[00:00:01]
[1. CALL TO ORDER ]
SO I CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER MR. BLAGG. THANK YOU, AND CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? TWO ABSENT, 12 PRESENT.FOLKS, AS IS OUR TRADITION HERE AT PULASKI COUNTY, WE ALWAYS BEGIN OUR MEETING WITH AN INVOCATION, AND JUSTICE STOWERS IS GOING TO GIVE THAT INVOCATION, AND THEN JUSTICE ROBINSON WILL LEAD US ALL IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND THEN WE'LL GET TO BUSINESS.
SO ALL THOSE WHO CAN STAND, PLEASE DO.
WE GATHER HERE THIS EVENING, INTENT ON DOING GOOD WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF PULASKI COUNTY, AND WE KNOW THAT IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE NEED YOUR BLESSINGS ON OUR EFFORTS, AND WE NEED YOU TO HELP US TO SEE THROUGH THE CLOUDS AND SEE THROUGH THE GRAY AND HAVE CLEAR INSIGHT.
[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ]
I'M ASSUMING YOU'VE HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO LOOK AT THEM.I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION TO ADOPT.
SO MOVED. SECOND. MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION, YOU'VE HEARD THE SECOND.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY MEETING? THERE BEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL TO ADOPT THE MINUTES FROM JANUARY.
[6. SIMMONS BANK ARENA REPORT]
MR. TUCKER, WHO'S CURRENTLY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MULTIPURPOSE CIVIC CENTER'S FACILITIES BOARD, MICHAEL MARION, THE GENERAL MANAGER, AND MR. JARED LILLARD, THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.SO WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO COORDINATE THIS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.
IF YOU ALL WILL PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AND WE'LL HEAR YOUR REPORT.
THANK YOU, JUDGE HYDE AND MEMBERS OF THE COURT, ESPECIALLY MY NEW REPRESENTATIVE, NATALIE CAPPS; DELIGHTED YOU'RE HERE . AS THE JUDGE SAID, WE REPRESENT THE MULTI PURPOSE CIVIC CENTER FACILITIES BOARD.
SO I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO 2019, WHICH WAS THE YEAR THAT OUR NAME CHANGED.
AS YOU RECALL, IN THE BEGINNING WE WERE ALLTEL ARENA, THEN BECAME VERIZON ARENA AND WE'RE NOW SIMMONS BANK ARENA, AND 2019 WAS REALLY OUR LAST NORMAL YEAR BEFORE COVID HIT US AND IN THAT YEAR WE HAD SOME 430,000 VISITORS.
TREMENDOUS ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE AREA.
SEVERAL OF OUR BIGGEST SHOWS THAT YEAR INCLUDED JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, METALLICA AND JIMMY BUFFETT.
[00:05:05]
DURING THE YEAR, WE BUILT 11 NEW LOGE BOXES, ALL OF WHICH WERE PRE-SOLD BEFORE THEY WERE BUILT, AND WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FACILITY, AND IN THAT YEAR WE UPDATED LIGHTING, PUT IN NEW STAINLESS STEEL CONCESSION COUNTERTOPS, AND MADE UPGRADES TO OUR NETWORKING AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.THE NEXT YEAR, REMEMBER, OUR ATTENDANCE IN 2019 WAS 430,000.
2020, WE SHUT DOWN ON THE 13TH OF MARCH.
OUR TOTAL ATTENDANCE WAS 52,000.
WE CANCELED OR POSTPONED 30 EVENTS, INCLUDING BIG SHOWS LIKE ELTON JOHN AND MAROON FIVE.
MICHAEL AND JARED AND THE TEAM MADE JUST SIGNIFICANT COST SAVING MEASURES THAT HELPED CARRY US THROUGH, AND WE ALSO WERE THE BENEFICIARY OF THE CARES ACT, FULLY KNOWN AS THE CORONAVIRUS AID RELIEF AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT , AND IN SPITE OF ALL THAT, WE DID HAVE SOME CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS DURING THE YEAR, WHICH INCLUDED NEW EXTERIOR SIDING, EXTERIOR GLASS REPLACEMENT AND UPGRADES TO OUR HEATING AND AIR SYSTEM.
SO WE CONTINUED TO KEEP THE FACILITY IN GOOD SHAPE.
THE CARES GRANT AND THEIR MANAGEMENT GOT US THROUGH UNTIL WE COULD REOPEN IN THE SPRING OF 2021.
WE ALSO GOT A SIZABLE GRANT FROM THE SBA SHUTTERED VENUE OPERATORS GRANT.
THESE WERE FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND WILL RELIEF FOR THOSE OF US IN THE PUBLIC ASSEMBLY BUSINESS LIKE ARENAS, STADIUMS AND MOVIE THEATERS. WE REOPENED ON THE 4TH OF JUNE WITH COMEDIAN MIKE EPPS, AND WE QUICKLY NOTED THAT MANY ARTISTS WERE VERY HESITANT IN RETURNING POST-COVID, BUT OUR EVENT LOAD SLOWLY INCREASED THROUGHOUT THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR AND WE BEGAN BOOKING EVENTS THAT LED TO A RECORD YEAR IN 2022.
WE CLOSED OUT 2021 WITH TWO SOLD OUT.
MORGAN WALLEN SHOWS A SOLD OUT HARRY STYLES SHOW AND A SOLD OUT RAZORBACK MEN'S BASKETBALL GAME.
CONTINUED TO MAKE UPDATES TO OUR 23 YEAR OLD BUILDING, INCLUDING NEW CONCOURSE TELEVISIONS, A NEW SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM AND COSMETIC UPGRADES TO OUR BACKSTAGE AREAS.
2022 ATTENDANCE WAS 450,000, SO WE WENT FROM 52 TO 111 TO 450.
WE'LL BE BACK LATER THIS YEAR WITH OUR 2022 REPORT ONCE OUR AUDIT IS COMPLETE, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE STATE OF THE ARENA IS STRONG AND SOLVENT.
SINCE OPENING IN 1999, WE'VE PAID OVER $30 MILLION IN SALES TAX TO STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
SO, WE DON'T NEED ANY MONEY FROM YOU GUYS.
[CHUCKLING] THAT MAYBE THE BEST PART OF MY REPORT.
I'D ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY.
MR. ELLIOTT, YOU HAVE A COMMENT? YEAH, JUST FOR ONE MINUTE HERE.
THE JOB YOU ALL DID ON THE BUILDING PAINTING.
THANK YOU. I REALLY THINK THAT.
ANYBODY ELSE? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE'LL BE BACK LATER THIS YEAR, I HOPE.
MR. TUCKER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ON THE PUBLIC FACILITIES BOARD AND JARED CERTAINLY HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB, A GREAT JOB FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AS FINANCIAL DIRECTOR AND MR. MICHAEL MARION.
MR. [INAUDIBLE], INTERNATIONALLY, ACTUALLY, THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING CENTRAL ARKANSAS AND PULASKI COUNTY AS YOUR HOME AND JUST APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU DO, AND AS ALWAYS, WE ALWAYS STAND READY TO GIVE YOU ANY HELP THAT YOU MAY NEED, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT DOESN'T REQUIRE ANY CASH CONTRIBUTION.
[00:10:09]
MEMBERS, THAT MOVES THAT MOVES US ON TO COMMITTEE REPORTS, AND MADAM CLERK, IF YOU WILL READ THE AGENDA COMMITTEE'S REPORT INTO THE RECORD FOR US.[7. COMMITTEE REPORT]
FEBRUARY 28, 2023, TO THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE PULASKI COUNTY QUORUM COURT, WE YOUR COMMITTEE OF THE AGENDA TO WHOM WAS REFERRED ITEMS 23-I-09, 23-I-10, 23-I12, 23-I-13 BEG LEAVE TO REPORT WE HAVE HAD THE SAME UNDER CONSIDERATION AND HEREWITH RETURNED THE SAME WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF DO PASS.RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED CURTIS A.
NOW, MEMBERS, AS YOU OBVIOUSLY ALL KNOW, I'VE BEEN ASKED TO PAUSE HERE A MOMENT FOR THE QUORUM COURT TO MAKE A PRESENTATION OF A QUORUM COURT CITATION.
[Additional Item ]
THANK YOU, JUDGE. MR. REED. THAT WAS NICE.MR. REED SPENT 16 YEARS WITH MANY OF US.
NO MATTER WHAT YOUR POLITICS ARE OR WHERE YOU COME FROM.
I THINK EVERY ONE OF US COULD INTIMATELY DISAGREE WITH.
[CHUCKLING] NO, I'M SERIOUS, AND I'VE NEVER SEEN THE MAN HAVE HARSH, UGLY WORDS WITH ANYONE, AND SO I WANTED TO THANK HIM FOR HIS SERVICE FROM THE COURT BY WAY OF A CITATION.
SO I'M GOING TO READ THIS VERY QUICKLY.
MR. DOUG REED WHEREAS MR. DOUG REED SERVES AS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FROM JANUARY 1ST, 2007 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2022.
[CHUCKLING] WHEREAS, DURING HIS TENURE AS A PULASKI COUNTY JUSTICE, DOUG REED WORKED TO PROVIDE THE CITIZENS OF PULASKI COUNTY WITH FAIR AND HONEST REPRESENTATION. WHEREAS, MUCH APPRECIATION HAS EXTENDED TO HIM FROM FELLOW QUORUM COURT MEMBERS, AS WELL AS COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND CITIZENS OF PULASKI COUNTY WHO ALL WISH HIM WELL IN HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
NOW, THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO THE MOTION OF JUSTICE OF THE PEACE BILL STOWERS AND ALL OF THE PULASKI COUNTY QUORUM COURT, THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY DIRECTS THAT THIS CITATION BE PRESENTED TO MR. REED ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF PULASKI COUNTY FOR HIS REPRESENTATION AS A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AND TO WISH HIM SUCCESS IN FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
[APPLAUSE] THE PRIVILEGE. [CHUCKLING] GOOD JOB, MR. STOWERS AND A PLEASURE, MR. REED; YOU COME BACK AND VISIT US ANY TIME.
JUST DON'T TRY AND SIGN IN FOR A DAILY PER DIEM.
[CHUCKLING] MEMBERS, WE HAVE NO UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO NEW RESOLUTION OR NEW BUSINESS, WHICH WILL BE RESOLUTIONS.
SO, MADAM CLERK, WHEN YOU'RE READY, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ FOR US RESOLUTION 23-I-11.
[23-I-11 A RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS ALLOWING FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF PULASKI COUNTY DISTRICT COURT RECORDS AS OUTLINED IN THE AFFD3AVIT ATTACHED, PURSUANT TO ARK. CODE ANN. §16-10-211. ]
A RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS, ALLOWING FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF PULASKI COUNTY DISTRICT COURT RECORDS, AS OUTLINED IN THE AFFIDAVIT ATTACHED PURSUANT TO ARKANSAS CODE ANNOTATED 16-10-211.JUSTICE STOWERS, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR A MOTION.
SECOND. MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION AND THE SECOND, IS THERE A COMMENT OR QUESTIONS FOR RESOLUTION 23-I-11? THERE BEING NONE, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 23-I-11.
THANK YOU, MA'AM. JUSTICE STOWERS, YOU PASSED A RESOLUTION.
[00:15:04]
NOW, WHEN YOU'RE READY, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ FOR US.A RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY CONFIRMING THE REAPPOINTMENT OF MR.
[23-I-14 A RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY CONFIRMING THE REAPPOINTMENT OF MR. BARRETT ALLEN TO THE PULASKI COUNTY BROWNFIELDS REVOLVING LOAN FUND BOARD. ]
BARRETT ALLEN TO THE PULASKI COUNTY BROWNFIELDS REVOLVING LOAN FUND BOARD.JUSTICE KEITH, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THE MOTION.
[CHUCKLING] MOVE FOR THE ADOPTION.
MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION.
MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION. YOU'VE HEARD THE SECOND.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR RESOLUTION 23-I-14? THERE BEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 23-I-14.
THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK AND JUSTICE LEWISON, YOU'VE PASSED YOUR RESOLUTION EVEN THOUGH YOU DIDN'T GET TO INITIATE IT, AND SO, MADAM CLERK, WILL YOU NOW READ FOR US RESOLUTION 23-I-15, SO JUSTICE LEWISON CAN MOVE ON THAT ONE.
[23-I-15 A RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY AMENDING THE PULASKI COUNTY HOUSING AGENCY'S ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN IN ORDER TO UPDATE CONTINUUM OF CARE HUD REGULATIONS. ]
[CHUCKLING] A RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY AMENDING THE PULASKI COUNTY HOUSING AGENCY'S ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN IN ORDER TO UPDATE CONTINUUM OF CARE HUD REGULATIONS.JUSTICE LEWISON, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A MOTION.
MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION.
ARE THERE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING RESOLUTION 23-I-15? THERE BEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 23-I-15.
SO, MADAM CLERK, WHEN YOU'RE READY, PLEASE READ THE FIRST ORDINANCE FOR US.
[23-I-09 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 22-OR-45 (2023 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) GRANT FUNDS FOR THE YOUTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT. ]
IT'S 23-I-09.AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 22-OR-45 2023 ANNUAL BUDGET PULASKI COUNTY TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) GRANT FUNDS FOR THE YOUTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
[CHUCKLING] SHALL I READ IT AGAIN? OH, BUT THE MUSIC PART IS NOT INCLUDED.
WHILE THE SPOTLIGHT'S ON YOU, JUSTICE GREEN, WOULD YOU MOTION FOR THE ADOPTION OF 23-I-09 .
I HEAR A SECOND? YES, I SECONDED IT.
MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR ORDINANCE 23-I-09? THERE BEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 23-I-09.
THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK AND JUSTICE GREEN, DON'T TURN ON THE MUSIC AND BREAK OUT AND DANCE OR ANYTHING, BUT YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY [CHUCKLING] PASSED ORDINANCE 23-I-09. WE'RE JUST TEASING.
MADAM CLERK NOW READ FOR US ORDINANCE 23-I-10.
[23-I-10 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 22-OR-45 (2023 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO APPROPRIATE DISTRICT COURT AUTOMATION FUNDS FOR THE DISTRICT COURT DEPARTMENT. ]
[00:20:04]
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 22-OR-45 2023 ANNUAL BUDGET PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS TO APPROPRIATE DISTRICT COURT AUTOMATION FUNDS FOR THE DISTRICT COURT DEPARTMENT.JUSTICE MASSEY, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THE MOTION.
SECOND. MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION.
YOU'VE HEARD THE SECOND. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR 23-I-10? MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 23-I-10.
THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK AND JUSTICE MASSEY, YOU PASSED YOUR ORDINANCE 23-I-10, AND WHEN YOU'RE READY NOW, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ FOR US ORDINANCE 23-I-12.
[23-I-12 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING PULASKI COUNTY TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WITH QUALITY LIVING CENTER, INC. FOR RESIDENTIAL DRUG TREATMENT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE DRUG DEFERRAL TREATMENT PILOT PROGRAM AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEER EMPLOYMENT OF A PULASKI COUNTY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. ]
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING PULASKI COUNTY TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WITH QUALITY LIVING CENTER INC FOR RESIDENTIAL DRUG TREATMENT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE DRUG DEFERRAL TREATMENT PILOT PROGRAM AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR EMPLOYMENT OF A PULASKI COUNTY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.CURTIS. JUSTICE MCMULLEN YOU RECOGNIZE FOR A MOTION? YES, I MOVED FOR THE ADOPTION.
MEMBERS YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION AND THE SECOND TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 23-I-12.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON 23-I-12? THERE BEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 23-I-12.
THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK, AND JUSTICE MCMULLEN, YOU PASSED YOUR ORDINANCE.
MADAM CLERK NOW READ FOR US ORDINANCE 23-I-13.
[23-I-13 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 22-OR-45 (2023 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE GRANT FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THEH* HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS (HOPWA) PROGRAM. ]
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 22-OR-45 2023 ANNUAL BUDGET PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE GRANT FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS.THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. JUSTICE LEWISON YOU'RE RECOGNIZE FOR THE MOTION.
SECOND. MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION.
ARE THERE QUESTIONS COMMENTS? JUSTICE STOWERS.
THANK YOU, SIR. SO AFTER I VOTED AGAINST THIS IN COMMITTEE DIRECTOR LOVE WAS KIND ENOUGH THE NEXT DAY TO CALL AND TALK TO ME ABOUT MY VOTE AND TO REALLY EXPOUND MORE ON THIS PROGRAM, WHICH IS OUR ONLY PROGRAM OF THIS NATURE, SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE WITH HIV AND AIDS, AND SO I SAID ALL THAT TO SAY THAT I AM AFTER THAT CONVERSATION, CHANGING MY VOTE TO A YES THIS EVENING . I YIELD, JUDGE.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING, MR. STOWERS.
YOU'RE WELCOME. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? MY BUTTON'S NOT WORKING.
IT'S BECAUSE YOUR MIC'S ALREADY HOT, SO IF YOU JUST WAVE YOUR HAND, I RECOGNIZE YOU.
ARE YOU RECOGNIZED FOR A QUESTION? YES.
LIKE MR. STOWERS, IS THAT PERSON HERE TODAY, MR. LOVE? YES.
I JUST DIDN'T KNOW, AND I SHOULD HAVE DONE MORE HOMEWORK ON THIS.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT THAN THIS BEING ANY OTHER PROGRAM? LIKE WHAT DO YOU DO DIFFERENTLY, SPECIFICALLY WITH PERSONS WHO HAVE HIV AS OPPOSED IF THEY HAVE A DISABILITY OR WHATNOT? LIKE WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT? FREDERICK LOVE, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES, WHAT MAKES THIS PROGRAM DIFFERENT? I MEAN, HUD LAYS OUT ALL THE GUIDELINES AS FAR AS, YOU KNOW, WHAT PROCEDURES THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE.
[00:25:05]
ARE IN CARE THAT HAVE HIV AND AIDS, BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN CARE, THEN IT'S LESS LIKELY THEY ARE TO SPREAD THE DISEASE, AND SO THEREFORE, THAT'S JUST IN A PARTICULAR, YOU KNOW, GUIDELINES.WHILE HOPWA IS JUST DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV AND AIDS.
I GUESS I WANTED TO HEAR IF YOU DID ANYTHING SPECIAL FOR THEM.
LIKE, SO SOMEONE LIKE, WHAT DO YOU DO DIFFERENTLY FOR THIS POPULATION OF PEOPLE? SO WE DO PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.
WE DO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT IS NECESSARY.
WE DO PROVIDE WE INTERACT WITH OTHER MEDICAL MEDICAL FACILITIES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE IN CARE , AND WE JUST PROVIDE THOSE OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR THE PROGRAM.
SO LIKE A SOCIAL WORK SYSTEM? WE DO HAVE A CASEWORKER THAT HAS A PLAN FOR THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW THEIR PLAN.
THEY OUTLINE THE PLAN BEFORE THEY GET INTO THE PROGRAM, AND BASICALLY BUT THE MAIN PART OF THE PLAN IS JUST TO ACTUALLY STAY IN CARE SO THAT THEY DON'T ACTUALLY SPREAD THE DISEASE AND SO THAT IS THE MAIN PUBLIC HEALTH PIECE FOR THIS PROGRAM.
NOW, LIKE I SAID, WE DO PROVIDE OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, BUT THAT IS THE MAIN PIECE FOR HOPWA AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT FROM EVERY OTHER HOUSING PROGRAM THAT WE OFFER.
OKAY, THANK YOU. THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, WHY THIS WAS DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER PROGRAMS. YEAH, I MEAN, IT DOES PROVIDE HOUSING, YOU KNOW, AS IN GENERAL, BUT SPECIFICALLY, THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THE ELEMENTS THAT MAKE HOPWA JUST DIFFERENT. YOU HAVE TO HAVE HIV, YOU HAVE TO HAVE OR AIDS, AND THEN YOU HAVE TO BE IN CARE.
WE KNOW THAT WHEN PEOPLE WITH HIV OR AIDS ARE IN CARE, THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO BE COMPLIANT WITH THEIR MEDICATION, AND SO THOSE ARE THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT WE THAT WE OFFER PERSONS WITH HIV AND AIDS, AND IF YOU WERE NOT HERE, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THAT POPULATION? MORE THAN LIKELY, YOU WOULD PROBABLY END UP HAVING A HIGHER RATE OF HIV AND AIDS INCIDENCE IN PULASKI COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT THE AREA BECAUSE WE WORK WITH OTHER HOUSING AGENCIES ACROSS THE STATE.
SO IF SOMEBODY COMES IN, THEY MIGHT TRANSFER IN AND SAY, FOR INSTANCE, THEY'RE FROM CHICAGO OR WHATEVER, THEY IDENTIFY, THEY PROVIDE THEM WITH THE RESOURCE THAT WE HAVE, THEY CAN COME IN AND WE MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE IN CARE.
WE TRY TO TAKE CARE OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN PULASKI COUNTY, MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE IN CARE BUT THE MAIN THING IS TO ACTUALLY STOP THE SPREAD OF HIV AND AIDS.
OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, DIRECTOR LOVE; I APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO BE SO IN-DEPTH.
MADAM CLERK, I SEE NO OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 23-I-13? 13 AYES, ONE NAY.
JUSTICE LEWISON, YOU PASSED YOUR ORDINANCE.
MEMBERS THAT ADJOURNS OUR BUSINESS PORTION OF OUR MEETING.
ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE QUORUM COURT?
[Announcements ]
YES. GO AHEAD.IF I WASN'T RECOGNIZED TO BE PRESENT, I'D LIKE TO BE RECOGNIZED.
[CHUCKLING] I'M NOT SURE IF I WAS, BUT SORRY FOR BEING LATE.
MADAM CLERK, DID YOU RECORD MR. MCCOY AS BEING PRESENT ONCE HE ARRIVED? I DID. THANK YOU.
THAT MOVES US INTO--I DO HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE QUORUM COURT.
SECONDLY, NACO REGISTRATION HAS JUST OPENED.
IT'S BEING HELD IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, THIS YEAR.
[00:30:03]
IT LOOKS LIKE WITH THE BUDGET THAT WE'RE PROJECTING, WE CAN PROBABLY SEND SIX TO MAYBE SEVEN JPS TO THE CONFERENCE.SO WE DO HAVE THE REGISTRATION FORMS. SO PLEASE GET WITH ME OR AMY KIND OF A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE SITUATION.
OKAY, I'M GOING TO COMMENT ON THAT.
I DO HAVE A QUESTION IN REFERENCE TO WHAT [INAUDIBLE].
THANK YOU. DID YOU SAY THAT WE NEED TO CHOOSE OUR REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE ARKANSAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES? CORRECT. SO AT THE AGENDA COMMITTEE MEETING IN TWO WEEKS, YOU GUYS WILL SELECT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO THE AAC FOR THE QUORUM COURT COMMITTEE.
I THOUGHT THAT WE DID ALREADY.
NOW IT'S GOING TO CHANGE, RIGHT? SO WE'LL DEAL WITH THAT IN TWO WEEKS.
OKAY, AND I'M STILL NOT CLEAR ON THAT.
WE DID ELECT MR. ELLIOTT. SO YOU'RE SAYING THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT AGAIN? IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER ELECTION.
HOW COULD IT BE? WE JUST DID THAT A FEW WEEKS AGO.
TIME PASSES SO FAST; IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS A FEW WEEKS AGO.
MY SONG. [CHUCKLING] I'M UP THERE.
IF THERE ARE NO OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS, WE'VE MOVE TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT REQUESTS?
[Public Comment ]
JUDGE HONORABLE, YOU ASKED TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT.I REMIND YOU THAT THE TIME FRAME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT IS 3 MINUTES.
MY NAME IS JUDGE LATONYA HONORABLE AND EACH OF YOU SHOULD HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU A CAREFULLY DRAFTED MEMO OF SORTS AS IT RELATES TO YOUR POTENTIAL PARTICIPATION IN A LAWSUIT THAT WAS FILED IN DECEMBER OF 2022.
THE LAWSUIT WAS ORIGINALLY FILED BY MYSELF AND NOW RETIRED JUDGE WENDELL GRIFFIN, AND ONCE HE RETIRED, HE WAS VOLUNTARILY DISMISSED FROM THE LAWSUIT, AND SO THE LAWSUIT STYLE OF THE CASE IS NOW JUDGE LATANYA HONORABLE VERSUS COUNTY JUDGE BARRY HYDE, COMPTROLLER MIKE HUTCHENS AND HR DIRECTOR CHASTITY CYPHERS.
IT DOES DEAL WITH AND INVOLVE AN ORDINANCE THAT YOU ALL PASSED RELATED TO, AND I'M SURE YOU REMEMBER APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE PROBATION STAFF AND FIFTH DIVISION, PULASKI COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.
JUST WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A HEARING THAT WAS JUST HELD YESTERDAY, AND JUDGE TIM FOX, WHO'S PRESIDING OVER THAT CASE, HAS RULED THAT THERE ARE TWO STATUTES TO STATE STATUTES THAT WERE DEEMED UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
AS A RESULT OF THAT, THERE WAS AN ASSERTION MADE BY THE COUNTY JUDGE BY WAY OF HIS COUNSEL, THAT THE ORDINANCE THAT YOU ALL PASSED IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, AND ESSENTIALLY YOU ALL SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN MAKING THE DECISION YOU MADE TO APPROPRIATE THOSE FUNDS.
YOU ALL WILL BE ADDED TO THAT LAWSUIT AS A PARTY TO THAT LAWSUIT, AND JUST IN THE SPIRIT OF CANDOR AND TRANSPARENCY, WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL WERE AWARE OF THAT.
SOME OF YOU I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK TO, SOME OF YOU I WAS NOT, AND SO I BELIEVE THAT TRANSPARENCY BUILDS RELATIONSHIPS AND ALSO BREEDS TRUST IN THAT RELATIONSHIP AND SO AS A SERVANT, NOT ONLY TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY, BUT ALSO TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THIS COUNTY, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL WERE AWARE OF ANY POTENTIAL ISSUES THAT MIGHT RESULT AS A PART OF YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THAT LAWSUIT.
COUNTY JUDGE, YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT? COUNTY ATTORNEY, EXCUSE ME.
ADAM FOGLEMAN. I'M THE PULASKI COUNTY ATTORNEY.
[00:35:07]
UNCONSTITUTIONAL AS BEING SPECIAL AND LOCAL LEGISLATION.WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT FEWER THAN ALL OF THE SIMILARLY SITUATED COURTS WERE TREATED IN A SPECIAL WAY , AND SO THE STATUTES HAVE BEEN STRUCK DOWN AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
THE IMPACT OF THAT IS THAT THE MANDATE TO PROVIDE POSITIONS FROM THE STATE NO LONGER EXISTS.
WHAT THE POSITION OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS BEEN IS TO INTERPRET THE ORDINANCE IN A MANNER THAT IS CONSTITUTIONAL, AND THE QUESTION REMAINS AND THE QUESTION HAS NOT BEEN ANSWERED BY THE CIRCUIT COURT AS TO WHO HAS THE HIRING AUTHORITY OVER THE POSITIONS THAT WERE CREATED BY ORDINANCE IN THE 2023 BUDGET ADOPTED IN 2022.
THAT'S THE QUESTION THAT REMAINS, AND THAT'S ABOUT 3 MINUTES, COUNTY ATTORNEY.
THANK YOU. WENDELL GRIFFIN, RETIRED CIRCUIT JUDGE.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS WENDELL GRIFFIN.
I AM LAWYER FOR JUDGE HONORABLE.
I WAS IN THE COURTROOM YESTERDAY WITH JUDGE FOX AND MR. FOGLEMAN, AND JUDGE FOX ASKED THE DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY, WHY WASN'T THE QUORUM COURT PRESENT? BECAUSE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S POSITION WAS THAT THE ORDINANCE IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
SO EITHER I HEARD WHAT JUDGE FOX DIDN'T SAY OR MR. FOGLEMAN DIDN'T HEAR WHAT JUDGE FOX SAID, BUT JUDGE FOX SAID THAT THE QUORUM COURT SHOULD BE AT THE TABLE.
NOW, WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT THE QUORUM COURT IS GOING TO BE MADE A THIRD PARTY DEFENDANT IN THIS LAWSUIT BECAUSE THE JUDGE, JUDGE FOX, IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADJUDICATE THIS LAWSUIT WITHOUT PASSING ON THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF ORDINANCE 22-I-75.
THAT'S THE ISSUE, AND YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE PARTICULARLY COGENT LEGAL ISSUES THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO HAVE COUNSEL FOR AND YOU'LL CONTACT ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE OR THE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, BUT IN THE SPIRIT OF TRANSPARENCY, YOU HAD A RIGHT TO KNOW AND YOU HAD A RIGHT TO BE REPRESENTED YESTERDAY.
THANK YOU. MEMBERS, THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC COMMENT, AND WE DON'T USUALLY TURN THIS INTO A QUESTION-ANSWER SHOW.
IS THERE ANY UNFINISHED BUSINESS THAT WE NEEDED TO TAKE CARE OF TONIGHT? I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.