March 2025 Meeting Minutes (Approved)
- Little Rock DNA
- Apr 10
- 5 min read
Little Rock Downtown
Neighborhood Association
General Meeting
March 6, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Curran Hall
615 E Capitol Ave, Little Rock, AR 72202
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE
Brittany Nichols, Kathy Wells, Rip Weaver, Arion Crenshaw, Shelley Green, Stephanie Govatos, Rogers Yarnell, Jeannie Bates, Haley Shelton, Chris Woodward, Chloe Chapman, Virgil Miller, Stark Ligon, Tricia Bean, Scott Holladay, John Hedrick, Patti Hedrick
CALL TO ORDER & INTRODUCTIONS
President Nichols called the meeting to order at 6:28pm after some time for potluck set-up. No introductions were given.
QUORUM & APPROVAL OF MINUTES
As there were 13 dues-paid members in attendance, quorum was met. January and February general meeting minutes were presented for approval and accepted.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Executive
President Nichols shared that she, Secretary Weaver, and Chair Crenshaw met virtually to test Google Meet recently. The platform is easy to use but glitchy, so LRDNA will not use it for virtual meetings. President Nichols decided to forego purchasing a ZOOM account for the association, for now.
Secretary Weaver shared current membership is 31 total (26 individual, 5 business) with 7 registrations since the last general meeting. He also shared that Community Bakery is donating a sweet treat for the April general meeting.
Finance
As Treasurer Lewis was not present for the meeting, President Nichols gave an update on the association’s finances. Current Arvest bank account balance is $1267.73 and current PayPal balance is $689.66.
Communications
Chair Weaver reported that the committee held a virtual meeting on February 17. He shared that the association’s webpage is being updated and asked members and guests to visit it. He also encouraged members and guests to post their own content to the LRDNA’s Facebook group.
Membership
Chair Crenshaw shared that he continues outreach to new members with a focus on downtown businesses. He will work on a plan to honor the membership perks for Business Members with Secretary Weaver. He also plans to attend area events (like farmers markets) to recruit new members.
Member Tricia Bean, QQA Executive Director, appealed for LRDNA to become a member of the QQA and suggested the $100 Contributor tier. She also shared about upcoming QQA events, including 5H Club Meetings, Preservation Conversations, and the ever-popular Tour of Homes (60th year, MacArthur Park District, preview party April 2). One highlight this year for QQA members is an invitation to private “speakeasy” parties at different locations.. Contact qqa@quapaw.com for more information.
Guest Chole Chapman suggested that associations offer a group membership for multiple organizations, expanding each other’s membership base and community awareness (ie, for $100, join QQA and LRDNA). The LRDNA officers will consider this.
Historic Preservation
Chair Wells reported that the design overlay comment period has ended with four comments (3 affirmative, 1 negative). She will move forward with efforts on this. She also appealed to members to join the HP committee.
SPECIAL GUEST
Ward 1 City Director Virgil Miller
Director Miller spoke on the ShotSpotter public safety technology that the City utilizes along a roughly square 2-mile zone around 12th Street. This system detects possible gun shots and alerts LRPD; it does not prevent or stop gunfire. He is in support of this technology. He said the technology is “fairly precise” and shared that the city has spent $1 million on prevention/intervention programs so far.
Chair Arion Crenshaw shared concerns about the crime perception of the City, and Director Miller responded that “perception is reality.”
Guest Chloe Chapman asked if a shot is identified, what happens or what do we do. Director Miller replied that it is always good practice to notify LRPD with any safety concerns and to even reach out to your City Director/City Hall; he said something will be done.
Director Miller also said if residents are unable to get results/responses from 311 (City’s resident complaint hotline), then call your City Director.
Member Tricia Bean gave a shout-out to the Downtown Little Rock Partnership’s Downtown Little Rock City Ambassador program. These folks can assist with safety/hospitality escorts, graffiti & litter removal, and much more. TEXT 501.208.9738 for assistance. Learn more here.
Director Miller encouraged attendees to attend city board meetings to learn more and express concerns with city leaders. Regular Board Meetings are the first and third Tuesdays of each month (with Agenda Meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays).
Finally, Director Miller provided his direct contact information to attendees: EMAIL vmiller@littlerock.gov or CALL 501.319.2029. He stated that he will always respond to an email or a call.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
SoMa Public Safety Reporting Form
Member Shelley Green (The Green Corner Store) and new Member Haley Shelton (Downtown Dwellings) shared that businesses in SoMa’s business district are informally tracking public safety incidents in downtown to identify patterns and repeat offenders. These will be shared with the City. They encouraged attendees to submit their incidents through an online, ANONYMOUS form here.
Green shared that anyone may retrieve an incident report from the LRPD Records Department (located at LRPD HQ on Markham Street in downtown Little Rock). Secretary Weaver shared that these reports may cost money ($10-20), though victims listed in the report may receive a free copy. Director Miller wanted to verify this policy with City staff and assist with reducing fees if possible.
Director Miller encouraged attendees to attend the 12th Street LRPD Station’s quarterly meetings. The new station commander is Major Cody Miller.
Trolley Along Main Street
Tabled to the April 2025 general meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Keep Little Rock Beautiful Citywide Cleanup
President Nichols reminded everyone that LRDNA will participate in the Citywide Cleanup on March 8. To volunteer, meet her at 10am in the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral parking lot in downtown Little Rock.
1516 S. Ringo Street Development
Several LRDNA, Dunbar Neighborhood, and QQA members attended the LR Planning Commission on 2/13. Secretary Weaver spoke in opposition to the development proposal on behalf of the LRDNA. The commission approved the proposal (7 for, 3 against) which now goes before the City Board. Director Miller shared his opposition to the proposal and will encourage other board members to oppose it, too.
President Nichols moved that LRDNA submit a formal letter of opposition to the City Board by the Board Meeting on 3/18. The motion was seconded and passed. Member Tricia Bean recommended that someone attend the Board’s Agenda Setting Session on 3/11.
SoMardi Gras Festival, Parade, and Little Rock Marathon Debrief
Tabled to the April 2025 general meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Zoom Account for LRDNA
Shared during the Executive Committee Report earlier.
Recurring Fires on Louisiana Street
There have been at least three property fires on the 1300 block of Louisiana Street. It has become a public safety concern and nuisance for residents and neighbors. Properties in question are in poor condition and the owner is currently in Little Rock Environmental Court.
New Member Stephanie Govatos attended today’s meeting and spoke about her concerns as a neighbor.
There is consensus among LRDNA members that the City considers using US HUD standards to keep the properties in question safe and free of hazard until the district court takes further action. LRDNA has drafted and will submit a letter to the City that strongly encourages this enforcement of public safety – one of the “the basics” – by the City. Member Scott Holladay spoke in support of the letter.
President Nichols moved that LRDNA submit a formal letter to City Officials regarding the concerns of downtown residents on this matter. The motion was seconded and passed.
Sponsoring/Volunteering for MacArthur Park 5k
Tabled to the April 2025 general meeting.
Love Your Block grant
Tabled to the April 2025 general meeting.
NOT ON AGENDA
Squatters Prohibition
Vice President Wells shared that the squatters police enforcement law known as Act 238 adds a new push against squatters that lends itself to use against renters. It lets landlords remove tenants more easily, and uses police rather than pay lawyers.
Safe Rooms Bill
Vice President Wells shared that there is a safe (weather-proof, fortified) rooms bill introduced as HB 1366 in the Arkansas Legislature. A hearing is set for 4/1 in the House Revenue & Taxation Committee.
NEXT MEETING & ADJOURNMENT
Next general meeting is set for April 3 at 6pm at CALS Williams Library.
President Nichols adjourned the meeting at 7:45pm. Potluck and fellowship followed.
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