May 2025 Meeting Minutes
- Little Rock DNA
- Jun 12
- 4 min read
Little Rock Downtown
Neighborhood Association
General Meeting
May 1, 2025 | 6:00 PM
CALS Williams Library
1800 S Chester St, Little Rock, AR 72206
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE (15)
Brittany Nichols, Kathy Wells, Rip Weaver, Danny Lewis, Denise Ennett, Jamie Scott, Ne’Nita Clayborn, Tricia Bean, Norm Berner, Jeff Spain, Sunny Bottoms, Stark Ligon, Chloe Chapman, Beverly Hood Jones, Cameron Ennett
CALL TO ORDER
President Nichols called the meeting to order at 6:03pm.
QUORUM & APPROVAL OF MINUTES
As there were 7 dues-paid members in attendance at the start of the meeting, quorum was not met. No official business conducted including approval of meeting minutes.
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER(S)
Arkansas State Representative Denise Ennett (District 80)
Representative Ennett – who represents a portion of downtown Little Rock – shared updates on the most recent session of the Arkansas legislature. She mentioned that over 1000 bills were passed into law and now Acts.
Discussion on HB1503 (Act 313) which would prohibit certain restrictions on the regulation of accessory dwelling units followed.
Representative Ennett also shared that she has asked the Arkansas Department of Transportation for a “road diet” on Broadway Street from around 17th/18th Streets to Roosevelt Road. This will consider reducing the roadway from four to two lanes. Metroplan engineering team will be involved, and there will be a public comment opportunity.
Finally, she mentioned that a proposed bill on storm shelters was brought to committee but did not make it out. She will work again on this issue in the 2027 legislative session.
Arkansas State Senator Jamie Scott (District 12)
Senator Scott – who represents a portion of downtown Little Rock – gave a review of the bills that she supported this legislative session.
She highlighted HB1268 (Act 450) which will allow for a public transit authority to become a participating public employer and for its employees to become members of the Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS).
Senator Scott also shared the passage of SB241 (Act 885) which now allows for public employees access to paid leave in the event of the death of a family member or child.
We thank Representative Ennett and Senator Scott for their service to Arkansas and for attending tonight’s meeting.
Treasurer Lewis stepped out during this portion of the meeting.
INTRODUCTIONS
Guests gave introductions.
A concern about garbage containers at Wright Avenue/17th Street and State Street being left out/full for long periods of time was brought by Member Beverley Hood Jones. Suggestion was made to report this to 311 either through a phone call or through the mobile app. President Nichols will look into this.
Guest Chloe Chapman shared about upcoming events downtown including a bike ride during the next 2nd Friday Art Night (2FAN).
Member Tricia Bean, QQA Executive Director, reminded everyone about the upcoming QQA Tour of Homes and encouraged people to reserve their tickets and/or help volunteer.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Executive
Secretary Weaver shared current membership: 49 total (32 Individual, 17 Business).
Finance
As Treasurer Lewis left the meeting early, President Nichols gave an update on the association’s finances. Current Arvest bank account balance is $1287.73 and current PayPal balance is $1006.86 for a total of $2294.59.
Historic Preservation
Chair Wells shared that no reply yet from the City on how they will respond to Act 313 mentioned earlier Representative Ennett. Chair Wells will pursue more on this. Some raised concern about how this will affect Capitol Zoning.
Membership
Chair Crenshaw not present; no report.
Communications
Chair Weaver reported that the committee met virtually on April 24 and has decided to implement a schedule for the LRDNA Facebook group’s admins/moderators to facilitate timely and equitable post approval.
Community/Neighborhood Association Liaisons
No updates.
OLD BUSINESS
Recurring Fires/Nuisance on Louisiana Street
President Nichols read aloud the April 17th response from City of Little Rock Housing and Neighborhood Programs Department Director Kevin Howard to LRDNA’s March 24th letter. No other city officials have responded as of this meeting. The City has issued demolition permits and there should be a teardown coming soon. President Nichols will craft a reply and organize a working group (committee) for Public Safety on this and other relevant concerns. If you are interested in joining this group, please send her an email at LittleRockDNA@gmail.com.
NEW BUSINESS
Downtown Master Plan Implementation Group Update
Tabled to next meeting.
Volunteering for MacArthur Park 5k
The race is tomorrow, May 2. Please register/volunteer/attend! President Nichols will be running the race. Reminder that LRDNA is a sponsor this year.
Volunteering for Quapaw Quarter Association’s Tour of Homes
ToH is May 10-11. Please register/volunteer/attend! President Nichols and Secretary Weaver are volunteering to be tour guides.
City’s “Lunch On Us” Initiative
Vice president Kathy Wells added at the top of the meeting an agenda item to hold discussion and consideration on LRDNA making a contribution to the City’s initiative “Lunch On Us: Tackling School Lunch Debt Together.” This is an ongoing effort to ensure every student has access to healthy, nutritious meals amidst budget cuts and accumulating school lunch debt. LRDNA will consider making a $50 donation.
Guest Stark Ligon offered a $50 donation on behalf of the association. Kathy Wells accepted his check and will deposit into the LRDNA bank account.
NEXT MEETING & ADJOURNMENT
Next general meeting is set for June 5 at 6pm at Curran Hall. It’s a potluck, so please bring a dish to share!
President Nichols adjourned the meeting at 7:30pm.
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