[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6136288,"mediaKeyId","5668084-58d28f5b01d04a5395d9c21797fc758f","parentId",5668084,"title","Councilors urge early public messaging after state moves up fireworks sales date","audioSeconds",135,"startMs",2681000,"endMs",2816000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5668084-58d28f5b01d04a5395d9c21797fc758f&start=2681&end=2816","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5668084-58d28f5b01d04a5395d9c21797fc758f/thumbnail_2681000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6136288/North-Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/Councilors-urge-early-public-messaging-after-state-moves-up-fireworks-sales-date","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136288-1a99b71d505eccdb2dd7d34a2f2ece13/orig.mp4?Expires=1775208181&Signature=GMUCpBC1z31aQerfOj-k-vyDr24YmAHkQh999isq7uz4eO16FnkNXpyCiOvaLsqpPCujd~hat0LDhG1~wmsiiembF4BZVVh1kSj483jV4KPTML1EWinoh6N7EQMn7PDct1d5mtiSF0q0B5xDaQi7VHu14rjzJ7JeAyccTf9CJqfca-rLrZl4It1Y4CrvNSNe8inWWsSYd1EuKcfxm~wo33BRRCJaTxUmEe4xQB~1swlpP2chy8OzSTgHFgw8Ulat7JCQ~hzTppHtxbgSgWbfEZifcoanGS9jzzR3Q7FKWqPKOJ41DuIazSfsUx7gR0anDDyCdS3ivLNoRUMC2CFJMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of NLR","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","Council members discussed upcoming Independence Day fireworks and asked city staff to mount early public outreach reminding residents that possession and discharge of consumer fireworks remain illegal inside North Little Rock city limits.

\"I know, generally, this time of year, we we throw our banners out, talking about, fireworks and how they're illegal in the in the city,\" Council member Baxter said. He told the council the state legislature had moved the earliest allowable retail sales date from June 20 to June 13 and suggested the city deploy banners or yard signs earlier to remind residents that possession and use remain prohibited inside city limits.

Mayor and staff clarified that the change in the state law affects when fireworks can be sold in eligible locations but does not legalize possession or use within the city. A city official said residents frequently purchase fireworks outside city limits and then use them inside the city, which remains illegal.

Council asked the police department to increase outreach and enforcement visibility; the chief said the department would respond to complaints and that officers receive calls from neighborhoods each year about fireworks. No ordinance change was proposed during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","North Little Rock City Council 2025-06-24","oneSentenceSummary","Council members asked staff to increase public messaging that fireworks remain illegal to possess or discharge inside North Little Rock despite the state allowing earlier sales; chief confirmed enforcement remains focused on possession and discharge within the city.","taxTitle","North Little Rock City, Pulaski County, Arkansas","taxId",4836,"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},6136293,"Retired officers ask council to review 'old pension' benefits; staff to prepare report",142,2450000,2592000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5668084-58d28f5b01d04a5395d9c21797fc758f&start=2450&end=2592","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5668084-58d28f5b01d04a5395d9c21797fc758f/thumbnail_2450000.jpg","/articles/6136293/North-Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/Retired-officers-ask-council-to-review-old-pension-benefits-staff-to-prepare-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136293-b22c714e87d5ce214bdbeef6de70413b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775208181&Signature=ZTxNjc4Xh2eU59jI5CbLKC6bPK1BNGxEDnjB1wCLs4MVBg3PtgIw1LIxJTux85Fp6NCflcJZekN0GSCfAI18YmBdOOGLu2c~BclIhWj4fwTZz5x-UMqY7vMJH7eDOLxoeAgXVfivEU04TKz9s4i3obWzmx3BOXrR3r4W4shKQ2Gf7MEEKa0wnkXvhK2Fvk5IXN~fVTZ0fxDQ5PyMqeLQ~b0cZIy3tF3U8wc-3Xct9nuEjBBJhkZVdEfkO1L4UlDXU8KPYyhxRGH3XVTS3nhmFqDI3RCcAgZYJAQd5GgeD~mzFa0AxjZnjXU5FkeyFFD3cd3u4IMYYheOrWZyd1Q1WA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment, retired police officer Kenny Wilder urged the council to consider additional benefits for retirees covered by the city's older pension plan, which he said lacks built-in increases.

\"In all this length of time, the old pension plan that people before 1982 or 'eighty 3 were hired, The old pension plan does not have any built in, increases in the pension plan,\" Wilder said. He described a one-time increase of $50 that the group received around 2003 or 2004 and said that retired officers under the old plan have not received systematic increases since.

Wilder asked the council to consider \"some kind of money built into the old pension plan, if possible.\" Council members asked whether staff could prepare an informational report; council indicated they had previously reviewed the issue and asked Amber and other staff to prepare a follow-up report for a future meeting.

Council did not take immediate action; members agreed to direct staff to prepare background information and options for council review.","A retired North Little Rock police officer asked the council to consider changes to an older pension plan that lacks automatic cost-of-living increases; council members asked staff to return with a report on options.",{"_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},6136299,"Council waives long-term buffer to let Maumelle Charter High School build softball field",163,2277000,2440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5668084-58d28f5b01d04a5395d9c21797fc758f&start=2277&end=2440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5668084-58d28f5b01d04a5395d9c21797fc758f/thumbnail_2277000.jpg","/articles/6136299/North-Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/Council-waives-long-term-buffer-to-let-Maumelle-Charter-High-School-build-softball-field","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136299-6b2db92867619c1966559ba1340cc954/orig.mp4?Expires=1775208181&Signature=iyj8fHa9tGTcDDlOzTjDoMnArUGttriYipBSe3qwR-~1a1HZ-KNDuDoNAiFnzrY0Jy7S0ZeoIgFS0EhzQPXwVb7D8UpjPbxZ2gK9kgXWxgf8AojP0FMCkoIUOcphkX~BU7s8qL091sqI4GlH8pdpDSmGdKnZIicO726npBFRG0PJpmV2PqIlqbrraNucrUElDlP8~4fAxiKc0d-Faxd1rNkJgyu4cma1mEY48fV3etH9CSlQq6voxSGuVhe1EeIJC4zug-Rnu1CqB8vKkCu68isDEVOGs6VgU3tSzmIztWPmrhc8S5Z4CAmcFAqYYTtshkN-pBmrpoZ7z5X7ik8Iag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Little Rock City Council voted to waive a temporary buffer requirement at 9701 White Oak Crossing to allow Maumelle Charter High School to construct a softball field that would reduce the landscaped buffer from 200 feet to a permanent 30-foot undisturbed area.

Josh Minton, civil engineer with Minton Engineering and the project representative, told council members the school originally planted staggered rows of pine trees along the north property line to satisfy the buffer requirement but that the trees have not yet reached maturity. He said the waiver would allow the school to construct the softball field while maintaining a permanent 30-foot undisturbed buffer on that property line.

\"When this site was developed for the Maumelle Charter High School, 1 of the requirements since it butts up against residential property on the North was to have additional landscape screening along that north property line,\" Minton said. He added the photometric plan submitted with the site plan shows near-zero light spill at the north property line and that the nearest back fences would be another 15 to 20 feet beyond the line.

Council members asked about potential noise and light impacts; Minton said the site has other lighted fields and that the submitted photometric plan and the existing tree rows have mitigated concerns to date. The council held a public hearing; no members of the public testified in opposition at the meeting.

Council approved the buffer waiver and suspended readings for emergency passage; the waiver will allow the softball field construction to proceed pending any required permits.","The council granted a buffer waiver at 9701 White Oak Crossing so Maumelle Charter High School can build a softball field; applicant said existing tree rows are not yet mature and lighting plans limit spillover to neighboring properties.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6136304,"Council approves preliminary steps for up to $10 million sewer revenue bonds to fund Maumelle pump station",151,1617000,1768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5668084-58d28f5b01d04a5395d9c21797fc758f&start=1617&end=1768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5668084-58d28f5b01d04a5395d9c21797fc758f/thumbnail_1617000.jpg","/articles/6136304/North-Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/Council-approves-preliminary-steps-for-up-to-10-million-sewer-revenue-bonds-to-fund-Maumelle-pump-station","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136304-7a81451ac79b289bcad089807e2f451e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775208181&Signature=DzBz~ZNpWQY9cCDdpAH3A0qSPO65WM-GyuCKaDl5SNQ6jcrYQ00M0HRj9xzfssZF4Us8hWTtWfPB6sPIOJZM3wXeyY-kbC1y18MjRbspMVWfPHsJpzYvvvHdNYPNUBgksHEt4GE3ZVtTFyASZ-H6ideMjBxtnR~XRwGZ2eg2y0htpc4by0S1YyUHHVS-d433G5B5lLhIk~vlkhXRp9vmfCUC2Bp40qGrZoScygTxF6gmWu5F5FMm-LY6cDbePopNO~N0HTa8xgyP59pgU5yUT0tsTrOeKct2XS0dv7Trrj8qweKirQIFmWfbCD9DbL7ORQ8oFsdTARzKHUhEzOciLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Little Rock City Council authorized the mayor and city staff to proceed with preliminary steps for issuing up to $10,000,000 in sewer improvement revenue bonds to fund sewer infrastructure work related to Maumelle.

\"This $10,000,000 is for the first phase of the pumping station construction for at the Maumelle Wastewater Treatment Plant and, it includes some other equipment and treatment facilities as part of the pumping station scheme,\" Michael Clayton, executive director for North Little Rock Wastewater, told the council after members asked whether the bonds would raise rates for customers.

Clayton said the project is the first phase; a later phase will include a force main (a pressurized pipeline) to transfer flows to the White Oak treatment plant. He told the council the pumping station is designed to handle up to 6,000,000 gallons per day and that current flows requiring transport are about 3 to 3.5 million gallons per day. Clayton said moving flows by pipeline and pump station is more cost-effective than expanding or upgrading the Maumelle treatment plant and avoids imposing a special surcharge on Maumelle customers.

Council members asked whether issuing revenue bonds would jeopardize other city bonding capacity. Amber, the city's chief financial officer, confirmed that revenue bonds for the sewer enterprise do not jeopardize the city's general obligation bonding for other purposes.

Council moved to adopt the resolution authorizing staff, bond counsel and underwriters to prepare a preliminary official statement and proceed with marketing the bonds. The measure passed on a recorded roll call vote with all present council members voting yes.

The resolution directs the mayor and relevant counsel to proceed with preliminary financing steps; subsequent ordinances or bond documents will be brought to council for final approval and sale.","Council authorized preliminary work to issue up to $10 million in sewer revenue bonds to fund the first phase of a pumping station and related equipment to route Maumelle flows to White Oak; wastewater director said the change is more cost-effective than upgrading the Maumelle treatment plant.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6136308,"North Little Rock receives unmodified FY2024 audit; two reporting findings noted",382,1017000,1399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5668084-58d28f5b01d04a5395d9c21797fc758f&start=1017&end=1399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5668084-58d28f5b01d04a5395d9c21797fc758f/thumbnail_1017000.jpg","/articles/6136308/North-Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/North-Little-Rock-receives-unmodified-FY2024-audit-two-reporting-findings-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136308-0585340d11992603a83f0a01ac9972f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775208181&Signature=WXESrx1zS5hy-LcEkqPFwWuGpY6qhUA4jeon8Wuc7pVTqSerhxsUZAz-~LtapHRi2nKMhCk0n60cF6cZgfXl8nb8FaXBoJOzTWXFI3mES0Vk2yg~iyYoqX125Db3NE1VaQ3a1v0v5eaLgQRO~qORVi0DQ7fsZJjzxL6ufWJnAUHqBFgIEULUfDkdTurJcNahYf1c3UdLo7LyeSlyeAt3TvjfpmF6fGZLGkk9D6Zy2-lI1FJ0I7oooeMKVtoRfqBwCa-D4xpPsWoEqRnCDbJAL9CZLS5Z2oZXnV9fil-sUVxwm4FErlhkrcrBt1aoqg0vx6VSWCF69uCbVP0pyPU3Lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Little Rock City Council received a presentation Wednesday evening on the city's fiscal year 2024 audit, which auditors described as a clean, unmodified opinion.

\"I'm happy to be here tonight to go over the fiscal year 20 24 audit results,\" Rachel Ormsby, the audit partner with Forbus Mazar, told the council as she summarized the nearly 200-page financial report. Ormsby said the city met the regulatory filing deadline window and that the audit would be submitted to the Governmental Audit Clearinghouse and other agencies ahead of the June 30 deadline.

The audit highlights included an increase in the general fund balance of about $7,500,000, Ormsby said; she attributed a large portion of that increase to FEMA reimbursements for road work that the city received while finalizing the audit. Ormsby called the unmodified opinion \"the highest level of assurance\" for a governmental entity.

Amber, the city's chief financial officer, told the council the management's discussion and analysis (MD&A) in the report is the best single place to review major events and that sections covering pages 4 through 11 provide a concise overview.

The auditors also completed the single-audit work required when a government spends more than $750,000 in federal funds. Four federal programs were included in that compliance review: the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG), the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), and the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF). Ormsby said the city received clean compliance opinions for those programs but that the audit identified two required reports that were not submitted on the specified forms during the fiscal year.

\"There were reports that were required to be submitted that weren't, but we believe the granting agencies had all the information they needed,\" Ormsby said. City staff characterized the findings as nonmaterial: the information was provided to grantors through other reports, but the specific forms required by the grant agreements were not filed in two cases (a CDBG subrecipient report and an airport quarterly financial report).

Amber said the city has implemented additional checks and balances and that she had written to the granting agencies explaining the corrective steps.

Council member Robinson requested a technical correction in the audit document: references to the council title that still read \"alderman\" should be updated to \"council member\" to reflect a statutory name change. The council agreed that staff should correct the label in the published report.

The council accepted the audit presentation and staff said the city will file the finalized documents with appropriate agencies and submit the packet to the Government Finance Officers Association for the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.","City auditors issued a clean, unmodified opinion on the city's FY2024 financial statements but noted two nonmaterial reporting issues related to federal grant reports; city staff said corrective steps are in place.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Councilors urge early public messaging after state moves up fireworks sales date

Retired officers ask council to review 'old pension' benefits; staff to prepare report

Council waives long-term buffer to let Maumelle Charter High School build softball field

Council approves preliminary steps for up to $10 million sewer revenue bonds to fund Maumelle pump station

North Little Rock receives unmodified FY2024 audit; two reporting findings noted