Public Services Special Meeting – April 21, 2026: Sports Advisory Committee Ordinance Approved
Public Services Special Meeting – April 21, 2026
The Public Services Committee held a special meeting on April 21, 2026, to consider Ordinance 26013 (also referred to as 25013 in the transcript, creating a discrepancy) establishing a Sports Advisory Committee. The committee voted unanimously to forward the ordinance to the full city council and to place it on the evening's agenda for first reading. Additionally, an update was provided regarding the shooting complex, with information to be presented at the next finance committee meeting.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance 26013/25013 – Sports Advisory Committee: The ordinance creates a nine-member advisory body to evaluate youth sports programming, sports tourism, and facility utilization. Membership includes one member of the Public Facilities Board, one member of the Advertising and Promotions Commission, the chair of the Public Services Council Committee, and five at-large members with experience in youth athletics, sports tourism, or related fields. The Parks and Recreation director will serve as an ex-officio non-voting member. The committee's duties include reviewing other municipalities' models, analyzing sports tourism opportunities, developing accountability standards, and submitting recommendations to the city council. The committee has no contracting, budgeting, or regulatory authority and must comply with Arkansas FOIA. A committee member noted that the name change from "sports tourism committee" to "sports advisory committee" caused initial confusion but no objections were raised.
- Shooting Complex Update: A committee member announced that in response to questions from David McLean and two other requests, information about the shooting complex will be presented at the next finance committee meeting. Steve Perquet and Jim Stearns will be present. The member stated they had received the information and begun reviewing it.
Key Outcomes
- Motion made and seconded to forward Ordinance 26013/25013 to the full city council. Approved unanimously.
- Motion made and seconded to "walk on" the ordinance to the council's agenda for its first reading that evening (April 21, 2026). Approved unanimously.
- Meeting adjourned after the shooting complex update and a motion for adjournment, approved unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
4 30 so I am going to go ahead and call public services special meeting together called order. First order of business is roll call. Please mark your attendance. Next item of business. Is everybody marked? Yes. Next item of business is new business ordinance number 25013 or 26013. Ordinance to establish a sports advisory committee providing for membership purpose and duties and for other purposes. An ordinance to establish a sports advisory committee providing for membership purpose and duties and for other purposes. Whereas the city council finds that the court that coordinated planning of youth sports programming and sports tourism initiatives promotes economic development, responsible stewardship of the city's facilities, equitable access to recreational opportunities, and enhanced community engagement. And whereas it is the desire of the city council to establish a sports advisory committee to evaluate and recommend best practices, operational models, and tourism strategies related to youth sports programming and the city's sports-related facility utilization. And whereas it is the desire of the city council that the committee created herein shall serve in it in an advisory capacity only and shall not possess independent contracting, budgeting, or regulatory authority. Now therefore be it ordained by the city council of the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas, as follows. Section one, there's hereby established a sports advisory committee to serve as an advisory body to the city council. Section two, the committee shall be made up of the following members. One, one member of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas Public Facilities Board, two, one member of the City of Jonesboro Advertising and Promotions Commission. Three, the chair of the Public Services Council Committee. Four, five members at large. One member at large may be recommended for appointment by the public facilities board, and one member at large may be recommended for appointment by the AMP Commission. All members at large shall have demonstrated experience in youth athletics, sports tourism, recreational management, nonprofit governance, or related fields. Number five, all committee members shall serve three-year terms and shall be appointed in accordance with the rules established by the Jonesboro Code of Ordinances. Number six, the director of the city's parks and recreation department shall serve as an ex-officio non-voting member of the committee. Section three, the committee shall have the following duties. Number one, evaluate and review youth sports programming management models from other municipalities and recommend models that would enhance and promote sports tourism in the city and recommend implementation or changes to current models when appropriate. Number two, analyze opportunities to expand sports tourism, including tournament hosting, regional partnerships, branding strategies, and enhancements of the city's facilities. Number three, develop recommended standards for accountability, program quality, safety compliance, and performance metrics for youth sports providers operating or utilizing the city's facilities. Number four, submit written recommendations to the city council for review and action. The committee may request non-confidential information from the city as reasonably necessary to fulfill its advisory function. Section four limitations of authority. The committee number one shall not enter into contracts. Number two, shall not expend public funds. Number three shall not bind the city or any of the city's boards or commissions. Number four shall not exercise administrative control over city employees or facilities. All recommendations shall be advisory only and subject to approval by the city council. Section five, meetings and transparency. Number one, the committee shall meet at least quarterly and shall provide an annual written report to the city council summarizing its findings and recommendations. Number two, at the first meeting of the committee, it shall elect all necessary officers. Number three, no later than the second meeting of the committee, it shall adopt bylaws to govern its policies and procedures. Number four, the committee shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Section six, if any provision of this ordinance is found invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. I'll make a motion to forward the full council. Second. I've met with the other committee that is a parks advisory committee. I've made it very clear to them this is not a hostile takeover. This is just to enhance what we provide to the city of Jonesville. Any questions by the committee? Any question or comment by the public or any staff? Jim, I I saw that you might have a question about something early in the reading. I just I sorry. Um I just thought that originally it was gonna be a sports tourism committee.
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