(File photo)Agenda action
Approved
- The city’s 2024-2028 capital improvements plan.
- The annual employee benefits plans.
- A contract to help fund a downtown organization.
- Rezoning 4.35 acres on Hughmount Road.
Held
- Razing and removing a structure at 3301 S. Coach Road (tabled indefinitely).
- Amending the monthly water and sewer rates (tabled until Aug. 15).
Meeting info
A meeting of the Fayetteville City Council begins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 inside City Hall in Room 219. The meeting is also available on Zoom and will be broadcast live on the city’s YouTube channel.
Listed below are all the items up for approval and links to PDF documents with detailed information on each item of business.
Roll call
Present: D’Andre Jones, Sarah Moore, Mike Wiederkehr, Mayor Lioneld Jordan, Scott Berna, Sarah Bunch, Teresa Turk, Holly Hertzberg
Absent: None
» View current attendance records
City Council Meeting Presentations, Reports and Discussion Items
1. Monthly Financial Report
Consent
Consent items are approved in a single, all-inclusive vote unless an item is pulled by a council member at the beginning of the meeting.
1. Approval of the July 18, 2023 City Council meeting minutes.
– Pass 7-0
2. Ahnimisha Consulting, LLC – Service Contract (Details): A resolution to award RFP #23-04 and authorize a one-year contract with Ahnimisha Consulting, LLC for organizational development consulting services as needed, with an option to renew for up to four additional one-year terms.
– Pass 7-0
3. Skills Lab Training – Service Contract (Details): ) A resolution to award RFP #23-04 and authorize a one-year contract with Skills Lab Training, LLC for organizational development consulting services as needed, with an option to renew for up to four additional one-year terms.
– Pass 7-0
4. Water System Rehabilitation – Budget Adjustment (Details): A resolution to approve a budget adjustment transferring the amount of $216,477.00 from the Eastside Water Storage Tank account to the Water System Rehabilitation/Replacement account.
– Pass 7-0
5. Henard Utility Products, Inc. – Purchase Agreement (Details): A resolution to approve the purchase of 1,780 Cellular Advanced Metering Infrastructure Water Meters from Henard Utility Products, Inc. in the amount of $455,413.00, plus applicable taxes and freight charges, for use by the Utilities Department, and to approve a budget adjustment.
– Pass 7-0
6. E Source Companies, LLC – Service Contract (Details): A resolution to approve a professional engineering services contract with E Source Companies, LLC for water loss investigation services in an amount not to exceed $95,000.00, and to approve a project contingency in the amount of $10,000.00.
– Pass 7-0
7. Lewis Ford of Fayetteville – Purchase Agreement (Details): A resolution to approve the purchase of five Ford vehicles from Lewis Ford of Fayetteville in the total amount of $401,869.00 plus any additional surcharges or delivery fees, pursuant to Ordinance 6491, and to approve a budget adjustment.
– Pass 7-0
8. Rush Truck Center – Purchase Agreement (Details): A resolution to approve the purchase of an International dump truck from Rush Truck Centers of Arkansas, Inc. for the amount of $241,210.78 plus any additional surcharges and delivery fees up to 10% of the original purchase price, pursuant to a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract, and to approve a budget adjustment.
– Pass 7-0
9. Wrapology, LLC – Service Contract (Details): A resolution to award Bid #23-20 and authorize a one-year contract with Wrapology, LLC for the purchase of wraps and decals for fleet vehicle and equipment rebranding, with an option to renew for up to four additional one-year terms.
– Pass 7-0
10. Springdale Tractor Co. – Purchase Agreement (Details): A resolution to authorize the purchase of a Kubota tractor from Springdale Tractor Co. for the amount of $28,045.50 plus any additional surcharges or delivery fees, pursuant to a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract, and to approve a budget adjustment.
– Pass 7-0
11. Hutchinson Salt Company – Purchase Agreement (Details): A resolution to award bid #23-27 and authorize the purchase of bulk crushed rock salt from Hutchinson Salt Company for $40.00 per ton for materials picked up and $89.48 per ton for materials delivered as needed, and to authorize the use of other bidders based on price and availability as needed.
– Pass 7-0
12. FYV Taxiway E Extension – Environmental Assessment (Details): A resolution to authorize the acceptance of a Federal Aviation Administration grant in the amount of $189,450.00 to fund 90% of the cost of an environmental assessment for the Taxiway E Extension project at Drake Field, to approve Task Order No. 7 in the amount of $208,000.00 with Garver, LLC to complete the assessment, and to approve a budget adjustment.
– Pass 7-0
13. Continuum of Care Program Grant – Renewal Agreement (Details): A resolution to approve the renewal of four Continuum of Care Program grant agreements with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the total amount of $338,260.00 for the city to administer programs to assist homeless Fayetteville residents.
– Pass 7-0
14. Arkansas Natural Resources Division – Loan Acceptance (Details): A resolution to designate and authorize Mayor Jordan or his designee to execute certain documents in connection with funding administered by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to obtain loan funding for the West Water Transmission Main Project, and to approve a budget adjustment.
– Pass 7-0
Unfinished Business
1. 2024-2028 Capital Improvements Plan (Details)
A resolution to adopt the 2024-2028 Five-Year Capital Improvements Plan.
– Pass 7-0
Background:
The city’s CIP must be re-evaluated and/or adjusted each year prior to incorporation into the annual budget. Annual adoption of the plan is not an appropriation in itself or an authorization to spend money, but rather serves as an ongoing evaluation in response to changes in economic conditions or project priority modifications. Once included in the annual budget, it must be approved by the council and only at that time does it become an appropriation authorized for expenditure.
July 18 Discussion:
Turk said she needs more time to look over the plan. Bunch agreed.
The council tabled the resolution 7-0. The discussion will continue on Aug. 1
Aug. 1 Discussion:
There was no public comment.
Turk asked about a line item related to an aquatics study. Staff said the plan is to evaluate the city’s entire aquatics offerings to get a better idea of how some of those programs are doing and whether any improvements could be made.
Decision:
The council voted 7-0 to approve the resolution.
2. Raze and Removal of Structure at 3301 S. Coach Road (Details)
A resolution to order the razing and removal of a dilapidated and unsafe structure on property owned by Kevin Roy Calhoun located at 3301 S. Coach Road in the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and to approve a budget adjustment in the amount of $17,500.00.
– Tabled indefinitely 7-0
City staff said a formal case was opened for this property on June 29, and that the property has faced corrective action from code violations on three separate occasions, and has a history of non-compliance with city code for over a decade. Besides grass and vehicle violations, staff said the structure has now deteriorated past the point of repair.
Location:
Dec. 6 Discussion:
Staff said the home has been vacant for at least six years.
Several councilmembers said they were worried about the safety of anyone who enters the home.
There was no public comment.
Bunch suggested tabling the item for two weeks before authorizing the raze and removal of the structure. The council agreed, and voted 8-0 to table the resolution until Dec. 20.
Dec. 20 Discussion:
The homeowner emailed the City Council today and said he plans to manage the removal of the structure himself. City staff said they gave him the information he’d need to get started, including how to get the proper permits.
Turk suggested tabling the item until the second meeting in January to give the homeowner time to take action. The council voted 8-0 to table the resolution. The discussion will continue on Jan. 17, 2023.
Jan. 17 Discussion:
The homeowner said he has talked to city staff about obtaining a demolition permit, which he plans to do in the next week or two. He said he regrets forcing the council to the point of needing to take action.
The council agreed to give the homeowner six months to complete the demolition, and request a progress report in four months. The discussion will continue on July 18.
July 18 Discussion:
Staff said the owner hired a company to raze and remove the home, which should be complete in 4-6 weeks. Staff recommended tabling the item until the first meeting in August.
The council voted 7-0 to table the item until Aug. 1.
Aug. 1 Discussion:
Staff said the razing and removal process has begun and the recommendation is to table the item indefinitely.
There was no public comment.
The council voted 7-0 to table indefinitely.
New Business
1. 2024 Annual Benefits Renewal (Details)
A resolution to approve the 2024 employee benefits package.
– Pass 7-0
Background:
Staff recommends that the council approve the employee benefits renewal package for 2024.
The recommended health insurance plan includes a negotiated premium increase of 3.8% for the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and 6.0% for the PPO Plan, along with increased deductibles and Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions that staff said are in line with IRS limits.
For dental coverage, staff recommends moving to AR BCBS, with the same plan design and a rate locked in for two years, as it offers an overall premium savings of 16% for the HDHP and 13.80% savings for the PPO plan compared to the current vendor, Delta Dental.
For vision insurance, staff recommends staying with VSP through AR BCBS with current plan designs and rates. The rates are part of a three-year rate guarantee which began in 2023.
For life benefits, staff recommends moving to USAble through AR BCBS from One America as part of a package of services that will lessen the premium increase of the health insurance.
For voluntary employee paid benefits, staff recommends renewing with OneAmerica for short term disability.
For flexible spending accounts, staff recommends American Fidelity continue as the administrator with no cost for services.
For health savings accounts, staff recommends First Security Bank continue as the administrator with no cost for services. The city will increase the amounts contributed to employee HSA accounts for 2024 to $1,050 (ee), $1,480.08 (ee + spouse), $1,890 (ee + children), and $2,280 (family coverage).
For COBRA administration, staff recommends Consolidated Admin Services (CAS) continue as the administrator.
For supplemental benefits paid by employees, staff recommends continuing to offer additional supplemental benefits to employees through American Fidelity which include: disability income insurance, accident only insurance, cancer insurance, critical illness insurance, life insurance, AF term life insurance, AF permanent life insurance, hospital gap insurance and short-term disability insurance.
Discussion:
There was no public comment.
Decision:
The council voted 7-0 to approve the resolution.
2. Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission – Service Contract (Details)
A resolution to authorize Mayor Jordan to sign a contract with the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission for the funding of the Downtown Fayetteville Coalition in the amount of $60,000.00 for services through the end of 2023.
– Pass 7-0
Background:
City staff and the mayor have proposed an agreement with the Advertising and Promotion Commission (through Experience Fayetteville) to establish a downtown organization that will act as a point of contact for the city in an attempt to foster collaboration among downtown businesses and residents on matters related to planning, infrastructure, events, beautification, safety, and business support. The new organization is expected to eventually become its own independent non-profit. The A&P Commission last year allocated $100,000 toward the creation of a new staff position, a director of downtown initiatives, with the intent that a new downtown organization could soon be formalized. Experience Fayetteville committed to fund the position for three years, contingent upon additional financial support from the city.
The contract calls for payments of $60,000 in 2023, followed by two payments of $125,000 – one in 2024 and another in 2025 – contingent on budget approval and the city’s satisfaction that the contract terms have been fulfilled each year. The agreement also states that Experience Fayetteville will develop and produce six signature events for the downtown area – one later in 2023; spring and fall events in both 2024 and 2025; and a multi-day festival in 2025.
Discussion:
Turk said it seems like the downtown area is already thriving so why would the city spend money on that area when there are other needs around town?
Molly Rawn, CEO of Experience Fayetteville, said the area is thriving because people are currently doing a lot of volunteer work on projects and events, but volunteerism alone isn’t a sustainable means to keeping a vibrant downtown.
Bunch said Fayetteville is one of the only cities in the region without a downtown association that unifies its downtown businesses.
Wiederkehr said spending money on a downtown association is an investment on the foundation of the city’s sales tax, which Fayetteville relies on to keep many other services and infrastructure projects afloat.
Mayor Jordan said he’s been watching the other cities in Northwest Arkansas that have downtown associations, and he thinks that a Fayetteville association is needed to ensure that the upcoming downtown arts corridor is properly programmed.
Bo Counts, owner of Pinpoint, said it’s true that Fayetteville’s downtown is thriving, but the area is starting to see more non-local businesses move in. A downtown association that can advocate and work for the local businesses that make Fayetteville special will help protect that important fabric.
Hannah Withers of Maxine’s Tap Room also spoke in favor of the proposal and said it would be a game changer for the downtown businesses.
Decision:
The council voted 7-0 to approve the resolution.
3. Rezoning-2023-0016 – 2900 N. Hughmount Rd./Renner, 243 (Details)
An ordinance to rezone that property described in Rezoning Petition RZN 23-016 located at 2900 Hughmount Road in Ward 4 for approximately 4.35 acres from R-A, Residential-Agricultural to RSF-1, Residential Single-Family, 1 unit per acre.
– Pass 7-0
Background:
This property was annexed into the city last year on the east side of Hughmount Road in northwest Fayetteville. It contains one parcel which is currently undeveloped. A lot split, which would subdivide the property into three parcels of equal size, is current under administrative review.
Both city planners and the Planning Commission recommend approval of the request.
Location:
Discussion:
There was no public comment.
Decision:
The council advanced the ordinance to the third reading, and voted 7-0 to approve it.
4. An Ordinance to Amend §51.136 Monthly Water Rates and §51.137 Monthly Sewer Rates to Change Water and Sewer Rates: (Details)
An ordinance to amend §51.136 Monthly Water Rates and §51.137 Monthly Sewer Rates to change water and sewer rates as recommended by the cost of service study conducted by Black & Veatch.
– Tabled until Aug. 15
Background:
This ordinance would make the recommended changes to the city’s water and sewer rates as discussed in the public hearing on tonight’s agenda.
The changes would apply to water and sewer customers who live outside the city limits. Rates would stay the same for those whose addresses are inside the city limits.
July 19 Discussion:
Paul Becker, the city’s chief financial officer, asked that the ordinance be tabled to allow time to meet with Farmington city leaders to negotiate a new contract. He requested the item be held until Dec. 6.
Mayor Jordan said he would also like to table the item to allow time to make some changes to the recommendations. The council agreed and voted unanimously to table it.
Dec. 6 Discussion:
Paul Becker, the city’s chief financial officer, asked that the ordinance be tabled to allow more time to negotiate with Farmington city leaders on a new contract. He requested the item be held until March 7, 2023. The council agreed and voted unanimously to table it.
March 7 Discussion:
Paul Becker, the city’s chief financial officer, asked that the ordinance be tabled until April 18, 2023. Becker said staff needs more time, partly because they’re still negotiating with Farmington city leaders. The council agreed and voted unanimously to table it.
April 18 Discussion:
Paul Becker, the city’s chief financial officer, asked that the ordinance be tabled until May 16, 2023. Becker said staff needs more time with the proposal. The council agreed and voted unanimously to table it.
May 16 Discussion:
Paul Becker, the city’s chief financial officer, asked that the ordinance be tabled until July 18, 2023. Becker said staff needs more time with the proposal. The council agreed and voted unanimously to table it.
July 18 Discussion:
Paul Becker, the city’s chief financial officer, asked that the ordinance be tabled until Aug. 15, 2023. Becker said staff needs more time with the proposal. The council agreed and voted unanimously to table it.
Aug. 1 Discussion
The council removed the ordinance from the table and amended it to include the new rates, as required by the state’s public hearing law.
Meeting duration
This meeting lasted 1 hour and 26 minutes, and was adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
