Hope City Board

The Hope City Board met Tuesday May 2nd for their first meeting of May.   The items on the agenda were – emergency roof repairs for Hope In Action#2, Arkansas Aeronautics Grant Application, sealed bids for runway safety area drainage, 3-way stop sign at intersection of main and division, repair of Lakeshore Drive Tornado siren, Beautification Committee’s request to put flags on downtown sidewalks on certain holidays, City Manager’s report and Citizen’s Request.

Paul Henley spoke about Hope in Action and its needed roof repair. He stated the roof was 40 years old and badly needing repair. Henley said there are about 50 squares of shingles needing repair and about 100 shingles a square.  From these numbers and the cost of the shingles, he estimated the cost of fixing the roof.   Henley said the facility is city owned and leased to Hope in Action for a dollar a year and they have paid for a hundred years. The roof has been leaking for over two years. The estimated total cost of repairing the roof is between $12,500 and $15,000. Helen Byers talked about the residents stating there were not only transients but also a lot of local people who have needs. She related some examples of people helped such as a pregnant female kicked out of home during the night.  She said while there are people there with drug and alcohol issues,  she has seen some people really turn around.

The board debated a bit how to cover the cost of fixing the roof with the idea of putting off repairs on city hall. Mark Ross was concerned about putting off repairs to city hall so asked about instead using money that was in reserves. City Manager J.R. Wilson said money had simply been set aside to do repairs but they weren’t planned for the immediate future and it won’t be an issue.

Wilson mentioned metal is cheaper than shingles. Ross brought a motion to allow the city staff to get quotes, which was seconded and passed. Henley offered the gift of a xylophone to the Pocket Park. The response was that the board wouldn’t turn down a gift. Mayor Still recognized the Hope in Action staff for the job they do.

The meeting moved on to the request by the Beautification Committee for 80 U.S. flags to be put up during four holidays – Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day and Veterans Day. The goal is to have 150 flags ultimately. The request involves cleaning out or creating holes for flags to be installed. There was a motion to approve, which passed.

The airport was the next topic. The chainlink fence is down. A lot of time and effort could be spent to redo it. The plan is to use city labor. An Aeronautical grant has been given which hasn’t yet been used. Out of pocket costs are fencing, two gates and lights.   Total project cost is estimated at approximately $135,000. The goal of the fencing is to keep people from driving onto the runway. All chain link fence on the property will be replaced. This will total 2100 feet of fencing. Mayor Still made a motion to approve the application which was seconded and passed.

The city has received a $1,475,000 bid from TEC on the runway safety area drainage. This was more than was budgeted. The city would have to come up with an additional $88,060 for this project. The plan is to go back to the FAA to ask for more funding.

If put off until next year the city could lose money which has already been granted to it for this purpose. There is plenty of money for the project. The city might have to wait a couple of years to get it back. Ross put forward a motion to approve going forward with this project, which was seconded and passed.

The intersection of Division and South Main street was brought up with the question of what traffic control methods should be used there. The decision was to return to a three-way stop sign. Ross put forward the motion which was seconded and passed.

For several weeks the tornado siren at Clinton Elementary School has been down. Police Chief Kim Tomlin talked about the cost of repairing and replacing the siren and noted the cost has increased.  Parts have also gotten harder to obtain. Tomlin brought up the question of whether the board simply wanted to use newer technology such as apps on cell phones. A motion, which passed, was made to get a quote for repairing the siren rather than replacing it.

For the City Manager’s Report, J.R.  Wilson said 42 bags of trash were collected by the staff and 72 by the residents during the City Cleanup.

Wilson said the staff was addressing construction complaints.

Train/Trade Day is this weekend. The same day the Jack Williams softball tournament is scheduled. Twenty-six teams have signed up to participate.

Wilson mentioned the city having invested in a CD as well as meeting with Dr. Crossley to do something with Legion Field. Wilson also had a positive meeting with Justin Devenney about lawn care.

Ross thanked everyone for an outstanding job in the clean-up.

For Citizen’s Request, Sylvia Brown spoke in response to the issue brought up at Quorum court having researched what was available to pay for sirens and finding four opportunities including Rural Development and FEMA. Brown mentioned Bingen is in a dead zone and talked about tiers of investment. Brown stated she was available to help out in the process.

Mayor Still ended the meeting with a statement of regret for the passing of Eddie Brazzel.