Hope City Board

By Staff, 04/21/20 8:04 PM
The Hope City Board held their second virtual meeting on April 22nd.  Following the Prayer and pledge,  Mayor Steve Montgomery told the board that city attorney Joe Short suggested when the board votes on anything in these virtual meetings, they do so by a “roll call” vote.
   The board’s first order of business was to consider a “waive bid” ordinance on the repair of a bulldozer.  The bulldozer is a CAT D5 dozier used at the landfill and the low quote was $11,581.55.  This will be the second rebuild of the under carriage.  It was last repaired by Riggs.  The ordinance passed.
   The board looked at a waive bid ordinance on the repair of an excavator.  The city had worked on the fuel injectors on the unit.  They initially got it started but then had problems.  It turns out it developed electrical problems.  Clark Equipment of Little Rock sent someone down and it was fixed at the city shop for $11,961.  Due to the nature of the work it was not possible to get competitive bids.  After discussion, the board approved this ordinance.  The board also discussed whether they should raise the amount required for competitive bids which is currently $10,000.
     The board approved a waive bid ordinance for work on the city rail spur.  There was a derailment on April 13th by Union Pacific.  Four cars were derailed.  City Manager Catherine Cook noted they had to pay $37,000 to get the cars righted and the rail fixed.   The money is paid by the rail fees paid to the city by the industries who use it.  The derailment was in the “Hexion curve” and was not part of the spur which was rebuilt recently.  Cook noted they are meeting with a rail engineer via Zoom this week to determine how this problem can be remedied.
   The board had an update on how the city is dealing with COVID-19 from the City Manager.  She said everything is going well.  The city works at social distancing.  The only thing closed completely is the Hope Depot/Visitors Information Center.  The parks are still partially open and you can walk around the lake.  Equipment can’t be used due to problems cleaning.  The fields are being maintained.  The city street committee will meet soon to discuss a street program.  The low-bidder on the Class IV landfill is supposed to get its contractor’s license on the 24th.
    Cook gave an update on the census.  She showed examples of the postcards which are being distributed in “to-go” orders from local restaurants.  Cook noted the city is getting close to 50% and on par with the state.  Mayor Steve Montgomery noted Dr. Bobby Hart and Dr. Linda Clark have produced PSA’s on the census and he hopes to share it.
    Cook noted in answer to a question from Board member Trevor Coffee that the city is closing on the Atwood’s property on Wednesday.  Cook also talked about the survey on the the industrial property which an industry is in.  She also noted the city is getting its “CARES” money for the airport which is $30,000.
    There were no citizens requests.  Trevor Coffee asked about a Tourism Commission meeting.  Cook said she would check on that.  The meeting then adjourned.