OpenPublica

Accountability starts with access.

© 2026 · Filed for the public record

Use casesAboutAPIPrivacyTermsLinkedIn
Home/Springdale, Arkansas/City Council Meetings
OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Springdale City Council Meeting – October 28, 2026

City Council Meetings — Wednesday, October 28, 2026
BodySpringdale, Arkansas
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateWednesday, October 28, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:43:17

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Unassigned speaker

0:10

To

Speaker 1

0:10

call the meeting to order before I do that.

0:12

I'll invite you to stand and join me in the pledge, and then I'll bring the invocation.

Unassigned speaker

0:31

Dear

Speaker 1

0:32

Heavenly Father, we thank you for this evening.

0:34

Thank you for

Unassigned speaker

0:34

the

Speaker 1

0:35

opportunities you give us to serve.

0:37

Thank you for these residents who are here tonight.

0:40

God, I just ask that between this council and our staff and any that questions that need to be answered or discussions that need to be had.

0:49

God, we're just giving it to you.

0:50

We trust you and ask that they be productive and that you uh lead us in the way that you want us to

Unassigned speaker

0:55

go.

Speaker 1

0:56

Again, we thank you for this privilege to serve our city, and we ask you to bless this time now in Jesus' name.

1:01

Amen.

Unassigned speaker

1:06

All

Speaker 1

1:06

right.

1:06

I'd like to again welcome every everyone to tonight's regular meeting of the Springdale City Council.

1:10

This is Tuesday, October 27th, 2026.

1:14

And I'll call the meeting to order and then uh we'll start things off with a roll call and city clerk Saber Jeffers.

Speaker 2

1:21

Mayor Sprouse here, Brian Powell

Speaker 1

1:23

here,

Speaker 2

1:23

Emilia Taldo, Jeff Watson, Mike Overton, Mike Lawson, here, Rex Bailey, Randall Herriman

Unassigned speaker

1:32

here,

Speaker 2

1:33

Mark Fujirus, City Attorney Garrett Hartland.

Speaker 1

1:36

Here.

1:37

All right.

1:38

Thank you, Saber.

1:39

We do have a quorum.

1:40

And uh we'll move on to item four, which is comments from our citizens.

1:45

If we have residents that would like

Unassigned speaker

1:46

to

Speaker 1

1:47

comment tonight, uh this is a time that the council always sets aside to hear comments concerning items that are not already on tonight's agenda.

1:55

Uh so I would invite you if uh if if you would like

Unassigned speaker

1:59

to

Speaker 1

1:59

make comment, please come up to the podium, clearly state your name and address, and we'll have a three minute clock, so keep your comments within three minutes and uh and then understand that the council won't be taking action tonight on whatever you bring forward tonight.

2:13

Is there anyone that would like to address the council concerning an item that's not already on the agenda?

2:19

All right.

2:20

Seeing none, we'll move on to item five, the approval of minutes.

Unassigned speaker

2:23

Uh

Speaker 1

2:23

council, you've had an opportunity to look those over.

2:25

If there are no changes or additions, I'd entertain a motion to approve them as presented.

2:29

So move.

2:30

Second.

2:31

We have a motion and a second to uh to approve the minutes.

2:36

Uh all those in favor, please say aye.

2:38

All opposed, same sign.

2:40

Thank you.

2:41

Item six, procedural motions.

2:42

What's your pleasure, Council?

Speaker 3

2:43

A and B.

2:44

Second.

Speaker 1

2:45

Motion and second for A and B.

2:48

I'll call for the

Unassigned speaker

2:49

vote.

Speaker 1

2:58

That's the six zero.

3:00

Thank you.

3:02

And we're to item seven, Springdale Chamber of Commerce quarterly report.

3:06

Welcome.

Anna Bagwell · Speaker 4Inferred

3:08

Hi, good evening.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use███████████████████████████████████████39%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████19%
Public Safety████████████12%
Economic Development███████████11%
Code Enforcement████4%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Pending Litigation███3%
Budget Equity Analysis███3%
Technology and Innovation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Springdale City Council Meeting – October 28, 2026

This meeting of the Springdale City Council covered routine approvals, a chamber of commerce economic report, several planning and zoning matters (including rezoning, plats, waivers, and a conditional use permit), finance committee actions (including a settlement, a construction contract, a budget amendment for fire department overtime, and technology purchases), a parks fencing project, and two cleanup liens. The meeting also featured the mayor's remarks encouraging support for Issue 3, a statewide economic development incentive. Note: The transcript dates the meeting as October 27, 2026, but the provided metadata indicates October 28, 2026. This summary uses the metadata date.

Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Report

  • Anna Bagwell reported on third-quarter 2026 economic development: Springdale employment reached nearly 45,000 (up ~2,000 jobs year‑to‑date), unemployment at 2.7% (1% below the state rate). The chamber conducted over 40 business retention/expansion visits, is working with Tyson Foods through the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and encouraged a "yes" vote on Issue 3. Notable openings: Jones Prep Academy (K–8 alternative school, first in state), Arkansas Children's Northwest expansion (opened Oct 7), downtown businesses (In Bloom, stationary shop, indoor plant studio, pay‑what‑you‑can bookstore), Panda Express (opened Oct 23 on Thompson). Sundry Hotel construction continues, targeting January 2027 opening.

Committee of the Whole – Demolition Ordinance

  • Ordinance ordering demolition/removal of unsafe structure at 5382 Elm Springs Road. The owner (unable to attend) agreed; lacked funds to remediate. Passed 6–0 with emergency clause.

Planning Commission Recommendations

Rezoning & Replats

  • 9A (Rezone R26-42): 1650 Albright Road, A1 to SF2 (lot split created non‑conforming parcel). Planning commission unanimously recommended. Passed 6–0 with emergency.
  • 9B (Replat RP26-12): Clear Creek Acres, lot 38 split into 38A & 38B. Passed 6–0 with emergency.
  • 9C (Rezone R26-43): 838 & 836 N 48th Street, C2 to C3 (to allow drive‑thru for a 7 Brew; strip of C2 was an anomaly). No emergency clause. Passed 6–0.
  • 9D (Form‑Based Code Amendment FB2615): Jones Center property, NC1 to NC2 to allow more residential flexibility. Adjacent property owner expressed concerns; Jones Center agreed to work with her. Passed 6–0 with emergency.

RASAE Investments – Lot Split & Waiver (9F & 9E)

  • 9F (Final Plat FP26-09): Final plat for lot split at RASAE Investments, N 48th Street. After procedural discussion, council voted on plat first. Passed 6–0 with emergency.
  • 9E (Waiver W26-42): Waiver of street improvements along N 48th Street. Applicant argued the split created no impact ("imaginary line") and full improvements would cost >$100,000. Council debated payment‑in‑lieu or bill of assurance. Motion to grant waiver (Option 1) passed 6–0.

Conditional Use & Waivers

  • 9G (Conditional Use C26-07): Sabor Del Campo food truck at 2246 E Robinson Ave. Conditions included hours (7am–10pm), parking, health certificate, trash, etc. Planning unanimously approved. Passed 6–0.
  • 9H (Waiver W26-39): Robinson Trailer Sales on E Robinson Ave – waiver for 10‑ft sidewalk, allowed 8‑ft tapering to 5‑ft. Passed 6–0.
  • 9I (Waiver W26-40): Hank's Fine Furniture on Mary Francis Lane – waiver for street improvements on southern portion (similar to UAMS waiver). Passed 6–0.
  • 9J (Waiver W26-44): Iglesia Crusto Miel on N 48th Street – waiver of all street improvements for a small church (30 members). Planning recommended denial. Initial motion to deny (Option 2) failed (4 in favor, not enough? unclear). Council then approved a payment‑in‑lieu alternative. Passed.
  • 9K (Waiver W26-46): Ministerio Restaurata Mana on E Huntsville Ave – waiver to keep existing 5‑ft sidewalk instead of upgrading to 10‑ft; street already built. Passed 5–1.

Finance Committee

  • 10A (Settlement): Authorized settlement of Martinez v. Jacobs for $50,000 (city pays $5,000; municipal league pays $45,000). Passed 6–0.
  • 10B (Construction Management Agreement): Authorized agreement with CDI Contractors for interior renovation of B. Lee Johnson American Legion Post 139. Guaranteed maximum price to be presented later. Passed 6–0.
  • 10C (Fire Overtime Budget Amendment): Added $600,000 to the 2026 fire department overtime budget. Chief Holt explained drivers: full staffing (no salary savings), high FMLA and military leave usage, minimum staffing requirements. Council discussed future mitigation (e.g., hiring floaters). Passed 6–0.
  • 10D (Payroll Bank Account): Authorized city clerk to establish separate payroll bank account. Passed 6–0.
  • 10E (Police MDT Purchase): Authorized purchase of Get Tech Mobile Data Terminals for police, using previously appropriated funds (Resolution 149-26). Passed 6–0.
  • 10F (Property Acquisition Settlement): Tabled to next meeting at the request of the property owner's attorney.

Parks and Recreation Committee

  • Fencing at Bobby Hopper Park: Authorized agreement with Thomas Fence for new fencing, using park set‑aside funds (~$587,000 available). Fencing will help maintain fields; future sod and artificial turf considered. Passed 6–0.

Ordinances

  • Cleanup Liens: Authorized liens for overgrown brush/debris removal at 610 N Kansas St and 836 J Lane. Property owners failed to abate after notice. Passed 6–0 with emergency.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments on non‑agenda items.
  • During planning items, several speakers addressed the council: Will Kelstrom (for RASAE Investments) argued against street improvement requirement; George Came (engineer for Iglesia Crusto Miel) requested relief for the small church; and a representative for the church spoke in favor of the waiver.

Key Outcomes

  • All consent items (minutes, procedural motions) approved unanimously.
  • All planning items except 9K (passed 5–1) and the initial waiver denial on 9J were approved; 9J approved via payment‑in‑lieu.
  • Finance items 10A–10E approved 6–0; 10F tabled.
  • Parks fencing and cleanup liens approved 6–0.
  • Council will hold a budget meeting on Friday, October 30, 2026 at 8:30 AM.
  • Mayor encouraged support for Issue 3, emphasizing its importance for attracting large regional developments to Springdale.

Meeting Transcript

To call the meeting to order before I do that. I'll invite you to stand and join me in the pledge, and then I'll bring the invocation. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this evening. Thank you for the opportunities you give us to serve. Thank you for these residents who are here tonight. God, I just ask that between this council and our staff and any that questions that need to be answered or discussions that need to be had. God, we're just giving it to you. We trust you and ask that they be productive and that you uh lead us in the way that you want us to go. Again, we thank you for this privilege to serve our city, and we ask you to bless this time now in Jesus' name. Amen. All right. I'd like to again welcome every everyone to tonight's regular meeting of the Springdale City Council. This is Tuesday, October 27th, 2026. And I'll call the meeting to order and then uh we'll start things off with a roll call and city clerk Saber Jeffers. Mayor Sprouse here, Brian Powell here, Emilia Taldo, Jeff Watson, Mike Overton, Mike Lawson, here, Rex Bailey, Randall Herriman here, Mark Fujirus, City Attorney Garrett Hartland. Here. All right. Thank you, Saber. We do have a quorum. And uh we'll move on to item four, which is comments from our citizens. If we have residents that would like to comment tonight, uh this is a time that the council always sets aside to hear comments concerning items that are not already on tonight's agenda. Uh so I would invite you if uh if if you would like to make comment, please come up to the podium, clearly state your name and address, and we'll have a three minute clock, so keep your comments within three minutes and uh and then understand that the council won't be taking action tonight on whatever you bring forward tonight. Is there anyone that would like to address the council concerning an item that's not already on the agenda? All right. Seeing none, we'll move on to item five, the approval of minutes. Uh council, you've had an opportunity to look those over. If there are no changes or additions, I'd entertain a motion to approve them as presented. So move. Second. We have a motion and a second to uh to approve the minutes. Uh all those in favor, please say aye. All opposed, same sign. Thank you. Item six, procedural motions. What's your pleasure, Council?

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com