Scott Miller of the Argenta News Blog reports "that D.J. Smith, staff writer for The North Little Rock Times, has turned in his resignation to the Times, with his last day in about three weeks." In the past we have really enjoyed D. J.'s news articles concerning NLR happenings, and a special trust bond exists between himself and NLAN. We wish him the best in his continuing efforts to be a fine reporter of factual news!
You heard it hear, first! I found out from D. J. that he is starting a local on-line digital newspaper covering North Little Rock! This endeavor promises to be extremely all-inclusive; having direct access to all city employees as well as to our established neighborhood association citizen members! Announcements regarding set-up, contact points and general operational procedures will be forthcoming soon! Stay tuned!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Sales tax -- let them know what you want!
At the NLR City Council Meeting last night Mayor Hays was hesitant in placing his sponsored additional 1 cent sales tax agenda item up for Council's adoption; he had the city clerk only read Resolution R-08-42 as an introduction for comment. Seems the Mayor, as well as the some of the other Council Members, had received enough questions and comments of concern regarding the proposed additional sales tax to warrant further reflection on its merits for consideration. Enough so that Mayor Hays stated the following during Council's discussion on the tax:
"I don't have any desire to carry forward something that the community doesn't have some reasonable interest in."
Mayor Hays stated that the tax resolution would once again be on the City Council's Agenda for April 28th. The status of that resolution, as to whether it will be only a public hearing and/or read for adoption, will be largely determined based on public feed-back during the next two weeks. Thus, to support the Mayor's public announcement for his position of caution regarding the proposed sales tax increase I would urge all NLAN Members to contact him, as well as Ward 4 Aldermen Hight & Witcher, and express their questions and points of concern, too! The phone numbers and e-mail addresses required to do so are posted on the right side of our blog. They all need to continue to hear from us, now! Please don't hesitate - this proposal is too important with a "quality of life impact" at stake to remain silent and let someone else speak up for you! May I borrow a phrase from "Nike" and close with: "Just Do It!"
Call or e-mail our council reps and the mayor!
Mayor Patrick Henry Hays
Telephone: 340.5301
E-Mail: mayor@northlittlerock.ar.gov
Charlie Hight - Ward 4 Alderman
Telephone: 758.8396
E-Mail: CHight@northlittlerock.ar.gov
Murry Witcher - Ward 4 Alderman
Telephone: 835.0009
E-Mail: MWitcher@northlittlerock.ar.gov
"I don't have any desire to carry forward something that the community doesn't have some reasonable interest in."
Mayor Hays stated that the tax resolution would once again be on the City Council's Agenda for April 28th. The status of that resolution, as to whether it will be only a public hearing and/or read for adoption, will be largely determined based on public feed-back during the next two weeks. Thus, to support the Mayor's public announcement for his position of caution regarding the proposed sales tax increase I would urge all NLAN Members to contact him, as well as Ward 4 Aldermen Hight & Witcher, and express their questions and points of concern, too! The phone numbers and e-mail addresses required to do so are posted on the right side of our blog. They all need to continue to hear from us, now! Please don't hesitate - this proposal is too important with a "quality of life impact" at stake to remain silent and let someone else speak up for you! May I borrow a phrase from "Nike" and close with: "Just Do It!"
Call or e-mail our council reps and the mayor!
Mayor Patrick Henry Hays
Telephone: 340.5301
E-Mail: mayor@northlittlerock.ar.gov
Charlie Hight - Ward 4 Alderman
Telephone: 758.8396
E-Mail: CHight@northlittlerock.ar.gov
Murry Witcher - Ward 4 Alderman
Telephone: 835.0009
E-Mail: MWitcher@northlittlerock.ar.gov
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
City Council meets April 14 at 7:00 p.m.
COMMUNICATIONS
1. Sharon Tedford, Mayor’s Office memorandum re: Application for Sunday Alcoholic Beverage Sales - Restaurant Mixed Drink for Jonathan Thang Pham, dba Zapata Grill, Inc., 4305 Warden Road. (Amended Application received 4-1-08 correcting Permit Number).
2. Becky Taylor, Mayor’s Office, letter from Mayor Hays to City Council members re: attached engineering contract with McClelland Engineering for the design of West 3rd Street between the proposed round-about on Pike Avenue and the West side of the proposed Rock Water Village development.
3. Sharon Tedford, Mayor’s Office memorandum re: Retail Beer Off Premises - New Permit for EHE, 300 Lake Lane, by EunHee Shin.
4. Becky Taylor, Mayor’s Office letter from Larry E. Lichty, LEL Enterprises to Ms. Sandra Wilson, Executive Director Arkansas Supportive Housing Network re: Wall Street Journal article pertaining to homelessness.
5. Becky Taylor, Mayor’s Office, letter from Mayor Hays to City Council re: veto of Ordinance No. 8064.
6. Becky Taylor, Mayor’s Office, letter from Mayor Hays to Evan T. Caffrey, Esq. Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC re: USS Orleck DD-886.
PRESENTATIONS
Proclamation to Preston Strobel, son of Michael and Debbie Strobel
Proclamation to Rick Ezell, Office of Emergency Services re: National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
Lisa Ferrell - Power Point Presentation Riverfront Baring Cross Neighborhood Renewal Organization
Debra Buckner - Pulaski County Treasurer Report to City Council
Alderman John Parker and Margaret Powell, Community Relations / Administration Director re: Great North Little Rock Cleanup, Saturday, May 17, 2008.
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-08-21 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Performance Contracting Agreement between the City of NLR and Siemen’s Building Technologies, Inc. - Held
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) Held Reconvene Public Hearing @ 7:05 p.m .this date
ORDINANCES
O-08-14 Mayor Hays
Authorizing a Lease Purchase Agreement for the purpose of financing a Performance-Based Efficiency Project; pledging the guaranteed Efficiency Savings as Payment Security (Bank of America) Read 2 times and held
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS
R-08-38 Mayor Hays
Appointing Evelyn Lovelace to the Senior Citizens Commission
Reappointing Joe Smith to the North Little Rock Public Building Authority
R-08-40 Mayor Hays
Reappointing Dan Scott to the North Little Rock Public Building Authority
R-08-41 Mayor Hays
Reappointing Todd Larson to the North Little Rock Public Building Authority
R-08-42 Mayor Hays
Directing the City Attorney to prepare ordinances Levying a One-cent Sales and Use Tax and calling for an Election (July 8, 2008) and to forward the ordinances to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration for approval
R-08-43 Mayor Hays
Repealing Resolution No. 6758 which declaring 1319 Garland Street in the City of North Little Rock, AR to be a public nuisance and condeming it
R-08-44 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the NLR Fire Department to enter into an Agreement for Mutual Aid in Fire Protection and Hazardous Materials Incident Response with the Little Rock Air Force Base Fire Department
R-08-45 Mayor Hays
Approving Application for Grant Funding to improve a portion of NLR’s Riverfront Park; authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Contract on behalf of the City to maintain the park and facilities
R-08-46 Mayor Hays, Aldermen Gaines, Ross, and Bryant
Appropriating funds from 2004 and 2005 Short Term Financing Bond Issues for Sidewalks, Fire Vehicles and Police Athletic League Building Assistance
R-08-47 Mayor Hays
Approving and Ratifying Adjustments to the 2008 Annual Action Plan to decrease Project Funding Amounts in accordance with the reduction in the 2008 CDBG Funding to the City of NLR
R-08-48 Mayor Hays
Directing the NLR Community Planning Department to distribute Lead-Safe Information to Contractors seeking renovation permits
R-08-49 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and City Attorney to initiate Condemnation Proceedings against property located at 1216 West 3rd Street
R-08-50 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and City Attorney to initiate Condemnation Proceedings against property located on Lot 12, Block 11, Giles Addition to the City of NLR
R-08-51 Alderwoman Ross and Bryant
Appropriating $8,975.00 for installation of Inlet Openings in the box culvert running through Silver City Courts
ORDINANCES
O-08-31 Mayor Hays
Amending the Master Street Plan (Ordinance No. 7932) to delete Richards and Richards Street Overpass
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
1. Sharon Tedford, Mayor’s Office memorandum re: Application for Sunday Alcoholic Beverage Sales - Restaurant Mixed Drink for Jonathan Thang Pham, dba Zapata Grill, Inc., 4305 Warden Road. (Amended Application received 4-1-08 correcting Permit Number).
2. Becky Taylor, Mayor’s Office, letter from Mayor Hays to City Council members re: attached engineering contract with McClelland Engineering for the design of West 3rd Street between the proposed round-about on Pike Avenue and the West side of the proposed Rock Water Village development.
3. Sharon Tedford, Mayor’s Office memorandum re: Retail Beer Off Premises - New Permit for EHE, 300 Lake Lane, by EunHee Shin.
4. Becky Taylor, Mayor’s Office letter from Larry E. Lichty, LEL Enterprises to Ms. Sandra Wilson, Executive Director Arkansas Supportive Housing Network re: Wall Street Journal article pertaining to homelessness.
5. Becky Taylor, Mayor’s Office, letter from Mayor Hays to City Council re: veto of Ordinance No. 8064.
6. Becky Taylor, Mayor’s Office, letter from Mayor Hays to Evan T. Caffrey, Esq. Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC re: USS Orleck DD-886.
PRESENTATIONS
Proclamation to Preston Strobel, son of Michael and Debbie Strobel
Proclamation to Rick Ezell, Office of Emergency Services re: National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
Lisa Ferrell - Power Point Presentation Riverfront Baring Cross Neighborhood Renewal Organization
Debra Buckner - Pulaski County Treasurer Report to City Council
Alderman John Parker and Margaret Powell, Community Relations / Administration Director re: Great North Little Rock Cleanup, Saturday, May 17, 2008.
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-08-21 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Performance Contracting Agreement between the City of NLR and Siemen’s Building Technologies, Inc. - Held
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) Held Reconvene Public Hearing @ 7:05 p.m .this date
ORDINANCES
O-08-14 Mayor Hays
Authorizing a Lease Purchase Agreement for the purpose of financing a Performance-Based Efficiency Project; pledging the guaranteed Efficiency Savings as Payment Security (Bank of America) Read 2 times and held
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS
R-08-38 Mayor Hays
Appointing Evelyn Lovelace to the Senior Citizens Commission
Reappointing Joe Smith to the North Little Rock Public Building Authority
R-08-40 Mayor Hays
Reappointing Dan Scott to the North Little Rock Public Building Authority
R-08-41 Mayor Hays
Reappointing Todd Larson to the North Little Rock Public Building Authority
R-08-42 Mayor Hays
Directing the City Attorney to prepare ordinances Levying a One-cent Sales and Use Tax and calling for an Election (July 8, 2008) and to forward the ordinances to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration for approval
R-08-43 Mayor Hays
Repealing Resolution No. 6758 which declaring 1319 Garland Street in the City of North Little Rock, AR to be a public nuisance and condeming it
R-08-44 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the NLR Fire Department to enter into an Agreement for Mutual Aid in Fire Protection and Hazardous Materials Incident Response with the Little Rock Air Force Base Fire Department
R-08-45 Mayor Hays
Approving Application for Grant Funding to improve a portion of NLR’s Riverfront Park; authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Contract on behalf of the City to maintain the park and facilities
R-08-46 Mayor Hays, Aldermen Gaines, Ross, and Bryant
Appropriating funds from 2004 and 2005 Short Term Financing Bond Issues for Sidewalks, Fire Vehicles and Police Athletic League Building Assistance
R-08-47 Mayor Hays
Approving and Ratifying Adjustments to the 2008 Annual Action Plan to decrease Project Funding Amounts in accordance with the reduction in the 2008 CDBG Funding to the City of NLR
R-08-48 Mayor Hays
Directing the NLR Community Planning Department to distribute Lead-Safe Information to Contractors seeking renovation permits
R-08-49 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and City Attorney to initiate Condemnation Proceedings against property located at 1216 West 3rd Street
R-08-50 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and City Attorney to initiate Condemnation Proceedings against property located on Lot 12, Block 11, Giles Addition to the City of NLR
R-08-51 Alderwoman Ross and Bryant
Appropriating $8,975.00 for installation of Inlet Openings in the box culvert running through Silver City Courts
ORDINANCES
O-08-31 Mayor Hays
Amending the Master Street Plan (Ordinance No. 7932) to delete Richards and Richards Street Overpass
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
Saturday, April 5, 2008
More on the Hayes Tax
Just when we were looking for some meat to go with our potatoes for the upcoming NLAN May Meeting up pops Mayor Hays with news that he wants to increase our NLR sales tax! According to the news article Mayor Hays' action time table is as follows:
1) April 14th City Council Meeting: Introduce his formal plan to the City Council.
2) April 28th City Council Meeting: Asking the City Council to approve calling a special tax election.
3) July 8th: Special Sales Tax Election Date for NLR Voters.
Immediately following Mayor Hays' tax proposal at a NLR Chamber of Commerce luncheon Friday many eyebrows and tongues went into action regarding the merits of this additional sales tax. Needless to say this topic will be on our front burner during the Month of April! The timing couldn't be much better!
NLAN is scheduled to have a regular association meeting on Monday, May 5th at 7:00 PM - location to be announced. If Mayor Hays' time frame holds water then just prior to our meeting the City Council will either have just approved his request for a special tax election, proposed a delay for further fact finding, or defeated it. We will extend invitations to our Ward 4 Aldermen Hight & Witcher to join us for our May meeting, at which time they will be asked to talk about the Mayor's proposed sales tax increase, regardless as to it's then current status.
Thus if the special sales tax election has been called or postponed, to provide their reasons for voting to support or oppose same. If the proposed election has been defeated, to provide their reasons for their vote pro or con, and to offer their thoughts on an alternative solution in meeting the city's financial requirements!
Yes, our May NLAN Meeting promises to be very informative and contemporary. Stay tuned for it's location announcement - for you don't want to miss it!
Nate Brandes - NLAN President
1) April 14th City Council Meeting: Introduce his formal plan to the City Council.
2) April 28th City Council Meeting: Asking the City Council to approve calling a special tax election.
3) July 8th: Special Sales Tax Election Date for NLR Voters.
Immediately following Mayor Hays' tax proposal at a NLR Chamber of Commerce luncheon Friday many eyebrows and tongues went into action regarding the merits of this additional sales tax. Needless to say this topic will be on our front burner during the Month of April! The timing couldn't be much better!
NLAN is scheduled to have a regular association meeting on Monday, May 5th at 7:00 PM - location to be announced. If Mayor Hays' time frame holds water then just prior to our meeting the City Council will either have just approved his request for a special tax election, proposed a delay for further fact finding, or defeated it. We will extend invitations to our Ward 4 Aldermen Hight & Witcher to join us for our May meeting, at which time they will be asked to talk about the Mayor's proposed sales tax increase, regardless as to it's then current status.
Thus if the special sales tax election has been called or postponed, to provide their reasons for voting to support or oppose same. If the proposed election has been defeated, to provide their reasons for their vote pro or con, and to offer their thoughts on an alternative solution in meeting the city's financial requirements!
Yes, our May NLAN Meeting promises to be very informative and contemporary. Stay tuned for it's location announcement - for you don't want to miss it!
Nate Brandes - NLAN President
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Shopping carts
Please call the North Little Rock Code Department at 791-8581 if you see an abandoned shopping cart on public property. The exact location will be needed for Code to pick up the cart. We need your help to keep the carts out of the city storm drains and clean up NLR. Companies will be charged a $25 fee to reclaim their property. This fee will cover the cost of removing and storing the carts.
Debi Ross
Debi Ross
Board of Adjustment Agenda - April 8, 2008
NORTH LITTLE ROCK BUILDING AND HOUSING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT - 120 MAIN STREET - TELEPHONE 975-8835
AGENDA – April 8, 2008 9:30 A.M. Planning Department Conference Room B
Roll Call
Approval of Minutes: March 11, 2008
Administrative:
City Attorney’s opinion on powers of the Board concerning waivers in the Sign Overlay Districts
Old Business:
Case # 507 – Signs First – Simmons First National Bank- 6907 JFK Blvd. – To allow a freestanding pole sign in an overlay district.
Case # 509 – Ace Signs – Riverside Furniture – 4133 JFK Blvd. – To allow an increase in size for a pole sign to a shopping center.
Case # 510 – Mr. Ray Veach – Craft, Veach & Company – 8410 Counts Massie Road – To allow a height variance of 3 ft. above the allowed 6 ft. and a size variance of 98 sq. ft. above the allowed 64 sq. ft. for a monument sign in an I-2 zone.
New Business:
Case # 511 – Mr. Ray Veach – Craft, Veach & Company – 8410 Counts Massie Road – To allow signs on the sides of the three proposed buildings facing the interior parking, not the street frontage.
Case # 512 – Mr. Nick Huckaba – Neonics – My Friends Place, 5501 MacArthur Drive – To allow an under canopy sign of 45 sq. ft. a variance of 30 ft. above the maximum allowed.
Case # 513 – Mr. Dominic Flis - Flis Investments, LLC – Burger King, Lot 7B, Wal-Mart Commercial Addition – To allow building signs on all 4 sides of the building, 3 sides not facing street frontage.
Pubic Comment/adjournment:
AGENDA – April 8, 2008 9:30 A.M. Planning Department Conference Room B
Roll Call
Approval of Minutes: March 11, 2008
Administrative:
City Attorney’s opinion on powers of the Board concerning waivers in the Sign Overlay Districts
Old Business:
Case # 507 – Signs First – Simmons First National Bank- 6907 JFK Blvd. – To allow a freestanding pole sign in an overlay district.
Case # 509 – Ace Signs – Riverside Furniture – 4133 JFK Blvd. – To allow an increase in size for a pole sign to a shopping center.
Case # 510 – Mr. Ray Veach – Craft, Veach & Company – 8410 Counts Massie Road – To allow a height variance of 3 ft. above the allowed 6 ft. and a size variance of 98 sq. ft. above the allowed 64 sq. ft. for a monument sign in an I-2 zone.
New Business:
Case # 511 – Mr. Ray Veach – Craft, Veach & Company – 8410 Counts Massie Road – To allow signs on the sides of the three proposed buildings facing the interior parking, not the street frontage.
Case # 512 – Mr. Nick Huckaba – Neonics – My Friends Place, 5501 MacArthur Drive – To allow an under canopy sign of 45 sq. ft. a variance of 30 ft. above the maximum allowed.
Case # 513 – Mr. Dominic Flis - Flis Investments, LLC – Burger King, Lot 7B, Wal-Mart Commercial Addition – To allow building signs on all 4 sides of the building, 3 sides not facing street frontage.
Pubic Comment/adjournment:
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Planning Commission agenda 4-8-08
Agenda Meeting: Roll Call
Administrative:
Approval of Minutes: March 11, 2008
Subdivision Administrative:
A. NS-2096-08 Virginia Alexander Subdivision, Lots 6 and 7 (Preliminary Plat and Site Plan Review for car repair business located at the NE corner of Alexander Rd and Hwy 165)
B. SPR-2097-08 Booher’s Add, Lot 4, Block 14 (Site Plan Review for a shaved ice stand and self serve ice machine located at the SW corner of 37th and Camp Robinson)
C. SPR-2098-08 Wootens Subdivison, Lot 4R (Site Plan Review for Cox Machine and Fabrication located north of the “T” intersection of Bethany and Young Rd)
D. SPR-2099-08 Clendenins Addition, Lots 2-3, Block 1 (Site Plan Review of retail and condos located at 405 Main Street)
Public Hearing – Old Business:
1. Public Hearing #1441. To study rail crossings in the MacArthur / Percy Machin area.
2. Special Use #650. To allow a mobile BBQ stand in aC-4 zone that requires a Special Use. The request is located at 301 N. Hickory.
Public Hearing – New Business:
3. Conditional Use #40. To allow a farmers market in a C-6 zone that requires a Conditional Use. The request is located at 410 North Main.
4. Conditional Use #42. To allow a self serve ice machine in a C-3 zone that requires a Conditional Use. The request is located at 3621 Camp Robinson Road.
5. Public Hearing #1453. To review the Maumelle Blvd Sign Overlay.
Public Comment / Adjournment
Administrative:
Approval of Minutes: March 11, 2008
Subdivision Administrative:
A. NS-2096-08 Virginia Alexander Subdivision, Lots 6 and 7 (Preliminary Plat and Site Plan Review for car repair business located at the NE corner of Alexander Rd and Hwy 165)
B. SPR-2097-08 Booher’s Add, Lot 4, Block 14 (Site Plan Review for a shaved ice stand and self serve ice machine located at the SW corner of 37th and Camp Robinson)
C. SPR-2098-08 Wootens Subdivison, Lot 4R (Site Plan Review for Cox Machine and Fabrication located north of the “T” intersection of Bethany and Young Rd)
D. SPR-2099-08 Clendenins Addition, Lots 2-3, Block 1 (Site Plan Review of retail and condos located at 405 Main Street)
Public Hearing – Old Business:
1. Public Hearing #1441. To study rail crossings in the MacArthur / Percy Machin area.
2. Special Use #650. To allow a mobile BBQ stand in aC-4 zone that requires a Special Use. The request is located at 301 N. Hickory.
Public Hearing – New Business:
3. Conditional Use #40. To allow a farmers market in a C-6 zone that requires a Conditional Use. The request is located at 410 North Main.
4. Conditional Use #42. To allow a self serve ice machine in a C-3 zone that requires a Conditional Use. The request is located at 3621 Camp Robinson Road.
5. Public Hearing #1453. To review the Maumelle Blvd Sign Overlay.
Public Comment / Adjournment
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