Hope City Board holds second January meeting

HOPE – The Hope City Board took over two hours Tuesday night to work through their second January meeting.

The board rejected bids on the Hope for the Future Tennis Pickleball Project. Bids received were significantly beyond expectations. City staff recommended the Board reject current bids and re-advertise the project altering the scope of work. Matt Reinberg, VP of Sales for Pickle Tile, and Jeremy Stone, project engineer, discussed ideas to resize this project.

Ninja Cross Aquatic Obstacle Course Proposal was discussed by Kyle Rieger, Managing Partner of Ninja Cross, who presented a proposal for an aquatic obstacle course at the new Recreation and Aquatic Center. Funding would be sought through sponsorships and grants. If approved, Ninja Cross would initiate a 30 to 60-day fundraising period to determine whether sufficient funds could be obtained for the purchase and installation of the system. The City Board took no action at this time.

The board approved a resolution to approve 5 – year short term financing agreement with Cadence Bank for a new Street Department Knuckle Boom Truck approved in the 2026 Budget. Cadence Bank provided the best interest rate in our local area at the time of inquiry.

Hope Police K-9 Officer Rojo has been on duty for the city for 10 years and has been retired. The City Board voted to transfer legal ownership to Corporal Justin Dean, his current handler.

City Board granted permission for Tailgaters Burger Company in downtown Hope to apply for a private club permit.

Approval was given to sell a previously discussed two-acre site on the Bypass to Hope Public Schools for $10,000 cash offer and student volunteer program participation.

A 2018 Ford Utility vehicle that had been removed from police service because of several mechanical issues was declared surplus property.

Directors approved the appointments of Windell Ross and Vice-Mayor Kiffinea Talley to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

City Manager JR Wilson was granted permission for a Prescribed Burn in the area between Fair Park and the Kelly and Kiwanis complexes and Huckabee Lake area to manage undergrowth and fallen limbs. Wilson gave a Hope for the Future Recreation/Aquatic Center update, reporting the Engineers and Architect are continuing to review cost savings ideas suggested by Ideal Construction Management Company (low bidder.) Recommended bid with negotiated changes will come before the Board at the first February meeting.

Hope Schools Superintendent Jonathan Crossley gave a presentation on the district’s millage request going before voters saying there had not been a millage increase in at least 40 years and laid out the reasons behind the request. Dr. Crossley noted Hope Public Schools will host a Millage Community Forum on Thursday, January 29th, at 6:00 pm at Hempstead Hall inviting families, community members, business leaders, and local stakeholders to learn more about the district’s proposed millage initiative and urgent facility needs across the district.