Yesterday's POA board meeting

The POA board meeting started yesterday with a proclamation recognizing the Village Pines Garden Club for its good works around the Village. Anne Inloes represented the club. National Garden Week is June 5 through 11.

Board Director Jim Owens congratulated Randy Noles on his recent appointment to the Director of Public Works position. Director Mike Misch said that State Senator Jason Rapert recently spoke in Hot Springs Village and commended the Governmental Affairs Committee for their Legislative Luncheon held at the capitol. Director John Cooney encouraged all Hot Springs Village residents to make time to go by the Fallen Heroes Memorial on Highway 7. Director Tom Bryant commented on the recent Saline County Courthouse Day in Hot Springs Village and was disappointed that more residents did not turn out. He encouraged resident to get out and meet our county officials when they take the time to come to Hot Springs Village.

General manager Scott Randall told the board Randy Noles had accepted the public works director's position and Noles is already bringing fresh ideas to the table. Randall also thanked water/wastewater superintendent Dennis Eskew for his contributions as co-interim public works director during the last three months.

Randall said over 300 homes were damaged in the April 25 tornado that moved through Hot Springs Village, with 175 homes sustaining significant damage, nine commercial businesses and two churches were also damaged. The federal government issued a disaster declaration on May 2. The declaration entitles residents with building damages to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA. Applicants have until July 2 to apply for assistance. FEMA will be offering a short term disaster recovery center in Hot Springs Village, but a location has not yet been determined.

Randall said that right-of-way cleanup is 50-percent complete, common property cleanup is less than 50-percent complete; and golf courses are more than 80-percent complete. The POA will begin mulching storm debris at the old gravel pit on Tuesday. To date storm clean up costs are approximately $155,000 of which insurance has covered $110,000. The POA will make application to its insurance company first for reimbursement, then FEMA, and will then have to bear any costs not covered by either.

Director Jim Owens made a motion to reappoint Don Langston as chairman of the lakes and water committee. It passed.

Director Tom Bryant made a motion to reappoint Bill Monson as chairman of the public works committee. It passed.

The timber sale contract for phase 8 forest management plan was approved. The bid of Gill Logging to complete phase 8 of the tree thinning project should generate approximately $100,152 in revenue.

The next meeting of the POA board is scheduled for June 1 at 9 a.m. in the Ouchita room of the Ponce de Leon Center.