Hope City Board Meets
By Staff, 06/7/17 9:31 AMHOPE – The Hope City Board met on Tuesday June 6th for their first meeting of June.
The board first looked at a waive bid ordinance for repairs to a bulldozier at the Hope Landfill. The cost was estimated at $17,867.77 and Briggs/Cat could come to the landfill and fix it. The board voted to waive bids and accept the Briggs/Cat estimate.
The board heard from Jodi Coffee from the Hope Farmers Market. Coffee noted in looking at city board minutes from 2009 there was a Farmers Market at Fair Park and she noted that location may have played a role in the failure of that market. She also noted a passage in city board minutes from 2015 where the Graves Building was being donated and eventual plans were for the construction of a pavilion to be used by the Farmers Market. Catherine Cook noted there was nothing written in the donation agreement specifically stating it would be used for a Farmers Market. Board Member Dr. Trevor Coffee noted he had been in communication with Julie Graves and she indicated the donation was for the Farmers Market and had the family thought it would be used for another bank then the property would not have been donated. Coffee read from another account which stated the board had voted to designate the property for the Farmers Market. Linda Marie Daughtery spoke stating her disappointment with the Board reconsidering the use of the property for a possible commercial venture. Grower Mark Silvey read from board minutes which indicated the board’s intentions to develop the property for the Farmers Market. Silvey noted the minutes may not constitute a legal obligation but he urged the board to “keep your word”. Silvey said if the market had to move it would be detrimental to the market and it would probably result in the market moving from the downtown area. He noted the only other downtown site mentioned was next to the railroad track and would not be conducive to doing business. John Akin asked if Silvey was a resident of the county and he said he wasn’t. Silvey noted the market benefits Hope because his family shops in Hope and their taxes are collected here. Grower Melanie Solomon noted she pays taxes on a number of items she sells at the Farmers Market. Linda Marie Daughtery also spoke again and said there was nothing in Hope to keep her children in Hope. She accused the board of wanting to take away something that provides a tangible benefit to Hope. Grower Jennifer Quinn noted she had moved here two years ago and was pleased to find such a good market. She noted the market was important to her income and her diet. She said to treat it as if it was expendable was short-sighted. Market Vendor Janice Fulton also spoke in favor of the market occupying the former Graves property. Dr. Trevor Coffee moved that the city enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Farmers Market for the Graves property. Reginald Easter seconded the motion. City Attorney Joe Short said technically the city would be entering into an agreement to negotiate on the Memorandum. The motion carried 4 to 2. Mark Ross and Kiffenea Talley voted nay, Don Still, Reginald Easter, Don Hall and Dr. Coffee voted for the measure.
Catherine Cook gave an update on the landfill and on the Wastewater rehabilitation projects. She also gave an update on the airport grant request on drainage from the Proving Grounds. Cook also gave an update on redistricting and said probably there will be proposals in about three months. She also gave an update on efforts to secure a grant for helping rehab the city rail spur. Cook also updated the paving projects and on the upcoming Municipal League meeting. She also noted the outdoor recreation grant public hearing set at City Hall on the evening of June 13th. The “Summer In the City” event on June 24th was discussed and Cook noted Police Chief J.R. Wilson will be acting as Assistant City Manager for most departments. Sharon Wright asked how the Chief of Police can function as Assistant City Manager and still serve as Police Chief. Cook noted Chief Wilson’s assistant city manager’s duties will be part time. The meeting then adjourned.
