Board of Directors

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, HELD JULY 16, 2024 The City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, met in regular session at the City of Siloam Springs Administration Building on July 16, 2024. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Judy Nation. Roll Call: Hunt, Blair, Wiles, Rissler, Allen, Carroll, Long— present. City Representatives Present: Christina Petriches, Acting City Administrator; Barbara Rivera, Acting City Clerk; Jay Williams, City Attorney; Scott Miller, Police Chief; Kris Paxton, Community Development Director; Ben Rhoads, Senior City Planner; Maegan Thomas, City Planner I; Kevin Moore, City Engineer; Dustin Kindell, Interim Fire Chief; and Phil Stokes, Electric Manager. Director Wiles led the opening prayer. Mayor Nation led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Nation asked if there were any comments from the audience regarding an item not on the City' s agenda. There were none. The mayor asked if there were any comments on an item on the Consent Agenda. There were none. Consent Agenda A. Regular Meeting Minutes/ July 2, 2024 B. Contract/ Public Works Department/ Reverse Auction Services/ eBridge Business Solutions A motion to approve the consent agenda as presented was made by Allen and seconded by Hunt. Motion passed unanimously. d Item C: Ordinance 24- 18/ 3` Reading/ Amending City Municipal Code/ Chapter 6 Alcoholic Beverages/ Neighboring Properties Exception. Maegan Thomas briefed the item. A motion was made by Allen and seconded by Hunt, to place Ordinance 24- 18 on its third reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed 6- 1, with Director Long voting no. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE WITH RESPECT TO SPACING REQUIRMENTS FROM PLACES OF WORSHIP; Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 12 July 16, 2024 was read on its third reading. A motion to adopt Ordinance 24- 18 was made by Allen and seconded by Hunt. Motion passed 6- 1, with Director Long voting no. d Item D: Ordinance 24- 19/ 2" Reading/ Annexation of 9. 89 acres/ 700 Block of West Pittsfield Street. Ben Rhoads briefed the item. Director Long commented that he had previously expressed questions, which have since been satisfied. A motion was made by Long and seconded by Rissler, to place Ordinance 24- 19 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 700 BLOCK OF WEST PITTSFIELD STREET 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- 19 was made by Rissler and seconded by Allen. Motion passed unanimously. Item E: Ordinance 24- 20/ 3rd Reading/ 2024 Annexation Election. Ben Rhoads briefed the item. Junior McClellan, 3017 Hico, stood to share his comments. Mr. McClellan expressed concern over future tax and utility rates. He said that he sees no benefit to annexation for property owners in the area proposed for annexation. Directors thanked him for his comments and said they are passing this ordinance so that the people can decide on the annexation at the polls in November. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Allen, to place Ordinance 24- 20 on its third reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE SUBMITTING TO THE VOTERS OF THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS AND OTHER AFFECTED PERSONS, THE QUESTION OF ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN CONTIGUOUS TERRITORY FOR THE PURPOSE OF RESPONSIBLE GROWTH, IMPROVED TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS, AND UTILITY COST CONTROL; was read on its third reading. A motion to adopt Ordinance 24- 20 was made by Allen and seconded by Rissler. Motion passed unanimously. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 13 July 16, 2024 Item F: Ordinance 24- 21 / 3rd Reading/ Electric Department/ Agricultural Interruptible Rate. Phil Stokes briefed the item. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Allen, to place Ordinance 24- 21 on its third reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 98- 58 OF THE SILOAM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH THE AGRICULTURAL INTERRUPTIBLE RATE ( AIR) FOR THE SILOAM SPRINGS ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; was read on its third reading. A motion to adopt Ordinance 24- 21 was made by Rissler and seconded by Allen. Motion passed unanimously. Item G: Ordinance 24- 23 / 2nd Reading/ Amending Section 102- 21 of the City Municipal Code/ Rezoning from I- 1 to P- D/ 2200 Hwy. 16. Kris Paxton briefed the item. Long commented that he would vote no, based on the road that comes out to Highway 59 and 16. Blair said she is not in favor of losing industrial area or amending city code to fit more housing. Rissler asks for a reminder of what was shared on this topic at the last meeting. Kevin Moore explained that the developer is proposing an off-site improvement to continue to the west all the way to Waukesha. That was the recommendation of staff as a solution to reduce traffic coming onto Highway 16. Aaron Harris, the engineer of record on this project, stood to explain. They agreed to do the road improvement to get the project moving, based on planning staff recommendation. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Allen, to place Ordinance 24- 23 on its second reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed 5 to 2 with Long and Blair voting no. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 102- 21 OF THE SILOAM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE ( CITY ZONING MAP); REZONING ( FROM I- 1 TO P- D) PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2200 HIGHWAY 16; AND AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE SILOAM SPRINGS 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; was read on its second reading. Item H: Ordinance 24- 24/ 1' Reading/ Amending Section 102- 21 of the City Municipal Code/ Zoning Annexation Election Territory to A- 1 ( Agriculture). Ben Rhoads briefed the item. Rissler asks how quickly individual properties will be re- zoned appropriately following annexation. Rhoads suggested it would be completed within a matter of months. A motion was made by Blair and seconded by Long, to place Ordinance 24- 24 on its first reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 102- 21 OF THE Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 14 July 16, 2024 SILOAM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE ( CITY ZONING MAP); ZONING TO A- 1 ( AGRICULTURAL) PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE DESCRIBED ANNEXATION TERRITORY OF THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, ARKANSAS; was read on its first reading. Item I: Ordinance 24- 25 / 1st Reading/ Annexation of 1. 3 acres/ 3201 & 3203 Kenwood Street. Maegan Thomas briefed the item. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Long, to place Ordinance 24- 25 on its first reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN TERRITORY DESCRIBED AS 3201 & 3203 KENWOOD STREET TO THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, ARKANSAS AND ASSIGNING SAME TO A WARD; was read on its first reading. Item J: Ordinance 24- 26/ 1st Reading/ Vacation of a Utility Easements/ 4295 East Highway 412. Kevin Moore briefed the item. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Allen, to place Ordinance 24- 26 on its first reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABANDONING SEWER EASEMENTS AT 4295 EAST HIGHWAY 412; was read on its first reading. Item K: Resolution 29- 24/ Final Plat Development Permit/ Whispering Oaks Addition, Phase 1A/ 300- 500 Block of Oak Crest Road. Ben Rhoads briefed the item. A motion to approve Resolution 29- 24 was made by Wiles and seconded by Long. Motion passed unanimously. Item L: Resolution 30- 24/Setting Hearing Date for Right- of-Way Vacation/ 1019& 1021 East Main Street. Kevin Moore briefed the item, setting the hearing date at 8/ 20/ 2024. A motion to approve Resolution 30-24 was made by Rissler and seconded by Wiles. Motion passed unanimously. Item M: 2nd Quarter Non- Profit Reports History Museum: Mary Nolan offered to answer any questions about the quarterly report that was presented in the Board packet and asked to highlight a few events. The Heritage League provided a check to the museum from proceeds raised during their annual spring gala. The museum was very privileged to be receiving those proceeds and they will be a big help to them. Amazeum comes to the museum a few times a year now and the events are popular with local children. The Dogwood Quilters were there during the Dogwood Festival and the museum attends kids day at the farmers market each month. Nolan Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 15 July 16, 2024 expressed thanks to Centennial Bank and Harps for sponsoring Heritage Day this year. There were more than 30 people in attendance. The library now has an automatic golf cart called the Maynard. It was manufactured by Citation Manufacturing in 1974. Main Street Siloam Springs: Abby Trinidad provided this quarter' s report. Main Street Siloam Springs funded the remaining building improvement grant awardees, including The Ardent Exchange, Square 6, The Loft, and Nomads. The final process includes acquiring documentation of expenses, obtaining final approval from Main Street Arkansas, and getting reimbursement back to those businesses who were awarded grants. In April, a large group of Main Street Missouri staff set out on a Main Street expedition where they visited several programs across the state of Arkansas to collaborate and be inspired by the work that we are doing. Outdoor farmers market kicked off in May, taking place every Saturday from 8: 00 am to 12: 00 pm. The market has grown, and we are seeing 15 to 20 vendors each weekend. Two girls night out events were hosted in this quarter. A garden party and a pool party. There were over 300 ladies participating and entering to win one of our downtown giveaway baskets. Both the May and June 4th Friday events were well attended. June resulted in the highest vendor count yet. These events are in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and City staff. Chamber of Commerce: Lindsey Taylor presented a report for the Chamber. Despite the rainy weather, the annual Dogwood Festival in April saw over 25, 000 visitors. Arthur has been very involved with the Western Benton County Partnership. They just received a large grant to help with childcare so that people can have affordable childcare and get back to work. Arthur has also spent a good deal of time helping with relief efforts in Decatur following the storm damage. The Chamber hosts trainings once a quarter to help our small businesses learn how to get contracts at the state, local, county, and federal level. The group hosted the annual honor grad lunch, helped with the 4th Friday events in May and June, and are looking forward to the last events of the season. First Friday Coffee continues to grow and be a great place to network. The next one is August 2nd at Whataburger. The Chamber Challenge golf tournament is on September 13th. Item N: Administrator' s Report is attached. Directors Reports - Director Hunt asked for an update on construction of Sager Creek Drive and Lake Francis Drive. Kris Paxton said he would confer with the City Engineer and provide an update to the Board and the public. Hunt thanked all that were involved in the 4th of July Block Party, and also appreciates all that goes into 4th Friday events. Director Wiles is saddened by the assassination attempt over the weekend and asks that we keep those that were touched by that specifically in our prayers. He shared how fun the 4th of July Block Party was. Finally, he expressed appreciation for all the City crews working in this summer heat. They do good work with a good attitude. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 16 July 16, 2024 Director Blair- Finn mentioned that this Friday will be the third Friday of the month, when St. Mary Catholic Church serves a free lunch through what they call Hope' s Kitchen. It is from 11 am to 1 pm. Also, please keep the Adult Development Center in mind. Their air conditioner went out in the break room. Grand Savings Bank made a large donation, but the Center is always in need. Director Rissler asks that staff give a summary of each agenda item as it comes up for consideration. Even though these are discussed at length during pre-agenda meetings, not everyone has time to watch the pre- agenda meetings. Constitution Camp is August 1st from 9am to 3pm at New Life Church. Children can be registered at www. constitutioncampnwa. com. A second day for campers will begin at City Hall on August 2nd where they will split up for touring two of the buildings then see how what they' ve learned is practiced right here in town. On August 6th the campers are invited to come to the Board of Directors meeting where they will lead the pledge of allegiance. They will say the preamble and they will present a made- up resolution that they will have agreed to and voted on at camp. Director Carroll gives a shout out to all that helped with the July 4th Block Party. Even though there was a hiccup with the weather, it was still very well celebrated. Carroll appreciates how well the Museum, Main Street Siloam Springs, the Chamber, and City staff collaborate to bring events to the public. He sees that as a sign of a healthy community and appreciates it. Director Long had no comments. Director Allen echoed what Carroll said about the collaboration of the groups that provide so much to our citizens. Allen said the 4th of July Block Party was a tremendous success and wants to thank all the responsible staff. He asks that something be done to improve the reliability of our meeting streaming solution. With no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Allen and seconded by Carroll. Meeting adjourned. ATTEST: i,„. 9thst,)• AVED: Je -:' n, City Clerkow' ii hullo d ation, ayor o\, y CLERK '' a v, RPORAT ., 0• 0 SILOA M .< loq PQ ,,; SPRINGs / cJ n 1, 0, j " 0, n, mumm" vn TY pnn++ xiei  If 1 ( Siloam Spniigs Administrator' s Report July 16, 2024 Expenditures: In excess of$30, 000 None Per Resolution 07- 24 None 1. 4th Friday on July 26th is themed" Art Fest." There will be shopping, food trucks, a caricaturist, and an art show at the Library. The popular Chalk it Up Chalk Art Competition is happening on the same day. Chalk art winners will be announced while you enjoy live music with the Butler Creek Boys at 6pm and Divas On Fire at 7: 30pm. 2. Bulk mulch is half off our usual low prices from the solid waste department at 1108 E. Ashley. Example: a pick- up load of mulch will be $ 2. 50 for self-load or$ 7. 50 loaded by staff.