Hope City Board

The Hope City Board held a planning meeting for their “Hope for the Future” project Tuesday (6-4). Dan Beranek presented two options to save money on the proposed Recreation Center with both having no upstairs for Center and one having only one basketball court. Also eliminated was the outdoor pool and the walking track. The first option would cost $16.8 million and the other range from $13.25 to $14.4 million.  As the Board considered these options Board Member Dr. Trevor Coffee expressed concern about taking away too much. He argued for providing a better product that would engage more people and talked about what Recreation Centers do for communities. Benefits are said to be increased property values, increased grades, decreased truancy, etc. He argued if Hope was going to do it the city should do it right. Dr. Coffee also advocated that the Northside Basketball Court should be part of the plan.  Board Member Steve Montgomery said that two courts were needed. Mayor Still asked how the removal of the walking trail would change the building. Mayor Still and Montgomery talked about the issue of how long a time period could be asked for to fund it.

The corner of Spring Hill Road and 16th was proposed for a location for the recreation center. While the Mayor had wanted a more prominent, location he noted there were benefits to that location as it could be tied into the rest of the park system and the city already owns the land.  City Manager JR Wilson talked about the potential for advertising dollars. Jodie Coffee talked about the HUB project and the positive outcome of that and said this could be similar. She stated the center would provide a safe place to learn to swim.  Jimmy Courtney advocated for two courts. Mayor Still stated he liked the plan and wished they could do it all.  City Manager Wilson stated two things were needed to promote the project – 1 minute video explaining the project, its cost, how long it would take and what it would look like, and a punch card with bullet points.  The planning meeting closed and there was a short break before the City Board.

The City Board meeting opened with a prayer, the pledge, and consideration of the minutes.  One change was made in the minutes then they were approved.

The next item on the agenda was the “Hope for the Future” plan. With the concern about two Board Members being absent, the question was raised as to how long the board had to decide on the proposed plan. Wilson stated until August 6th.  Mayor Still talked about the importance of Pickleball in terms of numbers as he has had many people ask about it.  The plan was made to allow Dan Beranek and his company to submit the numbers at a distance to save them more drives from Little Rock.

Next on the agenda Donna Rosenbaum and Jennifer Robinson were introduced. Both have lost a son in war and went before the Quorum Court to see about a roadway being named in honor of their sons. For Chad Rosenbaum it would be Highway 67 and for Carlo Montell Robinson it would be highway 29. City Attorney Randy Wright read a resolution to authorize the City Manager to seek a Highway 67 Roadside Sign Permit. A motion was made to approve the resolution. The motion passed.  A resolution was read by Wright to authorize the City Manager to seek a Highway 29 sign permit. A motion to approve was made and passed.  The City Manager took a moment to honor both women in their loss and led a standing ovation of them.

The following item discussed was an emergency drainage project of storm drain piping between the 1400 and 1600 blocks of Wilson and Fulton streets. The cost is estimated to be $85,456. Plastic piping will be replaced with concrete. Some of the piping was ruined because of a yard waste fire. In the process of addressing this issue it was discovered that more piping was bad. There was a motion to approve the repair. The motion passed. Temporary soil modifications have been made to support drainage until it is dry enough to do the project. The crew will do the project at the first opportunity.

The board considered bids for the industrial park railroad resurfacing and tamping. The city received a bid for $49,000.00 from Grace Railroad Company. A couple of other companies were consulted. They were too busy to do the project but had similar quotes. There was a motion by the board to approve the bid. The motion passed.

The next item was the acceptance of a hay/vegetation cutting lease bid acceptance. The highest bid of $4,750 per year for five years was accepted. This is for 68 acres on the east side of Highway 278 across from the airport. Stuarts Enterprise was the high bidder.  A motion was made to accept the bid. The motion passed.

For the City Manager’s Report an item was added. This was the setting up of a separate account for the CSBG Grant with the Arkansas Economic Development Committee. A motion was made and passed to approve the setting up of the account.

For the wastewater annual line replacement plan it was noted new money would start trickling in this month to finance the needed replacements.

Juneteenth will be the weekend of June 14th through 16th.  There will be a downtown block party at the pocket park from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. On Saturday there will be a parade and festival with line up starting at 9:15am, the parade at 10:30am, and the festival at 12:30pm. On Sunday there is a royalty pageant and fatherhood recognition planned.

The board went into executive session to discuss personnel.  No action was taken when the meeting convened in public.

Under Citizen’s Requests, Edmundo Dominguez spoke about a concern about flooding at the soccer complex caused by the new parking area. The water has been eroding field # two. The city is aware of the issue and has been doing temporary ditching. Dominguez stated he appreciated the work already done.

Sylvia Brown thanked the Board for the Juneteenth acknowledgement and asked about the emergency patch on the 1600 block of Spruce Street. The response was that it was being let to settle and the barricade would be removed.   Trash containers will also be placed there for the parade.

The meeting adjourned.