Centerton City Council Meeting Recap - April 8, 2025

Centerton City Council Meeting Recap – April 8, 2025 

Evenings like this one remind me just how much our city is evolving. I wasn’t going to miss it, and I’m glad I didn’t—from the downtown master plan to new grant applications and software discussions, there was a lot to cover. Here’s your complete recap from this month’s City Council meeting.

Public Recognitions & Reports

🎉 Citizen Life-Saving Awards were given to local first responders for their life-saving actions during opioid-related emergencies. These awards reflect the deep appreciation our city has for its front-line heroes.

📆 Department Reports noted strong early-year performance:

• Revenue: 31% of annual target

• Expenditures: 27%, with early-year costs causing a temporary spike

Ordinances

🔹 Ordinance 2025-15: Vacate Rear Easement at 103 Hoss Street

• Vacates a 9-ft section of utility easement to allow for a backyard pool

• No current utilities exist in the area; if discovered, relocation will be at the owner's expense

• ✅ Passed Unanimously after public hearing

🔹 Ordinance 2025-16: Final Plat Approval for West Winds Subdivision Phase 1

• Located at Hwy 102 & Kitty Rd; includes 53 residential lots, a detention lot, lift station lot, and commercial lot

• Bonds in place: $448,884 (Water & Sewer), $644,768 (Streets & Drainage)

• ✅ Approved

🔹 Ordinance 2025-17: Accept Warranty Deed for Lift Station (Lot B, West Winds)

• Formalizes city ownership of lift station lot

• Includes emergency clause for immediate effect

• ✅ Approved with Emergency Clause

Resolutions

🔹 Resolution 2025-14: Establish Impact Fee Accounts

• Creates dedicated accounts for Fire, Police, Parks, and Streets Impact Fees at First National Bank of NWA

• ✅ Approved (with minor typo corrected)

🔹 Resolution 2025-15: Contract for Metal Roof Replacement at Old City Hall

• Triple B Fabrication selected (bid under $46,500, includes gutters and straps)

• Chosen after review of 10 bids and strong references

• ✅ Approved

🔹 Resolution 2025-16: SmartGov Software Extension with Granicus

• Extends the city's planning software for one year

• Much debate occurred around performance issues and cost ($16,344.96)

• Staff indicated the extension allows time to implement a new system and manually migrate data

• ✅ Approved to maintain functionality during the transition

🔹 Resolution 2025-17: Grant Application to ARDOT TAP for Sidewalk Expansion

• Applies for $500,000 in federal aid for sidewalk projects

• Includes 20% match from city

• ✅ Approved

🔹 Resolution 2025-18: Architect Agreement for Public Works Expansion

• Enters agreement with DEMX Architects for expansion planning

• ✅ Approved, pending legal review

Downtown Master Plan Update (ULI Small Cities Program)

Megan Brown of ULI NWA gave an update on the upcoming Downtown Master Plan. A main component of this study is to establish a clear identity for Centerton as a standalone community within Northwest Arkansas—something distinct, cohesive, and forward-looking.

The study area is divided into two parts:

• "Old Downtown" refers to the existing downtown area near the intersection of Main Street and AR 102.

• "New Downtown" covers approximately 400 acres south of Centerton Boulevard, east of Greenhouse Road.

ULI engaged with a panel of local residents to determine what was desired out of this new plan. Key themes and suggestions from that discussion included:

• "Old Downtown":

  • Desire to re-use or allow a wider range of uses for the existing buildings

  • Lower parking minimums

  • Gain control of N Main from ARDOT

  • Preserve natural floodplains

• "New Downtown":

  • Create a vision for a compact, mixed-use town center

  • Embrace topography and water features as assets

  • Find connectivity between Old Downtown & New Downtown

• Public engagement is crucial. Upcoming meetings will allow the community to help shape the vision.

The next step is the RFQ (Request for Qualifications) process to identify planning consultants. ULI hopes to review submissions and select a consultant by the end of May, with work beginning as early as June or July 2025. Full project completion is targeted for mid-2026.

Sewer Capacity & Developer Discussions

A letter from Centerton Utilities confirmed the ongoing pause on new development approvals due to limited wastewater capacity at Decatur's plant.

• Decatur has begun construction on expanding headworks (inflow treatment), with a permit for increased capacity pending

• Expansion from 3.8 MGD to 5.25 MGD is hoped for by December 2025

• City staff reaffirmed that long-term infrastructure planning is underway, including possible partnerships with NACA

Final Notes

📓 Next Up: Coffee with the Mayor – Saturday, April 19 @ 9AM
Join me at the Centerton Community Room where I’ll be sharing the latest Centerton Real Estate Market Update for March. I’ll also be bringing plenty of copies of our GG Magazine—a stunning global lifestyle and real estate publication curated by Engel & Völkers. If you’ve never flipped through one, get ready for world-class design inspiration and a tour of some of the most breathtaking properties around the globe. You can preview it online at gg-magazine.com.

🔹 Want more insights? Bookmark this blog and check back after every Council and Planning meeting for updates, deep dives, and Centerton-specific real estate news you won’t find anywhere else!