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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Public Safety Council Committee Meeting – June 16, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, June 16, 2026

BodyJonesboro, Arkansas

SessionMeeting Portal

DateTuesday, June 16, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 24:59

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

Everybody, we're gonna go ahead and we're going to call to order the City of Jonesboro Public Safety Council Committee meeting.

0:07

First on our agenda today, we have roll call.

0:10

So if you're on the committee and you're in attendance, if you will denote your attendance on the device in front of you.

0:16

Okay, I do show that we have five members present, so we do have a quorum.

0:19

Thank you, everybody, for showing up today.

0:22

Um moving into our next item on the agenda is our approval of minutes from the meeting on Tuesday, April 21st, 2026.

0:28

And I will entertain a motion to approve those minutes.

0:30

So move.

0:31

Second.

0:32

Okay, I have a motion and a second to approve the minutes from the previous meeting.

0:35

Do I have any questions or concerns?

0:38

Okay, seeing none, I will go ahead and call for a vote on that item.

0:47

Okay, and that item does pass.

0:48

Thank you, everybody.

0:50

Moving on to our next item on the agenda being new businesses.

0:53

We have ordinances to be introduced.

0:55

Our first ordinance tonight is ordinance 26017.

0:59

An ordinance modifying ordinance 24037, which established and consolidated special traffic patterns near the Jonesboro Public School campuses and ordinance 25030, which designated a portion of Wilkins Avenue as one way between specific hours on school days.

1:14

Whereas City of Jonesboro adopted ordinance 24037, which established and consolidated special traffic patterns near Jonesboro Public School campuses, and whereas the City of Jonesboro adopted ordinance 25030, which designated a portion of Wilkins Avenue as a one-way between specific hours on school days.

1:32

And whereas the City of Jonesboro has been asked by the Jonesboro Public School Administration to modify the one-way times on Wilkins Avenue and Hillcrest Drive to 7 15 a.m.

1:42

and 8 15 a.m.

1:43

and 2 45 p.m.

1:45

to 345 p.m.

1:47

on school days and whereas the traffic control committee has reviewed and supports this request.

1:52

Now therefore be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, that Section 1, ordinance 24037 and ordinance 25030 are hereby modified to change the one-way times of the day on Wilkins Avenue and Hillcrest Drive to 715 a.m.

2:07

to 815 a.m.

2:09

and between 245 p.m.

2:11

and 345 p.m.

2:13

on school days.

2:14

Move to recommend to the full council.

2:18

Second.

2:18

Okay, I have a motion and a second to move that ordinance on to full council.

2:21

Do I have any questions from anybody on the committee?

2:24

Any from the administration?

2:26

And any from the public in attendance.

2:29

Okay, seeing none, I will call for a vote on this item.

2:36

Okay, and that item does carry on before it on to full council.

2:40

Next ordinance on the agenda is ordinance 26019.

2:44

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

2:51

And now therefore be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas to make the following changes recommended by the traffic control committee.

2:59

Installing an always stop on Meadow Road and Middlefield Drive, installing a stop sign on Kendrick Drive at Quail Drive.

3:07

Installing a stop sign on Pike Road at Elmhurst Drive and installing a stop sign on Wood Cove at Wood Street, along with establishing a 25 mile an hour speed limit on Rolson Lane, Dove Road, Cardinal Road, Robin Road, Thrush Road, Lark Drive, and Starling Drive.

3:30

I'll second.

3:31

Okay, I have a motion and a second to recommend this ordinance to full council.

3:34

Do I have any questions from anybody on the committee?

3:38

Any from the administration?

3:40

And any from the public in attendance.

3:42

Okay, seeing none, I'll call for a vote on this item.

3:48

Okay, and that item does carry, and we will be forwarding that on to full council for consideration.

3:53

Moving on to resolutions to be introduced, and we'll just be reading these by title only.

3:58

Um this will be 20 resolution 26066.

4:02

A resolution authorizing the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Department of Grants and Community Development to apply for the FY 2025 assistance to firefighters grant through the U.S.

4:11

Department of Homeland Security Federal Emerg Federal Emergency Agency.

4:17

Move to recommend to the full council.

4:19

Second.

4:19

Okay, I have a motion and a second to recommend this item to full council.

4:23

Do I have any questions from anybody on the committee concerning this item?

4:27

Any from the administration?

4:30

And any from the public in attendance.

4:33

Okay, see none.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████████████████59%

Public Safety██████████████████23%

Procedural████████11%

Transportation Safety█████7%

Summary of Proceedings

Public Safety Council Committee Meeting – June 16, 2026

The Jonesboro Public Safety Council Committee convened on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 5:00 PM at the Municipal Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The committee voted on several traffic-related ordinances and federal grant resolutions, received a detailed first-year presentation on the Park Ranger program, and discussed safety concerns raised by members. Chairman Brian Emison presided with 5 members present (Emison, Porter, Moore, Bryant, Miller) and 2 members absent (Gibson, McClain).

Approval of Minutes

The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the Public Safety Committee meeting on April 21, 2026 (4-0 vote, 2 absent).

New Business

All ordinances and resolutions were approved for recommendation to the full City Council with identical 4-0 votes.

School Traffic Pattern Modification (ORD-26:017): An ordinance modifying the one-way traffic times on Wilkins Avenue and Hillcrest Drive near Jonesboro Public Schools. The new designated one-way times are 7:15 AM to 8:15 AM and 2:45 PM to 3:45 PM on school days.
Traffic Signs Installation (ORD-26:019): An ordinance authorizing the placement of stop signs at Meadow Road, Kendrick Drive, Pike Road, and Wood Cove, and establishing a 25 mph speed limit on multiple residential streets.
Assistance to Firefighters Grant (RES-26:066): A resolution authorizing the city to apply for the FY2025 AFG grant through FEMA.
Fire Prevention and Safety Grant (RES-26:067): A resolution authorizing the city to apply for the FY2025 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant through FEMA.

Discussion Items & Pending Business

Stop Sign Request at Craighead Forest: Councilmember LJ Bryant requested a stop sign be installed near the Fort Rotary area at Craighead Forest Park. He described a safety hazard, noting his vehicle did not automatically stop due to the lack of a sign. An Engineering representative stated the department would evaluate the request.
Downtown Traffic Delineators: Councilmember Chris Moore requested replacing plastic traffic cones at Main Street & Washington Avenue (and Main & Huntington) with concrete planters. He described the cones as “unsightly” and frequently run over. Engineering Director Craig Light expressed opposition to concrete planters, stating they were previously removed over aesthetic and vehicle damage concerns, but agreed to explore alternative solutions.

Park Ranger Program Presentation

Code Enforcement Director Scott Roper and Senior Code Officer Eric Schmidt presented a comprehensive update on the Park Ranger program’s first year.

Program Launch: The program officially began in July 2025 under Code Enforcement. Four rangers were hired and completed three weeks of training covering medical emergencies, legal procedures (Fourth Amendment, ADA, juvenile law), conflict resolution, de-escalation, and crowd management certification.
Role and Duties: Rangers work 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM as park ambassadors, enforcing park rules and city ordinances, assisting with medical and animal calls, providing crowd management at large events, and focusing on education and enforcement for the new JBR trail system.
Program Statistics:
- 2025 (Partial Year): 74 complaints, 182 cases opened, 3 medical calls, 28 animal complaints.
- January – May 2026: 102 complaints, 246 cases opened (268 violations), 8 medical calls, 14 animal complaints, 51 criminal violations, 6 arrests, 15 individuals criminally banned from parks.
Recognition: The program received the Trendsetter Award from the Arkansas Municipal League.
Future Goals: Expand the ranger coverage beyond the current four-person shift, increase community engagement, and create programs such as scavenger hunts and guided hikes or canoe trips with rangers.
Q&A: Councilmember Bryant asked about turnover training. Director Roper stated they will cross-train incoming rangers with Animal Control and Code Enforcement. On e-bike usage, Roper noted a bike rack is being installed to facilitate deployment at Craighead Forest.

Other Business

Vector Mosquito Control Report: The committee filed the Vector Mosquito Control report for May 2026. Chairman Emison noted that data indicated increased spraying coupled with decreased mosquito counts.

Key Outcomes

Votes: The committee approved the April 21 minutes and recommended all four items of new business (ORD-26:017, ORD-26:019, RES-26:066, RES-26:067) to the full City Council.
Directives: Engineering was directed to review the need for a stop sign at Craighead Forest Park and to propose alternative traffic delineation solutions for downtown intersections.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned following a motion by Councilmember Bryant, seconded by Councilmember Moore.

Meeting Transcript

Everybody, we're gonna go ahead and we're going to call to order the City of Jonesboro Public Safety Council Committee meeting. First on our agenda today, we have roll call. So if you're on the committee and you're in attendance, if you will denote your attendance on the device in front of you. Okay, I do show that we have five members present, so we do have a quorum. Thank you, everybody, for showing up today. Um moving into our next item on the agenda is our approval of minutes from the meeting on Tuesday, April 21st, 2026. And I will entertain a motion to approve those minutes. So move. Second. Okay, I have a motion and a second to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Do I have any questions or concerns? Okay, seeing none, I will go ahead and call for a vote on that item. Okay, and that item does pass. Thank you, everybody. Moving on to our next item on the agenda being new businesses. We have ordinances to be introduced. Our first ordinance tonight is ordinance 26017. An ordinance modifying ordinance 24037, which established and consolidated special traffic patterns near the Jonesboro Public School campuses and ordinance 25030, which designated a portion of Wilkins Avenue as one way between specific hours on school days. Whereas City of Jonesboro adopted ordinance 24037, which established and consolidated special traffic patterns near Jonesboro Public School campuses, and whereas the City of Jonesboro adopted ordinance 25030, which designated a portion of Wilkins Avenue as a one-way between specific hours on school days. And whereas the City of Jonesboro has been asked by the Jonesboro Public School Administration to modify the one-way times on Wilkins Avenue and Hillcrest Drive to 7 15 a.m. and 8 15 a.m. and 2 45 p.m. to 345 p.m. on school days and whereas the traffic control committee has reviewed and supports this request. Now therefore be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, that Section 1, ordinance 24037 and ordinance 25030 are hereby modified to change the one-way times of the day on Wilkins Avenue and Hillcrest Drive to 715 a.m. to 815 a.m. and between 245 p.m. and 345 p.m. on school days. Move to recommend to the full council. Second. Okay, I have a motion and a second to move that ordinance on to full council. Do I have any questions from anybody on the committee? Any from the administration? And any from the public in attendance. Okay, seeing none, I will call for a vote on this item. Okay, and that item does carry on before it on to full council. Next ordinance on the agenda is ordinance 26019. An ordinance by the City of Jonesboro to place various traffic signs at designated locations as determined by the traffic control committee. And now therefore be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas to make the following changes recommended by the traffic control committee. Installing an always stop on Meadow Road and Middlefield Drive, installing a stop sign on Kendrick Drive at Quail Drive. Installing a stop sign on Pike Road at Elmhurst Drive and installing a stop sign on Wood Cove at Wood Street, along with establishing a 25 mile an hour speed limit on Rolson Lane, Dove Road, Cardinal Road, Robin Road, Thrush Road, Lark Drive, and Starling Drive. I'll second. Okay, I have a motion and a second to recommend this ordinance to full council. Do I have any questions from anybody on the committee? Any from the administration? And any from the public in attendance. Okay, seeing none, I'll call for a vote on this item. Okay, and that item does carry, and we will be forwarding that on to full council for consideration. Moving on to resolutions to be introduced, and we'll just be reading these by title only.

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