CITY OF HOPE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020

CITY HALL BOARD ROOM

ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER

ITEM 2: INVOCATION

ITEM 3: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ITEM 4: REVIEW MINUTES OF JANUARY 18 MEETING

ITEM 5: CONSIDER REQUESTS FROM NEW MILLENIUM

ITEM 6: CONSIDER DECLARATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY REQUEST:

SANITATION DEPARTMENT

ITEM 7: REQUEST AMENDMENT TO HPD 2020 CAPITAL OUTLAY

BUDGET

ITEM 8: UPDATE ON DOX PROPERTY APPRAISAL

ITEM 9: CONSIDER PROPOSED ORDINANCE: REZONING REQUEST

ITEM 10: CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

ITEM11: CITIZENS REQUEST

CITY OF HOPE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2020 7 PM

CITY HALL BOARD ROOM

The City of Hope Board of Directors met at 7:00 PM, January 21, 2020 with the

following present:

Catherine Cook, City Manager

Joe Short, City Attorney

NaTashia Riley, City Clerk

Directors: Steve Montgomery, Mayor

Don Still, Vice-Mayor

Mark Ross- Absent

Kiffinea Talley

Reginald Easter

Dr. Trevor Coffee

Dr. Linda Clark

Steve Montgomery called the meeting to order. Don Still opened the meeting with

prayer, and Steve Montgomery led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Montgomery

asked the Board to review the minutes from January 7, 2020. Trevor Coffee made

a motion to accept the minutes as written, seconded by Kiffinea Talley. All present

voted “Aye.” Motion carried.

Meeting was suspended at 7:03 PM to hold a public hearing to close out the

Arkansas Department of Economic Development grant for New Millennium.

During the public hearing Cook informed the public that the project was complete.

Meeting reconvened at 7:04 PM.

The Board went into executive session at 7:04 PM. The meeting reconvened at

7:15 PM. In executive session the Board discussed appointments coming up, but

no action was taken.

The Board considered an appointment for Water and Light Commission. Don Still

made a motion to reappoint LaDell Douglas to Water and Light Commission with

a five-year term ending December 2024, seconded by Linda Clark. All present

voted “Aye.” Motion Carried. The Board considered reappointment of Doodle

Franklin and Kiffinea Talley for a three-year term ending December 2022 on the

Planning and Zoning Commission. The Board also considered replacing George

Straughter with Cindy Ford for a three-year term through December 2022 and

replacing Mitch Bobo with Dr. Don Freel for the remainder of 2020 on the

Planning and Zoning Commission. Trevor Coffee made a motion to nominate the

slate of appointments as presented, seconded by Linda Clark. All present voted

“Aye.” Motion carried. Dr. Coffee made a motion to reappoint Babu Patel for a

four- year term through December 2023 and Trevor Coffee for a one-year term

through Dec 2020 to the Tourism Commission, seconded by Linda Clark. All

present voted “Aye.” Motion carried. The Board considered appointments for the

Beautification Committee. Don Still made a motion to appoint Stacy Stone,

Mandy Phillips Bright, Paula McClellan Gunter, Arnetta Bradford, Steve Atchley,

Jessie Lewis, Debbie Marsh, Aley Mendoza, and Marie Marquez to the

Beautification committee, seconded by Reginald Easter. All present voted “Aye.”

Motion carried.

Janet, from The Relay of Life Hempstead County, spoke with the Board about

holding the RFL event in downtown Hope on April 24, 2020, and closing Elm

Street, Main Street and 2nd

street from the corner of Elm to Walnut Street. Trevor

Coffee made a motion to approve the closure of the proposed streets contingent on

the acceptance of the businesses on that street, seconded by Kiffinea Talley. All

present voted “Aye.” Motion carried.

Steve Harris from HCEDC expressed HCEDC’s interest in purchasing 6 acres of

land located in the Industrial Park from the City of Hope. This land will be used

for a possible new industry location. The land is subject to release by FAA, which

requires the land to be sold at fair market value. The Board discussed getting all

15 acres of land in that parcel appraised versus just the 6 acres in question.

Reginald Easter made a motion to get the 15 acres appraised, seconded by Trevor

Coffee. All present voted “Aye.” Motion carried.

The Board considered bids received for garbage bags. The following bids were

received: Houston Poly $39,40,5 Central Poly $39,700, and Unipack $45,000.

Nathanial Holyfield from the Sanitation Department recommended the low bid of

Houston Poly. Don Still made a motion to accept the low bid from Houston Poly

for $39, 405, seconded by Kiffinea Talley. All present voted “Aye.” Motion

carried.

The Board considered the amendment to the jail agreement between The City of

Hope and Hempstead County, drafted by City Attorney Joe Short. Trevor Coffee

made a motion to accept amended agreement, seconded by Don Still. All present

voted “Aye.” Motion carried.

Under the City Manager’s report, Catherine Cook noted that Statements of

Financial Interests are due January 31, 2020 at City Hall. Cook also reminded

everyone of the Chamber Coffee for Paul Henley and Charles Martin. Director

Don Still informed everyone that he met with Jim Hunter from Klipsch Museum

about future events planned in Hope. Still also stated, that Klipsch is looking for

volunteers and more public support.

Meeting adjourned at 7:58 pm.

AGENDA INFORMATION FOR BOARD MEETING 2/4/2020

ITEM 5: CONSIDER REQUESTS FROM NEW MILLENIUM

City Hall has received two requests from New Millenium regarding the possible

rental of the Airport Hangar: One is proposed for April 9th, an event of 50 people.

The second would be their Christmas Party, an event including about 320 people.

I have explained that since May 2019, the Board had directed that any event

request for the Airport would need to be directed to them. These two requests have

come in from New Millenium and they are brought to the Board for your

consideration.

If the Board does agree to allow the facility to be rented for these events, New

Millenium would also like to know what the rental fee would be?

Just to give you a summary of previous rental at the Airport: the Board had agreed

in the past to allow events/weddings at their Airport under a prescribed policy.

After several events, the aircraft owners who rent space in the large hangar had

expressed concern that they were paying for space to store their planes and that

rental of the hangar facilities caused problems for them. The problems included

moving their planes out into the open air where weather might damage them. They

were also concerned that if aircraft were left in the hangar, they might be damaged

by persons wandering through the hangar.

Currently, there are seven planes which rent hangar space in the main hangar,

paying $150 per month for use of that facility.

AGENDA INFORMATION FOR BOARD MEETING 2/4/2020

ITEM 6: CONSIDER DECLARATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY REQUEST:

SANITATION DEPARTMENT

The City of Hope Sanitation Department is seeking Board approval to declare the

2006 Sterling backup trash truck, 2011 Freightliner commercial backup truck, and

a 1991 Chevrolet used by the mechanic as surplus property and authorize their

sale. If approved/authorized, the listed property would be sold at an online auction

that complies with Arkansas State Law.

Thank you for your consideration.

AGENDA INFORMATION FOR BOARD MEETING 2/4/2020

ITEM 7: REQUEST AMENDMENT TO HPD 2020 CAPITAL OUTLAY

BUDGET

The Board approved $90,000 for two fully equipped Police Vehicles in the 2020

Capital Outlay Budget. The Chief of Police based this budget request on

purchasing two Police Packaged Dodge Charger sedan cruisers listed on the State

Bid Contract. Unfortunately, we have learned that Dodge has stopped production

of the Dodge Charger Police Package and they are not available for this year. As

you may recall, Ford stopped production of the Interceptor Sedan last year. The

only currently available vehicles in a police package are SUVs. They are

becoming the more popular vehicles purchased around the nation. The SUVs are

more expensive than the Sedans and therefore creating a budgetary problem.

The Chief of Police and Patrol Lieutenant have conducted an extensive review of

Fleet assets and propose the following solution: HPD is highly confident that we

could proceed with purchasing one vehicle for 2020 without compromising the

effectiveness of Police Operations. HPD requests that the City Board allow HPD

to purchase one fully equipped SUV, instead of purchasing 2 fully equipped

sedans. HPD further requests that the Board allow HPD to purchase and test the

Ford SUV Hybrid which is more expensive than the Dodge Durango by

approximately $7,000. The vehicle is estimated to reduce fuel costs and bring

higher resale value at the end of its useful life. Ford estimates that Police Cruisers

idle approximately 61% of the time. The gasoline engine would use approximately

.5 of a gallon per hour at idle and the hybrid uses approximately .2 of a gallon per

hour. Additionally the vehicle offers additional safety measures such as 360

degree sensors that sense not only vehicles, but also people walking up on the car.

The back-up camera can be used at times other than backing.

If this request is approved, HPD estimates an approximate $32,000 savings in HPD

Budgeted Capital Outlay expenditures for 2020. If a Durango sedan was

purchased the savings would increase by approximately $7,000.

HPD requests Board approval to purchase one Ford SUV Hybrid Police Package

for 2020. Thank you for your consideration.

AGENDA INFORMATION FOR BOARD MEETING 2/4/2020

ITEM 8: UPDATE ON DOX PROPERTY APPRAISAL

In November, 2019 the Board heard a request from the Hope Downtown Network

regarding the former Dox Building property. The Hope Downtown Network

would like to develop the property as a downtown pocket park and made the

request from their organization and the property owner to have the City lien on the

property forgiven so that that the property could be donated to the City for

development as a park.

Here is some background on the property for the Board’s information: the property in

question had been the subject of several code enforcement complaints as it deteriorated

over a number of years. The then-estate representative had not improved or secured the

property, located in the center of downtown Hope, and it was considered by the public and

the City of Hope as an eyesore and safety hazard due to roof collapse and the general

unsafe condition of the building. A new property representative attempted to determine

alternatives for the building, but apparently funding was not available to abate the

nuisance.

The City of Hope condemned the property and in April of 2017 contracted to have the

structure demolished for a price of $37,500. After the property was demolished, a lien was

placed on the property for the cost of demolition.

At the Board meeting in November, the Board instructed the City Manager to have

the property in question appraised and the current property value determined. That

appraisal report has now been received and the current appraised value is $13,000.

If that value was subtracted from the lien against the property, an amount of

$24,500 would be remaining.

A full copy of the appraisal report is available if anyone wishes to look at it.

AGENDA INFORMATION FOR BOARD MEETING 2/4/2020

ITEM 9: CONSIDER PROPOSED ORDINANCE: REZONING REQUEST

Z191101 Application for rezoning from C-3 General Retail & C-4 Office

Commercial Use to C-2 Highway Commercial to bring a nonconforming land

usage into compliance for property located at 2215 S. Main. Application by B

& R Building Supply, Co.

B & R Building Supply has requested a zoning change in order to bring a

nonconforming land use into compliance located at 2215 S. Main. The current

property is zoned C-3 General Retail & C-4 Office Commercial Use. This zoning

is not appropriate for the existing development. The existing use best fits the C-2,

Highway Commercial District.

As the proposed use would not, in Staff’s opinion, conflict with surrounding land

uses, Staff recommended to the Planning Commission that the Commission

recommend that the Board of Directors grant the proposed rezoning by ordinance.

This request was considered by the City of Hope Planning & Zoning Commission

on Monday, January 27, 2020. After some discussion, the City of Hope Planning

& Zoning Commission voted to recommend this rezoning to the City of Hope

Board of Directors. Commissioner Whitlock abstained from voting on this request.

There is a map of the surrounding zoning as well as an aerial map of the proposed

property. There is also a copy of the proposed ordinance for the Board’s

information.

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Legend

³ Address PointsProperty for RezoningC - 1 - Central BusinessC - 2 - Highway CommercialC - 3 - General RetailC - 4 - Office CommercialI - 1 - Heavy IndustrialI - 2 - Light IndustrialR - 1 - Residential UseR - 2 - Medium Density ResidentialR - 3 - Residential UseR - 4 - Mobile Home ParkR - 5 - Residential Use

Z191101Rezoning C-3 & C-4 to C-2

DISCLAIMER: All graphics, text, and data presented here are for reference only. The City of Hope does not warrant, guarantee, or make any representations regarding the use,or the results of the use, of the information in terms of correctness, accuracy, reliability, completeness, usefulness, timeliness or otherwise. The entire risk as to the results and performance of any information obtained from The City of Hope is entirely assumed by the recipient.

Created by: Darrell Allen, GIS Coordinator Printed on: 1/23/2020

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S Main

St

W 23rd StBill Clinton Dr

E 20th St

S Main

St

Bill Clinton Dr

W 21st St

Patmos Rd

W 23rd St

E 24th St

S Main St

Old Le

wisvill

e Rd

C-2

C-2

C-4

C-4

C-4

C-4

R-1

I-1

C-2

C-4

C-3

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R-2

C-2

2405

2315 210 304

307

2001

2101

2103

2215

2100

204

302

107

2316

105

213303

19201920

1920

19201920

200120012001

2015

2013

2400

2303

105

302

Legend

³ Address PointsProperty for RezoningC - 1 - Central BusinessC - 2 - Highway CommercialC - 3 - General RetailC - 4 - Office CommercialI - 1 - Heavy IndustrialI - 2 - Light IndustrialR - 1 - Residential UseR - 2 - Medium Density ResidentialR - 3 - Residential UseR - 4 - Mobile Home ParkR - 5 - Residential Use

Z191101Rezoning C-3 & C-4 to C-2

DISCLAIMER: All graphics, text, and data presented here are for reference only. The City of Hope does not warrant, guarantee, or make any representations regarding the use,or the results of the use, of the information in terms of correctness, accuracy, reliability, completeness, usefulness, timeliness or otherwise. The entire risk as to the results and performance of any information obtained from The City of Hope is entirely assumed by the recipient.

Created by: Darrell Allen, GIS Coordinator Printed on: 1/23/2020

0 200 400 600100 Feet

²

AGENDA INFORMATION FOR BOARD MEETING 2/4/2020

ITEM 10: CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

1. Update on City projects