Governmental Affairs Committee

Hot Springs Village Property Owner’s Association

HOT SPRINGS

&SENIOR SERVICES

COMMITTEE

Cindy Calhoun / Jerry Yeric

HOT SPRINGS , Garland County & Senior Services Committee

Jerry Yeric

08-04-2017

The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, an icon of downtown Hot Springs and Arkansas’ largest hotel,has been acquired by Sky Capital Group LP of Little Rock in a private transaction with SouthwestHotels Inc., owners and operators of the Arlington since 1954. The purchase includes the WadeBuilding, which is adjacent to the hotel property on Central Avenue; the Schweer Building, aformer car dealership located just north of the Wade that serves as the hotel’s parking deck; and asurface parking lot located across Park Ave. It was bought for 25 percent less than market value.• Hot Springs Board of Directors adopted an ordinance repealing the 90-day moratorium on issuingbusiness licenses for medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation of facilities during a specialcalled meeting. The unanimous voice vote lifts the moratorium the board effected last month inresponse to the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2016, or Amendment 98.• The Hot Springs Board of Directors unanimously adopted a resolution supporting medicalmarijuana enterprises coming to the corporate limits after imposing a moratorium last month.• The proposed site of a city water tower in a residential area was removed from consideration,after the Hot Springs Board of Directors granted an appeal that challenged the authorization ofconstructing a 170 foot tall structure in the neighborhood off Pakis Street.• An order filled in a local man’s federal lawsuit against Hot Springs indicates the city won’tenforce the panhandling ordinance at the center of the controversy until the case is resolved. Citystaff is asking the Hot Springs Board of Directors to repeal the ordinance it adopted in Septemberin response to panhandlers soliciting money from motorists.• The city of Hot Springs has informed the county it will not provide animal services in theunincorporated area next year unless the county comes up with more money. The county hascontracted with the city for animal services since 1999, but city officials have said the county’spayment does not provide adequate compensation for the level of service it receives. The countyreceives 53 percent of the services, a percentage based on the number of animals the city said arebrought to its animal shelter from the unincorporated area. The city approved a $685,000 budgetfor animal services this year.• The city and county each adopted a resolution earlier this month in support of federal and statelegislation requiring out-of-state retailers to collect and remit sales taxes from online purchases.The resolution, introduced by the Arkansas Municipal League and Association of Arkansas

3Counties, calls for local governments to support the Marketplace Fairness Act filed in the U.S.Senate in April. In addition it asks the governor to convene a special legislation session toconsider the issue.• The city is considering reducing the contribution to the county health unit to $15,000 next yearand ending it in 2019. The city might be inclined to continue funding the health unit at currentlevels if the county reinstates its road millage, which provided the city with about $350,000 a yearfor its streets. The county replaced the 1.2 mills it used to levy for roads with a General Fundmillage during the 2014, 2015, and 2016 tax years, the proceeds of which have been transferredto the county road fund during each of the three years. County residents urged justices of thepeace to continue funding the county health unit at the same level next year amid a looming cut tothe city’s annual contribution. Garland County Health Unit Administrator Chris Rowland told thePublic, Health, Welfare and Safety Committee of the Garland County Quorum Court that thefacility at 1425 Malvern Ave. could operate through April or May of next year without $45,000the city has historically contributed.

Garland County - Jerry Yeric• The auction of tax-delinquent properties raised $1,423,277 for Garland County schools and localgovernments, the Arkansas commissioner of state land’s office announced. Seventy-six biddersvied for 120 parcels sold during the July 6 auction at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Inaddition to the auction proceeds, the county’s taxing entities also benefit from the propertiesbeing returned to the tax rolls.• National Park College was informed it was awarded a federal grant for $1,287,500 to supportstudents at two local schools. The grant will support the college’s Upward Bound program forstudents grades 9-12 at Hot Springs World Class High School and Mountain Pine High School.The five-year grant will begin on Sept. 1 and will provide $257,500 each year from the U.S.Department of Education.• Henderson State University’s new executive director of Hot Springs academic initiatives will jointhe downtown campus on Wednesday. The university hired Tiffany Rogers from the Stuttgartcampus of Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas.

07-07-2017

The Hot Springs Board of Directors added more than 30 acres to the city through the voluntary annexations it approved earlier. The newly incorporated commercial area includes Cajun Boilers restaurant, First Class Books, and a boat storage and repair business.

• Karen Garica was unanimously approved to fill the vacant seat for District 5 on the Hot Springs Board of Directors. Garica was a former member of the board and is well respected.

• The Hot Springs Board of Directors authorized the city to seek federal money for improved downtown parking and expanded sidewalks of outdoor dining. The resolution was unanimously adopted during a special-called meeting to authorize the West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, (WCAPDD) to apply on the city’s behalf for part of the $17 million in de-obligated fiscal year 2017 funds from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration Agency.

• The city maintains that the panhandling ordinance facing a federal court challenge was adopted to address a specific safety concern and can withstand judicial scrutiny. City Attorney Brian Albright said the ordinance banning sitting, walking or entering a “roadway, median or portion of a public street” for the purpose of soliciting any item, including money, from the occupant of a vehicle serves a compelling government interest.

06-02-2017

The Garland County Quorum Court adopted an ordinance appropriating $140,000 from the county road fund in anticipation state bids will be higher than expected for widening and paving projects the county is partnering with the state. County Judge Rick Davis told the court that the state informed him the projects selected for 2017 will cost more than the state had budgeted. He said the state attributed the higher costs to an increase in state and federal highway work in the area that's limiting the availability of contractors. Preliminary work for the widening of Highway 7 south recently began, and the widening of Highway 70 east from Hot Springs to Interstate 30 began earlier this year.

The quorum court adopted a resolution certifying the county’s endorsement of Triumph’s participation in a state-run incentive program that will reimburse it for county and state sales taxes paid on construction materials for an upcoming capital investment.

The quorum court approved the Metro Partnership’s $6,250 allocation for April. The JPs have requested the first third of the nonprofit corporation’s $75,000 appropriation for 2017. The county withheld $51,333 from the $75,000 appropriated for the partnership last year and declined to fund it in 2015.

Hot Springs—Jerry Yeric

The city will recoup most of the State Homeland Security grant Garland County returned to the state, City Manager David Frasher told the Hot Springs Board of Directors. County Judge Rick Davis notified the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management in December that he was returning the $253,951 grant awarded in fiscal year 2016. About $203,000 of it was earmarked for the Hot Spring’s Hazardous

Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction response team, the only one in the southwest part of the state. Frasher told the board the city of Little Rock has agreed to administer the grant, giving the city $126,951 for equipment and training related to hazardous materials response.

Fiber optic work to affect part of Ouachita Avenue has been started

05-05-2017

Rex Houston, lead plaintiff in the group “Opponents of Ordinance 6121,” offered to forgo the appeal if the city would repeal the ordinance; however the city declined his offer. The area which includes Lakeland Drive, Hamilton Drive and Buena Vista Road was schedule to come under city control last April.

Pat McCabe was named Mayor by unanimous vote by the Hot Springs Board of Directors. McCabe will fulfill the term of Ruth Carney who resigned. McCabe lost to Carney by 40 votes in the last mayor election and will be eligible to run in 2018. Four candidates applied for the open position: Karen Garcia, Mark Toth, Jack Porter and Pat McCabe.

District 5 Director Rick Ramick resigned his position. There had been an asserted effort by the Concern Citizen’s Coalition calling for his resignation based in part on his residency. The group had been picketing his work, and last week a bomb treat was received, although the Concerned Citizen’s Coalition claimed it had no association with the threat.

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department announced that a Texas contractor has been awarded the project to expand Highway 7 south to five lanes from the south shore bridge over Lake Hamilton to Highway 290.

The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce announced that President and CEO Jim Fram intends to transition out of his leadership roles at the Chamber and the Hot Springs Metro Partnership over the next year but many “remain engaged” in the organization after that time in an unspecified role.

The city is considering asking the county to reinstate a road millage. The state’s taxation code still requires cities and counties to evenly split the proceeds from road millages levied on incorporated property, but the quorum court declined to reinstate the road millage in 2014, 2015, and 2016. County Judge Davis said over time, the city has benefited from other revenue sources that have more than offset the money it lost in the millage shift.

04-07-2017

Hot Springs

o On March 10th Mayor Ruth Carney resigned. Her unexpired term will be filled by a vote of the Board of Directors. Applicants must live within the city and all applicants will be interviewed prior to appointment from the board. The last day for filing is noon April 11th.

o Hot Springs Board of Directors averted a special election on ordinances it adopted in December to annex two Lake Hamilton adjacent areas by voting to repeal the measures. The Concerned Citizens Group objected to the repeal and asked the board to hold an election. Several of the group’s leaders said a referendum would show the lack of support among city voters for the board’s decision to annex Enclave Areas C and D during the final board meeting of 2016.

o The Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling that denied a petition to compel the city to certify a referendum petition on the January 2016 ordinance that annexed Enclave Study Area B, resolving one of three lawsuits challenging the annexation that was scheduled to take place last April. The high court affirmed Division 4 Circuit Court Judge Marcia Hearnsberger’s denial of a writ of mandamus sought by George Pritchett after the city refused to verify signatures submitted in support of a referendum petition on the Area B ordinance. The refusal was based on the petition being submitted 35 days after the Hot Springs Board of Directors adopted the annexation ordinance January 19, 2016. A 1996 city ordinance sets the deadline for filing a referendum petition at 30 days after the passages of any ordinance or resolution. Pritchett argued the 1996 ordinance was in conflict with Act 1093 of 2015 state law that allows 60 days to circulate a municipal referendum opinion. The city cited Amendment 7 of the state Constitution which allows cities to set the filing deadline at 30 to 90 days after the passage of local legislations.

o The Hot Springs Board of Directors approved a $100,000 contract for economic development services with the Hot Springs Metro Partnership, a binding agreement made less necessary by the passage of a Constitutional amendment last November. In November voters passed Issue 3 by a nearly 2 to 1 margin. Section two of the amendment allows local governments to provide money to private interest for economic development.

o The Hot Springs Board of Directors passed a resolution of four guiding values for the former Majestic hotel area: “enhance economic opportunities, improve local quality of life and enhance visitor experience, celebrate the natural wonder of our thermal water and respect the arts, cultural history of Hot Springs.”

Garland County :o The county is in the process of developing a new and user friendly web page. It should be

operational in November.o Interest from part of the $54,695,000 road bond issue Garland County voters approved in June

will yield $770,562 for the County’s Road Improvement Bond Fund according to County Treasurer Tim Stockdale.

o County Judge Rick Davis said the interest income will pay B&F Engineering Inc. for administrative costs associated with managing local projects paid for by the bond proceeds. Income in excess of administrative costs will go toward local projects, allocated among the county and its four incorporated areas on the basis of population.

o The nuisance property ordinance Garland County adopted in 2007 is being revisited in response to complaints of unsightly properties the ordinance is ill-equipped to bring into compliance.

o Eric Jackson has stepped down as general manager of Oakland Park after 39 years at the track, the last 30 as general manager. He has been named senior Vice-President. Wayne Smith, assistant general manager since 2016 will become the sixth general manager in Oaklawn’s 113 year history.

03-03-2017

The Concerned Citizens Coalition provided more signatures to City Hall in support of its referendum petition on the city ordinance annexing Enclave Study Area D.

City voters will decide the fate of one of the enclave annexations previously approved by the Hot Springs Board of Directors after a successful petition drive.

The Hot Springs Board of Directors unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the Arkansas National Guard’s plan for the shuttered Ouachita Jobs Corps Center in Royal, after removing the item from the agenda the previous week.

An agreement to repurpose 30 million gallons a day of Lake Ouachita water for municipal supply is nearing the end of its journey through the labyrinthine bureaucracy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with the city of Hot Springs poised to assume a minimum of 15.75 mgd of the allocation.

Garland County—Jerry Yeric

County Judge Rick Davis announced that two part-time attorneys instead of one will now handle Garland County’s legal affairs, easing the burden of County Attorney Ralph Ohm. Local attorney John Howard will join Ohm as the county’s legal counsel, with the two splitting the $60,000 salary the Garland County Quorum Count appropriated for the County Attorney position in 2017. Judge Davis said that Ohm suggested Howard, the former Fountain Lake city attorney.

The Quorum Court appropriated funds to convert approximately 5,000 square feet of the former detention center into the county’s primary 911 call center.

The Quorum Court unanimously adopted an ordinance creating the 911 Dispatch Center Budget, appropriating $779,332 to the county general fund from 2016 receipts of the county’s half-cent sales tax that exceeded budget expectations.

The county isn’t statutorily required to share any of its projected $326,636 in 2017 AETS landline fees. Judge Davis has said that the county will cease paying transport fees providers charge the city’s primary call center and the county’s secondary call centers to route emergency calls.

02-03-2017

The city of Hot Springs saw a surge in November sales tax receipts after a slow growth in October according to figures released by the city’s finance department. The November collections remitted in January for the 1-cent sales tax Hot Springs levies in support of its General Fund climbed by 8.84 percent compared to last November’s figures. The $1,057,998 collected was $85,930 more than the November 2015 total and exceeded budget projections by 9.34 percent.

Governor Hutchinson appointed Oaklawn Park General Manager Eric Jackson to the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission. The 15 member P&T commission also includes Jim Shamburger of Hot Springs, the owner of the Best Western Winners Circle Inn, and Bill Barnes, owner and CEO of Mountain Harbor Resort on Lake Ouachita.

Forrest Spicher officially began as the new chair of the National Park College Board of Trustees.

The Waters Hotel, located in the former Thompson Building in downtown Hot Springs, should be open for business in mid-February according to Robert Zunick. The hotel will feature an executive chef, Casey Copeland. Construction of the $8 million, 62 room boutique hotel began in late October 2015.

01-06-2017

Hot Springso County & City Health Department Funding

Former County Judge and current District 4 City Director Larry Williams said that the county official’s assertion that the city is legally compelled to share in the operating cost of the Garland County Health Unit was not reciprocal agreement.

o 2017 Budget Hot Springs Board of Directors adopted a 2017 budget resolution that will appropriate $111.6 million across the city’s more than 20 funds, including $3.2 million to pay half the expected cost

of the police and fire department’s radio improvement plan.

o Animal Shelter The city board of Directors is considering exercising the out provision in Garland County’s contract with the city for animal services, an arrangement city officials said doesn’t provide adequate compensation for the level of service the county receives.

The city budgeted $685,000 for animal services next year. The 2017 county budget the Garland County Quorum Court adopted includes $211,000 for the city to provide animal services in the county’s unincorporated area. According to the city, the area outside Hot Springs’ corporation accounts for 52 percent of the animal intake at the city animal shelter.

o Building Permits The Hot Springs City Board voted unanimously to waive downtown commercial building permits fees and city residential building permit fees in 2017 in order to incentivize downtown and

residential development. This important local incentive has been in effect since 2014.

Garland Countyo The 2017 county budget that the Garland County Quorum Court adopted doesn’t include the

health unit’s full appropriation for operations; county officials have said they won’t retreat without a commitment from the city to fund the full reimbursement. Health Unit Administrator Chris Rowland has told the county that the $105,000 it appropriated for operations will keep the facility open through May.

Cindy Calhoun

12-02-2016

by Jerry Yeric

Hot Springs

o The Hot Springs Board of Directors adopted the Downtown Hot Springs Parking, Pedestrian and Bicycle Enhancements Plan this week. This plan was commissioned as a follow up to the Downtown Redevelopment Action Plan from 2015. This plan recommends Hot Springs: Create a Parking Authority; Improve Accessibility and Visibility of Existing Parking; Expand Public Parking Inventory; and Enhance Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure- Including a Downtown Bike Lane.

o DT Specialized Services Inc., of Tulsa completed its leveling of the “red brick” building, Lanai Tower and Lanai Suites after two months, revealing the dirt that was underneath the slabs of the three condemned structures. The drab landscape received a green overlay with the city spreading mulch, compost and hydoseed to control erosion and comply with stormwater regulations before rain could wash away the dirt.

o City Moves Forward with Downtown Parking Plan 78 on-street parking spots along Central Avenue will be removed. The relocation of 78 on-street parking spots along Central Avenue and the

formation of a downtown parking authority were chief among the recommendations in the plan the Hot Springs Board of Directors adopted earlier this month.

The board unanimously adopted the Downtown Hot Springs Parking, Pedestrian and Bicycle Enhancements Plan developed by Thomas P. Miller & Associates, the Indiana-based consulting firm. According to the plan adopted at the board's Nov. 15 meeting, the loss of parking caused by the relocation of 78 of the 132 on-street spaces along Central Avenue from the Park-Whittington intersection to Market Street would be more than offset by 319 potential side and off-street spaces, creating a net gain of 241 public parking spaces.

Garland County

o Quorum Court has proposed using its 911 Reverse Fund to upgrade four city dispatch stations despite County Judge Davis’ recommendation that 911 revenues not be used next year for the maintenance and transport fees at four of the five public service answering points in the county.

o Garland County Election Commission has a website and posted daily early voting as well as a November 21, in a special session, to hear residents of the county on the proposed City of Hot Springs annexation. A large crowd was on hand forcing the meeting to be moved to the 3rd floor of the Court House. State Senator Alan Clark, Representatives Bruce Cozart and

Mickey Gates addressed the issue. The court adopted a resolution opposing the annexation without a vote of the citizens.

08-05-2016

By Jerry Yeric

o The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce’s affiliated committee that advocated for the passage of the Pave It Forward highway bond spent $56,800 according to its financial report filed with the Arkansas Ethnics Committee. This translates into $12.35 per vote.

o The Quarter Café, a Louisiana cookery, at 250 Park street is now open.o The city is in the midst of housing a number of new small businesses from craft brewers to

coffee shops and roasters. o The city continues to work on the issue of broadband.o Mountain Valley Springs Water received $75,633 in rebate from Entergy for upgrading their

facilities to be more energy efficient.

04-01-2016

HSV Senior Services ExpoCoronado Center (auditorium & rooms 1, 2, 3, 6)

OCTOBER 13, 2016

8 am to 1pm

8:00-9:30: Booths open 9:30-10:30: Keynote and opening speakers (booths quite during this time)10:30–11:30: Open time for Booths 11:30-12:00: Lunch (Box Lunch sponsors: Good Sam and Mt. Carmel)

Lunchtime speaker: Stephanie Hefner-POA activities (booths quite)

12:00-1:00: Open time for Booths Breakout Sessions: Karen Baim Reagler, Attorney Area Agency on Aging

Alzheimer Arkansas

21 organizations offering key services for seniors have been identified—18 organizations have agreed to participate to date:

1. Alzheimer’s Arkansas plus Hospice2. Area Agency on Aging3. AARP/ driving4. Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care5. Arkansas Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

6. ARORA (organ recovery)7. Attorney General representative: scams targeting seniors8. Caring Place9. Community Counseling Services10. Fire Department11. FOCUS (visually impaired)12. Genesis (donating your body for research)13. Lifeline systems (Alert Response) 14. Lions Eye Bank and Laboratory15. Oaklawn Center on Aging16. Police Department17. SCAT18. SHIIP/Medicaid and Medicare19. Social Security20. Veterans’ (Garland Co. and Saline Co)21. World Services for the Blind

Transportation can also be arranged with preregistration for those participants who need a ride.

03-04-2016

Downtown Revitalization: There has been significant progress since Jan. 25, 2016 on the clean-up on the Majestic Hotel

yellow brick building. The clean-up is 90% complete and the area residents are thrilled.

SENIOR SERVICES SYMPOSIUM COMMITTEE—Cindy Calhoun

The goals of the committee are to inform the Village of the services for seniors that are available to them and to also inform them of how they can get involved.

The first meeting for the planning team has been scheduled for March 7. I will chair the committee and the team members to date are Leslie Nally, Educational Committee Chair on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging; Missy Masterson, Director of Health Services at the Area Agency on Aging of West Central Arkansas; Nancy Otto; John Weidert, Director of POA Board; and Peggy Yeric.

02-05-2016

Hot Springs City Manager:

The Hot Springs Board of Directors voted unanimously on January 26 to hire David W. Frasher of Happy Valley, Oregon as the new City Manager of Hot Springs. Frasher is expected to assume his position on or about March 31.

Frasher graduated cum laude from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill., in 1981 with a degree in Administration of Justice, and received his juris doctorate in 1993 from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Mo.

He began his career as a police officer in Independence, Mo., where he worked as a patrol officer, detective, and crime scene investigator. Following a one-year appointment as a law clerk for the Alaska Court of Appeals, he opened a private practice.

Frasher was appointed city manager of Oregon City, Ore., in 2010 where he served for 5 ½ years. His notable achievements include devising and implementing a successful downtown revitalization program, developing a master plan, public-private partnerships, and securing $20 million in funding for the Willamette Falls Legacy Project, including a new river walk in the heart of the city.

Frasher said... “They are delighted to be coming to Hot Springs…with the city’s professional challenges, high quality of life and potential for economic growth and revitalization made Hot Springs an easy choice.”

The Majestic Hotel site:

The cleanup has started. The Spirtas Wrecking Co. is removing the debris left from the “yellow brick” building fire in February 2014 at the Majestic Hotel site.

Civil War Museum coming to Hot Springs:

A Civil War Museum is coming to Hot Springs and the opening dates and times will be announced later. The Civil War Museum West, will focus on the Trans-Mississippi area of the American Civil War. The museum owner and funder Rick Williams said “This museum will be done right; it’ll be a research library for college students, it’ll be the real deal. We hope to continue to grow it. From a research library standpoint, this library is probably going to be one of the best in the country.”

12-04-2015

The Majestic Hotel:

Request for proposals for the cleanup of the Majestic Hotel went out November 16 and will be open for about six-weeks. The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality has reviewed the RFP to make sure it meets the requirements that they have. Interim city manager, Bill Burroughs said that they hope to have a contract ready to start work in January 2016.

Interim Police Chief:

Assistant Police Chief Jason Stachey, 41, has been named interim chief of the Hot Springs Police Department following the retirement of Police chief David Flory.

Garvin Gardens:

Sunny Evans and the estate of her late husband, Robert P. “Bob” Evans, have committed $500,000 of a previous estate gift to create matching funds to construct a $1 million tree house at Garvin Woodland Gardens, the University of Arkansas said in a news release on November 19. The treehouse, which will be part of the Evans Children’s Adventure Garden, is being designed by Modus Studio in Fayetteville.

Ad valorem taxes:

The Hot Springs Board of Directors unanimously approved to levy zero mills in ad valorem taxes for the General Fund, and the city’s closed fire and police pensions plans. In 1988, city voters passed a city-wide 1-cent sales tax in return for the city dropping the ad valorem taxes. The 1988 resolution also stated future city boards not reinstate a millage without a vote of the people.

City Manager update:

The firm hired to seek a new city manager visited the Hot Springs Board of directors on November 10 to discuss the applicants for the position. There have been 46 applications. City attorney Brian Albright said that it is likely the board will make a selection of a new city manager sometime in February.

11-06-2015

Hot Springs Convention Center:

The Hot Springs Convention Center has been named one of the top meeting facilities in the South by ConventionSouth magazine. This Readers Choice award was voted on by the top meeting professionals who hold conventions in the South.

Downtown Revitalization:

Developer Jason Taylor plans to convert the vacant Citizens National Bank Building, in the heart of downtown Hot Springs, into six high-end loft apartments on the top floors and a restaurant on the ground floor. Construction will begin around the end of November. Taylor said that the condos units will be “very chic, New York style, high-end stuff, and there is nothing like them around”.

The new owner of the Austin Convention Hotel and Spa, Gary R. Gibbs (principal owner of Coastal Phoenix Investments LLC) said at the Oct. 8th closing that he plans to renovate the property over the next several months, and it will remain in operation during that time. The renovations started October 21. Gibbs also plans to demolish an adjoining property in which he is leasing from the city.

The Downtown Hot Springs Economic Development and Redevelopment Action Plan sets three goals for revitalizing downtown Hot Springs:

1. Enhance the downtown experience by improving the infrastructure and quality of place amenities required to become one of America’s best small downtowns.

2. Create and foster a stronger sense of community downtown.3. Position downtown as a vibrant economic engine to offer a place for its residents to

live, work, and play centered on supportive and emerging sectors.Mid-America Science Museum:

The Mid-America Science Museum received two architecture awards from the Arkansas Chapter of the America Institute of Architecture’s annual award ceremony.

Tourism:

Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison said that the city’s 3-cent advertising and promotion tax has seen record collections over the past nine months--it is up 8.8 percent. Arrison said that represents over $12 million in gross sales just in Hot Springs’ hotels and restaurants in the last nine months.

10-09-2015

The Majestic Hotel: The city of Hot Springs closed on the Majestic Hotel complex on August 25. The final cash price

was $672,782.90. The ADEQ is working closely with the city of Hot Springs on the cleanup of the Majestic Hotel

“yellow brick” building, and has accepted an application from the city to be part of the brownfield program, which seeks to redevelop properties and put them back in use.

As far as the remaining hotel structures, the ADEQ and the city are looking at the project holistically to see the best use of the building and property. The ADEQ is not sure of the exact details of the plans but is committed to helping the city through the entire process.

Downtown Revitalization: The economic development consulting firm of Thomas P. Miller and Associates, hired to develop

an action plan for the redevelopment of downtown, will unveil its findings on Oct. 8 at 6:00pm. It will be released publically at the same time on websites of the city, the chamber, and the West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District. The final plan for just the downtown portion is almost a 100 pages of text. There will be a lot of visuals, mock-ups, ideas, and artists’ renderings to go along with what will be released.

Hot Springs names new park for Watkins: The Hot Springs Board of Directors approved a resolution September 1 to name the city-owned

property at 811 Park Avenue as the David F. Watkins Memorial Tunnel Park in honor of the former Hot Springs city manager.

The search for a new city manager: The search firm hired to look for a city manager is finalizing a brochure that will be distributed

in several markets around Arkansas. They are also scheduling individual meetings with the city directors to get a feel for the kind of person they are looking for. Bill Burrough, interim city manager will make a decision on whether to apply or not for the position after the search process gets underway. Burrough said that from what he had been told that it would be a 90 to 100-day period, so it will be after the first of the year before the city will name a new city manager.

National Park College:

A slight overall increase in enrollment (3,001 in 2014 to 3,015 this semester) ended a downward trend as the school exhibited one of the best turnarounds among the state’s 22 two-year colleges.

National Park Medical Center: The project to expand the hospital’s emergency room and offer new vascular services should

be completed by August 2016.

CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs: A $1.6 million upgrade to the maternity area at CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs will keep mothers

and newborns in one room for the entire birthing process. The 14 room expansion will combine labor, delivery and recovery rooms with the post partum area. Lakeside and the ASMSA introduce Japanese Programs: Lakeside and the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts launched their new Japanese programs with the arrival of a native speaker to teach the classes. Aoszora Ishizaki previously taught in Japan, China and Germany. She will also be learning a lot about America, our culture, and our language as well said the assistant superintendent Bruce Orr. The new program is the only foreign language exchange program of its kind in Arkansas.

09-04-2015

City of Hot Springs:o In memoriam:

David Watkins, City Manager of Hot Springs, passed away August 17 as the result of an accident in his home. His untimely death was a shock to Hot Springs, the surrounding area, and across the state. Mr. Watkins was passionate about Hot Springs and believed in the potential of Hot Springs to be an exceptional community. He was a visionary and worked tirelessly and faithfully to ensure Hot Springs’ future. Some of the key areas that Mr. Watkins accomplished in his short three years as City Manager were: created the Thermal Basin Fire District to bring safety in the downtown area; worked tirelessly to get the wreckage of the Majestic Hotel cleaned up; understood the need for abundant and safe water supply and worked with the Hot Springs Board of Directors in obtaining two new water sources for Hot Springs; and championed downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods. He will be remembered as the one who lead the way and set the course for an improved Hot Springs. The legacy that David Watkins leaves will live on and bring an extraordinary future for Hot Springs.

o Deputy City Manager, Bill Burroughs, was appointed as the interim city manager to fill the vacancy. Burrough said “We have a lot of irons in the fire and we’re going to continue to progress and move those forward.”

Water:

o A plan to reallocate more than 17 million gallons of water a day from Lake Ouachita to the City of Hot Springs is now under review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Washington DC office, the Vicksburg District commander said on August 28. This is an important movement, the 6th step, in the flow chart of the 7- step process. It has taken two years to get to this point and it will continue take time to get to Step 7 but at least we know where it is in the process says Interim City Manager Bill Burrough.

o U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark, said on August 28 that the citizens of Hot Springs could be

sure that Arkansas’ congressional delegation will continue to watch out for the city’s interest in obtaining an additional source of raw water.

Downtown Revitalization: o Hot Springs Fire Chief Ed Davis said on August 26 that a majority of the owners of downtown

buildings that are declared unsafe have complied with the requirements of the Thermal Basin Fire District. There are only four buildings that aren’t making progress besides the Majestic Hotel.

The Majestic Hotel: o The City of Hot Springs purchased the Majestic Hotel complex on August 25th for

$672,782.90 and started formulating the plan for the cleanup of the “yellow brick” building the next day.

o The city has a plan for the “red brick” building in the complex, but the focus for now is getting the rubble cleaned up.

Mid-America Science Museum: o The Bob Wheeler Science Skywalk at the Mid-America Science Museum is among the 32

contenders for the Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architecture’s inaugural People’s Choice Award. Visit Hot Springs, CEO Steve Arrison said that this was very important to Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission, which sponsored the exhibit.

o The Mid-America Museum has partnered with the National Products Discovery group to

promote a Citizen Science Soil Collection project that will eventually lead to the creation of new medicines.

Oaklawn Park:o Reader’s of a Group Tours magazine recently voted Oaklawn Park Best Casino in the South,

an addition to the accolades Oaklawn has received since opening its 58,000-square-foot, $20 million expansion on Jan.9.

National Park College:o National Park College is in the process of applying for two grants to develop and implement

a new Innovative Technologies Center of Excellence. The targeted programs are meant to offer short-term career and technical training and programs that produce certificates of proficiency, technical certificates, Associate of Applied Science degrees and Bachelor of Applied Science degrees or similarly designed bachelor’s degrees.

Henderson State University—Hot Springs:o Henderson State University—Hot Springs reached a record of 180 students on August 21.

The campus has exceeded expectations last fall and this spring in Henderson’s first full year with new degreed programs offered locally. The 11-day count last fall saw 169 students enrolled in Hot Springs classes.

07-10-2015

Downtown Revitalization: The Majestic Hotel is in the process of being purchased for $680,000 by the city of Hot

Springs. David Watkins, city manager said that this property is the entryway to Hot Springs from the North and serves as the gateway to the city’s historic downtown district and is the key to ongoing plans for the redevelopment of the downtown area. Watkins goes on to say that this purchase creates numerous exciting opportunities for redevelopment of the property for Hot Springs.

The Baxter Plaza project, an outdoor event plaza and greenbelt with abundant nighttime lighting, will be completed in another few weeks, said Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs. The Baxter Plaza, which is located on Pleasant Street, will host its first event on Aug 22-23—the Bass & BBQ competition as part of the 2015 Forrest Wood Cup.

Dewey’s Town Talk BBQ, also on Pleasant Street, was razed after an emergency condemnation was initiated by the city in the interest of public safety. Hot Springs Planning and Development Director Kathy Sellman said that this location, flat, with city utilities and easy access to downtown, is a super location.

Thomas P. Miller and Associates senior VP Tom West conducted Phase 2 of three-phase, four month long planning process for the redevelopment of the Whittington Valley, Park Avenue and downtown areas. The comments made in the public forum by Hot Springs and Garland Co. residents indicated that they are ready for a change…they want to see downtown vibrant again, and West thinks there is a really good understanding that the downtown of the future is not the downtown of the past. Phase 3 will be using the Phase 2 input from the community to formulate goals and objectives for the plan, ask the community to review those items again, and then draft the final plan. The next step will be to put action to the strategies…the plan is meaningless unless this turns into action West commented.

The Thermal Basin Fire District, which has been in place since December 2013, is accomplishing its purpose of making downtown Hot Springs safer, said Fire Chief Ed Davis. The TBFD encompasses most of the downtown businesses and residential area and provides the property owners with less strict means of complying with the code requirements.

National Park College: The National Park College president, John Logan, Jerry Yeric and I met to explore ways

that Hot Springs Village and the National Park College could connect. Dr. Logan was interested in career coaches for the students; also tutoring and counselling volunteers for the students.

National Park College offers the first for-credit Stand Up Paddle Boarding class in the state, made possible through a partnership with Gregg Orr Marine. Stand Up Paddle Boarding is the fasting growing water-sport in the country and is a great way to increase balance, coordination, core stability, strength and endurance while having fun.

The National Park College Board of Trustees approved a pay raise and contract extension for President John Hogan after his first year in the position.

CHI St. Vincent: CHI St. Vincent and HealthSouth Corp. have signed an agreement to jointly own and

operate a 40-bed inpatient physical rehabilitation hospital at the former HealthPark Hospital on Higdon Ferry Road.

Mid-America Science Museum: Since reopening March 7, the Mid-America Science Museum’s attendance is at 45,000.

Their attendance for the last full year of operation before renovating was 88,000.

Sister City Program: The Hot Springs Sister City Program received Sister City International’s 2015 Innovation

Award for economic development. The economic development innovation project that was submitted highlights the introduction of the Sake industry to Hot Springs. Sake is a wine made from fermented rice with a brewing process similar to beer.

Hot Springs Convention Center: Donald Trump will be the keynote speaker at the July 17 Reagan-Rockefeller Dinner at

the Hot Springs Convention Center was announced by the Republican Party of Arkansas.

Oaklawn Racing and Gaming: Eric Jackson, General Manager of Oaklawn Racing and Gaming, said that Hot Springs

has claimed its place in the history books after Arkansas Derby and Rebel Stakes winner American Pharoah took home the Triple Crown.

06-05-2015

Hot Springs Board of Directors goals and priorities: The Hot Springs Board of Directors, City Manager, assistant City Manager and City Attorney held

a strategies retreat in late February facilitated by the Institute of Economic Advancement, and developed strategies and goals based on responses given to a six-question, open-ended survey. A summary report of the retreat states:

o The utmost goal of the board of directors in order to make Hot Springs the best it can be is “working together”. There have been issues of trust at times in achieving that goal due to Lack of communication, lack of a understanding of the city management form of government,

and outside interests…trust must be developed.o There is also an issue of working with, or lack of working with, the county judge and

the Garland Co Quorum Court.o One of biggest challenges and opportunities facing the city is the water supply, quality,

quantity and allocation. There is a question of a new agreed-upon second water resource and misinformation regarding water in Hot Springs and Garland County. There needs to be an effort of the city and county to work together with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to work out what would be in the best interest of the community.

o The city needs to focus on an annexation policy for the city, and develop a PR piece to provide an overview of the benefits of annexation for non-city residents and businesses—for example lower water rates and better fire ratings.

The staff and directors also discussed the need for:o Establishing a redevelopment district for downtown Hot Springs and the kind of tax

incentives that could be offered to help in the downtown’s rebirth. The Board also agreed that there needs to be very inclusive participation in the redevelopment efforts by the owners, merchants, and parking needs to be a top priority.

The following points were agreed on and should take place moving forward:o The board encouraged the Mayor and the City Manager to move on and work

together, as the board and the mayor move forward, as well.o The various Advisory Committees appointed by the Board should report to the board

via an annual report with a brief synopsis of what they are doing.o Discussions related to city business should cease on Facebook and all social media.o To better the relations between the city board, mayor and city manager with the

county judge and the quorum court, it was determined that twice a year, there should be an informal social gathering for them to get to know each other better and to visit about the issues, challenges, and opportunities.

The Hot Springs Board of Directors will discuss a resolution to adopt its strategic priorities and goals at the Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, June 2. Once adopted the city manager will develop and implement a plan of action.

Hot Springs Water:City Manager David Watkins is optimistic that an agreement with the Corps of Engineers for a water allocation from Lake Ouachita will be completed by the end of the year. The city has applied for 15.75 gallons a day from Lake Ouachita.

Big strides were made on the issue of getting water from Lake DeGray a couple of months ago when city manager David Watkins, Mayor Ruth Carney, Deputy City Manager Bill Burrough, and City Directors Randy Fale and Richard Ramick traveled to Washington DC and met with US Senators John Boozman, R-Ark., and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and the staff for Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-District 4.

Once the agreement is signed for Lake DeGray City Manager David Watkins states “we’re ready to go, whereas on Lake Ouachita, once we get the agreement signed, that would be the first of many steps to get that (intake) site…so the preferred option is still DeGray Lake because we only have one hurdle to overcome with the federal government.” He goes on to say “Regardless of the progress, the city is “years away” from having a plant operating on either lake.

Henderson—Hot Springs:

The executive director of Henderson—Hot Springs, Christi Batts, Jerry Yeric and I met to explore ways that Hot Springs Village and Henderson—Hot Springs could connect. The ideas of adjunct faculty, lecturers, and the possibility of classes being offered in the Village were some of the ideas that we discussed. We gathered information from Lu Otto concerning numbers of adults 40 years old and under in the Village (about 1,250 to 1,300), plus Lu gave us an article that he wrote for the Voice: “Village Demographics: Age and Sex” to send to her as well. Addition key information from Lu that was sent to her was that the Village population, though older, is more highly educated and thus is more favorably disposed to continuing education than general populations with lower levels of education. We also are in the process of preparing a list of possible lecturers with their expertise for her as well.

Mid-America Science Museum: The Mid-America Science Museum has had record attendance since it reopened on March 7.

Visit Hot Springs: The city-wide 3-cent advertising and promotion tax in March exceeded the previous record set a

year ago by 1 percent. The reported amount was $552,390.48, topping $548,959.01 reported for March last year.

Hot Springs was featured for second time in a national cookbook: A former executive editor of Southern Living magazine and a resident of Alabama, author

Morgan Murphy, has visited Hot Springs on more than one occasion and said that the city’s unique tastes are what make it so special. His latest cookbook is called “Off the Eaten Path: On the Road Again”.

05-05-2015

Downtown revitalization: Hot Springs National Park Rotary Club closed out its series of programs on downtown

redevelopment with the Club President saying that Hot Springs could become a premier destination city. The downtown merchants have seen steady growth over a number of years. With the opening of the Superior Bath House Brewery and Distillery; and a proposed hotel for the Hale Bath House, downtown will change drastically.

Tom West, vice president of Economic Competitiveness at Thomas P. Miller and Associates, a national economic development consulting firm facilitated the first of four forums to formulate a comprehensive strategic plan for Hot Springs downtown redevelopment. The forum was an interactive public forum to make a plan that reflects what the community wants, not just a plan that the firm designs. This was the first stage of a four-month strategic planning effort to redevelop downtown Hot Springs and was made possible through a grant from the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Majestic Hotel: The debris from the “yellow brick building” of the Majestic Hotel complex was finally removed

from the sidewalk on April 10, 2015. The cost of the removal has been billed to the owner. The ADEQ states that Garrison Hassenflu will not have any insurance money available to defray the cost.

Fifty for the Future: One of the issues that the Fifty for the Future has been asked to study is the potential to

consolidate city and county services. They will be looking for a way to consolidate the governments to bring about cost efficiency and cooperation.

Hot Springs Airport: Airport Director, George Dowie, reported April 24 that there will be new construction and ramp

improvements totaling more than $2 million and will take place during the next 18 months at the Hot Springs Memorial Field.

Documentary Film Festival: The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival has been recognized by MovieMaker magazine’s

annual list of “Top Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee,” which showcases festivals around the world.

Hot Springs National Park: The National Park Service released a report that showed that 1.4 million visitors in 2014 to Hot

Springs National Park spent $87.6 million in the community supporting 1,422 jobs in the area. The cumulative benefit of nearly $111.4 to the local economy.

National Park College: As part of their rebranding, National Park Community College has changed its name to National

Park College. The College has a new logo with shades of blue, black and white instead of the former green and gold scheme. The college’s new tagline is “Find Your Path”. The College will also decrease their tuition. Rebranding and decreasing tuition are two of the schools new initiatives. The third initiative calls for the introduction of three new degree programs: Aerospace science, Industrial Technology, and Hospitality and Tourism. The fourth initiative calls for the development of a “Center for Excellence in Information Technology,” which will add courses in gaming and application development.

04-03-2015

Downtown revitalization: The City of Hot Springs is positioned for tremendous growth City Manager David Watkins told

the Hot Springs Board of Directors in his “State of the City” address at the March 3rd Board of directors meeting. Watkins stated that the challenge is to maximize that growth and provide the environment to achieve long-term fiscal sustainability. He went on to say that there will not be a silver bullet to reaching these goals. Hot Springs will have to use every tool available to ensure that Hot Springs keeps building, progressing and moving forward. For example, the fire that destroyed the oldest part of the Majestic Hotel complex, didn’t just burn a landmark, but sparked a movement to redeveloped and preserve downtown.

Also Watkins said in his State of the City address that Hot Springs’ economy continues to recover from the 2008 recession and they are optimistic about continued economic vitality for a number of reasons. New businesses openings reached an all-time high of 339 for 2014, and occupation tax collections reached more than $700,000 collected and $620,000 in alcohol taxes paid.

Majestic Hotel: The Park Residences Development LLC, the owner of the Majestic Hotel requested a 90-day

extension of the debris removal deadline of March 5 to provide sufficient time for the processing of the loan application and the funding of the debris removal project. The ADEQ denied their

request but wishes to continue working with the owners on options for removal of the debris and requests updated information pertaining to the site. City Manager David Watkins said …“that is great news that they have been denied an extension… “We had been encouraging ADEQ to hold the owners feet to the fire and it looks like they have, and that is good news.”

The City Board of Directors approved a resolution to condemn the “red brick building” and the Lanai Towers of the Majestic Hotel complex Monday, March 16. A fine of $250 will be imposed against the owner of the buildings 30 days after the condemnation resolution is approved, and “for each day thereafter that the said nuisance is not abated constitutes a separate and distinct offense punishable by a fine of $250 for each separate and distinct offense, provided that the post-condemnation notice requirements of HSC 17-1-5 are met.

Greater Hot Springs Chamber: The Greater Hot Springs of Commerce has been awarded a five-star accreditation by the U.S.

Chamber of Commerce, one of only 90 to achieve the rankings nationwide, local chamber Chairman Forrest Spicher announced on March 12. He went on to say that this award recognizes the chamber’s improvement in the areas of its business practices, community involvement, pro-growth governmental support, and following industry trends.

Hot Springs Downtown Education Center: Henderson State University and National Park Community College hosted the official grand

opening ceremony for the Hot Springs Downtown Education Center March 13 at the Landmark Building.

Mid-America Science Museum:

Public Officials, school representatives and other dignitaries were on hand March 3 for a dedication of the Mid-America Science Museum. Diane LaFollette, executive director of the museum, said that this was going to be a new chapter in Mid-America’s history. The museum was closed since August undergoing a major renovation made possible by a $7.8 million grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, and another $1.8 million raised by Mid-America.

Over the weekend of March 7 and 8, the newly reopened Mid-America Science Museum had record-breaking visitation according to the executive director Diane LaFollette. She thinks there were over 1,800 visitors both days.

Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Committee: The Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Committee awarded $19,000 in grants to be used for

the purpose of promoting events that in turn bring in visitors to Hot Springs. The grants were awarded to the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival; the Hot Springs

JazzFest; the 2015 Arkansas Senior Olympics; the Hot Springs Blues Festival and the Muses Opera Gala Week. Additional grants were provided to the Spa Pacers and the Music Festival.

03-06-2015

Downtown revitalization: A local architect said recently that Hot Springs is on the cusp of new beginnings and as

you drive around Hot Springs it is easy to believe. There are two large new construction projects in Hot Springs: a $3 million Regions Bank

and a $3.9 million First Security Bank; Majestic Hotel:

A small group of people turned out in frigid weather to mark the one year anniversary on Friday February 27 of the fire that destroyed the “yellow brick building” of the Majestic Hotel complex. They wanted to not only put a positive spin on this devastating event for the city but also reflect on what has happen over the last year and all of the changes that have happen downtown. The event was also to show support of Police Chief Ed Davis and the efforts to enforce the existing building codes in the Thermal Basin Fire District which covers all of the downtown structure.

The ADEQ said that the removal plan calls for the debris to be removed from the site by March 5 and the owner is on schedule with the plan so far. They said that the full cleanup would take longer. The site is being closely monitored by ADEQ. The City of Hot Springs will consider condemnation of the Majestic Hotel again at the March 17 City Board of Directors meeting.

Jim Fram, president and CEO of the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce said that the last he heard the owners of the Majestic property were working on some financial issues to get the funding to do the cleanup.

Oaklawn Park: The Oaklawn Foundation will award more that $320,000 in scholarships this year to high

school graduates throughout Garland County. Mid-America Science Museum:

The $7.8 million expansion of the Mid-America Science Museum is on schedule and the Grand Opening will be March 7.

02-06-2015

Metro Partnership: Even though Pulaski County Circuit Judge has ruled that Little Rock and North Little Rock

must stop paying their Chambers of Commerce and other economic development entities because the payments violate the Arkansas Constitution—it will not affect Hot Springs’ relationship with Hot Springs Metro Partnership. City Attorney Brian Albright said that they are separate entities with separate tax ID numbers. The money that the city of Hot Springs gives to the Metro Partnership, a public-private partnership, is purely for economic development.

Downtown revitalization: Ron Wehman, who chaired the Downtown Game Task Force formed early in 2014,

stated at the Oaklawn Rotary Club on January 5, that the strategic development plan for developing downtown Hot Springs is “on tract, but running slow”, and ways to accelerate it need to be found. In October, 12 participants from Hot Springs visited Saratoga Springs, NY “to find out what they were doing that we (Hot Springs) could use. Saratoga Springs has a number of similarities to Hot Springs, including thoroughbred horse racing; are gateway communities; four-year college; history of illegal gambling, and now similar betting at the horse tracks; have mineral springs and baths; close to the state capitals, and have many buildings with historical architecture. The Saratoga Springs development plan started in 1970 and took 40 years. The three things that

stood out to Wehman after the trip to Saratoga Springs were---pride, partnership, and perseverance.

The two new boutique hotels in downtown Hot Springs are planned to be open for business by June 2016. $13 to $16 million will be spent to renovate the Dugan-Stuart building on the 200 block and the Thompson building in the 300 block of Centeral as small boutique hotels with retail businesses on the ground floor.

Majestic Hotel: Garrison Hassenflu, the owner of the Majestic Hotel, pleaded no contest to 10 violations

of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code in December, including an admission that the remaining buildings are unsafe. Albright stated that condemnation will be consider again at the first Hot Springs Board of Directors meeting in February. The problem with condemnation is that the City doesn’t have the money in the budget. The City may have to pursue a civil remedy asking the that the owner be required to take the building down, and if he can’t, asked the court to provide some other remedy that will abate the issue.

Oaklawn Park: Opening weekend finished strongly at Oaklawn Park. Oaklawn Park was voted the best racino in the Mid-South by the readers of the

Southern Gaming and Destinations magazine.

Henderson State University-Hot Springs: Enrollment and credit hours exceeded targets for Henderson State University—Hot

Springs in the first year. The hope was for 1,300 credit hours—the students took 1,801 credit hours.

01-09-2015

Metro Partnership: Hot Spring Metro Partnership lost the vote for $75,000 appropriation request from the Garland

Co. Finance Committee meeting on Dec. 8. County Judge Rick Davis encouraged the committee to reconsider funding the partnership at a later date, saying it makes the area more conspicuous to industry that’s looking to relocate or to expand. Judge Davis told the JP’s that it’s an important part of letting people know Hot Springs exists.

Downtown revitalization: The City of Hot Springs and the Park Avenue Community Association began a new era for Park

Ave on December 2 with the demolition of the former Kloss Motel. Not only does it eradicate some blight but also helps protect homes and businesses from future floods in the lower flood plain and the downtown area. The property will be converted into a green space to help alleviate floods by creating a stormwater treatment on the property. More than one will be needed in order to make a difference in flood treats and the grand plan is to have these

scattered all over the Park Ave and Whittington Ave areas because that is where the flood waters come from. When these facilities are completed all that will be seen is green grass. The City and PACA have been working on this for 2 ½ to 3 years.

Majestic Hotel: There have been several proposals for cleanup plans for The Majestic Hotel submitted to ADEQ

before one was accepted by the state agency. Bruce Maxwell, project manager for the property owner, stated that the final negotiations with the selected bidders will be made the week of January 5.

Although the Majestic Hotel was placed on the auction block, it has not been sold. They are still working with several people who have shown an interest.

Fighting the Majestic Hotel fire, which required the use of several million gallons of water, highlighted the need for a new source of raw water to meet the needs of the community.

Tourism: Steve Arrison CEO of Visit Hot Springs stated that the tax revenue was up 3% for the fall and

thinks the weather has played a major role in the visitation to Hot Springs this year and feels strongly that Hot Springs will finish strong for 2014. He also thinks that Hot Springs will be heading into 2015 strong. Arrison further stated that particularly during the fall Hot Springs sees a good mix of bigger events and conventions alongside smaller group events and meetings. Also he thinks it is because Hot Springs is centrally located and has a variety of things to do when people get here.

National Park Community College: NPCC board has approved a plan to rebrand NPCC in an effort to appeal to a new generation of

students. Their plan is to focus on enhancing its comprehensive mission to increase college graduation rates, to increase enrollment, expand workforce development, provide lifelong learning, continue to meet the community needs, etc. They are targeting to roll out significant changes before the summer term.

Oaklawn Park: Live racing at the track will resume on January 9, and Oaklawn is set to debut its 58,000 sq. ft.,

$20 million expansion.

Track president, Charles Cella announced that Oaklawn would be waiving general admission fees, thus waiving passes, for the 2015 season as a thank you to patrons for their support of thoroughbred racing, particularly during the expansion project that began over 18 months ago. This also helps Oaklawn avoid potential conflict with Issue 3, which Arkansas voters approved in November. Issue 3 prohibits legislators and constitutional officers from accepting gifts from lobbyist and candidates for public office from accepting campaign contributions from corporations.

Because of the revenue from the electronic games of skill and other streams, Oaklawn is increasing purses for the seventh year in a roll and forecasts more than $23 million for 2015.

Henderson State University-Hot Springs

Renovations on the Landmark Building continue—and classes will be moved to the Landmark Building for the spring semester, which begins Jan. 13. HSU-HS student body includes 58 education majors and 77 business majors.