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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Fort Smith CBID Board Meeting - September 4, 2026

Meeting Portal — Friday, September 4, 2026

BodyFort Smith, Arkansas

SessionMeeting Portal

DateFriday, September 4, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:18:05

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

Appreciate everyone being here.

0:03

Um there's a few still trickling in.

0:04

Yes, my bag.

0:05

Um we'll call the meeting to order.

0:08

Uh Sam Seacard is not gonna make it today, and he's the only one, I think.

0:13

Is that right?

0:13

Everyone else is here.

0:15

Uh Eric Hartness uh is our new commissioner.

0:19

Thanks for uh wanting to do this.

0:21

Uh good work.

0:23

Um we have good purpose, and I think you'll be a great addition.

0:27

So I'm glad you're here.

0:27

Chris, thank you for being here.

0:30

Uh everybody no.

0:32

I bet everybody I know a lot of people, but I'm Eric Hartness.

0:37

Jeff Jeff C'est so some city uh employees, some uh community folks are here, so we'll we'll get a chance to hear from them.

0:48

Okay, uh you know Matt.

0:51

Leanne, you just met no no, we've not known each other.

0:55

Oh, one of those, okay.

0:58

Uh well the minutes are in your packet.

1:01

You didn't get an agenda, so you've not seen them, but that's okay.

1:04

Um we need to approve the minutes.

1:08

I have reviewed and I will make a motion to approve.

1:11

Thanks, Trent.

1:11

I think the agenda is on the other side of the spot.

1:13

Okay, I see a copy, there's a copy for each one.

1:16

Uh here a second.

1:17

Yes, here's the agenda too.

1:20

Okay, all those in favor say aye.

1:22

Thank you.

1:24

Uh moving on.

1:27

Where is this?

1:29

I think it's on the flip side.

1:31

Oh, thank you.

1:34

Uh Treasurer report.

1:35

Sam is not here.

1:36

Jeff, you want to just have a page five of this packet has the uh financials through October 31st.

1:45

Um we'll be file, you know, working through the end of the year to finalize the city's budget, so there'll be uh some adjustment to um really the outside services line item here.

1:58

Um if you remember the original 77,000 budgeted, uh that's the portion of the garrison the pocket park, the courtyard park there.

2:08

If it's has been completed, that project is done and all of the all of the bills are getting paid and that's been filed out.

2:16

So um but there is there is still a um portion of it that we've got in here.

2:22

We'll probably end up putting in a different line item regarding the um repair and correction to the issues with the irrigation system that um is downtown, and so that is uh that is something that's in this encumbered line item that we'll end up putting in a in the correct one for wherever that needs to be, but that that'll be expensed also.

2:47

Um but that'll show um probably in the next next month's report where that falls.

2:53

Hey Jeff, so if I'm looking at this right, it's showing 77,000.

2:58

You said bills are being paid.

3:00

Yes, 45,384, but it's showing available a negative 17,000.

3:06

Yeah, that's that's related to some of the dollars I was just talking about when the irrigation system have been encumbered to that line line item.

3:13

Um and also is reflecting the whole amount I think paid to um paid on that uh garrison courtyard project, which some of that will be assigned to a different city department than this, and so that that number will change.

3:26

So it's not necessarily a true deficit.

3:29

Okay, other comments.

3:41

That's a pretty easy one to read.

3:44

Questions.

3:47

Uh need a motion to approve the financials.

3:52

Seconded.

3:53

Uh all this verse.

3:54

Okay.

3:55

Thanks.

3:57

Uh moving on.

3:59

Uh city reports, permits, code enforcement.

4:03

That was the all the activity is in your packet.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Engagement██████████████████████████████30%

Transportation Safety████████████████16%

Community Development███████████████15%

Parks and Recreation█████████9%

Procedural████████8%

Homelessness████████8%

Budget Equity Analysis████4%

Government Structure Reform████4%

Property Management███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Fort Smith Central Business Improvement District Board Meeting - September 4, 2026

The Central Business Improvement District (CBID) Board held its regular meeting on September 4, 2026. The meeting covered financial updates, project completions, a new contract with Main Street Fort Smith, strategic planning for future capital projects, the ongoing R Dot traffic study, and board leadership succession. Key decisions included approving a letter of assurance for an irrigation donor, approving the Main Street contract subject to minor language revisions, and setting a future agenda item to discuss chairmanship transition.

Consent Calendar

Approval of Minutes: The board approved the minutes from the previous meeting by a voice vote.
Treasurer's Report: The financial report through October 31, 2025 (as noted in the packet) was approved. The report showed $45,384 in expenses against an original $77,000 budget for the Garrison Pocket Park project, with a negative available balance of $17,000 attributed to encumbered irrigation costs that will be reclassified. The board noted the deficit is not a true deficit.

Public Comments & Testimony

A representative from the Fort Smith Downtown Business Association (FSDBA) invited board members to the Christmas Parade on December 13, 2026, and the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop on December 31. They also suggested creating a dedicated CBID website with galleries of past projects and a contact/idea form, offering free web design assistance.

Discussion Items

Irrigation System Assurance: Sarah reported that Fred Sharon, who donated materials and labor for the downtown irrigation system, requested a formal letter from CBID committing to ongoing maintenance. The board voted unanimously to provide such a letter, and staff will draft it for the chair's signature.
City Reports: Josh reported the Garrison Court yard pocket park is complete; the final sign was installed and final payment approved. Solar arrays will be installed in the farmers market parking lot starting next month, expected to be operational by March 2027.
Property Maintenance: Discussion on 801 Garrison Avenue—an unmaintained property. The board noted the building sold recently but the new owner has not made improvements. There was consensus to continue monitoring and to try engaging owners personally.
Ambassador and Hope Campus Updates: The ambassador reported challenges but noted reduced visible homelessness on Garrison Avenue. Hope Campus staff reported spending $10,000/month on homeless prevention and rental assistance; they also plan a trash pickup program with homeless residents and requested potential CBID funding. The board indicated its primary engagement with homelessness is through the ambassador program and prefers to focus capital resources elsewhere.
Main Street Fort Smith Contract: Amanda presented a revised contract for Main Street services. Key changes: removed the 60% cost share and set fixed amounts ($26,000 from CBID, $17,000 from Main Street). A discrepancy in the auto-renewal clause was noted (auto-renew and termination conflict). The board approved the contract pending correction of that clause.
Main Street Programs: Amanda reported on a $30,000 state revitalization grant, with $15,000 earmarked for a micro-grant program (1,500–7,500 each). Ten applications were received, and winners will be announced in December. The Coco Crawl event on Small Business Saturday (the last Saturday in November) drew about 400 participants and increased foot traffic by 70% for some businesses. The Levitt AMP concert series averaged 200 attendees per show; a fall series is planned for 2027.
Strategic Plan and Future Projects: The board discussed revitalizing the 2024 strategic plan. Ideas included a riverfront entrance corridor project (~$160,000–200,000), lighting under the Harrison Avenue Bridge, and sound system improvements for the amphitheater (quote for full system was over six figures; a simpler retrofit could be under $50,000). Members agreed to each select one or two priority projects by the next meeting (likely December 18) and submit a one-page plan including funding ideas (financing, private donations). No vote was taken but consensus to proceed.
R Dot Traffic Study: The board reviewed the completed traffic study for Garrison Avenue. It concludes no funding identified for improvements and suggests redistribution would require local jurisdiction initiation. Costs for alternatives were noted: $120M and $70M. Members agreed the problem is multi‑jurisdictional and requires state/federal involvement, but they will continue advocacy. Bill will meet with highway commissioner Keith Gibson to discuss the issue.
Board Leadership Change: The current chair (Bill) expressed interest in stepping down to bring fresh energy. Matt expressed interest in the role. The board decided to add chairmanship succession as a discussion item for the December 18 meeting. Long-tenured members also suggested identifying new commissioner candidates.
One-Page Flyer: Matt presented a draft flyer summarizing CBID projects (past and future). Members suggested including maps, photos, historical project summaries (e.g., bike/skate park, splash pads, two-acre land acquisition from Marshalls Museum, 240‑acre riverfront land). The flyer will be refined and sent to the city for graphic design.

Key Outcomes

Motion passed (unanimous): To provide a letter of assurance to Fred Sharon for the irrigation system maintenance funding.
Motion passed (unanimous): To approve the Main Street Fort Smith services contract subject to clarifying the auto-renewal clause and obtaining legal review.
Direction to staff: Draft the irrigation assurance letter; refine the CBID promotional one-pager; prepare for the December 18 meeting with members’ project proposals and chairmanship discussion.
Future agenda: The December 18 meeting will include member-submitted project plans, the R Dot study update, and a formal discussion of the board chair transition.
No action on the R Dot study aside from continuing advocacy; no vote on the bridge lighting or sound system.

Meeting Transcript

Appreciate everyone being here. Um there's a few still trickling in. Yes, my bag. Um we'll call the meeting to order. Uh Sam Seacard is not gonna make it today, and he's the only one, I think. Is that right? Everyone else is here. Uh Eric Hartness uh is our new commissioner. Thanks for uh wanting to do this. Uh good work. Um we have good purpose, and I think you'll be a great addition. So I'm glad you're here. Chris, thank you for being here. Uh everybody no. I bet everybody I know a lot of people, but I'm Eric Hartness. Jeff Jeff C'est so some city uh employees, some uh community folks are here, so we'll we'll get a chance to hear from them. Okay, uh you know Matt. Leanne, you just met no no, we've not known each other. Oh, one of those, okay. Uh well the minutes are in your packet. You didn't get an agenda, so you've not seen them, but that's okay. Um we need to approve the minutes. I have reviewed and I will make a motion to approve. Thanks, Trent. I think the agenda is on the other side of the spot. Okay, I see a copy, there's a copy for each one. Uh here a second. Yes, here's the agenda too. Okay, all those in favor say aye. Thank you. Uh moving on. Where is this? I think it's on the flip side. Oh, thank you. Uh Treasurer report. Sam is not here. Jeff, you want to just have a page five of this packet has the uh financials through October 31st. Um we'll be file, you know, working through the end of the year to finalize the city's budget, so there'll be uh some adjustment to um really the outside services line item here. Um if you remember the original 77,000 budgeted, uh that's the portion of the garrison the pocket park, the courtyard park there. If it's has been completed, that project is done and all of the all of the bills are getting paid and that's been filed out. So um but there is there is still a um portion of it that we've got in here. We'll probably end up putting in a different line item regarding the um repair and correction to the issues with the irrigation system that um is downtown, and so that is uh that is something that's in this encumbered line item that we'll end up putting in a in the correct one for wherever that needs to be, but that that'll be expensed also. Um but that'll show um probably in the next next month's report where that falls. Hey Jeff, so if I'm looking at this right, it's showing 77,000. You said bills are being paid. Yes, 45,384, but it's showing available a negative 17,000. Yeah, that's that's related to some of the dollars I was just talking about when the irrigation system have been encumbered to that line line item. Um and also is reflecting the whole amount I think paid to um paid on that uh garrison courtyard project, which some of that will be assigned to a different city department than this, and so that that number will change. So it's not necessarily a true deficit. Okay, other comments.

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