HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-17 - Minutes -Alderman Adella Gray
Ward 1 Position I
Alderman Sarah Marsh
Ward 1 Position 2
Alderman Mark Kinion
Ward 2 Position 1
Alderman Matthew Petty
Ward 2 Position 2
Mayor Lioneld Jordan
City Attorney Kit Williams
City Clerk Sondra E. Smith
City of Fayetteville Arkansas
City Council Meeting
January 17, 2017
City Council Meeting Minutes
January 17, 2017
Page 1 of 7
Alderman Justin Tennant
Ward 3 Position 1
Alderman Sarah Bunch
Ward 3 Position 2
Alderman John La Tour
Ward 4 Position 1
Alderman Alan T. Long
Ward 4 Position 2
A meeting of the Fayetteville City Council was held on January 17, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in Room
219 of the City Administration Building located at 113 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville,
Arkansas.
Mayor Jordan called the meeting to order.
PRESENT: Alderman Sarah Marsh, Mark Kinion, Matthew Petty, Sarah Bunch, John La
Tour, Mayor Lioneld Jordan, City Attorney Kit Williams, Deputy City Clerk Lisa Branson,
Staff, Press, and Audience.
Alderman Long, Gray, and Tennant were absent.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor's Announcements, Proclamations and Recognitions: None
City Council Meeting Presentations, Reports, and Discussion Items:
City Board of Health Appointment Confirmation
Alderman Kinion presented the City Board of Health Appointment Confirmation report. He read
Mayor Jordan's reappointment request for Dr. David Crittenden, Dr. Robert Patton, Don Moore,
Rick Johnson, Shana Kasparek, and Ex -Officio, Mayor Lioneld Jordan. He submitted the
appointments for consideration.
A copy of the report is attached.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
January 17, 2017
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Alderman Kinion moved to approve the City Board of Health Appointments. Alderman
Marsh seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 5-0. Alderman Long, Gray,
and Tennant were absent.
Presentation of the City of Fayetteville Martin Luther King Brotherhood Award - Kit
Williams
City Attorney Kit Williams: I have been privileged to select a City of Fayetteville employee to
receive the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brotherhood Award. This award is given annually in
recognition to a city employee whose service to our city and our community best exemplifies Dr.
King's dream of equality, justice, and brotherhood. This year's honoree has exemplified Dr. Martin
Luther King's spirit of equality and legacy of service. She has worked for the last decade to help
those citizens most in need in our community. Her successful efforts are dear to my heart. My
daughter was born six weeks premature and very ill. My daughter's life was saved in part by a
blood transfusion. Most city employees know who has spearheaded every city blood drive for the
past 10 years and that is Bonnie Bolinger, Administrative Assistant in the Mayor's office. Thank
you Bonnie for helping so many of the city's generous blood donors to provide the gift of life.
Bonnie has organized and chaired the city's United Way Campaign for the last decade and has
been instrumental in accomplishing an overall increase in the city's giving. Bonnie has also
organized and chaired the city staff participating in the annual heart walk to raise awareness and
funds for the Heart Association. Bonnie has ensured many city staff have donated and are dressed
in red clothes for the National Wear Red Day to raise awareness of women's heart and stroke
health issues. Bonnie handles many telephone calls and walk in visits from our citizens to the
Mayor's office. Her politeness and tact help keep everything on an even keel in the Mayor's office.
Bonnie's kind and consistent service to our community exemplifies Dr. Martin Luther King's
dream of equality, justice, brotherhood, and service to others and our community. It is my honor
to present the 2017 City of Fayetteville Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brotherhood Award to Bonnie
Bolinger.
Mayor Jordan: Thank you, Bonnie. Congratulations and well deserved.
State of the City Address - Mayor Lioneld Jordan
Mayor Lioneld Jordan read the State of the City Address.
A copy is attached.
Consent:
Approval of the January 3, 2017 City Council Meeting Minutes.
Approved
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
January 17, 2017
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Creamer Pilot Services Lease Agreement: A resolution to approve a lease agreement with
Creamer Pilot Services, LLC for 276 square feet of office space in the Airport Terminal building
in the amount of $253.00 per month through the end of 2017, after which time the lease shall
automatically renew on a month-to-month basis.
Resolution 28-17 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Garver, LLC Task Order No. 7: A resolution to approve Task Order No. 7 with Garver, LLC in
the amount of $49,800.00 for preparation of a Preliminary Engineering Report for the Taxiway B
Widening and Rehabilitation Project, to express the city's willingness to utilize Federal Aviation
Administration funds for the project, and to approve a budget adjustment.
Resolution 29-17 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
JL Bryson, Inc. Change Order No. 2: A resolution to approve Change Order No. 2 to the contract
with JL Bryson, Inc. in the amount of $23,276.00 for additional structural concrete associated with
installation of the B1ueInGreen ozone disinfection system at the Noland Wastewater Treatment
Plant, and to approve a budget adjustment.
Resolution 30-17 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Alderman Marsh moved to accept the Consent Agenda as read. Alderman Kinion seconded
the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 5-0. Alderman Long, Gray, and Tennant were
absent.
Unfinished Business:
Amend Chapters 160, 161, 162, 164, 166, 167, and 169: An ordinance to amend Chapters 160,
161, 162, 164, 166, 167, and 169 of the Unified Development Code to create two new zoning
districts: Residential Intermediate - Urban and Neighborhood Services - General and New Use
Unit 12 b. General Business and to make further changes to incorporate these amendments into
the Unified Development Code. At the December 3, 2017 City Council Meeting this ordinance was left
on the first reading.
Alderman Marsh moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Alderman
Kinion seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 6-0. Mayor Jordan voting
yes. Alderman Long, Gray, and Tennant were absent.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Jeremy Pate, Director of Development Services gave a brief description of the ordinance.
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
January 17, 2017
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Alderman Marsh moved to suspend the rules and go to the third and final reading.
Alderman Kinion seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 6-0. Mayor Jordan
voting yes. Alderman Long, Gray, and Tennant were absent.
City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance.
Mayor Jordan asked shall the ordinance pass. Upon roll call the ordinance passed 5-0.
Alderman Long, Gray, and Tennant were absent.
Ordinance 5945 as Recorded in the office of the City Clerk
Preliminary Plat 16-5642 (Park Meadows) Grant Appeal: A resolution to grant the appeal of
City Council member Adella Gray and to deny Preliminary Plat 16-5642 (Park Meadows) as
amended pursuant to an agreement between planning and the applicant to extend the left turn lane
on Huntsville. At the December 3, 2017 City Council Meeting this resolution was tabled to the January
17, 2017 City Council Meeting.
Jeremy Pate, Director of Development Services gave a brief description of the resolution. He
spoke about amending the exhibit to have the applicant construct the trail as opposed to the bike
lanes through this turn lane section.
A discussion followed about a trail being constructed.
Alderman Marsh moved to amend the ordinance to include the trail exhibit. Alderman
Kinion seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed 5-0. Alderman Long, Gray,
and Tennant were absent.
Jesse Fulcher, Rausch Coleman: The appeal was an opportunity for us to continue to work with
staff and provide some more information to the neighborhood as well as to the recommended street
improvements. We have continued to work with staff over the last four weeks to work out the
improvements. We have extended the turn lane along Morningside Drive. We are working with
Matt Mihalevich, Trails Coordinator. We felt it would be a better solution over the long term to
look at the trail improvements along our property versus constructing bike lanes. The
improvements are in addition to the money we will be contributing to the hopeful future installation
of a traffic signal at Huntsville and Morningside, as well as the full improvements at Morningside.
The neighbors have had concerns about traffic congestion and speeding along Morningside. Those
are conditions that exist today. It has nothing to do with this development. It is on us as the
development group to figure out how to help that situation. We have been trying through the traffic
study and improvements we have shown on our plans. We can help with speeding on Morningside
Drive by providing on street parking. These are ways to help the situation and not make them
worse. We started this in October and are hopeful we can move forward with this great project for
the area. We have checked every box of the City Plan 2030 goals.
Alderman Kinion: How are we going to move forward with guaranteeing there will be a stoplight
at this intersection?
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City Council Meeting Minutes
January 17, 2017
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City Attorney Kit Williams: We aren't guaranteeing there will be, because it still has to meet
warrants, which means enough traffic to justify it.
Jeremy Pate: At the last Council meeting some citizens were interested in a full warrant analysis.
We asked the applicant to provide that and it indicated a traffic signal would not be needed with
the development of this project. We anticipate that this is a fast growing area of our city and there
will be other projects. Rather than wait for the next project, we will plug this into whatever time
frame we need as directed by the Mayor, Transportation Director, and City Engineer to do our own
warrant analysis. We have committed to this internally as staff. We know it won't be for at least a
few years because this project will take several years to build out.
Curtis Hogue, Appointed Trustee for the Charles P. Rose Testamentary Trust: I am the trustee,
and the two surviving beneficiaries are getting on up in yearsAt is important for them to get closed
on the sale of this property to -the developer. The beneficiaries are no longer able to maintain the
property. We believe the developer has met all requirements.
Ralph Nesson,1007 Morningside Drive voiced his concerns about traffic safety. He believes there
is a need for a sidewalk from Morningside Drive to Wood Avenue. He wants a four way stop sign
to be placed at the corner of Morningside and McClinton Street. He thanked city staff for their
patience with the concerns brought to them from the neighborhood.
Alderman Petty: Kit, would you mind refreshing us on what a vote up or a vote down means?
City Attorney Kit Williams: When a preliminary plat is presented for review by either the
Planning Commission or on appeal to City Council you are required by ordinances, you all have
enacted into the Unified Development Code, to look at factors to see whether or not it must be
approved. It is clear all of the conditions of the UDC have been met with the exception of an
argument about traffic safety and that is why Alderman Gray brought it forward. At this point a
traffic study has been completed. City Engineers and Planning staff have agreed that this is not
going to create or compound a dangerous traffic situation. Many things have been done or will be
done by the developer to alleviate the potential traffic problems that are already there. It is not
traffic congestion. Traffic congestion can be considered during a rezoning, but not during the
approval of a preliminary plat. This land has already been zoned for high density residential. We
can't consider if 290 homes here are appropriate. The Supreme Court has said that if a developer
has fulfilled all the requirements the city has set forth in its code section, then the development
must be approved. This developer has gone beyond what is normally required.
A discussion followed about clarification on what a vote no or a vote yes would mean.
Alderman Petty: I believe we are in a better position than we were two weeks ago. Some of the
suggestions from the neighbors about a stop sign at McClinton and a stoplight at Morningside are
prescient. It may be the system for calculating warrants are miscalibrated. If we look historically
at intersections in the city, we find a lot of intersections today that have traffic signals or stop signs
that would not meet the warrant conditions we are required to follow now. We miss sometimes
whenever we focus these site discussions so much on metrics. We miss the opportunity to have a
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov
City Council Meeting Minutes
January 17, 2017
Page 6 of 7
conversation about what those kinds of infrastructure improvements may mean beyond traffic
control. There's a lot of cases where adding a stoplight to an intersection with so many new
developments planned around it may be an economic development opportunity for the parcels at
the corners. For reasons of either legal or cultural we aren't able to have those kinds of discussions.
Alderman Marsh: Kit, please clarify. If we vote no, then we aren't granting the appeal or if we
vote yes, we are granting the appeal?
City Attorney Kit Williams: If you vote yes, then you are granting the appeal and adding all
these new conditions. If you vote no, then the resolution that was an appeal is denied and the
Planning Commission decision will be put back in place.
Alderman Marsh: Thank you. In hearing from the neighbors there doesn't seem to be much of
an objection to having more people and homes here. The primary objections are to the vehicle
traffic this will generate. I would like to see developers have an alternative transportation master
plan incentivizing people in their development to use alternatives to single occupancy vehicles.
This entire neighborhood is within easy biking distance to get to the South School and MLK
business districts. I don't see a lot of emphasis on the part of the developer in getting people to
utilize alternative transportation.
Alderman Petty: I want to make a motion to approve the resolution. With so few Council
members here do we need to wait for Alderman La Tour to return?
City Attorney Kit Williams: He has left due to a commitment at 6:45 p.m.
Alderman Petty: It takes five affirmative votes to pass a resolution. The Mayor is allowed to
vote?
City Attorney Kit Williams: That is correct.
Alderman Petty moved to approve the resolution. Alderman Marsh seconded the motion.
Upon roll call the resolution passed 5-0. Alderman Marsh, Kinion, Petty, and Bunch voting
yes. Mayor Jordan voting yes. Alderman La Tour was absent during the vote. Alderman
Long, Gray, and Tennant were absent.
Resolution 31-17 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk
New Business: None
Announcements:
Susan Norton, Communications & Marketing Director: The end of January is the deadline to
have Christmas trees picked up at the curb by our Recycling and Trash Division.
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City Council Meeting Minutes
January 17, 2017
Page 7 of 7
Last week Mayor Jordan and several of us were able to attend the Arkansas Municipal League.
This is the 7h year the City of Fayetteville has received the volunteer community of the year award.
Mayor Jordan received the award from Governor Asa Hutchinson.
Our wastewater provider, CH2M Hill received an award from the Arkansas Department of Labor
for having 10 years in a row of work for the city with no injuries on the job.
Registration is now open for the ladies Duathlon that will be held this summer.
City Attorney Kit Williams: The oral argument for the Arkansas Supreme Court has been
scheduled for February 2, 2017. I will be presenting the case of the citizens who passed the
ordinance, even though it has been challenged by the Attorney General as well as another group.
City Council Agenda Session Presentations: None
City Council Tour:
February 6, 2017 4:30 p.m. - Preliminary Plat 16-5574 (Mountain Vista Subdivision) Grant
Appeal.
Ad'ournmen 6:52 p.m.
Liokdd 36rdan, ay r Sondra E. Smith, City Clerk Treasurer
113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov
CERTIFICATE OF RECORD
of Fayetteville 1
of Arkan§as I
s.
ndra E. Smith, City CterWTreasurer for the City of
fttevtlle, do hereby certtfy that the foregoing
ument 1s a true and correct copy of e
nal filed in my office on the4._--day ai
State of Arkansas
Duplicate Official Oath of Office
Every officer administering this Oath of Office is required by law to endorse
this duplicate thereof, which must be "returned to the Secretary of State's
Office, State Capitol, Room 026, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201, WITHIN
FIFTEEN (15) DAYS after the Commission is dated.
I, Dr. David Crittenden, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of
the United States and the Constitution of the State of Arkansas, and that I will faithfully
discharge the duties of the office of City Health Officer, City of Fayetteville, upon which I
am now about to enter.
Dr. David Crittenden
1408 Elmwood Drive
Fayetteville, AR 72703
Sworn to and subscribed before me, Judge William A. Storey, a District Judge
In and for the Washington County District Court, Fayetteville Department, this 27th
day of January, 2017.
%`. p1 HTY 1S�����i
STATE
Judge William A. Storey
*'"This Oath may be administered through the provisions of ACA 21-2-105 depending on
the office to which you were elected but NOT BY A NOTARY PUBLIC! **
State of the City
January 19, 2016
Mayor Lioneld Jordan
Ladies and Gentlemen of the City Council and my fellow citizens of
Fayetteville, tonight I am proud to report that the state of our city is sound.
2015 was a great year, and we expect 2016 to be even better. Though 2015
was not without controversy, in Fayetteville our differences don't divide us,
they make us stronger and more prosperous as a community.
The economy for Fayetteville has been exceptional. Sales tax collections for
2015 are expected to be more than 5% over budget. Due to increased revenue
collections and good money management, we believe that we will see a surplus
for 2015.
Fayetteville citizens should know that this Administration and this City
Council continue to be good stewards of your tax dollars in order to maintain
and enhance our infrastructure and quality of life and build a strong
foundation for the future of our city as we continue to grow.
Honors and Recognitions .
I always enjoy recounting the honors, awards, and accolades garnered by
Fayetteville's hardworking public servants and volunteers who shape the soul
of this city. This year:
• Sondra Smith received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Brotherhood
Award in 2015, given in recognition to a City employee whose service to
our City and the community best exemplifies Dr. King's Dream of
Equality, Justice, and Brotherhood. Sondra was also honored in 2015 to
receive the Arkansas Municipal League's Municipal Clerk of the Year
Award!
City Attorney, Kit Williams provides wise legal counsel and helps
navigate the city through negotiation and avoidance of litigation risks. Kit
also brings recognition to the City by serving his 14th year as the State
Chair of the International Municipal Lawyer's Association.
• The Fayetteville Police Department was inducted into the Fayetteville
Public School Superintendent's Honor Roll for its steadfast commitment
to the safety of the students, faculty, and staff of Fayetteville High
School.
• Our Media Services Department received a 2015 Bronze Telly Award for
excellence in video production for the Recycle Something media
campaign.
• Friends of Gulley Park won the Arkansas Recreation and Parks
Association award for Volunteer Group of the Year and Fayetteville
citizen Frank Sharp received the Volunteer Individual of the Year Award.
• Fayetteville was recognized by the International Mountain Bike
Association as a bronze level Regional Ride Center and CitiScapes named
Wilson Park the Best Public Park and Gulley Park as a runner-up in the
Best of Northwest Arkansas Award.
• Fayetteville has been designated a Tree City USA for the 20th year by the
Arbor Day Foundation.
• In other categories, Fayetteville was named:
o No. 3 - Best City to found a company outside of Silicon Valley and
New York by DataFox, No. 4 - Best College Town in the Nation and
No. 1 in the SEC by Liveability.com.
o winner of the Green/Energy Conservation Initiatives category and
Honorable mention in the Quality of Life category for the Arkansas
Business, City of Distinction.
o in the Top 100 Best Places for Businesses and Careers in Forbes
magazine and in the top 100 - Best Place to Live by Livability.com
o the Arkansas Volunteer Community of the Year award for the 6th
consecutive year. An astonishing 681,000 hours of service were
given by tens of thousands of volunteers in 2014, creating an
economic impact of $15,720,000
0 2nd in the small city population category by the Center for Digital
Government's Digital Communities
o The Tour of Fayetteville's Historic Properties website as the
"Achievement in Technology Award" from the Arkansas Chapter of
the American Planning Association.
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o The City with the fastest growing population in Arkansas as named
by the U.S. Census Bureau, and the only City in Arkansas to
receive and retain a STAR Rating from the STAR Communities
Sustainability Tools for Assessing and Rating Communities
Also in 2015, Fayetteville Public Library was named the Best of
Northwest Arkansas by CitiScapes and NWA Best of the Best by
Arkansas Democrat Gazette
These accomplishments and many more are a vital part of what makes
this city great.
In Fayetteville we believe in a partnership -based government - we are all
part owners together. The power of community, volunteerism, education,
livability, and infrastructure creates a synergy for Fayetteville that continues to
propel its economic engine.
Both as City Council member and as Mayor I have always been a
proponent for infrastructure improvements as a foundation for Fayetteville's
quality of life and economic development. In this city, we build infrastructure
- a physical infrastructure, made up of roads, parks and trails; a technical
infrastructure, for government accessibility and delivery of services; and a
social infrastructure, where everyone is served and all feel a part of this
community.
Physical Infrastructure
As mentioned earlier, through prudent financial management combined
with revenue growth, this City has had an exceptional year. Our capital
projects have moved forward at an unparalleled pace.
Projects completed and underway in 2015 bring enormous potential for our
City, promoting alternative transportation, healthy lifestyles, and economic
growth. I want to thank our citizens for participating in our infrastructure
development as well - through public meetings and service on citizen
committees.
Our fine Engineering team is to be commended for development of new
standards for street construction. These new standards impact pedestrian and
bicycle facilities, bike lanes, and neighborhood traffic calming. Street and
intersection design standards have been revised to be more pedestrian friendly
as well.
The Van Asche Drive Extension Project, part of the Transportation
Bond Program approved by citizens, now provides a direct connection from
Garland Avenue/ Hwy 112 to our "Up -town" Restaurant & Retail Center.
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This project is a great example of voters, City Council, staff all coming together
to build and connect our community.
In 2015, work began on the first segment of the Rupple Road
Improvement Project, the largest project of the Transportation Bond Program.
When completed, Rupple Road will serve as an alternate north/south route,
improve traffic flow and complete connectivity with the emerging trail system.
The Old Wire Improvement Project includes an overhaul of the
intersection at Mission Boulevard and Old Wire and improvements from
Mission Blvd. to Ash Street, allowing for protected movements and safer
pedestrian and bicycle trails along the roadway and better traffic flow.
The City has partnered with the University of Arkansas and Fayetteville Public
Schools for Stadium Drive improvements and with the University for
Razorback Road improvements.
These roadways help define significant through -streets and boundaries of
our city.
Preservation of Historic Bridges: The City of Fayetteville has now
begun repairing and rehabilitating the downtown Maple and Lafayette Street
bridges using specifications as close to original design as possible to preserve
the integrity of the historic art -deco structures. The bridges, originally built in
mid -1930, cross over the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad tracks between West
and Arkansas avenues.
The Spring Street Municipal Parking Deck: As your Mayor in 2009, I
promised area business owners in the Entertainment District that I would
pursue a parking deck project to support the growing number of visitors and
employees in the Entertainment District. In partnership with the Walton Arts
Center and University of Arkansas, the four level parking facility project now
includes 235 parking spaces for automobiles and secure, covered bicycle
parking, with convenient access to the entertainment district.
Bikeways and Trails: In 2015 the city completed 3.6 miles of new on -
street bikeways and 3.4 miles of new shared -use paved trails, including the
southern extension of the Razorback Regional Greenway. Major trail
accomplishments include two sections of the Town Branch Trail and one
section of the Clabber Creek Trail. The City's urban trail system now includes
28 miles of multi -use trail paths.
A trail usage study recently commissioned by the Walton Family
Foundation shows that usage in Northwest Arkansas is on par with cyclists in
San Francisco and pedestrians in San Diego County. The study showed that
three sections of the Scull Creek Trail in Fayetteville are seeing more than
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150,000 cyclists a year, and all three sections were among the five busiest
places for cyclists on the 37 -mile Razorback Regional Greenway.
2016 will see the construction of an additional 5.8 miles of new shared -use
trails.
Sidewalk and Storm Drainage Improvement Projects: Sidewalks are
an essential part of the city's infrastructure, providing connections for
pedestrians and bicyclists and carefully engineered storm drainage. Over
14,000 feet of sidewalks were constructed in 2015, including both replacement
and new construction to complete important connections around town.
Fayetteville also tripled sidewalk funding, adding to the City's walkability and
connections to the trails system.
In the past five years the City has built over 60,000 feet or 11.4 miles of
sidewalks throughout Fayetteville.
The new College Avenue sidewalk project planned for 2016 is a
necessary part of the city's continued effort to make Fayetteville's
neighborhoods walkable. The enhancements will provide much-needed
upgrades along College Avenue from Maple Street to North Street, and will
include 10 ft. wide concrete sidewalks along both sides of the highway. The
project will also include installation of decorative streets lights and trees,
modification of traffic signals at Maple and North to accommodate 4 -way
pedestrian crossings, reduction in driveway curb cuts, removal of overhead
electric lines where feasible and evaluation of a pedestrian crossing in the
vicinity of Trenton & Rebecca, to be approved by the Ark. Hwy. Dept.
Water and Sewer Utility Work: Water and Sewer projects are critical to
our city's infrastructure. The City has begun construction on the Upper Scull
Creek Drainage Improvement Project to alleviate flooding in the area. The
Utility department replaced or installed over 17,000 square feet of water pipe
and over 6,000 square feet of sewer in 2015. Six new generators were installed
at water pumping stations, enabling 100% of our system to maintain water
pressure and service in the event of a total power outage.
Parks Projects Underway: The City of Fayetteville manages over 4,200
acres which includes 35 parks, 16 natural areas, and 17 trails. We are
constantly adding new programs and building new parks to keep up with the
needs of our residents. This year the City participated in the Northwest
Arkansas Regional Open Space Plan to identify natural landscapes and open
spaces that make this region an attractive place to live and to identify a
strategy for conservation of these natural assets.
In 2016, public meetings will be held to begin the design of the master
plan for the additional ten acres in Gulley Park.
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New Regional Park: Construction of the Regional Park Phase One is
well underway. This park will provide a consolidated venue for league and
tournament sports as well as many other active and passive recreational
opportunities. This is the largest project the Parks Department has worked on
in over a decade. Located off Cato Springs Road in southwest Fayetteville, the
property is comprised of over 232 acres. Due to strong HMR tax revenues in
2015, the City was able to add a fourth baseball field to the original plan, and
lights for the six soccer fields. Also in the plans are two concession/ restroom
buildings and associated parking. Soccer will be played on the new fields in
the fall of 2016! This park will offer tremendous economic development
opportunities as we bid on state and regional tournament events.
The Regional Park is immediately adjacent to Kessler Mountain, an
approximately 376 acre forest which will be preserved in its natural condition
and open for public use.
This nature preserve coupled with the developed recreation area of the
Regional Park will provide the people of Fayetteville and surrounding areas
unparalleled outdoor recreation, education, observation and appreciation. The
final draft of the Kessler Mountain project will be taken to the Parks Board and
then to City Council for approval in early Spring. Citizens are already enjoying
the almost seven miles of nature trail accessible from a new trailhead located at
the site of the Regional Park.
City Facilities: Projects in 2015 also included maintenance and
upgrades in over a dozen city facilities.
Expansion and improvement of our Recycling and Trash facility on
Happy Hollow Road is currently underway. The project will add over 5,000
square feet to the facility and renovate the existing space. The new facility will
relieve space needs for staff and parking shortfalls for the public.
The Recycling and Trash Division, the Yvonne Richardson Community
Center, and the Airport Tarmac all had lighting retrofits, utilizing incentive
funds from SWEPCO, and ultimately saving over $13,000 per year in electricity
and maintenance costs.
The Fayetteville Airport received a $500,000 state grant to conduct a
much needed Terminal Apron Repair, and a $200,000 state grant to repaint
and repair runway and taxiway surfaces.
In 2016, our work continues. I am focused on making sure that we
continue to meet our goals to keep projects on time and on budget as we work
to complete the renovation of the City Council Chamber, provide upgrades to
the Senior Center kitchen, and begin the development of the Woolsey Farm"
Master Plan.
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Technology as Critical Infrastructure
Your tax dollars at work this past year also included a considerable
investment in the city's digital backbone. Our citizens demand more electronic
interaction with their City government and in 2016, we will be meeting that
demand with a $4.5 million upgrade in 2016.
Fayetteville has been recognized as a small city that rivals big cities in its
digital practices.
We know that transparency and accountability build trust. Our plan is to
meet the peoples' expectations and send a citizen -first message. All city
departments now have the capability to manage and provide updates on their
own web pages on a daily basis. Over the next two years, our twenty -year-old
financial software system will be replaced and integrated with other software
updates including our core financials, annual budget, payroll, and human
resource systems. The new software will provide self-service options to more
efficiently serve the community.
Online services citizens can now access range from video -on -demand of
city meetings, utility payments, job application, recreation program registration
and much, much more.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) apps developed in 2015 include a
Fayetteville Historic sites map, Razorback Greenway markers, public art
installations map and trash and recycling truck routes.
Also in the area of GIS, our Transportation Division is installing new GPS
location systems in snow removal vehicles, allowing us to locate vehicles and
personnel during inclement weather, track streets where snow removal has
occurred and allowing us to respond more quickly in an emergency situation.
Additional Technology Projects Underway:
The City will replace the audio/visual systems in the meeting rooms in
the City administration Building and make the operations consistent from
room to room. We will upgrade the Television Center to a fully digital high-
definition system to meet industry standards and improve the audio and video
quality of the signal for citizen engagement.
Not only do we believe in transparent government and freedom of
expression for our citizens, but we also believe in the power of images and
video to capture the independent spirit and culture of our community.
Sharing our city services and natural beauty, celebrating our accomplishments
via the web site and social media channels, and continuing to offer more
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interactive services will keep our citizens engaged in Fayetteville's democratic
process and the future of our community.
The City of Fayetteville believes our digital backbone is just as important
as our roads, bridges, trails, parks, and utilities. Our digital city will continue
to be an engine for Fayetteville's economic health, targeting industries and
workforce development for today's economy.
Because of our emphasis on on-line accessibility to citizens, we will
continue to work in 2016 to enhance access for all citizens to affordable
broadband services. Fayetteville is the 1St city in the state to join with Next
Century Cities, a coalition of community leaders across the country who
recognize the importance of leveraging digital assets to attract new businesses,
create jobs and connect residents to new opportunities.
Digital inclusion for all of our citizens for online learning and access to
job banks is a new goal we will define as we create Fayetteville's Broadband
Strategic Plan in 2016.
Our Social Infrastructure - A Healthy and Welcoming Community
In addition to the building blocks of physical that are the foundation of
our city, it takes an equally solid social infrastructure to nurture every family,
individual, and business so that our entire community can prosper.
We ARE and we will continue to BE a SAFE Community:
The Fayetteville Police Department has sustained accreditation year
after year, demonstrating their level of professionalism and expertise that I, as
your Mayor, and Fayetteville citizens expect. They also recognize the value of
our city's unique cultural diversity and strive to treat all citizens with kindness,
tolerance, and dignity, protecting the rights, liberties, and freedoms guaranteed
by law.
Both FPD and the Fayetteville Fire Department are focused on positive
recruitment and selection of high caliber personnel, with an emphasis on
recruitment of a diverse workforce to better represent the census of the
population we serve.
The Fayetteville Fire Department also retains its high standards year
after year and has implemented a national testing network and fitness
certification for entry level firefighter testing. The Fire Department also works
to increase public fire safety education and conducts a Fayetteville Family Fire
Safety Day each year.
All of these notable continuous improvements in our police and fire
programs have allowed us to continue to respond in the face of our rapid
growth but we also recognized the need to plan for the inevitable future growth
to maintain our standards.
Last year, I asked our Police Chief and Fire Chief to provide a detailed
plan for how we could keep up with this growth and maintain a safe and
secure city. They analyzed call volume and response times in order to identify
improvements to be made.
And here is what they found: Fayetteville Police Department responded
to a nearly 23% increase and the Fayetteville Fire Department saw a 36%
increase in calls for service from 2008 to 2015.
As we confirmed this trend in increased service calls, I asked our Chief
Financial Officer to determine the most appropriate funding mechanism to
increase staff to support our high standards for response times in both police
and fire.
As a result of the City Council passing the $1.3 new discretionary mill,
we are now able to establish a new police beat, expanded dispatch, motor
officer, and a new company of firefighters to provide more coverage and quicker
response times, for a total of 19 new public safety officers in 2016. The cost for
this increase in service is no more than $20 per $100,000 of home property
value and we believe this is a small investment to pay for the safety of our city.
As I said when I opened remarks in this section, we ARE a safe City and we
WILL keep this city safe.
A Thriving Workplace Community: As a city, we strive to be a model
for workplace productivity and one that rewards and motivates its employees.
The city's increased revenue for the year, combined with strong stewardship
and money management will fully fund the salary package for employees this
year without having to dip into reserves. As Mayor of this city, I am blessed
with an incredibly talented staff who manage our city resources with care.
A Caring Community: In 2015 Fayetteville was awarded $574,209 in
community development block funding. The City works with a number of
service organizations to assist low -to -moderate -income residents.
We distribute Energy Efficiency & Weatherization Kits to qualifying residents,
providing tools to weatherize homes and reduce water usage.
The Taxi Program assists elderly and disabled residents and the Transit
Program assists low -and -moderate income citizens with fixed -route and
assisted transit passes.
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One goal of the Community Development Program for 2016 is to assist
homeless persons to obtain affordable housing and assist persons at risk of
becoming homeless to secure affordable permanent housing, particularly for
disadvantaged citizens and persons with special needs.
We've held the fifth annual FEST of ALL in conjunction with First
Thursday. FEST of ALL is a celebration of the many cultures of the Ozarks and
provides exposure to many organizations, groups, performers and artists in. our
region.
Animal Services: In December the City Council approved renaming
Fayetteville's Animal Shelter to "The Lib Horn Animal Shelter of Fayetteville", in
honor of Lib Horn's long-standing service to the City both as Animal Services
Director and as champion to its animal inhabitants. Following Lib's ideals,
Fayetteville takes great pride in caring for our animals and will continue to set
an example of what a quality animal shelter represents.
When I came into office, the euthanasia rate at the shelter was over 50%
in 2009. In 2015, it continues to be low at 9.4% despite taking in 257 more
pets this year and adopting, reuniting or sending to rescue 235 more pets. We
also saw a 27% increase in returning pets to owners and increased our number
of low cost spay/neuter surgeries by more than 100 over same time period in
2014.
Ranger's Pantry continues to help citizens experiencing financial
hardship to get food for their pets so they don't have to surrender them
because they can't feed them.
A Sustainable Community: One major accomplishment for Fayetteville
in 2015 was the establishment of the city's PACE Improvement Project, the first
in the state of Arkansas. PACE - or Property Assessed Clean Energy - is a
creative financing mechanism allowing commercial property owners to borrow
money at very low interest rates for weatherization, energy efficiency, renewable
energy or water conservation improvements.
Work continues on the Solid Waste Reduction, Diversion and Recycling
Master Plan and pilot projects are underway to determine effectiveness of types
of recycling collection services and solid waste composting.
The City of Fayetteville's efforts to boost recycling received this year's
Arkansas Environmental Stewardship Award, known as the ENVY Award, the
highest environmental award given by the State from the Arkansas Department
of Environmental Quality.
The Keep Fayetteville Beautiful Committee conducted 2 cleanups at both
Lake Fayetteville and the Razorback Greenway trail network and 1 at Lake
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Sequoyah to remove trash, litter, and recyclable materials. Keep Fayetteville
Beautiful also conducted the annual litter index survey.
In 2016, we plan to set some bold goals in sustainability. One will be to
prioritize STAR Outcomes and Actions to be implemented over the next 2 years
with a focus on becoming a 4 -STAR Community. We will begin to track and
report community greenhouse gas emissions with a goal of achieving an 80%
reduction in community -wide greenhouse gas emissions in our future. We owe
it to our children and our children's children and this we will do!
A Natural Community: Fayetteville's natural beauty, its gardens, open
spaces and natural habitat preservation continue to grow. This year's
celebration of trees gave away over 800 trees to citizens. The City carefully
selects tree types for installation along sidewalks and trails to provide shade to
enhance walkability.
The Parks Urban Forestry and Sustainability departments have begun to
focus on invasive species removal and habitat restoration. We are increasing
efforts to remove invasive plants in response to concerns about their rapid
spread which harms our ecosystem by choking out native plants and reducing
the natural insect and animal habitat. This past summer, goats were brought
in to munch on poison ivy, honeysuckle, privet and other invasive plants at
Wilson Park. The City received national recognition for the Greedy Goats
program in the National Parks and Wildlife magazine.
The invasive plant ordinance amendment and education publication are
significant steps in a community approach to dealing with invasive plants, and
are in response to years of research and effort from active residents and citizen
advisory boards.
In other efforts to increase the native habitat, I recently signed the Save
the Monarch Butterfly Pledge with the National Wildlife Federation. The North
American monarch population has declined by more than 90 percent in the
past two decades. In response to a call from the Wildlife Federation, several of
our departments are working together to plant more habitat and engage our
citizens in the spring and fall of 2016.
A Healthy Community: With its Active Transportation Plan, Fayetteville
is committed to developing an inclusive multi -modal transportation system to
create a "livable transportation network" of bicycle and sidewalk infrastructure.
We believe that combining pedestrian and bicycle planning into active
transportation planning will yield the maximum return on the public's
investment and lead to a more healthy and vibrant community.
Fayetteville's miles of trails lend themselves to a bicycle friendly city.
Fayetteville is a League of American Bicyclists -designated Bicycle Friendly
Community, boasting six locally owned bike shops and an ever-growing
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network of bike trails and bike lanes. Fayetteville's bike -friendliness attracts
visitors and new residents, reduces traffic congestion, keeps us healthy, and
boosts the economy. With some of the best mountain biking trails in the
country, Northwest Arkansas has also become a destination for mountain
bikers.
The Razorback Regional Greenway is a 36 -mile, primarily shared -use
trail that extends from south Fayetteville to Bella Vista Trail, linking dozens of
popular destinations across 6 downtown areas, the University of Arkansas
campus, historic sites, arts and entertainment venues, parks, shopping areas
and residential communities. The Greenway in Fayetteville was funded from a
federal transportation grant, a gift from the Walton Family Foundation, and
matching city funds.
An important transportation link in Northwest Arkansas, the Greenway
is a central spine, connecting all of the trail systems of the surrounding cities.
Destination events, group rides and adventure races are increasing traffic on
the Greenway, becoming a ribbon of commerce.
Tourism in Fayetteville has become a year-round adventure with new
destinations opening up every day, all accessible by the most successful and
complete multi -modal transportation network available.
In 2016 we will continue our partnership with the University of Arkansas
to develop a community bike -share program for Fayetteville and will develop an
on-line public bicycle rack request program to facilitate the installation of more
bike racks on public streets.
The first year of the Fayetteville Race Series, launched by the Parks and
Recreation Department, drew a total of 1,274 participants. This race has been
a grassroots effort with the ambition to become a premier race series in
Arkansas.
A Fun Community: Every season in Fayetteville is beautiful and each
has its own unique event schedule. There is something for everyone here, from
Razorback sports and the City's many great festivals to the Farmer's Market
and Gulley Park Concerts to the free Dive -In Movies at Wilson Park sponsored
by the Fayetteville Firefighters Association. Fayetteville continues to be a great
place to live, work and play.
A Performing and Visual Arts Community: Fayetteville "is also gaining
a reputation for its vibrant arts and cultural scene..." according to
Liveability.com
As Fayetteville's population grows so too does the interest in more and
more arts and entertainment. The City continues its long established
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partnership with the Walton Arts Center with new administrative offices and
the addition of backstage spaces located in a new building on the north side of
the Spring Street Parking Deck.
We are also excited about the new expanded entry that promises to
transform the relationship between Walton Arts Center, Dickson Street and the
entertainment district.
The city has also collaborated with Theatre Squared to achieve a
significant, multi-million dollar grant for design services, and has committed
the use of city property for their new 5 1, 000 square foot theatre, another major
capital and cultural investment in our downtown.
Public Art continues to grow in Fayetteville with the newly painted mural
on the square, the gift from a local artist of a sculpture on the Frisco Trail, and
continuation of the University of Arkansas "Upstream Art" project, painting
storm drains to bring educational awareness of storm water pollution. Keep
Fayetteville Beautiful is continuing its Utility Box Art program to combat graffiti
and City Parks is working with Art students in Fayetteville Public Schools to
display student art on the trails.
In 2016, we are looking forward to an expanding partnership with the
University of Arkansas Art Department for the new Art and Design District to
be established between the Tsa La Gee trail and Martin Luther King Blvd. off of
Government Avenue.
An Educated Community
Our Schools: In 2015, Fayetteville dedicated our new 96 million dollar
high school - a state of the art facility in a school system second to none in the
state of Arkansas. The University of Arkansas saw student enrollment increase
to a new record of 27,754 students. Our Research and Technology Park at the
U of A continues to grow and is home to dozens of technology start-ups.
Library Resources: Our world class Fayetteville Public Library
continues to provide services to all of our citizens, including the students in
our public and private schools.
Over 1 million items were circulated in 2015; library visits increased by
18%; program attendance has increased by 10%; reference services answered
over 78,000 questions; volunteer hours are up 5% over last year.
The Library hosted the 3rd annual True Lit, Fayetteville's Literary
Festival, and attendance increased 44% from 2014 with almost 900 people
attending the Lois Lowry keynote lecture at FPL.
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Several notable and award-winning authors were hosted this year, the
summer reading program offered a 10 -week series for all age groups, and the
Library provided free, lifelong learning classes on a wide variety of subjects.
In 2016, the Fayetteville Public Library will host a centennial celebration, will
grow and expand True Lit and will pursue plans to introduce a new app to
increase access to online library services.
A Growing Community
Fayetteville's rapidly growing population, from the U.S. Census Bureau's
2010 report of 73,581 to the current estimate of 80,621 and projections that
maintain a strong growth, is a strong indicator of a thriving community. Many
people locate to Fayetteville because of the quality of life, its educational
opportunities, and the welcoming business climate.
Through the city's business license program,. City Planning processed
767 new business applications and 2,971 renewal applications for 2015. Both
new businesses and renewals of existing business licenses are at an all-time
high.
Two hundred and fifty (250) items were reviewed through the Planning
Commission, Board of Adjustment, and Historic District Commission and there
were 433 new dwelling units and over 86,000 square feet of nonresidential
space approved this year.
All of this physical and digital infrastructure provides the foundation for
our city's growth - growth that can be measured by the over 700 building
permits approved this year, amounting to approximately $1,200,000 in permit
revenue, including several major projects such as Whole Foods and Walmart
Neighborhood Market opening this Spring, and a number of single and multi-
family homes, projects, and student housing across town. In addition, our
Development Services Department also served as liaison for economic
development, assisting new start-up/expansion businesses in Fayetteville such
as Metova and Overdrive Brands to locate and/or expand their facilities.
Work will continue in 2016 on the Transportation Master Plan, which could
drive future transportation projects for a decade or more. We will begin the
CityPlan2035 process and hold regular developer focus groups to gain
input/ perspective on potential code and process reform.
Fayetteville is experiencing a vibrant and healthy economic climate. It is
a great time and place to nurture your families and build your dreams, your
ideas, and your businesses. We have been blessed with steady growth over the
past few years in all of the measurable indicators - from record increases in
sales tax, building permits, and population growth to the infrastructure
development that provides building blocks for the future and sustains and
enhances our quality of life. Fayetteville is a progressive, business -friendly
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community. We believe it takes the partnership of the entire community to
move its economic engine forward.
A Progressive City for Economic Development - Fayetteville First!
Boyette Strategic Advisors has been engaged to develop the City's new
Economic Development Strategic Plan update Fayetteville First!, which will
include identification of targeted business sectors/ opportunities, along with the
development of strategic recommendations to position Fayetteville for
continued economic development success.
We are asking citizens and business leaders through stakeholder group
meetings and surveys to rank business sectors and opportunities for
investment and job creation as to the best fit for Fayetteville in order to target
our economic development efforts.
We will be looking at best practices and benchmarking against
progressive and successful cities across the nation.
Once this plan is completed, we will make recommendations for City Council
consideration and action to take this city to the next competitive level for
continued prosperity.
Moving forward, I am thinking of how much our City has grown, how it
has changed, and how it continues to excel in rankings and awards. I reflect
on its diversity and marvel at its strengths and what great things we have
ahead. We want to take this opportunity to harness our City's positive
momentum and update our focus, target industries, and future opportunities
for continued economic success to make Fayetteville First succeed on a globally
competitive scale.
You may have heard people say they are tired of everything moving up
North but I want to ask you, when you hear these comments, I want you to
remember the successes and accomplishments of your city as supported by all
of the statistics and progress in this State of the City report. I want you to
reflect on these facts, be able to tell your neighbors about them, and know that
you live in a progressive city and one that continues to set the bar high and
lead the way for others to follow.
Fayetteville has proven time and again that it is a welcoming, fair and
tolerant city. People live and stay here not because of what we market, but
because of what we believe.
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As I Close
When I count the number of ways I love this city, I always think of its
natural, breathtaking beauty, its unique spot in the universe, "up among the
hills," its carefully planned urban architecture, and these days, its economic
vitality. But when I count the ways I love this city and the people that make it
so unique, I am awestruck that we can all be so lucky. We live in a safe
community, a community that fosters a thriving workplace environment, a
caring community, a sustainable community, a natural and healthy
community, a fun community, with unique tourism and performing and visual
arts, an educated community, and a progressive city. Fayetteville is all of these
things because it is a diverse and welcoming community and a community with
a vigorous tradition of freedom of expression and tolerance.
I