Board of Directors

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, HELD JANUARY 18, 2022 The City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, met in regular session at the City of Siloam Springs Administration Building on January 18, 2022. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Judy Nation at 6: 30 pm. Roll Call: Smiley, Burns, Rissler, Hunt, Carroll— Present. Allen, Sappington— Absent. City Representatives Present: Phillip Patterson, City Administrator; Renea Ellis, City Clerk; Chief Jeremey Criner, Fire Department; Chief Allan Gilbert, Police Department; Justin Bland, City Engineer; Steve Gorszczyk, Public Works Director; and Jay Williams, City Attorney. Opening prayer. Director Hunt led the opening prayer. The mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Input: The mayor asked if there was anyone in the audience who would like to address the Board on any item not on the regular agenda. No one came forward. The mayor asked if there were any comments from the audience regarding an item on the Consent agenda. Jonathan Barnett, 604 Hickory Lane, stated he was speaking on behalf of the HOA at Dawn Hill and asked the Board to support Item H. Consent Agenda: A. Regular Meeting Minutes/ January 4, 2022 B. Dedication of Utility Easements/ 14800 S. Highway 43 C. Dedication of Utility Easements/ 509 E. Franklin St. D. Contract and Budget Amendment/ Broadband Feasibility Study/ CCG Consulting/$ 65, 300 E. Purchase/ Public Works Department/ Street Division/ 2023 Mack Anthem Day Cab Truck/ Bruckner' s Truck& Equipment/$ 127, 498. 00 F. Purchase/ Public Works Department/ Street Division/ 2022 Schwarze Model A7 Street Sweeper/ Schwarze Industries/$ 257, 661. 00 G. Purchase/ Public Works Department/ Street Division/ 2022 Remote Controlled Slope Mower/ RC Mowers USA/$ 56, 700. 00 H. Resolution 04- 22 / Dawn Hill Sanitary Sewer/ Willingness of City to Accept Dedication I. Resolution 05- 22 / Acquisition of Property for Utility Easements Director Burns asked that Items D, H and I be removed from consent. Director Hunt asked that Item F be removed from consent. A motion was made by Smiley and seconded by Burns to approve the remaining Consent Agenda items. Nation asked for a roll call vote. Motion passed unanimously. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 12 January 18, 2022 Item D: Burns thanked the committee and asked if this was being paid for with grant money or if a budget amendment would need to be done. Patterson said a budget amendment would need to be done at this time but grant money had been applied for and if received, the city would be reimbursed. A motion was made by Hunt and seconded by Smiley to approve Item D. Motion passed unanimously. Item H: Burns thanked the Dawn Hill community and all involved for their patience with this item; expressed concerns about the possible pollution of Flint Creek if not addressed; and that he would like to see a conservation easement along Flint Creek deeded to the IWRP at some point. A motion was made by Smiley and seconded by Hunt to approve Item H. Motion passed unanimously. Item I: Burns asked if approving this item would lead to bigger issues in the area being resolved; those paying for service receiving the service and the ability to shut off those not paying from service. Patterson stated it would. A motion was made by Hunt and seconded by Smiley to approve Item I. Motion passed unanimously. Item F: Hunt asked what would be done with the current sweeper. Gorszczyk explained it could be used as a backup and used at sanitation, wastewater and the airport. A motion was made by Hunt and seconded by Smiley to approve Item F. Motion passed unanimously. J: Ordinance 22- 04/ 1st and Only Reading/ Waiving Bid Requirements/ Street Division/ 1- Ton Diesel Pickup/$ 57, 260.00. Dennis Kindy, Street Superintendent, briefed the item. A motion was made by Smiley and seconded by Carroll to place Ordinance 22- 04 on its 1st and only reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Authorizing the City Administrator to Purchase a 2022 Dodge 3500 one- ton Truck Without Competitive Bidding; was read on its first and only reading. A motion to adopt Ordinance 22- 04 was made by Smiley and seconded by Burns. Motion passed unanimously. Patterson pointed out that an update of the 2021 4th Quarter Board 2021- 2022 Goals had been provided and reviewed the goals and stated a time to set the 2023- 2024 goals was being looked at and scheduling with the directors would be coming in the near future. Item L: Administrator' s Report: Patterson thanked the Broadband Advisory Committee for their work that they had poured into this project and that he would be meeting with the consultant Thursday to see how to proceed. Patterson then reviewed the items on the attached report, pointing out an error in the amount of the airport mower should read$ 39, 140. 15. The mayor thanked the broadband committee; pointed out that she had proclaimed January" School Board Appreciation Month" and encouraged the audience to thank our local school board members for st their work; pointed out that the Statement of Financial Interest was due from the Board by January 31 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 13 January 18, 2022 and acknowledged Marty Maxwell' s retirement; his 17- year service to the city; stated he would be missed and wished him and his wife the best. Directors Reports: Hunt thanked Barnett and Ron Homeyer for the work they are doing at Dawn Hill; thanked the broadband committee; congratulated Tim McCord on his retirement; said the Hico sidepath looked great and that connectivity makes a difference; thanked staff for applying for the grants that the city had received and pointed out the city had received nearly$ 2 million in funding. Burns asked the audience to remain optimistic as NWA continues to grow; asked that we be willing to accept change and understand the growth that' s happening; stated he had read some social media remarks and responded and stated with all the negativity, if people would take the time and go to the city' s website, they would see that the Master Plans were coming together; pointed out that past boards had done the work this board is doing now but that we have more opportunities that they didn' t have. Rissler expressed condolences to the Stephanie Jones family and said they would be in her prayers. Carroll said he appreciated the city employees' use and reuse of equipment in different departments; and pointed out that last year on the 17th, his wife' s Lenten rose bloomed and it had bloomed this year on the 17th, which, to him, was a sign of peace, tranquility and hope for the future. Smiley congratulated Mary Nolan for being named the Pioneer Citizen this year; expressed condolences to the Jones family; said she hoped Marty Maxwell enjoyed his retirement; thanked staff in advance for keeping the streets clear of ice and snow; thanked the broadband committee, stating she appreciated their knowledge and willingness to serve; and thanked the school board. With no further business, a Motion to adjourn was made by Smiley and seconded by Carroll. A voice vote was called. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned. ATTEST: APP VED: Renea Ellis, City Clerk, CAMC/ CMC Jud ation ayor cP. a 1 fiWfliiL`' O / h Q\ 41. f SEAL lINIIIIIIIIIftC•` VitS71 NGS `\`` O4ni/ i0t11111 111110  CITY OF S oam Sp tigs Administrator' s Report January 18, 2022 1. Expenditures: 40, 533. 43 — Airport— Simmons Fuel Rebate 39, 14. 15— Airport— Ventrac mower( Sourcewell) 34, 436. 50- Wastewater Treatment Plant— Polymer 2. December Sales Tax Receipts Month— Up 11. 2% Year End— Up 15. 9% County Month— Up 11. 1% Year End— Up Year End up 17. 3% 3. Highway 412 Guardrail at Main Street— the guardrail has been installed and will weather/rust over the next few week to have a consistent finish. Landscape work will be completed later this year. 4. PSAP Consolidation Update 5. COVID- 19 Update COVID Test Kits- ADH provided 180 test kits to the Library on January 11 th for distribution to the public. By 9: 40 am on the 12th all test kits had been handed out to members of the public. On January 14'h, staff received an additional 450 COVID test kits and all were distributed to the public before noon that same day. At this time we do not have any information as to whether or not we' ll be receiving additional test kits. According to the NWAC, as of January 18th, the two counties reported 742 new COVID cases: 448 in Benton County, and 294 in Washington County. NWA hospitals were collectively caring for 155 COVID patients with 107 ICU beds in use and 54 ventilators in use. According to ACHI, as of January 13th daily active cases of COVID per 1, 000 residents of Benton County has increased to 19. 76 and 27. 77 in Washington. Since December 15, the number of cases per 1, 000 residents has basically doubled every week. See the attached. It appears that the Omicron threat in Arkansas will continue to be here for at least another 3 weeks, according to ACHI, so everyone please wear a mask when indoors or in crowded settings, continue to practice good hygiene, and maintain social distancing. 6. Stephanie Jones— Our employee, Stephanie Jones, a communications specialist with the PD since 2017, recently lost her battle with cancer. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers.