Board approves wastewater contract changes, buys two tertiary filters and adopts several permits and leases; manager gives detailed bond-project status

The Hot Springs City Board of Directors on Oct. 21 approved a series of infrastructure and administrative items and received a comprehensive status update from city staff on the bond-funded water and wastewater program.

Actions taken - Resolution R-25-185: Board approved a negative change order to the contract with Diamond Construction Company Inc. to remove Schedule 3 (the National Park Service segment) from the Spring Street gravity sewer project. Roll-call: Director Aaron Holiday, Director Phyllis Beard, Director Marsha Dobbs Smith, Director Dudley Webb, Director Karen Garcia, Director Steve Trustee and Mayor Pat McCabe all voted aye; the resolution was adopted. The deputy city engineer and utilities staff said removal was requested to allow time for environmental and archaeological studies required by the National Park Service.

- Ordinance O-25-37: Board waived competitive bidding and approved purchase of two additional Aqua-Aerobic tertiary filters for the Davidson Drive wastewater treatment plant (vendor and model specified by staff). The board adopted the ordinance after staff explained that delivery lead times are 24'30 weeks and that adding filters is necessary to maintain wet-weather capacity while individual units are taken offline for maintenance.…