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Helena council authorizes proposals for state-funded bridge work, approves event permits and water department actions
Summary
Council authorized staff to solicit contractor proposals for water/sewer relocations tied to a state bridge project after state reimbursement was described; it also approved Juneteenth and youth-event permits, passed water-invoice payments, created a water reserve account (Act 605 compliance), and approved tourism/AAMP appointments. A proposed uniform contract was tabled.
The Helena City Council on Monday moved forward with several operational items, approving event permits, vendor invoices and a plan to begin work on water and sewer relocations required by a state bridge project.
Waterline relocations tied to a planned Arkansas Department of Transportation bridge replacement were introduced by the Chair (speaker 2), who said the state would reimburse the city for work and later offer a loan. Ken Wilden (speaker 6), introduced by the chair as the project representative, told the council field surveys showed an 8-inch sewer force main and a 6-inch water line in conflict with new bridge columns and recommended shifting the lines. Wilden said the department needs direction: either prepare full plans, specs and a competitive bid package or obtain two to three contractor proposals and ask the council to waive competitive bidding via ordinance. The council voted to authorize Wilden and the mayor to obtain proposals and have the city attorney draft a waiver ordinance; roll call showed the motion passed 6 yes to 0 gainst.
The council approved a Juneteenth gospel-music festival permit presented by Mary Anne Goldsberry (speaker 13) for an event at the Pavilion Stage/Cherry Street on June 13; Goldsberry described performers, a motorcade and $20 sponsor levels. The council also approved a multi-night youth event from the Delta Magic Rising Leaders program after students (speakers 14, 7 and 15) described plans for a movie night, scavenger hunt and family activities; both items passed on roll call (6 yes).
Council members approved water department invoices from Xylem totaling $16,040.11 after staff explained the vendor was filling tanks on site to address compliance and reduce overtime for city workers. The council approved a resolution to transfer at least 5% of gross water sales into a water-department reserve account to meet Act 605 (2021) requirements for reserves for replacement, rehabilitation, emergency repairs and capital improvements; members amended the resolution to direct that funds be placed in interest-bearing instruments where possible before the measure passed (6 yes).
A proposed rental-service contract with Centos for water-department uniforms prompted questions about term length (references to 52 vs. 60 months), invoice-payment windows and an arbitration clause. Councilors asked for more time to review the paperwork; the item was tabled to the next meeting.
The council also confirmed three Helena Tourism/AAMP commission appointments (Patrick Roberson to 2030; Kelly King and Robert Cheek to 2031) to ensure the commission had the required membership; the motion to approve all three passed (6 yes).
What happens next: staff will return with bid-waiver ordinance language and the two/three contractor proposals for the bridge-related water work; the uniform contract will be brought back after council review; the water reserve account will be established and partially diversified into interest-bearing instruments as discussed.
