Hot Springs Board of Directors

May 21, 2024 Civic Briefing

Hot Springs Board Awards $605K in Contracts, Tables Abatement Bid at 228 Orange Street

The Board of Directors approved $604,744.40 in spending — a $345,057.40 stormwater drainage contract on Sabie and Audubon Streets, a $142,487 solid waste collection vehicle, and a $91,200 engineering study contract for Lake Catherine — and tabled a $26,000 asbestos abatement bid after a property owner spoke, while also condemning two structures as nuisances in split and unanimous votes.

Hot Springs Board of Directors Regular Meeting May 21, 2024 Confidence: High Independent — not affiliated with the City of Hot Springs

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

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The short version

The Board awarded a $345,057.40 contract to Steep Creek, LLC for stormwater drainage repairs on Sabie and Audubon Streets, the largest single expenditure of the meeting.
A $142,487 side-load collection vehicle was approved for the Solid Waste Department, procured from River City Hydraulics, Inc.
The Board authorized a $91,200 engineering services contract with Crist Engineers, Inc. to study filamentous algae conditions in Lake Catherine and coordinate with the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment.
A $26,000 asbestos and lead-based paint abatement bid at 228 Orange Street was delayed after a person identifying as an equitable owner of the property addressed the Board.
The Board voted 5-1 to condemn the structure at 621 Illinois Street as a nuisance — the only split vote of the meeting — and 6-0 to condemn 610 South Street.

By the numbers

Total identified spending

$604,744

Votes taken

includes procedural votes

Unanimous votes

Largest single item

$345,057

Stormwater Drainage Repairs on Sabie and Audubon Streets

Emergency / ratification items

Resident questions unanswered

Money approved

Item	Amount	Vendor	Vote	Source
Stormwater drainage repairs — Sabie and Audubon Streets	$345,057	Steep Creek, LLC	6-0	`item:17`
Pak-Rat 10 cu yd side-load collection vehicle	$142,487	River City Hydraulics, Inc.	6-0	`item:16`
Lake Catherine Filamentous Algae Study engineering services	$91,200	Crist Engineers, Inc.	6-0	`item:15`
Asbestos and lead-based paint abatement — 228 Orange Street	$26,000	Environmental Protection Associates Inc.	Tabled 6-0	`item:20`
Total identified spending	$604,744

Major decisions

Abatement at 228 Orange Street — Tabled

Item: Bid award for asbestos and lead-based paint abatement and removal at 228 Orange Street.
Vote: Tabled 6-0
Cost: $26,000
Vendor / responsible: Environmental Protection Associates Inc.
Discussion level: Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact: The abatement at 228 Orange Street will not proceed until the Board takes up the item again; the timeline for reconsideration is not specified in the record.
What the Board said or did: A person who identified as an equitable owner of the property addressed the Board before the item was tabled. The record does not detail the content of those comments beyond identifying the speaker's role.
What remains unclear: The reason for tabling, what objections or questions the property owner raised, and when the item will return to the Board are not specified in the available record.
Source: item:20

Structure Condemnation — 621 Illinois Street

Item: Declaration of the structure at 621 Illinois Street as a public nuisance and condemnation under Title 17 of the Hot Springs Code.
Vote: 5-1
Cost: No cost specified in the record.
Vendor / responsible: n/a
Discussion level: Extended Significant debate, public comment, or multiple speakers
Resident impact: The structure at 621 Illinois Street has been formally condemned; under Title 17, the city has authority to require or pursue demolition or abatement.
What the Board said or did: A person identified as Lyndon Lininger addressed the Board, stating that vehicles on the property were his and he intended to move them, and that the house is owned by Pamela Lininger, who was also present. The Board voted 5-1 to condemn the structure.
What remains unclear: The record does not identify which director voted against, the grounds for that dissent, the required timeline for the owner to act, or what enforcement steps follow.
Source: item:21

Approved without separate discussion

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

Stormwater Drainage Repairs — Sabie and Audubon Streets

Vote: 6-0 · $345,057 · Steep Creek, LLC

item:17
Pak-Rat Collection Vehicle Procurement

Vote: 6-0 · $142,487 · River City Hydraulics, Inc.

item:16
Lake Catherine Filamentous Algae Study Contract

Vote: 6-0 · $91,200 · Crist Engineers, Inc.

item:15
Ornamental Street Lights Term Contract

Vote: 6-0 · No dollar amount specified in the available record. · Mel Northey Co. Inc., Houston, Texas

item:19
Emergency Response Equipment for Police Vehicles — Term Contract

Vote: 6-0 · No dollar amount specified in the available record. · TEECO Safety

item:18
DWI District Court Grant Funding Authorization

Vote: 6-0 · The record does not show a city spending commitment at this step.

item:13
Structure Condemnation — 610 South Street

Vote: 6-0 · No cost specified in the record.

item:22

Locations affected

Sabie Street and Audubon Street

Stormwater drainage repairs and improvements

Status: Scheduled
Lake Catherine

Filamentous algae engineering study initiated

Status: Scheduled
228 Orange Street

228 Orange Street

Asbestos and lead-based paint abatement bid tabled; no work authorized yet

Status: Planned
621 Illinois Street

621 Illinois Street

Structure declared a nuisance and condemned under Title 17

Status: Confirmed
610 South Street

610 South Street

Structure declared a nuisance and condemned under Title 17

Status: Confirmed
Kimery Park soccer fields

Temporarily closed for hydro-seeding treatment; expected to reopen June 21, 2024

Status: Scheduled
Entergy Park

Reopened to the public; Water Tower Loop Trail and Fenceline Trail remain closed for repairs

Status: Completed

Watch list

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

Resolution R-24-106 (Asbestos and Lead-Based Paint Abatement at 228 Orange Street) — Return Date

Open

Resolution R-24-106 was tabled without a stated return date. The next meeting agenda should be checked for whether this item is rescheduled.

Why it matters: The property owner raised concerns that delayed the vote; the Board's next steps and timeline for reconsideration are unclear.
Next check: Check the next Board meeting agenda for rescheduling of item:20.

Structure Condemnation at 621 Illinois Street — Enforcement Timeline and Dissent

Open

The 5-1 condemnation vote at 621 Illinois Street leaves open questions about the enforcement timeline, the dissenting director's stated reason, and what steps the property owner must take to avoid demolition.

Why it matters: Property owners and residents near 621 Illinois Street need clarity on enforcement deadlines and required remedial actions; the reason for the sole dissenting vote is not documented.
Next check: Follow up with city on enforcement timeline and check subsequent meeting minutes for any actions taken on the property.

Ornamental Street Lights Term Contract (R-24-103) — Explanation and Value

Open

The ornamental street lights term contract was moved to new business without explanation in the available record. The contract value and intended installation locations have not been disclosed.

Why it matters: Residents and the public lack transparency on why this item was moved from consent and what the financial and geographic scope of the contract is.
Next check: Request clarification on the contract term, total estimated value, and planned installation locations.

Emergency or Ratification Items — Identification

Open

The meeting statistics note that 2 emergency or ratification items were on the agenda, but the individual items carrying that designation are not identified in the available record.

Why it matters: Emergency or ratification votes may bypass normal procedures; identifying them is necessary for transparency on process deviations.
Next check: Confirm which items carried emergency or ratification status and whether any required after-the-fact Board approval.

HUD Field Office Director Reginald Marable — CDBG and Affordable Housing Follow-Up

Open

HUD Field Office Director Reginald Marable spoke about affordable housing and CDBG funding opportunities during guest recognition; no formal action was taken.

Why it matters: Any follow-on partnership discussions or applications related to HUD funding and affordable housing should be tracked as they may result in future city commitments.
Next check: Monitor upcoming agendas for any CDBG applications, housing projects, or HUD partnerships.

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: Agenda for May 21, 2024 Meeting
minutes: Minutes from May 21, 2024 Meeting
video: Video Recording of May 21, 2024 Meeting
transcript: Video Transcript — Full Meeting

Confidence: High

Minutes, agenda, transcript, and public-comment capture available. All substantive items documented with vote counts and discussion levels.

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.