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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-17 - Minutes -Council Member Sonia Harvey Ward 1 Position 1 Council Member D'Andre Jones Ward 1 Position 2 Council Member Sarah Moore Ward 2 Position 1 Council Member Mike Wiederkehr Ward 2 Position 2 Mayor Lioneld Jordan City Attorney Kit Williams City Clerk Treasurer Kara Paxton City of Fayetteville Arkansas City Council Meeting January 17, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Page 1 of 14 Council Member Scott Bema Ward 3 Position 1 Council Member Sarah Bunch Ward 3 Position 2 Council Member Teresa Turk Ward 4 Position 1 Council Member Holly Hertzberg Ward 4 Position 2 A meeting of the Fayetteville City Council was held on January 17, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 219 of the City Administration Building located at 113 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Mayor Jordan called the meeting to order. PRESENT: Council Members Sonia Harvey, D'Andre Jones, Sarah Moore, Mike Wiederkehr, Scott Berna, Sarah Bunch, Teresa Turk, Holly Hertzberg, Mayor Lioneld Jordan, City Attorney Kit Williams, City Clerk Treasurer Kara Paxton, Chief of Staff Susan Norton, Chief Financial Officer Paul Becker, Staff, Press and Audience. Pledge of Allegiance Mawr's Announcements, Proclamations and Recognitions: None City Council Meeting Presentations, Reports, and Discussion Items: Martin Luther King, Jr. Brotherhood Award Presented by City Attorney Kit Williams City Attorney Kit Williams: For over 20 years it has been my honor and privilege to recognize a worthy City of Fayetteville employee to receive the City of Fayetteville Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brotherhood Award. This award has been given annually in recognition of that city employee whose service to our city and our community best exemplifies Dr. Martin Luther King's dream of equality, justice, brotherhood and service. This year's honoree joins a distinguished list of city employees who have embodied Dr. King's dream and have helped fulfil his legacy of service. Although I will honor a single employee tonight, there are many city employees who work hard 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Page 2 of 14 every day to make Fayetteville such a great place to live, work and raise a family. City of Fayetteville employees from billing and accounting clerks to firefighters and maintenance workers from department directors to their newest employees are responsive to citizen needs and input and do their jobs diligently and efficiently. They serve our citizens and community with courtesy and competency. I count myself lucky to be able to work alongside my fellow city employees to ensure that Fayetteville remains a welcoming community in which all are treated with respect and dignity. I met tonight's honoree when the City Council and the Environmental Action Committee began considering an ordinance to attempt to reduce the littering and environmental problems caused when so many restaurants were using Styrofoam containers, which cannot be feasibly recycled, and are causing almost everlasting pollution worldwide. Environmental educator Heather Ellzey eagerly began to analyze this issue and researched the successes and failures of other communities who had tackled this problem. Heather brought us vital information regarding other cities regulations and importantly found cost effective alternative to single use Styrofoam clamshells, cups and plates. After the City Council passed its first regulation to prevent the city's own use of such products, and to encourage other governmental entities such as the University and the Fayetteville School District to also reduce their use, Heather worked closely and effectively with the Fayetteville School District and we need to thank the Fayetteville School District for successful efforts substantially reducing the amount of Styrofoam going to the landfill. When the City Council expanded our ban of single use Styrofoam containers to local restaurants, Heather worked hard to ensure all local restaurants were informed about reasonable substitutes at reasonable prices. Heather did so well that the city never had to take a single enforcement action to force compliance. Unfortunately, the State Legislature evidently supports the continuing littering of single use Styrofoam containers because it passed a law that prevents Fayetteville from continuing its regulation of restaurants use of such single use containers. However, because of Heather's successful effort to educate and inform our restaurant owners about the feasibility of using reasonable substitutes instead of Styrofoam, many ecologically and public spirited restaurant owners have continued to use those better products, even after the city could no longer require such use. Heather Ellzey also worked with University of Arkansas students and professors to develop a sustainable outreach project, including a green business guide to help businesses to be more sustainable and ecological. Heather was also an integral part of the rollout of our residential food waste collection program. She has consistently worked to educate residents and businesses on the benefits of composting and how to participate. Most recently, Heather Ellzey led the implementation of the 2022 Pick Me Up pilot program. Heather has worked with our partner, Genesis Church, to establish this very successful program employing unhoused city residents in teams of five to pick up trash from trails and parks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. About 30 people enter their names to be included in the pool, which are then drawn to see who will be able to work on those teams that day. They gather at the Seven Hills Homeless Center and the names are drawn there. Not only are these unhoused people paid twelve dollars per hour, but Genesis Church provides a bus for transportation to worksites, lunch on site and shower opportunities after the job, as well as other services. Genesis Church is paid $2,000 dollars per month for administering this program and supplies a representative to oversee the program. The pilot Pick Me Up program, which was financed from a grant of about $30,000 dollars, authorized by Mayor Jordan in June from the Recycling and Trash fund, was honored at the 2022 National Resource Recycling Conference in Austin, Texas as the Program of the Year. This program has not only resulted in amazing amounts of trash being picked up and removed from city parks and trails, it has given many unhoused residents a continuing opportunity to perform important 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 wwIN.Fayetteville-ar.gov City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Page 3 of 14 worthwhile work while earning a fair wage. The overwhelming desire of our unhoused neighbors to participate in this program is a testament to its value for some of our neediest citizens. It's my pleasure to present our City Environmental Educator for Recycling and Trash, Heather Ellzey, as our worthy recipient of the 2023 City of Fayetteville Martin Luther King Jr. Brotherhood Award. Heather Ellzey, Environmental Educator gave her appreciation. Agenda Additions: None Consent: Approval of the January 3, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes. Approved Bruckner's Truck & Equipment: A resolution to waive the requirements of competitive bidding and approve the repair of Fire Ladder 3 by Bruckner's Truck & Equipment for the estimated amount of $37,845.58, and to authorize the use of Bruckner's for future repairs of heavy duty vehicles and fire apparatuses that may exceed $35,000.00 on an as -needed basis through February 4, 2025. Resolution 17-23 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Dana Safety Supply, Inc. d/b/a Fleet Safety: A resolution to amend Resolution 122-19 and authorize the extension of the contract with Dana Safety Supply, Inc. d/b/a Fleet Safety to continue utilizing the GSA Contract for the purchase of emergency lights and related equipment through July 31, 2027, and any future renewal periods. Resolution 18-23 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Crafton, Tull & Associates, Inc.: A resolution to approve a professional engineering services agreement with Crafton, Tull & Associates, Inc., pursuant to RFQ 22-01 Selection #13, in an amount not to exceed $321,238.00 for design services associated with the Cato Springs Sewer Extension and Lift Station Project, and to approve a project contingency in the amount of $16,062.00. Resolution 19-23 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk 2022 Justice Assistance Grant: A resolution to authorize acceptance of a 2022 Justice Assistance Grant in the total amount of $84,326.00 which will be used to purchase law enforcement equipment and supplies for the Fayetteville Police Department, Springdale Police Department and -the Washington County Sheriff's Office, and to approve a budget adjustment. 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Page 4 of 14 Resolution 20-23 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Contract Amendment #1 with Genesis Church: A resolution to approve Amendment 1 to the Memorandum of Agreement with Central United Methodist Church, Inc. d/b/a Genesis on MLK to provide funding in the amount of up to $100,000.00 for the Fayetteville Litter Abatement Program. Resolution 21-23 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Council Member Bunch moved to accept the Consent Agenda as read. Council Member Jones seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. Unfinished Business: Raze and Removal of Structure at 3301 South Coach Road: A resolution to order the razing and removal of a dilapidated and unsafe structure on property owned by Kevin Roy Calhoun located at 3301 South Coach Road in the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and to approve a budget adjustment in the amount of $17,500.00. At the December 6, 2022 City Council Meeting, this resolution was tabled to the December 20, 2022 City Council Meeting. At the December 20, 2022 City Council Meeting, this resolution was tabled to the January 17, 2023 City Council Meeting. Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director stated Billy Bryant, Senior Code Compliance Officer, was not able to attend the meeting. He stated there was no new information or updates on the item. He explained how Mr. Calhoun had experienced circumstances that prevented him from regressing the property as much as he would have liked. He noted Mr. Calhoun had begun work on disconnecting some of the utilities on the property. He believed Mr. Calhoun was present at the meeting to speak for himself. Mayor Jordan: Are you Mr. Calhoun? Kevin Calhoun, Property Owner: Yes, sir. Mayor Jordan: Would you like to speak for the Council? You have ten minutes. Kevin Calhoun stated not dealing with the property had become a great burden. He emailed the Council the background of his situation. He explained who he had talked with at the city in regard to the property. He loved the property and would like to build a house there. He thanked the Council for their patience and regretted that his inaction had caused action to be taken against him. Council Member Turk: Thank you for coming before us tonight, I appreciate you showing up. We want you to be able to apply for the permit and take action so that we don't have to step in or do anything. Could you provide us a timeline about when you think you'll be able to submit the permit and some of the other actions that might be required that you've discussed with staff? 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 'NWW.fayetteville-ar.gov City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Page 5 of 14 Kevin Calhoun: Sure. My priority is to do the permit first, that shows you good faith that I'm taking that first step. Within the next week or two is what I want to do. I've talked to the city about going to the location, taking some pictures and then the steps it'll take to get the permit, which I'll come up here to do so as soon as possible with that. The way I understood it was after I get the application for the permit I have six months to complete the task. I've got it memorized as far as each step that I would like to take. Inside of the house is very dilapidated, I need to have that cleaned out and remove whatever contents is left in the house and garage. I've had the utilities disconnected and then hiring a company to come in to remove the contents of the house and then hiring another company to demolish the house. I can then just maintain the property at that point until the time is right to ultimately build on it. Council Member Turk: You think you'll be able to complete it within that six month time period? Kevin Calhoun: I will make it a priority to complete it. This has been a burden I've carried way too long. You'll always have this emotional side of your mind and your logical side of your mind. Logically you'll say yes, you start with this step and this next step but then your emotional side looks at the whole big picture and you can get overwhelmed by it. The stress and anxiety it's caused me by not dealing with this last issue that's connected with the loss of my parents will be very beneficial for both my mental and physical health. Council Member Turk thanked Mr. Calhoun for answering the questions. Kevin Calhoun commented that he had a close friend, Brian Waters, a retired Fayetteville Policemen, who would give support and not allow him to fail. Council Member Bunch: I understand how overwhelming things can be sometimes. I get the idea of you look at one thing and think, well I can do this, but then you start looking at the big picture and it gets out of your control sometimes. Would you feel comfortable having an update to the Council? Is that something we could ask for? Like say at four months, you can come in. Kevin Calhoun: Oh, you mean me communicating with you to update? Council Member Bunch: Yes, give us an update and send us some pictures. Kevin Calhoun: I would suggest that to maintain communication with you to show good faith of what I've accomplished, absolutely. Council Member Bunch stated that from personal experience she worked better under a deadline. Kevin Calhoun agreed. Council Member Bunch briefly spoke of situations in the past where the Council tried to work with property owners who stated they were going to demolish their properties but couldn't. She noted how the structures could become dangerous for people. She would like to discuss an update in four months' time. She thanked Mr. Calhoun for coming to the meeting. 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 wwW.fayetteville-ar.gov City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Page 6 of 14 Council Member Berna agreed with Council Member Bunch. He acknowledged how troubling losing a parent could be. Kevin Calhoun stated this was the last house his parents purchased. He briefly explained what brought his parents to the area and his reasoning for moving here as well. Council Member Berna: The right thing to do is, he's showing some good faith and let's give him an opportunity with the checks and balance of making sure you're making progress. Do we do that through a motion or how do we do that? Mayor Jordan: I'm going to take some Public Comment before we get too far into this. Council Member Wiederkehr explained how the cost of demolishing property was unexpected and significant and that some may find it better to have the city hire the demolition contractor. He explained how the city would then place a lien on the property that could be paid off and removed. He stated that option may be less stressful and wished Mr. Calhoun the best of luck. Council Member Bunch explained that if the city placed a lien on the property, the owner would have to pay off the lien before they could finance construction for a home on the property. Kevin Calhoun: As far as the finances from my end, that shouldn't be a problem. Council Member Jones stated he and Council Member Harvey were excited about the potential development in Ward 1. Kevin Calhoun: Thank you and thank you for your thoughtful email, Council Member Harvey. Council Member Berna proposed giving Mr. Calhoun six months with a review at three months. Council Member Moore: I would second that. City Attorney Kit Williams: That's actually a motion to table this resolution for six months and you want an initial report after three months to go to city staff? Council Member Berna: That's fine, yes. Kara Paxton, City Clerk Treasurer: Just for clarification, that would be that July 18th meeting that it would be tabled to if it passed? There was brief conversation of agreement to the proposed date of July 18, 2023. Council Member Berna moved to table the resolution to the July 18, 2023 City Council Meeting. Council Member Moore seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. This resolution was tabled to the July 18, 2023 City Council meeting. 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 wWIN.fayetteville-ar.gov City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Page 7 of 14 VAC 22-024 (Razorback Rd. Maple St., Etc.): An ordinance to approve VAC 22-024 for property located along Razorback Road, Maple Street, Garland Avenue, Cleveland Street, Hill Avenue, Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard and Lt. Colonel Leroy Pond Avenue in Wards 1 and 2 to vacate portions of street rights -of -way. Council Member Hertzberg moved to suspend the rules and go to the second reading. Council Member Jones seconded the motion. Upon roll call the motion passed unanimously. City Attorney Kit Williams read the ordinance. Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director addressed Council Member Wiederkehr's question on whether the city's efforts to install conduit around the city could be considered as a part of this proposal. He stated the city's IT Director and similar representation from the University of Arkansas met and had consensus that it should not be incorporated into the current proposal. He stated there was concern that with agreements to possibly have conduit sharing city wide and campus wide, having it incorporated into an agreement specifically tied to the rights -of -way could create unanticipated constraints. He stated there was interest to have the proposal presented at the Town and Gown meeting next Monday, which would require the Council to table the item. Mayor Jordan: Is there any University people here that want to speak on this? Jonathan Curth: Jay Young is here as the representative for the item. Jay Young, University of Arkansas Representative stated the proposal came before the Council with unanimous support from the staff and departments at the city. He stated that IT commented that the conduit and communications item was not their desire to be a condition of approval if approved tonight. He briefly spoke of Condition 7 that specifically talked about the maintenance and use agreement that would be drafted by the University of Arkansas and submitted to the city for review for revisions, he stated that would have to be accepted by both parties in its entirety. He stated there was the opportunity if the item were to be approved tonight for the city to have the final and full review before all the conditions were accepted. Council Member Turk noted the Town and Gown meeting would happen on Monday and believed it would be beneficial for the neighbors to voice their concerns on the proposal. She requested the item be held on the current reading and have the third and final reading in two weeks. This ordinance was left on the Second Reading. New Business: Amend Rules of Order and Procedure: A resolution to amend the Rules of Order and Procedure of the Fayetteville City Council to clarify that an agenda applicant shall include the appellant from a final decision of the Planning Commission or city staff. 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 INWW.fayetteville-ar.gov City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Page 8 of 14 Council Member Turk briefly spoke of how several citizens in 2022 appealed a decision made by the Planning Commission and how it was unclear how much time they had to speak. She stated the item would allow the Council to give the citizens or citizens group ten minutes to speak. City Attorney Kit Williams: Mayor, you had a good interpretation of this. This is the 10/10/10 solution where the staff, the developer and the citizens or citizens representative each get ten minutes on that kind of appeal. Mayor Jordan: Or a council member that would like to take the ten minutes instead, did I have that right? Council Member Turk: That's correct. Council Member Hertzberg moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Moore seconded the motion. Upon roll call the resolution passed unanimously. Resolution 22-23 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Excellerate Foundation d/b/a Upskill NWA: A resolution to authorize Mayor Jordan to sign a Subrecipient Agreement with Excellerate Foundation d/b/a Upskill NWA for job training and placement services for lower -income Fayetteville residents into higher wage, high demand occupations utilizing American Rescue Plan Act funds in the amount of $742,223.00, and to approve a budget adjustment. Council Member Hertzberg was pleased to bring the item forward and briefly explained the program and how it would assist individuals in moving up the career ladder and increase the number of healthcare professionals in the City of Fayetteville. She introduced Devin Howland, Director of Economic Vitality, and Justin Fletcher with the Excellerate Foundation. Devin Howland, Director of Economic Vitality stated the item was on staff s suggested American Rescue Plan Act funds list that was submitted to Council. He spoke of the program and how it trained residents of low income households for high wage jobs within the healthcare sector. He stated that residents in the program would benefit by being connected with wraparound services such as rental assistance or childcare. He noted the amount of the program was $742,000, which was based off of 4% of the American Rescue Plan Act funds. He stated members from Excellerate Foundation and Upskill NWA were present. Justin Fletcher, Vice President of Programs with Excellerate Foundation introduced Carol Moralez, President CEO of Upskill NWA and Jeff Webster, President CEO of Excellerate Foundation. He gave a brief description of Excellerate Foundation and its history. He believed a skilled workforce that stayed in the region was important because the need for workforce would continue to rise. He briefly spoke of the Healthcare Transformation Initiative to make Northwest Arkansas a world -class healthcare destination and stop the $950 million dollars that were being lost to medical outmigration to other states and regions. He briefly spoke of the gap of more than 1,000 positions that go unfilled every year in paramedical careers such as nurses, EMT's, 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 Nww Fayetteville-ar.gov City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Page 9 of 14 phlebotomist and technicians. He spoke of the nontraditional workforce and how that workforce was more likely to stay in the area and fill gaps that were needed in the healthcare field. He explained two moments that he would like to point out; the first one being when Walt Family Foundation announced the creation of the organization and then when CEO's Executive let leadership from across many sectors come together to talk about the current issue. He noted Mayor Jordan and the County Judge were present at the meeting and that everyone came to the same conclusion; we have to come together with everyone doing their part to do something about the issue before it's too late. He stated the model they were using was based off a model called Project Quest from San Antonio and spoke of how it was used. He explained how the process worked in getting applicants educated, ready for jobs and helping them after they received the job. He stated they reassess the jobs every year with employee partners and within themselves to ensure the salaries are at the level they need to be for participants. He stated their goal was to grow household incomes to 80% of the median family income or higher and if it's an individual, they want to see a salary increase of at least $15,000. He spoke of how they like to target families for this project because there was a higher rate of college attendance of the children of participants. Mayor Jordan stated the applicants time was up for speaking. Council Member Bunch: Could you finish? How long do you think it would take? Justin Fletcher: About 30-45 seconds. There was brief discussion of giving the applicant an additional two minutes. Justin Fletcher spoke of the current participants in the program and their increased income. He explained how they had done the project last year with 100 Upskill NWA participants, 18 graduates and had a 94% placement with their employer partners within 90 days. He stated the average pre - graduate income was $70,500 and the average post salary was $53,800. He stated they served more underserved populations and that one of the graduates was a Fayetteville resident who saw an increase in salary by $26,780 after being in the program. He asked that Fayetteville join them, join the community and join the regional initiative to ensure people get the support they need. Council Member Jones thanked Carol Moralez and Jeff Webster. He believed investing in people was what we had to do to make sure everyone rises. He spoke of how he worked in healthcare and understood there was a hiring crisis. He believed the jobs were essential and he appreciated the presentation. He thanked Council Member Hertzberg for bringing the item forward. Council Member Turk: I did the back of the envelope numbers and for 27 students, that would be about $27,481 a year or is that over three and a half years? If you could explain that a little bit. Carol Moralez, President CEO of Upskill NWA: The average cost of a Upskill NWA participant is $21,000, but as we mentioned with the slide with the circles, the employer partner actually pays us a 1/3 of that so the cost of an actual participant right now is $14,000 per participant. Council Member Turk: Does that mean you would have more students than the 27 and that $742,000 would go much further? 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Page 10 of 14 Carol Moralez: Yes, we would start recruiting very heavily to start filling those slots that are made available through the additional funding. Justin Fletcher: Just to clarify, philanthropic dollars paid for Fayetteville during the first year. The 27 that are in the program do need support for the upcoming years as well. Council Member Turk: Would the funds cover the three and a half years throughout their tuition? Justin Fletcher: That $14,000 average is for the entire program. Council Member Turk: You mentioned the outmigration of some folks and you're targeting nontraditional students and that makes a lot of sense, but is there a condition within your program that they stay here for several years? Do you have anything like that? Carol Moralez: The contractual agreements are had between Upskill NWA, the employer partners, the education partners and the participant. When they commit to the program they commit to go to school, graduate and give us access to their records so we know and can see how they're doing. They also commit to interview with all five hospital CEO's and they commit to staying employed for two years right here in Northwest Arkansas. Council Member Turk: My last question is about transportation, I noticed you had that and I don't have the slide in front of me right now but you had that covered. I appreciate you all trying to break down those barriers which are real with nontraditional students, so if somebody's car is broken down or they don't have transportation how would that gap be filled? Carol Moralez: That's done directly through the career navigators. We had a real life situation where we had a gentlemen who was driving on one spare and really bad tires. We worked directly with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to get him the numbers. He had a credit card that he was able to use to buy all four new tires so it is us collaborating with and connecting across state agencies and local agencies to make sure we are able to serve the needs of those participants. There could be a gas card from career pathways initiative at Northwest Arkansas Community College, but to be able to have partners like Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act that say hey we can do a little bit more, it has been wonderful serving the needs of our participants. Council Member Turk: If somebody doesn't have a car and they have no transportation, somehow that gap will be filled? That's part of your commitment? Carol Moralez: Yes. We have connected participants and they've received gas cards, bus cards and new tires. That's not the case with everyone but there are resources out there and that's what we do, we connect that participant to whatever resource they need to be able to get them to school. Justin Fletcher spoke of how they had participants located in Pea Ridge, Madison County and Siloam Springs. He stated providing transportation was beyond the scope of the program and was not a core part of what they do. He explained there were opportunities for partnership and how they would be interested to hear any ideas we might have. He believed the conversation of 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Page 11 of 14 transportation was important but that it was a separate conversation from the work they were currently doing with the participants in the program. Council Member Jones appreciated the presenters approach to addressing historical barriers that nontraditional students face. He noted how the program would help students with licensing fees for exams as well as tuition and book fees. He believed the program was comprehensive. Council Member Moore: The slide has gone down but you had gotten funds from many other areas in Northwest Arkansas and I'm curious with that amount. How much was it total? Justin Fletcher: It's $13 million to date. Council Member Moore: With the $13 million that you've already taken in from other areas, do you have any student openings that you haven't filled to date? Carol Moralez: Yes, we have approximately 40 slots that are open for the 2023 cohort. Council Member Moore: When does that 2023 cohort start? Carol Moralez: It's a staggered date. We had some that started the Spring semester and we'll have an additional group that starts in the Summer time. Then we'll have the group that starts in the fall. Council Member Moore: We're going to have an American Rescue Plan Act funds workshop where we're going to look at the remaining funds and determine what we're going to do with those, is there any timeline on when you would need these funds? Would a month delay or two months delay put in peril this program in any way? Carol Moralez: No, not at all. Council Member Wiederkehr: My challenge was an aversion to needles and blood, it had ought to do with opportunity or transportation. I appreciate the realistic approach of attempting to help people get into the program. I appreciate the regional approach as well and think that that's wise. Part of the attractiveness of our region to skilled employees is having both a hospital and an airport, it does us no good to have a shell of a building without the staff to service it. My only question is what's the highest medical credential that they can obtain through your program? Carol Moralez: A Bachelor of Science and Radiological Imaging Sciences out of University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Council Member Berna: I think you said in that slide that was showing the dollar amounts that you had received, the $13 million, that it was the regional partners you were calculating that on a 4% of your total American Rescue Plan Act funds? Justin Fletcher: Correct. The $13 million also includes the third contribution from employers as well, so those monies are in there as well. 113 Nest Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Page 12 of 14 Council Member Berna believed Northwest Arkansas was on the cusp of something great in medical services. He briefly spoke of the partnerships Washington Regional was entering into and the construction they planned to do. He would be in support of the item. Council Member Bunch: I have a question for staff on this. Where did this request rank in terms of the hierarchy of our ranking? Devin Howland: Out of the 34 applications we scored, this program ranked number 9 out of staffs. We gave it a cumulative score of 82.25. Council Member Bunch: The Legal Aide of Arkansas, where did that rank? Devin Howland: Number five. Council Member Harvey thanked the presenters. She spoke of when she ran a school for nontraditional students. She believed transportation should be a priority and knew transportation collaborators existed in Northwest Arkansas. She noted the city had a Transportation Committee and that the item could be taken there for discussion. She believed the health care sector and the people of Northwest Arkansas would benefit greatly. She would be in support of the item. The City Council received 4 public comments regarding this resolution. Council Member Jones stated that hearing the testimonials from the public reminded him of different phases of his life. He spoke of what attracted him to Mayor Jordan's Administration being that Mayor Jordan cared about people. He noted that one of the first conversations he had with Mayor Jordan was in regard to workforce development. He believed what Upskill was doing was conducive to the values of Fayetteville and stated he was excited to be in support of the item. Council Member Hertzberg thanked everyone for their time. She believed the initiative was important and she was appreciative of the support. Council Member Jones moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Harvey seconded the motion. Upon roll call the resolution passed unanimously. Resolution 23-23 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Authorize Mayor Jordan to Sign a Subrecipient Agreement with Legal Aid of Arkansas: A resolution to authorize Mayor Jordan to sign a Subrecipient Agreement with Legal Aid of Arkansas to provide education, outreach, and legal services to Fayetteville residents terminated from Medicaid coverage utilizing American Rescue Plan Act funds in the amount of $92,156.00, and to approve a budget adjustment. Council Member Berna was proud to bring the item forward. He felt it was important to bring the proposal forward outside of the American Rescue Plan Act funding workshop due to the timeline Legal Aid of Arkansas was working with. He believed if the recipients of Medicaid within 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Page 13 of 14 Fayetteville were not given adequate representation, they could be adversely affected. He stated Jaden Atkins and Lee Richardson with Legal Aid of Arkansas were present. Lee Richardson, Executive Director Legal Aid of Arkansas briefly spoke of Legal Aid of Arkansas' history and how they served the community. He stated that last year they served 629 Fayetteville residents. He stated they filed the application for funding in March of 2022 and spoke of how Legal Aid of Arkansas received help with funding from other parts of the state. He stated Fayetteville was their biggest service area and their largest population of low income individuals. He believed they needed the Council's support to keep the crisis at bay. Jaden Atkins, Staff Attorney Legal Aid of Arkansas explained how the Federal Government could keep extending the Covid Public Health Emergency but regardless of what happened, the Medicaid terminations were going to be federally required to begin on April 01, 2023. She explained how everyone on Medicaid in the State of Arkansas were going to have redeterminations done within six months of the April deadline. She estimated there were 20,000 — 25,000 Fayetteville residents on some form of Medicaid. She stated the State of Arkansas had indicated 400,000 of the 1.3 million Arkansas residents on Medicaid were likely to be terminated, based off those numbers there would be 7,000 Fayetteville residents that would be at the top of the termination list. She briefly spoke of how losing coverage could affect those that are terminated and explained how they would address that in two ways; through outreach and direct services. Council Member Jones commended Council Member Berna for bringing the item forward. He spoke of how he had patients that needed Legal Aid of Arkansas services so he knew there were a lot of Fayetteville residents who depended on their services. He was happy to support the item. Council Member Berna: Understanding your outreach dollars that you spend will reach a regional audience, what mechanism is in place to directly affect Fayetteville residents? Lee Richardson: This money will allow us to put resources into Fayetteville that are exclusive to Fayetteville. The outreach materials we grade are going to be on the website and in other locations where people will benefit. There will be a staff attorney working nonstop for the next year in Fayetteville because of these funds doing only services directly to residents of Fayetteville, whether it be the outreach and education, but more importantly the direct services whenever they've been terminated or threatened with termination and their resources are not such that they can get a private attorney to assist them. We have a case management system that allows us to assure that money allocated from any particular grantor is spent where the grantor directs. We have a complex accounting systems that do the same, so there's safeguards in place. Council Member Hertzberg: If a person has moved and their mailing address is not accurate, how are they notified of termination? Do they just find that out at the provider? Jaden Atkins: Department of Human Services in its current policies require people to keep their mailing address up to date. Unfortunately, a lot of the clients that we see move very frequently and sometimes they forget or don't have a permanent mailing address. We see a lot of problems with that but the result is essentially if someone is sent a mailer asking them to provide information and they don't then they're cut off of services usually. 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www-fayetteviIIe-ar.gov City Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2023 Page 14 of 14 Council Member Moore thanked Jaden Atkins and Legal Aid for their work in the community. She believed the work was important and looked forward to supporting the item. Council Member Bunch moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Turk seconded the motion. Upon roll call the resolution passed unanimously. Resolution 24-23 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Addition of a Temporary 0.5 Fulltime Equivalent Accounting Director Position: A resolution to authorize the addition of a 0.5 temporary full time equivalent position to the Finance and Internal Services Department, and to approve a budget adjustment. Paul Becker, Chief Financial Officer briefly spoke of how the current Accounting Director wished to retire and he requested to retain her part time to train a successor moving forward. Council Member Turk believed that with an important and critical job it was good to have overlap and training. She supported the item being brought forward. Council Member Harvey moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Hertzberg seconded the motion. Upon roll call the resolution passed unanimously. Resolution 25-23 as recorded in the office of the City Clerk Announcements: None City Council A enda Session Presentations: None City Council Tour: None Adjournment: 7:08 p.m. '0111111111111 CJ w c dQ . d- ► .3' 1 %�llln�ll nAl�:i Kara Paxton, City lark Treasurer •��f]S • 0 � �17■ , tj .ter 113 West Mountain Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 www.fayetteville-ar.gov