[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6154541,"mediaKeyId","5484564-7a33ebf1e47264b1837befa1ca3a6c6a","parentId",5484564,"title","Votes at a glance: Pension consolidation, rezoning and homelessness funding among council actions July 15","audioSeconds",5349,"startMs",991000,"endMs",6340000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5484564-7a33ebf1e47264b1837befa1ca3a6c6a&start=991&end=6340","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5484564-7a33ebf1e47264b1837befa1ca3a6c6a/thumbnail_991000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6154541/Fayetteville-City/Washington-County/Arkansas/Votes-at-a-glance-Pension-consolidation-rezoning-and-homelessness-funding-among-council-actions-July-15","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154541-324d3affcec2b4e5c4c2143480544b5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153441&Signature=ArGzne47QPv2AXVUlNUgn6S~k5xTOdCIPOaRFceYs4lxX5Puygo74BclZvjwag22PB8vCbsYn4INU0DJ6szbFNi8kQ29Dj0A0PfL74FeESR56smTpWCziD--Xi-VhyrYkZNEBBUCERUyCk-r-YrbL1l-7LBBciB8q4Ec8Uev1rVbRtRMZhg3~ljkxkAkEjDSjmvvAbpw0CgbScMJl4KsGtyTHLlTXhf5TZ2fVAWF3g8KxLOdLIUA4r80fjMVA~~Zfd8rW9nV9xi-GzNHlIluWMNIk6D4rrhA66LFSos~9d3iX54WUvb7GdekdMqw5UMjfkJl-nuCp971d57RkYwvuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fayetteville City, AR ","date","2025-07-15T00:00:00Z","article","FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Fayetteville City Council took multiple formal actions on July 15. This roundup lists each recorded action, the council’s stated outcome and key conditions or next steps.

What the council approved or acted on

• Police pension plan administration (C1): Council approved an ordinance to transfer administration of retirement coverage for eligible members of the Fayetteville Police Pension and Relief Fund to the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System (LOPFI), and authorized the mayor to execute an irrevocable agreement with LOPFI. The ordinance also adds a 3% compound cost‑of‑living increase (COLA) to the local plan and includes an emergency clause. Council voted to adopt the ordinance and separately approved the emergency clause.

• Rezoning RZN2025‑21 (C4): The council rezoned approximately 0.12 acres east of 1228 Southwest Avenue in Ward 1 from RMF‑24 to UN (urban neighborhood) subject to a bill of assurance that limits development on the parcel to residential units. The planning commission forwarded the request with the bill of assurance after a 4‑4 split on removing the agreement.

• Intent to appropriate homelessness funds (C8 / moved from A8): The council adopted a resolution expressing intent to appropriate up to $450,000 from the general fund balance to support initiatives addressing homelessness. The resolution states intent only; specific expenditures will come to council for separate approval as projects and proposals are presented. Staff said the general fund balance is projected to be approximately $16.2 million at year‑end before reserving a 60‑day minimum balance.

• Recycling & trash rate study (C2): Council accepted and adopted the 2025 recycling and trash collection rate study prepared by Raftelius Consultants. Council did not adopt the implementing ordinance to raise rates (C3) at this meeting; the ordinance was left on first reading to allow staff to gather additional peer‑jurisdiction and vendor data and to answer public questions.

What the council tabled

• Establishment of a Fayetteville Renters Council (B2): Council voted to table the item at the sponsor’s request to the first regularly scheduled meeting in August.

• Two planning appeals related to rezoning and alley/airspace vacations (C6 and C7): Applicants asked the council to table appeals of planning commission denials to the first August meeting; the council voted to table both items to that date.

Votes and next steps (summary)

• LOPFI consolidation ordinance (C1): Ordinance and emergency clause approved. Staff to facilitate transfer and execute agreement with LOPFI; effective immediately on passage.

• RZN2025‑21 rezoning (C4): Adopted with bill of assurance; bill of assurance can be modified only by a future council action if requested.

• Recycling study (C2): Study accepted; staff to return with peer data, vendor RFP results and refined cost estimates before council considers the fee ordinance (C3).

• Homelessness funding (C8): Resolution of intent adopted; actual appropriations and program details will return for council approval when projects or proposals are identified.

Ending

Council members and staff emphasized that several items accepted at the meeting require additional staff work and future council votes: the recycling implementation ordinance and any homelessness expenditures will come back to the council with more detailed proposals, contracts or grant outcomes before funds are disbursed or rate changes take effect.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council 7.15.2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Fayetteville City Council on July 15 approved consolidation of the city police pension administration under LOPFI, rezoned a small parcel in Ward 1, expressed intent to appropriate up to $450,000 for homelessness initiatives and accepted a recycling rate study while tabling related fee and planning items for follow‑up.","taxTitle","Fayetteville City, Washington County, Arkansas","taxId",5768,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6154545,"Council tightens rules for vacating tree preservation easements, declares emergency",559,1700000,2259000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5484564-7a33ebf1e47264b1837befa1ca3a6c6a&start=1700&end=2259","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5484564-7a33ebf1e47264b1837befa1ca3a6c6a/thumbnail_1700000.jpg","/articles/6154545/Fayetteville-City/Washington-County/Arkansas/Council-tightens-rules-for-vacating-tree-preservation-easements-declares-emergency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154545-81df5ab06a10d55e54311251af87bf4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153441&Signature=GksIt3S9PydweL6Ava87w5iIgMIOWQkhqYyf3CEq3~V9JEYAPO7xNH3OaBhDe27mTCoCWvUtUzzQB-VDv5ikev~kRdS3SBlppKVof5HTjd0OGqAF3K3Sqh43Z87IgYJLH18RcwbCh9ailWsZFRp6L7mwuKbOfzcKH1B4r3pzL8vy8o6NdqOcoq2XSRc1a1tQJWUFDW0USP0janaY5jznPo6BDVnrXh~bQF0P5BlrhEl7U9Kp2zjlf3uuiFSdLrO9L7gLoyFuWyGVDA03GJfJDpTkzTvBTL~tGneEUr-5L~yFwl0PESWsW8g2VdbC0FrSvShUwQogis54tMPACssR9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Fayetteville City Council on July 15 amended municipal code section 167.04 to add detail and new procedures for vacation of recorded tree preservation easements, including a requirement that applications be reviewed by the Urban Forestry Advisory Board and a new authority for council to require replacement easements with greater canopy area or ecological benefit.

Councilmember Teresa Turk introduced the ordinance changes and said staff, the city attorney and the urban forester worked together on the language. The amendment repeals the earlier subsection and replaces it with a process that requires the urban forester to present vacation requests to the Urban Forestry Advisory Board, and gives council explicit authority to require mitigation measures such as larger replacement easements, invasive species removal, and planting plans approved by the urban forester.

Public comment and council rationale

Speakers at the lectern expressed support for measures that strengthen the city’s tree canopy protections; others asked for clearer, quantitative criteria to judge whether a proposed vacation is “in the best interest of the city.” Turk said the Urban Forestry Advisory Board is developing standardized metrics for canopy benefit and the board would provide recommendations to council before final decisions.

Council action

Councilmember Moore moved to suspend the rules and proceed to third reading; the council approved the ordinance and separately approved the emergency clause so the amended code section took effect immediately.

Why it matters

The ordinance formalizes review by the Urban Forestry Advisory Board and gives council explicit tools to require replacement easements and active ecological improvements, such as removal of invasive species and new plantings, as conditions of easement vacations.

Ending

With the emergency clause approved, the amended code provision became effective immediately on adoption; staff and the Urban Forestry Advisory Board are expected to develop the specific metrics and review procedures described in the ordinance.","The council amended Section 167.04 to require Urban Forestry Advisory Board review and to allow council to require replacement easements of greater canopy size or improved ecological value; the ordinance was adopted on third reading with an emergency clause.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6154548,"Council approves vacation of 0.95‑acre tree preservation easement with 2.3‑acre replacement and prescribed burn condition",436,341000,777000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5484564-7a33ebf1e47264b1837befa1ca3a6c6a&start=341&end=777","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5484564-7a33ebf1e47264b1837befa1ca3a6c6a/thumbnail_341000.jpg","/articles/6154548/Fayetteville-City/Washington-County/Arkansas/Council-approves-vacation-of-095acre-tree-preservation-easement-with-23acre-replacement-and-prescribed-burn-condition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154548-446f9c96ff99daacb3a8bc9378500d20/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153441&Signature=IP56Qi0zkidByToKVGyhizBe9YbT~ROar-ixBU91-8Rn6z1XOlgs80KW4fQWqU6MIE25DABOTM-rDd9AOXoBdd0grHlKHBC~KWsUwqv-n03TSxPCGyxwugIQHRKKdKPmCivBNRmM14DvVsJH9VSC4tISc~ZCxwBHEbTlhRRDaB64aTUQKukifM-0zlpfnMzdIbMnEDYITzj8QT-5y6fYHtezKy8sioXSIQP7z3VQMwgXVsWCfU83V99yCALMbFjDIRekavHatI2kuKC~wOlJzoib3wUEWAV93x5B0UC~lFFPis4Ls~78kX1KSeErRd6yniVEv-OK8TBI-du0F6iXTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Fayetteville City Council on July 15 approved Vacation25‑13, allowing the vacation of a 0.95‑acre tree preservation easement at 3661 West Weddington Drive, contingent on two conditions: dedication of a roughly 2.3‑acre replacement tree preservation easement and completion of a prescribed burn to reduce invasive species and improve native canopy health.

John McCritt, development services director, summarized the request and explained staff had coordinated with the applicant and urban forestry staff to arrive at recommended conditions. The replacement easement was described as adjacent to an existing tree preservation tract on the Ozark Electric Campus. McCritt said the prescribed burn is viewed as a preferred method to remove invasives and promote species diversity and is expected to be implemented by the end of 2026 when seasonal conditions allow.

Applicant and public comment

Applicant representatives said they agreed with the amended ordinance. Jenny Burbage of Prisma Design Studio said the owner was “in full agreement with the ordinance” and available for questions.

Council action

Councilmember Burnett moved to amend the ordinance to include the conditions drafted by the city attorney and staff; that amendment passed on roll call. Council then adopted the ordinance as amended and, after the third reading, approved Vacation25‑13 with the two conditions. The ordinance requires the applicant to provide a copy of the prescribed‑burn contract and an itemized quote before the vacation becomes effective; if the contract is breached, the applicant must deposit the contract amount into the city’s tree escrow account. Implementation of the burn must occur before the end of 2026 with proof of payment provided to urban forestry staff.

Why it matters

The conditions are intended to offset the loss of canopy protection at the original easement by preserving a larger area and improving ecological function on the replacement easement. Urban forestry staff cited long‑term gains in species diversity at locations where prescribed burns have been used.

Ending

The ordinance takes effect upon certification and filing with Washington County circuit clerk records once the applicant meets the certification and prescribed‑burn consultation conditions required by the ordinance.","An ordinance to vacate a 0.95‑acre tree preservation easement at 3661 West Weddington Drive passed after amendments requiring the applicant to dedicate a 2.3‑acre replacement easement and contract for a prescribed burn to control invasive species and improve canopy health.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6154551,"Fayetteville study recommends switch to weekly cart-based recycling; council adopts study, delays rate vote",1283,4071000,5354000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5484564-7a33ebf1e47264b1837befa1ca3a6c6a&start=4071&end=5354","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5484564-7a33ebf1e47264b1837befa1ca3a6c6a/thumbnail_4071000.jpg","/articles/6154551/Fayetteville-City/Washington-County/Arkansas/Fayetteville-study-recommends-switch-to-weekly-cart-based-recycling-council-adopts-study-delays-rate-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154551-7f7ac57591e851f742d88c200fb6bca6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153441&Signature=gwZXS1hzNdMoFqh1-qC65Jety~NM3kKX0F3IupEHRozXDmz7M5mX50IkgxwguRQta1SRVYb9I2eWAkd5fZ9zhP7HzpICDvM0JHEX4TKfLvwdUktv3smWwK9Jzety8RYSnpSrmp8IkHBovKTKUgDYfE24AkJXu66Pnw1XHLABeE3gUFyELa~vWxevPXStZob7dYUPA6g65fbOGCasj66soag3BL4Y1OKynpj~e6TAXYlEuM2Batgg1gziHZWAi5JEYWgkDdhg0V9aSnB6Se~YxyMAJKcKMZqP1Jlr42~aoKdSQl2etWVEga1OEpuhK5DH~9ZNgGwNjlNSJkTPj1PR3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Fayetteville City Council on July 15 accepted a consultant study recommending the city move from curb‑sort recycling to a weekly, cart‑based single‑stream system and adopt a five‑year rate plan tied to that transition.

Environmental director Peter Nierengarten told the council the study by Raftelius Consultants modeled several options and that staff’s preferred recommendation is an “all‑in‑one cart‑based weekly recycling program.” He said the program would double curbside recyclables collected over time, expand service to multifamily and commercial customers and reduce worker injuries tied to curb‑side sorting. Nierengarten said the proposed five‑year implementation would require a 9.5% rate increase in 2026 and a 7.5% increase in 2027, with a total five‑year increase of about 30.1% if the city fully implements the cart program; he said maintaining the status quo would require larger increases later.

The nut graph: Council accepted the study — a formal step that does not itself change fees — while some council members and many residents called for more data, especially local contamination rates and processing costs, and for clarity on capital timing and worker impacts before voting to adopt the rate ordinance that would fund the switch.

Study findings and staff plan

Nierengarten summarized the financial analysis: the city projects operating savings because cart‑based collection is far cheaper per ton to collect and process than curb‑sort. He estimated capital transition costs of about $2.1 million for carts and six new trucks, and said the division holds roughly $6.4 million in reserves that could fund the rollout. He added the city applied for a U.S. EPA grant for $5 million and is pursuing additional grant opportunities to reduce the capital burden.

On contamination, the study reviewed peer cities with single‑stream programs; projected contamination rates in peer examples varied. Nierengarten said Fayetteville’s pilot in 2016 saw an 8% contamination rate and staff’s target for a full program is about 10%. To reduce contamination, staff proposed layered education (English/Spanish outreach and cart lid labeling) and use of “anti‑contamination” camera software on trucks that captures images of cart contents, geolocates problem loads and triggers targeted education postcards to residents.

Public comment and council questions

More than a dozen residents spoke. Supporters said cart collection increases convenience and participation, particularly for multifamily residents who now have limited options; several said they had experience with single‑stream elsewhere and it increased recycling. Opponents warned single‑stream reduces material quality and raises contamination that can make loads unrecyclable; they urged continued curb‑sort, expanded drop‑off options and more public engagement. Several speakers urged the council to obtain operational data from nearby jurisdictions that already use cart‑based recycling.

Council members pressed staff on several points: expected contamination rates and local peer data, the cost and timing of truck purchases (staff warned manufacturers have signaled price increases in August), how glass and large cardboard would be handled, whether commercial and multifamily customers could be served equitably, and health and safety impacts on recycling crews. Nierengarten said the city will continue curbside glass collection where needed, that cardboard can be placed in carts or set beside them if oversized, and that a vendor RFP for processing commingled recyclables would include specific answers about glass and other commodities.

Outcome and next steps

The council voted to accept and adopt the study (resolution), but did not approve the ordinance that would raise the recycling and trash user fee (first‑reading ordinance left on the first reading). Several council members asked staff for additional vetted data from peer cities — particularly contamination and processing costs — and for clarity on truck pricing before the council considers the fee ordinance at a future meeting. Nierengarten said staff will continue outreach, pursue grant funding and return with vendor RFP results and more detailed contamination and cost projections.

Ending

The study acceptance puts Fayetteville on record supporting a transition pathway; the financial ordinance and capital purchases remain subject to later council votes after staff brings back the additional data requested by council and residents.","City staff and consultants recommended replacing curb‑sort recycling with weekly cart‑based single‑stream collection to boost participation, reduce injuries and lower operating cost; council accepted the study but left the ordinance adopting rate increases on first reading after public concern and a request for more data.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Pension consolidation, rezoning and homelessness funding among council actions July 15

Council tightens rules for vacating tree preservation easements, declares emergency

Council approves vacation of 0.95‑acre tree preservation easement with 2.3‑acre replacement and prescribed burn condition

Fayetteville study recommends switch to weekly cart-based recycling; council adopts study, delays rate vote