Hope Tourism Commission

The Hope Tourism Commission met Thursday September 14th at the Klipsch Museum in Oakhaven. The commission discussed July Tourism tax receipts which were down from last year and also discussed two restaurants that aren’t paying the tourism tax.
The commission discussed putting the Klipsch Museum on the attraction sign on the interstate. Paul Henley said the state has said the museum does not qualify for the sign because it isn’t open six days a week. Jim Hunter of the museum thanked the commission for trying to get it on the sign.
The commission discussed the Watermelon Festival. Paul Henley noted the park spent slightly more than expected on rehabbing the park electrical outlets. He also noted they will bill the Chamber of Commerce for $2,500 for electricity during the Watermelon Festival as normal. He also said he wants to bill the Chamber for the paper products for the Watermelon Festival bathrooms which amounts to about$1,200. The commission agreed to bill them for the paper products.
The board gave a report on the city purchasing the Foster/Kopecky house adjacentto the Clinton Birthplace. They also discussed possibly visiting with Atwood’s about the parking lot adjacent to the Clinton Birthplace.
Paul Henley noted the Kiwanis Pavillion been refurbished and the club is pleased about the work.
The commission discussed the downtown Pavillion. It was noted water is being pumped out of the Pavillion site. Paul Henley noted the HOPE coalition has also proposed that the pavilion property be tobacco free. Henley noted the final decision would be up to the City Board.
Paul Henley reported on the Girl Scout Log Hut. He noted Phase 3 is completed and Phase 4, the bathroom and kitchen is underway. Henley also noted Sentimental Journey which is inactive has donated a $2,500 towards the work which will allow the city to finish the Log Hut.
The commission discussed the Outdoor Recreation grant application. Paul Henley noted the city has requested $100,000 through this grant for playground equipment for both North Side Park and Fair Park. Henley also talked about some shade for the playgrounds.
The Commission discussed the bathrooms at North Side Park . Several at the meeting said they had looked at the bathrooms and they were not as bad as had been reported. It was also noted how well the new Northside Community Center is holding up. Henley also said they hope to put a sign at the Fair Park entrance. Vice-Mayor Don Still says he hopes the city can someday obtain the property between the park and the bypass.
The commission discussed replacing the Northside Bleachers cover. Paul Henley also noted they intend to use the Northside Field for some of the Watermelon Festival games in 2019.
The commission discussed the Texas Eagle Marketing and Promotion Organization meeting on September 29th. Henley noted it had been moved from Cleburne,Texas to Marshall, Texas. Henley also gave a report on AMTRAK boardings. He noted 2014 was the biggest year with 1,876 boardings but 2017 was the second biggest with 1,691 boardings.
Under Citizens Requests John Akin had noted there had been a suggestion from the state downtown organization about getting patriotic banners and he wondered if anything had been done. The matter was discussed.
Vice-Mayor Still noted the Clinton Birthplace had a great celebration observing Preisdent Clinton’s birthday in August with good jazz and blues bands. Several Commission members said they were not aware of the program.
Mayor Steve Montgomery asked if there was a way to recruit soccer tournaments and fall ball tournaments. Paul Henley noted they paid an organization to try and get tournaments this year and the effort did not produce any results.
The meeting then adjourned. Jim Hunter offered to give tours of the museum to the commission