Board Meeting Highlights: Aquatic Center Progress, Landfill Funding, and Retirement

Honors Hope, Ark. – The City of Hope Board of Directors met on March 3rd with Mayor Don Still calling the meeting to order. Dr. Linda Clark delivered the invocation, and Director Mark Ross led the Pledge of Allegiance. The minutes from the February 17 meeting were approved as presented.

A major portion of the meeting focused on preparations for the Hope Aquatic and Recreation Center. The Board agreed to proceed with consolidated third-party testing for soil, concrete, and steel to ensure consistent quality control. Hunter Klippert of Ideal Construction, the project’s general contractor, stressed that using one testing firm helps maintain accuracy as construction approaches. Architect Clay McGill of BiLD Architects, participating remotely, agreed with the updated approach and highlighted its importance for the project timeline. This followed earlier February evaluations of firms providing independent testing services.

Parks and Recreation Director Sommer Chambers requested that an aging service truck be designated as surplus due to excessive repair costs, which the Board approved. She also introduced the department’s new maintenance supervisor, Mitchell Driver.

Fire Chief Robert “Todd” Martin addressed the Board regarding permission to apply for a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant that could fund a new extrication tool for the department. If the application was unsuccessful, Martin noted the department would continue applying in future quarterly cycles.

The Board approved the shredding of old paper records that have been digitized and retained longer than required, while additional documents stored at the airport will be reviewed later.

After a limited conversation and discussion of the budget, City Manager J.R. Wilson and City Clerk Cindy Clark reported that recent financial updates required only minor adjustments to meet audit standards and did not affect the City’s overall financial position.

City Manager J.R. Wilson provided clarification on the City’s landfill projects. The ongoing Landfill Remediation Project must follow federal procurement rules because of its funding source, while a separate 2026 sanitation bond is under consideration to address equipment and infrastructure needs, such as a new baler system, drainage repairs, and preparations for a future landfill cell. Recent financing estimates suggested that a dedicated debt service charge may be required if the bond moves forward. Environmental reports continue to highlight needed remediation, monitoring wells, and drainage improvements at the landfill. Wilson also discussed the City’s financial position regarding the hospital, noting that if ownership changes in the future, the City’s investment would be returned first, followed by the county’s, with remaining funds distributed per future agreements.

Planning for the new fire station is progressing, with geotechnical work completed. Abatement of asbestos will begin once bids are advertised and approved, and a contractor is selected.

The Board announced that longtime Director Steve Montgomery will be honored at a reception on March 17 at 6:15 p.m., shortly before the next meeting, recognizing his many years of service to the City of Hope. There were some informal public comments, and the meeting was adjourned.