Hope City Board
The Hope City Board held their first meeting of 2022 Tuesday. Following the prayer, pledge,and approval of the minutes, the board addressed agenda items.
First up was a request from the Rusty Wheels Antique Engine Club to put a compressor on the property they occupy at Fair Park. City Manager Catherine Cook also noted the city does not currently have an agreement in file with the club and she suggested the city pursue one. The club is open to such an agreement. Rick Williams of the club addressed the board and answered questions. Mayor Still complimented the club on their efforts during the Watermelon Festival. The board approved allowing the club to install the compressor.
The board looked at a request from Byreview Vet Clinic to hook into the city sewer. City Manager Cook noted the clinic has gotten the proper easement and will be responsible for the line to the city sewer. The board approved the request.
The board looked at two bids for a commercial sanitation truck. One bid from Texarkana Truck Center for $234,609.21 and a bid from Arkansas Municipal Equipment for$222,250. City staff recommended the low bid. The board voted to go with the Arkansas Municipal Equipment bid. It will be fall before the truck can be delivered.
The board looked at a request from Hope Water and Light that the city make a subgrant from ARPA funds to provide premium pay for Water and Light employees. City Manager Cook said if the city approves this then Water and Light will need to be a subrecipient of the ARPA funds. Water and Light would also be responsible for all the federal funds grant requirements. Cook noted Water and Light has 40 employees. She explained the procedures such as risk assessment that would have to be completed for Water and Light to receive any funds. Board member Trevor Coffee asked if any other entities were eligible and Cook said there are. Cook noted should the city offer such subgrants other than Water & Light then it would be necessary to hire someone to oversee the process. There were three board members out and the board voted to table the issue until the next meeting.
Under the City Manager’s Report, Catherine Cook introduced Fire Chief Todd Martin to talk about seeking some grant funds to purchase some AWIN radios. Chief Martin said they would seek $40,000 for 7 radios. The board voted to allow the fire department to apply for the grant.
Cook noted the city has 10 employees out with COVID or in quarantine.
Cook noted the City Finance Officer, Debbie Hall, will be retiring after 30 years. She thanked the board and was given a standing ovation.
Cook talked about work to relieve drainage issues on Candy Street and the Willie Walker property. Cook also talked about a trash fire around Christmas at the landfill. She noted how well the city worked to put it out. Cook also noted the street scape program could see Kiamichi assume some of the cost for some work on the railroad crossing.
Hazel Simpson addressed the board under citizens requests about trash on Greenwood. She said at the last meeting a board member said the city did not oversee Greenwood but Simpson said the state told her Greenwood was the city’s responsibility. She asked that the city weed eat and clear some brush so a volunteer group of young people can clean up litter on Greenwood. Simpson also asked for the city to address litter on Third Street. Simpson also noted the trash hasn’t been collected at North Side Park since early December. Catherine Cook said the parks department is working at half capacity and also noted she briefly considered suspending the trash pickup Tuesday. She said they will address Simpson’s concerns as soon as possible. The meeting then adjourned.