Jonesboro Nominating and Rules Committee Meeting - March 17, 2026

The Nominating and Rules Committee of the Jonesboro City Council met on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 4:45 PM at the Municipal Center. The committee considered a single resolution recommending appointments to various city boards and commissions, heard public comment, and approved previous meeting minutes. Committee members Chris Gibson, Chris Moore, Brian Emison, John Street, LJ Bryant, and Anthony Coleman were present (electronic attendance confirmed by City Clerk April Leggett). Notably, member Chris Gibson was present for all votes but did not cast a vote in any of the three recorded roll calls, with no explanation provided in the minutes or transcript.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (January 6, 2026): The minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Motion by Chris Moore, seconded by John Street, passed with 5 ayes (Moore, Emison, Street, Bryant, Coleman) and 0 nays. Chris Gibson did not vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Patti Lack (4108 Forest Hill Road): Asked whether Mitch Johnson, proposed for appointment to the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (MAPC), is the same person who previously served as a city council member. She also inquired whose term he would be filling. City Attorney Carol Duncan responded that the appointment is for Paul Ford's expired term. Ms. Lack thanked the committee.

Discussion Items

• Resolution RES-26:032 – Appointments and Reappointments to Boards and Commissions: The committee reviewed a resolution recommending appointments and reappointments as proposed by Mayor Harold Copenhaver. The list included:

  • MAPC: Appointment of Mitch Johnson to a five-year term ending 3/31/2031.
  • Craighead County Solid Waste Disposal Authority: Reappointment of John Householder and Willis Tyler (terms ending 7/31/2029); reappointment of Dennis Burks, Brett Provost, and Danny Honnell (terms ending 7/31/2027); reappointment of Wayne Bond, Rick Miles, and Mitchell Fitz (terms ending 7/31/2028).
  • Keep Jonesboro Beautiful: Reappointment of Beverly Parker, Shelley Lamb, Barbara Ring, Melissa Dooley, and Carlos Ramos (three-year terms ending 10/7/2028); appointment of Natasha Light, Brandon Stevens, Linda Yockham, Lisa Branham, and Janice Porter (three-year terms ending 10/7/2028); reappointment of Dr. Charles Coleman, Nate Schimmel, Rebecca Orr, Mona Broadway, and Pam Alexander (two-year terms ending 10/7/2027); appointment of Lakeisha Miller, Taylor Holland, Beth Kajong, Sherry Mitchell, and Donna Malone (two-year terms ending 10/7/2027).
  • City Water and Light Board: Reappointment of Russ Hannah and Ashley Givens (three-year terms expiring 3/1/2029); appointment of Matt Garner (three-year term ending 2029).
  • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Advisory Board: Reappointment of Reginald Prunty, Loretta Brewer, Gay Roberts, Rusty Clark, Pedro Ramirez, and Trina Long (three-year terms ending 3/21/2029); appointment of Mark Morrow (three-year term ending 3/21/2029).
  • Jonesboro Parks and Recreation Planning Advisory Board: Reappointment of Tina Cook, Marilyn Copeland, and Trey McKee (three-year terms ending 3/17/2029).
  • Municipal Airport Commission: Reappointment of Matt Heineman (five-year term ending 4/30/2031).
  • Stormwater Management Board: Reappointment of Rick White (three-year term ending 4/30/2029).
  • Northeast Arkansas Industrial Development Commission: Reappointment of Harold Perrin (three-year term ending 3/31/2029); appointment of Beverly Nixon and Mark Mayfield (three-year terms ending 4/30/2029).
  • MPIT Impact Fee Research Committee: Reappointment of Ann Williams, Anthony Coleman, Russell Hanna, Carol Caldwell, Robert Hester, Mark Morris, Rick White, Charleston Gurley, Carly Steele, Schweita Cunningham, and Weston Wagner (one-year term ending 3/31/2027).

  A motion to recommend the resolution to the full council was made by John Street, seconded by Brian Emison. The motion passed with 4 ayes (Moore, Emison, Street, Coleman) and 1 nay (LJ Bryant). Chris Gibson did not vote.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution Recommended to Council: The committee voted 4-1 to recommend RES-26:032 to the full City Council for final approval. The dissenting vote came from LJ Bryant. The committee also unanimously approved the January 6, 2026 minutes.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 4:55 PM following a motion by Chris Moore, seconded by Brian Emison, which passed with 5 ayes (Moore, Emison, Street, Bryant, Coleman) and 0 nays. Chris Gibson did not vote.

Note on discrepancies: The minutes and transcript show that Chris Gibson was present for all three roll-call votes but did not cast a vote in any of them. The official records do not explain whether he abstained or was otherwise unable to vote, and the agenda does not indicate any conflict of interest. This absence of a vote is not reflected in the vote tallies.