Hope City Board

The Hope City Board met in the City Hall Boardroom for their first meeting of March on Tuesday (March 5th).   After the call to order and invocation, there was an opportunity to recess for Hope for the Future public comments. There were no comments so the meeting moved on to a review of the minutes which were approved.

The items on the agenda included a discussion of the airport lease rates, the declaration of a fire ladder truck as surplus, the consideration of a change order for the 6th street project and the City Manager’s Report.

The airport lease rates have not increased since 2001 and rates for renting offices have never been set.  Also there was discussion on the possibility of a private entity building a hanger on airport property for their own use.  It is a preliminary discussion. For the first time there is a full-time staff at the airport.   Also, the city will be building a new runway and is buying equipment. The fuel system was updated.

Price increases were proposed for single engine planes from $110-125 per month, hangers of 2250 square feet (from $150 to 225 per month) and  the fee for 4030 square feet was increased from $300 to 400 per month. Further discussion ensued on the rate per square foot.  As costs have increased and the city has spent money in order to keep the airport in compliance the goal is to keep the airport financially sustainable over the long term.

The board noted there were some positive and negative responses to these proposed rate increases.  Ginette Collums, who leases at the facility stated the airports which were listed in the comparison weren’t comparable because of the size. Nashville and Prescott weren’t included. She also stated it was a dramatic increase of $75 or $100 per month. The board tabled the topic until it could be reviewed some more.

The next issue was the declaration of a 1981 Ladder Fire Truck as surplus. This ladder experienced catastrophic failure last year. The money gained from the sale would be put towards a new fire truck. A motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the surplus declaration.

Summer Chambers of the parks department spoke about a requested increase on rental fees for pavilions and a new form for those renting.  These facilities are free unless exclusive use is required. The fee for the utilities has been $2 per day compared to $12 per hour in Nashville.  Chambers proposed a rental fee of $10 per half day and $20 per full day for pavilion rental and a $100 public event fee. The HUB would be $25 per half day and $50 per full day.  While there is not a lot of enforcement on this the new form helps clarify what the use will be in order to prevent problems at the events.  Steve Quarry, an event planner, asked about the implementation of this policy stating “things get out of control”. City Manager JR Wilson and Mayor Don Still spoke to the requirements and needs. Security would be a built-in cost for dances. Quarry argued that he didn’t want 24/7 police presence but wanted them to do their rounds. He was told in turn that he would need to be responsible for security and that it is a liability issue.  A motion was made and passed to accept the requested fees and new form.

For the project on 6th street, there was discussion whether to accept the additional amount of around $140,000 to complete the project or to authorize City Manager Wilson to renegotiate the arrangement with the city completing the milling and end up even price wise. The Board agreed to let Wilson negotiate with the contractor in order to save the city money. The city would end up responsible for the street and the contractor responsible for the curbs. The overlay should begin next week.

For the City Manager’s Report, Wilson said board direction was needed on the Veteran’s Memorial. He noted Tyson’s Act 9 revenue bond closed at the end of February. ARDOT has striped Hervey Street. Three Wards are up for election in 2024.  They include Ward 2 whom Kiffanea Talley represents, Ward 3 whom Reginald Easter represents, and Ward 5 represented by Dr. Trevor Coffee.  Those who wish to run again must file nomination petitions between July 31st and noon on Wednesday, August 7th. Those signing must be a registered voter living within city limits.

For Citizen’s Request, Anna Powell asked for the hiring of someone to teach swim lessons and that the cost be affordable. Park Director Summer Chambers said they had been trying to find someone to do so for a while.

The meeting adjourned.