MAY 2024 REGULAR MEETING t
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City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council
Monday, May 28, 2024
Van Buren Municipal Complex
CALL TO ORDER 5:30M
The regular meeting of the Van Buren City Council was called to order by Mayor Joseph P.
Hurst at 5:30PM. City Attorney and Reverend Jacob Howell led the invocation. The Pledge of
Allegiance was led by Mayor Joseph P. Hurst.
There were three (3) council members present and three (3) council members absent. Mayor
Joseph P. Hurst was called upon to vote to ensure a quorum.
ROLL CALL 5:31PM
Present: Council Member Madison Simmons, Council Member Tyler Wood, Council Member
Tonia Fry, Mayor Joseph P. Hurst, City Attorney Jacob Howell, City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna
Reynolds
Open Position: Council Member Kenneth Bell
Absent: None
PRESENTATIONS AWARDS
None
CONSENT AGENDA 5:37PM
After determining there were no reported objections or unfinished business, Council Member
Tonia Fry moved to approve the consent agenda which consisted of:
o Minutes from April 22, 2024, City Council Meeting
o Civil Service Commission Appointment Letter—Brittany Ransom
o Financial Statements
o Department Reports
Motion was seconded by Council Member Tyler Wood. All in favor. None opposed. Consent
Agenda approved.
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NEW BUSINESS 5:32PM
Resolution 05-01-2024 Utilize Federal-Aid Transportation Alternatives Program
Mayor Joe Hurst stated that the City of Van Buren had submitted an updated TAP (Federal-Aid
Transportation Alternatives Program)grant proposal in the amount of$500,000. This is
additional funding because the cost of the Downtown Streetscape Project has increased due to
material cost. The additional cost had delayed the project previously. If approved the City of
Van Buren will have to match 20%of the cost while the grant will cover 80%. This will make
downtown more pedestrian friendly,walkable and beautiful all around.
Motion to adopt Resolution 05-01-2024 was made by Council Member Tyler Wood. Seconded
by Council Member Matt Dodson. Roll Call. All in favor. None opposed.
Resolution 05-01-2024 is adopted with five yeas and zero nays.
Ordinance 13-2024 Establishing Vehicle Allowance Procedures
Mayor Joseph P. Hurst and City Clerk-Treasurer Reynolds stated that this is an ordinance to
bring the City of Van Buren up to standard regarding how to process vehicle allowances for any
employee or elected official that receives a vehicle allowance. This ordinance allows for a
uniform procedure that was not previously in place.
Motion to adopt Ordinance 13-2024 was made by Council Member Mike Kneeland. Seconded
by Council Member Madison Simmons. Roll Call.
Ordinance 13-2024 Establishing Vehicle Allowance Procedures is adopted with five yeas and
zero nays.
Motion to approve the emergency clause made by Council Member Tyler Wood,seconded by
Council Member Tonia Fry. Roll Call. All in favor. None opposed. The Emergency Clause
passed with a vote of five yeas and zero nays.
MISCELLANOUS and GENERAL DISCUSSION 5:48PM
Susan Moore and James Gentry from Park Ridge POS addressed the council regarding issues
they have with a dog kennel that is outside the city limits technically but still close to the homes
in this neighborhood. There have been multiple issues with the dogs but since the kennel is
outside the city limits Dog Ordinance 08-2024 cannot be enforced. The HOA for this
community elected Mr. Gentry and Ms. Moore to speak on their behalf. They requested
territorial jurisdiction so that the ordinance could be enforced within one mile of the city limits.
This topic of conversation went on for several minutes with the council asking multiple
questions. City Attorney Jacob Howell offered possible solutions to this issue such as going to
the Planning Commission,the quorum court for the county or possible annex of land to the city.
This discussion was tabled for the time being as Mr. Gentry and Ms. Moore will report to the
HOA the possibilities.
EXECUTIVE SESSION—CITY COUINCIL POSITION VACANCY FOR WARD 3 POSITION 2
Mayor Joe Hurst stated that the council would be going into executive session.regarding an
open position on the council. He dismissed anyone who wanted to leave.
Council Member Tyler Wood made a motion to dismiss for executive session. Seconded by
Council Member Matt Dodson. All in favor. None opposed.
Executive Session began and recording turned off at 6:04PM. Executive Session ended at
6:35PM and recording started.
Mayor Joe Hurst stated that there was no action taken during the executive session and there
were no other items of business to discuss.
ADJOURNMENT 6:37PM
Council Member Madison Simmons made a motion to adjourn,seconded by Council Member
Tonia Fry. The motion passed 5-0. The Regular Meeting of the Van Buren City Council was
adjourned at 6:37PM.
G\erk 7-re0s�
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City of Van Buren
ATTESTED: ay APPROVED:
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Shawnna M. Reynolds 4`'`~ _ =� h P. Hurst
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City Clerk-Treasurer _ �-`�� v- y Mayor—��
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