OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fayetteville City Council Agenda Session - February 24, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, February 24, 2026
BodyFayetteville, Arkansas
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, February 24, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:29:26

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

John, and would you go ahead and just come sit up here to make it easier at least?

0:12

Okay, we're gonna go ahead and call the agenda session to order.

0:16

And thank you for your patience with us.

0:18

And we are in um we are in this room.

0:22

You will uh hear live very shortly.

0:25

Um just going over the meeting for how it will run next week.

0:29

We will um pick off with a sales taxonomically financial report for Stephen Dawson.

0:35

So that'll be next week.

0:37

Um I'm gonna go ahead and leave with the walk on first.

0:40

That's okay.

0:41

So hopefully you've gotten an email about it.

0:44

The administration is just very, very nicely and pretty pleased requesting that you all um allow a walk-on to approve a contract with Otis Elevator for modernization of our city hall elevator.

0:58

Um Quinn and Byron, I think, are both here.

1:02

I don't know, is whichever one if you all have questions about it?

1:06

Um, we would love for it to be uh placed on consent.

1:10

As you know, the um elevator has had we've had struggles for some time.

1:14

So quiz happy to answer questions if you would like to discuss it.

1:17

We should have updated language um in terms of a memo and also a contract that has been reviewed by Mr.

1:24

Binnies.

1:25

And a resolution too.

1:26

And a resolution.

1:29

I guess my only question would be is it is it gonna operate better than this old elevator on a good day on its, you know.

1:38

So it will operate better.

1:40

Uh thank you for asking.

1:43

Yeah, so um it will not replace everything.

1:46

So this is not a full replacement of an elevator, that's closer to a million dollars worth of investment, a lot more time.

1:52

This one will uh will get us mostly the controllers, pumps, valves, door openers, our controls, we're gonna be finishes and the carriage will be brighter in there.

2:01

Um hopefully make the environment better.

2:05

But uh it is gonna be a better elevator just about every respect.

2:09

I do not guarantee it's a whole lot faster.

2:11

Um but uh otherwise it should be safer.

2:16

It'll bring us up the code.

2:17

So we'll be up uh on firearms that we have on every aspect of building code to scrape from a modern elevator.

2:24

This one I think was installed around 1984.

2:26

It's not had any significant uh major modernization adjustments since that time.

2:33

Ms.

2:33

Morton, uh sorry, because I know it's we kind of got this information that might be in here.

2:38

Um so uh was this a part of the improvement that we already were doing for city hall?

2:44

This was no, it wasn't a part of that.

2:46

This is separate part.

2:47

Okay, so no part that's budgeted and that's back to the hall.

2:51

Okay, was there a reason for that?

2:52

I know it's an age of elevator already.

2:55

No, we have this in our C budget down the road, and it's uh it's it was still I think three or four years down, but it's become obvious that we need to move a little bit faster, quite a bit faster to uh keep it in service.

3:09

We've had uh six or eight times last year where it failed.

3:12

We've had a uh two already this week.

3:15

So we have some we've learned we have some really obsolete equipment in there, including the the processing board.

3:21

So should that fail?

3:23

I can't replace that.

3:24

I can't order part.

3:25

I would have to have that build and not gonna take months to do.

3:28

So if we have an issue, a significant issue with these parts where we're gonna be now for a very long period of time.

3:35

We're trying to avoid that.

3:36

Oh, and then I'm sorry, what's that anticipated?

3:39

Um the changes that we're gonna include.

3:43

Well, these are long term, so for years years, decades or improvements.

3:48

Okay.

3:48

And just to comment on the CIP, we do have a facilities management CIP for building uh upgrades like this.

3:54

So it was as Quinn mentioned in a working on the elevator was in a future future CIP.

3:59

So we just kind of made this a higher priority.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████████████25%
Zoning And Land Use████████████████16%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████12%
Economic Development██████████10%
Waste Management██████████10%
Public Safety████████8%
Community Engagement█████5%
Stormwater Education████4%
Fiscal Sustainability███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Fayetteville City Council Agenda Session - February 24, 2026

The agenda session was held on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, to review items for the upcoming regular council meeting on Thursday, February 26. Discussions covered a walk-on contract, multiple consent items, unfinished business, new business, and presentations on energy, recycling, and stormwater. No formal votes were taken; decisions were made to place items on consent or to continue discussions.

Consent Calendar

  • Elevator Modernization Walk-On: The administration requested approval of a contract with Otis Elevator for modernization of the city hall elevator, not a full replacement. The elevator has had frequent failures (6-8 times last year, 2 times that week). The project will take 30 days of downtime, with 16 weeks before start. Council agreed to place it on consent for the next meeting.
  • Stormwater Education Program: Resolution to waive bidding and authorize an agreement with the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission for stormwater education, in partnership with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Discussion included concerns about digital poverty and equitable access to education materials.
  • Precast Drainage Pipe and Structures: Authorization to purchase from Starlock Industries through end of 2026, within approved budget.
  • Security Bollards for the Ramble: Resolution to waive competitive bidding and authorize purchase of high-security bollards ($180,005.68) plus contingency ($19,941.32). Includes retractable and fixed bollards for the upper Ramble, rated to stop a 15,000-pound vehicle at 50 mph. Installation will be bid separately.
  • Water Main Cost Share Agreement: Resolution to approve a cost share with Faye Duncan LP ($200,000) for a 12-inch water main along South Duncan Avenue, funded by developer contributions.
  • TAP Grant for Razorback Greenway Improvements: Resolution to utilize $250,000 in federal aid for improvements.
  • Federal Aid Grant Applications: Resolution expressing willingness to apply for funds for multiple projects: Highway 112 panel, Mission Boulevard Trail Extension, Owl Creek Road Lighting, Millsap Road/College Avenue Intersection, North Street Corridor, and Huntsville Road Corridor.
  • Economic Development Incentive for ConAgra Brands: Resolution of inducement to support a $225 million expansion at the Fayetteville manufacturing facility, creating 100 new jobs (average annual wage $51,500). Proposed 65% property tax abatement over 20 years with a payment-in-lieu-of-tax agreement (35% of normal taxes). The city acts as a conduit; no financial risk. The resolution is a preliminary step. Staff indicated an ordinance would come back in 18-24 months.
  • Police Department Budget Amendments: Two resolutions: one recognizing $683 in donation revenue, and another recognizing $32,652 in state law enforcement forfeiture revenue. Discussion focused on permissible uses for forfeiture funds (law enforcement purposes only) and potential for supporting social services.

Discussion Items

  • Unfinished Business:
    • PCD at North Crossover and East Zion: Continued from February 3 and tabled on February 17. The applicant was working with the engineer to address drainage questions about interaction with a nearby project. Council requested more information on the overall PCD development plan.
    • Sewer Damage Claim on North Fallon Avenue: Discussion of a claim exceeding the $100,000 cap. The claimant will present at the next council meeting. Staff will provide a history of sewer claims over the past 5-6 years. Council considered raising the cap retroactively.
    • Rezoning 416 South Willow (Ward 1): Rezoning to residential intermediate. The applicant was evaluating a counter-proposal to add more urban neighborhood along Willow Street; legal descriptions were being finalized.
  • New Business:
    • Vacation of Utility Easement on East Center Street (Ward 2): Approximately 250 square feet. Staff recommends approval with conditions.
    • Rezoning Dead Horse Mountain Road and Gough Farm Road (Ward 1): 42.31 acres of a 157.05-acre parcel, rezoning from residential agricultural to urban neighborhood and neighborhood conservation. Planning Commission recommended 8-1. Concerns from public about stormwater, lot sizes, and road narrowness. Staff noted a traffic study showed no negative impact. Estimated 250 houses maximum.
    • Rezoning 900 East Ash Street (Ward 3): 0.34 acres from RSF4 to neighborhood conservation. Planning Commission recommended 5-4. Public comments in opposition. Applicant intends to add a small unit in front of existing house. Staff cautioned that rezoning could allow different future development.

Presentations

  • Energy Report (December 2025): City spent $321,000 on utilities (11% increase over December 2024). Total 2025 utility expenditures: $3.7 million (7% increase). Fleet fuel costs $122,000 (37% increase). Five battery electric vehicles saved about $4,000 in fuel.
  • Cart-Based Recycling Update: Six new automated recycling trucks received. Cart selection mailer will go out in March, with delivery in April/May. Program launches June 1, 2026. Nearly 28,000 carts purchased (65-gallon default). Glass collection decision expected next month. Education and outreach materials in development.
  • Stormwater Utility Program Update: Since August 2025, program has funded 10 projects under design, added staff for customer service, and begun proactive pipe inspection. 6,000 feet inspected out of 900,000 linear feet of pipe. Initial findings: system is worse than expected, with outdated GIS mapping. Staff are increasing cleaning and considering AI-assisted inspection. Public dashboard available at fayetteville-ar.gov.

Key Outcomes

  • Council agreed to place the elevator modernization contract on consent for the February 26 regular meeting.
  • The PCD at North Crossover and East Zion will be heard again after the applicant provides drainage information.
  • The sewer damage claim will be discussed further with a presentation at the next council meeting, and staff will provide a claims history.
  • The rezoning at 416 South Willow may be modified with a counter-proposal; staff will provide a recommendation.
  • Council directed staff to investigate the stormwater credit program complaints and explore mailers for digital equity.
  • No formal votes were taken at this agenda session.

Meeting Transcript

John, and would you go ahead and just come sit up here to make it easier at least? Okay, we're gonna go ahead and call the agenda session to order. And thank you for your patience with us. And we are in um we are in this room. You will uh hear live very shortly. Um just going over the meeting for how it will run next week. We will um pick off with a sales taxonomically financial report for Stephen Dawson. So that'll be next week. Um I'm gonna go ahead and leave with the walk on first. That's okay. So hopefully you've gotten an email about it. The administration is just very, very nicely and pretty pleased requesting that you all um allow a walk-on to approve a contract with Otis Elevator for modernization of our city hall elevator. Um Quinn and Byron, I think, are both here. I don't know, is whichever one if you all have questions about it? Um, we would love for it to be uh placed on consent. As you know, the um elevator has had we've had struggles for some time. So quiz happy to answer questions if you would like to discuss it. We should have updated language um in terms of a memo and also a contract that has been reviewed by Mr. Binnies. And a resolution too. And a resolution. I guess my only question would be is it is it gonna operate better than this old elevator on a good day on its, you know. So it will operate better. Uh thank you for asking. Yeah, so um it will not replace everything. So this is not a full replacement of an elevator, that's closer to a million dollars worth of investment, a lot more time. This one will uh will get us mostly the controllers, pumps, valves, door openers, our controls, we're gonna be finishes and the carriage will be brighter in there. Um hopefully make the environment better. But uh it is gonna be a better elevator just about every respect. I do not guarantee it's a whole lot faster. Um but uh otherwise it should be safer. It'll bring us up the code. So we'll be up uh on firearms that we have on every aspect of building code to scrape from a modern elevator. This one I think was installed around 1984. It's not had any significant uh major modernization adjustments since that time. Ms. Morton, uh sorry, because I know it's we kind of got this information that might be in here. Um so uh was this a part of the improvement that we already were doing for city hall? This was no, it wasn't a part of that. This is separate part. Okay, so no part that's budgeted and that's back to the hall. Okay, was there a reason for that? I know it's an age of elevator already. No, we have this in our C budget down the road, and it's uh it's it was still I think three or four years down, but it's become obvious that we need to move a little bit faster, quite a bit faster to uh keep it in service. We've had uh six or eight times last year where it failed. We've had a uh two already this week. So we have some we've learned we have some really obsolete equipment in there, including the the processing board. So should that fail? I can't replace that. I can't order part.

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