Fayetteville City Council recap: Dec. 7, 2021

Experience Fayetteville CEO Molly Rawn traveled to Denmark to receive the award, which she presented to Mayor Jordan at tonight’s meeting.

Rawn presents the award to Mayor Jordan / Fayetteville Government Channel

Background:
This item was left on the first reading at the Nov. 16 meeting.

The property is in south Fayetteville off Black Oak Road, immediately south of Combs Park. It includes four parcels that lie within unincorporated Washington County. It is undeveloped with most of the tree canopy present near the West Fork White River, and the eastern extent of the property is encumbered by the floodway and floodplain of the river. An unnamed protected tributary of the West Fork White River is present in the northeast quadrant of the property. The applicant has requested the annexation to provide additional residential housing stock to northwest Arkansas which they said is facing substantial current and projected growth.

Both city planners and the Planning Commission recommend approval.

Location:

Nov. 16 Discussion:
Turk asked about the water and sewer availability in the area. Staff said the water line is big enough, but they’re not certain about the sewer line and would need to ask someone from the utilities department. Turk said she’d like that answer by the next meeting.

During public comment, four people spoke in favor – including two who either own parts of the property in question or that are representing the owners – and one person spoke against.

Turk said this is a tough decision for her, and she hopes the ordinance can be left on the first reading until the next meeting.

The council agreed. The discussion will continue on Dec. 7

Dec. 7 Discussion:
Two people spoke in favor of the request, both who represent the sellers of the property in question.

Turk said she’ll support both the annexation and the following PZD. She said she thinks the developer went to great lengths to preserve the natural aspects of the land and she hopes others do the same in the future.

Decision:
The council advanced the item to the third reading, and voted 6-0 to approve it.

Background:
This item was left on the first reading at the Nov. 16 meeting.

This is the same property described in the preceding agenda item.

If the property is annexed into the city, the applicant has requested to rezone it to a Residential Planned Zoning District (R-PZD) with two planning areas. The first area includes 2.2 acres that’s intended to be commercial in nature, but still allows for some multi-family units. The second area is intended to be residential and parkland/greenspace in nature with allowances single-family, two-family, three- and four-family, and accessory dwelling units.

Both city planners and the Planning Commission recommend approval.

Location:

Concept Drawing:

Planning Areas:

Nov. 16 Discussion:
Those who signed up to speak said they made their points during the previous discussion and chose not to speak again.

This item cannot be voted on unless the previous annexation passes, so it will also be held on the first reading and the discussion will continue on Dec. 7.

Dec. 7 Discussion:
There was no discussion.

Decision:
Just like the attached preceding item, the council advanced this item to the third reading, and voted 6-0 to approve it.

Background:
This item was tabled at the Nov. 16 meeting.

The proposed budget is included in the agenda packet for this item (see it here).

Nov. 16 Discussion:
Council Member Jones suggested adding $45,000 to the budget for added staffing at the Yvonne Richardson Community Center. Staff said they will look into that and get input from the center’s management.

The council voted 7-0 to table the resolution until the next meeting on Dec. 7.

Dec. 7 Discussion:
Turk said she’d like to make an amendment to the budget related to her proposal from the last meeting that would provide $100,000 in 2022 to purchase ecologically valued land.

The resolution (which passed) was in part to provide annual funding of $100,000 to purchase ecologically valued land, but at the time it was not yet in the 2022 budget.

Kinion said he’s not sure this is the best idea considering the budget has already been prepared. He said he’d be more comfortable adding funds to the budget for this if some unnecessary money were first removed from another project. Hertzberg agreed.

Turk said if the city is going to establish a funding account for buying land, it needs to start saving now.

Kinion said he understands, but $100,000 won’t make or break the idea if this isn’t added for 2022. He said if there’s a specific project the council wants to pursue in terms of buying land, any council member can always bring forward a proposal for that.

Scroggin said he has concerns about earmarking money for a project that hasn’t even been thought of yet. Plus, he said, when people ask the city to buy land, their aim is to stop development, which isn’t an inherently good idea.

Turk’s amendment failed 2-4 with Bunch and Turk voting in favor.

Jones asked about the proposed additional funding for the Yvonne Richardson Community Center. Staff said there are plans to expand operations and programming at the center, but not in this budget cycle.

Jones asked if the council can revisit his proposal for additional staffing at a later time. City Attorney Williams said yes. Staff said they plan to bring forward a proposal for center expansion plans as soon as they’re ready.

Decision:
The council voted 6-0 to approve the resolution.

Background:
Staff said Water and Sewer Operations Division is facing recruitment and retention challenges for workers who repair water and sewer pipes. The current workforce is working overtime night and day, staff said, because there are currently 11 maintenance worker vacancies and four crew leader vacancies. Staff said it’s an emergency situation in that this pace can’t be maintained indefinitely. Maintenance workers are putting in an average of 139 hours per 80-hour pay period, according to staff documents, which is the equivalent to working 14-hour days 7 days a week.Crew leaders are averaging 110 hours per period which is equivalent to 11-hour days 7 days a week.

The proposal calls for a $3 per hour increase for staff with the following titles Maintenance Worker III, Maintenance Worker IV, Crew Leader, Field Supervisor and Warehouse Manager.

Other municipalities in the region have recently made adjustments to pay ranges for utilities positions and Fayetteville is currently working with Johanson Group to conduct a biennial merit pay plan survey. Staff said the proposed increase would be in effect until the impact of the 2022 merit pay plan for those positions can be determined and adjusted appropriately.

Discussion:
Turk asked when the pay study is expected to be completed. Staff said it is wrapping up now, and could be ready before pay plans are proposed at the end of the first quarter.

Bunch said she hopes the plan recommends bringing all of the employees up to market value.

Decision:
The council voted 6-0 to approve the resolution.

Background:
Council Member Holly Hertzberg brought forward this measure, which would rename a portion of Porter Road between Deane Street and Mount Comfort Road to Stephen Carr Memorial Boulevard in honor of the fallen officer.

Carr was 27 years old when he was killed on Dec. 7, 2019 after being shot behind the police station in downtown Fayetteville.

The street section runs past the site of the new police headquarters that’s being built, meaning the address of the facility would include Carr’s name. Hertzberg said the location is also fitting in that the new headquarters is being purpose built in part to protect officers.

Carr was ambushed by a gunman who shot him 10 times in the head while he was sitting in his patrol vehicle in the open parking lot behind the police station. The new facility will include a gated area for patrol vehicles in an effort to keep officers safe during shift changes.

Mayor Lioneld Jordan has joined Hertzberg as a co-sponsor of the measure.

» Read more about the proposed measure in our Dec. 1 story

Location:

Discussion:
Police Chief Mike Reynolds thanked Hertzberg and Jordan for sponsoring the proposal. He said he’s vowed that Carr will never be forgotten and he can’t think of a better way to honor his memory than to have the address of the new police department include Carr’s name.

Decision:
The council voted 6-0 to approve the resolution.

Background:
City staff recently told the council that the pandemic has contributed to rising costs for construction projects because of labor and supply shortages. The downtown parking deck was initially estimated at $10 million, but has now grown to be about a $13.2 million project.

In order to make up the difference, the city plans to use $2.9 million of the nearly $12 million of unreserved money in the city’s general fund, and another $300,000 in street funds.

This change order is for overages related to concrete, masonry, structural steel, waterproofing, glass, glazing, metal studs, painting, elevators, and MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) work.

» Read more about this in our Dec. 7 story

Discussion:
Turk said she voted against the deck being built in this location and she still has some concerns about the project. She said she’s never been a fan of the land sale and still thinks the idea is extravagant and out of touch. Kinion said he agrees.

Decision:
The council voted 3-3 so the item failed. Jones, Kinion and Turk voted against.

Background:
This property is platted within the Copper Creek Ph. I subdivision in northeast Fayetteville. It is developed with a detached single-family dwelling. The applicant has requested the vacation so that a swimming pool can be constructed since no portion of any type of pool is allowed to be built within an easement.

City planners recommend approval of the request.

Location:

Discussion:
There was no public comment.

Decision:
The council advanced the ordinance to the third reading, and voted 6-0 to approve it.

Background:
This property is in south Fayetteville on the east side of South Dead Horse Mountain Road, just west of Stonebridge Meadows Golf Club. It was previously part of the Villas at Stonebridge Planned Zoning District, which expired in 2015. Upon the project’s expiration, staff recommended the property revert back to its original zoning of R-A, Residential-Agricultural. The property was eventually rezoned to its current RSF-4 designation with an associated Bill of Assurance limiting the density to 2.5 units per acre. In February 2018, a preliminary plat for Meadows at Stonebridge Subdivision was approved on this property, but was not built. In March 2021, the Planning Commission recommended approval of a proposed Planned Zoning District for this property to the City Counci, but the council voted 1-7 and rejected the proposal. The property is currently rural and undeveloped in nature.

This new request is to rezone the property to RSF-4, Residential Single-Family, 4 Units per Acre, and no longer be subject to the Bill of Assurance that limits density to 2.5 units per acre.

Both the Planning Commission and city planners recommend denial of the proposal.

Staff said the request is not compatible with surrounding land uses since the area has a limited amount of services and amenities. Staff characterized the request, without the additional support of added walkable amenities or services, and the remoteness of the site, as sprawl.

Location:

Discussion:
A representative for the applicant said they plan to develop the land to about 3.2 units per acre and would include a Bill of Assurance for that if it would help.

Hertzberg asked city staff if they’d be in favor of the rezoning with that Bill of Assurance. Staff said they would not since that part of town has no services and no employment so it would still be considered sprawl.

Decision:
The council advanced the item to the third reading, and voted 0-6 so the ordinance failed.

Background:
The property is in west Fayetteville, includes three parcels, and is located roughly 300 feet north of the intersection of Double Springs and Dot Tipton roads. The parcels are immediately south of the Emerald Point subdivision, and are currently developed with two single-family residences. Most of the area is an undeveloped greenfield site and the topography is flat. The applicant said the intent of the rezoning is to develop the property with a residential subdivision.

Both the Planning Commission and city planners recommend approval of the request.

Location:

Discussion:
Hertzberg said she’s in support of the project. In looking at the surrounding areas, she thinks the request is compatible with the neighboring properties, especially considering it’s directly next to RMF-6.

Turk said she has reservations about increasing density in that area.

Hertzberg moved to send the ordinance to the second reading and Bunch seconded. That motion passed 6-1 with Turk voting against and Mayor Jordan electing to vote in favor.

Turk asked if the council would hold the item on the second reading. Hertzberg agreed.

The discussion will continue on Dec. 21.