Hope City Board Meets Tuesday 18th

By Staff, 07/19/17 6:15 AM

HOPE – The Hope City Board met Tuesday July 18th. The board first looked at a resolution supporting legislation related to internet/online sales. The resolution would call for the legislature to enact the collection of sales taxes by online merchants. The Arkansas Municipal League is supporting this action. City Manager Catherine Cook noted that the”brick and mortar” stores all pay sales tax. The resolution passed.
The board looked at some rail repair for the city rail spur. B & P Rail Service bid $38,940 and Trac Work bid $27,059.64. The board accepted the low bid from Trac Work. The work included replacing 173 ties. The board also approved a “waive bid” ordinance. The work has already been done due to the fact New Millennium could not use the spur until it was repaired.
The board considered a condemnation resolution. The structures included 1019 West 4th, 1305 West 4th, 1003 West 6th, 902 West Avenue B, 401 South Bonner, 513 West Division, 215 North Ferguson, 206 South Grady, 412 Henry C. Yerger, 801 Henry C. Yerger, 521Johnson, 214 South Laurel, 1221 North Midland, 1225 North Midland, and 1008 North Walker,. James Clark spoke about 1019 West 4th. He described what he wanted to do to rehab it. Code enforcement officer Carl Conley noted if the property is condemned the owner has 30 days to rehab it or tear it down. Clark said he uses the West 4th building for storage and it was noted if he continued to use it for storage there might be a zoning issue. Another property owner spoke on 1221 North Midland. This property owner also showed the board interior pictures of the structure. Angie Taylor, an attorney, spoke on behalf of the owners of 521 Johnson. She noted work started on that property on July 10th. City Attorney Joe Short noted the houses are usually left on the condemnation list as an impetus for the property owners to take action. The condemnation resolution was approved.
The board approved a waive bid ordinance to replace two 15 inch culverts with a 42 inch culvert. The city had received three bids on the work which would be on First Street. All three bids exceeded the estimated amount. The board approved the waive bid ordinance so work could start now during the dry part of the summer. The ordinance was approved.
The board has been approved for a grant for $90,629 from the Federal Aviation Administration. The local match would be $10,070. This would be for a drainage study at the airport. The city lacks any Southwest Proving Grounds blueprints of this area of the airport and drainage has been a problem of late. The board voted to accept the grant.
Under the City Manager’s report Catherine Cook noted Saturday July 22nd is City-wide clean-up Day. Cook also noted the city has received a $35,000 grant from the AEP Foundation for the Farmers Market Pavilion and Community Garden. Board member Reginald Easter asked about thimagee clean-up work on the site on Greenwood. The meeting then adjourned.

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