Board approves consent package and several ordinances; short-term rental conversion and alley abandonment pass

The Little Rock Board of Directors approved a consent agenda and several ordinances during the Feb. 4 meeting, authorizing multiple one‑year contracts for youth programming, transportation grant use, housing project funding and record‑management software. The board also approved a zoning change to permit a short‑term rental conversion at a singleproperty (item 20) after separate consideration, and it approved a partial alley abandonment after three readings.

Consent agenda highlights - The board authorized one‑year contracts (January 1–December 31) of up to $100,000 each with a series of community organizations to provide positive prevention programming endorsed by the Commission on Children, Youth and Families. Organizations named in the consent agenda include Second Baptist Church, Life Skills for Youth, several local Boys & Girls Club branches and others. (Individual contract awards were listed in the consent reading.) - The board approved a resolution to use federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds for the Metroplan Jonesboro Children’s Trail phase 4. - The board authorized contracts using HOME Investment Partnerships Program / American Rescue Plan funds through the University District Development Corporation for construction of five of ten new rental properties, for a total not to exceed $300,000 to support affordable rental housing. - The board authorized a contract with Locality Media Inc. for record‑management software for the Little Rock Fire Department in an amount not to exceed $67,528.13. - The board ratified and authorized a contract extension with Medcor Inc. for telephone triage services for up to $40,000 and ratified services since Jan. 1, 2025. - The consent agenda also included property transfer authorizations and a resolution repealing prior resolutions related to proposed agreements with private foundations and Lyon College; those items were finalized as part of the consent package.

Short-term rental zoning conversion (item 20) After a request from Director Adcock, item 20 was separated from its group vote for individual consideration. Lacey Thacker, president of the Central High Neighborhood Association, opposed conversion of the larger single‑family home on the lot to a short‑term rental and urged denial; she said the neighborhood did not receive notice in time and that the conversion would encourage short‑term visitors rather than long‑term residents. The applicant — who said they purchased the property two years earlier and had operated it as an Airbnb — said the zoning change is necessary to continue operating and to keep up a 102‑year‑old house. The board voted to approve item 20 (separate vote; “Ayes have it”).

Partial alley abandonment (third reading) An ordinance for partial alley right‑of‑way abandonment in Block 10, Woodruff’s Addition, owned by Woodruff Oz Investments LLC, Haybar Properties LLC and Rainwater Properties LLC, was read three times and approved on final reading.

Votes at a glance (selected items mentioned in the meeting): - Multiple one‑year youth program contracts (various vendors): approved via consent agenda (amounts up to $100,000 each). - Locality Media Inc. contract for fire department records management: approved, amount not to exceed $67,528.13. - Medcor Inc. contract extension: approved, amount not to exceed $40,000; services ratified since 01/01/2025. - HOME/ARPA contracts with University District Development Corporation for construction of five rental properties: approved, amount not to exceed $300,000. - Ordinance (item 20) short‑term rental conversion at 2005/2005A W. 17th St.: approved after separation from group vote. - Ordinance for partial alley abandonment (Block 10, Woodruff’s Addition): approved after three readings.

What the votes mean: The consent package supplies short‑term contractual funding for youth programming and continues several operational contracts. The zoning approval allows the applicant to operate the subject property as a short‑term rental under the city’s zoning and permitting rules; the alley abandonment transfers the right‑of‑way per ordinance language to the applicants named in the item.