Board of Directors

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, HELD APRIL 16, 2024 The City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, met in regular session at the City of Siloam Springs Administration Building on April 16, 2024. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Judy Nation. Roll Call: Blair, Wiles, Hunt, Rissler, Carroll— present. Smiley and Allen— absent. City Representatives Present: Christina Petriches, Acting City Administrator; Jene' Fain, Assistant City Clerk; Jay B. Williams, City Attorney; Scott Miller, Police Chief; Kris Paxton, Community Development Director; Maegen Thomas, City Planner; John Vanatta, Deputy Fire Chief; Travis Chaney, Parks& Recreation Manager. Director Carroll 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. Mike Brown, on behalf of the Walton Family Foundation and wants to thank the city for their land and financial donations to make the WOKA park possible. The grand opening will be April 26th. He hopes everyone will enjoy the walking and biking trails provided between the city and the park. Conic Irwin, 22246 Dawn Hill Road, gave an update on the golf course; thanked the city for the new equipment and the bathroom remodel; pointed out the rates can be found at siloamspringsgolf. com; and invited the Board to a ribbon cutting April 25th where Mayor Nation will kick it off with the first golf swing. Presentations— Deputy Chief John Vanatta recognized Deputy Chief Brent Ford for his twenty- two years of service with the Siloam Springs Fire Department; stated he will be greatly missed; and Mayor Nation presented Deputy Chief Ford with a certificate honoring his years of service and dedication to the City of Siloam Springs. Police Department Promotions— Chief Scott Miller recognized the following promotions: Derek Spicer— Deputy Chief; Juan Aviles— Captain; Chase Fine - Captain; Ron Coble— Detective Sergeant; Zac Ware— Sergeant( Patrol) and Nathaniel Vanpaepeghem— Seargent with the City of Siloam Springs Police Department. Consent Agenda A. Regular Meeting Minutes / April 2. 2024 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 12 April 16, 2024 B. Approve Grant Application / Terminal Apron Reconstruction Grant / Supplemental Discretionary Funds C. Resolution 22- 24/ Setting Hearing Date for Right- of-Way Vacation/ 510 S. College St. D. Grant Acceptance/ Walton Family Foundation/ Foresting the Future/$ 108, 000. 00 Rissler requested Item C be removed from the consent agenda so that she may recuse herself as this property is owned by herself and her husband. A motion to approve the consent agenda with Item C removed was made by Carroll and seconded by Blair. Motion passed unanimously. A motion to approve Item C on the consent agenda as presented was made by Carroll and seconded by Hunt. Motion passed 4- 1 with Rissler abstaining. d Item E: Ordinance 24- 07 /Reading / Vacation of a Utility Easement / 21000 Block of 3` Davidson Road. Kevin Moore briefed the item. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Carroll, to place Ordinance 24- 07 on its third and final reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE VACATING A UTILITY EASEMENT LOCATED AT 21000 BLOCK DAVIDSON ROAD; was read on its third and final reading. A motion to adopt Ordinance 24- 07 was made by Rissler and seconded by Carroll. Motion passed 5- 0. Item F: Ordinance 24- 08/ 2nd Reading/ Amending City Municipal Code/ Section 82- 41 / Rates. Jason Davis briefed the item. Hunt questioned the changes made regarding the ordinance referenced in the previous memo Davis advised all corrections were made in the current board packet. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Carroll, to place Ordinance 24- 08 on its second reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: A AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 82, SECTION 41, OF THE SILOAM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE; RATES; was read on its second reading. Item G: Ordinance 24- 09/ 2nd Reading/ Amending Municipal Code/ Chapter 102/ Short Term Rentals. Kris Paxton briefed the item. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Hunt to place Ordinance 24- 09 on its second reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed unanimously. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 4 April 16, 2024 Main Street Siloam Springs— Stacy Morris, director, states 2" d annual Cookie Palooza was a great event with great attendance this year. They had to reschedule Girls Night Out due to weather to this Thursday and hopes that the inclement weather does not require them to reschedule again this Thursday and thank you Generations Bank for their sponsorship for the event. Main Street MO Connection chose Siloam Springs to host their event. Only five main streets were chosen in Arkansas and Siloam was one of them. The Cornhole Tournament is scheduled for April 20th at Creekside Tavern. May 4th opens the Farmers Market in Memorial Park. On May 10th is the Annual Event Fundraiser. The first Fourth Friday kicks off at the end of May. Chamber of Commerce— Arthur Hulbert, director of the chamber, wants to remind everyone the Dogwood Festival is next weekend and to please come out. They had so many vendors there is a wait list. Thank you, Chief Miller and the Siloam Springs Police Department for the increased security. Hulbert is looking to work with more regional departments and the Arkansas Department of Transportation to help with road improvements. There is interest shown to bring additional companies to the city. Pacific Railroad/ Kansas City Southern has shown interest in assisting with some economic development in the city. Item K: February Financials. Petriches pointed out the February financials were provided in the packet and any questions should be directed to Christina Petriches. Item L: Administrator' s Report. Christina Petriches reviewed the items listed on the attached report. Executive Session - A motion for executive session to discuss performance review for an employee was made by Hunt and seconded by Blair. The Board retired to executive session. The board reconvened. Mayor Nation states no decisions were made, therefore, there is no motion at this time. The board completed the 6- month evaluation of the City Administrator pursuant to his contract. Directors Reports - There were no Director Reports for this meeting. With no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Rissler and seconded by Blair. Mayor Nation called for a vote. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned. ATTEST: APP VED: 1) \ t‘t_ e NgwwuWlCqrrrir o, cITY o unmwiulloor Renea Ellis, City Clerk, CAMC/ CMC Fq o Ju tion, yor PQRft G C,- SPRINGS Jc0 r ! l' tarp•° jN - ainimm f„„„„ mm iin Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 13 April 16, 2024 An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 102 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE WITH RESPECT TO SHORT TERM RENTALS; was read on its second reading. Item H: Ordinance 24- 10/ 2nd Reading/ Vacation of a Utility Easement/ 200 Block of N. Simon Sager Avenue. Kevin Moore briefed the item. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Hunt, to place Ordinance 24- 10 on its second and third reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABANDONING UTILITY EASEMENTS AT THE 200 BLOCK OF NORTH SIMON SAGER AVENUE; was read on its second and third reading. A motion to adopt Ordinance 24- 10 was made by Wiles and seconded by Carroll. Motion passed 5- 0. Item I: Ordinance 24- 11 / 2nd Reading / Annexation of 1. 25 acres / 23790 Sycamore Heights Road. Kris Paxton briefed the item. Sarah Orcutt, owner of the property requested that the Ordinance be combined on its second and third reading. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Hunt, to place Ordinance 24- 11 on its second and third reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN TERRITORY DESCRIBED AS 23790 SYCAMORE HEIGHTS ROAD TO THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, ARKANSAS AND ASSIGNING SAME TO A WARD was read on its second and third reading. A motion to adopt Ordinance 24- 11 was made by Carroll and seconded by Rissler. Motion passed 5- 0. St Item J: 1 Quarter Non- Profit Reports History Museum— Mary Nolan, director of the museum, is feeling encouraged as attendance has increased. They had fun successful events recently such as Giraffe House and they partnered with the Amazeum and have completed two kids activities and have a couple more planned later in the year. They are fortunate and appreciative of Heritage League for choosing them as their non- profit for the recent gala.  P411 Sioam S of- Administrator' s Report April 16. 2024 Expenditures: In excess of$ 30, 000 39, 750/ Lawn Tech/ Mowing Medians Progress, E Tahlequah, & Sue Anglin/ Parks& Recreation 40, 500/ Underground vaults and conduits on Country Club Rd/ Electric Department Per Resolution 07- 24 None 1. Eclipse events were resounding community successes. Kite Day at City Lake Park drew around 400 visitors for kite-making, flying, and Touch-a-Truck event featuring the Fire and Police Departments. The Eclipse Viewing Party on April 8th was equally successful, hosting approximately 700 visitors. A good time was had by all, with music, games, and camaraderie leading up to the actual eclipse. Notably, every food truck completely sold out, underscoring the event' s popularity. 2. A Roundtable Meeting will be held on April 23` d from 5: 30 to 7 PM at City Hall to foster constructive dialogue among stakeholders regarding annexation. Stakeholders, including city and Benton county residents, public officials, and key community members, will exchange perspectives. The public is welcome to attend but audience participation won' t be included. 3. A workshop is scheduled for April 24th from 11 AM to 1 PM at City Hall where the Board will deliberate on their goals for the forthcoming years. While this is a public meeting, audience participation will not be incorporated. 4. Join us for a ribbon cutting at the Siloam Springs Golf Club on April 25th at 1 PM. Come out and celebrate the recent improvements, new greens, and the start of a new golf season.