[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6133464,"mediaKeyId","5700954-db5db16bb47fdfe7519f62698733a28f","parentId",5700954,"title","Council sets special public hearing for June 3 on rezoning from R-1 to R-3 for two blocks","audioSeconds",217,"startMs",5842000,"endMs",6059000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5700954-db5db16bb47fdfe7519f62698733a28f&start=5842&end=6059","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5700954-db5db16bb47fdfe7519f62698733a28f/thumbnail_5842000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6133464/Arkansas/Council-sets-special-public-hearing-for-June-3-on-rezoning-from-R-1-to-R-3-for-two-blocks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133464-c7a21a583ff4f9ff8f8a1c1ea7284bf6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770954495&Signature=KL1Td2ZROQY8qDnnzuGtUadrF6weQMGwzYmihh9I5FRroXNGgayiSIJlqGMeQ-gsOefvcBfqVyf7vy-g8yOc7ngtLhGvAWQlBEtxM9HsDPpuDXlU-RXvUt4uI~jN5jOlzlEgxHb~874-46qKM-nZ~LvpehDWR9yJGLVF6QqKi31pj11ELKKc04r5GerObhsOjeFyGz4Pa3-SX3jtIVK9xbLezU7l~QJfsnEQoZXENze-vYM1KJpCoLdBGO3DWmEhpvohXFIfjDD5nEQWv2fbQVG6qphL8xOHYcg6smxvTJ5Sxa9x6iq046IGYiT9i8ODqC6EuzLO2zpgAXPgzkLXVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Helena-West Helena","date","2025-05-21T01:37:46Z","article","City planning staff told the council the planning commission referred a rezoning petition up to the city council for properties covering two blocks bounded by West Park Street, South Sam, West Russell and West Baringo. The referral seeks to change zoning from R-1 to R-3 to allow a proposed triplex on West Park Street and a later special-use application at South Sam and Bridal.

Staff asked the council to set a special public hearing before the next council meeting so interested neighbors could comment. The council agreed by acclamation to schedule the public hearing for June 3 at 5:30 p.m.

Nut graf: The zoning change would permit denser housing (triplex) where R-1 permits only single-family dwellings; staff clarified that manufactured/mobile homes are not allowed in R-3 (they are allowed in an R-3X category, not the R-3 requested).

Ending: Staff said they will prepare public-notice materials and the council confirmed the June 3, 5:30 p.m. special hearing to consider the rezoning and any supporting materials from the planning commission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HWH City Council Meeting 5/20/25","oneSentenceSummary","The planning commission referred a rezoning request (R-1 to R-3) covering two blocks near West Park, South Sam, West Russell and West Baringo; the council set a special public hearing for June 3 at 5:30 p.m.","taxTitle","Helena, Phillips County, Arkansas","taxId",80580,"location","Arkansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6133472,"Council approves invoices and equipment work to address landfill leachate and repair aging truck tank",156,6261000,6417000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5700954-db5db16bb47fdfe7519f62698733a28f&start=6261&end=6417","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5700954-db5db16bb47fdfe7519f62698733a28f/thumbnail_6261000.jpg","/articles/6133472/Arkansas/Council-approves-invoices-and-equipment-work-to-address-landfill-leachate-and-repair-aging-truck-tank","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133472-eef91e1271f30091e1fa4822edfe14f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770954495&Signature=VnunPU8-~hGU-5drZzAjDUW7qEbTTY74b6nl663Y6~ePb5Z0IxVotvFVX9xtxvwFEhnTffqHHEU63MW8UJgdsW4hvF2rz7dYDtxoNDJOQj3YByJ2G7~gYBU8D3jrXAI5Ja4g-TSWi3wjhh~m65xa4eXp7l1LSxpH77~aXuImjN~cBTMrfdo0ezVh4NqdX71c3PYxrj6Pz7K~0q~xVmFUmMVOIetrfNjyvjvonv1a2HGsTB0tfgeE9msY6N4tVuLBBrkWzor6KXKxAbga0ZOX4zfpAoSqcIXcJaoicA6c~rZE0vR8HNRYCfs8qyN3oJPczjEqw6uASwwo-YQrfaS~hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members approved payments and equipment purchases intended to allow the city to haul landfill leachate using city equipment rather than an outside contractor.

City staff and landfill representatives explained the landfill's leachate-handling apparatus has been an outstanding item since the landfill opened; staff said the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality's consent/administrative order requires a permanent solution. Staff described two items in the packet: materials and apparatus to repair and outfit the city's leachate truck and gauges/strapping for on-site holding tanks.

A vendor estimate for materials to outfit the truck was presented (quoted in the packet as $9,558). Another invoice for leachate hauling equipment or related work was listed and the council approved payment (an invoice item listed at about $9,005 in the packet). A landfill representative said the city's existing truck is \"functional\" but needs a new tank and gauges to meet ADQ requirements; hauling leachate in-house will eliminate reliance on contracted haulers that the city may not be able to continue hiring.

Nut graf: The purchases are intended to comply with state environmental requirements and reduce ongoing contractor costs by enabling the city to haul leachate using updated on‑city equipment; council approved the invoices after staff presentation.

Ending: Staff said they will proceed with the repairs and installation and monitor the landfill's compliance with ADQ requirements; council voted to approve the invoices in the meeting packet.","The council approved payment for landfill-related equipment and repairs so the city can haul leachate in-house; staff said the work responds to an ongoing consent-order requirement and to replace leaking tank hardware on an aging truck.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6133478,"Council adopts three-day residential sanitation routes amid heated overtime and finance discussion",0,3658000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5700954-db5db16bb47fdfe7519f62698733a28f&start=3658&end=3658","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5700954-db5db16bb47fdfe7519f62698733a28f/thumbnail_3658000.jpg","/articles/6133478/Arkansas/Council-adopts-three-day-residential-sanitation-routes-amid-heated-overtime-and-finance-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133478-487e9963d973ad0d9f4ab36ff07e4cff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770954495&Signature=Hu0Bu0R-nsMhTG6-~2dhZnP3RO7ImvbFmG-O8Kds8oVAROAO3rxh2JYFRvCf1UI0c-rVOQu7jyU2DxpaXieroMHcczgHLz9YFdgrWBPC8GRdsiqp8Ya1soOtK3dfTcW3ymRA6oOr55UQ13oc8tZpgwTSuKCjAYESHIX5uIGgSpHnHn7ra8mOTGGXuX0ENTQ1zyhY-I~mPyCLM4VTDsIBf2YqghVK2Jh1Xq88xCNvec13NwEWabRgo3mxO7dgs9o6mHkR4UyKLu4hzZ45SYQTYuMA5kx8lQrTq8z-Satj-Gtd6644i7A9lN1qcHOXypoZjWv7KLOi3q-0Tm07zErdMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Helena-West Helena City Council voted to adopt an ordinance establishing three-day residential solid-waste collection routes (Tuesday–Thursday) with a proposed start date of July 1, 2025. The measure, identified in the packet as ordinance No. 32025, passed with council support and an emergency clause; the council also directed a broad public-notice campaign.

The move came after an extended discussion about municipal overtime and the sanitation department's finances. City staff presented an overtime and departmental report that drew strong council concern: staff reported roughly 1,165.39 police overtime hours ($24,815.64) and 840 fire department overtime hours ($15,900) for April, plus overtime across landfill, sanitation and streets departments. The mayor and several council members described the aggregate overtime cost as unsustainable: \"Police and fire last month was $40,000 overtime alone,\" a staff speaker said during the discussion.

Nut graf: The ordinance aims to improve operational efficiency and reduce overtime by consolidating residential pickups into three dedicated days each week; staff also flagged that current commercial collection rates are too low and that the sanitation department and city landfill are losing revenue on commercial collections.

Staff presented a detailed analysis showing the city’s commercial rates lag private-sector comparables; for example, staff said a 2-yard commercial container is charged $46.24 per month in Helena-West Helena while nearby private haulers charge substantially more. The presentation included volume-to-weight conversion tables and estimated disposal costs demonstrating that, at higher average container weights, the city loses money collecting commercial waste.

During debate council members pressed department heads and staff to manage overtime by tightening preapproval, improving crew management and allowing employees not actively working to leave rather than waiting on broken equipment or trucks. Council members asked for next-month payrolls to show whether management changes reduce overtime.

Ending: The ordinance was adopted with an effective route start date of July 1, 2025; staff will run an information campaign and return with updated payroll measures and any proposed commercial-rate adjustments for council consideration.","The council adopted an ordinance to move residential trash collection to a three-day (Tue–Thu) schedule starting July 1, 2025, amid extended debate about high overtime costs, route efficiency and commercial sanitation rates that staff say currently lose the city money.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6133481,"Council approves $5,000 appropriation for Delta Dogs spay-and-neuter clinic for 2025",602,1170000,1772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5700954-db5db16bb47fdfe7519f62698733a28f&start=1170&end=1772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5700954-db5db16bb47fdfe7519f62698733a28f/thumbnail_1170000.jpg","/articles/6133481/Arkansas/Council-approves-5000-appropriation-for-Delta-Dogs-spay-and-neuter-clinic-for-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133481-6a1d1b5f16f30227c7488a78018ee855/orig.mp4?Expires=1770954495&Signature=okDbRjJ6lTBAsETyAyYJ5enODxZoBvOS1DBx3W0LO4430rgGO2QeS9GFg7qzINFEYdhpmt0PSQ9c-8Oh0HPXjZi3fBaeIcDNHNQAPl7rUYqCfa70uqXTmnHErZhb~Oe9bllhzH1TutPUV4dULq05PENvks8RmpNYyOoUx-hopA9DlGBidqKkL4F3dakmzKT6Eab1DhnCZcBCVf2BG-2jd9GjlTCMHZj6A8jb6JtVSByFRMVspgmLo8j5YSIemzP~DeIz5MsXxLdw2~YmCkmyQEEXqq~v6w8U091etYbdSo68iarP4pk682-3t9d11Z0NGNS10octBkagbjUedjMvjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Helena-West Helena City Council approved a $5,000 appropriation for Delta Dogs to support a spay-and-neuter clinic planned in June 2025.

Council members debated whether funds approved in 2024 but not paid because a contract had not been executed should be paid in addition to the 2025 appropriation. City staff said the 2024 appropriation had been approved by the council in the prior year but a contract was never prepared or signed, so no payment was issued.

Council member San Carlos moved to appropriate $5,000 for Delta Dogs for a June 2025 clinic; Council member Davis seconded. The council then voted to approve the 2025 appropriation. Staff and council members clarified that the 2024 appropriation was approved but was not disbursed because the contract was not prepared and signed: \"We approved it ... and the city attorney was to draw it up, and the mayor was to have signed it. The contract kinda got pushed to the side and never was prepared, and I never gave them their money,\" a staff member explained.

Nut graf: The council approved funding for a neighborhood animal-health initiative while acknowledging a previously approved payment was not issued because of an unexecuted contract; council members suggested Delta Dogs may request additional funds in the future if needed.

Ending: Staff said the city will complete the contract documents and execute the payment for the 2025 clinic; Delta Dogs can return to request further funding after the clinic if additional resources are needed.","The council approved a $5,000 appropriation for Delta Dogs to support a June 2025 spay-and-neuter clinic; members discussed that an approved 2024 appropriation was not paid because a contract was not executed.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6133484,"City staff outline first loan step for water-project response to health department consent order",285,648000,933000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5700954-db5db16bb47fdfe7519f62698733a28f&start=648&end=933","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5700954-db5db16bb47fdfe7519f62698733a28f/thumbnail_648000.jpg","/articles/6133484/Arkansas/City-staff-outline-first-loan-step-for-water-project-response-to-health-department-consent-order","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133484-09d93b819ccfd7053ed5089b0c5d78dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770954495&Signature=IDYUdhVxCZX-Yk9o9a5l7tY28f4V7R~aFPeWtipMm~0r7O1YvkuOisWioXHXlnsWrjPjNUtZ9Pt~BzTaLIfFfS4YeudErebXyYwtT4Q-BxYXPbk3VvTHLlcSGGo4F-VdROMTA-jJneoi8N8of0dtynf09MrnatM1djjLuRWB78ls0tnvGZWSLUof0VelN12KNv0JRqbegzmsLizJBoRN8RKClzZ0heIK5N8I1ttNz1-nM02Pb-cy89hoMHRLDOaTryhhf4QbgyCSsKvS2Cp~AgKR2A7mQNz-6Ju62Sy51kxB6wZMieu0eUVqLVoUrzqhOr-DATaou125FTiKva5Big__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a regular meeting of the Helena-West Helena City Council, city staff summarized a public hearing on a proposed loan package intended to begin work on water and wastewater system repairs required by a health department consent order.

City engineer Mister Weiler told the council the public hearing was the required first step before the council adopts an ordinance to allow bond counsel to close on an initial loan. \"This first loan ... allows us to get started with preliminary engineering planning, investigation surveys, and some of the grant administration,\" Weiler said, adding that later loans would fund construction work.

The nut graf: The loan package is intended to fund immediate engineering and grant-administration work so the city can address treatment-plant repairs, distribution-line breakage, tank storage rehabilitation and new production capacity identified in the consent-order long-range plan. Staff emphasized the loan is the first tranche; additional actions will be required to borrow for construction.

Weiler told the council the package includes a loan portion and a larger portion described in staff remarks as \"forgiven\" funds that become available after the loan portion is used. \"You've got a certain amount of money over at ARRC. 11,000,000 of it is loan, and the rest is ... it's called forgiven,\" Weiler said in the meeting transcript. He said the first loan must be used before the forgiveness portion can be accessed.

Council members and staff discussed timing. Weiler said he hoped the city could get to construction-level borrowing within about six months, contingent on identifying priorities and completing planning: \"I'm hoping within about 6 months ... because, like I said, we got a lot to try to pull together,\" he said. Staff also said the city will pursue a separate DRA grant already approved and that state-level funds announced by the governor may be available for the area.

The council did not take a bond-authorizing ordinance vote during the portion of the meeting devoted to the public hearing; staff described the public hearing as concluded with no recorded objections and said the next formal step will be an ordinance to permit bond closing.

Ending: Staff said they will return with specific project scopes and requests for additional loans as projects are developed and prioritized; council members asked for continued public reporting on how water and wastewater funds are spent.","City staff told the Helena-West Helena City Council that a first loan would fund preliminary engineering and grant administration to address a consent order from the health department; no objections were reported at the public hearing and an ordinance authorizing bond closing is the next step.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council sets special public hearing for June 3 on rezoning from R-1 to R-3 for two blocks

Council approves invoices and equipment work to address landfill leachate and repair aging truck tank

Council adopts three-day residential sanitation routes amid heated overtime and finance discussion

Council approves $5,000 appropriation for Delta Dogs spay-and-neuter clinic for 2025

City staff outline first loan step for water-project response to health department consent order