Good evening, everybody.

We've got a uh public hearing in effect here, and we'll go ahead and start that public hearing.

It's uh five twenty-seven, and it's regarding the request to Gustavo Flores Cabrera to establish a taxi cab service in the community.

If you would please go ahead and anyone for or against any discussion from the public.

I don't see any.

All right, we'll go ahead and start a meeting here in about three minutes.

Please mark the other second wall.

All right, good evening, council.

It is eleven thirty.

I mean, very short somewhere.

Uh five thirty.

If that's okay.

Uh we'll go ahead and stand on leading a pledge allegiance, and then Brian Emerson will lead the invocation.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

Would you bow your heads and pray with me?

Dear Lord, thank you for bringing us here this evening and continue to put your arms of protection around us as we go out of the Easter um holiday.

We are just constantly reminded of all of the good work in this world that you you continue to do for all of us.

And Lord, just please be with us as we go forward tonight and help us in making the best decisions for the citizens of the city of Jonesboro.

And please forgive us where we fail you.

Amen.

Thank you, Councilman.

All right, if we go on to item number three, and this is roll call.

If you would please go ahead and cast your ballot.

We do have eleven members present this evening.

So there are no special presentations.

So we'll move on to item number five, and these are items on consent agenda.

Move to adopt unless any changes are noted.

Second.

We do have a motion on the floor to adopt unless any amendment.

Do we have any?

I don't see any.

If you would please go ahead and cast your ballot.

Okay, items on the consent agenda.

They do carry.

So now, Council, we're going to move on to resolutions removed from the consent agenda.

And the first one is resolution 26031.

A resolution authorizing the city of Jonesboro to enter into a two-year lease contract for the purchase of five sanitation side load trucks, one sanitation front load truck, and one sanitation rear load truck.

Whereas the City of Jonesboro continues to see a need and desires to maintain the current rotation of heavy equipment for use in the sanitation department.

And whereas the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas approved the 2026 budget in resolution 25196, which included the lease obligations for five sanitation side load trucks, one sanitation rear load truck, and one sanitation front load truck.

And whereas the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas desires to enter into a two-year lease contract with Arvis Bank for five MAC automated side load trucks, one MAC front load truck, and one Freightliner rear load truck from River City Hydraulics Inc.

The financing proposal for the trucks is attached here too.

Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas.

That section one, the mayor, Harold Copenhaver, and City Clerk April Leggett are hereby authorized by the City Council for the City of Jonesboro to execute all documents necessary to effectuate the agreement.

Move to do second.

We do have a motion to adopt and a second.

Any discussion by council?

Mayor one question or maybe two.

So it's five trucks.

So seven total, correct?

That's what I'll listen to on finance.

But then also when we it's a lease, and we go we're gonna sell it back to the correct vendor.

Uh what typically do they give us?

What just a rough number percentage wise?

I mean, we pay however much we pay.

What do we typically get back?

Um I know these trucks are gonna be beat up when they get them back.

So just curious what does it and does that number go towards purchase of a new truck?

How does it explain it a little bit to me?

Sorry.

Okay, thank you.

Uh they are it's capital lease.

Uh we take ownership of the property, and it's through this financing arrangement.

Uh the concluding conclusion of the lease, the buybacks are all most usually always executed.

We allow the vendor to do that.

The return is about 55-60 percent of the purchase price.

And uh because of the utility of these vehicles, their daily usage.

Uh they are pretty heavily used at the end of a two-year period.

We this is the third group of these specific trucks that's been entered into in a lease contract.

So this will get us through year six relative to this this type of equipment here.

And uh the the discretion is ours, whether they're retained or if they go back to the vendor.

So in the past, we've usually sent them back to the vendor.

Most usually perfect.

Thank you.

Any other questions from council?

I don't see anyone in the public.

I don't see any as well.

If you would please go ahead and cast your ballot.

And that does carry.

Next, we'll move on to resolution 26032.

Resolution by the city council of the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas to make appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions as recommended by Mayor Harold Copenhagen.

Whereas the following appointments, reappointments have been recommended by Mayor Harold Copenhaver.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council for the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, that the following appointments, reappointments be confirmed.

Metropolitan Area Planning Commission appointment of Mitch Johnson to a five-year term ending 3-1, 2031.

Crackett County Solid Waste Disposal Authority, reappointment of John Householder and Willis Tyler to three-year terms ending 731-29.

Reappointment of Dennis Burks, Brett Provost, and Danny Honnell to term ending 731, 2027.

Reappointment of Wayne Bond, Rick Miles, and Mitchell Fitz to a term ending 731-28.

Keith Jonesboro Beautiful.

Reappointment of Beverly Parker, Shelly Lamb, Barbara Ring, Melissa Dooley, and Carlos Ramos to a three-year term ending 10-7-2028.

Appointment of Natasha Light, Brandon Stevens, Linda Yochum, Lisa Branham, and Janice Porter to three-year term ending 10-7-2028.

Reappointment of Dr.

Charles Coleman, Nate Schimmel, Rebecca Orr, Mona Broadway, and Pam Alexander to a two-year term ending 10-7-2027.

Appointment of Lakeisha Miller, I mean Abasi Puya, Taylor Holland, Beth Churlog, Sherry Mitchell, and Donna Malone to two-year terms ending 10-7-2027.

City Water and Light Board, reappointment of Russ Hannah and Ashley Givens to a three-year term expiring 3-1-2029.

Appointment of Matt Garner to a three-year term ending 3-1-2029.

CDBG Citizen Advisory Committee.

Reappointment of Reginald Pronty, Loretta Brewer, Gabe Roberts, Rusty Clark, Pedro Ramirez, and Trina Long to three-year terms ending 321-2029.

Appointment of Mark Morrow to a three-year term ending 321-2029.

Jonesborough Parks and Recreation Planning and Advisory Board.

Reappointment of Tina Cook, Marilyn Copeland, Trey McKee to three-year terms ending 317-2029.

Municipal Airport Commission reappointment of Matt Heineman to a five-year term ending 430-30 2031.

Reappointment of Rick Wyatt to a three-year term ending 430-2029.

Northeast Arkansas Industrial Development Commission reappointment, Harold Perrin to a three-year term ending 331, 2029.

Appointment of Beverly Nixon, Mark Mayfield to a three-year term ending 430, 2029.

Charleston Gurley, Carol Steele, Shankita Cunningham, Weston Wagner to one-year term ending 331, 2027.

Move to adopt, but I think there's some amendments to the CDBG.

There are.

We have a second council.

Second.

I'll second it motion.

Yeah, we need to probably just strike all those and we'll catch those up on the next uh the next resolution, which should be coming here pretty soon.

There's a couple people that weren't on that list that were intended to be, and uh I think there's a couple of terms and a couple people that are on the list that are conflicted out due to the contribution that CDBG gets a certain nonprofit, so it's asked that we just remove them.

We could clean all that up here, but I think that would probably constitute a significant change, and there's just no need for that.

So we just ask that strike those off, and then we'll catch those up on the next resolution.

I'll amend my motion to strike the CDBG portion of the resolution.

I'll second I'll mend my second.

Okay, you do have a motion on the floor.

Any discussion by council?

Uh I would ask that the record show that I'm recusing from discussion and uh from a vote because I'm one of the nominees.

I am as well.

Two other Dr.

Coleman.

Okay, and Miss Williams.

Okay.

All right.

Any discussion by anyone in the chamber?

I don't see any.

If you would please cast your ballot, council.

All right.

I appreciate that.

And that does pass, and I do appreciate the people for stepping up and volunteering to be a part of our community in so many ways.

All right, next we'll move on to item number six, the item on new business.

Uh the first of which is COM 26018.

Decision by the city council regarding the request by Gustavo Cabrera to establish a taxi cab service.

All right, do we have any discussion by council?

Anyone in council chambers?

I don't see any.

If you would please go ahead and cast go ahead.

Yeah.

Um, Mayor Copenhager has stated that it is his understanding that Mr.

Gustavo Flores Cabrera has fulfilled all the requirements to establish this service.

So we need a motion and a second to approve his service.

I'll make that motion.

I'll second it.

Everybody understand that.

Okay.

We do have a motion.

Uh any discussion by council.

Anyone in council chambers?

I don't see any.

If you would please go ahead and cast your ballot.

Right, and that does carry.

Next, we'll move on to ordinances on the first reading.

We have ordinance 26008.

Move to suspend the rules and offered by title only.

Second.

Do we have motion on the floor?

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed.

Just thought they had to vote on that.

Ordinance 2608, an ordinance to amend ordinance 93741 to reinstate the multi-way four-way stop signs at Rains and Wilkins Intersections.

Alright, any discussion by council?

I don't see any anyone in council chambers.

Don't see any as well.

If you would please go ahead and cast your ballot.

Oh, excuse me, and moves on to the second reading.

Next, we'll move on to ordinance 26009.

We suspend the rules now for about title only.

Second.

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

All in favor, say aye.

Okay.

Went backwards, that's okay.

Uh all in favor, say aye, and then he read it.

Everybody in favor, say aye.

Aye.

All right, now you can read it.

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

Okay.

Any discussion by council.

Anyone in council chambers?

I don't see any.

That'll move on to its next reading.

Next, we'll move on to ordinance 26010.

Second.

Do that motion on the floor.

All in favor say aye.

Any opposed?

Now you can read it.

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

Any discussion by council.

I don't see any anyone in council chambers.

I don't see any as well.

That'll next move on to its next reading.

Next to move on to ordinance 26012.

An ordinance to amend chapter 117, known as the zoning ordinance, providing for changes in zoning boundaries from R1 to C3 for property located at 6904 East Highland Drive.

And then the ordinance in its entirety.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Metropolitan Area Planning Commission by the changes in zoning classification as follows.

From R1, single family medium density district to I1, General Industrial District, to C three, General Commercial District, and I one General Industrial District, as shown on the attached rezoning flat.

The land described as follows, and then legal description follows.

She usually read the legal description is a part of the west half of the southwest quarter of section 19, 10 ship 14, range north, range 5 east, Craig County, Arkansas, being more particularly described as follows.

Beginning at the southwest corner of said southwest quarter, thence north, one degree eight or zero zero minutes eight seconds east along the west line of said southwest quarter, a distance of 1,392.57 feet to a point, thence north 88 degrees 14 minutes 51 seconds east.

Departing said west line, a distance of 285.22 feet to a point, thence south zero degrees 51 minutes 40 seconds west, a distance of 634.67 feet to a point, then south zero degrees 32 minutes 23 seconds west, a distance of 401.84 feet to a point, thence north 89 degrees 51 minutes 31 seconds east, a distance of 1,101.64 feet to a point on the east side of the said southwest quarter, then south zero degrees 57 minutes 15 seconds east, along said east line, a distance of 66.11 feet to a point, then south 87 degrees 59 minutes 58 seconds west.

Departing said line, a distance of 350.2 feet to a point, then south zero degrees one two minutes 51 seconds east, a distance of 117.57 feet to a point on the northerly right of way of Arkansas Highway 18 Highland Drive, thence along said northerly right of way as follows.

South 87 degrees 48 minutes 1 second west, a distance of 267.22, south 78 degrees 20 minutes 52 seconds west, a distance of 225.06 feet, that south 81 degrees 20 minutes 11 seconds west, a distance of 237.63 feet, south 76 degrees 20 minutes 4 seconds west, a distance of 118.18 feet, south 76 degrees 57 minutes 45 seconds west, a distance of 219.48 feet to the point of beginning containing in all 594,231 square feet or 13.64 acres more or less, subject to easements, restrictions, reservations, and rights of way of record.

Section two, the rezoning of this property shall adhere to the following stipulations.

One, the proposed site shall satisfy all requirements of the city engineer, all requirements of the current stormwater drainage design manual and floodplain regulations regarding any new construction to a final site plan, subject to all ordinance requirements shall be submitted, reviewed, and approved by the planning department prior to any redevelopment of the property.

Three, any change of use shall be subject to planning department approval in the future.

Section three, all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict here with are hereby repealed.

Section four, the city clerk is hereby directed to amend the official zoning district boundary of the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas, insofar as it relates to the lands described here and above, so that the zoning classification of said land shall be in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance.

Carol dared me to have you do that.

That's what I thought.

Yeah.

I think it was just cruel.

Sounds right.

Thank you.

Thank you, Tom.

All right.

Any discussion or questions by council?

Anyone in council chambers?

I don't see any.

That'll move on to its next reading.

Now we'll move on to item seven, unfinished business.

These are ordinances on the second reading.

First ordinance is 2601.

An ordinance to amend chapter 117, Article 3, known as the zoning ordinance for the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas, providing for changes in zoning boundaries from C2 to C3 for property located at 2005 East Highland Drive.

Any questions by council?

I don't see anyone in council chambers.

I don't see any as well.

That'll move on to its next reading.

Now we'll move on to ordinances on the third reading.

And first one is ordinance 2600 six, and this will be voted on by council.

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

Move to adopt.

Any discussion by council.

Anyone in council chambers?

If you would please go ahead and cast your ballot, council.

Okay, and that does carry.

So now we'll move on to the next item, and these are items that have been held in council.

This is resolution 26028.

And I would like to ask council if I can get a second to remove indefinitely.

We have come across uh Tony Thomas has been working, and I think we've got uh it worked out to where we're gonna be able to use uh the veterans cottage community room at no cost as an option to provide our 911 administrative staff ability to use that facility until another facility is built.

Um thus we don't have to get into a contract and negotiations for another couple years with expenditures.

Motion to postpone indefinitely okay.

We do have a motion on the floor.

Any questions by council?

Anyone in the council chambers?

Okay, if you would please go ahead and uh cast your ballot.

And that does carry.

Thank you, council.

Next, we'll move on to mayor's reports, and I think you uh will have the financial statements uh for you as well on the annual uh airport commission.

Um but uh also want to remind you that uh now we have the second monthly end reports, they're there before you on the desk with Brian.

Uh they do have your name on them.

Please pick them up after the meeting.

I'm very pleased with the development of this process.

It keeps uh not only council and uh the next meeting.

We will have then a presentation uh summation of that report for the community as well, uh, so we can keep them abreast of everything going on.

So uh as I move forward in the mayor's comments, uh Craig will be uh uh discussing several of the projects that are moving forward in the community, and then uh I'm gonna have Jim kind of give us an update of parks and recs.

I think it's important this is the time of year that we see a lot of traction and movement in that area.

So good evening, council.

It's March 26th.

Um the March um city reports ready to pick up as I just went over.

Uh speaking of city staff, I want to give a big congratulations to employee of the month, Ryan Braschier, uh, Gojo marketing coordinator.

He's new to the city, just six months into the position, but he's jumped right in, helped launch the new transit branding with enthusiasm and professionalism.

He's really taken on his role and his recognition is well deserved.

Thanks to First Security Bank for sponsoring the salute to the city award, making it possible to show appreciation for city employees who go above and beyond their job duties.

There's been three wins weeks since our last city council meeting, and it's been busy.

I've been grateful to celebrate ribbon cuttings like the highly anticipated Whataburger and proclamations like Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund supporting single parents by helping them pursue education and build financial independence.

Valley View Elementary hosted the Arkansas Rice and Schools program initiated by Governor Sanders this week.

And needless to say, it was very tasty, and it was an encouraging event, educating our youth all over our city about what rice and how we are very uh wholesome in that, and it's very locally grown.

Always great to see students engage and take pride in the rice farming industry.

We also had opportunities to welcome new folks to the community.

Had a meeting yesterday with the new UAMS Chancellor, Dr.

Lowry Barnes, who will no doubt build a hospitable culture that fits right into Jonesboro and most generous community.

Generous efforts to support the most vulnerable in our community were on display this month as well.

It was a privilege to join Judge Day and others in support of the Child Abuse Prevention Month with the proclamation and CASA, a storybook luncheon fundraiser at Embassy Suites.

The work of CASA continues to reach those who need our support the most.

So at this point, Jim, if you don't mind come forward, just kind of give us a little update like you did uh Monday morning in our director's meeting.

I'd appreciate it.

Thanks everybody.

Always good to see you guys on a beautiful day.

Can't get out enough.

Um couple of things wanted to report to you guys.

We're trying to make sure that we always have a financial summary at the conclusion of all of our events.

So we want to give you a little update.

Um, as most of you know, um, we made a little over 70,000 dollars in two volleyball tournaments this year.

Um, some of you have been in other committees.

I presented this to you as well.

And then the question came up publicly is is what have we done with that money?

And so I want to make sure we clear that up today so that there's no questions about that going forward.

Um, people keep asking us about tournaments and I just the why we are not in the tournaments businesses will sum it up for you guys really quick.

So the icebreaker tournament that we held January 17th, we raised 42,000 two hundred and seven dollars for that tournament, and um we total of expenses um of about thirty-two thousand dollars, which left us about nine thousand six hundred and forty-five dollars of profit.

On the surface, that seems like a really good deal, and it sounds great to make ten thousand on a tournament, but the additional expenses that incur when you have a tournament by taking staff away from their normal duties to put on an additional event, um, it totals about eight thousand six hundred and fifty dollars.

And so at the end of the day with the icebreaker, the profit was about nine hundred and ninety-five dollars.

Um we saw similar outcome with the week care tournament that was held on February 18th.

We generated 27,920 in that tournament.

Um the direct expenses um left us at a hole at 960 dollars minus um when you include that staffing cost of what it took people from their normal jobs to put that tournament on.

Um, that was a total of about 7500.

So those two tournaments that we put on, we lost six thousand five hundred and five dollars in real money.

And I have an expense report.

You guys are welcome.

I'll be glad to send that to you guys if you want to see it.

But when people ask about the tournament business, we're not in the tournament business for that very reason.

We don't have the resources to go out and solicit sponsorship, we don't have the staffing that can do tournaments.

So what we're gonna focus on and continue to focus on is offering no cost, low cost youth recreation.

And so we just concluded a six-week basketball tournament or basketball seasons, pardon me.

Um that six week youth basketball season, we saw 975 kids signed up.

We played 37 games every Saturday for six straight weeks, total of 222 games.

We had three forfeits the week of spring break was the only missed opportunities we had the entire season.

With that in the season, um, we had 7,717 spectators, family, friends, and support that came to those to the tournament.

Um we generated about $30,000 in revenue through the tournament.

Um we had expenses of a $27,115, which left us a profit of about $3,000.

So for us to continue to do due diligence with taxpayer money and for us to be really conscious of what we do with youth sports, we're in the youth sport business.

We're not in the tournament business.

And and and I and you can see by the financials, and certainly I can share those with you as you know.

And the great news about that is is we handled a lot of cash over those those events, and we are now at the point as been asked by by many um that we're we're working on this cashless option for youth sports and for all parks or expointed sales.

And so really excited about this and want to give you something.

So since the beginning of the year, um, my team um as well as the finance department, Steve Parti and his team, we've been discussing this issue and we've been investigating.

And what we tried to do is we tried to use our existing equipment at first.

And um, as you guys, I sent you guys uh an email on March 5th that kind of showed us where we were, and the initial cost of that's gonna be about 25,000.

And and we're we're not not trying to make excuses of why we haven't got there yet.

We're trying to do our due diligence with the taxpayers' money.

And really, it was hard for us to commit that 25,000 to start this cashless option up without continuing to research.

And so what we did, and I'll just give you a quick summary.

Um, we met with the local baseball organization after they had announced that they were going to go cashless, and as as we heard a lot of positive feedback from that committee, we reached out to another company that's offering a point of sales service, and we coordinated a meeting with them, then we coordinated a meeting with the city's finance department for a demo.

And what we found is by really consciously making that good decision, we've actually are gonna start the cashless option process in the next week or so.

Um we've been approved and we're working on ordering equipment.

We're hoping by maybe April 18th that we have that in place at uh off field sports at Joe McCampbell.

But that entire system to be cashless at all point of sales points in parks and rec outside of Craig Ed Forest is gonna cost us less than $20,000.

And so we thought we made a better decision by being patient and looking at all our options.

And so what we hope is by the end of the year, we will have a cashless option at every facility at every point of sales opportunity for youth sports.

You know, I I've asked this question before, and I still don't agree with that total cash uh issue that we're dealing with.

Uh I think we need to find some alternative ways of helping community, especially those people that don't have you know cars or these type things.

We we need to do something different.

You know, uh you you say the city's not in the port of making money, but uh I guess I look at it from a different perspective, you know.

And I'm not just talking about the north side of Jonesville, you know, I brought this up once before, and I'm not gonna keep kicking us down the can because it's a problem.

And we need to do something different.

Yes, sir.

Councilman Coleman, uh Jim, if you would expand, you you said option.

Option, yes, sir.

It's not gonna be we will have a cashless option at all our events.

We will still accept cash at all of our events.

Okay, we all need to make that clear because when you you say one thing and you do another, then somebody brings something up.

No, sir, no, sir.

We'll we will never we will never move away from cash as an option to attend events.

We want to offer a cashless option for those people that don't cash that prefer to use debit credit.

Um I'm personally glad to hear that, Mayor, because I just got on Dr.

Coleman before the meeting.

Jonesboro High School's moved to a completely cashless option at all their sporting events, and you can't even take a debit card or credit card.

You have to have an app on your phone and buy your ticket in advance.

And over to Chandler's game the last couple of weeks, and there's people walk up, grandparents and other people walk up to buy a ticket to get in, they can't get in.

You know, and so long as there's a cash option.

There'll always be a cash option, yes, sir.

Then uh okay.

That'll be uh big.

Our mission is is to not ever prohibit a family member or anybody to come and attend our sporting events.

We we we want to just for us the uh in three events we handled a hundred thousand dollars in cash.

Every bit of those, every outside of a small amount of concessions in the two volleyball tournaments and a six-week basketball tournaments.

My department handled a hundred thousand dollars plus in cash.

And what we're trying to do, one just to be safer for everyone.

That's a that's a lot of the the problem with cash is is it's well I understand that, but you know, you got you got you ought to have people in place to deal with this to make sure.

Okay, I understand the problem with you know, taking cash and make sure it ends up in the right perspective in the right place, right time.

But you know, you you you're talking to councilperson, but when you're talking to people in the community that don't have funds, especially right now with this economic system the way it's going right now.

You know, uh I just feel for these uh for the general area uh of Jonesville, and and once again I'm repeating myself, it's not just about the North Side, even though I represent part of the area, Chris represent part of that area, but we need to be able to say things to those those people in the community, you know, uh about I I mentioned to you once before about even doing something about uh flyers and these type things, you know, to help out uh with the schools because uh I did check uh because it was mentioned about last week, last year something was done passes or something with done up for schools.

Well, I'm on the school board, and we're no passes given out to nobody on the school board from administration or anybody else, you know.

So those things just need to be taken care of, and and I just like to you know make sure it's clear.

So when I'm talking to a constituent in the community, you know, uh so I'm glad to hear that that's an option.

Yes, sir.

It would be just an option.

I think it needs to be a little bit clear, you know, from a media standpoint.

And we're gonna work closely with the communication department of the city to make sure as we start promoting this that we're we're really keeping the public informed as best we can.

Um, and we'll also promote that in all our community centers and all our park facilities.

We want to promote the fact that it's a cashless option, but we still always accept cash as as entry fee, concessions, etc.

So, really uh um great help with the city.

My team really stepped forward, did a lot of diligence research.

Um the original system that we currently use now, the cost of making it we just found a better option for the city and for taxpayers' money.

We're still challenged on how we're gonna pay for it, how we're gonna figure it out in our budget because this was not an item we had budgeted for or planned for.

It was not planned in 2025 for 2026.

But we're gonna make this work because we think it's what's best for Parks and Rec, and we certainly think it's what's best for the community.

And so we we really we're getting there, and we appreciate your patience with us and and your your guidance is certainly because that's really what's helped fuel it, and and certainly the feedback has been great to know that we want to get out there.

Um quick update with our pools.

Um, just to let you guys know, pool seasons close around.

Our goal is to have our pools up and operational fully.

Um, both splash pads, Craig Ed Forest, Allen Park, and then have our pools operational by May 1st.

Um we're in place now.

We have 19 lifeguards um on board hired.

Um we're hoping to uh add another 10 before the um end of the month, and we're closely going there.

So um certainly again after conclusion of every event, we want to make sure we have a financial report for you guys so you guys know where we stand and that we're being conscious of all of our decisions.

Um youth sports is about to start um off-field sports.

Next Saturday we have almost 1,500 kids signed up for use soccer.

We have 300 plus kids signed up for flag football.

I have 90 young ladies signed up for cheer.

Those will be at Joe Mack Campbell starting Saturday.

Unfortunately, the rain last weekend kind of put us behind.

All right, Jim.

Thank you very much.

Just one quick comment or I guess more of a question, and I don't even know how we get there.

Um, but in regard to the three tournaments we put on at the end of the day, between the three, we lost three thousand dollars, which a loss is a loss.

It sounds dismal.

But I'd like to know how that translates into community impact dollars.

You know, because those people were in town spending money and and supporting local businesses, and I just like to know how that translates in some form or fashion.

Yeah.

Probably the two volleyball tournaments probably had a pretty high impact since most of those teams were from out of town.

The basketball season is local Jonesboro children participated, and we don't do a we we've stopped doing tournaments at the end of uh youth basketball because we're not about the competition part, we're really about the exposing them to the sport.

Jim, we also had a shooting tournament this past weekend.

Now, majority of those individuals, if I remember right, for competitors were from out of town.

Yes, Councilman.

So I think the report was that uh quite a few of them did spend the night at the um we hosted a special black light trap Friday night for the mountain home trap team.

Um they brought uh they brought 30 plus shooters, and my um Joey Glob reported to me that um they indicated about half of the mountain home trap team spent the night this weekend, and so they they shot before the mosquitoes got bad.

Uh one quick question, please.

Um, last year there was a uh issue with having adequate lifeguards to keep the pools open to the maximum amount.

Uh do you feel like you're on track to have adequate coverage?

Uh I I'll just I'll just say that my my new pool manager is a rock star.

He he is so locked into improving the pool and pool operations.

Um I I really feel like that he's created he's created a whole new lifeguarding swim lesson program.

Um I really feel pretty confident that um outside of something just out of the unanticipated happening.

I feel we'll be open for the full season.

Thank you.

And you do have uh an answer in fullness to her question.

You've got about two-thirds of the lifeguards hired at this point, correct?

Yes, ma'am, yes, sir.

Yeah, yeah, we we have 19 guards hired, and our goal is to have 30 by May 1st.

Excellent.

Public notices about maybe free classes with those kids that can't as for recognition if you don't mind on overstate.

Yes, sir, Councilman Coleman.

Yes, sir.

What was your question?

I was asking about classes for kids that don't know how to swim.

Um we've got a we we're actually have a new swim swim instruction program that we've implemented this year.

Um, Darien, uh my pool manager.

We're gonna do morning swim lessons at Parker Park Monday through Thursday.

We'll have we'll have eight total sessions, and we're gonna do evening lessons at the youth center.

Um, and we'll have we'll have the same eight sessions Monday through Thursday.

And so we're gonna really work hard to get more and more kids into a swim swim lesson opportunity.

Councilman Williams, you're good?

Okay, Jim, thank you very much.

Uh also last uh this coming week uh is the Jonesboro Disc golf tournament coming to this side of heaven next door to Beatrice Park at Casey Springs Road.

So if you've never been, you need to go.

This is really cool event.

Uh I will not be playing, but the pros from all over the world will be here for a national event.

In addition, the neighborhood cleanup hosted by the city sanitation and code enforcement departments will take place on Saturday from 8 a.m.

to noon behind the first United Methodist Church on Union.

The West End Spring Spruce Up event will be taking place at the same time.

So this is really going to be key for West Jonesboro and all of our community actually.

Um keep Jonesboro beautiful Facebook pages up and they're looking for volunteers, so keep our neighborhoods clean, green, and beautiful.

Community connection was on display last week during playing Jonesboro Design Week.

Thank you to all who attended, and a special thanks to council members.

I saw uh uh Councilman uh Miller and and Councilman Porter and Councilman Williams and I think some others have participated as well.

I would challenge you to uh really get involved in this process.

Um and we had uh I would say what over where's Daryl?

About 300 participants or so all week uh and ranging uh DPZ and Crafton Tall, they set up shop at the Jonesboro Youth Center supported by city staff.

There were two open houses, media hour, seven stakeholder group meetings, and two pop events all in a week.

Um again, I said 300 in attendance, but the input is important and it utilized to build a 30-year comprehensive plan.

I'm especially proud though, as well, as the students who attended.

Uh, whole group of students were hanging out the community center as well, and they came in to engage and they gave their input.

Now, DPZ's been doing this for quite a while, and they've never really had the input of uh the mayor's youth council like they had, and so it was really important because their ideas were creative, uh, they were strong, and it's their community for the future.

The survey is still open.

We've had over 600 people take that survey, but uh we need to get to about a thousand to have an active uh count of our community.

So please visit PlanJonesborough.com to take the survey and to ensure your voice is heard.

One thing we always hear about is we need more work on our roads.

So we hear you.

As you recall, four years ago, we engaged first step pavement management for review of our roads.

While we typically follow that, there were always special circumstances like utility work and hard winters that impact our streets.

For those who of you who don't know, the West End will now have a lot of newly paved streets and a brand new sewer system, courtesy of the recent completion of a multi-million dollar project that will be ongoing, I think Craig through 26 as well, correct?

With City Water and Light for many years to come, probably.

When that project on the West Side concluded, it was mostly uh due to cold overlays, and so the repair areas were just patched.

But now that the warmer weather has arrived, permanent weather repairs uh are following and coming soon.

I can't say enough.

I want to thank City Water and Light for their constant investments in our committee.

And the thanks to council for approving the three million in overlays in 26.

We've come a long way from 500,000 in our street budget.

Now there are four remaining roads uh that were left from 2025, and they were just completed a week or so ago.

Huntington, uh Long Crest, East Craighead Forest Road, which are now all paved.

In 2026, the overlay bids came back April 1st and the Streets Department is working on to preparing them as well.

So I've asked Craig to kind of give us an update.

He's provided, I think to council.

Craig, if you would please come forward and kind of go over your worksheet.

I think it's important for council to hear this.

Thank you, Mayor.

City Council.

I handed out before the meeting a copy of my spreadsheet that I keep on where the projects are in my department, try to keep up with everything that's going on.

Um just as the mayor was talking about, the the asphalt projects for 2025 are now complete.

The 2026 projects, the uh award for the contract was at the public works earlier tonight, so it'll be before city council uh at their next meeting to approve that.

Uh we did get pretty pretty good bids on the overlays for 2026.

Just to give you an idea of some of the projects we're currently working on.

There's active construction Huntington Avenue Lighting Project.

Uh we're the contractors started work on that.

Um, our on-call contractor started work on the sidewalks on Rain Street, um, that is between Highland Drive and Wilkins Avenue.

We're hoping to extend that all the way to Nettleton if we have the available funds.

Uh we've been working on some drainage pipe, replacing some old plastic pipe in the Deerfield neighborhood out in Valley View.

So we have contractor working down there on that project.

Uh tomorrow we'll hold the pre-construction meeting on the Craighead Forest Motorized Trail Project.

So we'll uh meet with the contractor tomorrow on that, set a start date, and that work will should begin pretty quickly.

Uh, we continue to work with the Gojo department on their bus stops.

I think uh I think at last count there were 33 that had been installed.

They were beginning to get the uh electrical pieces and the IT pieces on those facilities started.

So uh moving through that project and hopefully to see that completed soon.

Um again, the uh asphalt overlay project was at public works uh uh earlier this evening, along with the Johnson Avenue Side Path Project.

Um, it'll be before you in two weeks to approve that construction project.

That is one of the bond projects.

Um we'll get that approved uh in two weeks, I hope, through City Council and get that contractor started on that project.

Uh our next project that we will open bids on is the Southwest Drive and uh South Culver House Pedestrian Improvement Project at that intersection.

That bid opens on the uh April 15th.

So we'll uh have that before council pretty quickly to award that contract as well and get that project started.

Uh we recently received the final plans for the main street pilot project.

If you'll remember that was uh proposal that uh EDG design group brought forth the city council about taking Main Street down to a single lane from Washington to Kreft.

We do have those plans now, and we're coordinating with the Street Department to implement that.

Um, right now there are the paint guys are are busy uh putting pavement markings down on Huntington and and Matthews and out on Craig Ed 4, so they they need to get caught up on those projects before we start on it.

So they they need to get caught up on those projects before we start on it.

But hopefully in the next few weeks, we'll begin work on that pilot project on Main Street.

Um a few other the bond projects, the real-time intelligence center uh project.

Uh we hope to have the bids by May 5th to get the maximum guaranteed price for that contract with our construction manager and bring that before city council to get approved and that uh get that fully executed and hopefully see a groundbreaking in early June on that project for the new 911 real-time intelligence center.

Uh we continue to work on the South Careway Road project.

We're we're targeting about an August bid opening for that project.

We're currently we do have all the right-of-way acquired.

We're working with utility companies on that project, and so we're we're aiming for uh an August bid opening on it, and then the survey work on the prospect side path trail project has started.

So we should be getting that information to the designers in the next couple weeks, and they'll start the design on that side path project.

But uh, there's a lot of projects on this list, those are the ones that I kind of keyed in on that are really uh kicking off uh construction-wise.

Um, but I'll be happy to try to answer any other questions about these other projects if you have any.

Council, do you have any questions on any of the projects?

Mayor, I just had one for him.

Sure.

Hey, Craig, I know you went over it right there, but I was looking at your other list.

What did you say the time frame was for the one-lane main street striping project?

Because I have a lot of people ask about that.

We are coordinating with the street department and try to try to get on their schedule to get it done.

They need to get the center line on Huntington on Matthews, out on Craig Ed Forest, um, get those pavement markings done.

Just the time, Craig.

I'm I'm hoping within the next couple weeks that they're I don't want Steve Tippett's not here, and that's his department.

I don't want to put him on the spot.

So would it be safer to tell them three or four weeks as opposed to two or three weeks?

Yes, we're uh we're we're pushing to get that thing done.

Well, that's that's a big deal.

There's a lot of people waiting on that.

So when they reach out, I'll tell them three or four weeks or call you.

So one of the two.

So thank you.

That's only question, Mr.

Mayor.

I've got one mayor.

Yes, sir.

Count um just looking over at the sidewalks, paths, uh, the University of Heights link trail.

So it says 100% plans to R DOT utility relocation.

So this is the part that goes beyond the new roundabout that's going.

This is going um east on Aggie, correct?

This is going east to University of Heights.

To University Heights bowling lane, I think is the eastern end of it.

Um be from the ASU's property to bowling lane.

So would have we decided on which part of the side of the road north to south?

Uh that will be on the the improvements will be to the whole road cross section.

There'll be sidewalks on the north, the trail, the side path will be on the south on that project.

And those were submitted.

The consultant told me he was submitting those to our dot today, the the hundred percent plans.

We still have to do the right-of-way certification and the utility certification before we can get authorization to advertise, but um he give me a timeline.

We may see I know I know we were trying to ask you to I really would like to see us advertising this project this fall by September.

I'd like to see it us advertising for a contractor on it.

Thanks.

Any other questions by council?

Mayor?

Yes.

What about Winter Wonderland?

Kind of where are we at on that and our thoughts and so forth?

Um that particular project has been uh we've been having some discussion on it.

The the architects have kind of been halted about what direction we're gonna actually go for that facility as the final.

Um the estimated cost for the improvements is about 1.8 million.

We do not have that money to do those improvements at this time.

Um there's been some other conversations about what that building could be used for, other than or as part of these improvements, if whether or not they would satisfy those other things.

So a lot of discussions, um, but we haven't set a target in date on that yet.

So it's any other questions from council.

All right, Craig, thank you very much for your update.

Matter of fact, that just kind of leads into the finalization of my mayor's notes.

Uh, we celebrated our dots ribbon cutting this Friday.

It's a grand opening of R Dot Northeast Jonesboro satellite office in downtown Jonesboro.

If you have not been there, you need to go, council.

Um, the design focused office will strengthen local collaboration and support the continued growth within the community.

We're grateful to continue to work with the partnershop, partnership with RDOT for the region.

Uh Jared Wiley, obviously, uh, I think we all know now is an Arkansas State University graduate.

Uh Ms.

Jesse is assistant as well, is an Arkansas State University graduate.

And so the uh footprint of what they're doing here for the community uh will be uh a big one for years to come.

Now, Northwest Arkansas, they have a satellite office.

Obviously, in Little Rock, they have their main office, and now in Northeast Arkansas, the second fastest growing community in the state, um, has provided that opportunity.

And I appreciate Jared Wiley and his leadership for getting that across the line, and obviously our previous uh director, Alec Farmer, and our current director as well uh for working with that.

There's gonna be an impact for the city of Jonesboro in Northeast Arkansas.

And little known fact, we have more than a hundred million dollars of projects that are going on right here in Jonesboro and our surrounding area.

So the impact is greatly uh needed.

Jonesboro has great things happening, so stay aware away uh and here, come here for events, get engaged, and give your input.

Be sure to follow the city social media outlets and visit the website and get the most accurate information.

You are the heartbeat of Jonesboro.

That's the end of my mayor's reports.

Next we'll move on to City Council reports.

Mr.

Street.

No, thank you.

Mr.

Miller.

No, thank you.

Mr.

Bryant.

Of course, I know federal changes are always aloof and out there, but looks like CDBG could be on the chopping block.

So I mean, I know we're a long, I know we're a long time for planning next year's budget, but and I'm sure that's on your radar screen anyway.

But well, councilman, and so I'll just go ahead and reiterate.

So I'm headed to Washington next week, and so those visits are set up, and that's on the agenda for our Congressman Senators to be discussed.

You bet.

Mr.

Hafner.

No, thanks.

Mr.

McLean.

Mr.

Gibson.

No, thank you.

Miss Williams.

I think Miss Williams had to leave.

She stepped away for some water.

Yes.

All right.

Just a couple things, Mayor.

I was glad to hear Craig address.

Oh, wait a minute, Miss Williams.

Nothing to say.

Nothing.

I was glad to hear Craig address the uh one way on Main Street.

That's that's gonna be popular, especially after we had the death down here on Washington.

I thank you for the list of streets.

They look great down here on the west end.

Uh had lots of uh good people commented about how nice it is now to have the streets paved after CWL.

Also, I read the other day that ASU, excuse me, is fixing a start with the first class of veterinarians.

So we look forward a lot of uh upside to that, having a veterinarian college out here.

So a lot of good things happening, and uh thank you for your work.

Thank you.

Mr.

Emerson.

Nothing at this time, thank you.

Ms.

Porter.

I just like to iterate, reiterate that great things are happening in Jonesboro.

Uh last week, the Arkansas State Supreme Court held oral arguments for two cases here in Jonesboro, and that was a great opportunity for uh citizens to uh observe close up um uh the that working of our Supreme Court.

Well, and I I'll just add to that, Councilman.

If I may, the uh I enjoyed seeing all the youth from every one of our schools uh were there in the community to actually see what oral arguments look like and the Supreme Court the evening before I think uh you were there as well, um, attended a community event, and so they were able to know more about our community as well and the people in it.

So we were very well represented.

It was a good uh I was almost saying a packed house, and uh Jonesboro's on the way up, you bet.

You bet.

Thank you for your comments, council.

Next, we'll open it up to public comments.

Uh anyone in the audience can make a public comment.

Yes, sir.

If you would please come forward, state your name and address.

Hello, can everyone hear me?

Okay, my name is Steve Garrett.

Uh I live at 407 West Matthews here in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Moved here in 2009.

And I'm coming to the city council.

I appreciate your time tonight.

I'm coming to you guys on behalf of a community group, Paul Skate Jonesboro.

Um, we're a passionate group, hoping to encourage lifelong involvement in skating and hopefully encourage uh the youth of Jonesboro to have an activity that they can get out and uh participate in, make friends with, and be active outside uh in this great town, great environment that we have.

So why this matters is uh obviously you know, getting youth outside and getting them active, getting a pathway to fitness in our community, and uh creating an active community of people who support each other, who uh try hard, have fun, and also um work together in a diverse group of people.

So our immediate concern and why we're here today is uh Allen Park skateplace, which is the only sanctioned skate place in Jonesboro, has really hit a maintenance level that was alarming enough to the community to reach out to the park department.

We've reached out to Jim and his team and had an amazing response.

We had a field day last Friday.

The whole parks department crew came out and walked it with us and had uh immediate feedback.

We reached them on Monday, we were out there by Friday.

So it's reached enough maintenance level concern amongst the group that we want to get the city involved to help repair what's already there and uh and and maybe work with us in the future toward expanding skating into all neighborhoods and into different parts of the town.

Obviously, not one mega park, but maybe help get it to where people who don't have transportation, uh who have work schedules or life commitments that keep them from making it out there, get it out to other parks and other places here in town.

But um the most recent addition to the park just from a few years ago has not really lasted the life expectancy you would expect for the money that the city put into it.

It's a large expansion a couple years ago, and the concrete there.

We were documenting it back in January and kind of talking amongst ourselves about the status of it.

It's it's been ongoing for a couple years, but the recent winter storm has greatly accelerated the failure of the concrete, and there's a lot of patches that are unsafe for people that are there to skate or travel.

There's just rocks everywhere, large holes.

Like I said, Jim quickly came out with the team.

I think he's got a good grasp on what we need to do going forward to protect the city's investment and the community's investment in this park.

But um, the good news is there should be some quick repairs that we can do.

It's not something I feel like we can kick the can until next year's budget on the parks department with what we have going on.

It's not something we can work a lengthy grant process and planning process on, and hopefully, Jim and his team can come up with a quick resolution to fix what we already have there in place.

But um we invite any of the city council members who are available anytime to reach out to us so we can take you out there and show you what's going on.

We're gonna need your support to to to come up with funding or a resolution for this so we can meet up with you guys at any time.

I'll provide our our point of contacts and stuff for you guys.

But uh long term, we'd like to see you know parks get into every neighborhood.

We have an abundance of parks.

We have abundance of projects going on now, but we don't need a you know 500 square foot, sorry, 5,000 square foot park uh extension there at Allen Park.

We'd like to see maybe get to all the neighborhoods, maybe City Water and Life Park down here off Cherry, maybe uh off the Parker Park, you know, on the north side and get a small piece of skating available to every person in the community.

But we just want to kind of start a and network with you guys, introduce ourselves and see what we can do to most importantly resolve Allen Park so the people this summer, this this uh you know, good spring and summer season can still take advantage of that park.

Thank you, Mr.

Garrett, and uh I'll go ahead and say on top of that, Jim, contact me because I remember that we did have some donations uh to make that park a reality a couple years ago.

Uh and so maybe that's something that we can look at too for immediate response on that.

So thank you, Mr.

Garrett.

Just uh another thing.

So as a community, we went to the Parker uh sorry to the Parks Master Plan meeting there at Allen Park.

We were active in talking to the groups there, uh, and I know that it's a fair amount of grant money was turned back in on that project.

We you know, obviously have made huge improvements on on other parts of the park, but there was funding available at the time to maybe get this maintenance done ahead of you know the problem, but now that we have the problem, it's I hate that we're chasing our tail to maybe find a way to get it fixed when we had money to do some maintenance.

So thank you for your update.

I appreciate it.

Mayor, I did have a question for Mr.

Garrett, if you don't mind.

We had actually spoke previously at a public safety meeting.

Did we get the issues with the hours of that park straightened out for y'all?

I don't know consistently.

Sorry, I don't know consistently if everyone is in tune to what hours that's open, if it's marked correctly across websites, social media's, you know, Google Maps and Park Rangers.

We've had park rangers, you know, telling people to leave early when the hours are supposed to be extended hours.

So that is something that we would like to see just consistent.

Everyone has the same message of when it's open and you know when the use is allowed.

Sure.

We'll work on communicating that and settling those hours for you.

Thank you.

Gotcha.

I will just give a quick little handout's kind of a history of skateboarding in Jonesboro, just a little information packet and a QR code to our information.

Okay.

You would just go ahead and lay it on that desk and they can pick it up on the way.

All right, thank you.

Anyone else in the audience?

I don't see any next we'll move on to the last item.

That's adjournment.

So move.

Second.

We do have a second.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed.