Board of Directors

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, HELD FEBRUARY 25, 2025 The City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, met in regular session at the City of Siloam Springs Administration Building on February 25, 2025. The meeting was called to order by Vice Mayor David Allen. Roll Call: Hunt, Wiles, Blair, Rissler, Carroll, Burns and Allen— present. City Representatives Present: Allan Gilbert, City Administrator; Jene' Fain, City Clerk; Jay Williams, City Attorney; Scott Miller, Police Chief; Kris Paxton, Community Development Director; Kevin Moore, City Engineer and Public Works Director; Dustin Kindell, Fire Chief; Seagan Morrow, Assistant City Clerk and Admin. II; Travis Chaney, Parks and Recreation Manager; Ben Rhodes, Senior Planner; and Maegan Thomas, Planner II; Dennis Kindy, Street Superintendent. Director Carroll led the opening prayer. Vice Mayor Allen led the Pledge of Allegiance. At this time, Vice Mayor Allen asked if there were any comments from the audience regarding an item not on the City' s agenda. Arthur Hulbert, Chamber of Siloam Springs President, 20705 Hwy 16, wanted to thank everyone that attended the Chamber Yearly Banquet. He also gave an update that he has been in touch with Pender Craft Cabinets about relocating to Siloam Springs. He would like the board to consider incentives for them coming here such as waiving permit fees. The vice mayor asked if there were any comments on an item on the Consent Agenda. There were none. Consent Agenda A. Regular Meeting Minutes/ February 4, 2025 B. Workshop Minutes/ February 4, 2025 C. Purchase / Public Works / Street Division / Bruckner' s Truck & Equipment / 2026 Mack Granite Triaxle Dump Truck/$ 199, 887 D. Purchase/ Public Works/ Wastewater Treatment Plant/ JCB Teletruk/ Lift Truck Service Center/ Sourcewell/$ 84, 402 E. Approval/ Inventory/ Bobcat Forklift( 17, 500 lbs.)/ Hugg and Hall/$ 121, 030 F. Resolution 07- 25 / Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality/ Contract of Obligation G. Resolution 08- 25 / Setting Hearing Date for Easement Vacation/ 201 North College Street A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Burns and seconded by Wiles. Motion passed unanimously. Director Blair requested that Item G be pulled from the consent agenda for further discussion. There were general concerns about closing the street and wanted clarification on the situation from City staff. Kevin Moore, Public Works Director, explained that the owner was under the impression the Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 12 February 25, 2025 property line went all the way to the street. City staff advised them that the only way to keep the deck would be to change the right- of-way. He also advised that the resolution was just to set the hearing date so that the board could hear the ordinance requested change. Director Hunt has been involved in that discussion with the owner since it is in her Ward and mentioned to the Board that the owners would be present at some point during a future meeting due to many concerns about the street that have risen. Director Rissler wanted to know the permits that have been issued on that property historically. A motion was made to approve this resolution by Burns and seconded by Rissler. Motion passed unanimously. H. Contract/ Community Development/ Parks& Recreation Division/ Annual Fireworks Display 2025- 2027/ Premier Pyrotechnics/$64, 500. Travis Chaney briefed the item. Travis mentioned that this is a 3- year contract. The City has historically maintained a 3- year contract with pyrotechnics organizations for fireworks displays. The budget for fireworks has increased 6, 500 per year for a larger fireworks display. There was general discussion from the board about how the payment is delivered and the number of fireworks included in the proposal. Motion to approve was made by Rissler and seconded by Carroll. Motion passed unanimously. I. Contract/ Public Works/Long- Range Plan Public Water System Plan/ Burns& McDonnell 159, 750. Kevin Moore briefed the item. He mentioned that this is a required study that is submitted to the health department every 5 years. Motion to approve was made by Carroll and seconded by Hunt. Motion passed unanimously. A motion was made to move Item Q: Ordinance 25- 09 up in the agenda by Rissler and seconded by Hunt. Motion passed unanimously. Item Q: Ordinance 25- 09/ 1st Reading/ Amending Sections 38- 122 and 38- 123 of the City Municipal Code/ Use of Fireworks. Dustin Kindell briefed this item. He mentioned that no calls had been made regarding fireworks on New Years. Police historically had one complaint, historically prior to the current ordinance received on average three calls, reported by Scott Miller. He also warned the Board that calls will increase once this ordinance change passes. General discussion from the board was had about regulating/ supporting pets during this time. The Board is concerned with street litter and fireworks being shot off passed the time they are supposed to. Greg Gass, 24050 E. 570 Rd. Colcord, OK, was asked by a board member if the VFW had a fundraiser from the selling of fireworks on New Years. They do not. He also expressed their main concern was with the Independence Day fireworks and does not have a general opinion on this ordinance regarding New Years. Keith Schultz, County Rd. 556 Colcord, OK, wanted to make the board aware that if they passed this ordinance, people would continue shooting off fireworks regardless and people will still sell fireworks over the county line. Mike Horton, 23063 Lawlis Rd., expressed concerns about tranquilizing his dog and his dog acting out during New Years when fireworks are shot off. He also expressed concerns about the litter in his backyard from them. Rebecca Wyatt, 1109 E. Jewell St., expressed the danger of driving around on streets during New Years, especially in compacted neighborhoods. Sterling McGovern, 20780 Toasta Verde, Gentry, explained that the state law does not say anything about shooting off bottle rockets, but it is a city law. He also explained that there is a larger window of time where fireworks are being shot off during New Years because it gets darker earlier in the day. There Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 13 February 25, 2025 was general discussion from the board about revenue for firework sales during New Years and the number of permits issued( Dustin Kindell confirmed it was 2). There was also discussion about educating the community about the rules for shooting off fireworks and how to deliver that message the best. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Hunt, to place Ordinance 25- 09 on its first reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only. Motion passed 5- 2. Item J: Ordinance 25- 02 / 3`d Reading/ Annexation of 57.37 acres/ 20000 Block of Bruce Rutherford Road. Ben Rhoades briefed this item. This is coming in as an R-2. Kris Paxton, Director of Community Development mentioned that this is tied to the other ordinance being presented and if that fails, this item will still come in at R- 2 due to that being the default zoning district for annexation. There was general discussion about the difference between an R- 1 and an R-2 zoning. A motion was made by Burns and seconded by Wiles, to place Ordinance 25- 02 on its third reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN TERRITORY DESCRIBED 20000 BLOCK OF BRUCE RUTHERFORD ROAD TO THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, ARKANSAS AND ASSIGNING SAME TO A WARD; was read on its third reading. A motion to adopt Ordinance 25- 02 was made by Rissler and seconded by Bums. Motion passed unanimously. 1 Item K: Ordinance Reading/ Vacation of Utility Easements/ 1300 Block of North Britt 25- 03 / 3` Street. Maegan Thomas briefed this item. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Carroll, to place Ordinance 25- 03 on its third reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABANDONING UTILITY EASEMENTS AT THE 1300 BLOCK OF NORTH BRITT STREET; was read on its third reading. A motion to adopt Ordinance 25- 03 was made by Rissler and seconded by Carroll. Motion passed unanimously. d Item L: Ordinance 25- 04 / Reading / Amending Section 102- 21 of the City Municipal Code / 2" Rezoning from A- 1 to R-4/ 400 Block of Meadow Court. Ben Rhoads briefed this item. Includes 2. 18 acres. There was general discussion from the board regarding transitionary concerns with the neighbor' s privacy. Staff explained there are requirements for R-4 zoning and we can only require those regulations of the owners. There was also discussion about tree retainment and holding owners accountable to landscaping maintenance. There is also concern about drainage and emergency vehicles. Staff explained the rules surrounding development code and association with zoning. There were changes made in the development decisions and there are concerns from the board as to what those changes were. Jason Engles, Expedient Civil Engineering, 9200 Suits Us Dr., Bella Vista, spoke on the applicants plans for development and presented ideas to the board and mentioned they do try to address plans for drainage. Brian Trucks, 609 Atlanta St., Gravette, was approached by the board to Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 14 February 25, 2025 see if he was ok to table the conversation. There was also general discussion about the process to amend the ordinance to an R- 3 and what that process is for the city to change zoning requests. A motion was made by Hunt and seconded by Burns, to table Ordinance 25- 04 on its second reading until March 18, 2025, board meeting. Motion passed unanimously. Item M: Ordinance 25- 05 / 2nd Reading / Amending Section 102- 21 of the City Municipal Code / Rezoning from R-2 to R-3/ 339 and 349 East Copper Leaf Drive. Ben Rhoads briefed this item. There was general discussion from the board about supporting local builders to build duplexes in this area. There was also discussion regarding the definition of spot zoning and general concerns about accepting this property as an R-3 and that convincing other properties to then request their properties to be R-3. Jim Caldwell, 609 South Oak Hill, wanted to clarify that the R- 3 properties are in a different subdivision than the R- 2 request. He also wanted to mention that anything in the green area on the map would be blended use. He also explained the historical use of this property that he has worked on over the years. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Burns, to place Ordinance 25- 05 on its second reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only. Motion failed 3- 3, Carroll abstained. Item N: Ordinance 25- 06 / 2nd Reading / Amending Section 102- 21 of the City Municipal Code / Rezoning from R- 2 to R- 3& R- 4/ 1300 Block of North Britt Street. Maegan Thomas briefed this item. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Hunt, to place Ordinance 25- 06 on its second reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only. Motion passed unanimously. Item 0: Ordinance 25- 07/ 1' Reading/ Amending Section 102- 21 of the City Municipal Code/ Rezoning from R-2 to P- D/ 20000 Bruce Rutherford Road. Ben Rhoads briefed this item. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Carroll, to place Ordinance 25- 07 on its first reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only. Motion passed unanimously. Item P: Ordinance 25- 08 / 1 Reading/ Vacation of Utility Easements/ 2200 Block of Highway 16. Maegan Thomas briefed this item. A motion was made by Rissler and seconded by Burns, to place Ordinance 25- 08 on its first reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only. Motion passed unanimously. Administrator' s Report— Administrator' s Report is attached. Allan reported three expenditures of more than $ 30, 000. All three were for the electric department. He also thanked the board for their participation in the wastewater plant tour and headworks project site visit at JBU this afternoon. He invited them on that Thursday, January 27th to the public input session on the proposed Unified Development Code at the library. He also reminded them of the Utility Commission meeting on Thursday at City Hall. He finished by sharing the good news that the sanitation department will now earn $ 20 per ton over premium for carboard recycling, bringing in an additional $20,000 in revenues for the City and then mentioned the upgrades to the boardroom. Directors Reports— Hunt— She thanked the wastewater staff for the tour of the facility and thanked the veterans for their perspective on the fireworks issues. She made comments about the Bruce Rutherford property owner, and she would like the staff to investigate the property, and its street concerns associated with it. She has hopes for a mutual resolution moving forward. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 15 February 25, 2025 He thanked the staff for all their hard work during the snowstorm. Blair- Finn— She thanked the staff for cleaning the roads during the snowstorm and for the emergency staff for providing tents for the homeless. She would like to know what the cost would be to bring the community building up to standard for overnight stay. She also wanted everyone to be aware that she has had complaints about junk and broke down cars in lots( specifically on Haden St.). She also asked if there had been any more progression on the Lake Francis project, of which staff mentioned they were still working on their punch list. Rissler— She received a lot of compliments on Brightspeed and the work that they have been doing. She would like to know about the right of way laws if neighbors were to deny moving the deck. She also mentioned a gas line leak in that area, which staff are looking into. She received an email regarding changes to the sidewalk ordinance and would like to know when that will be looked at, which staff mentioned will be later. She also thanked Arthur, with the Chamber of Commerce, for his update this evening. Carroll— He was thankful for the sunshine and great weather. He mentioned he would be in attendance for the Unified Development code input session. He is very thankful for all the things Siloam is doing. Burns — He thanked the staff for working so many hours during the snowstorm and thanked the wastewater staff for giving such a great tour of the plant and bringing to light what all will need to be addressed soon. He wanted the board to be aware that American Legions 106th birthday is on March 15th from 8- l0am. He would also like staff and the board to investigate adopting neighboring cities ordinances( for example, for sprinkler systems in neighborhoods). Allen— He thanked the Chamber of Commerce for their work in economic development efforts. And thanked all staff for good discussion and keeping things moving. He also thanked the veterans for their attendance and insight this evening. With no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Hunt and seconded by Rissler. Meeting adjourned. ATTEST: AP VED: Je in, City Clerk Nation, ayor s#: SILO ta SEAL * I sr ti? 3 SPRINGS : c  Siloam Springs r` gs Administrator' s Report February 25, 2025 Expenditures: In excess of$ 30, 000 None Per Resolution 07- 24 104, 702/ AECI/ 4 Manual Pad Mount Switchgear/ Electric Department 51, 194/ AECI/ 2 PSE- 11 Manual Pad Mount Switchgear/ Electric Department 53, 508/ AECI/ 2 PSE- 10 Manual Pad Mount Switchgear/ Electric Department 1. A Wastewater Plant tour& headworks project site visit on JBU campus was held this afternoon. 2. Join us this Thursday for a public input session on the proposed Unified Development Code draft. The session will be held at the library from 4: 00 to 6:00 p.m. 3. The Utility Commission' s regularly scheduled meeting will also take place on Thursday at 5: 30 p.m. at City Hall. It will be streamed live on YouTube and broadcast on Cox Channel 245. 4. Today, our Sanitation Department received great news! They will now earn $ 20 per ton over premium for cardboard recycling, thanks to the cleanliness of the material we provide. This will bring in an estimated additional $ 20,000 in revenues for the City. Those new balers are making a difference!