CITY
OF EUREKA SPRINGS 237
A special
City Council meeting was called to order to re-set a date for a Public Hearing
on the vacation of the Jan Weber Porter property, a part of Summit St. The date
would be February 18th, and the Public Hearing would be held just before the
Council Meeting, at 7 p.m.
Alderman
Christman made the motion and Alderwoman Watson seconded to have the meeting at
7 p.m. on February 18th, 1997. The vote was 5/0/0.
A)derwoman
Seratt made the motion to adjourn. Alderman Christman seconded. All were in
favor, 5/0/0.
APPROVED:
Barbara A. O’Harris, Mayor
Mary Ann Lee, City Clerk
CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS
COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11,
1997
9:00 AM
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL, ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Special Council Meeting,
December 16, 1996
Regular Council Meeting, January 14,
1997
Special Council Meeting, January 21,
1997
SpeciaL Council Meeting, February 4,
1997
OLD BUSINESS
1. Ordinance No.
1746. Rezoning part of Block 157, R & A Survey from R-1 Victorian
Residential to C-1 Commercial, (Third Reading), Mr. A. Epley
2. Proposed use of
old Police Building
3. Ordinance No.
1745, Amending the Personnel Policy Manual
NEW BUSINESS
1. Auditorium
Restrooms
2. Ordinance No.
1737, Parade Permit Fees
3. Ordinance No.
1749, Adopting the Police Policy and Procedure Manual
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
COMMISSION, COMMITTEE, AND AUTHORITY REPORTS:
1. Auditorium
Commission,
2. C.A.P.C.
Commission,
3. Cemetery
Commission
4. Historic
District Commission,
5. Hospital
Commission,
6. Parking
Authority, Appointment for vacancy of Position 2
7. Parks and
Recreation Commission
8. Planning
Commission, Appointment for vacancy of Position 6,
9. Carroll
County Solid-Wastes Authority
10. Four-County
Solid-Wastes Management District
11.
Eureka
Springs Solid-Wastes Advisory Committee
12.
Tourism Advisory Committee:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
Appointments for two Commission:; Parking Authority
and Planning Commission
CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY,
February 11, 1997
The regularly scheduled council
meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. on February 11th, 1997, by Mayor Barbara
O’Harris.
PRESENT:
Mayor O’Harris, and Alderpersons
Jeffrey, Seratt, Dickens, Watson, Christman and Freeland.
ALSO PRESENT:
Alan Epley, Glenn Strange, Mary
Springer, John Wilier, Jack Byrne, Donna
Spitler, Earl Hyatt, Kirby Murray,
David McNeal, Don Matt, Don Young and
Clerk Lee.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mr. Young led in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Mr. Jeffrey asked about Ordinance
#1747, which was the certificate of appropriateness. Mayor O’Harris explained
that it had been postponed and sent back to the HDC for better clarification.
The motion was made and seconded to
accept the agenda as it is. All were in favor, 6/0/0.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
Approval of the December 16th, 1996
Special Council Meeting minutes:
The motion was made and seconded to
approve those minutes. The vote
was 6/0/0, to approve.
Approval of the January l4th,1997
Regular Council Meeting minutes:
The motion was made and seconded to
approve those minutes. The vote was 6/0/0, to approve.
Approval of the January 21st, 1997
Special Meeting Minutes:
The motion was made and seconded to
approve those minutes. The vote was 5/0/1, with Ms. Seratt abstaining due to
being absent.
Approval of the January 28th, 1997
Regular Council Meeting minutes:
The motion was made and seconded to
approve those minutes. Mr. Jeffrey asked that George Jeffrey’s name be amended.
It is spelled just like his. It was noted by the clerk, and the vote was 5/0/1,
with Ms. Seratt abstaining due to being absent.
Approval of the February 4th, 1997,
Special Meeting Minutes:
The motion was made and seconded to
approve those minutes. The vote was 6/0/0.
The Mayor announced the boil order
releases, and the new boil orders. These are due to the work being done on the
second phase of the water project, which is tying in the loops. The State
requires that the City issue boil orders as a precautionary measure. Each
residence will be notified by a note on the door, when the boil order is
released. While a boil order is on, people should boil any water that they will
ingest for five minutes. The water is safe for dish washers, or washing
clothes, or showers, etc.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Ordinance
#1746, Re-zoning part of Block 157, A & A Survey, from R-1
Victorian Residential, to
C-1commercial, (Third Reading), Mr. Alan Epley:
The motion was made and seconded to
suspend the rules and place
Ordinance #1746 on its third and
final reading by title only. All were in favor, 6/0/0.
Mr. Young read the ordinance by
title only.
The motion was made and seconded to
approve. Mr. Epley said that when the
ordinance becomes law, the deed to the small piece of property that the corner
of the police department is on will be filed with the Circuit Clerk’s office
and delivered to the City Clerk’s Office.
With no further discussion, the vote was 6/0/0, and Ordinance #1746
passed.
CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS 239
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, February 11, 1997 —
2. Proposed
use of the old Police Department Building:
Tom
Johnson, the architect who has drawn up some ideas for this building spoke with
the Council on what is possible. He believes that the cost estimate is on
target, that it should come in around $37,000, with a possible 10% increase or
decrease figured. The City has budgeted $50,000 for this project. It would give
the City Hall its own meeting room, ADA assessable, which would mean that Don
Matt could leave the sound and camera equipment there and wouldn’t be spending
hours to set up. It would give the Building Inspector an office and another
office would be there for a City Planner, when one can be hired. There would be
public restrooms, which would take the pressure off of the ones in City Hall.
The
building is limited as to where entrances and exits can be made because of the
shape of the lot. The roof is okay. The exterior will be painted with
waterproof paint. Heat and air, electric and plumbing are all figured into the
$37,000.
The
motion was made and seconded to hire Tom Johnson for a flat fee of $3350 to
prepare plans and specifications for the bid package.
By
roll call, the vote was 6/0/0.
3. Ordinance
#1745, amending the Personnel Policy Manual:
The
motion was made and seconded to suspend the rules and place Ordinance #1745 on
its second reading by title only. All were in favor, 6/0/0.
Mr.
Young read the ordinance by title only. The motion was made and seconded to
approve.
Alderman
Jeffrey made the motion to amend Ordinance #1745 to delete the section referred
to as Seasonal Employees and add the section referred to as part time
employees. Alderwoman Seratt seconded. Mr. Young read the section that was
added, which was about part time employees.
It
was explained that the people who have been receiving benefits will continue to
do so, but that those who are hired from this point on will not. Some of these
employees will be phased out within the next two years. There was some
discussion about employees who are used to having benefits and then suddenly
the benefits are removed. The benefits have been paid as an incentive to keep
good trolley drivers. The drivers have to undergo the DLT testing that a truck
driver has to undergo. You can’t just hire someone off the street to drive a
trolley. The idea is that from now on, when a person is hired for a department
for part time work, they will be told what benefits they will be eligible for.
The
vote for the amendment was 6/0/0.
The
vote on the ordinance is 5/1/0, with Mr. Freeland casting the no vote.
NEW
BUSINESS:
I. Auditorium
Restrooms:
Mary
Springer, Donna Spitler, and Jack Byrne were present to represent the Auditorium
Commission. The Commission would like the City to take over responsibility for
the public restrooms that are located on the outside of the front of the
building. The budget was cut back this year, and they feel that the restrooms
are too expensive to maintain. They gave the Council a figure in excess of
$5000. per year that they estimate as the cost. They would like the City to put
in a separate electric meter and an on line meter for the water, so that the
amount can be separated easier. Alderwoman Dickens made the motion to take over
responsibility for the in-line water meter, and the Swepco meter at this time.
Alderwoman Seratt seconded.
Alderman
Jeffrey made the motion to postpone until the February 25th meeting, by which
time the Commission can give the Council a cost estimate on the meters and the
job to work with. Alderman Christman seconded.
The vote was 5/1/0, with Mrs. Dickens casting the negative vote,
240 CITY
OF EUREKA SPRINGS
CITY
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY,
February 11, 1997
2. Ordinance
#1737, Parade Permit Fees:
The motion was made
and seconded to place Ordinance #1737 on its first reading in its entirety. The
vote was 6/0/0.
Mr. Young read the
ordinance.
The motion was made
and seconded to approve. The consensus was that this would simplify the system.
The roll call vote on
the first reading was 6/0/0.
3. Ordinance
#1749, Adopting the Police Policy and Procedure Manual:
The motion was made
and seconded to place Ordinance #1749 on its first reading in its entirety. The
vote was 6/0/0.
Mr. Young read the
ordinance in its entirety.
The motion was made
and seconded to approve the first reading. Alderwoman Dickens said she had
asked why the staff supports were not in the chain of command in the manual and
Mr. Hyatt had explained that he had just finished the chain of command tor the
sworn personnel and he was in the process of researching the stall support
system. She said the policy will be updated as often as need be, and the staff
support chain will be added as soon as he finishes his research.
Mr. Hyatt explained
that he used a model policy for a format, which was supplied by the Criminal
Justice Institute, University of Arkansas in Little Rock. They provide model
policies for sheriff’s departments and police departments in all sizes. Then he
adapted it to what he felt was needed for the community. Mr. Hyatt was asked it
there has been a manual. He has not been able to find a manual, but that
doesn’t necessarily mean that there wasn’t one at some point
The vote by roll call
was 6/0/0, on the first reading.
The motion was made
and seconded to suspend the rules and place Ordinance #1749 on its second
reading by title only. The roll call vote was 6/0/0.
Mr. Young read the
ordinance by title only.
The motion was made
and seconded to approve. Alderman Jeffrey said he wouldn’t want the ordinance
read for the third time at that meeting and the Council generally agreed.
The roll call vote
was 6/0/0.
The Mayor said that
she had met with SWEPCO and they are not closing our off ice. The phones will
be answered at a central location, but the office will still be open to pay
bills and report problems.
The Mayor said that
the Public Hearing to vacate a portion of Summit St. by Jan Weber Porter has
been cancelled. The attorneys apologized for any and all problems that this may
have caused.
Alderman Jeffrey said
he is familiar with the problems of surveys on our City streets. He said that
the property is probably the property owner’s by right of adverse possession
anyway, but he is concerned about the situation. The Mayor asked Mr. Young to
contact Mr. Williams to send the City a statement as to what the surveyor
found.
Mayor O’Harris
announced that she is still working on appointments for the Parking Authority
and the Planning Commission.
Alderman Freeland
said that he would like to have Jay Miner, and David Beauchamp look at the
consequences the City would be faced with if we forgive the debt that Freeman
Waste Management has asked for and go through with the rate increase.
Alderwoman Watson said she has met with Jay Miner and will have a report in
about two weeks.
ADMINISTRATIVE
ASSISTANT’S REPORT:
Mr. Young reported
that our December 1996 sales and use tax check was $104,495.35 He said that means the City is down 2.70%
for the year, which is $38,440. less
than the same period in 1995
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CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, February 11, 1997
Mr Young
also mentioned the work of two of our firemen who rescued Dr. & Mrs. Bell’s
housecat. The cat was frightened, and not easy to deal with, but due to
the quick thinking of the firemen, Jason Bunch, and im Blair, the cat was rescued. The Bell family is very
thankful that the cat was saved.
The
motion was made and seconded to adjourn. All were in favor, 6/0/0. The meeting
was adjourned at 10:20 a.m.
APPROVED:
Barbara A. O’Harris, Mayor
ATTEST:
1997 City of Eureka Springs
State of the City Address
1996
was a year of growth and development for all areas of our City government.
Water
Office: 27 new water taps, JO new sewer taps
Wastewater Treatment Plant: Capacity
fee collections provided almost $30,000 for repairs and improvements at the plant.
Occupation Licenses: 876 issued for mote than $46,000 into the
general fund.
Municipal Court: 576
Dockets plus 73 civil and small claims for a total of more than $39,000 into
the general fund.
Building Inspector’s Office: 437
permits for over $28,000 into the general fund.
Sales Tax Receipts: Largest revenue source for a total of I million
4 hundred 30 thousand.
Parking Revenues: Approximately $90,000.00 came into the
General Fund from this.
EUREKA
SPRINGS qualified for TREE CITY USA for the 13th consecutive year!
FIRE
DEPARTMENT AND
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Emergency
medical calls were down by 1%, Fire calls were tip by 10%.
Donations from citizens of Eureka Springs along with Western District Ambulance Service and insurance turnback money allowed the department to purchase much needed advanced equipment that will save and reduce deaths due to heart loss in the new up—to—date LIFEPAK II. This rugged, out of the hospital unit features field diagnostics with recognizable 12 leads format, expanded data collection and storage. This shortens the time to administer thrombo!ytic therapy for AMI patients. Also the purchase of a new ambulance provided by Western District Ambulance Service has brought more safety.
Expansion of the City
water lines has dropped the fire rates for the citizens of Eureka Springs from
class 8 to 5, reducing fire insurance rates by 5 to 15°k. The newly formed
Bucket Brigade has provided valuable assistance to the Fire Department by
raising funds to purchase a heat scanner to help in locating where the fire is.
Their plans are to purchase important equipment in the future. The special
operations team—professional full time
and part time people trained in swill water, high and low rescue, trench
rescue and search and rescue. With expanding membership and growing needs for
training area, the Department acquired the room located below the Police
Department for this purpose.
The Eureka Springs
Emergency Services plans to be one of the forerunners in technology for the
future of our city and have many dedicated workers to bring this about.
242
1997 City of Eureka Springs
State of the City Address
POLICE DEPARTMENT
In 1996, the Department underwent many changes and fully expects to improve the quality of service to the community in the coming years. The move to the new building on Van Buren Street was completed in August. The close proximity to the Fire Department has proven to be beneficial to both Departments.
The
police officers obtained approximately 400 hours of formal training in 1996—this
is expected to increase to approximately 1600 hours in 1997. Several I
training courses and seminars are planned to help officers with their
performance of their duties such as CPR training, First Aid training, Domestic
Violence training and Crime Prevention training using Federal Giant monies. A
new program was initialed in Eureka Springs Elementary and Middle Schools.
Officer Shelley Jacobs is now working with the schools as School Resource
Officer. Her responsibilities include teaching safety programs and drug and
alcohol programs to the students. She also acts as a liaison to the school
administrative staff and a counselor to the staff on developing after school
and summer activities for our youth. Officer Jacobs is applying for Federal and
State grants to help pay for these activities.
Felony
investigations were tip from 1995 with a total of 95 cases opened. There were
also 135 misdemeanor cases opened for a total of 234 criminal investigations.
As a result, $18,400 worth of stolen property was recovered and returned to
victims; DWI arrests were down significantly for 1996 with a total of 14
arrests-—this is a welcome which we hope will continue.
Bond
issue dollars paid for most of the following items in 1996:
1)
Backhoe and pipe laser for force account crew
2) 23,000 feet of
water main was laid in 1996 along with 83 fire hydrants and numerous valves and
fittings
3) 3800 feet of sewer
main was laid
4) The “Whitely Li ft
Station “ has been installed. The piping and electrical will be in (he ground
by the end of this month. This will complete this phase of the project in an
effort to provide sewer service to
the eastern City limits.
5) A Flow Monitoring
Study was conducted in order to identify inflow/infiltration areas in the sewer
system for future repair. The study found that 199,000 gallons per day of
Inflow/infiltration is leaking into the sewer system mostly through privately
owned service lines.
6) The new Public
Works building is completed along with a new computer and several other items
of office equipment.
7) Other equipment
purchased: I -- 4 WI) Pickup I -- 2 WD Pickup
1-- Pavement Concrete Saw 1-- Trailer mounted
welder/generator
Our
co-composting facility is operating at near capacity and doing quite well.
Eureka Springs still possesses the only consistently successful co—composting
facility in the State.
Over
$100,000 in street funds were spent on street paving the City in 1996.
Work
began in December 1996 on a large storage and delivery area below the new
Public Works building. This area will contain dumpsters, large equipment,
plumbing supplies, gravel storage bins, the diesel tank, etc. This was done
partially because of room constraints and partially to create a more pleasing
view of the Public Works facility from the highway.
Projects stemming from
“Beautification Street Fund” capital dollars are:
Limestone pillars were constructed
to support new Victorian Style street name signs at
several
intersections iii the downtown area. Several of these signs still remain to be
mounted.
Wrought iron and wood benches and
wrought iron trash receptacles were purchased and
placed
downtown.
Limestone planters were constructed
at Spring and Main Street and behind public
restrooms.
All of
these really add to the Victorian charm of our City.
The
Howell Street wall was restored and looks marvelous. Approximately $60,000 was
spent on wall maintenance.
Through
voluntary annexation, the City has inherited (lie two stone bridges on Lake
Lucerne Road. The tipper bridge was extensively renovated to its original
status. The lower bridge experienced some distress when an asphalt truck
overturned and damaged a large portion. It was repaired and looks as good as
new. If you haven’t seen these bridges— the new Howell Street wall— the
downtown street signs etc. You need to go look!
The Recycling Depart went spent its last year as a separate entity. As of’ January I , it became a part of the Public Works Department This raises the number of Public Works employees to 22, with an annual budget of $1,330,691.00 plus special projects.
243
State of the City Address
TRANSIT DEPARTMENT
This will
be the 14th season for the Eureka Springs Transit. Starting out in 1984, we
had assets that consisted of one trolley and one bus. We have expanded to a
fleet of 8 trolleys, 4 trams and 2 buses with current assets in excess of 2
million dollars. In the I3 years of operation, we have transported over 5 million
passengers, covering over 2 million miles. Excess revenue in the past has
provided us with several capital
improvements: purchase of 2 trams and expansion of the trolley garage twice, We
were also able to provide curb service transportation to the grocery store,
city offices, Post Office, medical facilities, etc. for our local residents
throughout the year. The Arkansas Department of Human Concern reported that Eureka Springs Transit
operated the best small transit service in the State to our local residents.
The
Transit Department is very proud to announce that within I 3 years we have not
had any major accidents or injuries which resulted in a judgment against us. We
owe this long standing record to the excellent employees that dedicate their
time in making this department so safe and successful In 1997, we have many
plans to implement improve signage at trolley stops, trolley maps, new uniforms
for employees-green trousers, white uniform shirts to match trolleys and trams
etc.
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
This
commission serves as Certified Local Government (CLG) Commission. It
schedules 24 meetings per year. In 1996, it reviewed 102 Level I
applications: of these 17 were for painting,
41 were for signs and 44 were for maintenance. lii addition, (lie Commission reviewed 50 Level H applications and 61 Level 111 applications, for a total of 213—— an increase of 67 more than in 1995. The HDC responsibilities continue each year as our historic properties become more rare within the Historic District. No building can be erected, altered, restored, moved or demolished until the Commission has approved a Certificate of Appropriateness. This includes buildings, structures, stone walls, fences, light fixtures, steps, paving and oilier appurtenant fixtures.
During 1996,
the Planning Commission completed its work on its Vision Plan for the City.
A presentation was made to the public, followed by the creation of the Vision
Plan document at the end of the year. The Plan looks at our past, analyzes our
present and provides directions in which the City can move into the next
century. Our report is not the end, but is, in fact, the beginning of the
planning process. In years past, planners would create a blueprint, very specific
in nature and very widespread in scope. Current planning philosophy , however,
encourages plans which define the essence of the community and uses that as the
springboard to plan for the city’s growth. It is not intended to be etched in
stone——rather it needs to be fluid enough to respond to tile ever— changing
complexion of the town.
In our
estimation, the cornerstone of our plan is the creation of a new City
Department whose primary responsibilities will be planning, research and
administrative assistance to the Mayor, the Council and to all of the
Commissions In our discussions, we have referred to such a department as our
Department of Planning and Neighborhoods--a place where we can consolidate and
streamline the many and varied tasks which are preformed each day by city
employees and citizens. Eureka Springs has grown beyond the point where we can
depend solely on volunteers to perform the technical responsibilities needed to
effectively plan for our future.
The year
also presented us with a wide array of matters such as applications for
variances, tree cuts and rezoning. In addition, with the dissolution of the
Board of Review, we were given back jurisdiction over all applications for
conditional use permits.
We ended
the year feeling positive about the role we can play in Eureka’s future. It is
our goal to use our Vision Plan as a starting point in being more
proactive in planning.
The Parks
and Recreation Commission has had a busy year At Lake Leatherwood Park,
the road is now paved. Water and sewer improvements are underway. A four mile
hiking trail has been opened. Stage 2 landscaping was done. Canoes were
added to our rental fleet. A fund raising circus was held to help form the Boys
and Girls Club.
In Basin
Park, new stone flower beds were completed. The “Basin” of the spring was
cleared of years of debris. Local businesses held a clean up day.
Permanent
plantings and trees were added to all the parks.
Grotto
Springs was surveyed. Plans are in the works for the annexation of Lake
Leatherwood to the City of Eureka Springs and hopefully this will be
accomplished in 1997.
At the
beginning of 1996, the Cemetery Commission’s total assets were:
Checking account: $6,381.84
Savings account $2,140.80
Certificate #1 $45,000.00
Certificate #2 $45,000.00
Certificate #3 $20,000.00
Total $118,522.64
24
4
The ending figures of 1996 are:
Checking account:
$662.84
Savings
account: $3,467.48
Certificate
#1 $45,000.00
Certificate
#2 $45,000.00
Certificate
#3 $20,000,00
Total $114,130.32
The
Cemetery Commission had the fence painted for the cemetery in 1996 and it looks
really nice. It is an ongoing thing to keep the grass cut, Fill in graves when
they sink, reset headstones, cut down dead trees or trim them as necessary and
sell cemetery lots. The crew is doing a fine job with the funds that are
available.
HOSPITAL COMMISSION
Sent out
survey sheets for input as to the building of a hospital.
The Commission bought the property known as the purple house, so instead of paying $400 per month rent, the money will be paid to the Commission to recoup the investment. ($40,000)
Paid for
the repair of heating and air in Dr. Beard’s office.
Dutch
Lehr agreed to serve on the Commission for another 5 years and was
approved by the Mayor and the Council.
A request
was made for a $15,000 Rural Health Matching Grant to upgrade the
hospital Radiology Department. The Hospital Guild has already come up
with the first $7,500.
The
Hospital Commission takes very good care of its funds. They are always aware of
the interest—bearing vehicles that can increase moneys that are not being used.
They are very careful and respectful of the responsibilities entrusted to them.
They
upgraded and repaired the Hospital Pipe Alarm System. The Radiology Suite and
equipment was upgraded using funds from the Mary Peterson estate that were
given to them.
The
Telemedicine Trail is a media conferencing system that combines Video and audio
with an open PC based architecture. It will include an electronic stethoscope,
otoscope and dermoscope. This will allow patients here in Eureka Springs
quality care by instantaneous consultation with other doctors and specialists
in other areas. The Hospital tried it
for a month and decided not to buy into it at that time, but it helped them to
know what they will be able to utilize and what will best suit their needs when
the time comes to purchase one.
Total
Assets of the Commission at the end of 1996 are $599,452.00. Total
disbursements from the Commission totaled $ 134,870.08 and the bank balance at
the end of 1996 was $19,654.50. Total revenues from all sources were
$127,601.66.
PARKING AUTHORITY
The
Parking Authority interviewed people and looked for parking outside the
downtown area. They spoke with Orbind Daneau,
the owner of the Gem of the Ozarks theatre building about parking buses
in the back lot and selling trolley passes
in the lobby of the theatre. That would mean Mr. Daneau would receive 25
cents on each trolley ticket sold. The talked with Sandy Bass. She wanted in
excess of $500,000 for her parking lot at the top of Planer Hill.
The parking authority had the property at the site of the proposed parking garage appraised. They sent a letter of recommendations to the Council with ideas such as that we follow some of the suggestions that were brought out in the feasibility study:
Raise the
meters to $1.00 per hour. 5 hour meters should be 2 hour.
Time
schedule should be 9 to 6 instead of 9 to 5. Honor boxes should
read 24 hours per day, 7 (lays per week. Rates should be raised to $3.25, from
$3.00.
Signs in
the court house parking lot should convert reserved parking so it can be used
for regular parking on weekends. Additional signage to direct everyone to all
of the parking in town, private and public.
There have been attempts to clean up the North Main Parking Lot which
is owned by the City, and use it to park buses. Every attempt has failed, so
far. Barbara Dicks joined the Parking Authority to fill position 4, formerly
held by Dani Petty.
The Parking Authority worked all year on promotion of the
Parking Garage. However, it decided to start small and work into doing more.
They feel that there is strong support for the project, but the money just
isn’t available at this time.
The Parking Authority invited Marvin Shepard to inform them
of his efforts to have a sign or signs placed at the top of Planer Hill to
point out to visitors how to get to the Historic District.
1997 City of Eureka
Springs
State
of the CityAddress 245
The
Parking Authority stood behind the 1/4 city sales tax, and had several
ideas for improving and beautifying the City’s parking lots and providing more
parking. They wanted to develop the Center and Mountain Street area to hold 60
cars and study the traffic flow and see if people would use the lot. They
wanted to improve directional signs to all parking lots. They want to build a
small and simple visitor’s center on the North Main spot, to welcome people who
are coming in from 23 North. They wanted to update parking meters and
equipment to improve efficiency. They have been diIigent in finding out what
kinds of equipment can he used and costs and efficiency. The whole membership
has learned much about parking and its problems but are diligently working at
solutions to parking concerns for our City. In 1997, they plan to implement
some of these ideas.
We have
implemented an updated Personnel Policy Handbook.
Saved the
City approximately $25,000 by hiring temporary personnel to do special street
projects.
Revised Index to City Code.
Worked
with Insurance Company to develop a Cafeteria Plan for better insurance
protection for our employees.
Adapted a
Council Handbook and Commission Handbook.
Soon in
1997, our Eureka Springs weather will he telecast on several TV Channels
to help to get our name out and to bring more tourists to our City.
AUDITORIUM COMMISSION
Restoration
1) Completed
and adopted the Master Plan for the renovation/restoration of the facility.
2) Completed
the installation of restrooms for the facility, including a handicapped
accessible restroom at the program level, replaced the roof, partially
rehabilitated the stage rigging, and excluded bats from the facility.
3) Obtained
restoration grants from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program and the
National Endowment for the Arts totaling $20,000.
4) Raised
$1,200 for the restoration of the Baldwin concert grand piano.
Program
and Rental
1) More
than 6,500 people attended sixteen (16) performances/events held in the
Auditorium.
2) More than
500 children attended a school performance.
3) Sixty
children ages 6- 15 from Eureka Springs and nearby communities participated in
two
(2) productions
of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Goals for
1997 include the repair and painting of the Auditorium walls, installation of a
chair lift, full compliance with I Health Department Code for the concession
area, and to continue to increase earned income and usage of the facility.
CITY
ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION
The 1996
C.A.P.C. tax receipts were $909,840. This is a 1.7% decrease over 1995.
Advertising
expenditures during 1996 were $317,460, plus paying off CJRW debt of $183,560
in full.
The
Commission’s community service expenditures were: Auditorium Maintenance,
$20,000;
Auditorium Bonds, $19,000; Transit Bonds, $40,000;
Public Restrooms. $6,000; Special Events.
$57,989;
and Parks and Recreation, $1,000.
The
Commissioners are looking forward to 1997 and to working with their new
advertising firm, Kirkpatrick, Williams, Gurley, Associates and an increased
advertising budget of $437,000. An increase of almost $120,000.
As Mayor
of this City, I want to personally thank each and every member of the Tourist
Advisory Committee for all the tireless efforts (meeting every week— .sometimes
twice a week) in their quest to find a way to remove large vehicles from the
Historic Loop. Also, I thank the City Council for their approval of the TAC
recommendations. The Franchise services on the new Historic Loop will remove
most of the large vehicles and yet allow our many visitors to travel this
scenic natural area was the result of a unanimous compromise of the TAC members. The franchise service is a new venture for
our City and promises to be a productive addition to our attractions. This service will begin in March with a
grand ribbon cutting and lots of publicity.
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1997 City of Eureka Springs
As residents
of our great City-- we are all responsible to build our City pride. We are
great—we are Eureka Springs-— together and separately.
I want to
also thank all our City employees and Commissioners and any other volunteers
and also our City Council that accomplished many needed changes and
improvements in 1996 and previous years. Through their uncompromised efforts
and dedication, Eureka Springs will remain the #1 tourist destination in
Arkansas.
We, the
City government, appreciate working for you-- the people of our City.
SPECIAL
ANNOUNCEMENT
February
20th, there will be a large kick off meeting of businesses and citizens and all
interested persons across the State to explain the Franchise Tours on the Loop.
Dont miss
this important meeting to be held at Eureka Inn, Time to be announced later.