HOPE – At the first Hope City Board meeting for July Tuesday night, Hope Evening Lions President John King spoke about some improvements they would like to make to the old state police building where they operate their food pantry. The board approved allowing the club to re-install a double door that had been replaced with a single door. This would allow movement of pallets of food through the door with a rolling pallet jack. The club plans to extend the awning and sidewalk to accommodate the task. This would be paid for by the club. The club also has plans for a roof, but since it is a city building, the city’s insurance adjuster will look for hail damage from a recent storm that may be covered by insurance.
The City Board approved revisions and renewal of the Pafford Ambulance 5 Year Service Agreement. Some of the revisions are because of changes in state laws. This is the 30th year Pafford has served the city.
The board accepted a Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation for a rezoning in the Wallis Addition from an application by Tony Austin to place a manufactured home on part of Lots 1&2 at 100 North McRae Street.
A version of the Dr. Roscoe Smith Park sign design was approved. (Shown above.) This be at the entrance of the former Northside Park.
The board voted to proceed with a Wastewater Grant application through the Arkansas Department of Agriculture for Water & Sewer Treatment Facilities.
Hope Police Department’s request to amend the General Fund Budget to obtain new sidearms was approved. The firearms were initially proposed for this budget but put off due to lack of finding. The Department was able to find other cost reductions to allow for the new sidearms to be purchased.
In the City Manager’s Report, JR Wilson updated information the Lions Club Pavilion roof, recreation/aquatic center name and its lobby accent wall, and the Pickleball court layout.
The meeting ended with a discussion among residents, board members and Police Chief Kim Tomlin over recent parties that have sprang up that caused noise, traffic, and parking issues on the streets and on private property.