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MARCH 17, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES City of Van Buren, Arkansas Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council Monday, March 17, 2025 Van Buren Municipal Complex CALL TO ORDER 5:33PM The regular meeting of the Van Buren City Council was called to order by Mayor Joseph P. Hurst at 5:33PM. Reverend and City Attorney Jacob Howell led the invocation. The Girl Scouts — Red Oak Service Unit led the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENTATIONS - AWARDS Van Buren Pointer Wrestling Team ROLL CALL 5:41PM Present: Council Member Shannon Newerth-Henson, Council Member Madison Simmons, Council Member Tyler Wood, Council Member Tonia Fry, Council Member Kneeland, Council Member Dodson, Mayor Joseph P. Hurst, Chief Deputy City Clerk-Treasurer Erica Mowder, City Attorney Jacob Howell Absent: None CONSENT AGENDA 5:42PM 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 Regular Meeting of the City Council, February 24, 2025 o Street Closures: First Baptist VB First Kids Vacation Bible School June 2-6 o Resolution 03-01-2025 Disposal of Fixed Assets o Resolution 03-02-2025 Approving Commercial Lease 816 Fayetteville Rd o Resolution 03-03-2025 Approving Commercial Lease 111 N 12tn o Financial Statements o Department Reports Motion was seconded by Council Member Tyler Wood. All in favor. None opposed. Consent Agenda approved. Mayor Hurst declared the consent agenda passed. NEW BUSINESS 5:42PM Resolution 03-04-2025 Approving Tax Lien 309 Henry Street Chief Deputy City Clerk Erica Mowder read the resolution in its entirety. Mayor Joseph P. Hurst asked if there was anyone in the audience that wished to speak on the issue. Mayor Hurst noted that Van Buren Code Enforcement Officer Brian Watteau was available to answer any questions. Mayor Hurst expressed his appreciation for Code Enforcement's attention to state and local rules concerning this issue. An audience member addressed the council, stating they were Mr. Daly, the property owner of 309 Henry Street. Mr. Daly requested an additional 30 days to pay the invoice issued to him. Mayor Hurst asked Officer Watteau to go over the history of this issue. In January 2024 the initial violation was observed, and a compliance order was issued. On February 7th, a 60-day warning notice to remove the dilapidated structure was issued. On April 8th a condemnation notice was served. On the 29th Mr. Daly drew a demo permit which expired without the property being brought into compliance. On October 1st the City of Van Buren began taking bids to remove the structure and clean up the property. On November 14th the utilities were shut off by the building department. On December 20th a resolution was passed for condemnation to be served on the property. On the 20th of this year there was a 30-day posting and the demo and clean up was scheduled. On February 311the demolition started and was completed on the 61h. On the loth we received the invoice, and an invoice was served to the property owner for $8,029.64. Mayor Hurst asked if there were any questions from the council. Council Member Madison Simmons asked how long we normally allow citizens to pay fines. Officer Watteau confirmed it was 30 days and that this invoice was issued on February loth so that period had expired. Council Member Simmons asked what happens if the fines aren't paid within 30 days. Officer Watteau explained it goes before the Council for a resolution for payment which places a tax lien against the structure. Council Member Tonia Fry asked if Mr. Daly had been in consistent contact with the City of Van Buren. Officer Watteau stated contact had been hit or miss on more than one occasion and that it had been difficult to get Mr. Daly to answer the door or to communicate with Code Enforcement. Mr. Daly stated that he was told not to be on the property, so he was not there to answer the door but otherwise had kept in full contact throughout the process. Council Member Mike Kneeland questioned Mr. Daly's statement that he could make the full payment in 30 days. Mr. Daly said he would use the property to get a loan from the bank. Council Member Kneeland surmised that the payment wasn't a certainty. Mr. Daly stated it would be paid. Council Member Kneeland questioned how we could confirm that. Mayor Hurst said we could try. Council Member Kneeland asked what they were voting on. Mayor Hurst confirmed the council either approve the resolution, so it goes against his taxes or possibly table the resolution for 30 days. Council Member Kneeland asked if the resolution was tabled for 30 days would there be additional fines. Officer Watteau confirmed no additional fines. Motion to table the resolution until the next council meeting was made by Council Member Matt Dodson. Seconded by Council Member Tyler Wood. All in favor. None opposed. Mayor Hurst declared the motion carried. Ordinance 08-2025 Amending the Municipal Code-House Numbering Chief Deputy City Clerk Erica Mowder read the ordinance in its entirety. Council Member Madison Simmons moved that the rules be suspended, and the ordinance be placed on its second reading. The motion was seconded by Council Member Mike Kneeland, followed by a unanimous vote by the council. The clerk read the ordinance the second time by title only. Council Member Simmons moved that the rules be further suspended, and the ordinance placed on the third and final reading. The motion was seconded by Council Member Tyler Wood, followed by a unanimous vote by the council. The clerk then read the ordinance for the third and final time by title only. Mayor Joseph P. Hurst drew the council's attention to a memo Planning Director Wally Bailey had provided. Planning Director Bailey explained that an unintended consequence of the 2006 ordinance which resulted in so many commercial buildings and multi-family developments coming to the Planning Commission to have a variance approved because their front doors did not face the street. The Planning, Building and Fire Departments met and decided on an amendment that would end this unnecessary process but meet all planning, building and fire provisions. Motion to adopt Ordinance 08-2025 was made by Council Member Tyler Wood. Seconded by Council Member Tonia Fry. Roll call. All in favor. None opposed. Ordinance 08-2025 Amending the Municipal Code-House Numbering adopted with six yeas and zero nays. Mayor Hurst declared the ordinance passed and signed same in open council, duly attested by Chief Deputy City Clerk-Treasurer Mowder. MISCELLANOUS and GENERAL DISCUSSION 5:57PM Mayor Joseph P. Hurst stated his appreciation to City Attorney Jacob Howell for submitting the annual legal report. There was no further miscellaneous and general discussion. ADJOURNMENT 5:58PM Council Member Madison Simmons made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Council Member Mike Kneeland. The motion passed 6-0. The Regular Meeting of the Van Buren City Council was adjourned at 5:58PM � G�erk Trc,, \� s� ~co City of Van Buren ATTESTED: APPROVED: N m� �f°"�yCounty.P�Ka�h Shawnna M. R yn Ids Jos h P. Hurst City Clerk-Treasurer ayor