Eureka Springs City Council meeting on Monday, March 10, was full of ebbs and flows, but certainly a stone or two was dislodged and some movement took place. Public comments came and went with a steady and powerful stream of former Eureka Springs hospital employees insisting that action being taken in terms of the removal and investigation of hospital management and commissioners.
Several former employees, including some who had resigned from EHS under high-paying travel-contracts, came together to assert their positions. Commenters brought to attention another wave of compelling points, emphasizing that the hospital has now been placed on divert since the third of March. Each commenter upheld claims of the next, stating that there are only a few overworked and potentially undertrained employees left to manage the hospital at this time, and now tourist season is coming on.
Council was responsive to their pleas and brought forth their own lived concerns. and discussion of a viable plan of action ensued. Aldermen agreed that along with increasing testimonies, the community’s lack of confidence in ESH points to problems that must be addressed.
Alderman Susane Gruning described the situation to be at a “crisis point.” Alderman Terry McClung imparted that when he had to be transported to the ER this winter, he requested to be taken to Berryville despite his family’s lifelong connection to ESH.
It was determined that the best pathway for council to affect the hospital was through removal hospital commissioners and recreating the commission. All other resolutions are left up to legal input.
Mayor Butch Berry cautioned that remaking the commission could be a step towards closing the hospital, but aldermen concurred that the problem outweighed the risk. “The commission has to change, or we have to change the commission,” McClung said.
Alderman David Avanzino motioned to put pressure on the hospital commission, giving them “two weeks to make changes to membership and administration or else we start removing members.” Berry suggested 30 days instead, but aldermen overrode his suggestion, unanimously voting to give them two weeks.
Contentious CUP approved
An Appeal of Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for 8 Washington was discussed at length and eventually approved. Owner Jonas Funston of The Tower Inn explained that he and his wife had put forth their best efforts to abide by Planning Commission regulations, and that the ordinance being used to deny their permit had not been put into place until after they purchased the property.
For B&Bs, the ordinance defines a unit as a bedroom sleeping two people, and each unit must be designated a parking space. Since the Funstons’ reconfigured the inside of their rental property, they had only five of seven spaces required to match their units, according to the revised definition of units.
Funston said his neighbors had given permission to use their parking spaces, but he didn’t believe it would be necessary. Additionally, the Planning Commission requires the property manager to live on-site or adjacent to the property for B&Bs in residential areas. Funston assured council that this was his aim and he’s currently seeking to put in place a long-term renter who will also manage the property. Motion to approve was passed.
- Vacant positions remain on Planning, CAPC, and Hospital commissions. Berry invited any who are interested to please send in an application.
- Public Works Director Simon Wiley said they completed the replacement of 40 feet of water lines on lower Mountain Street.
- Alderman Harry Meyer discussed fining those who used confetti in the city’s parades, stating that Parks’ crew was still finding confetti in Basin Park from New Year’s Eve, and a new dusting occurred during Mardis Gras.
- Alderman David Avanzino brought a new idea to the table following the Water Rate Study Workshop earlier that afternoon. Avanzino said he has contacted the company, Tushy, that is interested in donating up to 1,000 bidets to residents of Eureka Springs, and offering a significant discount on Tushy bidets to local hotels and lodging. A potential Flushfest to promote and educate, was also mentioned. The rationale is to cut down on paper waste in the city’s sewer system.
- Council moved to approve application/nomination for Kathy Henley to serve on HDC, but there was confusion of whether or not she had withdrawn due to scheduling.
- Berry recognized City Clerk Ida Meyer for hosting a successful city clerk convention the previous weekend and for the vast impression she’s exuded through her work. He also recognized Jack Moyer for his longstanding work at the Basin Park Hotel, and local artists who are behind his acceptation of the state’s Arts Community Development Award.
- Aldermen acknowledged and thanked former ESH staff for their input.
- Aldermen also said they had a barrel of fun at Mardis Gras, and that people should stop throwing confetti.