COVID-19 Pulaski County Updates and Reminders
We want to ensure that Pulaski County citizens are provided with current and factual information about COVID-19. Below you will find the latest news and reminders.
Just a reminder that Governor Hutchinson hosts a daily press briefing here: https://www.youtube.com/c/GovernorAsaHutchinson/live. Please subscribe to receive notifications when the press briefing begins.
Pulaski County Activity
- The County Judge continues to communicate with the county health officer, Dr. Tobias Vancil; the county emergency management director; and state public health leaders.
- Pulaski County participates in a daily COVID-19 Conference Call with the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, the Arkansas Department of Health and other state/local government agencies. During the call, the county is provided with guidance and resources to communicate with employees and citizens.
- As a precaution, Quorum Court members canceled the March 24 meeting.
- By executive order, county buildings have been closed to visitors. There is limited access to the county courthouse in cases of protection orders.
- The Road and Bridge Department is operating on a rotating schedule to minimize potential exposure.We encourage the community to use our Pulaski Works app or call in service requests at 501-340-6800.
- Animal Services addressing emergency calls only. Pulaski County Sanitation is operating as usual. Waste Management is operating as normal. Recycling is picked up as normal.
COVID-19 Testing
- The Arkansas Department of Health has provided guidance for getting tested at https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/covid-19-guidance-for-getting-tested
- If you feel that you or someone you know may have symptoms of COVID-19, UAMS has a free online screening tool at https://uamshealth.com/healthnow/. UAMS also offers driving through screening. See location and hours here: https://uamshealth.com/location/covid-19-drive-thru-screening/.
COVID-19 Information Resources
- The State of Arkansas has created a landing page specifically for COVID-19 information, news, updates and resources. https://govstatus.egov.com/ar-covid-19.
- The Arkansas Department of Health has created an interactive map that shows the U.S. total and total cases in Arkansas by county. https://adem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/f533ac8a8b6040e5896b05b47b17a647
Social Media Rumor Control
There are several rumors on social media regarding 911 calls, the National Guard, hospital supplies and tips to prevent or cure COVID-19. Please help us combat the spread misinformation by not forwarding rumors to coworkers, family and friends. Seek out information from reputable public health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control, Arkansas Department of Health and Arkansas Division of Emergency Management. Please protect your mental health by limiting your news and social media consumption. See information and tips on managing stress and anxiety from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html
Please be safe, practice social distancing and good personal hygiene. Wash those hands!
County Judge Issues Executive Order, Directives for Essential Personnel
As of Friday, March 13, 2020, pursuant to Executive Order public access has been restricted to the Administration Building, Courthouse, Bale Building, Prosecutor’s Office, and District Court/Juvenile Court Complex. The public has been encouraged to conduct all business with the County and courts digitally, by phone, email, online or video conference, if at all possible. If not possible, persons needing to conduct business with county offices were instructed to contact the office to schedule a meeting appropriate to their needs. Business that is not time sensitive was encouraged to be postponed until after March 31, 2020, if at all possible.
As the pandemic virus is continuing its spread in Arkansas, it is now necessary to address this county health emergency by taking additional precautions to further protect county employees and personnel from exposure.
Effective immediately, the following instructions are mandatory for all county departments reporting to the office of County Judge. Other elected officials supervising the operation of county departments and personnel are strongly encouraged to follow suit. Each supervisor must identify:
- Critical functions that must remain operational;
- Personnel whose physical presence is essential to remain operational;
- Personnel who are essential to remain operational, but may work remotely;
- Personnel who self-identify as having a heightened risk of serious adverse health outcomes (over 60/65 and/or immune compromised persons);
- Identify back-up personnel for every person essential to remain operational.
State of the County Canceled, Census Outreach Postponed
Dear Friends of Pulaski County:
In light of necessary measures being taken throughout the county and state to limit social contact and curtail the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), I have decided to cancel the 2020 State of the County address.
In addition, we have postponed our Census Community Meetings until the public health crisis has subsided. We will continue to encourage residents through our social media channels, radio PSAs and the county website to self-respond online. We encourage you to communicate the importance of the Census to friends, family and your community. Remember, even a one percent undercount could cost Arkansas approximately $990 million over the next decade. We cannot lose focus of the need to ensure a complete count in Pulaski County.
While these are disappointing developments, I believe it is prudent to heed the recommendations of our knowledgeable health care professionals and do what is necessary to ensure the health and safety of Pulaski County employees and the amazing citizens we serve.
Pulaski County Government remains focused on serving our communities and providing our citizens with the highest quality services. We will continue to operate in accordance with recommended health guidelines to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in Pulaski County.
I appreciate your understanding and patience at this time. I am confident that by working together and taking necessary precautions, we can return to a level of normalcy in the coming weeks. If you have any questions or if I may be of service please do not hesitate to contact me personally.
Sincerely,
Barry Hyde
Pulaski County Judge/CEO
County Judge Issues Executive Order to Restrict Access to County Buildings
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cozetta Jones, 501-541-4119, cjones@pulaskicounty.net
County Judge Barry Hyde filed an executive order, Friday, March 13 to restrict access to the Pulaski County Administration Building, Prosecutor’s Office, Pulaski County Regional Building (Bale Building), Pulaski County Courthouse and the Juvenile District Court Complex through March 31 to limit public exposure to COVID-19.
Access is granted only to county employees, elected officials, judges, court officers, law enforcement and state employees who work for the courts and Prosecutor’s Office.
“The prosecuting attorney, judges, the public defender’s office, county officials and I will remain in constant communication through this public health crisis. Our number one priority is the health and safety of our employees and the public we serve,” County Judge Barry Hyde said.
Operations in the county circuit clerk’s office will continue. Requests for orders of protection may be made in person at the courthouse. Court orders, court and real estate records can be accessed online at pulaskiclerk.com. Citizens needing additional assistance are asked to call the circuit/county clerk’s office at 501-340-8500.
For more information about Pulaski County District Court proceedings call 501-340-6824 or Pulaski County Circuit Court proceedings visit arcourts.gov/directories/circuit-judges to check the specific division.
All county employees will report to work as normal. County employees are asked to practice good personal hygiene by washing their hands and staying home if they are feeling ill or a member of their household is ill.
“We are doing what’s necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Central Arkansas and surrounding areas,” Hyde said. “Restricting access to our buildings may be seen as an inconvenience but it’s necessary to keep everyone safe.”
###
County Judge Closes Administration Building to Visitors, After-school Programs Closed Until March 30
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cozetta Jones, 501-541-4119, cjones@pulaskicounty.net
Pulaski County, AR—County Judge Barry Hyde announced today that effective, Friday, March 13, the Pulaski County Administration Building at 201 S. Broadway in Little Rock is closed to visitors and will remained closed until further notice after overwhelming concern and additional positive cases of COVID-19.
Citizens are encourage to pay taxes or assess property online at
Citizens may also call the County Treasurer’s Office at 501-340-6040 or the County Assessor’s Office at 501-340-6170.
Hyde’s annual State of the County address scheduled for Thurs. March 19 will shift from an in-person event to a live-stream video.
Following the announcement of school closings in Pulaski, Saline, Jefferson and Grant Counties from Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Pulaski County Youth Services afterschool programs are closed until March 30. Parents should contact PCYS with questions or concerns at 501-340-8250 or jwarren@pulaskicount.net.
“These decisions are not taken lightly and are in the best interest of county employees, its citizens and the youth that we serve to prevent further spread of the virus,” Judge Hyde said.
Pulaski County employees have been provided with instructions on how to remain healthy such as washing their hands, refraining from touching their faces and staying home if they are sick. Elected officials and department directors are devising continuity plans for their staff.
“If the county closes, it will continue to function but remotely,” Hyde said. “Tax payments and assessments will be processed, payroll and accounting will continue as well.”
Grant Received to Begin Southwest Trail Construction
Rock Island Railroad old wood trestle.
Pulaski County received $880,000 in a grant from the Federal Lands Access Program to begin construction of the Southwest Trail. With this grant Pulaski County is a step closer to seeing the Southwest Trail become a reality.
The county owns approximately 4.2 miles of the former Rock Island Railroad right-of-way heading from Hilaro Springs Road to the Pulaski/Saline County line–the future home of the Southwest Trail.
Underside of former Rock Island Railroad wood trestle.
One wood railroad trestle has fallen into disrepair and two former wood railroad trestles have been destroyed. The existing wood trestle has not had regular maintenance causing the wood pier supports, girders, and other wood components to rot and become structurally deficient. The wood trestle is surrounded by vegetation overgrowth that has reclaimed the bridge over the years, due to lack of maintenance.
Funding allows construction of three new bridge structures and will give pedestrians/bicyclists the opportunity to cross the streams on the Southwest Trail in Pulaski County. Construction begins as soon as the end of 2020.
Nearly all roads connecting Hot Springs and Little Rock do not have pedestrian/bicycle dedicated lanes. This portion of the Southwest Trail will offer an off road experience that most pedestrians and cyclists prefer. Cyclist especially, prefer more rural routes to limit accidents and protect themselves from injury.
Free Mulch Giveaway February 28
Pulaski County Road and Bridge will give away free mulch Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day, at the intersection of 32nd and Woodrow (formerly Smokey Hollow Foods facility). Every year, the county turns all debris collected throughout the county into mulch that is given back to the people of Pulaski County. There’s no load limit, come haul away all you want!
Living in Harmony: Grant Funding Aims to Improve Two Rivers Park for Pedestrians and Cyclists
Two Rivers Park rendering. Click the image to enlarge.
Pulaski County, Ark. – Pulaski County received a $330,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program for trail improvements in Two Rivers Park. Terms of the grant also require a 20 percent investment from the county totaling approximately $83,000.
“We’ve been working with members of the biking community, organized cycling clubs and representatives of both city and county to put forth ideas to increase cycling safety along the Arkansas River Trail and its connections,” County Judge Barry Hyde said. “By separating cyclists and pedestrians there will be less possibility for conflicts or accidents.”
The $400,000 project includes an alternative trail, or spur, designed to direct more experienced cyclists, who ride at higher speeds, away from pedestrians and runners. The clearly signed, 16-foot-path includes a dashed center line to signify travel in both directions for more experienced riders.
The second element of the project features a traffic-calming circle constructed just south of the new spur to reduce on-path gathering. A bike rack and fix-it station will be located near the restroom while benches, water fountain and the kiosk will be relocated next to the pedestrian circle.
“This is just one of many projects in Two Rivers Park; there are more improvements and additions to come,” Hyde said. “It’s my goal that Two Rivers Park is welcoming and safe for all who wish to visit.”
Media Contact:
Cozetta Jones
501-541-4119
cjones@pulaskicounty.net