Mayor reports on state of the city
Mayor Joe Smith's 2019 State of the City report highlights the "sound financial footing," economic development and infrastructure progress being made in North Little Rock "that some of us might never see."
As has been his custom since taking office in 2013, Smith distributed copies of this year's three-page address, and not read it, during Monday's City Council meeting.
"Together, as a council, we must make decisions today that will impact our children and grandchildren," the address read. "What we choose to invest in, or not invest in, has consequences for our city decades beyond our terms in office."
The paper highlights projects from the 1 percent city sales tax approved by voters in August 2017 that will fund street and drainage projects, fire stations' improvements and construction of a police headquarters. Private development -- such as new medical facilities under construction as part of a growing health corridor on Springhill Drive -- is also highlighted.
Smith also referred to the $5.2 million, city-owned Argenta Plaza that's under construction in downtown. He called it "the most high-profile project in our city" and said the public investment has already created nearly $50 million in private investment.
Museum to mark sub's commission
Retired Navy Vice Adm. Kenneth E. Floyd will be guest speaker Wednesday at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum's observance of the 75th anniversary of the commissioning of the USS Razorback submarine.
The event will be from noon-12:45 p.m. at 120 Riverfront Park Drive, on the east side of the Main Street Bridge. The event is free and open to the public. A private reception will be 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The Razorback, commissioned April 3, 1944, was in Tokyo Bay on Sept. 2, 1945, during Japan's formal surrender ending World War II. North Little Rock acquired title to the submarine in March 2004 for its maritime museum.
Floyd retired from active duty in 2015 after 35 years of naval service. He was commander of the U.S. 3rd Fleet headquartered in San Diego from May 2013-July 2015.
More information about the public event or evening private event is available by calling the museum at (501) 371-8320 or emailing csmith@aimmuseum.org. Museum information is available at aimmuseum.org.
Business licenses deadline Monday
Monday is the deadline for businesses in North Little Rock to obtain 2019 city business privilege licenses or face paying 25 percent penalties on their amounts due.
Businesses needing to renew their licenses, or businesses that have started since Jan. 1, are annually required to obtain current-year business licenses between Jan. 2 and April 1. The penalty increases to 50 percent of the total due after July 1.
Information on business licenses and fees is available from the city clerk and treasurer's office or by calling (501) 975-8617.
Panel seeks input on parks, recreation
The North Little Rock Parks and Recreation Commission will hold a public hearing April 15, in the North Little Rock Community Center at 2700 Willow St. to hear input about Parks and Recreation capital needs.
The public hearing is to begin at 5:15 p.m., or immediately after the regularly scheduled commission meeting at 5 p.m.
Anyone wanting to make an official request of city parks or recreational programs should call the Parks and Recreation Administration office at (501) 791-8538, by April 10 to be placed on the agenda. A prioritized written summary of the requests, along with cost estimates, is suggested.
Amusement park to open Saturday
Funland amusement park in Burns Park will open for the season at 10 a.m. Saturday, weather permitting, the North Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department announced.
Hours will be from 10 a.m-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and stretch from April through October.
Metro on 03/31/2019