JUNE 2020 VOL. 76, NO. 06 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE EARN THE RECOGNITION YOUR CITY DESERVES! Enter the programs you have developed that show the improvement and growth of your city. Categories: Winning cities will be featured in Arkansas Business · Public Safety and awards presented at the Winter Meeting of the · Infrastructure/Utilities/Water Arkansas Municipal League. · Education/Workforce Development · Wellness & Fitness Deadline to enter: August 31 · Tourism Development/Creative Culture Entry information is available at: · Environmental/Green Management Practices www.arkansasbusiness.com/trendsetter For questions email [email protected] Presented by In partnership with 800.766.2000 | crewsfs.com Member FINRA & SIPC MUNICIP S AL A L S E N A A G K U R E A G E R ARK ANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE T GREAT CITIES MAKE A GREAT STATE E A A T T S C T I A TI E ES GR MAKE A ON THE COVER—Cities and towns, schools and the communities that support them have found creative ways to celebrate the Class of 2020 during the coronavirus crisis, which has affected students and their families across the state. Check out some of the ways Arkansas’ grads have been honored Cover photo by Andrew Morgan. this year beginning on page 18. Read also the state’s latest guidance for cities and towns during the COVID-19 pandemic, tips on crisis management for public officials, and about a new 100-acre solar energy farm coming to Jonesboro, all inside this issue. And don’t forget to register for the League’s 86th Convention, Aug. 19-21 in Little Rock. Hotel and registration information begins on page 28.—atm Features City & Town Contents Arkansas Municipal League Officers .........5 Jonesboro solar farm set to shine in 2021 14 A partnership between Jonesboro City Water Community Development .......................38 and Light and TurningPoint Energy will bring a 100-acre solar farm to the Craighead Technology COVID-19 Resources ............................23 Park, adding clean, sustainable energy to the grid Engineering ..........................................44 in the northeast Arkansas hub city. From the Desk of the Executive Director .....6 Crisis management in 10 Rs 16 We are in the midst of battling numerous crises, Meeting Calendar .................................11 some of them unprecedented, and keeping “the Municipal Mart .....................................54 10 Rs” of crisis management in mind can help cities and towns prepare, navigate and recover Municipal Notes ...................................10 during challenging times. Obituaries ............................................15 Celebrating the Class of 2020 during 18 COVID Planning to Succeed ..............................34 The usual graduation ceremonies and other President’s Letter ......................................4 traditional senior-year traditions had to be put on hold this spring as the state mitigates the spread Sales Tax Map ......................................51 of coronavirus, but cities and towns still found Sales Tax Receipts .................................52 creative ways to celebrate their graduates. Turnback Estimates ................................50 COVID resources for cities and towns: 22 Reopening continues Urban Forestry......................................42 Phase One of the governor’s plan for reopening continues with expanded guidance for certain Wellness ..............................................47 businesses, and with added criteria for summer XPert Diagnostics ..................................46 camps and school and community sports. Your Health ..........................................40 JUNE 2020 3 PRESIDENT’S LETTER Dear friends and fellow public servants, The swirl of new challenges facing us seems unwilling to subside in 2020. But the latest tragedy—the death of George Floyd by municipal police in Minneapolis—has come to many if not all of our doorsteps, even though it happened 800 miles away. The video is one of the saddest things I have ever witnessed. It has proven to be the proverbial last straw for many of us, and thousands of Arkansans have taken to the streets, in unison with Americans everywhere, to protest the abuse of police authority. We must heal, and it will take time. But when the wounds are closed, we must get down to what many will find difficult: the necessity of making George Floyd’s life—and death—meaningful. In Jonesboro, we are starting that process with a long look in the mirror. My police chief, who I commend for his platform of minor- ity outreach, feels like his five years of work to gain trust among Jonesboro’s African-American community is unraveled by the rogue officers’ actions in Minnesota. But Chief Rick Elliott has patiently listened to both the heartfelt pain of our citizenry, as well as more than a fair share of despicable labels and false accusations thrown at him and his department. Jonesboro Police Department has been exemplary during this time, but I expect nothing less. And while Elliott re-examines his policy manual with our city attorneys, I too am examining my best practices, my own policies and looking for flaws. I have listened to my community and have taken one criticism especially to heart: our lack of diversity among department heads and directors. While I could point to losses of African-American department leaders to better opportunities, the bottom line is we do not currently reflect the population we serve, and that has to change. I have asked our local university, Arkansas State, for assistance in creating a way to connect the divide that we have to acknowledge exists in our constantly growing, diversifying population. And we will create a diversity commission, by one name or another, to help understand how to connect with those who feel like Jonesboro does not offer them the life they deserve. What I’m saying is we are at another point in American history that requires sincere change. For years we have talked about “needing to have a conversation.” Well, it’s time. And as mayor, I am adamant that we are going to have it in Jonesboro. I hope you will do the same in your city or town. You might even have some suggestions for me. If our experience in Jonesboro can be of any use to you, do not hesitate to reach out to me or my staff. And if you have found successful ways to connect diverse parts of your community, please share with us. It’s too important, and has never been more urgent. Sincerely, Harold Perrin Mayor, Jonesboro President, Arkansas Municipal League 4 CITY & TOWN ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE OFFICERS Mayor Harold Perrin, Jonesboro ...................................... President INCORPORATED TOWNS AND CITIES OF THE SECOND Mayor Gary Baxter, Mulberry ............................First Vice President CLASS ADVISORY COUNCIL: Mayor Dennis Behling, Lakeview, Mayor Paul Wellenberger, Fairfield Bay ..... Vice President, District 1 Chair; Mayor Veronica Post, Altus; Mayor Bo James, Caraway; Council Member Timothy Barnes, Clinton; Mayor Joe Marotti, Council Member Allan Loring, .. Vice President, District 2 Wrightsville Crawfordsville; Council Members Robert Otis and Doyle Scroggins, Mayor John Mark Turner, Siloam Springs ... Vice President, District 3 Fairfield Bay; Council Member Jennifer Porter, Flippin; Mayor Mayor Parnell Vann, Magnolia ................... Vice President, District 4 Jeff Braim and Council Member Anita Seaman, Gassville; Mayor Mark R. Hayes .....................................................Executive Director B.T. Smith, Glenwood; Recorder/Treasurer Jennifer Hill, Haskell; Recorder/Treasurer Mary Ruth Wiles, Highland; Mayor Craig EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: City Clerk/Treasurer Denise Johnston, Huckaby, Horseshoe Bend; Council Member Lee Guest, Marvell; Batesville; Mayor Darrell Kirby, Bay; Mayor Tim McKinney, Mayor Marion Hoosier, McCaskill; Mayor Carl Lee Griswold, Berryville; Mayor James Sanders, Blytheville; Mayor Jonas Mitchellville; Mayor Bob Blankenship, Monette; Mayor Joseph Anderson, Cave City; Vice Mayor Kevin Settle, Fort Smith; Mayor Carlton, Montrose; Mayor Michael Marsh, Pangburn; Mayor Sammy Hartwick, Greenbrier; Mayor Doug Kinslow, Greenwood; Roben Brooks and Recorder/Treasurer Dane Fults, Redfield; Mayor Mayor Tonya Kendrix, Hermitage; City Manager Catherine Cook, Samuel Quarles, Rosston; Mayor James Jones, Rudy; Mayor Hope; Mayor Pat McCabe, Hot Springs; Council Member Reedie Lisa Hackett, Shirley; Recorder/Treasurer Rick East, Smackover; Ray, Jacksonville; Council Member Sam Angel II, Lake Village; Recorder/Treasurer Rita Fite, Sparkman; Mayor Brenda Porter, Mayor Jerry Boen, Lamar; Mayor Steve Dixon, Marmaduke; Tollette; Mayor Michael R. Frasier, Weiner Council Member James Turner, Mena; Mayor Allen Lipsmeyer, PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COUNCIL: Chief of Police/Assistant Morrilton; Council Member Debi Ross, North Little Rock; City Manager J.R. Wilson, Hope, Chair; Council Member Jim Council Member Tyler Dunegan, Osceola; Mayor Sonny Hudson, Wozniak, Bella Vista; Mayor Kenneth Jones, Brookland; Council Prairie Grove; Mayor Greg Hines, Rogers; Mayor Virginia Young, Member Doug Warner, Cabot; Interim Fire Chief Ronald Nash, Sherwood; Mayor Bobby Neal, Smackover Camden; Mayor Crystal Marshall, Crossett; Council Members Chris PAST PRESIDENTS ADVISORY COUNCIL: Mayor Rick Elumbaugh, Akins and Robin Cook, Dermott; Council Member Dianne Hammond, Batesville; Mayor Frank Fogleman, Marion; Mayor Joe A. Smith, El Dorado; Police Chief/Mayor Tim Mayfield, Gassville/Salesville; North Little Rock; Mayor Mike Gaskill, Paragould; Mayor Jackie Director