By Ray King
Legislation adopting fees for inspecting the installation of cell towers and solar power systems in Pine Bluff was approved by the city council during a brief meeting Monday night.
Council member Bruce Lockett, chairman of the council’s Development and Planning Committee explained the legislation to Deltaplex News.
The ordinance sets out a fee of $100 for each review of a cell tower or solar power plan and goes on to provide that violation of the ordinance could result in fines of up to $1,000.
The council also approved a resolution approving money for travel expenses for members of the GVI (Group Violence Initiative) to visit cities where a similar program is currently underway to develop ideas for implementing the program in Pie Bluff.
The council previously approved a $500,000 budget over three years for the program, which involves local government, courts, juvenile and adult probation offices, the Pine Bluff and Watson Chapel School Districts, and local businesses.
The legislation designates the Mayor, Chief of Police, or the designee, Juvenile Judge Earnest E. Brown and members of his staff, the sheriff of Jefferson County, school district officials, and a representative of the Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare System.
