Combined Committee of the Whole and City Council Meeting - March 10, 2026

The meeting began with the Committee of the Whole for informational updates, followed by the City Council meeting where official actions were taken. Key topics included a quarterly financial update, a city property RFP discussion, multiple resolutions and ordinances, and public comments on the Walton Boulevard redesign.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (items 13 removed for separate vote): New Business items 2 (art donation), 8 (robotic mowers, $49,391.56), 9 (UV system, $43,526.28), 10 (Walton Family Foundation grant, $1,408,730 for 5 parks positions), 12 (Garver engineering, $86,800), 14 (detention pond mowing, $3,816.18/cycle), 15 (solid waste amendment), 16 (Bella Vista water contract extension); Utility Board items 1 ($58,084.13 chassis), 3 ($140,073.88 water repair materials), 5 ($214,726.95 flow monitoring), 6 ($141,650 water main repair), 7 ($83,500 Insituform agreement).
• New Business item 13 (finish mowing, $4,895/cycle) was removed from consent due to a potential conflict of interest and later passed with one abstention.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Isaac Stevens (Rogers resident): Criticized the Rainbow Curve redesign of Walton Boulevard, stating it does not meet the Vision Zero policy adopted by the city in 2023, which aims for zero traffic deaths by 2040. He noted missing elements such as 25 mph target speed, separated bike lanes, pedestrian priority signals, street trees, and roundabouts. He urged the council to ensure the city engineer follows safe design policies.

Discussion Items

• Quarterly Financial Update: Presented via email; no questions were raised. Council members could email the finance department with inquiries.
• City Property RFP Discussion: Mayor and staff presented an RFP process for underutilized city properties, starting with the former AT&T building downtown. Several council members debated the approach. One council member argued that the city should list properties with an asking price and let professional commercial agents handle marketing, citing 16 years of inactivity on the community center property. Mayor and staff preferred an RFP to evaluate community benefit and fiscal impact, not just sale price. They agreed to set a timeline and try the RFP first. Other parcels considered include properties at Highway 12/Bright Road, 41st & I Street (near community center), and BIDC site.
• Council Phone Numbers on Website: A discussion arose about city-issued phone numbers being removed from the website. Some council members wanted them restored for constituent communication, while others preferred not to have them. It was agreed that those wishing their city phone numbers posted could have them added.
• Walton Boulevard (Rainbow Curve) Design: During committee reports, a council member expressed lingering concerns about the traffic capacity and safety of the approved redesign (flyover removed in favor of an at-grade intersection). The mayor offered to arrange a briefing with engineers. Another council member noted that the intersection design was thoroughly studied and recommended by the Traffic and Signage Committee and the state. The project is nearing the bidding phase. The conversation also touched on the intersection of Highway 102 and Walton Boulevard, where left-turn backups were observed; a suggestion was made to allow two left-turn lanes.
• Reports from Advisory Boards:
  • Library Board: Ex-officio members introduced.
  • Traffic and Signage Committee: Approved a crosswalk on John Shields in front of Crystal Flats/Legacy Village; removed stop signs at a crosswalk on Third Street replaced with lighted signs; discussed a roundabout at NW 5th & Bella Vista Road; new traffic study for Fox Fire subdivision access to Walton; Ozarks Bike and Book Fest approved for June 27.
  • Public Art Advisory Board: Announced that cataloged public artworks increased from about 17 to 323 pieces; opening day for practice at Phillips Park is March 30 with games in mid-April; grand opening of "Fentonville Bat" public art; Crystal Bridges working on roundabout artwork (skirting installed first week of May) as a public-private partnership.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: February 24, 2026 meeting minutes approved unanimously (voice vote).
• Rules Suspended: Motion to allow ordinances to be read by title only passed unanimously.
• Consent Agenda Adopted: Remaining consent items (excluding #13) approved unanimously by roll call (all ayes).
• New Business #1 (Retirement Recognition): Resolution honoring Detective Brian Parmenter for 28+ years of service was read and accepted by the council without objection.
• New Business #3-7 (Easement Vacations): Public hearings held; all five ordinances vacating utility easements and an alley right-of-way passed unanimously via roll call.
• New Business #11 (Pay Plan Amendment): Ordinance adding five positions to Parks and Recreation (funded by Walton Family Foundation grant) passed unanimously by roll call.
• New Business #13 (Finish Mowing Contract): Removed from consent due to conflict of interest; motion to approve passed with one abstention (voice vote).
• Utility Board #2 & #4: Waivers of competitive bidding for electric enclosures ($57,435 estimated) and underground wire ($177,809.40 estimated) passed unanimously, including emergency clauses.
• Planning Items #1-7: All seven planning approvals (property line adjustments, final plat, rezoning) passed unanimously by roll call.
• Public Comment Heard: Isaac Stevens spoke on a non-agenda item regarding Rainbow Curve.