Megan Dunaway

The meeting commenced with a prayer delivered by Pastor Dez Venttor. A significant portion of the discussion focused on procedural matters, including the approval of the agenda and subsequent amendments to include new items for discussion. Key topics addressed were the required ordinance to expand the Tontitown Planning Commission from five to seven members, and a discussion regarding the 2023 and 2024 sales tax remitter reports which had not yet been sent to the DFA as previously resolved. Citizen comments included concerns about stray animals and requests for support from a local animal shelter, Forgotten Paws. Further discussion involved the logic of expanding the Planning Commission before appointing candidates, and a debate over the fiscal impact ($7,200 annually) of adding two members to the Planning Commission, with one member expressing opposition based on budgetary constraints.

The meeting included roll call and approval of the previous meeting minutes from January 27th. Key discussions involved a public hearing for a variance request concerning setback requirements for a pool and deck at 958 Rodrio Budrio Avenue, which the staff recommended for approval with conditions. A second public hearing addressed a request to rezone 2.89 acres from Agricultural to R1 Single Family Residential for a property located at 2150 South Bington Lane to allow for a lot split, which was also recommended for approval to move forward to the City Council. Furthermore, the commission reviewed the February end of year building activity report and the current planning project report, noting upcoming work on the Sloan Crest project. The meeting also covered the status of planning board seat applications, with seven candidates applying for three open positions, and announced that the subsequent meeting would address the code changes necessary to comply with new state laws regarding accessory dwelling units.

The meeting commenced with a review of the agenda, which was amended to include a discussion item regarding Waste Management. The Commission addressed zoning requests under the Public Hearing section and later under the Planning Commission items. Zoning Request Number Two, involving a parcel located north of Fletcher Avenue and west of Industrial Drive, required an acreage correction from 32.5 to 9.2 acres for the rezoning from C1 (Light Commercial) and Agricultural to Industrial use, and this was subsequently approved to move forward. Zoning Request Number One concerned rezoning property at 581 South Bington Road from R3 to C2 general commercial, which was also approved. A significant portion of the meeting involved a discussion and review of the proposed master street plan, focusing on three key areas: amending Clint Road alignment due to an incoming project, relocating an arterial segment that interfered with property lines, and assessing a proposed road segment between Spinoto and Penalto given existing development and potential high construction costs, with a recommendation to potentially remove it from the plan and assign the right-of-way for drainage purposes. Another projected road near Harmon and a future road near O 612 were also discussed in the context of connectivity and city influence outside current city limits.

The meeting included the approval of the agenda, with a motion to add an item (Item H), and the approval of the October 21st, 2025 city council minutes and the November 10th, 2025 special city council minutes. Financial reports for October 2025 were reviewed, showing positive operating income for City General, Water and Sewer, and Streets funds. A question regarding a significant legal fee payment to the Arkansas Municipal League Defense Program was raised but deferred for follow-up. Department reports covered Museum activities, including collaborations with Springdale Schools on a veterans exhibit and the success of the Tontitown Palentis Mirror and Taste of Tontitown event, alongside progress on artifact digitization. The Police Department reported on October statistics, including calls for service, warrants, and citations, leading to a discussion about the high number of warnings issued. The Fire Department reported 38 calls in October, an increase from the previous year. Public Works provided updates on the water tank project, noting the expected mid-February raising of the bowl and the decision not to pursue the ANRC loan due to a proposed 97% water rate increase. Updates were also given on the Brush Creek sewer project, Wastewater Master Plan flow study, Highway 612 and 112 relocation/widening projects, and the ADQ sewer system evaluation study, which has begun line cleaning. The Building Department reported an uptick in residential permits and steady commercial evaluation numbers. In planning matters, the Planning Commission meeting was moved due to Thanksgiving, a rezoning request for 2025 Terraso Avenue was tabled, and discussions continued on the Castalina Phase Two large scale project and the 412 overlay district. Street and stormwater updates included progress on Managani and South Panelto Storm Water projects, with the 2025 street improvements schedule pending.

The proceedings began with a prayer followed by the approval of the agenda and the minutes from the January 20th, 2026 City Council meeting. A financial report for January 2026 was presented, detailing positive operating incomes for the General, Water and Sewer funds, while the Streets fund showed a deficit due to large expenditures including street overlays and equipment purchases. Department reports included updates from the Tontitown Historical Museum, which discussed ongoing digitization projects, new exhibits like the Veterans of Tontitown exhibit, and collaboration with local schools. The Police Department reported on 790 calls for service, 49 served warrants, and the city's ranking as the 13th safest city in Arkansas by Safewise. The Fire Department reported launching the first fire pre-academy program and completing hydrant maintenance. A public hearing was held concerning the proposed increase in water and sewer impact fees, during which a representative from Northrock Builders voiced significant concern regarding the substantial increase and its impact on their ongoing and future projects in Tontitown.