Agenda Highlights 11/7/23
The Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting scheduled for 11-7-23 will begin with a vote on whether to increase the amount of Industrial Revenue Bonds that Mars Petcare can issue for the expansion of their facility from the $145 million authorized in December 2012 to $180 million.
The Board will vote on two changes to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The first would allow required trees and shrubs to be planted in the interior of the site so long as they are visible from the right of way instead of the current rule that would require the property owner to seek a zoning variance to plant them there. One of the main reasons this is being suggested is so that the variance would not be needed to make the landscaping accommodate utilities. The second change would remove the wording about “accessory buildings” in the section defining what “home occupation” is so that it would only be in relation to small businesses operated inside residential dwellings.
The Board will vote on whether to demolish dilapidated abandoned buildings at 812-814 North 21st and 600 North 10th.
The Board will vote on whether to make downtown metered parking free for the holiday season from November 24, 2023-January 5, 2024.
The Board will vote on whether to approve the 5 year capital improvement plans for Streets,Bridges, and Drainage, Parks, and Fire, the 10 year capital improvement plans for Streets and Traffic Control, the 2023 Transit Asset Management Plan, and the 2024 Sidewalks program. These plans were discussed at the October 17, 2023 study session meeting.
The Board will vote on whether to contract with Hawkins-Weir for $108,060 for the engineering for the Spradling Avenue extension to run from John Bell Jr. Park to North 23rd.
The Board will vote on whether to contract with Burns and McDonnell for $486,287 for design services on Phase 5 of the 48 inch Lake Fort Smith water transmission line project. The Board will also vote on acquiring the necessary easements for Phase 3 of the Lake Fort Smith transmission line project at a total cost of $126,600.
