HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-04 MinutesMayor Lioneld Jordan
City Attorney Kit Williams
City Clerk Sondra Smith
City of Fayetteville Arkansas
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 04, 2012
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 1 of 23
Aldermen
Ward 1 Position I —Adella Gray
Ward 1 Position 2 —Brenda Boudreaux
Ward 2 Position 1— Mark Kinion
Ward 2 Position 2 — Matthew Petty
Ward 3 Position 1 — Justin Tennant
Ward 3 Position 2 — Robert Ferrell
Ward 4 Position 1 — Rhonda Adams
Ward 4 Position 2 — Sarah E. Lewis
A meeting of the Fayetteville City Council was held on September 04, 2012 at 6:00 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: Alderman Gray, Boudreaux, Kinion, Petty, Tennant, Ferrell, Adams, Lewis,
Mayor Jordan, City Attorney Kit Williams, City Clerk Sondra Smith, Staff, Press, and
Audience.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor's Announcements, Proclamations and Recognitions: None
City Council Meeting Presentations, Reports and Discussion Items: None
Agenda Additions: None
Consent:
Approval of the August 21, 2012 City Council meeting minutes.
Approved
Lifesource International Lease Agreement: A resolution approving a lease agreement with
Lifesource International for premises located at 1932 S. Garland Avenue in exchange for
services to the citizens of Fayetteville.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDfrTY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 2 of 23
Resolution 174-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk.
Fayetteville Police Department Policies: A resolution approving Fayetteville Police
Department policies 12.2.1 Policies, Procedures and Rules Development and Review Procedures,
41.1.1 Patrol, 41.2.8 Vehicular Pursuit, 41.3.5 Grooming and Uniform Requirements, 54.1.1
Public Information Policy, and 46. 1.1 Critical Incidents.
Resolution 175-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk.
Allied Waste Services of Bella Vista: A resolution approving one (1) year extension agreement
with Allied Waste Services of Bella Vista to haul and dispose of solid waste and recycling in the
City.
Resolution 176-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk.
Bid #12-65 Benchmark Construction of NWA, Inc.: A resolution awarding Bid 412-65 and
authorizing a contract with Benchmark Construction of NWA, Inc. in the amount of $335,230.42
for installation of a concrete pad and associated work at the City solid waste and recycling
facility, approving a project contingency of $33,523.04, and approving a budget adjustment.
Resolution 177-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk.
Solid Waste Hauling and Disposal Fees: A resolution approving a budget adjustment in the
amount of $303,598.00 to provide funding for solid waste hauling and disposal fees.
Resolution 178-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk.
Keep Fayetteville Beautiful Committee: A resolution authorizing the Mayor to appoint up to
seven (7) persons to serve at the pleasure of the Mayor as a Keep Fayetteville Beautiful
Committee to facilitate creation of a Keep Fayetteville Beautiful affiliate to work in coordination
with Keep Arkansas Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful, and sunsetting the authorization for
this committee upon incorporation of a private non-profit organization.
Resolution 179-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk.
SWEPCO Energy Block Grant Rebate: A resolution approving a budget adjustment in the
amount of $14,561.00 recognizing revenue from the SWEPCO Energy Block Grant Rebate and
allocating the revenue to the LED Trail Lighting Program.
Resolution 180-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk.
Alderman Boudreaux moved to approve the Consent Agenda as read. Alderman Tennant
seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
Unfinished Business:
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDD/TTY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 3 of 23
ADM 12-4144 3078 N. College Ave. Siebert Appeal: A resolution to reverse the Planning
Commission's decision to grant and thereby to deny the variance to Eric Siebert to operate his
Shave the Planet business longer than 90 days as an outdoor mobile vendor. This resolution was
Tabled at the July 03, 2012 City Council meeting to the September 04, 2012 City Council
meeting.
Jeremy Pate gave a brief description of the resolution.
Mayor Jordan: We did a 90 day extension. Isn't the 90 days almost up anyway?
Jeremy Pate: It would be as of September 25tH
Alderman Ferrell: My understanding is that Alderman Petty has some amendments to this and
also that will go to Ordinance Review. As soon as it's through Ordinance Review we can hear it
all at one time. I would assume to do that as soon as we can.
Alderman Petty: That is fine with me but you should know that while I anticipate it getting to
Ordinance Review this month, my intentions are also to send it through the Planning
Commission. So I do not expect it to make it to the Council by September 25tH
Alderman Ferrell: The 25th is what they asked for and that is when the license will be up.
Either way their license will be over, is that right?
Jeremy Pate: That's correct. So if this is tabled again and it goes past that date, their maximum
time at that particular location would be up, and so they would move until the next year.
Alderman Boudreaux: As late as it is I cannot see making a decision on this right now.
Alderman Ferrell: After the amendments come to the Council, will it be up to the Council to
send it to the Planning Commission or will it automatically go from Ordinance Review to
Planning Commission?
Alderman Boudreaux: It will go to Planning, Ordinance Review and then us.
Alderman Petty: It is my intention to send it to Ordinance Review first.
Alderman Boudreaux: Before it goes to Planning?
Alderman Petty: That was the advice I received from staff and I think it's a good idea so we can
nail out some of the policy differences and intentions and Planning Commission can comment on
procedural issues.
Alderman Ferrell: What is the next sequence of events on this Jeremy?
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDD/TTY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 4 of 23
Jeremy Pate: I think ultimately it is up to the sponsor. There are some pretty major changes of
this particular ordinance so those are some items that we would rather have the Council weigh in
on at Ordinance. Review Committee before we take the technical aspects of the ordinance
through the Planning Commission process.
Alderman Boudreaux: Is this coming from an Alderman or is staff supporting this?
Jeremy Pate: This is coming from an Alderman.
City Attorney Kit Williams: If you are going to table it you should probably table it
indefinitely because once the time is run, there is no sense in hearing the appeal.
Eric Siebert, owner of Shave the Planet thanked the Council.
Alderman Boudreaux moved to table the appeal indefinitely. Alderman Ferrell seconded
the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
This item was tabled indefinitely.
Amerlux Exterior, LLC: An ordinance waiving the requirements of formal competitive
bidding and approving an agreement with for the purchase of seventeen (17) streetlight poles and
fixtures manufactured by Dynamic Lighting, Inc. in the total amount of $28,415.93 for
installation on downtown improvement projects along Mountain Street, College Avenue, Center
Street, East Avenue and Meadow Street. This ordinance was left on the First reading at the
August 21, 2012 City Council meeting.
Alderman Adams moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Alderman
Ferrell seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Terry Gulley, Transportation Services Director gave a brief description of the ordinance.
Alderman Petty: I would like to thank the Council and staff for honoring my request. I really
appreciate taking the extra time to investigate what this company offers. I appreciate the
intention to keep everything the same but respectfully I am going to vote no. I feel like we
should go as far as seeing how much savings there would be long term to replace the existing
poles with new technology rather than buying into this old energy intensive technology.
Alderman Lewis: What is the time on this and at what point do you revisit this?
Terry Gulley explained the area where the new streetlight poles would be placed.
Alderman Lewis: So any new lights beyond that?
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDrM (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 5 of 23
Terry Gulley: Anywhere else like on Block Street we went with LED lights and that is our
intention from that point on. We do the same thing on our trail lighting. We are pretty much
committed to that in the future.
Alderman Tennant moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Alderman Ferrell seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 7-1. Alderman
Petty voting no.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed 5-3.
Alderman Boudreaux, Tennant, Ferrell, Adams and Gray voting yes. Alderman Kinion,
Petty and Lewis voting no.
Ordinance 5520 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Amend §154.03 Private Parties/Zoning Amendment: An ordinance to amend § 154.03 Private
Parties/Zoning Amendment to clarify the powers of the Planning Commission and City Council
when a property owner seeks rezoning. This ordinance was left on the First reading at the July
17, 2012 City Council meeting. This ordinance was left on the Second reading at the August
7, 2012 City Council meeting. This ordinance was left on the Second reading and Tabled until
an Attorney General opinion is received.
Alderman Ferrell moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Alderman Adams seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Mayor Jordan: We received the Attorney General's opinion, correct?
City Attorney Kit Williams: That is correct. He agreed with my analysis that this particular
code section could not be applied and the state law is pretty clear on what is required, which is a
majority decision. I do think we should remove this from the code since it is not a valid code
section. I would ask that you replace the previous code section and adopt the new code sections
that were in the ordinance.
Alderman Ferrell: What do we have left that requires a super majority?
City Attorney Kit Williams listed all the things that required a two thirds vote.
Alderman Lewis: I appreciate the Council allowing time to get that opinion.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed
unanimously.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDn TY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 6 of 23
Ordinance 5521 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Public Hearine:
Fayetteville Taxi LC, Public Convenience Necessity: A resolution granting a Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity to Fayetteville Taxi LC for the operation of one (1) to four (4)
taxicabs in the City of Fayetteville.
Mayor Jordan opened the public hearing.
Police Chief Greg Tabor gave a brief description of the resolution.
Alderman Ferrell: Do you think we have too many cabs?
Police Chief Greg Tabor stated based on what I see on Dickson Street I would probably say no.
Alderman Gray: What is the population of Fort Smith?
Police Chief Greg Tabor: I think around 90,000.
Alderman Gray: So their ratio is about the same as ours.
Alderman Adams: This column on this report says number of driver permits denied. What
does it take to be denied? How do your records tell us something?
Police Chief Greg Tabor explained why an application would be denied.
A discussion followed.
Alderman Tennant: One of the things I am concerned about is we have 35 permitted but that is
not necessarily how many are on the street. That would be a fluid changing number all the time.
Police Chief Greg Tabor: That is my understanding.
Alderman Tennant: This would just be raising the ceiling of maximum permitted.
Police Chief Greg Tabor: In the certificate it specifically says a maximum number but their
certificate may be a lower number.
Stewart Larrabee, the applicant gave a brief description of his company.
Alderman Tennant: How many cars are you going to start with?
Stewart Larrabee: Just one for now.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDrFrY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 7 of 23
Alderman Tennant: Do you have a marketing or advertising plan? I think people would use
ride sharing if they knew about it.
Stewart Larrabee: Yes, this is something that the City could implement immediately and have
a couple temporary signs that everyone sees. Some of this is long term goals for next year.
Bryce Curry of Dynasty Transportation expressed his concerns and spoke against the resolution.
Alderman Petty: Why haven't you asked to increase the number of vehicles you are permitted
to run?
Bryce Curry: That is something I have done on the sidelines. I never realized there was a
position that said you are allowed 10 cabs and that is it. We put cabs out there because they were
needed.
Alderman Petty: Has your business expanded since you opened it?
Bryce Curry explained how his business has grown and expanded.
Alderman Petty: Why do you think the wait times on the weekends and peak hours are so
long?
Bryce Curry: You are never going to solve that problem. The problem is there are 23 bars. He
went on to explain how many people there are leaving the bars at the same time.
Mayor Jordan: So Mr. Curry, you are saying there are a lot of people downtown on Dickson
Street.
Bryce Curry: I would say it is since the students are back.
Mayor Jordan closed the public hearing.
Alderman Ferrell: The Chief of Police didn't think we had too many cabs and the competition
is good regardless of what you might hear tonight. I hope new ideas are implemented but we
will see what the market decides.
Alderman Lewis: It's really up to the market and I feel like that is what this is about. You see a
need and opportunity and are going for it. That is where my decision sits. I think the market
needs to play its roll there.
Alderman Tennant: I agree, but it does wont' me a little bit when it comes to taxi cabs that we
need to make sure we have a quality product out on the street. My fear is that when the market
decides whether that taxi cab stays or goes, I don't want to damage the projection that we have of
Fayetteville.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDD/rTY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 8 of 23
Alderman Petty: I think if you look at performance as a whole it is not meeting the
expectations of downtown patrons. The only way to do that is to add more cabs.
Alderman Ferrell moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Gray seconded the motion.
Upon roll call the resolution passed unanimously.
Resolution 181-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk.
New Business:
2012 Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality E -Waste Grant: A resolution
approving application for a 2012 Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality E -Waste Grant
of $25,000.00 for an E -Waste coupon redemption program.
Brian Pugh, Waste Reduction Coordinator gave a brief description of the resolution.
Don Marr explained their findings from a conference in Dallas that was focused on residential
recycling. He thanked Brian Pugh and the staff for all their work on getting this accomplished.
Brian Pugh: We hope to get this grant by December in time for the Holiday Season.
Alderman Tennant: I think this is a great thing. Thank you very much.
Brian Pugh explained when the next E -waste drop-off would be held at the Arvest Ballpark. He
went on to address why E -waste could not be taken at the bulky waste clean-ups.
Alderman Adams stated that what little bit of time I spent volunteering with Brian showed me
what can happen and it simply takes some face to face time and education. She thanked Ward 4
for opening their doors to them.
Brian Pugh explained a survey that was conducted.
Don Marr further explained positive effects from the survey.
Alderman Lewis: Does Washington County have certain times that they can take E -Waste?
Brian Pugh explained their operation and times for pick ups.
Alderman Lewis moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Adams seconded the motion.
Upon roll call the resolution passed unanimously.
Resolution 182-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDrrTY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 9 of 23
Enact Article XXIV Audit Committee and Internal Auditor: An ordinance to enact Article
XXIV Audit Committee and Internal Auditor into Chapter 33 Departments, Boards, Commission
and Authorities of the Code of Fayetteville.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Vicki Deaton, Internal Auditor gave a brief description of the ordinance.
Alderman Ferrell thanked Vicki Deaton and the staff and stated I think this is a good product.
City Attorney Kit Williams pointed out a typo that needed to be corrected.
Vicki Deaton: The Audit Committee has seen this and gone over both the internal audit charter
and this whole packet and they are in agreement.
Alderman Boudreaux moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Alderman
Ferrell seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Alderman Boudreaux moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Alderman Kinion 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 5522 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Amend Chapter 166.04 Required Infrastructure Improvements — Development in City
limits: An ordinance amending subsection 166.04(1)(ii)(g) of Chapter 166 Development of the
Unified Development Code to change the fee -in -lieu formulas related to park land dedications.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Alison Jumper, Park Planning Superintendent gave a brief description of the ordinance.
Mayor Jordan: Is that basically saying that the park dedication is depending upon the market
and what your land is worth?
Alison Jumper: It has two variables; the persons per unit changes that and the cost of land. So
the persons per unit when it's changed, it will change the ratio of acres of land deeded per unit
and then the persons per unit and the cost per acre affect the fees in lieu.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDn TY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 10 of 23
Mayor Jordan confirmed the variables.
A discussion followed.
Alderman Lewis: So on the acres per unit help me understand why that goes down.
Alison Jumper briefly explained why it goes down.
Don Marr further explained why it goes down.
Alderman Lewis: You were saying that you were going to re -visit this in one year but in the
ordinance it says every two years.
City Attorney Kit Williams explained why it would be looked at next year.
Alison Jumper: The Parks Board requested that we do it next year too.
Alderman Ferrell: Isn't it every five years that the County re -assesses property?
City Attorney Kit Williams: I can't guarantee how many years that is.
Alderman Ferrell: We are going to do this every two years to keep up?
City Attorney Kit Williams: We try to keep up with our prices so there is not an inspiration for
a developer just to give money in lieu thereof. We couldn't get any park land for that money and
we couldn't get as much. So that is why we wanted to have it reappraised so it would be fair and
a level playing field.
Alderman Lewis: When is the last time this was changed?
Alison Jumper: The last major change was in 2006.
Alderman Lewis: So this is establishing a regular two year examination.
City Attorney Kit Williams: They are going to look at it and they did in 2008 but there wasn't
much change and any reason to bring it to the Council when there wasn't going to be a change.
Alderman Ferrell moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Alderman
Adams seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Alderman Boudreaux moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Alderman Kinion seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayettevilie. org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDD/TTY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page I 1 of 23
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed
unanimously.
Ordinance 5523 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Hughmount Village Development Sewer Extension: A resolution to approve the extension of
the City's sewerage system beyond the city limits to the proposed Hughmount Village
Development.
City Attorney Kit Williams: Alderman Gray asked me to bring this resolution forward and I
brought a bare bones one forward. I thought maybe we should have one that would be more like
the ones we have done in the past where we would require the developers to be treated as if they
were inside the City and so they would not have some unfair advantage to developers developing
inside. The first thing I would ask you to do is to amend the original resolution that went out in
the Tentative Agenda to the resolution that was presented to you at the Agenda Session with the
other terms and conditions within it.
Alderman Kinion moved to amend the resolution to the resolution that was submitted at
Agenda Session. Alderman Ferrell seconded the motion.
Alderman Kinion: I think it's important that when we look at this that we did take the next step
to look at the amendment because this does put an adjoining development that will be annexed
into the city on a level playing field as if it was already annexed. We can annex this because it is
an island outside the city limits due to a few acres between that and the current development but
with the amendment this does offer fairness as we move forward in considering this.
Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously.
Kim Hesse, representing Phil Phillips of Hughmount Village LLC.: This was approved in 2005;
it did try to go through annexation, which was turned down at the time because of adjacent
property owners. There have been a couple of partnerships since this was constructed. This
development back in 2005 was in the growth boundary of the City of Fayetteville and so the
design for streets and drainage, water and sewer does follow the City requirements that was a
standard back then. It was constructed almost to 90% and several of you were on the tour and
saw the condition of the subdivision. All streets and drainage are in, the gravity sewer system
within the development is constructed and your water is constructed. This did go through your
City inspection process and testing process. At this point everything was constructed per
standards. As we go forward we understand that everything has to be retested because it has
been sitting for a few years. We understand the Council's stance on not connecting outside the
City limits. We don't want to encourage sprawl and your taxpayers resources are going to be on
the limits. This development is somewhat unique. It was in the ground before this particular
developer and partner ever thought of connecting to City sewer. This was designed with a
package, sewer treatment system and it was passed through the State Health Department. It has
since expired. The preliminary plat approvals have expired, this went through the County and
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDfM (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 12 of 23
those expired as well as did the Health Department standards, or the permit for that treatment
system. So we are going through the process again. This is not so much a financial stance for
the developer, it's a common sense stance in that he realizes that if he puts in his package
treatment system that the rules under Washington County is, once this is annexed into the City,
the City has the ability to have you disconnect your decentralized system and hook onto the
City's system. That would be a waste of resources and you would have a system in the ground
that would not be utilized. It just makes business sense to come to you and ask for this
connection. We certainly understand the agreement that was brought up with Mr. Kit Williams.
We are under full agreement to meet all the City requirements from your impact fees to your
development requirements. I think this is a win win. You are going to gain the impact fees. The
development was there whether we hung onto the sewer or not. The answer is how is the
sanitary sewer to be treated? By hooking onto your system this Council has a lot more control
on how the sewage is treated. You have more control over the rest of the development like park
land, streamside ordinance and things like that. This is along the tributary to Clabber Creek.
You gain some of the impact fees and in the future this development would be assured to be
within all of your City requirements as far as your development as well as your treatment. Your
resources for water service as far as maintaining the water system will already be dedicated to
the City of Fayetteville for about 500 feet from your 48 inch line that we are connected to. The
sewer lines are not far beyond your city limits. I think this is going to be a win win for the
developer as well as the City. We had to go through the process with the County. We lost our
development rights and in the interim they adopted zoning so we had to go through a conditional
use permit process. Their zoning is one unit per acre. This subdivision is closer to 3.6 units per
acre. To get the rights we had to go through conditional use and that is a very public process
where we held a neighborhood meeting and we met many of the neighbors. It was a huge
turnout because people living out here really care about what is going on in their neighborhood.
They came away from that liking the fact that Mr. Phillips is going to build quality homes that
we have incorporated a lot of green space. The design changed to incorporate more green space.
One of the few worries they had was that centralized system. It wasn't under their control to
change that but that was really the only thing we heard against this development. In the end the
neighbors came to the conditional use permit meeting at the County and spoke in favor of this
development. So you have a lot of people out there that are looking forward to Mr. Phil Phillips
developing this because they trust him as the developer. I hope that we can make this all work
for Mr. Phillips as well as the City.,
City Attorney Kit Williams: At the Agenda Session you all talked about it and I had a rough
draft of the agreement that I was going to propose that they sign for it. I heard some comments
about making sure it was in deeds and make it stronger like that. I also said of course I have to
talk with the developer. I have now gotten a signed copy of the proposed agreement with a
couple of changes and I wanted to call that to your attention. The developer has a lot of green
space within his development. You can see that on the plat there. There is a real big land area
by the start of the creek but also behind between the houses there is a linear park that has a trail
that is going to be built in there with trees planted and things like that. It was the developer's
request that they be allowed to dedicate that area for their park land dedication. I told them that
the code would allow that, at the developer's request, as long as the land is suitable for park
purposes. I mentioned to Ms. Hesse that when I was on the Council once we rejected some park
land because it was underneath a utility easement. We thought that isn't park land. If it was
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayettevi lle.o rg
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDD/TTY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 13 of 23
marsh land or some other problems like that, that would not be suitable for park purposes. Even
though this contract talks about park land dedication, that is all contingent upon our code which
has some recommendations by the Parks Department and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
and even the Planning Commission. That is basically whether or not the land is suitable for park
purposes. If it's suitable for park purposes our code says the dedication shall be accepted.
That's the only provision I wanted to make sure you understood that you still need to show land
to the Parks Department and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. It can't be marsh land. It
has to be land that would be good for a linear trail. You will see in paragraph five not only are
they going to dedicate the trail but they are going to have to build it and plant the trees that they
have shown there. Now it's approximately because they have not surveyed out the trail yet.
They will have to build it to our standards and they will have to maintain it unless and until their
development is annexed into the City. Once it is annexed to the City, since this park land will be
dedicated to the City, then we would then maintain it. I don't think it is proper for us to spend
money outside the City limits, so until that time their property owner's association will have to
have an irrevocable restrictive covenant saying they will maintain the premises. There is also a
requirement in this agreement that they be annexed as soon as legally they can. This will also
help inspire them to be annexed because they eventually would probably like the City to begin
maintaining that trail. The only other part I wanted to call to your attention is that if in fact,
that's a tributary to Clabber Creek; which of course we are going to have a trail along and
eventually there will be an offshoot going north toward these subdivisions. If they do get near to
this subdivision, part of this is that they must grant an easement from the end of where their
proposed trail is to wherever we are going to be coming up from Clabber Creek and along their
land only. That is all part of this and I just wanted to make sure because when I showed this to
Jeremy he was concerned about the fact what if it's not suitable land. So you are going to need to
go through the process and show the appropriate people that it is suitable park land.
Kim Hesse: Mr. Phillips is agreeable to that but all of this land is very suitable and on the tour
we pointed out the area where the treatment system would be. Someone asked what happens if
it's not a treatment system and we said we would leave it as park land. It is very level, very high
property. The only thing Mr. Phillips was concerned about is he wants to dedicate the land
rather than do the fees because he has already spoken with these neighbors about how much
green space could be dedicated, the County has already looked at being able to keep the space
green. One thing to be aware of, as this goes through the County, yes we have all your City
requirements but the County will make us widen and improve Hughmount Road from the north
boundary line all the way down to Mount Comfort Road and improve an intersection. So this
development is going to be a costly development but it's going to be a nice development and the
neighbors are for it and I think it can be a benefit to the City.
Don Marr: I would like the clerk to reflect in the minutes the dialogue that the City Attorney
just said because we think it's important that development processes go through this process as
consistently between developer to developer. Park land dedication is done through our Parks
Advisory Board and if it is acceptable appropriate land, as Ms. Hesse describes, I don't think
there will be an issue with that. What we want to avoid is having developers negotiating outside
of the typical system to get items done that don't go through the normal advisory process. We
just wanted to make that point as a result of this contract.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDiTTY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 14 of 23
Alderman Boudreaux: How is this going to work then? How is this going to work as far as the
owner's concern about giving park land fees? Have I missed something here? Do you go ahead
and dedicate the park at this point rather than fees but it's just being held?
City Attorney Kit Williams: It will be dedicated once they have satisfied the ordinance
requirements. The ordinance requirements say it must be suitable land in order for it to be
dedicated.
Alderman Boudreaux: It still goes through the Park Board even though it's outside the City
and all of that?
City Attorney Kit Williams: That is correct.
Alderman Ferrell: Kit and Don both referred to this that it's got to go through the Parks and
Recreation Board. Since they are not a policy making but an advisory capacity, ultimately this
Council will make the decision with a recommendation from them isn't that correct?
City Attorney Kit Williams: Well the final decision could be appealed to you from that but as
long as the land is suitable for park purposes the proposed dedication shall be accepted. This is
language, that I guaranteed to the drafters of the impact fees statute in Arkansas, would remain
because that is how our park land dedication ordinance was grandfathered into that statute.
Alderman Ferrell: So the advisory committee is setting policy?
City Attorney Kit Williams: No, they do not set policy but they do recommend whether or not
that's a good park and then they look at the land and if there is some concern it could go to the
Planning Commission and they will also look at it, but the key test is that if it's suitable land, in
other words if it's not waste land or some other big problem with it then it must be acceptable.
Alderman Boudreaux: I would like to address Bobby's concerns. I don't think the City
Council wants to see every park land dedication that goes through the Parks Board. That is the
way it was done when I was on the Parks Board and I certainly don't think this Council wants to
start taking on every park land dedication if that is what you are going at because we don't
review those unless there is a concern or an appeal or something. Otherwise it goes to the Parks
Board and they are the ones that make those decisions and generally make good ones.
Alderman Ferrell: What I was talking about was when we get something that comes into us for
approval, the dedication; in our packets it tells us whether its lieu money paid or whether it's
property for park land dedication if we are asked to approve something. Am I wrong in
understanding that we are ultimately approving what their recommendation was?
Alderman Boudreaux: It would be unless it reaches a certain level of density or so forth and
then it's a requirement by the ordinance that it be park land right?
City Attorney Kit Williams: Sometimes you get development decision too like in a planned
zoning district and we get not only the zoning decision but also the development decision which
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDITTY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 15 of 23
often is only at the Planning Commission level. The preliminary plat rarely comes to you, it can
appeal and usually the park land dedication is decided at the preliminary plat stage. Is that right?
Jeremy Pate: Correct, at the Planning Commission.
City Attorney Kit Williams: So you wouldn't see that unless somebody wants to appeal it to
you.
Alderman Ferrell: I have no problem with this deal.
Phil Phillips, the developer: I appreciate you all listening to this. I just wanted to assure you
and the Park Commission that we are going to do everything we can to make them happy. The
better our place is, the better the lots will sell and houses will be built. We are not trying to low
ball this in anyway or give them a bad name. I am here to make this happen and it's been a long,
hard, expensive process up to this point and I am really going to work hard to make everybody
that is a decision maker as happy. as I can. I just wanted to say that. Thank you all and thank
you Kim for doing a good job of presenting this to you.
Alderman Lewis: I have a question for Jeremy. In looking at the map, I am not seeing how the
stormwater is being dealt with. Right now it looks like it goes into the creek.
Kim Hesse replied yes and pointed out the areas on the maps. She stated in meeting with your
City Engineers they have brought up the fact that we need to reduce the impact of that water and
the velocity of water hitting the creek. Those ordinances were probably not in place at the time
that it was designed and it was constructed. So yes, there is a lot of water hitting that creek. So
what we have discussed is utilizing ways to slow the water down, do some improvements to
inside the creek bed itself to slow that water down. That is going to be a process through the
redesign of the subdivision.
Alderman Lewis: We have spent $400,000 on Red Oak Park out west of town on a similar
situation so you have the exact same type of design that all the water from all the roofs and
driveways went to the same little creek.
City Attorney Kit Williams: Subsection 3 says "comply with all grading, stormwater, tree
preservation and other development requirements as if this development was occurring within
the City of Fayetteville" means you comply with our current requirements. We need probably
some detention instead of dumping everything into the creek because that is what has caused us
great problems in the past. So you are going to have to comply with the current grading and
drainage and stormwater requirements that we have.
Kim Hesse: They mentioned the very same measures that were done at Red Oak, implementing
some of those same measures with this development as far as the rock dams that were created to
slow the water down and to get it to step down, creating pools so the water slows down, and then
goes down another set of falls, pools again. That is what we are looking at.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDD/TTY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 16 of 23
Alderman Kinion: So Kim you guys talked with the City Engineers about this to meet the
standards.
Kim Hesse: Yes, before we considered tying on the sewer we still had to get this back through
your approval process and that was a part of it. We met with most of your Engineering staff and
we were looking at options on how to work with this.
Alderman Kinion: Because it does seem like when we went on the tour out there that there
would be the capacity to have dams in that very north part as you are going down.
Kim Hesse pointed out the area on the map.
Alderman Lewis: What's the County thing about stonnwater at this point in the design?
Kim Hesse: Normally they refer anything within Fayetteville's growth boundary to Fayetteville.
They say that but they still want to review what Fayetteville's solutions would be. So first we
get Fayetteville's approval and can currently get the County's approval.
Alderman Lewis: So if this were being laid out today would this be the outcome? Right now
there are subterranean pipes that end up in that ditch. So I am asking if it were a blank slate
would those pipes be routed in the same place based on County regulations.
Kim Hesse: Possibly in the County but not on City. City does override County when it's in the
growth boundary; however they still have that option to review it and final approval.
Alderman Lewis: My question stems from precedence setting. That is what I am wondering
about. One thing that has concerned me about this is what stops other folks from developing
right outside the City limits and then saying we already have it in so why can't we just connect
now. My question is if it's past your land being sold for development now and it's platted, what
would happen? Water and Sewer would be something like what is being designed now but
would stormwater be similar, would they require any sort of detention in that area?
Kim Hesse: They probably wouldn't require detention at this point because there is no single
discharge to the creek anymore allowed, which this was designed as a signal point discharge and
two points. It's still the same design where you let it shoot out.
Alderman Lewis: So the County no longer allows for single point discharge to a stream?
Kim Hesse: They have implanted more detention than they have in the past.
Alderman Kinion: It is this southern part that is most concerning because we have quite a bit of
the development down there.
Kim Hesse: I would say it is one third to two thirds. She showed the area on the map.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDD/TTY (479) 521-1316 -
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 17 of 23
Alderman Kinion: It's the southern part where we have. There's an outlet coming from the
west that is collecting all the streets from the west over to the southern part of that.
Kim Hesse and Phil Phillips continued to point out the area on the map.
Alderman Kinion: What is the velocity that we are looking at at the discharge point?
Kim Hesse: I don't know. It was hard to even get drainage calculations. This was done in 2005
and there is not a drainage report. So what we are doing as Mr. Phillips engineer, we have to get
an as built survey of what's out there; all the curb inlets, size of the pipe and recalculate that
velocity. Based on that velocity, that will help determine the engineers viewpoint, the City
Engineer and what they will require.
Alderman Kinion: I do believe that in this amendment that they have got to comply so that is
what we are going to be counting.
City Attorney Kit Williams: That's correct.
Kim Hesse: That encompasses the streamside ordinance which wouldn't have been
encompassed if we didn't have this agreement.
City Attorney Kit Williams: Yes, they have to comply with all current development
regulations including stormwater and streamside protection and everything else. It sounds to me
like they are going to maybe have to pull up some of that pipe and put detention in, because it's
not only the velocity but the amount of flow at a certain level, and that flow is not allowed to
increase pre and post development. Of course the engineers know a lot better than that.
Alderman Lewis: I just want to celebrate the progress that has been made and the knowledge
and the learning that has happened since this type of design has been put in. It's a major thing
and it's an expensive learning curve.
Terry Coberly, a citizen asked if the sewer rates for outside the City will be higher than those
that is in the City and is it City water?
David Jurgens, Utilities Director: The rates for a City sewer service outside the City are in fact
higher than inside the City. It's not exactly an apples and apples comparison but for everything
after the first 2,000 gallons used, the outside City rate is currently $6.10 per thousand and the
inside City rate is approximately $4.30 per thousand. Also it is on City water already so as far as
the impact on billing or water consumption or any of that has no impact whatsoever.
Connie Edmonston, Parks and Recreation Director: Our normal process is to actually go out
and view the property. I think it is very important for us to look at it and analyze it and make
certain that we are getting a park that we will be proud of and not have problems caused by
drainage. So if there is any way that we can write in here to satisfy the park land dedication
requirements, the park land will be viewed by Parks staff and Parks Board prior to taking the
3.86 acres that is on this.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDTM (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 18 of 23
City Attorney Kit Williams: The ordinance certainly controls everything and even the City
Council has to obey their own ordinances so that doesn't have to actually be a part of this
agreement. They still have to comply with the ordinance because if it's not land suitable for park
purposes then the dedication can be denied. If the land is suitable for park purposes, according
to our ordinance, it says the dedication shall be accepted. Certainly you have a right to go out
there and take a look at that and if they are in violation of the ordinance then that would take
precedence and they would have to understand that at that point we could not accept the
proposed dedication.
Connie Edmonston: Land suitable for park purposes, not only you look at the land, you also
look at where it lies in conjunction with other parks within the area, where it lies, where the trial
corridor is planned, where our master plan is, where we are planning for parks. We look at if it's
in the flood plain, floodway, the roads and how they go through it. Is that park land serving the
residents in that development the best that we can? We try to make the best development
possible for the parks system because we are going to have that park forever. We want to make
certain that up front we review, walk the land, analyze it and give the recommendation for it.
Alderman Kinion: On our tour we went in the south entrance and if you have a map its 4, 5, 6,
7, and 8. I am not a park person, I mean I am not a professional, but it's going to make a lovely
entry way that would be very attractive for recreation as well as offering property. I would
encourage you to go out and look at it. It is the property immediately north of the southern
entrance. Am I correct Kim? It's above the creek so it's not in the lower level where there is a
lot of run off or flooding. They do have to comply with number 5 on this contract that would put
it in compliance with our procedure is that right?
City Attorney Kit Williams: They have to build a trail to our standards and also plant trees that
they have shown within their plat which is on page 16 of 24. You can still see it there but even
that is kind of hard to see. They have shown us various trees and they have also shown the trail
through that. We have other lateral parks I think and linear parks for trails. It certainly seems to
be serving the residents there which is the whole reason that we can charge impact fees for the
people that are actually paying them, who are the property owners that are going to be buying
that property.
Alderman Boudreaux: I do kind of appreciate her concern because this has actually specified
particular lots and that is not the normal procedure to go out and survey a development. I'm sure
they probably will think that this is the perfect place but can we not change this? Of course this
has all been agreed to by the owner of the property, the developer, but I do kind of regret that it
wasn't put a little bit more openly that the Parks Department and staff would have some ability
to actually choose the property. This does read and it would be lots 4,5,6,7, and 8; 3.86 acres
and that is what the owner has agreed to in this.
City Attorney Kit Williams: Right and I still have to point out that in the Unified Development
Code that has been adopted by the city and that we were able to use in order to keep that from
being invalidated by the State impact fee statute. The word says that if the land that is being
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayettevi Ile. org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDD/TTY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 19 of 23
offered to be dedicated by the developer is suitable for park purposes then the proposed
dedication shall be accepted.
Alderman Boudreaux: Where does it say that now?
City Attorney Kit Williams: If you look on my memo I am reading it right out of there.
Alderman Boudreaux: I am reading the actual contract instead. The developer has signed
Exhibit "A".
City Attorney Kit Williams: Right, that is correct.
Alderman Boudreaux: That Exhibit "A" does not say that.
City Attorney Kit Williams: It doesn't have to because we cannot agree to anything that would
be contrary to code. So they have heard that tonight and they have agreed to that. They realize it
must be suitable for park purposes or the dedication will not be allowed.
Don Marr: I think obviously our key thing is we got this literally at this meeting and the Parks
Department hasn't had a chance to see lots 4,5,6,7 and 8 but with what is in the record tonight it
is clear that it has to go through our process so we will do so and hopefully that will give us
protection. If it doesn't meet that requirement then we will be back here by probably them
appealing that request to you.
Alderman Boudreaux: Sounds good. I do want to say that I have a lot of reservations about
this whole project and accepting something into our sewer system that is not part of the City. I
still don't like it. It bothers me that developers go out and buy cheap land right outside the City
limits and develop with this idea that they can use these centralized sewer systems. I do feel like
this developer is trying to do the right thing with this and it is very close to the city limits. We
do have a contract which requires the developer to do everything required as if it were in the city
limits. It does certainly generate revenue and I wanted to point that out. It does not cost us to
add this sewer and it actually generates revenue to the City. So bearing all that in mind and of
course the obvious that we don't want sewer systems of any kind close to our water sources and
our waterways I will support this based on this. It really does bother me to accept anything
outside the city as far as running our sewer outside the city limits. It does concern me but
everything has been done to make this acceptable.
Aubrey Shepherd, a citizen expressed his concerns with the existing dedication ordinance and
he listed ways it affects this development.
Connie Edmonston: The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has adopted criteria for
accepting park land. It's land that we believe is suitable and that is how we work with each one
of our developers and it seems to work out well.
Alderman Petty: I can certainly appreciate the good faith that the applicants have proposed this
to us with. I feel like I have become a pretty good judge of character and I think you guys have
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayeHeville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDl1T1' (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 20 of 23
acted in good faith and I appreciate that. I am not going to be able to support it for a couple of
reasons. I feel like we aren't calling this what it actually is. Even in the contract this says "in
full compliance with all requirements of the UDC as if the development was inside the city limits
and zoned RSF-4." For all practical purposes there are a few semantic differences but for all
practical purposes this is a back way to do a rezoning and annexation in one. We are not calling
it that. I like the contract, like Alderwoman Boudreaux said; the developer has done everything
to make this acceptable except for the most important thing which is to be annexed. I am against
a development in this location for some other reasons. I think it's a bad idea to convert
agriculturally productive land that makes this area more resilient and notable for something like
this but that's not the argument I am going to make. This isn't a good idea because of the
precedent it sets. If this developer is willing to make these promises and we sign this contract,
what happens when the property to the west, a same proposal comes forward? The property to
the north and west of that one, what grounds do we have to deny that. We set the precedent. Is it
just going to be emotional grounds, are we just going to say I feel like we have reached the point
where these commitments aren't enough to justify the extension of City services. I don't think
that is proper. I think there is a line that is drawn. We are responsible for drawing that line and
we drew it in concert with the citizens who requested annexation in the past. We drew that line
where the city limits are now. We have drawn a growth boundary that is about two miles out
from the city limits that says we are going to plan for growth there and in that regard I can
appreciate knowing of these plans. If nothing else the timing is simply wrong because the
citizens of Fayetteville don't want that piece to be annexed or that would be the proposal. We
even heard on the tour that this property was not capable of being annexed because of the
political and cultural will of the surrounding properties. For me that is the test. What happens
with the next proposal to the adjacent property?
Alderman Kinion: When I look at this I don't think it is setting a precedent to people going
north and going west and east of the city. What is happening here is we have a development that
is going to occur regardless of what we do this evening. The infrastructure is in place and the
momentum is moving forward and so against my wishes also I had to think about this as what is
realistically going to happen. I feel like it is the best thing that we can do in the long run to
protect the integrity of the affluent coming from the development that is going into a stream that
is directly going into Clabber Creek that will then impact the quality of the water downstream as
we have our affluent from our sewer plant. I would also have to look at the potential growth. It
will be annexed one of these days. So you can say that this is viable agricultural land but it is not
being used as an agricultural property at this moment in time. What we have is in place
infrastructure for development. So I think the responsible thing when I looked at us to do since
we are only 500 feet away from our main sewer line here is to go ahead and connect it against
our principles in a certain way but realistically looking at a responsible way to manage a
development that is going to impact our city regardless in the long run. So for us to have the
capacity to responsibly manage the activity of the stream, the sewer, and the impact of the
development as a whole to get dedication of park land, even though it is not delightful to do this,
it seems to me the right thing to do in this case. By saying no I am not setting a precedent, I am
being responsible for what is inevitable. I think in the long run it is the responsible thing to do in
managing this development that is going to occur regardless. I will support this.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDfTTY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 21 of 23
Alderman Gray: I will support it also. I think a lot of good things have already been said and I
am not going to resay them. I just appreciate that Mr. Phillips and Ms. Hesse have brought this
forward and I personally am happy to see that one of the developments that didn't make it, that
something is going to be happening there. I think it is going to be a lot more expensive and they
have spent a lot of time and money on making it happen and making it happen right and I agree
with Alderman Kinion. It's not a matter of if it's going to happen. It's going to happen and so
what we need to do the responsible thing for the City of Fayetteville. I will be supporting it.
Thank you all.
Alderman Ferrell: I am going to support it also; I think something is going to happen there.
Cant you imagine what it was like when people were thinking about annexing Mt. Sequoyah and
having to run pipes up hill; saying we can't run those pipes up that hill. I totally understand the
notion that if you take the utilities out that it should go to the inner city but my God if we
adopted that mentality years ago and if the other idea was you can't take agricultural land, then
we would all be humped up on this square. With that I would move that we pass the resolution.
Alderman Ferrell moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Gray seconded the motion.
Alderman Lewis: I appreciate you originally coming to the Water and Sewer Committee and
being a part of the tour for the committee and that was very helpful. As you know I have been
very hesitant. I think Matthew made some very good points and they really are the reason I have
been so hesitant on this. It makes me very nervous about precedent here. I don't like the idea
that this would become a trend. The thing that has helped me come around is the contract that
you drafted. The reason that it helps me support this is because water flows down hill and it
happens to be flowing into the city. I visit so many houses on the west part of town in Ward 4
where there right by their house or down stream from them it's blown out so wide that it's going
up into their porch. It's because upstream we have allowed pipes to be drained directly into the
little stream that just can't handle it so they adjust. It costs a lot of money to Fayetteville tax
payers to fix that and so I really appreciate and I agree that this can't be the trend or general
approach. I don't know if we can work with the County or what but where water is flowing into
our community we need to pay attention to that because it ends up costing us money as a
community. It costs everyone. I really appreciate the open mindedness of the developer and the
team in looking at ways to address the water issue on this property because it does affect
everyone. I just really hope for the record if the County is watching, please make sure that you
amend your water codes to let it soak in and not flow down stream.
Alderman Petty: Sometimes I like being the only one to vote a certain way because it gives me
some lee way to really speak my mind. I think there is an assumption that the development is
going to happen and I am going to challenge that. I hadn't planned on challenging it tonight but
I want to now. I attended the quarterly business luncheon run by the Center for Business and
Economic Research two quarters ago with a presentation by Kathy Deck on Northwest Arkansas
Growth, from the City it was just me and Paul Becker there. What we saw was even though
sales tax had recovered and jobs numbers had recovered in Northwest Arkansas which is unique
among the nation, single family house starts had not, single family sales had not. Now single
family homes within town with close proximity to amenities never dipped and they still
maintained their sales. Anything on the edge of town has not recovered. Multi -family has
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDD/rTY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 22 of 23
recovered; it's even increased and is doing more than what it did before the recession. Being the
youngest person on the Council sometimes I think I have a little bit of a unique perspective from
a generational standpoint. When you look at any recession historically there are two kinds of
fixes that happen. There is an economic fix where people in a certain job sector start earning
more money or they switch jobs or that sort of thing like manufacturing around World War II
after the great depression. We just went through something similar and we are going to have an
economic fix. The other kind of fix is a spacious fix where you see new cities grow in a new
way that they didn't before. After the great depression it was the suburbs. All the evidence now
points to a retraction of the suburbs, even the evidence that we can see today that is coming out
of our own University. People want to live downtown, especially when you start looking at
younger and younger people. The cities future customers aren't going to want a house out where
this development is for a couple of reasons. A $200,000 home or a $150,000 home or even a
$120,000 home in this kind of location isn't affordable. There are four factors of affordability,
the housing cost is the biggest one and then there is transportation, food and energy. A study
commissioned by the Northwest Arkansas Council, which was released last year, showed that the
average Northwest Arkansas home household paid as much in transportation as they did in
housing. That is how it's going to be if you choose to live at this development. People are
choosing to live in locations like this less and less. I wish Mr. Phillips the best if this gets
approved. I don't want to see a proposal fail with so much invested in it. But like so many other
phased developments we have seen, I predict that this isn't going to get built out. We are going
to see a strong start and then we are going to see it falter. That is a hard prediction to make in the
Council seat. That is why I am not supporting it because I don't think it's inevitable. Otherwise
this would be worth it to me. All the evidence points to a change in the way people want to live
and the way the cities grow and this is very conventional.
Alderman Kinion: I would like to point out that Kathy Deck also in the skyline report said that
we would have more residential growth in Northwest Arkansas. If you look in the Northwest
Arkansas Business Journal it says this means three things. More people are actively looking for
work again, more people are finding work and population growth and people are starting to move
back into the region. She goes on to say that regarding the housing market that the average sale
prices are up and the population growth means that there is a demand for single family homes.
So you can look at statistics either way. I just want to offer that because that is the most recent
statistics that I saw when I looked at the development of affordable housing in Northwest
Arkansas.
Alderman Adams: I had a personally difficult vote for me right after I got on the Council when
a neighborhood outside our city limits didn't like our plans for streets. We have a plan for streets
and our streets are going to do things that impact neighborhoods. I feel like on the same thing
what we can do to benefit our city for something outside the city limits is also important. I think
we have to think about things going both ways. I appreciate the expertise on our Council
teaching us how this is good for our city. I appreciate Dr. Lewis's comments on how we do have
to protect our city in ways that impact us when we know that otherwise it may be bad for us. We
do good things and bad things that impact people outside of our city all the time or often. Thank
you for your help in teaching us a little bit about this issue.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDfrTY (479) 521-1316
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2012
Page 23 of 23
Upon roll call the resolution passed 7-1. Alderman Boudreaux, Kinion, Tennant, Ferrell,
Adams, Lewis and Gray voting yes. Alderman Petty voting no.
Resolution 183-12 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk.
Announcements:
4,/" '-f J.&
Sondra E. Smith, City Clerk/Treasurer
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 accessfayetteville.org
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf TDDlTY (479) 521-1316