Hope City Board
The Hope City Board met Tuesday for their first meeting of September. The meeting was held at the Fair Park Community Center.
The board first heard from Bonnie Raff (in period costume) about a proposed proclamation to observe Constitution Week September 17th through 23rd. Raff also passed out copies of the Constitution. The board approved the proclamation.
The board looked at naming several streets in Fair Park. Naming these streets would help park users, emergency services, aid vendors,and for insurance purposes. City Manager made the presentation and noted at some point the streets really do need to be named if for nothing more than for emergencies. It was asked if the streets are named would they have 9-1-1 addresses and Cook noted they would. GIS Coordinator Darrell Allen noted any changes would take awhile to “trickle down” to Google. Board member Dr. Linda Clark noted it might be an opportunity to name some streets after notable citizens. Steve Montgomery made a motion to use the names proposed and Trevor Coffee seconded. The motion passed.
The board looked at a proposed ordinance which would allow barbed wire to be used in non-residential security fencing as long as it’s at least 6 feet off the ground. This comes at the request for the solar array development’s security fence on Lakeshore Drive. City Employee Carl Conley noted there are several entities using barb wire now in variety of areas around town. Use of razor wire would not be covered by this ordinance. The use of razor wire would still need approval from the Planing and Zoning Commission. The ordinance passed.
The board looked at a waive bid ordinance concerning the flat roof at the airport over the lobby and lounge area. Only one company bid the job, Barton Roofing for $25,200. This is under what was originally expected. The work would include removing some of the flat roof, replacing rotten wood decking as well as existing drain pipes and the roof access door. It will take several weeks to obtain the supplies and schedule the work. Assistant City Manager J.R. Wilson noted that roofing contractors are very busy and experiencing supply chain problems. The board approved the waive bid ordinance and the work will be done as soon as possible.
Under the City Manager’s Report, Catherine Cook asked the board if they want to have an urban bow hunt for deer. The board agreed to the hunt by acclimation.
Cook noted the funded work on the city rail spur will start in a few days. She noted the new fencing for fair park should be manufactured this month. Cook noted 51 city employees have been vaccinated against COVID and a few more are expected. Cook said the county numbers are between 28 and 29%. She said the only department completely vaccinated is Judge Yocom’s staff.
Cook said the street milling should be done later this month for the street program.
An update on the grant application for the pocket park was given. Cook said the Downtown Network may go after another grant for more murals downtown. Cook said despite some criticism, she believes it is wise to seek grant funds.
There were no citizens requests and the meeting adjourned.