February 24, 2023 EFFICIENT PIPE REPLACEMENT City of Hot Springs CITY OF HOT SPRINGS (AT TOP) Pictured, from right, are CHS Engineering Right-of-way Project Manager James Hulsey, CHS Stormwater Coordinator Rachel Keeling, CHS Stormwater Manager Aaron Graulau and the crew from Heller Company. On Wednesday, Feb. 22, Heller Company worked with the City’s Engineering and Public Works departments and Stormwater Division to perform a pneumatic (trenchless) pipe bursting to replace the failing clay drain pipe on Church Street, between Malvern Avenue and Broadway Terrace. The company used a 10-ton winch with a cable that is strong enough to pull 20,000 pounds, an estimated 300-pound expander, a bursting unit and a large compressor. These together allowed for a new polyethylene (HDPE) pipe to be inserted through the existing damaged clay pipe. Using this method provided a way for the City to save valuable time and resources by not having to cut into and dig up the entire length of that portion of Church Street to replace the pipe. Heller Company also used a process called heat fusion to weld (at 600 degrees) together the 212 feet of the 12-inch HDPE pipe that leaves the joint as strong or stronger than the pipe itself. The end of the new pipe connects to the existing catch basin, which is gasketed and sealed with a hydraulic grout to help repel water. (ABOVE) The new 12-inch pipe being fed in to replace the clay drain pipe on Church Street. (AT LEFT) The bursting unit, a.k.a. the "hammer," that burst through the old pipe.
STATE OF THE CITY City Manager Bill Burrough Snapshot Page 2 Hot Springs City Manager Bill Burrough presented the annual State of the City Report at the Board of Directors meeting on Feb. 21. The theme of the 2022 State of the City was “Diamond in the Rough” because “the past year has been ‘rough’ for many cities, but our ‘diamond’ of a community has shined thanks to our many important facets…,” said Burrough. The report provides an overview of 2022 City projects and achievements, such as notable declines in crime statistics due to the Police Department’s Crime Reduction Strategy, completion of Phase 1 of the Malvern Avenue Gateway Corridor Project and continuing progress on the Lake Ouachita Water Supply Project. It also examines Hot Springs’ economy, leading off with the area’s sales tax returns having continued their record-setting pace in 2022. In looking ahead to 2023, the Board’s five main goals for the year are addressed. There is also an addendum with additional City projects and accomplishments from 2022. 2022 State of the City digital publication: FIRE DEPARTMENT Ed Davis ~ Fire Chief 'Sound the Alarm' smoke alarm give-away The Fire Department is partnering with the American Red Cross for a smoke alarm giveaway with free, in-home installations scheduled for March 11 and March 25. The Red Cross is currently soliciting Hot Springs residents for the campaign, and requests for a free smoke alarm can be made at SoundTheAlarm.org/Arkansas or by calling 501-748-1000. Click to watch the Fire Department's recruitment video to promote the current application period (deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on March 17). www.cityhs.net/HSFD-recruit www.cityhs.net/22SOTC
Snapshot Page 3 Help needed to reach 100 As of Feb. 22, Animal Services staff was proud to share there had been 60 adoptions and 17 reclaims so far for the month of February. Their goal is to reach at least 70 adoptions and 30 reclaims by the end of the month. Anyone who adopts between Monday, Feb. 20, and Tuesday, Feb. 28, will be placed into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate for a local restaurant. ANIMAL SERVICES Lt. Kirk Zaner ~ Director www.cityhs.net/Animal-Services NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES James Hardage ~ Manager Housing Authority safety checks The week of Feb. 20, Neighborhood Services inspected more than 360 individual Housing Authority apartments on Spring and Illinois streets to make sure there were no life-threatening issues in the interior of the buildings, such as bad electrical wiring or plumbing issues. Pictured, from left: Dakota Harvey, Housing Authority maintenance; Darnell Cooper, CHS inspector; Thomas Gray, CHS inspector; Grady Young, CHS inspector; Tricie Daves, CHS senior inspector; James Hardage, CHS Neighborhood Services manager; Tim McKenna, CHS inspector; Joseph Silvar, Housing Authority maintenance; Katie Smith, Housing Authority manager
WATER DISTRIBUTION Snapshot Page 4 Travis Emmett ~ Distribution Manager Leadership changes Travis Emmett, a Utilities employee for 37-plus years, has been promoted to distribution manager following the retirement of Steve McEarl, who was a 34-year City employee, the final 10 as distribution manager. Emmett started his career with Utilities installing and reading water meters. Since 1985, he has worked in every phase of water distribution – construction tech, equipment operator, crew leader and, most recently, distribution superintendent. He has a Grade IV Water Treatment License and a Grade IV Water Distribution License. Taking Emmett's place as water superintendent is Keith Kimery. He has been with the City for 20 years, has a Grade IV Water Distribution License and was formerly a crew leader. B. J. Hatton has been promoted to the crew leader position formerly held by Kimery. Hatton has been with the City since 2005, with six years of experience as an equipment operator IV. Travis Emmett Keith Kimery B.J. Hatton Youth T-ball/Softball registration ends Feb. 28 Registration for Spring Youth T-ball and Softball ends on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Sport Recreation Manager Adam Ussery said that as of Feb. 23, “roughly 300 players have signed up so far; however, the last few days are always the busiest when it comes to sign-ups.” Based on the current total, he estimates final registration total may reach between 400 to 500 players for this springs. Having that many players would allow between six to 10 teams per league for 8, 10, 12 and 14-and-under girls fastpitch softball, and 14 to 16 teams for 6-and-under T-ball. The leagues will start the last week of March 2023. SPORT RECREATION Adam Ussery ~ Manager Registration available at: www.cityhs.net/sport_leagues. 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 CITY OF HOT SPRINGS EMPLOYEE KUDOS On Feb. 22, Utility Billing Services Customer Service Representative Debbie Lijewski called Stormwater Coordinator Rachel Keeling with questions about CodeRED. Lijewski had an elderly customer who was wanting to receive CodeRED messages about severe weather and City notifications, but the customer did not have access to a computer. Instead of transferring the customer or telling the customer she could not help, Lijewski helped the customer sign up for CodeRED. She demonstrated superior customer service, took ownership of the call, and when she had questions, she reached out to Keeling since Stormwater administers CodeRED. Debbie Lijewski