6-3-22 - Weekly Snapshot

CITY OF HOT SPRINGS
WEEKLY SNAPSHOT

JUNE 3, 2022

BEARING FRUIT Serviceberry Tree
Apple Tree
Urban Forestry

David F. Watkins Memorial Park
is vibrant with life as apple, pear
and serviceberry trees, along with
blueberry bushes, have started to bear
their splendid fruits.

The City's Urban Forester, Allen Bates,
added fruit trees to the landscaping
design at the request of the Park
Avenue Community Association.
He said the trees offer educational
opportunities.

"I can see a parent taking a child,
walking through the park and saying,
'Here's an apple tree. This is where
apples come from,'" said Bates. They
can also sample the fruit. He said none
of the plants have been sprayed with
pesticides. The trees will also provide
for fruit tree pruning demonstrations.

The trees were planted in 2021, and
Bates said next year's harvest should
be more bountiful.

Serviceberry Tree

Blueberry Bush

ChPrisOChaLpmIonCd, CEhief Weekly Snapshot Page 2

Cpl. Jones named Officer of the Quarter

Cpl. Brandon Jones, third from left, was recently presented with the Hot Springs Police
Department's Officer of the Quarter Award. “We appreciate your dedication, keep up the good
work!” the department posted on its Facebook page. Pictured, from left, are Capt. Lisa King, Lt.
Eric Stockwell, Cpl. Jones, Sgt. John Tinney, Ofc. Tiffani McCauley and Chief Chris Chapmond.

Honoring fallen heroes

The Police Department participated in the Carry the Load Hot
Springs Rally on May 25. The local leg of the national relay went
from the Police Department to the La Quinta Inn & Suites on
Central Avenue, for a total of 4.5 miles.
"Founded by veteran U.S. Navy SEALs Clint Bruce and Stephen
Holley, Carry The Load started as a mission to restore the true
meaning of Memorial Day...It has grown to include more than just
our military heroes and more than just the one holiday," according
to the Carry the Load website.

Weekly Snapshot Page 3

F I20R22 EHyd&rantWFloAw TTestEingR Terry Keener
repairs a
2,226 hydrants tested in 2022 faulty hydrant
discovered
The Fire Department recently completed its annual hydrant flow testing, during HSFD's
which ran from March 8 – May 24. A total of 2,226 hydrants were flow hydrant flow
tested, and a total of 51 work order requests were sent to the Water Division testing.
for repairs of faulty hydrants. "Flow testing not only helps us locate faulty
hydrants, but doing this on a regular basis also helps us maintain the great
ISO rating that we have," said Assistant Fire Marshal Carlton Scott.

POLLINATOR GARDEN

Garland County Master Gardeners / Parks & Trails Department

New garden wins statewide 'Project of the Year'

The Garland County Master Gardeners earned the area by planting iris and ornamental grasses, and the
Master Gardener Project of the Year at the Arkansas project blossomed into a major beautification project.
Master Gardener State Conference on May 20 for the It also attracts needed pollinators and provides youth
pollinator garden near the Farmers Market. educational opportunities relating to the environment,
ecology and landscape gardening.
A memorial bench to the late Gene Lichliter, who
initiated the pollinator garden project, was held on Oct. The Parks & Trails Department assisted with labor and
15, 2021. Lichliter started by transforming this drainage ornamental trees.

PRIZED PR Weekly Snapshot Page 4

Stormwater Division

Creative radio ads by Stormwater and
U.S. Stations up for national award

The Stormwater Division and U.S. Stations may reel in
a national award for a PSA they produced to
discourage littering and promote Stormwater
best practices to area youth.

The public service announcement featuring “Billy wait to share new things with their parents, that’s why
the Bass” has been named a finalist in the 2022 we had the PSAs run weekdays from 7:30 – 8 a.m., while
Radio Mercury Awards. It was one of three in the students were on their way to school.”
six-month campaign that ran from January through May
2022. In the 30-second spot, a distressed Billy the Bass is The Billy the Bass spot is a finalist in the Creative Radio
scared for his fish parents, who ate discarded cigarette Spot for a Cause by a Radio Station category, and the
butts they found in the lake. Then, the voice of Rachel winners will be announced at the 2022 Radio Mercury
Keeling, Stormwater coordinator, explains that trash Awards on June 9 at Sony Hall in New York City.
thrown from vehicles makes its way to our creeks and
ends up in Lake Hamilton. Along with the PSA campaign, Stormwater has been
busy with many other outreach efforts, including having
Stormwater partnered with U.S. Stations in 2020 to run a a table and/or demonstration at the following events:
PSA promoting washing vehicles in grassy areas rather the Garland County 11th Grade Career Fair, the City’s
than on paved surfaces. When the station reached out to Arbor Day event, the Garland County Master Gardener
see about more PSAs, Keeling and Stormwater Manager Plant Sale and Garden Show and the National Park
Aaron Graulau brainstormed storyline ideas with Diana College Earth Day Celebration. Keeling is scheduled
Hampo at the radio station. to present a workshop on rain barrels at the Garland
County Extension Office on June 25. She also plans to
“We all thought that the talking animals would be a great have a table and information at the Garland County Fair
way for kids to relate to what we do,” said Keeling. “We in September.
had three ads that ran during the school year: Billy the
Bass, Tucker the Turtle and Edith the Eagle. I feel that
the best way to get the word out about what we do is
through young kids. They are eager to learn and can’t

CITY SALES TAX REVENUES FINANCE

Month 2021 Actual 2022 Actual % Inc(Dec) Dorethea Yates, Director
January 1,190,991 1,327,659 11.48%
February 1,066,439 1,333,719 25.06% March sales tax
March 1,580,011 1,639,368 3.76% revenues up 3.76%
Year-to-date 3,837,441 4,300,747 12.07%
The City's sales tax revenues
for March came in at 3.76%
higher than March 2021,
bringing the year-to-date
increase to 12.07%.

Weekly Snapshot highlights some of the recent projects from the various City of Hot Springs
departments and is part of the City’s efforts to broaden its communications with the public.

[email protected] • City of Hot Springs Public Information Department • 501-321-6806

www.cityhs.net