[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",6093858,"mediaKeyId","2845294-8e26d0ce2d159c75aca5600d1d93cbba","parentId",2845294,"title","Board approves guaranteed maximum price for new Fire Station 6 in south Hot Springs","audioSeconds",478,"startMs",2982000,"endMs",3460000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2845294-8e26d0ce2d159c75aca5600d1d93cbba&start=2982&end=3460","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2845294-8e26d0ce2d159c75aca5600d1d93cbba/thumbnail_2982000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6093858/Hot-Springs-City/Garland-County/Arkansas/Board-approves-guaranteed-maximum-price-for-new-Fire-Station-6-in-south-Hot-Springs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093858-a2dc62f56448e16b5f6f54a9fbf54da1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156370&Signature=UjB8d9hgKUgHg-GlDORJ~YqghrYCmtzTG~zG-~MifJrcOaJI7kdQSUzjXEdBbYMefL-hYd4xyRVe5rhsowsKny4SJjWq0EFUSRdNMYblRChhAauarEiy3xqJPzAHsllCOPjNk~N-gYyricSxcNELbEWeeHqvRQHKOJy8TN0sNRQRbwkhYx7PoDytEAgLr7WXLBpJGdwWmNVE5Z1ND6JfbjserfaO8VVkWpO-~fhnZEJJPsFvh9RCNHIhXUF9Or8GKW6tGs6YkY2Rn-SkVq3lWVeaNcuut4x3oFXCZFCBRzrg~dCwXXQyjbYc7UE7j5hE2QqRcmdIba878IwqQUaFHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hot Springs, AR","date","2025-04-02T12:07:33.047Z","article","The Hot Springs Board of Directors approved work order 25-01 to Hill and Cox Corporation under the city's construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) contract for the construction of Fire Station 6 on First Security Way.

Why it matters: The new station is intended to improve fire and rescue coverage south of King Expressway and provide space for a three-vehicle apparatus bay plus living quarters for five firefighters. City staff said the project has been value-engineered to reduce cost while preserving operational needs.

Fire Chief Ed Davis told the board the single-story, 7,445-square-foot building combines an R-3 residential sleeping/day room area and an S-2 apparatus bay designed to house three trucks. Chief Davis said the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) in work order 25-01 is $3,623,238 and that value engineering reduced cost by $136,854. The work order follows the November 2024 CMAR contract with Hill and Cox and the December 2023 property acquisition at First Security Way.

Chief Davis explained staffing and equipment implications: the city will maintain current Lakeshore station staffing and minimum manning standards unless or until annexation or growth requires reallocation of an aerial device; minimum manning for an aerial device is two personnel and for an engine company is three.

Board members praised the project as long-awaited. Director Karen Garcia thanked staff and Hill and Cox for advancing a project residents have asked for “for decades.” The board approved the required budget adjustments and the resolution authorizing the work order.

Implementation: the project was presented with bid tabulations, finalized plans and a certificate of budget availability. Staff said funding will be moved into the Fire Fund and that the GMP will be the construction budget. Chief Davis said Hill and Cox and Crafton-Tull architects completed subcontractor vetting, competitive bidding for subcontracts, and value engineering prior to the work order.

Quote

\"The number 6 fire station is a single story, 7,445 square foot structure... Work order number 2501 establishes the guaranteed maximum price of $3,623,238,\" Fire Chief Ed Davis said in his presentation.

Ending

With the board's approval, staff will execute work order 25-01 with Hill and Cox and proceed with construction planning and budget transfers; the board asked staff to return with schedule and progress milestones as construction begins.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4-1-25 Board of Directors Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board adopted a resolution authorizing work order 25-01 with Hill and Cox Corporation under the city\u0000s CMAR contract to build a new Fire Station 6 for a guaranteed maximum price of $3,623,238 and directed a budget transfer to the Fire Fund.","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},6093863,"Board approves prioritized CDBG project list, recommends funding housing and ready-to-go projects",4314,3735000,8049000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2845294-8e26d0ce2d159c75aca5600d1d93cbba&start=3735&end=8049","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2845294-8e26d0ce2d159c75aca5600d1d93cbba/thumbnail_3735000.jpg","/articles/6093863/Hot-Springs-City/Garland-County/Arkansas/Board-approves-prioritized-CDBG-project-list-recommends-funding-housing-and-ready-to-go-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093863-2d9ec51c5d6b1371a1b32fbd6941b82b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156370&Signature=Itwe5~338ugyHRD~8FNt1MUeaa1MHoxtOsjyOoDP~c47GvZ0DnIu8Iwb-2opGaAIolOr~qSpeAjs-nI4XglueypIhBc5HfrpBen5zC-YrX915XxKowI4j~tLndqaTALL-bXVdffRQGbM44e-B7TjTxK8THZIltVtYu7695q6TmOsd-hiyqgF4WizaUN~tZYeMmYEHVBPZ6qQMcglPmdZoeSHJjdcyZnO-VAdb8sNrS1g4lVcNIso63cf4D8B~tjU6w~I8XMYMS5SlEe43w9h9KHiBx7vyhrJ~uZdLua4bm1w6GjnwNs1u0aUbrdzpDDUJHo0DpTCjmINHJO9btuvzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hot Springs Board of Directors approved the Community Development Advisory Committee's recommendations for the city's 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan, endorsing a prioritized list that emphasizes housing projects and projects ready to proceed when federal allocations are announced.

Why it matters: Hot Springs is an HUD entitlement grantee; CDBG funds are intended for community development, housing and public services for low- and moderate-income residents. The board's prioritized list will be used to prepare the annual action plan HUD requires within 60 days of an allocation announcement.

CDAC recommended prioritizing two Habitat for Humanity projects (property acquisition and ‘‘spotlight abatement’’) at 50% of requests, citing the board's housing goal and Habitat's capacity to spend funds quickly. CDAC also recommended partial funding for sidewalk work in the Palmetto/ Wade Street Park area and recommended that two public-service applicants share the CDBG public-services cap if funds are available.

Planning and Development Director Kathy Selman said preliminary estimates put Hot Springs\u0000s 2025 allocation near $375,000, while applicants requested approximately $901,339. Selman explained HUD caps program administration at 20% and public services at 15% of the grant; if the city receives $375,000, public services would be capped at $56,250 and CDAC recommended splitting that amount between two applicants.

At the public hearing, Habitat for Humanity representatives said acquisition is their major barrier to accelerating construction. Cindy Wagstaff, executive director of Garland County Habitat for Humanity, said the organization asked for more funding than usual because property costs now limit its ability to reach organizational capacity: \"Property is our biggest obstacle.\" Habitat asked for funds flexible enough to purchase identified lots when acquisition opportunities arise.

CDAC also recommended reduced or no funding for some applications that were concept-stage or duplicates of recent funding, and it proposed contingency instructions for the board if HUD grants a different amount than the working estimate. Selman told the board that if the actual HUD allocation differs from the $375,000 estimate, staff will fund projects down the priority list and return to the board with recommendations on how partial awards would be allocated.

Votes and follow-up: The board approved the priority list as presented. Selman and staff will finish the annual action plan and submit it within HUD's required timeframe once the federal allocation is announced. The board asked staff to continue working with applicants to fill documentation gaps before contracts are executed.

Quote

\"The need is very, very great and the funds as always are quite limited,\" Planning and Development Director Kathy Selman said during the presentation.

Ending

The prioritized list signals the board's intent to steer limited federal dollars primarily to housing and shovel-ready projects; staff will return with final contract and implementation details once HUD announces the city's 2025 allocation.","The board unanimously accepted the Community Development Advisory Committee\u0000s prioritized list for the 2025 Community Development Block Grant action plan, with CDAC recommending partial funding for Habitat for Humanity acquisition and abatement projects and prioritizing ready-to-start housing projects.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6093868,"Hot Springs board rejects ordinance awarding exclusive ambulance franchise; LifeNet to remain while officials sort next steps",0,9228000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2845294-8e26d0ce2d159c75aca5600d1d93cbba&start=9228&end=9228","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2845294-8e26d0ce2d159c75aca5600d1d93cbba/thumbnail_9228000.jpg","/articles/6093868/Hot-Springs-City/Garland-County/Arkansas/Hot-Springs-board-rejects-ordinance-awarding-exclusive-ambulance-franchise-LifeNet-to-remain-while-officials-sort-next-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093868-1ef59d6decb76ec0be4541c1d3b278db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156370&Signature=oRarSAKCjwhmEiM83C~hO5byr~IcDRiOeBpVXD-QjgqNJnyCbGl7L4XENrJrd9whjRGeM8337loB-SfvZDePnV4iiJ2JBDUm3f50QBp07vNqOvVpNjmzd6x7PSyN0vGsvWnr24VKSWiJuAtZqQETYRtc0hMlqponxxXepvKmXoGRYAgLd1aJuvA2qQAxp-tsGDc87EHNGdXSIRwSc3aGwxqeaxdA-WbRLV~vjs9Bu2wagLoOeIsA8D72NmMlIRg1sfxfJm07IRA42IdSZspxapfuf1x39lqFuIfw~70xKWQFWQcS2Ge~8oC3WA-yNKdLSTBmRHrXFBZVmqU0hsVb8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hot Springs Board of Directors voted not to adopt an ordinance that would have awarded an exclusive ambulance franchise to Survival Flight EMS LLC, ending a months-long procurement review without replacing the city's current primary provider.

The decision follows a staff-initiated request for proposals, a four-member review panel that ranked Survival Flight first, extensive public comment, and a contentious evening of presentations from company representatives, local physicians and hospital leaders. City staff had placed a draft franchise ordinance on the agenda and recommended awarding the contract to Survival Flight based on the committee scores.

Why it matters: the city issued an RFP for ambulance services last autumn after the existing franchise period lapsed. Emergency medical transport is a core public safety function that affects response times, hospital workflows and billing practices for uninsured patients. Changing providers would have required an operational handoff while preserving service levels through the tourist season.

The review committee — made up of the deputy city manager, the police chief and two fire department officials — ranked Survival Flight highest across qualifications, proposed method of service, capability/availability and cost. Survival Flight representatives told the board they would post a minimum of six ambulances in Hot Springs on day one, maintain a local dispatch center and provide training resources. Survival Flight also emphasized its existing air-medical presence in Hot Springs.

LifeNet, the incumbent provider, and its new chief executive Alicia Haley and COO Brett Piney strongly urged the board to keep the current franchise in place. Haley said LifeNet performs ongoing community training, “puts people first” and holds current certifications and accreditations. Multiple doctors from CHI St. Vincent and other local medical leaders spoke in support of LifeNet’s continuity and local relationships.

Several physicians and hospital leaders told the board they had not been consulted in the procurement process and asked for greater medical oversight of any vendor selection. Dr. Jason Pelton, director of the cath lab at CHI St. Vincent, said, “LifeNet has been here for 20 years…and I don’t see a benefit to making such a drastic change without a clear reason.” Dr. John Webb, who participates in state trauma review, urged the board to preserve the stability and trauma care partnerships that have developed with the incumbent provider.

After public comment and discussion, the board did not adopt the ordinance to grant an exclusive franchise to Survival Flight. Several directors said they wanted more medical-community input and a re-check of the procurement process before committing to a different operator. City Manager Bill Burrow told the board staff would follow up on next steps and that, if the board declines to award a franchise now, staff would reopen negotiations with existing or other qualified providers as appropriate.

What the board decided and what happens next: the ordinance to award an exclusive franchise to Survival Flight EMS LLC was not adopted. The effect of the vote is that the board did not finalize a handover to a new exclusive provider this evening; staff and public-safety leadership will meet with providers and local medical stakeholders to determine next steps and oversee continuity of service during any transition period. Mayor Pat McCabe said staff should work to reestablish or expand a medical peer-review or EMS advisory group to monitor quality and response metrics.

Quotes

\"We put people first,\" Alicia Haley, chief executive officer of LifeNet, said in her remarks about the company's community programs and clinical accreditation.

\"Do the right thing always,\" Andy Arthurs, vice president of Survival Flight, said, describing his company's operating motto and approach to EMS staffing and training.

Ending

Board members said they wanted the city to preserve uninterrupted emergency coverage while improving oversight of clinical quality and the procurement process. Staff will return with options for how to proceed — including potential re-negotiation with the incumbent provider, additional medical-stakeholder review, or a revised competitive process — before the board takes any new contractual action.","After more than three hours of public comment and presentations from providers and local doctors, the Hot Springs Board of Directors declined to adopt an ordinance awarding an exclusive franchise to Survival Flight EMS LLC. The motion failed and the board signaled staff will continue working with existing providers while reviewing process issues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves guaranteed maximum price for new Fire Station 6 in south Hot Springs

Board approves prioritized CDBG project list, recommends funding housing and ready-to-go projects

Hot Springs board rejects ordinance awarding exclusive ambulance franchise; LifeNet to remain while officials sort next steps