OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Springdale City Council Regular Meeting – February 25, 2026

City Council Meetings — Wednesday, February 25, 2026
BodySpringdale, Arkansas
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateWednesday, February 25, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 59:57

Transcript — Verbatim
0:10

Good evening, everyone.

0:11

We're just about to call the meeting to order.

0:13

And before we do, I'd invite you to stand and join me in the pledge, and then Councilman Mike Overton will bring the invocation.

0:37

Let us pray.

0:38

God, thank you for another beautiful day.

0:40

Thank you for the multiple blessings that you bestow upon us every day.

0:45

Be with us now in our deliberations as we strive to be considerate of all concerned.

0:51

In Jesus' name.

0:53

Amen.

0:56

Thank you, Mike.

0:58

And it is a beautiful day, isn't it, in Springdale.

1:00

So thank you again for being here this evening.

1:04

And we'll start.

1:05

I will call the meeting to order.

1:06

This is a regular meeting of the Springdale City Council, Tuesday, February 24th, 2026.

1:12

And our first order of business will be for our uh city clerk, Saber Jeffers to call the roll.

1:19

Mayor Sprouse.

1:20

Here.

1:20

Brian Powell.

1:21

Here.

1:21

Amelia Taldo.

1:22

Jeff Watson.

1:24

Mike Overton.

1:25

Here.

1:25

Mike Lawson.

1:26

Here.

1:26

Aaron Huntley.

1:28

Randall Herriman.

1:29

Here.

1:30

Mark Fujirus.

1:31

Here.

1:31

Ernest Kate.

1:32

Here.

1:33

All right.

1:34

Thank you.

1:34

We are almost full.

1:37

Councilman Huntley contacted us just a few minutes ago and he's run about just a few minutes late, so he'll be joining us shortly.

1:46

Item four is the agenda item the council sets aside for each regular meeting that uh allows time for comments from our residents.

1:55

If we have if we have residents that would like to address the counsel concerning an item that is not already on tonight's agenda, then you're welcome to come to the microphone.

2:03

Please clearly state your name and address, and we ask that you keep your comments to no more than three minutes.

2:09

Uh and and the council won't take action on anything that you bring forward tonight.

2:13

So is there anyone that would like to address the counsel concerning an item that is not already on the agenda tonight?

2:20

All right.

2:21

Oh, yes, sir.

2:21

Come on up, Seth.

2:24

Absolutely.

2:26

Mayor, City Council members, thank you for this opportunity to speak with you tonight.

2:30

My name is Seth Creed, and I'm running for Circuit Court Judge Division 2.

2:34

And I'm gonna visit with you all tonight about two things.

2:36

First, I'm gonna tell you about who I am as a person, and then I'll talk to you about my legal background.

2:41

First, who I am as a person.

2:43

I tell people I'm a value-driven man, and I have three core values that form the bedrock of my foundation.

2:49

One, I'm a Christian.

2:50

Being a Christian means that I have a moral compass.

2:56

But more importantly, as it relates to this position, it gives me a backbone to do what is right no matter what.

3:02

Two, I'm a family man.

3:03

My wife and I have three young children, and we live by a motto on our refrigerator door that reads our mark on this earth is our children.

3:11

And it is a daily reminder to me that real life is not about my ego or my legacy, it's about our next generation.

3:18

Three, I believe in hard work.

3:20

When I was 10 years old, my father lost his job in a machine shop and immediately went to work in opening up his own machine shop in our red bar and out back.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use██████████████████████████26%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████████20%
Procedural█████████████████17%
Water And Wastewater Management██████████████14%
Active Transportation████████8%
Fiscal Sustainability███████7%
Pending Litigation███3%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Code Enforcement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Springdale City Council Regular Meeting Summary – February 25, 2026

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting was held on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, but the supplied timestamp is 2026-02-25 20:29:09 UTC. This summary uses the given date and notes the discrepancy.

The Springdale City Council held a regular meeting on February 25, 2026, addressing zoning changes, property acquisitions, utility rate adjustments, and community projects. The meeting included public comments from judicial candidates, multiple rezoning approvals, and decisions on street improvement waivers.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Seth Creed (candidate for Circuit Court Judge Division 2) spoke about his values (Christian faith, family, hard work) and legal background as a career public servant with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, emphasizing his civil and criminal jury trial experience.
  • Wendy Howerton (candidate for Circuit Judge in Washington Madison County) highlighted her 20 years of practice, civil jury trial experience, and role on the professional conduct committee. She noted that this bench handles 15% family law docket, no criminal cases, and never federal matters.

Discussion Items

Zoning and Planning (Item 9 – Planning Commission Report)

  • Residential Rezone off Mountain Road: Rezoned parcels from agricultural to low-medium density single-family residential (approved 8-0 with emergency clause).
  • Brentwood Village PUD Revision: Revised planned unit development to include a monument sign and dedication of floodplain area to the city for conservation/stormwater management as part of a CPRG grant. Phase 3 preliminary plat (townhome style) was approved by planning commission. (Approved 7-1 with emergency clause.)
  • Oak Grove Road Rezone: Rezoned undeveloped land to general commercial for additional parking for a nearby computer group office (approved 8-0 with emergency clause).
  • Correction of Legal Description: Corrected an error in Ordinance 6147 regarding a prior rezoning (approved 8-0 with emergency clause).
  • Conditional Use – Artistic Home Occupation: Approved conditional use for Madame Artensaw at 1700 Ridge Crest Street (online art sales, no customer traffic). Conditions include no alteration to exterior, no inventory beyond 10% of accessory floor area, and no separate entrance. (Approved 8-0.)
  • Waiver of Street Improvements – United Auto Group: Approved waiver for street improvements (sidewalks, curbs, gutters, lights) on Thompson Road with option 3 (payment in lieu). City plans to add sidewalk to the north property line as part of future road project. (Approved 8-0.)
  • Waiver for Fellowship Bible Church: Approved waiver with option 1 (no improvements required) because existing sidewalks and bike lanes are adequate. (Approved 8-0.)
  • Waiver for Larry Stucco on 412 East: Approved waiver with option 1 (no upgrade to 10-foot sidewalk) despite proximity to a future tunnel for the greenway. Council expressed interest in filling sidewalk gaps in the area. (Approved 8-0, 7-1 on emergency clause? Actually voice vote: 7-1 for option one? Transcript says "Carries 371 option one" unclear but passed.)

Finance Committee (Item 10)

  • Sunset Avenue Extension Property Acquisitions:
    1. Resolution to purchase easement from Edgar Hernandez and Afonso Hernandez for an additional $3,000 (approved 8-0).
    2. Resolution to purchase property from Fort Worth Partners LLC for $102,000 (city estimate $85,000; owner appraisal $113,267; negotiated down $17,764). Approved 7-1. Discussion about driveway access and future development.

Ordinance Committee (Item 11)

  • Water Rate Freeze for Seniors 65+: Ordinance amending Ordinance 6022 freezes the minimum water rate ($14.80/month) for seniors inside city limits at 2025 levels, preventing the October 2026 increase. Senior trash rate recipients automatically qualify. (Approved 6-2.)
  • Sanitary Sewer Rate Freeze for Seniors 65+: Corresponding ordinance to freeze sewer rates for seniors. (Approved 6-2.)

Parks & Recreation (Item 12)

  • Naming of Trail: Resolution adopted naming the trail from Lake Springdale Trailhead to AGFC Nature Center as "Spring Creek Trail." (Approved 8-0.)

Other Items (Items 5-8, 13)

  • Approval of Minutes: Minutes from prior meeting approved (voice vote).
  • Public Hearing on Sewer Rates: No public comments; hearing closed.
  • Procedural Motions: Items A and B approved (8-0).
  • Appointments:
    • Eddie Chancellor reappointed to Springdale Water & Sewer Commission (7-1).
    • Matthew Philpot appointed to Springdale Planning Commission (7-1).
  • Resolution Setting Hearing Date: Public hearing set for March 24, 2026 on petition to abandon a portion of utility easement (approved 8-0).

Key Outcomes

  • All zoning and waiver items passed; emergency clauses approved for most rezoning.
  • Water and sewer rate freeze for seniors passed 6-2.
  • Property acquisitions for Sunset Avenue extension approved (one with minor opposition).
  • Council discussed tracking "payment in lieu" funds; financial update promised.
  • Staff reported:
    • Closure of 56th Street from Bob Mills Road to County Line Road for 48-inch water line installation through April 2027; gravel bypass provided.
    • Award of $5 million Safe Streets for All grant for Dean’s Trail from Don Tyson Parkway to Lake Fayetteville; grant agreement pending.
  • Meeting adjourned after council and department head comments.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. We're just about to call the meeting to order. And before we do, I'd invite you to stand and join me in the pledge, and then Councilman Mike Overton will bring the invocation. Let us pray. God, thank you for another beautiful day. Thank you for the multiple blessings that you bestow upon us every day. Be with us now in our deliberations as we strive to be considerate of all concerned. In Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you, Mike. And it is a beautiful day, isn't it, in Springdale. So thank you again for being here this evening. And we'll start. I will call the meeting to order. This is a regular meeting of the Springdale City Council, Tuesday, February 24th, 2026. And our first order of business will be for our uh city clerk, Saber Jeffers to call the roll. Mayor Sprouse. Here. Brian Powell. Here. Amelia Taldo. Jeff Watson. Mike Overton. Here. Mike Lawson. Here. Aaron Huntley. Randall Herriman. Here. Mark Fujirus. Here. Ernest Kate. Here. All right. Thank you. We are almost full. Councilman Huntley contacted us just a few minutes ago and he's run about just a few minutes late, so he'll be joining us shortly. Item four is the agenda item the council sets aside for each regular meeting that uh allows time for comments from our residents. If we have if we have residents that would like to address the counsel concerning an item that is not already on tonight's agenda, then you're welcome to come to the microphone. Please clearly state your name and address, and we ask that you keep your comments to no more than three minutes. Uh and and the council won't take action on anything that you bring forward tonight. So is there anyone that would like to address the counsel concerning an item that is not already on the agenda tonight? All right. Oh, yes, sir. Come on up, Seth. Absolutely. Mayor, City Council members, thank you for this opportunity to speak with you tonight. My name is Seth Creed, and I'm running for Circuit Court Judge Division 2. And I'm gonna visit with you all tonight about two things. First, I'm gonna tell you about who I am as a person, and then I'll talk to you about my legal background.

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