OCTOBER 2023 REGULAR ti
City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting of the City Council
Monday, October 23, 2023
Van Buren Municipal Complex
CALL TO ORDER 5:30PM
The regular monthly meeting of the Van Buren City Council was called to order by Mayor
Joseph P. Hurst at 5:30PM. Reverend and City Attorney Jacob Howell led the invocation.
Mayor Hurst led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL 5:31PM
Present: Council Member Madison Simmons, Council Member Kenneth Bell, Council Member
Mike Kneeland Council Member Tyler Wood, Council Member Matt Dodson, Council Member
Tonia Fry, Mayor Joseph P. Hurst, City Attorney Jacob Howell, City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna
Reynolds
Absent: None
PRESENTATIONS -AWARDS
None
CONSENT AGENDA 5:32PM
After determining there were no reported objections or unfinished business, Council Member
Mike Kneeland moved to approve the consent agenda which consisted of:
o Minutes from September 25,2023 City Council Meeting
o Street Closures:
■ Ponter Brewery—Larry B Concert
■ Veteran's Day Parade
■ Van Buren Baseball Booster Sk Run-Jingle All the Way
o Resolution 10-01-2023 Bank Signature Cards
o Financial Statements
o Department Reports
Motion was seconded by Council Member Madison Simmons. All in favor. None opposed.
Consent Agenda approved.
NEW BUSINESS 5:33PM
Ordinance 29-2023 Authorizing an Application for a Private Club Permit
Ms. Doss, representing"At Witts End Chess Club"stated that this game club is at 700 Main and
is being expanded to allow for food and alcohol. This is a gaming cafe,family dining and has a
chef. She stated that patrons would like lite food and the ability to have a drink if desired while
playing games.
Motion to adopt Ordinance 29-2023 made by Council Member Tonia Fry. Seconded by Council
Member Tyler Wood. Roll Call. All in favor. None opposed.
Ordinance 29-2023 Authorizing an Application for a Private Club Permit is adopted with six yeas
and no nays.
Ordinance 30-2023 Rezone PZD Poplar Street
Planning Department Head Wally Bailey stated that this property has been zoned R-2 and was
being rezoned to PZD and the PZD booklet is being updated. This property is at Poplar/11th
Street by Butterfield. It will be a hybrid of the R3,there will be duplexes built and there cannot
be any changes once approved by the Planning Commission without approval. The fire code
must be approved as well. There will be a right of way dedicated to future improvement on
Poplar Street. The Planning Commission was unanimously approved by the Planning
Commission.
Motion to adopt Ordinance 30-2023 made by Council Member Tyler Wood. Seconded by
Council Member Tonia Fry. Roll Call. All in favor. None opposed.
Ordinance 30-2023 Rezone PZD Poplar Street is adopted with six yeas and no nays.
Ordinance 31-2023 Amending Subdivision Regulations Flood Boundaries
Planning Department Head Wally Bailey stated that an audit of the current regulations
identified evaluations and flood plain management with recommendations as FEMA
recommends. This will affect insurance costs of those in flood plain areas of the city and
minimum requirements will be added to the subdivision final plat.
Motion to adopt Ordinance 31-2023 made by Council Member Mike Kneeland. Seconded by
Council Member Matt Dodson. Roll Call. All in favor. None opposed.
Ordinance 31-2023 Amending Subdivision Regulations Flood Boundaries is adopted with six
yeas and no nays.
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Ordinance 32-2023 Annexation for Crawford County Conservation District
Planning Department Head Wally Bailey and representatives of the Crawford County
Conservation League were on hand to answer questions and explain the annexation of the area
around Lake Lou Emma's into the city limits of Van Buren. This process has been considered by
the Conservation League for the last three years. It is noted that the lake itself and the walk
trail around it is not included in the annexation. This is Lot 2B. This will remain in Conservation
League ownership. There is a mutual easement from HWY 59 for access to the land.
Motion to adopt Ordinance 32-2023 made by Council Member Tyler Wood. Seconded by
Council Member Mike Kneeland. Roll Call. All in favor. None opposed.
Ordinance 32-2023 Annexation for Crawford County Conservation District is adopted with six
yeas and no nays.
Miscellaneous and General Discussion 6:15PM
Mayor Hurst opened the floor for discussion regarding the proposed "dog ordinance". The
proposed ordinance is 25 pages in length.
A motion was made by Council Member Tyler Wood to read the proposed ordinance by title
only. Seconded by Council Member Mike Kneeland. Roll call. All in favor. None opposed.
Planning Department Head Wally Bailey made a presentation for discussion,with public input
of the highlights of the changes made to the proposed ordinance since the presentation in
September 2023.
The biggest change in the proposed ordinance was the definition of a nuisance dog was
changed along with the time limit of when a dog is considered a nuisance. This change was
made based on public comment. There is a change in the fine structure.
After general discussion with city attorney Jacob Howell and the public it was determined that
the fines will be considered as follows: $50 first occurrence, $100 second occurrence, $150
third occurrence.
Connie Martin with Almost Home Shelter gave the quarterly report regarding the animals, heart
worms,transports etc. She mentioned that the expansion is primarily complete and there will
be an open house/ribbon cutting in the future.
1
ADJOURNMENT 6:28PM
Council Member Madison Simmons made a motion to adjourn,seconded by Council Member
Matt Dodson. The motion passed 6-0. The Regular Meeting of the Van Buren City Council was
adjourned at 6:28PM.
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City of Van Buren
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