Garfield council asks for two months of community input before accepting former elementary school deed

The Garfield City Council unanimously voted Oct. 8 to delay accepting a warranty deed for the former Garfield Elementary School and to solicit community input before making a final decision.

Council Member Kitterman moved, and Council Member Smead seconded, to request two months to exercise due diligence and obtain public feedback prior to accepting the warranty deed as presented; the motion carried with all council members voting in favor. Council members expressed appreciation to the Rogers Public School Board for offering the property and said they supported further review of the deed language before taking title.

Taylor Sizemore of RST Development Services addressed the council with recommendations regarding possible uses for the facility, and Michelle Mendoza, owner of In His Care Children's Center, told the council she is interested in occupying space in the former school to operate a childcare program. Council members said those community perspectives and additional information will be part of the due diligence process.

Several facility-related proposals tied to the building — including a property management proposal, security and fire-alarm work, internet-service proposals, a coffee-shop concept and staffing plans — were deferred to the November meeting to allow staff and council time to gather more information.

The next step is for staff to compile community input and any legal or financial analyses requested by the council; no final transfer or acceptance of the deed was recorded at the Oct. 8 meeting.