Agenda Highlights 3/3/26
At the Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting to be held 3-3-26, the Board will vote on whether to accept a modification agreement to the consent decree. Major changes in the modification include
an 11.5 year extension of the deadline to fulfill the consent decree requirements. The deadline would go from 1-1-27 to 6-30-38.
instead of requirements to fix specific numbers of sewer lines and manholes each year it would require a specific average over 3 years
required rate increases in years 2030 and beyond as necessary to comply (unless there are other funding sources to offset the need)
imposition of a shot clock on the EPA to submit a statement of position if they disagree with a dispute raised by the City
This issue was discussed at the 2-24-26 study session meeting.
The Board will vote on a zoning change for 5300 Heather Ridge, the north end of the Treetops development, for High Pointe at Kelly Ridge, to allow for 2.98 acres in the interior of the property to be developed for mixed use multi-family residential and commercial including businesses such as a restaurant, salon, laundry cleaner, and fitness studio. The remaining 13.94 acres of the property would remain with the existing uses.
The Board will vote on a zoning change for 7208 Mahogany that would allow the vacant church building to be used for a business that specializes in services for foreign exchange students.
The Board will vote on repealing the contract with Royal Ridge for installation of the additional water slides at Parrot Island. Separate sets of bids will be taken, one for the foundation, structures, and mechanical systems, and one for the aquatics plumbing, pumps, and pool equipment. The repeal of the bid and bidding is being discussed in response to the lawsuit resulting from the no-bid contract being issued to Royal Ridge.
The Board will vote on whether to apply for Community Project Funding federal funding through Congressman Womack for the replacement of water meters. The grant could be for up to $10 million and may require a 25% local contribution from the City.
The Board will vote on whether to contract with Colin Baenziger for up to $33,500 for the national recruitment of candidates for the vacant City Administrator position.
The Board will vote on whether to contract with SCS Engineers for professional air compliance services at the landfill for $127,600.
The Board will vote on whether to purchase the UMO fare collection and trip planning system for the Transit buses. The initial one-time cost would be $99,047.75 and the ongoing costs of the 3 year agreement with 2 optional renewals would be $50,000 per year with 3% annual increases. Features of the fare system that are not present in the current system include contactless payment through cards, cell phones, and printed paper QR code tickets, ability to purchase fares online, and the capability for built-in fare capping. The Transit would still continue to also accept cash fares. The UMO system can also be expanded to offer fare gift cards through retail stores in the future if desired. The trip planning app offers complete journey plans where passengers can input a destination and get full directions of where to get on what bus at what time and what bus to transfer onto when if a transfer is needed and walking directions to and from each stop and destination involved. The system would be implemented gradually over 6 months.
The Board will vote on whether to purchase multiple replacement police vehicles. The Criminal Investigations Unit would purchase 3 unmarked GMC Terrain Elevation SUVs for $85,200 from Everett GMC of Bryant, 2 unmarked Ford Maverick trucks for $58,286 from Randall Ford, and 2 marked Dodge Durango SUV K9 units for $197,806.38. The Patrol Special Operations Division would purchase 2 Dodge Durango SUVs and 2 Dodge Ram 2500 trucks for a total of $249,020.96 from Breeden Dodge.
