HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-02-21 Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting
February 2, 2021
6:00 PM
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting
February 2, 2021
6:00 PM
The Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, met in a regular meeting with
Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., presiding. Deputy City Clerk Allison Segars called the roll with
the following Directors present: Hendrix (via WebEx Teleconferencing); Richardson (via
WebEx Teleconferencing); Webb (via WebEx Teleconferencing); Peck; Wright; Wyrick;
Kumpuris; Phillips; Adcock; Vice-Mayor Hines; and Mayor Scott. Director Antwan
Phillips delivered the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ADDITIONS:
M-1 ORDINANCE: To declare it impractical and unfeasible to bid; to authorize the City
Manager to enter into a contract with the U.S. Soccer Foundation, in an amount not to
exceed $100,000.00, to construct a Mini-Pitch Soccer Facility at Wakefield Park; to
declare an emergency; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.
Synopsis: An ordinance to authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding
with the United States Soccer Foundation for the development of a Safe Places to Play Mini-Pitch at
Wakefield Park.
Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by Vice-Mayor Hines, to add Item M-1 to
the Separate Items. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, Item M-1
was added to the Separate Items.
SEPARATE ITEM (Item M-1)
M-1 ORDINANCE NO. 21,959: To declare it impractical and unfeasible to bid; to
authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with the U.S. Soccer Foundation, in
an amount not to exceed $100,000.00, to construct a Mini-Pitch Soccer Facility at
Wakefield Park; to declare an emergency; and for other purposes. Staff recommends
approval.
Synopsis: An ordinance to authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding
with the United States Soccer Foundation for the development of a Safe Places to Play Mini-Pitch at
Wakefield Park.
The ordinance was read the first time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by
Vice-Mayor Hines, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. By
unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the
ordinance was read a second time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by
Director Wright, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. By
unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the
ordinance was read a third time. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members
present, the ordinance was approved. By unanimous voice vote of the Board
Members present, the emergency clause was approved.
1
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting
February 2, 2021
6:00 PM
CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1 — 5)
1. MOTION: To approve the minutes of the December 1, 2020, Little Rock City Board
of Directors Meeting.
2. RESOLUTION NO. 15,383: To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract
with Landscape Structures, Inc., in the total amount of $159,998.08, for the construction
of a new playground located at Wakefield Park; and for other purposes. Staff recommends
approval.
Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Landscape
Structures, Inc.,for the construction of a new playground located at Wakefield Park.
3. RESOLUTION NO. 15,384: A resolution to authorize and amend Sections 1 and 2 of
Little Rock, Ark., Resolution No. 14,290 (February 23, 2016), to approve an increase in
the Contract Fee with Lose Design by $7,083.00, for an amended amount of
$157,083.00, for the purpose of updating the 2001 Parks Master Plan; and for other
purposes. Staff recommends approval.
Synopsis: A resolution to amend Resolution No. 14,290 and to authorize the City Manager to
increase the contract fee with Lose Designs for the Master Parks Plan Update.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 15,385: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into
a contract with the Central Arkansas Library System, to administer a grant to conduct a
Citywide Campaign to address hunger in the community; and for other purposes. Staff
recommends approval.
Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Central
Arkansas Library System for the administration of a National Recreation and Parks Association for a
Parks as a Community Nutrition Hubs Grant.
5. RESOLUTION NO. 15,386: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into
a contract with McClelland Consulting Engineers, Inc., in an amount no to exceed
$249,500.00, to provide Design and Engineering Services for the Tri-Creek Greenway
Trail Project; and for other purposes. (Funding from the 3/8-Cent Capital Improvement Sales
Tax) Staff recommends approval.
Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with McClelland
Consulting Engineers, Inc., to provide Design and Engineering Services for the Tri-Creek Greenway
Trail Project.
Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by Vice-Mayor Hines, to approve the
Consent Agenda. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the
Consent Agenda.
CITIZEN COMMUNICATION
There were no cards received from individuals wanting to speak during Citizen
Communication.
SEPARATE ITEMS (Items 6 — 7)
Vice-Mayor Hines made the motion, seconded by Director Adcock, that there be a roll
call vote for each of the separate items. Director Phillips asked if the request for a roll
2
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting
February 2, 2021
6:00 PM
call vote could be made prior to the items being read. City Attorney Tom Carpenter
stated that it was a precipitatory motion to request that a roll call be held, so there was
not anything wrong with the request. By voice vote of the Board Members present, with
Director Richardson voting Present, the motion was approved.
6. ORDINANCE NO. 21,957: To adopt the 2020 Parks and Recreation Master Plan
and the 2020 - 2024 Strategic Plan for the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; to repeal the
Parks Master Plan that was approved in Little Rock, Ark., Ordinance No. 18,528 (July
17, 2001), to declare an emergency; and for other purposes. (Funded from the 3/8-Cent
Capital Improvement Sales Tax) Staff recommends approval.
Synopsis: An ordinance to adopt the 2020 Parks and Recreation Master Plan and 2020 - 2024
Strategic Plan.
The ordinance was read the first time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by
Vice-Mayor Hines, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. By
unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the
ordinance was read a second time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by
Vice-Mayor Hines, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. By
unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the
ordinance was read a third time. By roll call vote, the vote was as follows: Ayes:
Richardson; Webb; Peck; Kumpuris; Phillips; Adcock; and Vice-Mayor Hines. Nays:
Wright and Wyrick. Present: Hendrix. When asked if she would like to change her
Present vote, Director Hendrix indicated that she would like to change her vote from
Present to Aye. The final roll call vote was as follows: Ayes: Hendrix; Richardson;
Webb; Peck; Kumpuris; Phillips; Adcock; and Vice-Mayor Hines. Nays: Wright and
Wyrick. By a vote of eight (8) ayes and two (2) nays, the ordinance was approved. By
roll call vote, the vote was as follows: Ayes: Hendrix; Richardson; Webb; Peck;
Kumpuris; Philips; Adcock; and Vice-Mayor Hines. Nays: Wright and Wyrick. By a vote
of eight (8) ayes and two (2) nays, the emergency clause was approved.
7. ORDINANCE; Z-7091-A: To reclassify property located in the City of Little Rock,
Arkansas, amending the Official Zoning Map of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; and for
other purposes. (Planning Commission: 7 ayes;3 nays;and 1 absent) (Deferred from January 19,
2021) Staff recommends approval.
Synopsis: The owner of the 11.66-acre property located at the north end of Brookside Drive, east of
Reservoir Road, is requesting that the property be reclassified from PRD, Planned Residential
District,to R-5, Urban Residence District. (Located in Ward 4)
The ordinance was read the first time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by
Vice-Mayor Hines, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. By
unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the
ordinance was read a second time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by
Vice-Mayor Hines, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. By
unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the
ordinance was read a third time.
Ernie Peters: Stated the he had filled out a card to speak; however, he was there to
provide support to the applicant. Mayor Scott stated that his card was the only card that
had been submitted to speak in favor of the item.
Vice-Mayor Hines asked for a point of order, which was recognized by Mayor Scott.
Vice-Mayor Hines stated that the applicant was present; however, he had not filled out a
3
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting
February 2, 2021
6:00 PM
card. Vice-Mayor Hines asked if the applicants were required to fill out a card to speak.
City Attorney Carpenter stated that the previous practice of the Board had been to allow
the applicant to speak; however, for the past several months the practice had been that
if a card was not submitted prior to the gavel dropping, an individual would not be
allowed to speak.
Mr. Peters stated that the project was an infill project on approximately twelve (12) acres
of land and would consist of an estimated 300 multi-family units. Mr. Peters stated that
the current zoning was a PCD, Planned Commercial Development, and would not allow
for multi-family.
Vice-Mayor Hines made the motion, seconded by Director Kumpuris, to allow the
applicant to speak. By roll call vote, the vote was as follows: Ayes: Webb; Peck; Wright;
Wyrick; Kumpuris; Phillips; and Vice-Mayor Hines. Nays: Hendrix; Richardson; and
Adcock. By a vote of seven (7) ayes and three (3) nays, the motion was approved.
Blake Wiggins: Stated that he and his Father, Joey Wiggins, were the Developers of the
project and they planned on building a high-end marketplace complex in proximity to the
hospitals and healthcare workers. Mr. Wiggins stated that they had attempted to meet
with the area neighborhoods; however, they were not successful in meeting with all of
them and those that they did meet were not supportive of the current application.
Joey Wiggins: Stated that he was working with his son on the proposed project and
thanked Director Peck for meeting with them regarding the application.
Director Wyrick asked for an explanation of the proposed project. Planning &
Development Director Jamie Collins stated that the property in question was an
undeveloped twelve (12)-acre site with multi-family located to the north and south of the
property. Mr. Collins stated the Land Use Plan showed that the requested area was
Residential High (RH) Density which accommodated residential development of more
than twelve (12) dwelling units per acre. The application was to change the property
from PRD, Planned Residential Development, to R-5, Urban Residential District, to allow
for the development of up to thirty-six (36) units per acre. Mr. Collins stated that staff
was supportive of the zoning request and felt that it was reasonable and that the zoning
would be compatible with this general area along the Reservoir Road corridor. Mr.
Collins state that there were several other multi-family developments in the area, and the
proposed zoning was consistent with the City's Future Land Use Plan designation of RH
Density.
Director Peck stated that she had met with the applicants and had been involved with
the project; however, she could not support the application.
Lee Beverly: Stated that he lived in the Leawood Neighborhood and was in opposition
to the application because he didn't feel that the zoning classification for the area was
fully compatible with the surrounding land use and there was consistently extreme
flooding along the adjacent property line of the proposed site.
Gray LeMaster: Stated that he was opposed to the development. Mr. LeMaster stated
that his property flooded in 2017 which resulted in a $90,000.00 insurance claim and an
increase in his Flood Insurance Premium. Mr. LeMaster stated that he had spoken with
the City's Engineers regarding a Base Flood Elevation Study, which although expensive,
he felt it was needed. Mr. LeMaster stated that his concern was for the properties
located both upstream and downstream from the creek.
4
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting
February 2, 2021
6:00 PM
Brian Tinnermon: Stated that he was opposed to the proposed project due to the fact
that the height of the proposed structure would adversely affect the view of his backyard.
In addition, Mr. Tinnermon expressed concerns for the potential flooding, traffic flow,
crime rate, property values and sewage.
Jackie Kaufman: Stated that she lived in the Leawood Neighborhood and her concern
was the current apartment availability within ten (10) to fifteen (15) minutes from the
property in question. Ms. Kaufman stated that there were approximately 700+ units
available within the immediate area and the data didn't seem to support the addition of
an additional complex with the market saturated.
John Robbins: Stated that he was in opposition and that his primary concern was the
potential flooding in the area and the lower side of the property was located in the 100-
Year Floodplain.
Scott Gordon: Stated that he was opposed to the rezoning and that his primary concern
was the 300% increase in density proposed on the site and he felt that the proposal was
based on economics and not practicality.
Mr. Wiggins stated that they would be willing to cap the occupancy for the facility at 300.
Vice-Mayor Hines made the motion to allow the applicant to amend the request to
include the language of capping the occupancy for the facility at 300. The motion
failed due to the lack of a second.
By roll call vote, the vote was as follows: Nays: Hendrix; Webb; Peck; Wright; Wyrick;
Kumpuris; Phillips; Adcock; and Vice-Mayor Hines. Present: Richardson. When asked
if he would like to change his Present vote, Director Richardson indicated that he would
like to change his vote from Present to Nay. The final roll call vote was as follows: Nays:
Hendrix; Richardson; Webb; Peck; Wright; Wyrick; Kumpuris; Phillips; Adcock; and Vice-
Mayor Hines. By a vote of zero (0) ayes and ten (10) nays, the ordinance failed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS (Item 8)
8. ORDINANCE NO. 21,958; G-24-057: To abandon a ten (10)-foot wide Sanitary
Sewer Easement, located within the northeast portion of the property located at 3424
West 25th Street, in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; and for other purposes. Staff
recommends approval.
Synopsis: Friendship Aspire Academy —Garland Campus requests to abandon a ten (10)-foot wide
Sanitary Sewer Easement, located within the northeast portion of the property located at 3424 West
25th Street, as part of a new school development which was recently approved (Conditional Use
Permit) by the Planning Commission. The new school building will be an expansion of the
Friendship Aspire Academy — Garland Campus, which is located immediately to the west at 3615
West 25th Street. (Located in Ward 1)
Mayor Scott opened the public hearing.
The ordinance was read the first time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by
Director Wright, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on second reading. By
unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the
ordinance was read a second time. Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by
Director Wright, to suspend the rules and place the ordinance on third reading. By
unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the rules were suspended and the
ordinance was read a third time.
5
Little Rock Board of Directors Meeting
February 2, 2021
6:00 PM
Mayor Scott asked if there were individuals present that wished to speak for or against
the item. There being none present, Mayor Scott closed the public hearing.
By roll call vote, the vote was as follows: Ayes: Hendrix; Richardson; Webb; Peck;
Wright; Wyrick; Kumpuris; Phillips; Adcock; and Vice-Mayor Hines. By a vote of ten (10)
ayes and zero (0) nays, the ordinance was approved.
Vice-Mayor Hines made the motion, seconded by Director Wright, to adjourn the
meeting. By unanimous voice vote of the Board Members present, the meeting was
adjourned.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
ki/C6104
Allison Segars, 1 - ►�,� City Clerk Frank Scott,
6