Hot Springs Board of Directors

March 5, 2024 Civic Briefing

Hot Springs Board Approves $172K Elevator Modernization, $952K in Total Spending Across Infrastructure and Facility Upgrades

The Board of Directors approved $952,273.42 in spending on March 5, 2024, covering elevator modernization at 324 Malvern Avenue ($171,985.00), fire suppression equipment at the Community Resource Center ($166,919.00), document scanning services ($126,487.06), roof repairs at Services Lane ($121,396.00), commercial waste containers ($118,494.33), facility security equipment at the Community Resource Center ($58,721.82), roll-off containers ($98,593.80), snow removal equipment ($88,076.41), and a budget revision carrying over remaining 2023 appropriations into 2024.

Hot Springs Board of Directors Regular Meeting March 5, 2024 Confidence: High Independent — not affiliated with the City of Hot Springs

Published: May 17, 2026 · Last updated: May 17, 2026

View source notes Watch meeting ↗

The short version

The Board approved $952,273.42 in total spending across nine items, covering facility upgrades, equipment purchases, and a budget revision — all passed by 6-1 or 7-0 votes.
The largest single item was $171,985.00 for elevator repair and modernization at 324 Malvern Avenue, procured through an intergovernmental cooperative purchasing program from Kone, Inc.
The Board approved a ground lease agreement with the Historic Downtown Farmers Market, Inc. in a 5-2 vote — the closest vote of the night — following public comment from six residents.
The Board authorized the purchase of snow removal equipment for $88,076.41 from Hilbilt Sales Corp. Arkansas, waiving competitive bidding requirements by ordinance.
City Manager Bill Burrough reported that Operation Clean Sweep was underway March 4–22, covering approximately 528 addresses, and that the city is recruiting for six police officer positions and fire department positions.

By the numbers

Total identified spending

$952,273

Votes taken

includes procedural votes

Unanimous votes

Largest single item

$171,985

Elevator Repair and Modernization at 324 Malvern Avenue

Emergency / ratification items

Resident questions unanswered

Money approved

Item	Amount	Vendor	Vote	Source
Elevator Repair and Modernization, 324 Malvern Avenue	$171,985	Kone, Inc.	6-1	`item:14`
Fire Suppression Equipment, Community Resource Center	$166,919	Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP	6-1	`item:16`
Document Scanning and Processing Services	$126,487	MCCi, LLC	6-1	`item:18`
Roof Replacements and Repairs, 226 and 228 Services Lane	$121,396	Ketcher & Company, Inc.	6-1	`item:15`
Commercial Frontload Containers	$118,494	Wastequip, LLC	6-1	`item:10`
Roll-Off Containers (15 units, 30 cu yd)	$98,594	Wastequip, LLC	6-1	`item:9`
Snow Removal Equipment emergency	$88,076	Hilbilt Sales Corp. Arkansas	7-0	`item:22`
Facility Security Equipment, Community Resource Center	$58,722	Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP	6-1	`item:17`
Total identified spending	$950,673

Major decisions

Elevator Repair and Modernization, 324 Malvern Avenue

Item: The Board approved elevator repair and modernization at 324 Malvern Avenue for $171,985.00, procured through an intergovernmental cooperative purchasing program from Kone, Inc.
Vote: 6-1
Cost: $171,985.00
Vendor / responsible: Kone, Inc.
Discussion level: Unknown Discussion level not determined
Resident impact: Building accessibility and safety improvements at 324 Malvern Avenue.
What the Board said or did: Approved $171,985.00 contract with Kone, Inc. for elevator modernization via intergovernmental cooperative purchasing program.
What remains unclear: Timeline for completion and specific modernization scope.
Source: item:14

Fire Suppression Equipment, Community Resource Center

Item: The Board approved fire suppression equipment for the Community Resource Center for $166,919.00 from Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP.
Vote: 6-1
Cost: $166,919.00
Vendor / responsible: Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP
Discussion level: Unknown Discussion level not determined
Resident impact: Enhanced fire safety systems at the Community Resource Center facility.
What the Board said or did: Approved $166,919.00 contract with Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP for fire suppression equipment installation.
What remains unclear: Installation timeline and specific equipment specifications.
Source: item:16

Document Scanning and Processing Services

Item: The Board approved document scanning and processing services for $126,487.06 from MCCi, LLC.
Vote: 6-1
Cost: $126,487.06
Vendor / responsible: MCCi, LLC
Discussion level: Unknown Discussion level not determined
Resident impact: Digitization of city records for improved accessibility and data management.
What the Board said or did: Approved $126,487.06 contract with MCCi, LLC for document scanning and processing services.
What remains unclear: Scope of documents to be scanned and project timeline.
Source: item:18

Roof Replacements and Repairs, 226 and 228 Services Lane

Item: The Board approved roof replacements and repairs at 226 and 228 Services Lane for $121,396.00 from Ketcher & Company, Inc.
Vote: 6-1
Cost: $121,396.00
Vendor / responsible: Ketcher & Company, Inc.
Discussion level: Unknown Discussion level not determined
Resident impact: Building maintenance and weatherproofing of city facilities at Services Lane locations.
What the Board said or did: Approved $121,396.00 contract with Ketcher & Company, Inc. for roof replacements and repairs.
What remains unclear: Timeline for completion and extent of repairs at each location.
Source: item:15

Commercial Frontload Containers

Item: The Board approved purchase of commercial frontload containers for $118,494.33 from Wastequip, LLC.
Vote: 6-1
Cost: $118,494.33
Vendor / responsible: Wastequip, LLC
Discussion level: Unknown Discussion level not determined
Resident impact: Waste management infrastructure upgrades for city operations.
What the Board said or did: Approved $118,494.33 contract with Wastequip, LLC for commercial frontload containers.
What remains unclear: Number of containers and deployment locations.
Source: item:10

Roll-Off Containers (15 units, 30 cu yd)

Item: The Board approved purchase of 15 roll-off containers (30 cubic yards) for $98,593.80 from Wastequip, LLC.
Vote: 6-1
Cost: $98,593.80
Vendor / responsible: Wastequip, LLC
Discussion level: Unknown Discussion level not determined
Resident impact: Waste management capacity expansion for city operations.
What the Board said or did: Approved $98,593.80 contract with Wastequip, LLC for 15 roll-off containers.
What remains unclear: Deployment schedule and maintenance terms.
Source: item:9

Snow Removal Equipment

Emergency / Ratification

Item: The Board approved the purchase of snow removal equipment for $88,076.41 from Hilbilt Sales Corp. Arkansas by ordinance that waived the city's normal competitive bidding requirement.
Vote: 7-0
Cost: $88,076.41
Vendor / responsible: Hilbilt Sales Corp. Arkansas
Discussion level: None Approved without separate discussion
Resident impact: The equipment will be used for snow removal on city streets and properties; specific equipment type and deployment area are not described in the available record.
What the Board said or did: Approved without separate discussion.
What remains unclear: The specific equipment purchased, the reason competitive bidding was waived, and whether the purchase qualifies as an emergency ratification or a standard waiver are not explained in the available record.
Source: item:22

Facility Security Equipment, Community Resource Center

Item: The Board approved facility security equipment for the Community Resource Center for $58,721.82 from Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP.
Vote: 6-1
Cost: $58,721.82
Vendor / responsible: Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP
Discussion level: Unknown Discussion level not determined
Resident impact: Enhanced security systems at the Community Resource Center facility.
What the Board said or did: Approved $58,721.82 contract with Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP for facility security equipment.
What remains unclear: Installation timeline and specific security equipment specifications.
Source: item:17

Ground Lease — Historic Downtown Farmers Market

Item: The Board authorized a ground lease agreement with the Historic Downtown Farmers Market, Inc. — a no-cost authorization; no lease dollar amount is specified in the available record.
Vote: 5-2
Cost: No dollar amount specified in the available record.
Vendor / responsible: Historic Downtown Farmers Market, Inc.
Discussion level: Extended Significant debate, public comment, or multiple speakers
Resident impact: The lease affects the location and operating terms under which the downtown farmers market uses city-owned property; specific lease terms are not described in the available record.
What the Board said or did: Six residents offered public comment on the lease agreement; the specific positions expressed by each speaker are not detailed in the available record. The Board passed the resolution 5-2.
What remains unclear: The lease term, rent (if any), acreage involved, and the reasons the two dissenting directors voted against the agreement are not explained in the available record.
Source: item:20

Alleyway Vacation — Avondale Addition

Item: The Board vacated a portion of an unnamed alleyway in Block 4 of Avondale Addition Subdivision in Garland County, following a public hearing.
Vote: 7-0
Cost: No cost specified in the available record.
Vendor / responsible: n/a
Discussion level: Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact: The city formally relinquished its interest in a portion of the unnamed alleyway; property owners adjacent to the alley may gain rights to the vacated land, though specific parcel details are not in the available record.
What the Board said or did: One resident spoke during the public hearing; the substance of that comment is not detailed in the available record. The Board passed the ordinance 7-0.
What remains unclear: The address or exact location of the alleyway segment, who requested the vacation, and the practical effect on adjacent properties are not described in the available record.
Source: item:23

Approved without separate discussion

These items passed without individual debate as part of the consent agenda.

2024 Budget Revision — Carry-Over of 2023 Appropriations

Vote: 6-1 · No new dollar amount specified in the available record.

item:8
Out-of-State Travel — Director Phyllis Beard

Vote: 7-0 · $1,600 · National League of Cities

item:21

Locations affected

324 Malvern Avenue

324 Malvern Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas

Elevator repair and modernization. Status: approved, contract awarded to Kone, Inc.

Status: Approved
226 and 228 Services Lane

226 and 228 Services Lane, Hot Springs, Arkansas

Roof replacements and repairs. Status: approved, bid awarded to Ketcher & Company, Inc.

Status: Approved
Community Resource Center

109 Hobson Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas

Fire suppression equipment installation and facility security equipment installation. Status: approved, both contracts awarded to Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP.

Status: Approved
Operation Clean Sweep Area

Holly Street to Mountain Valley and Mineral Streets area (~528 addresses)

Operation Clean Sweep in progress March 4–22, 2024. Status: underway.

Status: Scheduled
Avondale Addition Subdivision, Block 4

Block 4, Avondale Addition Subdivision, Garland County, Arkansas

Unnamed alleyway vacated by ordinance. Status: completed.

Status: Completed
Downtown Farmers Market Site

Downtown Hot Springs

Ground lease agreement with Historic Downtown Farmers Market, Inc. authorized. Status: approved.

Status: Approved

Watch list

Open follow-up issues we'll check on in future briefings.

Unexplained Dissenting Vote on Consent Agenda Items

Open

One director voted against six consecutive consent agenda items (R-24-33 through R-24-42), but the reason for the dissenting votes is not reflected in the available record.

Why it matters: Understanding the basis for dissent helps the public evaluate board decision-making and fiscal priorities.
Next check: Contact the city clerk or board members to determine if an explanation was given outside the meeting record.

Historic Downtown Farmers Market Lease Terms

Open

Lease terms for the ground lease approved by the Board have not been made public through this record, including duration, rent amount, and land area involved.

Why it matters: Lease terms are essential public information affecting city property and potential revenue.
Next check: Contact the city's finance or legal department for a copy of the executed lease agreement.

2024 Annual Street Paving List

Open

The 2024 annual street paving list was approved but specific streets are not described in the available record.

Why it matters: Residents benefit from knowing which streets are scheduled for paving work.
Next check: Contact the public works department for the full 2024 paving list.

Sewer Grinder Pump Term Contract Value

Open

The sewer grinder pump term contract with Redmond Environmental, Inc. lists no dollar amount in the available record; the contract value and term length remain unknown.

Why it matters: Contract value is essential to understanding municipal spending and budget allocation.
Next check: Contact the city clerk's office for the full contract terms and pricing.

Snow Removal Equipment Bidding Waiver Basis

Open

The competitive-bidding waiver for snow removal equipment cites no statutory basis or emergency finding in the available record.

Why it matters: Transparency around bidding waivers is important for fiscal accountability.
Next check: Contact the city clerk's office to review the ordinance text and any supporting documentation for the waiver justification.

Source notes

This briefing is based on the public records below. Every claim above can be traced back to one or more of these sources.

agenda: Meeting Agenda
minutes: Meeting Minutes
video: Meeting Video
transcript: Video Transcript — Full

Confidence: High

Minutes, agenda, transcript, and public-comment capture available. Twenty-five parsed agenda items with detailed spending and voting records.

How we know this

We do not invent facts.
We cite source records.
We distinguish what happened from what remains unclear.
We use neutral language.
We correct errors when found. See corrections.