The Pine Bluff City Council is scheduled to consider Monday a proposed resolution that aims to improve the parking lot and lights around the Plaza Hotel.
Alderwoman Thelma Walker is proposing 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.
Walker said in the ordinance these measures would increase visibility and enhance security.
Walker did not return a phone message by press time Friday.
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.
In other business, Alderman Lloyd Holcomb Jr. is sponsoring a proposed resolution that would have the Pine Bluff Street Department install a traffic light to blink red and yellow at L.A. Prexy Davis Drive and Fluker Street.
Holcomb is also sponsoring a proposed resolution that would install a three-way stop sign at Westgate Drive and Washington Street. He states in the proposal that this measure would prevent accidents.
Holcomb did not return a phone message by press time Friday.
The city council is also scheduled to consider:
* a third reading of a proposed ordinance that would 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.
* a third reading on a proposed ordinance that would 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.
*a third reading on a proposed 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.
* a third reading of a proposed 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.
* a first reading of a proposed ordinance that would close 187 feet of Plum Street south of Brumps Bayou Washout and north of Bell Street. This item would override a similar ordinance passed on July 20 that was later found to contain an incomplete legal description.
* a proposed 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 would override a similar resolution that was later found to contain an incomplete legal description.
* a proposed 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.
* a proposed resolution that would 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.
* a proposed budget adjustment that would move $2,650 from permit revenue to permit tax.
* a proposed budget adjustment that would move $180,591 toward an FTA grant.
The council meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday in council chambers at the civic complex. Committee meetings begin at 5 p.m.