FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 16, 2020

Contact: Lisa Thurber
Director of Communications
(479) 575-8330
lthurber@fayetteville-ar.gov

Fayetteville City Council to Hold Special Meeting Tonight, March 16

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — City of Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan has called a special meeting of the City Council to take place at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 16, at City Hall. This meeting will replace the City Council meeting previously scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, at 5:30 p.m.

Normal rules will be suspended for today’s City Council session to streamline the meeting and limit Council, staff and public risk for exposure to and transmission of COVID-19. Old and some new business will be tabled and use of touchscreen voting technology will be suspended in favor of voice voting.

Items related to employee pay plan and single-use disposable bags will not be included on tonight’s agenda. Items tabled in tonight’s meeting will be moved to the next City Council meeting currently scheduled for April 7, 2020.
The agenda will include two additional items:

• An ordinance temporarily empowering the mayor to regulate the gathering of 50 or more people in public or private places that serve the public and to locally enforce recommendations from health authorities including the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Arkansas Department of Health, along with other actions deemed necessary to protect public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic
  
  
• A resolution appropriating emergency funds if additional funding is needed for city expenditures necessary to address the COVID-19 pandemic in Fayetteville

Council Chambers will be modified to create at least six feet between Council members, in accordance with CDC guidelines for social distancing. Additionally, public seating will be spaced at least six feet apart, and additional seating will be available in City Hall Room 111. All attendees are asked to create at least six feet of space between themselves and other attendees as well as to sanitize hands prior to entering Council chambers.

This meeting will be live-streamed and recorded, and the public is encouraged to view the meeting online here to reduce potential exposure and transmission of COVID-19.

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has declared a public health emergency and ordered mandatory closure of all public schools across the state effective Tuesday, March 17. Additionally, Washington County Judge Joseph Woods issued a declaration of emergency for Washington County. The City of Fayetteville continues to take steps to prepare for COVID-19 and prevent the spread of illness. Please check the City’s COVID-19 webpage for updates.

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