Votes at a glance: Conway council approves appropriations, permits and grants; rezoning item deferred

Conway City councilors acted on minutes, financials, permits, zoning items and department appropriations during the meeting.

Key results

- Appropriation for Conway Community Center: Council approved an ordinance to appropriate funds for completion of the Conway Community Center, emergency clause adopted (vote 7–0). The appropriation funds construction completion and was described in committee as drawing from the general fund and the 2025 budget (AMP contribution cited at $600,000).

- Minutes and financials: Council approved the Jan. 14, 2025 minutes and accepted monthly financial statements for the year ending Dec. 31, 2024 (each motion passed 7–0). Finance staff reported the city ended 2024 with net revenues in multiple operating funds and operating cash balances across general, street and sanitation funds.

- Targeted tax-back resolution: The council adopted a resolution certifying local-government endorsement for Mercer Conway Inc. to participate in the targeted tax-back program as authorized by “section 1542706 d of the consolidated incentive act of 2003.” The resolution passed by voice vote (recorded as 7–0).

- Private-club permit: Council approved a private-club permit for the Guacamole business at 2585 Donaghy Avenue, Suite 103 (ordinance cited as O2510 in the packet). The permit passed 7–0.

- Conditional-use permit: The council approved a conditional-use permit to allow a mini-warehouse (self-storage) use in an RU‑1 zone at 1550 East Dayport Drive, subject to 15 conditions as listed in the planning packet. The planning commission had previously forwarded the request with a recommendation of approval; council action recorded as 7–0.

- Rezoning (Miller’s Creek lot 22): The item to rezone lot 22 in Millers Creek from R‑1 to R‑2 had been scheduled and initially discussed, but staff said the item was removed at the request of a property owner (Mitch Hart) and will return to the Feb. 11 agenda. Planning staff noted the commission previously recommended approval; no final action was taken tonight.

- Fire department appropriations and grants: Several fire-department items were approved by council votes (all recorded 7–0): acceptance of a $250 donation to the uniform account (ordinance O2513), insurance reimbursement of $6,383 for Truck 6 repairs (O2514), acceptance of $82,614 reimbursement for overtime (O2515) and acceptance of a Homeland Security grant for bomb-squad equipment amended to $336,300 (O2516 as amended). Council discussed routing of the $82,614 reimbursement through Pulaski County and confirmed the state and county handled reimbursement after the department’s deployment to New Mexico.

Meeting notes and next steps

Most measures passed unanimously. The council directed staff to return the rezoning item to the Feb. 11 agenda and to ensure nearby residents are notified when the item is refiled. Several items approved tonight are standard municipal appropriations or grant acceptances and will move forward to implementation by the appropriate city departments.