North Little Rock e-Newsletter
Provided by Diane Whitbey, City Clerk and Treasurer January 2025
Swearing In Ceremony
Friday, January 3, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
City Hall Lobby—300 Main Street, North Little Rock
The following city officials will receive the Oath of Office: North Little Rock
Mayor Terry C. Hartwick
City Clerk / Treasurer Diane Whitbey Council Members
Ward 1—Nathan Hamilton
Ward 2—Nicole Hart
Ward 3—Ron Harris
Ward 4—Scott Fowler
North Little Rock City offices will be closed Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in observance of New Year’s Day.
Sanitation will run normal routes Monday and Tuesday. There will be a one-day delay the remainder of the week (i.e. Wednesday pick up will be Thursday and so on…) City Offices will also be closed Monday, January 20, 2025, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Sanitation will one-day delay the remainder of the week (i.e. Monday pick up will be Tuesday and so on…)
North Little Rock Christmas Parade was a huge success! NLR Strong! A little rain didn’t keep away parade fans! As you can see from our photos it was well attended!
North Little Rock Animal Services
For more information call 501-791-8577
New Year's Eve: Minimizing your Pet's stress
Found at fourpawsusa.org
Firecrackers, rockets, sparklers – for many people, they’re all part of the New Year’s Eve fun. For animals, though, loud noises and flashes of light cause considerable stress. They often react with panic, sometimes showing physical symptoms such as diarrhea. However, there are many simple measures we can take to calm our pets’ nerves on New Year’s Eve.
Tips for Dog Owners
Early habituation: If you have a puppy or young dog it is important to gradually socialize them with different stimuli and situations including loud noises. This makes it easier for them as an adult dog to deal with loud noises and unusual situations, e.g. New Year’s Eve.
Desensitization: Playing CD's/playlists of firework noises is a good way to get your dog used to loud sounds. The noises are played quietly to start with, and then louder over time, according to the sensitivity of your dog. Alternatively, films of firework displays on YouTube for example can be played to help desensitize your dog to fireworks, again using a gradual approach to help reduce any sensitivity. These methods should start several weeks and even months before a firework event.
Going for walks: If you need to take your dog out during fireworks then it is recommended to go for walks at times when it is still relatively quiet. Practical steps should also be taken to ensure that your dog does not run away if fireworks go off during your walk. For example, it is important to ensure that your dog is microchipped (and the microchip details are up to date) so that they can be returned to you if lost. It is also important that your dog wears a collar and tag with your contact details.
In the house: During fireworks, your dog should stay in the house. To calm your dog it is recommended to close the curtains and put on calming music at a suitable volume to minimize the noise of the fireworks and help reduce your dog’s anxiety.
Anti-stress jackets: So-called “calming shirts” are proven to have a calming effect on animals. Their design exerts a continual and gentle pressure on the ribcage of the dog and contributes to reducing their anxiety.
White noise machine: These sound devices provide calming noise. Depending on the device, you can choose between rain, water fall and wind noises to help minimize the noise of the fireworks.
In the case of stress: If your dog becomes stressed despite all precautionary measures, it is important that they
can find a safe place to retreat to, such as under the bed, behind the sofa or wherever they feel most safe. If your dog is anxious it is important that they are not left on their own and that you are there to comfort them if needed. Conventional/alternative medicine: There are several medicines on the market that may help your dog during these times, however it is important that you seek the advice of a vet first before purchasing and administrating any treatments. If sensitivity to noise is a new thing for your dog, then it is important that your dog is examined by a vet to ensure that they are medically fit and that nothing else is causing the problem.
Tips for Cat Owners
Preventative measures: All owners are strongly advised to have their cats microchipped. That way, if your cat manages to escape and run away despite all your precautions, there’s a better chance that you will be reunited thanks to the microchip. Even after the fireworks have passed their peak, your cat should stay indoors: experience shows that occasional fire crackers, rockets and flares can be set off well into the early hours of the morning. If there is a cat flap, it must be kept closed. To be on the safe side, all windows should be closed and you should close the curtains.
In the home: Cats must have access to as many hiding places as possible. This means you should open doors to rooms that your cat wouldn’t normally have access to. This may include the bedroom, for instance, which could provide a hiding place in an open wardrobe.
Calming music: Gentle, relaxing music has a soothing effect on cats. The best thing to do is to try out which music your cat reacts to in a relaxed way, (independently of any fireworks festivities) and to play it more often throughout the year.
Give variety: Cat owners should keep their animals in a good mood. You usually know which game your house tiger loves. The game may not be forced on the cat, however.
Pheromones: Similar to dogs, some pheromones also have a calming effect on cats.
In case of stress: A cat showing signs of stress mustn’t be left alone. A human presence can be very comforting at this nerve-racking time. However, exaggerated emotional attention may not be helpful, even if it’s well-intentioned. If your feline friend doesn’t want to be petted to keep it calm, you should accept this. Talking to your cat too much can also be counterproductive. And as a caring owner, you shouldn’t yell at your stressed cat if it pees on the floor instead of the
North Little Rock Fire Department
Outdoor Burning is Prohibited within city limits
Outdoor burning is PROHIBITED within the city limits of North Little Rock without a Burn Permit. Failure to obtain a Burn Permit may result in a citation and fine.
According to state law, recreational fires are allowed without a burn permit if the fire is confined to a fire pit with a diameter of 3 feet across and 2 feet high, other restrictions also apply. Only natural vegetation EXCLUDING LEAVES AND GRASS may be burned.
Follow these heating safety tips to help keep your home fire safe this winter
Found at usfa.fema.gov
Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from your fireplace or wood stove.
Put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home.
Have our chimney inspected and cleaned each year by a professional.
Put ashes in a metal container with a lid. Place the container outside at least 10 feet from your home.
Fireplace safety
Keep a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out.
Make sure fireplace “on” switches and remote controls are out of the reach of children.
Wood stove safety
Make sure your wood stove has been tested by a qualified testing laboratory.
Keep the doors of your wood stove closed unless loading or stoking the live fire.
North Little Rock provides two options for leaf removal:
1. Bagged leaves will be picked up weekly 2. Loose leaves can be raked to the curb and will be picked up when the leaf vacuums are in the area.
For location information call 501-971-8340 (option 1), visit our website at: https://nlr.ar.gov/departments/sanitation/leaf-pick-up-program/ or join the City of North Little Rock—Government Facebook page.
Pick up reminders:
DO NOT place leaves in the street or gutter as this can stop up the storm drain and cause flooding. Wet leaves in the street can also cause issues for walkers and bikers.
DO NOT put sticks or trash on, in, or under the leaf pile. These items can cause damage to city property (which was purchased with tax payer funds). This can also result in delays if a piece of equipment is down due to damage.
DO NOT block sidewalks. Sidewalks are for walking, not leaf piles OR vehicles. Keep NLR healthy and keep the sidewalks open! DO this...get out in the yard, enjoy the sunshine and fresh air! Raking leaves is great exercise and a great way to burn off some of those holiday calories!
Mayor Terry C. Hartwick holds a monthly department head meeting. Department heads provide a report of activities, projects, and accomplishments.
Senior Center—7,575 members visited, 95 new members. Trips included Smoke Shack, Crystal Bridges, Professor Bowl, and Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
Finance— City sales tax down from last year by 4.7%. County tax down by 3.19%. Sales tax for the year is up 3.7% and County tax up 3.5%. Lodging tax year to date was also up 5.4%.
Sanitation—Garbage and yard waste crews collected 2,401.24 tons (4,802,480 lbs) of household garbage, rubbish and junk. Yard Waste crews also collected 44 loads (1,320.00 cubic yards) of green waste. 546 waste tires picked up. Sanitation Code performed 16 inspections, 16 re -inspections and issued 11 notices for non-compliance. No citations were issued. Recycling tonnage report not provied.
Traffic Services—Barricade Permits—47, AR One Call— 47, Signs/Post replaced–46, City Vehicles marked with logo—0.
Police—violent crime is down. Property crime is down. General theft continues. Graduated 6 new recruits.
Fire—1,199 incidents, 703 Rescue & EMS, 163 Good Intent Calls, 152 Service Calls, 108 False Alarm, 41 Fire. 3,889 Fire Training hours. 9 Building Surveys.
Emergency Services/911—Incoming calls: 3,677—non911 calls, 4,913—911 calls, 445—abandoned 911 calls.
Planning—reviewed 4 commercial remodel projects, 1 commercial new project, no commercial additions. Issued 4 new single family residence permits.
Code Enforcement—assigned calls—100, initiated calls 206, citations—3, violation notices—335, vehicles tagged— 99, vehicles towed—9, lots posted—9, signs removed—3, structures inspected—13, rental inspections—12, food service inspections—17, search warrants—0, structures condemned—0, houses demolished by city—4, houses demolished by owner—8, vacant lots cleaned/mowed—1, lots with structures cleaned/mowed—0, vacant houses secured—8, tires removed—209.
Parks and Recreation—Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum had 872 visitors. Special Events/Groups: Trail Life Group (21), New Horizon Academy (15), Glen Rose High School (38), Robotics Team (13). Overnight Groups: Rail Life AR 1031 (31), Trail Life Troop, Greenbrier (13), Troop 314 Rogers, (16), Troop 3410 and Troop 125 from Spring Hill, TN (27). Maintenance planted 500 trees in Burns Park and held work day for kids from local High School. ASPire Afterschool Program held Fall Break Camp at North Heights Community Center, Girls on the Run 12-week program completed—inspires leadership, confidence and
healthy habits grades 3—5. Therapeutic Recreation hosted Turkey Tunes (47 participants).
Animal Services—
Incoming:
Dog 131/ytd 1,771
Cat 28/ytd 890
Other 1/ytd 12
Adopted:
Dog 42/ytd 583
Cat 27/ytd 617
Other 1/ytd 10
Reclaim:
Dog 28/ytd 316
Cat 0/ytd 7
Other 0/ytd 0
Euthanized:
Dog 46/ytd 858
Cat 2/ytd 235
Other 0/ytd 2
Service calls: 428/ytd/5,662
Citations: 25/ytd 329
Vouchers (spay/neuter) issued: 36/ytd 445
NLR Electric—
Customers: 40,396
Revenue: $7,334,378
Peak Demand: 120,057 kW
Territory: 60 square miles
RS (Residential Solar) Net Meter Customers: 383
Total RS solar panel capacity: 2,842.83 kW
Average RS solar panel capacity: 7.44 kW
Residents with solar arrays larger than 10 kW: 74
Total capacity of customer-owned solar: 6,096 kW
Major outages: 11-18-24 McCain equipment failure at Smoke Lane and Landers—1,012 customers out 1 hour 8 minutes.
2025
City Holiday Schedule
January 1
New Year’s Day
January 20
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
February 17
George Washington
Daisy Gatson Bates
May 26
Memorial Day
June 19
Juneteenth Day
July 4
Independence Day
Continued on next page...
September 1
Labor Day
November 11
Veterans Day
November 27 & 28
Thanksgiving
December 24
Christmas Eve
December 25
Christmas Day
Obit—Joyce Humble, 85, of Austin Arkansas, passed away surrounded by her family on December 10th 2024. She was born in Bee Branch Arkansas on February 19th 1939, to Hazel and Milton McKim. She retired from the North Little Rock police department after 22 years of dedicated service. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Sammy McKim, daughter Karen Duggan, granddaughter Courtney Hill and son-inlaw Randy Francis. She is survived by her sister Winona Cotton, two daughters Dani Boyce (Dave) and Brenda Francis, four grandchildren Chad, Stefanie, Misty and Magan, nine great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Full of love, laughter, and resilience, she touched the lives of all who knew her.
To commemorate her incredible journey and to celebrate the love she spread, a visitation and memorial service was held on December 17, 2024.
Peddlers Permit
City of North Little Rock
Issued to: Mel Dun
Issued: 7/1/2024
Expires: 10/29/2024
Sex: Male
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Dun
Height: 15 hands
Employer: Equine sunglasses
Type of Goods Sold: Sunglasses for horses
City Clerk and Treasurer Diane Whitbey
By: _SAMPLE ONLY— only valid with signature
____________________________ Deputy City Clerk / Treasurer, Revenue
To see a list of issued permits, visit the city website at nlr.ar.gov, then click City Departments and scroll down to City Clerk and Treasurer. Look for the dark box and click on Current Door to Door Peddlers.
To see an individual ID/Permit, click on the person’s name. All licensed door-to-door peddlers are required to have the ID issued by the City Clerk’s Office with them at all times.
**Currently, we have no licensed door to door solicitors in the city as of October 31, 2024.
All persons doing business of any kind within the city limits of North Little Rock are required to have a Business/Privilege License. This includes home-based such as lawn care or internet sales.
**If a business operates 1 day into the new year, it is required to obtain a business license at the full fee.**
All 2023 NLR Business Licenses expired December 31, 2023. A grace period was allowed for renewals in 2024. A 50% penalty will be applied to any invoices paid after July 1, 2024
If you have any questions, please contact the North Little Rock City Clerk’s Office at 501-9758617.
If someone does business within our city limits, they are required to have a city business license.
If you operate out of your home you are required to have a business license.
If you operate a mobile business you are required to have a business license.
If you sell products like cosmetics, kitchen items, etc. you are required to obtain a “home-based” business license.
Insured and Bonded. Make sure you do your homework on anyone you are thinking about doing business with. Check to see if the person working for you has a state license (if required) city license (required), and insurance bond (to cover any damages that may occur on your property.
ALL PERSONS DOING BUSINESS OF ANY KIND IN THE CITY OF NORTH LITTLE ROCK ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A CITY BUSINESS LICENSE
Below is a list of a few new questions...
Q&A...I closed my business but the city didn’t let the county know and they assessed taxes?
The business owner/operator must contact our office and let us know the business closed. The owner/operator will be provided a form to complete stating the date the business closed. A copy of the completed form can be provided to the county as proof the business was closed.
Q&A My business is physically located in North Little Rock, if I work in other cities, will they honor my NLR BL?. Arkansas law requires other cities to honor licenses issued by another city within the state. However, in the case of a Food Truck, another license may be required.
Q&A I have hired an out of state contractor to work on my property, will NLR honor an out-ofstate license? No. The contractor will need to obtain a license from a city/town within the state. We will honor a current business license issued by another city.
Q&A...If my contractor has a state license is that considered a business license? No. Anyone doing business within the City must also hold a city issued business license. What happens if I operate a business without a license? You will be issued a citation and have to appear in court. You are then subject to a fine and any court costs associated with the same. Failure to appear could result in a warrant and revocation of your driver’s license
If you want to check to see if a business is licensed with us, please call 501-975-8617.
North Little Rock
City Council Schedule
The North Little Rock City Council meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers in City Hall (300 Main Street, North Little Rock).
For more information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 501-975-8617 or email Diane Whitbey at Dwhitbey@nlr.ar.gov.
The City Council Agenda can be found at nlr.ar.gov, then click on the Elected Officials tab, followed by City Council then scroll to upcoming City Council Agenda.
City Council Members
Ward 1 Debi Ross 501-753-0733
Nathan Hamilton 501-952-7679
Ward 2 Linda Robinson 501-945-8820
Nicole Hart 501-960-2461
Ward 3 Steve Baxter 501-804-0928 Ron Harris 501-758-2877
Ward 4 Vince Insalaco III 501-951-0786 Scott Fowler 501-765-5868
Other Elected Officials
Mayor Terry C. Hartwick 501-975-8601
City Clerk/Treasurer Diane Whitbey 501-975-8617
City Attorney Amy Fields 501-975-3755
Dist Court Judge Randy Morley 501-791-8562
Dist Court Judge Paula Juels Jones 501-791-8559
North Little Rock Curbside Recycling schedule for December 2024.
Dec 2—6, recycle Dec 9—13 no pickup Dec 16—20, recycle Dec 23—27 no pickup Dec 30—Jan 3, recycle
City Offices located at 700 West 29th
Construction and Building Services
Mary Beth Bowman 501-975-8881
Finance, Ember Strange 501-975-8802
Human Resources, Betty Anderson 501-975-8855 Fit 2 Live
Legal, Amy Fields, City Attorney 501-975-3755
Planning, Shawn Spencer 501-975-8835
Utilities Accounting, Terrell Milton 501-975-8888
Utility Payment Assistance and Other Numbers
Central AR Development Council……..501-603-0909
Little Rock Catholic Charities...501-664-0640 ext 459
Saint Francis House…………………....501-664-5036
Watershed……..………………………..501-378-0176
Helping Hand of Arkansas……………. 501-372-4388
River City Ministries…………………….501-376-6694
Arkansas Metro………………………....501-420-3824
Arkansas Food Bank…………………...501-565-8121
American Red Cross…………………...501-748-1021
Salvation Army………………………….501-374-9296
Telephone Numbers for City Hall Mayor’s Office…………………501-975-8601
Terry C. Hartwick
City Clerk & Treasurer………..501-975-8617
Diane Whitbey Communications………………501-975-8833
Shara Hutchcraft
External Relations…………….501-975-8605
Margaret Powell
Revenue Enforcement………. 501-975-8612
Officer Jim Scott
Special Projects/DEI………….501-975-3737
Arnessa Bennett
January Anniversaries
Information regarding employee anniversaries and birthdates is provided by Human Resources the prior year (i.e. 2024 was provided in 2023). So if an employee name is on the list that has retired or resigned, please disregard. Also, typos happen! Please let me know if a name is spelled wrong and a correction will be included next month! For employees who leave the city and come back in a different capacity or department, your length of service may change as well. Example, I worked in the Mayor’s Office 10 years, then was elected City Clerk. I have been in the City Clerk’s Office 23 years. My
service with the city is 33 years.
If this scenario applies to you, please email me at least one month before the month of your anniversary month so I can include your total service to the City of NLR! Diane (Dwhitbey@nlr.ar.gov)
January Anniversaries
Last Judge… Stayed til the end!
Special thanks to the North Little Rock Communications Department and Jeff Caplinger for all of the wonderful photos. Jeff was a trooper and stayed until the last entry went by!