Hope City Board

The Hope City Board met Tuesday February 5th for their first meeting of February. They began by hearing from Jennifer Block of Rainbow of Challenges. Rainbow of Challenges asked to use the downtown area and close part of Elm , 2nd, Division and Main to hold ROCtoberfesr October 26th. The board agreed to allow that.
The board discussed allowing the Klipsch Museum to build a gravel parking lot at the steam generating building at the airport. The museum leases the Proving Ground era building. The board voted to allow the parking lot be built.
Hope Water and Light General Manager Steve Saum gave a presentation on regulation of small cell installations within the Water and Light coverage area, especially within the city. Saum noted there is a possibility small cell vendors will come to Hope and place equipment in the city right of way. These small cell antenna installations can be put on a power poles. In January the FCC has allowed the small cell companies to do almost anything on the Water and Light poles and city buildings. Saum showed a power point on good small cell antenna and equipment installation and bad ones. The board considered a resolution which the Hope Water and Light Commission passed in January. Saum noted the City Manager is working on a city ordinance that can coordinate with Hope Water and Light. Mayor Steve Montgomery said an ordinance for the city will be forthcoming but no action was taken.
The board considered a rezoning ordinance. Reginald and Sarah Easter requested rezoning to place a manufactured home at the corner of Beech and Midland. The request was to rezone all the 4 and a half lots to R-5. Hazel Simpson noted the property adjoins hers and she was not notified of the requested change by Easter but instead read about it in the Hope-Prescott News. The Planning and Zoning voted to recommend the change. Director Easter, who is making the request, noted he sent out 48 certified letters of home owners in the area. Planning and Zoning member Kathy Akin noted the Abstract Company, Hempstead County Abstract, apparently overlooked Simpson when they provided the list of area property owners to Easter. It was discussed that only a single double-wide home would go on the property. The rezoning was approved with Director Easter abstaining.
The board looked at garbage bag bids. There were three submitted. The budgeted amount is $42,000. The low bid was $39,400 from Central Poly. Sanitation Department Head Nathaniel Holyfield showed the Central Poly bag and the Houston Poly bag. Houston Poly’s bid was for $39,960. The sanitation department recommended the Houston Poly bid because the bags are more sturdy. The board approved the Houston Poly bid.
The board considered four bids for a rear loaded refuse truck. One bid didn’t meet specs. The sanitation department recommended accepting the lowest good bid which was $139,250 from Arkansas Municipal Equipment. The board voted to accept the bid and purchase the truck.
The board designated a 1995 International 4000 Series dump truck as surplus. The truck will be auctioned online with a starting bid of $3,500.
City Manager Catherine Cook gave an update on city projects including sewer work, the city rail spur, and the downtown Pavilion. 6th Street was discussed. Vice-Mayor Don Still noted they have a bid on the city taking down the Kopecky house on 2nd. Still said the Tourism Commission will pay for the removal at a cost of about $11,000. He said they hope to have it down before President Clinton comes to town for the Chamber Banquet. Kiffenea Talley asked about architectural salvage. Vice-Mayor Still said there are several doors and some old windows that could be saved but most of the significant items had already been removed.
Board Member Reginald Easter asked about the Airport Bull Dozier and the fuel card system. The bull Dozier will be brought back this week and the fuel system is working. Audience member Kathy Akin complimented the city on the work at 13th and Fulton. The meeting then adjourned.