Highlights of the Fort Smith Board of Directors Meeting 7/19/22

The Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting held 7-19-22 began with a vote to accept a bid from McKee Utility Contractors for $12,824,091 for consent decree sewer work to increase sewer capacity from around MLK Park to North 31st near Greenwood Avenue. This work would be paid for entirely by federal funds from the American Rescue Plan.

Directors Settle and Martin both pointed out the drastic increase of nearly double between the cost of the bids and the old initial estimate. Larry Yancy with Hawkins Weir engineering and Utilities Director Lance McAvoy discussed the volatility in prices for pipe right now. Settle expressed that he agrees with the work but that the project’s skyrocketing costs due to price increases highlight how satisfying the consent decree is “almost unattainable in the economy today”.

Director Settle pointed out that the winning bidder overall had the highest pipe cost and inquired if McKee could also get the lower pipe cost that their competitors found. McAvoy responded that State law prohibits negotiating on the bid and guessed that McKee was paying more for pipe due to paying for faster delivery time. Yancy responded that after the bid was awarded they could visit with contractor and try to find a lower pipe price and if they could get a better deal would bring it back to the Board.

Director Morton asked about if the money coming in from the American Rescue Plan for this project was leaving money in the bond fund for other uses. McAvoy said that there was some bond money left and that this federal funding frees up the money budgeted for this project for other budgeted projects for 2022 including the relocation of the utilities involved in the Towson Avenue overlay project. The Board voted unanimously in favor of accepting the bid.

The Board voted unanimously to renew its contract with Future School of Fort Smith’s program Riverside Rides to rent bicycles at the Greg Smith Riverfront Trail. The contract is for one year and pays $1300 per month and requires that a minimum of 10 bicycles be available for rent at a maximum price of $20 per hour. Riverside Rides currently rents bicycles for $8 for 30 minutes and $12 per hour and longboard skateboards and children’s bikes for $5 for 30 minutes and $8 per hour.

Director Martin pointed out that the initial contract with Riverside Rides was funded with $18,000 in leftover funds related to an agreement with the defunct Zagster bike rental company. He asked if this renewal would still be funded by that leftover money and/or how it would be funded. Parks Director Reinert confirmed that those leftover funds were already depleted. Administrator Geffken confirmed that the payment for the contract would come from the City’s General Fund. Director Settle asked about the total ridership for Riverside Rides. Reinert did not have that information.

The Board voted unanimously in favor of accepting a bids from CXT Inc to purchase new prefabricated concrete restrooms to replace the current ones at Martin Luther King Park and Carol Ann Cross Park. The model proposed for Martin Luther King Park would cost $169,889.80. The model proposed for Carol Ann Cross Park would cost $293,776.07.

Director Catsavis inquired about the difference in price between the two different styles. Parks Director Reinert responded that the grade elevation required the different configuration that is more expensive. Director Martin expressed mild disappointment that he felt the outside look of the restrooms was “mundane, uninspiring” but did say “but it’s a restroom”. Director Morton expressed satisfaction that the buildings did not look temporary as he initially worried that they might. He asked about the resiliency of the buildings against vandalism and intentional destructive behavior. Reinert said that the buildings being vandal resistant was a major consideration and stated that all of the fixtures and mirrors are stainless steel (no porcelain or glass), the roof is concrete, the plumbing is in concrete that is difficult to access, and the doors are steel and double bolted. He did state that he is concerned about the vulnerability of the outdoor lighting to vandalism and that he would have preferred the design not include it for that reason, but the City’s Unified Development Ordinance requires the lighting be included. Director Morton asked if the restrooms would be open 24 hours. Reinert said that they are intended to be closed at night.

Department of Solid Waste Director Nicole Reilly gave an update that the new A6 Cell at the landfill is on schedule for completion in October.

The Board voted unanimously to accept a bid from Lum’s Sales and Service for a new heavy duty vehicle lift/hoist for the Transit Department. The lift is needed to service the new larger buses scheduled to arrive in late August/early September. The lift would cost $193,809.53, but 80% of that cost would be reimbursed by a federal grant.

Director Martin pointed out that there was another bidder that actually had a lower bid. Transit Department Director Ken Savage responded that the lower bidder did not comply with FTA requirements, specifically the Buy American clause. So that bid could not be considered as it would not qualify for the federal reimbursement. The lift/hoist from Lum’s is manufactured in Madison Indiana, but all of the other bidders lifts were made in Italy.

The Board voted unanimously without any discussion to accept a bid from LDV Custom Specialty Vehicles for $351,669 for a new mobile command center for the Police Department. The Board also voted unanimously without any discussion in favor of contracting with third party administrators for the City of Fort Smith’s self-funded health plan. The main provider will be Qualchoice, with Edison Health Network for complex care management services, and Consolidated Admin Services for COBRA.

During the Official’s Forum portion of the meeting, Mayor McGill mentioned that due to Lake Fort Smith, even with the heat wave, Fort Smith is not experiencing the need for water restrictions or rationing. Director Geffken added that our reservoirs are currently 95% full.

Director Good pointed out that 80-85% of the American Rescue Plan funds Fort Smith has received have been allotted to work on projects on the Northside of town, exhibiting the city’s effort to make improvements throughout the whole city. He also encouraged people to be careful about their pets feet on hot pavement and to check on the elderly during this heat wave.

Director Morton requested a study session be held on 8-30-22 to discuss stray animals. It was pointed out that Director Dawson had already had a review of the existing animal ordinance scheduled for the 10-11-22 meeting. Morton expressed that he was not interested in looking at the ordinance we already have, but rather felt that we need to “start with a blank piece of paper” . Dawson agreed that “we are not fulfilling what we even said we were going to” and that “we may need to start over”.

Director Morton asked for an update on the FEMA money to reimburse the city for repairs from the 2019 flood. Geffken updated that there is a meeting on the matter next week because the amount currently being offered falls short of where the Administration thinks that it should be and short of the $12 million spent on the repairs.

Director Catsavis had the zoning change request for 8055 and 8101 Massard to allow for a 20.95 acre undeveloped lot to be developed into a mixed use multi-family residential and commercial development that was voted down at last week’s meeting added back to the 8-2-22 meeting again.

Director Dawson encouraged people to sponsor the State Swimming Championship to be held at Creekmore Park by the Sebastian County Aquatics Association and said that donations of bottled water, gatorade, pickles, and Sams and Walmart gift cards would be appreciated.

Director Settle asked for an update on the grand opening celebration event for John Bell Junior Park. Geffken answered that it would be held after the new bathroom is installed there.

In the executive session, Cheryl Healey was appointed to the Advertising and Promotion Commission, Deborah Kraus was appointed to the Historic District Commission, Charles Lane was reappointed to the Port Authority, and Melissa Woodall was reappointed to the Transit Advisory Commission.

Following the executive session, Director Settle called for a special meeting to be held on performance raises for the City Administrator and Internal Auditor. It will be held immediately after the special budget study session scheduled for noon 7-27-22.