Board of Directors

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, HELD OCTOBER 7, 2025 The City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, met in regular session at the City of Siloam Springs Administration Building on October 7, 2025. The meeting was called to order by Vice Mayor David Allen. Roll Call: Hunt, Wiles, Rissler, Carroll, Burns, Allen— present, Blair- absent. City Representatives Present: Christina Petriches - Interim City Administrator, Scott Miller- Police Chief, Kris Paxton - Administrative Services Director, Ben Rhoads - Senior Planner Director Wiles 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. Public Input: Vice Mayor Allen opened the floor for public input on any item not on the current agenda. Mark Miller of 22587 Westwood Drive, Siloam Springs, addressed the board regarding Oak Crest Road. He expressed concern about the lack of feedback since his previous inquiry three months ago. Miller described significant potholes on the east portion of Oak Crest Road between Oak Crest Drive and HEICO, some measuring 3 feet in diameter and 1. 5 inches deep. He requested an update on plans for Oak Crest Road and asked if patching could be done in the interim. Presentations Chief Scott Miller/ Police Department / 20- year Employees / Lieutenant Deandra Bartley and Sergeant Ron Coble Chief Scott Miller presented recognition for two 20- year employees of the Siloam Springs Police Department: Lieutenant Deandra Bartley and Sergeant Ron Coble. He highlighted their dedication, integrity, and compassion over two decades of service. Chief Miller expressed gratitude to the officers and their families for their sacrifices and presented them with flag plaques. The board congratulated and thanked the officers for their service. 1898 & Company/ Rate Study Proposal Dave Nauman from 1898 & Company presented a rate study proposal for the city' s utility enterprise. He provided context on national trends in household utility costs, showing that water, Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 12 October 7, 2025 sewer, and trash expenses have been increasing at about 4. 5% per year, while energy costs have risen at about 3. 1% annually. These increases outpace general inflation, which has grown at about 2. 5% per year. Nauman presented regional comparisons for water, sewer, solid waste, and electric rates, indicating that Siloam Springs' current rates are generally average or slightly below average compared to neighboring communities. He noted that the city' s rates haven' t changed since 2021, while cumulative inflation has been about 20% during that time. The presentation outlined the city' s current utility financial status, describing it as weak due to declining cash flows and reliance on general fund money for equipment purchases. Nauman proposed rate adjustments for each utility: Electric: 4% per year adjustment Water: 4% per year adjustment Sewer: 4% per year adjustment Solid Waste: 20% increase in 2026, followed by 5. 5% per year thereafter These adjustments aim to align future revenues with costs and improve the financial health of the utility systems. Nauman estimated that the combined impact on an average residential bill would be about$ 12 per month in 2026, representing a 5. 7% increase. Board members asked questions about the impact on citizens, particularly regarding the solid waste rate increase. Jason Davis, Community Services Director, mentioned that they are looking at adjusting rates to minimize the impact on citizens while potentially increasing transfer station rates more significantly. Vice Mayor Allen requested information on electric rates for Bentonville, Rogers, and Springdale, which were not included in the comparisons. He also emphasized the importance of acknowledging that citizens have not had rate increases for several years and that some increases are necessary to cover rising costs. Consent Agenda A. Regular Meeting Minutes/ September 16, 2025 A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Allen and seconded by Rissler. The motion passed unanimously. Staff Reports Item B: June Financials Regularly Scheduled Items Item C: Ordinance 25- 29/ 3rd Reading/ Amending Section 102- 21 of the City Municipal Code/ Rezoning from A- l to C- 2/ 400 to 500 Block of North Simon Sager Avenue. Ben Rhoads, Senior Planner, presented the item. He noted that no additional comments had been received since the last reading, and both the planning commission and staff were still recommending approval. Vice Mayor Allen stated that he would be abstaining from the vote due to family- related interests. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 13 October 7, 2025 Motion to put Ordinance 25- 29 on its third reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only, was made by Rissler and seconded by Hunt. The motion passed with Allen abstaining. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 102- 21 OF THE SILOAM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE ( CITY ZONING MAP); REZONING ( FROM A- 1 TO C- 2) PROPERTY LOCATED AT 400 TO 500 BLOCK OF NORTH SIMMON SAGER AVENUE; AND AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE SILOAM SPRINGS 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; was read on its third reading. Motion to adopt Ordinance 25- 29 was made by Hunt and seconded by Rissler. The motion passed 5/ 0/ I, with Allen abstaining. Item D: Ordinance 25- 30/ 3rd Reading/ Annexation of 176 acres/ 14000 to 15000 Block of AR 59 and the 20600 Block of Bill Young Road. Ben Rhoads briefed the item. Extensive discussion ensued among board members. Blake Murray, representing the potential developer, addressed some of the board's concerns, offering to facilitate communication with neighbors and provide more detailed plans for infrastructure and drainage. Mark Miller, a citizen, raised concerns about the proximity of the proposed residential area to the airport's flight path and suggested considering commercial or industrial zoning instead. Ron Homeyer, a civil engineer, suggested a possible solution to allow the A- 1 zoning while maintaining the future land use map designation for commercial or industrial use. Motion to table Ordinance 25- 30 until the November 18th board meeting was made by Burns and seconded by Rissler. The motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN TERRITORY DESCRIBED 14000 TO 15000 BLOCK OF ARKANSAS HIGHWAY 59 AND THE 20600 BLOCK OF BILL YOUNG ROAD TO THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, ARKANSAS; ASSIGNING THE SAME TO A WARD; AND AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE SILOAM SPRINGS 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN was tabled to November 18, 2025. Item E: Ordinance 25- 31 / 3rd Reading / Vacation of a Drainage Easement / 1113 East Ashley Street Ben Rhoads presented the third reading of Ordinance 25- 31, explaining that it was vacating an unneeded drainage easement. No additional comments had been received since the last reading. Motion to put Ordinance 25- 31 on its third reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only, was made by Director Hunt and seconded by Director Rissler. The motion passed unanimously. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 14 October 7, 2025 Motion to adopt Ordinance 25- 31 was made by Director Carroll and seconded by Director Rissler. The motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABANDONING DRAINAGE EASEMENTS AT 1113 EAST ASHLEY STREET; was read on its third reading. Item F: Ordinance 25- 32 / 3rd Reading/ Amending Section 102- 21 of the City Municipal Code/ Rezone from A- 1 to C- 2/ 400 Block of North Progress Avenue. Ben Rhoads briefed the item. No additional comments had been received since the last reading. Vice Mayor Allen noted that he would be abstaining from the vote due to family- related interests. Motion to put Ordinance 25- 32 on its third reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only, was made by Hunt and seconded by Rissler. The motion passed 5/ 0/ 1, with Allen abstaining. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 102- 21 OF THE SILOAM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE ( CITY ZONING MAP); REZONING ( FROM A- 1 TO C- 2) PROPERTY LOCATED AT 400 BLOCK OF NORTH PROGRESS AVENUE; AND AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE SILOAM SPRINGS 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; was read on its third reading. Motion to adopt Ordinance 25- 32 was made by Rissler and seconded by Carroll. The motion passed 5/ 0/ 1 with Allen abstaining. Item G: Ordinance 25- 34/ 1st Reading/ Amending City Municipal Codes/ Adoption of Chapter 35, Development, Signs, and Zoning. Ben Rhoads briefed the item. He provided a detailed overview of the changes, including: Consolidation of existing chapters into one comprehensive Chapter 35 Updates to various sections including planning permits, landscaping, sign regulations, land development, street design standards, and zoning Addition of new zones and use categories Modernization of regulations to align with current practices and technologies Rhoads emphasized that the UDC is intended to be a living document that can be adjusted as needed in the future. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the ordinance as UDC and the presented. Board members expressed appreciation for the work done on the Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 15 October 7, 2025 involvement of citizens in the process. Motion to put Ordinance 25- 34 on its first reading, suspending the rules and reading by title only, was made by Rissler and seconded by Carroll. The motion passed unanimously. An ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING CHAPTER 35, DEVELOPMENT, SIGNS, AND ZONING AND REPEALING CHAPTERS 53, 54, 78, 81, 87, AND 102 OF THE CITY MUNICIPAL CODE was read on its first reading. Administrator' s Report— Administrator' s Report is attached. Directors Reports— Allen - Asked for prayers for Mayor Judy Nation, who was absent due to health reasons. He encouraged citizens to participate in the fall cleanup. He called for prayers for an end to violent conflicts worldwide and for the protection of national and state leaders. He emphasized the need for unity rather than division in the country. Thank you city employees for their hard work, especially during budget season. Hunt — She provided information about the upcoming citywide litter cleanup event. She congratulated Lieutenant Bartley and Sergeant Cobell on their 20 years of service. Wiles- He congratulated the two officers on their 20- year milestone and thanked Chief Miller for his leadership. Rissler— She expressed anticipation for the arrival of fall weather. Carroll— He offered thoughts and prayers for Mayor Nation. He thanked the mayor for her example to the board and community. Bums — He highlighted recent community events showcasing tourism in Siloam Springs. He encouraged attendance at the upcoming Butler Creek Boys concert. He mentioned his attendance at various meetings related to housing and development in Northwest Arkansas. He expressed appreciation for the developer' s willingness to communicate with citizens and emphasized the importance of smart growth. Adjournment Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Bums and seconded by Hunt. The motion passed unanimously. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 16 October 7, 2025 00110111 / q/,//i,,, ATTEST: APPROVED: a, t, _ r SEAL ..:* J ' ain, City Clerk 6... 9,, ........- fa y Nati n Mayor Y GS N. RP1ou iF i.SP"RINGS . A% r 7///// lIIIIIIN1iiioov Administrator' s Report 01 SiloamSprings Spr n gs October 7th, 2025 Expenditures: In excess of$ 30, 000: None Per Resolution 11- 25: None Announcements: This month, Lowes is partnering with Wilber' s Rescue Foundation to provide some improvements to the Animal Shelter. They are going to add new gates on all the kennels, some fencing, painting the building, pressure washing, landscaping and adding posts for outdoor shade structures. The Parks& Recreation Dept is hosting the 2025 City Wide Litter Cleanup on October 10th and 11` h. This is in conjunction with Love Siloam. The last concert of the 2025 Memorial Park Music Series will be Saturday, October 1 lth at 6: 30 PM with the Butler Creek Boys at the Chautauqua Amphitheater.