Hope City Board
The Hope City Board met Tuesday December 15th for their 2nd meeting of December and possibly their last meeting of 2020. The meeting was a mixture of live and virtual with Mayor Steve Montgomery, Vice-Mayor Don Still, City Manager Catherine Cook, and board members Mark Ross and Reginald Easter meeting in person at the Fair Park Community Center and the other board members participating virtually.
The meeting opened with Mayor Steve Montgomery noting there had been three candidates for city attorney to replace Joe Short. There are Britney Edmondson, Ashley Moritz, and Randy Wright. The board went into executive session at 7:15 to discuss the candidates. After the board came back into session, Randy Wright was hired as city attorney.
The Board considered an ordinance to repeal the previous ordinances that governed city purchases. The ordinance was read and passed. The board had thought they had an ordinance that would achieve this a couple of months ago but it turned out the ordinance needed to be tweaked some more. The board’s vote put the matter to rest and the city will move on under the new ordinance.
The Board discussed a resolution sent to the board from the Municipal League that would promote racial healing. The board discussed getting with the ministerial alliance on the matter. The resolution was ready by Assistant City Manager/Police Chief J.R. Wilson. It promotes January 19th, 2021 as a day to promote racial healing. The resolution was passed by the board.
The board considered the budget for 2021. There were some minor changes from the budget as it was presented at the last meeting. Director Kiffenea Talley asked some questions about some budget items on Northside Park. Dr. Linda Clark asked about some sanitation department issues. Board member Mark Ross asked a question about the airport. The board approved the budget resolution. The budget is balanced and just over $12.5 million dollars.
Under the city manager’s report, Catherine Cook noted the landfill project is 95% done. The last bit is being held up by rain. Cook said the work on Texas Street is about 60% complete. She also report the city has submitted to the National Park Service the city’s efforts to donate the Kopecky property. Cook also noted outgoing Clinton Birthplace Superintendent Tarona Armstrong is moving to a new position at St. Louis. Cook also reported on getting a limb cut at Rose Hill Cemetery. Also it was noted the city is trying to get information on a monument sign at the HUB. Cook reported most of the utility work on 6th has been done with the exception of Windstream. Cook also noted the COVID numbers. She said there were currently 103 active cases, about the twice the number there was at the beginning of December. Cook also explained Dr. Dale Goins program from earlier in the day at Kiwanis. Cook also gave an update on the “streetscape” program for 2nd Street. Cook also gave some details on the next project for the FFA and noted the Economic Development Corporation annual meeting was set for the next day at 11am.
There were no citizens’ requests. The meeting then adjourned.