The city board of directors will consider submitting a grant application that will replace a city-owned taxi for the transportation service that aides the elderly and disabled during its meeting this Tuesday at city hall.
Currently, the city has an ADA wheelchair accessible 2000 Ford E-series van and a 2007 Dodge Caravan. Last April, the city received a grant to replace the 2000 Ford-E series van. Now, the city has an opportunity to apply for an 80/20 grant from the Arkansas Department of Transportation that, if awarded, it intends to use to replace the 2007 Dodge Caravan.
The estimated cost of the vehicle is $27,940. Under the grant, the city is responsible for paying 20 percent, or $5,588. The grant will be awarded in 2020, but the deadline for application is May 6, 2019.
In other business, the board will:
• Consider declaring community planning as a professional service. Under Arkansas State Statute 19-11-801 subsection B, political subdivisions may not use competitive bidding to obtain legal, financial, construction management and other services. However, statute 19-11-801 subsection C states municipalities may elect not to use competitive bidding for services not listed "with a two-thirds vote of the political subdivision's governing body."
• Read an ordinance amending the city's land use code. This is the second reading. The planning commission reviewed the code change at its March 12 meeting and voted in favor 6-0 for the proposed change. One commissioner was absent.
• Read an ordinance that could rezone 3.7 acres at 303 S. Country Club Road from light industrial to roadway commercial. This is the second reading. The Planning Commission approved the rezoning permit by a 6-0 vote. One commissioner was absent.
• Consider placing an ordinance on its first reading that would amend chapter two of the municipal code. Currently, the code specifies the limits for small, medium and large expenditures. Due to conflicts with price ranges and the requirements for things like competitive bidding, the board will first look at a recommendation that provides "exemptions for lowest price quotes for purchases of goods and services less than 10 percent of the small expenditure limitation," or $1,100. The board will also look at a recommendation that provides an "exemption from the requirements of obtaining a lowest price quote for purchasing goods and services less than or equal to the small expenditure limitation," which is currently $11,000.
The board is also expected to review February financial information and provide updates on this year's first quarter goals.
For more information, visit siloamsprings.com or call city hall at 479-524-5136.
General News on 04/14/2019