Public Services Council Committee Meeting Summary – September 15, 2026

The Public Services Council Committee met on September 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM at the Municipal Center. The committee approved previous meeting minutes, introduced an ordinance to restrict camping in city parks and parking lots, authorized a land-use agreement with the Northeast Arkansas Children's Museum, received updates from GOJO Transit and Parks & Recreation, and heard public comments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved meeting minutes from June 16, 2026 (MIN-26:056) and July 6, 2026 (MIN-26:061) unanimously.

Public Comments

• A member of the public commented on parental behavior at youth sports events, stating that her son was hit by a car and that parents should teach their children manners. She emphasized that the issue lies with adults, not children.

Discussion Items

1. Ordinance ORD-26:038 – Camping Restriction in City Parks and Parking Lots

   • The committee introduced an ordinance to add Section 50-27 to the Code of Ordinances, prohibiting camping outside designated camping areas in city parks and city parking lots. Camping is defined as erecting a tent or shelter of natural or synthetic material or preparing a sleeping bag for overnight occupancy. Penalties: a fine of no less than $100 for the first violation. Special events may receive city permission.
   • Council members discussed whether the ordinance covers RVs. The city attorney explained that "shelter" likely includes RVs, but the committee acknowledged that more specific language may be needed in the future. It was confirmed that groups like the Boy Scouts could camp outside designated sites with a special event permit.
   • A question was raised about loitering at Union Park; the city attorney responded that the ordinance is specific to parks and parking lots and does not address sidewalks.
   • The committee voted to forward the ordinance to the full City Council (motion, second, vote carried unanimously).

2. Resolution RES-26:125 – Land-Use Agreement with Northeast Arkansas Children's Museum

   • The committee considered a resolution authorizing a land-use agreement with the Northeast Arkansas Children's Museum for property at 215 W. Monroe Avenue. Key covenants: (1) demolition or alteration of existing buildings is prohibited until long-term capital financing is fully secured and verified; (2) if financing is not secured by January 1, 2030, or if the project fails to proceed or ceases operation, all land, buildings, and improvements revert to the city without encumbrance.
   • Council members questioned the "financing confirmation threshold" clause (3B), which states that either the city council or an administrative representative must confirm financing before demolition. A suggestion was made to change "or" to "and" to require both approvals. The city attorney noted the clause is in the agreement, not the resolution, and the museum is amenable to the edit.
   • The committee voted to forward the resolution to the full City Council (motion, second, vote carried unanimously).

3. GOJO Transit Update (COM-26:048)

   • GOJO Director Lee Wells reported: approximately 200 trips per day in the prior week; 15% of trips used the new UMO payment system. The Red Wolves Express shuttle for football season has been integrated into the regular routing and app. A full campus service for Arkansas State University students was added. Public outreach and social media engagement have increased. A recent public comment period led to route adjustments. Council members requested a written report with performance numbers for future meetings.

4. Parks & Recreation Update (COM-26:049)

   • Parks Director Jim Stearns provided statistics:
     • Pool attendance: 16,263 visitors this summer.
     • Fall youth sports registrations: flag football (336 participants, 28 co-ed teams), soccer (1,449 participants, 129 teams), cheer (51), tackle football (100 fifth/sixth graders), Miracle League (~90), adult softball (25 teams/300 participants), youth softball (31 teams/405 participants), volleyball (323 registered to date, starts in October).
     • Shooting sports: pistol/rifle range saw 3,840 visitors; trap/skeet shot over 8,000 rounds; 223 year/lifetime memberships sold through August 30.
     • Craighead Forest Park traffic: 194,810 cars counted through August 30.
   • Stearns clarified that a social media post about a "parking pass" at Joe McCampbell Park was actually a season pass for youth sports. Traffic patterns on Saturdays will be changed: enter via Harry Drive, exit via Dan Avenue.
   • A fee increase proposal was discussed (e.g., Earl Bell Community Center rental from $700 to $1,000). Stearns explained that Earl Bell has more amenities, and fees were brought in line with other centers. A council member expressed concern about the magnitude of some increases and suggested incremental adjustments.
   • Stearns reported an incident at a baseball tournament where two teams' parents were involved in a fight. The tournament organizer, Grand Slam Sports, has banned both teams from future events and is investigating further. A council member shared that his daughter was assaulted and requested updates on maintaining decorum. Stearns said a ranger assisted with the 911 call and that the banned teams are being addressed.

Key Outcomes

• The consent calendar (minutes from June 16 and July 6, 2026) was approved unanimously.
• Ordinance ORD-26:038 was forwarded to the full City Council (unanimous).
• Resolution RES-26:125 was forwarded to the full City Council (unanimous).
• GOJO and Parks & Recreation directors will provide written reports for future meetings.
• The committee noted the need for improved security at youth sports events; the Parks director will follow up with the tournament organizer and share the incident report.