City Council - Regular Meeting

nomber 2nd of 2025. The October 2025 reports was was received on January 14th of 2025, which is well past the budget season. November 2025 reports were received January 5th of 2025 and then the December 2025 reports were received in partial on uh the 5th of January of 2025 and the 9th of January of 2025 again which are well well beyond um budget season. So, I did have to wait to receive uh the uh that packet that you guys have that showed that 402,000 I received that on December 22nd of 2025.

Was there Council Member Frasier? Do you have a question? I apologize, Mayor. Um was there a reason given why it was too I know sometimes bills are like 30 days behind, but two months. No, I'm speaking of my reports. Oh, your reports. Reports. report and something um I reached out to other department heads about their reports and what I found is that um they received the budget what is it budget to performance report. I also receive a income report and a balance sheet report.

So when I receive it it's two months behind in between that time I've spent money has been spent. Mhm. So that balance does me no good at that time when I receive it. Now I do keep a spreadsheet myself. Um or I could go in and tabulate it up myself, but I never come out with the total that eventually comes out when I get the report. So um I had to stop doing that because I was kind of running myself ragged a little bit with numbers and doing it that way. Um I'm going speed it up a little bit. Uh the next item,

Director Griffin, you have several minutes over and we have one other person who wants to speak and then I had a few questions. Well, I was speaking on three three of the uh Yeah, I had ordinance one, resolution five, and resolution seven.

So, I I hope that gives me just a little bit more time. There was one thing that was request, let me just respond to that. The ordinance is just entering into the first reading and we're not doing commentary on that in particular. And then we had two resolutions. So if you're saying 3 minutes for each item, which is really not what we do, but um have we've gone over six minutes? Okay. So we've gone over six minutes. Um and we do have one other person to speak and we haven't started the meeting yet. So, um my my questions um to you will be pretty simple. Um I will bring up what was already brought up because you mentioned that you were going through terrible stress and I hate that for you. um as a result of the um time lapse between December and today and the payment of invoices. um at the December development and planning meeting, I believe that you presented a budget and um made uh the case that you needed the money from the 860 um to pay your bills, that you only had $14,000 to pay your bills. Mhm.

And at that time um on that day I actually had asked the director how much money you all had in the bank cuz you mentioned you have one bank account and that you get reports every month. Um so if you have one bank account and you get reports every month and you get those reports which includes the amount that you have in the bank as well as any reserve. My question is why over the months prior to December were those funds not moved as they were in January so that you could pay those bills as you did uh in January. I think you pay $300 and some odd which is why you have a $400,000 balance instead of an almost $800,000 balance. So why did all those months go by when you had that money um and any money in reserves would have to be put in reserve by your board? So can you share with us why that money wasn't spent and why you came to a meeting saying that you only had $14,000 when in fact you had almost $800,000. The 14,000 was in reference to the budget line item on the budget performance report. Um, after I was made aware that same day that you're speaking of, I did send a memo to the finance department to make that 800 that 789,000 uh odd dollars available. I was then told that it would not be that amount that there were outstanding checks so on and so forth. So, the report that I actually uh received that you guys have a hope that you have in your possession, I received that on December 22nd. So,

that's how long I had to wait to receive that information as far as what that actual balance was because I was told that the 789 would not be available because that was not the amount because of the outstanding checks and the payroll. So once I received it, that's when I moved forward with a budget. Um, now it's that request was made. Uh, for some reason, I don't know who made um the decision, but only $400,000 of that money was made available, and that was strictly to pay those two invoices that totaled the 335. I was ne it was never that amount the full amount was never made available in New World to be spent. And then we have to remember that if I'm not mistaken the clerk's office stopped doing checks roughly the what was it the 17th 14th somewhere along in there. So and that's for end of the year if I'm not mistaken so they can close out their department. So there was no way to pay anything. So, I had to wait until January and I had to wait to get this amount, have my board approve that amount within a budget to make it available within New World. Now, when we speak of the reserve amount, the only amount that Urban Renewal put in reserve was $290,000. Urban Renewal received a check from the state of Arkansas insurance department for the insurance claim for the theft of uh funds from Urban Renewal. We came and presented that check. When we received it, myself and Mr. Chairman Deal the $300,000. My board allocated $10,000 to Wilson Associates to try to recruit recoup the restitution that the person

found guilty. well uh of the of the theft um to try to recoup some of those funds. The 290 was put in reserve for the simple fact that we wanted to show the public that once we started collecting monies from the restitution to make that amount whole back to that 668,000 that was that was uh stolen from over urban renewals account. So, so that's the only So, that's the 290 that was put in reserve. That's the only amount that was put in reserve.

So, Director Griffin, what I'm hearing is that in 2024, your board made a decision to put $290,000 in a bank account. So, not in a bank account. It was a line item within

a line item within a bank account. So, in a bank account in the line item, but the bottom line is you had $290,000 in reserve. So, you did know that you had at least $290,000. And I mean, that's what you just said. And the other point that I would really make and I guess it's not really a question because you kind of spoke to this at the December meeting is not only you knew or didn't know which was problematic either way that you had $790,000 um available even if it had to be moved. It was money within the um access to the urban renewal agency, but yet you came to a committee meeting and said you couldn't pay your bills, that you only had $14,000 when in fact you knew you had at least $290 because you knew that in 2024 you put that in there. On top of the fact that there's a constant um narrative that you get reports late, the director of finance, and I've sent this to council members for you to refer to as we um move forward to discuss the ordinance in uh future meetings. uh those reports are sent in the middle of the month for the previous month for the for two months prior or really a month and a half prior which ends at the end of the month. So if there are act if there is activity that happens in January, the statement isn't going to come out till February and then whatever process it goes

through for for uh our system, you get that a month and a half a month later from the director. But the the fact is that you have always been able to have access to New World if you would learn how to use it. You were director I mean I'm sorry before you were director for you for some time you were secretary and you came to a meeting in December and said you didn't know how to use it and that and then the director for finance said I was available to you. we set a date for you to come and you didn't have your password. All of that to me is disturbing. That to me is more disturbing because if you have had money available to your through your board in for 2021, just the ones I've seen from October 2021 to December in every report you get, it has a fund balance for account line item 2,800 months later. It didn't matter when you received it. The bottom line is you received it for several years. There was a balance when you put the 290 in there in September of 2024. So to come in 2025 of December and say you don't have any money is at least disingenuous. And that is my comment. I'm not asking a question and you're over your time and I will hear from Miss Tiki Hunt. Thank you.

So I don't get a chance to address what was said. You did. No, what you just said. It wasn't a question. I don't I don't get a chance to respond. Go ahead and respond.

Okay. the 2025. I sent multiple emails to the finance department to ask what was the cash on hand. Mr. D, chairman Deal also chimed in on that email for that balance. We received a p a report in March of 2025 for December of 2024. The budget made accessible to urban renewal was $1,460,000. I asked the finance director in your office, was that a separate amount or was it encompassed within that 1.46? I was told it was within that 1.46. And all of that money was budgeted for 2025. It was 1.3 in the renewal projects would have roughly would have been for the go-kart track. The remainder amount was for admin. So to me that there was no 290 anymore because it was all encompassed within that 1.4 before that was made available

director and we sat in your office with Miss um Devers Miss Devers and I and I didn't have any document I didn't have anything with me because we had been playing back and forth as far as meeting up to actually go through this and see what the amounts were so I so that I can get some clarification on some questions that I had. I just happened to stop by the office and we ended up having that meeting and she told me that amount was included within that 1.46 directly and that was all the monies that urban renewal had.

You said that several times my and you didn't answer my question. The bottom line is you get a statement as executive director for your board from the finance director every month whether it's whether it's from two months ago or it's from this month. Mhm. The information is correct. If it says that you have a balance and you know you have at least $290,000 in reserve, but I didn't. It's on that and we we went over this. It's on that sheet and I'm and this is not the the forum to argue. Thank you for your response, Miss Hunt.

I just have I just have one question before we move on to the next person. Just one. Uh this is for

council member. This is for uh the finance director and and correct me if I'm wrong. We can budget. We could pass legislation here and say we're budgeting. We're doing the budget for the year, but until that information is in the system, not a penny can be be paid for. I know because we have we've had had issues when I was over at transit. We've had issues before where if it's not in the system, new world system, we could pass it here, but if it's not in that system, we can't pay for nothing. and council member

and and what and and she said that when she went to go pay this bill because this is all the other stuff I'm listening to but I'm still a little concerned about the fact that we're trying to pay bills and we can't even pay it because it's not the the budget is not in the system. The budget is in the system. The budget was in the system all 2025. And I think that you're confusing things. No, I'm focusing on one invoice. Talking about these invoices that she have here. This is what she just brought up for us to Right. And this is 2026,

right? But you all said that the budget was passed. So when she went to go pay the bills. No, there No, there wasn't a budget passed. There wasn't a budget passed for 2026. Okay. Can I Can I say something? Council member Mays. Okay. If you would, M. Griffin, ask the bankers to send you out up to us to come on them sitting back and they sending you up here. You know, we're not you talking about three or $400,000 and they sending you out here like that. Send tell them to come. Just to just to clarify, Council Member Mazize, um, Director Griffin is here on behalf of the Urban Renewal Agency, not the bank.

And we'll go ahead. Thank you. Are those bills from last year? Some of them are. Yes. That's my concern. If you if we had a budget for 2025 for urban renewal and bills are not getting paid, but yet we say things are not being done. How can things get done if every every time we turn around there's a stalled tactic? There's something.

There is no stall tactic. The money the money was in the account. And I don't know why you're ignoring that fact that in 2025 in 2025 there was a budget and in 2025 there was money in reserve of almost $800,000 and you are curiously not recognizing that or speaking to that. So before you get to 202 she said those bills was from last some of those bills from last year.

Okay, we're going to stop this arguing. We're not going to go back and forth. I sent you information. Thank you, Director Griffin. Miss Hunt, thank you so much. You can come to the podium. Good afternoon. I have a few questions regarding I know if resolution 7 passes, that would make ordinance 4, which has to have three readings, null and void. And so I have some questions. And if you Well, just to clarify, it wouldn't nullify it. It would not. Okay. Because it would still it have three readings and it would be voted on in two more meetings. The resolution.

So then if that passed, that would nullify the resolution today. So does the resolution have to have three readings or only the ordinance? Only the ordinance. So the resolution is to is expressing ongoing support. Correct.

So that does Okay. All right. So my questions which I don't expect answered today because you do have two more readings. I just want you to note them down and answer when you can. So in on line 16 and 17 of the proposed ordinance, it said that the duties performed under urban renewal can be efficiently distributed among existing city departments. And in reading through the document, the only city department that I see noted is the Palmlup economic development. So first question is what other city departments would they be distributed to? Um the second thing, are you dealing with the ordinance or looking at the ordinance?

So we'll deal with the ordinance after the third reading. So today we're dealing with the resolutions, right? So I have questions that I just want the questions out there. So then when you all are studying considering and I was asking for them to be answered today. Okay, hold on just a second. Council member, well, I guess for the city attorney, I know that we're still in the reading stage, but since it is on the agenda, can't citizens still speak about it and ask questions. You said yes. Okay, we can. She can speak to it, right? She can inquire or ask questions. And she said, but I'm not expecting them answered today.

Okay. Okay. All right. So, that's the first question. The other one there on second page, line 15, it talks about some duties that will be transferred to a newly position created within PML Economic and Community Development. What would that position be? Is there someone in the office that you're already looking at? Um, those were basically my questions and I did read the history of it. Originally passed in 1961 and then revived by resolution in 2017. I guess my only other question was the the tiein is the big problem since it's been here for so long and then reactivated. Where did the tiein would go forward come from um with all that? Cuz I saw about the matching funds for the go cart track and all that when initially when it was developed it was to get rid of blight.

So are you speaking to the resolution now? The ordinance. Okay.

Yeah. And so that's all um that's all the questions that I had. So um and and since you're here, what I would say is because um the focus of this is to begin a uh transfer and transition process. The position would be in economic development, but the uh Simmons Bank Park, Sixth in Maine, would be overseen by parks. And so that's why the reference is to one or more departments. As far as the position itself, it was uh created last year and it is and is [music] a part of economic development. And the purpose for that uh creating that position was to um be able to house uh Director Griffin's position in economic development uh really to save money from the uh property and agency costs that would not the city would not have to absorb if that position would ha was housed in economic development. So that's the aim is to be more efficient to save money and the only other duty that is mentioned in that job description is to work with the city on the creation of a land bank.

Okay. Thank you very much. Sure. Thanks.

Well, we are about to hear from Chief Davis. No. Yeah. So, so um I know that uh earlier we were talking about you speaking on the measure um that you're interested in passing later on uh during the report, but Council Member Brown requested that you go ahead and come now. So, thank you so much.

Okay. Uh good evening, mayor and uh city council. Uh I'm speaking in reference to ordinance number one, and I know it's been introduced before and I was standing before the council to uh pretty much state where it originated from. Um, I brought this to light during my interview uh for for Chief, my first interview when I spoke with the interview panel and uh the mayor and it was an idea that I felt would work for me if I was chief. Now, I had thought about this idea prior probably when I was a lieutenant. start looking at the structure of the uh admin and with the deputy chiefs and basically deputy chiefs were uh introduced over 20 years ago and just looking at the structure now I feel like that the structure with the deputy chiefs is not only outdated but it's ineffective so I was moving and gave the idea with the three assistant chiefs And I didn't heard all the why we shouldn't have, but they don't add up to why we should have it. With the assistant chief one over each division, you have more uh oversight and better supervision for your uh your patrolman, your sergeants, and your lieutenants and also your captains. You have uh an assistant chief, you have one over patrol, one over

investigations, and one over the service division, which each one of them focusing in on the division that they're over and reporting directly to the chief. So, I feel like that would uh keep the ball from being dropped in a lot of areas. And so as we have it now, you have uh two deputy chiefs, one assistant chief with an assistant chief over a division as well as over the the deputy chief and everything filters through. So I was trying to balance it out. I hear people say we topheavy. I said, well, you know, we may be topheavy and leaning, but I'm trying to balance this thing out. trying to make sure we not not tipping over. I've heard the argument about we we uh stopping people from progressing up the chain and I say to that with uh assistant chief that one person uh that may stay uh assistant chief had said he may end up staying 10 years 10 more years. So I think that would stop the progression up into the upper level administration with the uh stalling out at deputy chief. You have uh two deputy chief right now that would be leaving in probably about 3 years max. And that would allow for two more people to be promoted up into the administration of uh assistant chief. I uh feel like it's uh a more advantageous uh structure. I know that it would help me uh as far as my command and uh commanding of the department and I feel

like we'll be able to get more done. I don't know if if it's open for questions now. If you can do questions now. If so, I'm open for questions. Okay, any questions? Okay. Thank you so much.

So much chief. And before uh we start the meeting offici I know y'all don't believe we started the meeting but we have started we have not started the meeting yet. We do want to um recognize our uh fire and police chief. I know we are well into 2026, but we wanted to do something formal to recognize them um after their swearing in. And so I want to thank them for their patience. And um rather than read the long proclamation um highlighting their um experience and expertise um and commitment to service. What I wanted to do uh before we ask them to come uh with their uh command staff uh for a photo is uh just say a couple of things. Um and other council members might want to chime in. Uh already this was the last decision that I made in 2025 was the appointment of our new uh police chief and our new fire chief. And already um we are seeing for example in the uh in the police department the uh regeneration of the um violent crimes task force for this city. Uh in the fire department already we are seeing an uh emphasis on uh fire safety uh as well as uh safety and health

safety uh and cancer prevention for our firefighters. Those are conversations um that Chief Compton is having and also uh he's making an effort to look for resources. So, I'm really excited about the direction of our departments and just wanted to recognize them here at a council meeting and um point out point out um that um the future looks bright and to um thank them for their service uh and willingness to serve in these important positions. And with that I ask you if uh if no other um member here on the deis has a comment then we'll ask you to come to the stage so we can um give you your proclamations. And um I will say that at the end uh of these proclamations, we are recognizing uh today, Monday, February 2nd, as Fire Chief Randy Compton Day, as well as Police Chief Sha Davis Day. Thank you so much. [applause] Just walking. Congratulations.

Congratulations. You think I don't Okay, we will call this meeting to order and ask for Father Herman Brown of Trinity Episcopal Church to lead us in the invocation and we also want to welcome you to Pineluff. I believe you are four months four months a new resident. So, welcome. Please stand. Well, um, Lord Mayor Flowers, council men and women and members of the public, I'm excited to be here and please allow me to break protocol a little and ask you to sit uh for this for a minute. And I wish simply to say read a psalm for us and hopefully sing a song. It will be

short and then give a prayer. It's always good to recognize the power of the presence of our God. And so I will read a psalm. Psalm 15. Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? Who may abide upon your holy hill? Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right? Who speaks the truth from his heart. There is no guile upon his tongue. And he does not he does no evil to his friend. He does not heap contempt upon his neighbor. In his sight the wicked is rejected. But he who honors he honors those who fear the Lord. He has sworn to do no wrong and does not take back his word. He does not give his money in hope of gain, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things shall never be overthrown. My fellow councilmen, it is always a joy to be able to pray for you and for everyone else. But I hope that sometimes you can pray for me. And so I want to ask you and kidney baby breaching protocol. Could you please stretch your arms on the shoulder of your colleague?

Try not to hit their faces but if you could hold your hands or touch their shoulders or whatever. The idea here is for us to pray and remember never to forget to pray for each other. The prayers of the righteous, not the reverend, the prayers of the righteous availth much. Why don't you pray for me sometimes? Why don't you pray for me sometimes? Why don't you pray for me sometimes? Why don't you pray for me? You pray for me and I'll pray for you. You pray for me. And I'll pray for you. You pray for me. And I'll pray for you. Why don't you pray for me? Could you please stand now? And let us pray. Oh holy and righteous God, we give you thanks for this moment where your people assemble to discuss matters pertaining to the good of your people. Bless each heart, each spirit, each body

in this house. Be with their minds and embrace them with your love. Give them your understanding, your wisdom. Give them readiness of thought and a sense of your goodness. And we pray that their spirits and their minds might be so blended together that it might issue unto righteousness and the good of your people. We pray you will continue to bless this city. Bless our leaders. Bless those who are assembled. Enter, oh Lord, not just in their homes. entered into their minds, enter into their going places and their coming places, their places of rest and play, their places of work and leisure. We thank you that we have come together this day and that the agenda that has been put before us, you will take control. We bless you. We magnify you. We glorify your holy name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Amen.

And Miss Faith Perry with James Matthews Elementary School is going to lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Good evening. Good evening. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Thank you. eyeglass case. Is that your eyeglass case?

Your eyelasses to the right of the podium. It's not mine, but Oh, thank you.

Okay. Madame Clerk, will you please call the role? Council member Mays, here. Council member Hulcom here. Council member Brown here. Council member Lockett here. Council member Frasier here. Council member Bruntton here. Council member Denton here. Council member Fails here. Thank you. Thank you. And uh you have in your packets the minutes from January 20, 2026. I will entertain a motion. So move

to approve. Second. It's been moved and seconded to approve the minutes from January 2026. Any discussion? With no discussion, all those who wish to vote for the approval of minutes indicate by saying I. Any opposed? Motion passes. And now we will move on to the committee reporting. Council member Brown, will you please deliver your report on Ways and Means? Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Ways and Means met just before this council meeting. We did not have any items up on the agenda for this evening. That meeting was immediately adjourned. And that concludes my report.

Thank you, council member. Council member uh Hulcom, will you please deliver your report on ordinances and resolutions?

Uh yes, mayor. We have four ordinance ordinances. Uh number one is up for the second reading. Number two is up for the first reading. Number three is up for the first reading. Number four is up for the first reading. We have four resolutions. Number five, six, seven, and eight will be completed on tonight. All of you should have a resolution to be added to the agenda, which will be agenda number nine. If added to the agenda, a resolution approving the transfer of the access of the University Drive sewer project to the Pine Le wastewater utility and authorizing the mayor to execute a bill of sale and certificate of performance to complete the transfer. I move that this resolution agenda number nine be added to the agenda.

Second. It's been moved and seconded that item N item number nine be added to the agenda. Any uh any discussion? With no discussion, madame clerk, please call the vote. Council member Mays. Hi. Council member Hulcom. Hi. Council member Brown. Hi. Council member Lockett. Hi. Council member Frasier. Hi. Council member Brighton. Hi. Council member Denton. Hi. Council member Fails. Hi. Okay, thank you. That concludes ordinance and resolution. Mayor,

thank you. Council member Frasier, will you please deliver your report on economic and community development? Thank you, Mayor. No report. Thank you. Council member Denton, will you please deliver your report on public health and welfare? Madame Mayor, there is no report.

Council member Lockett, will you please deliver your report on public works? Uh, madame mayor, there I had a meeting scheduled for the last Tuesday in January, but it was snowed out. Um, but there was no business before the uh committee. So, we'll have our regular schedule meeting the last Tuesday of February at 1:00 in the old city council chambers. And that concludes my report. Madame Mayor, thank you. Mayor It's a fourth Tuesday. Council Locket. Yes, sir.

You said the last Tuesday. Yes, last Tuesday. 1:00. 1:00. 1:00. C. Council member, is there any way that that could be 2:00? There is a uniform um board meeting at 11:30 and it may extend and madame clerk might be double booked if we have it at 1:00. Oh, I see. I see. Yes, ma'am. That could be scheduled for 2:00. Perfect. Thank you so much. No problem. Okay. Council member Fels, will you please deliver your report on development and planning?

So, development and planning, we met recently. We added agenda item number four to the agenda. We did discuss agenda item number seven. Um but it was neither the committee didn't vote in favor or against it. They took no action on that agenda item. Um and then madame clerk wanted me to mention that fa um whether her office is starting a program where each council member can select youth from their award to do our pledge of allegiance. So, I don't know if that was the first one, but um she's the first one from the council.

Oh, okay. Well, Faith Perry is, you know, proudly from W three. So, um very proud of her and um thank you for that program. And uh that concludes my report. Thank you. Council member Brunson, will you please deliver your report on traffic and aviation? Thank you, Mayor. Uh traffic and aviation has not met. And that concludes my report. Council member, thank you. Council member Hulcom, will you please deliver your report on administration? Uh, no report at this time, Mayor. Thank you. And last but not least, Council Member Brown, will you please deliver your report on public safety?

Um, our next committee meeting will be on Wednesday, February the 4th, um, 1:30 in the old council chambers. Is that time? Okay.

Okay. And that concludes my report. Thank you. And now we will go to the proposed uh ordinances and resolutions. Council member Hulcom. Agenda item number one, an ordinance amending section 21-26 of the code of ordinance of the city of Pineiff, Arkansas, respecting the classification of personnel within the police department, amending the 2026 municipal budget to transfer the fund to the depos of these changes and related purposes up for the second reading. An ordinance amending section 21-26 of the code of ordinances of the city of Pimluff, Arkansas, respecting the classification of personnel within the police department amending the 2026 municipal budget to transfer funds to defay the cost of these changes and related purposes.

Pleasure. on the calendar. Agenda item number two, an ordinance amending section 2-158 of the code of ordinance of the city of Pal of Arkansas respecting purchases and competitive bidding and for related purposes up for the first reading. Whereas it is desired to increase the threshold required by the city code for purchases requiring competitive bidding to that bidding to be permitted by the Arkansas code. Now therefore be it ordained by the city council of the city of Palms of Arkansas section one section 2-158 of the code of ordinances of the city of Palms of Arkansas is amended as follows. Change the first sentence of the section to read purchases in excess of $42,920 and $21 must be competitively bid uh by advertising in a local newspaper and publication on the city's website. Section two, all ordinances of parts thereof in conflict with this ordinance are amended to the extent of the conflict. Section three, this section subsection sentences and phrases of this ordinance are to be declared are declared to be severable and should any of the four going be held unlawful, the remaining shall continue to be given full force in effect. Section four, this ordinance being of a general or permanent nature, the clerk will cause it to be published in accordance with Arkansas law. Section five, this ordinance takes effect on the 31st day after its adoption.

Places on the calendar. Agenda item number three, an ordinance amending section 2-157 of the code ordinance of the city of Palmouth, Arkansas, respecting purchases less than $35,000 and for related purposes up for the first reading. Whereas is desired to modify the procedures for the purchase of municipal supplies, equipments, materials, commodities, and services in excess of 5,000 but less than $42,921. Now therefore, we are ordained by the city council of the city of PLO, Arkansas, section 1, that section 2-157 of the court of ordinances of the city of Pelof, Arkansas is amended as follows. A repeal current subsections B and C and replace with new subsection B which provides all purchases for supplies, equipments, materials, commodities, and services where the total expenditure excluding applicable taxes is in excess of $5,000 but less than $42,921 shall be made by the shall be made by the mayor, department head, or department head after securing no less than three bids, verbal or written. The quote at a minimum shall be documented with the vendor's name, email, website, person or source of quote, description of service or produce or product for which the quote is obtained and cost or means costs will be calculated. The mayor or designate may require further information when warranted. The information will be attached to an invoice or document evidencing the purchase as used herein. Vid shall include an invoice, email confirmation, website quotation statement, or similar documentation so long as sufficiently detailed to explain the expenditure. B. Relet subsection D to subsection D. Section two, all

ordinances of parts thereof in conflict with this ordinance are amended to the extent of the conflict. Section three. The sections subsection sentences and paraphrases of this ordinance are declared to be several and should any of the forego be held unlawful, the remaining shall continue to be given full force in effect. Section four, this ordinance being of a general or permanent nature, the cler will cause it to be published in accordance with Arkansas law. Section five, this ordinance takes effect on the 31st day after it adoption.

Place on the calendar. Agenda item number four, an ordinance abolishing the urban renewal agency of the city of Pine, Arkansas, dissolving the urban renewal agency board of its commissioners and discharging the members there of further responsibility as board members providing for transfer of all assets and liabilities of the urban renewal agency to the city of Pineville and for related purposes up for the first reading. Whereas it is desired to concentrate urban renewal and revitalization efforts within the city's administrative framework and whereas the role performed by the urban renewal agency of the city of PL of Arkansas can be efficiently distributed among existing city departments with little or no interruption in the delivery of services to the residents of the city and whereas the dissolving of urban renewal agency and transfer of its operations and assets and duties to depart city departments will promote council oversight. and eliminate unnecessary duplication of services. Now therefore, be it ordained by the city council of the city of PLO, Arkansas, section one, the urban renewal agency of the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, created by resolution number 142 passed November 6th, 1961 and revived by resolution number 4041 passed August 7th, 2017 shall be abolished effective December 31st, 2026. The board of commission B the board of commiss commissioners of the urban renewal agency shall be deol dissolved and its members are discharged from any duties or obligations associated with being a member of the board effective December 31st, 2026. Until that date, the city of Pine Bluff shall extend space for the urban dual agency board to conduct its meetings. Section two, the city of Pine Bluff will allocate $66,000 to supplement the deficit to complete existing projects. Section three, prior to the effective date of the final dissolution of the urban agency, it

shall immediately transfer the following. Six and the sixth and main street project 219 Main Street property, all demolition, mechanical, recycling, receptacle and disposable equip disposal equipment and any and all motor vehicles section 4. Until such time that the res that the final dissolution is achieved, the urban renewal agency director shall update the city council of the status of the existing projects and provide a financial report. Those duties shall be transferred to a newly uh created position within the pineal economic and community development department. Section five. Upon final dissolution of the urban renewal agency, the following transfer shall take place. A. All assets of the urban renewal agency are hereby transferred and conveyed to the city of Palmouth of Arkansas B. Prior to the effective date of this ordinance, the board of commissioners and the executive director of the urban renewal agency shall execute all needed documents documents to transfer to the city of Pineof Arkansas. all right, title and interest of the urban renewal agency in any real or personal property, goods, possession, right of action or contract or asset of any nature, coate or inquake. Section six, the renewal agency shall expend only such funds as expressly authorized by the 2026 municipal budget for its routine operation and enter into or extent no contractual agreements with a term extending beyond the effective date of this ordinance. Section seven, the current activities, programs, and projects of the urban renewal agency shall come under the administration and direction of the mayor with oversight by the city council. being any existing contractual obligation of the urban renewal agency with a term extending beyond the effective date of this ordinance will either be terminated or assumed by the city of Pine Bluff. C. If the urban renewal agency is a party to any litigation, the city will substitute

itself in the litigation in the place of the urban renewal agency. Members of the board of commissioners who may be party defendants due to actions of the urban renewal agency or its board will continue to receive legal defense through the city and the Arkansas Municipal League when legal assistance is provided under league rules. Section 8. All ordinances are resolutions in conflict here with are repealed to the extent of the conflict. Section nine. The section subsections paragraphs and sentences of this ordinance are declared to be severable. Should any of the foregoing be deemed unlawful, the remaining shall continue to be given full force in effect. Section 10. This ordinance being of a general or permanent nature, the clerk will cause it to be published consistent with Arkansas law. Section 11. This ordinance takes place on the 31st day after its approval.

Place it on the calendar. Agenda item number five, a resolution repealing resolution number 4966, a resolution allocating a allocating balance of revenue generated from the 2017 58 cent sales sales and use tax. Whereas resolution number 4966 passed November 17, 2025, the c the city determined that the sum of $860,000 collected from the [music] last 2017 58 cent sales and use tax remain unallocated. And whereas in the said resolution, the council elected to allocate the funds up to $200,000 toward the construction cost of the go-kart project up to $200,000 toward the furnishings, fixtures, and equipment. And the balance to be used for the operation expenses of for the go-kart and the Simmons Bank Park. And whereas this resolution was adopted in the belief that the urban renewal agency lacked funds to complete the projects. And whereas it has subsequently come to light that the urban renewal agency had approximately $700,000 in its account available for use. And whereas under these circumstances, the allocations made in resolution number 4946 are unnecessary and the resolution repealed. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas that resolution number 4946 passed November 17th, 2025 is hereby repealed. No dispersement or expenditures of city funds shall be approved or made pursuant to said resolution.

Move for adoption. Um, I won't belabor this with the long uh recitation of how we got here and all of the issues that started uh well before I was uh sworn in. What I will will point out is that in 2025 early Oh. I'm sorry. I'm so excited to tell you all this information. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? I just got one point. Madam Mayor, um we seem to be reappropriating this $860,000 quite a bit. Uh what I want to know is what happened to the budget adjustment that was passed in uh December 16, 2024.

Okay. So, this wouldn't be what I can tell you is that money was not transferred. That happened before I was sworn in. That was under the previous mayor's administration. But since it was a budget amendment to the 2024 budget, that money transferred over to carryover in 2026. That budget amendment was applicable only to the 2024 budget and there was no other resolution or budget amendment to move that money to urban renewal agency. What I can say is that the conversations I had prior to being sworn in and after was I am committed to the completion of the project that I would not try to or desire to spend that money on anything other than the project. As I learned more about the budget and the project, um, I knew and discovered that there would be an there there had been a, uh, an obligation made for the city to cover the expenses or the operational expenses for both uh, six and Maine as well as uh, the go-kart track. So, I kept the money where it was. And what I did during the year for sure was ask executive director Griffin to report out to the council. And I believe you all might recall she came and presented a report one time last year and that was

at my request. Um, I'll I think that answers your question and so I won't go any further. Just got to follow up. I'm just saying that if this council passes legislation and we are city of laws now, how does the legislation not get get implemented? So it's well it at the time don't forget this was before we passed legislation after I was sworn in that required budget amendments to go through a resolution process. Prior to that, it was an amendment to the 2024 uh um budget and you all voted on that amendment and the amendment happened in December. So any changes to the 2024 budget would have to occur in 2024 and that is something that we clarified with madame city attorney. I have a question council member Frasier. Um now my understanding of the budget and seeing the things that we have amended, we have amended so many line items in the budget in previous years up until now. And when we do those amendments, when the the money has not been spent and is put into the carryover, once carryover is appropriated, that money that was set aside for that thing that we passed within the amendment or legislation or whatever you want to call it, it goes right back to that line item. So I'm with lockit and trying to understand that even if it did not get appropriated

even though we passed it here at the city council to the line item that when it was transferred over with the carryover money it should have still went back to that line item. Not according to madam city attorney or finance director. Then what are we doing when other line items that we amend and we don't spend that money in a loted time and we go and put it back onto that line item?

Thank you for that question. That money goes to the carryover budget. Then you all pass a carryover budget just as you did in 2025 and just as you will uh later on uh in the first quarter of this year. We pass a 20, we pass a carryover budget and then the finance department once she solidifies all the carryover funds, those carryover funds are then separated out into line items specifically for different departments. And if there are funds left that was not spent, usually it goes back to that line item if we have it in the carryover. For instance, our distribution bar little $25,000 that we got. I haven't spent all my money in that, but yet it still was transferred over. There are other amendments that was done in the budget and when the carryover comes, we always say we'll see what we have in the carryover and if we still have the ability to do it, we'll put it back in that line item or give you that money. And we do that all the time.

Right. So, so I'm trying to understand why it wasn't done. Right. So, money um well, I can't say why anything wasn't done prior to me getting here. What I do know is that um the example that you gave would be about money staying in an account that it was already in once there once there is a new budget year and once there's a carryover.

But and that's and that's what happened in this case. that money did not move from the 2017 uh sales and use tax fund. It is still there. Even if it didn't move from the 2017 sales tax fund, if it was appropriated by this legislation, which is what we're required to do, appropriate funds for different line items due to the budget. If it was appropriated for that, when the new year came in, if it was not put in that line item, it should have been put in that line item. not necessar well that's not according to our finance director and our um city attorney and the only thing that I would say to that um madame uh council member Frasier is that an amendment that is made to the budget in 2024 should have been made in 2024 and it wasn't. I was not here in 2024, so I can't speak to that. But what I do know is that in 2025, that money was there and it has not moved. It has not been spent. There have been no efforts to move it. So, there has been no resolution until I made a resolution um that I'm um bringing to repeal today. And I'll explain why um I'm bringing it to repeal if you don't have any further question. No, I don't.

Thank you. I'll hold it. Any further questions?

Okay. Um so when we passed this resolution that was on the heels of u a couple of meetings that myself and [music] uh Chief Campbell and um I believe it was just the two of us along with at first um Director Griffin and uh Director Devers And then a follow-up meeting included um uh Dr. um Watley. Thank you. Dr. Ryan Wallley was there at that second meeting and the conversations that we had were about the status of the project, um how much had been spent, what was left to spend in order to complete the project, um what to do with the 860, and um what private funds from the uh monies that had been secured specifically for the project would be spent. and what was relayed in th in that meeting really in both of the meetings and I think this is really important for you all to um and really the public to understand is that this project has been started and stopped over a period of years and there has been a great deal of money invested in the project public money,

some private money, but mostly public money. What was explained in those meetings is that we have 1.4, and you heard this today from Director Griffin, there's $1.4 million left. There's $1.2 million in private funds that have been committed. You heard that from Director Griffin today. That leaves $200,000. That also uh there also was uh FFNE furniture, fixtures, and equipment. On a few different occasions and in writing, we were given different numbers. We were given an estimate of about $150,000. Then we were told it'd be somewhere around $200,000. Which is why in the resolution that we passed last year, it said up to $200,000. And then later we got something in writing from Dr. Watley that stated that the FFND would be somewhere around $300,000. Now, when we had these conversations, the larger concern was when the private dollars would be expended. And what kept being relayed to me is that the city had to spend all of its money and transfer that money over to the a over to urban renewal agency before the private money would kick in. I didn't understand that if we've got $1.4 million left to complete the project and 1.2 has been committed, why would the city turn over $860,000 to the urban renewal agency when it

receives no more funding? There's nothing left for it to do. particularly when we have a responsibility for the operations for two projects and as you all have in front of you the the budget for one of them is the Simmons Bank Park that is for two that budget I think is for 272,000 if I'm recalling it correctly but it's over 200,000 when we first received that budget that budget was $31,000. The budget for operating this the estimated budget for operating the uh the go-kart track was over $330,000. That's a year. So that means we were looking at 631 600,000 and $31,000 every year just to cover the operations for those two projects. That didn't include the $172,000 that was being requested to cover the operational expenses of urban renewal. over about a hundred of thousand of which or about 80,000 of which was not was to cover rent and other operational expenses which were unnecessary. But we in good faith passed that resolution to kick in to make sure that we did everything we were supposed to do to to show good faith that the city would honor its obligation.

All of that was done in thinking that there were no additional funds. It wasn't until December of 2026 did we find out, which is well after we passed this resolution, that Urban Renewal Agency actually had more than $14,000, that they had almost $800,000. Now, I take issue with the subsequent claim that neither the board nor the executive director knew anything about its own funds. I sent this information to you all starting with a balance sheets of dated September 30th, 2021. If you look over to the account 2800, the fund balance for 2800 for September 30th, 2021 was 1,65,660.97. On March 31st, 2022, that fund balance was 29,433.94. That's important to know because that means there was activity. That means in 2021 and 2022, money was spent out of that account well before I was here. August 31st, 2023, the fund balance rose up to 272,564.85.

That means there's activity. Money was taken out and spent. Money was put back in. Now we go to September 30th, 2024. And all of these are accompanied by emails from Director Devers to Chandra Griffin. On September 30th, 2024, the fund balance was $398,000. $6946. The next month is when a a reserve account was established. Again, more activity. Another line item was created. So, October 31st, 2024, $290,000 was added. That took us to a a total balance, fund balance of $688,6946. So fast forward to the meeting where the city is being request requested to obligate annually almost a million dollars easily $800,000 not just onetime money every year. And we were told in that meeting that they urban renewal agency after months and years of receiving updates of the balance in their own account. that day

their that fund balance had risen to $789,000 $74657. Now, no matter who knew what when, what we do know is Urban Renewal Agency over a period of years had some money. What we do know is they had almost $800,000 in their account, in their fund balance, including reserve money on the day that they came to request money to pay their bills. What we also know is after conversation and discussion, Director Griffin met with uh Director Devers. I believe she talked about how we needed to work together. We made sure that the funds were moved over once we knew that all the checks that had been sent to that account were paid so that they could pay their bills. And in fact, over $300,000 in invoices were paid. We also know that they have over $400,000 remaining. Now, if they have over $400,000 remaining and we know that they have invoices that will ultimately lead up to the completion of the project for invoices we have now. And what we will get and we know that what we've been told is that from December $1.4 4 million was left and needed to complete the project and $1.2 million

has been obligated. We also know that no more tax dollars are going to the sales uh the sales tax fund which was used to fund urban renewal agency. So it is virtually defunct. It was council member Lockett who I talked to quite a bit who first mentioned the need for urban renewal to be dissolved. When he said that to me, I thought he's absolutely right. These funds that we committed up to a certain amount was based upon the knowledge that we thought we had that there was no there were no other funds and that we needed these funds to be transferred in order to trigger the private dollars. Once we found out that they had $800,000 or $790,000 plus the 14,000 in that meeting, I suggested that we could transfer 60,000 to get them to that 860,000 trigger, hold on to the rest of the money so that we could spend it on operations. That's all this is about. And I'll just end there and answer any questions any of you may have.

Madame Mayor. Yes, sir. For clarification that we've had several conversations where I've mentioned to you that we don't have enough information about this urban renewal a agency and its operations to be financially liable for all of the operations and projects that they have. The problem that we have is is that if the city I know we're on another subject because this one here is just about repealing the 860. Correct.

And I'm in favor of that because we reappropriate that 860 in the next ordinance. But I just want to go on record that this thing about taking over all the operations properties and and projects of urban renewal is not sustainable with the city's current budget and and it would put us in a dire situation that if we would to have everything that they currently have. It it would cause a quagmire in our finances to try to keep these things going and even to try to figure out how they even function. So, I I just, you know, just want to put that point out there that we've had several conversations, but you failed to tell the people that I'm not in favor of taking the urban renewal operations over because I don't want to have any of the financial risk that's involved with and also with them having other private uh donations. You know, I've made the assertion many times that in July of 2024, the Go Forward operation was granted $4.5 million to assist the urban renewal people in their projects. And I don't see a need for us to wade into that when these these uh entities have monies to execute these projects where the city doesn't really have anything but maybe this 860,000 that once we expend that money, we don't have no new money to add into the food court, the the go-kart track or anything of that nature. So, I just want to make that clear.

Um [snorts] Before I respond to that, can I ask you uh Director Divers, would you mind approaching? You might want to bring your computer. Can you share with the council how much money we have spent? And I'm sorry to ask you this on the fly. how much money the city with city dollars we have contributed to invested in the go-kart track as well as sixth in May and also um excuse me mayor council

member um director de um can you also in some way um let us know when we passed the legislation for the 860 60,000. Um why was it not moved over? And can you please also let us know um what other monies have not been moved over that have that we have approved through legislation? If you I can do that. Um, as for the 860 not being transferred, that was the year 2024 that the mayor had said we weren't going to make any more transfers without invoices to back up what we were transferring. Mhm.

And that was had been the process all year until there was a request made um October maybe of that year to transfer the remaining balance that had been budgeted to urban renewal. And there was a whole discussion about it because they didn't have invoices to back it up yet because the project wasn't, you know, I don't even think it had been started. Ultimately, that amount, which [snorts] was a little over 1.5 million, was transferred. This 860 came up I think at the very last council meeting of the year. I never saw Mayor Washington again. I went on vacation. I I don't think she came back to city hall and it just never happened. Um, there had been two processes, different processes during the year and I I would have known.

I'm just trying to see where the ball had dropped because apparently the ball dropped because if we passed the legislation and we have said that money was going to get transferred. That's why I asked like what is the what is but what is the but but if we do because I'm I'm trying to get an understanding like was that the only one that the amount that didn't get moved over

that is the only amount that was not transferred and like I said there had been a change in the way things were being done so I wasn't going to you know just do anything without making sure what I was doing was correct and I never saw the mayor again. Question, council member Frasier,

when we say transfer, we are not saying transfer to give them money in their hands or pockets. It's a line item. I mean, we have done transfers and we haven't had no invoices, no nothing. We have done transfers to line items previously before and it's just amazing to me that at this particular juncture it doesn't get transferred to a line item. This is a transfer from one bank account to another. A bank account that we're not in control of

the

Well, that's what I'm that okay. Okay. [panting] when we pay bills. When I was in the mayor's office, when I was in transit office, um it's city bank accounts. Whether it's transferred to one one bank account or another is city bank accounts, but it's always a line item for us in the department. And it's a line item that we have put on that line and then we draw from through the invoices like you said. Right. I I I have never seen a time where we didn't do it where it was paid from invoices. So it's it's clarify something for you. The difference here is just like with wastewater. While urban renewal is a quasi public city funded agency, once money is transferred from the city's bank account to the agency's bank account, we have no more say in where the money goes.

I just asked that. I said was it to to their account and they said no it was a city account. So

no but but I'm I'm making the point that both of them are city accounts in that in to create some sort of dividing line. You heard uh director Griffin say that they don't get accounts. They don't have direct uh contact because they are a quasi public entity. So they have to go through the city to take to make the transaction but they make the decision about the transaction. Am I correct? Yes. Once we give them the money they decide what line items it goes into and then they spend.

So again the question is when they spend do they send the invoice like we do in other departments through our procedures? It has been done both ways and that is why I was didn't know which way to do this. Um because of some things that happened with urban renewal. Um there was a period of time when they had to give us the invoices and then there was a time when we did transfer money. So, and they were all in the same year.

But when you transfer money, is there still some kind of paper that is given saying that this has to be it's it it's not just an automatic transfer. Something has to be given in order for us as a a a entity to be able to transfer some money to anybody. There was a budget adjustment in the 2017 sales tax fund to go to the urban renewal line item in their account. Madam Mayor, council member Fels,

it's been a lot to process over the past few months, this entire situation. Um, I don't know how the residents at home are feeling are in the audience. you know, I'm, you know, city council member, but this has been very confusing for me at times. Um, I do think that this entire situation has gotten a little over complicated. I know when I worked for the city of Pine Bluff, the original mind of the city council is the 860,000 was allocated for construction of the go-kart track. That was the city's portion towards that project. If I could clarify. Well, let me just everybody else I need to correct something. It wasn't allocated for that. It

Well, everybody Well, let me just say everybody else is Let me just go with it. 860,000 was allocated to the go-kart track. In December, the city council allocated 860,000 of the 2017 sales tax funds to the go-kart track. That did not change until there was a change in administration. And I do understand your reasoning. I'm just going, you know, through what the facts are.

After you came into office, the decision was then made that the 860,000 would not go exclusively to the construction. We would spend a portion of that to construction and a portion of that to operations, furnishings, and things like that. And now with the resolution tonight, we have a proposal on the table where we're not where we're going to spend a portion of the 860,000, but now urban renewal has to spend money that was in their reserve fund towards the construction, not the $860,000. So I guess my point is I just think to simplify this as best we can, we really just need to make a decision as a council. Are we going to honor that original pledge that $860,000 is going to go towards construction or are we going to change the tact um and this entire building situation? I do think it is a little I'm not going to point blame to any one individual or agency. I do think it is a little bit unacceptable that we're this far into we've gone all through 2025. we're this far into 2026 and there's still so many uncertainties and unanswered questions in terms of what that billing process is. Um, I don't know. We need to create some legislation in order to put a formal structure in place, but my understanding has always been that if a department head has an invoice, they could submit it to the finance director, for example, the finance director approves it, gets mayoral approvement if necessary, and then the city clerk's office would cut a check. I just don't see how this process has just been so over complicated. Well, we didn't get their final board approved budget until January 21st, I think,

and our new world system has been down. And so, it was not possible to put the budget in and bills couldn't have even been paid um the way it's been going up and down. but it has since been done and everything is good to go. So, there are no more outstanding urban renewal invoices related to the go-kart track. No, I'm not saying that they have paid their invoices. I'm saying they can pay.

That's my whole point. We have Miss Griffin telling us that she has contractors on site who are saying that they're going to walk from the site. We know that the sales tax did not pass, but that doesn't indicate the fact that our priority right now should just be getting this go-kart track completed. It's been under construction for a very long time. Well, let me just finish my statement. I know the budget that I was given to enter has nothing in it for the go-kart track. So, the outstanding invoices, what does Miss Griffin need to do on Tuesday morning to get those invoices paid? Well, it depends on what they're for.

They're for the construction related. Okay. And wait, construction related. Miss Griffin, just nod. Yes or no. These are construction related invoices. Am I correct? I have invoices from admin park.

Okay. And we're not we're not look. The only reason I'm so frustrated about this whole situation, and I do understand I I do understand what you're trying to do, and you've been very transparent, at least with me, in terms of, you know, what your process is, plans, and intentions are, but I just feel like this has been a lot of back and forth. We have a lot of outstanding invoices. What do we need to do on Tuesday morning, Wednesday morning to get these paid? Um, will you all be able to handle that through the existing procedures or do we as a council need to put something in writing.

So I I understand your frustration and I'm frustrated too. We were in the same meeting for to establish a budget and when I brought up what was in the account, Director Griffin left before the budget meeting completed and walked out. So, the fact that they don't have a budget has nothing to do with anything that we're talking about today. She left the budget meeting before a budget was approved. And she left after I raised the question of how there was 14,000 and you can't pay your bills when you had a a reserve. on top of the fact that we kept hearing there's going to be lawsuits and they're going to walk off the job. I had talked to the contractor and that was not true either. So, I'm frustrated that in a committee meeting, we were told by a director that they didn't have any money and they couldn't pay their bills and in fact they had money and that the contractor was going to walk off the job and there was going to be a lawsuit. And in fact, that wasn't true either. And when I raised that, nobody seems to care about that part. Now it's a rush to we got to pay the bills. You just heard the finance director say that the I mean you all can look at the page with with the proposed budget. The proposed budget has no uh budget for the go-kart track. This is a budget basically to fund urban renewal agency. And you know, if I go back to what

council member Lockett said about not having enough information, that's problematic. That's why I'm frustrated, too. I think it's outrageous that there is a willingness to just let this go and express support for an agency that no longer gets any funding to give them whatever they ask for and never even require them to come and report to you all any information. not about the progress of the uh of the of the projects, not about revenue that's supposed to come in, nothing. Can I and Yes, please. Council member Brunson,

I just want to say cuz we talking about frustrations. So, I'm frustrated that we passed legislation and $860,000 did get transferred and we know that money should have been moved over. I'm frustrated because we sitting here talking about bills in 2026 from a budget that should have money should have been moved in 2024, right? and Gina I mean director de as the finance director it was four other amendments in that and that money got transferred to me we wouldn't even be having this conversation if it was moved because that's my frustration because if we passed the legislation why we sitting here in 2026 talking about $860,000

because we had done things two different ways that year and I did not know which way we were going to handle it. Why as the Why didn't you know? Because the mayor hadn't told me. So what did you do with the other ones? With what? The other amendments. How did you move it?

Some of it we waited until they gave us invoices. That was our new plan. We were not going to make any transfers until we had the invoices to back it up. And then sometime toward the end of the year, Mayor Washington wanted to transfer the remaining balance due to urban renewal. And we had to jump through all kinds of hoops to make sure that was okay because we had just been in front of the legislative audit committee in Little Rock because of you know that was why we started requiring the invoices.

And I understand that. I understand all that but it's frustrating to me because you make you know we make we all make decisions. We are all in a position, we are in these positions to make decisions whether they are hard or easy, you know, so to let that linger, it's been lingering for so long. And I'm just like, you know, I'm back to William like we got bills that need to be paid, but we still talking about what we already approved. So we got to keep going back to talk about what we already approved two years a year in a two months ago. So, that's my frustration.

Council member, if you'll let me um go back to city attorney uh Hayden Scott, if you could clarify, because this is something that we um approached her about. Um when we asked about the um the the status or um whether or not a budget amendment is valid after that given year if it has not been acted on. Can you can you share with us because I I feel like there is this perception that we can still act on that even if if there is an effort or a desire to move the money. There needs to be a new budget amendment for the current budget is what is what was explained to me. And can you shed a little light on that?

Okay. I'm I'm ask I'm talking about uh I just asked a question. Okay. to u madam city attorney

when the question was presented to me as I understood it that money those monies had not been spent and those monies were still in the city budget. So when we created the new budget those monies had not been allocated. So any monies that were not allocated were carried over were in the were transferred I guess into the carryover budget for the upcoming year. So it was not in the budget. It had there had been no allocation after what started in 2024. So in 2025 there was no allocation for urban renewal. We still had the city proper still had the money and until the city and so at the end of the year because we still had the money and those monies had not been spent then it just goes over into the carryover and if it was not budgeted for the 2026 budget then as uh Miss Frasier council member Frasier says it can be uh reallocated through or not yeah reallocated through the carryover but that does not have to be that way but it would have to be reallocated through the carryover

through the right. It would be budgeted. It would be so that $860,000 would have been rebudgeted in for the 2026 budget which was not done. Therefore, any monies that that was previously allocated goes into the carryover. So my question is, council member Frasier,

I I apologize about that, mayor. So my question is if it wasn't if we had that allocated for 2024, we said we were going to do the amendment for 2024, $860,000. We did not uh put it in the well, it went to the carryover, but we didn't put it in the 2025 budget. Where is that $860,000? So, so if it's sitting there, then we can do amendment now. It Yes, it is still there and transfer it to where it should be going. You Yes. Or to where you would like it to go. It It doesn't It's not where it should be going. If at the end of 2024 it wasn't moved, then it automatically was in carryover, you all passed a carryover budget that did not include moving that money. So, it stayed where it was. If you wanted to go someplace else, then it you you and and now we have to do it through resolutions. So, you can't do it in a meeting on the day of when no one knows what's about to happen. So, you would have to do it through resolution and do a budget amendment. I just I just would point out that when you did make that budget amendment, it was very broad and it said for expenses cuz when I had a meeting with Chairman Dill, we talked about that. It said four expenses. It did not say anything about what it was for. And if you'll also remember at that time, the go-kart track was not finished, but neither was six in Maine. It was several minute uh months before that was

finished. And I just I just want us to be mindful and I know that it has been some months that of of what director de is saying. We know that there was theft. We know that. We also know that there was a whole controversy around someone who was not an city employee, not an employee of even the agency who was directing where monies would go. And it was from that that the mayor publicly stated that we would not transfer swaths of money over to urban renewal agency in particular. She very specifically said that. So, I just I want to ask that you not glaze over the point that our finance director who reminded you that we had been in front of uh the audit committee, I was there that day on the other side. That was a very serious issue. So when you have audit issues, when you have public proclamations about how you will move money and you have theft, I don't think that it was unreasonable for there to be some confusion about how to pay out money.

I don't mad mayor,

just to clarify, we know that safeguards need to be in place in urban renewal. That's not at least with I and my individual capacity. I'm not disputing that. My frustration is not that we have safeguards in place and all of that. My frustration is that it's 2026. The theft happened a long time ago. The audit came back a long time ago. We've had two mayors since then. Entire year has passed. My frustration is that we're now in a city council meeting and we have Miss Griffin saying, "I have unpaid bills." and we have city personnel expressing that they're still uncertain about what process was needed, what's needs to be done moving forward. That's where my frustration is. But I just think, and I'll also just add that I think that in terms of this legislation before us now repealing it, I think we've kind of belabvered the point a little bit. I think regardless of how everybody feels this ordinance is going to need to be repealed, um I would ask that we could just go ahead and call the vote and then I think whether or not we pass the ordinance or the resolution that's later down on the agenda, I think that'll resolve the issue.

Any further discussion? No further. Council member Frasier,

I just want to say this. I'm I'm totally in agreement with William and what I think that needs to take place is that we we say we want to dis there's talk about disbanding urban renewal fine but the point of the matter is is that we got projects that need to be done. The citizens say what has been done why it's not done well. We're trying to get it done. So, if we can reallocate that $860,000, put stipulations that it's for the go-kart track specifically or whatever language that we need in order for us to go forward with this and get the projects done, then that's what should be done. And and I'm done. Mayor, thank you, council member. And I I will um before I call the vote remind you and there's been eerily no conversation, focus or frustration about the 1.2 private dollars that would go toward this project. And I think if we do the math and recognize that um you know which one

$790,000 or almost $790,000 was already transferred to the construction account. We did that uh uh or talked about that and recognized that that could be done and once the board made their decision that money uh was transferred and invoices were paid. So, you know, coming here with a stack full of invoices, but not knowing what the total is, but sharing that you have $400,000 in your account and $1.2 $2 million in uh a private commitment to me would mean that there ought to be some consideration about how we would better and and more efficiently expend the $860,000. Again, if we know $1.2 2 million has been committed and $789,000 was transferred and you got $1.4 million left plus FFN. To me, that math is mathing. Seems to me that there ought to be a conversation um between the mayor's office and the council or among the council at least to figure out how we can best expend the people's money and not just send it over to urban renewal agency when we know with the 1.2 and the 790 they have more than enough to complete the project and cover their budget for the rest of the year.

With that, I'll call the vote. Madame Mayor. Yes. I know I was just said no more com, but I wanted to I'm sorry. I wanted to respond to that specifically. A lot of times in public private partnerships, what you have is a lot of times private donors say we will invest in this public private partnership, but we would like the public to expend its dollars first so we can have that assurance that the money will be there before we put our private dollars. Council

member, let me just finish. Everybody else goes on and on. Let me go ahead. I don't think it's unreasonable for these private investors to say, "We are committing $1.2 in private funding, but we want to make sure the city puts its money in first." And I especially think that's reasonable considering the fact that we are here tonight. Our house is still not in order because we're still dividing this money, uh, putting things on the agenda, repealing things. We have one ordinance on agenda, a resolution. We still haven't solidified our commitment. So I think it's reasonable for these private organizations to say let the city fulfill its commitment and then we will come in and fulfill our private commitment and it's a private agency. We can't force them to do anything. It's a private agency and I think if they make that commitment

you're talking about go forward. Right. Right. Now they make that commitment and they don't follow through on it. That's a bad reflection on that organization. Um they should definitely follow through on their commitment. But I don't think it's unreasonable for them to say let the city expend the dollars they promised first.

I don't Hold on just a second. I I want to respond to that. You are absolutely right in the case of matching money in the case of that being the understanding. But when I met with uh Chair Medill, he clarified for me that there was noou, no MOA, no resolution, no ordinance, no contract that dictates that the city will spend all of its money first. And again, if you go back to the point that the funds were raised by go forward for the completion of those projects, what else would they spend the money for without uh uh running contrary to what they told their donors they were due, which is and isn't our business. I get that part. But if we know that $1.4 4 million is what is left to complete the project and they had 790 and then we dealing with 860 that's 1.6. So if what you're saying is they really shouldn't have to give us money until we put all our money in. If we put our money in we don't need it. So why would we give it to them? Why would we hand it over to urban renewal agency if we have all the money and we can just as a city complete the project and keep it moving? And in the meantime, and this goes back to the ordinance, in all of that time, you have city property that is not being developed. You have city equipment that is only being used if it's borrowed when in fact it's all belongs to the city. Now they may be an agency just like wastewater is a commission. It's still the city. So urban renewal agency was created by a

city ordinance funded with city money. So this notion that we are not responsible and we ought to leave it alone is is it in itself not responsible. Council member Mays, that's not what I was saying. The the question is who's in charge? Go forward, the bank or the city council. I got to go back to that. We shouldn't let a bank dictate what we doing up here. I don't uh council. No, no, let me finish. I don't think that's what No, cuz they get y'all behind closed doors. Some y'all some Well, no. Nope. And they they cut deals.

No. Okay. I'm about to call the vote. All those who wish to vote for item number five indicate by saying I. I. I. Any against? Please call the vote. Madam clerk. Council member May. Hi. Council member Hulcom. Hi. Council member Brown. Hi. Council member Lett. Hi. Council member Frasier, this is the legislation in reference to repealing the 860,000. So we can

so we keep breaking item. Council member um Brunson. Hi. Council member Denton. Hi.

Council member Fails. I Agenda item number six, a resolution author authorizing acquisition of certain real property in the downtown area as part of the Delta Rhythm and Bayou district and park and appropriating fund for this purpose. Whereas in resolution number 4020 passed June 5th, 2017, the council created the Delta Rhythm and Bayou's cultural and entertainment district in downtown Pineluff and defined therein the boundaries of the district. It being contemplated that the properties lined within the district would be acquired to advance the objectives which led to its creation. And whereas in order to acquire needed properties for inclusion within the district, the council passed resolution number 4755 on February 5th, 2024 authorizing the exercise of imminent domain where necessary for the acquisition of real properties needed to implement the development of the district. And whereas agreements have been reached with three property owners within the district's foot footprint regarding a appropriate just compensation for acquisition of their properties which are needed for the development of the district and the council desires these uh to end these disputes. Approve the agreements and appropriate the necessary funds to complete the acquisition of the properties. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Himluff Arkansas section one that the expeditious completion of the Delta Rhythm and Vuse project is of great importance to the city and the properties involved in these disputes are needed to implement the plans for the district's development and should be acquired without further delay. Section two that the city finds it is in the best interest of the city to resolve current disputes respecting

acquisition of real properties within the proposed footprint of the Delta Rhythm and Bayou's cultural and entertainment district by payment to the named property owners the sums set out below for the respective property. Section three, we have Jessica Hakes, $14,000. Donna Gatlin, $17,500. Uh JR WJ LLC, $45,000. Section three, the for the aforementioned sum shall be paid into the registry of the Jefferson County Circuit Court for the case involving each property owner to be distributed per order of the circuit court. Section four, the city will pay the cost of remediate of mediation involving the parties which led to the agreements. All other expenses incurred by the city and the property owners such as attorney's fees, appraisal fees, and court fees will be paid by the party which incurred the expense. Section five, the city attorney is authorized to sign on behalf of the city a consent judgment for each case involving the above property owners incorporating the above terms and other language necessary and standard for such a document to be approved by the circuit court and binding and conclusive with respect to claims in each matter. Section six, there is hereby appropriated the sum of $77,000 from the 2025 carryover funds to supply the funds for the settlements.

Move for adoption. Second. It's been moved and seconded that item number six be adopted. Any discussion? Council member Frasier. Okay. Okay, I know it's saying it's coming from 2025 carryover funds and since the carryover funds has been extended to specific line items, do we know where this is coming from? I mean, carryover funds I director de is is it would we need to identify any place other than carryover funds? Thank you. But but the but the fun has already been

any further discuss about this here. Okay. Any further discussion? Yes. Council member Mazize. I still have a problem because you uh you got four people up here in that line. Uh right up here. Page two.

Page two. right there. You got Jessica Hakes, Donna Gavlin, and you got uh JW J LLC, which is which is wheel. Okay. Now, how do we get all this in this resolution? How do we get it in there? Council member, um you know, in any resolution that's drafted by our uh city attorney and so the language was based upon um what was agreed upon leading up to that and their her legal expertise.

So what would the total cost? The total you got three four it would be a total on page two. Any further discussion? That's not the total. It'll be a total of the of the of the uh figures on page two. I thought it was move. No, total of figures on page two. Any further discussion? All those who wish to vote for item number six, indicate by saying I. I. Any opposed? No.

Motion passes. Thank you. Agenda item number seven, a resolution expressing ongoing support and operation of the Pimluff Urban Renewal Agency. Fres Resolution 4041 was passed and approved by the Pond Bluff City Council on August 7th, 2017 declaring the need for an urban renewal agency within and for the city of Pine Love, Arkansas due to one or more slum, blighted, deteriorated, or deteriorating areas exist. And whereas resolution 4099 was passed and approved by the Pondluff City Council on May 21st, 2018 approving the city of Pondluff urban renewal plan describing the areas which will be initially subject to application. And whereas this Pineluff Urban Renewal Agency in accordance with the plan acquired equipment to remediate blight and in partnership with other city departments has successfully removed over 200 condemned properties. And whereas the agency in accordance with the plan has acquired and assembled acreage in the downtown area of which the city of Palm Bluff leveraged to secure a 500,000 Brownsville award. And whereas the agency in accordance with the plan has successful successfully facilitated new residential and commercial construction on formally condemned and abandoned property throughout approved urban renewal areas. And whereas the agency has active federal grants with the United States Department of Transportation and the United States Forestry Division. And whereas the agency has developed partnerships that have resulted in over $4 million in private partnership funds and real estate of which one,00,000 of those funds are subject to ongoing

agency operations upon successful expense of the $860,000 approved by the Pine Bluff City Council for the Go Track construction. And whereas the agency's ability to establish confidence that it will aid future grants and partnership funds are thwarted with discussions of the agency dissolution and instability. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council the of the city of Pine Bluff Arkansas section 1. The city council of Pine Bluff reaffirms that despite progress made, there remains a need for an urban renewal agency due to one or more slum, blighted, deteriorated, or deteriorating areas existing. The Pomlo urban renewal agency will continue operations for the foreseeable future so long as it functions within Arkansas State Statute and that it subsidizes its operations through additional funding. Section two, the Pine Bluff City Council reappropriates $860,000 for the go-kart track construction initially voted on by the Pine Bluff City Council on December 16th, 2024 as a match to the $1,200,000 from Go forward Pine Bluff to complete the GoArt track construction fund future fixtures and equipment along with its operations.

Move adopted. Second. It's been moved and seconded that item number seven be adopted. Any discussion? Personally, council member Mays.

Personally, I'm going vote no. We still dealing with Simmons Bank go-kart track and and we letting the bank get control of the city council and you can't do that. You know, we working for I am for the citizens of Pine Bluff. I'm not working for Simmons Bank. Every time they do something, they won't take control of this city council. I think we the only city I'm member of the municipal league, state of Arkansas. I think we the only city in the state that let a bank run the city council. And I think that's wrong. Done. I call.

Any further discussion? I'll call for the vote, mayor.

Um I I have a comment to make and then I will call for vote. Um I want to say that I I do um disagree with the sentiments that were just heard. I don't think that the bank runs the city. We have an account. Um our retirement runs uh through Simmons Bank. We do enjoy a strong partnership and they have done a lot to invest in this city and I would not discount that. I think anything that we do that ignores our fiscal responsibility is on us. That has nothing to do with any bank or any person. And I think it is a mistake to do this now. I think it's a mistake to do it without at least including a requirement that the urban renewal agency reports out to the council that you heard frustration or comments that we don't know how in the world do we have I believe it's at least $17 million run through over a period of years an agency that was established by city council and we say we don't know what's going on. We don't know the status of the project. We don't know how many properties we own. There have been there's been no activity for all of the properties that's mentioned in this resolution for its development. We're doing nothing to develop downtown properties and properties in other parts of the city, but we expect for the private sector to come in and invest.

There have been no residential housing. There's been no business created and supported. And with all of the vehicles and the activity, the only activity that the the the equipment has seen has been from code enforcement and the fire department who in the fourth quarter were able to use that equipment to raise five properties to address blight. It's city workers, city employees. that partnership is necessary. And what I will end with and councilwoman um Denton asked this question, several of my department heads have been contacted by Director Griffin to access keys and access possession of the equipment. And one of those director uh leaders in particular was told that we couldn't use it when they got it back. This is a mistake. I will call the vote. All those who wish to vote for item number seven, indicate by saying I. I.

I. All those opposed? No. Roll call, please. Roll call. Madame clerk. Council member Maize. No. Council member Hulcom. Hi. Council member Brown. Hi. Council member Lit. Hi. Council member Frasier. Hi. Council member Bronson. Hi. Council member Denton. No. Council member Fails. Hi. 62. Okay. 62. Motion passes.

Agenda item number eight, a resolution recognizing United Nations Security Council, resolution number 2797, setting forth a Moroccan anonymity plan for the western Sahara and extending to the city of the Kala in the kingdom of Morocco, Poundro, sister city. Best wishes and hope hopes from the people of Pound of Arkansas for peace and prosperity. Sorry. Whereas the United Nations Security Council resolution number 2797 embrace the Moroccan atomic plan to advance the political process and regional stability in the Western Sahara. And whereas the resolution recognized the growing international support for the autonomy plan with many countries including permanent members of the security council such as France, the United Kingdom and the United States embracing the rem Moroccan plan as the most credible basis for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution. And whereas resolution number 2797 reflects an emerging consensus in the international community and regional stakeholders in favor of the Moroccan autonomy plan as well as endorsing the efforts of the United Nations Security General and his personal envoy in negotiating a political solution and promoting the preservation of the peace and stability in the region. And whereas the city of Takala in the kingdom of Morocco is a sister city of the city of Pineluff, a cooperative relationship expressing a friendship and goodwill of the people of each city to each other. And whereas the people of of the city of Pineluff desire a peaceful and satisfactory settlement of the long current conflict and for growth and prosperity uh for the people of the city of Tala.

And whereas this resolution was formally presented to Malude Bahadi designated uh liaison for the sister city friendship initiative between the city of PL of Arkansas and the city of the Kala um Kingdom of Morocco in recognition of his role in facilitating dialogue, cooperation, and people-to-people relations between the two communities. Now therefore, be it resolved by the city council of the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, section one, that we that we the mayor and the members of the city council express our sincere desire and hope for the prosperity of the people in the western Sahara region and particularly for the harmony and prosperity for the people of our sister city, the city of Takal Decela in the Kingdom of Morocco through the implementation of Moroccan Autonomy Plan or another plan which is agreeable Section two, the people of the city of Pine Bluff further confirm our continued friendship to the people of the city of Duckla and our high hopes for a prosperous and bright future.

Move for adoption. Second. It's been moved and seconded that item number eight be adopted. Any discussion? I ask Council Member May. I ask I help sponsor this. It won't cost us anything. That's correct. And this is just um including some uh technical changes that were requested and corrections. So it's the same one and we can and we can add if anybody else wishes to be added to this. Any further discussion? With no further discussion, all of those who wish to vote for item number eight, indicate by saying I.

I. Any opposed? Motion passes.

Agenda item number nine, a resolution approving the transfer of the assets of the University Drive sewer project to the Pine Bluff Wastewater Utility and authorizing the mayor to execute a bill of sale and certificate of performance to complete the transfer. Whereas the city has completed the University Drive sewer project to provide modern sanitary sewer to areas in North Pine Bluff. And whereas the project was completed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications of the Pine Bluff wastewater utility for the project. And whereas it is now time to transfer the ownership, management, maintenance, and control of the assets of the project to the wastewater utility which is which it is in the public interest. Now therefore be resolved by the city council of the city of Pine Love, Arkansas. Section one, that the transfer of all assets of the University Drive sewer project to the Pimell wastewater utility is approved. Section two that the mayor is authorized to execute documents in substantial conformity with the attached bill of sale and certification of conformance in favor of the wastewater utility for the consideration recited in the bill of sale to complete the conveyance.

Move for adoption. Second. It's been moved and seconded that item number nine be adopted. Any discussion? With no further discussion, all those who wish to vote for uh the adoption of item number nine indicate by saying I. I. Any opposed? Motion passes.

Okay. Okay. And now it is time for us to make the announcements. Um item number one, uh event number one, nature quilters. This hands-on program series held every first Friday of the month from October through May 2026 will teach the basics of quilt making. This year's theme is birds and blooms. No prior quilting experience is required to participate. Free to participate. Um, minimum age 18 located at,400 Black Dog Drive, Pineel Bluff, Arkansas 71601. Announcement number two, join UAPB Golden Line Athletics for AD Circle with athletic director Chris Robinson on February 12th at Magnolia Food Market and Bar located at 601 Maine. Enjoy giveaways, door prizes, signed posters, and hear straight from Golden Lion softball and baseball. Announcement number three, the chosen child, EJ Jones, will be taking the live the stage live this Saturday, February 7th, at PJ's Event Center. Doors open at 6 pm and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, call 870-550898 or event or visit Eventbrite. Uh, announcement number four, the city of Pineluff is asking all residents who still have waste management bins to contact the mayor's office. Please provide your address and contact information and we will coordinate with Waste Management to have those bins collected. If you have questions regarding card services such as your pickup day or general inquiries, please contact cards at 8703997463

or visit www.tinyurl.com at uward slcards pb. And I would also add and I'll um share this.

Yes, sure. Sure. that you can pass these down. I got a for I got a call a couple weeks ago, but a formal letter to share and I Here you go. wanted to share a hard copy of a letter that was sent to me. So cards you may see um on any social media or any um um new branding you know there the cards is an acronym for central Arkansas waste and they are rebranding so there is no change in ownership there's no change in leadership they are they changed their name and they are rebranding but but we will keep everything the same and so cards will look as a subsidiary under Eco Waste Solutions as they uh enter into their new brand. Um, and we will uh post this letter uh on our social media so people can be aware, but nothing will change in the city of Pine Bluff as it relates to our uh containers and um your bill. Everything will be the same. Um, Councilwoman Frasier.

Um, I just wanted to say that I'm excited to be able to state that I am collaborating uh with the Arts and Science Center uh to expand our movie experiences. We know that Pine Bluff doesn't have a movie theater and so I have met with the arts and science uh director and her staff in regards to uh making sure that we can service our uh constituents because our movie nights that we do once a month is just getting too big. It's it's over 100 people and the library uh can't hold that. So what we are doing, we're still holding the movies at the library, but we are partnering with them in regards to uh some youth movies uh for the youth in our city and also we're partnering with them in regards to the golden hour. And the golden hour is for our 50 plus uh constituents, what what I like to say our season saints. Uh we are uh going to have a golden hour and the golden hour begins on February 21st and it's going to be I believe at 11 o'clock to 1 and so if it's going to be at the Adam B. Robinson Jr. Blackbox Theater um Maine on Maine at 6:27 South Main Street. So if you are 50 and above, please put that on your calendar for February 27th. our February 27th evening movie is so it's it's is it's full to capacity. So it's a wait list now. So if you would like to still be uh you know have the option to be on the wait list, please call me at 870-5753619. Also, there's some other collaborations that's coming along to uh expand our movie experience, too. So keep an eye out for that coming soon. Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor. Sure. Uh, and before I entertain a motion to adjourn and hear from the one um person who signed up to speak uh not on an agenda item, I um wanted to be sure to thank all of the essential workers who especially our street department, our fire department, and our police department who uh made sure that we actually I know people were very frustrated and not understanding why things were not um opening up quicker and why we were out a week. Um most many cities all across America are still closed today and that is because we were challenged with lifting ice versus snow uh while the weather remained in a state of deep freeze. Um, so we appreciate everyone's patience, but we also want to thank um he's here tonight, our director, Tiger Dockett. Um, he led his team and any help that we could get to ensure that um we not only did what we were supposed to, but that that we did uh even then some. So, we want to thank you. Uh, also, Chief Compton, we know that um we were challenged with seven fires since last Friday, which unfortunately more recently resulted in a fatality. And we will be certainly praying for that family and doing everything we can to assist. And we're grateful grateful for the partnership of the Red Cross Pine Bluff. Uh we also

want to recognize our firefighters um and fire uh and emergency services uh leadership for during this ice storm, for stopping and helping people out of ditches and just helping people everywhere they could, but also risking their lives in assisting um seven families who encountered fire um during this storm. So, thank you so much. Uh Chief Compton and Oh,

go ahead, Council Member Fails. I got one more, but go ahead. Oh, I don't know if you've mentioned it or if you're about to mention it, but we have a Pine Buff Native on American Idol uh tonight, I believe. Um she gone. Yeah, she moved to the new Okay. Yeah, we we we were supposed to be done by seven for that, but that didn't happen. But she has moved on. So, we'll announce that that's my baker.

Um, also uh we want to recognize Chief Davis. Um the uh Pima Police Department were stalward as they always are in helping make sure that our warming center and opportunity house residents were safe all week still tonight and uh also doing their due diligence to help people on the street and um and throughout our city. So, uh, we want to thank you so much for your leadership in keeping us safe. [applause] And council member Fails, if you want to make an official announcement since you Yeah. Go home, stream it on whatever it's available on and vote. Do they still do that vote? Yeah.

Are they at that level yet? I think it is. Well, when she gets to that level, that's all vote. Yes. Okay. And we have um one person to speak. He's not here. He's not. Okay. Let's Okay. Mr. Franklin is gone. Okay. Everybody hurry up and go home. Bye. Did we make the motion? Oh, we didn't make the motion. Second move and second without res any uh

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