2023 Paving Program to cover more than 18 miles

The Board passed Resolution R-23-36, approving the 2023 Annual Street Paving Program list, which includes 18.27 miles of paving over portions of 79 streets.

The 2023 Paving Program also includes an alternate list with 3.38 miles of paving over portions of 17 streets.

The streets were selected by blending the recommendations from city citizens and the Public Works and Solid Waste departments, along with the street pavement rating spreadsheet and condition index from the First Step street inventory study. Consideration was also given to any conflicts with near-term utility relocations and repairs.

This resolution approves the list of streets to be paved. A resolution authorizing the paving work will be presented to the Board at a later date.

Other Board actions

-The Board passed Resolution R-23-37, authorizing the construction of a gravel parking lot by Coakley Company, Inc. at Northwoods Trails, with construction personnel and equipment provided pursuant to the term contract approved in Resolution No. 9826. This will expedite the work and enable the City to proceed without additional cost and time required to develop a set of plans
and bid documents. There are currently just over 40 parking spaces at the Waterworks Trailhead, despite it being the center of the trail system, the main access point for the flow/downhill style trails and the only trailhead with potable water. The new parking lot will add approximately 100 spaces.

-The Board passed Resolution R-23-43, approving Change Order No. 2 to the agreement with TOLM Group, Inc. for the construction of Phase
3 of the water treatment plant as part of the Lake Ouachita Water Supply Project. The change order, which will be in the form of a lump sum amount
of $1,587,604, eliminates any price escalations for which the City would otherwise be accountable. The overall contract price with this change order is still approximately $8 million less than the next lowest bidder.

-Pursuant to Hot Springs Code §17-1-1 relating to building condemnation and removal, the Board approved to condemn the vacant structure at
105 Erie Street, which was deemed unsafe and a nuisance in its current state. The owner of the property will have 30 days to pull a permit and
show substantial work to the structure. Should the City be forced to remove the structure, allcosts will be billed to the owner and liens will be levied against the property.

-The Board passed Ordinance O-23-07, authorizing an agreement with Regions Equipment Finance Corporation to provide short-term financing under Amendment No. 78 of the Arkansas Constitution for certain 2023 capital acquisitions. Among five bidders, Regions Equipment Finance Corporation provided the most favorable bid at 22 basis points above the five-year treasury at the time of the loan. The Board also declared this an emergency so that funding can take place immediately as to minimize market volatility.

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