Baptist Health Establishes 24/7 Hotline for COVID-19 Questions
Please see the attached press release from Baptist Health regarding remote services for COVID-19.
Baptist Health Establishes 24/7 Hotline for COVID-19 Questions
Joint Communication from the County of Clark and City of Arkadelphia.
Planning Commission/Board of Adjustments Meeting Cancelation
We will continue to update you as to events and cancellations as we work through the COVID-19 issue together.” – Gary Brinkley
Baptist Health COVID-19 Drive-Thru Clinic
The attached information has been provided by Baptist Health. Please follow the instructions listed on this document if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19. To schedule an appointment for the drive-thru clinic please call (870)245-2198.
Unemployment Applications
Applications for Unemployment Insurance Benefits are attached below and available at the south entrance of Town Hall by the Water Department Payment Window.
- Attempt to apply thru the website https://www.ezarc.adws.arkansas.gov/
(if not working step 2) - Print the attached benefit application
- Complete application
- Deliver to Department of Workforce Services with proof of ID to the local office at 502 South 6th
The employment benefits form can be emailed to Jenna.ramos@arkansas.gov
Preemptive Measures to Protect Yourself and Others
Please visit the link below for additional pre-emptive measures to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 provided to us by Baptist Health.
https://www.baptist-health.com/…/baptist-health-encourages…/
COVID-19 Information from Dr. Pahls
Dr. Wendell Pahls of Baptist Health shares information regarding COVID-19 on KATV’s Saturday Daybreak at the link below.
Flattening the Curve
Our friends at Baptist Health have shared links and information that we will be sharing today. The first link speaks about flattening the curve. Preventing the spread and exposure from person to person contact allows our medical professionals and facilities to adequately serve those that need immediate care.
https://www.baptist-health.com/helping-to-flatten-the-curv…/
Modified Operations/Closings
Downtown St. Patrick's Day Spring Cleaning Sale
Our downtown businesses are doing a bit of spring cleaning on St. Patricks Day! Up to 80% discounts in participating stores. Come check out Downtown Arkadelphia on March 17th to find some great deals.
Pre-Census Fun Day
March 31st from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Arkadelphia Recreation Center Gym the Complete Count Census Committee of Clark County will be hosting a Pre-Census Funday for the children of Arkadelphia. We will provide hot dogs, popcorn, and drinks to those that attend, and there will be bounce houses for the kids! If you are a member of an organization that would like to set up a booth to hand out candy or take away information to the children and parents please complete the short 4 question survey at the link below. The Census is very important to future funding for our community so please join us for this fun and educational event!
Pine Street Signal Light Updates
1. The City has been given approval from ArDOT to move forward with a study for the implementation of a protected left-turn signal at WP Malone and Pine (coming into town). The engineering firm has been contracted and we anticipate the necessary study by March 17th. This will allow staff to bid the project and contract to have the light installed.
2. The light at 26th and Pine is not cycling property due to the loops in the pavement which have been damaged. Staff is working with a local contractor to provide new infrared cameras on the pole masts which will overcome the continuing issues with the sensor loops in the pavement being damaged and causing the lights not to cycle optimally.
3. The staff has been working with ArDOT for the installation of a traffic light at Professional Drive and Pine to protect ambulances and others going or coming from the hospital. The light passed a warrant study by ArDOT and we are in the process of securing an engineering contract to complete an installation study for ArDOT’s approval. This will take up to a year to complete and get the light installed but the journey has begun.
Pediatrics Plus Ground Breaking
The following photos are from the Pediatrics Plus groundbreaking ceremony hosted at Ouachita Baptist University this morning! This is a great step towards additional professional and educational opportunities within Arkadelphia!
With the development of this facility, Ouachita Baptist University will begin its new Masters of Science Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, which is the only full applied behavioral analysis program in the state!
Updates to Youth Sport Complex Fields
Athletic Field Services of Arkansas did a fantastic job on our full sized baseball and softball fields at the Youth Sports Complex! The four little league fields are scheduled to be done within the next three weeks. This is a Move Arkadelphia Forward project.
For updates on all Move Arkadelphia Forward projects please visit the 2019 Arkadelphia Needs Initiative Page on our new website!
https://arkadelphia.gov/2019needsinitiative/
City Wins Business Excellence Award
The City of Arkadelphia was honored to receive the annual Business Excellence Award at the Arkadelphia Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet! We are very humbled to receive this recognition. We look forward to improving the city’s infrastructure and moving Arkadelphia forward in 2020!
In honor of Severe Weather Awareness Week and the City of Arkadelphia is sharing information to help you and your loved ones to be aware of safety measures to plan for in case of an emergency. Please review the infographics below provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Rebranding Initiative
With input from graphic design professionals and other city leaders and residents, The City of Arkadelphia Board of Directors launched a rebranding initiative for the city at the March 3, 2020 meeting, by voting to adopt a new logo and visual identity. The image below illustrates the inspiration for the new design. The design is unique and graphically represents our geographic location, while providing an opportunity for us to tell our story.
City Board of Directors Meeting March 3, 2020
The Board of Directors will meet at 5:30 PM in the City Hall boardroom today, Tuesday, February 18, 2020. The agenda for the meeting includes:
- Arkadelphia Branding Presentation
- Approve Resolution to Annex 115 +/- acres
- Legislative Audit Report
City Board of Directors Meeting February 18, 2020
The Board of Directors will meet at 5:30 PM in the City Hall boardroom today, Tuesday, February 18, 2020. The agenda for the meeting includes:
- Approval of Board Minutes from February 4, 2020 – Mayor Byrd
- Approval of Contract with Gum Springs Water Utility – Gary Brinkley
- 2019 Financial Recap – City Manager’s Annual Report- Gary Brinkley
- GovDeals Listing for Fire Dept. – Gary Brinkley
Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Adjustment Meeting February 20th, 2020.
The Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment will meet Thursday February 20th at 5:30 PM in the City Hall Board Room. Items to be discussed are listed below with the attached agenda to follow.
- Public hearing to consider Taylor King Enterprises LLC’s front yard variance request to construct an addition to his existing office building at 320 Main Street.
- Staff Report for Taylor King request
- Public hearing to consider a request by Tate Temple Church of God in Christ to reduce the required num her of parking spaces for a new church at 2005 Pine Street.
- Staff Report for Tate Temple COGIC request
- Adjourn Board of Zoning Adjustment
- Call the Planning Commission to order.
- Consider the January I 6, 2020 Planning Commission minutes.
- Building Department Report, DeAnna Graves
Remembering Mayor James Calhoun
The City of Arkadelphia grieves the loss of our former Mayor and friend, James Calhoun. Mayor Calhoun served on the City Board of Directors for 18 years beginning his service as City Board Member-At-Large in 2001, until appointed as Mayor from 2015- 2019. Mayor Calhoun was instrumental in various ways during his tenure on the City Board of Directors including the Arkadelphia Coming Together (ACT) initiative, which was the plan that brought the Aquatic Park, Recreation Center, River Park Amphitheater, the Youth Sports Complex, and updates to Feaster Trail. During his tenure as Mayor, Arkadelphia progressed in various ways including the development of the new Ouachita River Bridge, Desoto Bluff Trail Pavilion, and Water Utility Consolidation between Arkadelphia and Gum Springs. He also presented more than 100 proclamations for various events/celebrations held in Arkadelphia. Originally from Star City, Arkansas, he and his family moved to Arkadelphia in 1984 when he accepted the position of Pastor at Baring Cross Missionary Baptist Church where they served for 20 years. Mayor Calhoun continued his ministry service as the Promotional Director of Arkansas Missions Projects raising money for missionaries and building plans. Mayor Calhoun retired from his position as Mayor in September of 2019. During a 2019 interview, he shared, “This town has been good to us; we have a lot of friends here, and Arkadelphia is a Great Place to Call Home.”
New Career Opportunities in the Parks and Recreation Department
Join our team! Arkadelphia Parks and Recreation has three openings for the following positions!
Full Time – Recreation Center Operations Manager
Part-Time Seasonal – Concessions Manager
Full Time – Facilities Maintenance Manager
Details on each position are available at the link below!
https://arkadelphia.gov/careers/
City of Arkadelphia Board of Directors Meeting
The City of Arkadelphia Board of Directors will meet at 5:30 PM in the City Hall boardroom, Tuesday, January 21st.
The agenda for the meeting includes:
Approval of minutes from January 7th Meeting
Approval of minutes from January 7th Budget Workshop
Consideration and Action Regarding Resolution to Adopt 2020 Budget.
Acceptance of Ross Foundation Grant
Approval of the 2020 Alliance Contract
Sale of Arkadelphia Fire Department Airpacks
Crist Engineers Agreement
Resolution on Tourism
Registration Now Open for Youth Softball!
Registration forms are available at the Recreation Center! We can email if needed. Fees MUST be paid when registration forms and birth certificates are turned in. The deadline to register is February 26th at 6:00 PM.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Operating Hours
In observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 20th the City of Arkadelphia hours of operations will be as follows:
Town Hall (Administration, Building Department, Water Department) – Closed
Recreation Center – Open 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Sanitation Department – Closed – No Residential trash pick-up and no make-up day.
Have a safe and fun holiday weekend!
Madden 20 Tournament on February 1st at Recreation Center
The Arkadelphia Recreation Center will be hosting a Madden 2020 Tournament on Saturday, February 1st. Each participant must pay a $25.00 entry fee, 30% of the total entry fees collected will go to the winner of the tournament and 15% will be awarded to second place. Special thanks to Game Stop of Arkadelphia for providing the equipment for the tournament! For more information contact Junior Rodemeyer at junior.rodemeyer@arkadelphia.gov.
Phase 1 of Signage Upgrades Begins
Over the course of the next month, new signs will be posted on the streets highlighted on the Phase 1 Signage Map attached below. Batson Signs is helping the Street Department to replace older worn signs with new signs with enhanced reflectivity among the major streets within Arkadelphia.
Youth Volleyball League Beginning in Late February
Arkadelphia Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting a Co-Ed Youth Volleyball League. Registration deadline is February 8th by 5:00 PM, practice will begin February 19th and games beginning February 25th. Participants will be divided into two divisions based on grades (3rd and 4th Grade Division and 5th and 6th Grade Division.)
Moving Arkadelphia Forward Update
•The water leaking into the north side of the Arkadelphia Police Department has been repaired.
•The air conditioning at the Arkadelphia Police Department has been replaced and is now operational.
•The leaking window on the north side of Arkadelphia Fire Department Station 2 has been fixed and the sheetrock repairs made.
•City Staff is working with an engineering firm to scope work for repairs at the Aquatic Park, drainage and street lights.
More to come!
Parks and Recreation Department Adopts Youth Fastpitch Softball Program
The Arkadelphia Parks and Recreation Department proudly announces that we are adopting the responsibility of managing the Youth Fast Pitch Softball Program. This program was previously managed by the Arkadelphia Fast Pitch Association, and their dedication to this program is greatly appreciated. We are excited to move this project forward and to continue a wonderful softball program for the local youth and surrounding communities. More information and registration information will be coming soon!
Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment Meeting
The monthly Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment meeting will be held on January, 16th at 5:30 PM in the Town Hall Board Room. Agenda items include:
2 Sign variances
1 Special permit request for signage
The Agenda Packet for this meeting is available at the link below.
Basketball After Dark
Join the Parks and Recreation staff from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Wednesday Nights from January 15th – February 19th. $5.00 Drop-in fee, or $25.00 for all 6 weeks! Contact Megan Engeler at megan.engeler@arkadelphia.gov for more information.
Founders Day Celebration
We had a great time celebrating the 163rd anniversary of the Incorporation of the City of Arkadelphia! Special thanks to Samantha’s Sweets and Java Primo for providing deserts and drinks!
Arkadelphia Founders Day Celebration
Arkadelphia was incorporated on January 6th, 1857. To commemorate our founding, The City Staff invites the community to celebrate 163 years of Arkadelphia on January 9th from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM on the first floor of Town Hall. Cakes and other goodies from Samantha’s Sweets will be provided as well as cider and hot chocolate from Java Primo. After you celebrate with us, visit the Clark County Historical Museum and their special display of Arkadelphia’s history! Finally, to complete the evening, stroll around downtown during our first Open Late ‘Til 8 event of the year! Several of our Downtown businesses will be open until 8:00 PM and don’t forget to pick up your passport for a drawing. The winner of the drawing will be announced the week of January 13th-17th 2020.
New Police Vehicles Expected for Spring 2020
To begin phasing in our new Police Department vehicles, we will see 8 new vehicles in the department around April of this year! The attached image is a sample of what our new Police cars will look like in 2020!
Safety Upgrades at Youth Sports Complex
Concrete Work at Arkadelphia Police Station
Feaster Trail Drainage Upgrades
Parks and Recreation Hosts Youth Volleyball Clinic
The registration deadline for the Youth Volleyball Clinic is Jan. 17th at 6:00 PM! Boys and girls who participate will be instructed by HSU and OBU coaches and their student-athletes!
Adult Co-Ed Volleyball League
The Parks and Recreation Department is hosting an Adult Co-Ed Volleyball League! Registration Deadline is January 8th, and the league starts on January 13th. Contact Megan Engeler at megan.engeler@arkadelphia.gov for additional details!
New Turnout Gear at Arkadelphia Fire Department
New Extrication Tools Received by Arkadelphia Fire Department
