Agenda Highlights 10/24/23
At the Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting to be held 10-24-23, the Board will vote on whether to increase the amount of Industrial Development Revenue Bonds that Owens Corning is allowed to issue for the expansion of their Planters Road facility from the $115 million authorized in October 2022 to up to $240 million.
The Board will vote on the appeal of the Planning Commission’s approval of a zoning change for 6101 Kinkead to allow for the building of an activity center for the River of Live Pentecostal Church of God. The Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor of approving the change. An appeal to the decision has been filed by Larry McRedy on behalf of MLC, LLC., owner of property directly to the south of the church. The reasons given for the appeal center around the appellant’’s concerns regarding lack of information about planned drainage, signage, and lighting and the possibility of expanded hours for church activities to be held there. The issue was discussed at the 10/17/23 study session.
The Board will vote on the appeal of the Planning Commission decision regarding zoning changes for 9916 and 10018 Highway 271 South to be developed for a truck repair shop. The property is about a half mile outside of the city limits and one building out of the six planned for the project has already been constructed without first obtaining a permit. The Planning Commission voted 5 in opposition and 1 in favor of the request. Though the approval was denied, it would be approved by the Planning Commission if the property owner were to run an 8 inch water line and install fire hydrants as required by the Fire Code and erect an 8 ft fence. The property’s owner, Denny Altes, filed an appeal. The reasons given for the appeal include opposition to the requirements for the 8 inch water line and the fencing. The issue was discussed at the 10-17-23 study session.
The Board will vote on whether to expand the area near the airport where there is a moratorium placed on new residential construction and to extend the moratorium to remain in effect until December 2025. The moratorium would not prohibit commercial or industrial construction in the area. It would not prohibit residential construction if it complies with sound attenuation standards. It would not prohibit demolition of existing structures, rebuilding structures destroyed by fire or storms, building decks or fencing, or additions to single family homes that don’t exceed 25% of the square footage of the house.
The Board will vote on whether to raise the limit under which staff can make purchases without first obtaining quotes from $1000 to $2000 and whether or not to raise the amount over which the competitive bidding process must be used from $35,000 to $50,000. These changes are being suggested in response to inflation and the rising cost of goods and services.
The Board will vote on contracting with Steve Beam Construction for $113,193.72 to construct a patio and picnic area featuring tables and cornhole boards in Creekmore Park where the non-ADA compliant sandbox is currently located.
The Board will vote on contracting with TKE Elevator Construction for the modernization of the existing elevator in the downtown parking garage for $200,000.
The Board will vote on whether to purchase a cybersecurity insurance policy and which company to purchase it from. The issue was discussed at the 10-17-23 study session.
The Board will vote on whether to contract with Royal Ridge Construction for $576,178 for improvements to Tilles Park including asphalt paving the existing walking trail, adding ADA accessible ramps at trail access points from the parking lot, replacing the existing basketball court, and new disc golf tee pads.
The Board will vote on whether to contract with Landscape Structures for $481,341.30 for the construction of a train themed toddler play area at Creekmore Park.
The Board will vote on whether to purchase server hardware for the ProPhoenix CAD/RMS dispatch system from Summit Partners for $184,330.08.
