Thursday, February 28, 2008

Changes Coming For LPIM Group

The Levy Project Improvement Movement Group will meet tonight at 7:00 pm at the North Heights Rec. Center, 4801 Allen Street, just north of 47th Street West. Of importance on their evening's agenda is a called discussion on re-direction for their Group as well as the need for the development of a new LPIM Blog. (You may recall that both the LPIM and NLAN began to organize about the same time and they were very helpful to us in developing the NLAN ByLaws by providing examples of other existing national association's bylaws for our review. We appreciated their efforts to assist us then, and we continue to work together as both of our associations develop a common bond.) As these LPIM organizational changes are firmed up we will then post their new blog link for your information. Stay tuned!

Thank You For The Posts!

Just wanted to let you know that the blog is being read and do appreciate efforts to keep us informed.

John Dominick, Jr.

Your Neighborhood Crime Alert!

Officer Tommy Norman warns the Northeast Lakewood neighbors that the North Little Rock Police Department has reported that several burglaries have recently occurred in the Lakewood area including Overbrook Circle, Bunker Hill Drive, Lakeview Road, and Lochridge Road. Lakewood Northeast could easily be next!

Despite the impression made by poplar television shows, a burglary is a difficult crime for the police to prevent without the assistance of the residents in the area.

YOU may be the key to stopping these crimes by contacting police when you see someone or something suspicious in our neighborhood. The recent burglaries have occurred during daylight hours when residents are at work. The suspects are using a vehicle of some sort.

PLEASE BE ON THE LOOKOUT for small groups of two or three subjects in their late teens or early 20’s walking or driving slowly. The groups may be both male and female and/or may be mixed races.

IF YOU OBSERVE SUSPICIOUS activity or persons in our neighborhood that fit this description, do not hesitate to immediately contact: NORTH LITTLE ROCK POLICE DEPARTMENT at 758-1234 or call 911. Gather as much suspect information as you can from a safe location. A description of the suspects’ gender, race, height, hair age and clothing plus any vehicle information is vital to our efforts to apprehend these criminals.

The North Little Rock Police Department is confident that with the help of people living in our neighborhood, they can soon put an end to these crimes. Meanwhile and at all times in the future HEED THESE PREVENTION TIPS:

Get to know your neighbors and help watch each other’s houses.
Close and lock your garage door.
Keep yard equipment and expensive toys locked up when unattended.
Keep vehicles locked when they are parked outside.
Don’t leave valuables visible in vehicles parked outside.
If you don’t have a home alarm system, install one or at least purchase a simple audio door alarm. These alarms will usually stop a burglar once he attempts to gain entry to your home because the noise may draw unwanted attention. These alarms are available at various home centers.

And of course, be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the NORTH LITTLE ROCK POLICE DEPARTMENT.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Missing Keys Found on Lakewood Drive

A case with keys was found in the road between 13 and 15 Lakewood Drive
on Sunday Feb 24 at approximately 5:30PM. One of the keys in the case
is labeled "bike rack" so the owner is probably a cyclist. Looking to
reunite keys with owner. If these are your keys call 758-1668 to identify.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

The NLR Times Is Having a Sale

There will be a yard sale at the former office of The Times, at 26th and Willow Streets, from 8 a.m. to noon this Saturday. The bulk of the items available will be office equipment: Desks, file cabinets, assorted office accouterments. If you have a big truck and lots of strong friends, we are also selling the safe that's in the building. Feel free to drop by!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Council Agenda - Monday, February 25

COMMUNICATIONS
1. Todd Larson, Director of Economic Development, letter from Pedro R. Garza, Regional Director, US Department of Commerce to Mayor Hays re: joint proposal from City of North Little Rock and Pulaski Technical College re: assistance to construct the Aviation Technology Facility and copy of Mayor Hays’ letter to Mr. Garza.
2. Becky Taylor, Mayor’s Office letter from Sandra R. Wilson and David Deere, AR Homeless Coalition to Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola and North Little Rock Mayor Patrick H. Hays, re: AR Homeless Coalition re: Day Resource Center for the homeless.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation to Mayor Hays from Janet Robb, Sam Swayze and Mike Rohrer, with the Better Business Bureau
North Little Rock Police and Fire Awards Video
2.Welcome to former Maumelle Mayor Burch Johnson and his City Government Class from Academics Plus Charter School in Maumelle

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

RESOLUTIONS

R-08-12 Mayor Hays, Alderman Bryant and Ross
Appointing Karen Zap to the position previously held by Doyle Hines on the Housing and Building Board of Adjustment and Appeals

ORDINANCES

O-08-09 Mayor Hays
Adopting the “Arkansas Mechanical Code, 2003 Edition” (copies can be viewed in the City Clerk’s Office) Read 1 time and held
O-08-12 Mayor Hays
Adopting revised standards of conduct for the NLR Police DepartmentRead 3 times and held

NEW 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.
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)
R-08-23 Mayor Hays
Certifying the amount of a Clean Up Lien to be filed with the Pulaski County Tax Collector against property located at 1509 Chandler Street ($7,372.62)

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)
O-08-15 Mayor Hays
Waiving formal bidding requirements for Insurance on the Murray Hydroelectric Plant; authorizing a contract with Regions Insurance (not to exceed $223,100)
O-08-16 Alderwoman Ross
Allowing a Special Use for a Day Care Center in an R-3 zone for property located at 704 West 38th Street (applicant: Soul Winning Temple)
O-08-17 Alderman Gaines
Granting a Conditional Use for a Day Care Center in a C-3 zone for property located at 4609 Camp Robinson Road (applicant: Kularb Sexton)
O-08-18 Alderman Parker
Allowing an Off-Premise Sign for property located at the corner of Bridgeway Drive and Crystal Hill Road (applicant: WindSong Church of Christ and Central AR Christian Schools, Inc.)
O-08-19 Alderwoman Ross
To apply Zoning Classification to the Fairfax Addition to the City of NLR by amending Ord. 7697
O-08-20 Alderwoman Robinson
To reclassify property located at 401 West 4th Street from the present C-1 to R-2 Classification, amending Ord. 7697 (applicant: Brian Cox)
O-08-21 Alderwoman Robinson
Granting a Conditional Use for a Day Care Center in a C-3 zone for property located at 2204 Highway 161 (applicant: Carolyn Lewis)
O-08-22 Alderman Thomas
Reclassifying property located at 8301 Faulkner Lake Road from R-2 to Planned Use Development (PUD), to allow an office in an existing Distribution Center, amending Ord. No. 7697 (applicant: Jim Butler)

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

Monday, February 18, 2008

There is more wildlife!

You may recall a post on January 16th that in part listed all the wildlife confirmed by multiple sightings in our neighborhood. One animal that was left out was rabbit, and at one time we had plenty of them! Yes, in keeping with their noted ability to procreate we have seen many a rabbit in our yards over the past years! However they have been scarce of lately and maybe now we know why? With at least two sightings during the past week our neighbors have seen what they described as larger than a dog - bigger than a red fox.! On the corner of Somers and Valley Brook they believe they have seen definitely not a dog, but a coyote!

According to Webster's New World Dictionary the definition of a coyote is: "a small wolf of the prairies of Western North America." Now we are a long way from the prairies of Western North America so one must wonder whether our neighbors actually have seen a full-blown down-home Arkansas Wolf? Back in the 80's one of our neighbors on Somers Avenue (one of the houses torn down) claimed she had seen wolves in the fields behind her house, but we just dismissed her allegation as being foolish! Perhaps we were the ones being the fool!

This alert is not to alarm our neighbors for their personal safety, nor their children's. However we are concerned about the safety of their small pet animals that may find themselves outside and unattended during the evening hours. We have noted a reduction in the rabbit population - so please be alert on behalf of your small pets! Our wildlife continues to be forced out of our 5 Mile Creek area's woods for reason of ongoing development; it's the price we must pay for progress!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Vehicle Theft!

One of our vehicles was gone through by an intruder/thief. They got a gas credit card, possible bank checks, account numbers and other miscellaneous items. This happened 02-12-2008 sometime during the night. We found our car ransacked the morning of 02-13-2008 at the corner of Summers and Oak Tree Circle.

Please be aware and report any suspicious activity or other break-ins in the neighborhood. An officer of NLR police came by and a report was made.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Invitation to Town Hall Meeting

The Levy Town Hall Meeting, sponsored by Ward 3 Alderman Cary Gaines, will be held at the Levy Baptist Church, 3501 Pike Avenue on Tuesday the 12th starting at 6:30 p.m. Invited special guests are Mayor Hays, Police Chief Bradley, City Attorney Jason Carter and Code Enforcement Director Tom Wadley. The meeting is open to all NLR citizens and Levy is encouraging all neighborhoods to attend. In the future NLAN may also be holding a town hall meeting, and this Levy meeting may provide an outline to be followed for a successful effort to bring our city government representatives together before us. The invitation has been extended, please consider attending. This could be very interesting - hope to see you there!

Friday, February 8, 2008

Keep Our Cops!

You may recall that back on January 23rd we alerted you to the proposed 2008 Quota Ordinance, sponsored by Mayor Hays to reduce the North Little Rock Police Department's authorized budgeted manpower levels from 203 down to 192. This Ordinance was initially scheduled for the City Council Meeting of January 28th. Thereafter Ward 3 Alderman Cary Gaines reported that the Ordinance was being delayed and would probably be on the February 11th City Council's Agenda. In reviewing the published agenda for this meeting we find that the Ordinance is not listed. And our good friends at the Levy Blog state the same findings and believe the Ordinance is not ready to be presented for Council business at this time! We'll try to keep you posted on this most important City Council business action step whenever it appears that Mayor Hays has placed it on the agenda.

Nate Brandes
President - NLAN

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

NORTH LITTLE ROCK CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

Monday, February 11, 2008 @ 7:00 p.m.

COMMUNICATIONS
1. Callie Matthews, Mayor’s Office memorandum re: Retail Beer Off Premises & Small Farm Winery - Retail - Change of Manager for Kroger Food Store #633, 900 Pershing, by Patrick W. Scherrey.
2. Callie Matthews, Mayor’s Office memorandum re: Retail Beer Off Premises & Small Farm Winery - Retail - Change of Manager for Kroger Food Store #638, West 44th Street and Camp Robinson Road, by Patrick W. Scherrey.
3. Callie Matthews, Mayor’s Office memorandum re: Retail Beer Off Premises & Small Farm Winery - Retail - Change of Manager for Kroger Food Store #639, 2509 McCain Boulevard by Patrick W. Scherrey.
4. Callie Matthews, Mayor’s Office memorandum re: Retail Beer Off Premises & Small Farm Winery - Retail - Change of Manager for Kroger Food Store #642, 6929 JFK Boulevard, by Patrick W. Scherrey.
5. Callie Matthews, Mayor’s Office memorandum re: Retail Beer Off Premises & Small Farm Winery - Retail - New for Wal-Mart Supercenter #4460, 12001 Maumelle Boulevard by William Howard Thrasher.

PRESENTATIONS
North Little Rock Sertoma Club 2007 Christmas Parade Trophy Presentations - Pat and Robert Carl

PUBLIC HEARING
7:05 p.m. Convene a public hearing re: O-07-136, granting a Conditional Use to allow an Auto Accessories Installation business in a C-3 zone for property located at 3701 JFK Boulevard (applicant: Scott Holmes).

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
ORDINANCES
O-07-136 Mayor Hays
Granting a Conditional Use to allow an Auto Accessories Installation business in a C-3 zone for property located at 3701 JFK Blvd (applicant: Scott Holmes) - Read 3 times and returned to agenda Public Hearing this date @ 7:05 p.m.
O-08-06 Alderman Thomas
Granting a Conditional Use to allow a used Car Sales Lot in a C-4 Zone for property located at 2100 East Broadway (applicant: John Richardson) - Read 3 times, amended, and returned to agenda for consideration as amended due to clerical error

NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS
R-08-12 Mayor Hays, Alderman Bryant and Ross
Appointing Karen Zap to the position previously held by Doyle Hines on the Housing and Building Board of Adjustment and Appeals
R-08-13 Mayor Hays
Reappointing Murry Witcher to the Advertising and Promotion Commission
R-08-14 Mayor Hays
Reappointing Tony Vestal to the Central AR Transit Authority Board
R-08-15 Mayor Hays
Reappointing Linda Goza to the NLR Historic District Commission
R-08-16 Mayor Hays
Reappointing Ann Clements to the History Commission
R-08-17 Mayor Hays
Reappointing Susan Gordon Gunter to the History Commission
R-08-18 Mayor Hays
Reappointing Carl Jackson to the Planning Commission Board of Adjustment and Appeals
R-08-19 Mayor Hays
Reappointing Willie Elizandro to the NLR Non-Uniformed Employees Retirement Board
R-08-20 Mayor Hays
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an amendment to the Network Integration Transmission Service Agreement between the City and Entergy Services, Inc. for the delivery of Power and Energy from Plum Point Energy Station Unit II

ORDINANCES
O-08-07 Mayor Hays, Alderman Gaines, Ross and Bryant
Changing the name of a portion of East 15th Street to Curtis Sykes Drive (from Main Street to the intersection with East 13th Street and North Hills Boulevard)
O-08-08 Mayor Hays
Prohibiting the withdrawal and use of groundwater as a potable water supply by the installation or use of water supply wells or by any other method on property located at the southwest intersection of Riverfront Drive and Karrott Street
O-08-09 Mayor Hays
Adopting the “Arkansas Mechanical Code, 2003 Edition” (copies can be viewed in the City Clerk’s Office)
O-08-10 Mayor Hays
Amending the Master Street Plan (Ordinance No. 7932) to add a Minor Arterial by extending Oak Grove Road to I-40
O-08-11 Aldermen Gaines and Parker
Approving a Pole Sign for property located at 11905 Maumelle Boulevard (applicant: David Elrod - Boulevard Wine and Spirits)
O-08-12 Mayor Hays
Adopting revised standards of conduct for the NLR Police Department
O-08-13 Alderman Gaines and Parker
Approving a hillside cut for WNLR Commercial Addition on Maumelle Boulevard (applicant: Thomas Engineering)

PUBLIC COMMENT
Please complete a public comment card and return to City Clerk before speaking

>City Offices will be closed, Monday, February 18, 2008, in observance of President’s Day and Daisy Bates Day. Garbage, trash and recycling routes will all run 1-day delayed all week (i.e. Monday’s pickup will be Tuesday and so on...)

Friday, February 1, 2008

Encouraging Words from our Levy Friends

I am so glad to see this blog up and running in the fashion it is. With our blog in Levy we have seen many things come to fruition because we have spoken out and have had lots of help from our alderpeople in everything we have asked for so far. I hope and pray for you all to have the same success we have experienced. I want to let you all know that if you keep on keepin' on, you will get your message out and people WILL take notice. Together we can all make a difference.
The one Big Dog Daddy