City Board meets for final time in 2017

n Quick meeting highlights positive news for city.

Graham Thomas/Siloam Sunday Siloam Springs Parks and Recreation manager Jon Boles speaks to the City Board and administrators during a meeting at the new Parks and Recreation office on Tuesday, Dec. 19.
Graham Thomas/Siloam Sunday Siloam Springs Parks and Recreation manager Jon Boles speaks to the City Board and administrators during a meeting at the new Parks and Recreation office on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

The Siloam Springs City Board of Directors met for the final time in 2017 in a brief meeting Tuesday at the new Parks and Recreation office on West University Street -- the site of the old Siloam Springs Public Library.

After roll call, which included all six current board members present, the minutes for the Dec. 5 meeting were approved 6-0, and no public input was offered during the public comments section.

City Administrator Phillip Patterson gave his report to the board, which included sales tax numbers being up in October for both the city and Benton County.

Patterson reminded the board that general election for at-large position No. 5 will be held Jan. 9 between candidates Reid Carroll and Karl Mounger, both of whom were in attendance at Tuesday's meeting and sitting beside one another.

Patterson said early voting will be Jan. 2-8 prior to the general election, which will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Community Building downtown on Jan. 9.

"We would encourage everybody to come out and vote," Patterson said.

At the end of the meeting, Patterson, Mayor John Mark Turner and all six board members took time to congratulate Carroll and Mounger for their success at the recent election.

Patterson recognized the city's recent selection to be considered as one of the top 10 towns on the show "Small Business Revolution -- Main Street Season 3." Patterson said the town can expect more publicity from that in the coming weeks.

"Regardless of if we end up in the top five, it's a huge thing for the city of Siloam Springs to be in the top 10," Patterson said.

Patterson applauded the efforts of city staff and volunteers for the successful visit of the Kansas City Southern Holiday Express Train, which visited town on Dec. 10. Patterson said more than 2,500 people attended the event.

Patterson said the Shop with a Cop event, which was held Wednesday, raised more than $8,000 and was able to help 18 families.

Patterson recognized the Siloam Springs Fire Department's EMS services, which recently landed accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) and is one of only 190 in the nation to do so.

Parks and Recreation manager Jon Boles introduced his department's newest employee, Katie McCraney, who is the new recreation coordinator.

Boles also spoke of the new office for the Parks and Recreation department and future possibilities of space that has not been determined.

"It's very nice," Boles said.

Patterson concluded his administrator's report with thanking city staff for their work during the last year and wished everyone a merry Christmas and happy new year.

"I think the city had a successful year in 2017," Patterson said.

Turner echoed those statements, as did the board members, who all spoke fondly of the city of Siloam Springs.

Director Bob Coleman then made a motion to adjourn and director Carol Smiley seconded.

Before adjourning, Turner paid tribute to the life of Nancy Van Poucke, the wife of former Siloam Springs mayor, the late M.L. "Moose" Van Poucke, who died on Dec. 16.

"Nancy was a great trooper and she hung on for a long time," Turner said. "Now she can be with Moose."

The City Board and staff in attendance were then treated to a reception catered by Chickadee's.

General News on 12/24/2017