10-25-11Little Rock Board of Directors Reconvened Meeting
October 25, 2011
5:11 PM
Little Rock Board of Directors Reconvened Meeting
October 25, 2011
5:11 PM
The Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, met in a reconvened session
with Mayor Mark Stodola presiding. City Clerk Susan Langley called the roll with the
following Directors present: Hendrix; Richardson; Hurst; Cazort; Hines; Wright; Wyrick;
Fortson; Adcock; Vice Mayor Kumpuris; and Mayor Stodola.
1. RESOLUTION NO. 13,390: To recommend to the Pulaski County Election
Commission a proposal for City Ward boundaries to be modified as a result of the 2010
Federal Decennial Census; and for other purpose. Staff recommends approval.
Planning & Development Department Director Tony Bozynski stated that according to
the 2010 Census, the population of the City of Little Rock increased by approximately
10,000 people for a total population of 193,524. Mr. Bozynski stated that under the
current Ward boundaries, several Wards gained population, while others lost. Mr.
Bozynski stated that staff utilized the same process that was utilized following the 2000
Census to develop the current Ward boundaries. Mr. Bozynski explained that staff
utilized the population of 193,524 and divided the total by seven (7) Wards, to come to
the target number, which is the number that each Ward needed to be within a 5%
variance of the targeted number. Mr. Bozynski stated that as a result of the 2010
Census, the target number for each Ward was 27,646, with a 5% variance, which would
bring the total between 26,264 — 29,028. Mr. Bozynski stated that by utilizing the
numbers for the current Ward populations, it was determined that Wards 5 and 7 would
need to be decreased in population and Wards 1, 2, 3, and 6 would need to be
increased to meet the targeted number. Mr. Bozynski reported that Ward 4 was close to
the target number.
Mr. Bozynski stated that staff had utilized identifiable physical features, such as major
streets, neighborhood associations and census geography to draw the boundaries. Mr.
Bozynski stated that the recommended boundaries show all Wards to be within the 5%
variance of the targeted number.
Director Hendrix asked if there had been any gerrymandering in developing the new
boundaries. City Manager Bruce Moore stated that staff was given the direction to stay
within plus /minus 5% of the target population number. In addition, City Manager Moore
stated that staff attempted to keep neighborhood associations together.
Director Wright stated that she had attended a neighborhood association meeting in the
Cherry Creek area and had been told by several residents that they had received an e-
mail stating that their property values would decrease due to the fact that their
neighborhood would now be located within Ward 6. City Attorney Tom Carpenter stated
that typically the appraised value of a property is based on the comparable sales within
the area.
Little Rock Board of Directors Reconvened Meeting
October 25, 2011
5:11 PM
Kenyon Lowe, Sr., 21 Alameda Drive: Stated that he was in support of the proposed
Ward boundaries.
Kelly Ross, 50 Laver Circle: Stated that she represented the Otter Creek Homeowner's
Association and Merchant's Association and that both organizations were in support of
the proposed Ward boundaries.
Noel Washington, 1305 Cleveland Street: Voiced his opposition to the proposed Ward
boundaries.
Joe Busby, 1223 South Fillmore Street: Voiced his opposition to the proposed Ward
boundaries.
James Thomson, 7700 Apache Road: Stated that he was the President of the
Briarwood Neighborhood Association and that they were in opposition to the proposed
Ward boundaries due to the fact that the neighborhood association would be split
between two (2) separate Wards.
Erin Powell, 1705 Fair Park Boulevard: Stated that she was a member of the Fair Park
Neighborhood Association and that they were in opposition to the proposed Ward
boundaries due to the fact that the neighborhood association would be split between two
(2) separate Wards.
Ron Muse, 822 Lewis Street: Stated that he was the Vice President of the Forrest Hills
Neighborhood Association and that they were in support of the Fair Park Neighborhood
Association's request to keep the Association in one (1) Ward.
Michael Clowers, 18000 Fawn Tree Drive: Stated that he was in support of the
proposed Ward boundaries.
Carolyn Jeanne Moody, 13016 Lemoncrest Lane: Did not wish to address the Board;
however, she wanted her support of the proposed Ward boundaries to be included in the
record.
Pam Adcock, 6205 Hinkson Road: Voiced her opposition to the proposed Ward
boundaries and stated that Southwest Little Rock should be designated as one complete
Ward. She asked that the vote be delayed so that the citizens of Little Rock the time to
develop their own Wards.
Troy Stephens, 5 Clover Court: Did not wish to address the Board; however, he wanted
to have his vote recorded in opposition to the proposed ward Boundaries.
Leslie Stephens, 5 Clover Court: Did not wish to address the Board; however, she
wanted to have her vote recorded in opposition to the proposed ward Boundaries.
Pat Gee, 8409 Dowan Drive: Voiced her opposition to the proposed Ward boundaries.
Director Hendrix made the motion to defer the item for two (2) weeks so that an
additional public meeting could be held for input. The motion failed for the lack of a
second.
Director Richardson made the motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Kumpuris, to adopt the
resolution. By roll call vote, the vote was as follows: Ayes: Richardson; Hurst; Cazort;
Hines; Wright; Wyrick; Fortson; Adcock; and Vice Mayor Kumpuris. Nays: Hendrix. By
a total of nine (9) ayes and one (1) nay, the resolution was adopted.
Director Cazort made the motion, seconded by Director Richardson, to adjourn the
reconvened meeting. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the
reconvened meeting was adjourned.
2
Little Rock Board of Directors Reconvened Meeting
October 25, 2011
5:11 PM
APPROVED:
Mark Stodola, Mayor