Hope City Board

The Hope City Board met Tuesday May 16th for the their 2nd regular meeting of May.  The items on the agenda were updating to the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Step Grant Application, Stop Grant Application, the new City Clerk appointment, the April Financials and the City Manager’s Report  There were no Citizen’s requests.

The updating of the city code will bring it into compliance with the 2021 International Codes (fire, building, and residential). The city has received its set of codes from the ICC on April 5, 2023. The current fire prevention code is the 2012 edition of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.  A motion was put forward to approve this change, which was seconded and passed.

The aim of the Arkansas Highway Safety Step Grant program is to reduce traffic related crashes, injuries and property damage. The program dollars are used to fund overtime that allows officers to address impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving and use of safety restraints.   The Hope Police Department seeks a $33,869.71 Federal award with local in-kind match of $15,223.08. Approximately $4,957.88 is allowed for purchase and distribution of safety seats for the local citizens. The price of safety seats has gone up. Previously it was $3,500. The application is due by 5/31/2023.

The Stop Grant is a federally funded grant authorized by the Federal Violence Against Women Act.  Stop funds are eligible to be used by law enforcement agencies to provide services relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence against adult women.  The Hope Police Department has participated in this program for over 10 years. The award provides 50% of one detective’s wages and benefits to address qualifying domestic crimes. The grant requires no less than 28% in kind match. HPD estimates that the grant proceeds if awarded, would provide approximately $26,683.01 in federal funds; require $10, 105.01 in-kind match.  The board approved the department making the application.

City Manager J.R. Wilson asked the Board to consider appointing Amber Murr as City Clerk beginning June 30, 2023. Murr is currently Deputy Clerk and highly familiar with the job requirements. This would be additional duty with additional pay. A motion to appoint Murr was passed.

The financials were considered with no major questions resulting.

City Manager J.R. Wilson reported on the his interest in finding out what it would cost to build an additional sidewalk at Pine and 2nd and said the board discussed a second drive on Line so a bus could come out. The Board was receptive to his investigation of the price.

Wilson also talked about a fireman’s pension meeting scheduled for Wednesday. The city manages their pension fund. Wilson stated there were options where the city would not have to manage the fund. First it requires a decision by their board. They have asked about becoming a part of LOPFI (Local Police and Fire Retirement) and will consider that option at the meeting.  They are financially sound and will receive a cost of living increase as a part of LOPFI. LOPFI has wanted them to join.

The meeting ended with the question about if any lifeguards had signed up with the response that ten had.