, there's no cost to uh the city. We just need your approval. And you can see a picture uh that I uh have there what the poll will look like. And um at this time, I'll I'll entertain any questions you may have.

Council member uh Frasier. put in the memorial. We're just one one. We're just planning on putting one. Do you know which particular spot over there? Uh I've looked at two areas, but I'll be getting input from from our members as well as uh local leadership to make sure we want in an ideal location where it can be very visible, right? That's what we want to do. Okay. Hopefully the first of May. Hopefully the first of May. Yes, Council Mocket.

No, Council Member Lockett. Sorry to do something. Mo, most definitely. You know how I operate. It'll be done with a a grade level A++. Any further discussion any further questions and you all will be invited and we'll hear more about this ahead of time. Great. Council member Brown speaking with legal council said that I don't think it's a problem but we just I guess at our next meeting what we'll do is have something official drawn up and so we'll just approve I don't think anyone up here has a problem with it. Okay.

Um just to have it officially approved through the council. We'll have something at the next meeting but I think go ahead and do what you're doing. Okay. Whatever Sounds good. Yeah, we're just going to have a resolution just to make it official on our end. Sure. Absolutely. Okay, I think with that Thank you so much. Thank you. We've already journed. Thank you all so much for coming out tonight.