Nathan Davis

The agenda for the meeting included a Public Hearing regarding an Ordinance to close a portion of Bruce Street between Farris Street and Western Avenue for the University of Central Arkansas. The Community Development Committee considered approving the waiving of all three readings for ordinances on the agenda, approving the closure of Bruce Street, approving the updated 2026 Permit Fee Schedule for Permits & Inspections Department, and consideration to remove a vehicle from inventory for the City Attorney's Office. The Public Service Committee agenda included an Ordinance accepting and appropriating grant funding from the Best Friend Animal Society for the Conway Animal Services.

Discussions included the Urban and Community Forestry Grant, where plans were set to distribute a public outreach survey and schedule a community outreach meeting. It was noted that the tree inventory of public land, comprising 4,231 trees, is complete, with most trees in good condition. The Bradford Pear Bounty Program was approved by City Hall, allowing residents to receive replacement trees for removing Bradford Pears; coordination with the sanitation department for debris pickup is pending, and a campaign launch is targeted for early March. The budget update noted a current balance of $741.76, pending a $5,000 donation from Conway Corp. For the Spring Tree Giveaway scheduled for March 21, approximately 1,200 trees have been ordered, and a motion was passed to spend up to $50 on labeling materials. Regarding Arbor Day scheduled for November 7, members began brainstorming exhibitors and programs. In new business, the board decided to participate in the Conway Art Walk during April, June, and September, with a motion approved to spend up to $30 for booth space applications. The board also discussed adding nature walks, yoga in the park, and tree planting events at schools to the 2026 calendar.

The agenda for the City Council meeting included committee discussions and resolutions. The Community Development Committee items covered consideration to waive readings for ordinances, setting a public hearing regarding the vacation of a portion of Bruce Street for the University of Central Arkansas, approving the updated 2026 Permit Fee Schedule, approving a bid for the Oak St & East German Lane Intersection Improvement, and considering a conditional use permit request for property at 3 Susan Lane. The Public Service Committee addressed a resolution approving a grant application to AARP for the Parks & Recreation Department. The Finance Committee planned to consider the destruction of obsolete records for the Finance Department. The council meeting minutes from February 10, 2026, also detailed numerous actions taken, including approving an ordinance for E-Scooter use, naming a pavilion after Jim Baker, appropriating funds for paving projects and grant funds for the Connect Conway Project, approving rezoning requests for properties on Tyler Street and College Avenue, and reviewing financial reports for December 2025 and January 2026.

The meeting included public hearing items pertaining to the Old Conway Design Overlay District. Key discussions involved after-the-fact approval for an unpermitted outbuilding (Outbuilding #2) and a previously approved but unbuilt outbuilding (Outbuilding #1) at 713 1st St, addressing compliance issues related to setbacks, lot coverage, and material matching. Additionally, the commission reviewed a proposal to replace existing monument signage at 508 Oak St with a new, stylistically different monument sign, while also considering replacement options for a legally non-conforming two-pole sign at 557 Locust Ave, with a preference for a post panel sign matching the structure's Craftsman style. The Director of Planning & Development reported on several appendix items approved administratively, including outbuilding and carport construction/remodels at various addresses.

The City Council meeting addressed several key items. Resolutions were passed to set a public hearing for vacating a portion of Bruce Street for the University of Central Arkansas, and to approve a substantial bid for the Oak Street & East German Lane Intersection project managed by the Transportation Department. Other actions included approving a Conditional Use Permit request for R-2 zoned property at 3 Susan Lane to allow up to twelve dwelling units per acre. An ordinance regarding the updated 2026 Permit Fee Schedule for the Permits & Inspections Department was held in committee. Additionally, the Council chose not to take action on a grant submittal request for the Parks & Recreation Department or the consideration to destroy obsolete records for the Finance Department.