[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6392506,"mediaKeyId","2109664-2a1e12038f9729d439be2900c23ae6a3","parentId",2109664,"title","Board reports Ward 7 Director BJ Wyrick named vice mayor for 2025–26 after executive session","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",6260000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109664-2a1e12038f9729d439be2900c23ae6a3&start=6260&end=6260","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109664-2a1e12038f9729d439be2900c23ae6a3/thumbnail_6260000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6392506/Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/Board-reports-Ward-7-Director-BJ-Wyrick-named-vice-mayor-for-202526-after-executive-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392506-babf6be2954084d7ee4503e80dcf2395/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167917&Signature=FjN360J7cQVCvM6~ytbQeTbayA5th3imWYqvWFCmsalPBFm~u553QeOXgmU2NRQHagHl8dLkpKkCmOGAL5d37BarmB53NHZOMbsMdhBq95zu~DdtzssDdWuMSB3MXVf1BU3r-4GtIsdaFzZhpjMfJ89cAjQWiRpzkm0lFzsAzdq8DHluPSoD1rsb8BL8wPx-PnyUSQi5TlDFsBxsNRDELgDMbvlF7xF3h0FuAdpQJcWasYPS3b8MZuiAlC6HEwRdtus7nXbg1M-uJyFaJg3KDWwBGxm5VkOMldZr~KWAls2JklKyrzhWJuph2UhzDiNxAtbHm78jWgQ9gYzTeWGvqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Little Rock","date","2025-01-08T00:00:00Z","article","After returning from executive session on Jan. 7, the Little Rock City Board of Directors reported that Ward 7 Director BJ Wyrick will serve as vice mayor for the 2025–26 year.

Mayor Scott asked for a motion to adjourn after the executive-session report. Earlier, the board recessed into executive session on a motion from Director Hines with a second from Director Miller; the chair recorded the vote by voice, and the meeting went into recess.

Why it matters: The vice mayor is a formal leadership post on the board and the announcement sets the board's designated vice mayor for the coming year. The appointment was reported out of executive session; the record at the Jan. 7 meeting does not include details of any executive-session deliberations beyond the report.

Ending: Following the report that BJ Wyrick will serve as vice mayor, the board moved to adjourn the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Directors Board Meeting January 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After an executive session Jan. 7, the board reported Ward 7 Director BJ Wyrick as the new vice mayor for 2025–26; a motion to recess to executive session was made by Director Hines and seconded by Director Miller.","taxTitle","Little Rock City, Pulaski County, Arkansas","taxId",3741,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6392511,"Little Rock readies 17 snow-plow trucks, stockpiles salt and plans 24-hour shelter as storm approaches",399,1274000,1673000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109664-2a1e12038f9729d439be2900c23ae6a3&start=1274&end=1673","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109664-2a1e12038f9729d439be2900c23ae6a3/thumbnail_1274000.jpg","/articles/6392511/Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/Little-Rock-readies-17-snow-plow-trucks-stockpiles-salt-and-plans-24-hour-shelter-as-storm-approaches","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392511-3834a5ccc9107133a8a19d45041cc94f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167917&Signature=WuwvWDpUwwcibMLr6p1DKNm10QtbnoDZzKub2LmMwsd40j-ARofxdC6Zz5SF8pBy-oK2mJwy7mlcxtxnfVe4N1cA~SLK0ZoTe7x~bNpEjB5jV50cmLqfBCVHN5r~UL5qEeBr3k6NsyLn9Rh93-Md~yceAeFWW-NCH56yOsbf5IbxGoOyYYG6UDeCtadh1wItOqus3TX2os3esOwiuEJPUien7SttmdvCq6LfpMw6A28Pjt7ukE-HIAz9sSAacUJmo2eI6Vcmp6fIubWEZPExvYtWRnJvkW3UP2oVZfTBrY1i9x~MeZlfktof7k783cJDp4QOwLhW8Ujpy7bU6G9SWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Little Rock City Board of Directors on Jan. 7 that the city has prepared equipment and personnel for a forecasted winter storm and will operate warming centers and an emergency shelter if needed.

\"Potentially 6 inches of snow is what the latest reports are,\" Director Honeywell said, describing the city's operational plan. \"We have 12 snow plow spreader trucks that are already set up and ready to go. We have 5 additional smaller trucks... 17 total trucks. We also have road graders, front end loaders... approximately 60 employees on the day time shift and 50 employees on the night time shift.\"

Honeywell said crews are split into 12-hour day and night shifts and that sand-and-salt stockpiles are staged at three city locations. The city's nine established primary snow routes will be cleared first, with crews then moving into adjoining streets. Maps of snow-plow routes are available on the city's public-works web page, Honeywell added.

Mayor Scott and other directors said the city has activated emergency-shelter operations and warming-center services. The city reported it would activate a 24-hour operation at Dunbar Community Center if conditions warrant, and that community centers already operate as warming centers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Honeywell and other directors urged residents to consult the city's website for route maps and shelter information.

Why it matters: The city’s operational readiness affects safety and mobility during a forecasted winter storm and signals available shelter options for unsheltered residents. Officials also noted potential planning impacts: the planning commission cancelled its Thursday meeting because of the forecast and rescheduled items into February.

Ending: Officials said they will monitor forecasts and implement the 12-hour crew rotations and shelter activations if the storm materializes; the board asked staff to provide updates as conditions change.","City directors and public works staff described snow response plans including 17 plow/spreader vehicles, split crews and activation of Dunbar Community Center as a 24-hour shelter if forecasted snowfall arrives.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6392517,"Tenant describes mold, infestations and maintenance failures at high-rise; officials say property is public housing managed by MHA",251,965000,1216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109664-2a1e12038f9729d439be2900c23ae6a3&start=965&end=1216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109664-2a1e12038f9729d439be2900c23ae6a3/thumbnail_965000.jpg","/articles/6392517/Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/Tenant-describes-mold-infestations-and-maintenance-failures-at-high-rise-officials-say-property-is-public-housing-managed-by-MHA","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392517-b7b724fd9698a4308044dd5ca8fa75f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167917&Signature=T2et1uBlYJ-8rPs86ecYQevoi4f1f3Hh5v3TiIsrOUaRLXNVvOeH3OPc2lqXmoFExIWTCzNLc0Rri7gVYefmBWmc4QkObwq3Fb9hIQ4FW9tOOGdsDUb6ALK0HY19yVuThUzLGmYS1mUvTkimQSCDUMP44sBQfxa1V~~iK1s4hfI0w0ABBf4OrjbfaD-rk2rl2dl4wt0J1GkjTJprx8pmLJYW4U36bSvkC~cYZ05AORf8~HHrw974POBvX8uHD5GKUMOwvxYfGkXgBhhWtnEAma2qdY9KFCg~jI7Co8S1gSxP47uruqIz2H~ttc~ZjuNhT-bUY5Ym~mtIN6E64fMiJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Norma Huffman told the Little Rock City Board of Directors on Jan. 7 about persistent maintenance problems at a large multiunit complex, including widespread insect infestations, recurring mold and water damage in shared spaces.

\"The whole building has a huge bug infestation,\" Huffman said, describing three tenants' complaints and photos of damage in a mail room and a 14th-floor laundry room caused by a roof leak. She said tenants who try to apply pesticides or do repairs are disciplined by building management and that maintenance requests often go unanswered.

Board members asked for clarification about jurisdiction. When Director Phillips asked whether the complex was on the city's list, Director Howard replied, \"Parish Towers is owned and I could ran by MHA,\" saying it is a public housing property with its own management and security. A subsequent comment noted the board does not have authority or jurisdiction over that property and referenced an 8th Circuit ruling limiting the city's ability to assert control.

Director Achat added that MHA meetings include time for resident complaints and that many tenant questions are addressed by the MHA board during those sessions.

Why it matters: The comments raise health and habitability concerns for residents at a city high-rise and clarify the limits of municipal authority when a property is managed by a housing authority. The board did not take formal action; the tenant’s written materials were accepted for the record.

Ending: The board accepted the tenant's submission for the public record and discussed pathways for residents to raise complaints with the Metropolitan Housing Authority (MHA); no city enforcement action was announced at the meeting.","A tenant detailed mold, pest infestation and maintenance problems at a high-rise housing complex; city directors said the building is public housing managed by MHA and that the city lacks jurisdiction to intervene directly.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6392524,"Resident urges protection of Citizens Review Board; city attorney says CRB jurisdiction is limited",691,785000,1476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109664-2a1e12038f9729d439be2900c23ae6a3&start=785&end=1476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109664-2a1e12038f9729d439be2900c23ae6a3/thumbnail_785000.jpg","/articles/6392524/Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/Resident-urges-protection-of-Citizens-Review-Board-city-attorney-says-CRB-jurisdiction-is-limited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392524-53e60539821e5240f28c6c0db1e9ac27/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167917&Signature=YmfSGpuItkuImhVtvIbCj8fIM6kkZ97s3H71TxEpyE~qBOC4ObpVsQRkT924Ff5cKnZeyTLAHjOZAC56S3A08YQFJzW4nteZI2UWDB2A24ffWF2hIWNXVdSc7fzwidOTv~wzqz9OYnWPVOauq3KZHvCRMmq2mQc46-5VRSX1PzUnN~q3HTt-c8tnrKwgKFTyLiqGCHl7dsAvucAzdL3jE8ktdhIuvOezImVdF9tVAYZacG4Pe-X1QxshEAIQUCWrkvRSF3PCI7RwinkMAF5980DmVVR4i7FFe2Se-n68A2BDJ2Qw1lfpdDMHA~8htKYYf~Mwi1lv6-Vo7UMgOVLuHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Amy Pritchard told the Little Rock City Board of Directors on Jan. 7 that the Citizens Review Board (CRB) must remain independent and able to review police practices and policies, including matters tied to Bradley Blackshire’s death.

\"The citizens review board is not only essential to transparency and accountability in this city, it is a reflection of Little Rock's commitment to working with its residents, not against them,\" Pritchard said during the public comment period, adding the board was created after Blackshire’s death and should not be \"insulted\" by narrowed interpretations of its jurisdiction.

City Attorney Tom Carpentry later addressed the board at the mayor’s request and described the CRB as having a limited statutory role. Carpentry said the CRB \"has a limited jurisdiction that deals with excessive force cases or police corruption cases\" and that, in alleged deadly-force cases, the CRB reviews matters before the police chief completes an internal review so the board can identify additional issues for review. Carpentry said broader policy questions — such as the use of license-plate-reading technology and facial-recognition capabilities — are appropriate topics for the Public Safety Commission because that body is organized to take public input on wider public-safety issues.

Pritchard criticized a city-attorney email she described as dismissive and said it threatened the board’s independence. She urged the City of Little Rock to protect the CRB’s authority and allow it to review policies and procedures when complaints are referred by the mayor.

Why it matters: The exchange highlights competing views about the CRB's role: residents who urged expansive oversight and the city attorney’s clarification that the CRB’s authority is limited to certain categories of misconduct and internal-review processes. The board did not take formal action on the CRB during the meeting.

Ending: The board heard public comment and received legal context from the city attorney; no ordinance or resolution modifying the CRB’s authority was proposed or acted on at the Jan. 7 meeting.","A resident urged the board to protect the Citizens Review Board's independence; City Attorney Tom Carpentry told the board the CRB's remit is limited to excessive-force and police-corruption reviews and suggested the Public Safety Commission for wider policy matters.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6392531,"Little Rock Board approves consent agenda including street, drainage and homeless services contracts",113,668000,781000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109664-2a1e12038f9729d439be2900c23ae6a3&start=668&end=781","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109664-2a1e12038f9729d439be2900c23ae6a3/thumbnail_668000.jpg","/articles/6392531/Little-Rock-City/Pulaski-County/Arkansas/Little-Rock-Board-approves-consent-agenda-including-street-drainage-and-homeless-services-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392531-798c73b084aea62a5291fbceb02acc9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167917&Signature=EnUnMS2iNLGV-qW3U5~C3DJ6heJWASXcqDYawSIzxmCppc-4e5JEiy0xiZoCyKaIV4T6eMn9hl5oVAUQqpaioq7MLHgZv~tz7ZTT3pRd-Ast8b0OUmS8iHpt7B8TcbBPtkPuC8WuLHPMttCidEwqeD0yrTsVkKZuReZYRIj7s3QwvDrs5co1Glv4PWog0Z8JnNRYTSfjcTtSfMyd5NHAnEj7WmRHLHaKfPjJO-5e5n-qFFHHvEVM~lnyJdkSi7Xm4vE0gtusEkwBSEv-6LgjSAq-5TASCqyUNm6qeTmfadv~8oFufqdx8IS5AaLE2shuNj2hwepVFTYIb6Ae1zTmIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Rock City Board of Directors voted to approve its consent agenda on Jan. 7, authorizing five contracts and one contract amendment for street reconstruction, drainage improvements, a generator purchase and a homeless day resource center.

The consent agenda included a contract with Gene Summers Construction Inc. for the West 13th Street Reconstruction Improvement Project for an amount not to exceed $274,448.40; an amendment to an existing contract with Redstone Construction Group Inc. increasing the original $2,458,674.60 agreement by up to $13,000 for the Swaggerty Branch drainage rehabilitation project; a contract with Positive Results Lawn Services Inc. for the L Street drainage improvement project in an amount not to exceed $189,525.60; a contract with Nixon Power Services for purchase of a generator for the Little Rock Fire Department not to exceed $60,492.53; and a contract with DePaul USA Inc. for the Jericho Way homeless day resource center in an amount not to exceed $391,640.

The clerk read the five items into the record during the consent agenda. Director Hines disclosed before the vote that he \"serves on the National Board of DePaul USA\" and said the role was a volunteer, unpaid position and would not preclude him from voting. After the clerk concluded the consent items, the board voted by voice; the chair announced, \"Ayes have it.\" The consent agenda items were adopted as presented.

Why it matters: The items fund public works and social services projects and allot specific funding sources cited during the reading, including limited tax obligation capital improvement bonds and the 3.8-cent capital improvement sales tax. The DePaul USA contract advances the Jericho Way homeless day resource center, a program the consent reading identified as funded through the cited capital sources.

Votes at a glance:
- West 13th Street Reconstruction Improvement Project: Gene Summers Construction Inc., not to exceed $274,448.40. Funding: limited tax obligation capital improvement bonds. Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Swaggerty Branch drainage rehabilitation: amendment to Redstone Construction Group Inc. contract, increase not to exceed $13,000 (original contract $2,458,674.60). Funding: 3.8¢ capital improvement sales tax. Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- L Street drainage improvement project: Positive Results Lawn Services Inc., not to exceed $189,525.60. Funding: limited tax general obligation capital improvement bonds. Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Generator purchase for Little Rock Fire Department: Nixon Power Services, not to exceed $60,492.53. Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Jericho Way homeless day resource center: DePaul USA Inc., not to exceed $391,640. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

Director Hines’ disclosure about DePaul USA was entered on the record before the vote; the clerk and chair proceeded with the consent vote without further challenge.

The board took the votes by voice after the clerk read the consent items; no roll-call tallies were announced.

Ending: The consent agenda passed as read. The meeting then proceeded to scheduled citizen communications and other agenda items.","The Little Rock City Board of Directors approved a consent agenda on Jan. 7 that authorized five contracts and a contract amendment for street, drainage, generator and homeless services projects. Director Hines disclosed a volunteer board role with one vendor before the vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board reports Ward 7 Director BJ Wyrick named vice mayor for 2025–26 after executive session

Little Rock readies 17 snow-plow trucks, stockpiles salt and plans 24-hour shelter as storm approaches

Tenant describes mold, infestations and maintenance failures at high-rise; officials say property is public housing managed by MHA

Resident urges protection of Citizens Review Board; city attorney says CRB jurisdiction is limited

Little Rock Board approves consent agenda including street, drainage and homeless services contracts