Jonesboro City Council Meeting - June 2, 2026

The Jonesboro City Council convened on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 5:30 PM at the Municipal Center, 300 S. Church Street. Mayor Harold Copenhaver presided. Roll call confirmed 11 members present (Brian Emison, Chris Moore, Chris Gibson, David McClain, Joe Hafner, Anthony Coleman, Janice Porter, John Street, Charles Coleman, LJ Bryant, Ann Williams) and one absent (Kevin Miller). The meeting included special presentations, consent agenda, unfinished business, mayor's report, city council reports, and public comments.

Consent Calendar

• MIN-26:046 – Minutes of the City Council meeting on May 19, 2026, approved.
• RES-26:044 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a lease agreement with the North Jonesboro Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) for space at 911 Magnolia Road. (Enactment No. R-EN-076-2026)
• RES-26:056 – Resolution accepting a permanent right-of-way easement from Arkansas State University for constructing and maintaining pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements. (Enactment No. R-EN-077-2026)
• RES-26:058 – Resolution authorizing an escrow deposit agreement in connection with defeasance of bonds issued to support Colson Caster LLC and its affiliates, and conveyance of real property. (Enactment No. R-EN-078-2026) All consent items were passed unanimously by a vote of 11-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Patti Lack (4108 Forest Hill Road): Expressed disappointment that a more detailed expense report from the Parks Department regarding two volleyball tournaments had not been provided as promised about a month and a half ago. She questioned specific expenses including Potbelly and hotel costs. She also raised safety concerns about five large trees planted between the sidewalk and the street at the Simmons Bank building on Caraway Road. She stated the trees block visibility for drivers turning left, creating a dangerous intersection, and noted that one person has already been hit. She requested that the trees be removed or relocated, and indicated that Simmons Bank representatives are amenable to the city moving the trees elsewhere on the property.
• Edward Orr (2902 Breezewood Drive): Spoke about a perceived lack of empathy for low-income neighborhoods, arguing that city funds should be directed to areas of greatest need rather than already developed areas. He alleged that the City Attorney's office denied him four times to file charges at the Jonesboro Police Department. He also brought up the case of Hayley Boyd, a woman paralyzed in a car accident involving a police officer, and urged the council to ensure she receives necessary resources. He referenced a Supreme Court ruling suggesting she might be entitled to $50,000, calling that insufficient. He appealed for the city to do more for all communities, regardless of income.

Discussion Items

• Unfinished Business – Ordinances on Third Reading:
  • ORD-26:016 – Ordinance to authorize the issuance of industrial development revenue bonds under the Municipalities and Counties Industrial Development Revenue Bond Law for the purpose of securing and developing industry for the InnovAsian project. This includes authorization for a bond purchase agreement, a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement, a trust indenture, a lease agreement, and related matters. The ordinance was passed unanimously (11-0) on third reading. Enactment No. O-EN-021-2026.
  • ORD-26:015 (held from previous meetings) – Ordinance to amend Chapter 117 (Zoning Ordinance) changing zoning boundaries from RM-8 to RS-5 for property located at 1601 Granger Drive, as requested by Crafton Tull. The ordinance was passed unanimously (11-0) on third reading. Enactment No. O-EN-022-2026.
• Mayor's Report:
  • Mayor Copenhaver reminded council members that month-end reports were available. He announced that all area-wide schools are out and urged caution for children and new drivers. City pools and splash pads are open; the climbing wall at Earl Bell Community Center extended hours (Monday-Friday 12-9 PM, Saturday 12-5 PM). The next Sunset Session at Craighead Forest Park is June 20 at the Bandshell (Access 6), featuring live bands and free admission.
  • Promoted Gen Cadets free program by DARE in July, offering hands-on activities, swimming, and leadership skills; email DARE@JonesboroAR.gov for info. Applications for the Youth Advancement Council (grades 9-12) are open through July 1 at JonesboroAR.gov.
  • Encouraged participation in Plan Jonesboro comprehensive planning process; community survey at PlanJonesboro.com, public input meetings on June 4, June 25, and July 16, with additional webinars throughout summer.
  • Recounted the Special Olympics send-off on May 21, the Skirmish Delta Gravel Festival (over 300 cyclists), and Arkansas State men's golf team earning a spot in the 2026 NCAA Championship (first in program history).
  • Announced a $42,358 grant from the Patrick Lehigh Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program (U.S. Department of Justice) to purchase 40 new Armor Express Raven II Tactical SWAT carrier systems for the Jonesboro Police Department.
  • Noted the next neighborhood cleanup on June 6 at Fisher Street United Methodist Church (8 AM - noon); Code Enforcement will also pick up debris placed curbside in that area.
• COO Tony Thomas gave a summary of departmental reports:
  • Emphasized increased demand for services in summer. Staffing shortages persist: Animal Control is short officers (shelter always full, added kennel capacity last month to reduce euthanasia); Street Department has vacancies at lower-level positions; Code Enforcement is down one officer but opened about 560 cases in May. The shelter strives to be a no-kill facility.
  • Last month's cleanup collected about 10 tons of debris.
  • Bond projects: 911 center in final design stages; Caraway Road project progressing.
  • Parks is heavily active with educational programs, community events, and partnerships. Grants Department worked with the Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee to score applications for nonprofit funding.
  • HR is actively recruiting through job fairs to fill staffing needs. Departments continue efficient operations despite shortages.
• City Council Reports:
  • Brian Emison: Recognized Code Enforcement officer Blake Nichols for directing traffic after an accident on Friday. He discussed a Monday meeting with administration about police pay and incentive programs. He noted the department is down about 20 officers and suggested using unrealized salary expenses from those vacancies to provide additional compensation for current officers who worked short-staffed, similar to what Arkansas State Police did previously.
  • Charles Coleman: Joked that Code Enforcement will receive a half slab of ribs at the cleanup.
  • L.J. Bryant: Asked about progress on addressing panhandling and loitering since Attorney General Griffin challenged cities last summer. Mayor Copenhaver said the city is leaning on state legislators; City Attorney Carol Duncan explained legal complexities: being on a sidewalk is different from standing on traffic islands (safety concern), but state highway rules require being 10 feet from the roadway unless a sidewalk exists – most state highways have sidewalks. The city attempted to put up signs encouraging donations to local charities but they were taken down by the Highway Department. The city has reached out for permission again. Mayor noted proactive meetings with police, sheriff, and state police about summer gatherings to ensure safety.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda, including three resolutions, approved unanimously (11-0).
• ORD-26:016 (InnovAsian industrial development bonds) passed unanimously (11-0) on third reading.
• ORD-26:015 (zoning change at 1601 Granger Drive) passed unanimously (11-0) on third reading.
• Council will continue exploring police pay incentives, including a potential retention bonus for current officers using funds from vacant positions.
• City will continue legal efforts to address panhandling on traffic islands, focusing on safety arguments, and will coordinate with state legislators and the Highway Department on signage.
• Staff will follow up on public comments: provide detailed expense report for volleyball tournaments, and investigate ownership and safety of trees at Simmons Bank on Caraway Road.
• Meeting adjourned by unanimous vote (motion by Chris Moore, second by Joe Hafner).