Board to consider mowing, renovation
The consent agenda for Tuesday night’s Hot Springs Board of Directors business meeting will include a resolution awarding the city’s annual mowing and landscaping contract.
The city recommended awarding the $105,943 contract to Hot Springs Landscaping, which offered the lowest price of the four contractors that entered bids. The scope of services include mowing city parks, Hot Springs Memorial Field and other city properties. The city said in addition to being the low bidder, Hot Springs Landscaping was recommended by numerous references, including the Hot Springs School District and Forrest Hills Apartments.
The city said the contract will be paid in installments as work is provided. Should the company become unable to fulfill the contract, it would devolve to US Lawns, which finished second in the city’s rating and ranking of bidders.
The general fund would pay for most of the contract, with the police and airport funds providing
$2,000 and $15,000, respectively. The consent agenda also includes a resolution awarding a
$150,744 contract to Re-Stor-It, Inc. for the renovation of the regional wastewater treatment plant’s administrative building. According to information provided to the board, partially treated wastewater flooded the building when a 36-inch main ruptured in the fall of 2018. A $141,980 insurance claim paid
by the Arkansas Municipal League Property Program will cover most of the cost, which includes $20,900 for a new HVAC system.
The city’s chief building official noticed the heating and cooling system didn’t meet city code standards during a post-bid walk-through of the building with Re-Stor-It, Inc., prompting the city to ask the company to add a new system to the contract. The addition notwithstanding, Re-StorIt’s price was lower than the $194,000 the other bidder offered for renovation work that didn’t include a new HVAC system.
According to information provided to the board, asbestos removal and water mitigation have been completed.
Fourteen condemnations account for most of the new business the board will consider Tuesday night. The city said the properties are vacant and pose a health and safety risk. They include 445 Walnut St., which the city said was damaged by a fire in August.
The following other properties have been proposed for condemnation: 213 Meadow St., 130 Gibson St., 621 Crescent St., 1015 Airport Road, 512 Crescent St., 207 Ostego St.,
114 Francis St., 409 Apex St.,
110 Liberty St., 207 Texas St.,
324 Ozark St., 213 Magnolia St., and 333 Ridgeway St.
The city said Community Development Block Grant funds will cover all demolition costs, except those from 445 Walnut St.
Tuesday will be the second regular business meeting held under social distancing measures the board adopted in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The new rules allow city directors to participate and vote remotely.
The public is discouraged from attending meetings in person until after June 30 due to the coronavirus pandemic but encouraged to watch the broadcast on City12 TV and the city website’s livestream.