Agenda Highlights 4/21/26
At the Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting to be held 4-21-26, the Board will vote on moving the Citizens Forum (currently held at the end of one study session per month and allowing speakers 5 minutes to address the Board on any topic not on the meeting agenda) to being held at the beginning of every regular meeting and allowing speakers 3 minutes to speak on any City business related topic (including topics on the meeting agenda). This issue was discussed at the 4/14/26 study session meeting.
The Board will vote on an amendment to the existing contract with Halff Associates for design for the flood mitigation ponds at the former Acme Brick Property. The original idea for the site included 2 ponds, but soil tests revealed that the Quarry pond on the west side of the site would require extensive rock excavation. To reduce construction costs, it is suggested that a third pond be built further west to eliminate the need to excavate the Quarry pond deeper. Also, the amendment would include a design for a potential wet version of the Quarry Pond instead of the originally planned dry version. The wet version would be a lake-like water feature year round, unlike the dry version that would only have water in it periodically when heavy rains fill it. The amendment would also incorporate $173,000 worth of design work for consent decree sewer work related to the project. The amendment would cost a total of an additional $464,860. This issue was discussed at the 4-14-26 study session meeting.
The Board will vote on installing honorary street name signs designating a portion of Midland Avenue near the former location of Twin City Colored Hospital at 1717 Midland “Rainbow Girls Boulevard” in honor of the Rainbow Girls, a black women’s auxiliary who raised funds for patients receiving care at the Twin City hospital.
The Board will vote on purchasing a Gillig heavy duty bus for the Transit. The total cost of the bus would be $783,611, but the federal government would reimburse 85% of that cost, leaving the amount coming from Fort Smith funds only $117,550.
