Agenda Highlights 6/13/23
The Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting scheduled for 6-13-23 will start with a vote on changes to the Unified Development Ordinance including removing the words regarding 51% high quality building materials to be used on the exterior of mini-storages to clarify that that requirement need not be met if the development is instead surrounded by an 8 ft high opaque masonry wall and also the removing of a list of specific items of merchandise that is currently included in the section describing vending machines.
The Board will vote on whether to approve the Energy Master Plan that includes tracking electric usage and efficiency projects to help decrease utility usage. The energy master plan was discussed in depth at the May 9, 2023 study session.
The Board will vote on hiring one additional Utility Bill Analyst (at a total annual salary and benefits of $67,587.59) and two additional Customer Service Representatives for the utility bill call center (at a total annual salary and benefits of $52,243.97 each). The need for improvements to the customer service experience regarding utility billing and possible solutions were discussed in depth at the May 9, 2023 study session meeting.
The Board will vote on whether to approve The Rock Inc. to be able to apply for a private club alcohol license to operate at 2611 Towson.
The Board will vote on paying landowners a total of $47,300 to obtain temporary construction easements for the Lake Fort Smith water transmission line project.
The Board will vote on entering into a contract with Rent.Fun (a sister company of Tandem Mobility that rents the Ride for Smilies bikes) to provide self-serve rentals of kayaks at Carol Ann Cross Park at the former site of the paddle boat rental. The program would include a set of smart lockers with 4 kayaks that would be rented via a smart phone app. The program would require an $18,000 activation fee that would include all repairs, replacement, and maintenance of the equipment to be provided by a local vendor contracted and paid by Rent.Fun. Rent.Fun would also require renters to sign digital waivers regarding accidents and Rent.Fun (not the City) would be responsible for any and all liabilities.
The City can choose a market rate rental plan for the kayaks that would be $25 each for two hours (or a season pass for $75 that would allow the pass holder and a friend unlimited 2 hour rentals) or the City could choose a nominal rental plan of $5 per hour. If the City were to choose the market rate plan, they would receive 50% of the rental revenue. Projections show that with low utilization over 5 years, that would amount to a $5,500 loss for the City, with average utilization over 5 years a profit of $750, and with high utilization over 5 years a profit of $7000. The projections show that with low utilization over 10 years the City would profit $7000, with average utilization over 10 years would profit $19,500, and with high utilization would profit $32,000.
The cost of the activation fee needed to implement the program would be covered by funds paid to the City by American Tower for being able to place a cell phone tower in Carol Ann Cross Park. The revenue from that tower lease is earmarked for use for park improvements.
The Board will vote on the purchase of a 72 ft dodecagon pavilion from Poligon by Portercorp for a cost of $588,986.22. The pavilion is to be built at John Bell Jr. Park
