City of Little Rock

The Board of Directors discussed and approved Resolution No. 15,478, which concerns the usage of Rebuild the Rock Sales and Compensating Use Tax Funds following a future election. A motion to table the resolution until a later date was rejected, as was a motion to amend the allocation of funds among various municipal departments including the Zoo, Early Childhood Education, Public Works, and Public Safety.

This document, the South End Action Plan for 2021, serves as a neighborhood action plan and revision to the South End Area Improvement Plan, developed by the Department of Planning and Development, City of Little Rock, Arkansas. It outlines strategic goals for improving the South End Community across key areas including infrastructure, housing, economic development, parks and recreation, crime reduction, social services, existing land use and rental property, and historical preservation. The plan emphasizes community revitalization, historic preservation, and addressing current challenges to ensure sustainable growth and an enhanced quality of life for residents.

The Board of Directors discussed and approved several consent items, including contracts for a drainage project on Fillmore Street, architectural design services for Fire Station No. 12, and employee benefit consultation services. Additionally, the Board approved ordinances granting a franchise for the use of city right-of-way at 300 Main Street and authorizing a sole-source agreement for 911 service telephone upgrades. Proposed sales and use tax measures were reviewed, with final voting deferred to a later session. A public hearing was held regarding the approval of sources and uses for projected 2021 CDBG, HOME, and HOPWA funds, which was subsequently approved.

The board addressed several key items including the approval of infrastructure improvement contracts for Chicot-Mabelvale Pike and Kanis Road, the refunding of various revenue bonds for the Little Rock Zoo and Parks and Recreation projects, and the authorization of a subaward for repairs to Little Rock Central High School. Additionally, the board approved property annexations, zoning reclassifications, and property donations for neighborhood revitalization. Discussion was also held regarding a request for temporary storage at a commercial site, which was referred back to the Planning Commission. Executive session items focused on various board and commission appointments and the annual evaluations of the City Manager and City Attorney, including a salary adjustment for the City Manager.

The Board of Directors approved an ordinance amending fees for additional curbside recycling containers. The consent agenda included the scheduling of public hearings for sanitary sewer easement abandonments, authorization of various service and purchase contracts for fleet and public works departments, approval of multiple road and drainage improvement projects, and the transfer of city-owned properties for revitalization programs. Additionally, the Board authorized extensions for temporary entertainment districts in the Hillcrest and South Main (SOMA) areas, a comprehensive staffing study for the Police Department, and a mutual aid agreement for fire protection. Grouped items approved by the Board included the abandonment of a portion of Geyer Springs Road, the adoption of a one-foot freeboard requirement for flood hazard areas, and a private club permit application.