The Pine Bluff City Council held its monthly meeting Tuesday, with all council members present in person and via Zoom they approved several items on their agenda up for its first read and one of which was declared an emergency and fully passed. Mayor Shirley Washington was not present at the meeting.
The ordinance that was declared an emergency was the amendment of a section of the code of ordinances respecting the classification of personnel within the police department. Those positions that were classified were for one chief of police, one assistant chief of police appointed and served at the discretion of the chief of police, two deputy chiefs of police, four captains, eleven lieutenants, and 116 patrolmen.
The Chief of Police Denise Richardson spoke with Deltaplex News after the meeting explaining why these classification changes were necessary.
Another important item on the agenda was a resolution transferring funds from the 2017 5/8 sales tax revenue to the economic and community development department to support the Delta Rhythm and Bayous Cultural District project. The resolution was tabled for the Development and Planning Committee by Chair Bruce Lockett.
Next approved on the agenda included an ordinance to close a portion of the east-west alley located north of the 1100 block of East Harding Ave and between Kentucky and Vermont Streets.
An ordinance amending policy number 106 of the Pine Bluff Police Department Policy and Procedures Manual allows officers that live in proximity to the city limits but reside in Jefferson County to take home a department vehicle.
Richardson also spoke to Deltaplex News about that ordinance.
An ordinance authorizing the issuance of a short-term financing instrument pursuant to amendment 78 of the Arkansas Constitution for the acquisition of equipment for the street department was approved. The resolution explained the city’s desire to purchase certain equipment for the street department. Purchase orders attached to the resolution were with Scott Equipment Company, LLC, John Deer and Company, and Tiger Mowers. The total amount financed is $531,738.70 over a term of sixty months with an interest rate of 4.04% with BankFunding LLC. of Boyds, Maryland.
Council member Lanette Frazier asked how the loan would be paid and Tom Bennett the Director of the Street Department responded this way.
On another subject, a resolution authorizing the acceptance of an Arkansas Public Safety Communications Grant affirming the commitment to provide matching funds for the grant for the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The cost of radio equipment is $197,885.77 and the grant will fund $148,419.33 of those fees only if the city provides a 25% match which totals $49,466.41. The full council approved that resolution, therefore, authorizing the purchase of the radio equipment.
Another resolution involving grant funding was to authorize the Mayor to execute a grant agreement for an award of $46,493 with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. That grant money will go toward the costs of the ‘Pine Bluff Civic Center: Waterproofing/removal of shrubs, trees, and soil from planters, and power wash building project’. The city must agree to expend a cash match in the amount of $23,246.50 and execute a “conservation” easement. The council approved the resolution without contest.
Also, Council member Lloyd Holcomb Jr. conducted the meeting for the Mayor and gave this announcement on her behalf.
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On another topic, the Council approved a resolution declaring certain houses, buildings, and structures as nuisances and ordered their abatement.
Those properties include 711 E. 2nd Ave., 2110 E 2nd Ave., 2614 W. 8th Ave., 2024 W. 11th Ave., 1411 W. 12th Ave., 409 W. 13th Ave., 2222 W. 13th Ave., 3202 W. 17th Ave., 1602 W. 24th Ave., 204 E. 25th Ave., 1800/1802 W. 25th Ave., 1600 W. 26th Ave., 1703 W. 28th Ave., 1604 W. 30th Ave., 2902 W. 30th Ave., 2508 W. 32nd Ave., 1111 W. 37th Ave., 3506 S. Georgia St., 223 S. Larch St., 211 S. Missouri St., and 105 Talbot St.
