Agenda Highlights 8/20/24
At the Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting scheduled for 8-20-24, the Board will vote on approval for Ecotech Consumer Products to operate at 4811 Zero (the former Trane residential division manufacturing facility). The Board has to approve all property purchases and developments by foreign entities near the airport as a part of the new Military Compatibility Overlay District rules. The Arkansas Attorney General investigated and concluded that Ecotech would not be in violation of Act 636 of 2023.
It is on the agenda for the Board to vote on whether to lease the County’s half of the Parrot Island Water Park for $1 per year resulting in the City of Fort Smith having sole control of and responsibility for the park instead of sharing control jointly and splitting financial responsibility equally with the County. However, City Administration will recommend tabling this item until the 9-3-24 meeting to allow more time for additional negotiations with the County on the lease as well as for it to be included on the same meeting agenda as a vote on whether to purchase a set of 5 new water slides for the park. So while a vote on the lease may occur, there is a high likelihood that it will be tabled. The lease and purchase of the slides were both originally discussed and tabled at the 8-6-24 meeting.
The Board will vote on whether to appropriate $85,000 to pay King Irrigation for the mowing and landscape maintenance conducted twice per month at Rose Lawn, Forest Park, and Holy Cross Cemeteries from June through December 2024. The cemeteries are owned by Fort Smith Cemeteries Inc. and liens will be put on the properties until the City is repaid for the costs.
The Board will vote on approval for The Social Club to apply for a private club alcohol license to operate at 5400 Gary, the same property as Fort Smith Athletic Club.
The Board will vote on whether to approve an additional $201,000 on the professional services contract with Burns & McDonnell for their consulting services on the Consent Decree sewer work.
The Board will vote on contracting with Patriot Utilities for $999,589.50 for consent decree sewer work. The cost would be funded by the sales tax for consent decree sewer work.
The Board will vote on applying for federal grant funds available as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to be used for active transportation safety improvements on Grand Avenue and along Park Avenue and Kinkead.
The Board will vote on whether to approve the Move Fort Smith Active Transportation Master Plan for active transportation like walking and biking. The plan was discussed at the 8-13-24 study session meeting.
The Board will vote on whether to approve the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan for traffic safety improvements. The plan was discussed at the 8-13-24 study session meeting.
The Board will vote on whether to purchase a tri-axle dump truck from Carco International for $199.999.68 for the Streets Department to facilitate starting a full-time ditching crew.
The Board will vote on issuing permits to collect and dispose of non-residential solid waste to Raggio Roll Off and H&A Junk Removal. The permits would be for 2 years at a 5% franchise fee.
The Board will vote on contracting with MAHG Architecture for $264,880 for the designs for the renovations of the existing buildings at 8200 Highway 71 South to be turned into the new second police precinct and police training facility. The costs of the contract would come from the sales tax for Police.
