OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Jonesboro City Council Meeting Summary - November 4, 2025

Meeting PortalTuesday, November 4, 2025
BodyJonesboro, Arkansas
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, November 4, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

We appreciate the nice crowd this evening, and I have a good idea why most of you are here, but uh that's well worth it, right?

0:12

Um welcome to the city of Jonesboro.

0:15

This is the city council for Tuesday, November 4th, 2025.

0:20

And we're gonna go ahead and begin.

0:22

I'll lead us in the invocation or pledge of allegiance, and Councilman Porter will lead us in invocation.

0:31

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republicans under God.

0:45

Please pray with me.

0:48

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your bountiful provision.

0:53

Thank you for the gift of life, and thank you for our public servants who risk their own lives to protect others.

1:00

We ask you to give us wisdom and courage in our decisions tonight.

1:04

Help us to act justly, love mercy, and walk umbly with you.

1:10

This and then we ask in the name of Jesus.

1:13

Amen.

1:16

Thank you, Councilman.

1:18

Um Council, if you would please go ahead and mark your ballot for being present.

1:31

They have a gun.

1:48

Well, good evening, council, and it's always a pleasure to stand before you, especially when we're bringing accomplishments among our community and their achievements.

1:58

First of all, this evening, I'd like to recognize Danny Kapalis, Sarah Doss, Sarah Rickert, and Adam Larson.

2:06

If y'all would please come forward.

2:16

Well, how about two on each side?

2:17

How would that be?

2:18

That'll work out just great.

2:20

So the reason these individuals are coming forward is because Danny uh this year uh attended the Arkansas Recreational Park Annual Conference.

2:32

And in doing so, this group, due to their leadership, was recognized as festival event of the year five through ten years.

2:42

It's quite an accomplishment.

2:44

It's not just one year based, it's five to ten years.

2:47

And so for Joy Fest.

2:49

So this is Jonesboro Parks and Recreation.

2:52

And let me read this proclamation on your behalf.

2:56

Whereas Joy Fest is a collaborative effort between the City of Jonesboro Parks and Recreation and the downtown Jonesboro Alliance.

3:03

Whereas Joy Fest began in 2019 with a 20-foot Christmas tree, a mayor oral proclamation, and a simple refresh refreshment table.

3:12

That's all there was, right?

3:14

I remember that.

3:15

And has evolved to a premier Christmas celebration with a 55-foot tree, corporate sponsors, and is attended by thousands of people.

3:23

Joyfest continues to grow by incorporating Winter Wonderland and the Joy Fest Tree Trail, featuring vintage holiday scenery.

3:32

Whereas the centerpiece of Joy Fest is now a giant fair swell with tens of thousands of lights.

3:39

Skating, live music, life size snow globe, snow in the air, food trucks, and photo with Santa are features of the most wonderful time of the year festival.

3:48

The Arkansas Recreation and Park Association recently awarded Jonesboro Joyfest, Festival of the Year for their end at their annual conference.

3:58

Joyfest 2025 begins December 6th in downtown Jonesboro.

4:04

So I there now for Harold Copenhager, mayor of the City of Jonesboro, and by the virtue of the city to declare December 6, 2025 as the official beginning of the season of Joy Fest in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

4:20

Congratulations to you all for making wonderful.

5:00

Well, it is always a pleasure to see our youth in the community excel.

5:03

And more importantly, for them to be recognized by their city for their achievements.

5:08

So I'm proud this evening to bring forward and recognize the success of the Jonesboro trap team members at the AIM Grand National Trap Shooting Championship.

5:19

So Gloey, Joey.

5:23

Glow.

5:24

We do glow in the dark trap shooting, by the way, on Fridays.

5:27

So if you would bring your team forward if you would.

5:31

Glowy.

5:33

That's a new one, buddy.

5:36

If they would stand with their back.

5:44

And Joey, you can stand up here if you would.

5:50

All right.

5:51

Good to see y'all.

5:53

It's always happy to see.

5:54

I enjoy shooting myself, but I can't achieve the accomplishments that y'all are doing, so keep up the good work.

5:59

And representing more importantly, our community.

6:01

So I feel it's important that you be recognized for your efforts.

6:05

The Jonesboro trap team recently completed the 2025 AIM Grand National Trap Shooting Championships tournament in Sparta, Illinois.

6:13

Youth competing as five person squads, both as individuals and as squad, and all 30 team members came home with medals.

6:23

And no other organization competing had more squats.

6:32

The JTT Young Guns were runner up pre-sub champions for nine to eleven year olds.

6:38

The JTT Diamond State were runner-up sub junior champions for ages twelve through fifteen year old.

6:46

The JTT Dirty Dusters.

6:49

Man, I like these names, man.

6:51

Dirty Dusters placed first in the sub junior class A championship for ages twelve through fifteen year olds.

6:58

The JTT uncoachables.

7:14

That's great, man.

7:16

Placed first in the junior gold class D championship for ages eighteen to twenty-one years old.

7:21

And some of them are already off to college, correct?

7:23

ASU shooting sports, coached by Jonesboro trap team, won junior gold class A runner-up, tying for first place in ages eighteen through twenty one.

7:34

Ten individual awards were also achieved and were acknowledged in this proclamation.

7:40

Now if you would, if you're here, I'm going to read a few names.

7:43

Step forward once I read your name.

7:55

See here?

7:56

Hunter's not present.

7:57

Okay.

7:58

Event one handicapped championship.

8:00

Pre-sub junior champion, Falcon Thompson.

8:04

Pre-sub junior tenth grader, Dutch Cox.

8:08

Junior Gold Fourth, Cole Curriton.

8:12

Events Doubles Championship, pre-sub Class D champion, Fauson Thompson.

8:18

Event three singles champion, pre-sub junior champion, Dutch Cox.

8:23

Pre-sub junior C champion, Siler Bass, Junior Gold Class C champion, Hunter Warpole, Warpole, and High Sub Junior Lady Champion Piper Smith.

8:35

Congratulations to all of y'all.

8:51

So I there now for Mayor Harold Copenhagen by the City of Jonesboro and the Virtue Authority vested in me by the laws of the state of Arkansas do hereby proclaim November 4th, 2025, Jonesboro Youth Shooting Sports Day.

9:06

Congratulations, everybody.

9:23

I mean, national.

10:41

Hey Brian.

10:44

It's just mainly for so I don't keep hitting it on stuff.

10:47

You know, yeah.

10:49

Hey Donna.

10:50

Donna.

10:51

You don't want to knock that cover off either.

10:55

Is it up there still?

10:58

Sorry.

10:58

Yeah, that's good.

10:59

That's all I need.

11:00

So I don't know right behind it, too.

11:04

You should see the other guy.

11:05

Sorry.

11:06

Yeah.

11:14

Yes, it is.

11:16

All right, council.

11:17

Thank you very much for allowing us to have that time and to uh show off some members of our community.

11:24

I always think that's very important when they achieve it at such a high level.

11:27

Next we'll move on to item number five.

11:29

These are items on consent agenda.

11:31

Move to adopt unless changes are noted.

11:33

Second.

11:34

Do we have a motion on the floor?

11:39

If you would please go ahead and cast your ballot.

11:52

Okay, items on consent agenda do carry.

11:55

Now we'll move on to items on new business, and these are ordinances on the first reading.

12:00

Carol, we've got ordinance 2503.

12:03

Move we suspend the rules and offer by title only.

12:06

Second.

12:07

Do you have a motion and second on the floor?

12:09

All in favor say aye.

12:10

Aye.

12:11

Any opposed?

12:12

An ordinance to amend chapter six alcoholic beverages to comply with changes to the Arkansas law regarding private club permits.

12:19

Do we have any discussion or questions by council?

12:23

Anyone in the audience?

12:27

Anyone in the audience?

12:29

I don't see anyone, so that ordinance will now move on to its second reading.

12:34

Now we'll move on to ordinance 25037.

12:38

Move is suspend the rules and offer by title only.

12:41

Second.

12:45

Any opposed.

12:47

An ordinance to amend chapter 117, Article 8, Section 117-324G to remove the requirement to have a valid registration or license on a boat, trailer, or recreational vehicle parked outdoors on residential lots in the city of Jonesboro.

13:02

Any discussion by council.

13:24

Just to be clear.

13:25

Right.

13:25

But I'm saying so sitting in my yard, how long of a time are we talking about that someone does not have to well that it's kind of a layered question?

13:37

One, code enforcement has plenty of tools to fight blight if it's a blighted situation.

13:42

But two, like if you look at say ATVs or UTVs, most people don't get those actually registered.

13:48

Uh business ordinance would imply that you have to do.

14:27

Tags are not a part of that equation.

14:29

It has to have other multiple components that are wrong with it.

14:32

So this ordinance just kind of makes it more consistent with the way that we treat vehicles when it comes to to boat trailers and UTVs.

14:39

And you know, it may be not all that relevant in the City of Jonesboro, but on some of your pieces of property that are larger, somebody may have a utility trailer that never leaves the property but is used to haul firewood around or hay rides or whatever that may be.

15:00

And this just removes the fact that a perfectly fine trailer may not be registered and may not be used for street use, but somehow be against the city code of ordinances and it just gives better direction or enforcement officers to address blight and not necessarily technicalities.

15:09

But to be clear, if it's used on the street, it has to comply with all of the other correct.

15:14

I just didn't want people to have an unregistered vehicle or trailer or something like that, and then all of a sudden they're on the road.

15:20

Well city says I don't have to.

15:21

No, that's not what this says.

15:26

Thank you.

15:26

Any other questions by council?

15:29

Anyone in the audience?

15:36

You would please state your name and address.

15:39

Patty Lack, 4108 Poor Sale Road.

15:41

I was wondering if Scott could come up here because I tried looking at the 17324 to look at saying that nothing else in that was going to change.

15:50

I'd like to know what the ordinance is that if someone has a trailer parked out in front of their yard, how long can it stay there without someone calling code enforcement?

16:04

Or do we call we have that right?

16:06

So I was wondering if it's that all your questions.

16:09

Do you have another question or is that it?

16:10

Well, how long how long can a car or a trailer be parked in front of uh a house?

16:17

Um, even whether it's registered or not registered without making kind of why aren't they moving it?

16:24

Okay, Mr.

16:25

Roper, if you would please absolutely nothing.

16:27

Nothing to do with where trailers are parked.

16:29

There's ordinances in place that dictate where trailers can be parked and where they can't same with vehicles, whether they're in OP or where they're parked, we can well we can deal with those, but this has nothing to do.

16:40

This is strictly talking about registration of trailers.

16:44

Thank you.

16:46

Any other questions from the audience?

16:49

Yes, sir.

16:51

Well, excuse me, sir.

16:52

Please come forward, state your name and address first.

16:56

It's uh Tommy Likey.

17:00

I live at 1003 West Matthews, and I'm listening to this.

17:04

If a car sit or truck or trailer sitting on out in the street, it's not sitting in the yard.

17:13

And it if it's sitting in the street, then it has to be licensed.

17:17

Correct.

17:17

She has to follow the rules of the state.

17:19

So just if it's sitting in the street, it can't sit here.

17:23

I mean, that's the way I understand it.

17:25

I don't know if I'm clarifying it for anybody or not.

17:29

If I'm in there, by all means there can be other things that affect it sitting in the street, whether it's legal to park a trailer there or not, Parker.

17:35

There are other ordinances that deal with that and other state laws that deal with that.

17:39

This only applies to whether it has to have a tag.

17:41

If they're in the yard.

17:44

Well, if they're in the street, they have to have a tag because they're on the street.

17:47

That's the clarification I was curious about.

17:49

Thank you.

17:50

Thank you.

17:51

Any other questions from the audience?

17:55

Okay.

17:56

I don't see any.

17:57

So that will now move on to its next reading.

18:00

Now we'll move on to ordinance 25038.

18:03

Move is suspended rules and offered by title only.

18:06

Second.

18:06

Do you have motion on the floor and a second?

18:08

All in favor say aye.

18:09

Aye.

18:10

Any opposed?

18:11

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

18:17

Any discussion by council?

18:22

Anyone in the audience?

18:24

Anyone in the audience?

18:27

I don't see any.

18:28

If you would uh that'll move on now to its next reading.

18:32

Now we'll move on to ordinance 25039.

18:35

Move we suspend the rules and offer by title only.

18:38

So that's second.

18:38

Do we have any discussion by council?

18:44

Anyone in the audience?

18:45

This is just a late title.

18:47

Oh, I'm sorry.

18:49

We have a motion.

18:50

In favor.

18:51

All in favor?

18:52

All right.

18:52

Uh all in favor, say aye.

18:54

Any opposed.

18:55

Do we have any discussion by council?

18:57

Well, let me an ordinance to add section two-289 to the Jonesboro Code of Ordinances titled Firefighter Bill of Rights.

19:06

Now any discussion by council.

19:09

Okay.

19:10

Anyone in the audience?

19:14

I don't see anyone, so that'll move on now to its second reading.

19:18

Now council, we'll move on to item number seven.

19:20

These are items on unfinished business ordinances on the second reading.

19:24

The first ordinance is 25035.

19:27

Ordinance for the approval of an application for a private club permit transfer of location for the parsonage LLC.

19:34

Do we have any discussion by council?

19:38

Anyone in the audience?

19:43

I don't see any, so that will now move on to its third reading.

19:47

Now I'm gonna move on to ordinance 25034.

19:52

An ordinance authorizing Mid-South Auto Service to do business with the City of Jonesboro.

19:58

Do we have any questions from council?

20:01

Move to adopt.

20:03

Do have a motion to adopt any discussion by council.

20:08

Mayor, could you just fill in the blanks here on this one for us?

20:15

Steve, would you like to come forward on this?

20:19

Authorizing Jonesboro Auto Service.

20:32

Yes, sir.

20:34

I'm not what was the question exactly.

20:36

I mean, I see he's a city employee, and we're gonna maybe do business with him, but kind of is it a full-time city employee?

20:42

Like could you just color the picture for me a little bit?

20:45

Well, uh in all situations, we we we would have any individual or entity that might have a conflict of interest would come before this council for approval of an ordinance, adopt an ordinance to do business with that entity or person or individual.

21:07

Uh this particular individual, we've done work with them for quite some time.

21:12

They're now an employee, so we're just uh doing the work to adopt this ordinance so that we can continue doing business uh with that individual.

21:24

Uh it's it's a situation where there have not been any issues relative to the work, the degree of the work being performed, or the expense of it relative to other situations we have.

21:38

So it's just simply ratifying that we can continue to do business with this person.

21:46

And that employee is Justin Tittle.

21:48

He is owner and he owns an interest in Mid South Auto Service just for clarification for the public.

21:55

Any other questions by council?

22:01

Anyone in the audience?

22:03

All right, council, if you would please go ahead and cast your ballot.

22:14

And that does carry.

22:16

So now council will move on to the next line item, and that is the mayor's report.

22:21

So once again, good evening, everyone.

22:23

And in addition to tonight's agenda items and proclamations, I have a few updates that I think you'll enjoy hearing about.

22:30

Last week I had the honor of speaking at the Arkansas Department of Transportation Conference, which was held right here in our hometown.

22:39

We had more than 400 attendees, exactly.

22:42

I think we had 450 attendees for the conference.

22:45

It's the first time that RDOT has held a statewide conference, and it was right here in your own community.

22:50

Many visiting Jonesboro for the very first time.

22:53

It was a great opportunity for us to showcase what makes our community so special.

22:58

From a beautiful Arkansas State University campus to our growing downtown to even our shooting range and recreational areas.

23:05

Let me go into a little bit more detail.

23:07

Also, what that meant was that we have the opportunity to provide a showcase area for many of our DOT employees that have never been here.

23:19

About 25% have never been in Northeast Arkansas, much less Jonesboro.

23:24

So their first impressions were very keen, and obviously the people had a lot to do with it.

23:30

But more importantly, Jared Wiley is the executive director now of our DOT.

23:34

He's an ASU graduate, and many of his team members are also Arkansas State University graduates.

23:40

So I'm excited that through the years and and uh a little bit of uh prodding through the City of Jonesboro, RDOT is now going to be opening an office right here in Jonesboro.

23:53

It's their only office outside of Little Rock and Fayetteville, and it's a big deal for us.

23:59

A big deal.

24:05

And with that, uh hopefully can expedite Northeast Arkansas projects.

24:12

So this is very important to the growth, not only continued growth of Jonesboro, Arkansas, but Northeast Arkansas.

24:19

So we appreciate the investment that RDOT sees in Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas, and we're looking forward to many good plans in the future.

24:29

We also had the pleasure of welcoming a new national organization to town, the United Breast Cancer Foundation.

24:36

This nonprofit provides incredible support for patients and families by helping with everyday essentials and emotional care.

24:43

Their ribbon cutting was a heartfelt event, and we're so proud that they've chosen Jonesboro to make it their new home.

24:50

And they come all the way from New Jersey.

24:53

But more importantly, I think the one thing that was really reiterated by their executive director was the fact that the people in Jonesboro is what made it a reality for them to call it their home.

25:06

We've already mentioned Joy Fest, which is coming up soon, but we just wrapped up also a fun-filled Halloween week.

25:13

Rain or shine, the Jonesboro police and fire departments hosted their annual trunk retreat downtown.

25:20

And thousands of kids turned out.

25:22

I was blown away.

25:24

I really appreciate the efforts of our community members that weathered the storm from two to three o'clock in the afternoon preparing hot dogs, hot chocolate, and everything else for many of our youth.

25:36

We anticipated about four or five thousand youth turned out for the event.

25:42

So again, volunteers stepped up, and without them we couldn't have had that happen.

25:46

So the community spirit is something that we can all be proud of.

25:49

There were also Halloween celebrations around town Friday, including Pathways and ERISA Health.

25:55

I had the privilege of helping judge both costume contest and a chili cook-off that day, and I'll have to admit the chili was a little tough, but it was tasty.

26:04

Tony Thomas kind of uh he didn't inform me that there was going to be a chili contest, but uh he was a judge as well, and he broke out in a sweat, so that was a pleasure for me to see.

26:13

The weekend stayed busy with the Renaissance Fair at Crackhead Force Park.

26:17

From what I saw, the event was really growing.

26:19

It's a wonderful to see so many people getting into the spirit of jousting and enjoying our park.

26:24

We had several thousand people attend that from Friday through Sunday afternoon.

26:30

Saturday, we held our annual Veterans Day Parade.

26:34

You know, I've been attending that parade for over 15 years.

26:38

And I'll be honest with you, I'm seeing a decline in our veterans in the community that are present.

26:46

World War II veterans are no longer present.

26:49

Our veterans uh from other wars are diminishing in size.

26:55

So it reminds me of the importance of what we do for our veterans in our community.

27:00

And as long as I'm mayor, we're going to support, we're going to do everything we can for second chance opportunities and provide the best that we can for our veterans.

27:12

Finally, I'd like to offer congratulations to Scott Hollingshead and our maintenance department for being selected as employee of the month, and it's again sponsored by First Security Bank.

27:21

Scott's dedication and hard work truly make a difference, and we're lucky to have him on the team.

27:26

So thank you for our all continuing to make Jonesboro such a vibrant and welcoming place.

27:31

There's several other things that I'd like to mention.

27:33

Uh, number one, I'm really excited to say I just got confirmation.

27:36

I'll be making an announcement of a new director of our grants department, hopefully by the end of the week, but I have confirmed that, and uh so I'm looking forward uh to the assistance of that individual to help move our community forward.

27:51

Also, I would like all of us, and many of us are well aware of the passing of uh my former um mayor, uh Harold Perrin's daughter, uh, also keep he and his wife and the rest of their family in their continued, we need to continually pray for them as they um go through some dark times.

28:14

So we need their recovery.

28:17

So please pray.

28:19

Now, council, I want to say just a few more words.

28:22

A recent post has been circulating around social media sites implying that city officials and staff were served by U.S.

28:32

Marshals recently.

28:33

That did not happen.

28:36

Similar post began appearing more than three years ago when council was in the process of creating the animal rides and exhibits ordinance that was eventually unanimously passed.

28:49

The ordinance requires that any person, vendor, group, or business wishing to charge a fee, seek monetary donations or receive any financial benefit for any other activities associated with animal rides or displaying of animals in the city have liability insurance in case someone gets hurt.

29:11

And permission of that property owner that their rides or exhibit are being held at.

29:26

Sadly, because of these posts against the good people of our animal services department and multiple local animal support agencies, there will be no low-cost animal shock clinics in November or December, in an effort to not unfairly place volunteers in a position where they do not become a target of misinformation and attacks.

29:51

Due to the fact that three years ago a lawsuit was filed, I will defer to any other question to the Arkansas Municipal League Legal Counsel.

30:02

Also, following a recent public safety center task decision to endorse construction of the E 911 real-time crime center facility on the 400 block of West Washington.

30:23

For clarity, had the property on Caraway been recommended by the task force, a contract to purchase the land would have been submitted to council for approval.

30:35

That legislative step is not necessary since the city owns the Washington location.

30:43

The request for qualifications, which many of you know, council is an RFQ process.

30:49

How the city selects a construction manager was completed just yesterday in accordance with our professional services guidelines and will be considered by the finance committee on November 11th, and if approved, City Council on November 18th.

31:07

So I will close by saying that I've been asked by multiple residents what they could do to dispel rumors and attacks they see circulating on various topics.

31:18

My response is that any time, any time you hear something that you're concerned about, do the research yourself, and don't assume what you read is true.

31:28

Jonesboro is not the exception to misinformation plague across our country.

31:33

It just hits harder when you see wonderful people doing wonderful things, and they are targeted because of someone's self-interest.

31:42

That's the end of my comments.

31:44

Next, we'll move on to item number nine, and that's city council reports.

31:50

Um I would like to mention that the finance meeting should be moved from Tuesday to Thursday due to Veterans Day on Tuesday.

31:58

We normally have our meetings on Thursday, and I just wanted to make sure that people know that it's in our it happens automatically when it's when it's a federal holiday.

32:10

Y'all hear that?

32:11

Okay.

32:11

Finance meeting will be on Thursday versus Tuesday next week.

32:14

All right.

32:15

City Council reports.

32:17

Mr.

32:17

Street.

32:18

I'd just like to add on what you said, Mayor.

32:21

The the uh inaugural Arkansas Transportation Summit was well attended.

32:25

I made all four days of that.

32:27

We were represented fairly well by people on uh both policy committee and technical advisory committee, and Craig and Darrell Smith both were in attendance.

32:36

Uh they really enjoyed their time in Jonesboro.

32:39

A lot of them, like you said, hadn't been here.

32:41

They were very impressed.

32:42

Uh Lee and them did a great job uh hauling them around on the trolleys.

32:46

They really enjoyed those.

32:47

They that's the first time they'd seen those, so they really liked them too.

32:50

Even uh Jesse Jones with the Highway Department, some of the people you said you know hadn't seen them yet.

32:56

They they rode on them and enjoyed them as well.

32:58

But it was uh it was really good, and Jared Wiley was tickled to death.

33:02

He said he intentionally brought that here because of his association with Arkansas State University and and Jonesboro, and he really likes Jonesboro and a lot of his staff is they are graduates from the engineering program at Arkansas State.

33:15

But he wanted to showcase and highlight Jonesburn.

33:17

I think it did a good job.

33:19

Uh but it was it was really, and and Marvin, I gotta say this about Marvin Day, his bridge county bridge operation.

33:25

I mean, man, there's a bunch of them from our dot went and toured that.

33:30

They're looking at possibly adopting something like that on the state side, but they were uh very complimentary to the bridge program as well.

33:38

But it really was a great conference.

33:39

I asked him if he'd bring it back.

33:41

He said he'd see what he could do.

33:42

But everybody did enjoy it, and Jonesboro welcomed them uh and showed them every hospitality, so it was uh it was really neat.

33:52

We can't we can't bring people to our community, John, unless we have good highways to do it.

33:56

That's true.

33:56

That's true.

33:57

So that partnership is very key and evident.

33:59

So uh I appreciate the technology that they also brought.

34:03

Uh, there was a lot of new innovative systems out there from hard breaking to monitoring a lot of our community that we can do uh expedite things and for sure.

34:12

I've got to do something else.

34:13

They uh they did an analysis on Jonesboro access in and about the city, and believe it or not, we had one of the best accesses throughout the city of any city in the state.

34:25

We uh they said from any destination or any origin or origination to a destination, the typical in Jonesboro was 15 minutes, 15 minutes.

34:34

Now, I know that sounds like when you're in high traffic going across town, but I've checked it several times this week because that even blew me away a little bit.

34:43

But pretty much you can get anywhere you want to go around town in 15 minutes.

34:46

So I told my wife quit complaining about traffic.

34:50

It's good to have that problem when you're out there and you see that traffic.

34:53

There's a lot of cities around Northeast Carlson, so I'd love to have that traffic problem.

35:00

So we're blessed, but everybody really enjoyed it and they they like the people in Jonesburg, and it was really a good event.

35:04

Thank you for your attendance.

35:06

Mr.

35:06

Miller.

35:07

No, thank you.

35:08

Mr.

35:08

Bryant.

35:09

Mr.

35:10

Hafner.

35:10

Oh, thanks.

35:11

Dr.

35:11

Anthony Coleman.

35:14

Mr.

35:14

McLean.

35:15

Thank you.

35:15

Mr.

35:15

Gibson.

35:16

Uh, just real quick, Mr.

35:17

Rickert, the executive director for the AMP commission was here earlier, and he shared with several of us that they did pour the side walls on the competition pool at the Ridge Athletic Center today, and walls will start going up as early as next week.

35:31

So exciting times for for sports in Jonesboro.

35:36

Mr.

35:37

Moore.

35:38

Just a comment for the city attorney.

35:40

Carol, would you give us another uh written update of the cases we have going on?

35:45

Maybe provide them to the council with kind of a summarizing where we're at.

35:49

Absolutely.

35:50

We'll get that done for next meeting.

35:51

Thank you, ma'am.

35:52

Thank you.

35:55

Dr.

35:55

Charles Cumman.

35:56

No.

35:58

Mr.

35:58

Emerson.

36:00

Yes.

36:00

Uh just wanted to say thank you to uh mayor for the clarification on the uh status of the task force and our next steps moving forward.

36:08

Also um didn't mention this in the past uh city council meeting, but just wanted to say thank you to the members of that task force and for the um hard work that each and every one of y'all did along with um the individuals from the city's administration that got us answers to all of our questions that made um making that decision um a lot easier having um up-to-date information and being able to um render a recommendation and just wanted to say thank you once again and um apologize for any miscommunication on that.

36:39

Of course, no matter uh either direction that we took as far as action from the task force, it was going to have different legislative lines that it had to take.

36:47

So the um saying that we were gonna have a full vote on that at this meeting.

36:52

That was um due to the answer that the task force had recommended was not the um path that that legislation had to follow.

36:59

So just wanted to say thank you to everybody once again, and that's all I have.

37:03

Well, and again, I want to follow up too and just say thank you again for the um uh council members had served and and you were honorable in that and uh we were fully transparent, so I appreciate all that.

37:15

Thank you, Ms.

37:16

Porter.

37:17

Um as of last night, I'm a graduate of the Citizens Police Academy.

37:24

And uh, I want to take this opportunity to thank JPD for an excellent introduction to their operations.

37:30

The 13-week curriculum is both interesting and informative.

37:35

Thank you for providing this excellent outreach to the community.

37:39

Are you gonna go suit up with the fire department next?

37:43

I I I have to be uh impartial, don't I?

37:48

You will enjoy both.

37:51

That sounded like a yes.

37:53

She's gonna be rappelling off that building in no time.

37:56

Well, thank you, Councilman.

37:57

I think uh you were graduated the 20th class, and if I'm not mistaken, that's over 200 now that have graduated.

38:04

That is correct.

38:05

That's correct.

38:06

400, 400.

38:07

400 pretty amazing.

38:09

That's great.

38:10

And uh like I said, I'm also proud to see that the fire department's initiated that as well.

38:14

So all right, that's the end of our city council reports.

38:18

Next one move on to public comments.

38:20

Anyone in the audience can make a comment, they have up to limited time of five minutes to do so, and we please ask it not be redundant.

38:28

Yes, sir.

38:29

If you would please come forward, state your name and address Tommy Likey, 1003 West Matthews.

38:42

You know, I come from that age where I started with a slide rule, and I'm using a computer now.

38:49

Where do I go to to find out about the uh the thing where uh it had been accepted and that the 911 center was going to be where it's at?

39:02

What what website would I have gone to?

39:05

I read it in the newspaper.

39:07

That's on our that's on our city website.

39:09

And if you want to come up with you want to come up to our office, then we'll be happy to show you exactly how to access it.

39:15

If it's on the website and it's been there all this time, I totally overlooked it.

39:21

We have a social media sites that run um like Facebook that has the video that Facebook has a video.

39:33

Facebook has a video that you can watch for the City of Jonesboro.

39:38

Okay, now was it I mean they the communications department will have to this.

39:43

I have gone to the wrong location.

39:46

We also have the city clerk's office has the legislation called legislature.

39:51

That's fine.

39:52

All I want to know is the website because I'm not sure.

39:55

It's on the City of Jonesboro website that you can like I said, I saw it on the news.

40:00

That's what I'm curious about.

40:02

Okay.

40:02

All right.

40:02

And Miss Carroll, uh I didn't understand earlier about cars parked on this on the street, and you clarified that for me.

40:11

Thank you.

40:11

I'm glad I could help.

40:13

Anyone else in the audience?

40:15

I don't see any.

40:16

We'll move on to the last item that's adjournment.

40:18

So we'll move to the second.

40:19

Yeah, motion on the floor.

40:20

All in favor say aye.

40:21

Aye.

40:21

Aye.

40:22

Any opposed?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Public Safety██████████████████18%
Transportation Safety█████████████13%
Liquor Licensing████████████12%
Youth Programs█████████9%
Economic Development█████████9%
Community Engagement████████8%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Animal Welfare███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Jonesboro City Council Meeting Summary - November 4, 2025

The City of Jonesboro held a council meeting on November 4, 2025, characterized by significant community recognition, the passage of several ordinances, and a detailed mayor's report addressing recent conferences, organizational arrivals, and the correction of public misinformation.

Consent Calendar

  • The entire consent agenda was adopted unanimously after a motion and second, with no changes noted.
  • Routine approvals included the consent items designated as item number five.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Tommy Likey (1003 West Matthews):
    • Expressed a need for clarification regarding the website location used to view public records concerning the 911 real-time crime center task force decision, having previously relied on newspaper reports and social media. Council staff confirmed the information is available on the City of Jonesboro website and via Facebook.
    • Reiterated a query from the ordinance discussion regarding the duration a vehicle or trailer can remain parked on the street versus in a yard; Mr. Likey sought to understand if street parking still requires registration/licensing regardless of the new ordinance. He was clarified that the new ordinance concerns only registration while parked on private property, not street compliance.
  • Patty Lack (4108 Poor Sale Road):
    • Expressed confusion regarding Ordinance 25037, specifically asking about the interaction between registration requirements and blight ordinances for trailers parked in front of yards, questioning if an unregistered trailer could be legally parked there indefinitely.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamations and Recognitions:

    • Joy Fest: Council recognized Danny Kapalis, Sarah Doss, Sarah Rickert, and Adam Larson for their leadership in making Joy Fest the "Festival of the Year (5-10 years)" by the Arkansas Recreation and Park Association. Mayor Copenhager proclaimed December 6, 2025, as the official start of the Joy Fest season, noting its evolution from a small refreshment table to a major event with a 55-foot tree and 55-foot lighting structure.
    • Jonesboro Trap Team: Mayor Copenhager recognized the Jonesboro Trap Team for their success at the AIM Grand National Trap Shooting Championships, where 30 youth members won medals, including multiple champion and runner-up titles across various age divisions. A proclamation was issued declaring November 4, 2025, as "Jonesboro Youth Shooting Sports Day."
  • Ordinances (First Reading):

    • Ordinance 25033 (Alcoholic Beverages): To amend Chapter 6 to comply with new Arkansas laws regarding private club permits. The Council voted to suspend rules and offer by title only; the item moved to its second reading.
    • Ordinance 25037 (Boat/Trailer Registration): Proposed amendment to Chapter 117, Article 8, Section 117-324G to remove the requirement for valid registration or licensing for boats, trailers, or recreational vehicles parked outdoors on residential lots. Council discussion clarified that this does not change street parking laws, state laws, or blight enforcement. It aims to prevent enforcement against perfectly good unregistered equipment used solely off-road on private property. The item moved to its second reading.
    • Ordinance 25038 (Traffic Signs): To place various traffic signs at locations determined by the traffic control committee. The Council voted to suspend rules and offer by title only; the item moved to its next reading.
    • Ordinance 25039 (Firefighter Bill of Rights): A late title item to add section 2-289 titled "Firefighter Bill of Rights" to the Jonesboro Code of Ordinances. The Council voted to suspend rules and offer by title only; the item moved to its second reading.
  • Unfinished Business (Second/Third Reading):

    • Ordinance 25035 (Private Club Permit): Approved the transfer of location for Parsonage LLC's private club permit. Moved to third reading.
    • Ordinance 25034 (Mid-South Auto Service): Authorizing business with Mid-South Auto Service, owned by city employee Justin Tittle. Council discussion clarified that the ordinance ratifies continued business with the individual to manage potential conflict of interest, noting no prior issues with work quality or expenses. The motion to adopt carried.
  • Mayor's Report Update:

    • Arkansas DOT Conference: Reported on the success of the Arkansas Department of Transportation conference held in Jonesboro with 450 attendees. Noted that RDOT executives, including Executive Director Jared Wiley, were impressed by the city and announced plans to open a new RDOT office in Jonesboro (the only office outside Little Rock/Fayetteville) to expedite Northeast Arkansas projects.
    • Community Updates: Welcomed the United Breast Cancer Foundation (transferring from New Jersey) and celebrated the success of Halloween trunk-or-treat events with 4,000-5,000 attendees. Noted the growth of the Renaissance Fair.
    • Veterans Day Parade: Observed a decline in World War II veteran attendance at the parade but reaffirmed commitment to veteran support.
    • Misinformation Correction: Explicitly denied social media rumors that city officials were served by U.S. Marshals, attributing the rumors to a past lawsuit regarding animal rides ordinances. Explained that low-cost animal shelter clinics were cancelled for November and December to protect volunteers from harassment.
    • 911 Real-Time Crime Center: Clarified that the 911 task force endorsed the 400 block of West Washington location (city-owned property), meaning no land purchase contract was needed. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the construction manager was completed and will be reviewed by the Finance Committee on Nov 11 and Council on Nov 18.
  • Council Reports:

    • Mr. Street: Praised the Arkansas Transportation Summit, highlighting positive impressions from RDOT staff and Jonesboro's efficient 15-minute city-wide traffic access time.
    • Mr. Rickert: Reported that the competition pool at the Ridge Athletic Center had its side walls poured, with construction beginning next week.
    • Mr. Gibson: Complimented the 911 task force and council for their transparency and timely information sharing.
    • Councilman Porter: Celebrated graduating from the 20th class of the Citizens Police Academy (400 total graduates) and expressed pride in the joint Police/Fire department outreach.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted Ordinances:
    • Ordinance 25034 authorizing business with Mid-South Auto Service was adopted.
    • Ordinance 25035 (Private Club Permit transfer) moved to third reading.
  • Pending Ordinances:
    • Ordinance 25033 (Private Club Alcohol Permits) moved to second reading.
    • Ordinance 25037 (Vehicle/Trailer Registration on private lots) moved to second reading.
    • Ordinance 25038 (Traffic Signs) moved to third reading.
    • Ordinance 25039 (Firefighter Bill of Rights) moved to second reading.
  • Directives/Actions:
    • City Council agreed to move the Finance meeting from Tuesday to Thursday for the following week due to the Veterans Day holiday.
    • The City Attorney agreed to provide a written case status update for the next meeting.
    • Mayor affirmed the selection of a new director for the grants department expected by the end of the week.
  • Clarifications:
    • Confirmed that Ordinance 25037 affects registration for parked vehicles on private property only, not street compliance.
    • Confirmed that the 911 crime center site selection (Washington location) will proceed to an RFQ review for the construction manager on November 11, pending Council approval on November 18.

Meeting Transcript

We appreciate the nice crowd this evening, and I have a good idea why most of you are here, but uh that's well worth it, right? Um welcome to the city of Jonesboro. This is the city council for Tuesday, November 4th, 2025. And we're gonna go ahead and begin. I'll lead us in the invocation or pledge of allegiance, and Councilman Porter will lead us in invocation. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republicans under God. Please pray with me. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your bountiful provision. Thank you for the gift of life, and thank you for our public servants who risk their own lives to protect others. We ask you to give us wisdom and courage in our decisions tonight. Help us to act justly, love mercy, and walk umbly with you. This and then we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen. Thank you, Councilman. Um Council, if you would please go ahead and mark your ballot for being present. They have a gun. Well, good evening, council, and it's always a pleasure to stand before you, especially when we're bringing accomplishments among our community and their achievements. First of all, this evening, I'd like to recognize Danny Kapalis, Sarah Doss, Sarah Rickert, and Adam Larson. If y'all would please come forward. Well, how about two on each side? How would that be? That'll work out just great. So the reason these individuals are coming forward is because Danny uh this year uh attended the Arkansas Recreational Park Annual Conference. And in doing so, this group, due to their leadership, was recognized as festival event of the year five through ten years. It's quite an accomplishment. It's not just one year based, it's five to ten years. And so for Joy Fest. So this is Jonesboro Parks and Recreation. And let me read this proclamation on your behalf. Whereas Joy Fest is a collaborative effort between the City of Jonesboro Parks and Recreation and the downtown Jonesboro Alliance. Whereas Joy Fest began in 2019 with a 20-foot Christmas tree, a mayor oral proclamation, and a simple refresh refreshment table. That's all there was, right? I remember that. And has evolved to a premier Christmas celebration with a 55-foot tree, corporate sponsors, and is attended by thousands of people. Joyfest continues to grow by incorporating Winter Wonderland and the Joy Fest Tree Trail, featuring vintage holiday scenery. Whereas the centerpiece of Joy Fest is now a giant fair swell with tens of thousands of lights. Skating, live music, life size snow globe, snow in the air, food trucks, and photo with Santa are features of the most wonderful time of the year festival. The Arkansas Recreation and Park Association recently awarded Jonesboro Joyfest, Festival of the Year for their end at their annual conference. Joyfest 2025 begins December 6th in downtown Jonesboro. So I there now for Harold Copenhager, mayor of the City of Jonesboro, and by the virtue of the city to declare December 6, 2025 as the official beginning of the season of Joy Fest in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Congratulations to you all for making wonderful. Well, it is always a pleasure to see our youth in the community excel. And more importantly, for them to be recognized by their city for their achievements. So I'm proud this evening to bring forward and recognize the success of the Jonesboro trap team members at the AIM Grand National Trap Shooting Championship. So Gloey, Joey. Glow. We do glow in the dark trap shooting, by the way, on Fridays. So if you would bring your team forward if you would. Glowy. That's a new one, buddy.

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