A few months ago, Flyer contributer and city-government enthusiast Mary Robbins wrote a great preview of one of the longest City Council meetings in recent memory.
During that meeting, there was a public discussion on permitting and funding of events (that one lasted around 5 hours), a controversial rezoning ordinance, an ordinance limiting the amount of cars allowed in a single family driveway, and a state of the city address delivered by Mayor Lioneld Jordan.
We don’t expect tonight’s city council meeting to top the Jan. 19 marathon in terms of length, but there are several pretty interesting items on the agenda.
In fact, every single item under new business is pretty interesting. Here’s what’s on tap.
First Thursday under new management?
The first item under new business is an amendment to city code to allow the Fayetteville Convention and Visitors Bureau to be the managing entity for the monthly First Thursday events. The bureau seeks control of the public parking spaces on both sides of East Street on the square and to close off East Street to traffic from 4 – 10 p.m. during First Thursday. The Visitors Bureau is hoping to use the area of East Street to add an outdoor element to First Thursday by bringing in additional artists in new booth spaces in front of East Square Plaza.
Extra hours for the Farmers’ Market?
Next up, the council will vote on whether or not to allow the Farmers’ Market to operate for an extra hour on Saturdays (until 2 p.m.), and during First Thursday from 4 p.m. until dark. If the ordinance is passed, the Farmers’ Market would be allowed to operate on the square for one Thursday evening a month inside the parking spaces on Center and Block Street.
Hillside back from the dead?
The much talked about hillside ordinance is next on the agenda, sponsored by Brenda Thiel and Sarah Lewis. The gist of this one is that the city would amend the building code to require homebuilders in the Hillside Overlay District (areas in town w/ more than a 15% slope) to have their foundations approved by a professional engineer or architect. Former mayor Dan Coody vetoed a similar ordinance in 2006, but it’s back tonight.
99 new acres
The council is then expected to discuss a proposed resolution to annex 99 acres of land from the city of Johnson in exchange for providing contracted water and sewer service to Johnson residents who live south of Clear Creek. This one has a long history but it should be over tonight.
Open books for festivals?
Finally, Ward Matthew Petty has proposed an ordinance that would require festival organizers using public property in Fayetteville to hold events lasting longer than two days to disclose their financial records (revenues earned and expenses paid). The proposal is intended to ensure that these festivals collect and pay the proper amount of sales tax, but it’s ruffling the feathers of some current festival organizers, and others who think it will discourage folks from starting festivals in Fayetteville.
Sound like a party? We’ll see some of you there.
View the complete agenda.
