Little Flock council adopts building-code and pool-enclosure ordinances, rezones parcel and OKs truck funding

The Little Flock City Council met Aug. 19, 2024, at the Sunshine School Building and unanimously approved a package of ordinances, resolutions and spending measures aimed at updating local codes, repairing tornado damage and funding street work.

Mayor Jeff Van Sickler presided over the meeting. Council members present were Rob (Robert) Phillips, Debb Formanek, Chris Cantwell, Wes Waddell, Donny Barton and Sherry Moncrief. The council approved the July 15 meeting minutes and the July 31 Treasurer’s report, which showed a General Fund balance of $3,936,003.13 and a Street Fund balance of $949,738.72.

On policy, the council adopted Ordinance 2024-006, which amends Municipal Code Section 11.08 (building codes). Alderman Rob Phillips introduced the ordinance, and the council voted to suspend the three-reading rule, adopt the ordinance and approve its emergency clause. The council also adopted Ordinance 2024-007 (amending Section 11.28, regarding swimming pool enclosures) and Ordinance 2024-008 to rezone parcel #23-00326-001 from agricultural (AG) to C-1 commercial zoning. All motions to introduce, suspend readings and adopt the ordinances carried unanimously.

The council introduced and adopted two resolutions by title: Resolution 2024-007, deleting a vehicle from the city inventory, and Resolution 2024-008, updating First Security Bank signatories. Both resolutions passed on unanimous votes.

On spending and contracts, the council:

- Allocated up to $50,000 to purchase a Dodge pickup for the street department, citing a vendor price of $44,000; Council Member Chris Cantwell moved the allocation and Alderman Rob Phillips seconded. The amount is intended to cover the vehicle price plus taxes and tags.

- Authorized the mayor or the recorder/treasurer to enter a contract with Benton County to provide building-inspection services, to replace the city’s retiring provider; the motion was made by Debb Formanek and seconded by Donny Barton.

- Authorized the mayor or recorder/treasurer to enter a cleaning contract for city facilities with Lacie Barens (the agenda and minutes use alternate spellings, including 'Lacy Barnes'); Debb Formanek moved the action and Donny Barton seconded.

- Approved payment of $51,406.74 to Trailhead Roofing for a new roof on the Fire Department, which minutes state was damaged by the May 26 tornado. The meeting agenda noted the roofing cost was covered by insurance; the minutes record the payment approval but do not specify the funding source.

- Approved payment of up to $105,000 to ARCO for a 1.2-mile asphalt overlay on Wildflower Lane (the city had budgeted $100,000); Debb Formanek moved and Rob Phillips seconded.

Announcements at the meeting included notice of disaster-recovery support. The agenda listed a $20,000 grant from the Alice Walton Foundation; the minutes record receipt of $50,000 from the Walton Foundation and separately note the city was informed of a $20,000 donation from the Alice Walton Foundation. City offices will be closed on Labor Day and the September council work session was rescheduled.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve minutes: Passed unanimously. - Treasurer’s report approval: Passed unanimously. - Allocate up to $50,000 for street pickup (vendor cited as Superior Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, Siloam Springs): Passed unanimously. - Contract with Benton County for building inspections: Passed unanimously. - Contract authority to engage cleaning contractor (name appears as Lacie Barens/Lacy Barnes in records): Passed unanimously. - Adopt Resolution 2024-007 (delete vehicle): Passed unanimously. - Adopt Resolution 2024-008 (bank signatory update): Passed unanimously. - Adopt Ordinance 2024-006 (building codes) and emergency clause: Passed unanimously. - Adopt Ordinance 2024-007 (pool enclosure): Passed unanimously. - Adopt Ordinance 2024-008 (rezoning Parcel #23-00326-001 to C-1): Passed unanimously. - Approve payment to Trailhead Roofing, $51,406.74: Passed unanimously. - Approve payment up to $105,000 to ARCO for Wildflower Lane overlay: Passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The building-code changes and pool-enclosure rules adjust municipal standards that affect builders and property owners; the rezoning of parcel #23-00326-001 changes allowable land use on that lot. The approved spending and outside contracts address post-tornado repairs and scheduled street work.

The council adjourned at 6:32 PM. The minutes and agenda are the official record of the actions taken; where the transcript uses more than one spelling for a name or vendor location, this article notes the variation rather than asserting a correction.