Board of Directors

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, HELD JANURY 20, 2026 The City of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, met in regular session at the City of Siloam Springs Administration Building on January 20, 2026. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Nation. Roll Call: Wiles, Blair, Rissler, Carroll, Burns, Allen, and Hunt— present. City Representatives Present: Christina Petriches - Interim City Administrator; Jene' Fain, City Clerk; Scott Miller, Police Chief, Dustin Kindell, Fire Chief; Derek Spicer, Deputy Police Chief; Brent O' Neil, City Engineer; Kyle Belts, Planner I; Jason Davis, Community Services; Josh Napier, Public Works; and Phil Stokes, Electric Department. Director Blair 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 was none. Public Input: Mayor Nation opened the floor for public input on any item on the current agenda. There were none. Consent Agenda A. Regular Meeting Minutes/ January 6, 2026 B. Resolution 01- 26/ Setting Hearing Date for Easement Vacation/ 3800 to 3900 Block of Hwy 412 E. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda was made by Director Allen, seconded by Director Blair- Finn, and approved unanimously by roll call vote. Staff Reports Item C: Siloam Springs Museum / 4th Quarter Report. Mary Nolan, Director of Operations for the Siloam Springs Museum, presented the fourth quarter report. She highlighted several key events including the Museum' s participation in the Homegrown Festival and the successful Sock Hop held in November. She praised the young leaders in the community who helped organize these events. Ms. Nolan discussed the museum' s three- year strategic plan, noting that fundraising had been boosted by the sock hop. She reported that membership was increasing and applications were available on their website. She identified collection and storage as a major challenge, Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 12 January 20, 2026 explaining that the museum was focusing on items with significant connection to Siloam Springs history and needed to reevaluate existing inventory. Ms. Nolan reported that the museum had received$ 1, 200 in individual donations and had obtained a touchscreen TV through Walmart that would allow interactive historical presentations. She mentioned increased involvement with the Arkansas Museum Association, which facilitated problem- solving with other museums. She announced a new program called " Conversations With," featuring question-and- answer sessions with important contributors to art or history in the community. She also noted that the Hico- Siloam Springs history book was now available on USB drives for$ 20. Ms. Nolan concluded with an update on Don Warden, who handles collections and research, noting he was in rehabilitation and scheduled for a spinal tap procedure. Director Allen expressed appreciation for the museum' s efforts to make the Hico heritage book available. Item D: November Financials. Christina Petriches presented the November financials, noting that detailed information was available and Board members could contact her or Kim Williams with any questions. Regularly Scheduled Items Item E: Annual Chemical Bids/ Public Works Department/ Water- Wastewater Treatment Divisions/ Multiple Vendors and Costs. Josh Napier, Public Works Director, presented the annual chemical bids for water and wastewater treatment plants. He explained these bids lock in chemical costs for the upcoming year. The auction conducted on December 18, 2025, through Ebridge resulted in a 12% overall savings compared to 2025. Motion to approve the annual chemical bids for the Public Works Department Water- Wastewater Treatment Divisions with multiple vendors was made by Director Allen, seconded by Director Rissler, and approved unanimously by roll call vote. Item F: Purchase/ Public Works Department/ Street Division/ 2026 SMMT Trailer Mounted Asphalt Recycler/ Henard Utility Products, Inc./$ 83, 000.00. Josh Napier presented the purchase of an asphalt recycler that would allow the city to create small batches of hot mix asphalt using millings accumulated from past projects. He explained that hot mix is superior to cold patch for repairing potholes, as cold patch is less durable and often fails quickly. The recycler would help create more permanent repairs and better solutions for city streets. The purchase was included in the 2026 capital outlay budget at$ 83, 000 and would be made through Sourcewell government procurement service. Directors expressed appreciation for this solution to improve pothole repairs. Director Burns noted that proper patching requires warm temperatures, so this equipment would be most effective after the winter weather passes. Motion to approve the purchase of the 2026 SMMT trailer mounted asphalt recycler from Henard Utility Products, Inc. for$ 83, 000.00 was made by Director Rissler, seconded by Director Carroll, and approved unanimously by roll call vote. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 13 January 20, 2026 Item G: Purchase/ Electric Department/ Kubota SVL97- 3HFCC Skid Steer/ Springdale Tractor Co./$ 148, 547. 82. Phil Stokes, Electric Director, presented the purchase of a skid steer with five attachments that would help the department complete their work more efficiently. He explained it would be used for hauling trees cut down, backfilling ditches, digging holes, and cleaning right-of-ways. Motion to approve the purchase of the Kubota SVL97-3HFCC Skid Steer from Springdale Tractor Co. for$ 148, 547. 82 was made by Director Rissler, seconded by Director Allen, and approved unanimously by roll call vote. Item H: Contract/ Community Services/ Sanitation Division/ Fleet Lease Buyback Program/ 5 New Sanitation Vehicles/$ 374, 244. 00. Jason Davis, Community Services Director, presented the continuation of the fleet lease buyback program for sanitation vehicles that began two years ago. He noted this was budgeted and did not require a budget amendment. Director Allen sought clarification on the contract terms. Jason Davis confirmed these were two- year leases with payments to be made annually, after which new trucks would be provided. Motion to approve the contract for Community Services Sanitation Division fleet lease buyback program for 5 new sanitation vehicles at$ 374,244.00 was made by Director Rissler, seconded by Director Allen, and approved unanimously by roll call vote. At Director Allen' s request, the Board voted to move Resolution 02- 26( 2026 Board Rules and Procedures) to the end of the resolutions section. Item J: Resolution 03- 26/ Amending 2025 Budget. Christina Petriches explained that this resolution formally incorporates budget amendments that had been previously approved by the Board throughout the year. She noted that, unusually, there were no amendments that had not been previously approved by the Board. Motion to approve Resolution 03- 26 amending the 2025 budget was made by Director Allen, seconded by Director Rissler, and approved unanimously by roll call vote. Item K: Resolution 04-26/ Parks& Recreation/ ULI Grant Application/ Parks Master Plan. Jason Davis presented a grant opportunity that would fund two- thirds of the cost of a parks master plan, with the city paying one- third. He estimated the plan would take approximately four months to complete if the grant is awarded. Director Blair-Finn expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to have two- thirds of the cost covered. Director Burns encouraged staff to review the 2009 study as they move forward and emphasized the importance of public input for the master plan. Director Allen stressed that the community building renovation should not be delayed while waiting for grants. Jason Davis reported that they were checking weekly with the state regarding a pending grant application and had already set aside$ 300,000 for matching funds. He noted that the total renovation cost was estimated at over$ 1 million a year ago. Motion to approve Resolution 04-26 for the Parks and Recreation ULI grant application for the parks master plan was made by Director Carroll, seconded by Director Hunt, and approved unanimously by roll call vote. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 14 January 20, 2026 Item I: Resolution 02- 26/ 2026 Board Rules and Procedures. Following further discussion of the proposed changes to the Board Rules and Procedures, particularly regarding the policy on addressing Board member conduct, Director Allen suggested approving the previously approved rules from 2025 as a placeholder. This would allow time for proper formatting and revisions, with the final version to be brought back at the first meeting in February. Director Rissler expressed concerns about potential defamation and false allegations under the proposed policy. City Attorney Heather clarified that the policy was intended to create a framework for addressing ongoing problems with documented evidence while respecting Freedom of Information Act requirements. The Board agreed to modify the policy to require proven evidence before matters could be brought to a public meeting. Motion to approve the 2025 Board Rules and Procedures for use in 2026( as a placeholder until revised rules could be finalized) was made by Director Allen, seconded by Director Rissler, and approved unanimously by roll call vote. Administrator' s Report— Administrator' s Report is attached. Directors Reports— Director Hunt thanked everyone for their condolences regarding her father' s recent passing. She mentioned being touched by the attendance of 11 members of the first Razorback ladies' track team, which her father had coached. Director Blair congratulated Jason Davis on the recycling award. She stated she appreciate Mindy for doing the revisions and for all the discussion. She is looking forward to this year and everyone being on the board together and working as a team. Director Carroll congratulated Jason Davis on the trendsetter award and encouraged residents to prepare for cold weather and take care of their pets. Director Burns shared insights from the Arkansas Municipal League meeting, noting the theme was " Called to Serve." He highlighted Issue 3 as an important upcoming matter and mentioned a conversation with a young couple who lived in Gentry but enjoyed spending time in Siloam Springs. Director Allen congratulated Jason Davis on the trendsetter city award and shared that he had become an enthusiastic recycler due to the city staffs passion for the program. He announced the upcoming Chamber banquet on February 5 at JBU Simmons Great Hall with the theme Building a Healthier Community." Allen also addressed a citizen's question about his support for incentives to bring Academy Sports to Siloam Springs, explaining that this was part of a broader strategy to attract businesses like Hobby Lobby and Chick- fil-A that citizens had long requested. He concluded by highlighting the Western Benton County partnership' s work on road improvement plans, including widening Highway 59, Arkansas 72, US 412, and Arkansas Highway 16. Mayor Nation added that the Western Benton County group provides important representation for their side of the county at the regional planning level, giving them a stronger voice in ARDOT funding decisions. Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Page 15 January 20, 2026 With no further business, a motion was made to adjourn by Director Allen and seconded by Director Burns. ATTEST: APPROVED: 0 - ain, City Clerk Ju Nati n, ayor iFJ, V .. A P QpRATEui iii V. 9l SILOAM SEAL , co.. -•- .. p. le SPRINGS .. C 1) As- 4ING S, P 4'' C.0.li P  411111 . 1111 t) i Slloam Sprir`gs Administrator' s Report January 20th, 2026 Purchases in excess of$ 30, 000 include the following budgeted vehicles: Chevy pickup for Community Development in the amount of$ 37, 800. Chevy double cab for Streets in the amount of$ 38, 361. Dodge Ram 4x4 for Public Works in the amount of$ 42, 678. Announcements: This past week, City representatives attended the Arkansas Municipal League Winter Meeting for training and education. During a special luncheon, Director of Community Services, Jason Davis was presented with a Trendsetter City Award in the Public Works Environmental and Green Management Category for Sanitation' s continued efforts in revitalizing our Recycling Programs and increasing Recycling Participation. The Sweetheart Ball Weekend is Friday, February 6`h through the 7`h. Family Formal & Daddy Daughter Dance tickets are available for purchase.