The Hope City Board held their first meeting of 2020 in Tuesday. The meeting opened with prayer and Mayor Steve Montgomery asked everyone to remember the family of former fire chief Joe Don Webb in prayer.
The board set a public hearing for January 21st in the New Millennium grant which also helped on the city rail spur project.
The board granted permission to allow the family of the late Jo Ann Sandlin to place a bench and plaque at the city’s Animal Control building in her honor. City Manager Catherine Cook noted Sandlin’s tireless efforts on behalf of Hope For Paws.
The board noted five local businesses haven’t obtained their permits to collect and remit the 2% tax on prepared food. They are Tasty Donuts, Domino’s, the Wall Mart Deli, Pizza Hut,and Dannie’s Blue Note Cafe. Cook noted three are collecting the tax and remitting, they just don’t have their permit. Also,.one other is paying but not collecting. Letters have gone out to the companies. If they do not get their permits, they are in danger of receiving a ticket and possibly being prevented from operating in Hope.
Under the City Manager’s report, Catherine Cook noted Joe Don Webb’s funeral is Thursday and fire trucks will be in the procession. Cook noted Paul Henley has retired and will be honored on the 26th with a Chamber Community Coffee. Cook noted Summer Powell has been named interim Parks director.
Hope Police Chief and Assistant City Manager J.R. Wilson addressed a concern from PETA on the Garden Bros. Circus last year. The Chief said PETA had asked the city to reconsider letting the circus play in Hope. Chief Wilson noted the city ordinance doesn’t address circuses but noted the ordinance requires anyone with a wild animal to have a city permit. Also, Chief Wilson said the ordinance prohibits wrestling or fighting animals. The PETA rep cited “unnatural behavior”. The Chief said this term was not defined. Ruth Scroggin of PETA then addressed the board. She gave her background in nursing and animals and then gave her experience with elephants and accredited elephant sanctuaries. Scroggin said she is there to “bear witness to suffering”. She cited the treatment of elephants by the Frisco Bros. with Garden Bros. She cited the cruelty of elephants being chained in trucks for hours. She said they end up standing in their own waste and detailed physical problems they suffer in this environment. Scroggin said these elephants are allowed to give rides to children and she cited the danger of public contact with elephants due to the physical problems and elephants carrying tuberculosis. Scroggin said these elephants are harassed by their handlers and described “bull hooks” used by the handlers that injure the elephants. Board member Mark Ross asked if she was there to ask the city not to have a circus or not to have Garden Bros. Scroggin said she was there to ask the city not to engage Garden Bros. Park Director Summer Powell indicated the circus has been negotiating to book Hope in February although the contract hasn’t been signed. Powell said several restaurants say they benefit from the circus. Board member Kiffenea Talley asked about other places they are scheduled for besides Hope. Scroggin cited three other towns booked in Arkansas including Hot Springs. Mayor Steve Montgomery suggested allowing Garden Bros. to obtain their permit this year and to work with them earlier on this in the future.
Catherine Cook noted the census rep was present and noted a billboard will be going up in Hervey. She also noted notices will be sent through the media and via churches. Board member Mark Ross noted his 88 year old Mother was upset because her census notice threatened a $300 fine for misuse of the information. He noted this had to do with the misuse of mail. Ross showed the notice his Mother had received. He said they had received three different notices and asked the media to urge the public to educate themselves on the census.
The board went into executive session at 7:46pm to discuss some upcoming commission appointments. The board reconvened at 8:05pm. No action was taken.
Board member Reggie Easter asked a question about a house to be torn down in Hazel. The meeting then adjourned.