Springdale City Council Regular Meeting – January 14, 2026

Note: The transcript of the meeting states the date as Tuesday, January 13, 2026, but the provided metadata indicates the meeting took place on 2026-01-14. This summary uses the metadata date.

The Springdale City Council met for a regular session on January 14, 2026, with Mayor Sprouse presiding. All council members were present, constituting a quorum. The meeting included public comments, unanimous approval of the consent agenda, several ordinances and resolutions, and reports from committees. All votes were unanimous (6-0) unless otherwise noted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kristen Pollock (candidate for judge, Washington and Madison County Division 2) introduced herself, noting her 27 years of legal experience, trial work in both counties, and emphasized the nonpartisan nature of the March 3 election. She expressed a desire to serve on the bench.
• Debbie Leahy (resident of North Pleasant, Springdale) addressed the council regarding a long-standing issue with a neighboring business that installed a gravel road, causing flooding on her property. She stated that after raising the issue at a previous meeting, two detectives visited her home threatening criminal charges, which she believed was retaliation. She asked the council to address the situation.
• Maria Leahy (Debbie’s daughter) defended her mother, stating that all photographs taken were to document the flooding as the city had advised, and that the complaint against her mother was unfounded. She requested the council hear her mother’s concerns.
• The city attorney clarified that the detective visit was in response to a harassment complaint filed by a neighbor, not by city officials. The mayor stated he was unaware of the specifics of the complaint.

Discussion Items

• Consent Calendar / Approval of Minutes – The council approved the minutes of the previous meeting without objection.
• Ordinance Vacating Storm Drainage Easement (Item 12) – A public hearing was held, and the ordinance was approved to vacate a drainage easement on property owned by Cargo Meat Solutions (formerly Cargill). The emergency clause was also adopted.
• Procedural Motions (Item 7) – Two procedural motions were approved unanimously.
• Appointments (Item 8) – A resolution reappointing Mark Cloud and Chris Hussein to the Springdale Planning Commission was approved. Both expressed willingness to continue serving.
• Annexation Loophole (Item 9) – An ordinance closing a jurisdictional gap on a highway section between two annexed properties was approved to clarify first responder authority.
• Finance Committee Items (Item 10):
  • 10A: Resolution authorizing submission of an EDA FY25 Disaster Supplemental Grant application (up to $14,337,000, with a 20% city match of $2,867,400). The word “draft” was removed from the title. Approved.
  • 10B: Professional services agreement for construction phase services on Gene George Boulevard South Extension Phase 2 (not to exceed $276,225). Approved.
  • 10C: Partnership with Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) for intersection improvements. The city will take over maintenance of Highway 71B from Sunset Avenue to Wagon Wheel Road (17.5 lane miles, ~2% of city road network) in exchange for $25 million (plus 50% of overages) toward improvements at the intersections of Don Tyson Parkway/Highway 71, Don Tyson Parkway/Highway 265, and Sunset Avenue/Highway 71. The road was recently overlaid and is expected to require no asphalt work for 18–20 years; the $25 million equates to roughly 120 years of maintenance. Benefits include increased pedestrian access and local control. Approved.
  • 10D: Professional services agreement for construction phase services on Don Tyson Parkway Extension (Gene George Blvd to Highway 112, 18-month project, not to exceed $264,100). Approved.
  • 10E: Resolution authorizing changes to the city’s 401(a) retirement plan and 457(b) deferred compensation plan, switching from Voya Financial to Empower for better customer service, while retaining RVST as third-party administrator. Approved.
  • 10F: Budget amendment for Animal Services – accepting an insurance check for hail damage to ACO vehicles and expending funds for repairs. Approved.
  • 10G: Additional funds ($10,000) for easement acquisition on property from the Randy and Batina Coger Revocable Trust for the Sunset Avenue Extension and Powell Street Improvement Project (project 23BPS6). Approved.
• Police and Fire Committee (Item 11): Resolution authorizing purchase of AV equipment for Fire Station 4 (which will also serve as a regional training facility) using $11,215.35 from a $750,000 state grant. Remaining grant funds after this purchase: $405,760.74, which must be spent by year-end. Approved.
• Cleanup Lien Ordinance (Item 13): Ordinance authorizing the city clerk to file cleanup liens for removal of overgrown brush and debris on properties at 902 North Kansas, 2403 Tony, and a parcel on Westwood. Approved.

Key Outcomes

• All resolutions and ordinances were approved unanimously (6-0).
• The city will submit an EDA grant application and commit $2.87 million in matching funds, with plans to seek other funding sources.
• The city will assume maintenance of 17.5 lane miles of Highway 71B, receiving $25 million in state contributions for intersection improvements at three major intersections.
• The Planning Commission reappointments were confirmed.
• The city attorney noted that a cleanup of land across from Bluff Cemetery (gifted to the city) is nearly complete, and the library expansion project has received its certificate of occupancy and is operational.
• The meeting adjourned after brief council and department head remarks.