OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Public Safety Council Committee Meeting – August 19, 2025

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, August 19, 2025
BodyJonesboro, Arkansas
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, August 19, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 32:50

Transcript — Verbatim
0:41

And any from the public in attendance.

0:44

Okay, seeing none, I will we will go ahead and we will take a vote to approve our minutes.

0:59

Okay, that item does pass, bringing us into the next item on our agenda being new business.

1:04

We have two ordinances to be introduced tonight.

1:06

First one being ordinance two five zero three zero.

1:10

An ordinance modifying ordinance twenty-four zero three seven, which established and consolidated special traffic patterns near Jonesboro Public School campuses and for other purposes.

1:20

Whereas the City of Jonesboro adopted ordinance 24037, which established and consolidated specific traffic patterns near Jonesboro Public School campuses, whereas the City of Jonesboro has been asked by Jonesboro Public School Administration to designate Wilkins Avenue as a one-way eastbound from MacArthur Park to Hillcrest Drive between the hours of 715 a.m.

1:41

to 815 a.m.

1:43

and 245 p.m.

1:44

to 415 p.m.

1:46

on school days.

1:47

Whereas the traffic control committee has reviewed and supports the request.

1:50

Whereas, in order to allow for education and preparation by Jonesboro Public School patrons, our area motorist, the school hours one-way portion of this ordinance will not take effect until January 1st, 2026.

2:04

Now therefore be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, that ordinance 24037 is hereby modified to designate Wilkins Avenue from MacArthur Park to Hillcrest Drive to be a one-way eastbound from 715 a.m.

2:17

to 815 a.m.

2:18

and in between 245 p.m.

2:21

and 4 o'clock p.m.

2:22

on school days effective January 1st, 2026.

2:27

Moved forward to full council.

2:28

Second.

2:29

Okay, have a motion and a second to forward to full council.

2:31

Are there any questions or comments from the committee?

2:35

Okay.

2:36

Any from the administration?

2:38

Okay, and any from the public in attendance.

2:41

Okay, seeing none, we'll go ahead and we will take a vote on this ordinance.

2:53

That motion does carry and forwards on to full council.

2:56

Thank you, everybody.

2:58

Moving on to the next item under new business, ordinance two five zero three one.

3:04

An ordinance to the city of Jonesboro to place various traffic signs at designated locations as determined by the traffic control committee.

3:12

Now therefore, be it ordained by the city council for the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas to make the following changes as recommended by the traffic control committee.

3:19

Establish and sign an always stop at Cobra House and Burke Avenue, establishing the following school zone speed limits.

3:27

Success School 613 North Fisher Street, 25 miles an hour on Fisher Street from Hoover Street to Belt Street and on Belt Street from Alice Street to Fisher Street.

3:53

MacArthur Junior High, 25 miles an hour on Wilkins Avenue from Metzlore Lane to Hillcrest Drive.

3:59

Nettleton Intermediate, 20 miles an hour on Race Street from Mary Jane Drive to Thorne Street, and on Thorn Street from Ray Street to School Street.

5:00

Jonesboro High, 25 miles an hour on Main Street from Campus Street to College Avenue.

5:04

Fox Meadow, 25 miles an hour on Fox Meadow Lane from Stadium Boulevard to Caraway Road.

5:10

And leadership 25 miles an hour on Washington Avenue from Floyd Street to Walnut Street.

5:16

Move forward to full council.

5:19

Okay, I have a motion second to forward this item on to full council.

5:22

Are there any questions or comments from anybody on the committee?

5:24

I have one, Ms.

5:25

Chairman.

5:25

Yes, but just curious why we didn't um stick with the same speed limit, maybe in so I see some are 15, some are 20, some are 25.

5:35

Just curious what the thought was around that.

5:40

One of those is through the middle of Valley View School that's 15, and there's two large speed bumps, and literally that road is between two buildings.

5:50

So I I can understand that.

5:52

So just okay, so I guess if you don't mind just to explain a little bit, these are how the streets are currently signed.

6:00

So they currently have that speed limit already.

6:02

Okay.

6:03

All we did is we went and inventoried them and we made sure that they were all covered by an ordinance as they're currently signed, and then we can come back and address any oddities or changes, but we just didn't find a consolidated list of school zone speed limits for our school zone flashers.

6:22

So that's what this does is just basically puts it all into one ordinance so we can keep track of those better in the future.

6:28

But I say these are the established speed limits on those roads already.

6:32

Thank you.

6:33

Thank you, Craig.

6:34

Anything else?

6:35

Um Councilman McLean?

6:36

No, I'll save.

6:38

Okay.

6:38

Yes, sir.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation Safety█████████████████████████████████████████████50%
Environmental Protection████████████████████████████31%
Procedural██████7%
Public Engagement██████7%
Fiscal Sustainability█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Public Safety Council Committee Meeting

Date: August 19, 2025
Location: Municipal Center, 300 S. Church Street, Jonesboro, AR
Meeting called to order at 5:00 PM

The Public Safety Council Committee met to consider two traffic ordinances, receive a mosquito control update, and hear a presentation on a potential downtown traffic pattern pilot study. The committee voted to forward both ordinances to the full City Council. No votes were taken on the mosquito report or the downtown study, which were presented for information and public input.

Roll Call

  • Present: David McClain, Chris Moore, Brian Emison, Janice Porter, Chris Gibson, Kevin Miller (6)
  • Absent: LJ Bryant (1)

Approval of Minutes

  • MIN-25:065 – Minutes from the July 15, 2025 Public Safety Committee meeting.
    • Motion by Chris Gibson, seconded by Chris Moore. Passed (5-0-1 absent: Bryant).

New Business: Ordinances to be Introduced

ORD-25:030 – Modification of School Traffic Patterns (Wilkins Avenue)

  • Purpose: Modifies Ordinance 24:037 to designate Wilkins Avenue (from MacArthur Park to Hillcrest Drive) as one-way eastbound during school days (7:15–8:15 AM and 2:45–4:15 PM), effective January 1, 2026, at the request of Jonesboro Public Schools. The Traffic Control Committee supports the change.
  • Discussion: No questions from the committee.
  • Motion by Chris Gibson, seconded by Chris Moore, to recommend to City Council. Passed (5-0-1 absent: Bryant).

ORD-25:031 – Placement of Various Traffic Signs (School Zone Speed Limits)

  • Purpose: Establishes a consolidated ordinance for school zone speed limits as currently signed, based on an inventory conducted by Engineering. Includes locations such as Success School (25 mph), MacArthur Junior High (25 mph), Nettleton Intermediate (20 mph), Jonesboro High (25 mph), Fox Meadow (25 mph), Leadership (25 mph), and an always-stop at Cobra House and Burke Avenue.
  • Discussion: Councilmember David McClain asked why speed limits vary (15, 20, 25 mph). Engineering Director Craig Light explained the list reflects current signage; the ordinance simply consolidates existing limits to help track them. Future adjustments can be made separately.
  • Motion by Chris Gibson, seconded by Chris Moore, to recommend to City Council. Passed (5-0-1 absent: Bryant).

Other Business

COM-25:031 – Vector Mosquito Control Report for July 2025

  • Presenters: Jim Starks and Ted Green of Vector Mosquito Control.
  • Key Points:
    • July operations: Ground spraying and aerial applications (including flights before and after July 4). Due to extreme heat (above 105°F index), spraying was reduced to avoid ineffective application. The city has flown 5 of 8 planned consecutive nights as of the meeting date.
    • Mosquito populations: Concentrated south of town (e.g., Ashwood, Partridge areas) and near rice fields (e.g., Shady Lane). Service requests dropped from 20–25 per week to 4–5 per week after July 4.
    • Larviciding and adulticiding declined due to dry weather. Spray miles fell from ~1,900 to ~1,300; trap counts from ~5,500 to ~3,700 compared to July 2024.
    • Partnership with Dr. Alsbrook of UAMS for testing West Nile virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, and malaria (anopheline mosquitoes in rice fields). Testing to begin next week (late August 2025).
    • Budget: Approximately $241,000 in additional ARPA funds allocated for mosquito abatement in 2025.
    • Future strategies: Purchasing additional aircraft based in Cleveland, MS to improve response time; increased larviciding if wetter conditions return.
  • Discussion: Chairman Emison and Councilmember McClain asked about reduced inspections, virus testing frequency, hot spots, and next year’s plans. The presenters attributed reduced activity to dry heat and noted the season is winding down as rice fields drain.
  • Outcome: Report filed for information. No action taken.

COM-25:034 – Downtown Special Traffic Pattern Pilot Program Study (EDG, Inc.)

  • Presenter: Martin Smith, EDG, Inc., introduced by Andy Shatley (Connectivity Committee). Funded by the Jonesboro Advertising & Promotion (A&P) Commission.
  • Purpose: Study the feasibility of restriping the 200–400 blocks of Main Street (from Washington Avenue to Cate Avenue) to improve pedestrian safety while maintaining traffic flow and all existing parking. Inspired by positive feedback during the temporary closure of Main Street.
  • Proposed Design (no infrastructure changes, only striping and signage):
    • Existing 35-foot cross-section: two 10-foot one-way travel lanes plus 7.5-foot parallel parking on each side.
    • Proposed: One 10-foot travel lane (with 20-foot clear width for fire safety), a 6-foot bike lane/service lane (also for delivery truck pull-offs), 2-foot buffers on each side, and retaining 7.5-foot parallel parking. The right lane at Washington Avenue would become right-turn-only.
  • Discussion:
    • Councilmember McClain asked about speed limits (current 25 mph, not proposed to change).
    • Councilmember Miller raised concerns about traffic congestion from reducing to one lane, potential backups at lights, and emergency vehicle access. Martin Smith acknowledged traffic studies were not conducted but argued that most vehicles (85–95%) currently pass through without stopping, and the redesign would make downtown a destination, encouraging cars to bypass via Church Street. The service lane should allow vehicles to pass stopped delivery trucks, and fire trucks would have a 20-foot clear lane.
    • Councilmember Moore noted that during the Main Street closure, traffic shifted to Church and Bridge Streets without major jams. He also pointed out that currently delivery trucks often block the left lane, effectively making Main Street one lane anyway.
    • Andy Shatley noted that an existing delivery ordinance may need updating, as one designated spot (in front of The Forum) no longer exists.
  • Outcome: No vote taken; presentation was for public input and committee discussion. The study was filed. The committee may consider future actions.

Public Comments

  • No members of the public spoke.

Adjournment

  • Motion by Chris Gibson, seconded by Chris Moore. Passed (5-0-1 absent: Bryant). Meeting adjourned at an unspecified time.

Key Outcomes

  • Both ordinances (ORD-25:030 and ORD-25:031) recommended to the full City Council by votes of 5–0 (with one absent).
  • The July 2025 Mosquito Control Report and the Downtown Traffic Pattern Study were received and filed without formal action.
  • No new business or pending items were discussed.
  • The next meeting was not announced.

Meeting Transcript

And any from the public in attendance. Okay, seeing none, I will we will go ahead and we will take a vote to approve our minutes. Okay, that item does pass, bringing us into the next item on our agenda being new business. We have two ordinances to be introduced tonight. First one being ordinance two five zero three zero. An ordinance modifying ordinance twenty-four zero three seven, which established and consolidated special traffic patterns near Jonesboro Public School campuses and for other purposes. Whereas the City of Jonesboro adopted ordinance 24037, which established and consolidated specific traffic patterns near Jonesboro Public School campuses, whereas the City of Jonesboro has been asked by Jonesboro Public School Administration to designate Wilkins Avenue as a one-way eastbound from MacArthur Park to Hillcrest Drive between the hours of 715 a.m. to 815 a.m. and 245 p.m. to 415 p.m. on school days. Whereas the traffic control committee has reviewed and supports the request. Whereas, in order to allow for education and preparation by Jonesboro Public School patrons, our area motorist, the school hours one-way portion of this ordinance will not take effect until January 1st, 2026. Now therefore be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, that ordinance 24037 is hereby modified to designate Wilkins Avenue from MacArthur Park to Hillcrest Drive to be a one-way eastbound from 715 a.m. to 815 a.m. and in between 245 p.m. and 4 o'clock p.m. on school days effective January 1st, 2026. Moved forward to full council. Second. Okay, have a motion and a second to forward to full council. Are there any questions or comments from the committee? Okay. Any from the administration? Okay, and any from the public in attendance. Okay, seeing none, we'll go ahead and we will take a vote on this ordinance. That motion does carry and forwards on to full council. Thank you, everybody. Moving on to the next item under new business, ordinance two five zero three one. An ordinance to the city of Jonesboro to place various traffic signs at designated locations as determined by the traffic control committee. Now therefore, be it ordained by the city council for the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas to make the following changes as recommended by the traffic control committee. Establish and sign an always stop at Cobra House and Burke Avenue, establishing the following school zone speed limits. Success School 613 North Fisher Street, 25 miles an hour on Fisher Street from Hoover Street to Belt Street and on Belt Street from Alice Street to Fisher Street. MacArthur Junior High, 25 miles an hour on Wilkins Avenue from Metzlore Lane to Hillcrest Drive. Nettleton Intermediate, 20 miles an hour on Race Street from Mary Jane Drive to Thorne Street, and on Thorn Street from Ray Street to School Street. Jonesboro High, 25 miles an hour on Main Street from Campus Street to College Avenue. Fox Meadow, 25 miles an hour on Fox Meadow Lane from Stadium Boulevard to Caraway Road. And leadership 25 miles an hour on Washington Avenue from Floyd Street to Walnut Street. Move forward to full council. Okay, I have a motion second to forward this item on to full council. Are there any questions or comments from anybody on the committee? I have one, Ms. Chairman. Yes, but just curious why we didn't um stick with the same speed limit, maybe in so I see some are 15, some are 20, some are 25. Just curious what the thought was around that. One of those is through the middle of Valley View School that's 15, and there's two large speed bumps, and literally that road is between two buildings. So I I can understand that. So just okay, so I guess if you don't mind just to explain a little bit, these are how the streets are currently signed. So they currently have that speed limit already. Okay.

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