[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6353730,"mediaKeyId","2221035-ee29bc2b49f53fe51bf5b2f7e342f267","parentId",2221035,"title","Board approves waterline contract, software purchase and transportation permit; amends A&P appointment process","audioSeconds",660,"startMs",7200000,"endMs",7860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221035-ee29bc2b49f53fe51bf5b2f7e342f267&start=7200&end=7860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221035-ee29bc2b49f53fe51bf5b2f7e342f267/thumbnail_7200000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6353730/Hot-Springs-City/Garland-County/Arkansas/Board-approves-waterline-contract-software-purchase-and-transportation-permit-amends-AP-appointment-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353730-a003f1ccdee23c780e508f52098756e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1776605165&Signature=odq9UwJjdkJon8vlV6d1f5dH7dX0TmGtySE~h2V0J3W-j~JPTY3GcSS~8NVxJdQtUfUguiMFGusAmc0AyHa429E3JIr5r11S---0Wap9j5VZhH6CzKR-LuJtzJt1q6OxE9fBM9qnggk6iDjF9wJp4vKVFG6vLjm5ZRAk6Z4wQQulmfzUpL~Er1gpOjN9KEJ9Vd15cxFbu8mASlLLTq0doMAjwfoaUhRZl5oJJA3HPGRFDJWG7vsofd~fXhzgILT8aWntIAouxegnSikBdWNIaaJuN7i0w655wrTvEUamQROpym41iDLVyKONwiW-AMWiv41bVGUao3F-1j1ZsIS9sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hot Springs, AR","date","2025-02-04T21:09:19Z","article","In a series of votes Feb. 4, the Hot Springs Board of Directors approved multiple operational contracts and permits and adopted a procedural resolution affecting appointments to the Advertising & Promotion Commission.

Waterline contract: The board awarded Phase 1 of the 2024 waterline improvement project to Square 1 Enterprises Corporation, the low responsive bidder, for $1,469,316. Todd Pillar, engineering project manager, told the board the work will replace mains, add isolation valves and hydrants on streets including Winona, Miller, Exchange, Tri Vista Right, Second Street and Whittington Avenue; the project is funded from board-approved CIP water distribution funds. The resolution (R-25-22) passed on a roll call vote.

Financial/utility software: The board approved a contract with BS&A Software LLC to replace the city’s fiscal management software for a total contract price of $726,740. Finance Director Karen Scott said the product is a cloud-hosted turnkey solution that will handle general ledger, accounts payable, cash receipts, utility billing, permits and other modules; implementation will span about 18 months. The budget impact to the city is $526,740 in net new budgeted need (the FY2025 budget already included $200,000 for part of the cost plus smaller allocations in planning and utilities). Scott said the software purchase will be capitalized under new GASB rules and amortized over five years.

Charter service permit: The board approved Resolution R-25-23 granting a charter-service transportation permit to James Smith, doing business as VIP Transportation of Hot Springs. City Clerk Harmony Morrissey reported the Transportation Advisory Committee had recommended approval 5–0; Smith said he plans to begin with two vehicles under a charter business model and enforce driver dress code and standards.

Advertising & Promotion Commission process: The board adopted Resolution R-25-25 to standardize the interview-and-anonymous-preference-form process used to select board members to serve on the A&P Commission. The resolution codifies a process for a special called meeting with interviews and an anonymous selection form tallied by staff. Several speakers and directors urged that Position 2 on the Commission remain permanently reserved for the district that housed the convention center when the facility expanded; the board did not adopt that change at this meeting but directed staff to draft an ordinance to consider reserving the seat for the neighborhood tied to the convention center; the draft ordinance will be introduced at the Feb. 11 agenda meeting with possible action on Feb. 18.

Zoning: The board also adopted Ordinance O-25-06 rezoning a 1.088-acre parcel generally at 420 Convention Boulevard to C-1 (Central Business District) and amending the future land-use classification to linear commercial corridor. Planning director Kathy Selman said the change consolidates a narrow, irregular parcel with adjacent C-1 zoning and will permit future development consistent with downtown corridors.

Votes at a glance:
- R-25-22: Waterline improvement contract to Square 1 Enterprises Corporation, low bid $1,469,316 — approved.
- R-25-23: Charter-service permit to VIP Transportation (James Smith) — approved (TAC 5–0 recommendation).
- R-25-24: Sole-source/contract award to BS&A Software LLC, total contract $726,740 (budget impact $526,740) — approved; implementation ~18 months; software to be capitalized per GASB.
- R-25-25: Resolution updating A&P appointment procedure — approved; board directed staff to draft an ordinance to consider reserving Position 2 for the convention-center neighborhood.
- O-25-06: Rezoning at 420 Convention Blvd to C-1 — approved.

Board members and staff said most of these items were routine procurement and planning actions intended to continue infrastructure work, modernize city software, and streamline appointment processes; the package of approvals will trigger multi-month implementation schedules for construction and software conversion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2-4-25 Board of Directors Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board awarded a $1.469 million waterline contract, approved a $726,740 financial/utility software contract, granted a charter permit to VIP Transportation, and adopted a resolution updating the Advertising & Promotion Commission appointment procedure; planning staff also won approval for a zoning change at 420 Convention Blvd.","taxTitle","Hot Springs City, Garland County, Arkansas","taxId",52830,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6353735,"Board adopts downtown resident parking ordinance but holds permit fees for 2025",2419,4924000,7343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221035-ee29bc2b49f53fe51bf5b2f7e342f267&start=4924&end=7343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221035-ee29bc2b49f53fe51bf5b2f7e342f267/thumbnail_4924000.jpg","/articles/6353735/Hot-Springs-City/Garland-County/Arkansas/Board-adopts-downtown-resident-parking-ordinance-but-holds-permit-fees-for-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353735-2f536aa9dae5a765bafda08ba9f13687/orig.mp4?Expires=1776605165&Signature=P9JVE3xJYVvUTvKKXUai3st7RapUOulWQuELZ3S54fGhEoqFLUx9pb~vCfIPbU5C6gvVCX30N0c5DXl155owIX8uIt5mgvSbYoWJMe2wys7ywXpFqDi2kpninZtun4viJPywlp7X6Z5EfKgCVki0xA2~ZgG33C3wSV~CeNOZX6QEqQxT1y4milxuFzwCIfK2udnNUODa28EkfTAHLTTPe7IXw5Cp6luJHVTDnF-NVSgzbP0F3tFSDsH37eMTmGBZoa7SMKo-Tk~Xbm1Ai5DncBnFJYMvwpFDRVFfoku-RX7HsxViYOB85Mnz7xw076Rc4LBxJwmGwOiRglmc7C7DKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hot Springs Board of Directors on Feb. 4 adopted an ordinance establishing a downtown residential parking program but amended the pricing so that permit fees for residents will be held in abeyance for calendar year 2025.

The ordinance (O-25-04) would create a residential permit system for a defined downtown area (Prospect Avenue north along Central Avenue to the Whittington/Park Avenue split). Under staff’s original proposal permits were to be tiered: a primary-zone permit priced at $260 per quarter ($1,040 annually) and a secondary-zone permit at $130 per quarter ($520 annually). The board kept the program structure — including permitting one primary and one secondary vehicle per address — but approved Director Karen Garcia’s motion to set the fee at $0 for 2025 to give residents and property owners time to plan before fees take effect in 2026.

City planning and transit staff described three downtown parking zones: primary (core downtown), secondary (surface lots and Exchange Street parking garage), and Ouachita Avenue priority zone (with time restrictions). The program targets owners or lessees in the specified downtown area who lack dedicated off-street parking. Staff noted the program was designed to balance resident needs and downtown turnover to support businesses and to provide revenue to fund future parking infrastructure.

Multiple downtown residents spoke at the meeting. Andrea Hale, who rents in the downtown core, said she initially supported the proposed fee but, after consulting neighbors, backed a lower-cost approach and called parking near residents’ homes \"essential\" rather than a luxury. Tyler Draper and other speakers urged the board to delay a fee until residents’ leases expire, saying sudden new costs would hit fixed-income households. Some directors urged parity between downtown residents and downtown employees; Director Brian Trustee highlighted that many hospitality workers pay a discounted employee rate (25¢ per hour under the employee program) and urged consistent treatment.

After discussion the board approved the amendment to hold fees in abeyance for 2025 and then adopted the ordinance as amended. The final roll call on adoption recorded: Director Karen Garcia — aye; Trustee — no; Director Erin Holiday — aye; Director Phyllis Beard — aye; Director Marsha Dobbs Smith — aye; Director Dudley Webb — aye; Mayor Pat McCabe — no. The motion carried.

Clarifications and next steps: Staff said permits will still be recorded in the system (license plates and addresses entered) even with a $0 fee for 2025 so enforcement and permit recognition is possible. The board asked staff to convene meetings with property owners, lessees and residents and return with a proposed fee structure for 2026. Officials flagged safety and walkability concerns for residents who might be assigned to secondary lots some distance from homes.

The ordinance includes a two-vehicle-per-address allowance (one primary, one secondary). Staff noted roughly 8–10 downtown households are expected to use the program; the board’s 0-fee decision is intended to give those residents time to plan and to allow staff to consult with landlords before 2026 fees are implemented.","After extensive public comment from downtown residents, the board approved a central-business parking ordinance and voted to hold residential permit fees at $0 for 2025 while staff/owners work on a plan for 2026.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6353740,"Hot Springs board declines to uphold permanent transit ban for Timothy Zaleski after disputed history and public pleas",3186,1860000,5046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221035-ee29bc2b49f53fe51bf5b2f7e342f267&start=1860&end=5046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221035-ee29bc2b49f53fe51bf5b2f7e342f267/thumbnail_1860000.jpg","/articles/6353740/Hot-Springs-City/Garland-County/Arkansas/Hot-Springs-board-declines-to-uphold-permanent-transit-ban-for-Timothy-Zaleski-after-disputed-history-and-public-pleas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353740-2efe1e8f0ff637fd7f4052600048d99a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776605165&Signature=jUabmnDYI1SHo46eKtVvRNJfoMMzUleVH4iIlLRmKreit1uHNgNlQikRboPKRRd~cTGMAZJCXrpspKOHjtA4rD6JNudFBDvU~0uWiAPMJKSJh9SO-resQwvCxUFFk~pnXC5VIV0LC6u8CuxTFPxGWlvg~dP4prMtqzt26BsJzbwz3gB8fhHPLP04aXCuk76xlT0UCg9Zm4g0dvZWFbgeDqm7acIYuccwqg7Y5BP0yNTyHRFh83~9-VfUwoOGu2q2v9d3LjysLzNBFibX7dH1XbmOshW735qAvEV0MccCKaf0hXGHBmvpCi8IiHY4VSnfKzfC5eWTDlj3t~4XYe1osg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hot Springs Board of Directors on Feb. 4 declined to adopt a resolution upholding a Transportation Advisory Committee decision to permanently ban Timothy Zaleski from Hot Springs intercity transit services, voting 3–4 against the ban after public testimony and detailed staff briefing.

The item reached the board after a May 2020 incident in which a transit driver was punched; a staff packet and the Transportation Advisory Committee record documented suspensions, a hearing in 2023 and subsequent conduct that prompted a renewed ban determination. Lance Spicer, deputy city manager and staff lead on the item, summarized the timeline and described the agency’s two service types: fixed-route buses (fare $1.25, about 43,000 trips in 2024) and ADA paratransit (fare $2.50; 159 eligible clients and about 6,800 paratransit trips in 2024).

The board heard from family members and supporters who urged restoration of Zaleski’s service. Troy Robinson, a family representative, said Zaleski is disabled and that a previous suspension had been served; he asked the board to reinstate service. Candy Farmer, who identified herself as Zaleski’s caretaker, said she submitted a paratransit application in late 2023 and had not received written follow-up. Zaleski told the board he was in a coma after a 1999 car crash, called himself disabled and said, \"I was told that last meeting... if I went 6 months without causing any trouble... I might be able to ride the bus again. So I followed by all your rules.\" (Timothy Zaleski, remarks to the board.)

Staff advised the board that paratransit eligibility is a medical-certification process and that being disabled alone does not automatically qualify a rider: eligibility typically depends on functional limits such as inability to reach an accessible bus stop. Spicer explained that Zaleski’s residence at the High Rise is near an accessible stop, which could make paratransit ineligible for many routine trips and that paratransit operates as an origin-to-destination, 1-to-1 service, while fixed-route buses carry many riders.

Directors debated safety versus access. Director Dudley Webb argued for upholding the Transportation Advisory Committee’s ban, citing the May 2020 assault on a driver and the transit passenger code of conduct. Director Phyllis Beard urged leniency and suggested Zaleski’s traumatic brain injury and the length of time since the incident merited giving him another chance. The board considered, and rejected, an amendment that would have limited any ban to fixed-route service while allowing medically eligible paratransit on a trip-by-trip basis (the amendment failed on a roll call).

After debate the board voted on the original motion to uphold the Transportation Advisory Committee recommendation for a permanent ban. The roll call on that motion recorded the following: Director Marsha Dobbs Smith — no; Director Dudley Webb — yes; Director Karen Garcia — yes; Trustee (name listed as Trustee) — no; Director Erin Holiday — no; Director Phyllis Beard — yes; Mayor Pat McCabe — no. With four votes against, the motion to uphold the TAC ban failed and the board did not adopt a permanent ban. The mayor later clarified to the room that \"there is no ban. Of any kind.\" (Mayor Pat McCabe, remark recorded by staff.)

Outcome and next steps: The board did not impose a permanent ban. Staff said Zaleski’s ADA paratransit application remained pending and would be processed; fixed-route use would likewise be permitted only if the board did not maintain a ban and if operational concerns could be managed by transit staff. Spicer emphasized the passenger code of conduct remains in force and that further violent or safety-threatening conduct would lead to suspension or permanent exclusion under the established policy.

The board’s vote preserved staff discretion to process Zaleski’s paratransit application and signaled that future incidents could prompt formal suspension consistent with the passenger code of conduct. The record of the staff presentation, Transportation Advisory Committee action, and public testimony will be part of any follow-up actions.","After public testimony and staff briefing, the Hot Springs Board of Directors voted not to uphold a Transportation Advisory Committee recommendation to permanently ban Timothy Zaleski from city transit services; Zaleski’s paratransit application remains pending and staff said fixed-route use may be possible if approved.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves waterline contract, software purchase and transportation permit; amends A&P appointment process

Board adopts downtown resident parking ordinance but holds permit fees for 2025

Hot Springs board declines to uphold permanent transit ban for Timothy Zaleski after disputed history and public pleas