July 2025 Meeting Minutes
- Little Rock DNA
- Jul 25
- 8 min read
Little Rock Downtown
Neighborhood Association
General Meeting
July 3, 2025 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
CALS Williams Library
1800 S Chester St, Little Rock, AR 72206
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE (14)
Brittany Nichols, Kathy Wells, Rip Weaver, Danny Lewis, Virgil Miller, Rachel Tanner, Justin Vess, Shelley Green, Norm Berner, Stark Ligon, Scott Holladay, Meredith Holladay, Stephanie Harris, John Landosky
CALL TO ORDER, INTRODUCTIONS, & QUORUM
President Nichols called the meeting to order at 6:05pm. Attendees were invited to help themselves to a cookie from business member, The Root Cafe, and a beverage provided by DNA officers. Introductions of all in attendance were given. As there were 10 dues-paid members present, quorum was met.
COMMITTEE REPORTS & LIAISON UPDATES
Executive (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer)
President Nichols announced that Little Rock has a new city manager, Delphone Hubbard. Manager Hubbard was approved by the City Board of Directors at the June 17th board meeting and held previous roles as acting city manager and fire chief.
President Nichols shared that Metroplan is holding a comment period for the Central Arkansas Comprehensive Action Plan addressing air and water quality issues in Central Arkansas thru July 29, 2025. To learn more about the plan, visit https://metroplan.org/eei/
Secretary Weaver gave a membership update: 63 total dues-paid members (44 Individual, 19 Business). This includes 3 additional members since the last meeting on May 1.
Treasurer Lewis gave a financial update: $1717 total funds.
Historic Preservation
Chair Wells shared that Charles Witsell, a leader in the state's historic preservation movement, had passed. Mr Witsell restored five homes in downtown. A memorial service will be August 29. See his obituary online here.
She also shared there is still uncertainty on federal historic preservation grant funding and the City is still grappling with how to handle the new state legislation around accessory dwelling units.
Membership
The DNA is still seeking a new chair for this committee. If anyone is interested, please reach out to officers at littlerockdna@gmail.com.
Communications
Chair Weaver announced that he is stepping down as chair of this committee and that President Nichols will be filling in during the interim until a new chair is selected. If anyone is interested, please reach out to officers at littlerockdna@gmail.com.
President Nichols is now sending out a monthly newsletter around the middle of each month. Please check it out!
Safe & Clean Streets
President Nichols has formed this new committee and is seeking members and a chair. The intention is to partner with other groups outside of DNA to promote safe and clean streets for downtown, including litter clean-up, alternative transportation, walkability, street-light infrastructure, and other safety concerns.
Member John Landosky shared two groups – Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas (BACA) and Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC) that are working on similar initiatives and could be good partners for DNA to explore; he is the city staff liaison for ATAC and suggested DNA sign-up for the email list to receive information. Other attendees shared that they participate in these groups, too.
Community/Neighborhood Association Liaisons
For an update on the Downtown Master Plan Implementation Group by President Nichols, see the “New Business” section below.
John Hedrick submitted this update on SoMa Business And Merchants (BAM) Group via email on July 3 in his absence tonight:
“There has been interest in slowing traffic and improve safety at intersections particularly 15th and Main Street. A pop up is planned to block off the center turn lanes with flexible "pipes" and paint them blue. The bike lanes will be painted green near the intersection, and wide turn areas be painted, similar to 17th and Commerce. A work weekend will be planned for late August to paint and prepare the area. If successful, the installation will be made permanent.”
Member Shelley Green commented further on this saying SoMa BAM will be seeking feedback in September on this pop-up installation and there could be potential for others in the same area.
Vice President Wells shared that the Coalition for Little Rock (CLRN) neighborhoods is supporting and promoting an initiative to fund “back-to-school” haircuts for school-aged kids this summer. This promotes self-esteem and confidence in the classroom. She encouraged others to donate to the cause.
Comments by Director Virgil Miller (Not on Agenda)
President Nichols invited Ward 1 Director Virgil Miller to speak. Director Miller gave an update on the development of Hanger Hill lots by developer Mike Ordorff. The proposal has been delayed for consideration by the Board to July 15 in hopes of gathering more opinions and support for the development. Director Miller has talked with Mr. Ordorff as well as some of the residents in the area to find common ground on the issue. He also told attendees to call him directly if they are not making progress with Little Rock 311, the city’s citizen complaint hotline.
OLD BUSINESS
Fires on Louisiana - Update on City Communications
DNA has wrapped up communications with the City on this issue for now. LR Housing & Neighborhood Programs Department Director Kevin Howard suggested that those who want to learn more about code enforcement and safety issues should enroll in the City’s Residents Academy, a FREE series of weekly classes offered twice a year. Learn more here.
NEW BUSINESS
Donations from LR DNA
Recent donations from DNA include:
City of Little Rock’s “Lunch On Us” initiative to support LRSD schools meals ($100)
City of Little Rock’s “Love Your Firefighters” campaign to support Fire Station #2 ($50)
Friends of Mosaic Templars Cultural Center’s “Juneteenth in Da Rock” event ($50)
Attendees were encouraged to make their own contributions to these funds.
Vice President Wells shared that local non-profit Our House was organizing a “Back-to-School” haircut event on August 1, sharing that cuts can cost around $50 per person. Guest Stark Ligon asked for clarification on that amount, and some members shared that indeed a basic cut can start at $30 or $40 before taxes and tips. After discussion, a motion was made and passed for DNA to donate $300 to Our House for this cause.
Urban Use (UU) Ordinance Updates and The Five Points Infill Taskforce (FPIT)
President Nichols gave an update on the UU Ordinance and FPIT. The original ordinance was written in the late 1990’s/early 2000’s and requires mixed-use. President Nichols sent a formal response to City staff about proposed revisions to the ordinance after seeking input from the FPIT. The taskforce has met twice and will reconvene in 3rd quarter. Vice President Wells recommended being vigilant about variances considered by the Board of Adjustment. President Nichols has met with LR Planning Department & Development Director Brad Jordan, department staff Hannah Ratzlaff, and Mayor’s Office staff James Owen.
DLRP’s Food Truck Festival
Reminder that this event is Sunday, Sept 21 from 11a-6p, and Downtown Little Rock Partnership is seeking 300 volunteers. Sign-up here.
COMMENTS BY MEMBERS/GUESTS (NOT ON AGENDA)
Norm Berner with Keep Little Rock Beautiful (KLRB)
THV news anchor Brooke Buckner is a new board member for KLRB and the group welcomes others to join.
On September 13 at 9am, there will be a cleanup at Murray Park.
Please help organize a “Pick Up for a Pint” event which is a fun way to cleanup while partnering with local restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. See text at the bottom of these minutes for more information.
Scott Holladay with Friends of Fourche Creek (FFC)
Encouraged members to attend an upcoming FFC cleanup – next one is Saturday, July 26 at 9am. President Nichols suggested that FFC and DNA collaborate to hold a cleanup float trip.
30 Crossing Park in downtown is owned by the AR Department of Transportation. Some uncertainty about how this land will be developed. Stay tuned.
Shelley Green with the Green Corner Store/SoMa BAM
Shared about the incident reporting form for downtown. See image at the bottom of these minutes for more information.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION: LINCOLN PORTRAIT 🇺🇸
In honor of Independence Day, attendees were treated to an audio selection from Lincoln Portrait, narrated by James Earl Jones and composed by Aaron Copeland.
NEXT MEETING & ADJOURNMENT
Next general meeting is set for August 7 at 6pm at CALS Williams Library.
President Nichols adjourned the meeting at 7:42pm.
“Pick Up for a Pint” Litter Cleanup Event
from Norm Berner (KLRB)
"Pick-Up for a Pint" is an event where volunteers participate in a litter cleanup, and in return, they receive a free pint of beer or beverage. It's a community initiative, often organized by neighborhoods and local businesses, to promote environmental stewardship and community engagement. The events typically involve meeting at a designated location, collecting litter, and then enjoying a complimentary drink at the sponsoring location.
How To’s:
Once the neighborhood association agrees to conduct “Pick-Up for a Pint” Event,
contact a local brewery or restaurant to get their buy in.
Determine a date and time for the event. It may be a weekday early evening, or a weekend. Suggested time needed for the event would be about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Secure cleanup supplies:
You will need trash bags and gloves.
Litter grabbers make picking up litter easier.
5 - Litter grabbers, trash bags, and safety vests are available at each Little Rock CALS Library. http://www.keeplittlerockbeautiful.com/cals-litter-kits/
The Dee Brown Tool Library has 25 litter kits available.
If the Business that you are partnering with doesn’t have a dumpster that you can use, the city can be contacted to come to a specified location to collect the bags of trash. You may want to sort the litter & separate the recyclables, if they are not dirty.
Draft a flyer to post in the participating business, around the neighborhood, and on your social media accounts.
Invite the City Director of the Ward in which the Cleanup will take place and the “At Large” Directors.
Once volunteers are assembled, distribute the cleanup supplies and direct the volunteers to nearby streets to pickup litter. You may want to scout the area prior to the event & make assignments to the group. Volunteers can pickup 6-10 blocks in about an hour if there is not an excessive amount of litter present. The more litter present, the shorter the distance to cover. You may want to cover some basic safety tips to the volunteers.
Take photos or short videos during the Cleanup. Post them on your Social Media Platforms and share with KLRB. Suggestions: a group photo at the end of the cleanup that includes the bags of trash that is collected; a group photo in front of the Business that you partner with; some indoor photos as you are eating or drinking; a photo with the Owner or Manager of the Business.
Provide KLRB with the number of Volunteers who were involved in your Cleanup, how much time was involved in the Cleanup, and how many bags of trash were collected along with the date of your event to this on-line reporting site. Provide QR Code & LInk
Ask the Business if they would consider having a number of city blocks in front of their location involved in the Adopt-A-Street Program, if they are available.
Maybe your Neighborhood folks would consider having this street area adopted in your groups name.
This project could become a “FUN” way to have your group cleanup your neighborhood area on a regular basis and encourage and inspire the many other organizations across our seven Wards to do the same!
SAFETY TIPS
Wear gloves and closed-toe, sturdy shoes.
Wear sunscreen and bug repellent.
Minors should always be accompanied by an adult.
Drink plenty of fluids from a reusable bottle – stay hydrated!
Take breaks as needed and don’t physically overdo it.
Walk facing traffic
Be aware of your surroundings and potential hazards (e.g., passing cars, poison ivy, overgrown vegetation).
Don’t enter private property.
Don’t wear headphones.
Don't pick up hazardous materials like hypodermic needles, broken glass, sharp objects, animal carcasses, or other questionable items.
Downtown Incident Reporting Form
from Shelley Green (SoMA BAM)
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