January Council Meeting 2026
- Emily Young
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Our agenda and regular meetings are both held in the 2nd floor Chambers of City Hall. They are also both live streamed on Facebook and YouTube.
See the full agenda items here:
This post covers special session, finance, and agenda prep held on January 13th, 2026.
Thirteen days into the new year, the Russellville City Council met in the Council chambers to approve the City Council Rules of Procedure & Standing Rules, assign committees and liaisons, hold their finance meeting, as well as agenda prep.
As a quick recap, your 2026 City Council members are:
Nathan George, Ward 1, Position 1
Laura Wetzel, Ward 1, Position 2
Emily Young, Ward 2, Position 1
Chris Olson, Ward 2, Position 2
Seth Bradley, Ward 3, Position 1
Joe Pearson, Ward 3, Position 2
Paul Gray, Ward 4, Position 1
Justin Keller, Ward 4, Position 2
In the special meeting, we approved the Rules of Procedure & Standing Rules, remaining the same from the previous year.
Below is the full order of business carried out at each meeting.
The City Committees and council liaisons
Airport - Justin Keller
Animal Control - Emily Young
AVAFED - Nathan George
Boys and Girls Club - Joe Pearson
Oakland Cemetery - Justin Keller
City Corporation - Nathan George
Civil Service - Chris Olson
Planning & Development/PC - Justin Keller
Fire Department - Paul Gray
Historic District Commission - Nathan George
Information Technology - Chris Olson
Main Street Russellville/Downtown Master Plan - Emily Young
Police Department - Seth Bradley
Parks + Recreation - Chris Olson
Public Works - Joe Pearson
911 Committee - Seth Bradley
ATU/Education - Laura Wetzel
Friends of Latimore House - Emily Young
Youth Council - Paul Gray + Laura Wetzel Advertising and Promotion - Paul Gray + Laura Wetzel
Personnel Committee
Paul Gray (chairman), Joe Pearson, Laura Wetzel, and Emily Young
No items.
Finance Committee
Justin Keller (chairman), Nathan George, Justin Keller, and Chris Olson.
Finance Prep
Item 1: Safe Streets for All Grant received for $463,380 to develop comprehensive safety plan, requires 80/20 local match. Would cost city $100,000. Mayor believes we can facilitate in-house with current staff for much less. Recommends to not pass.
Item 2: Renewing existing contract city has with Arkansas Valley Alliance for Economic Development. Recommends passing.
Item 3: Renewing existing contract city has with Main Street Russellville. Recommends passing.
Item 4: Renewing existing contract city has with the Boys and Girls Club. Recommends passing.
Item 5/5a: Resolution to enter into agreement with Tyler Technologies to update technology for 911, fire, and police department for $360,000. Recommends passing.
Item 6/6a: Resolution to execute contract with HTW Architects for design services for renovations at Shiloh park (bathroom and concessions) for $52,000. Recommends passing.
Item 7: Resolution to execute a MOU with the Friends of the Latimore Tourist Home. Recommends passing.
Item 8: Reimbursement request from Boys and Girls Club for 4th Qtr expenses totaling $33,580.65.
Item 9: Line item transfer - for budget cleanup. (see attached agenda). Recommends passing.
Item 10: Line item transfer - for budget cleanup. (see attached agenda). Recommends passing.
Item 11: Discussion regarding CARDS CPI rate increase. Council requests more info from CARDS as well as some issues they'd like to address.
Agenda Prep
Old Business
Item 1: Ordinance amending zoning codes.
Item 2: Ordinance accepting dedication of rights-of-ways and easements in the Hunt Estates Subdivision/Amy Lynn Place plats.
New Business
Item 1: Rezoning property at 503 E Aspen Ln from R-1 to C-2.
Item 2: Rezoning property at 800 Williamson Way from R-2 to C-4.
Item 3: Resolution for public hearing of vacation of N Jackson Ave right-of-way.
*Full council meeting to be held on January 22nd, 2026 at 5:30pm.*