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Residents press council on demolition practices, maintenance and storm-drain damage; candidate announces Ward 2 run
Summary
Speakers during public comment urged the city to limit military-style police training during demolitions, requested regular grass cutting, a candidate announced a Ward 2 run, and a resident said a storm drain under her house has destroyed her home and pressed the council for answers.
Several residents used the public-comment portion of the June 8 North Little Rock City Council meeting to raise neighborhood quality-of-life concerns, announce a candidacy and request follow-up on a property-damaging storm drain.
Jennifer Phillips, vice president of the Dixie Community CDC, told the council she and neighbors want a way to petition the city to keep police "military training" off residential demolitions. "We don't want that happening in our community," Phillips said, adding that police in large numbers appeared at a demolition site earlier that day. She also asked to be placed on a regular grass-cutting rotation for neighborhood ditches. Mayor Mary Hartwick said staff would follow up and asked staff to check responsibilities and maintenance schedules.
John Flaster of 301 West 7th Street announced he is running for the Ward 2 council seat, outlined his 24 years with the North Little Rock Fire Department and thanked Councilwoman Linda Robinson for her service as she prepares to retire.
In a lengthy, emotional public comment, Rhonda Hayes said a city storm drain that runs under her house has not been maintained and has "totally destroyed" her home. Hayes said city records show an easement and that repeated communications have not produced repairs. "My house is destroyed and it needs fixing," she said. She asked, "Do I have to get a lawyer?" and submitted a letter for the record.
Mayor Hartwick acknowledged past staff visits and said the city would accept Hayes' letter into the record and follow up. Staff confirmed earlier efforts on drainage projects and said they would check jurisdictional responsibility and pursue next steps.
No formal council actions were taken during public comment aside from staff agreements to follow up on the maintenance schedule and the storm-drain complaint.
