Jonesboro City Council Meeting – March 17, 2026: Transit Rebrand, Litigation Settlement, and City Stars Investigation Update
Jonesboro City Council Meeting – March 17, 2026
The City Council of Jonesboro, Arkansas, met on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 5:30 PM at the Municipal Center. Mayor Harold Copenhaver presided, with all 12 council members present. Key actions included approval of a consent agenda (with one item tabled), resolutions on free utility services for traffic signals and bus shelters, a contentious settlement regarding the Laurel Park demolition lien, and a land sale. Special presentations highlighted the rebranding of the transit system to GoJo, including a new mobile app and route expansions. The Mayor and Human Resources Director provided updates on an internal investigation into allegations involving the City Stars non-profit and former parks employee Danny Kapales. Public comments addressed FOIA use and trust in government.
Consent Calendar
- MIN-26:021 – Minutes of the March 3, 2026 City Council meeting approved.
- RES-26:017 – Accepted a permanent drainage easement from Bridge District Investments, LLC for drainage improvements.
- RES-26:020 – Awarded a contract to Meadows Contractors, LLC for the Craighead Forest Park ATV Trail Rehab Project (ARDOT Job No. 101148).
- RES-26:021 – Authorized purchase of two vans for the transit department (JET).
- RES-26:022 – Placed a municipal lien of $9,754.56 on property at 233 S. Fisher, owned by Michael Kevin Kelly.
- RES-26:023 – Approved a 60-month service lease contract for 12 copy machines from Forrest Office Machines.
- RES-26:025 – Authorized application for FTA Section 5339 formula grants (FY2025) for JET.
- RES-26:026 – Authorized application for FTA Section 5307 formula grants (FY2025) for JET.
- RES-26:027 – Awarded the low bid to Wilkins Electric, LLC for the Huntington Avenue Lighting Project.
RESOLUTIONS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
- RES-26:028 (E-911 office space lease) – Tabled to the next meeting (April 7, 2026) after Mayor Copenhaver indicated the city is exploring another option.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Heather Talley (805 West Jefferson), Christmas Parade Coordinator, read a prepared statement from the parade planning committee. She clarified that parade funds were held in a separate account, not commingled with City Stars funds. She noted that speculation has hurt sponsorship and urged continued community support.
- Donna Malone (1208 Haven Street), retired city employee, urged the public to use FOIA requests reasonably and not as a weapon, cautioning against misinformation.
- Jeremy Terrell (909 Pinecrest) argued that FOIA is a necessary check on government, that trust has been lost due to the investigation, and that the city should hire additional staff to handle FOIA requests. He criticized Mayor Copenhaver for not taking responsibility and demanded council respond to his questions about the audit firm.
Discussion Items
- Transit Rebrand (GoJo) – Director Lee Wells, Marketing Coordinator Ryan Brasher, and Field Operations Supervisor Rachel Cook presented the rebranding of JET to GoJo. Highlights included a new mobile app (Let’s GoJo) with live bus tracking and trip planning, social media campaigns, route expansion plans (five routes by second/third quarter 2026), addition of a second campus trolley (aiming for 15–30 minute wait times), a proposed Parks Route connecting downtown to Craighead Forest Park, and shelter upgrades (45 shelters, LED/RGB lighting, digital signage, ADA accommodations, tap-to-pay fare collection starting April).
- Parks & Recreation Update – Director Jim Stearns reported on spring activities: 1,000+ youth basketball participants, 37 games per Saturday, successful tournaments at Southside and Shooting Sports Complex, and a busy April ahead.
- Laurel Park Settlement (RES-26:024) – Extended debate on accepting $110,000 to settle a $3.2 million demolition lien on the former Citizens Bank property. Council members discussed litigation risk, the possibility of recovering the appraised value ($300,000) versus the offered amount, and the opportunity cost of prolonged litigation. Mayor Copenhaver noted the offer was negotiated up from $55,000. After discussion, the resolution passed 8-4.
- Pedestrian Safety – Councilmember Ann Williams raised the tragic death of Mike Dixon and the need for all-stop pedestrian signals (pedestrian scramble). CAO Brian Richardson confirmed engineering is studying upgrades, including at Highland/Southwest Drive, and that a video of the system will be shared with council. Councilmember Chris Gibson asked for an update on one-laning Main Street from Washington to Burke for pedestrian improvements; Richardson said EDG Engineering is preparing a striping and hard-armoring proposal expected by end of week.
- Internal Investigation – HR Director Dewayne Douglas stated he investigated city park employees after allegations of receiving cash from Danny Kapales. He found a small number (6–7) received cash not exceeding $500 around Christmas, which they believed were personal gifts. No evidence of intentional wrongdoing by current employees was found, and no discipline was taken. Councilmember David McClain questioned the number and purpose; City Attorney Carol Duncan clarified that the cash was viewed as a Christmas gift from a supervisor, not for specific work.
- Councilmember Reports – Brian Emison announced a review of police pay relative to other agencies. Chris Moore inquired about the Employee Rep Committee; COO Tony Thomas said Herbert Ogles chairs the group and that handbook revisions will clarify its role. Joe Hafner reported that two companies have not paid in-lieu-of sidewalk fees under a 2025 ordinance; City Attorney will research enforcement options. L.J. Bryant accused Mayor Copenhaver of spying by reading council emails in real time; IT Director Jason Ratliff stated a review of city cell phones found no Signal app outside police investigations, and that the review is about halfway done. Mayor Copenhaver defended the bulk email system as longstanding and transparent.
- Mayor’s Report – Copenhaver gave a detailed statement on the Christmas parade and City Stars, asserting he did not steal money or knowingly allow theft. He said he trusted Danny Kapales as he trusts all directors. He rededicated himself to city business and will not comment further until the investigation ends. He also reported on the State of the City event (500+ attendees), the Plan Jonesboro comprehensive plan (design week March 30–April 2), monthly department reports, community cleanups (4.19 tons of trash, 68 tires), seasonal hiring, a fraudulent email scam, a bent flagpole at Municipal Center, and creation of new email addresses for elected officials.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved as amended (one item tabled).
- RES-26:028 (E-911 office lease): Postponed temporarily to April 7, 2026.
- RES-26:018 (free utilities for traffic signal): Passed 11-0-1 (Street abstained).
- RES-26:019 (free utilities for bus shelters): Passed 11-0-1 (Street abstained).
- RES-26:024 (Laurel Park settlement): Passed 8-4 (McClain, Hafner, Anthony Coleman, Bryant voting no).
- RES-26:030 (land sale to Clint Jackson): Passed unanimously.
- COM-26:013 (taxicab public hearing): Public hearing set for April 7, 2026 at 5:25 PM.
- ORD-26:011 (zoning change, 2005 E Highland): Held at first reading.
- ORD-26:006 (traffic signs): Held at second reading.
- ORD-26:005 (drainage easement vacation): Passed unanimously on third reading.
- ORD-26:007 (zoning change, 900 N Caraway): Passed unanimously on third reading.
- Police Pay Review: Councilmember Emison will lead a cross-comparison study with other agencies.
- Employee Rep Committee: Future council reports expected from new chair Herbert Ogles.
- Sidewalk Fees: City Attorney will research enforcement options for unpaid in-lieu fees.
- Internal Investigation: No evidence of intentional wrongdoing found; no disciplinary actions taken.
Meeting Transcript
We'll go ahead and get this evening's city council meeting started. We'll go ahead and I'll lead in a pledge of allegiance, and Councilman Porter is going to lead us in invocation. If you would please stand. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic where we should stand one nation under God and indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Please pray with me. Dear Father in Heaven, we come to you with grateful hearts for your bountiful blessings. We thank you for family, friends, and neighbors. We thank you for selfless public servants who work tirelessly for the benefit of our community. Please grant us understanding and wisdom as we tend to the people's business. To paraphrase Micah 68, help us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you. This we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. Good job, man. If you would, counsel, please go ahead and mark your attendance, please. And I'll go down. We do have a special presentation this evening. Thank you. It's the new room. I'm gonna read yours. Well, good evening, council. Uh, it's always a privilege to stand before you, but uh this evening, as we recognize each year our public transit system. Last year we did an appreciation as well. But tonight we're gonna have a presentation by our new name, Gojo. But importantly, I want to recognize all the city employees with the transit public system. On behalf of the city, I'm proud to recognize and celebrate each of you on National Transit Employee Appreciation Day. Your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to public service play an essential role in keeping our community connected, and your teamwork is the heartbeat behind the community-driven. Whether you are behind the wheel, dispatching routes, maintaining vehicles, or supporting operations behind the scenes, your work ensures that residents can reach jobs, schools, health care, and many opportunities that our city has to offer. Reliable transit is a cornerstone of a thriving community, and it would not be possible without your work and dedication. Public transit employees often work early mornings, late evenings, and through challenging conditions, such as in climate weather to serve others. I appreciate that, Lee. Your willingness to go the extra mile reflects the spirit of service that makes our city so strong to help people get where they need to go in a safe way and dependable. And in doing so, you make a meaningful difference in countless lives within our community. So today we pause to recognize and say thank you for the vital role that you play in Jonesboro. Please know that your efforts are supported not only today but throughout the year. On behalf of our residents and city leadership, thank you for your commitment to excellence and for the pride you bring to public transit service in Jonesboro. Thank you so much. We appreciate y'all. Thank you, sir. You bet. You bet. Grab my notes. Good evening, Mayor and Council members. I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight about the rebrand of the city's public transit system. As we evaluated the future of transit in Jonesboro, one thing became very clear. Many people in our community were either not aware of the service or did not realize it is a resource available to the entire city by the city. Public transportation is not intended to serve only a small segment of the population. It is a public service meant to support the mobility, workforce access, and daily needs of our entire community. Because of that, we felt it was important to create a brand that was more visible, more recognizable, and more clearly connected to the city itself. The Gojo brand helps accomplish that by directing by directly tying the system to Jonesboro and creating a simple memorable identity that encourages residents to go Jonesboro.
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