City Council - Regular Meeting

Yeah, but it's gonna be always something.

Yeah, not like this.

I don't want this part. Okay, good. All right.

Thank you. Just come. Just come. They don't know. They believe that they don't feel it. They got to think about it. I talk with them. You know, we've got that way of thinking. And they don't know. So it was like, I was sitting in my car. And I asked my mom. And I was like, I don't know. And I was like, I don't know. And I was like, I don't know. I think we need to do it some other way. I'm alive. I hope Oh, okay, where'd that girl go with your mom to be like, oh, don't touch your mom. You a lot. next year let's see Yeah. Yeah. She had already started to work on it. So, we're supposed to be not going to do it this week. It's probably next week when I'm here. We're going to be together. Right.

We're going to be together. We're going to be together. We're going to be together.

Thank you.

You doing good? Good, good, good. How am I doing?

Well, it's a sea of children. I can't imagine.

She know I was looking for it, too.

Yeah, tonight. One of them. It's gonna be quick though. Oh.

Okay. Thank you. Oh.

I'm listening. I have to work. I'm listening. I'm listening. I'm listening. I'm listening. Thank you. Yeah, I made it. I made it. It wasn't too bad for me. Thank you. Oh, thank you. I'm gonna take your card. Thanks.

Good evening everybody, good evening. So normally we begin with public comments on agenda items and there are no people signed up to deliver public comment. So I will call the meeting to order and I just want to welcome everyone to tonight's Pine Bluff City Council meeting. It is July 7th on a Tuesday at 5.30 p.m. And we will begin as we always do with invocation and we would like to ask Deacon Ryan Geiger of Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church to please join us at the front to lead us in prayer. Pray good and hard now. Oh, anyone with caps on, please take them off. Thank you so much.

All right, if you would, grab the hand of the person next to you. Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Lord, we recognize your name above every name. Lord, thank you for being such a gracious God. Thank you for your grace, your mercy. Thank you for your salvation, for saving us. Father God, we ask right now, dear Lord, that you would forgive us for all of our sins, for we've all fallen short. Lord, I ask tonight that you would touch our city, touch every person in this room. Lord, we declare victory over our city, release in abundance and overflow, that this city would not only be a blessing to the people in the city, but we would be a blessing to others. Lord, touch the council members, our mayor, our department heads. Lord, touch every leadership in this city. Release your knowledge, your wisdom, your understanding so that we may be the leaders that you have called us to be. Lord, as I close this prayer, I plead the blood of Jesus over our young people. Father God, place a divine hedge of protection around them. We bind the spirit of depression, anxiety, stress, peer pressure, bullying. Devil, we let you know tonight you are a defeated foe. You have no power, no dominion, no victory over our kids. Lord, release all their potential. Remove any limitations. Bless them, oh God. Then, God, we ask that you would just call us and lead us to be the people you have called us to be. Remove the backbiting, the negative comments, the backstabbing, the putting each other down. Lord, let us love on one another so we can be the city that you have called us to be so that our light may shine. This we ask in your darling son Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen.

I have word of plea. Okay, and now we will have the Pledge of Allegiance led by Gracie Rainey of Yeah 8. Okay.

Good evening. Good evening. My name is Gracie. Would you please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

After that prayer and pledge allegiance, we can almost be done. Instead of going into roll call, we have a few recognitions, and we're gonna go ahead and do that now. The first person that I would like to ask to come join us at the front is our Parks and Rec athletic director, Mr. Randy Little. Director Little, if you could just tell us briefly who you have with you here tonight. Why are you here?

Well, I'm here because I'm a concerned citizen.

Don't you stop.

No, the reason I'm here is to recognize the inaugural group that we have from Pine Bluff, the city of Pine Bluff Baseball League. Yes. And I just want to recognize them. And before I do that, there are two recognitions I need to, because without these two people, this wouldn't be possible. Give me one second.

Oh.

Oh, look at that.

So the first one I want to present uh an inaugural jersey to the mayor miss flowers And the second one I want to present is to our director, Ms. Prudy Hogan. Now, the rest of these athletes, they're going to be in the regionals. They made it to the regionals.

Well, look at that. Congratulations.

And we're not going to call their names for a time, but I want to present these awards to the coaches. I already have them to the first group, the 8Us. And then the next group will be the 10 U's. And the final group will be the 12 U's. Now real quickly, they had some, They had some outstanding performances when they went to state. And we want to recognize those three individuals. From the AU, we have Mr. Bryson Gaines. His coach is going to accept that on his behalf. In the 10U, we have Mr. Jarius Higgins.

Congratulations.

And on 12U, this athlete was phenomenal as well. But be surprised that it was a young lady, Ms. Macy.

I'm not surprised.

You guys see that little one?

That's her.

Director Little, were you about to finish?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay, before you finish, could I just ask, and I want us to do this really quickly, but we have to do this. We have to get a picture with our scholar athletes. And it will be our honor to stand with you. If you all can come on up here. And while you all make your way up, I want to recognize and thank the coaches. For all of you who coach our babies, please raise your hands.

Yes.

Y'all can come on up here. Yeah. And then coach, I mean, Director Little, if you can make your way up. And council members, let's go ahead and get up. We're going to do this right. I want to know what you did to get those big awards.

Thank you.

And while they're getting ready, I want to recognize that from our 6U division, we have Ms. Heaven here. Y'all come to the front here. Come to the front here. Y'all give it up for Ms. Heaven.

Hold up. I'm just going to be counted.

OK, while we pose, if we could just get the audience to help us when I count one, two, three, say champions. One, two, three. Champions.

Thank you. Oh, my God. Oh, okay. Yes. Okay.

Excellent.

Y'all, while our baseball champions make their way out, somebody asked me a question that I think I need to reveal the answer to. I was asked if I've ever played ball before, and I have. I played tee ball. Thank you very much.

That's a start. That was.

It was a good start, and we were winners, too.

Okay.

Okay. And so next, I would like to ask Ms. Kathy Richards to come to the podium. And while she makes her way up, she is definitely no stranger to serving and working with our young people. She is a leader with our Port City Speed track team. She and other coaches and organizational leaders and parents really do a wonderful, really amazing job of supporting these young people in an area that without the Port City Speed track team, these young people would not get the support and the training they need to compete and do the things that they do, which, like all of these efforts, help build up our young people and their work ethic and their teamsmanship So thank you, thank you, thank you so much for what you do. And I know that Reverend R.L. Davis is super instrumental as well. He called me. I didn't get a chance to call him back before we started, but I'm sure that he would have loved to be here for this. So with that, I'll just ask you to talk a little bit about why we're here tonight. And then I will read the list of young people that I was given to recognize tonight. Okay. Okay. So I will do that, but please go ahead and speak.

Okay. Thank you. Mayor fly flowers and to the city council for your invitation tonight. Uh, port city speed will be 24 years old in August. We started in August of 2002. Uh, since that time, we've had about 650 young people go through our program. And proud to say that each year of our existence, we have had representation at the National Junior Olympics. This year is no different. Our young people competed in the Arkansas district meet back in May. And we took 31, and all 31 qualified for the regional championship. So we took those 31 to Wichita, Kansas last week to compete, to qualify for the Junior Olympics. We had eight, I believe, that qualified for nationals. But we have relay team issues where if one person drops out, then the entire team cannot go. So I think we have, and I want to recognize one athlete in particular, Mr. Tyrell Smith. He is officially the fastest 12-year-old in the region 16. That's Arkansas, Kansas. Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma of those four states. He's the fastest 12-year-old. And we'll just ask them all to stand. We have a lot of them that aren't here tonight because, of course, when the season finishes, they go on vacation with family and everything. But we've got as many of them here as we could. Our biggest challenge, and I have to put this plug in, is a track facility for the kids to train because we've done this all these years with trying to use the school facilities, which I think you're aware they have the dead week thing, which closed the facility, and it was right in the middle of us training for regionals this year. But if we had a track facility, because right now Port City Speed hosts their track meets in Little Rock. This year we did Jacksonville. And we draw as many as five. This year we had 545 kids that came to our meet. So we have real good. So that is, we know, revenue for the city. Now I'm really making this plug now. But revenue for the city because they come from all over. And not just us. There are other track teams in Pine Bluff as well. So it would be a great attraction. for people to come to the city.

It will be. And I'll just point out that we have two hotels that will have opened this year with over 500 new hotel rooms and We have two new high schools coming on board with whom we are working very hard to build strong partnerships with. So we plan to be a partner to you and help leverage resources so that you can do what you do and bring people here to the beautiful and historic city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

And we'd love to engage you further with that conversation.

Yes. Thank you so much. I'm going to ask the young people who are here to come up. We're going to do the same thing. While you come up, I'm going to read the names of the students on the list. of the athletes on the list. So you all can go ahead and make your way up so that the council and I can have the honor of standing next to you and be pictured. And I'm gonna read the names. First of the 2026 Port City Speed Regional Qualifiers. Tyler Bagby, age 16. Edison Brown, age nine. Kentlyn Burnley, age 13. Kenton Burnley, age 15. Fire Goodloe, age 13. Josiah Harrison, age 16. Tyler Harrison, age nine. Kaden Hughes, age 10. Jamarion Johnson, age 16. Aiden Marks, age nine. Samuel Owen, age eight. Christopher Shorter Jr., age eight. Harley Smith, age nine, Stephen Smith, age nine, Tyrell Smith, age 12, Noel White, age nine, Britton Wooten, age six, Riley Allen, age 11, Amira Arms, age 13, Naomi Battles, age 12, Brele Brown, age 12. Akari Ento, age 12. London Hinton, age 11. Kylie Truth Johnson, age 11. Shariah Miller, age 9. Zaniah Proctor, age 10. Dakota Skelton, age 9. Kylie Smith, age 12. and Domencia Williams, age 10. And then we have 2026 Arkansas AAU State Championship athletes, Yoel Thomas, Creston Thomas Jr., Emre Thomas, Zeristi, did I say that right? Christy, oh, okay, I'm tripping, sorry. Christy Thomas and Cameron Bibbins Jr. Let's give all of our scholar athletes a hand. Thank you. I'll say one, two, three, audience. Let's say congratulations. One, two, three. Congratulations.

Give them a hand. Thank you, guys.

All right. Congratulations again, thank you all so much. And right now, oh, yeah, Madam. And now, Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Council Member May. Council Member Holcomb. Council Member Lockett.

Here.

Council Member Frazier. Here. Council Member Brunson. Here. Council Member Denton. Here. Council Member Fales.

Here.

Seven present, one absent.

Okay. Seven present, one absent. And... I will entertain a motion for the approval of minutes from June 15, 2026. So moved.

Second.

It's been moved and seconded that a minutes from June 15, 2026 be adopted. All of those who wish to vote for the adoption of minutes indicate by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Motion passes. And now we will move on to committee reporting. Ways and Means, Council Member Brown, will you please deliver your report?

Thank you, Mayor. Ways and Means met just before this council meeting. We had no items to discuss, and so that meeting was immediately adjourned, and that concludes my report.

Thank you so much. Council Member Holcomb, will you please deliver your report on ordinances and resolutions?

Yes, Mayor. We have four agenda items, two ordinance and two resolution. Number one will be completed on tonight. Number two will be completed on tonight. Number three and four will be completed on tonight. That concludes the ordinance and resolutions.

Thank you so much. Council Member Frazier, will you please deliver your report on economic and community development?

Thank you, Mayor. I do not have a report, but we will be meeting on July 9th at 11 a.m., And that will be in person and on Zoom.

Okay, thank you. Does that conclude your report? Yes. Okay, great. Council Member Denton, will you please deliver your report on public health and welfare?

Thank you, Mayor. Public health and welfare has not met since our last meeting, and I will get with the clerk's office to schedule.

Great, thank you.

That concludes my report.

Thank you. Council Member Lockett, will you please deliver your report on Public Works?

Thank you, Madam Mayor. The Public Works Committee has not met since our last meeting. I plan to have a meeting on July the 28th at 1 o'clock in the Old City Council Chamber. That concludes my report.

Thank you so much. Council Member Fells, will you please deliver your report on development and planning?

We have no report at this time, but we will be announcing our next meeting date and time, and that concludes my report.

Thank you so much. Council Member Brunson, will you please deliver your report on traffic and aviation?

Yes, Mayor. Traffic and aviation did meet, and we do have four recommendations that came out of the committee for signs that need to be put up in the four different areas of the city. We do have, we did get approval from the committee to move to the council. So I want the record to reflect, um, to the clerk that, um, that is approved and we want to move it and to the full council. I'm sorry about that. And that concludes my report.

Thank you. Uh, council member Holcomb, will you please deliver your report on administration?

Yes, Mayor, the Administration Committee met today, July the 7th at 4.15 p.m. with a due pass on agenda item number two to the full council.

Thank you so much.

Oh, and that includes my report.

Okay, thank you. Council Member Brown, will you please deliver your report on public safety?

No report tonight, Mayor, but we will have our next meeting. Typically, it will be tomorrow, but I will have to make that meeting on July the 15th. That's next Wednesday, 1.30 p.m. in the old council chambers. So that's July the 15th.

okay um 1 30 p.m she said that they're going to meet on july 9th at 11 a.m okay thank you so much yes ma'am and we will move on to the proposed ordinances and resolutions council member holcomb agenda item number one a ordinance amending the employment policies and procedures in section three of the non-uniform employee handbook up for the third and final reading

An ordinance amending the employment policies and procedures in section three of the non-uniformed employee handbook.

Move for adoption. Second.

It's been moved and seconded that item number one be adopted. Any discussion? With no discussion, all of those who wish to vote for item number one indicate by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes.

Agenda item number two, an ordinance repealing ordinance number 6832 of the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, returning the oversight management, operation, and administration of the Pine Bluff Aquatic Center to the city of Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation Department to remove the aquatic center from administrative framework set forth in PBC 2-121 and related purposes up for the first reading.

Whereas the City Council of the City of Pine Bluff previously adopted ordinance number 6832, which removed the Pine Bluff Aquatic Center from the Parks and Recreation Department and established the Aquatic Center as an independent municipal department. And whereas the City Council has determined that the continued operation of the Aquatic Center as a separate department is no longer in the best interest of the city. And whereas the City Council finds that the efficient, effective, and economical administration of municipal recreational facilities is best accomplished through centralized oversight within the Parks and Recreation Department. And whereas the administrative framework of the City as detailed in Pine Bluff Code of Ordinances 2-121 should be revised to remove the Aquatic Center as an independent department. Now, therefore, be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, that Section 1, the City... of Pine Bluff Ordinance Number 6832 is hereby repealed in its entirety. The Pine Bluff Aquatic Center shall be returned to the supervision, oversight, administration, and management of the City of Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation Department, Section 2. The Pine Bluff Code of Ordinances Section 2-121 shall be amended to remove the Aquatic Center as an independent department as set forth below. The administrative framework of city government shall consist of the following departments, police, fire, emergency services, transit, inspection and zoning, cemetery, animal control, economic and community development, finance, collection, human resources, parks and recreation, legal, executive, and building maintenance, and district court. Section 3. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. Section 4, if any section, subsection, sentence clause, or provision of this ordinance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. Section 5, this ordinance being of a general or permanent nature, the clerk shall ensure it is published in compliance with Arkansas law.

Move we suspend the rules and place this ordinance on its second reading. Second.

It has been moved and seconded to suspend the rules and place this ordinance on the agenda for second reading. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Councilmember Mayes. Councilmember Holcomb. Aye. Councilmember Brown. Aye. Councilmember Lockett. Aye. Councilmember Frazier.

No.

Councilmember Brunson? Aye. Councilmember Denton? Aye. Councilmember Fails?

An ordinance repealing ordinance number 6832 of the City of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, returning the oversight, management, operation, and administration of the Pine Bluff Aquatic Center to the City of Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation Department to remove the Aquatic Center from administrative framework set forth in Pine Bluff Code of Ordinances 2-121 and for related purposes.

Move for adoption.

Second.

We're placing the 3rd.

I'm sorry. We'll spend the rules and places on the 3rd and the final rate.

2nd, it's been moved and seconded to place this item on the agenda for its 3rd and final reading and spend the rules. Madam clerk, please call the roll.

Council member maze. Council member. Council member Brown.

All right.

Council Member Lockett? Aye. Council Member Frazier?

No.

Council Member Brunton? Aye. Council Member Denton? Aye. Council Member Fields?

Aye.

An ordinance repealing ordinance number 6832 of the City of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, returning the Oversight Management Operation and Administration of the Pine Bluff Aquatic Center to the City of Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation Department to remove the Aquatic Center from administrative framework set forth in Pine Bluff Code of Ordinances 2-121 and for related purposes.

Move for adoption. Second.

It's been moved and seconded that item number 2 be adopted. Any discussion? Council Member Frazier.

Okay. The only reason I was saying no on this is because I just want to understand what the difference is going to be between combining this under Parks and Rec when Parks and Rec has barely has enough employees to handle what they're handling now, including the parks. And now we want to add the aquatic center into the mix. And what is the difference? Even if you switch the budget over there, even if you switch the people over there, it's still going to need to be manpower. It's not going to fix the problem in reference to insurance security, making sure that secure measures are in step. So moving it from a separate entity to parks and rec. I'm just trying to understand the purpose.

Yes, ma'am. And I did try to give you a copy. I know you just got it. And we had a pretty robust conversation earlier. The short answer is the operational capacity and support that parks and rec can provide, particularly in the area of maintenance. and administration as well, cost savings. It's an average of $70,000 more to run the department independently rather than as a division of Parks and Rec. Also, we will be consolidating and making sure that there's cross training. And so we'll be doing things a little bit differently to further lend itself to savings. There are some practical issues around utility separation and the capacity to operate the splash park that will be alleviated with this reunification. And then finally, the purpose for the initial separation was not efficient. It was based upon a personnel matter. And now that after a full review, we recognize that there is cost savings. There are operational and capacity supports that are available. And so that's Honestly, the short version.

So the people that were employed over there, they're still going to be employed over there? It's just going to be under Parks and Rec? Or is it just going to be a total?

It will be different. It'll definitely be a reorg. Some of the positions will be recalibrated. We'll be working on that with HR over the next week or two. And I described what that would look like. But for example, there are two full-time coordinator positions. There will only be one. We will be adding, instead, either a contract or a few part-time positions for a security guard. And we'll be looking at how we can better align the funds that we have for the positions we have. So, for example, rather than having three full-time positions that require no certifications, we will instead require certifications so that there can be some capacity and cross-training there with regard to lifeguards, lifeguard training, water safety, CPR, and infant the terms of the director or manager, as well as the pool tech duties and certification that's required there. And we will leverage those positions to include one full-time lifeguard and do some other things to add efficiency. We're not sure yet, but we're working on those job descriptions and some oversight. I mean, not oversight, but the training that I mentioned, certifications and restructuring. Okay. Any further questions? No. Any further questions of the council? With no further questions, all of those who wish to vote for item number two, indicate by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Motion passes. Thank you, council.

Number three, a resolution, amending resolution number 4864 to add additional members to the task force addressing the issue of urban agriculture in the city.

Whereas resolution number 4864 passed March 3rd, 2025, the City Council established the Urban Agricultural Task Force to explore, promote, and implement urban agriculture initiatives within the city. And whereas it is desired to add the composition of the task force, a representative of the Palm Bluff Historic District Mission, an additional member representing Master Gardeners, and an additional member who is a local resident to provide perspective and expertise of these content areas to the discussion. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, that section three of resolution number 4864, passed March 3rd, 2025, which addresses the composition of the task force is amended. to A, to revise subsection I to read one member of the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Office and one member who is a graduate of the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Master Gardening Program. B, to revise section J to read three residents and C, to add new subsection L to provide one representative of the Palm Bluff Historic District Commission.

Move for adoption. Second.

It's been moved and seconded that item number three be adopted. Any discussion?

Madam Mayor.

Council Member Lockett.

Yes, ma'am. These changes were necessary because it was brought to my attention that in subsection A, the corporate extension office was not represented by itself and that we wanted both the corporate extension and the Master Gardener program to be represented. So it was necessary to put that item in. And then there was one individual that we needed to increase the residents because we had an applicant that really wanted to apply. And thirdly, there was a member of the Pine Bluff Historical District that thought there was some value to be added by exploring doing something with gardening downtown with the historical district. So I found it necessary and I've got to stress to the council that the full ordinance appointing all these people will be ready next council meeting. That's all I have to say.

great thank you so much any further discussion all of those who wish to vote for item number three indicate by saying aye aye any opposed motion passes agenda item number four a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the arkansas department of parks heritage and tourism to participate in the outdoor matching grants program

requires the City of Pine Bluff, Arkansas seeks to improve the recreation facilities and wishes to seek grant funding assistance. And whereas, in order to obtain the funds necessary to develop and or improve the site for such recreation area, it is necessary to obtain an outdoor recreation matching grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism up to $750,000. And whereas, the plans for such recreation areas have been prepared and the price therefore has been established. whereas this governing body understands the grantee and grantor will enter into a binding agreement which obligates both parties to policies and procedures contained within the outdoor recreation matching grant application guide including but not limited to the following the park area defined by the project boundary map submitted with the application must remain in outdoor Recreation use in perpetuity regardless if the property is bought or developed with matching grant funds and all future overhead utility lines within the project boundary must be placed underground and the project area must remain open and available for use by the public at all reasonable times of day and year. Facilities can be reserved for special events, league play, etc., but not reserved, leased, or assigned for exclusive use. and the project area must be kept clean, maintained, and operated in a safe and healthful manner. Whereas the City Council is well aware and apprised of the above-mentioned project and will provide the local portion of the development cost of the entire project. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, that the Mayor is authorized to make application to the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism for assistance to develop recreational facilities for the city.

Move for adoption. Second.

It's been moved and seconded that item number four be adopted. Any discussion? With no further discussion, all of those who wish to vote for the passage of item number four indicate by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes. We will do announcements and then I will entertain a motion to adjourn with no public comments for non-agenda items on our list. The following are announcements for today, July 7, 2026. The first is city officials continue working with Entergy Arkansas as power restoration efforts proceed following the storms on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Motorists are reminded to use caution and treat any intersection with a non-functioning traffic signal as a four-way stop, as required by Arkansas law. When possible, please use alternate routes until power has been fully restored. Item number two, get ready for one of the biggest outdoor events of the summer. The Mud Ride and Field Bash will be held on September 11th from 12 p.m. until midnight at 7400 West 13th Avenue, Pine Bluff. Tickets are available through Eventbrite. Item number three, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Athletics Department invites fans, alumni, supporters, corporate partners, media, and the community to attend the official 2026 Natural State Kickoff Classic press conference on Monday, July 13th at 11 p.m. I'm 11 a.m., 11 a.m., 11 a.m. at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. Join the excitement as preparations begin for one of the premier HBCU football events of the 2026 season. Item number four, and finally, join Artworks on Main for a free showing of Cars 2 on Saturday, July 18th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Adam B. Robinson Jr. Black Box Theater. Follow Lightning McQueen and Matter as they travel the world for an international racing competition. Admission is free for all ages. And with that, I will entertain a motion to adjourn.

Move to adjourn.

Yes. Second. In motion and second that we adjourn. And without objection, we are adjourned.