North Little Rock Business License Renewals

Please be advised the Renewal Notices / Invoices for North Little Rock Privilege / Business Licenses will be mailed on or about January 1, 2009. The renewal period is from January 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009. Licenses renewed after March 31, 2009 will be assessed a penalty. If you or someone you know is doing business in the City of North Little Rock and they DO NOT receive a renewal notice by January 15, 2009, please call 501-340-5319 so we can resend the invoice.

This The Season For Taking, Too!

We celebrate this Season by giving to each other. Unfortunately the season of taking from each other continues on throughout the year! And so we must once again report on a crime of opportunity taking place in NLAN this week.

This past weekend items removed from a parked truck were change, mini-mag flashlight and most importantly, the vehicle's registration certificate and insurance card. It is these last two items that our NLANders are most concerned about for they are worried that someone might try to have a key made for the truck by using the registration and proof of insurance as an ID authorizing a key to be cut.

In this case the owner thought he had locked the truck but it was actually unlocked! It was parked behind their garage, in the alley that serves the homes located on both Fairway Blvd, and Lakewood Drive. Please, make sure at all times that all vehicles parked out in the open are indeed locked! Your driveway is not immune to burglars looking for thefts of opportunity on our NLAN streets! Be safe! Be aware!

Happy Holidays

To all our dear NLANders, to all our fellow neighborhood associations, crime watches and groups, and to all our elected employees at the NLR City Hall and their dedicated staff & workers, we want to pause from the rush of the season to offer this message of peace, hope and good cheer for and to all:


Merry Christmas
and
Happy Holidays!

NLR City Offices closing

North Little Rock City Offices will be closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (December 24, 25, and 26). If you need to speak with us, please call before 4:30 p.m. today … or we’ll talk to you Monday!
Sanitation routes will run as scheduled Wednesday. Thursday’s route will be picked up on Friday and Friday’s route will be picked up on Saturday.
Merry Christmas to all!

Request That Democracy Be Exercised

This coming Monday at 7:00 PM the NLR City Council will be meeting upstairs at City Hall. Given the published agenda it promises to be one interesting evening to see democracy in action. For there are many ordinances requiring much factual information to be exposed and digested and we can only hope that the democratic process will openly process everyone of them! We have questions - will we receive clear and understandable answers from our city leaders? Two major subjects to be considered are:

1) The 2009 NLR City Budget is up for approval. They are talking approximately 48 to 53 million dollars. Question: Will it be allocated in a manner to achieve the best bang for our buck given our community's infrastructure and safety needs?

2) Tax Incremental Financing (TIFs) as it may impact our public school system's finances - this promises to be very lively since legal action may be involved between our City and our NLR School District. Question: Will the common NLR citizen be given a chance to become correctly informed on the pros and cons of this ordinance as it may affect them today as well as their children and grandchildren tomorrow?

Mayor Hays will convene a public hearing to address both of these ordinances. This is democracy in action! We can only hope that this process will produce clear and understandable knowledge for all citizens to digest! Given the multi-layered context of these matters it is unfortunate that a deadline of next Mondays council meeting, December 22 has been established for a vote. Question: Will there be enough time available next Monday evening to allow for understanding of the issues for an informed vote by the Council?

This City Council Meeting may be the most important one of 2008 that affects our quality of life for next year and beyond! You don't want to miss it! If you are planning on being at City Hall - get their early for a seat! If you can't be there then watch it live on Comcast Channel 4 or set your recorders to see it later. Democracy in action - come Monday let us hope it is an example of it's finest quality for all of us!

Someone once said: "A picture is worth a thousand words!" You know - it might just help us all to understand.

City Council Agenda - Monday, December 22, 2008

Please clink on the link below or copy and paste into your browser --
http://www.northlittlerock.ar.gov/government/agenda.asp

NLAN: Follow-Up On "Shop With A Cop" Program

This is a follow-up to our Blog posting of November 22nd. You may have caught tonight's KTHV Channel 11 news report offering a review of the North Little Rock Police Department's "Shop With A Cop" program status. It was wonderful to see where both NLR citizen's and local businesses' monetary contributions have exceeded the initial program goals. This has resulted in an additional 25 children (was 50 now 75) will have an additional $50.00 Wal-Mart Gift Card amount (was $150.00 now $200.00) to shop with a cop for their family's Christmas gifts! The first of two shopping days was today - the second will be next Sunday, December 14th. We personally know of NLANders whom have made a contribution to the "SWAC" Program through Twin City Bank and as late as tonight they still are asking how to do it! Just stop in any TCB Bank branch office and they will take care of your request. Also Tommy can be reached through his personal cell phone - 366-4330 to answer any and all questions.

Way to go NLR Police Officer Tommy Norman! Your passion to give back to your community has caught on and only will set the bar higher in reaching out to more needy families for this Christmas and the next ones to follow. You and your fellow police officers are creating positive attitudes for both children and adults - a win-win situation for their future and ours.

Hark, a New Voice For NLR to Hear!

Scott Miller of Argenta News has re-launched his web-site newspaper; the Dogtown Wire is now the NLR Daily News. The web site address is: http://www.nlrdailynews.com/ . Scott Miller says: "We look at NLR Daily News as an "open source" news site much like Linux was developed with thousands of contributors in a free and open environment, we hope dozens and hundreds of you will become involved in the development and publication of news at North Little Rock Daily News."

Someone once said it takes a whole village to raise a child. Well to raise this child we'll all need to pitch in and contribute to its growth! Take the personal time to read and whenever and wherever you deem it to be appropriate let the NLR Daily News hear from you - their link is posted to the right on our NLAN Blog!

Family Holiday Concert and Children's Fair

Family Holiday Concert and Children's Fair in North Little Rock on December 13, 2008.

The Childrens Fair is at 6:30 p.m., and the Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. The Christmas concert is by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra -- a beautiful evening of music in the safe comfortable environment of the NLR High School East Campus Auditorium. It is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit, and is less than half the cost of the Little Rock Christmas concert, thanks to sponsorships by the city, the Visitors Center, the School District, and a variety of business and individual sponsors.

If you need any more information, please call 340-5305.

North Little Rock City Council Agenda - Monday, December 8

Please clink on the link below or copy and paste into your browser --
http://www.northlittlerock.ar.gov/government/agenda.asp

NLR Planning Commission December 9

Subdivision Administrative:
1. SPR-2135-08 Enderlin Subdivision, Lot 5 (Site Plan Review of office/warehouse located at 10503 Maumelle Blvd)
2. Rep-2136-08 US Fuel Addition, Lot 1, (Replat and Site Plan Review of a convenience store located at 623 N. Cypress)
3. NS-2137-08 Burkhalter Apartments, Lot 1 (Preliminary plat review and Site Plan review of apartments at Paul Eells Drive and Counts Massie)
4. NS-2138-08 Cougill Addition, Lot 1 (Preliminary plat review and Site Plan review of outdoor storage of roofing materials at Dewafflebaker and Riverview Corporate Drive)
Public Hearing – Old Business:
1. Special Use #660. To allow a sexually oriented business in a C-3 zone. The location is at 6615 Highway 70. Third time on agenda.
2. Special Use #661. To allow a transitional home for 8 male parolees in a C-3 zone. The location is at 1721 Maple Street. Third time on agenda.
3. Rezone #1468. To rezone property from C-3 to R-1 to allow a house, and to amend the land use plan. The location is at 126 High Drive. Second time on agenda.
Public Hearing – New Business:
4. Special Use #666. To allow a daycare center in an R-3 zone. The location is at 924 East 14th.
5. Special Use #667. To allow an auto service and transmission center in a C-1 zone. The location is at 5308 JFK Blvd.
6. Rezoning #1470. To rezone property from C-4 to R-4 to allow apartments and to amend the land use plan. The location NE of the intersection of Counts Massie and Paul Eells Drive.
7. Public Hearing #1471. Amend the land use plan in the Counts Massie / Paul Eells Drive.
8. Public Hearing #1472. Amendments to the zoning ordinance. To be also heard at the Jan. and Feb. 2009 Planning Commission meetings.
Public Comment / Adjournment: Your browser may not support display of this image.

A True Seasonal Blessing - Shop With A Cop!

This coming week we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day and pause to reflect on our many blessings we enjoy with family and close friends. One such blessing the whole City of North Little Rock enjoys is Police Officer Tommy Norman and his passion to give back to his City and its citizens in need. Tommy started the 'Shop With A Cop' program and it has grown every year. We invited Officer Norman to our NLAN Meeting of November 3rd to hear about details of this year's 'SWAC Program' and he offered the following pointers.

After completing a personal review of families to determine those children to be invited Officer Norman will conduct two shopping trips to Wal-Mart on December 7th and 14th with 25 children on each Sunday. Each child will be given an $150.00 Wal-Mart gift card to shop for family Christmas presents. A key to this program is that a NLR Cop will walk the isles with each child as they shop!

Thanks to the passion of Officer Norman there have been many donations received, with Wal-Mart giving $5,000 to the program! More donations are requested, and you can make one at any Twin City Bank Branch's 'Shop With A Cop' account. If you want to be part of the action and personally make a contribution they need gift wrappers to finish off the family gifts the children have chosen. For details Officer Norman can be reached on his personal cell phone at 366-4330 or e-mailed at tommy.norman@NLRPolice.org.

Tis' the Season to be Thankful, and we have NLR Police Officer Tommy Norman to thank for showing us one way to reach out and care for others in need with his 'Shop With A Cop Program'! Not only does it identify and address immediate personal needs but helps in building positive attitudes between children and police officers in blue for both the child's future and ours! Once again we thank you, Tommy, for your passion!

Drive-By Burglary - Vehicle's Window of Opportunity

Last Thursday evening between 7 and 7:30 PM a NLANder's locked truck parked on Oak Tree Circle in front of the house was broken into. The thieves stole a GPS system and radar detector. Unfortunately both items were visible and attached to the front windshield, in plain sight of anyone driving by looking for easy black market items for cash. These burglars were very bold, striking while most residents were still up and about with their house lights on - a sign that times are very hard, indeed! Once again we are reminded that easy marks like GPS, radar detectors and other valuables should be removed from the vehicle, or at least hidden out of sight whenever it is parked out in the open be it in our home driveway, on a neighborhood street as well as a commercial parking lot! We are being targeted at all times and at all locations. Providing them with visible confirmation of an enriched target vehicle is only asking to be violated! Be aware! Take steps to be safe!

There Be Leaves

They have just started to come and many more are on the way! Soon they will taking us over! No we are not talking about 'the body-snatcher pods' of Sic-Fi movie lore but simply our own beautiful leaves. Yes we will all be blowing and raking our 'summer shade' into plastic bags or to the curb for the ole' city vacuum snorkel crew. If you choose to bag your leaves they will be picked up weekly by the NLR yard debris crews scheduled for either Mondays or Tuesdays for NLAN.

If you are looking forward to the city's snout to pick up your leaves then timing is ultra important! No sense in bringing them early to the curb and then have the wind re-distribute them up and down the street to other properties. And if while waiting to be picked up they fall into the street gutter and block drainage then we have more problems! So call the Public Works Hot Line at 371-8355 and hit #3 on the phone menu for the current NLR leaf pick-up street area schedule. Please make sure your leaves are laying within six feet of the curb but out of the gutter, too!. Coordinating your leaves curb deposits with the scheduled vacuum crew for our area works out best for everyone. Thank you for your consideration and work efforts to do so!

North Little Rock City Council Agenda - Monday, November 24, 2008

Please clink on the link below or copy and paste into your browser --
http://www.northlittlerock.ar.gov/government/agenda.asp

Increased School Traffic --

Word in the news is that beginning this coming Wednesday morning approximately 750+ Sherwood Clinton Elementary School children will be attending school at the First Assembly of God Church on Burrow Drive. This is a temporary measure while their home school's roof trusses are repaired. Needless to say we will be encountering more vehicular traffic coming in at early morning and leaving at mid-afternoon times. Please be aware of this additional traffic in our neighborhood along with the little ones on Burrow Drive. For their safety and ours we may need to adjust our morning departure times and routs from NLAN. Please stay calm and drive safe!

Levy 3.0 Project changes name

We want to say "Welcome" to an ol' NLR Blog site that has changed its name - from 'Levy 3.0 Project' to the 'North Little Rock News' (http://northlittlerocknews.blogspot.com/) . We continue to look forward to them providing community news of interest to help keep us on our toes! We have posted them as a link on the right side of our blog, replacing the former 3.0 link. Why not tap in and see what they're all about!

Rose City Neighborhood Association "Child Safety Day"

Please accept an invitation to join them Saturday, November 15th from 11am - 2pm for their 1st Annual Child Safety Day. The NLRPD will be conducting child finger printing and car seat safety checks. The NLR FD will be on hand with a truck and the smoke house. Free food, fun, and games with prizes. There will be 6 drawings for gift cards to Toys-r-Us and Wal-Mart for the children. If you get a chance, load up the family and come on out.

Behind the Adult Education Center, 4300 Haywood Street

Final Roll Call For Our Military Veterans

On this Veterans Day of 2008 we wanted to note that one of the best kept secrets to honor our Military Veterans is the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, located at 1501 W. Maryland Avenue, across from the NLR Airport. In 1997 the 81st Arkansas General Assembly authorized the establishment of a state veterans cemetery, with its dedication taking place in November of 2001. Take JFK Blvd. (Hwy. 107) north into Sherwood, past Kiel Avenue to Maryland Avenue and turn left. You will find well planned grounds with beautiful natural landscaping lending to the peace and quite so deserving for our soldier's final resting place.

Some of the benefits available to honorably discharged veterans of Arkansas include a head stone and internment at no cost! The veteran's spouse and any qualified dependents may be buried with them at a cost of $150.00 each. Other considerations available in recognition of their service to our Country are niches available for cremations, and if the ashes are located elsewhere a memorial can be established on the cemetery grounds for visitation viewing.

We would suggest that if this opportunity applies you take a short drive out Maryland Avenue and see for yourself what is available. Please consider calling the Cemetery Director, Mitch Shelnut, at 683-2259 or e-mail him at Mitch.Shelnut@arkansas.gov for more details. The Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery is truly a fine resting place for all honorable discharged Arkansas Veterans making their final roll call!

North Little Rock City Council Agenda - Monday, November 10, 2008

Please clink on the link below or and paste into your browser --
http://www.northlittlerock.ar.gov/government/agenda.asp

NLAN Meeting November 3, 2008

Lakewood Property Owners Association (LPOA) Activity Center
4500 Lakeshore Drive (west side of Lake #3, south of McCain Blvd. 758-1792)
6:30 PM Meet & Greet
7:00 PM Meeting Starts
8:30 PM Meeting Ends

1. Welcome and introduction of NLAN Officers & Guests.
VP: John Sims Sec.: Faye Kirkwood Tres.: Lynda Etheridge
2. Approval of Minutes – August 18, 2008 NLAN Meeting - Faye Kirkwood
Previously distributed in our October Newsletter for review. Motion for approval!
3. NLAN Treasurer’s Report - Lynda Etheridge
4. NLR Grid Crime & Safety Reports - Sergeant Jim Bona & Officer Brandon Davidson
5. NLR Fire Station #7 Report -
6. Code Enforcement Report - Officer Russ Elrod
7. NLR Licensed Peddler’s ID Card Review
8. Metropolitan Reality’s Five Mile Creek Development Status Report
9. Proposed NLR Neighborhood Street Parking Ordinance - Alderman Hight
10. NLR City Happenings: Ward 4 Aldermen Murry Witcher & Charlie Hight
11. NLAN Identification Badges.
12. NLR Police Officer Tommy Norman: Presenting two community programs - ‘Shop With A Cop’ & ‘The Season of Giving’
13. NLAN Nominating Committee: John Hooker, 758-3610 – Judy McDowall, 758-1668 – Kevin Nichols, 771-4409
14. What’s On Your Mind?
15. Next Regular Scheduled NLAN Meeting: February 2, 2009 Location: TBA

Planning Commission Agenda - November

November 12, 2008
Administrative: Parking Regulations ordinance
Approval of Minutes: October 14, 2008
Subdivision Administrative:
1. NS-2133-08 Indian Hills Subdivision, Lot B-R2, Block 17 (Preliminary Plat and Site Plan Review of a restaurant at JFK and Indian Hills Drive)
2. SPR-2132-08 Riverview Business Park, Lot 3 (Site Plan Review of Conveyor Technology on the north end of Riverview Corporate Drive)
3. SPR-2092-08 Collins Industrial Park, Lot 18B (Amending Site Plan Review of retail center across from Walmart on Crystal Hill Road)
Public Hearing – Old Business:
1. Special Use #660. To allow a sexually oriented business in a C-3 zone. The location is at 6615 Highway 70.
2. Special Use #661. To allow a transitional home for 8 male parolees in a C-3 zone. The location is at 1721 Maple Street.
Public Hearing – New Business:
3. Special Use #664. To allow mining to create a private lake in an I-2 zone. The location is at 9802 Highway 165.
4. Rezone #1468. To rezone property from C-3 to R-2 to allow a house, and to amend the land use plan. The location is at 126 High Drive.
5. Rezone #1469. To rezone property from Conservation to C-3 to allow retail, and to amend the land use plan. The location is southwest of the intersection of Crystal Hill and Dewaffelbakker Drive.
6. Conditional Use #49. To allow a warehouse/office with docks in a C-3 zone. The location is at the north end of Riverview Corporate Drive.
Public Comment / Adjournment: Your browser may not support display of this image.

North Little Rock Christmas Parade Scheduled

The North Little Rock Christmas parade is scheduled for Sunday, December 7 at 2:00 p.m. The theme for the parade this year is “Peace on Earth.”
All clubs, organizations, schools, churches and businesses are encouraged to participate in the parade. An entry form may be obtained by calling the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce at 501-372-5959 or by stopping by the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce at 100 Main Street. All entries must have entertainment appeal by being in costume or decorated. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. at Pershing and Main and will continue down Main Street to Washington Avenue. There will be only one Santa Claus in the parade. The entry deadline is November 30.
The North Little Rock Christmas Parade is sponsored by the North Little Rock Sertoma Club and the City of North Little Rock. For more information or a parade entry form, contact the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce at 372-5959.

NLR Youth Council is collecting items for November projects

The North Little Rock Mayor’s Youth Council are collecting items for a project they are working on. Call Braye Cloud, Director of Youth Services at 340-5309 or Jan Scholl at 834-3784 if you have any questions.

Voting 101 on Casting Your Ballot

With the extremely high interest in both the national and local political races we are expecting a very heavy voter turnout for this election, and this week's early voting numbers confirm this! Hopefully we will see first-timers coming in to vote, both young and well, the not so young! For this reason we thought it appropriate to offer some guidance on how to cast your ballot on election day at our Precinct 50 Central Baptist Church location which will use the Optical Scan System to tabulate your vote. It's as simple as 1-2-3-Vote:

1. Receive Ballot - A poll worker issues a paper ballot and directs you to a voting booth.
2. Select - To select your candidate, use a pen to fill in the oval beside the candidate's name you wish to choose.
3. Review - Check your ballot carefully for overvotes or undervotes and for any votes you may wish to change. *If you make a mistake, simply ask the poll worker for another ballot; you may spoil up to two and vote a third.
4. Vote - Place your ballot in the optical scanner (after leaving the voting booth.).

* What if you make a mistake on your ballot? If you have not yet put your ballot into the ballot box, you may ask an election official for another ballot. You will be asked to sign a Spoiled Ballot Affidavit. Do not hesitate to start over. You may "spoil" up to two ballots and receive another (three ballots total). Once you drop your ballot in the ballot box, no changes can be made.

You should be receiving a sample Precinct 50 ballot with your NLAN Newsletter, mailed to arrive at your home tomorrow Saturday the 25th. Our thanks to Arkansas Secretary of State Charlie Daniels for his complimentary issue "Voting 101 - A Pocket Guide to Voting in the Natural State". www.sos.arkansas.gov

Argenta Neighborhood Block Party

Sunday Oct. 26 4 - 8 pm Corner of 4th & Orange Streets

Live Music Performed by Runaway Planet
Free Food and Fun Activities for all Ages! Prize Drawings!
Visit the Argenta Community Garden and Tour the Historic Manees House
For more information or to volunteer, contact Eric Francis at squirrelhenge@gmail.com.

Up-Date on NLR Peddlers License

Received word from Jerry Reagan, NLR Director of Fiscal Control, that the current NLR Peddlers License has been improved. His office number and a unique license number have been added for easy verification of the license. These changes were the result of suggestions we offered to Jerry at our August NLAN Meeting. Also, Jerry states that he is considering developing a pre-printed blank license form so that it would be more difficult to make copies on an ink-jet printer. And to address our other concern regarding verification of the license after regular office business hours he is looking into adding a page to the NLR City's Website to post issued licenses on so that residents with internet access could indeed verify. Our thanks to Director Jerry Reagan for stepping up to the plate in his recognition of NLAN's and our fellow neighbor's concerns, and his commitment to continuous improvement! Below is the current NLR Peddlers License with noted improvements.

Early Voting -- WHY WAIT?

Pulaski County Regional Building 501 W. Markham Street, Little Rock
M-F Oct. 20-24 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sat. Oct. 25 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
M-F Oct. 27-31 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sat. Nov. 1 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Mon. Nov. 3 Last day 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Last day

Other Early Voting Locations:
Early voting will be available at the following locations on the dates and times indicated:
Sue Cowan Williams Library 1800 S. Chester Little Rock
Dee Brown Library 6325 Baseline Road Little Rock
Roosevelt Thompson Library 38 Rahling Circle Little Rock
William F. Laman Library 2801 Orange Street North Little Rock
Jacksonville City Hall #1 Industrial Drive Jacksonville
Jess Odom Community Center 1100 Edgewood Drive Maumelle
Jack Evans Senior Citizen Ctr 2301 Thornhill Dr Sherwood
McMath Branch Library 2100 John Barrow Road Little Rock
M-F Oct. 20-24 - 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sat. Oct. 25 - 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
M-F Oct. 27-31 - 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sat. Nov. 1 Last day : 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Last day :

Candidate Forum Broadcast

The NLR Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum was held Tuesday October 21st. It was reported that the forum would be recorded for broadcast on Comcast cable. Actually it was taped-delayed by NLRTV and will be seen on NLR Comcast Cable's Channel 4. This morning I talked with NLRTV and they reported they had received over 123 phone calls since last evening wanting to know when it would be shown, and that they were trying to edit the tape as quickly as they could. They stated that the first broadcast will be on Thursday October 23rd at 6, 8 and 10:00 pm Subsequent program broadcasts should be carried daily and we will have to check the community bulletin board postings on Channel 4 for their times. I trust this information is correct for you don't want to miss this one! Stay tuned!

Pre-Votin Ballot

Prior to voting early or on Election Day, if you would like an advanced peek at the November 4th General Election Ballot it is available on the web at www.pulaskiclerk.com . This is a custom ballot tailored for NLANders scheduled to vote at the Precinct 50-1 Central Baptist Church. Just follow the directions offered on the site and you will receive the ballot as well as confirm your voter registration status! Doing so will also provide you a review of the three Proposed Constitutional Amendments, Proposed Initiative Act No. 1 and Referred Question No.1 (referred to the People by the General Assembly).
In an effort to try and make sure all NLANders have the ballot copy we will be placing it in and with our NLAN Newsletter to be mailed this coming Friday to every home. Also, as a last minute effort we will have copies available at our forthcoming NLAN Meeting on Monday November 3rd at the Lakewood Property Owners Association Activity Room, 4500 Lakeshore Drive. Greet & meet will be at 6:30 pm and the meeting will start at 7:00 pm. The meeting agenda and more details will be in our newsletter. Thank you, and we hope to see all NLANders on the evening before our 'national voting day freedom celebration' begins!

Arkansas Spay or Neuter License Plate

North Little Rock Friends of Animals has submitted an application has been made with the Arkansas Department of Motor Vehicles for a Statewide Spay or Neuter Specialty License Plate Decal. If you are interested in signing the petition, please contact either Billy Grace, Director North Little Rock Animal Control at 501-791-8577 or Diane Whitbey at 501-340-5320.

October 27, 2008 North Little Rock City Council Agenda

Please clink on the link below or and paste into your browser --
http://www.northlittlerock.ar.gov/government/agenda.asp

Reminder For Today!

North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Political Candidate Forum today.
5:00 p.m. Reception
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Candidates Q & A
For more information, call 372-5959.

North Little Rock Fire Department’s Annual Fire Fest today (rescheduled due to rain).
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Kroger Parking Lot on McCain
Free Hot Dogs, Snow Cones and more! Demonstrations, Fire Smokehouse, hands-on activities!
Bring the kiddos!
For more information, call 340-5377.

Be Better Informed

There are forthcoming opportunities for all NLANders to be better informed on the NLR Mayoral Candidates seeking our votes, as well as personal knowledge to be gained on the candidates for NLR Aldermen seeking City Council seats in Wards 1, 2, and 3. Our Alderman Charlie Hight is unopposed in Ward 4. Following please refer to two of these opportunities with Comcast Cable viewing schedules which will provide you with information to become a better informed voter:
Pulaski County League of Women Voters Candidate Forum held October 7th. Post viewing schedule for Comcast Cable Channel 18, NLRTV is:
Saturday, October 18th - 1:30 PM
Monday, October 20th - 7:30 PM
Tuesday, October 21st - 9:00 AM
Saturday, October 25th - 1:30 PM
Monday, November 3rd - 7:30 PM
North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Forum to be held Tuesday October 21 - 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Mayoral candidates are scheduled to speak first, then those running for alderman. For more information, call the NLR Chamber at 372-5959. This event will be broadcast on Comcast Cable Channel 4, NLRTV.

Fire Fest

This coming Tuesday, October 21st the North Little Rock Fire Department will be sponsoring "Fire Fest," to be held on the parking lot of Krogers, McCain Blvd. location. This is an annual event that promises to be both informational as well as fun for the whole family - children and parents! We understand that it will be available from noon until approx. 8:00 PM. Besides fire engines and trucks on display they will have their "smoke house" and other activities! Stop by and meet some of the men & women that place their lives on the line every day for you and those you love!

HOT TIP: Do you need a smoke alarm for your house? Do you need a battery replaced in your smoke alarm? If so call 340-5377 and tell the NLR Fire Department that under their "Focus Program" you would like to request a free smoke alarm and/or battery replacement. Your NLR Fire Department will personally deliver and install the alarm or battery! That's right - deliver and installed at no cost! While quantities last! Now if you do call be prepared for a fire engine or truck to come and park in front of your house for delivery, for we have been told that our firemen can not leave their vehicles back in the firehouse while they are at your house providing this excellent personal service! Almost sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? But you see - they do care about the citizens of NLR! Please don't abuse this service - but please be safe!

Pulaski County Property Taxes Due

2007 Property Taxes will be delinquent as of October 11, 2008. For your convenience in making your tax payments, there is a drop box on the left side of Second Street between Spring and Broadway. This method of receiving your payment will be available until midnight October 10.
Downtown Office Extended Hours:
Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday - October 8, 9, & 10
We will be open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
http://public.pulaskicountytreasurer.net/
Welcome to the official website of the Pulaski County Treasurer's Office where we strive to provide you with courteous and professional service. This website was created and is maintained to provide you with easily accessible and up to date information. From this site you will be able to find general tax information, convenient branch locations, helpful links, the ability to pay your taxes online and much more.

Amboy Block Party

We at the New Amboy Neighborhood Association would like to extend a formal invitation to you and your representatives. We will be having a Block Party on Saturday, October 18th, at 260 Military Road. That is the Parking lot of the Bookkeeping Plus on Military Road.
The Party will start at 1:00 pm. We would love to have representatives from every Neighborhood group and whomever you represent. Bring some literature about your particular organization to hand out.
We are really expecting a large crowd. People in the area are really excited about our new association and the response is getting a little overwhelming. Candidates have been invited and all have confirmed. They will be allowed to speak after 2:00 pm. We hope you all can find time to attend, if not for the full thing, drop by and show some support for our efforts. We want to meet you all, and hope that we can all work together for a better NLR.
Paul Myrick
Amboy Neighborhood Association

rosecityna.blogspot.com

Greetings Neighbor,
Hey, its Paulette here, Vice President of the Rose City Neighborhood Association. Just wanted to let you know about our new blog located at rosecityna.blogspot.com . Please stop in, take a look around, say "hey", post some comments, and please know that I am open to suggestions! This is our first blog and we are still trying to get things updated and added. Hope to meet you all soon !
Paulette Gorman
VP, RCNA

North Little Rock City Council meeting to be October 13

Please clink on the link below or and paste into your browser --
http://www.northlittlerock.ar.gov/government/agenda.asp

Another break-in

There have been two reported cases of breaking into cars on McKee Circle. Once again, please take everything out of your car and lock it.

NLR Planning Commission - October 14

Agenda Meeting / Public Hearing 4:45 PM
Administrative:
Arkansas Planning Association Conference – October 23-24, Fayetteville
Memo concerning trailer courts and manufactured homes
Approval of Minutes: September 9, 2008
Subdivision Administrative:
1. NS-2128-08 Overbrook Addition, Phase 19, Lots 19-41, Block 31 (Preliminary Plat of residential lots in the Overbrook addition)
2. NS-2129-08 Boulevard Business Center Add, Lot 1 (Preliminary plat and Site Plan Review of office warehouse buildings located on Dewafflebaker Drive)
3. SPR-2130-08 Walmart Commercial Addition, Lot 8 (Site Plan Review of a strip shopping center located at middle entrance to Walmart along Maumelle Blvd)
4. SPR-2132-08 Riverview Business Park, Lot 3 (Site Plan Review of Conveyor Technology on the north end of Riverview Corporate Drive)
5. NS-1863-05 Faulkner Crossing Addition, Phase 1-6 (approval of a new phasing plan creating smaller phases, going from 6 phases to 11 phases to allow more flexability)
Public Hearing – Old Business: None
Public Hearing – New Business:
1. Special Use #658. To allow 10 storage containers in a C-3 zone. The location is at 12001 Maumelle Blvd.
2. Special Use #657. To allow year round sales of mulch, firewood, fencing, landscape rocks and Christmas trees in a C-3 zone. The location is at 3929 McCain Blvd.
3. Special Use #661. To allow a transitional home for 8 male parolees in a C-3 zone. The location is at 1721 Maple Street.

Public Comment / Adjournment:

Rose City Neighborhood Association

We just heard the good news that the new Rose City Neighborhood Association has established their own blog site: http://rosecityna.blogspot.com and we will be adding their blog address as a link on our NLAN blog. We are encouraged by this news and anticipate improved communications with our neighbors in Rose City. We say welcome! And we look forward to hearing from you as a member of our NLR Electronic Neighborhood Group!

Junior League of NLR - TRUNK OR TREAT

NLR Comcast Candidate Questions

The League of Women Voters will be conducting their candidate question and answer session for North Little Rock mayoral and alderperson candidates next week. The session will not be open to the public; however it will be taped and rebroadcast several times on the Comcast community access channels. A representative from the North Little Rock business community, League of Women Voters and a representative from the North Little Rock neighborhoods will each be allowed to ask questions of the candidates from Ward 1, Ward 2 & Ward 3 as well as the mayoral candidates.

I have been asked to participate as the representative of the neighborhoods. I believe there are many very intelligent and dedicated people in our neighborhoods and I am asking for your help in finding the right questions to ask of the candidates. Please e-mail me at segwalls@swbell.net with the question you would like asked in each of the three alderperson races and mayoral race. Please keep in mind, given the time restraints, I will probably only get to ask at most 2 or 3 questions of each alderperson candidate and maybe 4 or 5 of each mayoral candidate. The questions must be succinct and to the point. The questions should also address neighborhood specific issues. I would appreciate citizen’s questions that are serious and I look forward to finding the best questions to ask our candidates.

Scott Miller
Vice President
Unified Neighborhood Coalition

Welcome to the Amboy Watch Blog

I want to take this opportunity to announce a new endeavor to create a neighborhood group and blog to go along with it - the Amboy Watch Blog (we haven't decided a name for the group yet). We are hoping it will be an extension of the Old Amboy Crime watch, and that they will embrace it and we can be one big happy group.
We are working daily to get organized and need all the help we can get. We have about 60 people so far interested in being involved. I hope that you all will also include us in your prayers as we move to do what we need to do.
This is a work in progress and hope if you all have any suggestion you keep them to yourself ... NO, Just kidding. Any suggestion and help you all could give will be greatly appreciated. The address of the groups blog is: http://amboywatchers.blogspot.com/
Paul Myrick BDD

Council Meeting - Monday, September 22

North Little Rock City Council Meeting - Monday, September 22


Please clink on the link below or and paste into your browser --
http://www.northlittlerock.ar.gov/government/agenda.asp

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT - September 25

Reading/Approval of Minutes: August 27, 2008
Old Business:
1. BOA CASE # 1411 – Mr. Rob Callahan – 5119 John F. Kennedy Blvd – Lot 8 Block 201 Park Hill Addition – To waive the requirements for screening or relocation of the dumpster as required by section 12.24 of the zoning ordinance.
New Business:
1. BOA CASE # 1412 – Mr. Tom Whit Waller – 3420 Avondale Rd – Lot 44, Block 127 Park Hill Addition – To allow a lot split of lot 44, Block 127 Park Hill addition, creating two lots. One lot with a variance of 6.3 ft. on the minimum lot width, the other with a 13.7 ft. variance on the minimum lot width allowed.
2. BOA CASE # 1413 – Mr. Elmer Platt, Jr. – 1308 W. 47th Street – Lot 2, Counts Addition – To allow a carport within the front yard, 1.5 ft. from the front yard property line.
3. BOA Case # 1414 – Mrs. Laura Stanley – 436 Skyline Drive – Lot 26 & West 1/2 of Lot 27, Block 107, Park Hill Addition – To allow a variance of 3.5 ft to the side yard setback for an attached carport to a residence.

Administrative:
Public Comment/ Adjournment: Open forum

Council Meeting -- This Monday

North Little Rock City Council Meeting - Monday, September 8, 2008


Please clink on the link below or and paste into your browser --
http://www.northlittlerock.ar.gov/government/agenda.asp

Power to the People to be Heard!

Your attention is invited to an item on this coming Monday's NLR City Council Meeting Agenda that merits our gratitude to Ward 3 Alderman, Cary Gains and Ward 1 Alderwoman, Debi Ross. Under New Business Resolutions they are the sponsors for "Resolution R-08-140 - A Resolution Establishing The Rules Of Procedure For Citizen Commentary At City Council Meetings; And For Other Purposes." In reading this resolution we find: 'Whereas, the City Council desires to afford citizens a meaningful opportunity to be heard regarding issues to be decided by the Council and the present procedures often overlook those people with an interest in a particular issue', and "Whereas, the Council prefers for all voices wishing to be heard on an agenda item be heard before the vote upon the item." The key words spoken here is "before the vote"! It should be noted that this proposed resolution to allow public comment on agenda items "shall exclude those items set for public hearing where public comment is already allowed".

Based on current NLR City Council's rules of conduct the public hearing comments are one directional, meaning the speaker can present their position points and questions to the Council, however the Council is not required to respond in turn with their answers, comments or subsequent questions for and to the speaker. Thus it would appear that the provision for a 'Town Hall Meeting" is the only opportunity to have a give and take on an issue being considered. And we know that town hall meetings are now scarce in most Wards, and the lead time to pull one together would be very limited given the fact that public notice for many resolutions and ordinances only appear approximately two weeks in advance as Council agenda items to be read and processed.

However we must still applaud Gaines and Ross in their efforts to involve the citizens of North Little Rock in this fine example of our democracy being exercised 'by the people and for the people'. Yes, it is understood that passing Resolution R-08-140 will result in slowing down the tempo for Council's passage on resolutions and ordinances, perhaps reducing the rate of 'suspending the rules and declaring an emergency' to expedite the legislative process, and may even result in longer times for Council Meetings to be completed. All are admirable consequences to allow democracy to be fully exercised at our NLR City Council's proceedings!

To Alderman Gains & Alderwoman Ross, thank you for making a difference for the benefit of all citizens of North Little Rock. Hopefully your resolution will prompt more communications to take place between all citizens and their Alderpersons on pending legislative matters. With great anticipation we will be with you at City Hall on Monday or watching on Comcast Channels 4 or 18 as you introduce this most important resolution for the full Council's consideration and vote May it be so!

November's NLR Electoral Table is Set

With the candidate filing deadline date having been reached last Tuesday, noon the NLR Electoral Table is now set. Below is a complete list of candidates filing for the position of the Mayor's chair as well as the four City Council Alderman chairs up for election in November. We of NLAN recognize that when sensitive issues affecting our quality of life are introduced and read before our NLR City Council it is extremely important to us who is sitting in all nine chairs of the Council! This concern presents itself both when we monitor someone else's legislation and when we are introducing our own. While there may now be four established geographical ward boundaries in place that serve to separate we citizens from one another (each being represented in Council by their very own two elected Aldermen) today we must acknowledge that we are indeed all in this together, that there should be no boundaries restricting our relationships with fellow citizens in Wards 1, 2, and 3. Thus those elected to serve as representatives in those three wards are as important to us as is our very own Ward 4 elected representatives. Although we can not directly affect the elections in Wards 1, 2, and 3 via our vote NLAN Members can still take a keen interest in their candidates and offer non-voter support wherever and whenever we deem it to be appropriate. Below are all candidates listed alphabetically within position, with incumbents in bold print:
MAYOR
James Ard, Patrick Hays, Bill Layman, Bubba Lloyd, Michelle McLelland
ALDERMAN - WARD 1
Neil Bryant, Beth White
ALDERMAN - WARD 2
Rev. Lamont Dotson, Tom Jones, Scott Miller, Maurice Taylor
ALDERMAN - WARD 3
James Ard, Sam Baggett, Steve Baxter, Bruce Foutch, John Parker
ALDERMAN - WARD 4 (This is NLAN's Ward)
Charlie Hight
This coming November 4th cast an informed vote for your candidates. Its your choice, and your freedom to do so!

NLR Planning Commission September 9

Agenda Meeting / Public Hearing 4:45 PM
Agenda Meeting: Roll Call
Administrative:
Approval of Minutes: August 12, 2008
Subdivision Administrative:
1. Rep-2125-08 Strauss Acres, Tract B of Lot 2 (Replat and Site Plan Review of a Little Caesar’s in the 4100 blk of Hwy 70)
2. NS-2126-08 Springhill Development, Lot 3, Block 3 (Preliminary Plat and Site Plan Review for offices at Richards Road and ABF Road)
3. SPR-1986-07 Vestal Commercial Addition, Lot 4BR (12 month extension of a Replat and Site Plan Review for a retail center on the north side of Maumelle Blvd and in the 7600 block)
Public Hearing – Old Business:
1. Rezone #1463. To rezone property from the existing C-1 zone to the proposed R-2 zone to recognize an existing residence. The location is 214 West 22nd Street.

Public Hearing – New Business:
2. Special Use #652. To allow 2 storage containers behind Cracker Barrel in a C-5 zone. The location is 3101 Springhill Drive
3. Conditional Use # 47. To allow office/warehouse with overhead doors in a C-3 zone. The location is the south end of Riverview Corporate Drive.
4. Special Use #654. To allow a temporary parking lot in a C-6 zone. The location is at 200 East Broadway.
5. Rezone #1467. To rezone property from the existing R-2 zone to the proposed C-1 zone to allow a restaurant. The location is 26801 JFK.

Band is Back - Friday Evening

"They're back!" Yes this coming Friday evening August 22nd at 7:00 PM, under the Lakewood Village outdoor canopy our very own North Little Rock Concert Band returns to entertain us with live music for the final time this year! We had the pleasure of listening to their fine music on the Village patio last July 25th as well as the pleasure of talking with some of their fans all the way from Cabot as well as from NLAN. It's a joy to be able to enjoy this fine art and they're willing to bring it to us right in our own backyard! So bring lawn chairs, blankets and something cool to drink and come on out to the Village to meet and talk with your fellow music lovers from NLAN as well as our fellow neighbors from all over Central Arkansas! It's a treat you don't want to miss!!! Pray that "Fickle Fay" stays stalled for a bit longer and tomorrow evening we can enjoy dry weather with 'music in the summer air'!

Oak Tree Circle Pod

Our little island pod on Oak Tree Circle is looking much better now that it has received a little TLC from our NLR City Street Department. Thanks to Pat Lane and his crew for coming out and hitting a good lick on this NLAN property. Your timing was terrific in that all this wonderful cool rain came immediately after your maintenance work order was performed and everything is looking much fresher and greener! Again, thanks for taking care of us!

NLR Electric Energy Audit

Recently, Mr. Keith McCourt from the North Little Rock Electric Department came to our home to perform an energy audit. We were extremely pleased with his detailed inspection, recommendations, and "tips" to help us save on our energy bills. We believe an energy audit, which is a free service, would be of benefit to all our NLAN neighbors.

If you are interested in scheduling this FREE energy audit for your home, you should call 975-8769 at the North Little Rock Electric Department.

Lynda and Herb Etheridge

NLR Peddler's ID Card Up-Date

At our NLAN meeting last evening we had Mr. Jerry Reagan, Director of Fiscal Control for the City of North Little Rock, talking on the official NLR Licensed Peddler's ID Card. Attending our meeting by invitation was Eric Francis of the Argenta News Blog. Being the former editor of "The NLR Times" has in part equipped Eric to draw on his vast journalistic background when reporting a story and he has done an excellent job in presenting the facts on what took place in our meeting regarding this subject. By permission we are encouraging you to go to the Argenta News Blog (it's site link is listed to the right on our blog) and read his fine detailed report. Thank you, Eric!

North Little Rock City Council Agenda - Monday, August 25, 2008

North Little Rock City Council Meeting - Monday, August 11, 2008


Please clink on the link below or and paste into your browser --
http://www.northlittlerock.ar.gov/government/agenda.asp

Our NLAN Meeting Agenda is now set for this coming Monday, August 18th. Meeting location is listed in the "Meeting Date" box to the right on the blog. Don't forget the 'Greet & Meet' at 6:30 PM with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM. Cooled bottled water and coffee will be made available. Hope to see everyone there!

Nate Brandes
NLAN President

1. Welcome and introduction of NLAN Officers & guests.
2. Approval of Minutes – May 5, 2008 NLAN Meeting - Faye Kirkwood
3. NLAN Treasurer’s Report - Lynda Etheridge
4. NLR Grid Crime & Safety Reports - Sergeant Jim Bona & Officer Brandon Davidson
5. Code Enforcement Report - Officer Russ Elrod
6. NLR Licensed Peddler’s ID Card Review - Jerry Reagan, Director of Fiscal Control
7. Metropolitan’s Five Mile Creek Development Status Report - Alderman Charlie Hight
8. Proposed NLR Neighborhood Selective Street Parking Ordinance - Alderman Hight
9. CERT Training Class – Hosted By Levy Improvement Movement.
10. Oak Tree Circle’s Island Pod Up-Date.
11. NLAN Identification Badges.
12. NLAN Street Captains & Lieutenants Program Development.
13. Formation of NLAN’s Nominating Committee for November Meeting Slate.
14. What’s On Your Mind?
a. Possible NLAN Political Town Hall Meeting - October
b. Other thoughts!
15. Next NLAN Meeting Schedule: Monday November 3rd Location to be announced.

E.T. Lost

All Points Bulletin: "ET" Come Home! I'm looking for a little green man and you can relax, the Martians have not landed! Last Tuesday evening PaPa forgot to take him back home off the street after helping to control traffic for the grandkids and neighborhood children to safely play outdoors, giving Grandma and mother a break! Hey, when does school start?! By next morning someone had helped him to 'escape'!

Now "ET" stands 32 inches tall, has light green plastic skin, with the words "SLOW" painted in black on each side. Last seen he was wearing a bright red ball cap and may be holding an orange bicycle pendant in his hands. Written on his front leg are the faded words "Cherry", Fairlane Drive, Round Lake Park, Illinois. That was "ET's" former home and PaPa did not update his ID when he moved to NLAN. PaPa will learn!

All the kids miss "ET" and want him back home. There's a reward for his return! If you happen to see him wandering around out there looking like he's lost, please call 758-0228. Thanks!

Nate Brandes

Lock your car!

Trouble again on Valley Brook. Several unlocked cars in the area have been opened. Although it is thought to be kids, it is best to take out any valuables and lock it. Contents of these unlocked cars are thrown out into the street or yards while these angels rummage around looking for items of worth.

So -- clean out your car if it is to be left out in the street -- and then lock it!

Argenta ArtWalk, Friday August 15,2008

McLelland Announces For Mayor

Michelle McLelland announced her candidacy on August 4th for community-based public service as Mayor of North Little Rock. NLR is where she grew up, went to school, attended church, married, and where her children attend public schools today. She wants to be known as YOUR Mayor, the Peoples’ Mayor.

National Lights Out had Lights and Sirens

This picture was taken Tuesday evening at the start of NLAN's celebration for the 25th Anniversary of National Night Out. We chose to both honor and participate in this "Police-Community Partnerships" Program by conducting a Parade Drive-By with our NLR Police Officers from the Lakewood Village Sub-Station.

Please look past Judy & Nate, the smiling couple up front, and focus on the real stars of the parade to the left, our very own NLR Police Officers, Officer Brandon Davidson and his Sergeant, Jim Bona. We started on Oak Tree Circle and drove every street in NLAN, finishing up with Lakewood Drive. As we drove by It was very encouraging to see NLANders out on their front porches and lawns, many with small children, waving to the officers and saying "hi" and "thank you" as they came down the streets. Yes there were smiles on both sides of the two badges this evening and it was wonderful to see everyone confirming the idea that it takes a true partnership to address and fight crime & drugs in our neighborhoods. This was the idea 25 years ago and you know, it still is alive and well today!

Thanks again to Lieutenant Tom Latina of the NLR Police Department's Lakewood Village Sub-Station, and our two NLAN liaison police officers, Sergeant Bona & Officer Davidson. You made it happen Tuesday evening - together let's keep the partnership going year-round!

Nate Brandes
NLAN President

NLR City Council Meeting - Monday, August 11, 2008

North Little Rock City Council Meeting - Monday, August 11, 2008


Please clink on the link below or and paste into your browser --
http://www.northlittlerock.ar.gov/government/agenda.asp

Police parade - Tuesday nite!

The 25th Annual National Night Out, a unique crime and drug prevention event, has been scheduled for this Tuesday, August 5th. The objective for this USA-wide program is to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. NLAN has chosen to participate in National Night Out and we want to send a message to criminals letting them know that we are organized and fighting back! Our plan to do so is simple and we hope effective, too! We are counting on your participation to make this event successful!
First, we ask that you turn on your porch lights no later than 7:00 PM. We know, we know, the sun is still up! By having your porch lights on will demonstrate that you are committed to fighting crime and drug prevention in partnership with our NLR Police Department's Officers. Send the message of solidarity and support - light up your home early the evening of the 5th!
Second, we want to let you know that we will have a NLR Police "Officer On Parade" event planned for this evening of August 5th. Beginning at 7:00 PM we will have police officers in patrol cars conducting a parade drive through the NLAN neighborhood, starting with Oak Tree Circle and ending with Lakewood Drive. Upon hearing their sirens announcing their arrival on your street we ask you to step outside to greet them with a big smile and huge wave, thanking them for their commitment to protect and to serve us every day of the year! If you like; this act can be considered as a front porch vigil or you can move down to the curb to extend an 'up front and personal' thank you!
Please join in as we celebrate this national event with some 'down-home' personal warmth. It's a 'blue light' special you really can't afford to miss! Let's light up the neighborhood to greet our most valued partners in preventing crime and drugs on our very own streets. Hope to see you on those same streets next Tuesday evening. Thank you!

Door-To-Door Salesmen

Door-To-Door Salesmen – Are they licensed and approved by the City of North Little Rock?
Here is a sample of the official North Little Rock Peddlers Identification Card. When this card is issued all peddlers are instructed to wear this ID anytime they are soliciting in North Little Rock. They are also instructed to not request payment without delivering the goods or service at that time!
Always note the ‘issued’ and ‘expires’ dates shown on the card, match up the picture and physical description, and for whom and what they are peddling. The time it takes to read the card is worth every second!
Thanks to Jerry Reagan, Dir. Fiscal Control. 975-8895 JReagan@northlittlerock.ar.gov

Election Day - Less Than 100 Days Away

Today I received an e-mail from a National Party Election Committee informing me that Election Day is less than 100 days way! Now this little note woke me up to the fact that the races are racing fast to get here! In addition to having this year's Presidential Election Race (which is shaping up to be very interesting) we have our local NLR Political Election Day, too! In addition to the City Attorney and City Clerk positions coming up for our vote on November 4th our focus and interest are directed to the positions of Mayor and the one Ward 4 Alderman seat coming up for election, for these two elected positions on our NLR City Council are to be determined by our direct NLAN member's votes cast on election day. However we should not overlook what is shaping up for the single-seat Alderman positions in Wards 1, 2 and 3. Although we do not directly affect these races via our Ward 4 votes being cast we should maintain an interest in the candidates declaring for these City Council seats.

Through our earlier LPOA experience before the City Council we found that while the two Ward 4 Aldermen are our very own elected City Council Members representing now our NLAN the other six Aldermen of Wards 1, 2, and 3 have a direct bearing on any resolutions and/or ordinances being passed that directly affects us! For this reason it is very important that we communicate with all eight Aldermen/Alderwomen sitting on the Council, as well as the Mayor whenever we feel an issue requires a NLAN position statement being made. Thus it is very important that we get to know as well as to understand the make-up and fabric of their election plank, as well as their expectations for their individual Wards and for our whole City.

All citizens of North Little Rock desiring to declare their candidacies must do so by filing (I believe) between August 6th through August 28th. In a few weeks it's going to get very interesting around here! Thereafter stay tuned for opportunities coming forth to find out who they are and what they're made of, along with their visions for our future as well as for our children's. Please remember we are all in this together - to support and provide encouragement with or without the means to offer a personal vote on everyone's behalf!

Nate Brandes
President - NLAN

Another Crime of Opportunity

Report just in: 8:58 PM Friday the 25th. We are not alone out here! Our neighborhood is being targeted!

Today we had another NLANder on Burrow Drive experience a crime of opportunity. While a nearby neighbor was having a garage sale, with shopper's vehicles parked all along the street, someone decided to 'shop' the victims porch and stole their wicker furniture with cushions - a sofa, two chairs and a table. Someone just backed up their driveway and loaded the furniture without anyone suspecting a thing!

Always be aware for thieves can be very resourceful - such as taking advantage of vehicles coming & going with a street sales activity taking place. Trying to separate the good guys from the bad isn't easy when they are all mixed together, basically walking and loading merchandise into vehicles from a home. Now that you have been informed please keep an eye out whenever you or your neighbors are conducting a yard sale. Watch out for each other - that's what its going to take to prevent these crimes of opportunity. Please take the time to talk with your neighbors about this - they may not be connected to the internet and therefore not know what's taking place! Thank you.

Energy audit

After receiving a personal phone invitation from Ward 3 Alderman Cary Gains to attend last night's Levi Town Hall Meeting, I came away with many noteworthy bits of general information that we all can use.

When the North Little Rock Electric Department went to electronic meter readers, which allows one employee to quickly drive down the street reading meters from within their vehicle, they had a surplus of former yard-to-yard foot walking meter readers. Good news: These employees have been re-trained to become members of the NLR Electric Department's "Home Energy Audit Team"!

Today you can request a "FREE" home energy audit (that's right - no cost to you) which may show you ways to reduce your home's energy use. Simply contact our North Little Rock Electric Department. If you want more information and/or desire to order up an audit please call Joe Gertsch at 372-0100 or e-mail him at nlred@nlrelectric.com.

Nate Brandes
NLAN President

Live band concert

Do you miss the wonderful summer experience of going to the park for a picnic under the sun, eating hot dogs and burgers while listening to a live band concert being played from the picnic ground's gazebo? Those were the good old days, right? Well hang on to your socks for them good old days are once more here for us to enjoy, as well as for our kids who may never have had a chance to enjoy this experience!

This coming Friday evening, 7:00 PM, under the Lakewood Village outdoor canopy our North Little Rock Concert Band will be performing the 2nd of three concerts to be held there. Forget the dogs & burgers - bring lawn chairs and blankets as well as something to drink. This one hour show will have your feet tapping as well as your face smiling! Please come and enjoy a wonderful musical summer evening in the Village, with memories of past pleasures on the lawn. www.northlittlerockband.com Phone: 758-2576

Thanks to BigDogDaddy of the Levy Project 3.0 Blog for bringing this neighborhood event to our attention!

Cars tampered with

This afternoon a NLANder who lives on Burrow Drive reported that last weekend for the second time their personal vehicle had been ransacked with loose change taken. This vehicle was parked with the windows down and doors unlocked. They believe it may have been kids on the prowl looking for money so they advise keeping your vehicles locked up. Believe me from now on they will roll all vehicle windows up and lock all it's doors! A word to the wise!

Let's Be Safe -- Be Aware!

A few months ago we posted in "Our NLAN Newsletter" a crime & safety tip on strangers knocking on neighborhood doors representing a home security system company. These people, some with what passed as city issued permit badges hanging on them, were requesting to come inside the homes to have their questions answered and to see what if any home security there may be in place. Some of the companies supposedly represented have been ADT and APEX, a division of Honeywell. There may be others!

As always you must pass judgement as to whether a 'representative' standing on your porch is in good faith and without deceit truly representing a home security system company. Please be aware! We have seen and heard reports from Levy, Park Hill and our very own fellow NLANders that their recent experiences with some of these individuals have been less than admirable. Be extremely careful when allowing a stranger to come into your home, one asking personal questions about what security you may or may not have as well as wanting to look at the status of your windows and doors!

Nate Brandes
President

National Night Out - Augst 5th

The annual 'National Night Out' is scheduled for August 5th. This national awareness program was developed to promote neighborhoods coming together to take a public stand against crime. The initial request was for every home to light up their own neighborhood by turning on their porch light during the evening hours. Doing so would show everyone, including the criminal element, that all neighbors were aware of and joined together in fighting local crime. Recently the celebration of this event has gone beyond just turning on porch lights to actually having planned neighborhood street events, to include inviting police and fire departments to join with those neighbors participating.

Now asking for folks to step outside on an Arkansas hot afternoon and evening, standing over a hot grill to cook hamburgers and tube steaks, as well as fighting off mosquitoes may just be asking too much! Thus at this point in time, unless we hear of anyone wanting to step forward to organize as well as host a NLAN neighborhood street celebration, we are only requesting that all NLANders demonstrate their awareness of this national event by turning on their porch lights come August 5th. Let's light up the night for all to see! Thank you.

Nate Brandes
President

City Council Meeting - Monday, July 28

North Little Rock City Council Meeting - Monday, July 28, 2008


Please clink on the link below or and paste into your browser --
http://www.northlittlerock.ar.gov/government/agenda.asp

Coming - Park Hill Neighborhood Association

We of NLAN are very pleased to hear that one of the by-products of Park Hill's initial neighborhood meeting at Trinity Lutheran on July 8th was their decision to organize a Park Hill Neighborhood Association. We can't wait to welcome them to the 'club' in joining with us and our other established NLR neighborhood associations. There is indeed strength in numbers whenever we, together, may find ourselves focusing on common neighborhood concerns. (And it would appear we may have one with the status of our own two fire stations currently under joint discussion.) We say: "More power to you, Park Hill, go for it!" If we can be of any service in your efforts to organize your association, we are standing by to serve!

Nate Brandes
President - NLAN

City Council Meeting - Monday, July 14, 2008

North Little Rock City Council Meeting - Monday, July 14, 2008


Please clink on the link below or and paste into your browser --
http://www.northlittlerock.ar.gov/government/agenda.asp

Have a wonderful, safe Fourth!!!

The Clinton Presidential Center will offer free admission to the library in celebration of Independence Day. There will be a free family festival starting at 2:00pm with children's activities, food vendors, live music and more! The Dell Smith Experience featuring Tawanna Campbell and J. White will provide music and entertainment from 6:00-9:00pm. Watch the Fourth of July fireworks over the Arkansas River at 9:30pm! Come join us on the Fourth of July! Sponsored by Radio Disney. Admission Cost : Free.

25th Annual Pops on the River
Riverfront Park/Riverfest Amphitheatre
• Gates open at 5:30pm and music starts at 6:30pm. Fireworks start at 9:30pm.
• Pops on the River, presented by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, is Arkansas' largest Fourth of July celebration and will take place at Little Rock's Riverfront Amphitheatre. The evening includes music from Happenstance and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and will end with a fantastic fireworks show.
•Other activities include a dunking booth with Arkansas Democrat-Gazette editorial writers such as Wally Hall and Jennifer Christman, caricatures by John Deering, Jay Grelen's Southern Sweet Tea Sipoff, Irene Wassel's Apple Pie Contest, face painting and a marketplace full of vendors.
The event is free to the public. A donation of a non-perishable food item is requested for the Arkansas Food Bank Network.

NLR Planning Commission July 8, 2008

Agenda Meeting / Public Hearing 4:45 PM

Subdivision Administrative:
Rep-2106-08 Central Addition, Lot C, Block 2 (Replat of a 4 lots into 1 at the corner of Poplar and East 13th Streets)
NS-2107-08 John Braddocks Subd, Lot A, Block 26 (Preliminary Plat and Site Plan Review for an office with outdoor storage at 8615 Hwy 70)
Rep-2108-08 Giles Addition, Lot 1R, Block 1 (Replat of 6 lots into 1 at the corner of 10th and Parker Streets)
SPR-2109-08 Meadowlane Acres Addition, Lot 14 (Site Plan Review of a private storage building at corner of Hwy 365 and W. Meadowlane Drive)
SPR-2110-08 Weingartens Subd, Lot 4A (Site Plan Review of Medicine Man Pharmacy at 2599 block of Main Street)
SPR-2111-08 Northshore Business Park, Lot 4, Block 8 (Site Plan Review of Sanders Supply at 4800 Northshore Lane)
SPR-2112-08 WNLR Commercial Add, Lot 7 (Site Plan Review for Christian Bros. Automotive Services along Maumelle Blvd west of the Walmart)
SPR-2113-08 Northshore Buisiness Park, Lot 2, Block 3 (Site Plan Review of Travel Nurses offices at 5000 block of Northshore Drive)
SPR-2114-08 NLR RV Park (Site Plan Review of an RV Park located west of the Presidential Bridge along the River)
Public Hearing – Old Business:
Rezone #1460. To rezone from non-zoned property to C-3 to allow commercial retail. The request is located south of Mine Rd; north of Loop Rd, and west of Kellogg Acres Rd
Public Hearing – New Business:
Conditional Use #43. To allow car sales in a C-4 zone that requires a Conditional Use. The location is 5623 MacArthur.
Conditional Use #44. To allow auto repair in a C-3 zone that requires a Conditional Use. The location is on the north side of Maumelle Blvd and west of the Walmart.
Rezone #1461. To rezone property from the existing R-4 zone to the proposed I-1 zone to allow for expansion of a warehouse. The location is 901 N. Olive.
Public Hearing #1462. To review the Diamond Annexation Zoning Plan.
Public Comment / Adjournment:

Oak Tree Circle Island

On May 20th a fellow Nlander, Debra Wood posted a question on this blog: "I am wondering who is responsible for the island that is on the south end of Oak Tree Circle?" Debra, thanks for the question! During the past 36 days I have been posting Debra on our progress in trying to answer her question. Seems the City of North Little Rock has no record of this little island's existence, neither in their city street maps, Pulaski County street maps, nor in the Parks & Recreation's property management listings. NLR informed me that because they had no records on this property that it must still belong to the original developer. Today I found out from that developer, General Properties, upon receiving a copy of the recorded plat that they 'dedicated' this island (as part of the Oak Tree Circle street itself) to the City of North Little Rock back on August 17, 1979. I intend to bring this official document of record to the appropriate city maintenance departments for their review. Thereafter upon gaining their response we should have an idea as to how to answer Debra's question. Stay tuned for comments to be entered against this post as together we move forward on this NLAN issue.
Nate Brandes
President - NLAN

The Fourth Is around the corner

With the 4th of July approaching and lots of Fire Works stands popping up in the county, I thought you might want to see the first part of the Fireworks Ordinance North Little Rock adopted in September of 1998.
Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful for any person to
possess, store, offer for sale, sell at retail, set off, ignite or otherwise
explode any firecrackers or other fireworks by whatever name called
within the city limits; provided that the use of fireworks for public
displays shall be allowed upon recommendation by the fire marshal
and authorization of the City Council, only after all of the provisions
of NFiPa 1123 are met and all necessary permits have been issued.
Every such use or display shall be handled by a competent operator
approved by the fire marshal and shall be of such character and so
located, discharged or fired so as not to be hazardous to property or
endanger any person. The fine or penalty for violating this provision,
upon conviction in mlmicipal court, shall be not less than twenty-five
and 00/100 dollars ($25.00) nor more than five hundred and 00/100
dollars ($500.00).
Remember, fines up to $500.00 can be assessed!
So be careful and be safe this year.

Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer!

Gee whiz - Summer is really here! You know - time just seems to slow down to allow us to smell the roses, enjoy our family relationships, and be able to sit back and enjoy that wonderful experience of smelling and tasting a true Bradley County Arkansas tomato! Take it from one whom as a young teenager used to grab the salt shaker and a whole tomato, taking them both out to the front porch to enjoy one of life's finest dinning experiences while rocking under the summer sun or evening moon! It just doesn't get much better than that!

So have a good time with the beauty and taste of what summer offers to you and yours! Just enjoy these lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer! Don't worry - we'll keep our eyes open for you and let you know if anything happens that must be immediately brought to your attention. Now where's that salt shaker?

Nate Brandes
President - NLAN

Planning Commission Board of Adjustment Agenda for June 26

AGENDA: 1:30 P.M. Planning Conference Room
Reading/Approval of Minutes: May 29, 2008
Old Business: None
New Business:
BOA CASE # 1406 – Mr. Kwendeche, 1400 James Street, Covenant Family Church, Lot A, Flatland Renewal Addition, to allow a rear yard setback variance of 15 ft. from the required 25 ft. and a side yard setback variance of 1 ft. from the required 8 ft. for an addition to a church in an R-3 zone.
Administrative: None
Public Comment/ Adjournment: Open forum

North Little Rock City Council Agenda - Monday, June 23, 2008

North Little Rock City Council Agenda - Monday, June 23, 2008

Please clink on the link below or and paste into your browser --
http://www.northlittlerock.ar.gov/government/agenda.asp

North Little Rock City Council Agenda - Monday, June 9, 2008

North Little Rock City Council Agenda - Monday, June 9, 2008*

Please clink on the link below or and paste into your browser --
http://www.northlittlerock.ar.gov/government/agenda.asp

*Due to space limitations, I will not be putting the agenda on the blog. It is easily found at the above link. Thanks
Bob

NLR Building and Housing Board of Adjustment and Appeals

Will NOT meet on Tuesday, June, 10, 2008, due to a lack of applicants by the May 22, 2008 deadline.

Picnic at the Riverfront - June7th

This coming Saturday June 7th the Unified Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (UCNA) is sponsoring a picnic off of Riverfront Drive and Main Street, downtown North Little Rock from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Hamburgers, tube steaks (dogs), buns and drinks are provided at no cost. The only thing you need to bring (and this is optional) is a folding chair to sit on if you don't want to stand around the whole time! Come and meat with your fellow concerned NLR neighbors whom have also formed their associations out of a need to be heard and to make a difference! And while you're at it, enjoy their fellowship and some good ol' burgers and dogs, too!.

Planning Commission to fill empty seat

Upon the death of Mr. Jerry Phillips, a NLR Planning Commissioner and resident from Ward 4, the Mayor will be selecting his replacement from our Ward. This action could take place as early as the June 9th City Council Meeting. If any NLANder would like to be nominated for consideration in filling this seat on the Planning Commission they should immediately contact Mayor Hays, Ward 4 Aldermen Charlie Hight and Murry Witcher, or Robert Voyles, the NLR Planning Department Director. Their phone numbers and e-mail addresses are listed either here on our blog or under the blog's 'North Little Rock' link. Indeed it would be a plus to have one of our neighbors sitting on the NLR Planning Commission where NLR's city planning and development takes its first step on the path to gaining City Council approval. Please consider this opportunity to serve!

City Council Meeting will be held Tuesday evening

For reason of the Memorial Day Holiday the regular scheduled City Council Meeting will be held this Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM in City Hall. If you can not make the meeting in person it is available on Comcast Channel 4. Hopefully we'll have sound as well as video this time around! Two items of business should prove to be most interesting this evening:

Resolution R-08-75: Relocation Agreement and Right of Way Conveyance from NLR to Entergy. This concerns moving major electrical poles from south of Riverfront Park to the north side to satisfy a future developer's purchase offer, and was opposed by an established north side business owner, Bubba Lloyd. The public hearing on this resolution will continue tonight, and it should be very interesting to see what takes place when Mr. Lloyd once again takes the public's speaker podium.

Ordinance O-08-40 Job Classifications and Numbers of Employees for Each NLR City Department. The established full-time employee numbers for the fire department is 151, while the police department's full-time employee number is 238. Currently the actual staffing level for our police is below the 238 level and continues to be a concern of NLR citizens. And the Fire Department has stated they need more employees over the 151 number, too! Mayor Hays has taken a position that the current actual staffing numbers are in order and no additional headcount will be funded for either city department. Will these concerns be brought up at tonight's council meeting in approving these established staffing quotas? Stay tuned!

Oak Tree Circle Island

I am wondering who is responsible for the island that is on the south end of Oak Tree Circle. Years ago, it used to be regularly mowed and also had at least two nice concrete benches in it. If there are any original residents to the street left, they might remember a few block parties that took place down there as well. In recent months, it has become completely overgrown with weeds, and cars and trucks parking on it almost daily. I have even picked up trash on it when out walking. It's getting to be quite an eyesore in our little circle. At some point it was regularly mowed and taken care of, and I just wondered why that wasn't happening anymore and if something could be done to change it.

Many thanks,
Debra Wood

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT PUBLIC HEARING

On May 29, 2008 at 1:30 P.M. in Conference Room B at the Office of Community Planning (120 Main St., NLR, AR 72114) pursuant to its own motion, the North Little Rock Board of Adjustment will hold a Public Hearing for Variance requests under the authority North Little Rock Ordinance No. 7697.

New Business:
BOA CASE # 1399 – Ms. Melba L. Nelson, 314 Mills Street – To appeal Code Enforcement notice of inoperable vehicle.
BOA CASE # 1400 – Ms. Summer E. Bartczak, 177 Sunset Drive - Part of the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 17, Township 2 North, Range 12 West, Pulaski County, Arkansas, mor particularly described as follows: Commencing at the Northeast Quarter of said section 17; thence S 0 deg 03' 32" E, 434.00'; thence N 89 deg 54' 41" W, 645.7' to the point of beginning; thence S 0 deg 03' 32" E, 200'; thence N 89 deg 54' 41" W, 110.0'; thence N 0 deg 03' 32" W, 200.0'; thence S 89 deg 54' 41" E, 110.0' to the point of beginning,containing .51 acres more or less - To allow an accessory building located in the side yard of a residential lot with a 3.5 ft. side yard setback from the east side property line.
BOA CASE # 1401 – Mr. Don Moir, 13301 Valentine Road – Maverick Addition, Tract 1A – To allow a building to be located 22 feet from the property line, which is a 8 foot variance from the required 30 foot setback.
BOA CASE # 1402 – Mr. W. Paul Toombs, 1935 Arrowhead Road – Lot 2, Block 1, Arrowhead Manor – To allow an accessory structure to with a setback of 18" from the rear property line and 4-1/2' from the side property line.
BOA CASE # 1403 – Mrs. Pat Brockington, Lot 1 Kenbrock Addition – To allow a 6 ft. chainlink fence with 3 strands of barbed wire inclined inward along the front property line.
BOA Case # 1404 – Mrs. Christine Edmondson, 7001 W. Meadow Lane, Lot 14 Meadow Lane Acres - To allow a 6 ft. chainlink fence with 3 strands of barbed wire for security during the construction and after for security of the commercial building.
All parties interested may appear and be heard at said time and place. All pertinent data and information are available for inspection in the office of Community Planning, 120 Main Street, NLR, AR 72114.

North Little Rock City Council Agenda - Tuesday, May 27

COMMUNICATIONS
1. Charlotte Thomas, Mayor’s Office, memorandum re: Restaurant Mixed Drink and Sunday Beverage - Change of Manager for Rhonda Akins, Red Lobster #319, 3707 McCain Boulevard, by Jerry W. Hutto, Jr.
2. J. French Hill letter to Mayor Hays re: entertainment venue across from the Clinton Library and Park, complaint regarding obscenities in the city park, Saturday, May 17, 2008.
PUBLIC HEARING 7:05 p.m.
7:05 p.m. Reconvene re: R-08-75, authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a relocation agreement and right-of-way conveyance from the City of NLR to Entergy, AR, Inc.
Please complete a public comment card if you are speaking at anytime during this City Council Meeting and return to City Clerk before this meeting convenes

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS
R-08-62 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sell a vacant lot located next to 1512 37th Street (to Ron Moore for $1,500.00) - Held
R-08-69 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 2704 - 2706 Gribble to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owners: Robert J. and Lynda K. Kuta) - Held / Convene public hearing this date
R-08-70 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 3021 Arkansas Avenue to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owners: Bobby G. and Jennifer Henry) - Held / Convene public hearing this date
ORDINANCES
O-08-34 Alderman Gaines (see amendment for consideration only this date)
Granting a Conditional Use to allow a Self-Serve Ice Machine in a C-3 zone for property located at 3621 Camp Robinson Road (applicant: Bill Looper) - Read 1 time and held
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS
R-08-75 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Relocation Agreement and Right-of-way Conveyance from the City of NLR to Entergy, AR, Inc. (Smarthouse Way) - Refiled / Reconvene Public Hearing
R-08-76 Mayor Hays
Approving retaining consultant Deborah H. Schwartz for a Short-Term Recovery Plan and Long-Term Development Strategy at the NLR Airport; appropriating funds ($35,000 - General Fund)
R-08-77 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and NLR Fire Chief to enter into an Informal Automatic Aid Agreement between the City of NLR and the East Pulaski Fire Department (for fire assistance)
ORDINANCES
O-08-40 Mayor Hays
Establishing Job Classifications and Numbers of Employees for each department of the City Government of NLR for the year 2008 (Quota Ordinance)
O-08-41 Alderman Gaines (for consideration only)
Establishing the Maumelle Boulevard Sign Overlay District and amending Ordinance No. 7697, the NLR Zoning Ordinance
PUBLIC COMMENT
Please complete a public comment card and return to City Clerk before speaking

Respectfully submitted, Diane Whitbey, CMC / CAMC - City Clerk and Collector

Remember - Junction Bridge - This Weekend

Junction Bridge Opening and Celebration

Saturday, May 17, 2008, 10:00 a.m.
Ribbon Tying Ceremony - middle of the bridge
For more information, contact Braye Cloud at 501-340-5309
Bring your family and friends and be among the first to walk the historic Junction Bridge and enjoy its views from atop the 360-foot lift span, forty (40) feet above the riverbank.

Our Fourth NLAN Meeting Was A Knockout!

If you have a chance to read this week's edition of 'The North Little Rock Times' you will find front & center on the first page an article by Jeremy Peppas titled: 'Mayor makes pitch to homeowners group', with "the Mayor was there, and so were (Ward 4) Aldermen Murry Witcher & Charlie Hight, with Ward 3 Aldermen Debi Ross & Neil Bryant. "All were gathered at Lakewood Elementary School for the monthly meeting of the Northeast Lakewood Associated Neighborhoods, a relatively recent addition to the North Little Rock scene, and on the agenda was a discussion of the proposed sales tax."

We want to thank Mayor Hays for taking time out of his busy schedule to honor our invitation to come and speak on his proposed additional sales tax issue. Details of his presentation on taxes are covered in the 'Times' article. Additionally he addressed many of our neighborhood issues that were brought up and his comments will be illustrated in our May NLAN Newsletter.

Last Monday's meeting had a very full agenda for NLAN issues, plus we had Aldermen Hight & Witcher joining the Mayor in addressing our questions. If you did not attend this meeting, NLANanders, be sure to try and make our next regularly scheduled meeting in August - we promise to have a humdinger!

Nate Brandes
President - NLAN

May Planning Commission Agenda

Administrative: Letter from Arkansas State Highway Commission
Subdivision Administrative:
SPR-2101-08 WNLR Commercial Addition, Lot 3 (Site Plan Review of a Car Wash along Maumelle Blvd west of Walmart)
SPR-2102-08 Northshore Business Park, Lot 9, Block 8 (Site Plan Review for Competitive Cyclist located at 5050 Northshore Lane)
C. NS-2074-07 Eanes Truck Terminal, Lot 1 (Preliminary Plat and Site Plan Review of a truck terminal located at the northeast end of Eanes Road)
D. SPR-2099-08 Clendenins Addition, Lots 2-3, Block 1 (Site Plan Review of condos located at 405 Main Street)
Public Hearing – Old Business:
Public Hearing #1453. To review the Maumelle Blvd Sign Overlay.
Public Hearing – New Business:
Special Use #653. To allow a Day Resource Center for homeless in a R-4 zone that requires a Special Use. The request is located at 1021 East Washington.
Special Use #655. To allow a daycare in a R-3 zone that requires a Special Use. The request is located at 212 East 17th.
Rezone #1458. To rezone from I-2 to C-3 to allow commercial. The request is located at the south end of Richards Road.
Public Hearing #1459. Diamond Annexation Zoning Plan.
Public Comment / Adjournment

Junction Bridge Opening and Celebration

Junction Bridge Opening and Celebration

Saturday, May 17, 2008, 10:00 a.m.
Ribbon Tying Ceremony - middle of the bridge
For more information, contact Braye Cloud at 501-340-5309
Bring your family and friends and be among the first to walk the historic Junction Bridge and enjoy its views from atop the 360-foot lift span, forty (40) feet above the riverbank.

City Council Agenda - Monday, May 12

COMMUNICATIONS
1. Debi Ross for Russ Atkinson, Petition requesting speed hump on Lakeshore Drive (21 signatures 20 for 1 against).
2. Blanche L. Lincoln, U S Senator letter to Mayor Hays re: NLR Municipal Airport’s funding needs.
3. Sharon Tedford, Mayor’s Office memorandum re: New - Retail Beer Off Premises Permit for Yongs Mart, 1719 Highway 161, by Yong Sik Kim.
4. (Per Wade Dunlap, Planning - the following request is outside North Little Rock city limits and planning jurisdiction 5-6-08)
Sharon Tedford, Mayor’s Office memorandum re: Retail Liquor and Retail Replacement for Louis Wilson from 7413 B Hwy 365, Little Rock for C & C Spirits (fka Sweethome Liquor), 6624 Highway 61, by Billie Jenkins.
PUBLIC HEARING 7:05 p.m.
Please complete a public comment card and return to City Clerk before this meeting convenes
Reconvene re: R-08-22, authorizing a relocation agreement and right-of-way conveyance from the City of NLR to Entergy, AR, Inc. (Smarthouse Way)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS
R-08-22 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Relocation Agreement and Right-of-way Conveyance from the City of NLR to Entergy AR, Inc. (Smarthouse Way) - (Sixth time on agenda) - Held - Reconvene Public Hearing @ 7:05 p.m .this date
ORDINANCES
O-08-34 Alderman Gaines
Granting a Conditional Use to allow a Self-Serve Ice Machine in a C-3 zone for property located at 3621 Camp Robinson Road (applicant: Bill Looper) - Read 1 time and held
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS
R-08-61 Mayor Hays
Encouraging clean-up and beautification of the Lower Pike Avenue area
R-08-62 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sell a vacant lot located next to 1512 37th Street (to Ron Moore for $1,500.00)
R-08-63 Aldermen Bryant and Ross
Appropriating $30,000.00 from the General Fund for the Code Enforcement Demolition and Debris Removal Program
R-08-64 Mayor Hays
Approving the request of property owner for an extension of time to rehabilitate certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 724 and 726 West 23rd Street, which were previously condemned (owner: Dennis Chudy)
R-08-65 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 1318 West 13th Street to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owner: Maria C. Torres) - Convene public hearing this date
R-08-66 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 1602 Locust Street to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owner: Linda Koubek, Buff Properties LMTDPS) - Convene public hearing this date
R-08-67 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 1716 Chandler to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owner: David R. Edgecombe) - Convene public hearing this date
R-08-68 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 2101 East 2nd Street to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owners: Randy and Donna Dyer) - Convene public hearing this date
R-08-69 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 2704 - 2706 Gribble to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owners: Robert J. and Lynda K. Kuta) - Convene public hearing this date
R-08-70 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 3021 Arkansas Avenue to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owners: Bobby G. and Jennifer Henry) - Convene public hearing this date
R-08-71 Mayor Hays
Declaring certain buildings, houses and other structures located at 4007 Rogers to constitute a public nuisance and condemning the same (owner: Judy Brown, Brown Uplift Group, LLC.) - Convene public hearing this date
R-08-72 Mayor Hays
Appropriating $1,661.00 from Act 833 Funds for Asbestos Removal at the Central Fire Station at 723 Maple Street
R-08-73 Mayor Hays
Appropriating $8,674.00 from Act 833 Funds for the purchase of a Ward “No Smoke” Vehicle Exhaust Removal System for Fire Department Rescue Unit 1
R-08-74 Mayor Hays
Appropriating $18,091.00 from Act 833 Funds for replacement of the Boiler at the Central Fire Station located at 723 Maple Street
ORDINANCES
O-08-38 Mayor Hays
Repealing Ordinance No. 8040 authorizing the Issuance of Electric System Revenue Bonds to Provide Working Capital for the Electric System; Authorizing the Sale of the Bonds; authorizing and prescribing other matters pertaining thereto
O-08-39 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Issuance of a Promissory Note to Provide Short-Term Financing under Amendment No. 78 to the AR Constitution for Improvements to the NLR Recreational Vehicle Park, providing for the payment of the Principal of and Interest on the note; and prescribing other matters pertaining thereto
PUBLIC COMMENT
Please complete a public comment card and return to City Clerk before speaking
Respectfully submitted, Diane Whitbey, CMC / CAMC, City Clerk and Collector