Tuesday’s Bentonville City Council meeting was a landmark event, with nearly $60 million in grants approved for a range of initiatives. 

“We live in an amazing community, but tonight might be one of the biggest nights we’ve ever approved,” said Council member Chris Sooter, after voting on many of the agenda items. “Sixty million dollars worth of grants, ranging from sewer to electric vehicles, to parks, to buildings. I mean, just take a minute to let that sink in.” 

Among the highlights were significant allocations for Bentonville Parks & Recreation department projects, including $32.5 million for the 8th Street Gateway Park and $21.37 for the Adult Recreation Center. Read a more detailed story on both projects here. 

In all, the City Council voted on more than 30 items. 

Here are more highlights from the meeting: 

Council approved a grant from the Walton Family Foundation for $2 million to purchase Benton County’s Division VI circuit court property at 221 S. Main St. for the Quilt of Parks project. The foundation will also provide a loan of $2.65 million plus closing costs to finance the total purchase price of $4.65 million.

The Quilt of Parks project is a pedestrian-friendly plaza that will connect six parks and public spaces in Downtown Bentonville: Lawrence Plaza, the Square, Dave Peel Park, Town Branch Park, The Commons, and the Activity Center Park. 

The council approved a resolution to retire police K-9 Kolyok. Kolyok and Sergeant Andrew Burger have worked for five years as a K-9 team at the Bentonville Police Department. Burger will take ownership of Kolyok upon retirement.

The City Council accepted a grant from the Walton Family Foundation in the amount of $90,000 for the completion of a tree canopy assessment and action plan. 

In a memorandum, Bentonville Planning Director Tyler Overstreet wrote it was critical to assess the tree canopy lost during the May 26 tornado and establish a reforestation plan.

The Canopy Assessment will help identify and prioritize areas to plant trees.

“With this planning effort, we will also prepare a canopy action plan which will provide recommendations for our tree planting programs, potential projects in priority areas, and ordinance recommendations relating to species selection, tree spacing, reforestation and preservation,” he wrote.

A temporary, one-day installation of artist Kurt Perschke’s “RedBall Project” was approved for display in the alley between 116 and 120 W. Central Ave. on Sept. 11. 

RedBall is a traveling public art piece that has been to over 40 cities around the world including Abu Dhabi, Taipei, Perth, England, Barcelona, St. Louis, Korea, Portland, Sydney, Arizona, Chicago and Toronto.