Comprehensive plan to be considered by Benton Council

The Benton City Council will consider an ordinance approving a new comprehensive development plan for the city during its meeting Monday night.

The Benton Planning and Zoning Commission approved the new “Moving Benton Forward Comprehensive Development Plan” during its meeting earlier this month.

Years in the making, Community Development Director Brad Jordan, along with a number of city officials, business leaders and community members, have been working together to develop a plan that will benefit both the city and the people who call it home.

“The turnout has actually been overwhelming,” Jordan said during a meeting at the Benton Event Center last year.

The event was one of many created to seek input from residents and business leaders. The city also held public hearings to learn what types of businesses, recreational activities and other items the residents would like to see in Benton.

“You never can tell what to expect and this (turnout) really just shows what people think about the community and their investment in the community and their love for the community.”

The city has also involved Metroplan in the development process.

The aldermen will also consider an ordinance approving an interlocal agreement with Saline County to form the Saline County Emergency Communications Center.

Also known as the 911 Center, the Saline County Quorum Court unanimously passed a similar measure during its most recent meeting.

Originally considered as a joint venture between the county, Benton and the city of Bryant, during the August meeting of the Quorum

Court, County Judge Jeff Arey announced that Bryant had opted not to participate.

Also up for consideration is a resolution authorizing City Attorney Brent Houston to file lawsuits in the Saline County Circuit Court seeking to abate public nuisances located at 15 properties inside the city limits.

Those properties include the following:

• 121 Bass Lane.

• 724 Pearl Street.

• 1925 River Street.

• 6521 Grayson Drive.

• 1605 Liberty Street.

• 1614 Liberty Street.

• 1520 Oak Street.

• 1406 Dixie Street.

• 711 N. Market Street.

• 1402 Dixie Street.

• 419 Hill Street.

• 1310 Gum Street.

• 413 Hill Street.

• 1723 Dixie Street.

• 6821 Grayson Drive. Benton Mayor Tom Farmer is also set to honor Jacob

Harlen for 10 years of service with the city.

Other items on the agenda include:

• A resolution authorizing the city to enter into a contract for the construction of new basketball courts at Tyndall Park.

• A resolution authorizing the city to enter into a contract for the construction of pickleball courts at Tyndall Park.

• An ordinance temporarily suspending the rental rates for the City of Benton Farmers Market.

• An ordinance authorizing LOPFI to make cost of living adjustments for retirees participating on the Benton Fire Relief and Pension Fund.

• A resolution amending the 2020 public safety fund and accepting $82,650 from the sale of real property to the Arkansas Department of Transportation for the widening of Arkansas 5 and authorizing the use of the funds to purchase equipment for the Benton Fire

Department.

• An ordinance permitting Bill Eldridge to conduct business with the city of Benton.

• A resolution amending the 2020 budget for the general fund and accepting the proceeds from the sale of a police cruiser previously declares as surplus property and authorizing the purchase of equipment for the Benton Police Department.

• A resolution amending the 2020 budget for the general fund and accepting funds from the state of Arkansas Cares Act EMT Fund in the amount of $127,827 from the worker payment program and authorizing the use of the funds to pay 63 fire department employees.

• An ordinance providing for a conditional use for a single family residence located at 605 Greenhill Road.

• An ordinance rezoning land located at tract three of the Woodlands subdivison from R8 to R2.

• An ordinance accepting the public streets and storm drainage for maintenance within the Woodlands subdivison phases three and five.

• An ordinance accepting the public streets and storm drainage for maintenance within the Preserves subdivison phase one.

• A resolution calling a public hearing to hear the petition of Camp B LLC and the Phillip and Carol Brown living trust at the end of Arch Street.

• A resolution calling a public hearing to hear the petition of Tona Jolly to abandon a portion of an alleyway located along 519 First Street.

• A resolution expressing the willingness of the city to use federal aid fund for the Congo Shenandoah roundabout project.

• A resolution expressing the willingness of the city to use federal aid fund for the River Street complete street project.

The pre-council agenda meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers located at the Benton Municipal Complex followed by the full council meeting at 7 p.m.

All meetings are open to the public. Due to COVID-19, social distancing measures will be enforced and those attending are asked to wear masks. For those who cannot attend, the meeting will also be streamed on Facebook live.