OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fayetteville City Council Meeting - May 20, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, May 20, 2026
BodyFayetteville, Arkansas
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, May 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 7:58:50

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Okay, I will now call to order the May 19th, 2026 meeting of the Fayetteville City Council.

0:06

Clerk Paxton, will you please call the roll?

0:09

Mr.

0:09

Berna.

0:10

Yes.

0:11

Ms.

0:11

Bunch.

0:12

Here.

0:14

Ms.

0:14

Turk.

0:15

Here.

0:16

Minister Jones.

0:17

Present.

0:18

Mr.

0:19

Stafford.

0:19

Present.

0:20

Dr.

0:21

Jones?

0:22

Here.

0:22

Ms.

0:23

Moore?

0:24

Here.

0:24

Mr.

0:25

Wiedaker?

0:26

Here.

0:26

Mayor Ron.

0:27

Here.

0:28

Please join me as we say the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:33

I pledge allegiance.

0:38

To the Republic.

0:46

Justice for Ross.

0:51

Okay, we have a full agenda tonight, but before we get started, I would like to turn it over to Councilmember Sarah Bunch for an announcement.

1:00

Thank you.

1:01

Thank you very much.

1:03

Many of you know that former council member Sloan Scrogan passed away last week.

1:08

And I would like for us all to stand and bow our heads and give a moment of honor and silence for him.

1:15

Thank you.

1:29

Thank you very much.

1:33

Thank you, Sarah, for that.

1:38

Before I also have a couple of announcements, but two things I would like to make everyone aware of in case you are here for these items.

1:48

It is likely that item B1 under unfinished business, the North Fallon Avenue sewer damage claim, will be tabled again for two more weeks.

1:58

So if you were here to speak on that item, just know that when we get to it, in all likelihood it will be tabled and not heard tonight.

2:05

Additionally, items and uh Mr.

2:08

Mercedo, correct me if I'm in if I'm wrong, items C2, a rezoning of 1002 North Hall Avenue and C3, a rezoning of another 800 North Hall Avenue is also from the applicant a retested uh a request to table until the first meeting in June.

2:27

So if you were here to speak on those, it is likely that they will not be heard tonight.

2:30

That's correct.

2:30

We'll be tabled to the June 2nd meeting.

2:33

Okay, great.

2:33

Thank you.

2:34

And before we get started with the items of consent, I just want to make a couple of announcements about the evening because it is worth remarking on, I think.

2:45

Um, how much Fayetteville prioritizes and centers resident comment.

2:51

Um, it shouldn't be remarkable, but it is because that's not the case everywhere.

2:56

And it's something I'm very proud to be a part of.

2:59

Oftentimes I hear other city leaders tout about their public comment sessions because they allow comment at every meeting.

3:05

Not all places even do that.

3:07

We have it after each and every item.

3:10

We open it um we open it up to this and do this, even though it is sometimes cumbersome and it doesn't always make for the most efficient meetings, but we recognize it and hold it as a core value.

3:22

So there are many people that are here tonight that share that same core value, and I want to thank you for living into it.

3:30

And then I'm gonna ask something of each of you, but I will not ask you to do anything that I do not expect of myself or of the council members that are sitting up here.

3:40

I and the council and members of the council will listen to all of your comments, and we will do so with respect.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use█████████████████████████25%
Public Engagement█████████████████17%
Economic Development██████████████14%
Transportation Safety█████████████13%
Public Safety████████8%
Procedural██████6%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Environmental Protection████4%
Personnel Matters██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Fayetteville City Council Meeting - May 20, 2026

The Fayetteville City Council met on May 19, 2026, continuing into the early hours of May 20, 2026, to address a full agenda including development services staffing, development fee adjustments, and two appeals: the large-scale development of Ramey Junior High and the zoning classification of Swarm Arrow. The meeting featured extensive public comment and council deliberation.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was approved unanimously by a roll call vote of 8-0, covering routine approvals and actions.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Public comments were heard on the Ramey Junior High appeal (C4) and the Swarm Arrow appeal (C6).
  • Ramey Junior High: Residents expressed concerns about traffic safety on Ash and Walnut Streets, pedestrian crosswalks, school bus stopping distances, stormwater runoff, environmental impacts, and the loss of forested hillside. Supporters cited the need for school capacity, improved equity in feeder patterns, and the benefits of the midtown trail connection. The appellant (Councilmember Turk) argued safety issues were unresolved, while the school district and staff maintained that the project met code and variances improved safety.
  • Swarm Arrow: A large majority of speakers opposed Swarm Arrow's presence, arguing the manufacturing of AI-powered military drones constitutes heavy industrial use (unit 23 or 31) rather than light industrial (unit 22). Concerns included safety of materials, noise, environmental impact, and moral opposition to weapon production. Supporters, including economic development officials, the University of Arkansas, and business leaders, emphasized job creation, high wages, and the importance of predictable zoning for business attraction. The appellant (Swarm Arrow) and staff argued the operation fits use unit 22, citing carbon fiber fabrication similar to sporting goods, and that the process is safe.

Discussion Items

  • C1: Addition of Two Full-Time Positions in Planning Division – Development Services Director Jonathan Kurth and Mayor Ron presented the request to add two FTEs to improve permit processing times, funded by increased building permit revenues. Councilmember Moore requested clarity on metrics. After public comment, a motion to adopt the resolution passed unanimously (8-0).
  • C2 & C3: Rezonings on North Hall Avenue – These items were tabled to the June 2, 2026 meeting at the applicant's request, approved unanimously.
  • C4: Appeal of LSD 2025-19 – Ramey Junior High – Councilmember Turk appealed the planning commission's approval, citing safety concerns, particularly traffic on Ash Street and pedestrian crossings. Staff (Jonathan Kurth) presented the project, including five variances that he argued improve safety and reduce disturbance. The appellant (Rick Woods for residents) presented traffic analysis showing increased congestion and dangerous conditions. The school district (Hunter Adkison, Dr. Mulford) defended the design, noting the midtown trail connection and on-site queuing. Council discussion focused on traffic studies, crosswalk safety, and stormwater. A motion to deny the appeal (i.e., uphold the planning commission) passed 7-1, with Councilmember Turk voting in favor of the appeal.
  • C5: Alignment of Development-Related Fees with Service Costs – Staff presented an ordinance to implement the second and third years of a fee study. Councilmember Moore asked about indexing to CPI. After public comment (none), the council suspended the rules and passed the ordinance on third reading unanimously (8-0).
  • C6: Appeal of Board of Adjustments 2026-2 – Swarm Arrow Zoning – Staff (Jonathan Kurth) supported the classification of Swarm Arrow as use unit 22 (light industrial), citing consistency with other manufacturing businesses. The appellant (Swarm Arrow) presented its operations as composite fabrication, not heavy industrial, and highlighted economic benefits. The Board of Adjustments previously ruled the classification an error. The resident appellant (Jesse Buchanan) argued for use unit 23 or 31, citing scale, materials, and environmental impact. Council discussed NDAs, safety, and economic development. A motion to grant the appeal (upholding staff's classification) passed 5-3, with Councilmembers Berna, Bunch, Minister Jones, Stafford, and Wiedaker voting yes; Turk, Dr. Jones, and Moore voting no.

Key Outcomes

  • C1: Approved – two new positions in planning division (8-0).
  • C2 & C3: Tabled to June 2, 2026.
  • C4: Appeal denied; project approved with conditions (7-1).
  • C5: Ordinance passed – fee increases for 2026 and 2027 approved (8-0).
  • C6: Appeal granted; Swarm Arrow classified as use unit 22 (5-3).

Meeting Transcript

Okay, I will now call to order the May 19th, 2026 meeting of the Fayetteville City Council. Clerk Paxton, will you please call the roll? Mr. Berna. Yes. Ms. Bunch. Here. Ms. Turk. Here. Minister Jones. Present. Mr. Stafford. Present. Dr. Jones? Here. Ms. Moore? Here. Mr. Wiedaker? Here. Mayor Ron. Here. Please join me as we say the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance. To the Republic. Justice for Ross. Okay, we have a full agenda tonight, but before we get started, I would like to turn it over to Councilmember Sarah Bunch for an announcement. Thank you. Thank you very much. Many of you know that former council member Sloan Scrogan passed away last week. And I would like for us all to stand and bow our heads and give a moment of honor and silence for him. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you, Sarah, for that. Before I also have a couple of announcements, but two things I would like to make everyone aware of in case you are here for these items. It is likely that item B1 under unfinished business, the North Fallon Avenue sewer damage claim, will be tabled again for two more weeks. So if you were here to speak on that item, just know that when we get to it, in all likelihood it will be tabled and not heard tonight. Additionally, items and uh Mr. Mercedo, correct me if I'm in if I'm wrong, items C2, a rezoning of 1002 North Hall Avenue and C3, a rezoning of another 800 North Hall Avenue is also from the applicant a retested uh a request to table until the first meeting in June. So if you were here to speak on those, it is likely that they will not be heard tonight. That's correct. We'll be tabled to the June 2nd meeting. Okay, great. Thank you. And before we get started with the items of consent, I just want to make a couple of announcements about the evening because it is worth remarking on, I think.

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