Highlights of the Fort Smith Board of Directors Meeting 10/11/22

The Fort Smith Board of Directors study session meeting on 10-11-22 was led by Vice Mayor Rego in the absence of Mayor McGill. Director Dawson was also absent and Director Catsavis left about a half hour early before the last three topics were discussed.

The meeting started with a presentation by Chad Jones of Rightmind Advertising of the new Branding and Style Guide that is designed to establish consistency in style and branding throughout all City communications. It establishes official fonts and color palette and includes powerpoint and letterhead and other templates and social media guidelines and updates to the logo and seal. Administrator Geffken called the approach to the new graphics and guidelines “evolutionary not revolutionary”. Jones added that the branding is all designed to update for consistency and for use in a modern digital world but is designed for “transitioning not starting over”. Director Catsavis inquired about the cost of implementing the changes. Geffken responded that the cost will be “marginal” because most of the new things will be implemented digitally (like through web and social media communications), but the ones that will be physical will just be changed out as the old one is replaced. New things will not be bought just to replace the old style. Geffken and Jones explained that the transition to the new styles on physical things will work incrementally like when they run out of old envelopes, they’ll print the new ones with the new logo, when vehicles are replaced the new ones will receive decals with the new logo, etc.

Jones also mentioned that in addition to the branding guide presented tonight Rightmind is working with the City Administration on developing a digital media kit to provide information on the city and its amenities and demographics, etc. for the press and other promotional purposes. They are also working on a slogan and campaign based around the idea of “Trailblazing Fort Smith”.

Stan Snodgrass presented the Street Department’s 5 year Capital Improvement Program Plan for the improvements to be funded by the 1 cent sales tax for streets, bridges, and drainage. Director Martin suggested that street overlays be a higher priority saying “I feel like we need more”. Snodgrass clarified that the 2023 plan uses 46% of the expected sales tax revenue for streets, bridges and drainage for street overlays. Director Morton agreed with Director Martin. Director Martin also expressed his view that major thoroughfares need more attention for resurfacing than lightly traveled roads.

Director Morton suggested putting off the Kelly Highway to Riverfront Drive project for a year to be able to see more development completed on Riverfront Drive and to see more about ARDOT’s plans in that neighborhood before investing so much money in that extension.

Director Good mentioned feedback he’d received from a former ARDOT employee questioning the methods being used by Forsgren in their work on Greenwood near the Sonic and whether it would last. Good asked “Are we getting the lifespan out of the work we’re paying for?”. Snodgrass assured that we are getting good quality work and the expected lifespan out of finished repairs saying that they currently last an average of around 26 years.

Director Morton said that the FCRA should be contributing to all of the street work at Chaffee. Director Catsavis agreed. Geffken agreed to ask the FCRA for that.

Director Good mentioned the buyout program for frequently flooded properties. Geffken added that in addition to that item in the budget and to an existing grant, another FEMA grant application is in process that may cover the purchase of up to 200 flood affected homes.

Director Settle suggested that the public school system should share in the cost for the drainage project on their property near the Peak Innovation Center. Director Morton agreed that they should be asked for a contribution

Geffken and Snodgrass will be bringing the Board plans that would apply 55% or 60% of the funds for overlays and moving the $1.1 million from the Kelly Highway project to overlays and incorporating cost sharing with the FCRA and the schools . The plan would use the higher allotment for overlays with a greater priority emphasis on more major arterial streets. In response to the discussion at the meeting Geffken said “There will be a brand new budget coming”.

Parks Director Reinert presented the Parks and Recreation Department 5 year Capital Improvement Program plan to be funded by the 1/8 cent sales tax for Parks capital improvements.

Director Settle questioned spending $3.2 million in 2023 on the Maybranch Trail instead of doing it in smaller increments and spending the money on playgrounds and other parks amenities. He advocated for making the Creekmore park pool and bath house project a priority over the trail. Director Martin called the Maybranch Trail a “strategic opportunity for us” but agreed the “bath house should be pushed up”. Reinert mentioned that there is a $750,000 grant coming in to go toward the Maybranch Trail. Director Rego said he is in favor of keeping all the funds in place for the Maybranch Trail calling it a “substantially important project”. Director Morton praised the Creekmore pool itself calling it a “stand out” but heavily criticized the bath house. However, he questioned the amount of money budgeted for the bath house project. Geffken explained that the existing old building would not be salvageable and also that the needs for a bath house have changed as habits have changed with modern people now needing a large changing room less and needing just a small locker room with showers and a place to store valuables. Hearing this, Morton said “sooner the better, get rid of that.”. Morton expressed his concern about inflation and suggested that the city “go as fast we can” on projects to save money. Director Settle suggested that the Administration look into grants for funds for the trail and approach the public school system about a partnership for a swim program that could help fund the pool improvements.

Multiple Board members expressed satisfaction at the plans for two new dog parks, one at Chaffee and one on Old Greenwood. Director Martin pointed out that the current plans budget $500,000 for a much more minimal dog park at Chaffee than the $3 million design that was originally presented.

Police Chief Baker presented the Police Department’s 5 year strategic spending plan to be funded by the 1/8 cent sales tax for Police.

Chief Baker called the salary increase his department’s “most pressing need” but said that he planned to not implement the planned 23.87% pay raises for officers until 2024 after collecting the tax for a year. Director Catsavis called waiting on the raises “ridiculous”. Geffken explained that the sales tax collection starts in January and that the money would be start to be available for use in March. Director Catsavis suggested that the general fund be used for a buffer so the salary increases could be implemented in only half a year. Director Settle agreed. When the 2023 budget is up for Board approval, it will now include what is needed to start the police raises in July of 2023.

Fire Chief Christensen presented the Fire Department 5 year Capital Improvement Program plans to be funded by the 1/8 cent sales tax for Fire. Christensen called the new maintenance facility “an absolute must”. He informed that $400,000 has already been set aside over the last 4 years from state funds for the project. He mentioned that Stations 3 and 4 will need major repairs in the next 4 years. He expressed how pleased he is with the two new F-150 Lightning electric pick up trucks that recently arrived earlier than expected.

Streets Director Matt Meeker presented the Streets Department plans for sidewalks in 2023 including 2.72 miles of new construction and .95 miles of repairs. Director Martin suggested that the department look for opportunities for connecting sidewalks in more residential areas that are not high traffic thoroughfares so that pedestrians could enjoy going for walks with less road noise right next to them.

Solid Waste Director Riley presented The Solid Waste Services Department 10 year Capital Improvement Program plans. Riley mentioned that while the 2023 plans are dominantly equipment replacement, in 2028-2030 there will be huge expenses for closing Phase A of the landfill and opening up the new B-1 cell. Director Morton inquired about the sinking fund reserved to cover big landfill expenses and Finance Director Richards explained how that fund works and confirmed that it would be used for those projects.

Director Settle praised the inclusion of 3 CNG fueled vehicles in the plan. Riley added that all new residential collection vehicles in the future are planned to be CNG fueled.

Director Good mentioned his recent visit to the landfill and viewing the new wheel wash station and praised “how efficient and sanitary our landfill is”.

Transit Director Savage presented the Transit Asset Management 5 year plan detailing the condition of all of the Transit assets including vehicles and buildings and plans for their eventual replacement. This Transit Asset Management 5 year plan must be submitted to the federal government annually in order to qualify for federal funding.

Savage mentioned that when it comes time to replace the demand response buses, they will be replaced with electric powered buses.

Directors Morton and Rego asked about the federal funding the Transit receives. Savage explained that the $8.6 million in capital expenses will be reimbursed at a rate of 80% by the federal government and that overall the Transit is funded 67-70% on average by the Federal Transit Administration. Geffken added that through federal funds and grants and fares this year the Transit had a surplus so no general fund money will be needed, but that next year the Transit department budget will require $606,000 from the general fund.

Director Settle suggested that with the new larger busses that the city might need to rethink street design to include more pull-in lanes and curb cut outs. Savage responded that the Street Department is very helpful in partnering with Transit on street designs like curb cut outs and adjustments and sidewalks and bus stop shelter concrete pads.

The presentation of the Utilities Department 10 year capital improvement program plans that was on the agenda for this meeting was postponed due to the meeting already being long and anticipation that the discussion of the Utilities CIP plan would be a lengthy one. After considering the agendas of upcoming meetings, it was decided that the Utilities CIP and the new CIP for streets considering the changes that were discussed at this meeting would be added to the agenda for the 11-15-22 meeting.