Board of Directors

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, HELD DECEMBER 17, 2024 The City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, met in regular session at the City of Siloam Springs Administration Building on December 17, 2024. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Judy Nation. Roll Call: Hunt, Blair, Carroll and Long, Allen and Wiles— present; Rissler- absent. City Representatives Present: Allan Gilbert, City Administrator; Jene' Fain, City Clerk; Jay Williams, City Attorney; Scott Miller, Police Chief; Kris Paxton, Community Development Director; Maegan Thomas, City Planner; Kevin Moore, City Engineer and Public Works Director; Jason Davis, Public Service Director; Dustin Kindell, Fire Chief; and James Harris, Airport Manager. Director Allen 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. Arthur Hulbert, 20705 Hwy 16, wants to remind everyone they are having the Pool of Siloam. It is well attended. He announced the winners of the Business Plan Competition. He advised we have some large industries considering Siloam Springs. Missy Morris, 1951 N. Dogwood, was unaware the housing addition was breaking ground behind her. She would like the builders to build a wall between their property before getting started. The mayor asked if there were any comments on an item on the Consent Agenda. There were none. Consent Agenda A. Regular Meeting Minutes/ December 3, 2024 B. Special- Called Meeting Minutes/ Executive Session/ November 21, 2024 C. Appointments/ Planning Commission/ Wayne Thomas and Thomas Sutton D. Budget Amendment/ 2025 Arkansas Public Safety Equipment Grant Award Acceptance/ Memorandum of Understanding Approval for$ 72, 760. 78 E. Budget Amendment/ Administration/ Kubota040- 4R3T/ Springdale Tractor/$ 80,241. 61 F. 2025- 2026 Board Goals G. Resolution 62- 24/ Setting Hearing Date for Easement Vacation/ 1300 Block of North Britt Street A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Long and seconded by Wiles. Motion passed unanimously. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 12 December 17, 2024 Director Carroll requested Item C be pulled from the consent agenda for further discussion. He wanted clarification on how to apply for commissions. Kris explained and stated he agreed we need a better process, and he plans to implement a change prior to the next appointment. Allen would like it to be posted on social media and the Board to be made aware when dates open and the deadline for applications. A motion to approve Item C was made by Allen and seconded by Blair. H. Contract/ Sanitation/ Waste to Energy Project Study/ The Process 275, 345. Jason Group/$ Davis briefed the item. William Hall, 1203 Latisha Lane questioned other alternatives. There was discussion as to whether this is a gasification only project study and it was clarified it would be a study including many different avenues the City could consider. Daivs stated landfill fees will continue to rise. Motion to approve was made by Allen and seconded by Wiles. Motion passed 5- 1. I. Budget Amendment/ Contract/ Police and Fire Department/ AlliConnect/ Resilience and Wellness Programs/$ 58, 600. Scott Miller briefed the item. Allen commended both chiefs for their diligence in looking out for the mental health of our emergency personnel. Motion to approve was made by Carroll and seconded by Allen. Motion passed unanimously. J. Contract/ Police Department/ Flock Safety/ System Purchase/$ 58, 400. Scott Miller briefed the item. Motion to approve was made by Allen and seconded by Carroll. Motion passed unanimously. K. Construction Contract/ Airport/ Hangar Rehabilitation/ Bid Acceptance/$ 13, 732. 52. James Harris briefed the item. Motion to approve was made by Carroll and seconded by Allen. Motion passed unanimously. Item L: Ordinance 24- 35 / 2nd Reading/ Amending City Municipal Code/ Chapter 6 Alcoholic Beverages/ Allowing Sunday Alcohol Sales. Kris Paxton briefed the item. A motion was made by Hunt and seconded by Carroll, to place Ordinance 24- 35 on its second and third reading, suspending the rules and reading title only. Motion passed 5- 1. A motion was made by Carroll and seconded by Wiles to adopt Ordinance 24- 35. Motion passed 4- 2. A motion was made by Carroll and seconded by Hunt to adopt the emergency clause on Ordinance 24- 35. Motion passed 5- 1. Item M: Resolution 57- 24/ Special Use Development Permit/ 2700 Block of East Kenwood Street( Springs Church of Christ Fourplex). Maegan Thomas briefed the item. Chad Williams, 913 Hwy 16, is a neighbor to this property. He adamantly does not want this special use permit to be approved. He has had issues with homes in the past. He states they are in poor shape, and they have reduced the value of his property. Dustin Perkins, 1260 Sebastian Lane, assures the new owners would provide upkeep on the property if approved. No motion was made to approve and the Resolution failed 5- 1. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 13 December 17, 2024 Item N: Resolution 63- 24/ Significant Development Permit/ 3868 Hwy. 412 East( Olive Garden). Maegan Thomas briefed the item. There was lengthy discussion regarding the waiving of fees that were requested by the builders. Don Clark, 2135 Montclair Avenue, he is vice- president of administration for the project. He is excited to bring it and appreciates the consideration. He discussed that Siloam Springs is a secondary market, and it takes a lot of convincing to bring a development like this to the area. Arthur Hulbert, 20705 Hwy 16, wants to find a way to help local businesses but also states that this development would be beneficial to our City. He advised that other developments are watching prior to making a decision to come to the area. He stated his vote would be yes. William Hall, 1203 Latisha Lane, Callahan' s has been in business in this city for 31 years. He does not agree with waiving the fees for a large corporation such as this since local businesses do not get these waivers. It was discussed that local businesses who have new development could also request fee waivers. It was decided by the board that they would like staff to investigate ways the City could help our local businesses. A motion to approve was made by Hunt and seconded by Allen. Motion passed unanimously. Item 0: Administrator' s Report is attached. Gilbert, ask we remember Director Rissler and her family due to the loss of her sister. Mayor Nation requested the board to agree to pull the executive session from the agenda. A motion was made by Hunt and seconded by Carroll to remove executive session. Motion passed 5- 1. Blair voiced her opposition to the removal of the executive session was because they had not decided on the raise for the City Administrator and if one were not voted on prior to December 31' he would receive the same raise all city employees will get. Gilbert stated he was willing to forgo his raise for 2025 so long as the City staff received their raises. A motion was made by Blair and seconded by Long, removing the raise of the City Administrator for 2025. Motion passed 4- 2. Directors Reports— Mayor— She wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you to everyone who came and spoke this evening. Her condolences to Lesa Rissler and thoughts to Jason Davis as to his family emergency. Hunt— She would like to have a workshop around February to discuss the status of the board goals. She wanted to clarify her resistance to the WTE project study, she feels there are too many that are unknown at this time. She sends prayers to Rissler and Jason Davis and their families. Merry Christmas to all and Jesus is the reason for the season. Thank you to Allen Elementary for the Christmas cards prepared by the students. Wiles— Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you, Jene,' for the cookies. Lesa and Jason Davis are in his thoughts and prayers. Blair- Finn— Please bring your animals inside when it is cold. The animal shelter could always use donations. Merry Christmas to all. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 14 December 17, 2024 Carroll— Merry Christmas. He went and enjoyed BBQ at the Fire Department awards banquet and had a wonderful time. They have an ardent desire for community and the surrounding area. It is said that when something is going on they run toward it instead of away from it. He feels the Fire Department exemplifies that and the Police Department does as well. He stated it was good to see them, and he is jealous of their mustaches. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Long— Thank you to the Board and God for giving him the opportunity to serve the last six months. He believes the Board should try to save money when it can. Allen — Thank you to the public for their support. He was targeted twice for removal, and he is still standing. He thanks the voters who supported him. Thank Mark Long for being a great friend and a real friend to this City. He would give his seat up to Don Clark if it meant Mark Long could retain his director position. He thanks William Hall for his insight tonight. He appreciates his family and restaurant. Thanks to Arthur Hulbert for making sense of what is important. Thank you, Mayor, for a wonderful job, especially this year. He sends his condolences to Lesa and her family for this loss. He loves this City. Thank you, Arthur, for bringing back the Pool of Siloam. With no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Long and seconded by Allen. Meeting adjourned. n TTEST: APPROVED: p ilk , Fain, City Clerk Judy ation, ayor- 0Y.R4'741\ 0 G Qtim....inuukS. r`, SILOAM sr- SEAL s RINGS  CITY OF Snoam Sprmgs Administrator' s Report OP4 December 17. 2024 Expenditures: In excess of$ 30, 000 None Per Resolution 07- 24 None 1. Siloam Springs was featured twice in the Arkansas Business Trendsetter City 2024 publication. The Water Treatment Plant improvements project that began in March 2020 was given an honorable mention in the Infrastructure and Water category. It was also noted that the renovation was the first design- build project to receive funding from the Arkansas State Revolving Fund. The Sager Creek restoration won in the Public Works/ Environmental and Green Management category. Between 2020 and 2023, the City partnered with IRWP to stabilize streambanks and improve water quality. 2. There is still time to vote for your favorite participant in the Holly Jolly Home Decorating Contest. Links to the map and voting site are available on our website and winners will be announced December 3` d 3. City staff were honored to donate over 450 toys to the Manna Center for sharing with local families this year. 4. City offices will be closed December 24 and 25 as well as January 1 in observation of the holidays.