Hope City Board
The Hope City Board met Tuesday for their first meeting of November. First up on the agenda, the board heard a presentation from Mary Fair and Jessica Vinton from Garver Engineers concerning plans for the airport from 2023 to 2027. These efforts include continuing to work on drainage issues at the airport. One of the problems is some drainage pipes are collapsed causing problems with pavement and washouts. The plans for five years should result in detailed work to improve and mitigate that drainage situation. Also discussed with marking runway #1634 as the markings are faded and this should be done using a $150,000 grant with a match from the city at $80,000. Also discussed was cleaning and sealing joints on the runway at a cost of $455,000 of which $250,000 would be paid by grant funds. While the board approved the plan as presented.
The board approved two ordinances, one that sets the city’s real and personal property tax rate at 5 mills. This represents no increase over the past year. The board also approved an ordinance setting the firemen’s pension property tax rates at 1 mill. This is not an increase. This funds pensions of pre 1983 firemen and impacts about 14 people currently.
The board accepted a bid of $27,270.98 from Rowe Industries to purchase a new nozzle for the city’s ladder truck. This includes removal of the old nozzle and installation of the new one. It will take at least 12 weeks to get the new assembly.
City Manager Catherine Cook noted in her report the city’s “street program” asphalt paving is done. She noted the bidding for the 6th street project is set for January 12th of the coming year. She also noted the “90% plans” for the Street Scape project have been submitted to Arkansas DOT and they are talking to Kiamichi’s parent company concerning the pedestrian crossing. The upcoming city tour of facilities is set for November 9th. Cook talked about developing a 3 to 5 year plan for park projects such as new lighting for the ball fields and long-term planning for the fire department. The paving at the Clinton Birthplace parking lot was noted. Board member Kiffenea Talley asked about striping Walnut Street at Third to reestablish the turn lane. Board member Reggie Easter noted how dark the area around the #2 fire station is at Berry and Hazel.
Under citizens requests, Willie Walker asked for a culver to relieve flooding at his house at North Elm and Greenwood. It was decided the city will have the street superintendent look at the area and determine options to relieve the flooding. Walker was also asked to take pictures during the upcoming rain. Another citizen, Marsha White spoke and asked about using American Rescue Funding for programs at North Side Park. Mayor Don Still asked White to visit with the city manager to determine if those funds could be used for what she had in mind. The meeting then adjourned.