Hope City Board

The Hope City Board met Tuesday (March 7th) for their first meeting of March.  Following the prayer and pledge, the board approved the minutes of the past two meetings.

City Manager J.R. Wilson informed the board the city has been awarded a grant for $131,754.75 with the city to fund $43,918.25.  This grant is from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management for the Arkansas Public Safety Communications grant.  This would improve the city’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network radio capacities (AWIN).  There will be advantages in the future in saving the city money.  This would also involve radios for the Hope Fire Department and Police Department.  Wilson noted the system is also used by Pafford and even some schools.  The board voted to allow the city to accept the grant.  Mark Ross made a motion to pay half this year but the motion was amended to pay for it all this year.

   The board discussed the Airport beacon light has one bulb burned out and no working obstruction lights.  Also, the obstruction lights on the tower and main hangar building apparently aren’t functioning.  It was decided it would not be safe for city employees to climb the 60 foot beacon tower  An electrician in Hot Springs has been contacted and has quoted the work including replacing the beacon bulbs, repair some broken conduit on the tower, provide some beacon maintenance, and replace the old incandescent bulb obstruction lights with LED lights.  The job will require rental of a lift which is included in the quote.  The old style lights are no longer available.  The board voted to hire H & H Electric at $10,909.  Airport manager Darrell Allen also told the board about plans to apply for a grant to replace some fencing at the airport.  Allen also reported the he has talked to the Forestry Commission about some direction on the 700 plus acres of timber at the airport.  He noted they have some dead timber around gate #4 due to insects.  It was suggested this be cut to get rid of the insects.  They also discussed cutting some more timber and work with the Forestry Commission to to manage the tracts.

    Board member Mark Ross asked if any research had been done on rehabbing the FEMA structures at the airport.  Darrell Allen said reusing the structures and rehabbing them could cost as much as $300,000 to $800,000.  Allen noted several folks are interested in possibly purchasing them or taking them down including Hostetler Roofing and New Millennium.  The board to declare one of the buildings surplus.

    The board looked at a bid on a new dump truck.  They got one bid from Artex Truck Center for $168,006.48.  The city has $99,354 from the insurance on the old truck which was destroyed in an accident.  The board accepted the bid from Artex.

    The board looked at bids for relighting Kelly Fields with LED lighting.  The project was funded for $430,000.  The low bid was $459,000.  The city engineer, Jeremy Stone, told the city that they probably can’t get a better price.  The board voted to accept the bid and to ask the Tourism Commission if they will fund the additional $29,000.  Some of these old lights can be used in other areas of the park.

    City Manager J.R. Wilson gave an outline of a possible large park project and funding it by pledging A & P taxes towards payment over the life of a bond.  The current A & P tax on hotels and prepared food is 2% and raises about $750,000 per year.  Part of this could be committed, if the Tourism Commission agreed, to to fund the bond payments.  One thing that was mentioned was possibly putting artificial turf on Kelly Fields.  Director Mark Ross noted he’s heard from some of his tenants at Caney Creek who want the soccer fields improved and cited success at Mt. Pleasant, Texas on attracting soccer tournaments.  No action was taken on the discussion.  Mayor Still said probably the topic should be discussed at the Tourism Commission meetings.  Board member Kiffenea Talley asked that the board also look at some projects at North Side Park such as the lack of electricity.  Citizen Hazel Simpson mentioned some issues at North Side as did one other citizen in the audience.  Drainage issues were discussed.

    Under the City Manager’s Report, Mayor Don Still asked if the board wanted to go on a bus tour and scheduled a goals meeting.  Director Mark Ross suggested the board visit the Animal Control Facility and noted Tammy Austin is doing a great job.  The pocket park downtown was discussed.  The board decided to take a tour of facilities April 25th.

    The City Manager noted a potential change order on the Street Scape project.  This would be to energize the electric plugs on the light poles on the Street Scape.  The cost would be $3,000 to $5,000.  The board approved the change order.

    The City Manager told the board he had spoken to Phillip Mobley about a travel center some investors are considering putting across from Wal-Mart.  Mobley wants to know if the city might could help with the roadway.  Wilson noted he will find out what they expect the new center to bring in new tax revenue.

    Wilson noted a representative from the Super 8 Hotel asked for direction on what they would need to do if they wish to turn the hotel into apartments.  Also, the city manager noted there is a vacancy on the Housing Authority as Cliff Knowles has resigned and the Housing Authoriy has until March 25th to suggest a new member.  If the housing authority board doesn’t suggest a member, the Mayor can appoint someone with approval from the city board.

     Remediation of some ground water at the Landfill was discussed as was cost of closing some sections.  J.R. Wilson noted Code Enforcement should be bringing a list of structures that need to be repaired or removed.  Wilson said he would be talking with code enforcement this week.  He also discussed some problems from a tree at the airport.

    Wilson noted Thursday is his and Mrs. Wilson’s 38th anniversary and he plans to take off Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

     Under Citizens Requests, Marsha White several groups are coming together and will hold a kid’s fun day March 18th at North Side Park from 10am until 2pm.  White also noted Sunday is also another celebration at the park.

     It was noted that Patsy White who frequently came to board meetings has recently passed away and her service will be Saturday.

     Mark Ross asked about the concrete bridge that has been in the park unused for years.  It was noted it has been put on an auction site several times with no action.  Also it was asked about local people who might be interested.  Ross also asked about lights at the basketball court.  He also asked about having a decorative wall around the dumpsters near the HUB.  Wilson noted they’ll due what the board wants.

     The meeting then adjourned.