HDC Minutes 08-11-2022City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Municipal Annex
111 North 120' Street • Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES
August 11, 2022
The Van Buren Historic District Commission held its monthly meeting on Tlmrsday, August 11, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. in the City
Council Room of the Municipal Complex. Commission Members present: ViceChairmanDerald Porter, Lindsay Dodson, Paul
Gibson, Cathy Gifford, Andy Knox, and Commission Secretary Jennifer Willoughby. Chairman Vickie Davis was absent. Mr.
Randy Smith was in attendance to speak about Fairview Cemetery.
1. Approval of Minutes from June 09, 2022. A motion was made by Commissioner Paul Gibson and seconded by
Commissioner Lindsay Dodson to approve the minutes. The motion was approved unanimously.
2. New/Old Business: Discussion On Future Goals/Fairview Cemetery. Randy Smith updated the Commission on
the HPRG Grant to repair the historic headstones damaged in the May 2021 tornado. Mr. Smith stated that he missed the
March 2022 deadline to submit the grant but is more than happy to work with the Commission on submitting FIPRG grant
paperwork for the next grant cycle in 2023. Then conversation on how to repair Fairview Cemetery continued. Commissioner
Dodson mentioned that there are big holes in the ground and about 20 newer headstones by the pavilion looked to be knocked
over. It was also mentioned that there are three lights/lamp post not working and need to be repaired. Mr. Smith said he
believes any monument company can be contracted to stabilize and set the headstones upright. He also stated that James Young
of the city street department is very skilled with a torch and can repair the historic iron fence and fence panel around the Ward
plot. It was discussed that there may be revenue left over in the Fairview Cemetery Board Fund, as well as money set aside
annually by the Mayor for preservation. If available, those funds could be used to help cover the cost for repairs to the cemetery
that wouldn't be covered by a grant.
A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Paul Gibson and seconded by Cortunissionex Andy Knox. The motion was
approved unanimously.
Vickie Davis, Chairman