Fayetteville City Council Agenda Session - March 31, 2026

The Fayetteville City Council met on March 31, 2026, for an agenda session. The meeting began with a recognition of April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month and included presentations, consent agenda items, unfinished business, and new business. Key discussions centered on a troubled drainage project, updates to farmers market regulations, and a proposed change to claims payment limits.

Presentations

• The sales tax and monthly financial report will be delivered next week by Steven.
• The 2026 Annual Housing Needs Assessment Report will be presented for the first time by Marley Stark, in collaboration with Britton.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of two sets of minutes.
• Acceptance of an annual program donation of $24,685.33 from Friends of YRCC to fund 2026 programs at the Yvonne Richardson Community Center.
• A resolution to waive competitive bidding and authorize the purchase of vehicle wash chemicals from Whiting Systems Inc. on an as-needed basis through September 30, 2028.
• A resolution to award bid 26-25 and approve a contract with Southern Brothers Construction for $180,977 for installation of a fueling station at the Fayetteville Police Department, with a $38,000 project contingency and a budget amendment. Councilmember Moore asked whether this was the final piece of the fueling needs; project lead Quinn Thompson confirmed that all components have been approved and purchased, and this is the installation of equipment already ordered.
• A resolution to authorize the mayor to convey an electrical easement to Southwestern Electric Power Company for the Walker Park Improvement Project. Ted Jack described the easement as running from South 15th Street about 400 feet north to a new transformer location. Councilmembers asked about underground vs. overhead power; Jack confirmed the easement is underground and that putting power underground is a best practice for parks.
• A resolution to award bid 26-21 for the Lake Fayetteville Bridge and Nature Trail project to Milestone Construction Company for $272,177.88, with a $30,000 project contingency. Parks planner Zach stated the funding comes from 2024 bond funding, 2022 recreational trails program grant from ARDOT, and remaining Parkland Dedication Northeast Quadrant funds. The project will create a 450-foot, 10-foot wide accessible trail from Veterans Park playground to the Razorback Greenway, including a 70-foot bridge over a wooded ravine.
• A resolution to approve amendment 6 to the professional engineering services agreement with Hawkins Weir for $12,300 for construction observation services for the North College Avenue and East Sunbridge Drive intersection drainage project. Chris provided an update: the original contractor severely underperformed, so city forces are now on site preparing the west end, and Sweetser Construction will begin placing curb, sidewalk, and driveways within a few weeks. The project is expected to be fully complete by September or October 2026, with residents on the west end seeing relief sooner.
• A resolution to approve amendment 2 to the professional services agreement with 120 Water Ink for $84,500 for water service line inventory compliance.
• A resolution to award bid 26-24 to NEC Inc. as a secondary supplier for concrete construction on an as-needed basis.
• A resolution to award RFQ 25-01 selection 17 to McClelland Consulting Engineers Inc. for $634,940 for utility relocations required by ARDOT, with a budget adjustment. Tim explained this is for relocating water and sewer lines at the intersection of 264 and Primrose due to ARDOT extending a four-lane road to 412 near Beaver Lake, affecting two main transmission lines from Beaver Water (a 42-inch and a 36-inch). The design is expected to involve about 8,000 feet of line realignments, and nearly all costs are expected to be reimbursable by ARDOT.
• A resolution to waive competitive bidding and authorize the purchase of 10 additional bus stop benches from Brasco International for $9,025 plus taxes and shipping. Councilmember Jones raised concerns about equitable placement, noting that ward one has few sidewalks. Mayor Jordan clarified that the city's goal is to install a shelter with a bench at every stop, not just benches. Keith added that the city is reviewing ridership statistics and working with ORT and Razorback Transit to prioritize shelter placement and locate suitable spaces.
• A resolution to award RFQ 26-1 to Crafton Tull & Associates for $114,376 for design of the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Pedestrian Improvement Project, and to approve a master agreement addendum with ARDOT. Mr. Mahalovich said the city was awarded a $500,000 grant to improve sidewalks on the south side of MLK between Church and Wood streets.
• Item A14 was withdrawn by the sponsor and will be brought forward at a later meeting.

Unfinished Business

• Councilmember Turk's ordinance to amend 161.38 to prohibit detention and retention ponds on CCR zone property is still being worked on; she and Jonathan will meet to discuss and report back next Tuesday.

New Business

• Vacation 2025-34: A request to vacate 0.11 acres of utility easement at the northwest corner of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Washington Avenue. Jonathan noted the property is undeveloped, SWEPCO asked to retain easement around an existing power pole, and staff recommends approval. He corrected the report that mistakenly said planning commission recommended approval (easements do not go to planning commission).
• RZN 2026-4: A rezoning request for 0.5 acres at 957 South Hill Avenue from RMF-24 to RIU. Planning commission forwarded it unanimously, and no public comment has been received.
• Ordinance to amend Section 114.02 regarding farmers market operations: The changes would expand the physical footprint of the Fayetteville Farmers Market, allow additional market days and times, and authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages. Councilmembers discussed concerns about vendor selection criteria, potential competition with downtown businesses, and coordination with the Aura cup program. Justin stated that the changes were requested by the market and that market representatives will be present on Tuesday to answer questions. Councilmember Moore asked for insight into the market's vision for expansion and vendor selection.
• Ordinance to amend 39.10 C and 39.11 C to authorize payments for claims above $100,000 if approved by unanimous consent of the city council, and to declare an emergency. Councilmember Berna explained this resulted from a recent damage claim that exceeded the existing $100,000 cap. The proposed change would keep the $100,000 cap for majority vote, but allow amounts above that up to the appraised value to be approved by unanimous consent. Slides will be presented on Tuesday.

Announcements

• The Clerk's office is accepting applications for the Fayetteville Youth Advisory Council until 4:30 p.m. on April 17, 2026.
• Due to a new board committee and commission policy, vacancy announcements will now be made in the first month of each quarter. The next vacancy announcement begins April 3rd with an April 24th deadline.
• A transportation committee meeting will follow the agenda session on a separate Zoom link.
• ULI is hosting a public finance symposium on Thursday, April 2, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Heroncrest in Elm Springs/Springdale. Councilmembers interested may contact the mayor's office for registration discount codes.