Hope City Board
By Staff, 08/4/20 7:53 PMThe Hope City Board met Tuesday in a regularly scheduled virtual meeting. After the approval of the minutes the board moved on to agenda items.
The board looked a a $7,285,000 refunding bond issue to provide for water and electric system improvements. The Water and Light Commission met July 29th to agree to the refinancing. Stephens Inc. offered the bonds earlier in the day. The original rate was 3.1%. The bonds were resold at 1.92% and will result in a savings of $1.35 million over the life of the bonds. Jason Holzclaw of Stephens addressed the board and explained the bonds were well-recieved. Dr. Lester Sitzes of the Water and Light Commission voiced his support of the issue. The ordinance was approved.
The board looked at restoring some capital expenditures to the budget. Earlier in the year the board had agreed to delay some items due to concerns with COVID-19. City Manager Catherine Cook noted except for one dip this year, tax revenue has remained steady. Cook asked to add back in some restroom work at North Side Park. Also, Cook said they’d like to spend $16,000 equipping a new police car. Cook also said they’d like to put back in some milling and overlay on Hickory and Grady at a cost of about$124,000. The board agreed to the restorations by acclimation.
Under the City Manager’s Report, Catherine Cook noted A.T. &T. plans to get their lines moved in September to make possible the improvements to 6th Street. Center Point wanted to wait but Cook expressed they want it done as soon as possible. Cook noted the “Street Scape” project from downtown to the Clinton Birthplace is apparently going to cost more than was budgeted. Cook said the city is working to see if they can get more grant funding or if they need to reduce the project. Tim Blue talked about the upcoming milling and resurfacing of Third Street. It should take 55 working days. Summer Powell said the swimming pool has new media installed and they think the pool may be fixed. It apparently won’t open this year.
Cook said the census response is in the 50% range and work needs to be done to get more people to reply and complete it. She said if we don’t get a good count it will adversely affect the city’s funding. Board member Mark Ross suggested the city housing authority managers contact their tenants and urge them to reply.
Mayor Montgomery said Warren Thornton had been approved by the Health Department to pass out school supplies at North Side August 15th from 3pm to 7pm.
Director Mark Ross asked about reopening the parks to some activities. Cook said they are cautious as numbers are rising and the city is approaching the matter accordingly. The parks are open for walking and picnicking as is the Hub. She said the facilities are being used.
Ross commended the crew that worked on Rose Hill Cemetery. He also asked about the house on Louisiana and Avenue B across from City Hall. Cook noted they have sent letters to the owners noting the code violations.
The board asked about the response on changing the Confederate names at the Green Acres subdivision. It was noted responses are coming in in favor of changing the street names.
Board member Reggie Easter asked about the City Hall roof work. The meeting then adjourned.
