Hope City Board

The Hope City Board opened their first meeting of February with Mayor Don Still thanking the city employees who worked extra hard during the recent ice storm.  Those in attendance also showed they agreed.

The first agenda item was a presentation for East Baking Company at Southern Bakeries.  Frankie Ingersoll, Director of Engineering, noted the bakery plans to put the old Stephens building freezer in use again.  Ingersoll noted this will result in some blocking of Laurel during loading and unloading.  Historically, this happened when Stephens used the building.  Discussion ensued on options for this.  It was also noted the owner of East Bakery is also buying a warehouse near Cox Bros.  Ingersoll said they hope to begin using the freezer May 1st.  The board discussed making that street one way or possibly blocking the road.  Ingersoll said they plan to access the building off Division.  The board voted to allow them to block the street.

   The board heard from Steve Harris, Executive Director of the Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation.  First off Harris noted he is retiring May 1st.  He introduced 5 board members from the EDC who were on hand, Steve Atchley, Steve Montgomery, Mark Ross, Dr. LaDell Douglas, and Russell Cornelius.  Harris noted one of the EDC’s main efforts is to retain current industry and promote expansion.  According to Harris, Hempstead County’s workforce is 24% based in manufacturing, much more than the 13% statewide average.

    Harris noted the EDC has submitted 14 proposals this year.  He noted in two cases they are moving to the 2nd step with the industry.  Harris noted the proposed new Tyson Hatchery will be a $71 million dollar project and the company may possibly add 150 more chicken houses.  Harris says they try to make it all a team effort.

    Attracting workers is a big part of economic development.  Harris says they are working with the Southwest Arkansas Development Alliance which includes 8 counties.  He noted they are working with students as young as 8th grade to let them know about opportunities locally.

    Harris talked about “quality of place”.  He noted they discuss what can be utilized to attract workers to Hope. Some of these things might include more walking trails, pickle ball, and biking trails.  He noted craft beer could be produced in Hope without changing the liquor laws.  Harris said he’d walked around downtown earlier and noted the improvements.

    Board member Mark Ross noted Brentwood is expanding and buying the Ritchie Grocery Company building near their current location.

    The board heard a report from Christy Burns, executive director of the Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce.  She noted much of her time early in her job was learning.  At this point she’s working with the downtown network and are working on a big event.  Burns also talked about the recent “mini-grants” that were awarded.  $6,000 was available and 7 businesses received 8 grants.  Burns noted in September she had attended “Destination Downtown” in Little Rock.  Some of the topics included walkability, events, and other things to make downtown viable and attractive.  Burns says she regularly visits with the downtown businesses and tries to share info about events such as last fall’s “Back to School Bash”.  She also noted the decorated Christmas Trees, Christmas Open House, and the parades.  Burns also talked about the importance of using social media to involve people.  Also she discussed the rentals of the HUB and Tailgaters annex.  Burns said there have been 10 new businesses come to downtown since last March and only lost one, BeDazzled, and that was due to a death.  Mayor Don Still complimented Burns on keeping the community calendar she is doing.  Burns also noted the Chamber Banquet will be April 10th at Hempstead Hall with David Bazzell as keynote speaker.

   The board considered a recommendation from the Hope Housing Authority to reappoint Sam Bradford to the Housing Authority Board.   The board reappointed Bradford.

    The board looked at bids for a Excavator for the street department.  There were 4 bids between $88,765 to $103,549.60.  Street Superintendent Kenneth Harvill suggested they accepted the low bid of $88,765 from River Valley Tractor (formerly Hope Tractor) in Hope.  The board voted to accept the River Valley Tractor bid.

    Hot Mix bids were considered.  Two bids were submitted, one for $116.50 per ton and $159.55.  The board voted to accept the last bid of $116.50 per ton from Tri State Asphalt.  This will be $8 more per ton than last year.  It was noted the city has taken over the Timber Creek subdivision but haven’t received any money yet.

    The board looked at bids on street milling.  The low bid was $2.95 per yard from Dustrol from Dallas.  Dustrol did the milling last year.  The board voted to accept the low bid from Dustrol.

    Trash Bag bids were considered.  The bid was for 500,000 bids.  The low bid was $51,000 from Houston Poly.  This was $3,000 more than was budgeted.  Houston Poly has had the bid for the last several years.  Sanitation Superintendent Nathaniel Holyfield noted the cost per thousand bags is $28 less this year than last.  The board accepted the bid.

     It was suggested the city waive electrical inspection fees for reconnecting disconnected services due to the ice storm.  This has been done in the past.  Waiving the fee would save local residents $15.  The board voted to waive the fee.

     Dump Truck bids were considered.  These ranged from $198,556 to $204,327.  The low bid would require a 300 day lead.  Interim City Manager J.R. Wilson noted the city can possibly rebid it with some changes and get the truck within 10 weeks.  The board voted to allow the street department to rebid the dump truck.

      Under the City Manager’s report, J.R. Wilson noted the Planning & Zoning Commission approved a special use permit for Rainbow of Challenges to build a 5,300 square foot assisted living building at 511 North Main.  Wilson gave details on some changes in CD rates in the city’s favor.  Also discussed was new photographs for directors, a note on a Firefighters grant which has been applied for, discussion on pocket park lights, and bidding on Kelly Field lighting.  Wilson called on Russell Cornelius about the ice storm’s affect on Hope Water & Light Customers.  It was noted about 1,000 customers lost power.  Wilson noted there were two fire calls during the storm and there was no damage.  A missing juvenile was found quickly during the storm and it was also noted trash pickup was suspended to mitigate safety risks.  Wilson also talked about signing contracts on the Street Scape program.  Wilson went through all the current city projects.

   The meeting then adjourned.