[00:00:01]
I'M GOING TO ASK EVERYONE IF YOU'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE YOUR SEATS SO WE CAN GET OUR MEETING STARTED.
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
WE'RE GOING TO START WITH AN INVOCATION BY JUSTICE STOWERS, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, BY JUSTICE MCMULLEN.IF YOU CAN, CAN WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND? LET'S STILL OUR HEARTS.
KIND, GRACIOUS, LOVING, HEAVENLY FATHER.
WE. KNOW THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT SINCE THE LAST TIME WE WERE IN THIS ROOM.
WE WANT TO FIRST THANK YOU FOR.
NO MATTER HOW DAMAGING THE TORNADO WAS TO PROPERTY, THAT THERE WAS MINIMAL LOSS OF LIFE, ONE LOSS OF LIFE IN PULASKI COUNTY, AND THAT WAS A HEART ATTACK. IT'S A MIRACLE, LORD, THAT NO ONE ELSE WAS KILLED IN THAT LARGE SWATH OF AN EF THREE TORNADO.
SO WE WANT TO FIRST THANK YOU FOR YOUR SAVING GRACE, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO ASK THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHICH YOU SAID IS, ABOVE ALL ELSE, THE COMFORTER. I WANT TO ASK THAT.
YOU WOULD COMFORT OUR NEIGHBORS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE AS YOUR BODY ON THIS EARTH THAT WE WOULD DO OUR PART TO COMFORT AND TO LOVE ON AND TO BE THERE FOR AND TO BE GOOD TO AND TO HELP OUR NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE BEEN SO DEVASTATED BY THESE STORMS THAT YOU WOULD GRANT THEM PEACE AND.
SAFETY AND THAT THE GRACE TO BUILD BACK AND TO BUILD BETTER.
WE ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO BE WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR COMMUNITY, WITH OUR GOVERNOR, WITH OUR MAYOR, WITH ALL OF THE LEADERS, THE COUNTY JUDGE, AS THEY CONTINUE TO TO WORK THROUGH THIS SITUATION.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND YOUR GOODNESS.
AND WE PRAY THESE THINGS IN YOUR NAME.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR STANDING.
AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? OKAY. OKAY.
[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
WE CAN DO THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNTY.[23-1-21 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 22-OR-45 (2023 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE REIMBURSEMENT FUNDS FOR THE CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT.]
WE READY? UH, ITEM FIVE, APPROVAL OF MINUTES.IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED. SECOND.
A MOTION WAS MADE WITH THE SECOND THAT WE APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM OUR LAST MEETING.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
AYE. THOSE OPPOSED? OUR MINUTES HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
AND RIGHT NOW YOUR MICROPHONE IS ON.
I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
WE'LL MOVE INTO OUR NEW BUSINESS.
AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ 23-I21 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 22-I45 2023 ANNUAL BUDGET.
[00:05:02]
PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS TO RECOGNIZE AN APPROPRIATE REIMBURSEMENT FUNDS FOR THE CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT.JUSTICE CAPPS? I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE 23-I21 TO SEND IT TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH THE RECOMMENDATION TO THAT.
JUSTICE CAPPS. WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPLAIN? IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS I'LL DEFER TO? THIS IS HOUSEKEEPING?
[23-1-22 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 89-OR-52 (ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF PULASKI COUNTY CIVIL ATTORNEY) TO ALLOW THE COUNTY CIVIL ATTORNEY OR THEH* STAFF TO PERFORM PRO BONO SERVICES OUTSIDE OF WORK HOURS.]
YEAH, GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING.EVERY MONTH, EVERY MONTH WE DO THIS FOR THE CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT.
NO QUESTIONS. AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? 14 AYES. WE WILL SEND 23-I21 TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH A RECOMMENDED DUE PASS.
AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ 23-I22 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 89-OI52 ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF PULASKI COUNTY CIVIL ATTORNEY TO ALLOW THE COUNTY CIVIL ATTORNEY OR THEIR STAFF TO PERFORM PRO BONO SERVICES OUTSIDE OF WORK HOURS.
JUSTICE DAVIS? I MOVE TO MOVE IT TO THE AGENDA MEETING TO PASS.
BUT QUORUM COURT. FULL QUORUM COURT.
I DID NOT REALIZE I WAS SIGNING UP TO DO THIS WHEN I DID THAT.
I WON'T MAKE THAT MISTAKE AGAIN.
YES, PLEASE. AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR.
HOLD ON. WE AIN'T GOT. WE DON'T.
I THINK YOU'VE ALREADY DEFERRED TO ADAM.
SO, ADAM, WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPLAIN THE.
THE ORDINANCE AS IT EXISTS RIGHT NOW LIMITS THE THE PRACTICE OF LAW OF ATTORNEYS AND FOLKS THAT WORK IN MY OFFICE TO COUNTY BUSINESS.
THIS WILL ADD THAT DOING PRO BONO WORK OUTSIDE OF OFFICE HOURS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PRIVATE PRACTICE OF LAW, WHICH WILL MEAN THAT FOLKS THAT WORK IN MY OFFICE CAN CAN SIGN UP AND VOLUNTEER FOR STUFF THAT LEGAL AID PUTS ON, LIKE WILLS FOR HEROES, WHERE ATTORNEYS ASSIST IN MAKING SURE THAT VETERANS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIREFIGHTERS HAVE WILLS AND VARIOUS OTHER THINGS.
OKAY. THANK YOU, ADAM. AND JUST A REMINDER, BECAUSE YOUR MICROPHONE IS ON, CAN YOU JUST WAVE A HAND AT ME OR SOMETHING TO LET ME KNOW THAT YOU DID? YOU WANT TO. OKAY. ALL RIGHT.
YES. I WAS VERY HAPPY TO SEE THIS ORDINANCE.
NOW, THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST TIME THAT THE COUNTY HAS DELIVERED SUCH SERVICES, AM I CORRECT? WELL, IT WON'T. IT WON'T BE THE COUNTY PROVIDING THE SERVICE.
IT WOULD BE COUNTY EMPLOYEES ACTING OUTSIDE OF THEIR CAPACITY AS EMPLOYEES.
SO IT WOULD BE COMPLETELY VOLUNTARY AFTER HOURS.
COUNTY EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEERING, BUT THEY MUST BE ATTORNEYS, AM I NOT, TO TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES? YES. YES. SO NOW YOU'RE SAYING TWO THINGS TO ME, AND THAT IS, WELL, THEY'RE NOT COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
EXPLAIN THAT. IN OTHER WORDS, COULD YOU JUST BE A LITTLE MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT WHO CAN DO THIS? THIS INCLUDES YOURSELF AND ALSO BUT NOT OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY.
SO IT WOULD IT WOULD INCLUDE ME AS COUNTY ATTORNEY.
THERE ARE ALSO THREE OTHER ATTORNEYS IN MY OFFICE.
AND SO THIS WOULD ENABLE ALL FOUR OF US, IF WE CHOOSE TO VOLUNTEER OUTSIDE OF OFFICE HOURS, AND SO LONG AS A CONFLICT IS NOT CREATED, IT WOULD OPEN THAT DOOR TO VOLUNTEERING.
THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW.
AND AS I SAID BEFORE, I AM VERY PLEASED THAT Y'ALL'S PARTICIPATION WILL BE INCLUDED IN THIS.
OKAY. JUSTICE ELLIOTT? THEN I'LL GET YOU. JUST WON'T BE ADDED AS A SPONSOR.
I'D LIKE TO BE ADDED AS A SPONSOR, TOO.
[00:10:01]
JUSTICE MASSEY? JUST WANT TO BE ADDED AS A SPONSOR? DIANE CURRY WOULD LIKE TO BE IT.MR. KEITH, I'D LIKE TO BE ADDED AS A SPONSOR.
INVOLVED IN. I'M GOING TO BE IN TROUBLE.
I'LL DO THAT FOR YOU. ALL RIGHT.
I. I JUST WANT TO DOUBLE CHECK.
I HAVE ELLIOTT, CURRY, LEWISON, MASSEY AND GREEN.
AM I MISSING ANYBODY ELSE? PUT ME DOWN, TOO.
HOW ABOUT THIS? IS THERE ANYONE THAT DON'T WANT TO BE ADDED? THAT'S NOT FAIR. IT'S NO FAIR UP HERE.
IT'S NO FAIR SITTING HERE, BUT IT'S.
NO, IT'S NOT FAIR TO AMY EITHER.
ALL RIGHT. AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON 23-I22.
[23-1-23 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 17-OR-12 (PULASKI COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICY) AS AMENDED TO ADD JUNETEENTH AS A PAID COUNTY HOLIDAY.]
WE WILL SEND 23-I22 TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH THE DUE PASS RECOMMENDATION.AND JUST A REMINDER, CAN YOU PLEASE SPEAK INTO YOUR MICROPHONE? WE'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WITH IT PICKING UP OUR OUR VOTES.
AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ 23-I23 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 17-OI12 PULASKI COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICY AS AMENDED TO ADD JUNETEENTH AS A PAID COUNTY HOLIDAY.
JUSTICE BLACKWOOD? I MOVE TO SEND THIS TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH THE DUE PASS.
YEAH, WELL, IT'S AN AMENDMENT ON THE TABLE.
JUSTICE STOWERS? WELL, I WANT TO GIVE, IF YOU DON'T MIND, MR. HEATH, I WANT TO GIVE JULIE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN HER ORDINANCE BEFORE I SPEAK TO MY AMENDMENT.
IS THAT FAIR? IS THAT FAIR? THAT'S FAIR.
OKAY. OKAY. THIS IS AN ORDINANCE TO ADD JUNETEENTH AS A PAID COUNTY HOLIDAY.
IT WAS DONE THE LAST TWO YEARS, AND IT JUST WASN'T OR TO IT WASN'T DONE LAST YEAR.
AND WE NEED TO, IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE THIS TO BE ADDED EVERY YEAR, THEN WE JUST NEED TO STEP IT UP AND PUT IN AN ORDINANCE SO THAT WE CAN HAVE JUNETEENTH AS A PAID COUNTY HOLIDAY, WHICH I THINK IT REALLY SHOULD BE.
IT IS IT IS A PAID COUNTY HOLIDAY MEAN PAID HOLIDAYS FOR SO MANY PLACES ACROSS THE NATION.
AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE HERE, TOO.
ANY IT'S NO QUESTIONS ON THAT.
JUSTICE STOWERS? YES. THANK YOU, MR. KEITH. SO I WANT TO AGREE WITH MS. BLACKWOOD. I BELIEVE THAT THE JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY IS IMPORTANT TO OUR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AS A COUNTY.
AND I AGREE WITH THE PROPOSAL TO ADD JUNETEENTH AS A PAID HOLIDAY AND MOREOVER AS A DAY OF INTROSPECTION, REFLECTION AND SERVICE TO COMMUNITY.
HOWEVER, THE AMENDMENT THAT'S ON THE TABLE, IT BEARS CONSIDERATION THAT THIS PROPOSAL OF A NEW PAID HOLIDAY WOULD OUTPACE OUR PEERS ON THE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL WITH 13 PAID HOLIDAYS.
LITTLE ROCK HAS TEN, NORTH LITTLE ROCK HAS 11.
THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS 11, AND CORPORATE AMERICA HAS EIGHT ON AVERAGE.
AND HOW MANY? SO CAN I? CAN I FINISH? SO TO THAT END, I HAVE PREPARED AN AMENDMENT THAT IS ON THE TABLE THAT WOULD REPLACE THE EXISTING BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY WITH THE JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY. THIS WOULD ALLOW US TO HONOR JUNETEENTH WITHOUT INCREASING OUR PAID HOLIDAY COUNT.
TO THAT END, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ADOPT THE AMENDMENT THAT'S BEFORE US ON THE TABLE THIS EVENING THAT WOULD REPLACE THE PAID BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY WITH THE JUNETEENTH PAID HOLIDAY. AND I WOULD APPRECIATE A SECOND, SECOND, SECOND.
WOW. OKAY, SO A MOTION WAS MADE WITH THE SECOND THAT WE AMEND 23-I-23 TO DO WHAT JUSTICE STOWERS HAD SAID.
AND I GUESS HE'S ALREADY EXPLAINED IT.
IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS, DISCUSSION ON THE AMENDMENT? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE AMENDMENT NOW.
[00:15:02]
AND MY LIGHT WON'T WORK. OKAY, GO AHEAD.I'M SORRY. SORRY I MISSED. HOW MANY PAID HOLIDAYS DO WE HAVE CURRENTLY? SO WE HAVE 12 CURRENTLY.
EXCUSE ME. NORTH. LITTLE ROCK HAS 11.
THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS 11 AND CORPORATE AMERICA AVERAGES EIGHT PAID HOLIDAYS A YEAR.
DO WE KNOW WHAT THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES HAVE ADOPTED? HAVE THEY ADOPTED A SIMILAR POLICY? I DIDN'T LOOK AT I DIDN'T LOOK AT OTHER COUNTIES.
WHEN I WAS ASKED TO PUT THAT TOGETHER.
I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY OTHER COUNTIES, MS. DAVIS ADDING JUNETEENTH AS A HOLIDAY, ALTHOUGH I DO THINK IT IS WORTHWHILE FOR US TO DO IT.
CAN SOMEBODY DO ME A FAVOR? BECAUSE UNLESS I'M READING SOMETHING DIFFERENT, IT LOOKS LIKE I'M LOOKING AT THE SECOND SHEET PULASKI COUNTY PAID HOLIDAYS WITH ADDITION OF PROPOSED JUNETEENTH AND I COUNT 11 BACK HERE.
IT'S BECAUSE IT HAS THE FRIDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS EVE.
CHRISTMAS DAY LUMPED INTO TWO.
OKAY, SO THOSE ARE SO RIGHT IF YOU LOOK LIKE OKAY YEAH.
CHRIS THE FRIDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING IS TECHNICALLY NOT A DAY OFF FOR THE STATE.
SO IN THE END YOU WOULD WIND UP STILL ONE STRONG ON EVERYONE ELSE.
CAN YOU SPEAK INTO YOUR MICROPHONE? ANYONE WHO CAN SPEAK TO WHAT THE BALANCE OF, BECAUSE I'M SURE IT'S SOME KIND OF BALANCE BETWEEN TRYING TO RECOGNIZE JUNETEENTH AND THEN ALSO SOME ECONOMIC IMPACT OF HAVING AN ADDITIONAL PAID HOLIDAY.
THAT WOULD BE LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRST RESPONDERS.
SO THEY'RE MAKING HOLIDAY PAY AND IF YOU'RE DOING TIME AND A HALF.
SO YEAH, THERE IS A FISCAL IMPACT ON HAVING THOSE PAID HOLIDAYS.
ABOUT HALF OF OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES DON'T GET THOSE THAT WORK IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THOSE THAT WORK IN JUVENILE DETENTION, IN THE CORONER'S OFFICE, THOSE CONSTITUTE ABOUT HALF OF OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
THEY DON'T ACTUALLY GET TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAY NECESSARILY BECAUSE THOSE ARE 24/7 OPERATIONS.
SO, YES, INSTEAD OF GETTING THE TIME OFF, THEY GET THE TIME AND A HALF FOR THE HOLIDAY.
THANK YOU. IF THERE ARE NO MORE QUESTIONS AND WE'RE VOTING, WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT.
AND EVERYBODY'S CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THE AMENDMENT IS.
REPLACING JUNETEENTH WITH YOUR EMPLOYEE BIRTHDAY.
SO FOR THE NEW FOLKS, YOU WILL VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT.
DISPENSE WITH THE AMENDMENT. IF IT'S ADOPTED, THEN YOU WILL VOTE ON THE ORDINANCE AS AMENDED.
SO YOU'RE NOT VOTING ON THE FINAL ORDINANCE HERE.
YOU'RE JUST VOTING ON THE AMENDMENT SOLELY.
EVERYBODY CLEAR AS MUD? AMY, WOULD YOU? OKAY. SORRY. I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION.
OKAY. OKAY. JUSTICE CAPPS? THE PREVIOUS YEARS IN WHICH JUNETEENTH WAS A HOLIDAY.
WAS THAT IN ADDITION, IT WAS EXECUTIVE ORDER AND ONE OF THE TWO IT LANDED ON A FRIDAY.
I THINK THE SECOND EXECUTIVE ORDER LANDED ON A SATURDAY.
IT JUST SO IT DID ACCOUNT FOR 13 THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
IT WAS DONE BY EXECUTIVE ORDER ON A SATURDAY AND THERE WILL BE NO EXECUTIVE ORDER THIS YEAR.
OKAY. JUSTICE MCMULLEN KNOW, I.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE AMENDMENT? YES.
[00:20:02]
23-I-23 IS AMENDED.EMPLOYEES GOING TO GET Y'ALL NOW.
JUSTICE BLACKWOOD? YES, I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE A.
YEAH. YEAH. I WOULD LIKE TO SEND THIS TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT AS AMENDED.
A MOTION WAS MADE WITH THE SECOND THAT WE SEND 23-I-23 TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT AS AMENDED.
[22-1-25 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PULASKI COUNTY JUDGE TO ENTER INTO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, AS ATTACHED, BETWEEN THE CITIES OF AUSTIN, CABOT, JACKSONVILLE, MAUMELLE, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, SHERWOOD AND WARD, AND THE COUNTIES OF FAULKNER, LONOKE AND WHITE FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING THE LITTLE ROCK AER FORCE BASE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEE AND ESTABLISHING ITS AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES.]
NO QUESTIONS.AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? . 14 AYES. 14 AYES.
WE WILL SEND 23-I-23 TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT AS AMENDED.
ALL RIGHT. AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ 2525? ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY, THE PULASKI COUNTY JUDGE, TO ENTER INTO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT AS ATTACHED BETWEEN THE CITIES OF AUSTIN, CABOT, JACKSONVILLE, MAUMELLE, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, SHERWOOD AND WARD AND THE COUNTIES OF FAULKNER, LONOKE AND WHITE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING THE LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEE AND ESTABLISHING ITS AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
JUSTICE STOWERS. MOVE THAT WE SEND THIS TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH A DUE PASS RECOMMENDATION.
JUSTICE STOWERS WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPLAIN? SO FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.
I FELL IN LOVE WITH ARKANSAS AND ITS PEOPLE, ITS NATURE, ITS COST OF LIVING, GOING DOWN THE LIST AND DECIDED TO STAY HERE IN 96 WHEN I GOT OUT.
SO THIS INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT OF MAKING SURE THAT WE DEVELOP SMARTLY AROUND THE AIR FORCE BASE THAT WILL HOPEFULLY KEEP IT HERE FOR A LONG TIME TO COME.
THANK YOU. JUSTICE STOWERS ADAM, THANK YOU.
THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BROUGHT IN I THINK THEY ACTUALLY PAID A GRANT TO THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, WHO BROUGHT IN A CONSULTANT FROM FROM OUTSIDE THE STATE TO LOOK AT THE USES AROUND THE AIR FORCE BASE AND TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW THE COMMUNITIES THAT SURROUND THE BASE CAN ENSURE THAT NOT ONLY ARE THE LAND USES CONSISTENT TODAY, BUT THAT THE THE OPERATIONAL ASPECTS AND THE MISSION ASPECTS OF THE THE BASE CAN BE PRESERVED FOR THE NEXT 40 AND 50 YEARS.
AND AS WE GOT CLOSE TO THE END OF THAT CONDITIONAL USE STUDY, THERE WERE PROPOSALS INITIALLY FOR AN INFORMAL ARRANGEMENT TO I GUESS, KEEP EVERYBODY TALKING AND POINTED IN THE SAME DIRECTION.
AND FRANKLY, WE WORKED WITH EVERYBODY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD COME TO THE TABLE WITH A MORE DURABLE SYSTEM.
AND BEFORE BEFORE WE BROUGHT IT HERE, BEFORE IT WAS EVER CONSIDERED IN FORMAL TERMS, THE CITIES OF JACKSONVILLE, SHERWOOD AND CABOT VOTED UNANIMOUSLY ON A RESOLUTION TO TO ENDORSE THE CONCEPT.
AND SO AFTER THAT, THAT CONCEPT WAS ENDORSED.
EVERYBODY'S LOOKED AT IT SO FAR ALL THAT HAVE CONSIDERED IT, HAVE ENDORSED IT AND APPROVED IT.
SO WE'RE ASKING THE FOR FOR YOUR AUTHORIZATION SO THAT WE CAN CREATE A PLANNING COMMITTEE THAT WOULD LOOK AT REALLY THE THE EXTENT OF AUTHORITY WILL BE ABOUT A FIVE MILE RADIUS AROUND THE BASE.
AND THE FOCUS IS TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY AND THE LONGEVITY OF THE BASE.
ADAM, YOU YOU SAID A FIVE MILE RADIUS.
[00:25:09]
REACHES INTO INTO WHITE? WELL, WHITE COUNTY HAS A A MILITARY ZONE OF ITS OWN.OKAY. BUT LONOKE COUNTY AND FAULKNER COUNTY HAVE AREAS THAT ARE IMPACTED BY THE THE BASE ITSELF.
OKAY. AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PROPERTY OUTSIDE THE BASE, NOT ON THE BASE.
THERE IS NO COUNTY MONEY BEING INVOLVED HERE.
IT'S JUST HAVING A SEAT AT THE TABLE.
BUT WE HAVE COMMITTED THAT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, THE STAFF OF PULASKI COUNTY PLANNING, WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES TO THIS NEW PLANNING COMMITTEE.
WHAT AMOUNT OF THE MONEY? WHERE DOES THAT MONEY COME FROM? WELL, THE THE PLANNING STAFF ARE PAID BY THE COUNTY'S GENERAL REVENUE.
THEY'RE ALREADY UNSTAFFED, SO IT WON'T HAVE ANY BUDGET IMPACTS.
THEY ALREADY HAVE A DEPARTMENT THAT'S SET UP.
OKAY. JUST MAKING SURE WE'RE NOT TAKING MONEY FROM SOMEWHERE.
NO. AND I LOVE THE MILITARY I GREW UP WITH AS A CHILD AT THE C-130.
MY DAD WAS A PILOT, SO I LOVE THE MILITARY JUSTICE MCMULLEN.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY MRS MCMULLEN.
CAN YOU PLEASE SPEAK INTO YOUR MICROPHONE? YES. OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD PROBABLY IN ORDER FOR US TO FULLY UNDERSTAND IT, PROBABLY TAKE TIME AND DISCUSS IT WITH THE JUDGE. NEVER.
NOT TO SAY THAT I'M NOT GOING TO SUPPORT IT, SUPPORT IT, BECAUSE I'M PRETTY SURE THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT HE WANTS TO DO AND THAT HE IS VERY WELL INFORMED ABOUT IT, MUCH BETTER THAN WE ARE.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A CORRECTION AND I'M THINKING THAT LONE OAK, IS THAT A CORRECTION? SHOULD THAT BE THE TOWN CITY? IT'S THE COUNTY WAS A COUNTY.
THE CITY OF LONE OAK IS THE COUNTY SEAT FOR THE COUNTY OF LONE OAK.
OKAY. SO THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO SAY.
AND I JUST THOUGHT MAYBE THAT WAS A CORRECTION.
THANK YOU. I LEARNED SOMETHING NEW ABOUT LONE OAK COUNTY ALWAYS LOOKED AT IT AS JUST THE TOWN.
I THOUGHT THEY WERE IN PRAIRIE COUNTY.
ALL RIGHT. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO MORE QUESTIONS.
AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON? AND THIS IS 23-I-25.
IS THAT CORRECT? THIS IS 25 OR IS IT 22? THIS IS 25.
NO, I'M SEEING. BUT I SEE ON MY SHEET IT SAYS 22 AND I'M MAKING SURE.
OH, NO, NO. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE WHEN I SAW IT, I SAID, OKAY, YOU'RE TAKING ME BACK.
OKAY. AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON? 23-I-25.
14-0. WE WILL SEND 23-I-25 TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH THE DUE PASS RECOMMENDATION.
JUSTICE MCMULLEN IS THERE A RECOMMENDATION FOR WHAT IS THAT? WE NEED TO WE NEED TO HEAR 23-I-28 IS THERE RECOMMENDATION? OH, ALL WE'RE DOING IS SUSPENDING THE RULE.
[Additional Item]
ALL WE WANT TO DO IS. HOLD ON.LET ME FIND IT. YES, I RECOMMEND THAT WE BRING THIS BEFORE THE MEETING.
A MOTION WAS MADE WITH THE SECOND THAT WE HEAR THE LATE FILING OF 23-I-28.
AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON? 23-I-28. MISS MEDLOCK WELL, I MEAN, THERE'S NO SUSPENSION.
I'M SORRY, I WANTED YOU TO READ IT.
I'M SORRY. I'VE HAD A LONG DAY.
WOULD YOU PLEASE READ 23-I-28.
[00:30:02]
ADULT DRUG COURT PROGRAM.YES, I WOULD LIKE FOR SOMEONE TO STEP FORWARD AND DISCUSS THIS WITH US.
CAN YOU SEND IT TO THE MANOR? SEND IT. I'M GOING TO SEND THIS TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT.
HOWEVER, WITH THE DO PASS RECOMMENDATION.
JUSTICE MCMULLEN HAS ALREADY MADE HER REQUEST KNOWN.
IF SOMEONE CAN COME UP AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF, PLEASE.
WELL, I'M JUDGE PATRICIA JAMES.
I'M THE PRESIDING JUDGE OVER DRUG COURT AND VETERANS TREATMENT COURT.
WITH ME IS TRACY DAVIDSON, AND SHE IS OUR DRUG COURT COORDINATOR.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL REMEMBER, BUT LAST YEAR WE GOT A LARGE GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO HIRE A DRUG COURT COORDINATOR FOR TRAINING, THINGS LIKE THAT FOR OUR DRUG COURT. AND SO MS. DAVIDSON CAME ON.
SHE'S BEEN A BIG HELP AND HAS HELPED US BE ABLE TO GROW THE DRUG COURT AND THE VETERANS TREATMENT COURT SO THAT WE CAN HAVE MORE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY INVOLVED IN THE DRUG COURT. WHAT WE'RE COMING FOR TODAY IS TWO SMALL GRANTS THAT WE HAVE BEEN AWARDED.
IT WILL NOT AFFECT THE BUDGET IN ANY WAY.
WE'RE NOT ASKING YOU ALL FOR MONEY.
WE'RE JUST ASKING TO BE ABLE TO PUT THESE THESE AMOUNTS THAT WE GET FROM THIS GRANT INTO OUR BUDGET.
TO USE THE $5,000 GRANT IS TO USE FOR INCENTIVES FOR OUR DRUG COURT PARTICIPANTS.
IT'S KIND OF LIMITED IN WHAT INCENTIVES WE CAN USE, YOU KNOW, BUT NORMALLY IN DRUG COURT, WE HAVE SNACKS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT THAT EACH OF THE DRUG COURT PARTICIPANTS WILL GET AFTER COMING IN DOING A REPORT FOR DRUG COURT, WHICH WE DO WEEKLY FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THIS HAS COME EITHER OUT OF MY POCKET.
AND WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR A LONG TIME.
SO THAT'S WHAT THE LARGER GRANTS USE IS MORE FOR INCENTIVES.
AND, YOU KNOW, IF WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, VETERANS DAY OR DRUG COURT AWARENESS DAY AND HAVE CUPCAKES AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THE SMALLER GRANT, WHICH IS 1500, IS SPECIFICALLY FOR LIKE OUR DRUG COURT CELEBRATION.
WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS DUE TO COVID.
SO DID I GET THAT CORRECT? MOSLEY YES. MOSLEY YES.
I SEE THEM FLIPPING PAGES GOING 1500.
NO, MA'AM. NO, MA'AM, YOU DIDN'T. IT'S FOR A FULL 5000.
IT'S JUST GOING TO BE ALLOCATED, OBVIOUSLY IN DIFFERENT LINE ITEMS AND FUNDS.
THERE IS GOING TO BE THE MONEY FOR THE SNACKS FOR, LIKE YOU SAID, THE PARTICIPANT APPRECIATION BANQUET THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING TO DO. THERE'S MONEY FOR THE INCENTIVES.
INCENTIVES CAN RANGE ANYWHERE FROM LIKE THERE'S THINGS YOU CAN GET AT THE DOLLAR STORE TO, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THINGS THAT ARE MAYBE AT THE $5 STORE THERE, LITTLE TRINKETS. WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING WITH A KIND OF LIKE A WHEEL OF FORTUNE.
SO WHEN THEY HAVE A GOOD WEEKLY REPORT, WE HAVE A SUPERSTAR BALL BOARD ALREADY.
YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR BUYING SOMETHING MAYBE, YOU KNOW, SMALLER, LIKE LITTLE, YOU KNOW, INEXPENSIVE HEADPHONES OR THINGS LIKE THAT TO BE ABLE TO USE FOR INCENTIVES WHEN THEY PHASE UP.
BECAUSE THERE ARE I'M NOT SURE IF, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE FIVE PHASES IN DRUG COURT AND THEY GO OBVIOUSLY PHASE ONE IS THE INITIAL THE FIRST PHASE AND IT GOES ALL THE WAY TO PHASE FIVE, WHICH IS GRADUATION.
AND THAT'S ANOTHER THING WE'LL BE USING THE MONEY FOR IS FOR GRADUATION.
THAT'S ANOTHER THING OUT OF THE POCKET IS A GIFT BAG FOR THE GRADUATES.
IT'S JUST SOME FUN LITTLE THINGS I FIND AT THE DOLLAR STORE TO BE ABLE TO PUT INTO A BAG.
RIGHT NOW I'M ASKING ALL MY FRIENDS FOR THEIR KIDS OLD CAP AND GOWN.
SO IF Y'ALL HAVE ANY, LET ME KNOW.
SO THIS MONEY, THESE MONIES ARE GOING TO GO TO THAT.
[00:35:01]
THERE ARE THERE ARE SOME OF THE MONIES THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR OUR OK MEMBERS THEY'RE PAYING FOR THEIR BIGGEST PART.BUT THEN THE MEMBERSHIP PART, THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET.
SO THEY WILL BE GETTING IT'S A TWO DAY TRAINING CONFERENCE ON SPECIALTY COURTS, WHICH WILL BE WHICH IS NOT JUST DRUG COURT, IT'S VETERANS COURT AND MENTAL HEALTH COURT. THERE'S OTHER ONES THAT I DON'T HOPE COURT, SWIFT COURT.
THERE'S ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT ONES.
BUT HERE WE JUST HAVE VETERANS AND DRUG COURT AND THE MENTAL HEALTH.
SO THAT'S WHAT THE MONEY IS GOING TO BE GOING TO THOSE TYPE OF TYPE OF THINGS.
OKAY. YES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S THAT'S INFORMATIVE TO TO SOME OF US.
WHAT I WAS WONDERING IS, WHILE WE DO HAVE YOU, WOULD YOU JUST JUST ANSWER SOME REALLY BASIC QUESTIONS? AND FIRST OF ALL, THE BASIC QUESTION IS, HOW DOES ONE END UP IN DRUG COURT IF WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A DWI? WELL, THERE ARE GOING TO BE CHARGED WITH A FELONY.
FIRST OF ALL, IT'S GOING TO BE A FELONY CHARGE OF SOME SORT.
THERE ARE GOING TO BE CHARGED WITH SOME TYPE OF FELONY CHARGE FOR TO BE ABLE TO COME IN DRUG COURT.
THERE IS A PROCESS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS THERE.
MOST OF THE TIME WE GET THOSE FROM THEIR PUBLIC DEFENDERS.
THE APPLICATIONS ARE SENT IN TO US THROUGH THAT, THROUGH OUR PROSECUTOR THEN TO ME, AND HE'S THE ONE WHO GOES OVER THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY VIOLENT CRIMES.
IF SOMEONE'S A SEX OFFENDER, THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO BE IN DRUG COURT.
SO IT'S GOING TO START OUT INITIALLY WITH A WITH A CHARGE OF SOME SORT OF SOME SORT OF SOME SORT.
IT WOULD YES, IT DOES INCLUDE DRUGS.
THERE'LL BE DRUGS. I MEAN, THEY'LL BE CHARGED WITH DRUGS.
BUT THEY COULD BE CHARGED WITH SOMETHING ELSE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO FUND A DRUG HABIT MAY BE DOING BREAKING AND ENTERING.
THEY MAY MAY BE RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL BURGLARY.
THEY MAY HAVE, YOU KNOW, A SITUATION THAT GOES ON WITH THEIR SPOUSE OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE.
SO WE TRY TO VEER AWAY FROM EXTREMELY VIOLENT FOLKS.
AND THESE ARE FOLKS THAT ARE GOOD PEOPLE.
THEY THEY ONCE THEY CAN GET THEIR ADDICTION UNDER CONTROL, THEY CAN WORK HARD.
THEY CAN GO BACK TO RAISING THEIR FAMILIES.
THEY CAN GO BACK TO BEING GOOD MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
RIGHT. AND DOES IT INCLUDE ALCOHOL ADDICTION? WE MAY HAVE SOMEONE WITH ALCOHOL, BUT BECAUSE DWI HAS A WHOLE SEPARATE SET OF REQUIREMENTS THAT YOU CAN'T IF YOU'VE GOT A CERTAIN LEVELS OF DWI THAT YOU CAN'T BE ON PROBATION, SOMETIMES THOSE GET WEEDED OUT.
AND AGAIN, THIS IS A LARGE PROCESS OF OF WHO CAN COME INTO DRUG COURT WITH OUR PROSECUTORS, OUR DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, OUR TREATMENT SPECIALISTS AND OUR PROBATION SPECIALISTS. OKAY. THEY HAVE TO PASS THROUGH ALL THOSE FOLKS TO BE.
YES. NOW, WHAT I'D LIKE TO KNOW IS HAVE YOU SEEN AN INCREASE IN PARTICIPANTS SINCE THE METHAMPHETAMINE? AMIN ISSUES? WELL, METHAMPHETAMINE, THE OPIATE, THE FENTANYL HAS ALL CAUSED A RISE AS WELL AS COVID FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE WE COULDN'T BE FACE TO FACE.
THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE NOT PLEADING IN AS THE COURT SYSTEM AND THE COURTHOUSE WAS CLOSED.
SO WE HAVE A HUGE INFLUX NOW OF FOLKS WANTING TO GET IN.
IT'S JUST WITH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WE'VE GOT PROSECUTORS, DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, WE HAVE TO STAGGER THAT OUT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T BRING 60 PEOPLE INTO PHASE ONE WHEN THEY HAVE TO COME TO THE ACC ABOUT 3 TO 4 TIMES A WEEK AND THEY HAVE TO COME TO COURT ONCE A WEEK.
SO WE HAVE TO STAGGER THOSE FOLKS, BUT WE HAVE A HUGE DEMAND FOR FOLKS WANTING.
LAST QUESTION. YOU USED THE ACRONYM ACC.
JUST INFORM US WHAT THAT ARKANSAS COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS.
SO WE DEAL WITH THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS, THEIR PROBATION STAFF.
THERE IS A PART OF OUR DRUG COURT TEAM, THE LOCATION.
[00:40:02]
IT'S ON PIKE STREET WHERE THE OLD TIME BUILDING USED TO BE NEXT TO BENNY.I'M SURE IF YOU'VE DRIVEN NORTH LITTLE ROCK, YOU'VE PASSED IT.
OKAY. YEAH, I'D LIKE TO CALL THE QUESTION.
NO EFFECT TO Y'ALL'S BUDGET WHATSOEVER.
WE'RE JUST. THAT HELPS US MAKE SURE THE MONEY GOES TO WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO GO.
OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR FOR CALLING THE QUESTION.
THANK YOU. EVERY MONDAY AT 130, IT'S OPEN COURTROOM.
ANYBODY IS WELCOME TO COME AND SEE WHAT WE DO IN DRUG COURT AND HAVE A SNACK.
AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON 2328.
MISS MEDLOCK, I'D LIKE TO BE ADDED.
OKAY. WE'LL GET CALL YOUR NAME YET? MR. ELLIOTT. YES.
[Announcements]
THAT'S A YES. MR. STOWERS. YES.I MISS BLACKWOOD I AND I'D LIKE TO BE ADDED AS A SPONSOR, PLEASE.
HI. AND MISS DAVIS? YES. KEEN EYES, 14 EYES.
WE WILL SEND 23 I 28 TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH A DUE PASS RECOMMENDATION.
IS THERE A RECOMMENDATION TO ADJOURN? SO MOVED WITHOUT A MOVE.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE HAVE ADJOURNED.
ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? WELL, I WANTED TO MAKE ONE ANNOUNCEMENT AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY IS DOING THROUGH YOUTH SERVICES FOR JAMIE. HELP ME OUT.
WHAT'S WHAT'S THAT CALLED? COME ON. AND THIS IS THROUGH THE THE THE MONIES FOR COVID THAT WE GOT.
CYBER SECURITY. CYBER ACADEMY SECURITY.
YEAH. THAT THAT'S ONE OF IT'S HELD EVERY WEEKEND UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR AND THAT'S THAT'S ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT'S BEEN APPROVED BY THE COUNTY AND I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT TO JAMIE.
SO WITHOUT HER IT WOULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN APPROVED.
BUT SHE HELPED ME AND I APPRECIATE THE RECOMMENDATION.
MR JAMES LOMENZO AND IT'S MONIES FOR A CLASS PROGRAM THAT IS BEING TAUGHT.
OKAY. ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? THERE BEING NONE.
YEAH.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.