Van Buren public meetings in 2024
22 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council Meetings
The Van Buren City Council will consider adopting the 2025 proposed budget, setting salaries for the mayor, city clerk/treasurer, and city attorney, and amending the municipal code to prohibit roosters. The consent agenda includes street closures for TOTMA 2025 events, destruction of records, and approval of minutes from previous meetings. Department reports and miscellaneous discussion are also on the agenda.
- Resolution adopting proposed 2025 budget
- Ordinance setting salaries for mayor, clerk/treasurer, and city attorney
- Ordinance amending municipal code to prohibit roosters
- Street closure request for TOTMA 2025 events (Old Timers Day, Fall Festival, etc.)
- Resolution for destruction of pre-2018 records
City Council Meetings
The Van Buren City Council is holding a special budget study session to discuss the 2025 budget. They will also consider a resolution regarding an Economic Development Partnership with the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce. The meeting includes procedural items such as invocation, call to order, and roll call.
- Resolution – Economic Development Partnership with Van Buren Chamber of Commerce
- 2025 Budget Discussion
City Council Meetings
The Van Buren City Council will consider a resolution to condemn certain real property, a step that could lead to forced acquisition. The council will also vote on a final plat for Legacy Cottages Lot 1, a subdivision approval. The consent agenda includes routine items such as minutes, disposal of fixed assets, employee Christmas bonuses, financial statements, and department reports.
- Resolution condemning certain real property (item 4)
- Resolution approving final plat for Legacy Cottages Lot 1 (item 5)
- Resolution to remove and dispose of fixed assets (consent agenda)
- Resolution for employee Christmas bonus (consent agenda)
- Department reports from Police, Fire, Building, Street, Planning, Ambulance, Code Enforcement
City Council Meetings
The Van Buren City Council will hold a regular meeting on October 28, 2024. The agenda includes two ordinances: one allocating insurance proceeds and another creating regulations for mobile food vendors. The consent agenda contains routine items such as meeting minutes, a street closure for New Year's Eve, and resolutions for record disposal and asset removal. The council will also receive a quarterly report from the Almost Home Animal Shelter.
- Ordinance allocating and appropriating insurance proceeds
- Ordinance establishing mobile food vendor regulations
- Street closure resolution for New Year's Eve event (Old Town Merchants Association)
- Resolution for disposal and destruction of records
- Resolution to remove and dispose of fixed assets
Parks & Recreation Commission Meetings
The Parks & Recreation Commission will discuss the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and plans for Christmas at the Parks. Miscellaneous discussion and adjournment follow.
- Discussion of Parks and Recreation Master Plan
- Planning for Christmas at the Parks event
City Council Meetings
The Van Buren City Council will consider several ordinances and resolutions at its regular meeting on September 23, 2024. Key items include a rezoning request for 701 and 703 Fayetteville Road from R-2 (residential) to C-2 (commercial), an amendment to building permit fees, and the annual millage tax levy. The council will also vote on bids for a fire department metal building project and a street overlay on River Road.
- Resolution accepting bid for Fire Department Metal Building Project
- Resolution accepting bid for Street Department River Road Overlay
- Ordinance amending Building Permit Fee Schedule
- Ordinance to rezone 701 and 703 Fayetteville Road from R-2 to C-2
- Ordinance levying the 2024 Millage Tax
Parks & Recreation Commission Meetings
The Parks and Recreation Commission will receive updates on current parks projects and a master plan update from MAHG. No votes or decisions are scheduled; the meeting is primarily informational.
- Current Parks Projects Update
- Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update – MAHG
City Council Meetings
The Van Buren City Council will hold a regular meeting with a consent agenda covering routine items such as minutes, a street closing for the King School 5K Run, a resolution for fixed asset removal, financial statements, and department reports. A separate resolution honors the retirement of Randy Allen from the Van Buren Police Department. The meeting also includes an invocation, roll call, audit, and time for miscellaneous discussion.
- Resolution – Retirement of Randy Allen, Van Buren Police Department
- Street Closing – King School 5K Run
- Resolution – Fixed Asset Removal
- Consent Agenda includes minutes, financial statements, and department reports (Police, Fire, Building, Street, Planning, Ambulance, Code Enforcement)
- Audit item
Parks & Recreation Commission Meetings
The Van Buren Parks and Recreation Commission is meeting to receive updates on current parks projects and a presentation on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan from consultant MAHG. The agenda also includes time for other business. No votes or specific funding decisions are listed.
- Current Parks Projects Update
- Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update – MAHG
City Council Meetings
The City Council will consider ordinances regarding residential sanitation collection and drainage standards. The body will also review a vehicle purchase for the Fire Department and a contract with MAHG.
- Ordinance for Residential Sanitation Collection Agreement with Van Buren Municipal Utilities
- Ordinance amending drainage standards-Wally Bailey
- Ordinance to approve purchase of new Fire Department vehicle
- Resolution to authorize contract with MAHG
- Resolution amending Resolution 10-2-2022 regarding Hawkins-Weir Downtown Drainage
Planning Commission Meetings
The Planning Commission will discuss implementing land use regulations within the city's planning jurisdiction. The commission will also review a preliminary plat for Rea’s Addition. Additionally, members will address drainage standards amendments and building permit fees.
- Preliminary plat review: Rea’s Addition (Block E, Lots 13A & 15A; Block J, Lots 21A & 22A)
- Discussion on land use regulations in the planning jurisdiction
- Drainage Standards Amendment discussion
- Building permit fees discussion
City Council Meetings
The City Council will consider an ordinance for Police Department vehicle purchases and a resolution to appoint a new council member. The agenda also includes a street closing request and updates to the personnel handbook.
- Ordinance for Police Department vehicle purchase
- Resolution appointing a new City Council member
- Street closing request from Lesa Crowell
- Resolution updating the Personnel Handbook
- Reappointment letters for Historic District/Planning Commission
Planning Commission Meetings
The Planning Commission will discuss updates to building permit, zoning, and sidewalk construction fees. The meeting also includes term reappointments for commissioners Jay White and Jared Clark.
- Discussion regarding building permit, zoning, and sidewalk construction fees
- Term reappointments for commissioners Jay White and Jared Clark
City Council Meetings
The Van Buren City Council is meeting to consider a resolution to utilize the Federal-Aid Transportation Alternatives Program and an ordinance establishing a vehicle allowance procedure. They will also discuss a territorial jurisdiction matter with Park Ridge POA and hold an executive session to address a vacancy for Ward 3, Position 2. The agenda includes routine consent items such as minutes, financial statements, and department reports.
- Resolution to utilize Federal-Aid Transportation Alternatives Program
- Ordinance establishing vehicle allowance procedure
- Discussion with Susan Moore & James Gentry, Park Ridge POA, on territorial jurisdiction
- Executive session for City Council vacancy, Ward 3, Position 2
- Consent agenda: minutes, Civil Service appointment, financial statements, department reports
Planning Commission Meetings
The Van Buren Planning Commission will consider a variance request from Empire Construction to reduce the street-side setback at 1223 Walnut St. from 20 feet to 12.9 feet for a building addition, and a conditional use permit from Covenant Kids Academy to operate a preschool at 420 W. Pointer Trail in a C-2 district. The board will also discuss building permit, zoning, and sidewalk construction fees. The meeting includes approval of the April 2, 2024 minutes.
- Variance #1-2024: 1223 Walnut St. — reduce street-side setback from 20 ft to 12.9 ft for a 1,508 sq ft addition
- Conditional Use Permit #1-2024: 420 W. Pointer Trail — preschool in C-2 Thoroughfare Commercial District
- Discussion on building permit, zoning, and sidewalk construction fees
- Approval of minutes from April 2, 2024
City Council Meetings
The Van Buren City Council is holding its regular meeting on April 22, 2024. The main items are two ordinances: one to rezone property from C-2 to R-3, and another to establish electronic funds transfer procedures. The council will also hear a quarterly report from Almost Home and discuss a city noise ordinance.
- Ordinance to rezone C-2 to R-3
- Ordinance establishing electronic funds transfer procedures
- Street closure for The Vault
- Connie Martin – Almost Home quarterly report
- Robert Hampton – city noise ordinance discussion
Planning Commission Meetings
The Van Buren Planning Commission will meet to consider a rezoning request for 11 S. 15th Street from C-2 (Commercial) to R-3 (Multi-Family Residential) to allow an accessory apartment for the owner's mother. They will also review a preliminary plat for Pointer Ridge I (Lots 1-42) and discuss building permit, zoning, and sidewalk construction fees. The agenda includes approval of minutes from the March 5, 2024 meeting.
- Rezone #2-2024: 11 S. 15th Street from C-2 to R-3 (applicant Julie Jett)
- Preliminary plat review: Pointer Ridge I (Lots 1-42) by Bridger Development Pointer Ridge, LLC
- Discussion on building permit, zoning, and sidewalk construction fees
- Approval of minutes from March 5, 2024 meeting
City Council Meetings
The Van Buren City Council is holding its regular meeting with a consent agenda covering routine items like minutes, a street closure, asset disposal, a personnel policy handbook, and a dog ordinance amendment. The council will also vote on a contract with Neal Morrison Consulting, an optional municipal health insurance ordinance, and a private club permit for The Box Arcade, plus discuss a Main Street closure request from Pointer Brewery.
- Contract services with Neal Morrison Consulting, LLC
- Ordinance providing optional municipal health insurance
- Ordinance authorizing private club permit for The Box Arcade
- Street closure for First Baptist VB First Kids Vacation Bible School June 3-7
- Pointer Brewery requesting 600 Block of Main Street closure every weekend
Planning Commission Meetings
The Van Buren Planning Commission will discuss building permit, zoning, and sidewalk construction fees, following a prior failed motion to table a sidewalk fee amendment. The discussion will compare Van Buren's fees with neighboring cities and consider whether to adjust fee schedules. The agenda also includes approval of minutes from the January 2, 2024 meeting and old/new business.
- Discussion on building permit, zoning, and sidewalk construction fees
- Review of sidewalk assessment fee and payment in lieu of construction (currently $20 per linear foot)
- Comparison of Van Buren fees with Fort Smith, Barling, Greenwood, Alma, Springdale, and Fayetteville
- Approval of minutes from January 2, 2024 meeting
City Council Meetings
The Van Buren City Council is meeting to consider several ordinances, including setting water and sewer rates for the Van Buren Municipal Utilities (VBMU) and authorizing purchases of asphalt and concrete for street repairs. The consent agenda includes resolutions on asset disposal, the 2023 budget, and use of federal funds for the Jefferson Street Bridge, among other routine items.
- Ordinance establishing water service rates for VBMU
- Ordinance establishing sewer service rates for VBMU
- Ordinance authorizing asphalt purchases for in-house street repairs
- Ordinance authorizing concrete purchases for in-house street repairs
- Resolution to utilize federal-aid monies for Jefferson Street Bridge
City Council Meetings
The Van Buren City Council is meeting to consider a consent agenda that includes a contract with Hawkins Weir for engineering services, a revised policy handbook, and a street closure request. The council will also vote on a rezoning ordinance for 8 North 15th Street and a lease agreement with Pointer Golf.
- Rezone for 8 North 15th Street
- Lease agreement with Pointer Golf
- Contract with Hawkins Weir for Engineering Services
- Street closure request for TOTMA Events
- Adopting Revised Policy Handbook
Planning Commission Meetings
The Van Buren Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the sidewalk ordinance assessment fee, which the City Council sent back for further study after rejecting a recommended increase from $20 to $50 per linear foot. The commission will also consider a request to rezone 8 North 15th Street from C-2 Thoroughfare Commercial to R-2 Family Residential, elect officers, and appoint a member to replace Andy Dibble, who resigned.
- Rezone #1-2024: 8 North 15th Street from C-2 to R-2 (applicant Keenan Winters)
- Public hearing on sidewalk ordinance assessment fee (currently $20/linear foot)
- Election of Planning Commission officers
- Appointment to replace Andy Dibble
- Approval of minutes from December 5, 2023