MAY 2023 REGULAR City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting of the City Council
Monday, May 22, 2023
Van Buren Municipal Complex
CALL TO ORDER 5:30PM
The regular monthly meeting of the Van Buren City Council was called to order by Mayor
Joseph P. Hurst at 5:30PM. Reverend Chris Johnson from Van Buren First Baptist Church led
invocation. Mayor Hurst led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL 5:32PM
Present: Council Member Kenneth Bell, Council Member Matt Dodson, Council Member Mike
Kneeland, Council Member Tonia Fry, Council Member Tyler Wood, Mayor Joseph P. Hurst, City
Attorney Jacob Howell, City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds
Absent: Council Member Madison Simmons
AWARDS
None
CONSENT AGENDA 5:35PM
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 April 24, 2023, City Council Meeting
o Street Closures:
■ Pioneer Day Parade
■ The Vault—concerts
o Reappointment for Planning Commissioner's Bagby, Hefner and Shirey
o Resolution 05-01-2023 Disposal of Fixed Assets Fire Dept
o Financial Statements
o Department Reports
Motion was seconded by Council Member Matt Dodson. All in favor. None opposed. Consent
Agenda approved.
NEW BUSINESS 5:37PM
Resolution 05-02-2023 Amend Hawkins-Wier Contract for Engineering Services
This resolution was an amendment to the 2022 contract that came in outside of budget for a
total amount of$151,870.00. Hawkins-Wier will be taking bids soon for construction services.
Currently, an additional amount due is$79,400 to apply toward the overall total of
$151,870.00.
Motion to adopt Resolution 05-02-2023 made by Council Member Kenneth Bell. Seconded by
Council Member Tonia Fry. Roll Call. All in favor. None opposed.
Resolution 05-02-2023 Amending Hawkins-Wier Contract for Engineering Services is adopted
with five yeas and no nays.
Resolution 05-03-2023 Accepting Bid for Street Overlay Improvements
Kyle with Hawkins-Wier stated that the street overlay improvement project had been put out to
bid but the lowest bid was 2.36 million dollars beyond the schedule 2 project. This project will
be postponed until 2024 and they will accept bids again at that time. Other than that,they are
moving forward with the same schedule.
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Motion to adopt Resolution 05-03-2023 made by Council Member Kenneth Bell. Seconded by
Council Member Tyler Wood. Roll Call. All in favor. None opposed.
Resolution 05-03-2023 Accepting Bid for Street Overlay Improvements is adopted with five yeas
and no nays.
Resolution 05-04-2023 Development Agreement
Planning Director Wally Bailey states there has been serious discussion with Southeastern
Freight Line about expanding their operation to Bekaert Drive from its current location. This is
350 acres at the end of Bekaert Drive but there will need to be improvements to both the
property and the road in front of the property to accommodate 18 wheelers. There will also
need to be utility issues resolved to be compliant with the Planning Commission. The Planning
Commission has approved but wants the city to assist in some of the upgrades. This cost is yet
to be determined. This resolution allows the mayor to enter into the development agreement.
Motion to adopt Resolution 05-04-2023 made by Council Member Kenneth Bell. Seconded by
Council Member Mike Kneeland. Roll Call. All in favor. None opposed.
Resolution 05-04-2023 Development Agreement is adopted with five yeas and no nays.
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Ordinance 18-2023 Amend Ordinance 26-2022 Entertainment District
Mayor Hurst stated that the city originally approved the Entertainment District to be between
the 600 and 800 blocks of Main Street as a trial to determine if there would be any issues and
to ensure compliance. It has been determined.there have been no issues and the Old Time
Merchant's Association is requesting that Ordinance 26-2022 be amended to show the
Entertainment District between the 400 and 800 blocks of Main Street, permanently.
Motion to adopt Ordinance 18-2023 made by Council Member Tyler Wood. Seconded by
Council Member Kenneth Bell. Roll Call. All in favor. None opposed.
Motion to approve the Emergency Clause was made by Council Member Tyler Wood. Seconded
by Council Member Matt Dodson. Roll Call. All in favor. None opposed.
Ordinance 18-2023 Amend Ordinance 26-2022 is adopted with five yeas and no nays.
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Ordinance 19-2023 Rezone Cox Enterprises
Planning Director Wally Bailey states that'there is a need to rezone 80 acres along the Hwy 64
corridor and Cox Enterprises is making this request. This is in a flood plain and there is a 30'
drainage easement., -Mr. Bailey stated that rezoning this property from commercial (C2)to
Residential (R3) will better serve the needs of the city. The Planning Commission has approved
the rezoning but will still need approval for fire access and drainage to be rectified. In the
future there may be possible concerns regarding traffic control and future development
opportunities.
Motion to adopt Ordinance 19-2023 made by Council Member Tonia Fry. Seconded by Council
Member Tyler Wood. Roll Call. All in favor. None opposed.
Ordinance 19-2023 Rezone Cox Enterprises is adopted with five yeas and no nays.
Miscellaneous and General Discussion 6:02PM
There were no public comments, but the council did mention how nice the golf course property
looks and commended all those involved with its clean-up. Mayor Hurst mentioned that he
hopes to begin serious conversation in June regarding the future of that property and how it
will benefit our residents.
ADJOURNMENT 6:21PM
Council Member Mike Kneeland made a motion to adjourn,seconded by Council Member Tyler
Wood. The motion passed 5-0. The Regular Meeting of the Van Buren City Council was
adjourned at 6:0413M.
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ATTESTED: City of Van Buren APPROVED:
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Shawnna M. eynolds 4ayor
P. Hurst
City Clerk-Treasurer