Springdale City Council Regular Meeting - February 11, 2026

The Springdale City Council held its regular meeting on February 11, 2026, with all seven council members present. The meeting covered appointments, property acquisitions, a contested median break, budget amendments for the city attorney transition, a BUILD grant application, trail lighting, a new ambulance, and an increase in ambulance fee set-aside. All votes were unanimous (7-0) unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
• Procedural Motions: Items A and B were approved.
• Public Facilities Board Reappointment: A resolution reappointing a member was approved.
• Library Board Appointment: Mandy French was appointed to the Springdale Library Board.
• Planning Commission – Sandy Heights Replat: An ordinance accepting the replat of Sandy Heights Edition, Lots 14 and 15, was approved with an emergency clause.

Discussion Items

Harbor Avenue Median Break

• Council considered a resolution overturning the Traffic Committee’s decision denying a median break on Harbor Avenue for a new subdivision. Two options were presented: 1) deny the appeal, or 2) allow the break with the developer paying all engineering and construction costs. Councilmember Brian Powell raised concerns about sight distance standards and the road’s design speed (45 mph, posted at 30 mph). City Engineer Ben clarified the design would be reviewed against the “green book” standards and that if unsafe, the matter could return to council. The motion was amended to require design approval by the city’s engineering department. Option 2 was adopted unanimously.

Albright Road Extension – Property Acquisition

• Councilmember Mike Overton inquired about the total number of properties to be acquired for the Albright Road extension (Butterfield Coach Road to Hilton Road). City Attorney Ernest Kate stated there would be approximately eight to eleven parcels, including a full taking of a residence. The resolution authorizing expenditure of funds to acquire property from the Roger and Anna Wade Trust was approved.

City Attorney Transition

• City Attorney Ernest Kate announced his retirement at the end of April 2026. A resolution creating a new position in the city attorney’s office (with a $26,900 budget impact) to allow a successor to be hired early for transition was approved. Subsequently, a resolution appointing Garrett Harlan as City Attorney effective May 1, 2026, was also approved. Kate thanked the council for supporting continuity.

Ambulance Fee Set-Aside Increase

• Fire Chief Blake presented an ordinance increasing the percentage of collected ambulance revenues allocated to a restricted fund from 10% to 15% to keep pace with rising ambulance costs. The ordinance was approved with an emergency clause.

Other Committee Reports (all approved unanimously)

• Finance Committee:
  • Settlement of condemnation lawsuit (Brad Smith and Christy Smith) for Don Tyson Parkway extension – $870,935 settlement approved.
  • Matching funds for a BUILD grant application (tunnel designs under Highway 71 and Highway 265, and trail extension) – $625,000 grant with $125,000 match from street fund approved.
  • Purchase of solar lighting for JB Hunt Park Trail (Cimarron Trail) from FLT for $47,160, waiving competitive bidding – approved.
• Police and Fire Committee: Purchase of a new ambulance for the Springdale Fire Department, waiving competitive bidding – approved.
• Ordinance Committee: Amendment to Section 38-60 increasing ambulance fee set-aside to 15% – approved with emergency clause.

Key Outcomes

• All resolutions and ordinances listed above were approved by a vote of 7-0.
• The median break on Harbor Avenue was approved under Option 2 (developer pays, subject to engineering review).
• Garrett Harlan was appointed City Attorney effective May 1, 2026.
• The ambulance fee set-aside was increased to 15%.