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.