Jan 23, 2024 Quorum Court

[00:00:01]

HELLO. HELLO.

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THE CALL TO ORDER THE JANUARY MEETING.

FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR.

WELCOME, EVERYONE, OF THE PULASKI COUNTY QUORUM COURT.

AND AS IS OUR TRADITION, WE ALWAYS START OUR MEETING WITH AN INVOCATION.

AND SO, JUSTICE MCCOY, I INVITE YOU TO TO OFFER THAT, INVOCATION, AND WE'LL FOLLOW THAT WITH, AS WE ALWAYS DO WITH PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

AND JUSTICE MEDLOCK IS GOING TO FOLLOW, IS GOING TO LEAD US IN THAT.

LET'S PRAY. DEAR FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY.

WE THANK YOU FOR THE RAIN.

WE WOULD ASK FOR DRIER AND WARMER WEATHER.

WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD BLESS THIS TIME TONIGHT.

AND WE THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO ARE HERE THIS EVENING AND ASK THAT WE WOULD GET WHAT WE NEED TO GET DONE AND, GRANT US SAFETY AS WE LEAVE HERE.

IT'S IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY.

AMEN, AMEN, AMEN.

ALLEGIANCE] BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I WANT TO TAKE A POINT OF PRIVILEGE.

BECAUSE I THINK WE NEGLECTED TO DO IT OR DO IT ADEQUATELY.

IN OUR LAST MEETING LAST YEAR, WE WERE ALL BUSY, TRYING TO GET TO THE HOLIDAYS.

BUT OUR TWO, DEPUTIES, AUXILIARY DEPUTIES FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, ARE FAITHFULLY HERE, AT EVERY ONE OF OUR MEETINGS.

I DON'T THINK THEY EVER TAKE A VACATION.

I THINK THEY PLAN THEIR TIME OFF AROUND US, AND, IT IS REALLY APPRECIATED.

WHAT A GREAT SERVICE TO THE FOLKS THAT ATTEND, AS WELL AS THE MEMBERS OF THIS BODY.

AND ACTUALLY, I THINK, WHERE THEY MIGHT HAVE MISSED IT IN DECEMBER, I THINK SOME OF THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE MEMBERS, HAVE A GIFT FOR YOU ALL, THANKING YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO AND DOING SO WELL.

SO JUST THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK.

MADAM CLERK, WHEN YOU'RE READY, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

TEN PRESENT, FOUR ABSENT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK, AND MEMBERS YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED IN YOUR PACKAGE LAST WEEK THE MINUTES FROM OUR LAST MEETING OF 2023, AND HOPEFULLY

[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION TO ADOPT.

MOTION TO ADOPT.

SECOND. AND A SECOND.

ARE THERE ANY, AMENDMENTS, ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE MINUTES FROM OUR DECEMBER MEETING? THERE BEING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADOPTING THOSE MINUTES, PLEASE INDICATE SO BY SAYING AYE.

AYE AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? NO. THE MINUTES ARE ADOPTED.

MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ FOR US WHEN YOU'RE READY.

[6. COMMITTEE REPORT: Agenda Committee]

CERTAINLY JANUARY 23RD, 2024 TO THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE PULASKI COUNTY QUORUM COURT, WE YOUR COMMITTEE OF THE AGENDA TO WHOM WAS REFERRED ITEMS 24 I101, 24 I01, 24 I02, 24 I03 BEG LEAVE TO REPORT THAT WE'VE HAD THE SAME UNDER CONSIDERATION, AND HEREWITH RETURN THE SAME WITH A RECOMMENDATION OF DUE PASS.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, CURTIS A KEITH, CHAIR.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.

MEMBERS, THERE'S NO UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

AND THAT MOVES US RIGHT ON TO OUR RESOLUTION.

SO MADAM CLERK, WHEN YOU'RE READY, PLEASE READ FOR US NOW RESOLUTION 24 I04.

[24-I-04 A RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY CONFIRMING THE REAPPOINTMENTS OF MS. ERIKA GEE, MR. PAUL LATTURE & MR. RANDY RICE TO THE PULASKI COUNTY ENERGY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (PACE) BOARD FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE MARCH 30, 2026.]

[00:05:08]

SECOND. MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION.

YOU'VE HEARD THE SECOND. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING RESOLUTION 24-I04? THERE BEING NONE, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 24 I04.

11 AYES, THREE ABSENT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.

JUSTICE MEDLOCK, YOU PASSED YOUR RESOLUTION.

MADAM CLERK, NOW WE MOVE ON TO ORDINANCES.

[23-I-81A AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 17-OR-12 (PULASKI COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICY) AS AMENDED TO UPDATE THE APPROVED SALARY HIRING RANGES, MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.]

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 17 OR12, PULASKI COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICY, AS AMENDED, TO UPDATE THE APPROVED SALARY HIRING RANGES, MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.

NOW PLEASE READ FOR US ORDINANCE 24 I01.

[24-I-01 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 23-OR-47 (2024 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE REIMBURSEMENT FUNDS FOR OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.]

JUSTICE STOWERS YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THE MOTION.

MOVE FOR THE ADOPTION? SECOND.

MEMBERS YOU'VE HEARD A MOTION. YOU'VE HEARD A SECOND.

IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION ON ORDINANCE 24 I01.

MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 24 I01.

11 AYES, THREE ABSENT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.

JUSTICE STOWERS, YOU PASSED YOUR ORDINANCE.

AND MADAM CLERK, NOW PLEASE MOVE ON FOR US TO 24 I02.

[24-I-02 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 23-OR-47 (2024 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE GRANT FUNDS FOR THE YOUTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT.]

TO RECOGNIZE AN APPROPRIATE GRANT FUNDS FOR THE YOUTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

JUSTICE BLACKWOOD, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THE MOTION.

MOVE FOR THE ADOPTION.

SECOND. MEMBERS, YOU HEARD THE MOTION, YOU'VE HEARD THE SECOND.

ARE THERE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR ORDINANCE 24 I02.

THERE BEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF 24 I02.

11 AYES, THREE ABSENT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK AND JUSTICE BLACKWOOD, YOU PASSED YOUR ORDINANCE 24I02.

AND MADAM CLERK, PLEASE NOW READ FOR US ORDINANCE 24 I03.

[24-I-03 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 23-OR-47 (2024 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE REIMBURSEMENT FUNDS FOR THE CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT.]

JUSTICE MCCOY, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THE MOTION.

MOVE FOR THE ADOPTION.

SECOND. MEMBERS YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION, YOU'VE HEARD THE SECOND.

ARE THERE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING ORDINANCE 24I03? MADAM CLERK, THERE BEING NONE, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF 24 I03.

11 AYES, THREE ABSENT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.

JUSTICE MCCOY YOU PASSED YOUR ORDINANCE.

AND LET ME SAY THAT WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO START OFF THE YEAR.

WE HAVE A SHORT AGENDA, AN AGREEABLE AGENDA, AN AGREEABLE QUORUM COURT.

[00:10:05]

DO WE HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE COURT?

[Announcements]

OKAY, WELL, THEN YOU'RE WELCOME TO MAKE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT.

THANK YOU. JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR ANYONE TO VOTE IN THE MARCH 5TH ELECTION IS FEBRUARY 5TH.

THAT'S COMING UP.

AND ALSO, WE SENT YOU ALL SOME STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL INTEREST AND I THINK WHAT WAS THE OTHER DOCUMENT? CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION.

YOUR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION REPORT AND EXPENDITURES.

SO THOSE THINGS NEED TO BE FILED BY JANUARY 31ST.

SO THOSE ARE MY ANNOUNCEMENTS.

DON'T FORGET.

MADAM CLERK, PLEASE LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT JUSTICE GREEN IS NOW WITH US.

[Public Comment]

REGINA NORWOOD.

YOU'RE RECOGNIZED TO MAKE YOUR, COMMENT, MA'AM.

AND, THIS IS YOUR PODIUM.

AND SO IT'S NOT A QUESTION AND ANSWER.

AND GENERALLY WE LIMIT THOSE COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES, PLEASE.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? YEAH.

YOU ARE OKAY.

YOU'RE NOW ON.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING TO JUDGE HYDE AND TO THE QUORUM COURT.

MY NAME IS REGINA NORWOOD, AND I COME HERE AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN.

I RESIDE IN THE UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITY OF MAUMELLE, LOCATED, PINNACLE VALLEY.

OKAY, THAT'S THE ORIGINAL MAUMELLE.

JUST FOR THE RECORD.

I'M HERE TO SHARE A FEW JOYS AND CONCERNS VERY QUICKLY.

FIRST, I'D LIKE TO GIVE KUDOS TO THE COUNTY ROAD AND BRIDGE.

BECAUSE USUALLY YOU GET COMPLAINTS.

BUT I WANT TO SAY THAT THEY HELPED OUR COMMUNITY BY ADDRESSING A FEW ROAD CONDITIONS THAT POSED HAZARD.

AND I ALSO WANT TO COMMEND SHERIFF HIGGINS FOR HIS OFFICE AS THEY RESPONDED TO SOME OTHER CONCERNS THAT WERE HAPPENING OUT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

MY CONCERN TONIGHT IS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, AND YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS AND RURAL AREAS, IT MAY TAKE OUR SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES QUITE A WHILE TO GET TO THE SCENE OF AN ISSUE.

WE NEED MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE COUNTY.

WE NEED MORE DEPUTIES.

IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING.

IT SHOULDN'T EVEN BE ROCKET SCIENCE.

THE IT SHOULD NOT EVEN BE DEBATED.

I'M HOPING THAT THIS QUORUM COURT WILL ADDRESS THAT BY ADDING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DEPUTIES TO THE ROSTERS WITH ACCOMPANYING APPROPRIATE PAY.

AS I SAY, I'M IN AN UNINCORPORATED AREA OF PULASKI COUNTY.

THIS IS THE CAPITAL COUNTY.

AND AGAIN, IT SHOULD REFLECT.

IT'S A VAST AREA AND WE NEED DEPUTIES, MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ADDRESS NEEDS IN THAT AREA, AND I HOPE YOU'LL TAKE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION OF THAT FACT.

I KNOW SOME DISCUSSION HAS TAKEN PLACE ABOUT THE NUMBER OF DEPUTIES, BUT I HOPE IT WILL BE EXPANDED.

THAT NUMBER WILL BE EXPANDED.

THEY SAY WE'RE SITTING ON $1 BILLION SURPLUS AT THE STATE.

I HOPE IT TRICKLES DOWN AND NOT JUST BE FAKE DRIZZLE.

I HOPE IT'LL TRICKLE DOWN, AND THERE ARE THOSE HERE WHO WILL ADVOCATE TO THOSE AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT THIS MONEY BE USED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, NOT ONLY THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC, BUT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT INDIVIDUALS AS WELL.

IT'S ABOUT THEIR SAFETY, TOO.

AND IF WE CARE ABOUT FIRST RESPONDERS, WE'LL PUT MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTHS ARE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS NORWOOD.

AND WE'RE CERTAINLY HOPING FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW THAT THAT MONEY WILL TRICKLE DOWN.

I THINK IT'S JUST WE GOT TO HAVE FAITH.

FAITH REQUIRES ACTION.

WELL, YOU SEE FOLKS TAKING ACTION SITTING AT THE TABLE.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.

ARE THERE ANY, ANYTHING ELSE, WITH QUORUM COURT MEMBERS?

[00:15:04]

MOVED. SO MOVED AND A SECOND.

YOU HEARD IT. WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'RE ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.