Highlights of the Fort Smith Board of Directors Meeting 12/2/21
At the Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting held 12-2-21, the Board unanimously approved the issuance of Industrial Revenue Bonds for the Mars Petcare expansion. The $145 million expansion will add 200,000 sq ft, 2 new lines increasing the factory’s production capacity by 40%, and add 120 new jobs averaging $21.50/hour. Mars will be responsible for all payment on the bonds. The bonds and Payment in Lieu of Taxes program will allow Mars to save 50% on their property taxes over the next 15 years, resulting in a total savings for them of $11.8 million.
Zoning changes for 2200 Jenny Lind to allow for a tattoo shop to go into the former Hair Benders salon building, 4400-4600 Regions Park drive to allow for a warehouse development on a vacant lot, and 9001-9301 R.A.Young Drive for a mixed use expansion at the HUB at Providence all passed unanimously. The HUB development sparked conversation started by Director Morton about the need for improvement to Well Lake Road as the area grows to deal with traffic in the future and to make sure that bike lanes stay available and safe in the neighborhood.
An amendment to the Universal Development Ordinance to allow indoor auto sales and automotive customization businesses to apply for zoning approval in Form Based Code neighborhoods passed unanimously after some discussion. Scott Kangas, owner of Cambered Customs, an automotive customization shop focused primarily on high end show trucks, currently located in Alma but that is planning a move to 720 Towson (the former Galloway Tire building) in Fort Smith, was the citizen who went through the process to get the amendment to the text of the UDO through the Planning Commission and brought before the Board for approval. He spoke out at the meeting in favor of the change and that it would be necessary for his business to move to the Towson location. Robert Robertson, owner of Downtown Automotive and Accessories, that is a neighbor to the 720 Towson property, also spoke out at the meeting . He expressed frustration at his experiences with zoning and that under the current rules, he would not be allowed to do auto repair and customization at the 720 Towson property, and that deterred him in the past from purchasing that property himself when he was considering buying it. He felt the change would allow for putting competition in front of his business. Kangas expressed his opinion that Cambered Customs should not be viewed as a competitor to Downtown Automotive and Accessories because while Downtown Automotive does sell some lift kits and do some customization and Cambered will perform some automotive repairs, the two are mostly aimed at very different customer markets and have different primary focuses. Kangas expressed that he just “didn’t take no for an answer” and initiated the amendment process. Director Good said of Kangas that he “can’t fault you because you followed protocol”.
The 2022 base budget, 5% reserves, and salary increases for city employees passed unanimously. Director Settle called it a “good fair operating budget for this year”.
The Capital Improvement Plans for 2022 passed unanimously after some discussion. Director Rego proposed an amendment to allocate the $350,000 in the budget for a study on the Maybranch Drainage issue instead to other drainage projects, especially those in the neighborhood near Howard Elementary and Lincoln Daycare. Director Settle argued that we need to spend on that study to get the Army Corps of Engineers on board to secure federal funding in the future to fix Maybranch flooding. Director Morton mentioned the recent federal infrastructure bill and Recovery Act funds hopefully being helpful toward a long-term big fix plan. Director Rego pointed out the need for the city to start setting money aside to pay for the city’s share of the city-federal partnership on the project even if federal help is obtained. Administrator Geffken estimated the city would need $25 million for their share of the matched funds. Director Morton suggested that bonds might be a potential funding source when the time comes. The proposed amendment to not spend the money on the Maybranch study but on other neighborhood drainage projects instead was defeated with Rego and Good voting YES and Martin, Catsavis, Dawson, Settle, and Morton voting NO.
Director Dawson suggested that the Chaffee Crossing Trail that is a planned improvement slated for 2025-26 as a partnership with the city paying $1.5 million and the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority paying $1.5 million be moved to a sooner year. She expressed concern that with the rate of growth in that neighborhood that by 2025-26 it might be difficult to access the property out there. Geffken reassured that the FCRA has guaranteed the necessary easements will remain available and clarified that only the items scheduled for 2022 in the Capital Improvement Plans were up for consideration for approval at the meeting.
The Board unanimously approved the contract with Daily and Woods for legal services. Their rate for attorney services would be $175/hr and $60/hr for paralegal services. Director Martin prompted clarification that no other firms had submitted a proposal to be considered for the contract.
The Board voted unanimously to approve the spending for the Police Department contracts and licenses with and purchases from Axon .The cost will be a total of $1,356,225.84 for 5 years. This will include equipment, licenses, data storage, in car cameras, an interview review system, and tasers. The new equipment purchases include an immersive virtual reality officer training system and system that automatically activates the body cameras of the officer and any officer in a 30 ft radius any time a firearm is removed from its holster.
Director Morton inquired with the high-tech nature of the purchases if when the contract is up in 2026 they will need to be updated again so that this will pose a potential for being an on-going expense. Police Chief Baker confirmed that it likely would be. Morton advocated for the sales tax renewal up for a vote in February to benefit the police saying that future purchases like that could be funded by the tax.
Director Martin spoke in support of the signal sidearm holsters that activate officer body cameras when a gun is removed from the holster but suggested that Chief Baker also look into more automatic triggers for the body cameras that can catch more footage even earlier in incidents.
The Board unanimously approved the purchase of 150 portable radios for the Fire Department and a new ladder truck. Director Morton questioned the replacement of the truck ahead of schedule. Fire Chief Christensen clarified that ladder trucks are typically replaced every 15 years and this one has only been in service for 10, but is very worn out and has become unreliable and expensive to maintain as it is in the shop frequently. The truck being replaced is at Station 3 and serves all of the north side, some of the north central and most of the western areas of the city. The current truck is actually too big for many of the northside streets and tight turns. It is being replaced with a shorter, lighter, less expensive new truck. Morton inquired what will be done with the old truck. Christensen responded that while typically old trucks are sold to smaller area volunteer fire departments, this particular truck is too big for those local departments, so it will be sold to a company that purchases old fire trucks and refurbishes them for resale outside the area. Morton advocated for the sales tax renewal up for a vote in February citing fire needs as something that could be funded by the tax.
The purchase of a restroom building for the Riverfront Sports Fields was unanimously approved.
The Board agreed to cancel the Study Session meeting that was originally to be held on Tuesday. The next regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday Dec.14, will be the next meeting and will still proceed as scheduled.
