City Council - Regular Meeting

Hey, mayor. How's it going? All right. We're still trying to get it together. So, we might be a couple minutes. Okay. Cuz we're getting still getting legislation in. Yeah. But just I just saw it. Yeah. So, we got I haven't read it. Why you got so many? Huh? I didn't know y'all had some. Just brought me some. Oh, okay. Yeah, cuz I called him because I couldn't get find this. Really? Wow. I only looked at Walmart. Let's go.

6, 2026, approximately 5:28 p.m. Um, tonight we have two budget adjustments for consideration. Um, the first budget adjustment is a resolution the 2026 municipal budget as regards to the police department. Um we turn over here the total um invest,000 uh this amount is coming from department for salaries. It is going to various departments repair. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor let me know by saying I. I. Any opposed? I have it. The second budget adjustment that we have this evening is a resolution for 2026 and this is the budget as regard as regards the 2025 year end budget adjustment. Um this comes from all departments within the city. um speaking with finance director saying that um basically this balances out any uh discre most of those within their own department just to get a zero balance second to the full council pass. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, let me know by saying I. Any opposed? Do we have any other

ordinance? Number six, two, three, four, and five. that will be completed on tonight before you should have a resolution amending the 2026 and this is the budget that regards to the 2025 million budget adjustment if added to the agenda. This will be agenda item number six.

Okay. The next one, a resolution amending the 2026 communal budget that regards to the police department if added to the agenda. This will be agenda item number seven. Everybody on one board. Next will be a resolution authorizing student party to destroy outdated and unneeded wages added to the agenda. This will be agenda item number eight. Yes sir. The last one will be a resolution authorizing work to install and maintain far added to the agenda. Additive agenda. This is the agenda item number. 8 Any

any questions? and resolutions. So,

downtown Pine Blood because the buildings are old, dilapidated and um it we shouldn't tear those down because of fear of the um as best as those type of things because the buildings are so old and um from looking that the um agenda is showing that um I proposed it for downtown but um from the drawings is showing it's like a um a perimeter around the city per se and um I was wanting some uh feedback on that. Um the sponsor of this legis y'all up. The sponsor of this legislation is council member Lockett. Um, council member Lockett, do you response to a proposal? request made I wouldn't say proposal but request

uh in regards to

um the blight um in downtown Pine and um the blight is a rapid plant disease caused by bacteria so um you know like downtown are really old and um if they're torn down you can have leg pain as well that type of thing releases to the air so um I came up with this idea I researched um on using um different things to mask those buildings like maybe strawberry trees that type of thing. So I was trying to get some feedback on that and what kind of idea because I see in the agenda it's showing like a perimeter not just flying blood not just downtown but I think that's a good idea just starting in the middle um the mayor's Um uh chief of staff. Yes.

Yeah. We we we'd love to see it and and we you know we don't have a problem working with you on uh whatever you may propose but we you know I can't make a a call now I can see okay we you know once we see it we can see how we may be able to incorporate it so I send an email to the chief of staff so she has okay she'll send it to us and we'll give you some feedback as well. Thank you. The next question is

good evening.

Good evening to the council and residents. History is very important. I'm going to say some things and I'm not going to put a date on it, but then I'm going to make it more relevant to the situation about number five, which is from the urban rural areas. While persons of African origin cannot become citizens, persons from local tribe to marry Europeans can attain that status for themselves and their children. Congress approves creating the territory of Arkansas without restrictions on slavery. Blue Crossro passed a city ordinance prohibiting blacks from dancing without permission. Persons held in bondage are to be given lashes for violating this ordinance. Free blacks are to be fined. Another ordinance prohibits white men from the blacks. Just a couple of cars lost uh loses the last of their Arkansas lands and are forced out of the state. Little Rock forbids blacks from possessing guns, holding meetings at the door, pursuing tradition. The last one I repeat is uh slave Marie Jenny purchase purchases her freedom besides a wide ranging catering business. She comes to own a tavern at the Arkansas Post. Again, a little more related now and I missed before. Black women, 300,000 black women lose jobs since Trump's return. Impact will ripple throughout the economy. Since President Trump's return to office, more than 300,000 black women have lost their jobs while employment for them has shot up from 5.4 to 6.7%. This structural inequality among black women will eventually create a huge

deterioration in the entire economy as they don't consume as much. I believe will still and throughout the entire economy says Democratic Congressman Gore Wisconsin new school economics professor. So we see where during the period of time when the country the state was formed the woman on her own territory she was considered free black but there is something that no student that I have talked to know about. It was an act called act 151. It was passed in 1859. And the law says all free blacks have to leave the state of Arkansas by January the 1st, 1860 without a car, without an airplane, without a train. They must leave by soon walking. Any property they had, and some of them had lots of property, they have to sell it. And if they don't sell it, we will auction it off and half of the money or more will go to school systems and the other half the other part will give to them. So

now now urban renewal

Yeah. Now it's just urban renewal was formed around the time of the civil of the first world war. banks refused to allow money to Africanameans to buy homes. No matter what their income was, where they own businesses or where they employed and no matter what, they would loan. So, in my opinion, a bank does not have clean hands to run an urban renewal agency. Why? You caused the problem. You call so many African-American people when I was in school, younger teachers all in high school in college in the elementary school that were African-American that wouldn't house wouldn't step. It wasn't until later they did. So my point is that I think we should do all that we can to to get a clear understanding about whether we are rehabilitating property that's in disrepair or rebuilding banks downtown or bank property that we turn around and use taxpayers money to build it and then rent it to them.

They will never own it. Thank you so much. Thank you Thomas. I wish I could elaborate more. and Miss Adrian Han. It says the topic is all.

Good evening everyone.

I'm Adrien Hunter and I'm a director sending a stakeholder of this land. I'm here regarding resolution number five, the designation of certain areas is blighted for urban removal. Before you label anything as a blight, there is a fundamental question that must be answered. How did it become that way? Because it did not start that way. What we're seeing today is not just a policy decision. It is part of a long-standing pattern. Land is destabilized through disinvestment, environmental exposure, and restricted opportunity. Then once conditions decline is labeled blighted and that label becomes a legal gateway to redevelopment, acquisition and displacement. That is not revitalization. That is a cycle. And this city has participated in that cycle before under Arkansas law including the authority grant through Act 151. As the man stated earlier that the statute is tied to urban renewal and redevelopment. This body has power, but that power comes with responsibility because those same laws are not supposed to be used to displace residents or ignore the conditions that created the so-called blight in the first place. You have received federal brownfield spill funding to address contaminated land. So, I'm asking clearly on the record, where did the contamination come from? Which industries contributed to it? How are those funds used? And where is the proof that the land is now safe? Because residents still live here and many are still dealing with the long-term effects of environmental exposure, including serious health concerns that have not been fully acknowledged. So again, how does the land become blighted? It becomes blighted when it is allowed to be. And when that happens, responsibility does not disappear. It simply shifts. You cannot label land as a blight without acknowledging the

policies and decisions and the actors that created those conditions. And you cannot fix it by removing the very people who endured it. Because redevelopment without protection is displacement. And when displacement happens repeatedly across generations in the same communities is not incidental, it's structural. So before any resolution moves forward, I'm demanding clarity. Where is the environmental accountability? Where is the transparency on funding and cleaning up? Where are the enforcable protections for current residents under those laws? And what guarantees exist that they will not be priced out or pushed out? Because without these protections, this process does not repair harm. It compounds it. And I want this clearly on the record. This land has already been taken before through legal mechanisms that did not reflect justice. and we are not going to sit quietly while it happens again under a different name. Even if it is backed by a statute. If this council moves forward without addressing these realities, then this is not redevelopment. It's repetition and we recognize it. We will document it and we will respond accordingly. And I just want to state this, those laws were never intended to justify, harm, conceal environmental responsibility, or to facilitate the removal of long-standing communities. And as a reminder that Act 151, that signals you're not just speaking, you're documenting. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Um, next on the agenda,

we will call the meeting to order and hear from Minister Chin Blunt of New St. James Baptist Church. We will have the presentation of colors from Pondro High Schools the Air Force Junior Jr. OTC and um then we will also be led uh in the pledge of allegiance by the kind of high school Air Force Junior RTC. So, um, right now, Mr. Blunt, can you please council members, we please bow our heads for prayer. Kind father, we gather here, our source of all that is good and generous to seek guidance for the work before us. May we be reminded that those who serve are called to humility, compassion, and justice. Grant us wisdom to listen with open hearts, to speak with honesty and kindness, and to act with courage for the welfare of every community member. Help us, oh God, to set aside our divisions and uphold the dignity of every person and pursue policies that protect the vulnerable and uphold the common good and preserve the freedoms we cherish. Kind father, may our decisions be informed by stewardship of the earth, respect for human rights, and a commitment to peace and civic responsibility. inspire us to work together with patience, integrity, and a spirit of service so that our city may flourish in safety, opportunity, and unity for all in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. color barely. Coast Guard left free arms. We now 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.

Order on. Mark this mountain Thank you, Minister, and thank you High School Air Force.

Madam Cler, will you please call on the role? Council member here. Council member here. Council member Brown here. Council member Lockett here. Council member Frasier here. Council member Brunson. Council member here. Council member. Thank you. Madam cler. Right now I will entertain a motion to approve the minutes from March 16. March 16th 2026.

Second. It's been moved and seconded that the minutes for March 16, 2026 be approved. Any discussion? All those who wish to vote for the approval of the March 16, 2026 minutes indicate by saying I. Any opposed? Motion passes. And now we will move on to our committee reporting. We will begin with ways and means. Council member Brown, could you please deliver your report?

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Pleasant just before this council meeting tonight, we had two budget adjustments. Um they are agenda items number six coming from actually the 2025 year in budget. Um and also the community police department. Those are agenda items number six and seven. Both of those items were sent to the full council with the due pass from the committee. And that concludes our report. Thank you very much. And next we will hear from council member Hulcom on ordinances and resolutions. Council member, please report.

Thank you. We have one ordinance up for first reading and look at the ordinance or should you have an attachment that replaces page number six and I want to go for the first reading. We have items 2, three, four and five are all resolutions which which will be completed on tonight. All of you should have before you a resolution amending the 20 26 budget as a part of the 2025 union budget. I move that this resolution be added to the second. It's been moved and seconded that this item beh the application item be added to the agenda. Any discussion? There's no discussion. That clerk, please call the role. Council member Hi.

Council member. Hi. Council member Brown. Hi. Council member Wit. No. Council member Fraser. Hi. Council member Brunson. Council member Denton. Hi. Council member Fails. Hi.

The item fails. Next agenda item, a resolution amending the 2026 minimal budget in regards to police department. I move that this agenda item be added to the agenda. Second item and seconded the item be added to the I mean added to the agenda. Any discussion? Uh yes uh council member

this particular item uh this is from our police department. They've been trying to get this passed for quite a time quite a bit of time now. So um it would be very important if we could get this added to the agenda so they can do the work that needs to be done. Any further discussion? No discussion. Please call. Council member Ace. Hi. Council member Hulcom. Hi. Council member Graham. Hi. Council member Lit. No. Council member Frasier. Hi.

Council member Brenton. Council member Council

item resolution authorizing the street department to destroy out and unable. I move this agenda item second. been moved and second that the applicant I be added to the agenda. Any discussion? I have a question

April 13th. Um, and so this would be the last opportunity in a regular meeting in order for the department to be able to make this request and move forward with their shredding participation. Thank you. Any further discussion? No further discussion, please call. Council member Mays. Hi. Council member Hok. Hi. Council member Bram. Hi. Council member Lit. Hi. Council member Frasier. Hi. Council member Bernson. Hi. Council member Denton. Hi.

Council member Fails. This would be a last one. A resolution authorizing the Rotary Club of West Pine to install and maintain a peak in Pound Gardens. I move that this resolution be added to the agenda. Second move that second item be added to the agenda. Any discussion?

Yes. Council member Brown. On this item, um we actually talked about this in the previous meeting. This is just the legislation to uh basically get Let it be official that the council is in support of this peace hall being memorial guard. Thank you. Any further discussion, please call the law. Council member B. Hi. Council member Brown Hul. Hi. Council member Brown. Hi. Council member Blanket. Hi. Council member Frasier.

Hi. Council member Brunson, Council Member Denton, and Council Member Fail.

Oh, thank you. And uh next we have Council Member Frasier. Please deliver your report on economic and community development.

Thank you. On March 19th, uh we met at the economic community development in reference to um we discussed the preconstruction meeting for 316 South Main. And the only action was the committee voted to apply for a TAP grant for the remainder of Grand Street sidewalk projects. applications are due April 30th, but the resolution will be presented at the next uh council meeting. And then also uh our next meeting will be April 16th at 11:00 a.m. That's okay. Thank you. And next we have the public health and welfare committee council member who report on our last.

Thank you. Next we have public works council rocket please report the public works committee met on March 31st one road city council chambers clean and beautiful reported uh that they had um a great Arkansas clean up went there and they beginning their u their cutting for the areas The aquatic summer reported that the spring break um swimming went well. They utilized church vans to get young people to the aquatic center and that seems to be uh pretty good. So they may want to look at using church van to get young people to other uh activities. The street department reported on its activities and they're doing a diverse amount of things. But one of the more important things that they reported was the training was begin I think uh last week on the new inquir machine. So you should see this machine being worked throughout the uh the community. Uh we we're quite grateful uh for the foresight of the street department regarding this machine. So we're hoping this solves some of the powerful issues that our citizens have. Thank you.

Thank you. And next we have council member. Please report on the development and plan last met on March 20th. Uh we received departmental updates and we also forwarded items agenda items 1 2 3 and five to council. Uh we will announce our next meeting date and time and that concludes my report. Thank you. Council member, will you please report on the traffic and aviation committee? Aviation has not made since our last council meeting upcoming meeting with city.

Thank you. Council member Hton, would you please report on the administration? Thank you, Mayor. Administration committee will meet next Tuesday. At what time?

Thank you. Did I complete your report? Yes, ma'am. Thank you. And finally, um, Council Member Brown, would you please report on the public, excuse me, public safety committee? Uh, yes, Mayor. Thank you. Uh, the public safety committee will meet on Wednesday, uh, which is April the 8th at 1:30 in the old council chambers and um, Zoom. We'll be in person and in Zoom 1:30. Can you repeat that, please? um April 8th, which is Wednesdays, um 1:30 p.m. in the old council. Thank you.

Okay. And next, we will move on to the proposed ordinances and resolutions. Council member H. Agenda item number one or submission chapter 7 code ordinance of the city of Forth Arkansas to add a new article. Article seven establishing minimum standards for housing and to protect tenants from hazardous housing condition and for related purposes up for the first meeting.

Councilman that I move in the title of this city attorney. Um second moved and seconded that uh item number one, agenda item number one uh only be read by title by the uh city attorney. Any discussion? Um well, so let's do this.

Right. Right. Right. So since we're in discussion mode then what I'll do is recognize council state. So basically I'm just moving that we only read the title of this ordinance because it would take quite a few minutes to read through this you know our time here tonight in the audience but this is public information is available in the clerk's office. Any participant very I would like for the citizens to get it's a lot but it makes sense. Everybody can't read.

I'll draw my second. city has adopted a comprehensive housing code including the adoption of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Arkansas Energy Code, National Electric Code, Arkansas Plumbing Code, Arkansas Fuel and Gas Code, Arkansas Mechanical Code, International Building Code, and the International Property Maintenance Code to protect and promote the health, public health, safety, and welfare of its residents regarding housing. And whereas while the state of Arkansas has enacted limited housing standards for renters, Arkansas is regarded as the only US state that does that has not enacted an implied warranty of habitability equal to other US states which would require landlords to maintain safe sanitary and livable conditions tenants in their will and in their will properties and where it has an estimated 48% of homes in the econom are currently render occupied according to the most recent census data which is higher than the state average and whereas for this reason it is especially important that the property owners provide safe sanitary and livable conditions in time low. Not only are substandard housing units detrimental to the economic development of the city, but they are also hazardous to the health and wellbeing of those who occupy. And where asked the Arkansas General Assembly passed Act 1052 of 2021 which set forth the implied habitual standards for all lease or rental reasons entered into or renewed after O November 1st, 2021. And whereas this ordinance is intended to supplement existing state law and to prevent hazardous housing

conditions that endanger human health and safety by establishing penalties and municipal fines for any violations thereof. Now therefore we are ordained by the city council of the city of con Arkansas section one. Chapter 7 of the code of ordinances of the city of Pville, Arkansas is amended to add new article 12 minimum standards for rental housing which applies as follows. Article 12 minimum standards for rental housing section 7-351 tenant rights and protections. This article emphasizes certain rights that tenants have under a rental agreement wherever made for a unit located within the city. These rights do not include the entire code requirements listed under the housing code, nor does it change, amend, or alter any requirements under federal, state, or local law. Section 7-352 definitions building and housing code means any law, ordinance or governmental regulation or rule concerning business habitation or the construction, maintenance, operation, occupancy, use or appearance of any premises or dwelling unit. Dwelling unit a structure or part of a structure that is used as a home residence or sleeping place by one person who maintains a household or by two or more persons who maintain a common household and includes landlord owned mobile homes. Property that is less for the inclusive purpose of exclusive purpose of being renovated by the trustee is not considered a unit within the meaning of this chapter. Landlord means the owner, leover or subless over of the premises and it also means a manager of the who fails to disclose as required by this article.

Multiple family dwellings means a dwelling designed or occupied by more than two family organization means a corporation, government, governmental submission or agency, business trust, state trust, partnership or association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest and any other legal or commercial entity. Owner means one or more persons jointly or separately separately. in whom is vested all or part of legal title to the property or a part of the beneficial ownership and a right to present use and enjoyment of the premises. Owner includes but is not limited to a mortgage in possession. Person means an individual or organization. Premises means a dwelling unit and the structure of which it is a part and is a part and of facilities and purposes therein and grounds areas and facilities held out for the use of tenants generally or whose use is promised to the tenants. Grant means the consideration payable for the use of the premises including late charges for the payable in lump sum or periodic payments excluding security deposits or other charges. Rental agreement means all agreements written or oral and valid rules adopted under this article in the terms and conditions concerning the use and occupancy of a growing unit and premises. Rental housing unit is defined in the same way as well unit in this section. Such terms include but are not limited to a manufactured home used as rental and a mobile home used as a rental. The only difference between a unit that is that is a rental housing

unit is intended to be leased or rented through. A unit shall not be deemed a a rental housing unit for purposes of this chapter if the owner of record shall provide to the city satisfactory evidence that another person in possession and control of the property has a contractual right to purchase a unit on a date certain or a specified price and is entitled to receive when the purchase price is paid a warranty if the unit is real property or if they will sell if the unit is a manufactured home or mobile Home satisfactory evidence for manufactur or mobile home shall shall be a purchase claim shall be made with a purchase plan with a promisary note or a UC file showing an article security interest. Satisfactory evidence for real farmer shall include a valid and enforceable contract file in the deed of records of the just county service worker which should contain policies provision. Number one, a term for payment or escrow of taxes and necessity left into your property. Two, a term for payment of property insurance cover loss or damage to the improvements on the property. Three, a term stated that the buyer is responsible for any and all repairs and maintenance necessary to maintain the structure and the intuition purchase arrangement. the buyer or buyer. The buyer or option pays these this pay or pay the sale or option upfront and upfront reasonable option consideration at the beginning of the contract which is applied toward the purchase price in the event the option is exercised and that a portion of the rent paid during the term

of the lease is applied towards the purchase price the option is exercised. Single family residence means a structure maintained and used as a single unit and notwithstanding that a unit shares one or more walls with another apartment unit. It is a single family resident if it has direct access to a street or fair and shares neither heating facilities, hot water equipment, nor any other essential facility or service with any other unit. 10 means a person entitled under the criminal to occupy and unit to the exclusion of others. Section 7-353 implied false standard for all lease agreements or liberal agreements entered into or renewed after June 1st 2026 and exclusive of a lease purchase or a lease with a purchase right and except when temporarily prevented by an act of God. The failure of or cause by public utility service or other force mature in events to include without repetition any epidemic or pandemic that causes work stoppages labor or material shortages or required social distances distancing that impacts the ability to maintain or repair a premises. There should be implied in all businesses and rental for residential purposes a requirement of the quoting or single family residence have both at the time of possession is delivered to the tenant named in the use or and throughout the term of the lease agreement. A an available source of hot

and cold water as required by Arkansas code annotated 1817 252. This applied standard is consistent with section 28-43C of the housing code which requires that every flowing unit shall have connected to the kitchen sink for the horritory and the home or shower an adequate supply of both cold and hot water. All water must be supplied through an approved pipe distribution system connected to an approved portable water supply. B an available source of electricity as required under Arkansas code annotated 1832502. This standard is consistent with section 8-505 of the housing code which require the following. All electrical fixtures receptive equipment and wiring shall be maintained in a state of good repair safe capable being used and installed and connected to the source of electric power in accordance with the electric proposal. Two, where the determination is made upon examination of existing electrical service supply that such service supply is obsolete or is being used in such a matter that would constitute a hazard to the occupants or would otherwise constitute a hazard to the life to life and property. The minimum capacity of the service and the main disconnect shall be increased to adequately carry the total load in accordance with the electrical sit. I the minimum capacity of the service and the main disconnect switch shall be sufficient to adequately carry total load required in accordance with the electric code. Three, a sanitary sewer system and plumbing

that form to applicable building and housing code 23 codes post in existence at the time of installation as required under Arkansas code annotated 1824 17-1 17-502. This applies standard is consistent with section 8-403A of the housing code which requires that every building should contain settings, kitchen, sink, oratory tub or shower and the water and a part faucet all in good working condition and properly connected to any approved water and sewer system. Every plumbing fixture and water and waste pipe shall be properly installed and maintained in good sanitary condition free from defects, leaks and obstructions. Four, a functioning roof and building envelope as required under Arkansas code annotated 181731 522. This implies this applied standard is consistent with section 8-423 of the housing code of which requires that all groups and overhang shall be maintained in a safe manner and be structurally sound and have no defects which might admit rain or cause dampness in the walls or exterior portion of the building. Section number five, a functioning heating and air cooling system to the extent heating and air conditioning system serve the premises at the time the landlord and the tenant enter into the lease agreement as required under Arkansas code annotated 1875 pest extermination. This implies standard is consistent with section 8-407E

of the housing code which requires that every occupant of a single dwelling unit and every owner of a building containing two or more dwelling unit shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects or other pests within the building premises or purposes. Seven, maintenance. The implied standard is consistent with section 8-33 of the housing code, which requires that all buildings or structures, both existing and new, and all parts thereof, shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. All devices or safeguards which are required by this article in in in a building when erected, altered, or repaired shall be maintained in good working order. The owner or his designated agent shall be responsible for the maintenance of buildings, structures, and premises to the extent set out in this article. The tenant shall be responsible for the maintenance of buildings, structures, and premises to the extent set out in this article. Section 7-354, reporting violations. Residents may report violations of this code to the city of Papa enforcing department whose inspector or authorized representative shall promptly inspect the property for violations. If any violation exists, the property owner shall have 30 days to remedy said violation. In this section, violation of this code means a doing an act that is prohibited or made or declared unlawful. An offense or an or a misdemeanor by ordinance or by rule or regulation authorized by this ordinance. B failure to perform an act that is required to be performed by ordinance or by rule or regulation

authorized by by ordinance. C failure to perform an act if the event is declared a misdemeanor for an offense or unlawful by ordinance or by rule or regulation authorized by ordinance. D in this section. Violation of this code does not include the favor of the city officer or city employee to perform an official duty unless it is provided that failure to perform the duty is to be punished as provided in this section. If an owner does not correct the violation within 30 days or make a reasonable effort to do so, the city may site the property owner for a fine except as otherwise provided. A person convicted of a violation of this code shall be paid by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or double judge sum for each repetition thereof. If the violation is in its nature continuous in respect to time, the penalty or allowed to continue thereof is a fine not to exceed $500 for each day that the same is unlawfully continued. If a violation of the code of this code is also a misdemeanor under state law, the penalty for the violation shall be prescribed by state law for the state offense. The imposition of the penalty does not prevent replication or suspension of the license permit or franchise. violations of this code that are continuous with respect to time or a public business and may be awaited by injunctive or other equitable relief. This the imposition of a penalty however does not prevent the simultaneous granting of equitable relief in appropriate cases. Section two several in the event any title section paragraph items of this clause phrase or word of

this resolution is declared to declare or a judge to be invalid or unconstitutional such or asation shall not effect to remain of the which shall remain in full force and effect as this aortion so declared or judged invalid or unconstitutional was not originally part of the resolution. Section three of all laws, ordinances, resolutions are part of the same that are inconsistent with the provisions of this resolution are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency. Section four, publication. This ordinance being of a general or permanent nature, the church will ensure it published consistent Arkansas law. Section five, effective date. This order shall take effect on the 31st day after it number two. Resolution res 2407 and 2409 South Cyprus Street. Whereas the property reference below was included in resolution number 339 and 77. Now therefore be resolved by city council city of Arkansas resolution number 319 pass on October 18, 2010 is amended as follows on page 3 lines 1 3 property with street address of 2407 and 2409 South Cypress Street. Uh that resolution number 4717 passed on September 18, 2023 is amended as follows. On page three, delete lines 13 and 50 rem.

It's been moved and seconded that item number resolution number two be adopted. Any discussion? With no discussion, all those who wish to vote for the adoption of resolution number two indicate by saying I.

I. Any opposed? Motion passes. Agenda item number three, a resolution amending resolution number 4936 to remove property 211 South Ohio. Perhaps the property reference below was included in resolution number 4936. Now therefore be resolved by the city council city of Arkansas 496 pass September 13, 2025 is amended as follows. On page 12 22 through 24 street of 2001 South Ohio the department will take steps without this resolution.

Move adopt second and seconded that resolution number three be adopted. Any discussion with notice? Excuse me. With no discussion, all those who wish to vote for the adoption of resolution number three, indicate by saying I. I. Any opposed? Motion passes.

Agenda item number four, a resolution approving the street department installing an angle parking design along the south side of Fourth Avenue. Whereas a tenant at 400 Main Street has required an annual parking design be installed along the south side of 4th Avenue as noted in the attack. And whereas the striping out the parking will be paid for with the street department and ordinary payments. And whereas adding the parking will be advantageous to downtown work. Now therefore be recalled by the city council populace Arkansas that each department is authorized to install any department south of North Avenue with the attached lawn which is incorporated by the owner requesting traffic shall pay the expenses associated with adding for the parking and the street department. Maintenance of maintenance of parking spaces will be responsible of the street department under the safety and standard of the downtown move for adoption. Second move and seconded the resolution be adopted. Any discussion? No discussion. All those who wish to vote for resolution number four by saying I.

Any opposed? Motion passes. Agenda item number five, a resolution amending resolution number 4100 returns certain areas within the city of Commerce, Arkansas as lighted areas appropriate for urban renewal as authorized under Arkansas code section 14-169- 601 is section 6 and 14-697 701 and following

and following second 74 boundings of the said blighted areas and for related purposes. Whereas the city council of the city of Todd Love finds that there exists in the city certain blighted areas which among other things constitute an economic and social liability including owners burdens which decrease the tax base and reduce tax revenue substantially impair or arrest sound urban grow economic development aggravate traffic quality and substantially impair or arrest the elimination of traffic hazard and the improvement of traffic facilities. and that by prevention and elimination of the same the property values will be strengthened and that this condition can be best remedied by a cooperative participation of private enterprise, municipal governing bodies and public agencies. And whereas receive fines and further declares that a that certain blighted areas or portions thereof may require acquisition and disposition subject to the use restrictions since the better conditions of decay may make impractical reclamation of such areas by conservation or rehabilitation. And so that the condition and evil enumerated may be eliminated during or for him. And whereas a blighted area is defined as follows. Lighted areas shall mean an area in which there are properties, buildings or improvements whether occupied or vacant whether residential or non-residential which by means of the lapit by means of dilapidation deterioration age or obsolescence. Inadequate provision for ventilation, light, air sanitation or open spaces.

Population overcrowding, improper subdivision or obsolete planning plan, inadequate park signs, arrested arrested economic development, improper street layout in terms of existing or projected traffic needs, traffic congestion or lack of parking or terminal facilities needed for existing proposed land uses in the area. Predominance of defective or inadequate street layout. Faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility or usefulness. Insanitary or unsafe conditions. Deterioration of site or other improvements. Diversity of ownership. Tax or special assessment. Delinquency exceeding the value of the land. Effective or unusual condition unusual conditions of title. Any one or combination of such conditions which successfully impair or arrest the sound growth of municipality or constitute an economic or social liability or which endangers life or property by fire or other causes or is conducive to ill health transmission of disease, mortality, dutical delicacy or crime and by reasons thereof. is designed to public, excuse me, public health and safety, morals or welfare. And whereas the city is engaged in a program of economic development and redevelopment activities to enhance the city's capabilities for economic growth and redevelopment. And whereas the city finds that the identified four areas of of the city in which to conduct a flight of in which to conduct a flight study to determine whether conditions of flight exist. Area one is defined as an area bounded by US Highway 65 and 34th Avenue

on the north and south respectively. Ohio Street and Hazel Street to the east and west respectively. Area two is defined as an area bounded by Watson Watson Boulevard to Simpson Drive as the north border and US Highway 65 as the south border. the Arkansas River and as the east uh and west border respectively. I'm sorry, the Arkansas River and North Birch as the east and west border respectively. Area three is defined as an area bound bounded by East 6th Avenue represents the north boundary and south border. East 17th Avenue to front road, Ohio Street and Interstate 530 as the west and east boundary respectively. Area four is defined as an area bounded by 6th Avenue representing the north boundary and 28th Avenue as the south boundary, Hazel Street and Oakwood Road as this and west boundaries respectively and that each area is suffering from numerous conditions of blight including lapidation and deterioration, unsanitary and safe conditions, deterioration of sight and other improvements, age and possible obsolescence of certain improvements and infrastructure, inadequacy of provisions of sanitation and arrested economic development. And whereas the city finds that based on the information and data contained in the files of the city of PLA and reflected in the black study attached

here too, each area is characterized by an increasing percentage of the left deteriorated and aging buildings and improvements that do not meet current building codes vacant and improved properties. Significantly high demolition and activity. Steady decline. Steady decline in new and renovated construction. Higher than average residential vacancy rates with extremely low owner occupancy. Unsanitary and unsafe conditions including environmental contaminations, inadequate provisions for sanitation as improper sub as improper subdivision, obsolete planning, inadequate cross size, improper street layout and lack of parking for uh purpose land issues with diversity of title and crime rates. These conditions both singling and in combination constitute a lighting condition of arrested e economic development with the statuto definition and therefore the lighted area are suited by the areas are suitable for suitable and appropriate for an urban renewal or urban redevelopment project. And whereas the city finds that the existence of such conditions in the blighted area substantial impair substantially of impairs and arrest the sound economic growth of the city of Tom constitutes an economic and social liability and by reason thereof. Such conditions are detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of the blighted areas of the city. And whereas the signifies that the city upon blood urban renewal agency did cost to prepare an urban renewal plan for the blight area said plan to be considered after adoption of the instant resolution. Now therefore be resolved by the city

council of the city of Pond of Arkansas. Section one, the city finds it based on the information and data contained in the files of the city prime club and reflected in earth plan attached here two. Area one is defined by area bounded by US and 34th Avenue on the north and south respectively Ohio and Hazel Street east and west respectively. Area 2 is defined by an area bounded by Watson Boulevard and the north boundary in and the northbound wood 65 as the south border. The Arkansas River and North First as the east and west respectively. Area 3 is defined as an area by East 16th Avenue which represents the north boundary and the south east 17th Avenue to Front Road, Ohio Street and Interstates 530 as the west and east boundaries respect respectively. Area 4 is defined as an area bounded by 6th Avenue representing the north boundary and 28th Avenue as the south boundary. Penn Street and Oakwood Road as east and west west boundaries respectively and are hereby declared flooded areas appropriate for urban renewal and redevelopment under Arkansas law. Section two, redevelopment of these areas is hereby necessary in the and in the public interest for the public health, safety, moral and welfare of the area. Move to

adopt. It's been moved and seconded that resolution number five be adopted. Any discussion? Council member.

Okay. I um maybe I don't know. Is that street? I'm looking on area three. I know there is road but um is there one here? I'm looking at the area. I don't see it on this map unless I'm looking at I want to make sure. I know sometimes we use uh other uh ordinances or resolutions to uh draft the bars. So I want to make sure There you go. Like I said, I know there's a drill in my other question. This says a resolution resolution. certain areas on that page. The second page says we already

did the area going back towards um Is that what we're trying to do? Well, it's many. The issue is the totality of what's being done with this particular legislation expanding the current into new areas. One of my biggest problems when we created the new agency was that we designed initially three about three or four. But my issue was that most crime was not included in the area and it was said by the uh executive director of the urban north agency that they would come back to the council and include other areas of the uh of the city to be included in the urban renewal plan. Once they designate this, once they designate areas for development, then they must come up with a plan to be presented to the council on what is to be done in those particular areas. uh usually then necessitates some some funding from a grant source that would allow them to do that and then from that plan I uh believe they would begin to work. Mitchell, could you explain uh what the expanded areas encompass in terms of work that would be presented to the agency?

Expanded areas are just what you said. Um they're expanding into all four boards. We had one ward that was not represented um another renewal area to ward three. It's being expanded now to be able to address like and redevelopment. This is something that the um review board we have discussed on many occasions and now it's time to take action because if there is any funding wing that's available, we want to be able to address all four. So my question is in this we're sorry I so my question is is that on that second device that's something that's going to be conducted once this is approved or it's something that's already well actually there to my understanding before there was a windshield. So the area has been identified. Uh it was just not in your plan now. But you can ask then my only last question that really has me concern is approving something with the same front road and there is no

I believe yeah it's road thing on my phone to see if it come up. So I call for my real estate on a correction needs to be made broad. area that you all hear. I don't see anything. very looking for looking for answers to this because the whole thing really doesn't make any sense when I I mean this thing it's a bunch of words to put together 10 pages 10 pages and that's the very reason I put a door on this because the things right here looking

for answers should already happen when I read this I'm What in the world? And y'all s on this stuff. No one know where he's at. I mean, we looking for I already put my already put on my paper before we left. I knew it was going to come like this. No. Yes, sir. Is it possible for us to um pull this down and identify that street?

Oh, that be where it does say park. I just want to make sure.

Any further discussion? Council member.

Um, at this moment I'm really not comfortable with supporting this resolution. I did just want to, you know, clarify the point because some residents may uh question that. Um I did receive feedback from residents a while back ago and a lot of them were saying, you know, we might not be the biggest fan of URA, but we believe they should complete some of these major capital improvement projects that they've started and the funds have been allocated for. But um based on a lot of feedback that I am getting, I don't believe that most of my constituents are comfortable with allocating new funds to jumpst start a new demolition program. Now I understand the resolution for tonight that's not allocating funds. I do understand that. Uh I do believe that the ultimate objective of expanding these URA borders is so that in the future uh the city would have an opportunity to commit matching dollars for that. I know that's what was discussed at our DP um committee meeting recently. Um it didn't make it to the pool floor, but I'm assuming there's a chance that that might just come back in the future. And I think that if we allocate any additional dollars towards demolition, I'm all in favor of your work. I've advocated for that since I've been here. Um I think that those funds should go to our code enforcement department and I think that the code enforcement department should manage it. I think that this would just be duplicating what the department is already doing. And I just think that based on a lot of the feedback that we've had around this agency, it might just be best that we program for now and focus on expanding that to co code enforcement while making some of these other projects completed out. So that's just my reasoning for this, but I do appreciate the spirit of the um resolution and um and I know that this has changed from the initial draft. So I appreciate that that feedback was

taken into account, but that's just where I am right now. But this doesn't actually start up the demission program, but this does expand the opportunity for grant funding if if it's out there to be seen and it expanded it. It expanded to all four wards. I think the comments that were made previously by some residents is that uh it didn't cover all four wards and this would actually do that and if there is any grant funding that's available all four awards distributed uh equally and actually utilizing all four boards instead of the three boards that we currently have. I mean, we can do

I don't think I'm not with the city council, but we're trying to enhance You know, I'm trying to do this in the council. Y say y'all out of order. Y out of order. The citizens can't see what you are doing. I see. Look closely. And this this is a bunch of paper. It's basically what it is. Bunch of paper. Bunch of confusion on paper. Council. Yes.

Yeah. I just want to say this, man. Guys, I'm just saying that I tell my people all the time, these nine people up here don't have all the answers. And I welcome any help that might contribute to something positive in this town. This particular resolution doesn't allocate any dollars. It doesn't create any kind of policy other than saying that these uh people who work uh in cooperation with the urban renewal area can seek grants that might be able to expand the positive footprint. And so what I'm saying is is we are too challenged with our dollars. We don't have enough tax dollars. So there are people out there that bring something to the table. My whole thing is they once we approve this, they got to come back to us with something that says we have some dollars that might be able to uh do some progressive uh uh black removal in these areas. And I welcome that. And the city has still full oversight. we don't like the way that they're doing business, we can pull them to the side to say that this is not the way we're going to do business, uh we can uh uh uh add some value to it by uh taking some of our CDG dollars and our economic development problem and co and collaborating. Now, the thing that we ran into with the urban renewal from the previous administration, many of us didn't feel that we were involved. And my thing is that going forward I every meeting that urban renewal has they send me an email. Now I choose not to go because I don't go to the other uh quasi public entities such as wastewater the airport or the art center or any of the other situations which this agency that this body has created. So that's my thing. But it's not like they don't

invite that. That's my thing. I, you know, so many people don't understand there is a urban renewal board. 90% of the thing they t us as a city council with doing, it's really their board that if you have an issue with the way they do business, take it to their board. Now, we don't mind as a city council if you bring it to us and we go to their board, but there's another layer of supervision and that's going on. Long story short, my support is just based on this doesn't add anything but capacity for an agency to do work that we empower you to do.

Any further discussion? Um I do have a couple of questions and maybe it's to um council member L sponsor. We heard from um a resident and I really haven't thought about the the perspective that she shared in terms of the impact of um defining an area as blighted. And it just made me think about some of what has been discussed and shared as far as um the previous survey that was done that director Griffin mentioned as well as all of the dynamics that the resolution mentioned. um the condemnation um activity, the crime, the owner occupancy, some of these other dynamics that are described. I'm wondering is there a map that outlines um or data that was used from code enforcement so that we can see um where the condemned properties exist so far um in the city we know that they're about 500 there were 500 when this uh the plan and urban was created, there's still 500 and we have that 500 in the pipeline. Do we have a plotting or any data that suggests where the need actually is to justify create carving out another area? I guess would be my first question. No m that's way beyond my pay grade in terms of u trying to

assess the building by building

well not you assess it. I'm wondering if there as you sought to um sponsor this legislation was there any such information made available to you that served as a basis for you doing doing this at this time? You know, my my my basic uh justification was fun. This is only opportunity. Opportunity is that that other people that uh may be in the business of economic development have input into trying to uh find opportunities, deal grants and other types of support to do development in these areas. There's some the rationale for why these areas were chosen and the way they were chosen. I don't have all of the I know I seek to to find all the nuances in why they chose them but they a method to the madness and that's what I'm saying that by working with the urban people we can get some of those those but what I'm telling you

do we know what that method is because the only thing I'm thinking about is what that resident mentioned tonight and um I don't know that I my house incorporated in a wider area per se. If from the perspective of a resident, I'm blessed there to suggest that there would be development that follow action against the director Griffin mentioned that would follow so that it's not just my neighborhood, my block, my ward is considered lighted, but then problems and and I guess my followup concerns would be that there is no existing funding right now and even if we're looking at the possibility of funding I'm wondering would it be more appropriate to use data and do make I guess expand this at that time versus putting that um label on um an area without the data. That's all I'm suggesting. Without the data, without existing funding and no activity or action taken in at least 2 years, how do we explain to the people that we want to prior to receiving data say we want to say that your area is blighted too? I mean what I'm saying is my vision he created the urban road agency. I wanted to declare the old town has a blight because most of our community is where you drive in every has some

life but I was told that one couldn't declare whole city as a urban new area because the law specified that you had to carve out parcels block by block really do it but now man we need help it's like every we we really just pulling their hairs about saying that we are creating some kind of uh some kind of emotional

for our people. What I'm saying is that that now I'm just now I don't believe Miss Griffin and the people that she work with put this together so they can stay. I I I really honestly believe they know of the black in the areas that are designated to the point that they can write grants to get that funding.

But I'm not suggesting that. All I'm saying is what is the data? if we're putting it together um to expand this this area to define it as wided all I'm suggesting is do we have and maybe I should just ask direct area where there is aident identify properties that needed by the second high months after removing by there is an existing map where that was done and being that this section here was not part of renewal I didn't do it to say so many properties within that area so it wasn't what has been condemned and I'm saying eligible for condemnation how how do we expressed to people or even prospective um grtors uh this area needs help. This is where we want to spend the money. We have 500 properties and 20% of them are over here in this area that we have not included. Does that data exist? Is no because that area is not identified. So I didn't plot anything that was the basis of your creation of the map that's being proposed how to to include board three because that that has been the issue for comments that have been made. All four boards were not represented there is black within that area. So that was identified through the survey that was done originally. So it is in the original survey the data is in the

original survey but We thought we could do certain we couldn't do the entire seat in other words. So the areas that could be chosen as far as what they is that survey available so that it can be shared. Can I can I suggest that you share that with council members in the mayor's office so that we can see where this came from. Thank you. Any further discussion? Council member, please.

No, it's not being approved. The sponsor did not want us to any further discussion. I just want to clarify. So this legislation is not for us to attach to anything. for us to be able to identify the area that we're going to be able to apply. Correct.

Council member paper forget about I hope it's not I hope we're able to come back some type of funding to be able to do something. That's a thought.

Any further discussion? No further discussion. All those who wish to vote for resolution number five indicate by saying I. I. Madam clerk, please call. No. Council member. Hi. Council member Brown. Hi. Council member Blitz. Hi. Council member Fraser. Hi. Council member Brunson. Council member Denton. No. Council member Fails.

No. No. Item number six, a resolution authorizing the street property to outdated and universality to destroy outdated and unneeded records more than four years old. And whereas street department has identified these records maintain it office which meet the criteria for destruction and desires to disclose. Employers know exist to continue to maintain these records and partners should destroy them. Now therefore we resolved by Arkansas listed earlier than the first one have been maintained from the department or outdated and undecision of law shall be witnessed by a representative of the mayor's office and a member of the council public shall sign and seconded. It's been moved and seconded that resolution number six be adopted. Any discussion?

Without discussion, all those who wish to vote for item number six, indicate by saying I. I. Any number seven, a resolution authorizing the club to dissolve and maintain a peace of memorial. Whereas the Gro Gro Club of West has generously offered to install a peace pole in Pine Memorial Gardens which is located immediately south of the civic center complex. And whereas the pole installation is an initiative of Rotary International and intended to spread messages of peace across communities. And whereas the poll will display the message may peace prevail on Earth in multiple languages. And is intended to promote universal desire for global harmony and understanding. And whereas the pole will be installed as an agreed location in memorials during a public ceremony in the upcoming weeks and will be maintained in the cross street city. Now therefore we resolved by the city council of city of prime of Arkansas section one club of west pine bluff is grant permission to enter upon the area known as memorial gardens for the purpose of installation of a peace pole at an agreed location and to from time to time perform necessary maintenance on the all expenses related to the installation and maintenance will be born by the club section two super installation ceremony will occur Rebound city and a club and we open second adopted. Any discussion? With no discussion, all those who wish to vote for passage of resolution by saying I

passes. Okay, with the conclusion of the agenda, we will now move on to announcements. Announcement number one, draft day. Southeast Arkansas. The Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County in partnership with Be Pro Crowd will host Draft Day Southeast Arkansas on April 7th at Prime Convention Center. This event connects high school seniors with employers based on their interest, talents, and workforce needs. Currently, 115 seniors and 17 school districts are registered to participate. Go. Um, announcement number two, Golden Hour Puzzle, ages 50 plus. Adults ages 50 and older are invited to participate in a Golden Hour Puzzle event as part of our Times 3 program. Participants may work independently or in teams in a relaxed social setting. The event is free, but registration is required by Tuesday, April 14th. To register by phone, call 870536337. Announcement number three, Saturday Family Funday, Over the Hedge activity. Saturday Family Funday will include a screening of the animated film Over the Hedge, followed by a hands-on craft activity. Children will create hedgehogs using their hand prints through tracing, cutting, and decorating. This event is free and only announcement number four dialoguing with Delta 2026. Dialoging with Delta annual educational event for students with elementary

will take place on S Saturday April 25th 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the arts and science center for southeast for southeast Arkansas located at 71 Main Street in Pine. The event is hosted by the Pine Love Alumni and Delta 8 chapters of Delta 7 Sority Incorporated in collaboration with the University of Arkansas Pine Love School of Education. Registration is now open for individuals and groups. Um, announcement number five, Business Expo 2026 and Breakfast. Business Expo 2026 will be held Thursday, May 7th, 2026 at the Pineup Convention Center. The Business Expo breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. followed by a VIP hours from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. with the expo open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Booth fees are $250 for members and $360 for non-members. Breakfast tickets are $25 for members, $30 for non-members, and $300 for for a table of eight. For more information, call 870-535110 or email jenniferjffountians.com. So, in the past couple of months, we have been announcing that we would like for people to contact

uh the city, contact the mayor's office for the cart retrieval. update and in the interest of transparency I want to share that what we have been doing in that time is trying to gather a list while we work with waste management to help them collect the cards which is what they promised to do to you to us and um we came up with a plan and of course it is at a cost, not our cost. And so, while we still um have not come to an agreement with them, what the city will do so that we can complete this and move on is we will move forward with our plan. We will collect the cards according to that plan. We will continue to take your information and not one dime of your dollars will be spent on doing something that was not the responsibility of the city. How we get to that negotiation and that resolution will rest with my office. But in the meantime, we will uh continue to work with you. So with that uh I ask that residents who have waste management carts please do contact 8707302000 extension7 this month we will begin picking up the cards. We will be sending postcards to every residence. We will be using our social media um website platforms. We will be using our

newspaper, the commercial, and any other um opportunities to use earn media to share the information that you need to know so that we can pick up your cart within the next month or so. We will stay in touch with you. We thank you for your patience. And the last announcement, many of you may have read and seen that our newspaper, the Pine Well commercial, has been purchased. And while you will not continue to see it included in the Democrat cassette because the owner purchased it from the Democrat Gazette, our paper has returned to our city. And so I wanted to share what um the owner and publishers have shared with me. Number one, um my understanding is all of the staff have been retained um and been offered retention bonuses. And I'm I thought it's important to share that so that people understand that the owner of the new paper is committed um to continue with the uh quality um and the staffing that has existed and that um they will produce a weekly physical paper. It will be free for at least the next 30 days, possibly 60 days. while they uh work on the subscriptions. It is also still available online. So I just wanted to share that because that is our paper that will be provided to us. Um and that's important that we have that. And with that I have no more

announcements. Yes, it is good news. Good news. Um so I will adjourn and then we will hear from uh residents who have signed up to make public comments on the non-aggenda list. I mixed it up in all this paperwork. Sorry about that. Okay. So, I will entertain a motion to adjurnn.

It's been moved and seconded. Without objection, we will adjourn. Uh, we have two people who signed up to make public comments on the non-aggenda items this evening. The first person is James Hill. Is Mr. Hill still with us? city council. I'm a whole body. My name is James here Jr. I am here about issues about uh my family history. um when it was a village when it was uh said river valley when it was a village in 1839 after that the Cherokee ended in selling at 7 uh 21106 West Looper approached that property back in 2022 and my grandmama she owned that property given by her great grandama Cherokee They had demolished the property and they they signed it in a certified letter in my daughter and I didn't have no going to be demolished. But the year before that which was July 28 20 23 I had a letter about the things that I had on the properties I took out and I straightened it up and got back with respect to light and show him that it was done and After that, a year later, it's demolished. So, I'm hear issues about previous administration. I thought I had that took care of and I just got a property tax and I got $2,000

700 bill on my property tax and now my property has been deleted. I mean, it's almost at the state. So I want to, you know, seek out that resolve and wonder what went wrong.

So first of all, are you addressing all of us or just Yeah. No, you you were this previous administration. This happened during administration. I before about it and I thought we got taken care of, but now she has $2,000.

Well, I did receive yesterday.

I I'll say this. I don't have any um specifics on what happened since it's something that has been ongoing since prior to 2025. Um we'd be happy to work with you to see if we can help you cuz I with you know what I mean without having any information. I don't know what to say to that. And of course we would need we would see if there's something that um code enforcement could do. What it sounds like what you're saying is that it's in delinquency and we're about to go to the state which is separate from the city.

Yes. out to repair because they certify letter certified letter to a minor saying just to get clarification just to get clarification. Did you get that letter from the city or did you get it from the state? I came from the city. That's when they tore it down. They said they sunk, honey. But I had this with me son and I had told them, you know, I'm the owner of the property, but all my kids name I put on that property as well. I don't know why they they

So the 20 over $2,000 is that from a lean that was placed on the property to house down.

Yeah. City to house down. And it wasn't demolition. It I had took everything out, cleaned it up, boarded up and everything. And they talking about it was on there when my grandma had her name it now because got burnt up and it went burn. It was a lot of mix up and I went to Mary Flower I mean Washington Valley sit with her and everything and I thought that you know a lot of this stuff going get cleaned up but all I was saying I'm aware I just didn't want you know that that whatever they going to charge for knocking down on something they shouldn't be knocked down.

Well we'll we'll sit down and see what we can do. Um, have you talked to your council member or council members about? Yeah, I both my council about the problem.

Yeah.

Yeah. I thought it was I got Was there any did you hear even if you hear from anyone in particular either enforcement in the mayor's office to say we're getting this resolved.

Uh, you know, I I I didn't I didn't like I got it before checked, you see. So, I remember saying something money that was going to help that they use that money. And I I wanted to one town hall something like that. That's my particular take care of that was that because I was a victim on something I had known how Yes,

I back out. Oh, this is Martin. Kelly Martin who is um wants to speak on the topic of curfew town. Yes.

Yes. Um I just wanted to bring to you all that this is just April. We just began April. We've had a lot of crimes, murders committed by these young people in this city. Right now we have countless number. They just arrested like four guys for murdering somebody at a gas station or something. So this is getting to the point that a lot of innocent people's lives are being put in danger by these young people. Yeah, we have a lot of old fools out here committing crimes, shootings, that type of thing. One just happened a few hours ago by older gentlemen, but I'm talking about these kids, young people. We need something put in place. We need to find the parents, somebody. We need to follow back up on this curfew. The previous curfew, I think we said like 9 or something till like 5:30 in the morning. We need to start back enforcing that. The police have enough on their hands. that can be that time can be allocated for something else. But we need to do something to get these young people in the house. If they want to kill somebody, they kill each other while they locked up in the house together. But we don't want that either.

But right now, right now, we got a lot. I'm not saying it, you know. I'm just saying it. But they need to be in the house. And we don't need them in the streets putting the police and the rest of us in danger. They need to be at home and the parents need to know that, okay, if my child get out here and do something, they need to, you know, be 5 something, we need to do something. It's not even summer yet and all these killings going on. We got to do something. That's the only thing I can think of.

Curfew. We need to work on getting the curfew back in place. I know the police have a lot to do, a lot on their hands, but we got to do this curfew. I can't think of nothing else to do. Um so first of all um you are not alone in um your concern and um I have had numerous conversations uh myself and I'm sure others have too. I just contacted um Chief Davis about this very issue. Oh, no. I ran into um one of our lieutenants and asked about this issue and found out I was going to talk to you about it. We found out we already have we do have a curfew. Um we don't have uh any kind of finding system in the state or locally. And what I want to assure you of though is that we are doing more than that. It's it's not just that One thing and the thing I think that we have to be mindful of just and I know you have young people and then you have juveniles and 18 and over and under 18. Our young people um under 18 have not been involved in shooting or being killed. That's number one. Number two, it isn't just young people. If you look at the data and and chief will support this, several of the victims and perpetrators of these violent crimes are in their 30s, 40s in particular.

Certainly too many across the board, no matter what age, but this is not just a problem with young people. The other thing is several of these are issues stemming from um domestic calls and domestic violence. Earlier this year, there was a murder of a young woman by her uh partner and here and we just saw one in Whiteall. This is a broader issue. the spinal crime and homicides and it doesn't just affect crime club. One is too many. We are working on it. We have seen positive results. We know that the spike is something we all recognize. I promise if you're looking at it, I promise you we've been looking at it many, many times over. But I do want to tell you that we do have a curfew in place. We also have to be mindful that many young people work at night and don't get off until 11:00 or later on the weekends depending on where they work. Especially at fast food restaurants. You pull up to any fast food restaurant. Many of people that you see working inside there are young people. So those are the kinds of things we have to be mindful of. We also have to be mindful of the fact that many of these parents who are struggling are struggling. They many of them are doing their jobs and working. Many of them are grandparents. So those are the kinds of issues that we have to deal with and be mindful of while we do figure out some things to do on the preventive side, but also addressing crime in real time and crimeolving.

All but one of the homicides that have been perpetrated this year have been solved. Our department is working hard to hold those accountable, but we're also working hard to prevent. And I promise you, we are con considering uh all the things that we can do and all the tools we can use in our tool box, but we do have a he good questions. I just noticed down the crimes are being committed by younger people uh up to age 9 and 10. I mean they they're leaving their homes going somewhere and paying for your way out. Now you got a 10 year old going way out until they get arrested. Then you got to take them to the junior court. You can't arrest it right off the bat. So you got to put them on paper and while they on paper they could still committing crime. So actually the parent the parents does not have adequate control of the kids. I'm telling you well I saw when I was there we need a a crook doing a good job with the task force. He needs help. He needs help. Council member, we fully funded and fully staffed GBI just as a reminder.

I understand he's bigger than he's bigger than I was responding to what you said. I just want to make sure that since we're talking to people, residents that they have, we as a village, as a city, you see some kids walking at night, right? Report this stuff and tell them right down where you saw the cuz listen they going to go break this somebody's car truck or something or something else but they going to see something outside most of them can't keep their hands to the talked yet and that's most of our kids are lawyering and are not you said all of them

you said some but you said most and I just have to correct when I hear something I say most not all but most yeah most of them are going to school every day they're at home and they are not outside walking down the street at night. Most kids, most 8 n most 11, 12, 13 year olds are at the house. Most of them see stuff. A lot of them see stuff. You can't keep your hands off. Okay. Any further discussion? Council member,

um, is my complaint or anything? But Chief Davis and Chief, I want to thank you for all that you do. You may not be respected by the citizens cuz you know how they they don't respect you. But I want to thank you personally for all that you do. It's not an easy job out there on the streets, but I thank you. I know it's not easy, but ma'am, I didn't say No, no. I'm not talking to you. I was giving them I was thanking them. I wasn't I gave them kudos. I'm done. But I want to thank you all. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you everybody. Good night.