By Ray King
With no dissent, the Pine Bluff City Council on Monday approved a resolution waiving competitive bidding and authorizing Mayor Vivian Flowers to enter into an agreement with Yeah8.
The agreement would allow Yeah8 to exclusively use parts of the Chester Hynes Community Center to implement its programs, with the City continuing to pay utilities and provide maintenance of the facility.
Before the vote, a number of people lined up to speak in support of Yeah8, including Tiki Hunt who is with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 4-H program.
A program overview included with the resolution described Yeah8 Arts and Motion as a “youth centered enrichment initiative designed to promote creativity, mindfulness and academic growth through structured programing that blends the arts, mindfulness, STEM and motion-based activities.”
Also Monday, a resolution adjusting the 2025 Municipal budget to add $45,000 to the legal fees and settlements account was approved by a vote of 5-2.
Those funds will cover the city’s portion of a $90,000 settlement awarded to former Pine Bluff Police Officer Julia Hilliard who had sued the city last year. Hilliard was also reinstated as a patrol officer.
Council members Steven Mays and Lanette Frazier cast the two no votes while all the other council members voted yes.
