Hope City Board

The Hope City Board met in the City Hall Boardroom on Tuesday (12-5) for their first meeting of December.   After the pledge and the invocation, the minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and approved. The topics in the agenda included the consideration of the 2024 budget resolution, the consideration of the ARPA resolution about the Christmas bonus, and the consideration of the franchise agreement with E. Ritter Communications Holdings.  The City Manager’s Report was also an agenda item.

There were a few updates in the budget from the last meeting. The property insurance went up by 18%. Health Insurance costs went down and the budget balanced. There was a motion to approve the budget which was seconded and passed.

American Rescue Plan Act was passed to offset the effects of COVID-19. The U.S. government deposited close to $1,000,000 in the Hope’s second tranche of funds. There was a motion to approve the Christmas bonuses using ARPA funds. The motion was seconded and passed.

City Attorney Randy Wright recommended the approval of the Franchise Agreement Ordinance. City Director Steve Montgomery asked about the time frame. There is no limitation for this statue. He expressed concern about 6th St. City Manager J.R. Wilson said this Ordinance is designed to address this issue. The Ordinance can be amended. The ordinance holds the franchisee liable for  property damages and relocation of Utility lines. The company is required to put up a deposit or bond and fix the issue. This ordinance involves tracking of the company’s progress.

For the City Manager’s Report there were two items initially mentioned.   Garver Engineering found an additional issue with the streetscape project that they have asked TCC to correct.  Also addressed was the Hope Public Schools desire to build an animal educational facility on the high school campus. The second item has two issues to address – the City Hope of Animal Control Ordinance and the obtaining of a special use permit from the planning and zoning commission.  Hope Public Schools would first need to obtain the special use permit. If the Zoning Commission grants the permit the issue will be brought before the City Board. In order to receive zoning approval one requirement is the notification of people living within 400 feet of the facility.

There is a water drainage issue caused by the construction on 6th street which is affecting the HAPS campus.  Since it is related to the construction, the city is involved in the issue.  A lawsuit filed by Harmon Williams against the City that the city has asked for summary judgement. City Manager Wilson stated he is part of the Municipal Defense League and talked about a city having been given $1,000,000 by the League. The city mentioned is liable for $2.5 million. City Manager Wilson stated that is why precautions are taken with hiring as such liabilities are possible.

There was a motion to award City Manager Wilson a bonus that would have required an executive session. Wilson declined the offer stating he was being compensated in other ways and the money could be better spent.

There were no Citizen’s Request.