All right, everybody.

We'll go ahead and get uh City Council started.

This is Tuesday, May 5th, 2026.

I'll have Dr.

Charles Coleman will lead us invocation, and before that, I'll do pledge allegiance.

Everybody, please join.

I pledge to the United States of America and entertain the republic.

One recognition.

Undervisible liberty.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for allowing us to be stewards in this community.

We pray, Father, according to your will, your purpose, and your plan that we operate in honesty.

Jesus' name we pray.

Amen.

Amen.

Council, if you would please go ahead and mark your attendance.

All right, we do have full council present this evening.

And council, before you, um, I just wanted to go ahead and recognize uh Tim in our department on the third floor.

We do a proclamation every year for building safety month.

That's 2026.

City of Jonesboro is committed to recognizing that our growth and strength depend on safety and a central role of our homes, buildings, and infrastructure play, both in everyday life when disasters strike.

Our confidence in this resilience of these buildings that make up our community is achieved through the devotion of guardians, building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, design professionals, laborers, plumbers, and others in the construction industry who work hard year-round to ensure the safe construction of buildings in our community.

Building safety month is sponsored by the International Co-Council to remind the public about a critical role that our communities largely are unknown protectors of public safety, and these are the people behind the scenes.

They assure that our community is safe, sustainable, and have affordable buildings that are essential to our prosperity.

Build to last.

So I there now for Harold Copenhagen, mayor of the city of Jonesboro, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2026 as Building Safety Month in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Thank you, Tim.

Okay.

Thank you.

And then Council, if you would, uh I didn't have it on the uh agenda, but this is real quick, but it's very important.

As you know, we have graduations that are going on throughout the community, and I'm always proud of our mayor's youth council.

Um, and we've had several graduations uh this past weekend, but I do want to recognize three of the 22 graduating seniors of the mayor youth council.

So Charlie Stagal, will you please come forward?

Mary Hoffman and Jansen Marcico.

Charlie's a graduate of Jonesboro High School, Mary Valley View High School, and Jansen from Nettleton High School.

And they're representing their senior class, as you can tell.

They've already got the mayor youth council.

Uh many of them had how many do you have?

Six or seven.

You had seven, I think, Mary, and you probably seven.

You had seven.

I had two, I think, something like that.

But anyway, we're honored as a city uh to always see our youth prosper.

And I know you three, and I look forward to the future of what you're gonna have for not only your future, but our community's future.

So I'd like to give you city medallions on behalf of the mayor of Jones for our next word.

Come on, James.

Council, thank you for allowing me uh to do that honor this evening.

Now we'll move on to item number five.

These are items on consent agenda.

Move to adopt.

We do have a motion on the floor to adopt all in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed.

Next we move on to item number six.

She's your item.

Excuse me, resolution on not on the consent agenda.

We do have a resolution 26048.

Resolution authorizing the entry into an agreement to issue bonds for the purpose of assisting in the financing of industrial facilities within the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas, to be leased to Nick Nicarague.

Nichirae.

There we go.

Um Global Foods LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Innovation Cuisine Enterprises Incorporated, or their affiliate, pursuant to the authority of the laws of the state of Arkansas, including particularly amendment 65 to the Arkansas Constitution and the municipalities and counties industrial development revenue bond law.

Whereas the City of Jonesburg, Arkansas is authorized under the provisions of Amendment 65 to the Arkansas Constitution and the municipalities and counties industrial development revenue bond law.

Arkansas Code annotated 1464 201 exec of the act, otherwise known as the act, to own, acquire, construct, equipped, and lease facilities to secure and develop industry and to assist in the financing thereof by the issuance of bonds payable from the revenues derived from such facilities.

And whereas Nishiri.

Section three, the city shall hold a public hearing on the question of the issuance of the bonds on May 19th, 2026.

Section 4, severability in the event any title section paragraph item sent its clause fraser word of this resolution is declared or adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional.

Such declaration or adjudication shall not affect the remaining portions of this resolution, which shall remain in full force in effect as if the portion so declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional was not originally a part of this resolution.

Section five repealer, all ordinance or resolutions of the city in conflict here with are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.

Move to adopt second.

Anyone in council chambers?

Discussion, question, or comments.

I don't see any.

If you would please cast your ballot, Councilman.

And that resolution does.

And so Joe, come on up and say hello.

Please welcome Joe Kent.

Welcome, Joe.

Thank you.

I have to ask my little brother to come up here to say.

So long time coming.

Glad to be here.

I love your town.

Finally got it.

So thank you.

Daniel.

Or wait, Mr.

Mayor.

Can I have the last one?

Yes, sir.

You can I would echo everything Joe said.

This is a very significant project for innovation.

Extremely important project.

Appreciate the city's support.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

All right.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Okay, council.

We'll move on now to resolution 26049.

Resolution of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Vector Disease Control International LLC, whereas proposals from bid 2026 11 RFP Mosquito Management Services were presented to the Public Safety Council Committee on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

And whereas BDCI was recommended as the vendor for mosquito management services, and whereas the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Vector Disease Control International LLC wish to enter into an agreement to provide these services for the City of Jonesboro, and where a set agreement is for an initial period of three years commencing January 1, 2026, and we will automatically renew for a maximum of six years.

And where a set agreement is attached here to and the terms set out therein.

Now therefore be it resolved by the City Council for the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas.

That number one, City of Jonesboro approves the agreement with BDCI to perform mosquito management services for the City of Jonesboro as provided by the attached agreement.

Number two, the Mayor Hill Coben Haver and City Clerk April Leggett are hereby authorized by the City Council for the City of Jonesboro to execute all documents necessary to effectuate this agreement.

Move to adopt, second.

I don't see anyone in council chambers.

I don't see any as well.

If you would please go ahead and cast your ballot.

And that ordinance resolution does carry.

So now there are no items on new business, so we'll move on to item seven.

These are items on unfinished business.

Mr.

Mayor, if I may, I'd like to make a motion to amend and change the name to Sports Tourism Committee rather than sports advisory committee, as we already have one of those in place.

Second sports tourism.

Correct.

Correct.

Yes.

Do we have a second?

Yes.

Do you have a second?

Okay.

All in favor of the amendment, say aye.

Uh any opposed.

An ordinance to establish a sports tourism committee providing for membership purpose and duties and for other purposes.

Any questions from council?

Anyone in council chambers.

Yes, ma'am.

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

My name is Marilyn Copeland.

I live at 1602 Honeysuckle Lane here in Jonesboro.

And I'm just here as a longtime member of Jonesboro Parks and Rec.

And I want to give you a little history about why I'm here.

Myself in with uh partners from Nettleton, Valley View, and Westside.

And that grant was written after the West Side shootings.

And it was to write a grant to make sure that there was counseling in our schools, and there was an opportunity for every youth in our community to participate as a healthy student in activities after school.

Sorry, I'm a little nervous.

So we we started City Stars.

I said city stars and their names on the back, and did our best to integrate those in our community that could not afford to be in sports, that they had every opportunity that any other child had.

And I just feel like through the years, we've gotten away from what City Starts was supposed to be.

And I get a little concerned.

I'll be honest, I do not understand this ordinance all the way.

I'll be the first to say that.

But we were told back in February when we met with the public service committee, it was public service and parks and rec that there was going to be a meeting between the two to come up with this ordinance.

It strictly came out of public service.

And I'm not saying it's a bad ordinance, but the one thing that I don't see in it is when we had city stars, it involved parents on that board, and it involved local schools because they've got the communication with those kids.

And if I read this, this is heavily weighted, and I can be corrected, but heavenly weighted on government officials, and not our community.

And I'm just here to say that I would like to see it re-looked at before it's voted on and make sure that our community is involved in the ordinance.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Copeland.

Yes, sir.

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

Good evening.

My name's Jay Clevinger.

I live at 4842 Leesburg Drive.

I'm a member of the Parks and Recreation Planning Advisory Committee as well.

First thing I'd like to say, or my comments are mine only.

It does not reflect everybody that is involved with the Parks and Recreation Planning Advisory Committee.

I don't know how everyone else stands.

I think it's very, very necessary to promote Jonesboro and to accelerate getting the rack paid for by beds in the head, uh heads in the bed, and people eating at our restaurants.

But I feel like the proposed ordinance is not a solution for many reasons.

First, there's been a committee meeting, the second council meeting, and no one up here has asked one question in regards to how does this conflict with the original with ordinance 95645 that established the uh planning and advisory committee.

Fortunately, back in 1995, I was named to that when it went from a commission to a committee.

That committee has worked hard to do a lot of great things in Jonesboro.

A few of them are the development and planning and the organizing of Joe Mack Campbell Park, Parker Park and Parker Community Center, Allen Park and Allen Community Center.

That's just a name, only a few.

All citizens.

As Marilyn was saying, the specially called meeting on February the 3rd was a joint meeting between the public services committee and the planning and advisory committee.

At the end of that meeting, we were told, and it was we the planning advisory committee had a meeting on uh April 22nd, the day after this ordinance was proposed.

Everyone that was at both meetings were under the understanding we would come back together and discuss this proposed ordinance.

Now I will say I personally reached out to the chairman, Mr.

Gibson, and we had a private conversation, one-on-one conversation.

I feel like that I communicated what my concerns were in regards to moving forward with this.

That never happened.

Additionally, the ordinance in front of you says the sponsor is the parks and recreations department.

That seems like an endorsement from the parks and recreations department.

When I asked Director Stearns when he found out about this proposed ordinance, he said it was April the 17th.

I asked him, did he have any input?

And I was told no.

So at best, the sponsorship or endorsement by the Parks and Recreations Department is misleading.

When you lay down the two ordinances, this proposed ordinance and the ordinance that established the planning advisory committee, there's conflicts in it.

The original, the first ordinance says to establish priorities for community recreation needs.

To one that could read that, they could submise this includes youth sports, which is all through the ordinance in four in front of you that this committee would be making the decisions on that.

Much like the debate on the mosquito control a couple of weeks ago, this could create finger pointing, right?

If you had two companies, two committees, who's the council going to listen to?

Because they both say to advise the city council.

So there's conflicts in the two ordinances.

I feel like the composition of the committee should be questioned.

Basically, there's going to be two members from the public facilities board, one that's on the board, one that's recommended, and two from the AMP, a member of the AMP commission, and one recommended from AMP.

That's one half of the voting members.

Anyone that watched uh council meeting earlier this year can see why it's composed this way.

This ordinance appoints the director of parks as an ex officio non-voting member.

Why not give the person who knows most a say?

During the February meeting, it was stated this is not a hostile takeover.

This ordinance looks like a hostile takeover.

It is my concern that this ordinance could, I'm not saying will, could end up with sports clubs having control over our local youth sports and facilities.

Priority should be given to every young person living in Jonesboro when it comes to recreational opportunities in sports.

If it happens here, it'd be a slippery slope.

It will provide you an example of what can happen if sports clubs take over youth recreational programs.

So the question to me is this ordinance about sports tourism or is it about control of programs and facilities?

If it's truly about sports tourism, logic dictates responsibility placed with the organization that states, we promote tourism in the city and produce a positive economic impact on businesses.

That is the AMP commission.

Change the existing park and planning charge, the existing parks and recreation planning and advisory committee with section three of this proposed ordinance, but strip out and exclude any references to sports tourism.

Place sports tourism with an AMP commission and charge the commission on coming up with a plan to work with the parks director to increase sports tourism.

This is a sports tourism initiative.

I am in favor of.

If not, I encourage you to vote against it at the now next council meeting because of the conflicting languages between the two ordinances, the potential damage it may cause our community youth who wants to participate in sports just to have fun, the misleading sponsors uh sponsorship, and fulfilling the promises to the advisory committee.

Thank you.

Thank you for your comments.

Are there any comments from the audience?

Any others?

Okay, councilman.

Yes, ma'am.

Uh I totally agree with what the speaker just said, and this has been a concern of mine for some time because my interest and responsibilities are not mutually exclusive from uh from the AMP.

Uh but and we and I do agree with some of their objectives, but I was not elected to promote sports tourism.

I was elected to represent people and families and children in this community.

And uh not my goal to get heads in beds.

That's not what I ran on.

So I think we need to get it back to where our first responsibility is to serve the families in this city and the children in this city.

And if if we have people come in to the city and spend money and all, that's good.

That's not our number one objective, and I think if that is the objective, it's like the tail wagging the dog is as far as what I feel.

And so I uh I think we need to realize that we like I said, um our goals are not exactly the same as the AMP and shouldn't be, and so uh we have to focus on what we're supposed to be sitting up here doing, you know.

So that's all thank you, Councilman.

Uh Mayor, some of the language do I think needs to be changed, you know, on that document.

And so I'm gonna make a motion that we have another meeting to change the language.

Is your motion to postpone for yes?

How long, Dr.

Coleman?

Uh what is a given time, I guess, that we can do this.

Uh just a point uh and this may be irrelevant, but um from a time perspective, I will be out of town for the next two weeks, and as chairman of public services, I would like that be to be taken into consideration uh so we can coordinate that meeting between the two entities, but I have no issue with postponing this.

Okay, I appreciate that.

If we can do that in in the next month, that give time uh Mr.

Gibson.

Uh yes.

Second, Dr.

Coleman's motion.

Well, before we get too far, just as a point of order, if we're gonna postpone temporary, we need a date.

So next public services schedule, next scheduled public services committee.

Um I'm fine having having both of those meetings on June the 16th.

We can coordinate that you want to have them both on the same that okay doing the 16th on it.

No, I'm gonna try to have time to meet about why don't why don't we try to do the joint meeting on the ninth?

Okay.

And rather than is that not gonna work, Jay?

Will work for me.

On the ninth the ninth or the sixteenth.

The ninth.

The ninth is a finance meeting.

And then MAPCA 16th.

Are we good on the 16th?

My only concern.

What about we just make a motion to postpone for 60 days and that away if the date doesn't work out and you have to I agree with that because I'll be out of town on June 16th and 17th.

So now I'll end my second to reflect 60 days.

60 days.

So I'm in my motion to postpone for six days, probably July the 7th.

We can decide a date in between that time.

Yeah, to have a meeting.

To have a meeting.

I will get with Chairman Daniel this week while I'm out of town and see if I can't nail down a date between the two.

So we do have a motion on the floor, temporary postponement for the next 60 days.

Decision will be made within those 60 days and bring it back in front of council.

All in favor, say aye.

Any opposed.

All right.

Now we'll move on to ordinance 26014.

An ordinance to amend chapter 117 known as the zoning ordinance providing in changes for changes in zoning boundaries from I1 to C3 OUO for property located at 5925 East Johnson Avenue.

Any questions by council?

I don't see any.

Anyone in Council Chambers?

I don't see any as well.

That'll move on to its next reading.

Next, we'll move on to ordinance 26015.

What's sorry?

That's fine.

An ordinance to amend chapter 117, known as the zoning ordinance providing for changes in zoning boundaries from RM8 to RS5 for property located at 1601 Granger Drive as requested by Crafton Toll.

Any discussion by council?

I don't see any.

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 items on the third reading.

These will be voted on by council.

Ordinance 26008.

Move to adopt.

Do we have a motion on the floor?

Any discussion.

Anyone in Council Chambers?

I don't see any.

If you would please cast your ballot.

That does carry.

Next, we'll move on to ordinance 26009.

Move to adopt.

Second.

We've got a motion on the floor to adopt any discussion by council.

Questions?

I don't see any.

Anyone in Council Chambers?

I don't see any as well.

If you would please cast your ballot.

And that does carry.

Now we'll move on to ordinance 26010.

Ordinance by the City of Jonesboro to place various traffic signs at designated locations as determined by the traffic control committee.

Move to adopt.

Second.

Do we have a second on the floor to adopt any discussion by council?

I don't see any anyone in council chambers.

I don't see any as well.

If you would please cast your ballot.

Does carry council.

Now we'll move on to the last ordinance 26012.

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.

Move to adopt.

Any questions from council?

I don't see anyone in council chambers.

I don't see any as well.

If you would please cast your ballot.

Okay, council that does carry.

Now we'll move on to item number eight, the mayor's report.

We do have a March financial statements for you.

But I also want to comment we do have the monthly reports in front of Brian.

And since Tony is here, he's been able to move his uh daughter back closer to our community.

You want to let them know where she's gonna be playing next year?

That would be Memphis University.

I'll let them know.

So the next meeting, uh Tony's so gracious, he's gonna be able to uh go through some of these uh monthly reports for us and and read them to us since uh uh he he missed last city council meeting.

Um I I want to say, and and y'all saw the mayor's youth council earlier here this evening.

Graduation is here in our community, and it's it's time we reflect and and uh as our kids uh grow quickly throughout our community.

Uh it's wonderful that we support them.

Uh they they're closing out a part of their life through hard work and accomplishment.

But graduates, um, you know, Jonesboro is always moving, and we want you moving and continuing uh your future here, and we're proud of you in the city of Jonesboro.

I'm also proud to announce that the city's employee of the month was Brenda Hall from the Grants Department.

She's been here over 18 years in the city, and Brenda's experience and expertise has been uh as a community service manager is a financial uh wizard in the grants department.

It really she's uh the secret behind it all.

Congratulations and thank you for going above and beyond, and thank you to First Security Bank for sponsoring the salute to city awards, allowing us to recognize employees.

The May neighborhood cleanup hosted by the Sanitation Code Enforcement Departments, supported by the Keep Jonesboro Beautiful Commission, had a great success this past Saturday with over 10 tons of trash and 102 tires collected.

The Anicamp Junior High School location.

We continue efforts to clean our city green and make it beautiful.

Remember, keeping tires out of the neighborhoods helps fight against mosquitoes.

The tornado siren season is here.

We also want to remind everyone of the tornado siren testing every Thursday at noon.

Reminder of tornado sirens are intended for outdoor warnings and initiated by the National Weather Service.

And I also heard this past week that Batesville just now have their tornado sirens active.

So sometimes we take for granted what we do uh in our community for our residents.

Batesville had no tornado warning system whatsoever for a long period of time.

As long as we're here, just to sober uh uh polygon within the city of Jonesboro, the sirens will be reactivated again by the National Weather Service should anything occur this evening.

As always, please tune in to the local weather service.

And if you have a storm shelter at home, please consider registering it with our E911 registries.

So many good things are happening around the city.

My staff and I were able to attend to tour and progress of the RAC recently, and progress is impressive.

Seeing the walls up, pulls in and equipment in the ground.

It's really a strong start start and it's taking shape.

Drive by and take a look for yourself.

It won't be long before teams are in town to compete in our city filled with guests on tournaments.

Streets departments been busy on upkeep on grass mowing and street overlays.

2026 list of street overlays is in process with Union, Monroe, and South Madison overlays now complete with Washington in process and milling for more.

Airport Road Overpass is now open, Main Street one lane, six-month pilots in full swing, and the planned Jonesboro Survey remains open again for public input.

Numerous ribbon cuttings have been celebrated with the chamber, including a grand opening of the Family Crisis Center, Sexual Abuse Support Service Center on the Roads.

If you haven't seen it, you need to stop by council.

Um it really um brings you down to earth and and provides services that uh those profit nonprofit organizations do.

Essential air service for those also are greatly in need in our community, and we're able to provide that through wonderful nonprofits and organizations.

I was also pleased this past week to uh go down and uh receive a check along with Jonesboro Unlimited that Governor Sanders had 25 million dollars appropriated for economic development in the city of Jonesboro as far as I am aware received the second largest donation of that 25 million.

That's really good work by the City of Jonesboro and Jonesboro Unlimited in their efforts.

The spring season begins with many festivals.

Stop by an event and get to people know people around you.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming event, like Dr.

Coman's Fisher Street Fish Fry on May 16th.

Be sure to stop by early so you don't miss out on the fish, Brian.

That works, that works.

It's some of the best, truly, it really is.

The skirmish gravel festival takes place downtown Jonesboro May 28th through May 31st with a free family bike ride and festival activities included.

The events aren't only for race participants, so go out and cheer them on.

This is what Jonesboro is all about, folks.

Working together and provide residents and visitors with the best place to live, work, and play.

Let's continue.

Jonesboro, we're always moving.

Next, we'll move on to item number nine, City Council reports.

Mr.

Street.

Cobra House was uh overlaid, mayor, and it really is nice.

Craig tells me there's another two inches going on, but it's getting used a lot, so it's needed it, and it's great.

Everybody going to the forest will have a whole lot better ride.

Awesome.

It's all good.

Mr.

Miller.

Oh, thank you.

Mr.

Bryant.

Yeah, I talked to Mark Young some this week.

The Conway Chamber really released some crazy data that I'm still trying to get my head around.

I'm looking at it.

It listed the top ten counties and it listed net migration.

We're lucky, people are still we're still we're very lucky in the sense people are still having babies here and nationally, you know, fertility is down to 2.1.

So we still have more births than death here, which is very good.

Saline County doesn't.

But like Quite County has 80,000 people, and they had a thousand people move in, net migration, more people move in than out.

And for Crackhead County, our net migration was only 103.

So Mark Young and I are trying to like dive into it a little bit to get our head around it.

Is I mean destination hundred K.

I think we all know we're headed that direction, but I'm just a little concerned.

We want smart growth, don't get me wrong.

Mark and I have talked about that, but I'm just a little concerned about that number and try to get my head around that number.

Thank you.

Mr.

Hafner?

Thanks.

Dr.

Anthony Coleman?

No thanks.

Mr.

McLean?

No thanks.

Mr.

Gibson.

No thanks.

Miss Williams.

Thanks.

Mr.

Moore?

No, ma'am.

Dr.

Charles Coleman.

Uh thank you, Mayor, for mentioning the fish fry.

Once again, uh some people can be on time.

I appreciate it very much.

The other thing is that uh we need to keep Ronnie Shaver in our prayers.

He's in the hospital.

Uh want to make sure I mention that.

Mr.

Emerson.

Oh, thank you.

Miss Porter.

No, thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, uh Dr.

Coleman, for uh mentioning Mr.

Shaver.

Uh I think many of us know him very well, and so they would uh they would appreciate those prayers for now.

Next, we'll move on to public comments.

Anybody in the audience can come up and make a public statement.

I don't see any.

We'll move on to item 11 adjournment.

So move.

Second.

All in favor say aye.

Five.

Any opposed.