The City of Benton Street and Drainage Committee will be held on August 11, 2026 in Council Chambers at 5:00 pm, Immediately following the regular Parks Committee Meeting.  The meeting will be held in Council Chambers at the Benton Municipal Complex.  

Meeting Agenda

City of Benton

Streets and Drainage Committee Meeting

August 11, 2026

Council Chambers

410 River Street

At 5:00

Immediately following Parks

AGENDA

Committee Members:

Jeff Hamm, Chair                                                 Judd Hart

Frank Baptist, Vice Chair                                    Evelyn Reed

Steve Lee                                                                 Ann Spencer-Cole

Trevor Villines                                                       Jeff Morrow                                              

John Richey Streets/Drainage Director          Chad Slaughter

Steve Brown

1. Call to order.                                              
2. Recognition of Attendees
3. Statement of FOIA compliance.
4. I affirm that I have not engaged in any prohibited discussion, deliberation, or polling regarding any item on this meeting’s agenda outside of a properly noticed and open meeting, in compliance with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, as amended by Act 505 of 2025
5. Approval of Minutes
6. McClelland Updates
7. Project updates
8. Other
9. Adjourn

Previous Meeting Minutes – April 14, 2026

Committee Chair Jeff Hamm called the meeting to order at 5:16pm, and roll call-Frank Baptist, Steve Brown, Ann Spencer-Cole, Evelyn Reed, Tom Farmer, John Richey, Judd Hart, Jeff Morrow, Trevor Villines, and Jeff Hamm. The Statement of FOIA compliance was answered by all members at the beginning of committee meetings. Chair member Hamm called for approval of the December 9, 2025 meeting minutes. Chair member Hart made the motion to approve, with chair member Hart the 2^nd. A vote was called for and motion carried.

Chair member Hamm moved to item 5, Northshore Road Annexation. John Richey explained that this is a road only annexation and that the area is currently split with the County. Mayor Farmer and the County Judge, Matt Brumley have agreed to bring it into the city. The annexation will require an ordinance and Council approval. A motion to approve was made by Chair member Morrow and the 2^nd by Chair member Hart. Chair member Hamm Called for a vote, motion carried.
Item 7 on the agenda was the Resolution for ARdot mowing contract. This is for the city to mow specific spots along I-30, mainly overpass areas, 3 times per year. This has been deemed insufficient. ARdot agreed to pay the city to mow these areas more frequently. A motion was made to accept and implement the mowing agreement and to accept the ARdot payment by Chair member Brown and the 2^nd by Chair member Villines. After the vote, the Resolution was approved.

Next on the agenda was a Resolution for the acceptance of low bid for the rebuild of the Street Dept shed that was destroyed by the snow/ice event this past winter. Two bids received; low bid from Jaycon $109,451 to replace the entire structure (not just roofing).  A motion was made to accept the low bid by Chair member Cole, and the 2^nd by Chair member Reed. A vote was called for and the Council accepted the low bid and approved replacement at a nearby/adjusted location; developer/contractor will use stronger materials specified for snow load. The motion carried.

Item 8 was citizens request to discuss Cottage Walk Development. Multiple residents from St. Andrew Woods/Abbey Lane described newly caused drainage/runoff problems after tree clearing and grading for Cottage Walk phases; residents bought homes between 2021-2024 and observed rapid terrain changes (hills increased from 8ft to 25-30ft behind homes). Residents reported flooded yards, French drains filled with silt, a detention pond that routed water around instead of through it, a pond breach, and repeated silting in of yards, one pond failure occurred roughly a month ago during heavy rain. Residents reported repeated flooding tied to the construction of the Cottage Walk; —8—9 homes impacted so far and several homeowners reported tens of thousands in damages with one mentioning $50k.

Residents want to know who maintains berms/retention features, who will take ownership of the slopes next to existing yards, how often there will need to be pond dredging, safety and maintenance of steep berms. They also asked who will be responsible for the upkeep of these areas.  Jonathan Hope- Developer / consultant acknowledged the issues, described the site as very sandy soil that erodes quickly, and explained ongoing remediation over the past month multiple ponds, hydroseeding, hay bales, silt fences, dredging ponds, and daily site work.  During construction the site is more vulnerable, consultant explained water often moves faster because vegetation and permanent infrastructure are not yet in place, causing temporary increased runoff and silt movement into downstream properties. This is a private development; the developer owns the work and is responsible during the bonding year.

 After the developer’s 1-year bonding/maintenance period ends and city inspection confirms standards (installed asphalt, pipes, curbs, ponds), the city will accept the infrastructure and assume maintenance. City inspectors, engineering staff and the consultants will intervene when residents report problems; the city may require developers/contractors to perform corrective work and can shut down work if criteria are not met.

             Council and staff committed to immediate follow-up and higher visibility on this site. City staff (Mayor, engineering, stormwater, and consultant) will inspect the site tomorrow morning with residents’ contact info to confirm actions before upcoming rain. Jonathan Hope to prepare a list of additional preventative measures and coordinate with developer. Contractor to maintain silt controls and dredge ponds as needed. In the longer term, finish construction phases and complete the permanent stormwater infrastructure (piping to ponds) so flows go where designed. Council committed to keep the Cottage Walk issue highly visible and pursue corrective action when necessary, immediate site inspection, connect residents to consultant/developer, and develop a prioritized list of additional temporary and permanent mitigation measures.

City emphasized inspections, DRC review improvements, and stronger pre-approval vetting going forward to reduce similar occurrences on complex construction sites.

Chair member Hamm asked for any other questions or comments. With none, he then moved on to the project updates asking Taylor Clark from McClelland Engineers to explain. Congo / Shenandoah roundabout right-of-way acquisition has been verified staff ironing out a utility reimbursement agreement for water/sewer relocation as part of the Metro Plan application and should be out to bid to bid in the next 1-2 months. Congo Road widening: survey mobilized; target 30% plans this summer; project includes added turn lanes, sidewalks and a trail connecting to existing pedestrian networks.

Cross Street improvements phase 1 finished; phase 3 progressing; some coordination required where cross drains interfered with waterlines—new waterline plans prepared for integration.

Alcoa Trail, Fourth Street sidewalks and other TAP-funded walking/trail projects design work & ARDOT coordination in progress one trail awarded $335k 80% match $400k total.

Chair member Hamm asked

Council reiterated the new stormwater program and fee increase (historically $0.50/mo., increased up to $5) has funded several hundred projects across wards over the past 5-6 years; more work remains.

Chair member Hamm asked for any other questions or comments for this meeting, hearing none he called the meeting adjourned.