Bentonville City Council & Committee of the Whole Meeting - October 13, 2026

The combined Committee of the Whole and City Council meeting was held on October 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Bentonville City Hall. The Committee of the Whole portion focused on information sharing and discussion, with no votes taken. The City Council session followed, where public comment was heard and official actions were taken, including approval of a consent agenda and two rezoning ordinances. Key presentations included an update on the Morning Star School and Park project, discussions on infrastructure and development, and recognition of community achievements.

Committee of the Whole

• Morning Star School and Park Opportunity – David from Parks and Recreation provided an update on the restoration of the historic Morning Star Schoolhouse, donated by the Walton Family Foundation. The building is being renovated and will include a kitchen, ADA restrooms, and a covered porch. The surrounding 18 acres will become a future passive park. The Walton Family Foundation offered to build out the full parking lot now at a cost of approximately $98,560 via a bid waiver, estimated to save the city $58,000 in future construction and design costs. The funds would come from interest earned on grant money. Council members expressed support for the opportunity, and staff indicated the bid waiver would be brought back for a future vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Rezoning 405 NW 5th Street (RZ26-0047): Several residents spoke in opposition. Roland Smith (406 NW C St) cited narrow streets (19 ft wide vs. standard 28 ft), lack of stormwater drainage, and safety concerns for children walking to nearby schools. Marie Smith (406 NW C St) requested site-specific studies on traffic, parking, drainage, and emergency access before approval. Sherry Atkins (409 NW C St) reported drainage issues and property damage she attributes to a nearby fourplex development. Amy Davidson (403 NW C St) and Janna Summer (338 NW 5th St) echoed concerns about parking, street width, and drainage, questioning whether the area can handle additional density. One resident (501 NW A St) spoke in favor, noting the need for diverse housing types to attract young families and adult children to downtown. Mark Haney, the developer, argued that the rezoning is about land use and that parking, drainage, and other issues are addressed at later stages of development; he noted he exceeds parking requirements in his projects.
• On Non-Agenda Items: At the end of the meeting, Mark Haney spoke as a member of the public, thanking the council for approving the earlier rezoning but expressing concern about unpredictability in the process. He urged council to follow the adopted community plan consistently.

Discussion Items

• Consent Agenda Discussion: Before the City Council meeting, council members asked questions on several items: Item 7 (STEM University Master Development Agreement) – clarified that future development will be judged against the campus development plan approved by the Planning Commission. Item 26-29 (property acquisitions) – staff explained the scope of improvements for Walton Boulevard & West Central Avenue and SW Regional Airport Blvd & SW I Street, including added turn lanes. Item 9 (artwork “Old Tree”) – a question about the city’s obligation regarding commercial photography rights; staff noted it is a standard agreement. Item 13 (Library placemaking grant) – Hattie from the library explained the $100,000 Project for Public Spaces grant will fund improvements to the back gathering lawn, with community engagement and design support.
• Rezoning – RZ26-0045 (Orband – T5.2 to T4.2): Planning Commission had recommended approval 7-0. No public comment. Council approved unanimously (8-0).
• Rezoning – RZ26-0047 (Lucatoni/Mark Haney – R-1 to T4.1): Planning Commission recommended approval 5-2. After extensive discussion about parking, traffic, drainage, and trash service concerns in the neighborhood, council voted 5-2 to approve (Rover, Burkhart, Sanchez, Patterson, Eva in favor; Huck and Acre opposed). Council members acknowledged the need for broader solutions to stormwater, parking, and waste management in downtown areas, and the mayor committed to forming a working group to address these issues.
• Other Business & Announcements:
  • Airport Board reported record jet fuel sales (66,000 gallons of Jet A in September), a Halloween trunk-or-treat event, and the appointment of Trevor Aldridge to the board.
  • Traffic Safety & Signage approved the Cold Front Race (Feb 14, 2027) and tabled several other requests for traffic studies.
  • A joint work session with Planning Commission is scheduled for October 13 (lunch) and the city budget meetings will be held on a Monday evening and Tuesday evening.
  • The City Expo & Community Volunteer Fair will be held next week; a shred/electronics recycling event had 300 residents attend.
  • Research is underway on a legally defensible low-frequency noise ordinance to address complaints about bass from vehicles.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved Unanimously – All 29 New Business resolutions (items 6-29) and all 5 Utility Board resolutions were approved by a single vote (8-0). Key actions include:
  • Agreement with Halff Associates ($65,705) for due diligence studies.
  • Master Development Agreement with STEM LANDS, LLC for the STEM U Campus.
  • Approval of artwork installations (“Old Tree” and Razorback Greenway Quilt).
  • Lease with 211 Café for library café services.
  • Acceptance of $23,667 in state aid and a $100,000 Community Placemaking grant for the library.
  • Certification of the 2026 property tax levy.
  • Purchase of Stryker powercots and loading systems ($166,883.48) and contract for medical physicals ($93,417).
  • Grant agreement with ARDOT for Eagle Way Tunnel & Trail ($210,000 with 20% city match).
  • Change orders for Parks Maintenance Building (reduction of $55,474.43), McKissic Creek projects ($30,000 and $41,820), Razorback Greenway Trail ($7,000), and sidewalk ramp design ($2,000).
  • Insurance settlement ($24,652.73) for infrastructure damage.
  • Bid award for two sign trucks ($280,495.70) and for Walton Boulevard & West Central Avenue improvements ($3,958,727.30).
  • Authorizations to acquire properties for Greenhouse Road, Tiger Boulevard Overpass, and SW Regional Airport Blvd/SW I Street projects.
  • Accepted Walton Family Foundation grant ($6,683,590) for “I” Street Water Supply Transmission Main.
  • Declared various utility items surplus for auction.
  • Awarded bid for Townbranch Interceptor construction ($12,313,347.90) and approved construction administration amendments ($1,042,941 and $727,860).
• Rezoning RZ26-0045 (3006 SE J St, T5.2 to T4.2) – Approved 8-0.
• Rezoning RZ26-0047 (405 NW 5th St, R-1 to T4.1) – Approved 5-2.
• Directive: Mayor to form a working group to address downtown parking, drainage, and trash collection issues in coordination with city departments and stakeholders.