Hope City Board
The Hope City Board held their first meeting of October on Tuesday (10-7). The meeting opened with a prayer and the pledge of allegiance. Last meeting’s minutes were read and approved.
Jamie Pafford-Gresham of Hope’s Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center was present to give the Board an update on the hospital. She requested $500,000 from the city for the hospital. Board member Trevor Coffee asked if the city did give the hospital the money, would the hospital just break even or make a profit. Pafford-Gresham noted the hospital does not have a lot of expenses. City Manager J.R. Wilson suggested to the board the city transfer SWARMC the $500,000 then set up a lineup of groups to pay in the future. There was one comment from a citizen about the hospital. He mentioned just how important it was to have a hospital close by. Steve Montgomery moved the city fund the $500,000 request and the board approved the motion.
Dr. Jonathan Crossly, with Hope Public Schools was present to discuss transferring or buying city owned property. Options were discussed but the matter was tabled.
For the Northside Park, City Manager Wilson gave an update on the bathrooms. There was some discussion concerning if the doors to the bathrooms would be lockable from the outside. The Board will table the topic due to waiting on receiving additional cost estimates. The Board went with MAC Construction, who proposed the bid of $4,200. One citizen recommended moving the playground equipment to the splash pad, saying that the playground equipment was an eyesore. Mayor Still said it would be looked into.
Due to flooding last spring, the Wastewater plant suffered damage. It was recommended to move the pumps above ground, to prevent them from being damaged. 3 ordinances were read. They included:
1.”AN ORDINSNCE TO WAIVE THE REQUIREMENT OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING AS REQUIRED BY ARKANSAS CODE ANNOTATED SECTION 14-58-303 AND 22-9-203 FOR THE PURCHASE OF 6′ X 6′ AMT DUPLEX ABOVE GROUND PUMP STATION FOR THE CITY OF HOPE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.”
“AN ORDINANCE TO LEVY A TAX 0F FIVE (5) MILLS UPON THE ASSESED VALUE OF THE REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF HOPE, ARKANSAS, FOR THE YEAR 2025, TO BE COLLECTED IN 2026, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”
“AN ORDINANCE TO LEVY A TAX OF ONE (1) MILL UPON THE ASSESED VALUE OF THE REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF HOPE, ARKANSAS, FOR THE YEAR 2025, AND TO BE COLLECTED IN THE YEAR 2026, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING PENTIONS TO THE RETIRED FIREMEN AND PENSIOMS TO THE WODOWS AND MINOR CHILDREN OF DECEASED AND RETIRED FIREMEN, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”
All ordinances passed.
Several grants were approved for HPD for a NHTSA/Arkansas Highway Safety Office Step Grant. The funds awarded included $42.100 in federal funds and $6,900 in state funds. The Grant is used to enforce DWI/DUI, Speeding, Distracted Driving and Seattle enforcement. The Board also approved the Stop Violence Against Women Grant for the Police Dept.
The City Manager gave his report. The floor was opened for public comments. There was a question from a Board member, which was answered. The meeting was then adjourned.