The Pine Bluff City Council voted 8-0 Monday for a resolution that aims to improve the parking lot and lights around the Plaza Hotel.
Alderwoman Thelma Walker proposed the Pine Bluff Street Department pave and stripe the parking lots adjacent to the hotel and install lighting for the parking lot next to the hotel complex at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. She asked to amend her proposal by setting a deadline of Oct. 31, 2015, and the council approved it.
Walker said these measures would increase visibility and enhance security.
Street Department Director Rick Rhoden estimates the cost would be $120,000, including taxes. Walker asked Rhoden if he can meet the deadline. Rhoden said he will but another project will be delayed.
These considerations follow Plaza Hotel owner Bruce Rahmani closing his hotel on July 28. He is asking the city to buy the hotel for $3 million. Rahmani is also offering to lease the hotel to the city at $20,000 per month with no money down. In either case, Rahmani has said $1 million in improvements will need to be made to the hotel in order for it to regain a franchise agreement.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Walker said she believes the city does not have the money to buy the hotel. Walker said fixing the parking lot may be a precursor to Rahmani fixing his hotel.
In other business, the council voted 8-0 for a resolution to have the Street Department install stop signs at the intersection of L.A. Prexy Davis Drive and Fluker Street.
The council voted 8-0 for a resolution directing the Street Department to install a three-way stop sign at Westgate Drive and Washington Street. Alderman Lloyd Holcomb Jr. said this measure would prevent accidents.
The city council also took the following actions:
* voted 5-4 for an ordinance to amend an existing ordinance by defining the terms “boarding house” and “rooming house.” Both a boarding house and a rooming house would be defined as a residential structure offering rooms for rent to tenants by contract on a weekly or monthly basis. A boarding house would offer at least one daily meal, whereas a rooming house would not.
Aldermen Glen Brown Sr., George Stepps, Walker and Steven Mays voted no. Aldermen Bill Brumett, Glen Brown Jr., Charles Boyd and Lloyd Holcomb Jr. voted yes. Mayor Debe Hollingsworth broke the tie with a vote in favor of the item.
“I do not know why we need to set rules that we cannot keep,” Walker said.
* voted 8-0 for an ordinance to bring the city into compliance with an Affordable Care Act provision. It states that the city of Pine Bluff would be required to offer health insurance to an employee who works at least 29 hours per week.
* voted 8-0 for an ordinance governing internal promotions and transfers in which employees may be assigned to a job of a higher position for up to 30 days. It would not affect their salary or other benefits.
* voted 8-0 for an ordinance governing municipal employees who are fired. It would allow a fired employee five days to appeal the firing in writing to the human resources department.
* voted 8-0 for an ordinance to close 187 feet of Plum Street south of Brumps Bayou Washout and north of Bell Street. This item overrides a similar ordinance passed on July 20 that was later found to contain an incomplete legal description.
* voted 8-0 for a resolution to authorize the mayor to convey the Geisreiter Subdivision to the current adjacent property owner or the commercial developer of the property, as shall be determined. This item overrides a similar resolution that was later found to contain an incomplete legal description.
* voted 8-0 for a resolution to approve a change of control of the cable television franchise Suddenlink Communications. This item stems from Cequel Corp., the parent of Suddenlink Communications, entering into a purchase and sale agreement with Altice S.A.
* voted 8-0 for a resolution to authorize the mayor to executive an agreement with FTN Associates for professional environmental services for the 601 Main St. Brownfields cleanup project. This item is part of a United States Environmental Protection Agency grant.
* voted 5-3 for a budget adjustment to move $10,500 from permit revenue to permit tax. Walker, Glen Brown Sr. and Mays opposed the measure.
* tabled a proposed budget adjustment that would have moved $180,591 toward an FTA grant. Thelma Walker asked questions to Pine Bluff Transit director Charlina Lacey about $50,000 for an FTA coordinator. Hollingsworth said this is a normal process of receiving a grant and this money has already been approved.
* voted 8-0 for a budget adjustment to move $2,650 into repair and maintain office equipment.