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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-16 - MinutesCity Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 1 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov City of Fayetteville Arkansas City Council Meeting December 16, 2025 A meeting of the Fayetteville City Council was held on December 16, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 219 of the City Administration Building located at 113 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Mayor Rawn called the meeting to order. Present: Council Members Robert B. Stafford, D’Andre Jones DHA, Sarah Moore, Mike Wiederkehr, Scott Berna, Sarah Bunch, Teresa Turk, Minister Monique Jones, Mayor Molly Rawn, City Attorney Kit Williams, City Clerk Treasurer Kara Paxton, Chief of Staff Keith Macedo, Chief Financial Officer Steven Dotson, Staff, Press and Audience. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor’s Announcements, Proclamations and Recognitions: Mayor Rawn recognized a beloved and influential member of the community, Jim Blair, who had passed away. He had made meaningful and lasting contributions throughout local, state, national and global politics. His service was appreciated and those who knew him were better for it. City Council Meeting Presentations, Reports, and Discussion Items: Nominating Committee Report - Committee Chair Council Member Stafford read the 2025 4th Quarter Nominating Committee Report as presented. Council Member Scott Berna Ward 3 Position 1 Council Member Sarah Bunch Ward 3 Position 2 Council Member Teresa Turk Ward 4 Position 1 Council Member Min. Monique Jones Ward 4 Position 2 Mayor Molly Rawn City Attorney Kit Williams City Clerk Treasurer Kara Paxton Council Member Robert B. Stafford Ward 1 Position 1 Council Member Dr. D’Andre Jones Ward 1 Position 2 Council Member Sarah Moore Ward 2 Position 1 Council Member Mike Wiederkehr Ward 2 Position 2 City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 2 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov Council Member Stafford moved to approve the nominations. Council Member Bunch seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. The 2025 4th Quarter Nominating Committee Report was approved. Agenda Additions: None Consent: Approval of the December 2, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes. Approved. Vehicle Parts, Tear Down, Inspect and Repair Services: A resolution to approve the purchase of parts and repair services from original equipment manufacturers or their authorized vendors or repair locations in excess of $40,000.00 to tear down, inspect, repair and maintain warranty where applicable for vehicle and equipment repairs as needed through December 31, 2026, within the approved budget. Resolution 281-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Samsara Telematics Master Agreement for Vehicle and Asset Management: A resolution to approve the purchase of vehicle monitoring equipment and services from Samsara, Inc. in the amount of $107,302.57 for 2026, and to authorize the ongoing purchase of equipment and services through April 23, 2029, pursuant to a Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract. Resolution 282-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Community Access Television, Inc.: A resolution to approve an amendment to the Professional Services Contract with Community Access Television d/b/a Your Media in the amount of 220,725.00 to extend the agreement for public access television for one additional year, contingent on approval of the 2026 Annual Budget and Work Program. Resolution 283-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Recognize Community Access Television FPTV Trust Revenue: A resolution to approve a budget adjustment in the amount of $10,000.00 to recognize Public Access activity revenue for future promotional activities for Fayetteville Public Television. Resolution 284-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 3 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov District Court Technology Purchase: A resolution to approve a budget adjustment in the amount of $122,000.00 to recognize and appropriate revenue from the Court Automation Fund for upgrades to court servers, software, computers, and related technology equipment. Resolution 285-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk HR Learning Management Software Purchase: A resolution to approve the purchase of learning management software in the amount of $85,767.25 from Governmentjobs.com, Inc. d/b/a NeoGov, pursuant to a Sourcewell Cooperative purchasing contract. Resolution 286-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Approval of an Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Arkansas Contract: A resolution to approve Amendment No. 1 to the contract with the Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Arkansas in the amount of $182,577.00 to provide public recreation services for senior residents. Resolution 287-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Recognize Parks Donation Revenue: A resolution to approve a budget adjustment in the amount of $70,011.00 representing donation revenue to Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs from residents and local businesses. Resolution 288-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Recognize and Allocate Animal Services Donation Revenue: A resolution to approve a budget adjustment in the amount of $486,948.00 representing donation revenue to the Animal Services Division. Resolution 289-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Approval of Lease Agreement with the Arkansas Air and Military Museum, Inc.: A resolution to approve a lease agreement with the Arkansas Air and Military Museum, Inc. for property located at Drake Field, to automatically renew for additional one-year terms. Resolution 290-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Purchase of Asset Inspection and Decision Support Software: A resolution to waive competitive bidding and authorize the purchase of GraniteNet Asset Inspection and Decision Support Software from Cues, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00 per year on an as-needed basis through December 31, 2030. Mayor Rawn pulled the item off the Consent Agenda as there was an administration error. The item will be heard in January of 2026. City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 4 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov Amendment to Inframark, LLC Contract: A resolution to approve Amendment No. 1 to the contract with Inframark, LLC for wastewater treatment operations, maintenance, and management services in the amount of $8,450,000.00 for services provided in 2026. Resolution 291-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Bid 25-51 Grant Garrett Excavating, Inc.: A resolution to award Bid #25-51 and authorize a contract with Grant Garrett Excavating, Inc. for construction of the Cato Springs Sewer Extension and Lift Station Improvements Project in the amount of $2,892,557.10, to approve a project contingency in the amount of $300,000.00, and to approve a budget adjustment. Resolution 292-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Amendment to Crafton, Tull & Associates, Inc. Contract: A resolution to approve Amendment No. 1 to the contract with Crafton, Tull & Associates, Inc. in an amount not to exceed 135,000.00 for design of the sanitary sewer lift station, gravity, and force main lines associated with the South Cato Springs Holdings, LLC Economic Development Project. Resolution 293-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Approval of an Agreement with Johnson Controls, Inc.: A resolution to approve a Planned Service Agreement with Johnson Controls, Inc. in the amount of $79,100.00, for three years, plus the cost of non-scheduled service calls. Resolution 294-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Release of Notice for Property Located at 2301 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard: A resolution to authorize Mayor Rawn to sign a Release of Notice for property located at 2301 West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to remove a potential cloud on title. Resolution 295-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Approval of a Contract with the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce: A resolution to approve a one year contract with the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $250,000.00 to provide economic development consulting services. Resolution 296-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Approval of an Agreement with Downtown Fayetteville Coalition: A resolution to approve a services agreement in the amount of $175,000.00 annually with the Downtown Fayetteville Coalition for a three-year term. Resolution 297-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 5 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov Approval to Purchase Fuel Station Equipment: A resolution to approve the purchase of fuel station equipment for the Police Department Headquarters in the amount of $205,088.23 from SPATCO Energy Solutions, pursuant to a Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract. Resolution 298-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Approval of Police Department Policies: A resolution to approve Fayetteville Police Department Policies 26.1.1 Disciplinary Matters & Award Procedures; 41.2.7 Department Response to Subjects with Mental Health Issues; and 61.2 Collision Investigation. Resolution 299-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Council Member Berna moved to accept the Consent Agenda as read. Council Member Dr. Jones seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. Unfinished Business: RZN 2025-0046 North Penelope Lane: An ordinance to rezone the property described in rezoning petition RZN 2025-46 for approximately 2.58 acres located at 2097 North Penelope Lane in Ward 4 from R-A, Residential-Agricultural and RMF-24, Residential Multi-Family, 24 units per acre to RI-U, Intermediate-Urban. At the November 4, 2025 City Council meeting, this ordinance was left on the first reading and tabled to the November 18, 2025 City Council meeting. At the November 18, 2025 City Council meeting, this ordinance failed. At the December 2, 2025 City Council meeting, the City Council voted to reconsider the final vote that occurred on this item at the November 18, 2025 City Council meeting. The City Council then left this item on the third and final reading and tabled it to the December 16, 2025 City Council meeting. Mayor Rawn and Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director, confirmed the applicant requested to table the item to the January 20, 2025 City Council meeting. Mayor Rawn then asked procedurally if the City Council needed to make a motion to table or leave it on its reading. City Attorney Kit Williams stated it would depend on how long the City Council wanted to table the item. Council Member Berna moved to table the ordinance to the January 20, 2026. City Council meeting. Council Member Bunch seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. This ordinance was tabled to the January 20, 2026 City Council meeting. RZN 2025-0048 N. Marks Mill Lane: An ordinance to rezone the property described in Rezoning Petition RZN 2025-48 for approximately 26.7 acres located south of North Marks Mill Lane in Ward 3 from RSF-4, Residential Single-Family, 4 Units Per Acre and UC, Urban Corridor to P-1, Institutional. At the November 18, 2025 City Council meeting, this ordinance City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 6 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov was left on the first reading. At the December 2, 2025 City Council meeting, this ordinance was left on the second reading. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director presented on the item. He touched on an item he had raised with the City Council during the prior Agenda Session and then summarized the memo issued in response to several questions from the last City Council meeting. He explained that staff had advised caution when considering specific development details during rezoning requests because projects could change and development was an iterative process subject to federal, state, and local standards. He cautioned the City Council against basing decisions on specific development details shared during the process. He then went on to review four issues; first, he noted that staff had determined local floodplain standards were stricter than federal ones, requiring developments not to increase flood elevation, channel velocities, or flows. The proposed entrance modification across Sublett Creek appeared able to meet requirements without federal permitting. Second, he reported that staff and legal counsel had confirmed the city did not hold liability for stormwater damages, though drainage standards were in place to minimize impacts. Third, he stated that no cost share requests had been made, though the applicant had proposed partnering with the city to add a streetlight at College Ave and Poplar as part of the corridor plan. Lastly, he explained that staff had reviewed a revised traffic impact analysis and reached the same conclusion as before: no dangerous traffic condition existed, nor would the project create one. Staff had recommended approval of the rezoning request and the Planning Commission had forwarded approval to the City Council by a vote of 7-1. He was available for questions and noted that Dr. Mulford, Fayetteville Public Schools Superintendent, would present next. Council Member Min. Jones discussed the Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements for the floodway plane. Jonathan stated the school would not have to go through the permitting. Jonathan then invited Justin Bland to speak on the flood study. Justin explained that the applicant had a flood study done to analyze what was being proposed in the area. They can’t raise base flood elevation, can’t increase the velocity and they would have to compensate for any storage taken out of the floodplain. Council Member Berna clarified that a new stoplight would be built on College Ave, whether or not the rezoning passed. He identified the excess cost would be the arm that would handle the light and the rest would be the school’s responsibility. Dr. Mulford, Fayetteville Public Schools Superintendent introduced Kelly Freeman. He was hired as an owner’s representative for the project and would be proceeding with the presentation. Kelly Freeman, Fayetteville Public Schools Representative began by acknowledging and respecting the opposing voices in the rezoning effort, noting that the opposition consisted of educated individuals whose concerns had informed the Ramay project team. He appreciated the community’s passion, adding appreciation for Mayor Rawn, the City Council, and city staff for their professionalism throughout the process. He explained that the purpose of the presentation was to advance the request to rezone the Residential Single Family-4 parcel for a public school City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 7 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov and to review facts gathered in response to City Council questions. A newly issued traffic study indicated that, with a signal at Poplar and North College Ave, the school would not worsen traffic on North College Ave. About two-thirds of school traffic would come from College Ave and one-third from Ash St. The plans showed a connection to Ash St and a pedestrian connection at Marks Mill Lane, with all final connections to follow city requirements during large-scale development review. The school would also pay for the leg of the traffic signal that served the site. He emphasized that queuing would not spill onto North College Ave. The site design included 2,750 linear feet of on-site queuing, plus 1,300 additional feet for events, along with 130 dedicated parking spaces and up to 20 overflow spaces. Compared with other schools in the district, the new Ramey’s 160-car queue exceeded existing queuing capacities. A site photograph showed how the two queuing lanes, on the south and east, would accommodate 600 cars. He assured the City Council that removed trees would be reused according to certification requirements and that canopy standards would be exceeded. About six acres of forested land would remain undeveloped and would be used by Fayetteville Public Schools as a managed educational resource. A newly completed geotechnical report confirmed that the site was highly suitable for construction. The soil consisted of organic topsoil, a layer of quality clay six to ten feet deep, and weathered shale above competent shale for foundations. These conditions suggested that shallow spread or continuous footings might be possible without special deep foundations. Due to the building certification system rewarding reuse of onsite materials, much of the excavated soil would be reused as fill. An estimated 13,800 cubic yards, about 863 truckloads, might need to be exported, but the design team was working to reduce that amount. The design team was considering retaining walls around 30 feet tall, which would be engineered to withstand required forces and terraced where possible to reduce height. They hoped the walls would appear naturally within the landscape. The storm drainage system would collect surface water, route it through underground pipes, and release it into detention ponds for treatment before entering Sublett Creek, reducing clay runoff onto neighboring properties. Although a Federal Emergency Management Agency permit was not required, consultants would update hydraulic models to maintain compliance with city permitting. Slides showed how the new Ramay Junior High School would appear on the hillside, mostly hidden behind the tree canopy except for part of the third floor. He thanked the City Council for their diligence and emphasized that, despite concerns, the project would be an iconic, world-class facility for Midtown Fayetteville. The school believed that students who learned in a forest environment would grow up to protect forests beyond this one. Council Member Min. Jones and Kelly discussed why Marks Mill Lane wasn’t included in the site plan. Kelly stated the connection there was protected by a covenant and they had originally shown an interconnecting emergency vehicle only access through a gate if they went through large scale development but if they had the connection to Ash St, they wouldn’t need it. They went on to discussed how the pickup and drop off traffic would work at the school. Kelly brought Wes Burgess forward to speak with Council Member Min. Jones on the line queuing logistics. There was 2750 linear feet for the queuing lanes, which was far more than any other existing campus. Council Member Min. Jones then questioned the use of the detention ponds and the effects on the neighbors. Kelly explained that due to the density of the canopy, there was no understory and no root protection of the soil, so it washed to the east towards Sublett Creek. The new system would collect the precipitation into the gutters and the underground piping from the City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 8 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov storm water and deliver it into basins that would retain and restrain the flow for a period of time. It would then be treated and ultimately released into Sublett Creek. Council Member Turk requested the status on the geotechnical report. Kelly stated the boring was completed and they were waiting on the geotechnical engineering report with recommendations. Council Member Turk and Kelly then discussed the parking areas for staff and emergency access through Marks Mill Lane. Council Member Moore wanted to understand the pedestrian connection for the bicycle and pedestrian lanes. Kelly stated there would be interconnecting trails proposed to the site that would bring the trail across North College Ave, parallel to Ash St that would be separate from the automobile and bus traffic. Council Member Stafford questioned a piece of additional information that was placed on the Council Members’ desks. Keith Macedo, Chief of Staff, stated it went along with a public comment presentation. Mayor Rawn added that if it is a piece of additional information from staff it will include a cover page including who it was from. The City Council received 31 public comments regarding this ordinance. Council Member Dr. Jones, Keith Macedo and Jonathan Curth then discussed how much staff time was spent on the item and how many staff concerns had been addressed. Council Member Stafford questioned how pedestrian safety would be addressed. Jonathan stated he did not have insight to how the school would manage the flow on their property or if they would have cross guards. One important distinction that he felt noting was that the city had intent to put a signal at Poplar and College Ave that would include crossing. The city recognized the need for street crossing at Poplar as there were no other pedestrian opportunities to cross College Ave. They were evaluating what the crossing would look like to ensure that it is as safe as possible. Council Member Berna appreciated the memo received from City Attorney Kit Williams that laid out the factors that the City Council could use for consideration. He felt the proposal was a perfect match in compatibility with the surrounding area. He felt there was opposition to the build but a tremendous amount of support. He acknowledged that the city would work with the school to ensure the upmost safety and understood that the children were the most important asset the community had. He felt the building design was incredible and that the school worked tremendously to make sure the building would fit within the footprint of the property. The school had met the criteria by which City Attorney Kit Williams told them they could take into consideration when doing a rezone and for that reason, he would be supporting the item. Council Member Min. Jones and Jonathan discussed the geotechnical work factors. Jonathan stated that the school district hired professionals that suggested the soil on the property would be adequate for the building’s design. He, nor his staff, did not generally evaluate the adequacy of soils as part of a rezoning request. Council Member Min. Jones then clarified that they did not City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 9 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov need the geotechnical report to state whether or not the project was an appropriate use of the land. Council Member Turk thanked the Fayetteville residents for coming to all three meetings. She was not in support of the item and would prefer it be tabled. She expressed her concerns on the accelerated downhill and downstream flooding of businesses and the large amounts of sediment that would have to be moved and she felt it was not a safe place to build a school. She spoke on her experience on living less than a 100ft away from fatal accidents in her neighborhood. She would never vote for something she felt was unsafe and did not want that on her conscious. Council Member Bunch took to heart the memo received from City Attorney Kit Williams on what the City Council could consider when voting on the rezoning. She felt the school was compatible and was trusting that the engineers would address the stormwater concerns. She said the City Council cannot consider the offer for the property as the property was not for sale and the offer had to be in writing. She would be supporting the item. Council Member Wiederkehr stated everyone involved on both sides of the issue in the community deserved to be heard. The collective wisdom of the City Council far exceeded one of them and whatever the outcome, he would endorse wholeheartedly, as if it was the side he voted with, and would ask the community to do the same. Council Member Moore stated this had been one of the hardest decisions she had faced on the City Council and that she had gone back and forth between supporting and opposing the rezoning. She appreciated the guidance from city staff, school professionals, and the school board, and emphasized the City Council’s responsibility to taxpayers when weighing land use, safety, well-being, and compatibility. She stressed that compatibility was not a simple question and raised concerns that the project might require many variances and special treatment compared with a private developer. She valued neighborhood schools and noted that proximity was a clear benefit, she worried about long-term impacts, including the large internal traffic loop, which she felt was unusual for the city’s development code. She highlighted connectivity and safe access as essential, pointed out that the corridor already had many accidents, and noted that traffic studies offered guidance but no real accountability if projections were wrong, leaving the city and district to shoulder future costs. She also shared that even people who normally encouraged walking and biking were hesitant to send their children alone to this campus. She was not sure how she was going to vote, as it had weighed heavily on her. She felt it was not the best site and had incredible challenges. There were a lot of unknowns and she wanted to make sure the city thoroughly looked out for connectivity, access and safety if they were to move forward with the school together. Council Member Stafford stated the item was one of the toughest rezonings he had dealt with. It was a land use decision and felt that Residential Single Family-4 was horrible. He did have concerns with traffic and safety, especially along Ash St. He acknowledged it would be addressed in the large scale development process and he trusted the process. Council Member Turk moved to table the item for three weeks. Council Member Stafford seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed failed 4-4. Council Member Moore, City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 10 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov Turk, Min. Jones and Stafford voted yes. Council Member Wiederkehr, Berna, Bunch and Dr. Jones voted no. Due to a tie, Mayor Rawn was asked if she would vote. She stated that with a great amount of respect to those who came to the meetings, sent postcards, emails and presented she would be declining to vote so that the motion failed and the item could go to a vote. Council Member Moore stated she took the advisory board’s input very seriously and did not want to gloss over that it was mentioned that three advisory groups had expressed concern, the Fayetteville Youth Advisory Council, Environmental Action Committee and the Urban Forestry Board. She did not see in the packet where that information was and disliked that the Fayetteville Youth Advisory Council’s letter was skipped over as she found them to be incredibly thoughtful. She felt this added another layer of difficulty to her decision. Kara Paxton, City Clerk Treasurer stated that the letter from the Fayetteville Youth Advisory Council Member Moore referenced was located in the packet within the Planning Commission staff report. Jonathan echoed that the Environmental Action Committee letter was also there and both had been there since the item was submitted to the City Council. Council Member Berna clarified that the letters were from advisory committees but staff and the Planning Commission both recommended approval. Mayor Rawn asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed 5-3. Council Member Moore, Berna, Bunch, Stafford and Dr. Jones voted yes. Council Member Wiederkehr, Turk and Min. Jones voted no. Mayor Rawn respected and appreciated everyone on the City Council for how responsible they were to their residents. She asked everyone remember that decisions are made that the community may not agree with but that didn’t mean the City Council didn’t listen. Ordinance 6944 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk Short-Term Rental Ordinance: An ordinance to repeal Ordinances 6427, 6625, 6710, 6820, 6888, and 6936 and to enact this replacement ordinance to legalize the operation of Short-Term Rentals pursuant to reasonable regulations. At the December 2, 2025 City Council meeting, this ordinance was approved, but its emergency clause failed. The City Council then moved to reconsider the item and tabled it to the December 16, 2025 City Council meeting. This ordinance is on the third and final reading. Mayor Rawn asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed 6-2. Council Member Wiederkehr, Berna, Bunch, Turk, Stafford and Dr. Jones voted yes. Council Member Moore and Min. Jones voted no. Council Member Berna moved to pass the emergency clause. Council Member Turk seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 6-2. Council Member Wiederkehr, Berna, Bunch, Turk, Stafford and Dr. Jones voted yes. Council Member Moore and Min. Jones voted no. City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 11 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov Ordinance 6945 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk Council Member Min. Jones asked City Attorney Kit Williams to read the passed emergency clause. City Attorney Kit Williams read the emergency clause. New Business: Public Hearing: Butterfield Trail Village Public Facilities Board Revenue Bonds: A resolution ratifying the resolution of the Fayetteville Public Facilities Board which approved issuance of Public Facilities Board revenue bonds for the Butterfield Trail Village Project; and prescribing other matters pertaining thereto. Mayor Rawn and City Attorney Kit Willaims discussed the rules of order and procedure when it came to public hearings. Aaron Berg, Chairman of Public Facilities Board spoke on the item. This was a resolution to support senior housing. Through the Public Facilities Board, the city acted as a conduit issuer to create a revenue bond funded either by the city or by lenders. The city borrowed the funds, but its only obligation was to pass the money to Butterfield Trail Village, which was solely responsible for repayment. If Butterfield Trail Village failed to repay, the city had no financial liability. The resolution aligned with previous lending efforts, refinanced part of an existing loan, and helped Butterfield Trail Village move toward one of its near-term goals. Council Member Turk stated she was in line to get in at Butterfield Trail Village but did not think that would affect her vote. She went on to question if the Public Facilities Board reviewed the financial solvency and health of Butterfield Trail, or any applicant, before they came before the board. Aaron stated that they were not the lender but they did have a presentation discussion with the leadership of Butterfield Trail and with the underwriters who had done an extensive review of what the financials were. He couldn’t vouch for their financials, but he knew as a part of the lending process the person making the loan assessed that. The City Council received 1 public comment regarding this resolution. Mayor Rawn concluded the public hearing portion of the item. Council Member Berna moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Moore seconded the motion. Upon roll call the resolution passed unanimously. Resolution 300-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk VAC 2025-0026 N. Gregg Ave.: An ordinance to approve the vacation of a 4,850 square foot portion of a tree preservation easement located north of 3600 North Gregg Avenue contingent on City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 12 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov the dedication of a replacement tree preservation easement totaling 5,534 square feet and other conditions. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Willa Thomason, Urban Forester presented on the item. The request was to vacate about 4,800 square feet of a 15.4-acre tree preservation easement that had been dedicated in 2008. The property was located at the northeast corner of North Gregg Ave and West Van Asche Drive, .3 miles north of the Fulbright Expressway. Staff recommended approval, with conditions requiring dedication of a new 5,534 square-foot tree preservation easement on the same site, removal of invasive species, and planting of an appropriate number of mitigation trees. This was the first such vacation request since code changes adopted earlier in the year. The background showed that when the city acquired part of the parcel in 2008, a tree preservation easement was dedicated along with several utility easements, including a planned sewer easement that ultimately was never dedicated. Between 2008 and 2010, a retaining wall and a sewer line were installed across the easement, but work was never fully completed, likely due to the recession. Aerial imagery from 2010 showed the installed sewer line. A current development seeking administrative approval needed to vacate this portion of the easement to tie into the existing sewer line. While a new line could be directionally bored under the easement, utilities and engineering staff preferred use of the existing line for long-term maintenance efficiency. The affected area contained mostly first-succession, immature trees and invasive species. No public comments had been received except from the Urban Forestry Advisory Board, which supported the conditions. Staff recommended conditional approval, and the applicant was present to answer questions. Council Min. Jones asked if the city decided where replacements go on a property when you have a dedication. Willa stated it would have to be an easement on a property owned by that applicant within city limits. Council Member Turk questioned if the invasive species would be removed from the existing dedication or only in the new proposed dedication. Willa stated it was only in the proposed dedications, in part because of the existing tree preservation. The applicant further clarified that they planned on removing invasive species within the 30 foot area they were asking to abandon so they could repair the sewer line and make it active. Council Member Wiederkehr moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading. Council Member Dr. Jones seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Mayor Rawn asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed unanimously. Ordinance 6946 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 13 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov VAC 2025-0017 S. Duncan Ave & W. Treadwell St.: An ordinance to approve VAC-25-17 for property located west of South Duncan Ave and West Treadwell Street in Ward 2 to vacate 0.02 acres of sewer easement. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director presented on the item. The easement vacation request was tied to the Juniper Student Housing Project, which had received Planning Commission approval in May 2025 and was completing title and deed due diligence. During that process, both a right-of-way issue and this easement issue were identified. The request sought to vacate just under 1,000 square feet of a water and sewer easement that ran diagonally beneath a building and across the northern portion of the property. The easement no longer carried any water or sewer lines, as the infrastructure had been routed around the building instead, making the easement unnecessary and merely a cloud on the deed. Staff reported no concerns with the request, and the water and sewer department had consented to the vacation. Staff recommended approval with two standard conditions, including the requirement that any new easements needed for the project be dedicated on the easement plat submitted after grading and building permits were issued. The applicant was available for questions. Council Member Berna moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading. Council Member Dr. Jones seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Mayor Rawn asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed unanimously. Ordinance 6947 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk VAC 2025-0025 S. Van Buren Ave.: An ordinance to approve VAC-25-25 for property located at 1370 and 1378 South Van Buren Avenue in Ward 1 to vacate 0.25 acres of right of way. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director presented on the item. The request involved an unbuilt, undeveloped right-of-way in South Fayetteville. The right-of-way, roughly 10,700 square feet, existed only on paper and had never been constructed since it was platted decades earlier. It connected Van Buren Ave to the southwest and Ellis Ave to the northeast, running parallel to the College Branch floodplain. Staff noted that the area had remained undeveloped for more than 75 years due to floodway constraints and saw no public interest in retaining the right-of-way. Staff explained that the remaining portions of the right-of-way would stay on city maps unless a separate vacation request was submitted. When the Planning Commission asked about expanding the vacation area, staff clarified that doing so would require new public notices and new legal descriptions. Two conditions were originally recommended: a 30-foot drainage City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 14 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov easement to protect existing stormwater infrastructure that carried runoff from Van Buren to College Branch, and a public access easement to preserve the possibility of future pedestrian connectivity in an area that currently functioned as a large mega-block. However, the Planning Commission removed the access-easement requirement, concluding that a pedestrian connection was not realistically feasible and that such an easement could hinder future development. The Planning Commission also reduced the drainage easement from 30 feet to 20 feet, which transportation staff confirmed was the minimum needed for maintenance. The ordinance presented to the City Council reflected these changes, no public access easement and a 20-foot drainage easement. After making those adjustments, the Planning Commission forwarded the request to the City Council with a recommendation for approval. The applicant, Leon Lee, was available to address questions. Council Member Min. Jones and Jonathan discussed the cause and effect of the public access easement removal. Jonathan stated typically when a public right of way was vacated, it was split down the middle and goes to the two adjoining property owners, making a private property. At that point, there would not be an opportunity for public access through the site unless a future property owner were to dedicate the easement. Leon Lee, applicant stated he agreed with the Planning Commission’s findings. Council Member Stafford, Council Member Moore and Jonathan discussed why the Planning Commission removed the public access easement. Jonathan stated it hinged on the assertion that there was not a viable connection. Council Member Moore motioned to amendment to add the access easement with a 20 foot drainage easement. She wanted to stick with the Planning Departments 20 foot drainage easement and asked to add the public access easement back. Mayor Rawn verified with Jonathan Curth that the amendment was proper. Council Member Moore moved to amend Section 3 to say “A 20-foot wide access and drainage easement shall be dedication for the entire length of the vacated right of way abutting Lot 1 to maintain an existing storm pipe. The owner of Lot 12 shall be required to execute the documents by which the easement is dedicated for any portion of the new easement that may extend into Lot 12.” Council Member Stafford seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. Council Member Berna moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading. Council Member Dr. Jones seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Council Member Wiederkehr asked Jonathan for insight into the Planning Commission’s recommendation. Jonathan stated there was a stream on the property and if a trail or sidewalk were built across it, the city’s standards would require it to be spanned rather than culverted. City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 15 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov Leon Lee, applicant asked why an access easement was needed if it was too expensive to build a bridge to cross the stream. Jonathan explained that staff believed it may be feasible to make that connection but the Planning Commission did not. Mayor Rawn asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed unanimously. Ordinance 6948 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk VAC 2025-0029 N. Rupple Road: An ordinance to approve VAC-25-29 for property located at 618 North Rupple Road in Ward 4 to vacate 0.07 acres of utility easement. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director presented on the item. The request was to vacate an easement of about 3,000 square feet. During earlier development reviews, it had been discovered that the as-built sewer main in that area was not actually within the existing easement, making a new dedication necessary. It was intended to remove the old easement and rededicate one that correctly aligned with the sewer line so the city could maintain it properly in the future. Staff reported no issues, and the water and sewer department supported the correction. Approval was recommended with the standard condition that any conflicting water or sewer lines be relocated and accepted as part of the process. He was available for questions. Council Member Berna moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading. Council Member Stafford seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Mayor Rawn asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed unanimously. Ordinance 6949 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk VAC 2025-0030 N. Gulley Road: An ordinance to approve VAC-25-30 for property located at 3383 North Gulley Road in Washington County to vacate 0.10 acres of water easement. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director presented on the item. He stated the property was unusual for an easement vacation because it was located in unincorporated Washington County, east of Fayetteville, where the city no longer had a planning area under recent state legislation. Since the city still had an interest in the easement, the legal department determined that the proper method of vacating it was to bring the request before the city council. The site City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 16 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov was on the west side of Gulley Road, just north of the two east Fayetteville water towers and aligned with the nearby water line. The request was to vacate roughly 4,400 square feet of a water and sewer easement so a line could be relocated to avoid interfering with a septic system on an adjacent property. The Water and Sewer Department had initiated and supported the request. Staff reported no issues and recommended approval with no conditions, noting that the city had no typical oversight authority in Washington County. He was available for questions. Council Member Moore and Jonathan discussed the multiple septic lines in that area. Jonathan stated that almost the entirety of unincorporated Washington County within the water and sewer service area was on septic. Council Member Moore then questioned if it was possible to have the septic and water/sewer lines interact within the city lines of Fayetteville. Jonathan explained that septic system installers were required to do some manner of due diligence and that there were conflicts that periodically occurred. Council Member Wiederkehr moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading. Council Member Stafford seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Mayor Rawn asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed unanimously. Ordinance 6950 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk RZN 2025-0049 W. Miller St.: An ordinance to rezone the property described in Rezoning Petition RZN 2025-49 for approximately 0.20 acres located at 258 West Miller Street in Ward 2 from RSF-4, Residential Single-Family, 4 Units Per Acre to UN, Urban Neighborhood. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director presented on the item. The request was a property in North Central Fayetteville, located along Gregg just south of its intersection with Poplar Street, at the northeast corner of Gregg and Miller. The property was developed with a single-family home and had access from both streets. The request was to rezone the property from Residential Single Family-4 to Urban Neighborhood. Staff found the request compatible with surrounding land uses, noting that Gregg was a major connecting corridor with a mix of diverse housing options and the potential for non-residential uses. From a land-use-plan perspective, staff also considered the Urban Neighborhood District compatible. Staff highlighted the property’s access to utilities, fire response, transit, and its proximity to the Razorback Greenway. They also noted that rezoning to Urban Neighborhood would reduce tree preservation requirements from 25% to 10%. The request had originally been proposed as Downtown General, but during the Planning Commission hearing it was amended to Urban Neighborhood, and the applicant accepted the change. Public comments raised concerns about street infrastructure, needed improvements, and potential parking impacts from increased density. Staff City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 17 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov recommended approval, and the Planning Commission forwarded the amended request with a 6– 2 vote. Commissioners supporting the change cited the lower height limit in Urban Neighborhood compared to Downtown General and felt the property’s size would limit negative impacts. Dissenting commissioners echoed neighborhood concerns about parking spillover. He was available for questions and the applicant, Ali Quinlan Thurmand, had comments to share. Ali Quinlan Thurmand, applicant explained that the property contained a small two-bedroom, 800-square-foot house that they owned and had recently reroofed and repainted for use as a rental. The house sat along busy four-lane Gregg near the railroad. They had been exploring the addition of Accessory Dwelling Units in the backyard, which also had frontage on Gregg, but had struggled with the high cost of selling Accessory Dwelling Units when attached to the main house. A tenant had shown interest in operating a commercial business in the existing house, which could have been allowed through a conditional use, but she realized that pursuing a rezoning would involve similar effort while also allowing the Accessory Dwelling Units to be split onto separate lots. This would create three small, more affordable homes rather than a single property only feasible for investors. She supported the shift from Downtown General to Urban Neighborhood zoning, noting that they had not been familiar with the Urban Neighborhood District initially but found it suitable for their goals. She emphasized that Accessory Dwelling Units could already be built by right, but the rezoning would improve affordability. They also addressed parking concerns, stating that the existing circle drive would remain, no new curb cuts were proposed, and off-street parking would be provided for both Accessory Dwelling Units due to limited on-street parking on Miller and Gregg. The City Council received 2 public comments regarding this ordinance. Council Member Moore acknowledged the citizens who spoke as they had stayed at the meeting the whole time. She appreciated them for sharing their concerns. She explained that she lived not far from this location and acknowledged the city plans to focus on Gregg and develop it into a more pedestrian corridor. She was supportive of the item and stated they will be paying attention to make sure the city is responsible to the concerns that were mentioned. Council Member Stafford agreed with Council Member Moore’s comments and made a motion to suspend the rules and go to third and final reading. 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 6-2. Council Member Moore, Berna, Bunch, Min. Jones, Stafford and Dr. Jones voted yes. Council Member Wiederkehr and Turk voted no. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Council Member Turk was not in support of the item. She felt the area already had a lot of traffic, parking issues and stormwater issues. She felt it was premature to densify the area. Council Member Min. Jones requested clarification on what would be built and the parking that was established. Ali explained there was an existing 800 square foot home and their proposal City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 18 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov was to build two accessory dwelling units and then do a lot split to where each is on its own lot. There would be five off-street parking spaces on the existing driveway and additional new spaces that would be added. Council Member Stafford acknowledged the concern but felt that since the lot was a quarter acre, it eased those concerns. Council Member Wiederkehr stated the provision of the off-street parking was why he was able to support the item. Mayor Rawn asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed 7-1. Council Member Moore, Wiederkehr, Berna, Bunch, Min. Jones, Stafford and Dr. Jones voted yes. Council Member Turk voted no. Ordinance 6951 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk RZN 2025-0053 W. Sligo St.: An ordinance to rezone the property described in Rezoning Petition RZN 2025-53 for approximately 0.17 acres located at 1539 West Sligo Street in Ward 1 from RSF-4, Residential Single-Family, 4 Units Per Acre to RI-U, Residential Intermediate- Urban. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director presented on the item. The request was a property in southwest Fayetteville, located one block west of Razorback Road at the southeast corner of Ashwood Ave and Sligo Street. The site totaled about one-fifth of an acre and was developed with a single-family home. The applicant sought to rezone the property from Residential Single Family-4 to Residential Intermediate Urban. Staff noted that the surrounding area already contained a diverse mix of single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes, and multifamily housing, and found the Residential Intermediate Urban district compatible with existing land uses. Staff also found the request consistent with the future land-use map and long-range planning goals, noting that the property’s infill characteristics supported additional housing. Rezoning would reduce the tree-preservation requirement from 25% under Residential Single Family-4 to 15% under Residential Intermediate Urban, though the property currently had little canopy. Staff recommended approval, and the Planning Commission forwarded the request unanimously, 7–0 with one recusal. There was minimal discussion and no public comment. Council Member Berna 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 Rawn asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed unanimously. City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 19 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov Ordinance 6952 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk RZN 2025-0054 E. 12th St.: An ordinance to rezone the property described in Rezoning Petition RZN 2025-54 for approximately 0.20 acres located at 187 E. 12th Street in Ward 1 from NC, Neighborhood Conservation to UN, Urban Neighborhood. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director presented on the item. The request involved a property south of downtown, one block east of Walker Park, at the southwest corner of 12th Street and Washington Ave. The applicant sought to rezone the site from Neighborhood Conservation to Urban Neighborhood. Staff did not support the request. Although they acknowledged that the Walker Park neighborhood already contained a wide range of residential housing types that aligned with those allowed in Urban Neighborhood, they were concerned about introducing non-residential uses into this part of the neighborhood, particularly since Washington Ave was not a major corridor like College Ave to the east. From a long-range planning perspective, staff found that Urban Neighborhood was partially consistent with the future land-use map because it supported diverse housing types. However, they also noted conflicts with the Walker Park Plan, which aimed to preserve existing residential uses and direct non-residential activity toward the Jefferson School area and farther south near 15th Street. Staff recognized that the property had infill characteristics that could support additional density but overall recommended against the rezoning. Tree-preservation requirements would have dropped from 20% to 10% under Urban Neighborhood. At the Planning Commission, the applicant mentioned the possibility of a bill of assurance to prohibit multifamily buildings of five or more units, which are allowed by right in Urban Neighborhood, but the commission did not accept it. The commission ultimately forwarded the full Urban Neighborhood zoning district to the City Council with an 8–0 vote, finding it compatible with the broader area. No public comments were received for or against the request. Wes Bates, applicant spoke on the item. He explained he was approached by a friend on how the property could be used for hosting woodworking classes in a garage and adding additional housing, but those ideas were difficult to execute or finance without a rezoning and a lot split to allow small mixed-use development. He explained his views on the Maser Street Plan, feeling that the home was in the plans imagery but disagreed with some aspects of it. He emphasized that more proposals like this would come from neighborhood residents who wanted change. He understood staff’s position that such projects conflicted with the master plan, he stated that people in the neighborhood were trying to do cool projects. Council Member Turk and Jonathan spoke on the needed conditional use permit. Jonathan stated a wood shop was an option as a conditional use in the Neighborhood Conservation zoning district but didn’t believe it would be feasible to subdivide. He then explained that staff was against the item due to potential traffic issues in the area. If the property were to move a block to the west along College Ave that maybe staff would support it as that was already a major connecting corridor. City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 20 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov Council Member Moore thought the plan was wonderful. She understood staff’s concern but could see the area over time becoming a hub of different activity. She was supportive of the item and moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading. Council Member Stafford felt it was a great project. He felt it did need upgrades as the neighborhood grows and felt it was very fitting for that neighborhood. He was in support of the item and seconded Council Member Moore’s motion. Council Member Wiederkehr commended Wes’ loyalty for wearing an undefeated school sweatshirt when it was so hot outside. Council Member Moore moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading. Council Member Stafford seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Mayor Rawn asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed 6-2. Council Member Moore, Berna, Bunch, Min. Jones, Stafford and Dr. Jones voted yes. Council Member Wiederkehr and Turk voted no. Ordinance 6953 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk RZN 2025-0055 N. Easy Ave.: An ordinance to rezone the property described in Rezoning Petition RZN 2025-55 for approximately 0.30 acres located at 2040 North Easy Avenue in Ward 2 from RSF-4, Residential Single-Family, 4 Units Per Acre to NS-G, Neighborhood Services- General. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director presented on the item. The applicant had requested a rezoning from Residential Single Family-4 to Neighborhood Services General. Staff was in support of the request, noting that Neighborhood Services General was the second-smallest nonresidential mixed-use zoning district and was appropriate given the site’s proximity to Poplar, Gregg, and the Razorback Greenway. The proposal was consistent with long-range planning goals, as the future land-use map designated the area as a city neighborhood intended for a mix of residential and nonresidential uses. The rezoning would have reduced required tree preservation from 25% to 20%. One public comment had been received in support. Staff had recommended approval, and the Planning Commission had unanimously approved the request by a vote of 8–0, with limited comment, noting its compatibility. The applicant was available for questions. Council Member Stafford verified that the applicant lived immediately to the east of the property. City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 21 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov Council Member Berna moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading. Council Member Stafford seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Mayor Rawn asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed unanimously. Ordinance 6954 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk RZN 2025-0056 N. Chestnut Ave.: An ordinance to rezone the property described in Rezoning Petition RZN 2025-56 for approximately 0.83 acres located at 1723 North Chestnut Avenue in Ward 2 from C-2, Thoroughfare Commercial to CS, Community Services. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director presented on the item. The proposal was to rezone the site from Thoroughfare Commercial to Commercial Services. Staff noted that typically they would not support such a request due to the extent of floodplain on the property, but in this case the site was already developed and already carried zoning entitlements. The rezoning’s purpose was simply to align the zoning with the existing residential use. Staff also found the request compatible with surrounding land uses. It was an appropriate location for residential uses, due to its transportation access and proximity to the Razorback Greenway. The rezoning would shift tree-preservation requirements slightly, since part of the northern portion remained under canopy, but the site’s floodplain constraints already limited future development. Staff recommended approval, and the Planning Commission unanimously agreed, forwarding the request to the City Council as consistent with long-range land-use goals. Council Member Berna moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading. Council Member Stafford seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Mayor Rawn asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed unanimously. Ordinance 6955 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk Award RFQ 25-15 with Rania Alomar Architect, Inc.: A resolution to award RFQ 25-15 and sign a contract with Rania Alomar Architect, Inc. for the design of the Animal Services Facility in the amount of $180,235.00, and to approve a budget adjustment. City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 22 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov Waylon Abernathy, Bond Projects and Construction Director presented on the item. In October 2024, Shelter Planners of America had completed a feasibility study for the Animal Services Division. In October of the following year, the selection committee had chosen Ronnie Alomari Architects as the most qualified firm from a shortlist of four. The firm had nationwide experience with this type of facility and planned to use local civil, landscape, structural, and Mechanical, Electrical, Fire Protection sub-consultants. The project had been structured as a multi-year, phased contract. The pre-bond phase included refining the feasibility study, evaluating potential sites, and developing conceptual designs. Phase two would proceed only if a bond initiative succeeded and would cover the remaining architectural services. Beginning the work early had allowed the city to present conceptual plans to residents ahead of the bond vote. If the bond measure were not successful, the completed work could still be used for a future Animal Services facility once alternative funding became available. Council Member Turk and Waylon discussed if a site had been selected to build the new Animal Services building. Waylon stated Rania Alomar Architect Inc would be assisting with the selection process. Council Member Turk expressed concern that this item was putting the ‘cart before the horse’, meaning that the public hadn’t voted on the bond measure yet. Secondly, her concern was that a site hadn’t been selected but they were still going through the evaluation. She hoped there were no designs expended until a site had been selected. Waylon explained the goal was to have a site elected with the conceptual design by the time the bond would be voted on. There would be community input sessions coming forward to gather public feedback. Council Member Min. Jones and Waylon reviewed Phase 1 of the project, which was refining a feasibility study, program site evaluations and conceptual design of the facility. Council Member Min. Jones followed up with wanting to know how many years this project would take and how the payment of the $180,000.00 would be paid out. Waylon explained the project would take approximately two and a half years and the $180,000.00 was for the pre-bond phase and that the city would be paying more on the project. Council Member Bunch asked if there was a cap on the contract amount. Waylon stated that the $180,000.00 was for the Phase 1 portion and the balance would be brought back to City Council for the remaining services with the final contract amount. There was an overall project budget. Council Member Moore then asked what the delay would be if the item was not approved at the meeting. Waylon stated it would add three months if there was no action done on the item, causing the project to lose three months if the bond question passed. Council Member Moore questioned if some of the process could be done in-house. Waylon stated they did not have the capability of doing conceptual designs. Steven Dotson, Chief Financial Officer, added that the project was significant and the standard practice for the city was to bring in a consultant to assist with the work needed. Council Member Min. Jones then reviewed Waylon’s timeline with Steven Dotson adding that the city would be effectively reimbursed for the costs through the bond revenues. Council Member Berna moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Dr. Jones seconded the motion. Upon roll call the resolution passed 6-2. Council Member Moore, City Council Meeting Minutes December 16, 2025 Page 23 of 23 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov Wiederkehr, Berna, Bunch, Stafford and Dr. Jones voted yes. Council Member Turk and Min. Jones voted no. Resolution 301-25 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Announcements: Gracie Ziegler, Chief Communications Director announced there would be a brief ceremony to recognize the 18 graduates of the Fayetteville Community Forestry Program. These individuals had successfully completed six classes covering tree care, biology, identification, pests and diseases. In addition to their coursework, each graduate also participated in a volunteer event with the city putting their knowledge into action. There would be cake and punch following the graduates receiving their certificates. The event would be held on Thursday at 5:00 pm. Mayor Rawn announced there would not be an agenda session the following week. In addition to the community foresters, everyone was welcome to join for the ribbon cutting at the Yvonne Richardson Center. City Council Agenda Session Presentations: None City Council Tour: None Adjournment: 10:06 p.m. Molly Rawn, Mayor Kara Paxton, City Clerk Treasurer