City board holds first meeting of 2017
Carol Smiley was approved as vice mayor.
Siloam Springs’ Board of Directors opened up the new year by taking care of a few important housekeeping issues.
The meeting opened up with the swearing in of new board members. Director Lucas Roebuck was sworn into office in front of his family, which included his father. Roebuck said his father traveled from California for the meeting, and thanked his father for being his inspiration.
Roebuck was joined by fellow at-large directors Bob Coleman and Carol Smiley, both of whom were re-elected in uncontested races. Mayor John Mark Turner was also sworn in to begin a new term.
Once all at-large directors were sworn in, the body chose a new vice mayor. Director Steve Beers nominated Smiley to the position, which functions much like a regular director, but also can perform the duties of the mayor in the case of his or her absence. No other nominations were made, and Smiley was approved unanimously. Coleman had previously held the position, which carries a two year term.
The rest of the agenda contained a single ordinance and five resolutions.
The ordinance was a rezoning permit for Northside Elementary to be rezoned G-I from R-2. The rezone is the latest in a series of schools and churches changing to G-I, the city’s preferred institutional zoning. The rezone was a requirement for a related significant development permit, which was approved later in
the meeting.
Northside’s permit was for an addition to the school that would add three classrooms. The rooms will be located where the current playground is. The playground will be relocated next to the gym.
Assistant Superintendent Jody Wiggins said that costs for the project were not yet set, as bids were still out. The school will use a $500,000 grant for the project and then fund the rest from the district funds.
The addition was approved unanimously and the rezoning permit was placed on its first reading.
Another resolution was passed that will set the rules of procedure for the board for the next year. City Administrator Phillip Patterson said the resolution was due to a state law in 2015 that requires municipalities to adopt procedural rules annually. The only change to the resolution from last year is a clause that clarifies that the mayor has no veto power on personnel decisions. The board also: • Approved a final plat development permit for the Dogwood Meadow addition at 1218 West Jefferson Street.
• Approved a preliminary plat development permit for Heritage Ranch, at the 2200 block of North Carl Street.
• Approved a change to the employee handbook that will give Patterson the authority to make exceptions to residency requirements. The current requirements are that certain employees have to live within a certain distance of city limits, regardless of drive time. Patterson will have the authority to suspend that requirement if he deems it necessary. The Board of Directors will be notified any time such a change is made.