HOPE – The Hope City Board’s October 20th meeting started with the reading of a proclamation for National Family Literacy Day November 1st. Mrs. Bonnie Raff addressed the board on the importance of putting books in people’s hands. This will be the 32nd Anniversary. The day is set aside to highlight the importance of reading and learning for the entire family and emphasizes the impact that parents have on their child’s learning.
Barbara Riley with Bridging the Gap, addressed the board regarding the proclamation of Red Ribbon Week October 26-30th.
A Memorandum of Agreement was approved by the board letting the Hope Evening Lions Club extend its lease on the old State Police building for an additional 10-year period. City Manager JR Wilson said this allows the club to apply for grants to repair the building. The facility is used monthly by the club as a food pantry.
The board adopted two rezoning requests approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission. Approval was given for changing R-2 Medium Density Residential to R-5 Residential Use to allow the placement of a mobile home in Allen’s Addition Block 2 Lots 9 located at 808 E. Hickory. Application by Ronetta L. Moses.
The second application approval was for rezoning from I-1 Heavy to C-4 Office Commercial to allow the expansion of a business office area to accommodate additional office space as well sleeping quarters for wrecker drivers for the following property; Hope Acreage Part of the NE 1/4 NE ¼ of Section 20, Township 12 South, Range 24 West located at 2806 N. Hazel St. Application by Spoo Family Trust. The property is the location of Bypass Wrecker.
In items brought by City Manager JR Wilson, approval was granted for the referral of Beckie Moore to reappointment to Hope Housing Authority Board. Several years ago, the Arkansas legislature enacted a law requiring municipalities to present their financial statements in a prescribed format called Regulatory Basis, which is basically cash and fund balance. In order to comply with state law, the City must annually pass a resolution annually so that the city can present financial statements in accordance with the standards prescribed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), the American Institute of Public Accountants (AICPA), and the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO). Wilson said this a more stringent standard than the law requires, and the board approved.
Approval was given on the reception of a NHTSA/Arkansas Highway Safety Office Step Grant. Hope Police has participated in the program since 1998. Total is $54,700. This grant is used to support “DWI/DUI, Speeding, Distracted Driving and Seat Belt Enforcement.”
Updated lease rates for the City of Hope Municipal Airport (hangars, office space, land). Rates were last reviewed in March of 2024 was discussed and approved.
A consensus was reached by board members on the new exterior color scheme for the new fire house, as shown:
During the comment section of the meeting, it was noted of the good attendance at the renaming and rededication of Northside Park in honor of Dr. Roscoe C. Smith the previous Saturday. The banner was displayed at the meeting and will be affixed at the park.