Board of Directors

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, HELD MARCH 18, 2025 The City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, met in regular session at the City of Siloam Springs Administration Building on March 18, 2025. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Judy Nation. 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; Ben Rhodes, and Senior Planner; Maegan Thomas, Planner II. Director Allen led the opening prayer. Mayor Nation led the Pledge of Allegiance. At this time, 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. Doyle Carroll 2008 N. Carl St.), spoke regarding Item E, he was impressed with the work that was being done, and he believes that the people doing the work come highly recommended. Consent Agenda A. Regular Meeting Minutes/ February 25, 2025 B. Regular Meeting Minutes/ March 4, 2025 C. Purchase/ Electric Department/ Ford F350 4x4 Service Truck/ National Auto Fleet Group/ 78. 880. 70 D. Purchase / Public Works / Water Services Division / Bruckner' s Truck & Equipment 2026 Mack Granite Tandem Axle Dump Truck/$ 184, 888 E. Resolution 12- 25/ Final Plat Development Permit/ Oak Brook Addition/ 700 Block of West Pittsfield Street A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Rissler and seconded by Allen. Motion passed unanimously. Director Blair asked that Item E be pulled from the consent agenda for further discussion. She had a citizen approach her about a fence going up. There was discussion around fencing not being required under final plat development and houses will request on a per house basis. She also wanted to know what the size of the houses would be on this plat and staff informed her that Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page/ 2 March 18, 2025 no building permits have been submitted at this time. A motion was made to approve this resolution by Rissler and seconded by Bums. Motion passed unanimously. Staff Report Item F: Ordinance 25-04/ 2nd Reading/ Amending Section 102-21 of the City Municipal Code/ Rezoning from A-1 to R4/ 400 Block of Meadow Court. Ben Rhoads briefed this item. The board wanted clarification regarding nothing being head from the applicant. Jason Engles, Expedient Civil Engineering, 9200 Suits US Dr., Bella Vista, mentioned that changes had been made, but they had not submitted those changes yet, but presented them to the board. He reminded the board that there is still a significant development that would approve the number of units and this was just a concept. He reduced the concept to four units. There was general discussion from the board regarding R-4 vs. significant development allowances, concerns about access, and the number of units allowed per acre. The board also mentioned potentially looking at it under a P-D and the timeline for approval and benefits regarding this matter. A motion was made by Allen and seconded by Bums, to place Ordinance 25-04 on its second reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only. Motion failed unanimously. Item G: Ordinance 25-07 / 3 rd 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 Bums, to place Ordinance 25-07 on its third reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only. Motion passed 6-1. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 102-21 OF THE SILOAM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE (CITY ZONING MAP); REZONING (FROM R-2 TO P-D) PROPERTY LOCATED AT 20000 BLOCK OF BRUCE RUTHERFORD ROAD; AND AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE SILOAM SPRINGS 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN was read on its third reading. A motion to adopt Ordinance 25-07 was made by Rissler and seconded by Hunt. Motion passed 6-1. Item H: Ordinance 25-08/ 3 rd Reading/ Vacation of Utility Easements/ 2200 Block of Highway 16. Maegan Thomas briefed this item. A motion was made by Carroll and seconded by Rissler, to place Ordinance 25-08 on its third reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only. Motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABONDONING UTILITY EASEMENTS AT THE 2200 BLOCK OF HIGHWAY 16 was read on its third reading. A motion to adopt Ordinance 25-08 was made by Rissler and seconded by Hunt. Motion passed unanimously. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 13 March 18, 2025 Item I: Ordinance 25- 10/ 1st Reading/ Vacation of Right- of-Way/ 201 North College Street. Kevin Moore briefed this item. There was lengthy discussion regarding options to keep the deck, including city costs of striping, providing a physical barrier between the deck and vehicles, and making the deck smaller. There was also discussion regarding the permitting process and whether the permit could be retroactive since there was not a permit filed for the deck that is existing. There was a recommendation to leave it as is and build the ordinance around the current structure as well. Jason Lanker, the owner of the building, spoke about when it was built. It was mentioned to the board that the deck cannot be used until it goes through a review by the building inspector. There was also discussion surrounding closing the street and either extending the park or creating a trail extension. Heather Brownstone( 13299 Taylor Orchard Rd. in Gentry), spoke about the impact of the deck to the vendors and customers and would like to see the street closed and the park extended. Pete West( 235 Maple Leaf Ave.), spoke that the road was forgotten about for a long time and it was more dangerous prior to the deck being built. He also mentioned this being a destination, not just a thru street and would like to see other options pursued. Jason Lanker, the owner, spoke to the volume of traffic and people that are on that road per week. He also wanted the board to know that 75% of the people that visit his store, turn on University St. He would like the quickest solution for the safety of the street, including striping which he would like first to be answered. The board would like options for safety ready to be presented by the third reading and would like the building inspector available for questions. A motion was made by Allen and seconded by Burns, to place Ordinance 25- 10 on its first reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only. Motion passed unanimously. Item J: Resolution 09- 25/ SSWRC/ Land Sale/ Ryan Cloud/$ 4,950. Jay Williams briefed the item. There was general discussion regarding the restricted buffer zone and it not being effected by this purchase and Ryan Cloud being aware of the sewer restrictions and rules he will have to follow because of that buffer zone. There was also discussion about the value of the land and price it is currently set at for the sale. Ryan Cloud ( 33 E. Jay St.) spoke about having a soil test done and has investigated the septic system and is aware of the water quality and environmental quality of this property. A motion to approve Resolution 09- 25, was made by Rissler and seconded by Burns. Motion passed 6- 1. Administrator' s Report— Administrator' s Report is attached. Allan reported three expenditures more than $ 30, 000. They were for the Electric Department, the Streets Department, and the Engineering Department. He mentioned that there was a good turnout at the first Coffee & Conversation meeting for the public and is excited to host the next one this summer. He mentioned to the board that during the snowstorm from February 18th— 21 s1 Street and Infrastructure crews worked 12- hour shifts to plow, de- ice and treat the roads. The total cost of materials and labor for this effort 99, 349. 34. He mentioned that Caselle is down this week as we prepare for the was $ transition to BS& A. During this time, City departments will issue paper receipts for any payments received. Each receipt will be numbered and thoroughly documented to ensure accurate entry into BS& A once the system goes live. Lastly, he talked about the Sanitation department announcing the launch of the Green Business Recycling Award, a quarterly recognition for businesses demonstrating outstanding recycling efforts. And in honor of Global Recycling Day today, we Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 14 March 18, 2025 presented the inaugural award to Copy Connections & Design for their commitment to keeping their business green. Directors Reports— Allen— He brought up the issue on Meadow Court and prefers that if the change is being done in zoning, that he would like to see us shorten the timeline of 3 months for approval if possible. He wanted more concrete figures for how much it would cost to renovate the Community Building by the next board meeting. He made a motion to utilize the funds from the Oklahoma land sale to GRDA to update/ upgrade the Community Building. After discussion between Allan and the Board he rescinded his motion at this time. He appreciated the good discussion this evening. Burns — He would like the American Legion Hall to be included in the renovations of the community building. He would also like to see sales from the water district to see improvements to Sager Creek to be considered. Carroll — He would like everyone to see the new clock that was installed in the board room. He enjoyed attending coffee and conversation and looks forward to the next one. He was a part of the global recycling day award presentation. He wanted to bring up the mail that was placed in his mailbox anonymously and feels that it did not show initiative. He is willing to have a discussion with whoever placed it there but would like for Siloam to do things that bring unity instead of chaos. Rissler— She encourages everyone to be involved in the legislative processes and to encourage our legislators. Blair— She wanted everyone to know that the Ability Tree is hosting a free community stay and play on the 24th from 9am— 4pm. And the Senior Center is having a fundraiser, tickets are available for purchase. Half of the money will go to the Senior Center and half will go to the winner. He thanked Director Carroll for his comments about the mail and encouraged the community to have positive conversation, including on social media. Hunt— She wants everyone to be careful about social media and posts taking off to where the truth gets fuzzy. She would like for people with concerns to go to the board rather than post on social media. She also reminded everyone that Spring Break is next week. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 15 March 18, 2025 With no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Hunt and seconded by Allen. Meeting adjourned. ATTEST: APPROVED: CUx-• Je ain, City Clerk 1y ation, ayor OIN..CI • GO F 3 SILOAM SEAL r' 2!''• ........ '. P SPRINGS . 5 SPRINGS P••. n„ n rmem n;« nr,\ counrrr, Po,;•.