Board of Directors

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, HELD MAY 2, 2023 The City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, met in regular session at the City of Siloam Springs Administration Building on May 2, 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Judy Nation. Roll Call: Carroll, Hunt, Allen, Blair, Smiley— Present. Rissler, Wiles— Absent. City Representatives Present: Christina Petriches, Acting City Administrator; Renea Ellis, City Clerk; Jay Williams, City Attorney; Dustin Kindell, Fire Marshall, Fire Department; Captain Derek Spicer, Police Department; Kevin Moore, City Engineer; Ben Rhoads, Sr. City Planner; and Don Clark, Community Development Director. Director Mindy Hunt led the opening prayer. The mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance. The mayor asked if there were any comments from the audience regarding an item not on the City' s agenda. Arthur Hulbert, 20705 Hwy. 16, on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, expressed appreciation to all that worked to make the Dogwood Festival a great success with huge crowds. Stacey Morris, 16689 Old Hwy 68, shared upcoming events planned by Main Street Siloam Springs, including hosting Main Street Arkansas, 2nd quarter training; May 5tn Downtown Disco at the Brick Ballroom; and outdoor Farmers Market opening day is Saturday, May 6th. Kelsey Howard, 312 S College, thanked the Herald Leader for coverage of city meetings; asked the four board members that voted to terminate Philip Patterson what their vision for the city is; states that people are still collecting signatures for recall of two board members and encouraged signing the petitions at Ivory Bill, 2 Gals Junk, or Heart of the Home. Casey Letellier, 610 E Delaware, stated our form of government insulates us; we have high-quality, professional city staff, and that the firing of former the City Administrator impacted our community; and he urged a recall of board members that undermined our city government. Blake Jones, 1105 E. Courage, said he had questions about why the police department wasn' t doing more with regard to a complaint he had lodged, and asked the Board if threats of bodily harm would be unnerving to them. 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. Workshop Minutes/ April 18, 2023 B. Regular Meeting Minutes/ April 18, 2023 C. Dedication of Utility Easements and Right- of-Way/ 20662 Bruce Rutherford Rd. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 12 May 2, 2023 D. Dedication of Utility Easements/ 1300 to 1800 Block of North Dogwood Street and the 1000 Block of Cheri Whitlock Street E. Dedication of Utility Easements/ 1912 Highway 412 East and 1771 East Kenwood Street F. Land Deed/ Drainage, Grading, Utility, and Right- of-Way Easement/ Friendship Community Care, Inc. / Cheri Whitlock Drive to North Lincoln Street G. Dedication of Access Easement/ 2400 to 2600 Block of East Kenwood Street H. Replacement of Dispatch Consoles and Communication Center remodel/ Police Department/ Communications Division/$ 150, 000 A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Smiley and seconded by Carroll. Motion passed unanimously. I. Ground Lease/ Airport/ DDB Investments. James Harris, Airport Manager, briefed the item. A motion was made by Allen and seconded by Smiley to approve the item. Motion passed unanimously. J. Ground Lease/ Airport/ P & P Holdings, LLC. James Harris, Airport Manager, briefed the item. A motion was made by Smiley and seconded by Allen to approve the item. Motion passed unanimously. K. Ordinance 23- 08/ 2nd Reading/ Amend Chapter 38 of the City Municipal Code/ Sale and Use of Fireworks in the City Limits. Dustin Kindell briefed the item. James McGuirk, 412 W. University, said that he is not in favor of fireworks in the city because of dogs and veterans that are made anxious by the noise. Allen stated he does not think fireworks are safe in the city. A motion was made by Allen to repeal the original ordinance allowing fireworks in the city limits, which was seconded by Blair. Captain Spicer addressed the audience with the reasoning behind the original ordinance. The motion failed 4 - 1, with Blair, Smiley, Hunt, Carroll voting no. A motion was made by Smiley and seconded by Hunt to place Ordinance 23- 08 of its second reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 38 Article IV of the Siloam Springs City Code with Respect to Regulation of the Sale and Use of Fireworks in City Limits; was read on its second reading. L. Ordinance 23- 09/ 2nd Reading/ Vacation of Utility Easements/ 3299 Highway 412 East. Ben Rhoads briefed the item. Steve Harriman, on behalf of Burk Collins, requested the ordinance be placed on its second and third reading. A motion was made by Smiley and seconded by Hunt to place Ordinance 23- 09 of its second and third reading, suspending the rulesand reading by title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: An Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 13 May 2, 2023 A motion was made by Smiley and seconded by Carroll to adopt Ordinance 23- 09. Motion passed unanimously. M. Ordinance 23- 10/ 1st Reading/ Amending Section 102- 21 of the City Municipal Code/ Rezoning from A- 1 to P- D/ 2000 Block of East Tahlequah Street. Ben Rhoads briefed the item. A motion was made Smiley and seconded by Allen to place Ordinance 23- 10 on its first reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only. An ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Amending Section 102- 21 of the Siloam Springs Municipal Code( city zoning map); Rezoning( from A- 1 to P- D) property located at the 2000 Block of East Tahlequah Street; was read on its first reading. N. Resolution 24- 23 / Significant Development Permit/ 3050 Cheri Whitlock Drive( Siloam Springs School District). Maegan Thomas briefed the item. Following discussion, a motion was made by Allen and seconded by Smiley to approve Resolution 24- 23, with staff' s recommended condition. Motion passed unanimously. O. Resolution 25- 23 / Significant Development Permit/ 2000 Block of Brashears Road( Agri Warehouse, LLC.) Maegan Thomas briefed the item. A motion was made by Smiley and seconded by Carroll to approve Resolution 25- 23, with staff' s recommended conditions. Motion passed unanimously. P. Resolution 26- 23 / Final Plat Development Permit/ Mission Hill Subdivision, Phase 1/ 5000 Block of North Country Club Road. Maegan Thomas briefed the item. Clayton Taylor, 21865 Davidson Road, and Jeff Farmer, 21923 Davidson Road, both addressed the Board in opposition of this project due to drainage issues on their property. Following discussion by the Board, a motion was made by Carroll and seconded by Hunt to approve Resolution 26- 23, with staff' s recommended condition. Motion passed unanimously. Q. March Financial Statements. Petriches pointed out a copy of the March Financials had been provided. Any questions should be directed to her. R. Administrator' s Report. Petriches reviewed the report attached hereto. Directors Report: Hunt expressed appreciation for the storm drainage workshop. She mentioned that we' ve been getting a lot more rain than usual and appreciates city staffs efforts to stay on top of it. Hunt gave kudos to Megan Whitworth on the Connect newsletter and much social media activity. She also said she is excited for 4th Fridays, and grateful to sanitation for the spring cleanup. Blair thanked staff for attention to drainage issues, for a successful Dogwood Festival, and upcoming 4th Fridays. Carroll is also extended kudos on a successful Dogwood Festival; said he reminded the audience of the Main Street event this week; said he was looking Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 14 May 2, 2023 forward to the opening of the Farmer' s Market; and pointed out next Tuesday was election day and encouraged citizens to vote and do their part. Smiley said she was looking forward to 4th Fridays, as well as the Lake Francis Drive rebuild; congratulated Phil Stokes; extended congratulations to graduates; thanked the Chamber, City staff and all those involved in another successful Dogwood Festival. The mayor announced that she would be on vacation for the next board meeting and Vice Mayor Allen would be in charge of the meeting. Allen gave congratulations to Phil Stokes on his award, and to all that worked on Dogwood Festival, including the Chamber Board of Directors; said the complaints about downtown parking was frustrating as so many people are coming into the city to spend money and so many great things are going on in the city; thanked the Utility Commission for the work they are doing; and said he had a fan who sent Bible verses to him and how much it meant to him; and that he thought it was disconcerting for the four Board members responsible for Patterson' s termination being called out for undermining the city government and that it was a sad state of affairs . With no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Allen and seconded by Smiley. Nation called for a vote. Motion passed unanimously. CORp 9, Meeting adjourned. 0,_10% O NE ATTEST: PROV T Renea Ellis, City Clerk, CAMC/ CMC dy Nation, Mayor 00, 00°` U\ 111UIIII G c ...... CITY 1 \  cm' silSp ring Administrator' s Report May 2, 2023 Expenditures: In excess of$ 30, 000 33, 263. 37— 131 Straight Cu Connector and 90 Degree Connectors, Splice Connector/ General 36, 075. 76— Resupply 100LL AvFuel— 8, 000 gallons Per Resolution 43- 22 97, 920. 00— 80, 30- foot Mounting Height Direct Bury Pole w/ 6ft Arm Green / Inventory Notes: 1. The Utility Commission went on a tour of the sanitation, wastewater treatment plant and water treatment plant on April 21'. 2. The Dogwood Festival was last week. Thanks to the Chamber and city staff for making that a success. 3. The Parks and Rec Division will be holding a Tree Giveaway sponsored by The Walton Family Foundation on May 6th in the parking lot across from the Library from 8am— 10 am. 4. The update memo has been rebranded as" Connect Siloam Springs," and will hopefully help connect the city with the community. 5. Early voting started today on the question proposed for a 44. 9 mill school tax for the Siloam Springs School District; this is the rate presently being collected. 6. The All-City Employee meeting is scheduled for this Friday, May 5th at Fire Station 1. The Board is invited.