HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-04 - Minutes -Co un ci l Member Ro be rt B. Stafford
Ward I Pos ition I
C ouncil Member D 'Andre Jones
Ward I Position 2
Co un ci l Member Sarah Moore
Wa rd 2 Position I
Co uncil Member Mike Wi e d erkehr
Ward 2 Position 2
Mayo r Li oneld Jordan
C ity Att orn ey Kit William s
City Clerk Treasurer Kara Pax ton
City of Fayetteville Arkansas
City Council Meeting
June 4, 2024
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 4 , 2024
Page I of 18
Coun ci l Me mbe r Scott Be rn a
Ward 3 Position I
C ouncil Member Sarah Bunch
Ward 3 Position 2
Co uncil Mem ber Teresa Turk
Ward 4 Positi o n I
Co uncil M e mb er Holl y He rt z berg
Ward 4 Position 2
A meeting of the Fayetteville City Council was held on June 4, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in Room
219 of the City Administration Building located at 113 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville,
Arkansas.
Mayor Jordan called the meeting to order.
PRESENT: Council Members Robert B. Stafford, D' Andre Jones, Sarah Moore, Mike
Wiederkehr, Scott Berna, Sarah Bunch, Teresa Turk, Holly Hertzberg, Mayor Lioneld
Jordan, City Attorney Kit Williams, City Clerk Treasurer Kara Paxton, Chief of Staff Susan
Norton, Chief Financial Officer Paul Becker, Staff, Press and Audience.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor's Announcements, Proclamations and Recognitions: None
City Council Meeting Presentations, Reports, and Discussion Items:
Monthly Financial Report -Chief Financial Officer
Paul Becker, Chief Financial Officer gave a brief description of the Monthly Financial Report.
He stated sales tax was down 4.3%, franchise fees were down 10 %, beverage taxes were down
10% and building permits were up 9%. He briefly spoke of the percentages in other departments
and stated that overall , the General Fund was down approximately 4.3% compared to budget. He
briefly spoke of the Street Fund and how turnback was down 4% and that interest income and
miscellaneous income was up. He stated that overall, the Street Fund was down 1 % at this point
in time. He stated the Parking Fund was down 1 % at this point in time compared to the budget. He
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June 4 , 2024
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briefly spoke of the HMR Fund and how it was down 10%, which he expected to see catch back
up in May due to late payments . He estimated that fund only being down approximatel y 2.5%. He
spoke of how the Water and Sewer and Recycling and Trash Collections were up approximately
1 %. He briefly spoke of the Airport and how flights were down 2.1 % and revenue was down 21 %
at this point in time compared to last year. He went on to explain how those percentages were
being monitored closely. He stated the report for the month of April was softer than he would have
liked and that most of the funds were pretty even, except for the General Fund and HMR Fund.
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Moore and Paul Becker regarding how
building permits had been projected to be flat for this year . Council Member Moore was curious
on Paul Becker 's outlook on the fund , given that the building permits were up 9%. Paul Becker
briefly spoke of building permits and how they went into the General Fund revenues and could be
spent on General Fund purposes. He briefly spoke of how the fund had been projected as flat and
that the 9% was approximately $80 ,000.
Agenda Additions: None
Consent:
Mayor Jordan stated Item A.8 and A.15 would be pulled from the Consent Agenda for further
discussion .
Approval of the May 7, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes.
APPROVED
Approval of the May 21, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes.
APPROVED
Boston Mountain Solid Waste District (Service Agreement): A resolution to approve a three-
year contract with the Boston Mountain Solid Waste District with up to four automatic one-year
renewals based on a rate of fifty cents ($.50) per resident per year for solid waste services provided
to the City of Fayetteville as a member of the district.
Resolution 145-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
WER Architects (Amendment No. 1): A resolution to approve Amendment No . 1 to the Design
Services Contract with WER Architects in the amount of$19, 185.56 for the repair and replacement
of the Recycling and Trash Transfer Station, City Hall , Water and Sewer Operations , Rock Street
Annex, and Fayetteville Town Center roofs -City Facility Improvement Bond Project.
Resolution 146-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
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City Council Meetin g Minutes
June 4 , 2024
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Recognize Park Land Dedication Funds (Budget Adjustment): A resolution approving a
budget adjustment in the amount of $98 ,000.00 to recognize park land dedication funds for Gulley
Park Improvements from the Northeast Quadrant.
Resolution 147-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Railroad Crossing Elimination (Grant Agreement): A resolution to authorize the acceptance of
a Federal Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant in the amount of $576 ,000.00 , and to approve a
budget adjustment.
Resolution 148-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Watershed Conservation Resource Center (Memorandum of Agreement): A resolution to
approve a Memorandum of Agreement with the Watershed Conservation Resource Center for
continued maintenance of stream restoration projects and other nonpoint source pollution related
issues .
Resolution 149-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
WT Transfer Holding Company LLC (Purchase Agreement): A resolution to approve the
purchase of two New Holland Balers from WT Transfer Holding Company LLC in the total
amount of $93,250 .19 , pursuant to a Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract.
This item was pulled from the Consent Agenda/or further discussion.
Fire Department Vehicle Expansion Upgrades (Budget Adjustment): A resolution to approve
a budget adjustment in the amount of $17 ,438.00 for Fire Department vehicle expansion upgrades.
Resolution 150-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Aftermarket Vehicle Parts, Supplies and Services (Purchase Agreement): A resolution to
approve the purchase of automotive , heavy duty and off-road aftermarket parts , tools , supplies ,
equipment, accessories and additional services from multiple vendors , pursuant to a Sourcewell
Cooperative Purchasing Contract, through May 19 , 2025 and any additional renewals.
Resolution 151-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Whiting Systems Inc. (Bid Waiver): A resolution to waive competitive bidding and authorize
the purchase of vehicle wash chemicals from Whiting Systems Inc. on an as-needed basis through
May 15 , 2026 .
Resolution 152-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Bid 24-33 Jack Tyler Engineering, Inc. (Pump Replacement): A resolution to award Bid #24-
33 and authorize the purchase of a submersible pump in the amount of $85 ,770.04 .00 plus
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City Council Meetin g Minutes
June 4 , 2024
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applicable taxes and freight charges from Jack Tyler Engineering , Inc. to be used at the Noland
Water Resource Recovery Facility.
Resolution 153-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
J.R. Stewart Pump & Equipment, Inc. (Purchase Agreement): A resolution to waive
competitive bidding and authorize the purchase of parts for a pump at the Hamestring Sewer Lift
Station in the amount of $49 ,555 .71 plus applicable taxes and freight charges from J.R. Stewart
Pump & Equipment Inc.
Resolution 154-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Olsson, Inc. (Engineering Agreement): A resolution to approve an Engineering Services
Agreement in the amount of $45 ,000 .00 between the City of Fayetteville and Olsson , Inc. for
preliminary engineering related to upgrades at the Mally Wagnon Sewer Lift Station.
Resolution 155-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Olsson, Inc. (Amendment No. 6): A resolution to approve Amendment No. 6 to the Professional
Services Engineering Agreement with Olsson , Inc. in an amount not to exceed $516 ,515.00 for
engineering services related to the East Fayetteville Water System Improvements Project , and to
approve a budget adjustment.
This item was pulled from the Consent Agenda for further discussion.
Bid 24-29 Crossland Heavy Contractors, Inc. (Construction): A resolution to award Bid #24-
29 and authorize a contract with Crossland Heavy Contractors , Inc. in the amount of $8 ,318 ,668 .00
for the construction of a water pumping station and various waterlines for the Gulley and Goshen
Pressure Plane Improvements Project, to approve a project contingency in the amount of
$415 ,934.00 , and to approve a budget adjustment.
Resolution 156-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Lion First Responder PPE, Inc. (Purchase Agreement): A resolution to approve the purchase
of bunker gear and related products , services , and solutions from Lion Manufacturing through
Nafeco on an as-needed basis , pursuant to a Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract, through
March 27, 2028 and any future renewal periods.
Resolution 157-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
PMAM Corporation (Service Contract): A resolution to approve a contract with PMAM
Corporation, pursuant to RFP 23-19 , for false alarm administration services .
Resolution 158-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
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City Council Meeting Minutes
June 4, 2024
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2024 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (Memorandum of Understanding): A resolution
to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with Washington County to accept funding from the
Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area in the amount of $122 ,243 .00 for the Police
Department, and to approve a budget adjustment.
Resolution 159-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Council Member Bunch moved to accept the Consent Agenda as read. Council Member
Jones seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
WT Transfer Holding Company LLC (Purchase Agreement): A resolution to approve the
purchase of two New Holland Balers from WT Transfer Holding Company LLC in the total
amount of $93,250.19, pursuant to a Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract.
This item was pulled from the Consent Agenda/or further discussion.
City Attorney Kit Williams stated he had included in a memo information regarding the two
resolutions that had been pulled from the Consent Agenda. He stated that one resolution needed to
be amended to have a budget adjustment applied to it , and the next resolution needed to be
amended to have a budget adjustment not applied to it.
Council Member Bunch moved to amend the resolution to the City Attorney hand out.
Council Member Berna seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
Council Member Berna moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Moore seconded
the motion. Upon roll call the resolution passed unanimously.
Resolution 160-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Olsson, Inc. (Amendment No. 6): A resolution to approve Amendment No. 6 to the Professional
Services Engineering Agreement with Olsson, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $516 ,515.00 for
engineering services related to the East Fayetteville Water System Improvements Project, and to
approve a budget adjustment.
This item was pulled from the Consent Agenda/or further discussion.
Council Member Moore moved to amend the resolution to the City Attorney's hand out.
Council Member Berna seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
Council Member Berna moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Moore seconded
the motion. Upon roll call the resolution passed unanimously.
Resolution 161-24 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
113 West Mountain Fayetteville , AR 72701 (479 ) 575-8323 www .fayetteville-ar .gov
Unfinished Business:
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 4 , 2024
Page 6 of 18
Rezoning-2024-0017: (512 N. Mission Blvd./Zweig, 446): An ordinance to rezone the property
described in Rezoning Petition RZN 2024-17 for approximately 0.90 acres located at 512 North
Mission Boulevard Ward 1 from RSF-4 , Residential Single-Family , Four Units Per Acre to NS-
G, Neighborhood Services -General. At the May 21 , 2024 City Council Meeting this item was left
on the First Reading.
Council Member Hertzberg moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading.
Council Member Jones seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director stated he had no new updates on the item and
that staff recommended in favor of the request. He stated the Planning Commission had forwarded
the request to the City Council by a vote of 8-1. He stated Allison Thurmond Quinlan was present
as the applicant for the item.
Allison Thurmond Quinlan, Principal and Landscape Architect with Flintlock LAB stated she
had nothing new to add.
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Turk and Jonathan Curth regarding why
the applicant had brought forward the request. Jonathan Curth briefly explained how the size of
the house on the property in its existing zoning district prevented the applicant from being able to
use it as an office as they had wanted, and that's why the request had come forward to rezone.
Council Member Wiederkehr moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final
reading. Council Member Moore seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed
unanimously.
City Attorney Kit .Williams read the ordinance.
Council Member Turk reminded the City Council that if the property were rezoned to
Neighborhood Services -General, there could potentially be cluster housing or a four unit plex
built on the property.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed 7-1.
Council Member Bunch, Hertzberg, Stafford, Jones, Moore, Wiederkehr and Berna voted
yes. Council Member Turk voted no.
Ordinance 6756 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Rezoning-2024-0018: (Southwest of W. Treadwell St. and S. Hill Ave./Subtext Acquisitions,
LLC. and Modus Studio, 522): An ordinance to rezone the property described in Rezoning
Petition RZN 2024-18 for approximately 2.9 acres located southwest of West Treadwell Street and
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June 4 , 2024
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South Hill Avenue in Ward 2 from RMF-40, Residential Multifamily , 40 Units Per Acre to MSC ,
Main Street Center, subject to a Bill of Assurance . At the May 21 , 2024 City Council Meeting this
item was left on the First Reading.
There was a brief discussion amongst the City Council regarding the applicant wanting the item to
be tabled to the June 18 , 2024 City Council Meeting. It was discussed on whether or not to leave
the item on the First Reading or move to the Second Reading before tabling the ordinance .
Applicant requested that the item be tabled and not go through any further readings. He stated
they had requested to table the item due to the feedback that had been provided from the previous
City Council Meeting they wanted to incorporate into their project design . He also expressed how
they were mitigating issues that the recent tornado had caused , and they would appreciate the
additional time to make sure they got the project right.
Council Member Stafford moved to table the ordinance to the June 18, 2024 City Council
Meeting. Council Member Bunch seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed
unanimously.
This ordinance was left on the First Reading and tabled to the June 18, 2024 City Council
Meeting.
Request to Earmark Funds to Implement Recommendations of the Housing Crisis Task
Force: A resolution to earmark $1 ,000 ,000.00 in General Fund Re venue , recei ved as ARP A
general revenue loss replacement, for the purpose of implementing earl y recommendations from
the Housing Crisis Task Force. A t the May 21 , 202 4 C ity Coun cil M ee ting thi s res olution was
tabled to th e Jun e 4, 2024 City Coun cil Mee ting.
Council Member Moore briefly spoke of the American Rescue Plan Act funds and of how she
had brought the resolution forward to allow the Housing Crisis Task Force to have the monies
earmarked for whatever they might recommend in the future. She requested that the City Council
support the resolution.
Paul Becker, Chief Financial Officer explained how in April of 2022 there had been discussion
regarding standard revenue loss reimbursement to the General F und and earmarking that
reimbursement for infrastructure. He then went on to ex plain how in Jul y of 2022 , Chief of Staff
Susan Norton sent a spreadsheet to the City Council that outlined what the City had been interested
in looking at to reimburse for losses that had incurred in the General Fund. He stated that American
Rescue Plan Act projects the City had been considering had also been posted on the City website
during that time as well. He stated that on April 6, 2022 the City had an American Rescue Plan
Act Workshop where Walker Park and a water and sewer project had been di scussed . He then went
on to explain how in August of 2022 , the City put a survey on Speak Up Fayetteville that had
gathered input from members of the public regardin g projects the City had listed . He went on to
explain how the City had continued to di scus s the top two proj ect s they had been looking at doing ;
one for water and sewer to address water losses on a water line and the other for Walker Park. He
stated that in 2023 , the Walker Park project continued to be discus sed publicly at committee
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meetings and had also been included in the Parks Master Plan . He then went on to explain how in
March of 2024 , staff had brought forward the repair of the water line to the City Council , and that
was also where he had brought to the Councils attention the intention of the million dollars being
earmarked for the Walker Park project. He then went on to explain how there had been substantial
conversation regarding spending the funds on Walker Park for quite some time .
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Bunch and Paul Becker regarding how if
the funds were allocated to the Housing Crisis Task Force, any recommendations made with the
funds would come back before the City Council.
Council Member Berna questioned if the City had a history of allocating funds for committees.
Paul Becker stated the City could not allocate money to a committee; however, the City Council
could get recommendations from a committee that could then be approved.
Council Member Stafford clarified that the request was not an allocation , it was simply just an
earmark for the funds . He questioned if the money could be earmarked or allocated for something
else if the Housing Crisis Task Force did not use the funds.
Paul Becker stated that was correct. He noted that city staff had been working on a plan for Walker
Park , which was being prepared to be brought forward to the City Council.
Council Mem her Stafford briefly spoke of the American Rescue Plan Act funding and offered
an amendment to the current resolution towards infrastructure investments and improvements , as
well as removing the urgencies in the language.
There was a brief discussion amongst the City Council regarding how the item had been amended
at the last City Council Meeting and confusion over which item had the correct information . City
Clerk Treasurer, Kara Paxton explained how the memo from the City Attorney , listed as item #5
in the agenda packet viewable on Civic Clerk, had the most up to date information for the request.
There was brief discussion regarding possibly tabling the item due to the confusion . Council
Member Stafford stated he would submit his amendment to the City 's Attorney 's Office for
drafting. City Attorney Kit Williams questioned if Council Member Stafford wanted to remove
the wording of rapidly and early from the first section of the resolution . Council Member Stafford
stated that was correct. Council Member Stafford went on to clarify that he wanted the resolution
amended to state, 'for the purpose of implementing recommendations of the Housing Crisis Task
Force in regard to infrastructure improvements , and or assistance, where found appropriate.'
Council Member Moore moved to table the resolution to the July 18 , 2024 City Council Meeting.
Council Member Jones seconded the motion.
The City Council received 3 public comments regarding this resolution.
Kara Paxton, City Clerk Treasurer spoke of the previous City Council Meeting where there had
been a motion to amend the resolution , a copy of which had been attached to the agenda in Civic
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City Council Meeting Minutes
June 4 , 2024
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Clerk listed as 'Appropriate One Million for Housing Number Two.' She clarified that attachment
had the updated information that had been amended at the last City Council Meeting.
There was a brief discussion of how there was currently a motion and a second to table the
resolution for two weeks and that the amendment Council Member Stafford proposed had already
been updated.
Council Member Wiederkehr briefly spoke of how he did not desire to table the resolution. He
was in support of using the funds for infrastructure and of repairing the waterline that was leaking
and also felt comfortable using it towards infrastructure in Walker Park. He had voted to support
declaring the Housing Crisis but did not want that to repeatedly come back for a position for
money . He wanted the City Council to let the Mayor convene the Housing Crisis Task Force and
move forward. He would not be in support of the resolution.
Council Member Berna echoed Council Member Wiederkehr ' s statement . He felt it unfair to take
away the funds from the Parks , Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Department unless there
was a full clarification of what the funds would be earmarked towards.
Council Member Jones briefly spoke of how Walker Park was in Ward 1 and that he was aware
of the upkeep that was needed , however he was also aware of the Housing Crisis. He believed
housing did the most good for the most people and did not believe the challenges of Walker Park
should be compared to the Housing Crisis. He would be in support of the resolution and tabling it
for further review so that everyone could make an informed decision if needed.
Council Member Stafford agreed with Council Member Jones ' comments. He supported the
improvements for Walker Park, however his current priority for Ward 1 was connectivity and
housing. He questioned if staff had earmarked the funds for Walker Park or if the City Council
had voted on that earmark.
Paul Becker stated the City Council did not vote specifically .
Council Member Stafford spoke of how the funds had been earmarked for Walker Park by staff
and then went on to explain how the City Council was the legislative body and therefore made
decisions on the priorities for the City. He then went on to explain how hi s priorities were ·for
housing and maintaining the City 's workforce. He wanted the City Council to have the funds
earmarked for the Housing Crisis Task Force so that if they made recommendations there would
be the means to help in significant ways.
Council Member Turk stated that since the amendments requested had already been made and
public comment had been received , she would appreciate voting on the item tonight.
Council Member Jones briefly spoke of Walker Park and how there were many unhoused
individuals there. He stated the issue with Walker Park was not a crisis , however the City Council
had voted on the Housing Crisis and believed they needed to focus their attention on that and treat
it like an emergency and invest resources into making it better for the citizens.
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Council Member Stafford clarified that his proposed amendment regarding infrastructure
improvements were not in the document attached to the Agenda, so he would like to still table the
resolution.
Council Member Moore moved to table the resolution to the July 18, 2024 City Council
Meeting. Council Member Jones seconded the motion . Upon roll call the motion failed 3-5.
Council Member Stafford, Jones and Moore voted yes. Council Member Bunch, Turk,
Hertzberg, Wiederkehr and Berna voted no.
Council Member Berna requested that Alison Jumper come forward to speak on the topic.
Alison Jumper, Parks , Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Director gave a brief presentation
of how the million dollars in funding could help support Walker Park. She stated the city currently
had construction documents for phase one under contract , which had been approved by the City
Council in December, and staff were ready to move forward to add in the million dollars being
discussed tonight.
Council Member Turk questioned if there was another revenue stream to continue the renovation
of Walker Park if the funds were taken away.
Alison Jumper stated there was $2.4 million of bond money going towards phase one of
construction, including the design , $500 ,000 that was approved by the City Council in CIP and
then the million dollars being spoken of. She stated there were no other funds specifically slated
for Walker Park.
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Moore , Alison Jumper and Paul Becker
regarding when it had been planned for the million dollars to go towards Walker Park and who
had told the Department of Parks , Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs they could use the funds.
Alison Jumper spoke of how the plan had been in development as early as 2022 and stated that the
timeline Paul Becker had discussed was what had guided the work . Paul Becker stated that in
December of 2022 , there had been talk regarding the City Council committing the funds to
infrastructure. He explained how the City 's top two recommended projects were for water and
sewer and Walker Park.
Council Member Moore stated that during the appropriation discussion for the water project , she
had asked what the amount of available remaining funds were of American Rescue Plan Act
monies from revenue losses , and it had been identified that there was a remaining one million
dollars. She questioned if Paul Becker had clarified at that discussion that those remaining funds
had been earmarked for the Parks , Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Department. Chief
Financial Officer Paul Becker, Deputy Chief Financial Officer Steven Dotson and Chief of Staff
Susan Norton all recalled that was what Paul Becker had stated.
Council Member Berna requested that Alison Jumper give clarification regarding how the funds
could be spent to improve safety aspects at Walker Park.
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Alison Jumper stated there had been several staff meetings with the Police Department included
around the design of Walker Park . She stated the improvements would include additional
sightlines , visibility, extra lighting and things of that nature to create a safer environment.
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Stafford and Alison Jumper regarding the
timeline of the Walker Park improvements. Alison Jumper explained how the city was currently
under contract, which had been approved in December for construction documents , which she
hoped would be completed by the end of the year so that bids and construction could start on the
project. She clarified that the construction documents she just mentioned had already been funded ,
however the additional work , construction and design of Walker Park was where the one million
for funding would come forward as a request to the City Council. She stated that request for the
funding would be coming to the City Council next Tuesday.
Council Member Hertzberg moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Berna seconded
the motion.
Council Member Stafford commented that voting on a Housing Crisis was an acknowledgment
and that acknowledging a problem and solving a problem were two different things.
Council Member Moore believed everyone wanted the best outcome for the City and spoke of
how there were many comprehensive plans in different areas of the City. She believed it was the
City's responsibility to learn new information and make changes. She briefly spoke of the funds
that were spent toward cleaning the City due to the unhoused population and that there were
approximately 100 individuals listed as unhoused in the Washington County Detention Center.
She believed the monies should be earmarked for the Housing Crisis Task Force and believed the
investment would help the citizens in the City of Fayetteville.
Council Member Stafford wanted to move forward with an amendment to the resolution , which
stated , 'Section 1; for the purpose of implementing recommendations of the Housing Crisis Task
Force regarding infrastructure improvements , and or assistance, where found appropriate.'
Council Member Stafford moved to amend the resolution as stated above. Council Member
Moore seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion failed 4-4. Council Member Turk,
Stafford, Jones and Moore voted yes. Council Member Bunch, Hertzberg, Wiederkehr and
Berna voted no. Mayor Jordan declined to vote.
Council Member Hertzberg moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Berna
seconded the motion. Upon roll call the resolution failed 3-5. Council Member Stafford,
Jones and Moore voted yes. Council Member Bunch, Turk, Hertzberg, Wiederkehr and
Berna voted no.
This resolution failed.
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New Business:
City Council Meeting Minutes
J une 4 , 2024
Page 12 of 18
Rezoning-2024-0019: (1830 E. 13th St./Kellar, 565): An ordinance to rezone the property
described in Rezoning Petition RZN 2024-19 for approximately 1.86 acres located at 1830 East
13th Street in Ward 1 from C-2 , Thoroughfare Commercial and 1-2, General Industrial to CS ,
Community Services.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of the ordinance. He
stated staff found the request to be compatible with existing land uses and also found the request
to align with the city's comprehensive plan and long range planning tools. He stated the property
was designated as a city neighborhood and spoke of how the Community Services zoning district
would complement that designation . He stated staff found the property had a reasonable infill score
and noted that the tree preservation on the property would drop to 15% with the request. He stated
staff recommended approval of the request and the Planning Commission forwarded it to the City
Council unanimously with no discussion. He stated there had been no public comment received
on the item and that Paul Keller was present as the applicant for the item .
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Stafford and Jonathan Curth regarding how
the rezoning would bring the existing use on the property into compliance. Jonathan Curth stated
that was correct. Council Member Stafford stated he would be in support of the request.
The City Council received 1 public comment regarding this ordinance.
Council Member Stafford moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Council
Member Moore seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Council Member Stafford moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Council Member Moore seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed
unanimously.
Ordinance 6757 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Rezoning-2024-0011: (The Pines at Springwood PZD in Ward 2): An ordinance to rezone the
property described in Rezoning Petition RZN 2024-0011 for 0.37 acres located on North Pinehills
Drive in the Springwoods PZD in Ward 2 from Planned Zoning District to RI-U , Residential
Intermediate-Urban.
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City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 4 , 2024
Page 13 of 18
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of the ordinance. He
stated the request would lower the tree preservation minimum on the property and went on to
describe how the site had existing infrastructure such as water , sewer and stormwater. He stated
there had been public comment expressed with concerns regarding the proximity of Wilson
Springs Preserve to the property and of how changing any entitlements might impact that preserve.
He stated staff recommended approval of the request and the Planning Commission forwarded the
request with a vote of 7-1.
The City Council received 1 public comment regarding this ordinance .
Council Member Wiederkehr moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading.
Council Member Moore seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Council Member Moore moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Council Member Wiederkehr seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed
unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed
unanimously.
Ordinance 6758 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Rezoning-2024-0011: (Springwoods PZD in Ward 2): An ordinance to rezone the property
described in Rezoning Petition RZN 2024-0011 for 23 .14 acres in the Springwoods PZD in Ward
2 from Planned Zoning District to UT , Urban Thoroughfare and CS , Community Services.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of the ordinance. He
stated staff found the request to be consistent from a long range planning standpoint and then went
on to explain how the tree preservation requirements would reduce to 15% and 20%. He noted
there was a substantial amount of existing infrastructure adjacent to the properties and stated there
had been quite a bit of public comment received on the item , with comments from the Northwest
Arkansas Land Trust with concerns about the development being adjacent to the Wilson Springs
Preserve and also concerns regarding the level of entitlement that was being proposed. He stated
staff recommended approval of the request and the Planning Commission forwarded it to the City
Council by a vote of7-1. He stated the request had went to the May 20 , 2024 Environmental Action
Committee Meeting , where the committee had forwarded an alternative recommendation to rezone
the properties to Residential Agricultural , given their proximity to the Wil son Springs Preserve.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville , AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 4 , 2024
Page 14 of 18
Council Member Stafford questioned if there were any Residential Agricultural zoning districts
bordering the property in question.
Jonathan Curth stated there were some Residential Agriculturally zoned properties to the
northwest of the overall Springwood Planned Zoning District, as well as some along Truckers
Drive.
Council Member Turk briefly spoke of how staff had been working on an update to the Energy
Action Plan, which expanded to include the Climate Action Plan. She explained how that work
had included a technical document called Natural Infrastructure for Climate Resiliency , which the
Environmental Action Committee had been reviewing for the last three months before approving
it as a committee and it will come before the City Council in approximately six weeks for
discussion. She briefly spoke of how the purpose of the document was to evaluate different land
parcels based on ecological value, integrity and resiliency. She went on to explain how the
Springwood area was close to Wilson Springs , which led the property to having a higher value on
the document, which indicated the property had a score of nine, which led the property to be in the
top 98 % of all the 40 ,000 properties that had been evaluated. She stated that overall , the property
had a high ecological value to it. She then went on to describe the Park West property , which had
prairie remnants present, and scored a seven on the document , which put the property at 96.5% of
all the parcels. She clarified that the property scored high ecologically. She stated that the map was
interactive , and anyone could use it to review different parcels in the area and that it was a tool
that could be used for the City to utilize in the future when preserving properties and working with
developers. She stated the Environmental Action Committee felt strongly about the City Council
hearing this information and hoped it could help the City Council understand why they made the
recommendation to consider zoning the properties as Residential Agricultural.
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Moore and Council Member Turk
regarding what had led the Environmental Action Committee to their recommendation of the
property being rezoned to Residential Agricultural. Council Member Turk stated their discussion
had centered around protecting Wilson Springs.
Council Member Stafford briefly spoke of how he felt the request to rezone to Residential
Agricultural could devalue the property and worried about legal repercussions in doing so. He
understood the thought of Residential Agricultural preserving the land; however , he spoke of how
the land could be developed agriculturally with farms , fertilizers , livestock and pesticides which
could cause worse runoff for the area.
Council Member Turk agreed that if grazing, phosphorus and nitrogen were applied to the land ,
it could cause algal blooms. She stated Residential Agricultural was selected due to the potential
for less land use and less impervious surface . She stated there was currently no zoning on the land
and that when the city annexes land , it 's brought in as Residential Agricultural as almost a
steppingstone and applicants could later apply for a different zoning type .
Council Member Stafford questioned if Council Member Turk was suggesting that the city
purchase the land to protect it. Council Member Turk clarified that she was not sugge sting that.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville , AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www .fayetteville-ar .gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 4 , 2024
Page 15 of 18
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Stafford and City Attorney Kit Williams
regarding if the request to rezone the property to Residential Agricultural could put the city in
harm's way . City Attorney Kit Williams stated that was hard to determine due to the situation
being unique and gave a brief description of the history of the property. He was unsure of how the
courts would decide on the matter.
Council Member Stafford would prefer to leave the item on the First Reading due to its
complexity.
The City Council received 6 public comments regarding this ordinance.
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Stafford and Jonathan Curth regarding how
the property would have to abide by the city's development standards.
Council Member Wiederkehr commended the Environmental Action Committee for their work
in creating the document and site evaluation tools . He spoke briefly of the property and of how the
Residential Agricultural zoning could still allow ten homes to be built on the site . He spoke of how
the property had been purchased with no zoning , no development rights and no plans had been
drawn up or considered for development , which he believed had all been done at risk. He did not
view the City of Fayetteville as having betrayed anyone or changing any rules , because the rules
were changed when the Planned Zoning District had expired. He stated that because of the
preexistence of infrastructure and the adjoining of predeveloped land , he would be supportive of
the greater intensity zoning.
Council Member Berna spoke of how the request seemed reasonable and acknowledged that the
developer had shown a history of doing good developments and working within the city's
guidelines. He believed the request should be approved.
Council Member Bunch felt as though if a property zoning expired or disappeared , that property
should go back to a zoning similar to what had been there previously. She had concerns with the
Residential Agricultural zoning being perceived as taking someone 's rights away. She would love
for the property to be part of a wetland prairie ; however , she did not believe the City Council was
at the point that they could make that decision. She would be in favor of the ordinance.
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Moore and Jonathan Curth regarding
whether staff had considered different zonings for the request. Jonathan Curth stated staff felt
Urban Thoroughfare was an appropriate zoning for the property given its existing land uses and
previous entitlements. Council Member Moore then questioned if the property owner had come
forward to rezone the property in the past. Jonathan Curth stated he was not familiar with any
rezoning requests.
Council Member Moore spoke of how there had been a lot of new information brought forward
and that she did not believe Residential Agricultural zoning would be appropriate for the area. She
also had concerns regarding the Urban Thoroughfare rezoning request due to climate change , the
potential effects to Wilson Springs Preserve and the zoning districts intensity. She felt that the
Community Services zoning district would be more appropriate for the area.
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City Council Meeting Minutes
June 4 , 2024
Page 16 of 18
Council Member Turk thanked everyone for their comments. She explained how the
Environmental Action Committee had not known about the history of Wilson Springs, and she
wished they had because she believed it would have been insightful for their recommendation. She
then went on to speak of how the information she had brought forward from the Environmental
Action Committee could be utilized as a tool for the City Council to evaluate properties. She
appreciated the work that Mr. Nelms and others had done for the area and for the Buffalo River.
Council Member Wiederkehr moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading.
Council Member Stafford seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed
unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Council Member Stafford moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading. Council
Member Moore requested the item be left on its current reading for further review. Council
Member Hertzberg agreed. Council Member Stafford rescinded his motion.
This ordinance was left on the Second Reading.
Rezoning-2024-0011: (Park West PZD in Ward 2): An ordinance to rezone the property
described in Rezoning Petition RZN 2024-0011 for 39.41 acres in the Park West PZD on North
Highway 112 in Ward 2 from Planned Zoning District to UT, Urban Thoroughfare and CS ,
Community Services.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director gave a brief description of the ordinance. He
stated the site in question was currently undeveloped and that it's expired zoning was a rough
version of the city 's Thoroughfare Commercial zoning district. He stated staff was recommending
a split zoning for the property , with Urban Thoroughfare along Highway 112 and Community
Services for the other portion. He stated staff found the request complementary to the Future Land
Use Map and noted the tree preservation requirements would reduce to 15% and 20%. He stated
there had been public comment received with concerns that developing the property would have
negative impacts on Wilson Springs Preserve. He stated staff recommended approval of the request
and the Planning Commission forwarded it to the City Council by unanimous vote , with the Spring
Woods vote being divided by 7-1. He noted that the Environmental Action Committee comments
pertained to this property as well.
Council Member Turk spoke of how the Environmental Action Committee had reviewed the
request and noted remnant prairie mounds on the property , which were quickly vanishing. She
wanted to call that information to the City Council 's attention .
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Moore and Jonathan Curth regarding the
Urban Thoroughfare designation and how much of the zoning could encroach into the outline of
where the floodplain was. Jonathan Curth spoke of the City 's development review process , which
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City Council Meeting Minutes
June 4 , 2024
Page 17 of 18
was where hydric soils and wetland delineations would be identified . He spoke of how that could
have a significant impact on how much encroachment could happen and if there needed to be any
manner of offset to be done with the request. He then went on to describe how the City of
Fayetteville had rigorous standards for properties to develop in floodplain areas.
Council Member Moore questioned if the prairie mounds on the site would be impacted during
the development process.
Jonathan Curth stated the City of Fayetteville did not have development standards that spoke to
prairie moun,ds. He went on to explain how they were often seen parallel with hydric soils and
plants , which could lead to wetlands being identified and the area having certain standards .
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Stafford and Jonathan Curth regarding if
the City of Fayetteville had a map of remaining prairie mounds . Jonathan Curth explained how the
City had a historic prairie layer within the natural features layer of the data the GIS Department
held.
Council Member Stafford spoke briefly of prairie mounds and of how he believed they had value
in preserving. He would like to leave the item on the first or second reading for further review.
There was a brief discussion between Council Member Turk and Jonathan Curth regarding the
stream present on the southern area of the property. Council Member Turk questioned if that area
had been considered to be zoned as Residential Agricultural. Jonathan Curth explained how staff
had felt most comfortable with giving that area a wider entitlement to allow flexibility around the
floodplain.
The City Council received 2 public comments regarding this ordinance.
This ordinance was left on the First Reading.
Announcements:
Susan Norton, Chief of Staff announced that the Gulley Park Concert Series would start next
week, and the Cultural Arts Program would be doing free movies in Walker Park and Bryce Davis
Park.
Council Member Bunch announced that there would be a ribbon cutting at Gulley Park on
Thursday at 4:30 PM.
City Council Agenda Session Presentations:
Sales Tax Report -Chief Financial Officer and Energy Report -Environmental Director.
ARP A Discussion on Obligating Remaining Funds -Paul Becker and Steve Dotson.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www .fayetteville-ar .gov
City Council Tour: None
Adjournment: 8:44 p.m.
City Council Meeting Minutes
June 4 , 2024
Page 18 of 18
113 West Mountain Fayetteville , AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www .fayetteville-ar .gov