[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6679432,"mediaKeyId","2138605-a0180483eaf4356b6dd125e0abc63c41","parentId",2138605,"title","Jonesboro meeting: chair elected, minutes approved, meeting adjourned","audioSeconds",1817,"startMs",7000,"endMs",1824000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138605-a0180483eaf4356b6dd125e0abc63c41&start=7&end=1824","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138605-a0180483eaf4356b6dd125e0abc63c41/thumbnail_7000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6679432/Jonesboro/Craighead-County/Arkansas/Jonesboro-meeting-chair-elected-minutes-approved-meeting-adjourned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6679432-f1e4bae48148ecf80d6e1fcffaefdd40/orig.mp4?Expires=1777114649&Signature=cEnn9DL4-PqBUT1jtuR7LyR-g-gsPUwDe-fAiqdLCjSQNqj8OAcGj6dJdXu~RDc10R3V-1ujOuQ~A7RDtm8wxSuszg6NwGSfbvbENK0ij7oehyboIxkSQSQjJaNjg8U~UBHU6SCLOzQLdb~xfkcjqEbe6XgTGpI7OsQZW~BqsMoYUIal3EqLRGAoFlq2q9UZUlh9NibyeYPQH72zHAaL7~2uCDnpMlGjSRKr47wGs6NZ1Oqfu0pU43UXlPlQCNLev2JnI3hBcxK9A7gv0Wo1~PgC~lWUaRE5qb-uxH03LQWmNjXTzYgpO5GUIZQJo8e0bQ2OAz4Jkz8KpWwuV65FGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Jonesboro","date","2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","article","At the start of the session, the chair opened nominations for election of a chair. A member nominated Chris Gibson and a second was recorded. The chair then called for a voice vote; members responded “aye” and no opposition was indicated, and the chair election was closed by voice vote.

The council next considered approval of the minutes from Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. A motion and second for approval were recorded on the record; the chair called for a voice vote and members answered “aye,” after which the minutes were approved.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn. The chair called for a voice vote, members answered “aye,” and the meeting was adjourned.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Jonesboro - Public Services Council Committee on 2025-01-21 4:30 PM - Jan 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council conducted three routine procedural votes: elected a chair by voice vote after a nomination, approved minutes from Nov. 19, 2024, and adjourned the meeting.","taxTitle","Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas","taxId",3532,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6679437,"Transit update: Jonesboro to add route as ridership grows; resident raises pedestrian-safety concerns on Gladiola corridor",171,1538000,1709000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138605-a0180483eaf4356b6dd125e0abc63c41&start=1538&end=1709","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138605-a0180483eaf4356b6dd125e0abc63c41/thumbnail_1538000.jpg","/articles/6679437/Jonesboro/Craighead-County/Arkansas/Transit-update-Jonesboro-to-add-route-as-ridership-grows-resident-raises-pedestrian-safety-concerns-on-Gladiola-corridor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6679437-0c9a897301153e011318a91d25e4e1cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1777114649&Signature=nNdIJNp1pSjUQFLymLkLM2qGYxa6khrvKXsiEgB1cDcLMl2fI~gUT0sNejo7h7cuvx24nKKgwA-vrxVQRP-OgESDjWnC3xKENrzaNNtTSzoxWMu4o-VVdJ5dlopC1CI4rL8jcM3IiwImQGbQ7r3HVuniKOCN5f29WYAG9wW4wSUstcnP-1nTeLBo17p2kSD-Sa2IFTkDE~Q-F17j6AQuPlnQa6WryonWbp4RPJzCForuk~moowRQ2m2XDXOsvns~Gubh0SEtXkwDyKlMwCRDOIWwH4AHBXB9sv2TuD0dw6Wz7F-Dhz~FsOYdA~0RzrQ2fRV1z1F-39HSoPfP25pq6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lee, a Public Services/Transit presenter, told the council the department is shifting from service renewal to growth after a year of fleet upgrades and marketing outreach that increased revenue and ridership.

“Last year we did increase our revenue by 12% and also our ridership by 19%,” Lee said, and the department plans to expand from four to five routes in February and start new trolley routes. Lee said the department is pursuing partnerships and new routes and expects the recent fleet upgrades and software changes to support expanded service.

During public comment, Patty Lack of 4108 Forest Hill Road urged the council and Public Services to plan now for pedestrian safety near the Gladiola/Walmart corridor. She said the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission recently denied a proposed large storage facility adjacent to that site and cited a changed site plan and limited access.

Lack cited a police report, saying there were 60 crashes in a two-year period near Elmhurst by the gas station next to Walmart and Gladiola. She said residents of the Gladiola Apartments must cross four lanes of traffic and a center-turn lane to reach a bus stop and recommended early planning for safer crossings, including applying for a grant similar to the HAWK signal on Johnson.

“...we have to start looking at that now instead of waiting until it's done,” Lack said, urging bus-route changes or crossing improvements so apartment residents would not face dangerous crossings after planned widening for the corridor currently scheduled for mid-2026.

Lee acknowledged the concern and said staff had discussed rerouting options in the past but said the department and council should begin work now to avoid last-minute fixes. No specific funding or schedule for a crossing improvement was announced during the meeting.

","Public Services reported expanding transit service and ridership gains; a resident urged early planning for crosswalks or alternate routes near the Gladiola/Walmart area after MAPC denied a storage facility citing access concerns and collision history.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6679442,"Jonesboro Parks & Rec reports busy quarter of tournaments, facility upgrades and tree plantings",1460,71000,1531000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138605-a0180483eaf4356b6dd125e0abc63c41&start=71&end=1531","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138605-a0180483eaf4356b6dd125e0abc63c41/thumbnail_71000.jpg","/articles/6679442/Jonesboro/Craighead-County/Arkansas/Jonesboro-Parks-Rec-reports-busy-quarter-of-tournaments-facility-upgrades-and-tree-plantings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6679442-5700abefa7b071f6e476e65725416127/orig.mp4?Expires=1777114649&Signature=K9NoLPCUIKbbLfnUX7c9qY7WcKze~AaVNX2kI6KA7woFhFhRfd0IylOeUepwYA7fUbC6SzzqnKqAWokPCg7Saz1HF4iCTSDbtyX39EjWThrZOjUWRyqA2KYOjMLtiiJOGX1-ppn3CIKWpEo50fUwguYk~dTrEuRWXA~wEf9ba4~4ThoyydtjEDy4hJd6sJq-styxGI3vhXAUpVFEtpk2oUAcKTT6naR4x1DyvIc2LEaI9fcfTvo8Wqk5J-sc5I4NB19hT77pZx~eeQsFq1xA7zwSv7IlbKiZhUka7sVzcBCrebDWCXVSvYf1gddLqVP9GG9Agoo2LlckU9zC99RRhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Danny, a Parks and Recreation staff member, told the board on Nov. 19 that the department hosted a heavy slate of events over the past quarter and is preparing facility improvements and programming for the year ahead.

The update opened with recent volleyball activity. “We had 98 teams over the weekend,” Danny said, adding that 83 teams were from out of town and 43 of those were from out of state. Parks used community centers and school gyms from Jonesboro, Nettleton and Valley View to stage the event, he said, spread across 22 courts in town.

The department is already signing teams for a Feb. 8 tournament and reported 86 teams registered for that event. Danny said current city facilities cap tournaments at about 100 teams; he estimated a future sports complex would allow hosting two- or three-day events and raise weekend hotel stays and economic impact. “At that point, you know, we should be hosting 6 or 8 of these tournaments here in Jonesboro,” he said.

Danny summarized other recent and planned recreation activity: three elementary basketball tournaments since mid-December that brought “over 200 teams” through city facilities, nearly 1,000 children enrolled in the recreational (City Stars) basketball program, expansion of junior-high softball to about 30 teams, and plans for a first baseball tournament at Joe Mack this February. The department is also coordinating a pickleball tournament with the Lions Club and meeting with tennis and soccer organizers about upcoming seasons and facility needs.

On capital projects, Danny said lighting poles have been installed around Craighead Forest and the department is finalizing whether one delivered pole is missing. “Every time I’m out there, I have people stop me and they’re thanking me for what’s going on,” he said, noting the trail lighting will make the park usable after work hours in fall and winter.

Restrooms at Joe Mack Campbell Park were remodeled; the department plans similar work at the soccer facility with new countertops, paint and doors in the coming months. Danny said Parker Park’s driveway and a walkway linking Parker Park and Miles Park are completed and landscaped, improving access for buses and pedestrians.

Danny also highlighted tree-planting efforts. “We planted last year in our park system, 299 trees,” he said, and noted two pending grants that together would add roughly 190 more trees across parks. He described other beautification work at the shooting range and updates to the “welcome to Jonesboro” signage.

Staffing and concessions: Danny introduced Octavius Mitchell as the full-time concessions manager who has reorganized inventory and staffing at concession stands. On staffing for programming, Danny said the department hopes to recruit an assistant who can help run tournaments next year.

Swim lessons: Danny said swim lessons will resume after Memorial Day and the department is coordinating with local clubs (Jets and SWAT) and the Red Cross for certifications and programming. “We won’t start anything till after Memorial Day when it comes to actual swim lessons,” he said; Red Cross provides certification materials while city staff conduct training.

Grants and playgrounds: Danny said Parks won the Legacy Outdoor Rec grant and is pursuing other grants to replace aging playgrounds, beginning with University Lines, and will use a combination of grant funding and budgeted money for replacements and natural-play features.

The update closed with an invitation for ideas from council members and the community as the department plans long-range improvements.

","Parks and Recreation staff described a surge in tournaments and weekday recreation use, ongoing field and restroom upgrades, new lighting at Craighead Forest, tree-planting grants and plans for swim lessons and future sports complex benefits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Jonesboro meeting: chair elected, minutes approved, meeting adjourned

Transit update: Jonesboro to add route as ridership grows; resident raises pedestrian-safety concerns on Gladiola corridor

Jonesboro Parks & Rec reports busy quarter of tournaments, facility upgrades and tree plantings