Board of Directors

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, HELD JULY 18, 2023 The City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, met in regular session at the City of Siloam Springs Administration Building on July 18, 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Nation. Roll Call: Carroll, Hunt, Allen, Blair, Rissler, Wiles, Smiley— Present. City Representatives Present: Christina Petriches, Acting City Administrator; Renea Ellis, City Clerk; Ben Rhoads, Sr. City Planner; Jay Williams, City Attorney; Chief Jeremey Criner, Fire Department; Chief Allan Gilbert, Police Department; Steve Gorszczyk, Public Works Director; and Kevin Moore, City Engineer. Director Carroll 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, announced the Safe Haven Baby Box dedication on July 23` d at 2: 00 pm; and gave an overview of recent Chamber activities. The next item on the agenda was Presentations. Chief Criner introduced new firefighters: Elliot Blair; John Turley; Rachel Norwood; Ashlynn Andregg; and Dakota Main, stating where each was from and military background. He also pointed out there was another new firefighter who was on shift and unable to attend. Consent Agenda: A. Regular Meeting Minutes/ July 5, 2023 B. Special- Called Minutes/ July 10, 2023 C. Dedication of Utility Easements/ 3900 Block of Highway 412 East D. Purchase / Public Works Department / Water Services Division / 2023 Kubota Compact Track Loader/ Springdale Tractor/$ 175, 000. 00 E. Budget Amendment / Public Works Department / Maintenance Division / Engine Diagnostic Device/$ 15, 144. 98 F. Budget Amendment / Public Works Department / Maintenance Division / Air Conditioner Recharging Machine/$ 7, 500 G. Dedication of Access Easement/ 2400 to 2600 Block of East Kenwood Street H. Budget Amendment/ Finance/ Fuel Farm Upgrades/$ 52, 161. 91 A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Smiley and seconded by Rissler. Motion passed unanimously. I. Ordinance 23- 17/ 2nd kieading/ Amending Section 102- 21 of the City Municipal Code/ Rezoning from A- 1 to C- 2/ 400 Block of North Progress Avenue. Ben Rhoads briefed the item. The mayor stated a request had been received from the applicant to place the item on its second and third reading. A motion was made by Hunt and seconded by Smiley to place Ordinance 23- Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 2 July 18, 2023 d d 17 on its 2" and 3` reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed 6- 1 with Allen abstaining. An ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Amending Section 102- 21 of the Siloam Springs Municipal Code( city zoning map); Rezoning( from A- 1 to C- 2) Property Located at the 400 Block of North Progress Avenue; was read on its second and third reading. A motion to adopt Ordinance 23- 17 was made by Smiley and seconded by Carroll. Motion passed 6- 1 with Allen abstaining. d J. Ordinance 23- 18/ 2" Reading/ Amending Section 102- 21 of the City Municipal Code/ Rezoning from R-2 to P- D/ 2600 Block of N. Country Club Rd. Meagan Thomas briefed the item. Misty Stephens, 1701 Villa View, on behalf of the applicant, asked that the item be placed on its second and third reading. A motion to place Ordinance 23- 18 on its 2" d and 3rd reading, suspending the rules and reading title only was made by Smiley and seconded by Hunt. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Amending Section 102- 21 of the Siloam Springs Municipal Code/ Rezoning( from R-2 to P- D) Property Located at the 2600 Block of N. Country Club Road; was read on its second and third reading. A motion was made by Smiley and seconded by Allen to adopt Ordinance 23- 18. Motion passed unanimously. K. Ordinance 23- 19/ 1st Reading/ Annexation Election. Ben Rhoads briefed the item. Lengthy discussion, including boundary lines; benefits; correction of drainage issues; and public notice, was held by the Board. Mark Miller, 22587 Westwood Drive, said he was against the annexation; it would result in higher utilities for him; there was no plan to include sewer service; and asked if the money wouldn' t be better spent on other improvements. Dylan Lee, 22530 Meadow Street, said the county had informed residents that Oak Crest would be repaired this year and wondered is that would be set back due to the annexation; and that it seemed like it item was being" rubber stamped." Jeff Farmer, 21923 Davidson Road, asked about ward division, utility requirements; and the potential for increased taxes. Mary Powell, 14310 Country Club, asked why both sides of Davidson Road was being annexed; stated it would split her subdivision; and asked if the election couldn' t be held during next November' s general election. Eric 21192 Davidson Road, complained about the dust on Davidson Road; asked about a water truck as promised; that he needs 4WD when it rains to get to his house; and there is a speeding problem. Steven Romig, 14196 Killarney Drive, said he doesn' t want to be annexed; likes the services received from county. Ray 47562 E. 594 Rd., Watts, OK, wanted to know why all citizens of Siloam Springs are eligible to vote; and could plats be posted on the city website. Allen asked that staff reach out to the developer on Davidson Road to ask about the promise of a water truck. A motion to place Ordinance 23- 19 on its first reading, suspending the rules and reading title only, was made by Hunt and seconded by Smiley. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Submitting to the Voters of the City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and other affected Persons, the Question of Annexation to said City of Siloam Springs Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 13 July 18, 2023 Certain Contiguous Territory; and Declaring an Emergency; was read on its first reading. L. Resolution 41- 23 / Safe Streets For All/ Vision Zero Declaration. Kevin Moore briefed the item. A motion to table the item until the new city administrator was seated was made by Allen and seconded by Blair. Motion passed unanimously. M. Short- Term Rentals Code Update. Ben Rhoads reviewed the item. Following discussion by the Board, staff was asked to move forward with the code changes by six members; Rissler was against the proposal. N. Administrator' s Report. Petriches reviewed the report attached hereto and asked if the entire Board would like drainage maps be included in staff presentations. They indicated they would. The mayor thanked those in attendance and staff. h Directors Report: Hunt encouraged the audience to attend the 4` Friday and to go visit the WOKA Trail; and encouraged everyone to take advantage of the downtown area and Siloam Springs as a whole. Wiles welcomed the new firefighters; and thanked Ben and Kevin for their work. Blair also thanked staff; clarified that her previous statement of maintenance having a$ l0K monthly gas bill was inaccurate but they did need upgrades. Rissler also thanked staff; said she had lunch with the sanitation department; promoted the recycling service and asked residents to separate their recycling; congratulated Allan Gilbert and thanked Christina Petriches for the work she has done. Carroll said he was looking forward to what' s going to be happening with smart growth in the community; that 4th Fridays are a benefit to the community and it was good to see the collaborative effort. Smiley said she appreciated those in attendance; thanked Ben and Kevin for the workshop and Ben for the short- term rental update; Hulbert for his update; and all staff— the best employees. Allen said he was impressed with the number of new hires with the fire department and their recognition; thanked Hulbert for the update; asked staff follow- up with the Davidson Road water truck; pointed out the work being done in the subdivision across from First Baptist Church was impeding the use of the sidewalk; and that the presentations were great. With no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Allen and seconded by Smiley. Nation called for a vote. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned. ATTEST: APPROVED: rnk enea Ellis, City Clerk, CAMC/ CMC Ju atio , Mayor  Sil& Wi Springs Administrator' s Report July 18, 2023 Expenditures: In excess of$ 30, 000 None Per Resolution 34- 23 98, 456. 25— 17 25kva 240/ 120 1PH Pad Mount Transformers- Electric 68, 729. 48— Material to cover substation equipment— Electric 1. This months Fourth Friday theme is Art Fest. It will be held on July 28th and is sponsored by the Siloam Springs Center for the Arts. In addition to vendors and food trucks, there will be artists, caricaturists, and live music. 2. Parks and Recreation is hosting a theatre camp for ages 10— 17 beginning the week of July 31'. Campers can register from the City' s website. 3. One Director has requested drainage area maps within the Board packet. These have been added to staff s subdivision presentations but have not historically been included within the packet itself. Does the Board, as a whole, want to have these maps added to the packet? If so, staff will need to provide this to the Planning Commission as well. If not, staff will provide them to the Director separately. 4. The American Legion Post 29' s annual carnival will be July 19th through July 23'' on East Hwy. 412 just north of Quarter Rd.