Hope City Board Reviews Condemnation List, Facility Plans, and Festival Prep in July 15th Meeting

Hope, Ark, July 15, 2025 — The Hope City Board of Directors convened for its regular meeting Thursday evening, with Mayor Don Still presiding. The meeting opened with a moment of prayer for Director Mark Ross, led by Dr. Linda Clark, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Director Steve Montgomery. Present at the meeting were Mayor Don Still, Vice Mayor Kiffinea Talley, and Directors Steve Montgomery, Reginald Easter, and Dr. Trevor Coffee. Dr. Linda Clark joined remotely. The board unanimously approved the minutes of the July 1 meeting.

Building Services Director Dorsey Askew introduced Jennifer Ghomerley as the city’s new Code Enforcement Officer. Askew also presented the 2025 Building Services review, which included a list of structures recommended for condemnation. The board approved the resolution, with one exception: a property whose owner requested time to either bring it up to code or demolish it voluntarily.

Assistant City Manager Daniel Shelman, Parks and Recreation Director Summer Chambers, and Jodi Coffee reported on their recent visits to aquatic centers in Benton, Bryant, and Pine Bluff. Their fact-finding mission focused on facility design, operations, and potential improvements for Hope’s future aquatic development.

City Manager J.R. Wilson provided updates from Harston & Associates Engineering. The announced bid openings for the depot roof and splash pad projects are scheduled for July 30, with a pre-bid meeting on July 28. Bids for the splash pad bathroom will open on August 6. Clay McGill is expected to present 30% design plans at the next board meeting. Wilson also noted preparations are underway for the upcoming Watermelon Festival, with all city departments and volunteers actively on board and readying themselves. Financial reports for the “Hope for the Future” initiative will be presented at the next meeting.

The board discussed increased traffic at the intersections of Third Street with Elm and Hazel, supported by recent monitoring data.

A property sale on 16th Street, in coordination with the county, was approved.

Discussions also touched on ongoing grant applications with the local hospital.

Attendance at the Fourth of July celebration was estimated at approximately 3900, a significant increase from 2600 in 2024. The estimate was aided by AI-based crowd analysis. With no citizen comments or requests, the meeting was adjourned.