Pine Bluff city council met for their monthly meeting to discuss several ordinances and resolutions with seven members present and the absence of Mayor Shirley Washington.
Four of the ordinances featured included the amendment of a code respecting the gross receipts tax on hotels and restaurants to address short-term rentals, food trucks, and related purposes. The council unanimously approved after its third and final reading.
Councilmember Ivan Whitefield spoke with Deltaplex news after the meeting and explained more about this ordinance.
Another ordinance approved was to convert Texas Street between Harding Avenue and 17th Street from a two-way to a one-way street. Whitfield also further elaborated on why this ordinance was enacted.
On the subject of resolutions, the council approved the authorization of the city clerk to destroy checks associated with a closed account and for an existing account for bills that were printed out of order and replaced for related purposes.
Five resolutions authorizing the annual mileage rate set for the operation and maintenance of the Pine Bluff Library, General purposes as authorized and prescribed by law for the city, the Firemen’s Relief and Pension Fund, and the Police’s Relief and Pension Fund.
The council also approved a resolution appropriating funds for the use of the street department for street overlay, maintenance, and improvement of the city roads and streets without contest. The funds were approved to be appropriated from the Arkansas Rescue Plan funds in the amount of $1.5 million.
Two resolutions one authorization issuing a short-term financing instrument amendment and the second involving the renaming of Hazel Street from 13th avenue south to its end in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A resolution authorizing an agreement with Nabholz Environmental Services for asbestos abatement services at the former southeast Middle School was not approved by the council by a four to four vote. Council members Joni Alexander, Steven Mays, Whitfield, and Glen Brown Sr. all opposed the resolution.
During the meeting, Alexander stated why she opposed the resolution.
The resolution to appoint Michael Wayne Vaughn to the Jaycee Golf Course Advisory Board was also approved unanimously. Patrick Locket from Pine Bluff Wastewater Utility was also approved to apply for home rental rehabilitation funds from the city’s economic and community development department to rehabilitate structures he owns.
Two items on the agenda were pulled including the renaming of Hazel Street from 13th avenue south to its end in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr due to the committee having to follow due process to be presented on the agenda.
