Bentonville meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Bentonville Council to consider $6.4M in road grants, $2M park contract

The Bentonville City Council is scheduled to consider accepting more than $6 million in federal grants for road improvements at its Aug. 25 meeting, along with a $2.07 million contract for Phillips Park and a $690,400 purchase of electrical breakers. The meeting, which combines a Committee of the Whole discussion with the official council session, is the most consequential on the city's calendar this week.

Road grants and infrastructure

The council will vote on three resolutions to accept grants from the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC):

• $2,372,920 for Greenhouse Road Improvements (Job No. 090628)
• $2,500,000 for I-49/J Street Interchange Improvements (Job No. 090676)
• $1,544,000 for Vaughn Road Improvements

All three are listed as FFY2026 or FFY2025 grants. The council will also consider a resolution awarding a bid to Milestone Construction for Phillips Park Phase III in the amount of $2,066,933.08.

Utility equipment purchase

The council will consider an ordinance waiving competitive bidding to purchase four 161 kV breakers from GE Grid Solutions for $690,400 plus tax. The same item appears on the Finance Committee agenda for Aug. 25.

Recent meetings

Finance Committee (Aug. 11)

The committee's agenda included two resolutions to accept grants from the Walton Family Foundation: $20,000 for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and $700,000 for adaptive AI-based traffic signal technologies. Both required budget adjustments.

City Council (Aug. 11)

The council's agenda included the same $700,000 grant, a $593,655 contract for SWX Construction for a Phillips Park North Restroom Pavilion, a $48,976 amendment for Phillips Park construction administration, and three rezoning requests and three easement vacations. All were recommended for approval by the Planning Commission.

Planning Commission (Aug. 18)

The commission's agenda included a STEM University campus development plan on 14 acres, rezonings at 301 SE B Street, 404 SW 2nd Street, and 405 NW 5th Street (the latter with improper notice, no action), and community code amendments and Future Land Use Map changes.

Utility Board (Aug. 18)

The board considered an ordinance to waive bidding for the same $690,400 breakers and a resolution to accept a grant from The Recycling Partnership for up to $202,000 cash plus $125,000 in-kind services.

Tree & Landscape Advisory Board (Aug. 20)

The board discussed an update to the Native and Pollinator Landscape Ordinance, plans for the fall tree giveaway on Oct. 10, seed packets, a backup plan, and landscape nominations.

Public Art Advisory Board (Aug. 20)

The board reviewed a final recommendation for the "Near the Pitch" public art project, discussed the Water Tower Rd Roundabout, considered a proposal for "Old Tree" by Pamela Rosenkranz, and began planning for 2027 projects.

Coming up

• **Finance Committee** – Aug. 25: Will review $7 million in grants, including $2.37 million for Greenhouse Road, $2.5 million for I-49/J Street, and $1.54 million for Vaughn Road, plus the $690,400 breaker purchase.
• **Combined Committee of the Whole & City Council** – Aug. 25: Will vote on the road grants, the breaker purchase, the Phillips Park Phase III contract, and other administrative items.

Bentonville roundup: Traffic committee approves event closures; council to consider $700K AI traffic signal grant

Bentonville's Traffic Safety and Signage Committee approved several race and holiday event road closures at its Aug. 3 meeting, including the Spooky Sprint, LPGA 5K, and downtown holiday events. The committee also tabled three pedestrian safety signage requests pending further study.

Traffic Safety and Signage Committee

The committee voted unanimously to approve the Spooky Sprint race route, the LPGA 5K event on September 19, 2026, the Lighting of the Square and Christmas Parade closures, and the Trifest for MS race/run/triathlon event. It approved Lifetime Event road closures by a 6-1 vote, with the condition that final plans be submitted to the Street Department two weeks prior.

Three items were tabled unanimously: pedestrian flashing warning signs at 11th & Bella Vista pending traffic counts and an engineering study; school zone signage on SE 8th Street pending MUTCD compliance review; and pedestrian safety improvements at Featherston Road and Glen Road pending traffic and pedestrian data.

Other recent meetings

Several other boards and committees met in the past two weeks, but their minutes have not yet been published. Key items on their agendas include:

• **City Council (July 28)** – Considered ordinances on city codes, fee structures, and public property; professional service agreements for intersection and drainage improvements; and two rezoning requests. Notable items: a $792,230 agreement with Halff Associates for the Vaughn/Old Farm Lift Station project, a $223,255 amendment to Olsson's agreement for Walton & Central Intersection Improvements, a $168,074 change order to Flintco for the Bentonville Adult Recreation Center, a $20,000 grant from Fidelity for the America 250 Student Art Project, and rezoning of 1108 Royal Dr from R-1 to T3.2 and 607 SW F Street from T5.1 to T5.2.
• **Finance Committee (July 28)** – Reviewed a $20,000 grant from Fidelity and a budget adjustment for sidewalk, curb, and gutter concrete repairs.
• **Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (Aug. 3)** – Discussed the 2027 capital budget and reviewed six trail projects in design, including Elm Tree Trail, 3rd Street Trail, 18th Street Trail, and Bright Road Trail.
• **Utility Board (Aug. 4)** – Considered a $91,881 agreement with Garver, LLC for a water distribution system pressure management analysis.
• **Planning Commission (Aug. 4)** – Reviewed six rezoning requests, a property line adjustment for the North Main Mixed Use Subdivision, and upcoming public hearings for right-of-way, utility easement, and access easement vacations.
• **Construction Board of Appeals (Aug. 6)** – Met to finalize its by-laws.
• **Airport Advisory Board (Aug. 6)** – Received status reports on geese control and field operations, and reviewed construction updates for several airport projects, including the Hangar Access Road, West Taxiway Rehabilitation, West Turf Apron, East Taxiway Extension (Phase 2), and East Parking Apron.

Coming up

Two meetings are scheduled for Aug. 11:

• **Finance Committee** – Will consider two Walton Family Foundation grants: $20,000 for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and $700,000 for adaptive AI-based traffic signal technologies. Both require budget adjustments.
• **Combined Committee of the Whole & City Council** – Will hold public hearings and vote on a $700,000 Walton Family Foundation grant for adaptive AI-based traffic signal technology, a $593,655 contract with SWX Construction for the Phillips Park North Restroom Pavilion, a $48,976 amendment for Phillips Park construction administration, and rezoning of 403 NW 7th Street and 204 Lake Street. The council will also consider a $20,000 Design Excellence Grant for the Parks Master Plan.

Bentonville boards weighed sewer contract, rezoning requests, and sidewalk repairs in late July

Bentonville's city boards and commissions held a series of meetings in late July covering sewer infrastructure, intersection improvements, rezoning requests, and sidewalk repair funding. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so outcomes — including whether items were approved — cannot be confirmed from the available agendas. Readers should consult official city records for final results.

City Council agenda included infrastructure contracts and rezoning votes

The Combined Committee of the Whole and City Council met July 28 with a packed agenda. Items listed for consideration included a $792,230.00 agreement with Halff Associates, Inc. for the Vaughn/Old Farm Lift Station, Force Main, and Gravity Sewer project; a $223,255.00 amendment to Olsson's agreement for Walton & Central Intersection Improvements; and a $168,074.00 change order to Flintco for the Bentonville Adult Recreation Center.

The council agenda also included a $20,000.00 grant from Fidelity for the America 250 Student Art Project and two rezoning requests: 1108 Royal Dr from R-1 to T3.2, and 607 SW F Street from T5.1 to T5.2. Because minutes are not yet available, it is not confirmed whether any of these items passed.

Utility Board reviewed $792,230 sewer engineering contract

The Bentonville Utility Board met July 21 to review a proposed resolution for engineering services. The agenda listed a $792,230.00 contract with Halff Associates, Inc. for the Vaughn/Old Farm Lift Station, Force Main, and Gravity Sewer project — the same item that appeared on the July 28 City Council agenda. No minutes have been published.

Finance Committee discussed grant acceptance and sidewalk repair budget

The Finance Committee met July 28 to consider city council items, including a $20,000.00 grant from Fidelity and a budget adjustment for sidewalk, curb, and gutter concrete repairs. The agenda described the items as primarily procedural. Outcomes are not confirmed.

Planning Commission took up large-scale developments and rezoning

The Planning Commission met July 21 to review a consent agenda for minor property adjustments and large-scale developments. Listed items included the Downtown Bentonville Mixed Use project known as The Hart on Main at 212 N. Main St., and the AWE Maintenance Facility at 1119 NE J St. The agenda also included two rezoning requests: STEM Lands, LLC from T5.1 to T5.2 (RZ26-0018), and SNUG Properties, LLC from R-1 Suburban to T3.2 (RZ26-0032). Advertised public hearings were noted for the rezoning items. Minutes are not yet published.

Active Transportation Advisory Board discussed signals and trail rules

The Active Transportation Advisory Board met July 21. Agenda items included traffic signal intervals and always-on opportunities, trail rules, the ATAB portal, and approval of May 2026 meeting minutes. No minutes from the July 21 meeting have been published.

Coming up

• **Aug. 3 — Traffic Safety and Signage Committee:** Reviews race road closure requests, including the Spooky Sprint at Orchards Park and LIFETIME Expo closures on N Main St and NW 3rd St, plus pedestrian signage requests at 11th & Bella Vista and school zone signs on SE 8th St.
• **Aug. 4 — Utility Board:** Considers a $91,881.00 agreement with Garver, LLC for a water distribution system pressure management analysis.
• **Aug. 4 — Planning Commission:** Votes on six rezoning requests, a property line adjustment at 212 N. Main St., and the JB Townhomes Phase 2 large-scale development at 841 NW 14th St. A public hearing is scheduled for 5:00 PM with a tech review at 4:30 PM.
• **Aug. 6 — Airport Advisory Board:** Reviews construction updates on five airport infrastructure projects, including the Hangar Access Road, West Taxiway Rehabilitation, and East Taxiway Extension Phase 2, plus status reports on geese control and field operations.

Bentonville Roundup: Street Closures Approved for Race Series and Hiking Weekend; Council to Weigh Infrastructure Spending

The Traffic Safety and Signage Committee approved street closures for the Run Bentonville Race Series and the Ozarks Hiking Weekend at its July 6 meeting, the only body in the past two weeks with published minutes confirming decisions.

Traffic Safety and Signage Committee — July 6

The committee took four votes, all unanimous:

• **Approved** the Run Bentonville Race Series street closures.
• **Approved** the Ozarks Hiking Weekend, contingent on coordination with library parking.
• **Tabled** the Spooky Sprint half marathon event pending a revised route.
• **Supported** moving forward with the Life Time Big Sugar alternate route, which will return for formal consideration in August.

City Council and Finance Committee — July 14

The Bentonville City Council and Finance Committee met July 14, but minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed. The agendas listed several items with dollar amounts:

• $550,000.00 increase to the Milestone IDIQ contract for sidewalks and concrete work.
• $741,058.00 bid award to Sandridge Construction for the McCollum Sidepath Phase 2.
• $30,000.00 Walton Family Foundation grant for John Deshields Blvd crosswalks.
• $30,000.00 contribution from Runway for pedestrian infrastructure.
• $100,000.00 repayment of unused Walton Family Foundation grant funds.
• $50,000.00 commitment for HWY 71 B Corridor Transit Oriented Development Planning.
• $200,000.00 bid to All Around MFG for a 2026 Bucket Truck.
• $78,568.00 amendment for SW Nutmeg Drainage Improvements.
• Rezoning of 1201 and 1203 SW I St from T2.1 Rural to T5.2 Town Center High.

These items were on the agenda; the record does not yet show whether they passed.

Planning Commission — July 7

The Planning Commission agenda included public hearings on four rezoning requests and one planned unit development amendment:

• Michael Koenitz-Hudac — 1201 and 1203 SW I St (RZ26-0030).
• Gocio — 716 Jefferson St (RZ26-0031).
• SNUG Properties — 1108 Royal Dr (RZ26-0032).
• J & M Capital Ventures — 4001-4104 SW Pawhuska St (RZ26-0033).
• Laurel Canyon PUD Amendment at 902-1002 SE 3rd St (PUD25-0002).

New business included the Plaza Surgery Center Large Scale Development at 701 SE Plaza Avenue (LSD26-0010) and an extension request for Applejack II Townhomes at 908 East Central (LSD25-0026). The consent agenda listed a property line adjustment at 4201 SW 2nd Street (PLA26-0014). Minutes are not yet published.

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board — July 6

The board's agenda called for approval of a public art statue honoring Dr. Compton, plus financial and program evaluations for the Run Bentonville Half Marathon and the Square to Square event. The 2027 recreation program fee schedule was also listed for discussion. Minutes are not yet published.

Tree & Landscape Advisory Board — July 16

The board discussed an update to the Native and Pollinator Landscape Ordinance, including enforcement and staffing considerations. Members received an update on the Fall Tree Giveaway planned for October 10, 2026, and reviewed five landscape award nominations. Minutes are not yet published.

Public Art Advisory Board — July 16

The board conducted a site tour of potential display locations at 1802 Associates Drive and adjourned. No minutes are available.

Coming Up

• **July 21 — Utility Board:** Will consider a proposed $792,230.00 contract with Halff Associates, Inc. for engineering services on the Vaughn/Old Farm Lift Station, Force Main, and Gravity Sewer project.
• **July 21 — Planning Commission:** Will review the Downtown Bentonville Mixed Use project (The Hart on Main) at 212 N. Main St., the AWE Maintenance Facility at 1119 NE J St., and rezoning requests from STEM Lands, LLC (RZ26-0018) and SNUG Properties, LLC (RZ26-0032).