Hope City Board

By Mark Keith, 02/2/22 1:34 AM

The Hope City Board met for their first meeting of February on Tuesday.  Board member Kiffenea Talley joined the meeting virtually.

The first agenda item was consideration of the purchase of a “Curbtender Vac Pack” leaf collector.  The city received two bids, both from River City Hydraulics.  One was for a new truck at $208,153.  The other was for a 2020 demo model priced at $184,312.  The demo could be delivered in 3 weeks as opposed to a new one which wouldn’t be delivered until at least December.  The board purchased the demo vehicle.

The board discussed reappointing Mike Smith and Allen Flowers to the Planning and Zoning Commission.  Both were willing to serve again and were reappointed.

The board looked at selling a 3,000 square foot piece of land on US278 to 4 States Fiber.  4 States is offering $5,000.  The property appraiseed at that amount.  Two representatives of the Texarkana based company were online and answered questions.  The board voted to approve the sale.

City Manager Catherine Cook noted the city has finalized a memorandum for the Water and Light premium pay.  Cook also said the 6th Street project went to bid and all bids were high.  The state bid this and will rebid it.  Cook said if it comes back again high, she will present options for the board to consider if they still want to do the project.  In answer to a question by the mayor, Cook said the city has some money put back for this and could also borrow some money from the airport fund.  It was noted the utility companies, especially A T &T, held up the bidding and also discussed was what could be done to prevent this from happening.  One avenue is revision of franchise agreements.

The Street Scape project plans have been submitted to the Arkansas Department of Transportation.  Cook said it could be bid in April.

Cook said Whatley Sign Co. can’t do the proposed sign for Pavilion Park downtown and Cook has been calling sign companies to find one who can do it.

Cook said the Superintendent of the Clinton Home National Park Site is going to be reassigned for a few months and a temporary person will take over.

Board member Mark Ross noted the Boy Scouts will be doing some clean up around town at some of the areas discussed last meeting by Hazel Simpson.  The meeting then adjourned.