Springdale City Council Meeting - May 12, 2026

The Springdale City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM local time (20:35 UTC). The meeting was called to order by Mayor Sprouse after the pledge and invocation. All council members were present. The council approved the consent agenda items (minutes and procedural motions) unanimously.

Planning Commission Report and Recommendations

Sharon Tromberg, Director of Planning and Community Development, presented four items from the Planning Commission. She noted two corrections: the title of item B should refer to Ingram Street (not Schmeeting Avenue), and item C involves two single-family homes (not one). All items were approved 7-0.

• Item A (Ordinance accepting replat RP 26-05): Combined two commercial lots into one (1.34 acres on Hale Lane) in Hammett EOF Business Center. Planning Commission approved 8-0 with no public comment. The council adopted the ordinance and the emergency clause (7-0).
• Item B (Resolution approving waiver W2610): A waiver of street improvements for 200 feet of a 900-foot frontage on Ingram Street in connection with a non-large scale development (1,200 sq ft office addition to an existing 6,000 sq ft commercial building). The applicant agreed to all improvements in the improved zone. Planning Commission passed 9-0. The council approved the resolution (7-0).
• Item C (Resolution approving waiver W2619): A sidewalk waiver for two single-family dwellings at 323 Cottle Avenue downtown. The planning commission recommended a 5-foot sidewalk with a 6-foot green space, but the city engineer may allow modifications for transitioning to existing sidewalks. Ken Hall, representing the applicant Campus Edge, requested discretion to adjust the green space width near the property edge to tie into the neighbor's existing sidewalk. The council approved the resolution (7-0) with understanding that engineering can work out the transition.
• Item D (Resolution approving waiver W2620): A sidewalk waiver for a single-family dwelling at 3440 Arkansas Highway 112, citing ongoing ARDOT improvements to the highway. Planning Commission recommended approval. The council approved (7-0).

Finance Committee and Recommendations

Councilman Jeff Watson presented three items from the Finance Committee, all recommended for approval and passed 7-0.

• Item 8A (Resolution authorizing property acquisition from Gerardo and Irma Garcia): For the Sunset Avenue Extension and Powell Street Improvement Project (project 23BPS6). The city's estimate was $218,100; the landowners' expert appraised the loss at $56,000 higher. After negotiation, the city agreed to $235,835 (a difference of $17,735, or about $3,300 per parking spot due to conversion of eight private spots to public). Approved 7-0.
• Item 8B (Resolution authorizing property acquisition from Morelli Investments LLC): For the same Sunset Avenue project, adjacent parcel with identical compensation issue. The city negotiated the counteroffer down by 50% from the experts' initial demand. Approved 7-0.
• Item 8C (Resolution creating temporary deputy director of animal services): Due to the resignation of Courtney (effective June 1, 2026), a temporary position was created for a few weeks to train a new director. Maximum budget impact $3,908. The position will be eliminated June 1, 2026. Approved 7-0.

Other Business

• Councilman Randall Herman clarified that the approved options for items B and D were the Planning Commission's recommended option one. For item C, the modified recommendation (5-foot sidewalk with green space) was approved.
• Councilman Brian Powell formally announced his candidacy for reelection for Ward 2, Position 1.

Key Outcomes

• All four Planning Commission items (A, B, C, D) were approved unanimously (7-0) with the noted corrections and modifications.
• All three Finance Committee items (8A, 8B, 8C) were approved unanimously (7-0).
• The council will announce Courtney's replacement for Animal Services within the next week.
• Meeting adjourned without further business.