Board of Directors - Regular Meeting

the Texas County Arkansas Board of Directors to order. A couple of housekeeping things. If you have your cell phone with you, we would appreciate it if you'd silence your cell phone during the course of the meeting. If you wish to address the board tonight during citizens' communication time, there are cards on the ledge. If you will fill that out, get that to our city clerk. She can get that to me so we would have a record of you speaking. At this time, we'll have our roll call.

Director Roberts?

Here.

Director Harris is absent. Director Holabish? Here. Director Harris? Director Jewell?

Here.

Director Smith?

Here.

Assistant Mayor Brewer is absent. Mayor Brown?

Here. At this time we'll stand for our Pledge of Allegiance and our invocation to be given by Director Steve Smith. Bow your heads.

God, just thank you for this day, this board, and this city. Just pray that you be with us as we tackle the issues at hand tonight. Just give us clarity and guidance moving forward. Just thank you for your blessings that you've given us. We pray for safety for everyone, and then we pray. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,

under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

You may be seated. At this time, we'll move right on into our citizens' communication time. The first card I have was Sean Taylor.

Good afternoon. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. I live at 204 and East Side Drive. concerned about the bridge on Seabird. I know it's probably been talked about, but it's been two years that bridge just got four dirt piles sitting up there growing with grass out of it. And that bridge is vital to people's safety. If an ambulance has got to get around, they've got to go up Charles or back around East Side Drive to try to get to people on that side of the track. And then the train is on the track. for half the day so if a fire truck or or ambulance got to get around there minutes to make a difference in life i've been in health care all my life and it makes a difference and that bridge has been out for a long time so when when are we going to get working on that bridge i mean when is that going to happen i don't believe if it was on the north side of town it'd be still like that

Mr Taylor. So we've got a grant through our dot to replace that bridge. And the reason we requested from our dot that they allow us to demolish the bridge and put in a temporary crossing so that we could at least open it back up to traffic. They would not allow us to do that until they completed a feasibility study on it. They have completed that feasibility study and they came back with us to us with what we all knew that it needs to fully be replaced so i then asked them okay can we go ahead and demolish that put in a temporary crossing and be reimbursed for that through the grant they said no they would not reimburse us for it so we are working right now to try to gather that money to demolish it haul it off ourself and install a temporary crossing because per rdot schedule they will not be able to cook to even start construction until december 2027 And that's just not acceptable. Like you said, it's been shut down too long already.

It's been a long time. It's been two years.

It hasn't been two years, but I promise you we're doing absolutely everything that we can to get that bridge back open. But it's out of our control. We had to wait for a very long time on RDoT to complete this study. That was completely out of our hands. And we have to have the R dot funding in order to get it done. Cause you're, you're talking about a half a million dollar project and we simply don't have that to, to replace the bridge. So we're doing everything that we can. More than likely we're going to be in there demolishing it ourselves and putting in a temporary crossing to get it open back up. Any timeline when you think you might start demolishing? I don't have a timeline for you on when we start demolishing it. Um, we're going to have to rent all the equipment. We don't even have the equipment to do it ourselves, but, We've got to rent that equipment. And I don't have a good timeline for you, but I hope to have that here within the next couple of weeks.

I got some other issues I need to bring up. What about the FEMA money over there, about the creek and about the roads, the FEMA money? Where are we at on that, on the FEMA money? I mean, we talked about this. It's been a while back. I hadn't really talked to nobody. I had been able to get to some of the meetings, but I hadn't heard anything about the FEMA money. Tracy, do you have an update? Yeah.

over there on the walk trail with the city

put back there behind the creek, right? There's been a lot of four-wheel riding and dirt bike rides. It's almost turning into a four-wheeler park. We need signs up over there. You cannot ride four-wheelers and dirt bikes in the city limits. And it's just keeping up a bunch of racket back there. You know, when you get off from work, you're just back and forth. Nobody, I mean, I've called a non-emergency number so many times, they just know my number now. I'm kind of tired of calling them. I've talked to, she's had her way about it. I've had officers come out, and I've talked to officers, and they, you know, they wasn't even writing tickets, but the lady says she went and wrote a ticket, I don't know, into music over there. at that park and all that, it's just curfew. Maybe we need to go down, because it's just constant. It's like a seven-day-a-week event over there.

Well, I think we can pretty easily take care of getting some signage on the trail for the four-wheelers.

And step up controls over their own stuff in that area. I mean, it's really like, to me, that they've just let our side of town go. I mean, some lots haven't even been cut this summer, but they're going out and spraying. And I'm cutting down right away. I don't know why they sprayed there. I keep that cut myself. And then it got in my yard. I got dogs. I don't want that spray. We don't want spray. We want cut. I'll cut my part. I'll cut around that whole road. But we want somebody to get those lots. It's like a forest over there. Deer and everything. Bobcats, everything in there. So I mean, if we need some help, it's just me over there doing it.

I assure you, we will do all that we can.

It's about the dirt bikes, the FEMA and that, yeah. And those dirt piles, that looks horrible over there. They just dump things of dirt. It's just the grass just rolled up on the bridge. I mean, what a bridge. It's just, I mean, Mr. Roberts had been over there and looked at it.

We were required to do that. our dot forces us to our dots the one that forced us to close the bridge and they they require they require barriers that cannot be removed so what they recommend is a dirt pile or something or else we'd have to go in there and set a foundation and mount barricades to it.

Well, can we do something about the lots and the spraying of the whatever that is they spraying with? It got all in my yard. And I keep it cut. I was like, why are they spraying over here?

Are you talking about along the creek or across the...

What do you call it? The right-of-way. I cut the whole right-of-way. Why are they spraying?

The creek right-of-way or the road?

No, the road, Eastside Drive. The road right-of-way. They're spraying over there, and it got all in my yard. I was like, how did this happen? We don't want spray. Spray looks bad. We want cutting.

Well, we typically don't spray that area. I'll check and see if we did and let them know not to spray that. But on the lots that we cut, we have to spray them or else we have to come back.

I'm just saying, you know, spraying around the poles and stuff and already cutting weeding around all that. But, you know, just need some help, man. I mean, it's getting bad. I mean, it's been bad, but it's got worse over there. You know, it's pitiful for our city to look that way over there on that side of town. The right-of-ways, curbside gutters, lots, people buying property from out of town that hadn't even seen the property and keeping it up. And what are we going to do to hold them responsible for that? I mean, I care about it. I've been living over there all my life. I'm 57. I've been living over there all my life. I've never seen it just get like this. It's ridiculous. And the potholes. I'm in a Jeep, and I just hit some potholes coming here. I'm like, man, we've got to get something done here. I ain't even seen nobody covering the potholes with the tarps, with the whatever that stuff is they put in. That's small. Yeah, I hadn't even seen that in the area.

We're out doing it. I assure you. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mason.

Mr. May?

Yes, sir.

Nice to be here today.

I'm a long citizen, 63 years old. Sir, I've got some pictures. I was out in my yard the other day. There's a creek behind me. There's a field that they won't keep maintenance to. They come across the street from me and sprayed that whole yard. Hey, I don't care if they spray the yards on either side of me. When this right here hits me in the leg and I take off running and drug the hide off of this. Can I show you these pictures?

That's how I'm messing.

And that old tree, when they come down through there and cut the roots, They cut that code right into that tree, 300-year-old tree. And this has happened to a Toyota that didn't have a dent.

You can see the mag wheel on it and stuff.

Now, this is where they sprayed across the street, Ms. Sands' property. Now, on either side of me is her property, and they tore one of them down. I praised them for that. This is my backyard. I keep it clean, clean as I can. And this creek is right behind here.

What's the address of that field?

It'd be on Kobe Street to the right.

Here.

Kobe. Yes, sir. And look here. Here's this tree. You know what happens when mushrooms start growing out of the tree? The tree's dying. Okay? And I've been trying to get just either yard sprayed on beside you and behind you. I need to get out of them air-conditioned trucks and do a little work or something. I don't know what's going on, but look at this. That ain't all. This is the house next door. And all this in my truck is at the back, two different spots. That's $2,000 worth of damage on that toilet. And here's the lot that I cut with a weed eater.

I don't have a lot more. And man, I'm just asking. But sir, I've been put off and put off and put off, Mr. Frank.

I plead to you. Y'all got them two houses gone

I didn't stop running for a block and a half. I drove the meat off of his tail.

That's not how I'm doing it. I understand.

I mean, and all this is coming from rats. How big was that rat you said? It bit the back bed shovel all the way across it, and then the tail was hanging down six feet.

I got to have it. We just complained Snowden, Mr. May. Thank you.

Thank you for your time. Thank all of you for your time, brother.

Ms. Patel? Yes, sir.

Yes, so my name is Jay Patel, and I am the owner of the Sunrise RV Park on the Texarkana side. I bought that place back in November of 24. So for the first 15 months, my water bills averaged about $2,800, which is equivalent to about 8%.

This is the old KOA that's out on 108? Yes.

So my average bill for the first 15 months has been $2,800 or 8%. National average is about 5% to 8%. So I'm a little bit on the higher end.

Excuse me. Mr. May, could you all please hold it down? We're having a hard time hearing it. Go right ahead. I'm sorry.

So starting February 26, I've been getting charged an additional $3,500 a month, which is a fixed rate. And the way they came up with that is they're charging me a sewer rate of $31 for each spot. I have 114 spots. So now that's an additional 10% of my income going to the water bill. So now a total of 18% of my income is going directly to the water company. And that's not sustainable in that kind of business. It never has, never will be.

Second thing, we are already paying for sewer uses. It's a higher rate. But that's additional cost. We're not even using 2,000 gallons per spot.

Yeah, and we only have one meter for the sewer. So we're getting charged $114.

I'm familiar with your emails and conversations that I've had with you and I know that, Gary, you may want to comment on this, on basically what has changed. And I'm not for sure. I've talked with the city manager. I'm not sure what our options are based on how you're being billed now. But they're going to have to, you know, work this out.

Basically, the sewer line, that's what they charge you more.

Yeah, $3,500 is the sewer rate.

Like a $1,000 sewer cost right now, they're charging me $3,000 for it.

But I also think I am the only park in Texas, I mean, in Texas County that's being charged this because I am the only park on the Arkansas side also. So Texas rules, you can't do this.

And Arkansas rules doesn't allow that either. I understand.

Gary, let's see what Mr. Smith said. It's the same rule on both sides.

No, Texas, I know.

Texas has one RV park, our side has one RV park, they have a master meter, but the city ordinance is what we have to enforce. We're working with Tyler right now to see what we can do to help y'all, because I know what burden it is, so Tyler, we're seeing what we can do, but right now we have to go by the ordinance, and the ordinance says that you have to have apartments, trailer parks, and RV parks. If you have a master meter, the ordinance says you build the minimum sewer bill per lot where the stockpile is not made.

But this chain, Gary, did this change from the previous? No, sir.

It's been that way since I've been there. The previous owner, we didn't catch it. All our customer service reps, we have one that's been here a year. Everybody else has been here two months, three months. Well, they caught it when, I guess, one of y'all came in.

Yeah, we've had the place for 15 months before this.

But for an ordinance, we have to. But I should be tired of talking. We're trying to see what we can do.

The last 20 years, it's been charged basically at a regular rate. I suddenly jumped up by the feds. And we don't even fill up every one of them.

Not everyone's designed for monthly anyway, because we have a lot of pull-through sites, so.

Probably monthly. A good. Some just comes in as a day.

It's more of a transient spot, too.

We're looking to see what Tyler and I are talking to you about, but our departments are different, we think. But departments, if you have a master's degree, we have a lot of them in Marshall, in Texas. They can fill whether a department's paying or not. But our departments are different. And that's what we're reading to decide what we can do and what we think we can do to bring that to the board.

Yeah, but I think in Texas you can't really charge per spot.

I know that.

Mr. Patel, I promise you we're working hard on coming up with a solution for you. We understand our hands are tied by what the ordinance is now. More than likely to change anything, it's going to require an ordinance change, so we'd have to propose a change to the board. So I promise you we're working on it. If you could just bear with us. I promise you as soon as we come up with something, we'll get with you.

Yeah, because this is not sustainable, 18%. I understand.

We're working hard on a fair solution for all.

Okay. So tell me, what are these gentlemen currently paying you? For sewer. Sewer. Sewer. What are you currently?

Well, I'm not sure of the exact number. $13.15 per 1,000 gallons. Sewer rate.

Now it's. The new rates is $31 per pad, which we have $114.

That's plus we are paying $13.14 for every 1,000 gallons. That's double charge. Because first 2,000 is considered to be under minimum charge. Anything above 2,000 should be charged. See, all of them are using only less than 2,000 gallons for fat.

Okay. You're throwing a lot of figures at me. What is your fear? It's water bills tripled. Tripled. Okay. Yeah. No, you're throwing way too many figures at me.

No, no. It's done. It's done.

So Tyler, any kind of time frame?

No, sir. It's going to require an ordinance change. So first, we're going to have to figure out what to change it to. They're the only . I understand. They're being billed per the ordinance right now.

I understand, but that's quite a... Where the problem is, before they weren't being billed, the ordinance says they're billed, whether it's fake or not, the minimum sewer. Does that ordinance have authority with it being outside the city limits? They're connected to our water. We enforce anything against them.

I'm the only one outside city limits. What I'm saying is, do you have to abide by that ordinance, even though it's outside the city limits?

I don't think so. I won't answer personally. I'm not an attorney. But I know if they're connected to the water, we enforce any ordinance inside or outside.

Yes, sir. The ordinance specifically separates inside city and outside city rates.

Oh, yes, I'm sorry. Outside city rates are higher than outside city rates. And they're out there. I don't want to go that direction.

So is there anything we could do with that to get into the state amendments?

Well, I don't think you would do that. We did look at that and do that. And we're going to recharge the trash. We did look at that. Okay.

We're working on it.

Okay. That sounds fair.

Is there anyone else wish to address the board during citizens' communication time? Yes. Yes.

sandy is it sandy yes yes sandy come on all right i'm a texas side residence i know my voice doesn't mean as much but i am a neighbor that's like 10 minutes down the road i wanted to bring to your attention some just a little keep up and some information about ai i saw that was on the agenda and i wanted to let y'all know that It can be used for good, but there's a lot of people concerned it can be used for bad. And I've got a few different printed out articles for y'all to have and to keep and look at that list the concerns for it, especially in rural communities. I can never say that word, rural. I'm not sure if y'all have that problem. But it says that it can help stop crimes, but it can also create suspicion. And I think that that's a big thing to keep into consideration is how much is it going to help with crime versus how much is it going to beef with surveillance. And I think we really need to look and see what other towns and communities are doing. I don't know. This is a new thing. So we really need to make sure that we don't just give a full green light when it comes to the AI and the flock cameras. And there is a deflock. Texarkana Facebook group. It might be helpful for people to look and to talk to those people and the member, the admin, and see what their concerns are. But I just wanted to let you all know that this is something we really need to think about. And a lot of people are bringing up 1984. I haven't seen 1984. I haven't read the book 1984. But from what I gathered, it's a lot of mother may I, and it's not really a game. It's not fun. So I just want us to keep that in mind, and I wanted to leave this for you all.

All right. You just leave it with the clerk?

Will do. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Anyone else? Anyone else wish to address the board?

I really responded to about three people that came up here before Mr. Schoen. I had talked to him, I believe I was on the 14th of this month, over down at the bi-state, and I was telling him that the same thing, I don't know until the stint happened, but it was the bridge somewhat out over in Pinson Park. I think Mr. Jewell had brought it up, but I don't know if it's out like this. I don't know if it was out before I was out. I know Mr. Jewell had brought it up at the board about the bridge over at Pennsylvania Park which I spoke to Mr. Schooner on the fourteenth down in the bi-state and I had recommended what I was going to recommend again as to Is in a way you can put some big large pipes under that bridge and put a sign up there and say you can even cross at your own risk because if something happened to it, I know the city is always going to highlight the quality. They got qualified emergency so if anything do happen. But with the big, large pipe, that if the bridge collapsed, you'll have the big, large covered pipe go up under there and the water will still flow. And then that may stop. And that wouldn't let the people utilize that bridge and stuff. And for Mr. May, yes, I did see the pictures of the rat. He did email to me. He didn't come to the board meeting twice, but mostly he had stated before he got a chance to speak he stated that somebody from public works would come up to him and tell him that they would come out there and do what needed to be done and then he said that the last time somebody came out there They got into an argument, but the guy had to come back and apologize to them because of the way they had treated him. For Mr. Mateo, he did send me that information, and I did go out there and try to understand what was going on. What day was that when I came out to your business? Oh well I think it was last Friday and I seen what was going on and he just a couple feet from being The water meter is basically out in the city limit, but his business is not in the city limit. And I did tell him that, and then Tyler did email me, because I asked him when something was going to get done there, and he said he was working on it. but I also understand that if you're getting a $3000 more a month bill that would be somewhat something that he can handle the cost based on what his business is and then when I went there I didn't see a lot of places fill but yet he he was saying that and I did e-mail Tyler and ask him could he be grandfathering in and Tyler said well basically it wasn't nothing to grandfather so they're not in the city limits he said they weren't in the city limits so basically it wasn't nothing to grandfathering in so that's basically what I was and like I said I wasn't shown to come to this meeting because uh that's one thing i get questioned about that bridge is out i get questioned more i was in walmart they asked me about the bridge everywhere you look around people start asking me about their bridge and i said the only thing i can do is bring it up at the board meeting if y'all come and stand up and land and talk about that bridge something may get done something may not get done but Just don't sit there and seem out. And I told Sean, I thank him. I thank you for showing up here tonight, Mr. May and Mr. Patel. I thank all three of y'all for coming here and voicing y'all opinion. And hopefully we'll move on to y'all direction.

Anyone else? If not, we'll move into our presentations. We have a couple of employee service awards tonight. Our first, I don't believe she's here, Misty Megason with TAPD for five years. She's sick. Yeah, she's sick. She won't be here. Y'all can give her a round of applause. On behalf of the city manager, we'll present Terry Rogers, TWGIS, 15 years. We'll move right on into our consent agenda. Tonight we have 10 items on our consent agenda. Item number two is approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of July the 6th. Item number three is to adopt a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a contract for the purchase of chemicals for the water and wastewater treatment. Item number four is to adopt a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a contract with Lakewood Elevated Tank. Contract number two, site work project. Item number five is to adopt a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a contract for the Johnson Lane six-inch water main extension project. Item number six is to adopt a resolution authorizing the interim airport director to enter into an agreement with Alltech for the construction manager at risk services for the maintenance repair overhaul project. Item number seven is to adopt a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a construction contract with contact contractors for the installation of an emergency generator at City Hall. Item number eight is to adopt a resolution to amend the engineering contract with A.L. Franks Engineering for the design of the 2025 street bond rehab projects McClure Road, Lynn Ferry Road, Capitol Hill, West Road, and Grand Avenue. Item number nine is to adopt a resolution to authorize the city manager to enter a construction contract with the Francis Excavating for East 24th Street, Oaks Street, and East 48th Street rehab projects. Item number 10 is to adopt a resolution to award an engineering contract with A.L. Franks Engineering for the design of the 2025 street bond project. East 43rd Street, Grand Avenue, East 36th Street, and Arkansas Boulevard. And then last, item number 11 is to adopt a resolution authorizing city management into a purchase agreement with Leboy Fiat Group for the purchase of the RA-400 Patcher Asphalt Injection Truck. What is the desire of the board? Director Harris.

All in. one of these I wouldn't have taken off but it was the one that had something to do with saving was two hundred and something thousand dollars cheaper because they weren't doing the base work which one was that Mr Powell i'm sorry say that again it's one of these that they was not doing the base work and they went down two hundred something thousand dollars no you're talking about the generator no we so we came in over budget on the project on the street that you had took out for certain street

The one he's talking about is the savings that is on one of those. One of the projects there was savings, but we're going to build the retention in there for the overage in case that we get into areas in those streets. Which one was that?

Which one was that? So we can just take it out so we can go to the discussion. Which what? Which road? No, which section. Which agenda item? Which one? So item number six, item number nine has been requested to be removed.

Any other discussion? What would be the desire on the other items?

Motion to adopt.

Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? And those items pass. I will take item number six first. Director Jewell.

Yeah. That's such a big item. And it's such an important step to our community. or area that I thought it needed some more recognition than be put on the consent agenda. Russ, would you kind of give us some kind of overview of what all is involved? I mean, that's a That's a multi-million dollar project, is it not? You talking about the CMAR? Yes.

The CMAR project, well, there's two phases to the CMAR. The first one we're getting ready to do tonight is just to enter into a contract with the CMAR, and that's all tech. And what we're going to do tonight is just give me approval to go ahead and sign and get ready to start the project. There's no money involved with that one because that's just them getting things ready and start putting things out for bid. Phase two, when it comes out, that's where the amount of money is going to cost for the actual MRO construction project, not the actual buildings. This is going to be for the site prep only. So what happens after that is we'll get some people together, some from the board, some from our boards, maybe me and some other folks, and we'll decide how much it's going to cost. And that's what they call the maximum guaranteed price. And that's going to occur in phase two, which is not phase one. In phase two, once they agree to a price, they can't go over that. If they do, then they own that price. So they'll agree to it and they'll come back to the board and get approval from you guys. to approve that. But this project is probably going to be a problem. We don't know exactly how much it is, because we've still got to do the negotiation phase. And it's anywhere around the $20 million, hopefully a little lower than that. We're trying to get as much as we can lower than that, so we can have more room to fill other gaps that's going to happen with these types of projects.

So this contract has 3.5 percent uh fee to it right this all tech will be paid that's right for the phase two project for the construction phase of it right but this brings in this this is to to secure the the paint company that's come this is a site prep for this paint company that well

Absolutely. Like six large hangars. Right now there is four large hangars, big enough to hold 777s and 767s and C-130s and, you know, those types of airplanes, heavy aircraft.

This company will employ several hundred people, right?

I don't know how many they're going to employ because this is just the site prep, and that means they're prepping the area for the ramp. They're prepping the road that's going to come into the building. They're going to put maybe a water tank so we can use that for suppression.

I understand, but this laying the groundwork for this company to come in. They have to have this before they'll – Commit for the job sir, right they have to have ultimately we're looking at jobs.

Absolutely Approximately a hundred and sixty jobs each making around sixty thousand dollars a year That's what I was that just so because this makes sense why So if you do the math that's somewhere around eleven million dollars worth of input to the cities so of income so

Again, I thought this was something that we need to talk a little bit about instead of just passing off on consent agenda. That's all I need. Thank you.

I want to make sure. I'm a little bit confused, but I want to make sure that, first of all, all of the projects that deal with the extension of the runway, that money has already been appropriated through our state funding, our grant funding, through the money both the states got, the cities, and what we've matched.

That's right.

There's no appropriation for that. That money has already been set aside. We actually still owe some money left on a portion of that. But basically, tonight, what you're doing is just assigning a contractor to this project to oversee it. And then when it's all said and done, that's going to be 3.5% tacked on to whatever this construction costs ends up costing.

That is true.

We don't have it budgeted, and we've got to figure out a way to take care of that, but that's the recommendation of the authority is to hire a contractor to oversee the project.

It makes it slightly cheaper, and it's a lot less work on the board.

When it's all said and done, we're spending $40 million, $50 million out there extending this runway and these projects when it's all said and done in these phases. That's correct.

Okay.

All right. I just want to make sure. We're just talking about the 3.5% that's coming in the next. It'll be in a resolution for us to approve at a later date.

For that Phase 2, is this going to be for the site prep? There's other ones that have been approved in the past for the extension, for Runway 42, and the overlay and all that good stuff.

Okay. All right. I just want to make sure I understood that. All right. Anything else? If not, I would instruct the city attorney to read the resolution.

Whereas the Texarkana Regional Airport Authority is requesting authorization for the interim airport director to enter into a contract with Alltech Inc. for construction manager at-risk services for the maintenance repair overhaul project. And whereas after the airport authority issued a request for qualifications, statements of qualifications were received and evaluated by the airport selection committee. And Alltech, Inc. was deemed to be the most qualified applicant. And whereas CMAR services for the project include but are not limited to advising the airport and engineers on proposed site use and improvements, selection of materials, building systems and equipment, providing recommendations consistent, with project requirements on constructability, availability of materials and labor, time requirements for procurement, installation, construction, prefabrication, and factors related to construction costs, including costs of alternative designs or materials, preliminary budgets, lifecycle data, and possible cost reductions. And whereas Alltech Inc. will not be compensated for the pre-construction phase of the CMAR agreement, but they will be compensated for the construction phase that will be initiated by separate resolution at a later date. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the City of Texarkana, Arkansas, that the Interim Airport Director is authorized to enter into a contract with Alltech Inc. for the purposes set forth above. Pass and approve this 20th day of July 2026.

City attorneys read the resolution and desire the Board. Move for adoption. Second. I have a motion, a second. Any other discussion? Could you call the roll?

Director Roberts?

Yes.

Resolution is a measure of the sharpness and clarity of an image. Director Harris?

Yes.

Director Holabish? Yes. Director Jewell?

Yes.

Director Smith?

Yes.

Mayor Brown.

Yes. Resolution is approved. Director Harris, item number nine.

Yes, I was trying to figure out what was you planning on doing with the money that was saving? You said you planned on making a retention fund. What was you planning on doing with the saving? If I read it right, it was saying that

they was not doing base work and they were saving no it says here that the bid came in under the um the budget for the project we were proposing to keep that money in the project to handle any unforeseen base failures so as they pull pavement off they proof roll that subgrade And if it wasn't showing signs of base failure in the pavement on top, when you proof roll it, you can see that. So then we'd have to take that bad subgrade out and replace it. That's all that is.

So there's not going to be no saving of $200 in the money in that project?

Yes, we'll still save money in that project beyond what was budgeted. But there's also going to be some, as with any road project, there's going to be some unforeseen things pop up.

Any other questions? I'd instruct the city attorney to read the resolution.

Whereas Public Works is requesting board authorization for the city manager to enter into a construction contract with Francis Excavating, for the East 24th Street, Oat Street, and East 48th Street rehabilitation projects. And whereas the city of Texarkana, Arkansas, solicited bids, and after four qualified bids were received, the Public Works Department selected Francis Excavating as the low bidder at a cost of $1,797,729.28. And whereas A.L. Frank's Engineering reviewed the bids and found no errors in the submission, and Francis Excavating is very experienced and capable of completing the project. And whereas the total cost of the contract is $2,144,795.14, which includes the Francis excavating bid of $1,787,729.28 plus $357,465.86 for contingencies like unforeseen base failures once construction starts with said funding being budgeted and available in the 2025 general obligation bonds. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the City of Texarkana, Arkansas, that the City Manager is authorized to enter into a contract with Francis Exubating in an amount not to exceed $2,144,795.14 for the purposes set forth above, passed and approved this 20th day of July, 2026.

City Attorneys read the resolution and desire the Board.

Motion to adopt.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any other discussion? Could you call the roll?

Director Roberts?

Yes.

Director Harris?

Yes.

Director Holabush? Yes. Director Jewell?

Yes.

Director Smith?

Yes.

Mayor Brown?

Yes. The resolution passes. Moving into our regular agenda, item number 12 tonight is consider the following action concerning the maintenance of overgrown lots. We're to conduct a public hearing placing liens on these four overgrown lots and adopt a resolution placing liens on all four overgrown lots. Roger.

This is the same we bring for y'all a couple times a year for weed lots that we cleaned up and stuff that hadn't got paid and we'll place clean up liens on them. Any discussion?

If none, I would ask the city attorney to, well, first of all, technically, we'll open a public hearing. Is there anyone here that wishes to address anything that pertains to these four liens, these four weed lots here? Hearing and seeing none other, I'll close the public hearing. At this time, we'll ask the city attorney to read the resolution.

Whereas notice was given pursuant to Arkansas code annotated section 1454-904 to the property owners of the properties listed in exhibit A of a hearing before the Texarkana Arkansas Board of Directors to determine the amount of the lien, if any, to be placed on the properties for the expense incurred by the city for the removal of overgrowth, trash, and debris from nuisance properties of such parcel of real property under the provisions of Arkansas code annotated section 1456-201, and arkansas code annotated section 1454 901 and the texas county arkansas code of ordinances including without limitation chapter 11 article 6 and whereas such notice was given pursuant to applicable law more than 30 days prior to the date of the hearing and stated that the hearing on the matter would be before the city board of directors on july 20th 2026 commencing at six o'clock p.m in the texas arkansas municipal building boardroom. And whereas a hearing on such claim by the city was held this day pursuant to said notice and in accordance with the provisions of applicable law in the Texarkana Arkansas code of ordinances, And whereas the properties that issue property owners and lien amounts, with the amount of the lien on each said parcel being the city's incurred expense for such parcel, plus 10% penalty as provided by law, including without limitation, Arkansas Code Annotated Section 1454-904, are listed on Exhibit A, attached here too. And whereas the Board of Directors has determined that there should be certified to the Miller County Arkansas Tax Collector to be placed on the books as delinquent taxes, the amount set forth in each said parcel of real property. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the City of Texarkana, but the amounts set forth for each piece of property in Exhibit A are hereby certified to the tax collector from Miller County, Arkansas, for placement on the tax books as delinquent taxes on the respective parcels of real property identified and described therein and collected accordingly as provided for by applicable law, including without limitation, Arkansas Code Annotated Section 1454-901, passed and approved this 20th day of July 2026.

City attorneys read the resolution and desire the board. Motion to adopt.

Second.

Do we have a motion to second? Any other discussion? Could you call the roll?

Director Roberts?

Yes.

Director Harris? Abstain. Director Holabish? Yes. Director Jewell? Yes. Director Smith?

Yes.

Mayor Brown?

Yes. The resolution passes. Item number 13 is to adopt a resolution approving a memorandum of understanding between the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department and the University of Arkansas Hope at Texarkana. Chief. Good evening, Mayor, Board of Directors.

I'll come here to you today to ask for approval of the resolution MOU of police services between our city and TAPD and the University of Arkansas Hope, Texarkana, and their police department.

Everybody's had an opportunity to review that. Any questions? Any questions for Chief? If not, I would instruct the city attorney to read the resolution.

In abbreviated form, Mayor?

This is a resolution, so.

Well, it has a title.

Yeah. I would entertain a motion to abbreviate. Abbreviated title, please. Title form. Any objection to title form?

No objection.

May I instruct you to read the resolution in title form?

A resolution to authorize the city manager of the city of Texarkana, Arkansas, to execute an intergovernmental police service assistance agreement with the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas, acting for and on behalf of the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope, Texarkana, to allow both the Texarkana Police Department and the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope Texarkana Police Department to voluntarily aid one another through the interchange of law enforcement services pursuant to the Arkansas Interlocal Cooperation Act and for other purposes.

The resolution has been read in its title form, desire of the board. Motion to adopt.

Second.

So with motion and second, any other discussion? Could you call the roll?

Director Roberts?

Yes.

Director Harris? Yes. Director Holabish? Yes. Director Jewell? Yes. Director Smith? Yes. Mayor Brown?

Yes. And the resolution passes. Thank you, Chief. Item number 14, adopt an ordinance granting the request for a prerequisite municipal approval of a private club application for 305 Front Street, the Concho. David Peavy. No, it's not David Peavy.

It's not David. It's me.

A lot better looking than David Peavy.

Thank you. I agree with that. So I have this restaurant, which is also a bar, which I'm trying to incorporate everything. I want to bring more revenue to downtown Texarkana. That way we can get more funding. We can increase it. I mean, I've always wanted to be a part of downtown. So if I can be like the jack of all trades, breakfast, lunch, dinner, bar, knock out everything. We're open seven days a week. I think it would be great for the city.

Any questions?

I got some with any direction. All right. It may be to Mr. Peavy. I've seen him out there. If he don't mind, come before him and ask him this question.

What was your name again?

Jennifer. Thank you.

I hear that most of the city of Texas County, Arkansas, that when it comes to the sales tax on liver, it's 29 cents. Is that true or not true?

They charge 13 and a quarter to buy the stuff at a liquor store. Then when you fill out your sales tax, you have to pay an additional 5% plus another 4% to the state. So 13 plus 9, and then you have to pay a 5% tax to the city above that. So that's where it gets up to the 29.

Do you see a way how that can be remitted?

Sir?

Do you see a way how that could be remedied? Because I'm hearing that on the Texas side, they're basically paying 8.25 cents for selling alcohol. And we're getting up to 29%. It's somewhat not a competition. It's not being really on the same field, even though Texas is another state, another jurisdiction. But when it comes to selling to alcohol, most business on the Arkansas side field they are disbanded

Yes, there are some things that you guys would have the power to do. The state requires it up to about 24%, and then you require it, the AP tax. I'm a little confused. It's a 5% that we have to pay, but I don't know if it goes to the city or to AP. And then the 2% goes to the AP, and then the 5%, I guess, goes.

Not alcohol. A&P does not cover alcohol.

Yes, but there's an additional 5% that we pay. I don't know. It goes to the city, I guess. So anyway, that helps the city do the things that they do.

Well, what would be your recommendation?

It would be nice if it was equal with the Texas side. We do get complaints, and people think we're stealing from them, and we say, no, this is the way it is. And so we are following the rules as the rules are given to us.

Any other questions?

I remind the board this is an ordinance. I'll instruct the city attorney to read the ordinance for its first reading and title form.

An ordinance granting the request for prerequisite municipal approval of a private club application by David Peavy as applicant on behalf of the Concho LLC for declaring an emergency and for other purposes.

Ordinance has been read on its first reading. Desired to have it read on its second reading tonight.

Second reading, abbreviated form.

So I have a motion and a second for a second reading. Any other discussion? Could you call the roll?

Director Roberts? Yes. Director Harris? Yes. Director Holabish? Yes. Director Jewell?

Yes.

Director Smith? Yes. Mayor Brown?

Yes. An ordinance granting the request for prerequisite municipal approval of a private club application by David Peavy as applicant on behalf of the Concho LLC for declaring an emergency and for other purposes.

Ordinance has been read on its second reading, desired for third and final. Third reading abbreviated for.

Second.

I have a motion and a second for third reading. Any other discussion? Would you call the roll?

Director Roberts?

Yes.

Director Harris? Yes. Director Holabish? Yes. Director Jewell?

Yes.

Director Smith?

Yes.

Mayor Brown?

Yes. An ordinance granting the request for prerequisite municipal approval of a private club application by David Peavy as applicant on behalf of the Concho LLC for declaring an emergency and for other purposes.

The ordinance has been read on its third and final reading, the desire to adopt. Motion to adopt. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt. Prior to the board voting to adopt this particular ordinance, is there anyone here wishing to speak for or against? Seeing and hearing none, could you call the roll?

Director Roberts?

Yes.

Director Harris?

Yes.

Director Holabish? Yes. Director Jewell?

Yes.

Director Smith?

Yes.

Mayor Brown?

Yes. And the ordinance is adopted. They've asked for an emergency clause, desire to attach. Motion to attach emergency clause.

Second.

We have a motion and a second to attach emergency clause. Any other discussion? Could you call the roll?

Director Roberts?

Yes.

Director Harris?

Yes.

Director Hollabish? Yes. Director Chull?

Yes.

Director Smith?

Yes.

Mayor Brown?

Yes. And the emergency clause is attached. Moving on to item number 15, which is to adopt an ordinance to create a policy concerning the authorized use of artificial intelligence. Brandon.

Union Mayor, members of the board, this is an ordinance that we are required to adopt by state law in order to address authorized use for how to use artificial intelligence. We also added a clause in there for IT to vet and approve artificial intelligence engines before they're approved for use. It's very similar, if not identical, to an existing policy that we've had in effect for the water utility and the Texas side. And it'll help unify so that we have one set of rules for the enterprise, as well as meet the requirements under state law. Are there any questions?

Anybody have any questions for Brandon?

Yes, go ahead.

What can go wrong if you didn't have this policy?

We owe state compliance.

My understanding is that if we don't have this policy in place, it could jeopardize the city's access to grant funding from the state of Arkansas. Generative AI is a very powerful tool that can do amazing things and it can do terrible things. Sometimes AI will make stuff up. It's not as bad as it was three years ago, but it's still a possibility. And one of the things this policy addresses is the concept of trust but verify for city employees that use it. We use it regularly, a good example. I had some data analytic work I needed to do for a phone bill for the water utility on the Arkansas side. It was looking to be about four and a half, five hours worth of work. 30 minutes worth of work with Google Gemini, and I was done. But it can sometimes, just like anything, any tool, it can be used for good or bad.

Any other questions?

So you do use it pretty often in your... Yes, sir. So you see Tyler and him using it pretty regularly? Potentially. Use it every day.

absolutely it can be it can save a tremendous amount of of time and effort for city employees or anybody in general for that matter but you've got to trust but verify has it been an issue

with your people so far?

Any kind of a... We have not encountered any issues yet. This is, and part of the reason for this, when the state passed a law requiring municipalities to do, or all government agencies in the state of Arkansas to do this, was to try to get ahead of the curve, so to speak, so that folks are aware of what the requirements are so that it can be used ethically.

Any other questions? Okay. Do someone have a known weaponizing clause built into this?

Say again?

Do they have some other known weaponizing clause built into this? Just say if you was trying, if somebody, a city employee was trying to really do something and And basically, it was what they used AI to try to do something, what they couldn't really do in the first place.

The policy that we're passing to be compliant with the state includes unacceptable uses. And among those is any illegal activity is a blanket statement. If a city employee were to use an AI for anything illegal, aside from whatever criminal charges they might face, they could be disciplined up to and including termination of their employment.

Any other questions?

If not, I remind the board this is an ordinance. I'll instruct the city attorney to read the ordinance in title form for its first reading.

An ordinance adopting a generative artificial intelligence usage policy for the city of Texarkana, Arkansas, declaring an emergency and for other purposes.

City attorneys read the ordinance on its first reading, desire for its second reading. Second reading, abbreviated form. Second.

Second.

Let's have a motion and a second for the second reading. Any other discussion? Could you call the roll?

Director Roberts?

Yes.

Director Harris?

Yes.

Director Hullabush? Yes. Director Jewell?

Yes.

Director Smith?

Yes.

Mayor Brown?

Yes.

An ordinance adopting a generative artificial intelligence usage policy for the city of Treasure County, Arkansas, declaring an emergency and for other purposes.

Ordinance has been read on its second reading, desired for third and final.

Third and final, abbreviated form.

Second. We have a motion and second for third reading. Any other discussion? Could you call the roll?

Director Roberts? Yes. Director Harris?

Yes.

Director Holabush? Yes. Director Jewell? Yes. Director Smith?

Yes.

Mayor Brown? Yes. An ordinance adopting a generative artificial intelligence usage policy for the city of Cheshire County, Arkansas, declaring an emergency and for other purposes.

The ordinance has been read on its third and final reading. A motion to adopt. Motion to adopt.

Second.

We have a motion and a second. Prior to the board voting to adopt this particular ordinance, is there anyone here wishing to speak for or against? Seeing and hearing no, could you call the roll?

Director Roberts? Yes. Director Harris? Yes. Director Halabish? Yes. Director Jewell? Yes. Director Smith?

Yes.

Mayor Brown?

Yes. And the ordinance is adopted. The staff has asked for an emergency clause, a desire to attach.

Motion to attach emergency clause.

Second. Do you have a motion and a second to attach emergency clause? Any other discussion? Could you call the roll?

Director Roberts?

Yes.

Director Harris?

Yes.

Director Holubish? Yes. Director Jewell?

Yes.

Director Smith?

Yes.

Mayor Brown?

Yes. And the emergency clause is attached. Moving right along to our last item on our agenda is item number 16, to adopt an ordinance to update the personnel policy to include artificial intelligence. Scott.

So mine piggybacks off of Brandon.

putting it in the personnel policy and making sure we're compliant per state law. Besides that, we're updating sections 7.01 and 7.02. It's housekeeping type of stuff, like the chief information officer, that's Brandon. We don't have an IT director anymore, so that's really about it. Do you have any questions?

Anybody got any questions for Scott? One quick one. Does this give like the department heads the Like right now, can anyone use AI or do they have to be department head approved to use AI?

I don't believe so. This just kind of gives the ethical. Also, you know, we deal with personal data, making sure that the do's and don'ts of just be cautious and wary of that. But I personally haven't had any issues with any employees about that. I would say that's more contingent on the department head. Tyler, do you have anything to add?

No, that's not specific in the AI policy itself. Is it, Brandon?

It is not, no. So I think it's just, you know, that's how I would do it.

It gives you something to work with if something did happen.

Yes, but we haven't had any issues with it so far, just making sure we're compliant with state law. Very good. That's about it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other questions? If not, I'd instruct the city attorney to read the ordinance on its first reading in title form.

An ordinance amending the City of Texarkana, Arkansas personnel policy, including without limitation, ordinance number K-570 as amended for declaring an emergency and for other purposes.

Ordinance has been read on its first reading. Desire for its second reading. Second reading, abbreviated form.

Second.

I have a motion and a second for second reading. Any other discussion? Could you call the roll?

Director Roberts?

Yes.

Director Harris? Yes. Director Holabish?

Yes.

Director Jewell?

Yes.

Director Smith?

Yes.

Mayor Brown?

Yes. An ordinance amending the City of Texarkana, Arkansas personnel policy, including without limitation, ordinance number K-570 as amended for declaring an emergency and for other purposes.

Ordinance has been read on its second reading, desire for third and final.

Third and final, abbreviated form.

Second. I have a motion second for third and final. Any other discussion? Did you call the row?

Director Roberts? Yes. Director Harris? Yes. Director Hollabish? Yes. Director Jewell?

Yes.

Director Smith? Yes. Mayor Brown?

Yes.

An ordinance amending the city of Texarkana Arkansas personnel policy, including without limitation, ordinance number K-570 is amended, declaring an emergency and for other purposes.

Ordinance has been read on its third and final reading. A motion to adopt.

Motion to adopt.

Second. I have a motion and a second to adopt. Prior to the board voting to adopt this particular ordinance, is there anyone here wishing to speak for or against? Hearing and seeing none, could you call the roll?

Director Roberts?

Yes.

Director Harris?

Yes.

Director Hullabish? Yes. Director Jewell?

Yes.

Director Smith?

Yes.

Mayor Brown?

Yes. And the ordinance is adopted. The staff has asked for an emergency clause, desire to attach. Motion to attach emergency clause.

Second.

There's a motion and a second to attach emergency clause. Any other discussion? Could you call the roll?

Director Roberts? Yes. Director Harris?

Yes.

Director Holabish? Yes. Director Jewell?

Yes.

Director Smith?

Yes.

Mayor Brown?

Yes. And the emergency clause is attached.

Moving into board commentary, is there any board member that wishes to address the board tonight? Director Harris.

What I was going to do when we took that item off the agenda, I was just going to give you a list of the street that some, for instance, we end up with some extra money down the line, even though I strongly feel that enough neighborhood street was not done. in ward two with this building money based on the street that you're doing basically like oak street uh uh with south state land forest street most of those streets in ward two is i said most of them is being adjacent to another uh ward so i was just gonna name out from the street just in case for instance uh when all the streets get done and I'm going to give this to the city manager so he will know about these streets which I probably have mentioned before like Batten Street that's not being done Mitchell Street from east street to fairview hayes street from ferguson street to genoa road linden street from ninth street to broad street pearl street from oak street to ferguson street and i would strongly feel that if you see a ferguson street because they have a good base and a good standing there you may save the citizens some money down the lane based on how the I have heard some street here go chips see what chips here mean that people being in the air is not what I think I could be wrong. You put the thing they are called down and then you put the level of gravel and then they may help without the cracks and stuff on the street may get a street like Arkansas Street from 9th Street to press the street. fox street cleveland street the bays had fell in from stephanie street to dudley street This has been an issue since two city managers, now two public works guys, and that's still the street. What they did was they put, it was a concrete street, they put asphalt over concrete, and that street just fell in. And Grove Street, two waters standing there all the time. right there at the Panthers Street is where this on the east side facing south about 50 feet from Road Street heading east. Water is standing there all the time due to the pothole that I know I probably put in about maybe 15 maybe 20 potholes but it's not going to do that good due to the water. It could be an underground spring in that area or something. and was in that but you can't read it may have been frosted street from our street to you for the street and then bring him street room street even though it was done but based but the base one though when it was not a parent backed by the state but he was but it ended up from spring street to our street and those are this streets are like say I want you these and just so he have on the back burner if money comes up from using all that twenty six million dollar bonus for some reason if it doesn't get used up these streets then that need to be done basically they are streets in the neighborhood anyone else if not we would excuse all guests for a brief executive session to consider an appointment to the historic district commission