Jonesboro City Council Meeting – July 21, 2026

The Jonesboro City Council met on July 21, 2026 at 5:30 PM in the Municipal Center Council Chambers. The meeting began with special presentations, followed by approval of the consent agenda, consideration of several ordinances, the Mayor's report, council reports, and public comments. Key topics included infrastructure updates, short-term rental (Airbnb) concerns, a zoning postponement, and an ethics clarification regarding a council member's recusal.

Special Presentations

• Fire Chief Marty Hamrick presented an Award of Commendation to parks employees Antoine Blair, Antonio Blair, and Jaden Gaston for rescuing occupants from a car crash into a 15-20 foot deep ditch on Mathews near Discovery Island on July 8, 2026. The employees scaled the ditch, helped the occupants and a dog to safety, and stayed until emergency services arrived.
• Mayor Harold Copenhaver proclaimed July 2026 as AFM (Acute Flaccid Myelitis) Awareness Month in Jonesboro, honoring local youth Banks Mathis, one of only four children diagnosed nationwide and the only case in Arkansas. The proclamation recognized his courage and urged community education and support.

Consent Calendar

• MIN-26:060 – Minutes from the July 7, 2026 City Council meeting were approved.
• RES-26:073 – A resolution to place a municipal lien on property at 2612 Crawford (parcel 01-144273-02300) owned by Randy/Aley Crawford in the amount of $275 was approved.
• RES-26:076 – A resolution authorizing submission of a Notice of Intent for the FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant Program for the North Main Street Detention Pond Project and authorizing the Mayor to execute documents was approved.

Vote on consent agenda: 11 aye, 1 absent (Ann Williams). The motion passed.

Resolutions Not on Consent

• RES-26:075 – Facility usage agreement with Jonesboro Jets, Inc. for the city pool complex. Councilmember Chris Gibson recused himself because his daughter swims with the team. Vote: 10 aye, 1 absent (Williams), 1 recused (Gibson). Passed. Enactment No. R-EN-092-2026.
• RES-26:077 – Facility usage agreement with Shark Wave Aquatics Team (SWAT) for 2026. Gibson also recused. Vote: 10 aye, 1 absent, 1 recused. Passed. Enactment No. R-EN-093-2026.
• RES-26:078 – Resolution to set a public hearing on August 4, 2026 at 5:25 PM regarding the abandonment of a 15-foot alley between 1810 and 1812 Henry Street, as requested by David Clifft. Vote: 11 aye, 1 absent. Passed. Enactment No. R-EN-094-2026.

New Business – Ordinances on First Reading

All three ordinances were introduced by suspending the rules and reading by title only, then held at one reading:

• ORD-26:020 – Amending Appendix 7 of the Stormwater Drainage Design Manual.
• ORD-26:022 – Rezoning 2038 North Church Street from C-3 General Commercial to RM-12 LUO Multi-Family Residential with Limited Use Overlay, requested by NK & Sons Investment.
• ORD-26:025 – Rezoning 1400 Southern Ridge Blvd. from R-1 to C-3 LUO, requested by Fisher Arnold.

Unfinished Business

• Second Reading:
  • ORD-26:017 – Modifying special traffic patterns near Jonesboro Public School campuses (held at second reading).
  • ORD-26:019 – Placing various traffic signs at locations determined by the Traffic Control Committee (held at second reading).
  • ORD-26:021 – Rezoning 2911 Browns Lane from R-3 to C-3 (second reading waived).
• Third Reading:
  • ORD-26:018 – Rezoning 1004 N. Caraway Road from R-1 to PD Planned Development, requested by David Tapp. The proponent asked for a temporary postponement to August 4, 2026 due to new business developments. Councilmember Gibson motioned to table until August 4, seconded by Moore. Vote: 11 aye, 1 absent. Passed.

Mayor's Report

• Street Overlay Program: Completed overlays on multiple streets (Barbara Ann, South Culberhouse, Huntington, West Jefferson, Leslie Ann, South Madison, Marzi Ann, South McClure, West Monroe, Nesbitt, Olive, Tony Ann, Union, Walnut, Warner, West Washington). Upcoming overlays on Walnut, Vine, Floyd, Burr, Twin Oaks Street, Andrews Cove, Timberlake Cove, and West College Avenue.
• State Highway Projects: MLK Eastern Bypass ~72% complete (completion late winter/early spring 2027); Highway 351 Airport Overpass ~88% complete; Highway 351 North/South intersection improvements ~57% complete (fall 2027); widening 351 from Pleasant View to Peachtree expected to start 2027; Southwest Drive/Parker Road intersection ~25% complete; Harrisburg/Parker Road widening ~2% complete; Highway 351 Connector Road planning ~60% complete.
• Other Infrastructure: Groundwork underway on new 911 Center; Johnson Avenue pedestrian street improvements underway; South Caraway Road improvement open bid came in on target. Total funded by revenue bond: over $125 million in projects within three years.
• Certifications: Council members Janice Porter (Level 1) and Kevin Miller (Level 2) completed Civilpedia certification at the AML Summer Convention.
• Litter Enforcement: Street Department and Breaking Bonds focusing on litter cleanup; enhanced patrols and ticketing planned.
• Tornado Sirens: Upgrades completed to prevent false activations; tone unchanged.
• Upcoming Events: Keep Jonesboro Beautiful public input meeting August 6 at Lost Pizza; Stuff the Bus event August 1 at area Walmart stores.

Council Reports & Discussion

• Councilmember Chris Gibson requested clarity on ethics regarding his recusal for swim team contracts. He stated he has a daughter on a local swim team and was involved minimally in contract language for safety. He asked if he must recuse from everything involving his family. City Attorney Carol Duncan clarified that a conflict of interest requires direct financial benefit to the council member or family, which she did not see in this situation, and compared it to voting on parks or sidewalks. Gibson thanked her.
• Councilmember David McClain revived a proposal to require paper bags for yard debris, citing cities like Conway, Fayetteville, Little Rock, and Bentonville. COO Tony Thomas stated the ordinance is drafted but needs a final implementation date after ensuring public awareness and bag availability. The city has overcome supply issues and is working on pickup schedules given paper bag deterioration. The ban on burning plastic under state law is a driver.
• Councilmember Dr. Anthony Coleman expressed concern about the lack of a clear plan for a permanent JPD facility. He noted recent discussions about leasing two buildings and now considering purchasing the Shelter building for ~$3 million. He asked for a comprehensive plan. Mayor Copenhaver responded that an FAQ will be brought forward to address questions.
• Councilmember L.J. Bryant inquired about homeless individuals being bussed into Jonesboro, similar to Fort Smith. Police Chief Rick Elliott reported no significant influx; there has been a decrease in illegal immigrants since border enforcement increased. Transient populations are typical, but no large-scale bussing has been observed. Mayor Copenhaver offered to contact Fort Smith's mayor.
• Councilmember Chris Moore acknowledged the repaving of downtown streets after sewer repairs by City Water and Light.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Melissa Baldwin (927 West Matthews) expressed appreciation for road and sidewalk improvements in the West End. She raised concerns about problem short-term rentals (Airbnbs) hosted by irresponsible hosts, citing a party with up to 100 cars and loud noise that overwhelmed the police non-emergency line. She asked for clear regulations, a list of codes, and a threshold for complaints leading to license revocation. City Attorney Duncan directed her to Code Sections 42-146 through 42-150, which outline privilege license requirements and revocation grounds (including repeated noise complaints, criminal activity, and failure to post permits). Duncan noted the difficulty of enforcing rules against hosts who use different names for bookings and mentioned researching outside services to help identify violators.
• Karen Slicer (5709 Slimbridge Drive) described a May 16, 2026 party at an Airbnb on Smithfield (worth ~$475,000) owned by Lisa and Jason Stinnett (now in Fayetteville). The party involved drugs, beer bottles thrown at houses, blocked streets, and required multiple police units and sheriff's assistance until after 5 AM. She stated that 98 homes in her neighborhood were affected. She called for stronger laws, higher fines, and enforcement of occupancy limits. She noted that the host (Stinnett) called police to remove the party, but police stated they could not evict the original renter. Slicer committed to working with the council on solutions.
• Brent Andrews (808 Gloucester Close, Bridger Place) corroborated Slicer's account, stating he witnessed the chaos at 4:30 AM, called 911, and saw city police, sheriff's deputies, and tow trucks. He warned that if such parties recur and trespass on his property, he will take action. He asked the city to act to prevent future incidents.
• Patti Lack (4108 Forest Hill Road) requested the council work with the applicant to resolve a variance issue that may prevent a TSC (Tractor Supply Company) store from locating in the old Fred's building. She stated the Board of Zoning Adjustment granted two of three variances, but the third involved a private road behind Gina's. She feared the store would go to Brookland or Paragould, costing Jonesboro sales tax revenue. She asked Mayor and council to review the matter.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved (11-0-1).
• Three non-consent resolutions passed (facility usage agreements, public hearing date).
• All three first-reading ordinances held at one reading.
• Second-reading ordinances held (two traffic, one zoning waived).
• Third-reading ordinance (1004 N. Caraway rezoning) temporarily postponed to August 4, 2026 (11-0-1).
• Councilmember Gibson's recusal was clarified as not required per City Attorney's non-conflict opinion.
• The paper yard-debris bag ordinance is drafted and awaiting a final implementation date.
• The city plans to bring an FAQ regarding a permanent JPD facility.
• Public comments highlighted the need for stronger Airbnb enforcement; city staff are researching solutions including possibly hiring an outside monitoring service.
• The council will consider the TSC store variance issue through further staff and applicant communication.