04 April 2013 Special MINUTES OF THE VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
HELD APRIL 29, 2013
A special called meeting of the City Council of the City of Van Buren, Arkansas met at
6:30 p.m., on Monday, April 29, 2013 at the Municipal Annex. The meeting was called to order by
Mayor Freeman. Council members present were Alderman Parker, Blake, Moore, Ragsdale, Dodd and
Sagely. City Clerk- Treasurer Barbie Curtis and City Attorney Candice Settle were also present. This
made a total of nine (9) present. A quorum was declared.
The Mayor ordered spread upon the minutes, the "NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
AND WAIVER OF REGULAR NOTICE OF AND CONSENT TO SPECIAL MEETING."
On the agenda next was to consider A RESOLUTION APPROVING A LEASE
AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS. The
City Clerk read the Resolution in its entirety. Mayor Freeman asked if there was any discussion.
Mayor Freeman noted that the City Attorney has reviewed the lease. I3e wanted to go over a few
items. First, it will be a twenty -five year lease that can be renewed as long as we abide by the
lease agreement. Second, any improvements made in the park by the end of the lease will be our
responsibility to leave with the corps or to remove at the end of the lease. Third, there will be an
annual reporting requirement detailing what we are doing in the park. And lastly, any
environmental concerns will be the city's responsibility, just as it is with any other city property.
Alderman Ragsdale seconded by Alderman Parker moved that the Resolution be adopted. On
the Clerk's calling the roll, the following vote resulted: Ayes Alderman Parker, Blake, Moore,
Ragsdale, Dodd and Sagely. Nays none.
The Mayor thereupon declared the Resolution adopted and signed the Resolution, which
was attested by the City Clerk and impressed with the seal of the City.
THE RESOLUTION WAS GIVEN THE NUMBER 4 -4 -2013
CITY OF VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS
RESOLUTION NO. 4 1 2013
BE IT ENACTED BY TPIE CITY COUNCIL, FOR THE CITY OF VAN BUREN,
ARKANSAS, A RESOLUTION TO BE ENTITLED:
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH
THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.
WHEREAS, the City of Van Buren recognizes the need to provide for the recreational
needs of its residents; and
WHEREAS, Lee Creek Park, along the Arkansas River located inside the City of Van
Buren, is owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers; and
\WHEREAS, in an effort to meet the recognized recreational needs, the City desires to
restore, operate, and maintain Lce Creek Park; and
WHEREAS, the City of Van Buren has received and evaluated the proposed Lease
Agreement, Exhibit "A" attached hereto, from the Corps of Engineers and
desires to enter into said Lease.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE Tr RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCH, OF VAN
BUREN, ARKANSAS THAT:
S ECTION 1: The City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to enter into,a Lease
Agreement with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and
authorizes the Mayor and City Clerk to execute said Lease Agreement on
behalf of the City o f Van Bure
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the City of Van Bui kansas, by its City Council, did
pass, approve, and adopt, by a vote of (p for and _O gainst the foregoing Resolution at its
special meeting held on the 29 day of April 2013. 4
Robert D. Fr ;y.
Mayor
ATTESTED: L(AS.!FORM:
Bar is Curtis Candice A. Settle
City Clerk/Treasurer City Attorney
Next on the agenda was a presentation by Mike LeJong of MAHG on the LEED
certification for the new senior center. LEED stands for Leadership of Energy and
Environmental Design. The approximate cost of the certification will be $16,000. Alderman
Sagely asked where the seniors will meet during the construction. Mr. LeJong replied that
construction of the new senior center will occur in the current parking lot, so the existing senior
center will not be demolished until the new center is complete. Aldennan Parker asked what the
construction timeline would be. Mr. LeJong replied that construction would begin in August
2013 and finish August 2014. Mayor Freeman noted that our biggest challenge during
construction will be parking. He suggested that we may have to shuttle seniors to the senior
center from other parking areas during the construction process. Motion was made by Alderman
Ragsdale and seconded by Alderman Dodd to continue with the LEED certification. The council
followed with a unanimous vote.
Next item on the agenda was discussing the donation of proposed park land. Mayor
Freeman mentioned that two weeks ago he received a phone call from Mr. Buddy Coleman.
Rausch Coleman are the developers of the Forest Oaks Subdivision at the base of Parkridge. The
property in question was initially platted to become Forest Oaks Phase 1II, but they have decided
to not continue development in that subdivision. With that being said, Mr. Coleman and the
Rausch family would like to donate to the city the 55 acres that are behind Forest Oaks. Mayor
Freeman said that there are no immediate plans to develop it, but to leave it "green" until we are
ready to use it. The proposed agreement by the families is that the park area be named after Mr.
Chad and B.A. Colley and the city pay for the appraisal. Mayor Freeman contacted Mr. Wayne
Munsey for the appraisal and he just received that back at 5 p.m. today. Appraisal value for the
55 acres is one million dollars. No action will be taken until a formal resolution is brought to the
council later on this summer.
Next, Mayor Freeman mentioned that there are three families who want to sponsor the
fireworks display this year. Those families are as follows: Ken and Kathy Kilgore, Jim and Carol
Williamson, and Ed and Shirley Yeager. So, the city has contracted for fireworks to be held at
the Field of Dreams and these families will be paying for it. Alderman Dodd asked if we were
required to carry insurance for this display. Mayor Freeman replied no, that the main expense is
the cost of the fireworks. City Attorney Candice Settle also noted that we would not be liable for
a law suit.
Next, Mayor Freeman had a request from the Crawford County Sheriff's Office to dose
streets during the annual Pioneer Day Parade on May 25` Motion was made by Alderman Dodd
and seconded by Alderman Ragsdale. The council followed with a unanimous vote.
Lastly, Mayor Freeman requested to hold another special council meeting next week due
to fire station sub contractor bids that were turned in last Thursday. Meeting was set for
Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m.
There being no further business, motion was made by Alderman Sagely seconded by
Alderman Moore to adjourn. The Council followed with a unanimous vote. The meeting
adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
ATTESTED: APP' OVED:
ZaALIC- eilAt
CITY CLERK TREASURER AYOR