MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014, 8:00 A.M. OUACHITA ROON, PONCE DE LEON CENTER

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1 MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014, 8:00 A.M. OUACHITA ROON, PONCE DE LEON CENTER Highlights of the meeting are summarized below. HSV Fire Chief Jason Miller and HSV Police Chief Gary Adams briefed the committee on their impressive backgrounds, described their departments programs and discussed future challenges. Chair Jerry Yeric presented his observations on the Recent POA Board election; please refer to his detailed report included in these minutes. Mary Neilson and Mike Medica were elected. The Retirement/Relocation program will be presented to the HSV Rotary Club on April 24. Hot Springs formed a task force to gather economic development information in support of the new Thermal Basin Fire District Codes. Arkansas Highway Department awarded a contract to overlay selected section of SH-5 from the Saline/Garland County line to the intersection of SG-5 and SH-7. As of March 27, HSV lakes are full, except for Coronado, Isabella, and Lago. Water is still being pumped from the river to Lake Lago. Average water consumption in March was 1.9 mgd. Chair Jerry Yeric and Vice Chair Gerald Allen were re-elected unanimously. Committee Members Chair Jerry Yeric, Vice Chair Gerald Allen, Dick Breckon, Larry Frazer (absent), Jim Harlow, Mary Neilson, Lu Otto, Paul Pool, Dick Schmidt, Joan Sible, Katherine Winslow. Ex- Officio Members George Bollier, Water (absent) John Lands, Schools (absent) Bob Shoemaker, Local and State Officials Justices of the Peace Garland County, J.P. Larry Griffin Saline County, J.P. James Zahnd POA Board Members Keith Keck, President Frank Leeming Press Lewis Delavan, Village Voice Call to Order Agenda Chair Jerry Yeric called the meeting to order at 8:00 a..m. The agenda was approved as submitted.

2 Minutes Reports The minutes of the March were approved upon motion by Katherine Winslow and seconded by Dick Breckon. Keith Keck reported on the POA Board Work Session on April 2, 2014 as follows: Linda Mayhood reported on progress in implementing provisions of the 2010 Strategic Plan. Information technology requires improvement. A firm plan for potential amenities in the Lake Lago area remains to be developed. Increasing the value of non-performing lots is a priority. Mary Neilson and Mike Medica were elected to the POA Board of Directors for three year terms, and will be seated at the April Regular Meeting. The POA Board Retreat will be held May 12 to 14. The HSV Fire Department provided assistance at the Majestic Hotel fire in Hot Springs. Chairman s Report Jerry Yeric The Garland County early voting site will move from the HSV Chamber/Welcome Center to the Faith Fellowship Church at 3213 Highway 7 North for the upcoming election. Elections are difficult to read for there are numerous variables that the voter takes into account and some may not be rational, reasonable, or understandable. With this disclaimer in place, here are some observations of the 2014 POA election. First, Mary Neilson received the most votes and she ran as strong both with resident and non-resident voters. Second, the pattern of resident voting more than non-resident voting continues since the 2011 election. This can be attributed to the general economy and more specifically to HSV in the number of lots that have fallen off the rolls for a variety of reasons. If one looks at the votes in the 2007 and 2006 elections, for instance, one will find that 66.6% and 64.6% of the votes were from non-resident property owners with only about one-third coming from HSV residents. Fast forward, and this pattern has been reversed with 55.2% of the 2014 POA vote coming from resident property owners and 44.2% cast by non-resident property owners. Third, the margin of difference between the second place candidate and the third place candidate was determined by the votes of the non-resident vote. Mike Medica received 34.6% of the non-resident vote compared to Lu Otto s 28.1 percent. Among resident voters the opposite pattern occurred with Lu Otto receiving 32.5% and Mike Medica 30.5 percent. In an election where the difference between the two candidates was a mere 281 out of 16,622 votes, the non-resident votes appear to have made the difference. Fourth, in terms of the number of votes cast, the 2014 election ranks the 3 th lowest in votes in the 30 elections since It is similar in turn out to the 1987 election where 185 more votes were cast. Finally, this year s

3 election included an estimated 1,054 ballots or 6.3 percent where only one candidate received a vote. Based upon observation of the ballots there did not appear to be a pattern for one candidate over another in this single vote strategy for all candidates were the recipient of many single voted ballots. What is significant is the increase of this single person voting for compared to 2013 and 2011 the percentage was 2.8 and 2.9 percent respectively. Retirement/Relocation Jim Harlow and Katherine Winslow A presentation of Retirement/Relocation is HSV Rotary Club April 24th. Currently scheduling presentation to the Boards of HSV Realtors and HSV Chamber of Commerce. Candidate Forums Joan Sible The forums are set for September 11th at the Coronado Center for Garland County and September 16th at the Ouachita Room for Saline County. Invitations will be sent after the primary and candidates have been selected. The HSV Chamber of Commerce is providing the refreshments. Hot Springs Mary Neilson March started with many residents and city leaders still reeling from shock of the fire that destroyed the building that had been the Majestic Hotel the end of February. It brought a spotlight on something that had been needing attention for many years - the buildings in downtown that were being neglected by their owners. A task force has been formed with the intent to gather input for economic development and move downtown business forward to compliance with the new Thermal Basin Fire District Codes. March was a good month for tourism in Hot Springs. Oaklawn was in full swing, although it was hampered by some bad weather early in the month. State basketball playoffs in Summit Arena brought over 50,000 fans from across the state to cheer for their high school team. The St. Patrick's Day Parade brought a nice crowd even for a Monday with chilly weather. Spring breaks for Arkansas and surrounding states taking place on alternating weeks meant a busy month with lots of spring break visitors. Other downtown development - Regions bank is tearing down the building across the street from the Austin Hotel and will be building a high rise in its place. Also, the purchase of the Austin Hotel is still in the works with a projected closing set for June. This has been in the works for over a year Highways Paul Pool The AHTD has awarded a contract to overlay selected sections of SH-5 form the Saline/Garland County line to the intersection of SH-5/SH-7. This project will fill in the

4 gaps left between the limits of the safety improvements completed last year on SH-5. The project is for $500,000+ and should be completed this year. The contractor is Red Stone located in the Little Rock area. The SH-5 safety project approved by the Highway Commission from the Village East Gate to Salt Creek Road in Benton presents an opportunity for the Village to gain improvements to the East Gate/SH-5 intersection with Safety Funds. The design proposed by the Village improves the operation of the intersection and is in accordance with good design practices. Also the Village should explore funding from the County for improvements from the SH-5 intersection to the shopping area to the south, a public road. From the shopping area to the gate, the road functions only to serve the Village. The Little Rock MPO technical committee met this past month, but I was out of town and could not attend. There was nothing on the agenda of interest to the Village. Water George Bollier WATER As of March 27th, lakes are full except for Coronado down about 7 ft, Isabella down around 5 ft. and Lake Lago is down 5.2 ft. Water is still being pumped from the river to Lake Lago. Dredging at Lake Coronado will be ending soon. The gate has been closed for over a week. Dredging will continue until the water forces the workers out or the dredging is complete. At the water plant the No.1 clarifier is on line and making good water. The third high service pump is on line and running, one of the intake pumps has a vibration in it and is being checked out, the other one is running fine. The mixer pump will start up on Monday and Cellular Data Solutions will be on site on Monday and Tuesday. The fluoride building is built but no plumbing has started. Average water consumption in March was 1.9 mgd. The Lakes Manager, Dave Harper, is transferring to the Recreation Department. It will be important to find a replacement soon, since the treatment of the lakes for algae control will start when the water temperature in the lakes begin to rise. Reminders and Calendar NEXT MEETING: May 9, 2014, Ouachita Room Candidate Forums: Garland County September 11, 2014 at Coronado Center Saline County September 16, 2014 at Ouachita Room, Ponce de Leon Center

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