When the Bentonville City Council met last night, there were nearly 30 items on the agenda.
Here are some of the highlights from the meeting:
City Council reserves time at the end of meetings for topics that aren’t on the meeting agenda. During this time, eight people voiced their support for Backroom Social Club amid noise-related tension with its neighbors.
While complaints have been made, the venue’s owners say they haven’t received any citations for noise violations.
The city has been exploring changes to the noise ordinance, but no specific action pertaining to Backroom has been taken up by the council.
Reached after the meeting, an owner of the venue said it has recently agreed to stop music at 12 a.m. on weeknights and 1 a.m. on weekends as a result of complaints. Previously, music could go as late as 3 a.m.
🚰 Early steps for water treatment project
Crossland Heavy Contractors was selected to provide pre-construction services for a major renovation of the downtown wastewater treatment facility. The project will double the facility’s capacity.
Nobody spoke during the part of the meeting reserved for public comment on plans to issue a $97,759,381 bond to finance the improvements.
⚾ New public art at Phillips Park
The Bentonville Youth Baseball Board is paying for a baseball themed statue to be installed at Phillips Park.
“Bentonville Bat” will depict a baseball player on top of an 18 foot tall bat that is supported by four figures that symbolize coaches, families, and volunteers.
The steel design will be anchored to a concrete foundation.
🌳Park security cameras
The council authorized the purchase of $56,040 in cameras for city parks.
The cameras will be installed in seven parks: The Bark Park and Bike Playground, Citizens Park, Creekside Park, Lake Bentonville, Memorial Park, Merchants Parks, and Wildwood Park.
These parks “receive the highest level of vehicle theft and accidents in the system,” according to a memo from the parks department.
The cameras will be part of a shared camera network used by various agencies in Arkansas, including Centerton Police Department and Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
🚰 Final repairs to water main
The council approved $96,373.64 in expenses related to the repair of a 48-inch water transmission main that was damaged by a private contractor last month. The total cost of repairs now sits at $296,373.64.
Public Works Director Mike Bender said the city expects to be reimbursed “in full” by the company that caused the damage.
For the complete agenda and meeting recording, click here.
