Fort Smith Board of Directors Meeting – June 18, 2026 (Transcript Dates June 16)

Note: The agenda and minutes were unavailable. The raw transcript begins by stating the meeting is on June 16, 2026, but the instructions specify this summary should use the date June 18, 2026. This discrepancy is noted.

The Fort Smith City Board of Directors met on the evening of June 18, 2026 (per instruction) at City Hall. The meeting included an invocation, pledge of allegiance, roll call of all seven directors, and a lengthy citizens’ forum. The board addressed several ordinances and resolutions, notably adopting an amended injury leave policy (4-3), a drug‑free workplace policy (7-0), terminating a construction contract for the alleyway rehabilitation project (7-0), and approving a consent agenda with multiple items after tabling one item to a future study session. The meeting concluded with appointments to city boards and an executive session.

Consent Calendar

• Ordinance authorizing conveyance of real property to Raymond Fondron – Land donated in 2005 for a park that was never developed; parks commission and staff recommended return to donor. (Item 5A)
• Resolution designating a portion of Towson Avenue as Bobby Crabtree Boulevard – Honoring Fort Smith boxer Bobby Crabtree. Public testimony highlighted his career (93 professional fights, 51 knockouts, 1995 WBF cruiserweight champion). Adopted. (Item 5B)
• Revised resolution authorizing submission of a proposal for $13 million federal funding (Lake Fort Smith water transmission line) – Supported by the Roosevelt Group. (Item 5C)
• Resolution approving an agreement with Adopt‑a‑Charger for electric vehicle charging stations – Grant‑funded; contractor responsible for maintenance, electricity, and eventual removal. (Item 5D)
• Resolution approving an agreement with the Fort Smith Housing Authority for $1 million in infrastructure assistance (Bailey Hill redevelopment) – Tabled to a study session by a 4‑3 vote. (Item 5E)
• Resolution authorizing an agreement for engineering services for the 2026 Master Street Plan – (Item 5F)
• Resolution approving settlement agreement for easement acquisition (Lake Fort Smith water line) – (Item 5G)
• Ordinance abandoning public access and utility easements – (Item 5H)
• Ordinance declaring an exceptional situation and waiving competitive bidding for a submersible pump – Sole‑source justification provided. (Item 5I)
• Resolution accepting change order for Creekmoor Park tennis court improvements – (Item 5J)

All consent items except 5E passed. Director Martin voted “no” on item 5D (EV charging). Director Christina Kitsavis voted “no” on item 5I and abstained on item 5J.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jimmy Harrison – Urged the board to support term limits (three four‑year terms maximum for board and mayor).
• Sammy Jackson – Read a letter from State Senator Justin Boyd supporting the naming of Bobby Crabtree Boulevard; highlighted Crabtree’s boxing record and community ties.
• Natalia Deer – Proposed a monthly downtown street fair with booths, artists, and talent shows; also requested safety gates at several railroad crossings and suggested spiritual deliverance services for homeless individuals.
• Joe Elskin – Supported the e‑bike program (5,800 vouchers for low‑income residents) and investment in trails; urged the board to find a new contractor for the alleyway project to avoid Facebook complaints.
• Shane McKinney – Reported over 3,000 petition signatures for changing the form of government; challenged directors who opposed placing it on the ballot. He noted that the petition drive will continue.
• Carl Nevin – Asked the board to unanimously add the form‑of‑government question to the agenda.
• Patrick McGuire – Questioned why Fort Smith was not receiving federal water infrastructure funds like other Arkansas cities. Mayor McGill noted the city had received $12 million from Senator Bozeman and was applying for more.
• Kristen Conley (Program Director, Riverview Hope Campus) – Invited board members to tour Hope Campus and denied accusations of insurance fraud and drop‑offs. Stated they have helped 21 gain employment and 23 transition out of homelessness in 2026.
• Eric Wideman – Spoke about political failures damaging community mental health (lack of leadership, transparency, accountability).
• Sarah Harrison – Supported placing the form‑of‑government question on the ballot; reminded the board that as citizens they should sign the petition.
• Jason Skirbitz – Expressed frustration with lack of transparency and accountability; said citizens are fed up.
• Stephen Cox – Urged the board to proactively discuss data center regulations and supported trail investments; referenced the book Five Dysfunctions of a Team.
• Dan Williams – Criticized the board for not knowing details of a $2.6 million payment to the Municipal League; called for stewardship and accountability.
• Chris Cadelli – Asked the board to let citizens vote on the form of government; noted the petition has wide support.
• Crystal Cadelli – Cited $800 million in consent decree work, the alleyway contractor firing, and EV charging station issues; opposed further private development subsidies.
• Raymond Taylor – Advised the board to run the city like a business; cited the RV park sewer extension and the House of Dolls lawsuit as examples of poor financial decisions.
• Joey McCutcheon – Accused the board of rigging votes and delaying tactics; demanded transparency and an internal audit of allegedly unconstitutional mayoral spending.
• Stephen Sharum – Supported the current city administrator form of government; argued that an elected city attorney would lose institutional knowledge.
• Jacqueline Hooper – Corrected a statement about the city budget ($167 million operating, not $300 million).
• Mikaila Gaffney – Offered free leadership coaching to board members; questioned ego and service motive; raised the issue of $4 million lost in school districts due to students leaving.
• Patrick Feit – Described his sister‑in‑law’s unsolved murder 40 years ago; asked the board to allocate funds for DNA testing and to address unsolved cases.
• Jeannie Carroll – Urged the board to put the form‑of‑government question on the ballot immediately, not wait two weeks.

Discussion Items

• Injury Leave Policy (Item 1) – Proposed ordinance expanded benefits to all employees (not just uniformed). After debate, the board voted 6‑1 to strike the word “illness.” A subsequent motion to limit coverage to uniformed personnel failed 3‑4. The amended policy passed 4‑3 (Directors Kemp, Settle, Rego, Good in favor; George Kitsavis, Christina Kitsavis, Martin opposed). The policy provides up to 18 months of 100% pay for employees hospitalized due to work‑related injuries.
• Drug‑Free Workplace Policy (Item 2) – Updated policies for pre‑employment screenings, medical marijuana card procedures, breathalyzer testing, and re‑application waiting periods. Passed 7‑0.
• Alleyway Contract Termination (Item 3) – Staff recommended termination after the contractor (Western Millwright) struck a gas line twice, attempted a duct‑tape repair that leaked gas into a home, and buried it. AOG representative confirmed the repair bypassed safety valves. Multiple workmanship issues (roller‑coaster concrete, telephone poles poured without expansion joints) were cited. The board voted 7‑0 to terminate and pursue a surety claim.
• Sewer Project Engineering Amendment (Item 4) – $69,772 amendment to Garver LLC for additional 1,800 linear feet of sewer pipe design to avoid future consent decree work. Passed 7‑0.

Key Outcomes

• Injury leave policy amended and adopted (4‑3) – Covers all employees for work‑related injuries requiring hospitalization; illness removed; uniformed‑only amendment failed.
• Drug‑free workplace policy adopted (7‑0).
• Alleyway contract terminated (7‑0); surety claim notice sent.
• Sewer engineering amendment approved (7‑0).
• Consent agenda approved (items 5A‑5J, with 5E tabled 4‑3 for study session; Director Martin voted no on 5D; Director Christina Kitsavis voted no on 5I, abstained on 5J).
• City board appointments approved – Airport Commission: Zach Lefford, Eric Pendergrass; Community Development: Marcus Johnson; Housing Authority: Alex Sanchez; Municipal Employee Benevolent Fund: Bonnie Byers; Future Fort Smith: Bonner May Murphy; Historic District Commission: Jessica Blanzey.

Next Steps: The Bailey Hill redevelopment funding (item 5E) will be discussed at a study session. The petition to change the form of government is expected to be placed on the November 2026 ballot pending further board action. The meeting adjourned to executive session.