Mayor Jim Dailey's State of the City Address 2006

Good afternoon and welcome to my 12th SOC address! Ladies and gentlemen, the state of our city is good. In spite of tight budgets, we are solid financially, in spite of less space at the jail and an string of recent homicides, we have a great police department that will keep Public safety our number one priority, in spite of limited infrastructure funds, we are giving this city a new face with the 2004 bond issue, in spite of less federal dollars and more mandates, we are partnering with business and neighboring cities to reshape downtown, midtown and our whole town; in spite of nay sayers, we have a presidential library that has far exceeded the most optimistic of estimates, in spite of The Travelers moving north of the river, thanks first to Warren Stephens and then to the citizens of NLR we are all getting a new ball park in our downtown and midtown will be redeveloped, in spite of tough decisions, tough choices and tough issues, the state of our city is good and together we are building a better Little Rock. Today in this speech, I want to celebrate those who make us good…the citizens, task forces, commissions, City Board members and 2400 full and part time hard working employees of this great city… so, let’s get started… first with departments:

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Public Safety, particularly crime prevention and the operations of our Police Department, remains the City Board’s top priority. Though overall crime rate in 2005 was statistically about the same as 2004, the rash of homicides during the first weeks of 2006 has definitely elevated discussion and need for action. I have been in constant contact with the City Manager and Police Chief as investigations continue. While one homicide is too many, I can report that these cases do not appear to be related and the police have noted no particular trends. The majority of these cases appear to be domestic violence and drug related. Though the City is appropriating approximately $3 million dollars for prevention, intervention & treatment and domestic violence programs in 2006, our work remains. I, along with the City Board and City Management, pledge that public safety will remain our top priority and we will continue to work with community groups, neighborhood associations, the faith community and other groups to ensure our resources are targeted appropriately.

For the record, our Police department made over 10,000 arrests in ‘05, responded to 205,000 citizen requests for service and had a 61.5% clearance rate for violent crimes…4% better than 2004 and well above national averages. Despite the concern over bed space in the Pulaski County Regional jail, the LRPD continues to improve performance and response times, helped by the new false alarm ordinance, internal structure reorganization, 26 new recruits last year and 45 more officers in 2006.

As all of us know, the cities of Pulaski County have put a finger in the dike with additional dollars to keep as many beds open as possible in the jail. Clearly, this is a top priority for 2006 and I have promised the City Board and the City Manager that I will come to the Board and the public with a recommendation within this first quarter.

CAP

One clear goal that I set in 2005 was for the City to deal aggressively with nuisance properties. The Criminal Abatement Program (CAP) was started during 2004 and continues to meet monthly to discuss progress regarding public safety efforts and code enforcement. We have seen crime ridden properties come into compliance with City codes and property owners upgrade their properties, particularly rental properties, before court action occurs.

The reason this program is working is the 110% effort by the City Manager, Housing and Neighborhood Programs, Planning and Development, Police, Fire, Public Works, and the City Attorney’s Office. CAP is working, and we are committed to continuing this effective effort in 2006.

LITTLE ROCK FIRE DEPARTMENT

In 2005, the Little Rock Fire Department continued to provide exceptional service protecting life and property throughout the City on a daily basis. The Department answered 21,888 alarms for fire protection or rescue service. In addition to answering these calls, the fire department continued to give back to the community by participating in programs such as the Bicycle for Kids Program, the MDA drive, and the Christmas Toy drive.

This year the Little Rock Fire Department will join other City Departments in initiating steps to achieve national accreditation.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Improving the Quality of Life of all residents of Little Rock is one of the four priority areas of the Board of Directors. I am pleased to say that in 2005 Community Programs Department administered 48 programs based on best practices through Prevention, Intervention and Treatment funds. The Department also invested almost $600,000 dollars for summer youth and recreation programs. I am proud to say that with the City’s continued support of PIT programs and the Children, Youth, and Families Commission made in 2005, the City of Little Rock was named as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People by the America’s Promise Alliance.

FLEET

The Department of Fleet Services plays an instrumental role in keeping Little Rock running…literally, keeping us running… on a daily basis… from solid waste trucks picking up the trash to fire and police vehicles going to an emergency. In 2005, Fleet Services replaced the existing fuel management system to allow better access and fuel control and established a standard Operation Procedure for all divisions.

In 2006, Fleet Services will provide online information on towed and stored vehicles in an effort to expedite vehicle release from storage and improve customer service.

HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAMS

From assisting citizens in repairing homes to making sure that the grass on a vacant lot is cut, the Housing and Neighborhood Programs plays an instrumental role in all four of the City Board’s priorities: public safety, basic City services, economic development and quality of life. 2005 was a major year for all divisions of this department. For example, during 2005, the CDBG and Housing Division completed 34 limited Home Repair projects providing emergency renovations to homes of low-income or disabled citizens. This Division also provided down payment assistance to 21 families purchasing their first home in the City of Little Rock Indeed, what can be better than this service to citizens?

Also in 2005, the Neighborhood Programs division of the department inspected 1,193 rental units, 14,764 premises for Code violations and issued over 1,200 citations for properties that failed to comply…and some say government employees don’t work.

The Animal Services Division purchased a mobile adoption unit with the hope that bringing animals out into the public would increase their chances of being adopted. This program, as well as outreach support from Animal Services Staff, saw the successful adoption of 600 animals.

HUMAN RESOURCES

The Department of Human Resources completed a redesign of the City’s Healthcare Plan resulting in a significant savings on insurance premiums and no increase in dependent coverage cost. HR also updated and improved access to its website, streamlining the job application process and improving access to various forms and reference documents.

In 2006, Human Resources will expand on-line testing, registration for all jobs requiring a written exam and will develop a component to its website offering tips to applicants on all aspects of the City’s hiring process including test taking and interviewing.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

The Department of Information Technology continued to implement systems that have allowed City employees to better serve citizens of Little Rock. For example, Information Technology assisted the Little Rock Police Department in preparation for the implementation of the 311 system in the City, which will provide a non-emergency and complaint tracking system for our citizens.

Additionally, Information Technology worked to upgrade the laptop computers that are in many of the public safety vehicles to increase the safety and effectiveness of the City’s public safety employees.

PARKS AND RECREATION

The Little Rock Department of Parks and Recreation continues to work to increase the recreational activities and opportunities in the City. For instance, 2005 saw the completion of the Rock Creek Park, the Medical Mile Section of the Arkansas River Trail and the completion of Lamar Porter Field. In 2005, the Parks Department increased participation in the Little Rock Marathon by 35 percent and has made it into one of the best marathons in the region. It’s not too late to join the Governor and thousands of others in training for and participating in this year’s March 5 marathon. Additionally, the Parks Department has worked to increase citizen participation and buy-in at City parks by recruiting and utilizing volunteer inspectors at twenty different City Parks and by working to develop and promote a series of free outdoor fitness events at parks throughout the City.

PLANNING

In an effort to make Little Rock a safer city, the Department of Planning and Development completed the adoption of ordinance amendments relating to group homes and transitional living facilities located within the City. Additionally, the Planning Department responded to over 3500 complaints on land use violations and submitted over 44 cases to Environmental Court for review and action. This department was also instrumental in facilitating my Criminal Abatement Program by forcing commercial buildings located in the CAP zone into compliance.

The Planning Department also processed $2,500,000 in new construction permits in 2005; the largest number ever processed in one year.

PUBLIC WORKS

The Department of Public Works coordinated the Sidewalk Replacement Program that replaced or repaired sidewalks in 95 locations throughout the City. Public Works also administered a Street Sweeping Program that removed over 4,900 Cubic Yards of debris helping our city look and drain better. In 2006, Public Works will continue the management and installation of the Sidewalk Replacement Program and will review, revise, and expand the Complaint Tracking System.

Additionally, in 2005, the Department provided oversight on the construction of 34 new subdivisions in the City representing $6.5 million in new residential streets and over $1 million in improvements to arterial and commercial streets.

LITTLE ROCK ZOO

Our Zoo has continued its mission marketing and promoting the new and exciting attractions such as Jackie the Penguin, who we all met and loved; the Grizzly Bear exhibit; the naked Mole Rats; the remodeling of our two female gorilla’s (Sekani and Catherine) exhibit and the conversion of the Lion House into Café Africa, while maintaining a first class nationally accredited zoo. 2006 will continue to be a big year for the Zoo as marketing efforts are increased and preparations are made for AZA re-accreditation.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES

Your City’s elected officials and staff established a legislative agenda for the 2005 session of the 85th Arkansas General Assembly. Working with the Arkansas Municipal League we were successful with these and other pieces of legislation:

• temporary municipal use of abandoned vehicles for law enforcement purposes;
• a new provision for cities to give a three (3) day rather than 7 day correction notice to owners before the City is authorized to clean up Code violations;
• Expansion of the Airport Commission from 5 to 7 members.

Perhaps, the City’s most significant legislative accomplishment during 2005 was the leadership role we played in the defeat of SB230. This bill posed serious threats to the Health and Welfare of our citizens in regards to our water supply and future water needs.

We are preparing for the 2007 General Assembly and possible Special Session in 2006. City staff and I are currently involved in three key General Assembly Interim Study initiatives including changes to Eminent Domain laws, the authorization to land bank properties for housing development and Local Police / Fire Retirement and pension System matters.

VOLUNTEERS

Now let me thank the more than 350 citizens who serve as volunteers on boards and commissions. We could not be the outstanding city we are without these dedicated citizens. We will again this year honor them at the 4th annual Mayors Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. My special thanks as well to City Year Little Rock for a terrific inaugural year touching the lives of 1500 elementary school children as tutors, mentors and role models while, in the same year hosting 1500 delegates from around the globe during City Year’s International Conference. Likewise, my hat is off to the Mayor’s Youth Council which logged nearly 2500 hours of community service in 2005.

TASK FORCES:

OPEN SPACE PLAN

Last year, I appointed John Riggs to chair a committee with the sole purpose of developing a city open space policy. This group met throughout the year and will soon present an open space policy to the community. I have seen a draft of the recommendations and it’s my hope this will be the beginning of a meaningful community dialogue regarding the management and preservation of open space. Just as a sampling, this committee suggests the development an open space acquisition plan; with incentives for donating land for open space, creation of a special fund to acquire property and improved avenues for pedestrian and bicycle transportation connections. My thanks to this committee for a job well done.

CLEAN INDOOR AIR TASK FORCE

As you all know, one of my major initiatives of 2005 was to make work places smoke-free. I appointed Director Genevieve Stewart and charged the KICK Coalition to conduct public forums and gather data and recommend an ordinance to protect the health of our citizens. Director Stewart has done a fine job chairing this committee over the past year and in November presented recommendations to the Board of Directors. Within the next 90 days I will place a proposed ordinance before the Board of Directors for discussion and public comment. I will be sending letters this week to all Mayors and City Council Members in the county asking for similar discussion in our neighboring cities. My hope and challenge is, at a minimum, Little Rock and NLR will join hands as we have on other issues and adopt the same ordinance. My thanks, as well, to Governor Huckabee for his leadership in asking that this matter be considered on a state-wide basis. If Pine Bluff, Fayetteville and Fairfield Bay can do it, I know we can too. I might note as well, this is a movement across the nation…in fact, Chicago recently enacted a smoke free ordinance for all public places, beginning January 1, 2006 and smoke free bars in 2008. Other great cities including Washington D.C. have recently joined the avalanche of 2,000 cities and 13 states that have enacted smoke free laws or ordinances. I believe, it’s time for Little Rock to do so as well.

HOMELESS TASK FORCE

My thanks to Barry McDaniel and Estella Morris for taking on the daunting challenge of developing a 10 year plan to end chronic homelessness in our community. They have formed a task force, a subcommittee structure, and I’m confident they will present a comprehensive plan in 2006. We are proud of the work our local organizations are giving to help our homeless brothers, such as the Compassion Center, who have provided for over 48,000 individuals and 124,000 meals in 2005…thank you Pastor and Mrs. Holloway for the work you do.

CENTRAL HIGH

During 2005, the Central High Integration 50th Anniversary Commission began holding monthly meetings, in preparation for September 2007, activities. The Commission, lead by Co-Chairs, Virgil Miller and Nancy Rousseau, established a subcommittee structure, began meeting with interested community groups and organizations and hired a full-time Events Coordinator. Most events will be held between Friday, September 21 and Tuesday, September 25, 2007, with the anniversary commemoration main event to be held at Central High on September 25, 2007,

MID-TOWN

The revitalization of Midtown Little Rock continues to be a priority. Toward that end, the city efforts are being led by the Midtown Redevelopment Advisory Board aimed at taking full economic advantage of the University Avenue Corridor near I-630. This group will work closely with the private sector on the future of University Mall. In addition, public forums have highlighted the importance of other midtown anchors such as UAMS, St. Vincent’s and UALR.

Last year, at my request, Director Stacy Hurst assembled a group of 15 leading citizens who have been studying the best uses for Ray Winder Field as well as improvements to War Memorial Park. Within the next few weeks they expect to select an urban planner to assist with this important work.

12TH STREET

The 12th Street Corridor Initiative began as a joint effort between citizens and the City to organize churches along 12th Street to address crime issues and social needs. In conversations with the faith leaders, the idea of a Chain of HOPE was developed, which outlined citizens’ vision to rebuild the neighborhood. The letters of H.O.P.E. represent the goals of the alliance…Housing and Neighborhood Appearance; Overall Viability of the Corridor; Public Safety and Economic Development. This month, I will be hosting a meeting with all the faith based leaders in the area to discuss our progress.

NEW REVENUES TASK FORCE

To continue to be a progressive city in the 21st century, Little Rock must continue to grow its economic base in order to meet the municipal government needs and expectations of our citizenry. In my 2005 State of the City address, I asked Directors Michael Keck and Willie Hinton to chair a New Revenues Task force that would look at the current finances of the City and make recommendations. They accomplished their review and made their recommendations to the Board of Directors on October 25th of 2005. First, the Taskforce stated that the City is making wise use of the physical and financial resources currently available…I heartily concur with that finding. To the credit of our City Manager and Finance Director, Little Rock can be proud of our responsible financial management and openness with citizens. We have tightened our belts; reduced staff by 10% over the past 5 years and with a forced discipline have re-built a critically important emergency reserve fund that can only be used for catastrophic needs such as a natural disaster. I assure you not even a paperclip is being wasted but unfortunately, we’ve reached a tipping point in our ability to maintain current service levels. Citizens, your city government has gotten leaner, and any more cuts I fear will make it meaner. Seriously, in light of shrinking revenue streams, unfunded mandates and increased cost of service delivery, further tightening our belts to make ends meet is no longer a viable option. While the New Revenues Taskforce did outline action steps to tweak city government to peak efficiency, the task force readily acknowledged that a dedicated source of new revenue will be required for Little Rock to continue providing the exceptional level of services that our citizens have come to expect. This past fall, the task force submitted their recommendations, and I look forward to working with the City Board and City Manager in reviewing these recommendations with the public and developing a plan of action for this year. Personally, I favor a ½ cent sales tax increase with clear definition of how these new dollars will be used.

BOND REVIEW COMMITTEE

Now, surely you’ve noticed all those Completed As Promised banners stamped across the bond project signs all over the city. Well, we’ve wanted to keep you informed…not only of the projects but the progress.

First of all, my thanks to the 11 member citizens Bond Progress Committee that meets monthly with our staff to monitor how we are doing. And …How are we doing?

• In 2003 the citizens of Little Rock passed the $69,000,000 bond issue.
• There are approximately 300 projects being funded and to date work has begun on 93% of them.
• As of December 31, 2005 there was a total of $45,739,150 encumbered and/or expended, leaving a balance of $27,477,732. With 64.75% of the time elapsed we’ve used 62.47% of the funds.

It is anticipated that all projects will be complete by the end of January 2007.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

2005 was another banner year for economic development in Little Rock and I’m very pleased to report economic growth was booming in all sectors of our community. Supporting regional efforts has brought new businesses and jobs to our region… New businesses such as FTD.com, Cardinal Health, Pinnacle Solution, Ring Container Technologies, plus significant job increases at Dassault Falcon Jet. In addition, we will see the opening of the Mexican consulate office here in LR later this year and the phenomenally significant opening of the new World Headquarters of Heifer International…thank you Jo Luck.

2005 DID NOT BRING ANOTHER PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY, BUT one never knows with General Clark and Governor Huckabee still out there. However, with a year of the Clinton Presidential Center as part of history, not only did we see the half million plus visitors but LR National Airport numbers are now above pre September 11 numbers, hotel room revenue is up 21 %, we’ve shown retail sales can happen downtown and attendance at our successful River Market Hall including the Farmers market nearly topped the one million visitors mark…995,365…way to go!

As we look ahead in 2006, we will continue to support and promote the local regional economy through the Regional Chamber and Metro Little Rock Alliance, Fifty for the Future and the Arkansas Economic Development Department. I look forward to continued business, and residential development in Little Rock during 2006. Through our economic development efforts, we will build upon our strengths to create an environment that attracts new business, provides top paying jobs so we can keep our young people in Arkansas, retains and encourages growth for existing business, and supports emerging growth sectors within our economy and recognizes the important role of small and minority owned businesses.

Just as I said last year, Little Rock is on a roll and thanks to these volunteers, to these departments, these task forces and to my fellow City Board Members…we will continue to roll! I’d also like to extend special thanks to City Manager Moore for the capable, open and effective way he runs city government…we are blessed to have him as our CEO.

In closing, I’d like to apply the principles of a favorite quote by Author Wayne Dyer: “That which we focus on expands in our lives”. My prayer is all citizens of Little Rock will focus on that which is good and positive about our city…let’s focus on the good schools, the good students, the good teachers…let’s focus on the good about UALR’s Vision for the future and the $200 million expansion at UAMS and Children’s Hospital…let’s focus and build on the recognition Forbes, American Heritage and American Way Magazines have given Little Rock…let’s focus on the beauty of our diverse economy, our diverse culture and our diverse population …let’s focus on the ways we can make our city better (whether it’s picking up a piece of trash on the street, smiling at someone or taking on a volunteer leadership role)…let’s focus on becoming an involved, informed, walkin/talkin “PR representative” for Little Rock…let’s focus on congratulating successes like Jermain Taylor as the undisputed Middle Weight Champion of the World…YES…but, let’s focus on being a person like Jermain who never forgets his home town and never forgets to say…“Thank You Little Rock…I love you Little Rock.”

Well, I’m thankful and focused on continuing to work with all of you this year, thankful for our men and women in uniform, thankful for the honor to serve as Mayor and I bet you are thankful this speech has ended.

God Bless you, God Bless our country and…“I LOVE YOU LITTLE ROCK”!

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