Hot Springs Board of Directors

February 4, 2025 Civic Briefing

Hot Springs Board Approves $1,469K Water Line Contract, Passes Downtown Parking Program and $573K in Equipment Purchases

At its February 4, 2025 meeting, the Hot Springs Board of Directors approved $2,042,639.49 in total identified spending — including a $1,469,316 contract for Phase 1 of the 2024 Water Line Improvements Project awarded to Square One Enterprises Corporation, a $362,105 street sweeper purchase from TYMCO, Inc., a $127,499 traffic signal equipment purchase from Temple, Inc., and an $83,719 repurposing of Community Development Block Grant funds — while also passing a Downtown Resident Parking Program with fees waived through the end of 2025, failing to adopt a permanent transit ban, and removing a grant application from the agenda after the city did not advance in the preliminary round.

Hot Springs Board of Directors Regular Meeting February 4, 2025 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 $1,469,316 contract to Square One Enterprises Corporation for Phase 1 of the 2024 Water Line Improvements Project, the largest single spending item of the evening.
The Board passed the Downtown Resident Parking Program 5-2, allowing up to two vehicles per resident, and amended the ordinance to waive all program fees for downtown residents through the end of 2025.
A proposal to issue a permanent ban on Timothy Richard Zaleski from all Hot Springs Intracity Transit Services failed 3-4; a separate amendment to limit the ban to fixed-route services only also failed 2-5, leaving the matter unresolved.
The Board approved updated pay tables for uniformed public safety personnel, a $362,105 sweeper purchase, a $127,499 traffic signal equipment purchase, and an $83,719 repurposing of CDBG funds as part of the consent agenda.
A Blue & You Foundation grant application for the Community Resource Center was removed from the agenda after the city did not advance past the preliminary round of grant funding.

By the numbers

Total identified spending

$2,042,639

Votes taken

includes procedural votes

Unanimous votes

Largest single item

$1,469,316

Water Line Improvements Project Phase 1 Bid Award

Emergency / ratification items

Resident questions unanswered

Money approved

Item	Amount	Vendor	Vote	Source
Water Line Improvements Project Phase 1 bid award	$1,469,316	Square One Enterprises Corporation	6-0	`item:14`
Sweeper equipment procurement via Sourcewell cooperative purchasing	$362,105	TYMCO, Inc.	7-0	`item:9`
Traffic signal equipment purchase	$127,499	Temple, Inc.	7-0	`item:10`
CDBG Annual Action Plan amendment — repurposing of existing funds budget transfer	$83,720	—	7-0	`item:11`
Total identified spending	$2,042,639

Major decisions

Downtown Resident Parking Program

Item: Ordinance amending Chapter 7 of Title 10 of the Hot Springs Code to establish a Downtown Resident Parking Program. The ordinance had been tabled at the January 7, 2025 meeting and returned with two amendments: (1) allowing up to two vehicles per resident, with the second limited to secondary parking at the same fees, and (2) waiving all fees in the program for the remainder of 2025.
Vote: 5-2
Cost: No city spending commitment specified in the available record; program fees were waived for downtown residents through the end of 2025.
Vendor / responsible: City of Hot Springs
Discussion level: Extended Significant debate, public comment, or multiple speakers
Resident impact: Downtown residents may register up to two vehicles under the program; program fees will not be charged through December 31, 2025.
What the Board said or did: Director Garcia moved an amendment to waive all fees in Sections 3 and 4 for downtown residents for the remainder of 2025; that amendment passed 5-2. Three members of the public commented. The City Attorney explained the two-vehicle amendment before the final vote.
What remains unclear: The specific fee schedule that will apply after 2025, how the program will be administered, and which parking areas qualify as "secondary" are not described in the available record.
Source: item:13

Permanent Transit Ban — Timothy Richard Zaleski (Failed)

Item: Resolution to uphold the Transportation Advisory Committee's recommendation issuing a permanent ban from all Hot Springs Intracity Transit Services.
Vote: Failed 3-4; amendment failed 2-5
Cost: No cost specified in the available record.
Vendor / responsible: n/a
Discussion level: Extended Significant debate, public comment, or multiple speakers
Resident impact: Because both the full ban and the partial ban failed, no ban is currently in place. The available record does not describe what conduct prompted the Transportation Advisory Committee's recommendation.
What the Board said or did: Deputy City Manager Lance Spicer presented the Transportation Advisory Committee's recommendation for a permanent ban. Director Garcia proposed an amendment limiting the ban to fixed-route services while allowing the individual to apply for paratransit and other services; that amendment failed 2-5. The original full-ban motion then failed 3-4. Three members of the public — including the subject of the ban — commented.
What remains unclear: The underlying conduct that led to the ban recommendation, the current status of the individual's access to transit services now that both motions failed, and whether the city will bring a revised resolution back to the Board are not addressed in the available record.
Source: item:12

A&P Commission Appointment Policy

Item: Resolution amending policy and procedure for appointing Hot Springs Board of Directors members to the Advertising and Promotion Commission. An amendment was proposed to permanently reserve Position 2 on the A&P Commission for the District 2 representative or elected official serving the neighborhood where convention center expansion land was acquired.
Vote: 5-2
Cost: No cost specified in the available record.
Vendor / responsible: n/a
Discussion level: Extended Significant debate, public comment, or multiple speakers
Resident impact: Changes how Board members are assigned to the A&P Commission, which oversees hotel and restaurant tax spending on tourism and promotion. The specific effect on current appointments is not described in the available record.
What the Board said or did: The City Attorney explained that Director Beard's amendment to permanently reserve Position 2 for the District 2 representative required amending the Hot Springs City Code (H.S.C. 5-2-1-(a)(2)) rather than only Resolution 9747. Seven members of the public commented. The resolution as presented passed 5-2; the available record does not confirm whether the code amendment language was incorporated into the final vote.
What remains unclear: Whether the District 2 seat reservation amendment was formally adopted or requires a separate code amendment, and the names of the two dissenting directors, are not clear in the available record.
Source: item:17

Charter Transportation Permit — VIP Transportation

Item: Approval of a charter service transportation permit for James Smith d/b/a VIP Transportation of Hot Springs, Inc.
Vote: 7-0
Cost: No cost specified in the available record.
Vendor / responsible: James Smith / VIP Transportation of Hot Springs, Inc.
Discussion level: Brief Brief presentation
Resident impact: A new charter transportation service is authorized to operate in Hot Springs.
What the Board said or did: The applicant spoke before the vote. The record does not describe the substance of his remarks.
What remains unclear: The service area, vehicle type, and scope of operations are not described in the available record.
Source: item:15

Approved without separate discussion

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

Water Line Improvements Project Phase 1 — Bid Award

Vote: 6-0 · $1,469,316 · Square One Enterprises Corporation

item:14
Zoning Map Amendment — 420 Convention Boulevard

Vote: — · No cost specified in the available record.

item:18
Financial Management Software — BS&A Software Agreement

Vote: 7-0 · No dollar amount specified in the available record. · BS&A Software, LLC

item:16
Updated Pay Tables for Uniformed Public Safety Personnel

Vote: 7-0 · no cost specified

item:7

Locations affected

Water lines (locations not specified)

Phase 1 of the 2024 Water Line Improvements Project awarded to Square One Enterprises Corporation.

Status: Scheduled
Downtown Hot Springs (parking areas not specified)

Downtown

Downtown Resident Parking Program established; fees waived through December 31, 2025.

Status: Confirmed
420 Convention Boulevard

420 Convention Boulevard

Proposed rezoning from R-4/M-1 to C-1 (Central Business District); Future Land Use Map amendment to Linear Commercial Corridor.

Status: Planned
Kimberly Park

New playground installed, as reported by the City Manager.

Status: Completed

Watch list

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

Transit Ban on Timothy Richard Zaleski — Motion Failed

Open

The Board rejected both a full permanent ban from all transit services and a partial ban limited to fixed-route services. Neither motion passed; the status of the individual's current access to services is unclear.

Why it matters: The failure to adopt any ban leaves the underlying conduct unaddressed and the individual's transit access status undefined. The Board did not indicate whether a revised resolution will be brought back.
Next check: Check at the next Board meeting to determine whether the Board intends to reconsider or revise the ban recommendation.

A&P Commission Appointment Policy — Code Amendment Pending

Open

The Board passed a resolution to permanently reserve Position 2 on the A&P Commission for the District 2 representative. The City Attorney noted this change requires amending the Hot Springs City Code (H.S.C. 5-2-1-(a)(2)), but the available record does not confirm whether the code amendment has been filed or scheduled.

Why it matters: The resolution is incomplete without the corresponding code amendment. It is unclear whether the code change is in preparation or has been formally proposed.
Next check: Verify with the City Attorney's office whether the code amendment (H.S.C. 5-2-1-(a)(2)) has been formally amended or is scheduled for introduction.

Blue & You Foundation Grant — Community Resource Center (Withdrawn, Reapplication Pending)

Open

The city's application for a Blue & You Foundation grant to support the Community Resource Center did not advance past the preliminary round. Director Garcia moved to remove the agenda item; the Board approved the amended agenda 7-0. The city intends to reapply in a future cycle.

Why it matters: The Community Resource Center project is delayed pending a successful future grant application. No timeline for reapplication has been specified.
Next check: Check with the City Manager's office or Community Development department for the timing and status of the reapplication.

BS&A Software Financial Management Agreement — Contract Terms Not Disclosed

Open

The Board approved an agreement with BS&A Software, LLC for financial management software and a budget amendment. The contract amount, contract term, scope of city functions covered, and transition timeline were not disclosed in the available record.

Why it matters: Key financial and operational details of a significant software implementation are not publicly documented. The contract amount and implementation timeline are important for residents to understand the city's IT investment and operational disruption.
Next check: Request the contract amount, term, scope, and transition timeline from the Finance Department or City Manager's office.

Water Line Improvements Project Phase 1 — Project Details Not Specified

Open

The Board awarded a $1,469,316 contract for Phase 1 of the 2024 Water Line Improvements Project to Square One Enterprises Corporation without publicly identifying the specific streets, service areas, or project timeline in the available record.

Why it matters: Residents affected by water line construction need to know the project scope, locations, and timeline. The absence of this information limits transparency and advance notice to affected neighborhoods.
Next check: Request a project map, schedule, and scope document from the Public Works or Engineering department.

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.

minutes: Minutes of Meeting
video: Video Recording
transcript: Video Transcript

Confidence: High

Minutes, agenda, transcript, and public-comment capture available. Nineteen parsed agenda items provide comprehensive coverage of decisions and spending.

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.