JUNE 23,2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council
Monday, June 23, 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. Police Chief Jonathan Wear led the invocation. Mayor Joseph P. Hurst led
the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS - AWARDS
None
ROLL CALL 5:31PM
Present: Council Member Tyler Wood, Council Member Shannon Newerth-Henson, Council
Member Madison Simmons, Council Member Tonia Fry, Council Member Mike Kneeland,
Council Member Dodson, Mayor Joseph P. Hurst, City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds, City
Attorney Jacob Howell
Absent: "Council Member Mike Kneeland arrived at 5:55PM
CONSENT AGENDA 5:33PM
After determining there were no reported objections or unfinished business, Council Member
Madison Simmons moved to approve the consent agenda which consisted of:
o Minutes from Regular Meeting of the City Council, May 27, 2025
o Appointments—Planning Commission and Historic District Commission
o Resolution 06-01-2025 Disposal of Fixed Assets
o Resolution 06-02-2025 Authorize Easement on City Property
o Financial Statements
o Department Reports
Motion was seconded by Council Member Tyler Wood. Council Member Shannon Newerth-
Henson abstained to vote on the consent agenda. Consent Agenda approved with a vote of 4
yays and zero nays. Mayor Hurst declared the consent agenda passed.
NEW BUSINESS 5:35PM
Resolution 06-03-2025 Accepting Bid for Downtown Stormwater HMGP 4518-
0001 Management
City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds read the resolution in its entirety. Mayor Hurst invited
Kyle Salyer with Hawkins-Weir to address the council. Mr. Salyer mentioned that Hawkins-
Weir had done tremendous work on this project and was excited to say that they will be saving
the city almost a quarter of a million dollars. This bid is $224,000 less than what was bid in July
2024. The first phase will include beautification and drainage mostly on Main Street. It was
discussed that the reason for the lower bid is that there is a high number of bidders and the
pricing is aggressive. He noted that the market has changed somewhat since the last bid
process. Mayor Joseph P. Hurst stated that there will be a FEMA Grant that covers 90% of the
cost of this project. Mr. Salyer stated that there is a bond that will protect the city if the
project is not completed in a timely manner. The cost of this project is $959,650.00.
Motion to approve Resolution 06-03-2025 was made by Council Member Matt Dodson.
Seconded by Council Member Tonia Fry. Mayor Joseph P. Hurst asked City Clerk-Treasurer
Shawnna Reynolds to call roll. Five yays and zero nays. Mayor Joseph P. Hurst declared the
motion carried.
Resolution 06-03-2025 Accepting Bid for Downtown Stormwater HMGP 4518-0001
Management is adopted with five yays and zero nays. Mayor Hurst declared the resolution
passed and signed the same in open council, duly attested by City Clerk-Treasurer Reynolds.
Resolution 06-04-5025 Entering into Contract with Hawkins-Weir Boatwright
Drainage Improvements
City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds read the resolution in its entirety. Mayor Joseph P.
Hurst invited Kyle Salyer with Hawkins- Weir to address the council. Mr. Salyer mentioned this
was an amendment to cover the pre-construction conference which is standard for public
projects. The projected cost of Hawkins-Weir Engineering services for the Boatwright Drainage
Improvement Project is$77,900.00.
Motion to approve Resolution 06-04-2025 was made by Council Member Tyler Wood.
Seconded by Council Member Tonia Fry. All in favor. None opposed.
Resolution 06-04-2025 Entering into Contract with Hawkins-Weir Boatwright Drainage
Improvements is adopted with five yays and zero nays. Mayor Hurst declared the resolution
passed and signed the same in open council, duly attested by City Clerk-Treasurer Reynolds.
Resolution 06-05-2025 Accepting Bid for Boatwright Drainage Improvements
City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds read the resolution in its entirety. Mayor Joseph P.
Hurst invited Kyle Salyer from Hawkins-Weir to address the council. Mr. Salyer stated that this
project was needed to alleviate flooding in this area. He mentioned that Goodwin-Goodwin
were the lowest bidders for the project at $264,525.00 and it was recommended by Hawkins-
Weir that they win the bid.
Motion to adopt Resolution 06-05-2025 was made by Council Member Tonia Fry. Seconded by
Council Member Madison Simmons.
Resolution 06-05-2025 Accepting Bid for Boatwright Drainage Improvements is adopted with
five yays and one nay. Mayor Hurst declared the resolution passed and signed the same in
open council, duly attested by City Clerk-Treasurer Reynolds.
Resolution 06-06-2025 Adopting Update Master Parks Plan - MAHG
City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds read the resolution in its entirety. Mayor Joseph P.
Hurst invited Galen Hunter and Tim Varner with MAHG to address the council. They presented
a very detail Master Plan for the Parks Department. The power point showed how they
conducted online surveys and public input meetings to determine a good plan for the future of
Van Buren's parks. It was broken down by the park with their recommendations, some of
which were small priced items such as more trash cans or additional lighting. Others were
more expensive items such as an amphitheater or walking trails. This was a very thorough
presentation. It ended with the presentation of the proposed Community Building and the
anticipated cost.
Motion to adopt Resolution 06-06-2025 was made by Council Member Shannon Newerth-
Henson. Seconded by Council Member Matt Dodson. Roll Call. All in favor. None opposed.
Resolution 06-06-2025 Adopting Updated Master Parks Plan - MAHG is adopted with six yays
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 5:52PM
There was no further miscellaneous and general discussion.
ADJOURNMENT 6:34PM
Council Member Madison Simmons made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Council Member
Tonia Fry. The motion passed 6-0. The Regular Meeting of the Van Buren City Council Meeting
was adjourned at 6:34PM.
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ATTESTED: City of Van Buren APPROVED:
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