Hope City Board

By Mark Keith, 04/6/22 1:12 AM

 

 

The Hope City Board met Tuesday April 5th for their first meeting of April.

First on the agenda was an appeal from the Downtown Network on the misuse of the business dumpsters. Downtown Network President John Hollis and Beautification Chairman Steve Atchley noted some of the dumpsters are being abused by the public.  The business owners pay a monthly fee for the use of those dumpsters. Some dumpsters are being filled by people who aren’t paying for the dumpsters.  They are also being filled with items such as furniture and paint.  Business owner Charles Lester suggested putting fences around the dumpsters.  Sanitation superintendent Nathaniel Holyfield said he goes through downtown every morning and the dumpsters generally look good. He said he’d be happy to watch closer.  It was also suggested that some owners might consider putting cameras on the dumpsters.  City Attorney Randy Wright noted there needs to be signage showing the dumpsters are private before any citations are issued.  Kim Hollis also commented.  Another audience member noted at least people are putting their trash in the dumpsters and not throwing it on the side of the road.  The board directed city staff to develop signage noting the the dumpsters are private.

The board looked at a list of surplus property.  The board declared the items surplus which will allow the city to sell or salvage the items.  Some of the items would be sold on govdeals.com.  items include eXmark mowers, a 2008 John Deere riding mower, some vehicles, copiers and other items.  The board declared the items surplus.

The board looked at city hall mowing bids.  Only one bid was received for $5,476.50 from ProCut.  The board approved the ProCut bid.

The board looked at garbage bag bids.  Bids were $84,090, $66,500,and $65,500.  Nathaniel Holyfield noted they could buy 6,160 rolls of bags and spend around $32,000.  The budget was $44,000.  The city has some left from last year.  The board took the low bid from Houston Poly of $65,400.

The board looked at the year end financial report.  Finance Officer Cindy Clark addressed the board.  General fund revenue was $5,015,863.67 against expenses of $4,985,050.88.  Sales tax revenue was $4,068,792.93 against expenses of $3,445,000.  The board asked about various amounts spent.  There were discussions from the audience about money spent at North Side Park and some issues with the bathrooms being unlocked during a recent event there.  Board member Mark Ross asked about outstanding warrant money and Chief Wilson explained the situation in working to collect it.  City Manager Catherine Cook said if Ross wanted the amount they would get those figures.  No action was taken on the report.

Under the City Manager’s Report, Cook noted 6th Street was scheduled to bid on April 6th. She gave an update on the Street Scape program and the pocket park construction.  Also an update was given on the repairs to the Fair Park fence.  Cook said the park staff is working hard on ball fields.  She noted Train Day and Trade Day are coming up.  Citywide clean-up day is April 23rd.  The landfill will be open that day until 2:30pm.  Mark Ross said 13 groups will meet at the HUB on clean-up day.  Chief Wilson also noted a group had cleaned up Greenwood recently.  Steve Atchley asked for some attention on some planters downtown and Cook also noted some other beds need some different plants.

Mayor Don Still noted the city has received a Bicentennial marker and asked that is be installed on Train Day either at the HUB or the Depot.  The board decided to put it between the Union Pacific and Cairo-Fulton Depots.

Mayor Still noted there is a suggestion to name Millennium Field after the late Jack Williams.  Coach Mike Godwin spoke in favor of this.  Mark Ross did also.  The board voted to name the field after him and the parks director noted they could announce it at the Jack Williams Softball Tournament.

Mark Ross noted the Hope Lions board has voted to make a substantial donation to the pocket park.  Mayor Still noted there is a lot of activity downtown.  Charles Lester noted his Oak-Lan Catering is leasing a spot on Curtis Haines’ property and asked for access to the HUB restrooms.  Cook said that can be done.

Steve Atchley noted the courthouse should be finished moving downtown by next week with a grand opening set for May.  The meeting then adjourned.