Board of Directors

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, HELD SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 The City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, met in regular session at the City of Siloam Springs Administration Building on September 5th, 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Judy Nation. Roll Call: Blair, Smiley, Wiles, Hunt, Rissler, Carroll, and Allen— present. City Representatives Present: Allan Gilbert, City Administrator; Christina Petriches, Finance Director; Jay Williams, City Attorney; Jeremey Criner, Fire Chief; Scott Miller, Interim Police Chief; Barbara Rivera, Executive Assistant; Kevin Moore, City Engineer; and Meagan Thomas, City Planner. Director Blair led the opening prayer. Mayor Nation led the Pledge of Allegiance. Nation asked if there were any comments from the audience regarding an item not on the City' s agenda. Mary Nolan, Siloam Springs Museum, invited all to Walls Talk, a historical home tour of the Easterbrook/ Selby house on September 30 at 10: 00am, 714 S. Madison Street. Nolan also commented on the Siloam Springs Rotary Club 100th anniversary celebration taking place October 21 st at John Brown University Simmons Great Hall. Blake Jones commented on the actions of Siloam Springs Police Department. Arthur Hulbert, 20705 Hwy 16, wants to let everyone know they are trying to bring back the Pool of Siloam Springs display, which the Chamber helped facilitate in 1958. They found the original brochures and are looking at 15- 20- minute displays with music. They are looking for construction people and artists to help. The property owner on the other side of the creek is part of the original family that allowed it in 1958. She has authorized the clearing of brush and placement of the displays. Kelsey Howard, 312 S. College Street, asked the mayor when public input is allowed on Staff Reports. Mayor Nation explained that a director would need to invite public input. Ms. Howard asked that a Director request input when Item Q of the agenda is discussed. Presentation: Clint Lancaster, Attorney, explained he had been hired to attend the Board meeting. He explained the Attorney General opinion regarding a mayor' s right to veto and how that opinion impacted our city. A resolution will be drafted and brought to the Board for consideration that spells out any issue that happened in the past and describes proper future procedure. 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/ August 15, 2023 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 12 September 5, 2023 B. Dedication of Utility Easements/ 850 Highway 412 West C. Dedication of Utility Easements/ 2700 Waukesha Road D. Resolution 46- 23/ Levy 2023 Taxes for Collection in 2024 E. Resolution 47- 23/ Special Use Development Permit/ Short Term Rental/ 799 South Lincoln Street F. Resolution 48- 23/ Special Use Development Permit/ Short Term Rental/ 928 South Crow Street G. Resolution 49-23 / Special Use Development Permit/ Short Term Rental / 2790 Meridian Place Unit" A" H. Purchase / Public Works Department / Water Services Division / Hydro Excavation Machine / Vermeer Midsouth/$ 121, 753. 44 I. Airport Ground Lease/ Yazoo Aviation J. Budget Amendment / Fire Department / Ambulance Purchase / Pinnacle Emergency Vehicles / 325, 000 Director Rissler requested Item I be removed from the consent agenda for more discussion. Director Allen requested Item D be removed from the consent agenda for more discussion. A motion to approve the consent agenda, apart from Items D and I, was made by Rissler and seconded by Allen. Motion passed unanimously. Item D: Discussion was had about the appropriateness of taxing property, why there was a slight increase, and how the tax is allocated by the County. When there were no further questions, Nation asked for a motion to approve item D, as it stands. Smiley made the motion, Carroll seconded. Motion passed 6— 1, with Allen dissenting. Item I: Discussion was then had to clarify the ground lease rate. Mark Miller asked if this is an annual rate. James Harris, Community Services Manager, explained that the rate is $ 0. 14 per square foot and is adjusted annually based on the consumer price index. When all questions had been answered, Nation asked for a motion to approve item I. Smiley made a motion to approve; Rissler seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Item K: Contract/ Public Works Department/ Street Division/ Brentwood Drainage Project/ Tri Star Contractors/$ 951, 985. Steve Gorszczyk briefed the item. Smiley made a motion to approve; Rissler seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Item L: Construction Contract / Airport / Runway Pavement & Lighting Rehabilitation / Bid Acceptance and Grant Application / $ 44, 787. 59. James Harris briefed the item. Allen made a motion to approve; Hunt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. I Item M: Ordinance 23- 21 / 3' Reading/ Amending Section 102- 21 of the City Municipal Code/ Rezoning from C- 2 to I- 1 / 2000 Block of Brashears Road. Maegan Thomas briefed the item. Smiley made a motion to approve; Allen seconded. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Amending Section 102- 21 of the City Municipal Code( City Zoning Map); Rezoning( From C- 2 to I- 1) Property Located at the 2000 Block of Brashears Road; Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 13 September 5, 2023 and Amending the Future Land Use Map of the Siloam Springs 2040 Comprehensive Plan; was d read on its 3' reading. A motion to adopt Ordinance 23- 21 was made by Allen and seconded by Smiley. The motion passed unanimously. Item N: Ordinance 23- 22 / 1st and Only Reading / Creating a Public Services Department and Hiring of Director. Allan Gilbert briefed the item. Kelsey Howard asked questions about the process of recruiting a new department head, which Gilbert addressed. Director Allen made a motion to approve; Rissler seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Establishing a city Public Services Department; Authorizing Hiring a Public Services Department Director; and Declaring an Emergency; was read on it' s first and only reading. A motion to adopt Ordinance 23- 22 was made by Smiley and seconded by Allen. The motion passed unanimously. A motion to declare an emergency was made by Allen and seconded by Rissler. The motion passed unanimously. Item 0: Resolution 50- 23 / Golf Course Improvements/ Siloam Springs Country Club/$ 50, 000. Gilbert briefed the item. Brian Minnis was available for questions. Director Allen asked how many people in the room were there in support of the golf course. Nearly all raised their hands. Citizens including Richard Hancock, 700 Meadowbrook Circle; Corrie Irwin, 22246 Dawn Hill East Road; and Mike and Jeanette Hayes, 21300 Fairway Court; each made comments in favor of supporting the golf course, expressing how important it was to quality of life to have this venue. Director Rissler said she had calls saying that golf was a ` want' not a ` need,' and the funds could be spent better. Director Blair asked ifthe resolution could be amended to state the city would pay expenses directly to vendors, up to the maximum of$ 50,000, to ensure it is being spent as promised. A motion to approve an amendment to the resolution stating that city pays expenses directly to vendors was made by Blair and seconded by Wiles. The motion passed 6 — 1, with Rissler dissenting. A motion to approve the amended Resolution 50- 23 was made by Smiley and seconded by Carroll. The motion passed 6— 1, with Rissler dissenting. Item P: Resolution 51- 23 / Declaration of a Nuisance/ 1012 E. Harvard. Kevin Moore briefed the item. A motion to approve was made by Smiley; Allen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Item Q: East Main Street Improvements. Kevin Moore provided an update on the status of design for a portion of this project, including the potential for a RAISE grant if both the bridge and street improvement designs are included in our application. Moore asked for direction from the Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 14 September 5, 2023 Board. Would they like staff to pursue pricing with Crafton Tull to complete construction plans? After much discussion and concern over the cost/ need of the project, Nation asked if anyone from the audience had comments. Citizens Larry Kenemore, 207 Western Hills Drive and Rebekah Wyatt, 1109 East Jewell, each commented that there are roads in town that need attention sooner than East Main. Jason Lanker, 120 South Maxwell, stated he appreciated Kevin' s thoughtful approach to helping the city find creative ways to meet infrastructure needs and that he is in favor of moving forward. Kelsey Howard, 312 S. College, was in favor of gathering cost data so that an informed decision can be made. Cammi Hevener, 810 Oak Crest Road, said as a real estate agent, she hears comments that this entrance to town does not look good; and she is in favor of gathering the information and at least attempting to obtain a grant. It was decided by the Board that staff may proceed in looking at options for design work with Crafton Tull that would then be brought back to the Board for consideration. Item R: July Financials Gilbert pointed out that July financials were provided in the meeting packet and that any questions should be directed to Christina Petriches. Item S: Administrator' s Report. Gilbert reviewed the report attached hereto. Directors Reports: Nation asked the Board for permission to send the resolution that is drafted, regarding veto, to AML for review. All agreed. Hunt— none. Wiles said he was approached by a citizen conveying appreciation to staff for lowering the speed limit on his street. Blair congratulated Kevin Moore on his new role; and she hopes we can resolve the veto issue, keeping in mind that our legal counsel is an advisor, not the authority; that she hopes that the Board will take this seriously and not ever let it happen again. Rissler stated she had been approached by some local companies asking if we will go back to hiring local companies for services and that she hopes that we will keep that in mind as we go forward; Christmas is coming up and she wants to be sure we don' t lose track of time; she hopes the Chamber will continue to help; she also congratulated Kevin and said she has heard from many citizens how much they appreciate his approach with them; she then thanked Director Smiley for her amazing work on the animal shelter to date; and congratulated Interim Chief Scott Miller. Director Carroll formally introduced new City Administrator Allan Gilbert, which had not been done yet. Smiley said the animal shelter always needs volunteers and supplies; and shared that there is a Pool Pawty scheduled for this Saturday at the FAC. Director Allen thanked the Chamber and Arthur Hulbert for their redevelopment of the Pool of Siloam; said we need to prioritize sidewalks for walkers; shared that our top three priorities should be drainage, potholes, and sidewalks; and thanked Kevin Moore for his attitude and work ethic. no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Allen and seconded by Rissler. u`" l co Ppr4T4 a. Nation called for a vote. Motion passed unanimously. u, O Meeting adjourned. 41 p • EST: a nwuw ur„ rir APPROVED: G8 Y. C( Fw, 4, gP`'< enea Ellis, City Clerk, CAMC/ JC SEAL T * Ju atio , a rftflumnmmaao  F— CITY Of Siloam Springs OPIP Administrator' s Report September 5, 2023 Expenditures: In excess of$ 30, 000 41, 200— 200 LED Street Light Fixtures— Electric 40, 978— 200 LED Cobra Head Street Light Fixtures Green- Electric Per Resolution 34- 23 99, 216— 600 2S/ 200 RF- Mesh Leaf AMI Meters w/ Disconnect— Electric 54, 180— Four 250kva 240/ 120 1 PH Pad Mount Transformer— Electric 70, 219. 25— Elbows, Stand Off Plug, Insulated Caps, Bushing Well Inserts— Electric 72, 031 — 200 4- Pt Feed Thru, 100 3- Pt Feed Thru- Electric 1. Kristifier Paxton has accepted the position of Community Development Director and will begin 9/ 25/ 23. 2. Kevin Moore will be the Assistant Community Development Director. Page 1