Board of Directors

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, HELD DECEMBER 21, 2021 The City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, met in regular session at the City of Siloam Springs Administration Building on December 21, 2021. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Judy Nation at 6: 30 pm. Roll Call: Sappington, Smiley, Burns, Hunt, Allen, Rissler, Carroll— Present. City Representatives Present: Phillip Patterson, City Administrator; Renea Ellis, City Clerk; Chief Jeremey Criner, Fire Department; Christina Petriches, Finance Director; Chief Allan Gilbert, Police Department; Steve Gorszczyk, Public Works Director; Don Clark, Community Development Director; Phil Stokes, Electric Director; and Jay Williams, City Attorney. Opening prayer. Director Carroll led the opening prayer. The mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Input: No one came forward. The mayor asked if there were any comments from the audience regarding an item on the Consent agenda. No one came forward. Consent Agenda: A. Regular Meeting Minutes/ December 7, 2021 B. Annual Chemical Bids/ Public Works Department/ Water- Wastewater Divisions/ Multiple Vendors and Costs C. 2022 Police Officer Step Plan/ Police Department Director Sappington asked that Item C be removed from consent. A motion was made by Smiley and seconded by Carroll to approve the remaining Consent Agenda items. Nation asked for a roll call vote. Motion passed unanimously. Item C: Sappington stated she believed incoming officers starting pay should be based on experience, and that she would like to see more than one person determining what that base pay would be. Gilbert briefly explained the hiring process. A motion was made by Smiley and seconded by Carroll to approve the item. Motion passed unanimously. Item D: Resolution 66- 21 / Adopt the 2022 Budget. Christina Petriches briefed the item, including a re- review of the capital projects with notations of page numbers where the items were found in the original workshop handouts. A motion was made by Smiley and seconded by Hunt to approve the item. Motion passed 6- 1, with Allen voting no. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 1 2 December 21, 2021 Item E: Administrator' s Report: Patterson reviewed the items on the attached report, and stated the city has the best group of employees he has ever worked with; gave a" snapshot" overview of the accomplishments by the various department divisions over the past year; wished all the employees a Merry Christmas and said how much they were appreciated. Directors Reports: Mayor pointed out that the city would begin hosting game nights in 2022 with the first on January 7th from 6: 30- 8: 30 pm at the Community Building; echoed Patterson' s remarks concerning the employee sentiments and said how very appreciated they all are; thanked Patterson for his leadership; encouraged everyone to get out and see the light displays; said she looked forward to the new year and serving the community; and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Hunt read a prepared statement expressing appreciation to those citizens who reached out to the Board regarding the utility rate increase matter with genuine concern, and pointed out that those who had chosen to attack the Board personally with rude remarks; she remined them that Directors are also a part of the community and care, are your neighbors, people you attend church with, etc., and that they want what is best for the city as a whole; stated that she believed staff recommendations were based on research and the city' s best interest; announced the Deck the House winners from each ward and overall winner and thanked the judges; pointed out there was a map of the participating homes on the website; with everyone a Merry Christmas and us that Jesus is the reason. Bums stated that Siloam is a growing, healthy, thriving community; that it could be seen in the number of new churches; and how he appreciates the diversity and freedom of religion; reminded the audience that the city is NOT the federal government, and that 3. 8 million had been paid out this year toward utilities and not passed on to the citizens; that were saved $ 1. 6 million citizens by leaving utility rates flat; that $ 1. 5 million had been spent extending Simon Sager and he believed that would be a huge economic driver; that the city will continue to invest in the citizens quality of life; that misinformation causes chaos; pointed out the administrator and staff deserved a big thank you; that God wants us all to be good humans and wished everyone Happy Holidays. Sappington noted that changes were made to her director' s report from the last meeting; that staff had painted the curb at the corner of W. Tulsa and Holly street because citizen concerns are taken to heart; stated that the city' s Christmas lights in downtown may need to be upgraded; challenged the public to do better with recycling; said she was thankful to live in a city where she felt safe; and thanked staff and the Board for caring about the city. Rissler thanked staff for their servants' hearts; pointed out a Community Foundation prayer on January Pt at 9: 0 am at the chamber of commerce, 101 N. Mt. Olive; and wished everyone a Merry Christmas from her house to ours. Carroll thanked the city' s 260 employees for the work they do; gave a shout out to Tony Peevyhouse and Cory Brown with the Fire Department for their timely response, respectful, courteous and gentle handling of his mother when 911 was called; thanked the PD and FD for their advancements in pay and training; pointed out " we are here as a team"; and quoted: " Believing that we are coming out of pandemic let us not be shy or timid, but let us be bold, proactive and on the offense. May we not throttle back, but operate from a point of strength!" and wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Smiley thanked the city' s 260 employees and said they were Siloam' s greatest assets; thanked the PD for its " Cops and Kids" program; the FS for the rescue training; staff for the great job on the Christmas displays; said she loved the city and it was the best community to live in; congratulated Misty McGlothlin for her NoArk SHRM appointment; wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year; and said Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 1 3 December 21, 2021 she looked forward to 2022. Allen also congratulated McGlothlin; thanked Patterson and HR for the comp plan; pointed out that thefts at storage facilities are up and to keep an eye out; expressed appreciated to the mayor for the job she had done the past year; reminded everyone that Christmas starts with Christ and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Don Tennison' s resignation was pointed out an several directors thanked for his years of service to the city; thanked him for improving the sanitation department; and wished him well. With no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Allen and seconded by Burns. A voice vote was called. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned. ATTEST: APPR ED: c›,_ Lzza. j_ zetd_.) Renea Ellis, City Clerk, CAMC/ CMC Jud tion, M yor Seal} d. i - fit SPi9jNG 5 d Ap' rlr/ 0•! ft 555P\ l! titl'.".  Silo gain Springs rs OPP Administrator' s Report December 21, 2021 1. Expenditures: Electric Department 48, 200. 00— 40- 30' Direct Bury Aluminum Light Poles w/ 6' arm- Inventory 38, 400. 00 - 6, 000 feet 350 URD Secondary Wire and 10, 000 feet 4/ 0 URD Secondary Wire- Inventory/ New Customer/ Maintenance 32, 951. 67— One 1500kva 480/ 277 3PH Pad Mount Transformer w/ freight estimate - Inventory/ New Customer/ Maintenance 2. November Sales Tax Receipts Month up 12. 6% YTD up 18. 5% County Month up 1. 3% YTD up 17. 8% 3. Public Safety Answering Point( PAP)/ 911 Center Consolidation Update. 4. COVID- 19 Update: Since November 8th, the County wide infection rate remains in double digits ( 20+ per 10, 000 residents). The daily active cases per 1, 000 county residents as of December 15th is attached. COVID- 19 Infection Rates for a 14- day period per 10k County Residents County 11/ 8/ 2021 11/ 15/ 2021 11/ 22/ 2021 11/ 29/ 2021 12/ 6/ 2021 Benton 9 20 24 20 25 Washington 6 15 20 17 21 Source: ACHl. net 5. City Offices will be closed, Thursday and Friday, December 23rd and 24th for the Christmas Holiday, and on December 31st for the New Year Holiday.  Daily Active Cases per 1, 000 Individuals by County, Daily Active Cases per 1. 000 Individuals by County, October 10, 2021 Daily Active Cases per Individuals by County, October 17, 2021 Octoberr 28,28, 2021 This map shows the daily active cases per 1, 000 individuals among Arkansas counties. This map shows the daily active cases per 1, 000 individuals among Arkansas counties. This map shows the daily active cases per 1, 000 individuals antonit Arkansas counties. 2, 22 , 86 `" t+ 0 IIII i66 11 . 4. 62 061 5 3 4 y/ S6t lD6 1- S -... 2'.4L 2. 03 a02 1. 43 2 31 da 9] 4 00 a 4, Sc ° 429 SJ A45 on 5 69F 303 12. 2. 11 0r 1. f 5; 5 tyt 8 Pig 224 3 1, t• 1 45 2 10 1'._ 1 f1 x a... Yi r......,: w 1. 76 024 In 144 0. 50 03J ` rrxe:.., 5. RN r_.. 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