The Pine Bluff City Council will meet on Monday at 5:30 p.m. to deliberate on several ordinances and resolutions that aim to address pressing city needs, improve operations and enhance community development.
The council will hold the third and final reading of an ordinance to authorize municipal departments, agencies, boards and commissions to make electronic payments. This ordinance is designed to modernize the city’s payment processes, allowing transactions with vendors and entities that require electronic payment methods. The ordinance also directs the city treasurer, city clerk and finance director to develop policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Arkansas law and record-keeping requirements.
Another ordinance up for its third and final reading proposes the closure of a portion of the east-west alley located in the 1300 block of East Harding Avenue between Pennsylvania and Ohio Streets. The closure is based on a petition and has been approved by the Planning Commission. The city has determined that the public interest will not be adversely affected by this action. The ordinance retains the alley as a utility easement and mandates that the closure be recorded in Jefferson County’s deed records.
The council will vote on a resolution to amend the 2025 municipal budget to reflect adjustments related to the Grant Fund. This includes incorporating a $500,000 Urban and Community Forestry grant awarded to the city for the Municipal Tree Project. The project aims to plant 1,500 trees, conduct 5,000 hours of professional tree pruning, and educate students on urban forestry. The initiative focuses on underserved areas and seeks to enhance the city’s green spaces while promoting environmental education.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
A resolution will be discussed to appropriate $993,408 from the city’s emergency reserve fund to pay Jefferson County for jail expenses owed by the city. This amount includes a judgment, accrued interest and additional jail costs through March 31. The resolution ensures that the debt is paid in full and that the judgment against the city is officially marked as “satisfied.”
The council will consider a resolution to appoint Leslie Woods to the Pine Bluff-Jefferson County Port Authority board. Woods, a seasoned banking professional with extensive leadership experience, is set to replace Jack Adkins and serve a term expiring Oct. 31, 2027. Another resolution proposes the appointment of retired Col. Nate Todd to the Pine Bluff-Jefferson County Port Authority board.
Todd, a distinguished leader with a strong background in public service, will replace Rhonda Dishner and serve a term expiring Oct. 31, 2027. The meeting will also feature committee reports and updates on ongoing city projects. During the Tuesday Pine Bluff Public Works Committee meeting, the committee discussed and considered funding for city projects, including street maintenance, grass cutting and electrical repairs.
The committee discussed bids for the Mitchell Expressway project. Other projects included Opportunity House maintenance and improvements. Funding was a major concern, but the committee eventually moved to send a $52,500 contract for grass cutting to the council for approval, contingent upon funding.
The committee also discussed significant infrastructure projects related to power line replacement and irrigation system upgrades.
Instead of contracting out for the power-line replacement, an in-house solution was proposed.
The committee reviewed grant funding for railroad crossing improvements. A grant of $298,000 was received for improvements at a specific crossing.
The project’s total cost was estimated at $343,451, with the grant covering 80% and the city responsible for the remaining 20%, or $68,000.
It was moved to send the grant award to the council for approval. The committee also discussed various Parks and Recreation activities and security concerns. Upcoming events and programs were highlighted, including a potential basketball team and a softball tournament.
Security at city parks was a major concern. The committee also discussed closing times for parks and the need for increased monitoring. Currently, all city parks close at 8 p.m.