Hospital gets bulk of city council discussion

The Eureka Springs City Council meeting on Monday, April 28 once again considered hospital concerns, as alderman Susane Gruning expressed disappointment “on many levels regarding the professionalism, the communication between us and the hospital.” She said she was concerned about the hospital hiring a new CEO instead of a management company, and questioned if the commission was moving ahead without any strategic goals in place. “Hiring one person to fix everything is not realistic,” Gruning said.

Alderman Harry Meyer said he felt that Dr. House’s proposal was being shoved aside. Hospital Commission Chair Sandy Martin clarified that the two are “not exclusive” and “can be done in tandem.” “We feel that the CEO is necessary,” Martin said. “There are a lot of things in Dr. House’s proposal, as he even stated, that will have to be discussed and vetted out a little further. There are some legal considerations that we will have to do.”

Alderman David Avanzino pointed back to the “hostile environment” at the hospital, saying if it were under corporate management, investigations would be happening alongside disciplinary actions. Martin responded that the commission would be doing a human resources investigation using a firm separate from the hospital. She hoped to have more information within the week.

Conversation segued to the prospect of removing commissioners. Alderman Terry McClung spoke with fervor about how city council’s hands are tied. He suggested that if commissioners were removed, the state would not find ESH to be a worthwhile investment. Meanwhile, the current commission has demonstrated they will run the hospital however they see fit, disregarding recommendations from city council. “Get on with it and get it over with,” McClung said. “The risk is that you’re gonna lose the hospital.”

Mayor Butch Berry pointed to a current vacancy on the hospital commission and the difficulty of filling the position. Berry said he has sat on a Federally Qualified Health Community board as well as a behavioral health board for decades. “Our board is similar to the commission and is being run by a CEO.” Berry said that the hospital has tried two management companies in the past who “basically took money out and didn’t put any back in.”

Alderman David Avanzino told Martin that it seems the hospital commission is “ignoring everything human about what is happening at that hospital.” Alderman Rachael Moyer sent a letter in her absence in which she asked the commission to submit a list of reports at least 48 hours in advance of the first city council meeting of each month highlighting the hospital’s financial data, employee turnover, and physician referrals.

During public comments, Richard and Samantha Webb returned to address ongoing hospital issues. Mrs. Webb concluded her statement saying, “It is not about spitefulness, it is not personal, it has everything to do with justice and accountability.”  

Business not hospital related

• Sidney (Scott) Price applied for a seat on the Planning Commission. An Arkansas native, Price returned to Eureka Springs in 2020 and said he wants to do as much good as he can to help his hometown, and Berry agreed to revisit his nomination at the next meeting.
• Positions of the Parks & Recreation commission held by Aaron Borey and Ruth Mitchell were both renewed. Berry announced remaining vacancies on the CAPC, Hospital, and Historic District commissions.
• In public comments, Ferguson Stewart gave thanks to outstanding city employees and encouraged others to do the same. He recognized two members of the Eureka Springs Police Department, Officers Gresham and Walker, who saved lives during a housefire on March 25. Stewart also commended local business owner of the Route 62 General Store for purchasing the new flag at the top of Planer Hill, and Simon Wiley for putting it up. Stewart wrapped it up by mentioning Arkansas Senate Bill 2, urging people to call their state representatives to repeal the statewide mandate for fluoride in public water systems.
• Berry read Public Works Director Simon Wiley’s updates on water and sewage operations. Wiley reported the completion of multiple repairs across town, and some at the water treatment plant. He also acknowledged the repaving of US 62 by ARDOT and asked for public patience during the process.
• A non-conforming appeal extension was requested by Draxie Rogers, owner of Sunnyside Inn at 5 Ridgeway. Rogers requested more time on her repairs due to seasonal delays and health issues. City Building Inspector Paul Sutherland approved Rogers’s plans and request for more time, but questions were raised as to whether she had completed monthly reports required by the CAPC, placing her certification as a non-conforming business at risk. If Rogers were to lose certification, the property could not be used or sold as a B&B. Aldermen debated, at once motioning to deny the appeal. Gruning expressed concern that Rogers had not been operating as a B&B for a long period of time and only made her appeal when an interested buyer came along. Gruning said she feared setting a wrongful precedent.

Alderman Steve Holifield thought it was “sad” to strip away a community member’s rights to run her business after “17 years” because of illness. In the end, a roll call vote passed unanimously “to extend the repairs that she needs for 45 days but not for 90.”   

• Council discussed whether the confetti ordinance could be enforced. They agreed it would be difficult, but voted to keep the ordinance as is in hopes permit holders would respect the issue.
• City Finance Director Michael Akins had presented the city budget workshop prior to the council meeting. Revenue reports showed sales tax in December was up $30,000 from the previous year. Property tax collections were down from $50,000 to $19,000. McClung suggested this was due to real estate sales being down. Other revenue streams, such as permits and parking fees, were up. Capital expenditure showed the city’s latest big purchases, including Life Packs for heart monitors in ambulances, new fire hoses, a thermal drone, and a new tram. Because of recent tariffs, the tram cost $20,000 more than expected. Akins said they were moving some city accounts from CS Bank to Equity Bank to “diversify assets,” and said that Equity also offers an excellent treasury program.
• City Clerk Ida Meyer gave first quarter financial comparatives.
• Feedback was mostly positive regarding Spring Fling and its hosting of a Temporary Entertainment District. However, some issues were brought up; glass bottles, not enough wristbands, and/or city approved plastic cups for business owners to distribute. Discussion was deferred until the next meeting.
• Holifield announced Eureka Springs Cemetery walking tours beginning this Saturday at 11 a.m. Tours will run each Saturday, May through July. Holifield himself will be there in costume leading tours where folks will learn history and meaning behind the tombstones.