OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Springdale City Council Regular Meeting - September 10, 2025

City Council Meetings — Wednesday, September 10, 2025
BodySpringdale, Arkansas
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateWednesday, September 10, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:04:49

Transcript — Verbatim
0:24

Let us pray.

0:25

Heavenly Father, we just thank you for not only the weather today and a great day, but what a great day for Springdale with ribbon cuttings and just all the events going on, Lord.

0:36

We just we have you to thank.

0:38

Lord, I thank you for this council and each and everyone here tonight.

0:42

I just pray that you'll you'll lead us and guide us and give us all the right questions and all the right answers, and everything we do here tonight will glorify you.

0:51

And it's for the citizens of Springdale and everybody that works here, just continue to make it a better place.

0:57

And Lord, we have you to thank.

0:59

In your name we pray.

1:00

Amen.

1:01

Amen.

1:02

Thank you, Mike.

1:06

All right.

1:07

I will again uh welcome you here tonight, and we're gonna call this meeting of the regular meeting of the Springdale City Council to order.

1:14

This is Tuesday, September 9th, 2025.

1:17

And in our city clerk's absence, I will ask our deputy chief of staff, uh Anna McKinney to call the roll.

1:24

Anna.

1:25

Mayor Sprouss.

1:26

Here.

1:27

Brian Powell.

1:28

Here.

1:29

Amelia Taldo.

1:30

Here.

1:30

Jeff Watson.

1:32

Mike Overton.

1:33

Here.

1:34

Mike Lawson.

1:35

Here.

1:35

Aaron Huntley.

1:36

Here.

1:37

Randall Harriman.

1:38

Here.

1:39

Mark Fuserus.

1:40

Here.

1:41

And Ernest Kate.

1:42

Here.

1:43

All right.

1:43

Thank you, Anna.

1:44

And uh we are at item four on the agenda.

1:48

This is the agenda item that the council sets aside each meeting, each regular meeting, to hear comments from our citizens.

1:55

If we have if we have residents that are here that would are would like to address the council, uh, please feel free to come to the podium.

2:04

Uh we ask that you state your name and address and keep your comments brief.

2:08

And the council won't take action tonight on anything you bring forward during this public comment session.

2:13

Uh is there anyone that would like to address the council concerning an item that is not on tonight's agenda?

2:18

My name is Wendy Howerton, and my address is 4057 East Churchill Drive, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72701.

2:28

And I am just coming to introduce myself to everyone here.

2:32

Um I am running for judge for circuit judge in Washington and Madison County, which covers our city here.

2:39

And um, I like to come out and introduce myself so you guys get a name and a face.

2:43

Um two-minute blurp about me.

2:45

Some of you I've just met today, some of you have met a month or so ago, some of you I've known 20 years.

2:51

Um, but I've been practicing in Northwest Arkansas for 20 years, lived here for 25, have four children, one of them sitting back there.

2:58

And um I've been a member in this community for that long, and I'm hoping, like I said, in March to become your judge.

3:05

I won't bore you with the rest of my details, but hopefully get out there, try to find out who I am.

3:10

Um I'm on Facebook and Instagram now.

3:14

Uh and I practice every single kind of case that will come in front of that bench, which I think makes me uniquely qualified for you all.

3:20

And like I said, hopefully I'll earn your vote in March.

3:23

Thank you.

3:24

Thank you, Wendy.

3:25

Thank you for being here.

3:26

Anyone else?

3:29

All right.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use███████████████████████████████████35%
Procedural█████████████████████████████29%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████11%
Parks and Recreation███████7%
Public Safety██████6%
Economic Development█████5%
Public Engagement████4%
Public Facilities███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Springdale City Council Regular Meeting – September 10, 2025

The Springdale City Council held its regular meeting on September 10, 2025, addressing a contested rezoning appeal, routine approvals, a proclamation, economic development updates, and multiple finance committee recommendations. All votes were recorded with final tallies.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes – Approved unanimously.
  • Procedural Motions (6A and 6B) – Approved 8-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Wendy Howerton (4057 East Churchill Drive, Fayetteville) introduced herself as a candidate for circuit judge in Washington and Madison County, noting her 20 years of practice in Northwest Arkansas and her qualifications.

Proclamation

  • Mayor Sprouse read a proclamation declaring September 17–23, 2025 as Constitution Week, commemorating the 238th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution. The proclamation was presented to representatives of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Report

  • Jay Sigo reported economic development highlights for Q2 2025: Keetronics grand opening (300,000 sq ft, $28M, 400 new jobs); Central State's manufacturing grand opening ($24M, 140 jobs); 1,800 new jobs created since January; 3% unemployment (second in state); July sales tax receipts of $2.25M (up 7.2% year-to-date); 12 commercial and 94 residential construction permits in Q2. Also noted support for Cargill transition, NWTI programs, and upcoming openings (Big Emma, Premium Brands, Teslar Software, Arkansas Children's/UAMS, VIA, Sundry Hotel).

Planning Commission Appeals and Rezoning

Rezone Appeal – 5.25 Acres on Old Wire Road

  • The planning commission had denied a request to rezone from I-1 and SF-2 to I-2 (heavy industrial); the applicant appealed. Council discussed concerns about I-2 uses near residential areas. Amelia Taldo expressed concern about potential adverse uses (odor, noise, air pollution). Ben Harvey (Brittain Construction) stated the applicant only wanted to operate a soil sifting facility, not heavy manufacturing. Council considered creating a conditional use for Use Unit 26 in I-1 zoning. A motion to table the appeal and refer to planning commission to develop that conditional use passed 8-0.

Rezoning on Levine Avenue (R25-39) – Ordinance Adoption

  • The council adopted an ordinance rezoning 5.62 acres at 4617 Levine Ave from agricultural to MF-4 (medium density multifamily) with a planned buffer, following a prior appeal. Vote 7-1 in favor; emergency clause adopted 8-0.

Replat – Westfield Subdivision Phase One (RP25-10)

  • Approved a replat consolidating two lots into one 1.32-acre lot on Elm Springs Road. Unanimous 8-0.

Food Truck Conditional Use – Ray Dub Soul Food (C2510)

  • Approved a conditional use for a food truck at 4407 South Thompson St, replacing a previous vendor. Discussion addressed signage (temporary only) and distance requirements. Vote 7-1.

Finance Committee Recommendations

11A – Settlement of Condemnation (Thelma Greg)

  • Resolution authorizing settlement on severance damages. Approved 8-0.

11B – Recording Software for Police Department

  • Purchase using restricted state forfeiture account. Approved 8-0.

11C – Radios for Police Department

  • Purchase using restricted state forfeiture account, waiving competitive bidding. Approved 8-0.

11D – Grant from DFA Project Safe Neighborhoods

  • Resolution accepting grant and amending 2025 budget. Approved 8-0.

11E – Pool Floats for Aquatic Center

  • Purchase of new pool floats. Approved 8-0.

11F – Mowers and Trailer for Parks

  • Purchase of two mowers and a trailer for parks department, needed for Shaw Park maintenance and replacement. Approved 8-0.

11G – Engineering Contract for Intersection Improvements (Bacchus Ave & Pleasant St)

  • Resolution authorizing contract for design of intersection improvements (signal or roundabout) to address congestion from Georgia's Inc. plant. Funded by 2023 bond program. Discussion included need, cost (~$1.5M), and alignment with grid system. Approved 7-1.

Other Business

Cleanup Lien Ordinance (1160 Bow Lane)

  • Ordinance authorizing filing a lien for removal of overgrown brush and debris in Bethel Heights area. Approved 8-0 with emergency clause.

Key Outcomes

  • The Old Wire Road rezoning appeal was tabled and referred to planning commission to create a conditional use for soil sifting in I-1 zoning.
  • The Levine Avenue rezoning was adopted (7-1).
  • All finance committee item resolutions were approved (11A-11F unanimously, 11G 7-1).
  • The food truck conditional use and replat were approved.
  • Council scheduled a committee meeting for the following week.

Meeting Transcript

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we just thank you for not only the weather today and a great day, but what a great day for Springdale with ribbon cuttings and just all the events going on, Lord. We just we have you to thank. Lord, I thank you for this council and each and everyone here tonight. I just pray that you'll you'll lead us and guide us and give us all the right questions and all the right answers, and everything we do here tonight will glorify you. And it's for the citizens of Springdale and everybody that works here, just continue to make it a better place. And Lord, we have you to thank. In your name we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Mike. All right. I will again uh welcome you here tonight, and we're gonna call this meeting of the regular meeting of the Springdale City Council to order. This is Tuesday, September 9th, 2025. And in our city clerk's absence, I will ask our deputy chief of staff, uh Anna McKinney to call the roll. Anna. Mayor Sprouss. Here. Brian Powell. Here. Amelia Taldo. Here. Jeff Watson. Mike Overton. Here. Mike Lawson. Here. Aaron Huntley. Here. Randall Harriman. Here. Mark Fuserus. Here. And Ernest Kate. Here. All right. Thank you, Anna. And uh we are at item four on the agenda. This is the agenda item that the council sets aside each meeting, each regular meeting, to hear comments from our citizens. If we have if we have residents that are here that would are would like to address the council, uh, please feel free to come to the podium. Uh we ask that you state your name and address and keep your comments brief. And the council won't take action tonight on anything you bring forward during this public comment session. Uh is there anyone that would like to address the council concerning an item that is not on tonight's agenda? My name is Wendy Howerton, and my address is 4057 East Churchill Drive, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72701. And I am just coming to introduce myself to everyone here. Um I am running for judge for circuit judge in Washington and Madison County, which covers our city here. And um, I like to come out and introduce myself so you guys get a name and a face. Um two-minute blurp about me. Some of you I've just met today, some of you have met a month or so ago, some of you I've known 20 years. Um, but I've been practicing in Northwest Arkansas for 20 years, lived here for 25, have four children, one of them sitting back there.

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