The Jonesboro Public Services Council Committee held a special called meeting on May 5, 2026, at 4:30 PM to address a dispute between two swim clubs, JETS Aquatic Club and Shark Wave Aquatic Team (SWAT), over lane usage and a new contract for the city pool. The meeting included procedural objections from SWAT, a presentation from JETS, public comment, and committee deliberation leading to a proposed framework for lane allocation and pricing.
I'd ask to be recognized for procedural objection, Chair. Once I can prove this, I'll already using myself. I plan to do so. I'll say my objection once appropriate. I'm gonna give 15 minutes for each team of for each team to present, then I will allow the committee 15 minutes for questioning, and then we'll I will allow 15 minutes for deliberation and uh conclusion. That's all I have. Um, just to clarify, anything that comes out today would then have to go on and be ratified by city council. And I would ask that that decision be walked on tonight if we do come to a decision. If it's unanimous out of the committee, it can be walked on. If it is not unanimous, it cannot perve the city council rules. If I could be recognized briefly. Chair. Oh, thank you. Um I'm Bryce Cook. Um, I'm here on behalf of Sharkwave Aquatic Team. I'm the chairman of the board for Sharkwave Aquatic, and I certainly appreciate all of y'all's time and attention and being here tonight. Um, there are two significant procedural objections that that I must raise. First, there is a apparent conflict of interest. Um at least a question raised as to the chair's um the propriety of the chair being involved in this process, and for that we're seeking recusal, which I believe you've already addressed. However, there's also an issue of asymmetric notice of this meeting. Umtice was given to one side before the public was given notice, certainly before we were. And under those circumstances, I believe we will need some information and written guidance from the city attorney on the city's position as to each of those. Only for the purpose of making sure the public can have confidence that this process is full, fair, and neutral with those questions before us. And with that, I will excuse myself. So, what are your two questions? Number one about recusal, and number two, about notice of the special called meeting. I'll provide those concerns in writing. Okay, well, let me respond. Not in writing. Number one, the chair's already said he'll recuse, so that issue is addressed. Number two, state law only requires is it two hours? Two hours notice of a special called meeting, period. And then there are publication requirements. I believe both sides got way more notice than that. I sent out the notification on Saturday morning. Right. Um two hours is what's required by state law. So there is no notice issued for this meeting. Obviously, this is not the correct forum for you and I to have a legal debate over what the law says. Um, I will seek written guidance and additional information from the city on this. And with that, we'll excuse ourselves. I assume my objections are overruled. I I just need you to understand that the city may go forward hearing from the other side. And if the council committee makes a decision, that's on them. Because proper notice was given by state law. There is no guidance as to how this will take place because this is an unusual circumstance. We were asked if we would give both sides an opportunity to be heard by the committee and by council, and we tried to facilitate that as quickly as possible because there are no current signed contracts to use our pool, and I know both teams want to get in the water as quickly as possible, and neither team can get in the water until there's a signed contract. So we were trying to facilitate that on behalf of both swim teams to get you in the water quicker. Certainly, our desire is to get in the water quicker. Right.