Agenda Highlights 2/27/24
The Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting scheduled for 2-27-24 will begin with a vote on whether or not to renew the lease on the 623 Garrison building for 5 years for City offices and parking, including adding leasing the space on the 6th floor, half of the 1st and 2nd floors, and basement storage space that has not been previously leased by the City. The intention of adding the additional space is to eliminate overcrowding conditions in the current office space. The monthly rent would be $32,500 through August 2024, then $47,766.81 through February 28,2029.
This issue was discussed at the 2-20-24 meeting but was tabled to allow time for further discussion and negotiation with the lessor including negotiation on the rental price and discussion of the price of renewing without the additional space, a list of repairs for the lessor to make, documentation of the current condition of the building, clarification on whether the lessor or the City would be responsible for the maintenance of the elevator, an appraisal of the fair market value of the building, and rights to sublet the building. Also the tabling was to allow time for exploration of other options including rental or purchase of other buildings. One option that is to be explored before the 2-27-24 meeting is to inquire about the price to purchase of the former Newtons Jewelry building. If the Board does not vote to approve the lease renewal, the City will be able to get an extension on the current lease to pay rent on a month-to-month basis temporarily to allow for renewal to be negotiated or other plans for relocation of the City offices to be made.
The Board will do their annual review of the Board of Directors Best Practices Document. This list of non-binding guidance suggestions includes things like a code of conduct and ethics and the responsibilities for the Board of Directors.
The Board will discuss the use of the portion of the City right-of-way between the sidewalk and the street for parking. In some cases, the City right-of-way extends 10-12 feet on either side of the street and may include a sidewalk. Property owners are responsible for maintaining this part of the right-of-way, but the area is still available for public use and the property owner cannot restrict the public parking in it. The City staff does not recommend any changes be made to the current policy at this time. One reason cited for the recommendation to not change the policy is that it would have to be enforced uniformly across the entire city and would be “problematic” and “overkill” in response to an “isolated or temporary problem”. It was mentioned that especially in older neighborhoods, that area of the right-of-way is relied on for parking for homeowners and using it has been the practice for a long time.
