City Council - Regular Meeting

I'm going to go ahead and start a public hearing. This is a public hearing regarding the abandonment of 15-foot alleyway located between 1810 Henry Street and 1812 Henry Street, located on the plot of David Cliff, as requested by David Cliff. Is there anyone in the audience or council that would like to speak in this public hearing regarding that? I don't see any, so that concludes the public hearing, and we'll start our meeting here in two minutes. Thank you. Good evening, everybody. It is 5.30, and we'll go ahead and start City of Jonesboro City Council meeting this evening. I'll go ahead and call it to order, and let us go ahead and rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, and then Councilman Porter will leave us in invocation.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands,

with liberty and justice for all.

Please pray with me. Our Father in heaven, we thank you for the gift of life, for we know that every good and perfect gift is from you. We ask you to give us wisdom and understanding as we attend to the people's business. Please help us to act justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with you. This we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Council, if you would, please go ahead and mark your ballot for presence. And we do have a quorum for this evening's meeting. Next, we'll move on to item number four, and this is items on special presentation. And before you counsel, we do have a presentation this evening by a group of individuals from the NEA Children's Museum Project. Ms. Jordan, are you gonna discuss, or do you wanna make the introduction of those that are with you in the room?

Just go ahead. My name is Jordan Carlo and I'm the president of the Northeast Arkansas Children's Museum. Our mission is to inspire imagination, encourage exploration and foster lifelong learning in the children of Northeast Arkansas. Our goal is to create a dedicated Children's Museum with exhibits that allow children to experience the themes and interests that they see in our community every day. Our goal for this presentation is to report on our project updates, present our museum renderings, outline our financial plan, outline our timeline, request the city's partnership, mitigate any anticipated concerns, and then we will answer some questions. We were awarded a grant through Arkansas Tourism that was matched by the City of Jonesboro and the AMP Commission that helped us get our feasibility study. And within that study, we learned that we had an anticipated amount of 77,000 visitors annually, which is only going to increase with the opening of the Sportsplex. With the help of Jonesboro Unlimited, we were able to get our museum exhibits, the site plan, and everything completed by our museum exhibitor, Roto. In 2025, we had our inaugural Night at the Museum fundraiser, where we raised $40,000 just from the community, and we are currently planning our 2026 fundraiser and our capital campaign launch, and we are working with Kyle Cook at Brackett & Crenrich to help design our facility. Some of our exhibit renderings, you'll see our health and wellness. Below you'll see our Arkansas agriculture, the little wonders for our toddlers, factories, a theater, a grocery and cafe, and a veterinary clinic. You'll see our nature expired exhibits in our mini Mississippi, our woods and wetlands, our windy wonders, and the bottom left is gonna be our low sensory exhibit. This project is estimated to cost about $10 to $12 million, with our exhibits being 40% of this cost, and our final costs are dependent on the land, parking, and if we're able to build up or out. Our long-term low-interest financing is being explored through CDFIs, access to the public sector, financing through the facilities board. and we have already have five years of debt service secured by two partners that will be named at a later date. Our capital campaign and sponsorship will have tiered giving opportunities. Our corporate sponsors for exhibits will be offered a 10-year payout timeline, and all raised capital will go towards our debt service for early payoff. Once 50% is secured, we will submit our match grants through philanthropic state and federal funders, and our operational fees will fund 60%, and 40% or less will be supplemented by donations, fundraising, and grants. If we're able to secure our location quickly, we can then move on to our pro forma and business plan, secure our long-term financing, we'll have a soft launch for our capital campaign, and hopefully break ground in the fall of 2027 with a grand opening in the fall of 2028. So how can the city of Jonesboro help? We're asking the city of Jonesboro to offer 215 West Monroe, which is the location of Winter Wonderland, to the Children's Museum. We're requesting a donation or a long term land lease, ideally solidifying this agreement for the fall of 2026 in order to maintain this proposed timeline. This partnership from the city will allow us to move forward in our project, be located in downtown as desired, and divert valuable funding from land and parking costs to our construction. We think this is the best option because it will be easy for families to enjoy all of downtown during one museum visit. It's a great opportunity to collaborate with community events and festivals. One of the goals that is outlined in the strategic plan is to encourage families to visit downtown. and this is going to directly impact that goal. This project will have an economic impact on small local businesses and restaurants in downtown, and this project will increase the use of this huge city asset from two months out of a year to 12 months out of the year. So with an ask this big and a project this large, we know there's gonna be some concerns. So what is gonna happen to Winter Wonderland if city council donates or leases this land? We do plan to incorporate the current operations of Winter Wonderland into our museum's operations every year at no cost to the community. And what will happen to 215 Monroe if the museum is unable to raise the funding and build the museum in an agreement with the city? Regarding the land lease or donation, we will propose a clause that if this museum does not get built, the city can regain full ownership of their property. And we will not move forward with demolition or construction unless an agreed upon certain percentage of funds is raised prior to building and construction. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you for listening. And if you have any questions, you can ask me now. And I have Heather, who is also our, or Heather Clark, who is our project manager and grant writer. And Kyle Cook is our architect. So if you have any questions, we'll take them now.

First of all, thank you very much for your time and presentation. This has been going on, what, almost, what, two years now?

About two years, yes, sir.

Yeah, two years. And I know y'all have done a lot of due diligence within the community, but I also feel it's important that that be recognized, your efforts as well. So, council, I'll open it up for any questions council might have of the group. Do we have any questions by council or concerns?

Anyone in the audience?

Yes, sir, councilman.

Thank you. Good presentation. I was looking at the financial plan, and so where are you actually on some of these capital? Is it starting? Have you started?

We've had some premature conversations, but we did not want to formally take any capital donations until we have secured a site.

Got you. And Councilman, this over two years ago, we were able to assist with a grant to initiate the program so they could do the citywide study on the enhancement of what a museum for children would do and implement in our community. And so then they have moved forward with their ask to different locations throughout the city of Jonesboro. So anyhow, I think it's a very viable opportunity, but nonetheless, that decision's left up to council and I appreciate y'all presenting that tonight.

Okay, thank you so much for your time.

Mayor, I have a question too. So if this is something that the city believes is viable and a good option, what are the steps to get it in front of council so we can actually

make a decision resolution we can draft a resolution and Kyle's done some work on the building I know that there were some concerns on the building structure to Kyle can you kind of talk about any of those concerns initially that we had on the on the structure itself the current condition and obviously the the status moving forward if the funds were to be able to be raised for that

Okay, are you talking about the existing Winter Wonderland building?

Correct, yes, sir.

Right, so we've done some, we worked on some design work for the city of Jonesboro for some renovation of that facility. The problem with the facility of that age, there's a lot of structural issues that you have to take care of, and so it makes a lot of sense to raise the building and use it for an opportunity like this, The renovation of a building like that, there's just a lot of structural costs that go into renovating a building like that. So we experienced a lot of that during the design process. So I think making use of the land and raising the building would be a good idea.

And I think, Councilman, too, you bring up a good point. I would like to go ahead and obviously allow time for you, Council, to have questions. I mean, this was just presented to you tonight. So I want you to have questions. I think it's key, a lease opportunity versus a purchase or giving the property to them. It'd be a lease opportunity. So what would your priorities be? And if you would go ahead and email then the office about that and questions you might have, then we can move forward with another presentation on how that would proceed. Councilman.

Mayor. Yes. Only question. I can't remember. I knew we, at one point we allocated some money and study, turn it into an event center and such. And we kind of scrapped that plan at one time. What was the status of what kind of reallocated that money already? Or what was the status? Has that been a year or two?

Yeah, that was two years. And if you're talking about the funding for that, yeah, that was never. We didn't move forward with that funding on that, on the study. I think if we're talking about the same.

Yeah, it was a year or two ago. I remember we were going to kind of do like an event center thing.

At that location?

Yes, sir.

Yes, at that location. That's correct. That's correct. But after Kyle had done the analysis on that, the feasibility of that was not a good one. Yeah. Yeah, it was not positive. Craig, you got anything to add to that that you remember? OK. All right. We all thank you very much for your presentation and your time. And we'll move forward. I look forward to the questions from council. And then we can address that. And we'll get together with your team as well. But I know a lot of hard work's gone into this. And we're here to listen and serve the community. So thank you very much. You bet. Brian, are you in the chamber? Where's Brian? Let's see.

Just a minute.

Just a minute, council. I do have a special presentation I'd like to make. We'll go ahead and move forward with the agenda, though. And then when Brian gets here, I'll regress back. So we'll move forward with item number five. This is items on the consent agenda.

I'm going to adopt.

Second. I do have a motion on the floor to adopt the items on the consent agenda. If you would, please go ahead and cast your ballot. And the consent agenda does carry. So now we'll move on to item number six. And these are items on new business. First ordinance is ordinance 26023.

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

We have motion and second on the floor. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?

An ordinance regarding the abandonment of a 15-foot alley between 1810 Henry Street and 1812 Henry Street as requested by David Cliff.

Any discussion by council or questions? Anyone in council chambers? I don't see any, so that item will now move on to its second reading. Next, we'll move on to ordinance 26024.

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

Do we have a motion on the floor or on favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed?

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

Any discussion by council? Anyone in council chambers? I don't see any, so now that item, that ordinance will move on to the second reading. Now we'll move on to ordinance 26026.

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

Do we have a motion and a second on the floor? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?

An ordinance for a private club permit for Encouraging Advancement Incorporated doing business as Blazing Buffalo Sports Grill Incorporated to be located at 3310 Southwest Drive, Suite 7, Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Any discussion or questions by council? Anyone in council chamber? Yes, sir. If you would, please come forward. State your name and address.

James Elwood Hines, 508 Ridgecrest. May not surprise you to know I am here to speak against this ordinance. We don't need a lot of liquor up and down Southwest Drive. And since this is just first reading, that's all I'm going to say on it for right now.

Thank you, Mr. Hines. Anyone else? Anyone else? I don't see any. So we'll move on then to the next ordinance. That'll go on to the second reading. Ordinance 26027.

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

Motion on the floor. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?

An ordinance for a product club permit for Mataji LLC, doing business as My Place Hotel, Jonesboro, Arkansas, to be located at 2905 Gilmore Drive, Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Any discussion by council? Anyone in council chambers? Yes, sir. If you would, please come forward. State your name and address.

James Owen Hines, 508 Ridgecrest, Jonesboro, Arkansas. I am also opposed to this one, and I'll have more to say at future readings.

Thank you for your comments. All right, now council, we'll move on to item number seven. These are items unfinished business. These are ordinances on the second reading. The first ordinance is ordinance 26020.

An ordinance amending appendix seven of the stormwater drainage design manual.

Any questions by council? Anyone in council chambers? Anyone in council chambers? I don't see any, so that ordinance will now move on to the third reading. Now we'll move on to ordinance 26022.

An ordinance to amend Chapter 117, Article 3, known as the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, providing for a change in zoning boundaries from C3, General Commercial District, to RM12, LUO, Multifamily Residential District, with a limited-use overlay for property located at 2038 North Church Street, Jonesboro, Arkansas, as requested by NKN Sons Investment.

Any discussion or questions by council? I don't see any. Anyone in council chambers? I don't see any, so that item will move on to its next reading. Now we'll move on to ordinance 26025.

An ordinance to amend chapter 117 known as the zoning ordinance providing for changes in zoning boundaries from R1 to C3LUO for property located at 1400 Southern Ridge Boulevard as requested by Fisher Arnold.

Any discussion by council? Anyone in council chambers? I don't see any, so now that ordinance will move on to its third reading. Now we'll move on to ordinances on the third reading. The first one is ordinance 26017.

Ordinance modifying ordinance 24037, which established and consolidated special traffic patterns near Jonesboro Public School campuses.

Any discussion by council or questions? Move to adopt.

Second.

We do have a motion on the floor to adopt. Already called for questions. Any questions? Anyone in council chambers? I don't see any. Council, if you would please cast your ballot. And that ordinance does carry. So now we'll move on to ordinance 26019.

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

Move to adopt. Second. You have a motion and a second to adopt. Any questions by council? I don't see any. Anyone in council chambers? I don't see any as well. If you would, please go ahead and cast your ballot on that item. That ordinance does carry. Now we'll move on to Ordinance 26021.

An ordinance to amend Chapter 117, Article 3, known as the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Johnsboro, Arkansas, providing for changes in zoning boundaries from R3 to C3 for property located at 2911 Browns Lane.

Move to adopt.

Second. We have a motion and a second on the floor to adopt. Any questions by council? Anyone in the council chambers? See any? If you would, please go ahead and cast your ballot, council. And that ordinance does carry. Now we'll move on to items that have been held in council and this is ordinance 26018.

An ordinance to amend chapter 117 known as the zoning ordinance providing for changes in zoning boundaries from R1 to PD plan development for property located at 1004 North Carraway Road as requested by David Tapp.

Mr. Mayor, was that the third reading for that? I'll make a motion to adopt. Second.

Okay, we do have a motion, yes, sir, to adopt. Third reading on this. Any questions by council? Anyone in council chambers? Anyone in council chambers? I don't see anyone, so if you would, please cast your ballot, council. So, Council, I appreciate your time. I wanted to get this to you tonight. I think it's imperative that we do so. You don't get this opportunity very often to recognize and pay special attention to one of your own city employees, one of your own city department police officers. And last week, several weeks ago, as a matter of fact, we had a resident that went above and beyond call of duty. On July 10th at 918, this officer responded to a call at 906 Carraway Road in reference to a citizen who was choking. Upon arrival, officer located a female who was choking on food in a bad way. Officer administrated the Heimlich maneuver, causing the article to dislodge and allowing the citizen to regain respirations. In other words, he saved her life. This officer's action during this incident embodies the professionalism and service to the community that all of our officers do. But it is my honor this evening to recognize this gentleman's heroic actions with prestigious Lifesaver Award for the city of Jonesboro. I think more importantly, He did it in a humble way. He didn't talk about it. He didn't let people know. But people find out good deeds when people do good deeds. So Chief Elliott, would you please come forward to accept this Lifesaver Award?

He didn't know.

Just a bit of a surprise.

All right, now we'll move on to item number eight, the mayor's notes. So since last city council meeting, our public works crew have continued making great progress throughout the city. Over the past two weeks alone, they've repaired 75 potholes, while also completing bridge repairs, drainage improvements, street sweeping, mowing operations, and preparing additional streets for future overlays, and have been touching up paint on sidewalks and street lines around our schools. As we're all aware, our schools will be probably in operation here in the next week and a half to two weeks. So, uh, please, uh, take note of that community. And I appreciate the hard work of these employees put in every day to maintain the infrastructure our residents rely on. And here just recently, um, council, you might not all be aware, but, uh, as a Friday afternoon and all day Monday, We did not have any air conditioning in the municipal building. My office was 94 degrees at seven o'clock on Monday morning. So when it was 77 outside. So I appreciate Ronnie Shaver and his staff working tirelessly through the weekend. So we were able to have a functional facility today. You don't appreciate it until it's gone. So I appreciate those that work behind the scene. So with most schools starting back in the next two weeks, I want to again remind everyone of the parents. They're going to be learning school traffic patterns, students walking to and from school, and as always, the number one thing you can do, contribute to safer streets, is to put down your phone and reduce distractions on the road. Speaking of being safe, I want to thank our Proud crew at the Jonesboro Fire Department for working through the heat of July, which involved responding to more than 1,000 emergency incidents. So when you see one of our firefighters, please tell them you appreciate their service. They need our continued support. Same goes for police, animal services, and 911 staff. These are all tough jobs, and they require big hearts and a love of service. I was excited to attend the opening ceremonies of the new Best Buy on Careway Road. Not only is it nice to see yet another business come back to Jonesboro after the 2020 tornado, but we continue to see reinvestment in the core part of Jonesboro. And many of the employees, some of which were employed by the store six years ago, and now we're seeing revitalization of parents working there along with their children in our community. So it's kind of neat to see. This Thursday at 6 p.m., Keep Jonesboro Beautiful is hosting a planned Jonesboro public input session. This is a great opportunity to make sure your voice is included on how we shape Jonesboro's future from both an infrastructure and a visual appearance. Thank you to Beverly Parker and the whole Keep Jonesboro Beautiful team for hosting this event. Again, 6 p.m. this coming Thursday at Lost Pizza. Next week, there are several very important events that we should all be proud of and excited about. to see coming to realization. August 11th will be a very, very busy day in the city of Jonesboro. Starting the festivities will be a groundbreaking of the new Arkansas State University Crest Center, which, by the way, we are postponing that, I believe. And so we'll move on then to the 930, the newest industrial partner, Innovation, will hold their groundbreaking. Then we're also going to move to Arkansas State University at 11 a.m. for the brand-new College of Veterinary and Medicine opening up as well. Then later that day at 4.30, RDOT will be hosting a public input meeting at Allen Park regarding the future direct connector route to Osceola. Council, there will also be a public officials input session from 3 to 4 p.m. that afternoon. That's the end of my comments, so next we'll move on to city council comments.

Mr. Street. August is National Shooting Sports Month, so get your trap gun and go out and exercise the range. Give them some business. That's all I've got.

All right, thank you. Councilman, Jim, we also did have some shooting sports individuals go to the Nat World, didn't we? Competition? Yes, sir. OK. I think they were successful somewhat. It's awesome. It's awesome. OK, thank you.

Mr. Miller?

No, thank you.

Mr. Bryant? No, thank you. Mr. Hafner?

Yeah, just one thing real quick. The mayor's asked me to call a special meeting of the finance committee, and I think he wants the public safety committee there also for Thursday at 4 o'clock to just have a public discussion about the shelter building, shelter insurance building. No votes or anything will be taken. It'll just be discussion. So I guess I'll be sending you an email April.

Okay.

Thank you. That's all. Thank you, Councilman. Yeah, this Thursday. This Thursday, correct.

Dr. Anthony Coleman.

Yes, I just want to reiterate school starting back soon, and I appreciate that, Mayor. I'm excited that I'm a new teacher here in Jonesboro, actually. So they pulled me from retirement, and so I'm grateful for that, teaching math in Nettleton. So I need all the prayers you can send. But, yeah, so we just want to thank all the teachers and administrators, staff. It's so many things and so many people involved with educating our children. And so I want to appreciate all of them and just praise for a great year this coming year. Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr. McClain. No, thank you. Ms. Williams. No, thank you. Mr. Moore. No, ma'am. Dr. Charles Coleman. No, ma'am. Mr. Emerson.

Nothing at this time.

Thank you. Ms. Porter. No, thank you. Thank you.

All right, council, thank you very much. Next, we'll move on to item 10. These are public comments. We will accept three individuals. You have up to five minutes to speak at public comments. If we have anybody who would like to speak. I don't see any, so we'll move on to item 11. That's adjournment. So moved. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed?