HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-25-22 Special Called Meeting Little Rock Board of Directors Special Called Meeting
January 25, 2022
4:00 PM
Little Rock Board of Directors Special Called Meeting
January 25, 2022
4:00 PM
The Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, met in a Special Called
Meeting with Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., presiding. City Clerk Susan Langley called the roll
with the following Directors present: Miller (via WebEx Teleconferencing); Richardson
(via WebEx Teleconferencing); Webb (via WebEx Teleconferencing); Peck (via WebEx
Teleconferencing); Wright; Wyrick; Kumpuris (enrolled at 4:09 PM via WebEx
Teleconferencing); Phillips (via WebEx Teleconferencing); Adcock; Vice-Mayor Hines;
and Mayor Scott. The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA (Items 1 - 3)
1. RESOLUTION NO. 15,613: To declare that the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, shall
research the reasons for food deserts, and determine the best practices to deal with
such an issue; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.
Mayor Scott stated that Director Kumpuris had offered the resolution and asked that City
Attorney Tom Carpenter provide an overview. City Attorney Carpenter stated that the
resolution dealt the issue of food deserts within the City and the best way to approach
them. City Attorney Carpenter stated that the resolution removed the moratorium
element included in Resolution No. 15,612, which was approved on January 18, 2022,
and removed the requirements of the Mayor and City Manager to review the geographic
location of any food desert within the City, and to identify the number of stores that
would otherwise be impacted by this moratorium had it been in effect before they
achieved their current location. City Attorney Carpenter stated that the resolution would
declare the intent of the Board to study the various factors that lead to food deserts
within the City, and to develop appropriate safeguards, to defeat the existence of food
deserts including, but not limited to, the development of appropriate ordinances,
resolutions, and policies to assure that such safeguards are carried out. In addition, the
information would be collected, reviewed, and discussed, within a period of nine (9)
months from the date of the resolution.
Director Adcock made the motion, seconded by Vice-Mayor Hines, to approve the
resolution.
Director Webb stated that she disagreed with the changes and that she thought the City
was missing a great opportunity to follow other municipalities that had been successful in
enacting such a moratorium. Vice-Mayor Hines stated that Dollar General had come out
with the Dollar General Markets that were already being built in other cities around
Arkansas that would offer fresher food alternatives. Vice-Mayor Hines stated that those
type of stores could help provide a solution to food deserts. Director Kumpuris
complemented Director Webb for bringing the initial resolution to the table and that it
was imperative that the City look at the information that will be collected to try and
address the issue of food deserts.
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Little Rock Board of Directors Special Called Meeting
January 25, 2022
4:00 PM
Director Kumpuris made the motion, seconded by Vice-Mayor Hines, to call the question
on the vote. By voice vote of the Board Members present, with Directors Richardson
and Webb voting in opposition, the question on the vote was called.
By voice vote of the Board Members present, with Directors Richardson and Webb
voting in opposition, the resolution 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.
AT S APPROVED:
114
fmryg City Clerk Frank Scot , Jr., May
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