Benton public meetings in 2020
15 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council Meetings
The Benton City Council will hold its regular session on December 17, 2020, to consider a series of resolutions and ordinances. Key items include adopting the 2020 budget, accepting $1,215,512 in CARES Act funds, awarding a $696,650 contract for the Shenandoah Bridge project, and rezoning property at 2112 Watts Road. The agenda also includes several routine appointments and account authorizations.
- Resolution 96: Adopting 2020 budget for General Fund, Animal Control, Parks and Street Funds
- Resolution 98: Amending 2020 budget to accept $1,215,512 in CARES Act funds for COVID-19 relief
- Resolution 108: Accepting $696,650 bid from Hydco, Inc. for Shenandoah Bridge project
- Ordinance 72: Rezoning 2112 Watts Road from R-7 Multi-Family to C2 General Commercial
- Resolution 103: Accepting $69,980 bid from JCON for fence at Ralph Bunche Park
City Meeting Calendar
The committee will review subdivision ordinance amendments and condemnations. Members will also discuss dog bites and the animal control operating manual.
- Subdivision Ordinance Amendment
- Condemnations
- Discussion of Note from Developer
- Discussion of Dog Bites
- Discussion of Operating Manual
City Meeting Calendar
The City of Benton Finance Committee is meeting to discuss the proposed 2021 city budget, a CARES Act funding request, a 911 communications request, and the closure of bank accounts. The committee will also review city financials and handle other business.
- CARES Act request
- 911 Communications request
- Close out of Bank accounts
- City of Benton 2021 Proposed Budget
- City of Benton financials
City Council Meetings
The Benton City Council will consider resolutions to accept a $139,500.25 bid for Tyndall Park parking lot improvements and award an architectural services contract for a new fire station at Exit 114. The agenda also includes ordinances on 2021 park rental rates, a pickleball court resurfacing bid, a restricted account for financial software, street construction material increases, accepting streets in the Villas subdivision, modifying employee pay structures, and waiving bidding for a wastewater pump. The meeting includes approval of minutes from October 26, 2020, including two public hearings on alley and right-of-way abandonments.
- Resolution 93: Accept $139,500.25 bid from Redstone Construction Group for Tyndall Park parking lot improvements
- Resolution 94: Award architectural services contract to Black, Corley, Owens and Hughes for new fire station at Exit 114
- Ordinance 66: Set 2021 rental rates for Parks and Recreation Department
- Resolution 95: Accept $76,500 bid from Wagner General Contractors for pickleball court resurfacing at Tyndall Park
- Ordinance 70: Modify pay structure for General Fund, Street, Animal Control, and Parks employees
City Council Meetings
The Benton City Council will discuss several financial and infrastructure items, including a large-scale computer system upgrade. The agenda also includes public hearings regarding property abandonment on Arch Street and First Street.
- Purchase of computer hardware from Edafio Technologies for $299,955.00
- Contract with JCON, Inc. for Newcomb Road improvement project at $222,485.00
- Authorization to order seven police vehicles for an estimated $250,000.00
- Payment of $12,046.00 to LOPFI to correct a 2019 police pension fund shortfall
- Public hearings regarding abandoning property on Arch St. and First St.
City Council Meetings
The Benton City Council will hold its regular session on September 28, 2020, to consider resolutions and ordinances covering park construction, an emergency communications center, budget amendments, and various property and zoning matters. The agenda includes multiple public hearings and committee reports, with decisions expected on contracts, funding, and land use.
- Resolution 76/77: Contracts for basketball and pickleball courts at Tyndall Park (costs not listed)
- Ordinance 49: Interlocal agreement to form Saline County Emergency Communications Center
- Ordinance 50: Temporarily suspending rental rates for Benton Farmers Market
- Resolution 65: Accepting $82,650 from ARDOT for Highway 5 widening; funds for fire equipment
- Resolution 79: Accepting $127,827 from CARES Act for 63 fire department employees
City Meeting Calendar
The Finance Committee is meeting to establish a quorum, recognize attendees, and discuss an Information Technologies Service Contract. The meeting will adjourn after this discussion. No decisions are listed on the agenda.
- Information Technologies Service Contract discussion
City Council Meetings
The Benton City Council will hold its regular meeting on August 24, 2020, at 7:00 PM. The agenda includes a public hearing, approval of minutes from prior meetings, service awards, and committee reports. The council will consider multiple ordinances and resolutions, including a property tax levy, new outdoor sign regulations, pay adjustments for police and fire departments, and agreements for park use.
- Ordinance 38 of 2020: levying a property tax for city general and fireman's pension funds
- Ordinance 42 of 2020: adopting new outdoor sign regulations, repealing Ordinance 46 of 2009
- Ordinance 44 of 2020: creating a Communications Manager position and amending wage scales
- Ordinance 45 of 2020: transferring fire pension fund administration to Arkansas LOPFI
- Resolution 70 of 2020: applying for a grant to expand the inclusive playground at Tyndall Park
City Meeting Calendar
The City of Benton Finance Committee is meeting to discuss several financial matters, including accepting funds for a right-of-way sale, police department funds, an Advertising and Promotion request, and the city's pay structure. The committee will also review the city's financials. No votes are scheduled; items are for discussion and recommendation.
- Request acceptance of funds for ROW sale
- PD acceptance of funds
- A&P request
- Pay structure
- City of Benton financials
City Meeting Calendar
The Street & Drainage Committee will meet to discuss a TAP Grant Resolution for River St. and hold a discussion regarding lighting within the city limits.
- TAP Grant Resolution for River St.
- Discussion of lighting in the city limits
City Council Meetings
The Benton City Council is holding a special called meeting to consider Ordinance No. 37 of 2020, which would amend the zoning ordinance to change multi-family housing in the Town Center-2 (TC-2) zone from a permitted use to a conditional use. The ordinance, recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission, would require review and approval by the Development Review Committee and the Planning and Zoning Commission. The council will vote on this single item.
- Ordinance No. 37 of 2020: Amends zoning to make multi-family housing a conditional use in TC-2 zone
- Changes multi-family dwellings from permitted to conditional use in TC-2
- Requires review by Benton Development Review Committee and Planning and Zoning Commission
- Declares an emergency for immediate effect
City Council Meetings
The Benton City Council held a special meeting to pass Ordinance No. 36 of 2020. This ordinance extends the existing moratorium on new outdoor commercial advertising signs until August 31, 2020. It also schedules a second public hearing for August 4, 2020, to discuss revised sign regulations based on previous public comments.
- Ordinance No. 36 of 2020 passed to extend the outdoor commercial advertising sign moratorium until August 31, 2020
- Public hearing scheduled for August 4, 2020, at 6:30 pm to discuss new sign regulations
- Emergency declared to allow the ordinance to take effect immediately upon passage and publication
City Council Meetings
The Benton City Council will hold a public hearing on abandoning a right-of-way along Waterfall Way, then meet in regular session to consider several ordinances and resolutions. Key items include a $220,084.05 contract for Riverside Trail Phase 2, a revised outdoor sign ordinance, a 30-day extension of a moratorium, and a rezoning. The council will also recognize employees for years of service and consider a police equipment purchase.
- Resolution 59: Contract with Red ROC, Inc. for Riverside Trail Phase 2 at $220,084.05 (city pays 20%, ARDOT 80%)
- Ordinance 34: Adopting revised outdoor sign regulations, repealing Ordinance 46 of 2009
- Ordinance 33: Extending moratorium from Ordinance 1 of 2020 by 30 days
- Ordinance 31: Waiving bidding for 3D laser imaging device for police
- Resolution 57: Accepting $38,174 DOJ grant for police PPE
City Council Meetings
The Benton City Council will consider several resolutions and an ordinance at its May 4, 2020 regular session. Key items include selling the fire and police substation to ARDOT for $82,650 for Highway 5 widening, authorizing lawsuits to abate nuisances at 14 properties, setting council meeting rules, and a conditional use for a duplex at 909 West Sevier Street. The agenda also includes creating a parks and recreation scholarship program.
- Resolution 38 of 2020: Authorizes sale of fire/police substation to ARDOT for $82,650 for Highway 5 widening.
- Resolution 39 of 2020: Authorizes city attorney to file lawsuits to abate public nuisances at 14 properties in city limits.
- Resolution 40 of 2020: Establishes council meeting time, agenda, and rules for conduct.
- Ordinance 25 of 2020: Provides conditional use for a duplex at 909 West Sevier Street.
- Resolution 41 of 2020: Creates a parks and recreation scholarship program for financial accessibility.
City Council Meetings
The Benton City Council will hold its regular session on February 24, 2020, with a full agenda including resolutions to authorize a police hiring grant, amend the 2020 budget for fire department equipment, and approve several ordinances on rezoning, alcohol sales, and an entertainment district. The council will also consider contracts for maintenance at the River Center and Riverside Park, plus a wage scale change for firefighters. The meeting includes swearing-in ceremonies and recognition of city service.
- Resolution 18 of 2020: Authorizes police chief to apply for COPS grant for hiring new officers
- Resolution 19 of 2020: Amends 2020 budget to use $11,597.63 from restricted account for fire department equipment
- Ordinance 11 of 2020: Adopts regulations for alcohol sales, permits, fees, and supplemental tax on controlled beverages
- Ordinance 12 of 2020: Establishes the Palace Theater Entertainment District
- Resolution 25 of 2020: Amends parks budget for improvements to Holland Park adult field entry and lighting