APRIL 28,2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council
Monday, April 28, 2025
Van Buren Municipal Complex
CALL TO ORDER 5:30PM
The regular 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 Joseph
P. Hurst led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS - AWARDS
None
ROLL CALL 5:32PM
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 5:32PM
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 Regular Meeting of the City Council, March 17, 2025
o Resolution 04-01-2025 Disposal of Fixed Assets
o Resolution 04-02-2025 Adopting Revised Comprehensive Incentive Program
(Longevity definition)
o Financial Statements
o Department Reports
Motion was seconded by Council Member Mike Kneeland. All in favor. None opposed.
Consent Agenda approved. Mayor Hurst declared the consent agenda passed.
NEW BUSINESS 5:34PM
Mayor Joseph P. Hurst opened the meeting with a video clip of the movie clip from the movie
"Trail of Vengeance" that was shot in parts of Van Buren in 2024. The producers of the film
thanked the city and the Street Department for making their time in Van Buren exceptional. A
movie poster was presented to Mayor Hurst.
Resolution 04-03-2025 Authorizing Commercial Lease Agreement 1301 City Park
City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds read the resolution in its entirety. Mayor Hurst invited
Kevin Burdick to the podium to discuss his proposal to lease the "old" Cedars Country Club at
1301 City Park Rd with the council. Mr. Burdick made his presentation in which he mentioned
he wanted to open a pro shop in a portion of the building. It will be called Disc Golf Dojo. His
business model is to operate a pro shop and then have temporary disc golf baskets up on the
golf course for special tournaments and other events.
There was discussion between Council Member Tonia Fry and Council Member Tyler Wood
regarding the difference between this disc golf lease and the ball golf lease that was not
approved by the city council earlier. Council Member Fry's position was that she was
concerned that there was not a uniform standard between the two and was curious why this
did not go through the Parks Commission prior to coming to the council for approval.
Council Member Tyler Wood explained, as a member of the Parks Commission, that it is not a
commission that meets monthly, and the next meeting isn't until the end of May. Mr. Burdick
wishes to have a grand opening on May 9, 2025, and he would not have been able to meet that
goal. Council Member Tyler Wood also made note that the difference between the ball golf
proposal and the disc golf proposal is that with disc golf, the golf course can still be opened up
for multi-use and not exclusively for ball golf.
Council Member Mike Kneeland, Mayor Joseph P. Hurst and Council Member Shannon
Newerth-Henson had questions, as well, to clarify the difference between the ball golf proposal
and the disc golf proposal but those questions were answered during Mr. Burdick's response to
other questions from Council Member Tonia Fry and Council Member Tyler Wood.
Motion to approve Resolution 04-03-2025 was made by Council Member Madison Simmons.
Seconded by Council Member Matt Dodson. Mayor Joseph P. Hurst asked City Clerk-Treasurer
Shawnna Reynolds to call roll. Five Yays and 1 No. Mayor Joseph P. Hurst declared the motion
carried.
Council Member Dodson Yay
Council Member Newerth-Henson Yay
Council Member Wood Yay
Council Member Fry Yay
Council Member Kneeland No
Council Member Simmons Yay
Resolution 04-03-2025 Authorizing Commercial Lease Agreement 1301 City Park Rd is adopted
with five yeas and one nay. Mayor Hurst declared the resolution passed and signed the same in
open council, duly attested by City Clerk-Treasurer Reynolds.
Resolution 04-04-2025 Approving Tax Lien 309 Henry
City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds read the resolution in its entirety. Mayor Joseph P.
Hurst stated that this was tabled during March 17, 2025, when the council approved to give
Spencer Daly thirty (30) more days to provide the funds before a lien on his property was
issued.
Mayor Joseph P. Hurst mentioned that he had talked with Mr. Daly earlier in the day and he
requested 30 more days and noted that he would not be the council meeting this evening.
Mayor Hurst asked Code Enforcement Supervisor Steve Gunter to take the podium and go
through the timeline of events leading up to the current request of a lien being filed against this
property.
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 291h Mr. Daly drew a demo permit which expired
without the property being brought into compliance. On October 15t 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 3rdthe demolition started and
was completed on the 6th. On the loth we received the invoice, and an invoice was served to
the property owner for$8,029.64. He came to the council meeting on March 17, 2025, and
addressed the council and said that he would have the funds within thirty(30) days, if given
more time to round up the money.
Mayor Joseph P. Hurst asked if there were any questions from the council. There were none.
Motion to approve Resolution 04-04-2025 was made by Council Member Shannon Newerth-
Henson. Seconded by Council Member Mike Kneeland. All in favor. None opposed.
Resolution 04-04-2025 Approving Tax Lien 309 Henry is adopted with six yeas and zero nays.
Mayor Hurst declared the resolution passed and signed the same in open council, duly attested
by City Clerk-Treasurer Reynolds.
Resolution 04-05-2025 Accepting Bid for Fire Department Roof
City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds read the resolution in its entirety. Mayor Joseph P.
Hurst stated this was for property damage to a roof for the Fire Department at 1234
Northridge. We have received $60,000 to offset the cost of the proposed new metal roof at
this location. The lowest bidder was Iron Shield Roof and Restoration LLC in the amount of
$93,071.36.
Motion to adopt Resolution 04-05-2025 was made by Council Member Tonia Fry. Seconded by
Council Member Shannon Newerth-Henson. Roll Call. All in favor. None opposed.
Resolution 04-05-2025 Accepting Bid for Fire Department Roof is adopted with six yeas and
zero nays. Mayor Hurst declared the resolution passed and signed the same in open council,
duly attested by City Clerk-Treasurer Reynolds.
Resolution 04-06-2025 Authorizing Purchase of Street Department Equipment
City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds read the resolution in its entirety. Mayor Joseph P.
Hurst stated this bid with Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing, which is for municipalities. He
asked Street Department Superintendent John Karstens to represent the need for the new
equipment. John mentioned that the current skid steer is older, and he is finding it more and
more difficult to find parts. The request is for a used 2020 Riggs Cat 908 M Compact Wheel
Loader in the amount of$89,585.00 under contract#020223.
Motion to adopt Resolution 04-06-2025 was made by Council Member Matt Dodson. Seconded
by Council Member Tonia Fry. Roll Call. All in favor. None opposed.
Resolution 04-06-2025 Authorizing Purchase of Street Department Equipment is adopted with
six yeas and zero nays. Mayor Hurst declared the resolution passed and signed the same in
open council, duly attested by City Clerk-Treasurer Reynolds.
MISCELLANOUS and GENERAL DISCUSSION 6:10PM
Connie Martin from Almost Home Shelter presented the quarterly report. She mentioned that
they had taken in 20 dogs between January 1 and March 31, 2025, and didn't have any
adoptions. They were able to transport 40 dogs during that time. They received a large
donation which allowed them to purchase a new transport vehicle, and they have saved 2,354
dogs since Almost Home Shelter opened its doors. They will be participating in the Steam Punk
Festival and had a fundraiser that was successful at the senior center "Teal for Tails".
There was no further miscellaneous and general discussion.
ADJOURNMENT 6:21PM
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 6:21PM.
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City of Van Buren
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Shawnna M. R y olds Joseph P. Hurst
City Clerk-Treasurer Mayor