Hope City Board

The Hope City Board met on Tuesday (5-20).  All board members were present.  The meeting kicked off with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.  Last meeting’s minutes were approved.  Hope City Manager J.R. Wilson said they moved the microphones closer, due to a complaint of not being able to hear the board members.  Jeremy Stone, a contracted private engineer, gave an update on the pickle ball court project.  Mayor Don Still asked how far the bathrooms were to the sewer line.  Mr. Stone said about 300 ft.

Members of Hope for the Future asked about a site for the new fire department.  Board member Steve Montgomery said Main Street seems to be the best option.  He also mentioned it might be cheaper as well.  City Manager Wilson said they needed to spend 85% of the grant* money within 3 years.  Proposed sites for the new fire department include the Brazzel Insurance office site on Main and the other is near the S-curve on East Third  Kiffinea Talley said the both she and the fire department preferred the S-curve location for the fire station.  Gary Johnson, citizen, said that both places were a good option.  Hope fireman Justin Devenney said the bigger the area, the better, as it would be bigger for training.  The board voted 4 to 3 to build the new fire station on East Third near the S-Curve.

There was a resolution entitled “A resolution authorizing the city manager to sell city owned property located at 405 West 16th”.  This sale would also include a parking area. The resolution passed.

The Wastewater Department asked the board to approve the sale of a Ford truck as surplus property.

Hope Police Chief Kim Tomlin was present to ask the board for approval to apply for two grants.  These were “STEP” and “STOP” grants the police have applied for and gotten for years.

City Manager Wilson gave his report.

The board went into executive session.  When they reconvened, there was a motion to raise the city manager’s salary and this was approved.

Gary Johnson said Lloyd Bright’s farm in the Rocky Mound community has been growing giant watermelons for 100 years, and he said there needs to be a celebration.  Mark Ross also commended Johnson for putting up historical photos around Hope.  The meeting then adjourned.