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Votes at a glance: condemnations pass, multiple items approved; several contested measures fail or are deferred
Summary
The Little Rock City Board approved a broad consent agenda and several condemnation ordinances, declined to confirm an MHA nominee and did not adopt a police‑technology transparency ordinance; the board deferred downtown zoning (ordinance 20) and a proposed landfill/collection fee increase for further review.
The Little Rock City Board of Directors on Dec. 2 approved a multi‑item consent agenda and adopted three condemnation ordinances, while several contested measures failed or were postponed.
On consent, the board authorized multiple contracts and procurements including engineering and legal consulting for the solar energy project, equipment purchases for public works (including an asphalt machine for $729,134 and dump trucks totaling $949,725.36) and established a city housing assistance program. The clerk read the consent items aloud before the board approved them; Director Phillips abstained on one legal‑services item.
The board also moved three condemnation ordinances through third and final readings to remove commercial structures at 3101 Asher Avenue, 4412 Asher Avenue and 4301 Western Hills Avenue/7609 Colonel Glen Road.
A contested appointment to the Metropolitan Housing Authority (MHA) failed on a 5–4 roll call, meaning the incumbent (Ms. Buchanan) remains until a successor is nominated and approved. Mayor Frank Scott Jr. apologized to the unsuccessful nominee on behalf of the city for the outcome.
Two high‑profile proposals did not pass. Director Greg Phillips' ordinance to require annual public reporting and transparency rules for police technology failed for lack of the required votes. The board also voted to defer an ordinance amending downtown UU zoning (known in the agenda as ordinance 20) for two weeks after members debated neighborhood outreach and height limits.
Finally, Public Works presented a five‑year rate study recommending an initial $10.39 monthly increase in residential collection fees (followed by smaller increases) to fund fleet replacement, routing software and a new landfill cell; the board voted to defer final action on those proposed fee changes for two weeks so staff can provide additional financial context.
Next steps: deferred items (ordinance 20 and the landfill/collection fee proposal) will return to the board for further consideration; the MHA must nominate a new candidate within the statutory timeline or the board may appoint a successor.
