Benton public meetings in 2023

Advertising and Promotion Commission

The Benton Advertising & Promotion Commission will meet to review financial reports and discuss city signage. The body is scheduled to hold a second reading and vote regarding funding for Literacy Action of Central Arkansas.

• Vote on funding for Literacy Action of Central Arkansas
• Report on the development of Exit 114 Property
• Discussion of signage for parking
• Financial reports including Profit and Loss and Bank Balances

City Meeting Calendar

The committee is reviewing four proposed property condemnations. Members will also discuss a draft ordinance to amend zoning for mini and self-storage facilities before a current moratorium expires on March 27, 2024.

• Proposed condemnations: 1423 Cedar Street, 305 S. Main Street, 712 Edison Avenue, and 422 W. South Street
• Proposed ordinance to move Mini/Self-Storage to C3 and LI Zones with Conditional Use approval
• Review of mini storage/self storage moratorium expiring March 27, 2024

City Meeting Calendar

The Streets and Drainage Committee is meeting to discuss three specific ordinances. The session will focus on speed cushions, parking restrictions, and street cut procedures.

• Speed Cushions Ordinance
• No Parking Ordinance
• Street Cut Cost & Procedure Ordinance

The committee approved an ordinance for a neighborhood traffic control program and a new formula for street cut permit costs. A proposed no-parking ordinance was tabled following discussion.

• Approved speed cushions ordinance for neighborhood traffic control program
• Tabled No Parking Ordinance
• Approved Street Cut Cost and Procedure formula for permit fees

City Meeting Calendar

The Parks Committee is meeting to discuss ActiveNet fees and city observed holidays. The body will also conduct a review of the annual report.

• ActiveNet fees
• City observed holidays
• Annual report review

The Parks Committee approved a resolution to purchase a hydraulic stage for city events, with Farmers Bank & Trust paying half the cost. The committee also reviewed ActiveNet processing fees and confirmed the Parks Department will observe the same holidays as City Hall.

• Approved resolution to purchase hydraulic stage with $95,037.50 contribution from Farmers Bank & Trust
• Approved October 10, 2023, minutes

City Council Meetings

The Commissions Committee will meet to discuss appointments and zoning changes. The body is reviewing a commissioner appointment for the Public Utilities Commission and two specific property rezoning requests.

• Resolution to ratify Gary Ferrell as a Public Utilities Commission commissioner
• Ordinance to rezone #805-10090-001 from LI Light Industrial to C2 General Commercial
• Ordinance to rezone #800-53856-000 (706 Center Street) and #800-53859-000 from HI Heavy Industrial to R8 Multi Family District

The committee reviewed an informational update regarding a six-month term extension for PUC commissioner Gary Farrell. Two rezoning requests were discussed: one for an assisted living facility near Benton Parkway and another for duplexes at 706 Center St. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.

• Discussed extension of PUC commissioner Gary Farrell's term for six months (informational only)
• Discussed rezoning of parcel 805-100-9000 to C2 for an assisted living facility
• Discussed rezoning of 706 Center St. from high industrial to RA multifamily for duplexes

Planning Commission Meetings

The commission approved several site plans and rezoning requests, including a transition from heavy industrial to multi-family at 706 Center Street. One variance request for Heritage Heights Phase 4 was tabled pending a potential replat. Other approvals included final plats for Spencer’s Crossing and Northshore @ Hurricane Lake Estates.

• Approved lot depth variance for 115 S. First Street (6-1)
• Tabled variance for #34 and #35 @ Heritage Heights Phase 4
• Approved duplex site plan for E. North Street (7-0)
• Approved Express Oil site plan at 2100 Highway 5 (6-1)
• Approved rezone of 706 Center Street from HI to R8 (7-0)
• Approved rezone of parcel #805-10090-001 from LI to C2 (7-0)
• Approved preliminary plat for Preserve @ The Woodlands Phase 3 (7-0)
• Approved final plats for Spencer’s Crossing Phase 1 and Northshore @ Hurricane Lake Estates Phase 6 (7-0)

City Meeting Calendar

The Utility Commission appointed new leadership for 2024 and approved a 90-day extension for the Salem and Southwest wholesale water contracts. The commission also approved the October financial reports and agreed to keep Commission Member Ferrell on the board until a replacement is appointed.

• Approved November 20th meeting minutes (3-0)
• Approved October financials (3-0)
• Appointed Commission Member Johnston as Chairman (3-0)
• Appointed Commission Member Ponder as Vice Chairman (3-0)
• Approved 90-day extension for Salem and Southwest wholesale water contracts (3-0)
• Approved extension of Commission Member Ferrell's term until a new commissioner is appointed or for a maximum of 6 months (3-0)

City Council Meetings

The City Council will discuss several ordinances and resolutions, including land acquisition for road improvements and a conditional use permit for a solar farm. The body is also reviewing budget amendments and city employee pay structures.

• Ordinance 53: Acquisition of land by eminent domain for Congo Road and Shenandoah Road intersection improvements
• Ordinance 52: Conditional use for a solar panel farm at Parcel #805-22300-007
• Resolution 119: $14,100 appropriation for 5 police department radars
• Ordinance 51: Modification of pay structure for General Fund, Street, Animal Control, and Parks employees
• Resolution 115: Condemnation and razing of structure at 1815 Sorrell Road

City Meeting Calendar

The Streets and Drainage Committee is meeting to review project updates and discuss specific traffic and infrastructure issues. The body will consider an ordinance for street and utility maintenance and discuss eminent domain for a roundabout project.

• Eminent domain for Congo/Shenandoah roundabout project
• Ordinance for accepting maintenance of streets, drainage, and utilities for Severn Landing Phase 1
• Dual left turn discussion at Military/Carpenter
• Street cut permit proposal
• Manhole leveling on Military and Edison

The committee approved the minutes from the previous meeting. Taylor Clark provided status updates on numerous active and upcoming infrastructure projects, including drainage studies and road improvements.

• Approved previous meeting minutes (unanimous)

City Council Meetings

The Commissions Committee will receive updates from the PUC, A&P, and P&Z. The meeting includes a discussion on an ordinance regarding a conditional use for a solar panel farm.

• Proposed conditional use ordinance for solar panel farm at Parcel #805-22300-007
• PUC update on downtown water

The Planning commission approved a conditional use request for a solar farm. The committee also received a progress report on downtown water line upgrades funded by ARPA.

• Approved conditional use for solar farm

Animal Control

The Animal Control Committee is meeting to discuss operational changes and service protocols. The agenda focuses on how the department responds to animal calls and citizen complaints.

• Discussion of 24-7 service
• Discussion of responding to all animal calls
• Discussion of Foster Program
• Discussion of video and written statements from citizens regarding animal complaints

Advertising and Promotion Commission

The commission will review financial reports and a delinquency report. Members will discuss funding for Literacy Action of Central Arkansas and receive updates on the Exit 114 property development.

• Funding for Literacy Action of Central Arkansas
• Report on the development of Exit 114 Property
• Report from Benton Event Center
• Profit and Loss and Bank Balances reports

City Meeting Calendar

The Parks Committee approved the minutes from the September 12, 2023 meeting. The committee discussed upcoming bid openings for the Ralph Bunche Park Amphitheater and field work at Riverside and Bernard Holland Park, as well as a request for discounted pickleball event rates.

• Approved September 12, 2023 minutes

Animal Control

The committee reviewed updates regarding the agency's name, newsletter, foster and volunteer programs, and the transition to paperless records. A resident reported a barking dog nuisance at 2312 Fox Trail. No formal votes or decisions were recorded.

City Council Meetings

The committee reviewed a proposal to waive competitive bidding for the repair of two water pumps at the Chenault Reservoir. No formal votes were taken during this meeting; the ordinance will be brought before the council at the next meeting.

City Meeting Calendar

The committee approved the nomination of Ms. Hogue to the Historic District Commission. The board also reviewed 2022 and 2023 condemnation progress and discussed a noise complaint regarding GracePoint church.

• Approved August 15th minutes
• Approved nomination of Ms. Hogue to the Historic District Commission

City Meeting Calendar

The Parks Committee approved the 2024 price sheet, which includes increases of $5 to $10 to offset inflation. The committee also approved contracts for softball, swimming, and tennis, as well as a concessionaire RFQ bid.

• Approved August 15th, 2023 minutes
• Approved Softball Contract
• Approved 2024 Price Sheet with $5 to $10 increases
• Approved Concessionaire RFQ bid from Scott Hill
• Approved BHS Swim Contract
• Approved Tennis Contract for Tyndall Park tennis courts
• Tabled discussion on promotional table at River Center

City Council Meetings

The committee discussed a pending appointment for the Public Utilities Commission and a rezoning request for properties on 1st Street and Pearson. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.

• Discussed PUC commissioner candidate; action item deferred to a future council meeting
• Discussed rezoning of 115 S 1st St, 121 1st St, and 200 Pearson from R5 Multifamily to TC2 Town City zone

City Meeting Calendar

The committee approved the condemnation of four properties and amended the franchise agreement application timeline. The city is also researching the relinquishment of property rights to Hughes Cemetery.

• Approved amendment to Ordinance 64 of 2021 requiring franchise applications be submitted 30 days prior to council meetings
• Approved condemnation of 3012 Edison Avenue
• Approved condemnation of 1921 River Street
• Approved condemnation of 800 S. Summit Road
• Approved condemnation of 218 Jackman Street
• Approved July 11th minutes

City Meeting Calendar

The Parks Committee approved moving forward with a bid for the Ralph Bunche Amphitheater project with a budget not to exceed $350,000. The committee also approved issuing an updated RFP for concessions to increase profit back to 15%.

• Approved June 13th, 2023 minutes
• Approved bidding for Ralph Bunche Amphitheater project (not to exceed $350,000)
• Approved updated RFP for Concessions to increase profit to 15%

City Meeting Calendar

The Streets and Stormwater committee approved a resolution to seek federal grants for engineering a connector street between Military Rd. and the service road. The committee also approved the city's acceptance of streets and drainage for the North Shore Ridge subdivision for maintenance.

• Approved resolution to utilize Federal Transportation Program funds for Military Rd. connector engineering
• Approved ordinance to accept North Shore Ridge streets, utilities, and stormwater drainage for maintenance
• Approved minutes from July 11th meeting

City Council Meetings

The committee reviewed a proposal to purchase wastewater treatment pumps and discussed the ongoing moratorium on mini-storage facilities. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.

• Discussed ordinance to waive competitive bidding for $97,821.41 wastewater pump purchase from JTyler construction LLC
• Discussed potential appointment of Greg Shinn as A&P commissioner
• Discussed potential revocation of licenses for severely delinquent A&P accounts

City Meeting Calendar

The commission approved the final plat for Zion Heights as requested by property owner Amanda Tarver and Hope Consulting. The Streets/Drainage Department confirmed one detention area is sufficient for runoff, and a second area will be used as greenspace.

• Approved Zion Heights Final Plat (6-0)

City Meeting Calendar

The committee approved the nomination of Bret Chumley to the Planning Commission. Members also voted to move forward with a broadband franchise agreement with Hyperfiber and the annexation of 101.5 acres of the Thomas property.

• Approved June 13th minutes
• Moved to council via 5 separate resolutions to approve liens for 413 Hill Street ($2,925), 921 Banner ($4,750), 708 Burton ($5,250), 313 E. North Street ($5,236.50), and 703 Pearl Street ($7,950)
• Approved motion to move forward with Hyperfiber broadband franchise agreement
• Approved motion to pursue annexation of 101.5 acres of the Thomas property
• Approved nomination of Bret Chumley to the Planning Commission

City Meeting Calendar

The Streets/Drainage Committee approved several items to be brought before the City Council, including the acceptance of Salt Creek Estates streets and a bid for a new backhoe. The committee also approved a storm sewer rehabilitation project between Lynnwood and Cedarhurst.

• Approved acceptance of Salt Creek Estates streets and utilities for Council review
• Approved $174,278.13 low bid from J A Riggs Tractor company for a street department backhoe
• Approved low bid for storm sewer rehabilitation project between Lynnwood and Cedarhurst
• Approved June 13th meeting minutes

City Meeting Calendar

The Utility Commissioners approved expenditures for water flow meters and authorized the transfer of utility infrastructure maintenance to a private mobile home park owner. The board also approved the May financials, the 2022 Audit, and a treasury bill reinvestment plan.

• Approved $162,004.52 bid for raw water flow meters (3-0)
• Approved transfer of utility infrastructure maintenance to mobile home park owner Mr. West (3-0)
• Approved May financials (3-0)
• Approved 2022 Audit (3-0)
• Approved reinvestment of matured treasury bills (3-0)
• Approved opening the Commissioner position for another 60 days (3-0)
• Approved June 5th and June 28th meeting minutes (3-0)

Planning Commission Meetings

The commission approved the minutes from June 6 and June 14 meetings. Two requests—a gazebo variance for 6710 Kensington Drive and a final plat for Zion Heights—were tabled for future consideration. Staff announced a schedule of ward-based town hall meetings regarding zoning.

• Approved June 6, 2023 meeting minutes with amendment
• Approved June 14, 2023 special meeting minutes
• Tabled variance for gazebo at 6710 Kensington Drive until August 2023
• Tabled Zion Heights Final Plat (7-0)

City Events

The Planning & Zoning Commission approved a Final Plat for a 4-lot subdivision called Stuart Meadows. The property is located outside Benton City Limits with no intention to annex.

• Approved Final Plat for Stuart Meadows 4-lot subdivision (5-0)

City Meeting Calendar

The council approved an updated franchise agreement and ordinance for Pafford Medical Services. Two appointments to the Civil Service Commission were confirmed. Two proposed ordinances regarding annexation and emergency expenditures were tabled.

• Approved franchise agreement and ordinance for Pafford Medical Services
• Approved appointment of Terrell Henson to the Civil Service Commission
• Approved appointment of Judy Pridgen to the Civil Service Commission
• Tabled proposed annexation ordinance
• Tabled proposed ordinance authorizing expenditures during a declared emergency or disaster

City Meeting Calendar

The Parks Committee approved moving forward with negotiations for a mountain bike park and a resolution for the Saline River Greenway Phase 2. The committee also approved applying for an outdoor recreation grant for a bike park playground.

• Approved May 9th, 2023 minutes
• Approved application for outdoor recreation grant for bike park playground
• Approved Saline River Greenway Phase 2 Resolution for $200,000 grant
• Approved moving forward with negotiations for Mountain Bike Park (not to exceed $2 million)

City Council Meetings

The committee met as an information-gathering body to review upcoming items for the city council. No formal decisions or votes were taken during the meeting.

City Events

The Board of Adjustments and Planning Commission approved a lot size variance, a conditional use permit for a cosmetology school, and a zoning change for a gas station. A request for a sign height variance and a residential rezone for a subdivision were not approved.

• Approved lot size variance for 111 E. Pine Street (5-0)
• Denied sign height variance for 1718 Highway 5 (4-0)
• Approved conditional use permit for cosmetology school at 2618 Old Congo Road (4-0)
• Approved rezone from TC2 to C2 for 1229 W. South Street (5-0)
• Denied rezone from R2 to R3 for 711 Shenandoah Road (failed for lack of motion)

City Meeting Calendar

The Utility Commissioners approved the April financial reports and the minutes from the April 17th meeting. The board also scheduled interviews for a commission opening and discussed billing issues with Cycle 1 bills.

• Approved April 17th minutes (3-0)
• Approved April financials (3-0)
• Approved transfer of fees from Highway 5 reimbursement fund to General Fund
• Scheduled interviews for commission opening for Thursday at 5 p.m.

City Meeting Calendar

The committee approved a state-aided street overlay project and three low-bid contracts for equipment and drainage work. The decisions include funding for street paving and the purchase of a slope mower and leaf vacuums.

• Approved State Aid City Street Program resolution for Border, Border Circle, Montclair, and Princeton Streets ($406,975.00 total; $300,000.00 state funded)
• Approved low bid from Jerry Pate Company for a slope mower ($50,138.47)
• Approved low bid from Cleve Addie for leaf vacuums
• Approved low bid from Gene Summers Construction for River/Richards Drainage Project ($533,337.00)
• Approved previous meeting minutes

City Meeting Calendar

The council approved a one-year moratorium on self-storage projects to determine growth parameters and location standards. The body also approved the condemnation of two properties and moved forward with a golf cart usage ordinance.

• Approved condemnation of 2419 Edison and 3001 Primrose Drive
• Approved one-year moratorium on self-storage projects
• Approved motion to put forth ordinance regarding golf cart use on city streets
• Approved February 14th minutes

City Meeting Calendar

The Commission approved January financial reports showing expenditures exceeding revenues by $771,594.33. Members authorized the General Manager and City Attorney to update ordinances regarding shared meters and out-of-city water multipliers.

• Approved February 21st minutes (2-0)
• Approved January financials (2-0)
• Authorized General Manager and City Attorney to update Ordinance 29 of 2022 regarding shared meter language and service charges (3-0)
• Authorized General Manager to work with City Attorney to amend Ordinance 68 of 2005 to include water outside city limits at the 1.75 multiplier (3-0)
• Approved acting in accordance with the Mayor to create a public authority rate for city/utility buildings (3-0)

City Meeting Calendar

The committee approved a state-aided street overlay project and accepted low bids for a drainage project, a slope mower, and leaf vacuums.

• Approved State Aid City Street Program overlay for Border Street, Border Circle, Montclair Street, and Princeton Street for $406,975.00 (motion carried)
• Accepted low bid from Jerry Pate Company for a slope mower in the amount of $50,138.47 (motion carried)
• Approved low bid for leaf vacuums from Cleve Addie (motion carried)
• Accepted low bid from Gene Summers Construction for the River/Richards Drainage Project in the amount of $533,337.00 (motion carried)
• Approved previous meeting minutes (motion carried)

City Meeting Calendar

The Parks Committee approved the purchase of two properties to expand city parkland and connectivity. One acquisition adds land to the Mountain Bike Park, while the other aims to connect Sunset Lake and the Saline River.

• Approved purchase of 3.5 acres north of Mountain Bike Park for $20,000 plus closing costs
• Approved purchase of 8.17 acres from Jim Tucker for $1.6 million
• Approved November 15, 2022, meeting minutes
• Tabled Arkansas CommuniTree Partnership

Animal Control

The committee discussed the possibility of establishing a Trap Neuter Release Program and received an update on the new Animal Control Shelter. No formal votes or decisions were recorded during the meeting.