Fayetteville City Council Meeting – July 7, 2026

The Fayetteville City Council met on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, with Councilmember Bunch absent. The meeting covered the April sales tax and May financial reports, four dilapidated structure cases, several rezoning requests, a major bond issuance ordinance, and a proposed ordinance restricting non-disclosure agreements. Votes were taken on most items, with the NDA ordinance tabled to the next meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Consent Agenda – Approved unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• B1 (320 West Isla Street) – Neighbors Rolf Wilkin, Alan Wooten, Frank Head, and Al Baker testified in support of the raise and removal, citing a decade of neglect, safety hazards, and lack of progress. The property owners, Cynthia and Stephen Parette, requested more time to complete renovations, citing contractor fraud and financing issues.
• B2 (3582 North Highway 112) – No public comment.
• C1 (848 North Jackson Drive) – No public comment; staff reported satisfactory progress and recommended tabling indefinitely.
• D2 (RZN 2026-15, 36.2 acres near Dean Solomon) – A dozen residents spoke in opposition, raising concerns about traffic congestion on Dean Solomon Road, drainage and flooding, tree canopy loss, wetland impacts, and pedestrian safety. One resident (Clark Eccles) spoke in favor, citing alignment with city plans and housing needs.
• D3 (1905 East Mission Boulevard) – No public comment.
• D4 (3105 North Old Wire Road) – Jordan Smith, a neighbor, stated the proposed after-school program would use buses and not create peak-hour traffic.
• D5 (Bond Ordinance) – No public comment.
• D6 (NDA Ordinance) – Jackson Copeland (Ward 1) spoke in favor of stronger transparency, arguing that NDAs undermine public trust.

Discussion Items

• Sales Tax & Financial Report – CFO Steven Dotson presented the April sales tax report: taxable sales of $285.9 million, down 0.3% from April 2025. Retail trade rose 3%, with building materials (+14%), electronics (+29%), and sporting goods (+15%) driving gains. Construction and wholesale trade declined. Combined city and county sales tax collections were flat ($2,000 increase). Compared to budget, the city penny was down 3.2% ($92,000) and the county portion down 2.46% ($55,000), a combined 2.8% shortfall ($147,000). Year-to-date, sales tax revenues are 1% below budget ($232,000). The May monthly financial report showed the general fund 1.2% over budget ($365,000), building permit fees 36% over budget ($645,000), and water/sewer 4.6% over budget ($993,000). The airport fund is down 6.5% ($144,000) due to fuel cost adjustments. Councilmembers asked about street fund, building permit projections, and event impacts on sales tax.
• B1 – 320 West Isla Street – Code Compliance Supervisor Billy Bryant detailed a history of code violations since 2022, a building permit issued in November 2025 but expired in May 2026 with no inspections. The structure is severely dilapidated. The property owners, Stephen and Cynthia Parette, stated they were scammed by a contractor and had secured new financing, requesting a 240-day timeline. Councilmembers expressed skepticism about the feasibility of repairs and the lack of a concrete contractor contract. The council voted 7-0 to approve the raise and removal.
• B2 – 3582 North Highway 112 – Bryant described a 6,894-square-foot burned-out commercial building with multiple outbuildings, vehicles, and debris. A demolition permit was issued to Red Line Construction on July 7, with a start date of July 29. The property may be under sale. Staff recommended approval to ensure demolition regardless of the permit. Council voted 7-0 to approve the raise and removal.
• C1 – 848 North Jackson Drive – Staff reported that the owner had completed repairs, including uncovering windows, residing the north side, and restoring water and electricity. Staff recommended tabling indefinitely, citing high confidence in completion. Council voted 7-0 to table.
• D1 – Vacation 26-5 (4307 West Cactus Place) – Staff recommended approval of a 239-square-foot utility easement vacation. No public comment. Council suspended rules and approved on final reading 7-0.
• D2 – RZN 2026-15 (36.2 acres, Dean Solomon / Van Asch) – Jonathan Kurth presented the staff recommendation to rezone from RSF-4 and CPZD to RSF-8 (26 acres) and RMF-12 (9.6 acres). The applicant, Will Kelstrom, offered a bill of assurance prohibiting multi-family use unit 26 on the RMF-12 portion. Significant public opposition focused on traffic, drainage, tree canopy, wetlands, and adequacy of Dean Solomon Road. Councilmembers discussed splitting the request into two parcels. No vote was taken; the item was held on first reading.
• D3 – RZN 2026-16 (1905 East Mission Boulevard) – Staff recommended rezoning from C1 and RSF-4 to CS (Community Services). The property is fully developed with a commercial building. No public comment. Council suspended rules and approved on final reading 7-0.
• D4 – RZN 2026-17 (3105 North Old Wire Road) – Staff recommended rezoning from RSF-4 to P1 for an after-school program. Applicant Ben Sherman described a bus-transported program for 100-300 students. Planning Commission forwarded 7-1. After initial failure to suspend rules (5-2), the council later voted 7-0 to approve the rezoning.
• D5 – Bond Ordinance (Sales and Use Tax Capital Improvement and Refunding Bonds, Series 2026) – Jennifer Walker presented the first issue of up to $191,220,000 in bonds, covering refunding of prior bonds, water/wastewater ($89 million), parks ($11.5 million), animal services ($17.5 million), trails ($1.2 million), transportation ($13.77 million), sustainability ($600,000), aquatics ($1 million), and fire facilities ($12.2 million). She outlined a public communication plan with project webpages and dashboards. Council suspended rules and approved on final reading 7-0, including the emergency clause.
• D6 – NDA Ordinance – Councilmember Sarah Moore introduced an ordinance prohibiting the city from entering into non-disclosure agreements that restrict public records disclosure. Councilmember Bob Stafford offered an amendment to codify the mayor’s existing policy (requiring mayor and city attorney approval). After debate and procedural motions, the council voted 7-0 to table the ordinance to the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• B1 – Raise and Removal (320 West Isla Street) – Approved 7-0.
• B2 – Raise and Removal (3582 North Highway 112) – Approved 7-0.
• C1 – Table Indefinitely (848 North Jackson Drive) – Approved 7-0.
• D1 – Vacation 26-5 – Approved 7-0 on final reading.
• D2 – RZN 2026-15 – Held on first reading; no vote taken.
• D3 – RZN 2026-16 – Approved 7-0 on final reading.
• D4 – RZN 2026-17 – Approved 7-0 on final reading.
• D5 – Bond Ordinance – Approved 7-0 with emergency clause.
• D6 – NDA Ordinance – Tabled 7-0 to next meeting.