Council OKs spending extra $15,000 for project

BENTONVILLE — The City Council agreed to pay an extra $15,000 toward the $1.5 million interchange project at Walton Boulevard and Interstate 49 so 6-foot-wide sidewalks would be included.

The council approved the budget adjustment at its Tuesday meeting.

The city entered into an agreement with the Arkansas Highway Transportation Department in December 2015 to commit $1.5 million to modify the interchange to include a single point urban interchange instead of the original design that included a diverging diamond interchange, according to meeting documents.

The council also approved a $12,633 change order for the 2016 sidewalk improvement project as it costs less than expected. The final contract amount was $198,148.

Also, David Short was reappointed for his second, three-year term on the Tree and Landscape Advisory Committee. His term will expire May 23, 2020.

Other items the council approved include:

■ $43,000 to Challenger Teamwear for athletic uniforms for the Parks and Recreation Department for the 2017-18 soccer season.

■ Installation of the public art piece The Monarch and Dandelions by artist Amanda Wilshire at Orchards Park.

■ Adding a vehicle to the Electric Department.

■ Adopting the updated Quality Management Plan to be used for Environmental Protection Agency projects.