Fourth Middle City Board of Directors Meeting January 6, 2026
Fourth Middle City Board of Directors Meeting January 6, 2026
The Fourth Middle City Board of Directors convened on January 6, 2026, for its first meeting of the year to review zoning changes, approve emergency construction projects tied to a consent decree, and discuss the new City Administrator search process. The meeting featured the introduction of new Director of Engineering Todd Midke, public acknowledgments, and a discussion regarding the financial status of the local animal shelter.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution authorizing Amendment No. 1 to extend the agreement with Converged Strategies regarding the Mission Installation Resilience Grant by 90 days through March 31, 2026, with no additional costs.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Director George Kit Savis: Expressed concern regarding the Animal Shelter's funding, specifically citing approximately $700,000 in funds allegedly set aside for a new shelter that is now "falling through." The Director inquired who controls these funds if the project fails and who owns the money if the shelter dissolves. The Mayor responded that the specific ownership of the funds is currently unknown and that the new shelter is not feasible in the next ten years, but pledged to inquire about the fund's status.
- Director Christina Kit Savis: No specific position stated on agenda items other than general welcome.
- Director Rego: Noted that Director Settle and Director Kemp also shared acknowledgments of community members, including the passing of former Mayor Bill Vines (after Jack Freeze) and John Taylor. The Mayor confirmed the historical succession of mayors.
- Director Kemp: Expressed personal appreciation for returning to Fort Smith.
Discussion Items
- Rezoning of 1401 Old Greenwood Road: The Planning Commission recommended rezoning property from Residential Single Family Duplex Low Density (RSD-2) to Transitional zoning to allow the Western Arkansas Council of the Boy Scouts of America to lease office space. Applicant representative William Jackson Butt noted the waiver of the neighborhood meeting and lack of objections.
- Position (Director George Kit Savis): Expressed full support for the rezoning, stating the Boy Scouts are a "great program," a "fixture" in the community, and that the Board needs to "assist them in growing their organization."
- Position (Project Sponsor): Clarified that while the Boy Scout office will remain, the new zoning is necessary to allow leasing to other tenants, as current zoning restricts use to the Boy Scout office only.
- Consent Decree Construction Projects: Items 2, 3, 4, and 6 discussed the acquisition of sewer utility easements, temporary construction easements, and final payments for projects managed by Vortex Services. Director Todd Midke (Director of Engineering) presented on the technical requirements and costs.
- Position (Director Ken Kemp): Expressed strong support for the project outcomes, noting it demonstrates the team coming together to "save citizens' money" by reducing the contract by over $1 million.
- Technical Discussion: Directed at Project Manager Mr. Mickey (Todd Midke) regarding root intrusion in gravity sanitary sewer lines causing dry weather SSOs and the replacement of a historic manhole (30s-50s) to prevent water infiltration.
- Request (Director Ken Kemp): Stressed the importance of including more photographic evidence in future public packets to explain technical conditions and work performed.
- City Administrator Search: Following an executive session to review City Administrator candidates, the Board discussed the next steps.
- Motion: To engage a search firm for a nationwide search and designate Director Lee Kemp as the board liaison.
Key Outcomes
- Voted 7-0 in favor to adopt the ordinance with suspension of rules to amend the zoning map from RSD-2 to Transitional for 1401 Old Greenwood Road (Boy Scout property).
- Voted 7-0 in favor to adopt the emergency clause for the Boy Scout rezoning.
- Voted 7-0 in favor to adopt the resolution authorizing the acquisition of sewer utility easements for a total cost of $5,640. The resolution authorizes the City Administrator and City Attorney to initiate eminent domain proceedings if negotiations with property owners fail.
- Voted 7-0 in favor to adopt the resolution authorizing a temporary construction easement costing $150.
- Voted 7-0 in favor to adopt the resolution authorizing sewer utility easements and temporary construction easements for a total cost of $8,929.40.
- Voted 7-0 in favor to adopt the resolution authorizing Change Order No. 1 with Vortex Services, which deducts over $1 million from the contract price and removes 56 days from the completion schedule.
- Voted 7-0 in favor to accept completion and authorize final payment to Vortex Services for the consent decree project, noting the project came in approximately $1 million under budget due to city crew intervention.
- Voted 7-0 in favor to adopt the Consent Agenda item extending the grant agreement with Converged Strategies.
- Voted 7-0 in favor a motion to engage a search firm for a nationwide search for the City Administrator position, with Director Lee Kemp serving as the board liaison.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good evening and welcome to the Fourth Middle City Board of Directors. Uh welcome to our first meeting of the year twenty twenty-six. It's good to be here. Uh at this time, uh keep in mind these meetings are being televised live for our residents who can't be with us in person. Um also um so with that uh I will do the invocation and I will ask Director Christina Kasavis to lead us in the pledge. Again, welcome to our first meeting. Let's bow. Most precious God, we come before you this evening. Thanking you for our city, thanking you for the amazing progress we've made over the years, and we're looking forward to an amazing future. Bless the members of this board who dedicate their time and service to make sure the residents of our city have the very best we can afford to offer them. Father, we thank you for that. And Father, when time is no more, we ask that you will give us a place in your kingdom, and we'll be so delightful to praise your name forevermore. Amen. Good. Here. Kent. Here, George Kit Savis. Christina Kit Savis here. Settled here. Thank you very much. At this time I'll ask if there are any presentation by members of the board on any item of business not already on the agenda. Seeing none, it's a time we'll entertain the motion to approve the minutes of the December 15th special meeting and the December sixteenth twenty twenty-five regular meeting. Second. The Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider rezoning property located at 1401 Old Greenwood Road from residential single family duplex low density or an RSD two zone to transitional. The property containing a little under an acre is located on the east side of Old Greenwood Road, south of South M Street. The proposed rezoning allows the Western Arkansas Council of the Boy Scouts of America to lease office space in the existing building in support of the Boy Scout mission. The applicant received a waiver of the neighborhood meeting in accordance with UDO section 273041. As requested, the applicant did send letters to neighboring property owners, and they did not receive any concerns in return. At the Planning Commission meeting, William Jackson But was present to represent the application. There were none present to speak in favor or opposition. The planning commission voted seven in favor with zero opposed to recommend the zoning map be amended. Okay. Thank you very much, Madam Clerk. No, we only have the applicant here to answer any questions. Okay. This time entertain a motion to adopt the ordinance with suspension of the rules. So with suspension of the rules second. Thank you. Madam Clerk, please read the ordinance. An ordinance rezoning identified property and amending the zoning map from residential single family duplex low density to transitional for property located at 1401 Old Greenwood Road. Okay. Thank you very much. This time we'll entertain any comments from the board. Okay. I think this is a great idea. Boys and Boy Scouts of America is a great program. It has been part of our community for many, many years. And they are a fixture there on Old Greenwood Road. And whatever we can do to assist them in growing their organization and meeting the needs of all the kids that uh choose to be a part of that. Uh we need to do that.
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