HSPD: Bold leadership, new spirit p. 2

In this issue
Award-winning park p. 5
Construction D.I.R.T. p. 8
Water/Wastewater update p. 11
Redistricting puzzle p. 14
HSPD: Bold leadership, new spirit
p. 2
HSPD: Bold leadership, new spirit
2
MELANIE NORRIS, Administrative Assistant
The Police Department has entered 2012 after a year under the new leadership of Police Chief
David Flory. Chief Flory brought his 13 years of experience as the police chief in Bedford, Texas
to incorporate the best law enforcement practices here in this community.
Early on, he implemented administrative changes to better align personnel into roles consistent
with their skills, and operational changes to add efficiency into various areas. Notably, those
changes included the creation of Special Operations (formerly Traffic); removal of one property
clerk position to create a crime analyst position; creation of a Crime Prevention/Community
Policing Officer; the revival of the bicycle patrol and K9 programs; alteration of patrol shifts from
8-hour to 12-hour shifts; moving a corporal from training to patrol; removal of a records clerk
position to create a dispatch supervisor who is not a police officer; and the utilization of
Community Service Officers at the front desk as well as the closing of the front lobby during
night and weekend hours in order to place more police personnel onto the streets. These
changes have internally had the general effect of improved morale and have positively
influenced public perception with respect to increased manpower, visibility and greater
accountability for all employees.
David Flory
Police Chief
Captain Richard Norris
Patrol Division
Captain Chris Crary
Criminal Investigations
Captain Walt Everton
Professional Standards
Thirdly, Chief Flory has focused a great deal of attention to the improvement of
teamwork and communication among the members of the department. This has
resulted in the implementation of regularly scheduled supervisors’ and employees’
meetings, idea committee meetings, the creation of a crime analysis bulletin and a
monthly employee newsletter. Since inception, these efforts have proven to be a
worthwhile investment of time.
Fourthly, steps have been taken to strengthen the pool of entry-level police officer
applicants as well as to enhance the experience of current officers. Recruiting efforts
have increased from within the Professional Standards Division, in addition to the
newly-developed fitness requirements for applicant testing, beginning in 2011.
Sergeant Larry Patrick and Officer Courtney Kizer successfully completed the Law
Enforcement Fitness Specialist course at the Cooper Instute in Dallas, Texas in
order to oversee the development of this program within the department.
Courage
•
Honesty
Respect
•
Integrity
•
These values will become well-known throughout the community. They are
represented by the logo “V5” – articulated “V to the 5th power” or simply “V5”.
The new logo along with the values for which it stands, Courage, Honesty, Excellence,
Integrity, and Respect, are already clearly visible on the front entrance of the Police
Department building and will eventually be displayed on all marked patrol vehicles.
The values, their definitions, and the newly formed Mission Statement have been
incorporated in the new Policy and Procedure Manual. Detective Sonia Luzader
stated, “We needed something to show how passionate (we) are about what we do
for a living (and) we now have a daily reminder of why we are doing the work we do.
It can be expanded into our daily lives with our families and friends.”
3
Excellence
The second focal point for change was the reconstruction of the Police Department’s
Policy and Procedures Manual. Chief Flory’s first goal in this area was to refocus all
employees toward a common mission. He formed an Idea Committee comprised of
employees who represent all the different factions of the department. This committee
was tasked with formulating a new Mission Statement and defining the five most
important values for which the department should stand. The new Mission Statement
is “to enhance the quality of life in our community by ensuring the safety and
protection of all people. We will serve the citizens, business community and visitors
through crime prevention, criminal investigations and apprehension while maintaining
a community oriented and problem oriented policing philosophy.”
4
Each applicant will be required to complete
a minimum of 25 plank-style push-ups within
1 minute, run 300 meters within 1 minute,
11 seconds, complete 29 sit-ups within 1 minute
and run 1.5 miles within 16 minutes, 28 seconds
prior to advancing to the next step in the
application/hiring process. Existing employees
will be encouraged to engage in a healthy lifestyle
which incorporates physical fitness as a regular
activity. Annual department-wide evaluations will
be held to analyze each employee’s progress without
negatively affecting his/her job status.
From left to right: Lt. Chris Chapmond,
Detective Omar Cervantes,
Administrative Secretary Karen Smith
and Detective Michael Hibbard at the
2011 Applicant Fitness Evaluations.
Finally, Chief Flory arrived here to find that the
K9 Program consisted of only one team, Officer Michael Jones
and his service dog, Nero. Chief Flory has since revived the K9
Program with the purchase of a second Belgian Malinois,
Keena, who began work last fall with her handler, Officer
Brandon Jones. Together, they have already removed several
thousand dollars of narcotics from circulation.
In addition, Hans, a third Malinois, has been purchased for
newly-selected K9 Officer Michael Hibbard. Officer Hibbard is
now attending an 8-week training course with Hans in Kaplan,
Louisiana prior to being placed into service.
These are also exciting times at the Police Department in the
area of technological equipment acquisitions. In the
foreseeable future, the department will acquire in-car
audio/video recording equipment, electronic
control devices, Chevrolet Tahoes for marked
patrol vehicles, and see the revival of training
and professional enrichment in many areas.
Officer Michael Jones,
Nero and Officer
Courtney Kizer.
It is very likely the Hot Springs Police
Department is on its way to becoming
the best department in the state! t
Officer Brandon Jones and Keena.
5
Parks & Recreation receives NRPA award
TIFFANY GAULKE, Parks and Recreation Office Manager
Hot Springs Parks and Recreation is proud to receive yet aother
award for one of your city parks. This year, the National
Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) Southwest Region
selected Entergy Park as the recipient of the 2011 award for
Outstanding Park & Facility Design Class II.
Land donation from
Entergy Arkansas, Inc.
$1.3 million
Community support in
donated materials,
equipment & labor
$325,000
Federal, State and
Local Grant programs
$820,000
City of Hot Springs
(matching grant funds)
$155,000
The 30 acre peninsula of lakefront land that is now Entergy Park, was
donated by Entergy Arkansas, Inc. to the City of Hot Springs in 2003.
Built around the idea that recreation and nature should coexist, a new
park was developed and given to the community in 2008. Funding for
this park is a wonderful example of partnerships with not only
government agencies, but with private companies and the community
in general.
Entergy Park is more than the sum of its amenities.
Entergy Park offers a convenient haven from the
stress and pressures of everyday life. The Pond
Pavilion at Entergy Park offers a nearby location
for parents to sit and enjoy watching their children
play on the 5-12 year old playground or fish in the
stocked pond. The Pond Pavilion is a popular
pavilion to rent for family functions, parties,
and group events.
Photo by Susie Harris
Entergy Park
cost breakdown
NRPA is made up of eight regions
across the United States. The
Southwest Region is comprised of
Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New
Mexico, and Texas. Each year, awards are given on the state, regional,
and national level to organizational members who exemplify the
mission and vision of NRPA in their communities . The Outstanding Park
& Facility Design Award is presented to the designer and jurisdiction
that manage an innovative park or facility which benefits the community
or region and serves as a model facility or park in its inclusiveness and
responsiveness to the needs of the local community or region. There
are two classes for the Park or Facility Design Award. Class I is for
budgetary projects $1,000,001 or below and Class II is for budgetary
projects $1,000,000 and above.
6
Another highly popular space is the Waterfall Pavilion. Located next to the 2-5 year old
playground, this pavilion offers a big screen view of the heart of the park. Patrons can observe
the native boulder waterfall, pond, bog garden and fishing pier from this location. The third
pavilion, Pavilion on the Point, is accessible via boardwalk and is a treasure nestled on the
peninsula point surrounded by small, gnarly, old growth native trees and offering a
breathtaking, panoramic view of Lake Hamilton and Carpenter Dam.
Meandering throughout the park is a 2 ½ mile interconnected trail system, ranging from ADA
paved loops to natural surface trails suitable for day hiking and family mountain biking. Along
one of these trails, the Wildlife Observation Trail, an overlook is positioned so that it offers
another beautiful waterfront view of Lake Hamilton. This artistically designed wooden overlook
affords visitors a quiet place to pause and reflect on the beauty of nature. Also located on Lake
Hamilton are two additional fishing piers as well as a public courtesy boat dock for those wishing
to visit Entergy Park from the lake. Throughout the park, attractive wayside signs interpret the
historical, environmental, and natural features that make this park distinctive. Other amenities
include a wooden boardwalk overlooking Carpenter Dam, individual covered picnic tables, year
round restrooms, water fountains with doggy bowls, a bog garden, and a public boat launch
facility. Several kiosks are located at accessible trailheads, offering information on Entergy Park
rules and regulations, reservation procedures, trail system maps, and parks and recreation-related
brochures.
If you have never been to Entergy Park, or if it’s been awhile since your last visit, find some time
to check it out with your friends and family and enjoy the many gifts this award-winning park has
to offer. t
7
8
The mission of The Construction D.I.R.T. is to
highlight new Development important to our
community, identify staff and discuss Inspection
problems, Report construction activity, and
provide Training to help our citizens and
contractors through the construction process.
MIKE SCOTT, Chief Building Official
The Construction D.I.R.T. is a short news column to keep you informed of the activities around our
community and in the Building Safety Division.
Development
Here are some of the large-scale developments underway in our community.
1. Orr Toyota on Central Avenue, past Hot Springs Mall.
2. Big Red / McDonald’s, on Malvern Avenue,
past Lakeside School.
3. Veterans Administration Clinic on Sawtooth Oak.
4. Fat Jack’s just opened downtown at the
Whittington/Park Avenue intersection.
5. Arkansas Nephrology Services is located at
115 Wrights Lane.
Fat Jack’s on Central Avenue in Hot Springs
6. Lakeside School District has many projects underway.
7. Jack’s Pancake House is rebuilding after a fire and will be
better than ever.
8. TCBY is going into the Cornerstone Market Place.
9. Mapco will soon be starting construction at the corner of
Lakeland and Central Avenue.
There are many small projects underway in our community as well.
Inspection and Staff
9
Building Safety has a staff of nine, including one building official, five inspectors, one 911
coordinator and two permit technicians. Mike Chesshir and Wade Kinnu are the two plumbing
inspectors. Each has many years of experience, both as contractors and inspectors. Each teaches
plumbing school at night so that young plumbers can receive their licenses. Mike, a graduate of
Henderson State University, has more than thirty years of experience in the plumbing industry.
Wade is the Cross Connection Inspector. He is responsible for insuring the correct backflow
prevention device is in place on all systems and working properly. If you have a plumbing
question or need an inspection, there are no people better than these guys.
Why get a permit? When you receive a permit, you have a professional with many years of experience inspecting the work and insuring it meets the minimum requirements set forth by the State
of Arkansas codes. This will give you peace of mind knowing another set of eyes have inspected
your work or the work of those you have hired. Much of what we inspect is for the safety and
protection of you and your family. We want to help you build something that will be safe and last
for many years.
Reporting
In 2011, 3,802 permits were pulled with a valuation of $58,728,995. This compares to 2010, with
3,794 permits pulled and a valuation of $83,358,198. The numbers were a little down from 2010,
but the first two months of 2012 are up from last year.
Training
I would like to talk about lighting. We have performed a few lighting projects around the city, and
all have provided favorable results. As a test project we changed the incandescent bulbs only on
Convention Boulevard. After two months of operation with the new fluorescent bulbs, we lowered the energy cost by almost $600. This was a great success. The cost of the new bulbs was
$1200, which means a payback of four months. These bulbs also last twice as long. So if you see
us changing other lights around town, you will know we are lowering the cost of energy and saving you, the citizens, significant tax dollars. t
FREE RIDE DAY
Intracity Transit held its 31st Anniversary Free Ride Day on January 26.
The buses transported 799 passengers, about 100 more passengers
than is transported on an average day. All passengers received
Coca-Cola, popcorn and prizes ranging from pens to gift certificates.
Approximately 20 local merchants donated prizes for the passengers.
The winner of the one-year, fixed route pass was Patricia Perry, left and
winning the one-year, paratransit pass was Ruby Garcia. t
Upcoming Events
Sanitation Events
Spring Fling (citywide cleanup)
April 28-29, 8-4, dropoff sites throughout city
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Sat., May 5, 8-1, Garland County Fairgrounds
321-6911
Hot Springs Memorial
Field Airport Events
3rd Saturday Monthly TAG Art Reception
Mar 22-25 US Pilot Assoc Fly-In
Apr 21 CASA Children’s Spring Festival
May 5 Courthouse Benefit Yard Sale
May 12 H.S. Cruisers Car Show
May 27-29 Vietnam Moving Wall
May 30-Jun 3 British “Spitfire” Car Show
Jun 1-3 SW Bonanza Assoc Fly-In
10
Water/Wastewater Project Update
11
LARRY MERRIMAN, Utilities Project Manager
Wastewater Projects
Wastewater Hydraulic Modeling
This project is being performed by RJN Group
and is currently a functional application.
Proposed projects have been given to RJN for
introduction into the modeling software to
predict their overall effect on our current
system. This model is also used as a tool to
prioritize specific projects that will be most
effective in complying with the Consent
Administrative Order (CAO) mandates from
ADEQ/EPA. The model can provide predictive
data for system issues and will prove to be
very valuable as the city moves forward with
project development in its commitment to
mitigate overflows and system failures.
This methodical approach to complying with
the CAO mandates ultimately reduces the
potential for overflows.
Pump Station Evaluation & Rehab
Garver Engineers
continues to evaluate
the city’s major pump
stations with the
project goal of
ensuring reliability
and adequate
operational potential.
To date, 84 pump
stations have been
assessed; 15 stations
are currently undergoing design and
construction; and 27 stations have completed
construction. These projects will enable the
city to effectively design and operate a system
capable of handling system flows. This effort is
a vital part of the city’s CAO compliance plan.
Pump Station Monitoring
Manhole & Pipeline Repair Projects
Contracts for projects addressing both
manhole and pipeline deficiencies have been
awarded. With an estimated construction
cost of $4.9 million, the first two design
projects from RJN have been selected for
implementation based on model input and
field assessment as priority areas that can
yield significant reductions in inflow and
infiltration.
This project is an innovative use of the new
Automated Metering
Infrastructure (AMI)
notification communications backbone.
It is essential for the
city to have a system
that provides
reliable, immediate
notification of pump
station issues in
order to minimize
response time
and help prevent
overflows.
To date, approximately 2,900 local alarms have
been installed at grinder stations throughout
the wastewater system. These alarms alert
staff without having to rely on an observation
from a customer who may or may not be
home when the station is having issues.
This provides staff more response time
and reduces the potential for overflows.
solution to immediate system needs. At the 12
same time, staff is reviewing and revising the
current water conservation policy. The city
will be prepared with a viable plan to conserve
water if system demands approach last year’s
recorded levels.
Fairwood Force Main
With more than 19,000 feet of new 24”
pressure pipe installed, this project is nearing
completion. Once operational, it will provide
system redundancy and increased capacity
for conveyance of wastewater from the
western portion of the city’s system. This is
the first phase of
a multi-phased
project that will
include expansion
of a major pump
station and an increased capacity
from the Hwy 270
area across the city
to the Regional
Wastewater
Treatment Plant
on Davidson Drive.
Leak Detection Survey
Water Projects
The leak detection effort has been completed.
Staff has been actively engaged in this process
and has repaired several priority leaks as
determined by the survey. While the survey
noted leaks in excess of approximately 2 million
gallons per day, staff has successfully repaired
numerous leaks and continues to address leaks
noted in the survey as well as the almost daily
main breaks throughout the system. Staff has
reviewed those areas which have experienced
multiple leak issues and, in doing so, has
developed a list of locations for complete
main replacements.
Ouachita Water Treatment Project
Water Main Replacement Project
Work resumed in late December 2011 to
increase production at this facility. Last
year’s record water production and a very dry
season emphasizes the importance of
completing this project. While a long-term
solution is still needed and currently being
studied, the project provides a short-term
Design is underway for a 2012/2013 water
improvement project that will replace
approximately 21,000 feet of degraded and
undersized water mains throughout the
system. The focus is upon known leaks and
areas which have aging infrastructure in
need of upsizing and repair.
The project will be implemented in mid-2012, prioritizing those
streets affected by the city’s annual paving program and streets
affected by Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department
projects, beginning with a section of Albert Pike.
13
AMI Water Meter Project
This project, which has been declared substantially complete,
continues to provide meter readings throughout the water system.
The system has been performing above the contractual requirement
of 98.5% reads and continues to improve as staff refines the process.
With more than 34,000 meters reporting daily/hourly, the system is
exceeding expectations by providing a tool that not only reduces
personnel and vehicle expenses, but also greatly enhances
customer service. t
Area road project update
DENNY McPHATE, Public Works Operations Director
Higdon Ferry widening
On the stretch of Higdon Ferry Road from Mercy Lane to Printers Place,
most of the utility relocation is complete, except for power lines. Entergy,
in partnership with Resort TV Cable, is expected to begin relocation work in
the near future, with road construction expected to begin in late summer.
Resurfacing Albert Pike Road
The Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department plans to resurface all lanes in both directions
on Albert Pike Road, from Airport Road all the way through Summer Street, down West Grand and
ending at Ouachita Avenue. The work is set for bid letting in May, with work to begin in midsummer and a targeted completion date of early October.
MLK Cloverleaf
On Highway 70 East, the addition of a new cloverleaf addition
on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Expressway will replace the
at-grade crossing ramp leading into town. This $7 million
project will improve the safety of those exiting the expressway
to head into Hot Springs’ downtown area. It is currently 45%
complete, with a May 2013 target completion date.
Up next: city street paving
Within the City of Hot Springs, city street paving will begin in a few months, with a budget of
$450,000 and a target of between 4 to 6 paved miles, depending on material costs at the time of
bid. Look for a street paving list with more details in the next issue of City in Progress. t
Redistricting:
14
Mixing the political puzzle pieces
Lance Spicer, City Clerk
C
onsider it a 35,000 piece puzzle of
the city, one in which the pieces keep
changing sizes and shapes. Based on
the sizes and shapes of each puzzle
piece, some Hot Springs residents
will find themselves in new Board
districts, even though they haven’t
moved. No, this is not a twilight zone
episode; it is the decennial event
known as redistricting.
There is a very good chance that
when you head to the voting booth
in 2012, you’ll find new names on the
ballot. Even if you haven’t moved in
30 years and your city director
hasn’t changed residence, you may not recognize the politicians who want to represent
your area. They’re not new -- just new to you.
For the most part, recent redistricting changes within city limits were not as evident as the
adjustments in Garland County. The tweaks were necessary because of population shifts in the
Spa City, particularly along the southern boundaries around Lake Hamilton. Laws require cities to
adjust their political boundaries “to maintain districts of substantially equal population.” As long
as the current districts are within +/- 5 percent of the benchmark, the U.S. Justice Department
considers the district to be in compliance with the “one person, one vote” standard.
As populations change over time, we redraw, or redistrict, these areas to reflect those changes
and help ensure everyone is represented as fairly as possible. Thus, each decade, the United
States Census is performed to gather statistical information about our population. We use this,
in accordance with state, local and federal guidelines, to update the boundary lines of our voting
districts. That’s the task before the Garland County Election Commission (GCEC), one they have
successfully undertaken every 10 years.
The object of the redistricting game is to complete the puzzle by evenly dividing some 35,000
residents into six Hot Springs Board of Directors districts. New lines must be drawn on existing
districts while striving to preserve neighborhoods and voting precincts.
Based on 2010 Census data, which indicates Hot Springs has roughly 35,200 residents,
a decrease of about 1.6% since the 2000 Census, GCEC proposed new boundaries. The ideal
district population is 5,862 residents per Board of Directors district.
15
Although technology has made assembling the redistricting puzzles much easier, GCEC is
tasked with a highly political job, as every boundary line adjustment carries important
consequences. One drag of the cursor using the mapping software can affect the entire city,
the entire map. Changes are measured carefully with a deviation of no more than 5 percent
from the ideal district population. Gone are the days of a map, pencil and calculator; modern
mapping software now provides tremendous accuracy with the click of a mouse. The
approved maps reveal that four of the six city districts are within two people of the ideal
district size.
So the next time you open that puzzle box and see the jumbled heap of pieces, just imagine
a map of Hot Springs, Garland County or even Arkansas. The task might seem daunting, but
it must be done in order for you to properly exercise your civic duty. The next step: getting
out to vote!
To register to vote, stop by the county clerk’s office in the Garland County Courthouse or
call 622-3616. t
Take a bus, near
or far
Intracity Transit and Greyhound now have a number of things in common; both are buses, both
transport passengers, and both use the Transportation Depot as a pickup and drop off location.
IT passes and Greyhound tickets can be purchased at the Depot weekdays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
In short, leave your cares and cars at home,
and begin your journey at the Transportation
Depot, located at 100 Broadway in downtown
Hot Springs. t
For more information
Hot Springs Intracity Transit 321-2020
Greyhound 623-5574
Green Tip
Crews recently installed devices on the water faucets in city
facilities that reduce water output as an energy and water savings
measure. Installation was free, through a program sponsored
by Centerpoint Gas Company.
16
You are
City
invited to
es
t
a
d
i
and
ger C
na
a
M
n
e
p
O
cordially
meet and
candidate
se
u
o
H
four
s for
Hot Sp
rings City
at an Op
Friday, M
Conventio
greet the
Manage
r
en Hous
arch 30,
n Center
e
5 -7 p.m.
Grand L
obby
Keep in touch with your city
Action Line 321-6808
To submit a question, suggestion or concern
about city services
Crime Stoppers 321-6742
To confidentially report on a crime
Traffic Obstruction Hotline 321-6861
To report traffic visibility problems
Compost Hotline 321-6869
For a recorded message on daily availability
Street Light Hotline
1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-368-3749)
Choose option 3 to report pole number
and street address
City Web Site
www.cityhs.net
Government Access Cable TV Channel
HSTV-15
Broadcast schedule at
www.cityhs.net/hstv.html
City Guide
Government at your Service
Board of Directors
Mayor Ruth Carney
276-1038
District 1, Peggy Maruthur
624-1965
District 2, Elaine Jones
321-1839
District 3, Cynthia Keheley
620-9791
District 4, Pat McCabe
760-3322
District 5, Karen Garcia
318-9046
District 6, Tom Daniel
525-2261
City Services
Airport
321-6750
Animal Services
262-2091
City Attorney
623-4023
City Clerk
321-6815
City Manager
321-6811
Neighborhood Services
321-6857
Community Development
321-6879
Compost
321-6869
District Court
321-6765
Fire 321-6971
Human Resources
321-6841
Intracity Transit
321-2020
Occupation Tax
321-6826
Parks & Recreation
321-6871
Planning & Development
321-6850
Police 321-6789
Public Information
321-6806
Public Works
321-6861
Sanitation
321-6911
Utilities
321-6999
Utilities Customer Service
321-6880
Frequently called numbers
Car tags/Driver’s license
624-4472
Garland County Library
623-4161
Housing Authority
624-4404
Main Post Office
525-0558
Social Security
855-531-1685
State Employment Office
525-3450
Veteran Services
622-3795
City in Progress
is published by the
City of Hot Springs, Arkansas
Jeff Fields, Layout
Terry Payne, Editor
Please send questions or
comments to:
H.S. Public Information
Department
501.321.6806
[email protected]