An ordinance that would have abolished the Urban Renewal Agency and dissolved the Urban Renewal Board of Commissioners failed Monday night during the Pine Bluff City Council meeting.
The measure was defeated by a 6-2 vote, with only Councilmembers Yvonne Denton and Steven Mays voting in favor of the ordinance.
The outcome was not unexpected, as a majority of council members have previously voted in support of the Urban Renewal Agency.
Last month, the council approved an amended resolution by a 6-2 vote requiring oversight of the Go-Kart Track project by the city’s Public Works Director, including regular progress updates to the council. The measure also reauthorized the transfer of $860,000 in 2025 5/8-cent sales tax carryover funds to support construction, furniture, fixtures and operational costs for the track.
In a separate 6-2 vote, council members approved a resolution authorizing a memorandum of understanding between Go Forward Pine Bluff and the Urban Renewal Agency. Go Forward Pine Bluff has pledged $1.2 million toward the project. Under the agreement, once the city’s $860,000 contribution is exhausted, Urban Renewal may submit invoices to Go Forward Pine Bluff until the full $1.2 million pledge has been utilized.
Additionally, the council voted 6-2 to override Mayor Vivian Flowers’ veto of a resolution expressing support for the Urban Renewal Agency that had previously been approved by a majority of council members.
Councilmember Lloyd Holcomb Jr. spoke with Deltaplex News about the council’s continued support for the Urban Renewal Agency.
During public comment, community organizer Kymara Seals said the situation surrounding Urban Renewal is complex. Holcomb said he agreed with Seals’ assessment.
In other business, the council voted unanimously to allocate $500,000 to Delta Rhythm and Bayous for infrastructure improvements in downtown Pine Bluff.
Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotions Director Sheri Storie spoke with Deltaplex News about how the funds will be used.
The council also unanimously approved the creation of a Transit Services Supervisor position with an annual salary of $42,724. In addition, members approved a resolution authorizing the destruction of outdated records currently being stored by the city.
