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Pine Bluff council approves Juneteenth street art, pedestrian-trail engineering contract and budget amendments; denies tenant-standards ordinance
Summary
On June 15 the council adopted a package of resolutions and contracts — including a Juneteenth street-art MOU with UAPB, an engineering contract for a downtown pedestrian trail, and two $75,000 budget amendments — while rejecting a tenant minimum-standards ordinance on a 3–5 roll-call vote.
The Pine Bluff City Council on June 15 approved multiple resolutions and contract authorizations while voting down a proposed tenant minimum-standards ordinance.
What passed
- Professor Joseph Carter Corbin Day: The council unanimously adopted a resolution declaring Sept. 27, 2026 (and each subsequent year) "Professor Joseph Carter Corbin Day" to honor the founding work that produced what became the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. "We are so happy to have this happen," Jamie Wright said on behalf of UAPB.
- Urban Agriculture Task Force appointments: The council confirmed a slate of city representatives (including LaKisha Hill, Adrian Cooper, Lori Walker, Sarah Cathey, Mayola Rice, Lynette Frazier and Leticia Bronson) to form the Urban Agriculture Task Force and directed staff to present remaining civilian names for future meetings.
- Civil Engineering contract (pedestrian trail): The mayor was authorized to execute a contract with Civil Engineering Associates LLC to provide engineering services for a pedestrian trail in the Delta Rhythm and Bayous Cultural District; funding is in the 2026 municipal budget for the district.
- Juneteenth street art MOU with UAPB: The council approved a memorandum of understanding with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff to create street art at Main Street and Third Avenue as part of 'Juneteenth in the Bluff' on June 19; council members highlighted student involvement and anticipated tourism impact.
- Removal of 2709 Hill Street from prior resolution; nuisance-cost placement on tax books: The council amended resolution 4872 to remove parcel 2709 Hill Street and authorized placement of certain nuisance-correction costs on tax books to be collected with delinquent taxes (the council cited an Arkansas Code reference in the record as "ACA 1454903").
- Budget amendments: The council approved two budget adjustments. One added $75,000 in grant funds (from the African American Mayors Association, in partnership with the American Beverage Association) to support Parks & Rec and the YEA program for community garden/food-insecurity initiatives; a council member asked for more detail about a stipends line (about $41,500) and staff offered follow-up. The second transferred $75,000 from the special projects fund to the street department for an overlay project.
What failed
- Tenant minimum-standards ordinance (agenda item 1): After public comment and council debate, the ordinance failed on a roll-call vote (Mays, Frazier, and Fail voted 'I' in favor; Hokanson, Brown, Lockett, Brunton and Denton voted 'No'). Supporters emphasized health and safety and said the draft had been revised to lengthen cure periods and reduce fines; opponents argued retrofits would be expensive and could displace tenants.
Votes and next steps
Most passed items were approved by voice vote; the tenant ordinance was decided by recorded roll call. Staff and sponsors indicated they will provide additional materials (budget detail for the grants and clarifications for ordinance language) if council members request them before any future action. The Juneteenth event and related street art are scheduled for Friday, June 19.
