Board of Directors

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, HELD OCTOBER 15, 2024 The City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, met in regular session at the City of Siloam Springs Administration Building on October 15, 2024. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Judy Nation. Roll Call: Hunt, Blair, Carroll and Long, Rissler, Allen and Wiles— present. City Representatives Present: Christina Petriches, Acting City Administrator; Jene' Fain, City Clerk; Jay Williams, City Attorney; Scott Miller, Police Chief; Ben Rhoads, Senior City Planner; Maegan Thomas, City Planner; Kevin Moore, City Engineer; Dustin Kindell, Fire Chief; and; Misty McGlothlin, Human Resources Director. 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. Mike Horton, 23063 Lawlis Road, Mike wants to bring attention to Issue 2 on the ballot. He wants clarification on voting for/ against the measure. Ken Wyatt, 1109 E. Jewell, feels like citizens do not have enough information on the board candidates. He believes religion voiced his opinion on the upcoming candidate election. Rebekah Wyatt, 1109 E. Jewel, brought publications for local news to share with the public if they are interested. The mayor asked if there were any comments on an item on the Consent Agenda. There were none. Presentations: Chief Scott Miller/ Police Department/ 20 Years Service/ Captain Juan Aviles and Sergeant Michael Efram. Chief Miller thanked both gentlemen for their dedicated 20 years of service to the Siloam Springs Police Department. Consent Agenda A. Regular Meeting Minutes/ October 1, 2024 B. Budget Workshop Minutes/ September 24, 2024 C. Budget Workshop Minutes/ October 1, 2024 D. Surplus/ Sanitation Department/ Balers E. Approve the 2024 Auction List and Auctioneer Services of Esta Faye Combs F. Contract/ Healthcare Re- insurance/ International Assurance of Tennessee/$ 250, 249. 32 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 12 October 15, 2024 Hunt requested that Item E be removed for discussion. Director Long requested that Item F be removed for discussion. A motion to approve the consent agenda with Items E and F removed was made by Long and seconded by Allen. Motion passed unanimously. Hunt requested Item E be pulled from the consent agenda for discussion. She asked if we had clarification that Dwayne Craig' s 3- year contract was a quote lock or if it was a contract requiring the City to use his services for 3 years. She also questioned for clarification if he provided a quote upon request this year. Jene' Fain advised the board that the contract had been sent for attorney review and was indicated that the contract was simply a price lock for 3 years. She also confirmed that she did not receive a quote from their company this year. A Motion to approve item E was made by Long and seconded by Rissler. Motion passed unanimously. Long requested Item F be pulled from the consent agenda for discussion. Mark wanted clarification that this is just insurance for a price cap because the city is self-insured. Misty McGlothlin confirmed that this is the case. A Motion to approve Item F was made by Long and seconded by Rissler. Motion passed unanimously. Item G: Ordinance 24- 30 / 1st Reading/ Annexation of 0. 21 acres/ 2270 Dawn Hill Road. Ben Rhoads briefed the item. A motion was made by Allen and seconded by Rissler, to place Ordinance 24- 30 on its first reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed unanimously. Item H: Ordinance 1' Reading/ Vacation of a Right-of-Way/ 800 Block of South 24- 31 / Lincoln Street. Maegan Thomas briefed the item. A motion was made by Allen and seconded by Long, to place Ordinance 24- 31 on its first reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed unanimously. Item I: Ordinance 24-32/ 1st and Only Reading/ Waive Competitive Bidding/ Health Insurance Network and Administration/ Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Misty McGlothlin briefed the item. A motion was made by Allen and seconded by Carroll, to place Ordinance 24- 32 on its first reading, second and third reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed unanimously. A Motion to adopt Ordinance 24- 32 was made by Allen and seconded by Long. Motion passed unanimously. Item J: Resolution 46- 24/ Preliminary Plat Development Permit/ Banff Homes of Siloam Springs Subdivision/ 2600 Block of North Country Club Road. Kevin Moore briefed the item. Misty Stevens, 1701 Villa View Drive, the developer wants to develop something to be proud of in this community. Ken Wyatt, 1109 E. Jewell, does not feel that these are affordable housing for seniors or good for family homes. He feels by developing these we are asking for problems. Rebekah Wyatt, 1109 E. Jewel, wanted to see the picture of the proposal again and stated she does not feel that they are family oriented enough and not for the elderly. She does not like the Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 13 October 15, 2024 lack of parking spaces and does not feel it would be a positive development. Katie Renard, 702 E. Delaware, states she understands why some feel as they do but the Housing Fairness Act prevents discrimination, and this City is a fair housing community. Allen states we need to give diversity in housing styles, and some may feel like that is a great option for them. Hunt agrees with Allen and feels this provides another market to appeal to. A motion to approve Resolution 46- 24 was made by Allen and seconded by Rissler. Motion passed 5- 1. Item K: Resolution 47- 24/ Final Plat Development Permit/ Whispering Oaks Addition, Phase 1B/ 300- 500 Block of Oak Crest Road. A motion to approve Resolution 47-24 was made by Carroll and seconded by Wyatt. Motion passed unanimously. d Item Quarter Financial Reports from History Museum, Main Street Siloam Springs and L: 3` Chamber of Commerce. Mary Nolan with the History Museum spoke on the positive events that the museum has hosted recently. Also stated it received coverage from channel 5 news. Arthur Hulbert with the Chamber of Commerce stated we have consideration in companies coming to this City. They do several collaborations with other cities in the county. There are several events and more just around the corner. Item M: Administrator' s Report is attached. Christina Petriches added that the Fire Department will be hosting a chili cookoff with hotdogs, fire safety education, cornhole and bounce houses on Saturday, October 19th from 11 AM to 2 PM. Directors Reports— Mayor— Pursuant to the City Administrator' s contract, he is to be evaluated by the end of October. Rissler has been tasked with creating the questions on the evaluation for each board member to fill out. The evaluation will be distributed electronically through the Human Resources Department. She would ask each board member to complete the evaluation. She will call an executive session regarding this matter on November 5th. Hunt— She would like to say two years ago when she ran it was one of the hardest times in her life. It was said she was not conservative or Christian enough. She is very thankful she serves the Lord, and he knows her heart. She also wanted to state that our Electric Department is amazing. Her neighbor' s tree fell over into her yard. She called the main phone number, and they came out that night and fixed it. They also came back and cleaned up the tree debris. This level of service is not because she is a board member because they treat all citizens with the same service. Rissler— She is excited they finally started paving Lake Francis. Carroll— He wants to remind everyone of the election. His campaign slogan is please vote. Fall is here and we may have our first frost tonight. Please do your research with annexation, community and the items on the ballot. He is looking forward to the fall cleanup. This Saturday he will not Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 14 October 15, 2024 participate in the Equipment Rodeo, and you are welcome for that. He is going to be vulnerable like Mindy and say as well that he believes God is alive and on his throne. If you seek you will find him. Long— Next Monday early voting begins. Please pray for the candidates. Please seek God' s advice and vote. Allen— He appreciates comments from the podium. Congratulations Aviles and Ephram for their 20 years of service. We have not had a chamber leader in decades as great as Arthur Hulbert. We need more business in the City. He has seen a lot of misinformation on Facebook. People are blaming the Administrator and the City staff, and it is not their fault, it lies solely on Tri Star. There has been a very coordinated effort for eighteen months to cancel him. The last City Administrator lost his job with cause. The Board was looking out in the best interest of the City. Directors are being labeled as liberal and out for personal gain. These are falsehoods to stir the pot, and it is false. The last City Administrator is still causing issues while working for AML on behalf of the City. This Board only wants to serve the public. They do not make much for all the meetings, they do it for their love of this City. The staff could go anywhere, and they choose to be here. The nonsense being spread is not true. He feels closer to citizens than he does his own blood family. He takes offense at lies and dishonesty. He would like to rise above and do our best. It is an honor and a right in this country to vote. Get out and vote. With no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Allen and seconded by Long. Meeting adjourned. ATTEST: APPROVED: Le/ e/i Je F in, City Clerk dy ation, Mayor SILOAM cn SEAL J)41 y SPRIN GS nninfilM110110 4111111111111100  Siloam Administrator' s Report October 15, 2024 Expenditures: In excess of$ 30, 000 JCI/$ 50, 514. 54/ Repair or Replace 2 mixers for the Biological Nutrient Removal System/ Wastewater Division Henard Utility/$ 35, 661. 84/ 58 AMI Water Meters/ Water Service Division Per Resolution 07- 24 None 1. Fall Cleanup is set for next week, October 21 — 24. This service, provided at no cost to residents, offers an opportunity to dispose of approved bulk household items conveniently on their regular trash day. Residents are encouraged to place their items curbside by 7: 00 AM on their designated trash day and no sooner than the day before their collection. 2. This Saturday, October 19, at 9 AM we will kick off the first ever Siloam Springs Equipment Rodeo. This event will be held at the Transfer Station. Including a variety of challenges, there will also be food trucks, and an interactive touch- a- truck experience. 3. Fire Station# 1 will have a chili cookoff on Saturday, October 19th from 11 am-2 pm where they will have fire safety training, comhole, bounce houses and hotdogs. 4. Early voting begins next Monday, October 21st. We encourage every registered voter to make their voices heard and shape the future of our city and nation by casting their vote.