OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Jonesboro City Council Meeting - September 2, 2025

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, September 2, 2025
BodyJonesboro, Arkansas
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, September 2, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 41:58

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Good evening, everybody, and welcome to Jonesboro City Council.

0:04

This is Tuesday evening, September 2nd.

0:07

And as I always say, the year is traveling by very quickly.

0:10

So I'm gonna go ahead and open us with the Pledge of Allegiance, and Councilman Brian Emerson will lead us in prayer.

0:27

One nation under the justice.

0:33

Would you bow your head and pray with me?

0:35

Dear Lord, thank you for bringing us here this evening to do the business of this great city.

0:40

And please keep a protecting and guiding hand upon us tonight as we make the decisions and we watch over the first responders that help protect our citizens.

0:49

And dear Lord, thank you again for everything that you bless us with, and please forgive us of our sins.

0:55

Please make us better people and please allow us to continue to do good work as you have guided us to.

1:01

Amen.

1:03

Thank you, Councilman.

1:05

If you would, we'll move on to item number three.

1:08

And uh council, if you would please press your button for presence.

1:17

And we do have 10 members present.

1:20

Everybody for this evening.

1:23

Is that right?

1:25

Hands out.

1:26

Okay, David.

1:27

All right.

1:28

Next council will move on to item number four.

1:30

And these are items on special presentations.

1:33

And uh Councilman Hafner has asked us uh to bring forward capital project updates.

1:41

And and uh Craig at this time you want to come forward.

1:45

Um these are I think he's done a good job here.

1:48

Um, and Craig will go over a little bit about the explanation of what he's presenting to you all.

1:54

But I hope you see the in-depth detail that uh what we're doing in the community of Jonesboro.

2:01

And so, Craig, the floor is yours.

2:03

Yeah, thank you, Mayor.

2:04

Thank you, City Council.

2:06

Um I handed out a sheet to each of you before the meeting that has a list of our our current project list.

2:13

Uh, some of them are from the Capitol General Fund, Street Fund, and some of them are grant funded projects, but uh it's it's hard to separate those when you when you start making a list of everything that's going on.

2:23

But um at the top of the page in front of you is the list of the 2025 overlays.

2:29

Uh, they're about a third uh through for the year.

2:32

Um I know Steve Tippet and his his department has been getting those roads prepped and ready for Atlas Asphalt to work on when they get back into town.

2:42

Um so those will uh continue through the fall and uh try to get those done before the end of the year for the 2025 uh budget cycle.

2:53

Uh the next uh we move down to miscellaneous street projects.

2:57

Uh this is the miscellaneous funds that are allocated every year.

3:01

I think for this year it was about a half a million dollars.

3:03

Uh with that uh we've done five speed table projects, those are all completed.

3:09

Um we don't have any more planned for 2025.

3:13

We have a few prospects for 2026, but uh we'll uh we've created a policy uh and we're screening those against those policies to see if they actually warrant.

3:25

Greg, if you don't mind, will you go over some of the criteria for the speed tables for the community?

3:32

I don't have that sheet with me.

3:34

Um we're looking for uh a certain number of vehicles, a minimum number of vehicles, a range of uh I believe it's between three hundred and uh godly uh 1,500 vehicles a day.

3:51

That's kind of the range of a street that would warrant uh speed table, uh speeds less than 35 miles an hour, uh post it speeds about 25 miles an hour is what we're really shooting for with the speed tables.

4:04

You start getting those faster speeds or the higher volumes uh the speed tables uh become more of a detriment to uh what's going on than a safety feature.

4:14

So we can definitely make that policy sheet available to the city council.

4:19

I just uh I hope that I got those numbers right because it's been a couple days since I've looked at that.

4:25

But um so on the speed tables, those are the ones that are completed this year.

4:30

Uh so far we've completed the Crest Street lighting project.

4:34

Uh we have the lights for the Huntington section from Union to Flint designed.

4:39

Um that'll be a 2026 uh construction project if we're able to get those funds in the 2026 budget.

4:48

Uh we've been working on the North Church Hawk signal.

4:51

Uh it's been designed.

4:53

Uh we've ordered the equipment.

4:54

The equipment should be arriving this month, and we hopeful that we'll get that signal installed before the end of the year.

5:01

That's for the Parker Park Community Center swimming pool.

5:06

We are at 90% or close to 90% plans for the Southwest Drive Cobra House pedestrian improvements.

5:13

That'll be pedestrian accommodations at that intersection.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████████████████████████38%
Parks and Recreation█████████████████17%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Infrastructure█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Zoning Regulations████████8%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Liquor Licensing██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Jonesboro City Council Meeting - September 2, 2025

The Jonesboro City Council met on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 5:30 PM at the Municipal Center. All 10 present members (Brian Emison, Chris Moore, Chris Gibson, Joe Hafner, Kevin Miller, Anthony Coleman, Janice Porter, John Street, Charles Coleman, and LJ Bryant) voted on all items; David McClain and Ann Williams were absent. The meeting included a capital project update, consent agenda actions, new ordinances, third-reading votes, and public comments.

Consent Calendar

  • MIN-25:072 – Approved minutes from August 19, 2025.
  • RES-25:106 – Municipal lien of $3,293,122.07 on property at 100 W. Washington (Laurel Park, LLC) – passed.
  • RES-25:107 – Municipal lien of $315 on property at 1400 Merrywood (Tonya R. Hinds) – passed.
  • RES-25:108 – Municipal lien of $275 on property at 1617 Rich Road (Randolph & Judith Reynolds) – passed.
  • RES-25:109 – Removed from consent agenda; postponed indefinitely due to new ownership (10-0 vote).
  • RES-25:110 – Municipal lien of $275 on property at 3806 School Street (Olga Hernandez) – passed.
  • RES-25:111 – Municipal lien of $275 on property at 1313 Pardew (Michelle Nutt) – passed.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • James Elwyn Hinds (508 Ridgecrest): Opposed the private club permit for Bridge Street Brewery, citing area crime and proximity to a railroad overpass.
  • Jason Willett (1804 Starling): Spoke in favor of the permit on behalf of SHJ Concepts (Bridge Street Brewery), noting over 100 members, charitable beneficiaries (Downtown Jonesboro Association, Arkansas State Red Wolves Foundation), and the applicant's experience.
  • James Elwyn Hinds (public comment): Urged the city to plan for safety improvements along Culberhouse Road (from Lawson to Philadelphia Road), highlighting narrow lanes, lack of sidewalks, and heavy bicycle traffic.

Capital Project Update (Special Presentation)

Engineering Director Craig Light presented a detailed update on 2025 capital projects:

  • 2025 Overlays: ~1/3 completed; work continues through fall.
  • Miscellaneous Street Projects: $500,000 allocated; 5 speed tables completed; new policy requires 300–1,500 vehicles/day and speeds <35 mph.
  • Lighting: Creath Street lighting complete; Huntington section designed (2026 construction); North Church HAWK signal equipment ordered, installation expected by year-end.
  • Pedestrian Improvements: Southwest Drive/Culberhouse plans at 90%; Johnson Avenue side-path and turn lane – permits obtained, 8 properties under acquisition.
  • Drainage: City purchased property on N. Main; Meadowlark drainage complete; Olive and Vine streets drainage work done; Maplewood Terrace and Butler Ditch re-study starting fall.
  • Sidewalks/Trails: Madison sidewalk complete; Culberhouse Trail stalled for utility relocation; Jefferson Avenue Trail progressing (Flint to Walnut); bond-funded.
  • Industrial Rail: SwitchPoint protection complete; MLK crossings under contract with Meadows Construction (awaiting ARDOT notice); Trainfo sensors being calibrated for E-911 connection; digital message boards in design.
  • Grant-Funded Projects: Downtown to ASTATE and Melrose sidewalk complete; Abilities Unlimited and JET Bus Stop under contract (bus stop delay due to availability); Rail Crossing Elimination Grant in negotiation; Craighead Forest Motorized Trail – permission to advertise requested; University Heights Trail – two properties left (one likely condemnation); Lacey Park Soft Surface Trail – 90% plans by November; Marion Berry Parkway Multi-use Trail – 90% plans by October; Safe for All – Johnson and North Church projects in design.
  • Other: Winter Wonderland renovations (60% plans September); Real Time Intelligence Center location analysis (deadline Sept. 16); South Caraway Road – two properties remaining, construction expected 2026.

Councilmember Joe Hafner asked about carryover projects: University Heights Trail ($2M funding, awaiting property acquisition and ARDOT approval); 50-spot parking lot at Craighead Forest ($381,574) – shelved pending reallocation to higher priorities (pavilion replacements, Rotary Playground). Parks Director Danny Kapales confirmed the Rotary Playground (installed 2005) needs replacement due to chlorinated water damage; plans to repurpose parking lot funds. Also reported: inclusive playground at University Lions Park delivered, installation in 2 weeks; Allen Park improvements (swing sets, shade structures) ongoing.

Councilmember Chris Moore inquired about Main Street restriping – presentation to Public Safety Committee but not yet forwarded to Engineering; concerns about green paint included.

New Business (Ordinances on First Reading)

  • ORD-25:030 – Modify traffic patterns near JPS campuses – Held at first reading.
  • ORD-25:031 – Place various traffic signs – Held at first reading.

Unfinished Business

  • Second Reading: ORD-25:032 (Rezone 3412 Southwest Drive from PD-M multi-family/office to PD-M commercial) – Held at second reading.
  • Third Reading:
    • ORD-25:025 (Place various traffic signs) – PASSED (10-0).
    • ORD-25:028 (Add Section 50-40 Park Rangers) – PASSED (10-0).
    • ORD-25:029 (Private club permit for Bridge Street Brewery) – PASSED (10-0) after public comments.

Mayor's Reports

Mayor Harold Copenhaver highlighted:

  • Paint the Town Red: Successful ASU spirit event; trolleys ran shuttles to football games; new Red Wolf street signs unveiled.
  • ASU Partnership: Lunch with new Athletic Director Chris Pezman; upcoming game vs. nationally ranked Iowa State.
  • Governor's 250 Committee: Early planning for nation's 250th birthday (July 2026) led by Jan Zimmerman and Craig Rickert.
  • Parks: East Jonesboro park planning (with $100,000 donation from Jonesboro Junior Auxiliary); inclusive playground at Lions Park; Ridge Complex pool construction on track (18-month timeline).
  • Infrastructure: 12 overlay projects; Johnson side-path underway.
  • Turtle Creek Mall: Investors to bid within 1.5 weeks after legal resolution from 2020 tornado.
  • Justice Complex: Inspection report pending; city using community centers for displaced personnel; no timeline for repair decision.
  • Art: Mural on Cate Street Avenue now complete; thanks to Dan and Casey Johnson.

Council Reports

  • Councilmember Dr. Anthony Coleman requested updates on Race Street/Nettleton drainage and the overpass/connector road near airport; Mayor noted overpass completion ~November.
  • Councilmember Dr. Charles Coleman motioned to move the October 7 meeting to October 9 due to National Night Out; approved (10-0). Also postponed RES-25:109 indefinitely.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved (except RES-25:109 postponed indefinitely).
  • All third-reading ordinances passed unanimously (10-0).
  • First-reading ordinances held; second-reading ordinance held.
  • October 7 meeting rescheduled to October 9 at 5:30 PM.
  • Mayor to meet with ARDOT director to prioritize projects and address HAWK signal and truck route signage.
  • City Council will receive updates on Justice Complex, drainage projects, and Main Street restriping.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everybody, and welcome to Jonesboro City Council. This is Tuesday evening, September 2nd. And as I always say, the year is traveling by very quickly. So I'm gonna go ahead and open us with the Pledge of Allegiance, and Councilman Brian Emerson will lead us in prayer. One nation under the justice. Would you bow your head and pray with me? Dear Lord, thank you for bringing us here this evening to do the business of this great city. And please keep a protecting and guiding hand upon us tonight as we make the decisions and we watch over the first responders that help protect our citizens. And dear Lord, thank you again for everything that you bless us with, and please forgive us of our sins. Please make us better people and please allow us to continue to do good work as you have guided us to. Amen. Thank you, Councilman. If you would, we'll move on to item number three. And uh council, if you would please press your button for presence. And we do have 10 members present. Everybody for this evening. Is that right? Hands out. Okay, David. All right. Next council will move on to item number four. And these are items on special presentations. And uh Councilman Hafner has asked us uh to bring forward capital project updates. And and uh Craig at this time you want to come forward. Um these are I think he's done a good job here. Um, and Craig will go over a little bit about the explanation of what he's presenting to you all. But I hope you see the in-depth detail that uh what we're doing in the community of Jonesboro. And so, Craig, the floor is yours. Yeah, thank you, Mayor. Thank you, City Council. Um I handed out a sheet to each of you before the meeting that has a list of our our current project list. Uh, some of them are from the Capitol General Fund, Street Fund, and some of them are grant funded projects, but uh it's it's hard to separate those when you when you start making a list of everything that's going on. But um at the top of the page in front of you is the list of the 2025 overlays. Uh, they're about a third uh through for the year. Um I know Steve Tippet and his his department has been getting those roads prepped and ready for Atlas Asphalt to work on when they get back into town. Um so those will uh continue through the fall and uh try to get those done before the end of the year for the 2025 uh budget cycle. Uh the next uh we move down to miscellaneous street projects. Uh this is the miscellaneous funds that are allocated every year. I think for this year it was about a half a million dollars. Uh with that uh we've done five speed table projects, those are all completed. Um we don't have any more planned for 2025. We have a few prospects for 2026, but uh we'll uh we've created a policy uh and we're screening those against those policies to see if they actually warrant. Greg, if you don't mind, will you go over some of the criteria for the speed tables for the community? I don't have that sheet with me. Um we're looking for uh a certain number of vehicles, a minimum number of vehicles, a range of uh I believe it's between three hundred and uh godly uh 1,500 vehicles a day. That's kind of the range of a street that would warrant uh speed table, uh speeds less than 35 miles an hour, uh post it speeds about 25 miles an hour is what we're really shooting for with the speed tables. You start getting those faster speeds or the higher volumes uh the speed tables uh become more of a detriment to uh what's going on than a safety feature. So we can definitely make that policy sheet available to the city council. I just uh I hope that I got those numbers right because it's been a couple days since I've looked at that. But um so on the speed tables, those are the ones that are completed this year.

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