Jonesboro finance committee forwards contractors, Title VI certification and $500,000 playground grant to full council

The City of Jonesboro Finance Administration Council Committee voted to forward four resolutions to the full City Council, including two construction contracts, adoption of a Title VI transit program and an amended grant application to fund an all‑inclusive playground.

The measures include a recommended contract with Michelle's Excavating Inc. for alleyway improvements funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) FY24 public facilities and improvements funds; a recommended contract with Crabtree and Sons Inc. to install and upgrade Jonesboro Economical Transit System (JET) bus shelters using an FY21 Federal Transit Administration buses and bus facilities grant; formal adoption of a Title VI nondiscrimination program for JET; and an amended application to the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism for an FY26 outdoor recreation matching grant to build a $500,000 all‑inclusive playground at Craighead Forest Park, with a $250,000 local match.

Why it matters: the items move procurement and grant decisions closer to final approval by the full City Council and would commit federal and local funds to public‑facing projects including transit infrastructure and an inclusive playground. The playground application was amended from an earlier project and increased in scope and match amount, a change committee members discussed before recommending it to council.

Michelle's Excavating contract: Committee discussion noted there was one qualifying bid for the alleyway improvements; the city engineer confirmed that was the only qualifying bid. The committee voted to forward the resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute contract documents to the full Council.

BUS shelter upgrades: Committee members asked whether the project includes 45 new shelters; staff confirmed the bid tab shows 45 shelters, comprising replacements at some locations and new installations at others. Staff told the committee that delivery of new shelters may be delayed until December because of manufacturing schedules. The committee voted to forward the recommended contract with Crabtree and Sons Inc. to the full Council.

Title VI certification for JET: The committee was told the Title VI program was prepared in accordance with federal requirements and federal guidance for recipients of Federal Transit Administration funding. Staff characterized the item as a recurring certification; committee members noted the certification is performed on a periodic basis. The committee voted to forward the resolution adopting the Title VI program to the full Council and authorized the mayor or designee to execute necessary certifications.

Amended playground grant application: The committee considered an amended resolution that replaces an earlier Beatrice Park entrance drive and parking lot application with a request to fund an all‑inclusive playground at Craighead Forest Park (also described as replacing the Rotary playground). Under the amendment, the project total is $500,000 with a required dollar‑for‑dollar local match of $250,000. Mr. Caballos, a staff member, described the Rotary playground as “rusted and worn out” and said waiting longer “it's going to become a hazardous playground, not just a heavily used playground.” Staff said the change moved the Beatrice Park project to later in the calendar and that contractors are available to proceed on that project if funding and approvals permit. The committee voted to adopt the resolution as amended and forward it to the full Council.

Votes at a glance

• Resolution 25,101 — Accept low bid and enter into contract with Michelle's Excavating Inc. for the Abilities Unlimited of Jonesboro alleyway improvements; funding: CDBG FY24 public facilities and improvements program; committee action: forwarded to full Council (motion to forward made and seconded; one qualifying bid noted).

• Resolution 25,102 — Accept low bid and enter into contract with Crabtree and Sons Inc. for Jonesboro Economical Transit (JET) bus shelter upgrades; funding: FY21 buses and bus facilities grant (Federal Transit Administration); committee action: forwarded to full Council (committee confirmed 45 shelters shown in bid tab; delivery may be December).

• Resolution 25,103 — Adopt Title VI program for Jonesboro Economical Transit System (JET) in accordance with federal requirements (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and FTA guidance); committee action: forwarded to full Council (staff said the program meets federal requirements and the mayor or designee is authorized to execute certifications).

• Resolution 25,104 — Authorize grants and community development to apply for an FY26 matching grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism for an all‑inclusive playground at Craighead Forest Park; project cost: $500,000; local match: $250,000; committee action: amendment adopted and forwarded to full Council (amendment changed fiscal year, project, total cost and match).

Meeting process and next steps: Committee votes recorded at the meeting recommended forwarding each resolution to the full City Council for final consideration and any contractual approvals. The transcript did not record final vote tallies or roll‑call votes at the committee level; those may be taken at the full Council meeting.

Details omitted or not specified in the committee record: final contract amounts to be paid under the specific contract documents were not read into the record; specific delivery schedules beyond the December window for shelters were not specified; final budget line‑item allocations or Council vote tallies were not provided in the transcript.

Ending: The committee moved to public comment, had no public speakers on other matters, and then adjourned.