Board of Directors

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, HELD OCTOBER 3, 2023 The City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, met in regular session at the City of Siloam Springs Administration Building on October 3, 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Judy Nation. Roll Call: Allen, Carroll, Wiles, Rissler, Blair— Present. Smiley and Hunt— Absent. City Representatives Present: Christina Petriches, Finance Director; Renea Ellis, City Clerk; Deputy Chief Brent Ford, Fire Department; Interim Chief Scott Miller, Police Department; Kevin Moore, City Engineer; Ben Rhoads, Sr. City Planner; Kris Paxton, Community Development Director; Jason Davis, Public Services Director; and Phil Stokes, Electric Department Director. Opening prayer. Director Allen 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. Blake Jones, 1105 E. Courage, presented an email from Brynna Barnica regarding redaction issues; stated the PD' s Policy doesn' t allow for mics to be turned off; and other emails and reports regarding redaction. 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/ October 3, 2023 B. Budget Workshop Minutes/ October 9, 2023 C. Pre- Agenda Meeting Minutes/ October 11, 2023 D. Resolution 59- 23 / Airport Hangar Significant Development Permit Waiver/ 4431 Smith Field Dr. E. Resolution 60- 23 / Adopt 2024 Budget F. Resolution 61- 23 / Adopt 2024 Compensation Plan A motion was made by Wiles and seconded by Rissler to approve the Consent Agenda items. Motion passed unanimously. Item G. C Lease Agreement/ Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc. / Dark Fiber Cable. Phil Stokes briefed the item. A motion was then made by Allen and seconded by Rissler to approve the item. Motion passed unanimously. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 12 October 17, 2023 Item H. Contract/ Sager Creek Improvements/ Freese& Nichols, Inc. /$ 332, 685. 00 Travis Chaney, Parks& Rec Manager, briefed the item. Wiles asked questions about time frames and Allen asked about past surveys being used to negate costs. Chaney answered all. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Carroll to approve the item. Motion passed unanimously. The mayor at this time asked for a motion to table Items I and J due to the absence of certain Board members. A motion was made by Rissler to table the two items until the November 7th meeting, seconded by Blair. Motion passed unanimously. Item I. Budget Amendment/ Land Purchase and Construction of Stub Street on Simon Sager Avenue/$ 700, 000. Tabled to November 7, 2023. Item J. Authorization of Discretionary Purchase/ Type I Land Acquisition/$ 350, 000. Tabled to November 7, 2023. Item K. Ordinance 23- 23 / 2nd Reading/ Amending City Municipal Code/ Chapter 102 Zoning/ G-I Zone. Ben Rhoads briefed the item. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Allen to place Ordinance 23- 23 on its second reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 102 of the Municipal Code with Respect to General Institutional Zone Building Limits; was read on its second reading. Item L. Ordinance 24- 23 / 1st and only Reading/ Waive Competitive Bidding/ Health Insurance Network and Administration/ Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Christina Petriches briefed the item. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Allen to place Ordinance 24- 23 on its first and only reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Authorizing an Agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the City, Waiving the Requirement of Competitive Bidding; was read on its first and only reading. A motion to adopt Ordinance 24- 23 was made by Rissler and seconded by Carroll. Motion passed unanimously. Item M. Third Quarter Non- profit Reports. Petriches pointed out that a copy of the History Museum, Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Siloam Springs third quarter reports had been provided. Mary Nolan gave a brief update on the museum' s two fundraising events, Tap Into History and Walls Talk Several members of the Board expressed their appreciation of Nolan and for the museum' s preservation of the city' s history. Lindey Taylor reported on 14 ribbon cuttings, 22 new members; 9 events, 5 in partnership with Discover Siloam, plus 5 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 3 October 17, 2023 new events slated for the fourth quarter. Several Directors expressed their appreciation for the for the Chamber does and its collaboration with the with the other non-profits and the community. Item N. Administrator' s Report: Petriches reviewed the Administrator' s report attached hereto. Mayor Nation thanked the Hmong community for their presence in the area; said it had celebrated its New Year last Saturday and she was honored to be invited to the ribbon cutting; stated its culture firmly believes in family; and that she was glad they were all a part of the community. She went on to remind the audience of the ARDoT public meeting for city officials at JBU on the 10 at 11 a and the public meeting beginning at 4p, regarding the Hwy. 412 conception. Directors reports: Allen pointed out 412 would become an interstate within the next 20 years; said he appreciated the Chamber bringing back the Pool ofSiloam; thanked Taylor for her work on the pro- life city logo; pointed out the ridiculousness of the comments made during public input; remarked on the 4th Friday Monster Mash theme; and stated he would run for a second term. Carroll said he was enjoying the cooler weather and how it showcases the beauty in Siloam; and that he enjoys seeing the Chamber, Main Street and the Museum work in collaboration. Rissler reminded the audience that Siloam was a pro- life city for all stages of life and that proud of the community support and thanked the Chamber for the amazing logo; thanked Tim Estes for heading up bringing the back the Pool of Siloam and that she was excited to share with her children and grandchildren an experience with them from her childhood; thanked the museum for its work and said how important our history is to our future. Blair commended the pro- life work on the logo and said Taylor was very gifted and pointed out several organizations in the city that are representative of being pro- life for all stages including the Senior Center; Genesis House; and the Manna Center; Choices Pregnancy. Wiles said he appreciates staff and the job they do as it impacts so many, and regardless of their tasks are it makes a difference, and they are great people. A motion to adjourn was made by Wiles and seconded by Allen. Nation called for a voice vote. Motion passed unanimously. a`\ Uotti\ lOIIp mill 111.1.).9 Qq Meeting adjourned. 0' ATTEST: APPROVED: 9 n tz".# 1, O La PCs • 4` s Ellis, City Clerk, CAMC/ CMC J, ation' Mayor 5 enea a iNsP`0. 4, uC1T y'ligv4` t$ a„/A9 7mrmmr+, Administrator' s Report 01 Siloam Sp _ s October 17, 2023 Expenditures: In excess of$ 30, 000 41, 944.54/ 4th qtr. process chemical/ Water Treatment Plant Per Resolution 34- 23 98, 758. 80/ 1" Poly e- series AMI water meter/ Water Department 98, 128. 60/ Fused elbows and fuses/ Electric Department 1. During the Fall Cleanup, our dedicated Sanitation Division went above and beyond, collecting over 129 tons of trash. Their hard work makes a significant impact on keeping our community clean. 2. This Saturday is the Fall Tree Giveaway. The event will take place in the library parking lot from 8am to 10am. Each household is eligible for up to 2 trees, and there' s no need to provide proof of residency. 3. Shoptober Saturday this weekend is from 10 am to 8 pm. Enjoy shopping and dining options, and don' t miss the added charm of live music in Downtown Siloam Springs every Saturday throughout October. 4. The final 4th Friday of the season will happen on October 27th with a Monster Mash. We' ll enjoy vendors, food trucks, a lively dance party, and family- friendly activities. 5. Siloam Springs will host the Fall Arkansas City Management Association Conference from October 25th to 27th. This event will bring together city leaders from across the state for a collaborative and insightful experience. They will engage in discussions covering a range of topics, including legislative updates, commercial real estate, diversity and inclusion, and leadership, among others. We look forward to fostering meaningful connections and sharing valuable insights during this conference. Page 1