Jonesboro City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026

The Jonesboro City Council met on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Municipal Center Council Chambers. The meeting began with a public hearing at 5:25 PM regarding a taxicab service request. The Council approved the consent agenda, passed several resolutions, heard reports from the Parks and Recreation and Engineering departments, and received public comment on the condition of the Allen Park skate place. Councilmember Anthony Coleman was absent; all 11 other members were present.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes (MIN-26:027) from the March 17, 2026, City Council meeting were approved.
• Municipal Liens were placed on four properties: 3648 Hudson ($2,115, Needsapce Hudson, LLC), 2620 Crawford #11 ($3,257.34, Hilltop Rentals, LLC), 607 Alfred Watkins ($465, Wesley Kyle Grimes), and 1100 Huntington ($415, Vernon Wood). All lien resolutions (R-EN-051-2026 through R-EN-054-2026) were approved unanimously.

Resolutions Removed from Consent Agenda

• RES-26:031 – Sanitation Truck Lease: A resolution authorizing a two-year capital lease for five side-load, one front-load, and one rear-load sanitation trucks. Finance Director Steve Purtee explained that the lease includes a buyback option at 55-60% of the purchase price, and this is the third such lease cycle. The resolution passed unanimously (11-0).
• RES-26:032 – Board and Commission Appointments: The resolution was amended to strike the entire CDBG Citizen Advisory Committee section due to conflicts and missing nominees. The amendment passed 7-1 (LJ Bryant opposed) with three abstentions (Councilmembers Porter, C. Coleman, and Williams, who were nominees). The amended resolution (R-EN-056-2026) passed.

New Business

• COM-26:018 – Taxicab Service for Gustavo Flores-Cabrera: City Clerk April Leggett noted that Mayor Copenhaver confirmed the applicant had fulfilled all requirements. The Council unanimously approved the request to establish a taxicab service.

Ordinances on First Reading (all held at one reading)

• ORD-26:008 – Reinstates four-way stop signs at Rains and Wilkins intersections.
• ORD-26:009 and ORD-26:010 – Place various traffic signs at designated locations as determined by the Traffic Control Committee.
• ORD-26:012 – Zoning change from R-1 (single-family) to C-3 (general commercial) for 13.64 acres at 6904 E. Highland Drive, with stipulations. The ordinance was read in full by Assistant City Attorney Tom Haynes.

Unfinished Business

• ORD-26:011 – Zoning change from C-2 to C-3 for 2005 E. Highland Drive was held at second reading.
• ORD-26:006 – Traffic sign ordinance on third reading passed unanimously (O-EN-014-2026).

Items Held in Council

• RES-26:028 – E-911 Administrative Office Lease: Mayor Copenhaver requested indefinite postponement after securing free use of the Veterans Cottage Community Room. The motion passed unanimously (11-0).

Mayor's Reports

• Employee of the Month: Ryan Brashear, GOJO Marketing Coordinator, recognized for launching new transit branding.
• Community Events: Ribbon cuttings for Whataburger, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund proclamation, and the Arkansas Rice in Schools program. Mayor attended a meeting with new UAMS Chancellor Dr. Lowry Barnes.
• Parks and Recreation Update (Director Jim Stearns):
  • Tournament Financials: The Icebreaker Volleyball Tournament (Jan 17) netted $995 profit after including staff costs; the We Care Tournament (Feb 18) lost $7,500 including staff costs. Combined, two volleyball tournaments lost $6,505 in real money. A six-week youth basketball season with 975 participants and 7,717 spectators generated $3,000 profit.
  • Cashless Option: Parks and Recreation is implementing a cashless payment option at all point-of-sale locations (cost under $20,000) but will continue to accept cash. Councilmember Charles Coleman expressed concerns about excluding residents without cards, and Jim Stearns confirmed cash will always be accepted.
  • Pools: Aiming to open all pools and splash pads by May 1. Currently 19 lifeguards hired, goal of 30. New swim instruction program planned at Parker Park and the Youth Center.
  • Upcoming Sports: Almost 1,500 kids signed up for youth soccer, 300+ for flag football, and 90 for cheerleading.
• Engineering Project Update (Director Craig Light):
  • 2025 asphalt overlays complete; 2026 projects awarded and bids favorable.
  • Active projects: Huntington Avenue lighting, sidewalks on Rains Street, drainage pipe replacement in Deerfield, Craighead Forest Motorized Trail pre-construction meeting.
  • Bus stop installations: 33 completed, electrical and IT work underway.
  • Johnson Avenue Side Path Project (bond project) to be approved in two weeks.
  • Southwest Drive and South Culberhouse Pedestrian Improvement Project bids open April 15.
  • Main Street Pilot Project (reducing Main Street to one lane from Washington to Creath) awaiting street department scheduling – estimated 3-4 weeks.
  • Real-Time Intelligence Center (new 9-1-1 center) bids due May 5, groundbreaking targeted for early June.
  • South Caraway Road project targets August bid opening; right-of-way acquired.
  • Prospect Side Path Trail survey started.
  • Winter Wonderland improvements estimated at $1.8 million; no funding currently available; discussions ongoing about alternative uses.
  • University Heights Link Trail (east on Aggie to Bowling Lane) – 100% plans submitted to ARDOT; hopes to advertise for bids by September.

City Council Reports

• Councilmember L.J. Bryant noted that federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding may be at risk; Mayor Copenhaver reported he is traveling to Washington, D.C., next week to discuss with legislators.
• Councilmember Chris Moore highlighted the Main Street pilot project, new street paving in the West End, and the first veterinary class at Arkansas State University.
• Councilmember Janice Porter noted the Arkansas State Supreme Court held oral arguments in Jonesboro, attended by local students.

Public Comments

• Steve Garrett (407 West Matthews, representing Skate Jonesboro) requested urgent repairs to the concrete at Allen Park Skate Place, citing unsafe conditions exacerbated by winter storms. He praised the Parks Department’s quick response but noted the need for funding beyond the current budget. He also asked for consistent park hours and expressed interest in expanding skate facilities to other neighborhoods. Mayor Copenhaver mentioned potential donations from previous park supporters. Councilmember Brian Emison asked about clarifying park hours; Garrett said inconsistent enforcement remains a problem.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved unanimously.
• Sanitation truck lease (RES-26:031) passed 11-0.
• Board appointments (RES-26:032) passed as amended (7-1, 3 abstentions).
• Taxicab service for Gustavo Flores-Cabrera approved unanimously.
• Traffic sign ordinance (ORD-26:006) passed on third reading (O-EN-014-2026).
• E-911 office lease (RES-26:028) postponed indefinitely.
• Ordinances on first reading (ORD-26:008, 009, 010, 012) all held at one reading.
• Zoning ordinance (ORD-26:011) held at second reading.
• Parks and Recreation will implement a cashless option by April 18 at off-field sports, with cash always accepted; pool season target May 1 with 19 lifeguards hired.
• Main Street Pilot Project striping expected in 3-4 weeks.
• Real-Time Intelligence Center groundbreaking expected early June.
• Allen Park skate place repairs to be addressed, with possible use of donations.