Hot Springs Civic Brief

Hot Springs Board of Directors

May 19, 2026 Civic Briefing

Hot Springs Board of Directors Agenda: $99K Pump Replacement, $68K Sidewalk Engineering, Two Eminent Domain Actions Scheduled for May 19, 2026

According to the published agenda, the Board is scheduled to consider $166,879 in identified spending — a $98,879 emergency pump replacement at Molly Creek Sewer Pump Station and a $68,000 engineering services agreement for the Malvern Avenue Sidewalk Replacement Project — along with two eminent domain proceedings, a specialty transit franchise, multiple grant applications, and a public hearing on an alleyway vacation; no votes have been recorded yet.

Hot Springs Board of Directors Regular Meeting May 19, 2026 Confidence: Low Independent — not affiliated with the City of Hot Springs
Published: May 17, 2026 · Last updated: May 17, 2026
View source notes

The short version

  • As scheduled, the Board is set to ratify an emergency purchase of a $98,879 pump replacement for Molly Creek Sewer Pump Station, with competitive bidding waived, according to the agenda.
  • As scheduled, the Board is set to approve a $68,000 professional services agreement with Crafton, Tull & Associates for engineering work on the Malvern Avenue Sidewalk Replacement Project.
  • As scheduled, the Board is set to consider two separate ordinances authorizing eminent domain proceedings — one for property on Whittington Avenue and Newton and Walter Streets, one for a parcel at 104 Bellaire Drive.
  • As scheduled, a public hearing on a request to vacate a portion of Alleyway 94001 behind 312 Morrison Avenue is on the agenda, followed by an ordinance to formally close that alley.
  • As scheduled, the Board is set to authorize filing for multiple grants, including two Entergy Environmental Initiatives Fund grants, two Federal Transit Administration grants, and a DWI Court safety grant, as well as approve the FY2026 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan.

By the numbers

Total identified spending
$166,879
Votes taken
0
includes procedural votes
Unanimous votes
0
Largest single item
$98,879
Ordinance O-26-19 — Molly Creek Pump Replacement
Emergency / ratification items
1
Resident questions unanswered
0

Money approved

Item Amount Vendor Vote Source
Molly Creek Pump Replacement
emergency
$98,879 Instrument & Supply Inc. Not yet recorded item:18
Malvern Avenue Sidewalk Replacement — engineering services
 $68,000 Crafton, Tull & Associates, Inc. Not yet recorded item:10
Total identified spending $166,879

Major decisions

Molly Creek Sewer Pump Station — Emergency Pump Replacement

Emergency / Ratification
Item
As scheduled, an ordinance to waive competitive bidding and approve the purchase of a 125 HP Hydromatic pump replacement for the Molly Creek Sewer Pump Station — classified as an emergency ratification.
Vote
Not yet recorded
Cost
$98,879
Vendor / responsible
Instrument & Supply Inc.
Discussion level
None Approved without separate discussion
Resident impact
The pump station serves sewer infrastructure; a failed pump can affect wastewater service. The available record does not describe the geographic service area affected by this station.
What the Board said or did
The available record does not show any discussion — this card is based on the agenda only.
What remains unclear
Why competitive bidding was waived, what precipitated the emergency, when the work was performed or authorized, and which neighborhoods or infrastructure depend on this pump station are not explained in the available record.
Source
item:18

Approved without separate discussion

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

  • Malvern Avenue Sidewalk Replacement — Engineering Services
    Vote: Not yet recorded · $68,000 · Crafton, Tull & Associates, Inc.
    item:10
  • Water Impact Fee Fund — New Bank Account
    Vote: Not yet recorded · No spending amount specified in the available record.
    item:7
  • Entergy Environmental Initiatives Fund Grant — Solar Lighting at Davidson Drive Wastewater Facility
    Vote: Not yet recorded · The record does not show a city spending commitment at this step. · Entergy
    item:8
  • Entergy Environmental Initiatives Fund Grant — Hot Springs Creek Streambank Stabilization
    Vote: Not yet recorded · The record does not show a city spending commitment at this step. · Entergy
    item:9
  • Virginia Drive Right-of-Way — Hearing Date Set
    Vote: Not yet recorded · No spending amount specified in the available record.
    item:11
  • Sludge Removal — Term Contract Award
    Vote: Not yet recorded · No dollar amount specified in the available record. · 2M Pumping Service Inc.
    item:12
  • Federal Transit Administration — Urbanized Area Grant Application
    Vote: Not yet recorded · The record does not show a city spending commitment at this step. · Federal Transit Administration
    item:13
  • Federal Transit Administration — Bus and Bus Facility Grant Application
    Vote: Not yet recorded · The record does not show a city spending commitment at this step. · Federal Transit Administration
    item:14
  • DWI District Court — State Safety Grant Application
    Vote: Not yet recorded · The record does not show a city spending commitment at this step. · State of Arkansas / National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
    item:15
  • Public Hearing — Alleyway 94001 Vacation Request (312 Morrison Avenue)
    Vote: Not yet recorded · No spending amount specified in the available record.
    item:16
  • FY2026 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan
    Vote: Not yet recorded · No city spending amount specified in the available record at this step; CDBG funds are federal. · U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
    item:17
  • Queen City Train Rides — Specialty Transit Franchise
    Vote: Not yet recorded · No spending amount specified in the available record. · Queen City Train Rides, LLC
    item:19
  • Alleyway 94001 Vacation — Ordinance
    Vote: Not yet recorded · No spending amount specified in the available record.
    item:20
  • Eminent Domain — Whittington Avenue, Newton Street, and Walter Street Property
    Vote: Not yet recorded · No acquisition amount specified in the available record.
    item:21
  • Eminent Domain — 104 Bellaire Drive
    Vote: Not yet recorded · No acquisition amount specified in the available record.
    item:22

Locations affected

  • Molly Creek Sewer Pump Station
    Emergency replacement of a 125 HP pump.
    Status: Scheduled
  • Malvern Avenue
    Malvern Avenue
    Engineering services for sidewalk replacement. Specific block range not identified in the available record.
    Status: Scheduled
  • Davidson Drive Wastewater Treatment Facility
    Grant application for solar lighting installation.
    Status: Scheduled
  • Hot Springs Creek
    Grant application for streambank stabilization and environmental restoration. Specific segment not identified in the available record.
    Status: Scheduled
  • Virginia Drive right-of-way
    Virginia Drive
    Hearing date to be set for a petition to vacate undeveloped right-of-way. Specific segment not identified in the available record.
    Status: Scheduled
  • Southwest Treatment Plant
    Term contract for sludge removal.
    Status: Scheduled
  • 312 Morrison Avenue / Alleyway 94001
    312 Morrison Avenue
    Public hearing and ordinance to vacate a portion of undeveloped alleyway behind this address.
    Status: Scheduled
  • Whittington Avenue at Newton and Walter Streets
    Whittington Avenue at Newton and Walter Streets
    Eminent domain proceedings authorized for property (RPID #39965) owned by I.W. Harper and Susie Lin Harper.
    Status: Scheduled
  • 104 Bellaire Drive
    104 Bellaire Drive
    Eminent domain proceedings authorized for a portion of property (RPID #42139) owned by Mike G. Lacey.
    Status: Scheduled

Watch list

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

Purpose of eminent domain actions unclear

Open

The purpose of both eminent domain actions — Whittington Avenue/Newton/Walter Streets and 104 Bellaire Drive — is not explained in the available record.

Why it matters
Understanding whether these acquisitions serve a road project, utility upgrade, or other public use is essential for residents and neighboring property owners to evaluate potential impacts.
Next check
Asking the city's legal or engineering department which public project these acquisitions serve would clarify the scope and timeline.
First raised: May 19, 2026 briefing

Molly Creek Pump Station emergency procedures not documented

Open

The Molly Creek Pump Station emergency purchase waived competitive bidding. The record does not explain the circumstances that triggered the emergency designation.

Why it matters
Verifying that proper emergency procedures were followed ensures accountability and public funds are managed appropriately.
Next check
Reviewing the ordinance packet or asking the Public Works or Utilities department which procedures were followed would clarify whether the emergency designation was documented.
First raised: May 19, 2026 briefing

CDBG Annual Action Plan projects and target areas not specified

Open

The FY2026 CDBG Annual Action Plan identifies no projects or target areas in the available record.

Why it matters
Knowing which neighborhoods and programs are funded by federal Community Development Block Grants helps residents understand where city investment is directed.
Next check
Reviewing the plan document submitted to HUD would show which neighborhoods and programs are funded.
First raised: May 19, 2026 briefing

Transit grant applications lack local match and use details

Open

Neither Federal Transit Administration grant application specifies a local match amount or planned use of funds.

Why it matters
Clarity on local financial contributions and intended expenditures helps the public understand whether transit improvements will benefit their routes or services.
Next check
Direct inquiry to the Hot Springs Intracity Transit office would clarify what the funds are intended to cover and whether a city contribution is required.
First raised: May 19, 2026 briefing

Sludge removal contract value not disclosed

Open

The sludge removal contract for 2M Pumping Service Inc. lists no dollar value in the available record.

Why it matters
Contract amounts are essential for budget transparency and evaluating public spending.
Next check
Reviewing the resolution or contract document would confirm the contract amount and term.
First raised: May 19, 2026 briefing

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.

Confidence: Low

Inputs available: agenda and 24 parsed agenda items only. No minutes, transcript, or vote records were available. All decisions described are as scheduled, not confirmed.

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.