Board of Directors Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

October 6, 2025, Board Meeting

6:00 PM

INVOCATION: Director Capi Peck

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

PRESENTATIONS

Fire Prevention Week Proclamation

Modifications

DEFERRALS:

33. RESOLUTION

(Deferred until October 21, 2025)

To affirm Little Rock as a welcoming and inclusive community for all residents; and for other purposes.

34. ORDINANCE

(Deferred until November 4, 2025, at the applicant’s request)

To grant a variance to Chapter 30, Section 30-43 to allow for a fifty-two (52) foot wide driveway on the R-2 zoned property located at 2601 North University Avenue; and for other purposes. Staff recommends denial.

Synopsis: Ashlea Beene is appealing the Administrative Official for the Planning and Development Department’s action in the denial of a 52 ft. wide driveway on the R-2 zoned property located at 2601 North University Avenue and requesting a variance for the driveway. (Located in Ward 3)

ADDITIONS:

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Bale Chevrolet Company, in an amount not to exceed $174,000.00, plus applicable taxes and fees, for the purchase of four (4) electric Chevrolet Equinox Vehicles; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Bale Chevrolet for the purchase of four (4) Chevrolet Equinox EVs for various City of Little Rock departments.

To ratify the reappointment of Karen Buchanan to the Board of Commissioners of the Little Rock Housing Authority d/b/a Metropolitan Housing Alliance (MHA), for a term to expire September 30, 2030; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

To ratify appointments to the Little Rock Advertising and Promotion Commission; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Board Communication

To establish a Firefighter Bill of Rights for the City of Little Rock; to provide protection for Firefighters in disciplinary proceedings; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: An Ordinance establishing a Firefighter Bill of Rights for the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, to provide protection for firefighters in disciplinary proceedings.

Agenda

CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1 – 24)

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to execute a supplement to the agreement of understanding and amend the authorized contribution to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, for intersection improvements to Asher Avenue/ Colonel Glenn Road/ University Avenue; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: Authorizes the City Manager to execute a supplement to the Agreement of Understanding with ARDOT for Job 061510 to increase the amount of the City’s contribution to allow for the award of the construction contract. (Located in Ward 1,2,6, and 7)

Board Communication

To require that the 2025 Audit be performed in accordance with the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, financial reporting guidelines, and format prescribed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the United States Government Accountability Office; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to require that the 2025 financial audit be performed in accordance with guidelines and formats prescribed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the United States Government Accountability Office.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Forvis Mazars, LLP, to provide Certified Public Accounting Services to the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, for the periods ending 2025 – 2029; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Forvis Mazars, LLP, to provide Certified Public Accounting Services to the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, for the 2025-2029 Audits.

Board Communication

To amend Little Rock, Ark., Resolution No. 16,677 (May 6, 2025), to add four (4) more entities to those authorized to contract with the City of Little Rock. Arkansas, without competitive bids as part of a Cooperative Purchasing Agreement; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into cooperative contracts with four (4) additional approved vendors.

Board Communication

To approve the amended Bylaws of the Little Rock Sister Cities Commission. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to approve amendments to the Bylaws for the Sister Cities Commission. The Commission approved the amendments to the bylaws at the July meeting.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Symetra Life Insurance Company for Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance for the period of January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Symetra Insurance for Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance for the City of Little Rock employees and their dependents for the period of January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Symetra Life Insurance Company, in an amount not to exceed $460,000.00, to provide Group Life and Group Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Coverage to city employees and their dependents, for the period of January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract extension with Symetra Insurance for the period of January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, for Voluntary Group Life and Voluntary Group AD&D Insurance for City employees and their dependents.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Southwest Employee Assistance Programs, Inc., d/b/a SWEAP Connections, in an annual amount not to exceed $100,000.00, to provide an employee assistance program to city employees and their dependents, for the period of January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract extension with Southwest Employee Assistance Programs Inc. d/b/a Sweap Connections for the period of January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Delta Dental Plan of Arkansas, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000.00, to provide Administrative Services for the period beginning January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract extension with Delta Dental of Arkansas Inc., to provide self-funded dental coverage for the period of January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, for City employees and their dependents.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Vision Care Service Plan Insurance Company (VSP), in an amount not to exceed $170,000.00, to provide Group Vision Insurance for the period beginning January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into an administrative services agreement with VSP for the period of January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, for City employees and their dependents.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Symetra Life Insurance Company in an amount not to exceed $755,000.00, to provide Group Life, Group Accidental Death and Dismemberment, and Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage to City Employees and their Dependents, for the period beginning January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A Resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract extension with Symetra for the period of January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, for Group Life, Group AD&D, and Long-term Disability Insurance for City employees and their dependents. This is year three (3) of a seven (7) year contract.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Symetra Life Insurance Company for Voluntary Hospital Indemnity Insurance for the period beginning January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract extension with Symetra Insurance for the period of January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, for Hospital Indemnity Insurance for City employees and their dependents. Hospital Indemnity Insurance is a voluntary benefit for City of Little Rock employees and therefore is held solely at the expense of the employee.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Transamerica Life Insurance Company for Voluntary Cancer Insurance for the period beginning January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract extension with Transamerica for the period of January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, for Cancer Insurance for City employees and their dependents. This is a voluntary benefit for City of Little Rock employees and therefore is held solely at the expense of the employee.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Transamerica Life Insurance Company for Group Universal Life Insurance for the period beginning January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract extension with Transamerica for the period of January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, for Group Universal Life Insurance for City employees and their dependents.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Medical Transport Services d/b/a Masa to provide elective Medical Transport Coverage for City Employees and their dependents at Employee cost, for the period beginning January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract extension with Medical Transport Services doing business as MASA, for the period of January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, for Medical Transport Insurance for City employees and their dependents. This is a voluntary benefit for City of Little Rock employees and therefore, is held solely at the expense of the employee.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $82,200.00, to provide third party Administrative Services for the City’s Self-Funded Workers’ Compensation Program for a one (1)-year term from October 1, 2025, to October 1, 2026; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, LLC, for third-party administration services for the City’s Self-Funded Workers’ Compensation Program.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Continental American Insurance Company d/b/a AFLAC, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $450,000.00, to provide elective Group Accident Insurance to the City’s employees and dependents, for the period beginning January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract extension with Continental American Insurance Company d/b/a AFLAC, for the period of January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, for Group Accident Insurance for City employees and their dependents. This is a voluntary benefit for the City of Little Rock employees and therefore are held solely at the expense of the employee.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Tokio Marine HCC for Self-Funded Medical Plan Reinsurance Contract for the City’s 2026 Partially Self-Funded Employee Group Health Plan; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: To authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Tokio Marine HCC for self-funded medical plan reinsurance for the period of January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Cigna Healthcare for Group Medical Administration and Network Services for the City’s 2026 Partially Self-Funded Employee Group Health Plan; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: To authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Cigna Healthcare for self-funded group medical administration and network services for the period of January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Subaward Agreement with Metroplan, in the amount of $574,420.00, to accept EPA Grant Funds for the purchase, planting, care, and watering of 7,550 trees in two (2) City Parks to mitigate April 2023 Storm Damage and Combat Carbon Dioxide related Climate Change; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager enter into subrecipient agreement with Metroplan to accept $574,420.00 in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (“CPRG”), to plant 7,550 trees and saplings to mitigate the canopy loss from the March 2023 tornado and improve carbon sequestration in Reservoir Park and Murray Park to be known as the Green Network Project.

To fill a vacancy on the Board of Commissioners for the Pecan Lake Municipal Recreational Improvement District No. 4; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Board Communication

To authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Enterprise Fleet Management, in an amount not to exceed $423,797.00, plus applicable taxes and fees, for the emergency upfitting of twenty-nine (29) Little Rock Police Department Vehicles; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Enterprise Fleet Management for the upfitting of twenty-nine (29) police units for the Little Rock Police Department.

Board Communication

To authorize the Mayor to accept, for municipal purposes, permanent construction easements, right-of-way dedications, and fee-simple acquisitions; and to authorize the City Manager to acquire temporary construction easements as needed to complete the construction of the Rose Creek Trail Project; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: Authorizes the City Manager to acquire and the Mayor to accept easements and right-of-way for municipal purposes as needed to complete the construction of the Rose Creek Trail project.

To set October 21, 2025, as the date of hearing on an appeal of the Planning Commission’s Action in approving a conditional use permit to allow a Mental Health and Therapeutic Community Facility on the O-3 zoned property located at 9621 Tall Timber Boulevard; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: Denise White is appealing the Planning Commission’s Approval of a conditional use permit to allow a mental health and therapeutic community facility on the O-3 zoned property at 9621 Tall Timber Boulevard. (Located in Ward 7)

CITIZEN COMMUNICATION

Three (3) minutes are allowed to present a specific item that is not already on the Agenda. This time is allotted for any person to express a written or oral viewpoint, or other message to the Board of Directors. A maximum of thirty (30) minutes is allotted for citizen communications at each meeting. Individuals wishing to address the City Board during Citizen Communication will be required to submit a yellow card to the City Clerk prior to the official start of the meeting, when the Mayor drops the gavel. Citizen Communication Cards are available on the table in the hallway located outside of the Board Chambers. Citizen Communication will be held immediately following the Consent Agenda items on the first Tuesday and at the end of the printed Agenda on the third Tuesday.

GROUPED ITEMS (Items 25 - 32)

Board Communication

To declare it impractical and unfeasible to bid; to authorize the City Manager to enter into a maintenance repair contract with Scott Equipment Company, in an amount not to exceed $53,305.50, plus applicable taxes and fees, for the City’s Volvo AG30 Articulated Hauler (19N264), used to relocate refuse at the Landfill; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: An ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a sole source contract with Scott Equipment for maintenance and repairs to the City’s Landfill Volvo AG30 Articulated Hauler (19N164).

Board Communication

To declare it impractical and unfeasible to bid; to authorize the City Manager to enter into an amendment to the sole source agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $2,854,306.00, plus applicable taxes and fees, to renew essential maintenance and support services for PremierOne Computer-Aided Dispatch and Mobile CAD Software System, for one (1) five (5)-year term; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: An ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Motorola Solutions for continued, essential CAD PremiereOne maintenance and support.

Board Communication

To fix and impose the aggregate amount of fees and charges to be paid to the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, by Entergy Arkansas, LLC; and the method of Payment thereof; to amend Section 9 of the Little Rock, Ark., Ordinance No. 11,683 (December 6, 1965); and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: Approval of an ordinance levying a Franchise Fee to be paid by Entergy Corporation. This Franchise Fee should remain in effect until otherwise amended by the Board of Directors.

Board Communication

To fix and impose the amount of fees and charges to be paid to the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, by all companies that provide interstate or intrastate long distance Telecommunication Services, and all business incidental to, or connected with the conduction of such telephone business in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; to amend Section 3 of Little Rock, Ark., Ordinance No. 15,706 (July 5, 1989); and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: Approval of an ordinance levying a Franchise Fee for companies providing long-distance telephone Service in Little Rock for 2026.

Board Communication

To levy Franchise Fees to be paid by all carriers providing local access telephone services; to provide for the payment thereof; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: Approval of an ordinance levying a Franchise Fee to be paid by all carriers providing local access telephone service. This Franchise Fee should remain in effect until otherwise amended by the Board of Directors.

Board Communication

To amend Little Rock, Ark., Ordinance No. 11,366 (March 4, 1963), as amended, to provide for levying a Franchise Fee to be paid by Summit Utilities (formerly known as CenterPoint Energy ARKLA); to provide for the payment thereof; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: Approval of an ordinance levying a Franchise Fee to be paid by Summit Utilities (formerly known as CenterPoint Energy ARKLA). This Franchise Fee should remain in effect until otherwise amended by the Board of Directors.

Board Communication

To establish the rate of taxation of the property for the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, to be collected in the year 2026 for various funds of the City of Little Rock, to declare an emergency; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: Adoption of the ordinance levying Property Taxes to be paid on real and personal property located within the City of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Board Communication

To expand the Board of Commissioners for the Yorkwood Recreational Improvement District No. 3 of Pulaski County, Arkansas, from three (3) to seven (7) members; to provide appointment of four (4) additional Commissioners; and for other purposes. Staff recommends approval.

Synopsis: An ordinance to expand the Board of Commissioners for the Yorkwood Recreational Improvement District No. 3 from three (3) to seven (7) members.

SEPARATE ITEMS (Item 33)

To affirm Little Rock as a welcoming and inclusive community for all residents; and for other purposes.

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS (Items 34)

Board Communication

To grant a variance to Chapter 30, Section 30-43 to allow for a fifty-two (52) foot wide driveway on the R-2 zoned property located at 2601 North University Avenue; and for other purposes. Staff recommends denial.

Synopsis: Ashlea Beene is appealing the Administrative Official for the Planning and Development Department’s action in the denial of a 52 ft. wide driveway on the R-2 zoned property located at 2601 North University Avenue and requesting a variance for the driveway. (Located in Ward 3)