City Council Agenda Session - May 26, 2026

This was a work session to prepare for the upcoming city council meeting. Council reviewed consent calendar items, received presentations on the Safe Routes to School Plan and Vision Zero Safety Action Plan, discussed unfinished business including a sewer damage claim and dilapidated structures, and considered new business items such as a fire pension cost-of-living adjustment, a conservation ordinance for town branch properties, and several rezoning requests. A proposed addition to allow sheep under urban agriculture rules was also introduced.

Consent Calendar

• A2: Resolution to approve amendment one to the professional services contract with Garver LLC for additional services related to the Lake Sequoia Bridge Rehabilitation Project. The project was bid at $600,000 with a $100,000 contingency. Design was rebid multiple times. The deck replacement is the major unknown; contingency may cover overruns.
• A3: Pulled by administration, moved to next council meeting.
• A4: Resolution to approve change order two to the contract with Goins Enterprises Inc. for $5,672 for water line restrictions in South Fayetteville.
• A5: Resolution to approve amendment one with Crafton Toll and Associates for $189,380 for preliminary design services on the Greg Street Safe Streets and Roads for All Project. A public meeting is planned for early fall 2026.

Discussion Items

• Safe Routes to School Plan: Dane presented a comprehensive plan funded by a $100,000 grant with $12,500 matching from the city and school district. The plan focuses on six E's (engineering, education, encouragement, equity, enforcement, evaluation). Over 10,000 students travel daily, but less than 10% walk or bike. Goal to increase walking/biking by 50% by 2029. Over 500 survey responses and 3,000 student travel tallies were collected. The plan has been recommended for approval by transportation committees.
• Vision Zero Safety Action Plan: Dane also presented Fayetteville's specific plan to eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes. Between 2018-2022, 235 people were killed or seriously injured, with vulnerable road users disproportionately affected. The plan uses a safe system approach, equity prioritization, and an implementation framework. It aligns with ongoing SS4A grant applications.
• Unfinished Business - Sewer Damage Claim: Tim updated on claim by Chris Scaraki. Adjuster's estimate is $136,201 plus $4,700 Airbnb receipts, totaling $141,000. Claimant is asking $185,736. The city attorney will draft a new resolution using the adjuster's amount per the new ordinance. Council will vote on a substitute resolution.
• Dilapidated Structures (B2 & B3): Jonathan reported that for 20 North School Ave, a demolition permit was issued and a schedule submitted; staff may recommend tabling indefinitely. For the North Jackson property, no permit yet, but a schedule for repairs was submitted; staff may recommend the order for removal.
• Rezoning (Old Business): RZN 2026-11 (1002 North Hall Ave) and RZN 2026-10 (800 North Hall) were tabled; staff will make full presentations at the next council meeting.
• New Business - Fire Pension COLA: Stephen presented an ordinance for a 3% compound cost-of-living adjustment for eligible fire pension plan participants, matching the police plan. The last COLA was in the early 1990s. The adjustment is funded by projected property tax and state turnback revenue; if insufficient, the general fund would cover costs.
• New Business - Conservation Ordinance: Allison described an ordinance to conserve 72 acres of city-owned land along Town Branch until 2050, required by the EPA CPRG grant. Permitted and prohibited uses are listed. Questions about potential conflicts with sewer easements and future land use changes were discussed; any changes would require EPA review.
• Rezoning (New Business): C3 (2710 North Colette Ave, RSF4 to NC) – no public comments, staff recommends approval. C4 (2245 West Dean, RSF4 to RIU) – no public comments, staff recommends approval. Another Dean Street item (1429-1431 West Dean, RSF4 to RIU) – one opposition comment but no public comment at meeting, staff recommends approval.
• Proposed Addition - Sheep Ordinance: Council Member Moore introduced an ordinance to allow sheep under the same conditions as goats (max 24 inches tall, max 3, no rams). This follows requests from a resident. The ordinance piggybacks on existing goat regulations.
• Energy Report: Peter Neargarden reported that March 2026 utility costs were $350,000, 21% higher than March 2025. The city's new 3.77 MW solar array near Nashville, AR, is now operational, bringing the city's clean energy share to 93%. The fleet fuel expenditure was $168,000 in March, up 30%. Transit service on College Avenue doubled to two buses per hour, and Razorback Transit will take over in August. The new blue cart recycling program launches June 1st with 28,000 carts delivered. Also, 25 new transit shelters were received, and benches are being installed by Fayetteville Strong.

Key Outcomes

• The fire pension COLA ordinance will be voted on at the next council meeting.
• The conservation ordinance will be voted on at the next council meeting.
• The sewer damage claim resolution will be amended to reflect the adjuster's amount and presented as a substitute resolution.
• The dilapidated structure at 20 North School Ave may be tabled indefinitely; the North Jackson property may proceed to an order for removal.
• The sheep ordinance will be added to the next council agenda.
• A communication plan for transit route changes (Route 10 to Route 27) will be developed, including flyers, posters, and bus signage, to address public confusion.
• Transportation Committee and Planning Commission meetings were scheduled to follow the agenda session.