City Council - Regular Meeting

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There we go. Good evening. Uh I want to call the Ways and Means Committee meeting to order. Today is Tuesday, February the 17th, 2026. It's approximately 5:21 p.m. Um, tonight um we have uh and we also we have council member Maize and Council Member Hulcom present on the committee and council member Lock and Council Member Frasier in attendance as well. Um we have two resolutions tonight concerning uh funds um transferring from one line item to another. Uh we have a resolution amending the 2026 municipal budget to reallocate funds within the legal department. Uh this is uh from our city attorney's office uh concerning uh litigation cost. This is coming from within her department is the total is $4,500. And do we have any discussion?

Uh no discussion, Mr. Chair. Okay. Council member. Okay. Can we get a motion? I move we send this to the full council to do pass and second.

Okay. We have a motion and a second to send this uh resolution from the uh city attorney's office to the full council with the due pass. Um the second piece that we have is actually not currently on the agenda, but we do have it in front of us. [clears throat] It's a resolution authorizing the street department to purchase an insulated aerial utility truck for street lighting, signal work, right-of-way operations, and related work. Um, this truck is Oh, thank you. Uh, this truck uh the total is $225,000. Um, it is coming from I guess it's Versa Lift. Um, we have an invoice that is attached. These funds are coming from carryover funds within the street department. So these are coming from within the street department. It is coming from their carryover funds. Um do we have any discussion concerning this item?

Uh no sir, Mr. Chair. Okay. Council, I move we send it to the full council with a dupad. Second. We have a motion in a second to send a resolution to authorize the street department to purchase an insulated aerial aerial utility truck for street lighting signal work. right ofway operations and related work. Going to send this to the full council. Did we do the vote? We voted. Okay. Uh we have a vote. Oh. All those in favor it be done by saying I. I. Any opposed? I um he will probably assign it once we get to This will be number 14 if added to the agenda. Okay. All righty. Uh do we have any other business for ways and means? Uh no no further business, Mr. Chair. I move we adjourn.

We get a second. Second. All right. Ways and means is adjourned.

Ordinance and resolutions. Uh number one be completed on tonight. Number two will be completed on tonight. Number three will be completed on tonight. Number four will be completed on tonight. Number one through four are all ordinance ordinances. They will be completed on tonight. Five six number agenda items number five through 13 are all resolutions. They will be completed on tonight. All of you should have before before you a resolution authorizing the street department to purchase an insulated aerial utility truck for the street lighting, signal work, rightway operations and and related work. If added to the agenda, this would be agenda item number 14. Do we have any questions for ordinance and resolutions? Oh, no questions.

No. Okay. Motion to adjurnn. Move to ajourn. Second.

So move. What should I say about how you doing?

Hey, how you doing? Good evening everybody. How you doing? Yeah, we still early today.

All right. Sorry.

What's going on? What's wrong? Guatemala.

Guatemala. And I have a question. I mean that keep a question. They named the dog park in your mom.

Yes, I mean originally it was it was a park about almost 10 years ago. They put a dog park there. It was originally Hok Park. Yeah. And then they added the dog park right over. Okay. Oh, so they added a dog to her park. Yeah. At first it was just Okay. Oh, they didn't name a dog park. No, after dog park. Does she like dogs? No, ma'am. No, they just thought that was a good purpose. Who was the lady? We didn't have a dog park. So,

okay, good. I said a dog park and they mentioned that is a nice dog. It's nice and it has a lot of traffic. You know what? People love dogs. That's what I made a man to do. I'm going to go and do a dog park. You might want to do one more somewhere. So, I'm going to go out and look at it.

Hey, [clears throat] stack it up. Let's look at Thursday. I got to call everybody. Thursday. Okay. Get your think.

I don't know. Good e hello. Hello, good evening. It is 5:30, so we will go ahead and begin. Welcome to the February 17th Pine City Council meeting. And where we normally begin with public comments on agenda items, we will go ahead and start with the presentation of colors and the pledge of allegiance since our um cadetses have are otherwise engaged. So, if you all will please stand. At this time, we're going to say the pledge of allegiance. Please stand for 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.

Right. Face forward. March. Okay, thank you so much. And we'll do the invocation as printed on the agenda. So we will now begin with

with public comments. The first person on the list is Miss Kelly Martin who is here uh to speak on items 4, 6, 10, and 12 uh on which she is speaking against. Okay. On number four, um you have I'm sorry, Miss Martin, you have three minutes.

Okay. Um on um issue four um uh the city departments that will receive funding um the city will allocate $66,000 uh supplement. I was wondering what is the existing debt from this um organization which is um go forward. Okay. I was trying to um find out what is the existing debt.

Miss I'm sorry, Miss Martin. What was that question? What is the existing debt? The city will allocate 66,000. So I'm uh asking what is the existing debt? But where where are you exactly? Ordinance four. Okay. Can we talk to the mic too? Pull it down. Thank you. Appreciate it. Ordinance four, it says the uh city will allocate $66,000 to supplement the debt. What is the existing debt? She's looking at line three and four

on page number four. Oh, you're saying what is the existing debt? Yes. Of saying the city would allocate $66,000. So, what is the total existing debt left by this agency there? I mean, there there's no debt to to the city. they just no longer have any funds that um so there's no funding of

well let me say this they're no have they have they no longer have any funds coming in but the purpose of the 66,000 was to meet the threshold for um the monies that were stated that they needed in order to trigger the 1.2 2 million in private funds. Okay. And also um it says the city will um attain the uh demolition all their um equipment. So, um I was um wondering if that equipment could be used for like the recycling and the recept receptacle and disposal if they can be used throughout the city and because we have a lot of dumping everywhere. So, I was wondering like the um um receptacles and that type of thing because sometimes we have something at the um stockyard or whatever where we have dumping. That's periodically. So, we need something um maybe once a month or have uh receptacles throughout the city where people can dump because if you would drive down one street, you see where people have tires and um stuff out of their house. Everything is everywhere. So, um I was wondering if uh something could be done about that. Was that a question?

Yes, ma'am. Okay. So, the purpose of that property being turned over to the city is because it was purchased with city dollars and um the city would absolutely utilize the equipment for uh blight removal including what you just mentioned. Yes. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Mhm.

Um okay. It says um the economic um commission uh development. Uh if so, what um uh position was um um in the economic comm uh development department? Sorry. Um has the position been posted and what is the um cost will it be to the city?

There would there are um there is no one hired so it has not been posted and under this it would not be posted. The point is to transfer the position under economic development to save money in the cost that's currently spent uh with the building and other expenses uh in upwards of $100,000. Okay. Okay. I'm going to um number six. Um when the invoices are submitted, what um are the expected dates um concerning the um resolution authorizing Pine Bluff urban renewal to enter into a memorandum of agreement concerning the matching funds?

Ma'am, ma'am, is that a question? Yes. Okay. So, uh I'll ask when to answer um Miss Martin's question. Yes, ma'am. What was your question? Um I'm on number six. When the invoices are submitted, what is the expected uh date of completion? What is the expected date of completion? Mhm. Well, we're still we're still waiting on on the funds. we had to pay the contractors. Okay. And so,

and my last one, number 10, um it says um and a contract with Wagner um for work on renovation on 316 Main Street. Exactly what are those um renovations? It's not specific on here. In reference to 316 Maine, they're going to uh renovate that so that that way it could have small businesses in there. Almost like a a little flea market setup, but inside of it there'll be different small businesses in there that can operate out of there, but this is just the first step. So, it's not a completed step. Okay.

Okay. Uh approximately how long will this contract last? Which contract? Um, it says 90 I think the amount was like 99,000 with Wagner to do to do the work. Yes. Mhm. That's the bid that was done. That was the lowest bid on that building. Correct. Afterwards, if you want to see it, I will be more than happy to show it to you. Okay. And just for the record, anybody that it's public information, so anybody that wants it can request it from the clerk's office.

Okay. And also, this is my last one. Um on number 12, it says there um is a $860,000 carryover um from the 58 I think taxes. Uh what was the total carryover and what projects will this uh will these funds be allocated for? I'm on number 12. It says there was a $860,000 carryover from the 58 cent of tax. Um, what was the total carryover and what would that money be used? What would it be allocated to?

The total carryover is $860,000 and it will be attributed to the finishing of the go contract. Okay, that's all I have. M speaker. Hey, council member Ms. I'm sorry.

Good good questions. Good followup. That's the best I've seen a citizen come in with the a followup like that. The followup keep those pages and and watch that what's what's being done. Most of the time they start something most of they don't finish it and then the people get so busy you get so busy and lost in what's going on like most people you know they want you to forget it but keep it up with me bring it back to the council I let you speak my place I have to thank you all for answering my questions thank you thank you miss Mr. John Finley to speak on urban renewal and is undecided.

You look the phone up here. Oh, what? Oh, this.

I'm John Finley and uh I don't necessarily know where to start on this. We uh got rid of go forward the tax But it seems like the people that were behind it are still doing their best to crawl into the woodwork and control things behind the scenes, pull some strings, control the school board, control the city council, control inspection and zoning and code enforcement. Seems like I don't even know. I don't even know what to what to say about this. Maybe we should all just think about that for a minute.

No, I'll tell you. Can I speak? Well, we're going to let Mr. Finley spin finish and then I'll recognize you, Council Member Ms. Thank you. Uhhuh.

I just think we should all just think about it for a minute. Got 2 minutes and 30 seconds. So as to not waste time, I'm going to go ahead and recognize Council Member Mazize. Council Member Mazize. Y Mr. Kennedy. Yeah,

good question. And I understand what you're saying and and what we have it's it's it's been a long history. The city of Whiteall is trying to come in and take over Pine Bluff like we don't know what we're doing and we got to stop them. That's a good question. And the citizen that don't have a lot of fear can help. I'm through. Mr. Finley, did you have any more remarks? I just think I'm really glad I'm not mayor right now because you're in a situation right now with a very unhelpful city council and it doesn't seem like this is going to work for anybody. It's not good for the city.

Thank you, Mr. Finley. And finally, we have Mr. Julius Lever, who would like to speak on uh item number seven, and he is against. Mr. Hok, do you remember when your grandmother lived in a pink house walking out St. John Church? Shall I repeat the question? I won't repeat the question. Mr. Oak, your grandmother lived in a pink house coming out of St. John's Church. I bought that house cuz it was condemned and owned by a person in Ohio. I restored that house completely, painted the outside, put a new roof on it, put sheetrock in it, put new bathroom fixtures in it, painted it throughout, did a a new porch, put some [clears throat] furniture in that house. And the p first person to live in there won a Grammy award. It was Smoky North. I had a wreck. I couldn't work. He asked my mother could he rent the house. I said, "Okay." Your grandmother moved in it next. Do you know the city sent someone by there with a machine and they knocked the steps down and then it was condemned after all that work was done and then it was eventually torn down.

Mr. Lee, my name is Mr. Leaf. I hear you very clearly. I hear you very clearly. The last time you said something to me that offended me. You say you you acting a fool up in here. I don't act a fool. I tell the truth. And if you don't understand the truth from acting a fool, I will pray for you. Mr. Lee,

I'm listening and they're listening. Okay, I'm going go. This is number seven talking about destroying records in the code enforcement office. I went to the city council not too long ago. Lisha Hill gave me a record of something happened in 2005. I knew it. I had bought some property on Blake Street. My mother did $14,000 of her money and she never missed a day of teaching school since the 60s until she retired around 2000. Never missed one day. They congratulated her. She's never missed a day. Her money was used to buy her property. I put a car business there real quick. I be true real quickly. And when I put new cars there, cars just good condition. A man comes to my clothing store say, "Julius, the city is over there on Blake Street on a ladder taking pictures of your cars and all your hoods and all your trunks been raised up." I just learned what had happened because I was going before the planning commission about reszoning the property and I looked when Lucio gave me a record. It said that the cars seemed not to be operable. That's the reason why the hoods were raised up. The truck was raised up. I went before Wayman Brown. He was a judge then. And I said, "Mr. Cole Fur, will you show the pictures that you took?" He said, "No, I'm not going to show the pictures." I said, "You not going to show those pictures to the judge?" He said, "I'm not going to show it to her." I said, "Why not?" I said, "Didn't the camera belong to the city?" He said, "Yes, it did, but the film belonged to me, and I'm not going to show the pictures." He told the judge that. You know what happened later when Brown decided to get out of Pine Bluff and run for judge in Little Rock at the Court of Appeals. These are the kinds of things that say no records. And I check with the federal government. They said when you destroy property, I put $200,000 on a building

on Main STREET AND THEY TORE IT DOWN. AND IT HAD A SIGN saying Israel. It had a sign saying tribe of Judah. It had a cross that I had on last week. JESUS CHRIST THREW IT IN A DUMPSTER. YOU SHOULD NEVER THROW THOSE records away. The federal government said when you might be in a lawsuit, Mr. Records should never be destroyed. And I'm suggest I'm going to go ahead and No, no, she said my three minutes. So listen, let me say something. Council member Hulcom,

I'm going say I'm going say this to you with all due respect. I've known you all my life and you know I know you and I'm not going to bring it up like you brought up my grandmother. My grandmother has been dead going to heaven almost 10 years now your your issue with the city you own well whoever owned that piece of property oh hold on hold on no we're not going to go back and forth hold on Mr. We let you talk. Council member,

the piece of property that you come up here every week and raise hell about, you did not did not own. Now we Hold on, Mr. Lever. Mr. Lever, I'm talking. I'm talking right now. I'm talking right now. Now you you have been a respected businessman for years. Listen. Listen. We I respect you as a businessman for years. Your mother was my God's mother. And you turning your back cuz you know I'm telling the truth. Now the property you come up here raising hell about every week, your name is was not listed as owner and but you want to take it out on this council. NO, LISTEN. I'm talking.

Yes. Go ahead. You want to take it out on this council and it it happened almost 15 16 years ago. Mr. And you're not going to come up here every week and take it out on this council. Let's go. Let's go. That's the reason why we have TO THAT PROPERTY MILITANT LEVER SP MR. LEVER. MR. LEVER. SEE, that's why we have to put orders in place for this reason. Keep the record. Don't record and you don't. Okay. Okay. All right. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Okay. Council member Fails,

I did just want to provide a small clarification to the public in reference to item seven. Can't hear you. Can't hear you. Okay. Um audio team, I can't hear. Okay.

I wanted to provide a small clarification on item number seven. So, these are actually um um supporting documents for things like um payments that were made to contractors about in 2016 and above. So these are old records that are more than 10 years old. The code enforcement department is just trying to destroy these files so they can have more room in our physical storage. Um the ordinance does specify that um a member of the mayor's office and the clerk's office will be present just to make sure that everything is done um in proper order. Um this did go through the city attorney's office, so there's nothing um illegal or improper about you know what this is. They're just restoring old files to make room for storage. So,

council member Hulcom correct. Council member Fails has said this this is done at least what once a year. City clerk Roberts. Well, various times because we have a time limit as when we can destroy the record by government and state requirements.

All right. Uh and what I'll say there is a process in place for public speaking on the front end before we start conducting business. And um the thing I like about it is it affords the public an opportunity to speak without having to wait till the end of the meeting. The thing I don't like about it is the public often does not get an opportunity to hear the context and the facts and information behind um these measures. And um to just add context to this, when I first came into office, down in the basement in some of the rooms next to the old city council chambers, there are rooms filled with mostly outdated uh documents, boxes of them. And this is space we could be using um in the city. And so um the collector's office along with the finance director um have worked together so that we can have a uh shred day. And before we do that, we have to come before the council to get their permission. And that's what this item is about. And it's only based upon um existing ordinances that dictate how long we must hold on to records. And I'll just add too with the change in the software that we will be using which will probably be about a two to threeyear process we will look to purchase and add on to that software so that we can begin to engage in um

scanning and maintaining um uh our records that way. Um and we'll do that through and with um the clerk's office whose primary um and largely sole constitutional duty is to be the record keeper for the city. So just wanted to add that. Um, so everyone who was listed has spoken and so now we will call the meeting to order. We did that already. Okay. And so next um we will ask Pastor George Barnes to join us uh at the podium and lead us in prayer for the invocation. He is a pastor for Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. With everyone will please stand. Shall we pray? Our father God, we come down with bowed heads and humble hearts. We thank you oh Lord for this day. We thank you for this opportunity. You granted us to come. We ask now that you guide our minds and our thoughts, direct our mood, the things that we do tonight. and be pleasing in your sight and up building and advancement of our community. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Amen. Thank you so much, Pastor Barnes.

And next, we will ask Madame Clerk to please call the role. Council member Maize, yes. Council member Hulcom, here. Council member Brown, here. Council member Lockett here, Council Member Frasier here, Council Member Brunson here, Council Member Denton here, and Council Member Fails here. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh, and now I will entertain a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting on February 2nd, 2026.

So moved, second. It's been moved and seconded that the minutes uh from February 2nd be approved. Any discussion? With no discussion, all those who wish to vote for the approval of the minutes from February 2nd, 2026, please please indicate by saying I. I. Any opposed? Minutes are approved. And next we will go into our committee reports. And first we will ask uh council member Brown to deliver your report on ways and means.

Thank you mayor. Ways and means met just before this council meeting uh we had two items uh for discussion. There are agenda items number 11 and a potential item number 14. That one is an uh resolution to purchase a area utility truck for the street department. And so that will be discussed during or ordinances and resolutions. Uh both of those resolutions came out of committee with a due pass uh to the full council. And that concludes my report. Thank you, council member. Um and next we will ask council member Hulcom to deliver his report on ordinances and resolutions.

Thank you, mayor. Agenda items number one through five, excuse me, 1 through four are all ordinances that will be completed on tonight. 5 through 13. All resolutions that will be completed on tonight. All of you should have before you a resolution authorizing the street department to purchase an insulated area utility truck for street lighting, signal work, rideway operations, and related purposes. If added to the agenda, this should be agenda item number 14. I move that that this resolution be added to the agenda. Second. It's been moved and seconded that item number

14 14 be added to the agenda. Any discussion? With no discussion, all of those who wish to vote. Oh yeah. For uh item 14 being added to the agenda will respond to Madame Clerk who will call the role. Council member Mains. Hi. Council member Hulcom. Hi. Council member Brown. Hi. Council member Lockett. Hi. Council member Frasier. Hi. Council member Brenton. Hi. Council member Denton. Hi. Council member Fails. Hi. Okay. Motion passes. Council member Hulcom. That concludes uh ordinance and resolutions. Mayor.

Okay. And next we will hear from Council Member Frasier who will deliver her report on economic and community development. Thank you, Mayor. On February 10th, uh we met at 11:00 a.m. and we had one agenda item which is in our packet for tonight, which is a resolution authorizing a contract with Wagner General Contractors Incorporated for work concerning the renovations of 316 Main Street in the city of Pine Bluff with a due pass. So, I'm looking forward for us to discuss that. And also after the meeting, um I did speak in reference to um one of the things that I really was looking forward to is working with our microloans to help small businesses. So um as soon as the economic and development specialist is in place and able to um she he or she will be working on that on their that's on their list to work on so that that way it can help with the um small businesses that we have here in Pine Bluff. And also I would like to thank everybody uh from sponsors to donors to uh participants who afforded us the opportunity to bless those that are single, divorced and widowed with a beautiful day on Valentine's Day. So thank you. And then also February 27th uh we have our movie night. Even though it is completely packed, we are taking a wait list. So, if you would like to um RSVP for that, please call 870-5753619. That concludes my report, Mayor. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Frasier. Council Member Denton, will you please deliver your report on public health and welfare? Um, Mayor, public health and welfare did not meet, but I did talk with Director Shaw. She's looking at adding a um position a supervisor position to transit and it was it was supposed to be brought to the administration and so it was Oh, okay then. And that concludes it. So I get with the uh the clerk's office to schedule a meeting for March. Thank you, Council Member Denton. Does that does that conclude your report? Okay, Council Member Frasier,

I apologize. I forgot to say that our next scheduled meeting will be March 19th at 11:00 a.m. for economic and community development. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. You're welcome. Uh thank you, council member. And next, uh Council Member Lockett, will you please deliver your report on public works? Thank you, Madame Mayor. The public works committee has not met since our last meeting. We should we shall meet a week from today on the 24th at one o'clock in the old city council chambers. That completes my report. Mayor,

thank you. Council member, council member uh Fails, will you please deliver your report on development and planning? Yes. So, development development and planning met recently. We discussed several items that are on the agenda. We did not issue any recommendations. However, um our next meeting, we will announce that in time whenever we schedule one. And that concludes my report. Thank you. Council member uh Brunson, will you please deliver your report on traffic and aviation?

Thank you, Mayor. Um traffic has not met since our last city council meeting. I will get with the city clerk um to schedule that in the future. And that concludes my report. Thank you. Council member Hogam, will you please deliver your report on administrations?

Thank you, [clears throat] Mayor. The administration committee met today, February the 17th, at 4:30 p.m. We had three agenda items. The first agenda item was a transit service supervisor job description that went to the full council with a due pass. Next. Next two agenda item was agenda items number eight with sent to the full council with the due pass. Agenda items number nine sent to the full council with a due pass. And that concludes my report. Mayor, thank you. And council member uh Brown, will you please deliver your report on public safety?

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Um public safety met on the 4th of this month. Um we heard from Mr. Grad and animal control. Um he stated that he had 90 dogs and cats that were brought into the shelter during the month of January and that the backup generator is up and running. I know we had some um issues and some different problems with that, [clears throat] but it is now up and running to back up that facility just in case of a power outage. Um Chief Davis from the police department um stated that um reported that he restarted the violent crime task force. Uh that training for that um task force is going to start in March. um also working on national accreditation for the department and um reported that we have uh 10 of those uh police units that are ready for service. Uh Chief Davis is also um implementing substations around the city with the first one being at 13th and Cherry. This is a process that he's still working on. Also, he's uh met with Motorola for our camera systems. uh these camera system these cameras will have 360°ree uh viewpoints so they can look all around in every direction. Uh we're going to start off with about 30 to 35 of those cameras. Uh we're going to start off prioritizing our parks um with coverage regional parks town and MLK. And also our uh chief uh police chief Davis will be the chamber speaker on March 4th at 11:30 a.m. So if you're able to make that chamber meeting, he will be the guest speaker. Um he uh Chief Davis also uh reported that have promotion testing starting soon. It may have already started at this point for one [clears throat] captain, two lieutenants, and um eight or nine sergeants. Um and currently we have eight officers in the academy. Uh Telia Brown, who's our crime analyst and also deputy chief warrior, uh reported that all crimes against property has decreased in all categories. In 2025, we had a total of 29,91 calls for service.

in 2025. Uh 13% decrease in overall crime between 20 204 and 2025. And at the time of that meeting, which is on the 4th, our homicide pressure was 2011 over 10. And that's basically juvenile homicides over adult homicide. So at that time it was 2011 over 10. Um for the fire department, we had Chief Compton. I report that we had 11 fires in the month of January. Three vehicle fires, 354 EMS calls, had five alarm calls, and 152 false alarm calls. So, those were calls that we just went out and there was nothing going on, but um we had 563 incidents reported. Um Chief Gump reported that we recently promoted three engineers and one lieutenant. Uh we have two um officers currently in the academy and we have five new hireers that started on February the 9th. Uh we have a retesting on today I think it was um for engineers which was uh February 17th which is today and we have testing for new hires which will occur um at a point to be determined in March. Is that correct? Okay. All right. Um, also Chief Compton reported that he started a policy review committee and that's going to consist of a um, assistant chief, captain, engineer, battalion chief, a lieutenant, and one firefighter. These individuals will meet and discuss policy, review those, uh, just present those to the chief, and there are any changes to be made, we'll present those to the council. Um, we had a ladder truck that was damaged back in October that has been shipped to Colleen, Texas for um, repairs and we should be looking to get that back sometime in June. Uh, and we are also or Chief Compton is also looking at um, three EMS vehicles. Um, and these will be smaller vehicles for uh, EMS to be able to respond to those EMS calls without having to bring out our engine and fire trucks. We would

kind of cut down on our maintenance for those large vehicles. And I believe that concludes my report. Hopefully that wasn't too much. Can I add this? Sure. Council member May.

Uh, Chief Car, thank you all. I be I'll be taking y'all time out when y'all leave the station. Some You can hear the side from the y'all do a good job. You all do a good job of getting to where you are going, you know, and the people in the city move about the way. I just I want to just say that. Can you uh congrats on that? Yes. them and and police chief. Uh I see now you can the cars, they're not darkened. You can see the police cars when you come down the street now. If you all noticed that they look good like they supposed to. Those cars were so dark you couldn't even see a police car coming down the road. Thank you. Thank you both. We I my my goal as an alderman is we need to have a safest city in Arkansas. Yeah, we're going to reach that goal, too. The the alert attention of our citizens and our our workers need to go up a little bit. [clears throat]

Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Maize. Council member Brown. Also, my next meeting uh for public safety, if there are no conflicts, uh will be March 4th, 1:30 in the old council chamber. So unless there's another conf there conflict somewhere then that will be on March 4th which is a Wednesday 1:30 old chambers and that concludes conflict due to the lunch there's a conflict speaker chief of police being the speaker but that was at 11:30 so I mean I think you should be finished by 1:30 chief you going to speak for two [laughter]

I think we'll be fine. If it something does come up, then we'll change it out. But I think Chief, you'll probably be able to make it. We haven't been at 1:30. You'll be able to make it to 1:30. Okay. All right.

Okay. Thank you, Council Member Brown. And next, we will go into uh taking care of the business of our proposed 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 Pine left, Arkansas, respecting the class classification of personnel within the police department, amending the 2026 municipal budget to transfer funds to defer the cost of these changes and related purposes for the third and final reading. Oh, an ordinance amending section 2126 of the code of ordinances of the city of five of 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.

Move for adoption. Second. Oh, it's been moved and seconded that item number one be adopted. Any discussion? Okay, with no discussion, all those who wish to vote for item number one indicate by saying I. I. Oh, I I mean I don't vote. Sorry. Uh, okay. And all those who are opposed uh motion fails. Next item.

Agenda item number two, an ordinance amending section 2-158. Wait just a second. Council member Fails. I'm sorry. Do we need a roll call for that? Go ahead. We can If you're asking for a roll call, we can go ahead and call the role. I'm sorry. We'll go back to that item. Um, Madam Cler, it was it didn't require it, but I will. You're asking for it. Um, Madame Clerk, please call the role. Okay. Mate, no. Hulcom, no. Brown, I lock. No. Frasier, no. Brenton, I Denton.

I fails. I four. I guess I do vote. I motion passes. Agenda item number two, an ordinance amending section 2-158 of the code ordinance of the city of Pound of Arkansas respecting purchases and competitive bidding and for related purposes up for the second reading. An ordinance amending section 2-158 of the code of ordinances of the city of Pine Arkansas respecting purchases and competitive bidding and for related purposes.

Move we suspend the rules and place this ordinance on his third and final reading. Second, it's been moved and seconded that we re uh we place item number two uh suspend the rules and place item number two on the agenda for its third and final reading. Madame clerk, please call the vote. Council member Mize. Council member Hulcom. I. Council member Brown. Hi. Council member Lockett. Hi. Council member Frasier. I. Council member Brunson. I. Council member Denton. I. Council member Fails. I.

Motion passes. Is that the third? So, we'll read it for the third and final reading, sir. Oh, I'm sorry. That's okay. I'm sorry. An ordinance amending section 2-158 of the code of ordinances of the city of Palmluff, Arkansas respecting purchases and competitive bidding and for related purposes. Move for adoption. Second. It's been moved and seconded. that item number two be adopted. Any discussion with no discussion? All of those who wish to vote for item number two indicate by saying I.

I. Any opposed? Motion passes. Agenda item number three, an ordinance amending section 2-157 of the code of the ordinance of the city of P, Arkansas respecting purchases less than $35,000 and for related purposes of the second reading. Okay. Um an ordinance amending section 2-1577 of the code of ordinances of the city of PL of Arkansas respecting purch purchases less than and there's a topographical error here. is $42,921 and for related purposes. Move we suspend the rules and place this ordinance on its third and final reading.

Second. It's been moved and seconded that item number three be placed on the agenda for its third and final reading. Any discussion? With no discussion, madame clerk, please call a vote. Mazize. Council member Maize. Council member Hulcom. Hi. Council member Brown. Hi. Council member Lockett. Hi. Council member Frasier. Hi. Council member Brenton. Hi. Council member Denton. I. And council member Fails. I.

An ordinance amending section 2-157 of the code of ordinances of the city of Pmplo, Arkansas respecting purchases less than $42,921 and for related purposes. Move for adoption. Second. It's been moved and seconded that item number three be adopted. Any discussion? With no discussion, all those who wish to vote for item number three, indicate by saying I. I.

Any opposed? Motion passes. Agenda item number four, an ordinance abolishing urban renewal agency of the city of Pine of Arkansas, dissolving the urban renewal agency board of commissioners and discharge discharging the members thereof of further responsibility as board members providing for transfer of all assets and liabilities of the urban renewal agency to the city of Pine Bluff and for related purposes up for the second reading. An ordinance abolishing the urban renewal agency of the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, dissolving the urban renewal agency board of commissioners and discharging the members thereof of further responsibility as board members providing for the transfer of all assets and liabilities of the urban renewal agency to the city of Pine Bluff and for related purposes. Move suspend the rules and place this ordinance on its third and final reading. Second.

It's been moved and seconded that this item be placed on the agenda for its third and final reading. Uh any discussion? I guess um my discussion would be since I um am sponsoring this item uh I would like to pull it for this meeting. Okay. Thank you. Agenda. So we need to withdraw a second.

I'll withdraw my motion. Second and somebody needs to drop their second. Who second it? Okay. Okay. All right. Agenda item number five, a resolution to override the mayor's veto of resolution number 4993.

Whereas the mayor has submitted her veto of resolution number 4993 passed February 2nd, 2026 and filed an explanation of veto which has been distributed to the the council. And whereas it is the desire of the requisite majority of the members of the council to override the mayor's veto and that resolution number 4993 be implemented as written. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Pllo, Arkansas that the mayor's veto of resolution number 4993 filed February 6, 2026 should be and is hereby overridden and resolution number 4993 shall be implemented as written. Move for adoption.

It's been moved and seconded. For adoption, what item number five has been moved and seconded. Any discussion? Uh before I ask for the vote to be called with no discussion, I will go ahead and make a note for those who have not read um my veto memorandum. that uh I did not obviously did not take this decision lightly. It was my first and I hope it would be my last veto. Um but I felt it necessary I believe that uh there were two members who did not uh vote for this item. So it wasn't unanimous first of all and secondly um there would need to be uh six members who voted for it uh to who voted to overturn my veto. So I felt that it was pertinent that I put the uh uh information go ahead and veto and put the correct information before the council since um the very first reason that I note is that just about every point upon which the resolution was based was out of context uh incorrect at best and dishonest at worst. And I won't go through everything because the um this information has been posted widely. I've done interviews for uh media outlets who called me and for um also on our website. I just will give broadbased items so people are clear about why I made this veto in the hopes that it will be considered. Um I think it's important to note though

that in that first item in terms of what is correct um that per the director's comments at a December committee meeting, it was noted that there remains $1.4 $4 million to complete the project, which I at every turn have expressed that I'm committed to the completion of, but that will also from uh the information that I gathered put the project at $1.7 million over budget. And even over budget, we know we discovered that there was $790 in the account, either in the account or in reserve um which could be used toward that amount coupled with the $1.2 $2 million which based on everything that has been shared with me and what I have read was raised specifically to complete construction of this project. The second reason is that this resolution completely ignores the glaring project budgetary funding capacity and accountability challenges that are central to the purpose and continuation. The council supports the continuation of the urban renewal agency throughout 2026 or beyond. There must be specific oversight and cost savings measures incorporated into this resolution. And I believe that this council has been responsive to that

reason that uh I made to veto uh this resolution. The third reason that I offered was that this resolution basically reappropriates $860,000 for the go-kart construction. That's the words of the resolution with no specificity requiring no transparency or accountability measures and no mention of where the money would come from in the city's budget as the ordinance code requires. I do believe that the council uh has tried to address those issues in these supplemental resolutions, but I would also add that nowhere uh that I read in those resolutions does it require the urban renewal agency to ever submit data, to ever re submit reports, or to ever come in person and report to the council. for these remaining dollars for the expenditure of those dollars on a project that is over budget and over well years over the timeline for completion. Reason number four, there is no agreement, contract, resolution, or other such documentation requiring that all city funds from the 2017 sales tax fund must be expended toward the go-kart track construction before the $1.2 million uh go forward Pineluff commitment is triggered. Expending all the city funds first without an agreement relegates those dollars to a blank check uh donation to urban renewal and forward Pineluff. And even though I believe that there is an attempt to address that issue,

placing all of these dollars upfront toward construction still ignores the fact that the $1.2 2 million that was committed was raised and committed to complete construction. Placing all of the city's money forward to complete construction basically allows urban renewal and go forward Pine Bluff to spend their dollars on the back end with no real commitment or oversight except that it stipulates that we would not get the money if urban renewal was uh dissolved before the next 2 years. Which then begs the question, if you're going to hold the city accountable to maintaining the existence of urban renewal agency with that qualifier, does that mean that you don't expend any money of the $1.2 million for two years? And if you do, how do you hold the city to account if we do in fact um dissolve urban renewal prior to December 31st, 2027. So that I believe makes that still problematic. Reason five, neither recent city council del deliberations nor resolution 7993 reflect any consideration of the urban renewal ay's December $759,45.38 reserve fund balance before transferring

those funds over to urban renewals construction account for payment toward the go-kart track and urban renewal agency. see operational invoices. We know um from the deliberations during the committee that the director came to that committee meeting and said that it could not that a agency could not pay their bills because they only had $14,000. When it was revealed that they had almost $800,000 in their account, there has been no information provided on how that money has been spent, will be spent. It's almost like it's supposed to go into thin air and there was no uh um consideration, I believe, by the council unless you didn't know about it. And I know several of you I've talked to about it. Um, at least a couple are aware. So, even if we do turn over 860,000, what about the 759,000? And really, if we are going to take consideration for the 1.2 2 million. If you add together what is all what was already in the account of urban renewal agency with the $860 that covers construction and then some. So then what hap what do you do on the back end with the $1.2 $2 million without a firm commitment parking lot FFN furniture fixtures and equipment operations funding for urban renewal. What I say is even if those were legitimate

um funding expenditures, that is not what the money was raised for. That's not how the money was committed. And on the back end, this council or nor city government has any uh oversight over those funds once they are expended. Even if they are presenting um um invoices, what your resolution says is the mayor's office through the finance department has to pay those if they are bonafideed invoices to spend once they've been spent. Where is the oversight and accountability once it's already done? And finally, the city of Pineluff is undergoing a forensic audit, including examin examination of transactions related to the 2017 sales tax funds collected through September 2024. The firm will be or was in Pineluff uh last week and will be providing a preliminary report by the end of March. they will actually be returning um in an a couple of weeks and so we still do expect this preliminary report. I believe that this resolution to extend unconditional or or mildly conditional support and funding uh to the urban renewal agency should not be considered until after receipt of the preliminary forensic audit report. I have pulled my ordinance which happens to be based upon a um meeting and compromise that I made with the urban renewal agency chairman

and would also hold it until uh we receive that report uh if the city council agrees to do so with its legislation as well. And with that, I'll close my remarks and ask if there are any more uh if there's any more discussion. I call for the vote. Um the motion has been uh made and seconded. All of those who wish to vote for the overturning of the mayor's veto on resolution 4993 indicate by saying I. I. Any opposed? No.

Any oppos? Uh C. Uh Madame Clerk, will you please call the vote? Council member Maize. No. Council member Hulcom. I. Council member Brown. I. Council member Lockett. I. Council member Frasier. I. Council member Bruntton. Hi. Council member Denton. No. Council member Fails. I see. Motion passes. Council member Brown. We move on. Is it possible for us to go to agenda item number 13 and read it now instead of going to the

Yes. Uh we will go ahead and uh like to read the last agenda item next which is agenda item number 13. Agenda item number 13 a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Lacy Kirk LK Solomon.

Whereas Dr. Lacy Kirk Solomon was born August 31st, 1934 to the parents of Reverend Bert Solomon and Miss Sely and Solomon. He was brought up in a Christian home with seven other siblings. And whereas he was married to sister Vera Solomon for 66 years and one son Jonathan Kirk Solomon was born to that union. And whereas he attended the New Salem school in the Shady Grove community of Gary, Texas. He graduated from Turner High School in Carthage, Texas. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Butler College in Tyler, Texas, a bachelor of divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and a master of arts degree from Washington Baptist University in Archadadelphia, Arkansas, and the Doctor of Ministry from Garrett Evangel Emangelical Theological Seminary in Evansston, Illinois. And whereas Dr. Reverend Solomon pastored in Texas for 7 years at 8th Avenue Missionary Baptist Church 12 years and Indiana Missionary Baptist Church for 31 years. He retired in 2008. He served as Baptist Student Union director for 23 years at the University of Arkansas Palm Bluff. He participated in community events, was a member of several organizations, and was always willing to help wherever and whenever needed. He was always encouraging the congregation to love one another, and he put emphasis on families working together. And whereas under the faithful and devoted leadership of Dr. Solomon. Several ministers were called, nurtured, and ordained into Christian ministry. Those who were baptized, preached their

first sermon, received ministerial training, and were ordained under his leadership include Maurice Fickland, Reverend Aaron Johnson, and Reverend Marvin Wy. And whereas, additionally, ministers who received the call to preach, delivered their first sermon, and were ordained under Dr. Solomon's leadership include Reverend Alfred Carroll, Reverend William Garman, Reverend Jy Williams, and the late Reverend Kenneth Harris. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the city council of the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, that we, the mayor and the members of the city council of the city of Pinluff, hereby honor Dr. Lacy Kirk Solomon for an extraordinary life of achievement and services for his contributions to the community and to the innumerable individuals that he has impacted is in such a positive manner.

Move for adoption. Second. It's been moved and seconded that item number 13 be adopted. Any discussion? Council member Mazize. Council member Brown wishes to be a sponsor. I think everyone wishes to be a sponsor. So we will add everyone to this resolution. Any further discussion? With no further discussion, all those who wish to vote for item number 13's adoption indicate by saying I. I.

Any opposed? Motion passes. Um tonight we have um had the honor of uh passing this proposing and passing this resolution for sure. But we are also uh honored with the presence of Sister Vera Pearl um former Tarver and now uh Mrs. Solomon. And uh we would ask for Mrs. Solomon and any any other family members to join us on stage so we can present um a framed version of this resolution and also be pictured if you so choose. Okay. All right, here we go.

Yeah, let's go. I know. I know. Me either. Yeah. Me either.

Let's go. just a little presentation. It's just our honor to present this to honor service faithfulness of Dr. [applause]

to our mayor and council members to all of you that were present. We're happy to see you tonight and we would like to as a family we would like to thank the council the community for thinking of the work that my husband did here in the community and in Texas. I'd like for you to see my granddaughter and my grandson. Where is it? Isaiah sister. These are my church members and very good friends. Um, we all know each other and they came to support. Thanks to everybody. Thank all you [applause] guys. She was my English teacher in college. She

and he was my director. They got it now. Where will you get them home? Now invest [applause] one and do. Amen.

Amen. Amen. Council member Hulcom, we'll continue with item number five. Six. Six. Or six.

Agenda item number six, a resolution authorizing the time of urban renewal agency to enter into a memorandum of agreement with go forward incorporated concerning matching funds. Whereas the attached memorandum of agreement requires the PML urban renewal agency to seek approval through resolution from the PML city council. And whereas upon entering the agreement and the fulfill and fulfilling all the terms and conditions of the MO MOA uh the Pond Love urban renewal agency will be able to submit invoices to go for Palm Bluff incorporated for construction completion and operations of the go-kart track park. Now therefore be a resolved by the city council of the city of Pmpluff Arkansas section one that the city council of PML loveluff authorizes the PML urban renewal agencies to enter into a memorandum of agreement attached here too.

Move for adoption. Second. It's been moved and seconded that this resolution be adopted. Any discussion? Yes. Council member Mays. I'll be glad. when when urban renewal is dissolved and and and leave our town because they really have divided a lot of things. The symbol bluff and the politicians and they are not going to run me and I speak from my heart too. The words of God they just wrong.

Go ahead.

Um thank you. Any further discussion? I just have a couple of questions for let me see this please for the sponsor or really for any member um who has served or watched this process in this city before um just two questions. Has there ever in the history of this city engaging with um grtors, partners or um contributors, ever committed funds, whether we applied for it or it was donated. and at least a year if not years after the commitment was made or the money was awarded that we provided a match that wasn't requested. Have we ever done that before today? Anybody? Okay. Um and then it looks like with this agreement it stipulates that we would um be held in order to get the private dollars. we would have to pledge the expenditure of all the remaining money in the uh fund. And I don't see any specifics on what the 860 would be spent for and what the $1.2 million would be spent for. And I believe it is stipulated that we um

I'll just leave that here. Um does anybody have that information or is that information was that provided to members? Mayor, I have a Can I just to go back to your first point? You asked, did we ever give to a agency or whatever No, let me be clear what I said,

okay? as the city has collaborated with organizations by receiving grants or gifts um or been in contract. When we've received money, whether we applied for it or received it as a donation, in the whole history of the city, have we ever received money without documentation of a requirement for a match and then a year or two later arbitrarily offered and provided a match that was not required or requested for the money? Have we ever done that in the history of the city? I guess I'm trying to understand. I know when we gave I know we gave 2 million to Delta Rhythm and Blues, right? And they were getting supposed to have gotten grants to cover the 2 million that we gave to them. I don't know if that has been done or not. I don't think it has, but to answer I'm assuming somewhat related to what you're asking about and that didn't have anything to do with what I asked and that's a whole another project and I believe I do believe that there have been grants but we don't know. I mean and and I think that we would need to hold that project accountable like any project. What I'm asking is in the history of this city or any city really has are you aware of ever receiving money as a grant as a part in a partnership, a contribution where money has been pledged and committed without a match and then sometime later we say, "Hey,

let us give you a match. We want to give you a match to this." cuz that's what this is. And I just have never seen us do that before. So I'm just wondering I mean I'm new. I'm just wondering if we've done that before. That's part of the What's the name of our rocket?

Yeah. I just want to make sure that the public knows that the majority of us here that are are making these moves with the urban renewal and the go forward thing is out of financial necessity. One thing that we have with this go-kart track and this food court is we have tangible assets that have been built with with city resources and taxes that once the tax disappears, the city does not have the financial capacity to continue these projects that that they they were never anticipated by this council. They were all planned and orchestrated by Go Forward and Urban Renewal. So my thing is if they can stay in play as long as possible and find resources to support these these assets, I'm I'm quite pleased because as a city we struggle just to patch roads. So why would we take resources that we need to build our community to fund assets that the city never envisioned funding? And and this is just an attempt. Now the mayor says has ever been done before. It may not. This whole thing that we did with this the 5A sales tax was a different kind of thing that never never has but been done. Most urban renewal agencies are funded by TIS district districts or some other type of revenue generating uh resources. Very few uh urban renewal agencies are funded with a tax. So that's something that this community engaged in that was not typical. But to make a long story short, what we're trying to do here tonight

with this urban renewal thing is to allow urban renewal to fund their own projects and to continue to look for resources other than city resources to keep these these uh these assets going. That that's that's what this all about. that the city really doesn't have the wherewithal to continue the food court to run a a gold contract and to manage 39 properties, five buildings downtown, one hotel, and all the other things that that comes with urban renewal. We would very much like the entities that collaborated to create urban renewal to to to to keep funding those projects and to keep promoting those projects. If I may, Mayor,

council member Hulcom.

Thank you, Mayor. As you look at the documentation here in this legislation, it says, "Whereas in support of the family fund park construction and completion and operation, go forward." Pine Bluff pledges one 1.2 million as a match as a affformentioned 860,000. And so your question was has this has this been done. Um I I know you've done your research. No, this hasn't been done. I can answer that question. No, this hasn't been done, but we're going to do it tonight. Yeah, I did do my research and I do know that this city has never offered a match. And I I think that it's important to note and my main point for asking that and it may sound a little flippant and it was is because the original resolution offered that somehow we were not providing the match. There was never any mention. This was never a match grant or a match partnership, a match agreement because there was never any contract or agreement. And I think that, you know, in stating that or believing that we wouldn't have anticipated that there would ever be a city commitment in city dollars when this whole construct was set up, urban renewal was set up in conjunction with this the sales tax.

When the sales tax was voted down twice in 2023 and there was conversation about these projects, we were consistently told that the projects would be completed a couple of years in a row. We were consistently told that monies were raised and would be provided to complete construction. I've told all of you. I sat in a meeting with the previous administration and the urban renewal and go forward leadership who told me that both projects and the agency had enough money for the completion and operation for two years. So I think understanding that this was a tax that would go uh uh that would go to completion for seven years unless it was renewed. And urban renewal agency being an agency that was created out of state legislation and city code, it's still funded with city money has been. So trying to like divide it like it's this nonprofit over there. It is just like wastewater. It's just like any of these other commissions that are operate independently by a board, make their own decisions, have their own staff, and operate with city dollars with some interaction and oversight and partnership with the city that created it. So, we are ultimately responsible. Um, we will be ultimately responsible and it has been stated over and over again that

they are going to run out of money and we'll deal with it then for the most part. And I just think that with millions of dollars that have been invested in both of these projects that um the people um the projects Simmons partnership all deserve better than knowing that there are issues and have been issues and may be issues and and and managing the money in a way that puts the city's monies first without the construction money and putting ourselves in a position to provide better uh and stronger oversight.

Madame Mayor, council member Fails, just in response to just in response to

Yes, sir. I'm sorry. Okay. Just in response to the question that you asked, this is not a new commitment. the funds in thisou. This is the $860,000 that was already committed by the city council in 2024 and even before then. And then this is a $1.2 million pledge that's been made by go forward pine bluff. Now, prior to today, all of this has just been really that 1.2 million is really mainly just been based on a verbal pledge. We have passed resolutions for the 860, but basically I believe thisou is basically formalizing agreements that have already been made. This is not committing any new money. U so people agree with that, I can respect that. If you disagree with it, I can respect it. But that's just the fact of what this here is doing. Um and I'll just leave it at that for council member. Yes. I never have supported this. Uh never from day one. I think I was the only one who didn't vote for it or voted for it against it. It just didn't sound right. And and now you hear a lot of people saying, "Ma', you were right. You were right." Simmons Bank trying to control everything and everybody in Pine Bluff. Let me tell you something. That day is coming. We're going to get some more banks up in Pine Bluff sooner or later. They cannot run Pine Bluff like it's a slave pit.

That's what they do. Y'all know that too, Council Member. Um I I think that is out of order. And what true and the truth will set us.

I I think that's a matter of opinion and I think that's out of order. And what I'll go ahead and say is that um you know, no bank runs this city council. We all are uh up here in our respective leadership roles and do our due diligence and make decisions on what is before us. Period. There are already other banks. This city has accounts with Reliance and with Simmons. And truth be told, uh, Simmons Bank has made contributions to UAPB and to this city and been a partner in ways that other banks have not. I think that for whatever issues anyone has with any bank, any corporate partner, we ought to look at what the city has done first. Nobody, no entity, no corporate partner, no partner, no bank, no foundation, no pro nonprofit can do anything without this city council and the mayor being uh complicit in decision making and advancing whatever the city council does. It is the mayor's role to advance whatever the council decides in the dayto-day and the city council holds the purse strings and makes decisions about our ordinance code. Simmons doesn't do that. No other bank does it. No one comes here unless they're here to ask questions and do something in partnership. So I think that you know belittling, defiling, complaining about anybody else besides us

is unfair and a mistake particularly to any entity that provides jobs. And that's not me protecting anybody. That's just a fact. And it brings it back to the point that whatever happens in this city through ordinance, resolution, through the budget, and through actions taken by the mayor's ha uh uh mayor's office happens because we let it or we don't let it. And that's why we have these processes here. Any further discussion? Madame Mayor,

council member fails and council member Mays. I did want to make one further clarification. I believe it was stated, you know, has this ever been done. I can't say just as a matter of fact that, you know, as a city, we do with organizations and companies, you know, all the time whenever, for example, there's been many grant programs where we've had to attachus basically stating what their responsibilities would be and what our responsibilities would be as the person receiving the grant funding. I think this whole process has been a lesson learned for the city in many ways. I think thisou document in reference to the go-kart track specifically should have been done on the front end. I think a lot of some of the issues we're dealing with now probably would have been resolved if we had more clearly delineated some of these roles and responsibilities. I think we operated a little too much on verbal agreements. Um I think we are rectifying that a little bit today. In reference to the go-kart track, I do respect the um the um the argument that, you know, the 2017 sales tax was voted down. People did not want the partnership would go forward. I can respect that. I do know you're um thinking about exploring a land bank. You know, I do look forward to exploring that with you. This here, this go-kart track is not related to, I would say, the future of urban renewal. This isn't about us funding future projects. This is about us preserving funding that has already been allocated for go forward to finish out projects that have all already been committed. So when the 2017 sales tax went away, we're not allocating any money outside of that 2017 sales tax to go forward. This is all funding that has been previously allocated. I think people are always saying when the city makes a promise, you know, they're always breaking their promise. I think this is a step towards when the city makes a promise and it

commits a certain amount of funding to a project, we have a responsibility to keep that promise, to keep that commitment um as best we can. Um, and I think that's what we're trying to do here. And I do understand that there's a big need for transparency in regards to urban renewal. And that's why I do applaud your efforts with leading the forensic audit. Um, I believe from what I've heard, they've already started the auditing process with urban renewal. So, and the council did support that effort. So, speaking for myself, I do want accountability. I do want safeguards in place. Um, but I just think that there's a way that we can all do that, get this project completed, and then we can come back to the table and figure out a future course of action that's amanable to everyone, including the citizens.

Thank you for that, Council Member Mays.

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. I mean, we can't it's either we we're over the banks. You can't be even with a bank or bankers. We're a city taxpayers money. We can't we don't have to go to them and ask them anything. And that's what's happening. You got to go to the bank and see if they agree with stuff. We in the city of Pine Bluff. We I'm speaking. We're 45,000 strong. You can't once you give a banker the lead on something, they try to take over. They live a city. They know a lot of things we don't pay attention to. I try to. You all try to too. But you can't trust him. Y'all know that.

Just to clarify, um, Council Member Mazize, we're 37,500 strong. And secondly, um, we're not over anybody. We are elected leaders and we not only represent the interests of our people, we represent the interests of our communities, of people who visit this community, who people who work in the community, and of our corporate citizens. So, we're not over them, we're not under them. We're supposed to be working together. And again, we make decisions up here and we should be held to account and explained for them without um maligning or belittling anybody, any citizen, any company, um anybody. Uh, and I would just close too with council member fails just to clarify. Um, the question that I asked was, have we ever come behind a commitment of funds through a grant or in any way and offered a match when a match was not required? There was never a match required for these funds that were committed. It just wasn't. And it wasn't until the end of 2024 in December when there was an effort to move these funds when there had already been a statement made by former mayor Washington to not move funds in swaths like that, but instead to pay invoices for oversight. And those funds were never moved prior to me being sworn in and prior to the 2025 budget. That was a budget amendment

and that was before we started requiring budget amendments to be passed through resolution. So once the budget amendment um once the money was not moved at the end of 2024, what needed to happen was for some one of the council members to do another resolution. That did not happen. And the whole time I never tried to do any kind of budget amendment, try to spend the money on anything else. I was always clear and I'm still clear that we should complete the project. That doesn't mean we hand over the money before we know exactly what it's being spent for, before we know exactly how the all other monies have been spent and before we know how the $1.2 million committed would be spent and for what. So to hand it over or to commit it and say we will let you know big bank take little bank um without any details I think is just the wrong way to go. I just think there's a different way. I support the completion of the project. I think that we can work together with any partner including go for Pine Bluff who wishes to work with the city but I just think this is the wrong way and I I think and tried to provide all the details that I'm supposed to as the as the officer who works the daytoday uh for this body and so with that any further discussion with no further discussion all those who wish to vote four item number

six. Six. Thank you. Um indicate by saying I I. All those who wish to vote against no. Madame clerk, please call the vote. Council member Maize, no. Council member Hulcom, I. Council member Brown, I. Council member Lockett, I. Council member Frasier. I. Council member Brunson. Hi. Council member Denton. No. Council member Fails. Hi. Motion passes. Council member Hog.

Yes, Madam Mayor. Agenda item number seven, a resolution authorizing the destruction of records by this code enforcement department. Whereas the code enforcement department has identified old records which it maintains that are no longer needed as itemized in the attached list and whereas retention of these records is unnecessary and the code enforcement department should be authorized to destroy the records. Now therefore, be it resolved by the city council of the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, section one, that the code enforcement department is authorized to destroy the records itemized in the attached list, which is incorporated by reference. Section two, the destruction process shall be witnessed by representatives of the city clerk's office and the mayor's office who together with the director of the department attest to the destruction of the records by affidavit detailing the records destroyed. A copy of the affidavit will be maintained of record in the city clerk's office. Move for adoption.

Second. It's been moved and seconded that item number seven be adopted. Any discussion? With no discussion, all those who wish to vote for item number seven's adoption, indicate by saying I. Any opposed? Motion passes. Agenda item number eight, a resolution authorizing the city clerk to destroy outdated invoices.

Whereas ACA section 1459114 permits a municipality to destroy invoices, payroll records, and bid documents which are at least four years old and have been subject to audit. And whereas the city clerk has identified many such records in her office which meet the criteria for destruction and desires to dispose of the documents. Now therefore be a resolved by the city council of the city of Pineluff, Arkansas, the city clerk is authorized to destroy the following records as permitted by ACA 1459114. Number one, the invoices for the years 2021, 2020, and 2021. The destruction of these documents shall be witnessed by a representative of the mayor's office and finance department and verified by affidavit signed by the clerk and the witnesses in addition to any other requirement imposed by law.

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

Nine, a resolution authorizing the city clerk and chief deputy clerk administrative right access to new world financial management system and title technology system. Whereas at present only two individuals possess administrative right access in the new world financial management system utilized by city government. And whereas the individuals with access are often unavailable for several business days, creating significant operational delays in the ability to process invoices and print vendor checks in a timely manner. And whereas this situation negatively impacts the city's financial operations and its ability to maintain efficient vendor relationship. And whereas permitting the clerk's access is needed to troubleshoot issues when encountered that impede the operational use of processing invoices and printing vendor checks. And whereas when the news world system is replaced by the Tyler technology system, this authorization should continue to carry over to Tyler. Now therefore, be it resolved by the city council of the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, that the city clerk and the chief deputy clerk shall be permitted administrative right access to the new world financial management system uh successor to Tyler Technology System. The finance director will provide all necessary assistance to facilitate this access as quickly as possible.

Move for adoption. Second. It's been moved and seconded that item number nine be adopted. Any discussion? Uh I have a question. Council member Hul. There was a discussion in administration committee meeting uh this afternoon. Uh the discussion uh madam city clerk uh uh Mr. Joe on uh right access that that that terminology right. We had some discussion about that.

Right. So in the wording um right access what exactly it it seems as though someone's able to go into the system and make changes within the system the right access and so we were trying to make sure that it's pretty exactly what it means it means that whoever is authorized will be allowed to access the system and as it says uh if necessary to troubleshoot issues that impede the operation use so it's writ that's correct

okay so I think what uh madam cler was requesting was the uh the ability to call uh New World and to I guess be able to troubleshoot and not exactly right. I think that that's where we were having the the uh difficulty with it. I think that she just wants to be able to call New World and say, "Hey, we have a problem. Uh we need to solve this issue." uh there's a uh not necessarily in entering data, but there there may be a glitch in the system and she's just trying to be able to call this call the company and make um I guess troubleshoot some things.

If I could share too that um Madame Clerk and I had a conversation last week and I thought we agreed that um legislation wouldn't be necessary and this is problematic for a couple of reasons. First of all, um I don't know that the um financial director has quote unquote right access. No one has right access for Tyler technology and the way that that system will work and the add-ons that we will be doing. Um, I just I think it would be a mistake to do this and use that language. As far as Madame Clerk being able to call New World um to ask questions, you know, I told her then and I still stand on, you know, I don't have any problem making that happen. But honestly the this is also problematic because the finance director would not provide right access and I don't have right access. So, you know, I just I think the language of this is not really correct. And I think that something like this is even premature given that the Tyler technology system has not even begun to be completed. We will not even um we will not even go live with the with that system until June. and that will be just with one portion of that. So, I I don't know if um the

the sponsor would be willing to pull this down, but I would be happy to do whatever is necessary via email and with a phone call to make sure that Madame Clerk um when she has a problem with uh New World um can call. And I would also add that this week we're still dealing with issues um with New World because of old email technology that we are replacing this week. Uh old hardware technology and I'm talking almost 20 years old that we will be replacing um in the next year or two for the city. Um we were using uh a vendor for years who was using technology literally um from 2001. So a lot of um then we had a new um phone and Wi-Fi carrier and there had to be some changes made. So bottom line is we're getting our technology house in order. Uh it takes time because we're dealing with um you know ERP software, productivity software, uh hardware across the city in all of our departments, our servers that have been down. We got new servers and we've had to move them and some of the servers were corrupted as well as uh were full in terms of memory. So, we've been dealing all of those issues at the same time. So, if you all will just give us a little bit of time, then I think that we can um know what we're dealing with. But in the meantime, we can most definitely make

sure that Madame Clerk has the access she needs to be able to make a phone call to New World. Madam um mayor, may I just council member uh I'm sorry, madame clerk,

may I just say to the council for clarification and to the public for clarification, it is the responsibility of the city clerk's office to provide um the invoices and payments to our vendors and their expectation is for that not to be delayed. In many of cases, uh, for the past five years, there have been issues with our current system and there has been no access granted to the clerk's office to be able to troubleshoot. We only currently have two administration members that have the access to um troubleshoot any issues that goes on with New World to prevent that. It is the request of the city council, I mean the city clerk to the city council, which really shouldn't be a matter of legislation before us. It should be as the mayor have already stated a collaboration of the executive department and she's directing her um staff to do so. That did not happen in the prior prior administration and I'm grateful that this administration is stating that and has stated it public that it will take place under her administration. So at this point in time, I will pull this legislation with the advocate that the city clerk office will have access to contact and to troubleshoot with Tyler Technology to resolve any issues that they

encounter. Um, we do not do the analysis with Tyler Technology. They are the programmers. The clerk's office wouldn't have the viewpoint as to where to start to try to affect anything within the system. We only need the ability to communicate with them so that they can troubleshoot the issues that arise and not prevent and delay operations at the clerk's office. [snorts] I'm sorry.

Yeah, I I'll just reiterate publicly that we'll make sure that you have the access so that you can contact New World when you're having a problem. I do want to clarify that troubleshooting is what it does. I don't have any rights or privileges. I don't call and troubleshoot anything and neither does the finance director. That is done through it who has actually been working on this like for the better part of the last 5 days straight. Um but I will provide you that access and I thank you uh for your patience. Yeah. And but mayor may just clarify one thing with you.

One more thing. You're right. You're right. Um, we do not have access to New World. You're right. To troubleshoot. That's why nobody but it though. No. No. your finance director um is the one that has the administrative rights to dictate who has the access to allow Tyler technology or well in the case it will be Tyler Technology but to allow New World to communicate in order to resolve and troubleshoot an issue that we're facing within the department.

Can I say this? Council member Mazize. Gina is back here. She can answer these technology questions. No, she can't. No, she can't.

She doesn't answer technology questions. She's the finance director and she ha she has the rights because this is software that uh controls the finances of the city and it is software that controls the HR functions of the city but mostly finance. So when we enter things and approve things and override things, that is the access she has. When something goes wrong and there is a need for troubleshooting, that goes to it. That's just the way it is. Okay. Any further discussion? Council member Hulcom. Legislation being pulled back. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thanks for hearing it. Agenda item number 10, a resolution authorizing a contract with Wagner General Contractors Incorporated for working concerning the renovation of 316 Main Street in the city of Pamouth, Arkansas. Where is after public advertisement soliciting bids from interested vendors to perform work for the renovation of 316 Main Street Project downtown Pine Bluff, the firm of Wagner General Contractors Incorporated submitted the lowest most responsible bid and whereas it appears the company is qualified and capable of doing the work and that the contract to do so should be executed with it. Now therefore being resolved by the city council of the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas that the mayor is authorized to execute a contract with Wagner General Contractors Incorporated to perform work respecting the renovation of 316 Main Street project in downtown Palm Love for the consideration of $99,950 consistent with the city specifications and the company's bid on terms and conditions specific to the work and project. and as otherwise standard in the field for work of such nature. Move adoption.

Second. It's been moved and seconded that item number 10 be adopted. Any discussion? What um Council Member Brown, this 316 project, what what exactly uh is it? Is that is that building that's downtown? It's the building and Lori is here if you have any questions, but it's the building downtown and correct me if I'm wrong, Miss Lori. It's for small businesses to be in there almost like it's it's going to be like slots. Um, when you go in, it's going to be business owners to the left and to the right and then down on the floor. Um, so this is just the first phase of it and and if you need any more.

Okay. Um, I mean, I don't know if anybody else has any questions. Okay. Um I just Okay. So the 99,000 where is that funded from? Oh yeah, we don't have that in Nor. I'm sorry. Development block. We need to put that in there. Okay. Okay. Yeah. Okay. You're fine. All right. But we do need to put that in there. Okay. So we do need I'll entertain an amendment. All right. Um move to add the funding source as community block uh grant funds. Second. It's been moved and seconded that the item number 10 be amended to reflect uh that the funds will come from block grant funds.

Community block grants community block grant funds. Um any discussion with no discussion all those who wish to vote for the amendment affformentioned amendment indicate by saying I. Any opposed? And now uh any further discussion on the item number 10? With no further uh discussion on item number 10, all those who wish to vote for item number 10 as amended, indicate by saying I. I. Any opposed?

Motion passes. Agenda item number 11, a resolution amending the 2026 municipal budget to reallocate fund within the legal department. Whereas consistent with ordinance number 6849, when the municipal budget is adopted by resolution, a budget adjustment must also be approved by resolution. And whereas the 2026 municipal budget was adopted by resolution number 4983 on December 22nd, 2025. And whereas an adjustment and change to the budget is needed for the reasons described and detailed in the attached budget adjustment request and the funds for the for said purpose should be reallocated funds within the budget for the legal department as explained in the request. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of PL Arkansas section 1, the adjustment to the 2026 municipal budget as requested and explained in the attached budget adjustment having been examined is approved. The particulars thereof as detailed in the attachment are incorporated herein as if fully set forth word for word and number for number section two that the 2026 municipal budget adopted by resolution number 4983 is amended to incorporate the adjustments and changes set out in the attachment section three. The finance department will ensure that the budget is implemented as amended.

Move adoption. Second. It's been moved and seconded that item number 11 be adopted. Indic um any discussion? With no discussion, all those who wish to vote for item number 11 indicate by saying I. I. Any opposed?

No. Uh motion passes. I think one no. So go ahead and pass. Agenda item. Agenda item number 12, a resolution amending a resolution number 4993, a resolution expressing ongoing support and operation of the Pondo Urban Renewal Agency. Whereas the Pomliff City Council adopted duly adopted resolution number 1493 on February 2nd, 206, which was vetoed. veto was overridden by the city council and whereas the city council has determined that the additional parameters should be imposed to ensure transparency, accountability and oversight and whereas the city council finds that is in the best interest of the city of Pine Bluff to modify resolution number 4993. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Pimluff, Arkansas section 1. Resolution number 4993, a resolution expressing ongoing support and operations of the Palmluff Urban Renewal Agency should be amended as set forth herein. Section two, the public works director shall inspect the construction project and shall forward all invoices related thereto the mayor's office for approval after which payment shall be processed by the finance director. Section three, the public works director shall make regular updates to the city council. This procedure shall remain in effect until all construction work has been fully completed. Section four, the city council hereby authorizes the transfer of $860,000 from the 2020 2025 58 2025 carryover. The tax carryover is that right? fund balance to the 2026 f fiscal year budget to be specifically designated to the golf cart c course project line item for the construction fund furniture fixtures

and equipment along with the operation of the go-kart course section five the bluff urban agency agrees to provide funding support in the amount of $1.2 $2 million in private funds to be specifically designated to the go-kart course projects account for the construction fund fixture furniture fixtures and equipment along with the operation of the go-kart course section six such funds shall be dispersed in accordance with the procedures set forth in this resolution and a future between the urban renewal agency collaborating partners and the pondluff and the city of palmluff Move for adoption.

Second. It's been moved and seconded that item number 12 be adopted. Any discussion? Madam Mayor,

council member Lockett. Yeah, this amendment should cover all the oversight issue that we were lacking and the specificity related to what the uh urban renewal agency is obligated to contribute to this project and uh give us the oversight from Mr. Matthews who's quite uh versed in these types of um uh endeavors. This is what he does for our other public works projects. And this should give us the documentation of what is being spent and how it's being spent. And um uh that we we'll know where the money is coming from. Um and specifically the money is very much known by the city on a continual basis of how it's being spent. So there's no way that money will be spent without uh Mr. Matthews uh taking those invoices and getting them processed.

Any further discussion?

Um I I will just say that I I find it disturbing that uh Mr. Matthews works um for an entity or for a department under the authority of the mayor and no one spoke with me about um our public works director providing oversight um for this project. Number one. Number two, um because Mr. Matthew works for economic development and under the authority of the mayor. He has absolutely no connection responsibility to go to the entity that will make the decisions about how these monies are spent. um when urban renewal agency um board makes a decision, he does not answer to them. They don't answer to him. So, while I have total and complete faith in Mr. Matthew's expertise and his ability to come back and share with us or share with the contractors on site um for what he might see. That doesn't mean he sees everything, but he has absolutely no connection to the decisions that are made with regard to the funds. he will have no authority, no responsibility to go before that board and ask that they make any changes uh any change orders um to halt any change orders. And it really puts him in

and me in an unfair and tough position because if he does see something that is uh not right uh inappropriate, unsafe, even illegal. now he has to go back and make a decision about what to say and how to say it versus the paid executive director and the board members that are appointed to spend those dollars. So, I I I don't think that it will provide adequate um oversight and I don't think that it this was done in the right way, but um I don't have a vote on this unless there's a split and I didn't sponsor this legislation, but I felt compelled to make those points. Thank you,

Council Member Mays. I understand what what you're saying. Uh it came with this you got you got urban renewal which is Simmons Bank that is not Simmons Bank. I just have to correct you. I'm sorry council member. I'm speak okay I got you. Okay let's just be factual though. What I'm saying is okay

we shouldn't have to go through them urban renewal bunch to make decisions for the city. And I always have disagreed with that. I didn't support them in the beginning. I don't think we should have to go through the banker to do something. I I think that's kind of like slavery, you know. I'm done.

Okay. Uh again, inappropriate, not true, but um we all have voice and agency up here. Uh I've read about slavery. I haven't experienced it myself, but I know my ancestors did and urban renewal and banking and these functions are not like slavery. Um, however, um, this is a decision that will be made um, by this body based on the information presented and I just ask if there's any further discussion. I'm not going to apologize. Council member, I didn't ask you to apologize.

Okay. Uh, I'm just going to go ahead and call the vote. All those who wish to vote for item number 12, indicate by saying I. I. Any opposed? No. Okay. I think I just heard one no, so I'll call it that the uh motion passes.

Agenda item number 14, a resolution authorizing the street department to purchase an insulated area utility truck for street lighting, signal work, rideway operations, and related work. Whereas the street department is in great need of a new insulated aerial utility truck capable of performing tasks essential for street lighting, signal work and right ofway operations and related work. And whereas the street whereas the department has identified a vendor for purchase of a versal lift aerial platform which meets the department's specifications and needs. And whereas this vehicle will replace the current aerial truck which is over 20 years old, outdated, and in need of significant engine work resulting in increased downtime and reliability concerns. And whereas the new truck will improve employee safety through ANC compliant insulation and fall protection systems and reduce reliance on rentals or outside contractors. And whereas the vehicle's 4x4 chassis allows access in unimproved rightways and emergency conditions. And whereas the truck is whereas the truck may be obtained without competitive bidding through the source well cooper cooperative for the total price of $225,364 which is a fair and reasonable price and the purchase should be authorized without further delay. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Pine Bluff of Arkansas section one that the mayor and street department manager are authorized to contract for the purchase of the Versalift

VST555 HDI as particularly described in the attached versalift source well contract and quotation for the total price of $225,364. Section two, there is appropriated from the 2025 carryover funds for the street department the sum of $225,364 to finance the purchase. Move for adoption. Second.

Newton seconded that item number 14 be adopted. Any discussion? With no discussion, all of those who wish to vote for item number 14 indicate by saying I. I.

Any opposed? Motion passes. Okay, now it is time to read the announcements and they are as follows. Uh, the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center is having a volunteer open house on February 21st, 2026 at 2 to 5:00 p.m. Raffles, refreshments, and more. Item number two, a new clinic is proud to serve the Pineluff community. Rare located at 4747 Dusty Lake Drive, Sweet G1 in Watson Chapel, is having an open house Wednesday, February 18th, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Item number three, 2026 Pine Bluff Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Arkansas. Every year, thousands of people jump into freezing cold water to support Special Olympics Arkansas. By plunging with us, they help bring opportunity and inclusion to over 19,500 Special Olympics athletes and young athletes across the state. February 28th, 2026, Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Contact Briana, that's B R I A I B R I A N A at Special Olympics.org. Pine Bluff Aquatic Center. And item number four, uh, the waste management contract transition cart retrieval update. The city's 30 plus year contract with Waste Management ended October 31st, 2025. The contract previously served approximately

13,500 households in Pine Bluff. Waste Management made an effort to retrieve carts. However, approximately a thousand company-owned carts remain with residents. Prior to Thanksgiving, the mayor's office began coordinating with Waste Management to complete pickup. We recently learned this was a similar issue in Springdale, where households were similarly impacted after the waste management contract expired. The city is asking residents who still have waste management cards to contact the mayor's office so we can continue to compile a list for collection in March. Residents should provide their address and contact information so we can coordinate pickup. For questions, residents may call 870-7302000 extension number 7. Our priority is protecting the city's interest in ensuring an orderly transition for residents. Thank you so much. And with that we will adjourn and then hear no one signed up for um a public comment on non-aggenda items. So we are adjourned. Ajourned.

Oh yeah. I got