Jonesboro City Council Meeting – June 16, 2026

The City Council of Jonesboro, Arkansas, met on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Municipal Center. Mayor Harold Copenhaver presided. All nine present council members voted on several items, including a special presentation on downtown progress, approval of the FY2026-2027 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan, a resolution requesting free utility services from City Water and Light, and the first reading of a zoning change.

Special Presentation

• Downtown Jonesboro Alliance Update (COM-26:034): Director Sarah Doss provided an overview of downtown projects and the Entertainment District nearing its second anniversary. Key highlights included:
  • A six-month pilot program transitioning Main Street to one lane, now in its second month. A survey will be distributed to residents, businesses, and patrons.
  • Planned developments on Cate Street: a proposed hotel (feasibility study positive), a brewery, a restaurant, pickleball courts, and a park with an amphitheater (target open spring 2027). Bids for construction are expected to start in September 2026.
  • Record-breaking 2025 downtown investment of $27,545,831.66 in building improvements, revitalization, and maintenance.
  • The Entertainment District has generated positive economic impact and increased pedestrian traffic. DJA reported zero police reports directly related to the district in nearly two years.
  • Ms. Doss noted that the most common negative feedback about the one-lane pilot is that the delivery lane is on the wrong side of the street; the survey will address this. Councilmember L.J. Bryant asked about metrics for measuring district success; Ms. Doss explained that wristband counts are inconsistent due to different point-of-sale systems, so they rely on geofencing data showing longer dwell times and business growth.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (9-0): The consent agenda was adopted with the removal of RES-26:064 for discussion. Items passed included:
  • MIN-26:050: Minutes of the June 2, 2026 council meeting.
  • RES-26:062: Resolution to place a municipal lien on property at 316 S. McClure (Parcel 01-144183-21000) owned by SBREME, LLC in the amount of $465.
  • RES-26:065: Resolution to amend the City Salary and Administration Plan (including new job descriptions and pay grades for Permit Coordinator, Marketing/Community Outreach Coordinator, and Digital Media Specialist).

Discussion Items

• RES-26:064 – FY2026-2027 CDBG Annual Action Plan: Councilmember Dr. Anthony Coleman, who had missed the committee meeting, asked for clarification. Grants and CDBG Director Chris Richey explained:
  • Public services are capped at 15% of the total allocation ($717,683). An application process with a scoring rubric was used; allocations to CASA ($11,500), Foundation of Arts ($12,222.35), North Jonesboro CDC ($8,033.73), and others were based on rubric scores and applicant requests.
  • Public infrastructure funds ($332,344.16) have not yet been assigned to specific projects; past uses include street overlays, sidewalks, parks, and nonprofit facilities in low-to-moderate income areas. Future projects will be selected in coordination with Parks and Engineering. The advisory committee (eight members) was selected months ago. Mr. Richey agreed to email the rubric and application to Councilmember Coleman. The resolution passed 9-0.
• RES-26:060 – Request for Free Utility Services from City Water and Light for City-Owned Property: Councilmember John Street recused himself due to his membership on the CWL Board of Directors. The resolution requests free utilities at 301 West Monroe Street. It passed 8-0 (1 recused).
• ORD-26:018 – Zoning Change from R-1 to Planned Development for 1004 N. Caraway Road: The council suspended the rules to read the ordinance by title only. The first reading was held; no discussion. The ordinance will proceed to a second reading.

Mayor's Reports

Mayor Copenhaver reported the following:

• Employee of the Month: Jordan Wilson, HR representative, who started as an intern in summer 2024.
• Welcome back to Ronnie Shaver (maintenance director) and good news that Ronnie Sturch (E-911 director) is cancer-free.
• Youth Council applications (grades 9-12) open through July 1, 2026.
• Maintenance closures at Craighead Forest Park: Access #5 playground, splash pad, and pavilion closed June 24 and 26.
• Ritter Communications and Great Plains Communications are forming RightFiber, serving over 400 communities across 20 states.
• Community cleanup on June 6 collected 11 tons of trash and 62 tires. Next cleanup July 11 at Lacey Drive.
• Upcoming events: Juneteenth Fireworks (June 19), astronaut Susan Kilrain talk (June 18), Sunset Sessions (June 20), and crosswalk upgrades at Jonesboro High School.
• Groundbreaking for the Real-Time Crime Center in early July; engineering proposal for Caraway Road at next finance meeting.

Council Reports

• Councilmember John Street expressed concern about the youth/senior citizen pond at Craighead Forest, noting that Game & Fish may not dredge it as initially planned. He hopes the city can find a way to do so to maintain fish stocking. Mayor Copenhaver said the city is in communication with Game & Fish about their property additions.
• Councilmember Chris Moore reported that some string lights downtown are not working; maintenance director Ronnie Shaver noted new bulbs are on order, and coordination is needed to shut down the street for rehanging.

Public Comments

• No members of the public addressed the council.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda items (minutes, lien, salary plan) passed unanimously.
• RES-26:064 (CDBG Annual Action Plan) passed 9-0.
• RES-26:060 (free utility services) passed 8-0 (1 recused).
• ORD-26:018 (zoning change) held at first reading; will advance to second reading.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:45 PM (motion by Councilmember Moore, second by Emison, passed 9-0).