It's official: Burger King is coming to Siloam Springs.
After some discussion, the Board of Directors unanimously approved a significant development permit for the fast food restaurant on U.S. Highway 412.
The site, located at the corner of Highway 412 and Highway 16, drew criticism from directors Frank Johnson and Brad Burns.
Johnson said he had concerns about traffic in the area, the potential for flooding along an important planned exit route and the sheer number of zoning variances the new building required.
"I went clothes shopping this weekend and found a pair of shoes that were one size smaller than what I usually wear," Johnson said. "And I could get into them, but boy did my toes ever hurt. It just seems to me that (Burger King is) just wedging it in on a piece of property where it doesn't fit. ... Surely there is another location for them."
Burns agreed with Johnson and said the city should put some pressure on the state to update Highway 16, which is a state road.
Director Scott Jones said he was fine with putting pressure on the state to fix roads, but denying Burger King's permit was not the way to do it. The state would have to see there was a problem caused by the new growth to pay attention to the highway.
"The state's not going to respond to potential possibilities of maybes," Jones said.
Director Steve Beers said that the Board of Adjustment voted seven to zero to allow all five variances. He also said the traffic situation shouldn't be any worse than the McDonald's on Holly Street, as it has a similar planning situation.
After some more discussion, the permit was approved by a vote of six to zero, as Director Bob Coleman was absent.
There was one other main point of discussion in what Mayor John Mark Turner remarked was a very quiet meeting. The city passed a resolution that allows the city to issue a referendum to update its Social Security policy.
Christina Petriches, the Finance Director for the city, said the city had recently been made aware that the city was paying Social Security taxes on board members and part time employees, even though they were not participating in the program. In addition, due to the way wages were reported, the employees and board members were still being taxed for Social Security on their annual taxes.
In addition, the city learned that the position of Mayor may not be in compliance with the Fair Standards Labor Act, Petriches said. Currently, the Mayor is considered an employee of the city. With the new referendum, the office will be treated in the same way as the Board of Directors.
In response to a question from Jones, Petriches said the city has paid Social Security on employees for at least 17 years, potentially since the city government change.
Director Amy Smith asked if some people could lose their qualification for Social Security. Petriches answered that some could potentially lose benefits if that class of employees chooses to not participate in Social Security.
The referendum will invite the Social Security Office to the city. Petriches said the office will poll the Board of Directors and the part-time employees. Each class of employee will then either participate in Social Security or not, depending on the majority vote.
The referendum will also allow the city to adjust the position of Mayor to bring it into compliance.
The city board also:
• approved the purchase of a drainage culvert for Kenwood Street.
• approved an alcoholic beverage ordinance on its third reading.
• Placed an ordinance giving municipal bidders a five percent preference on its third reading.
• Placed an ordinance amending Family Aquatic Center rates on its third reading.
General News on 02/07/2016