City Manager
The regular meeting of the Hope Advertising and Tourist Promotion Commission took place Tuesday afternoon.
The commissioners dealt with the Parks Department financial report, the final details on the running of an artificial ice rink at The Hub, discussed a contract to cut the grass around the interstate, approved $25,000 more to fund a last round of construction at the Pocket Park and heard a report on that site’s progress.
The financial report had Hope Mayor Don Still commenting, “They’re good this month.” Total revenue collected for September was $62,699, which was $4,336.37 over last September’s proceeds. Tourism, restaurant and hotel tax was $61,528 of that, which was $5,084 over last September.
Expenses for September of 2022 added up to $48,121, which was $27,244.44 higher than last September. Much of this cost was from the $30,928.25 payment to Arkansas Great Southwest for promotion of the Watermelon Festival and other advertising and promotion.
In the Agenda Information for the meeting, Parks Superintendent Summer Powell provided a written rundown of information about how the artificial ice rink at The Hub will be run. Set up for the rink will be November 10 and take down January 9. The official opening will be November 17 with days of operation and hours being Thursday-Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Admission to skate will be $5. Civic groups running the rink can sell hot chocolate.
Bleachers will be provided for seating. Hay bales will be placed around the rink for safety. Eighty square bales will cost $600. Powell asked the commissioners if they knew of any way these could be obtained for less. But the commissioners did not. “I don’t think you’re going to find it any cheaper anywhere else,” Chair Sharon Caldwell said.
Still asked whether there would be music at the rink.
Several civic groups have signed up to work the rink, including the Garrett Memorial Christian School Fifth and Sixth Grade, the same school’s Leo Club, the Southeast Volunteer Fire Department, the Bodcaw #1 Church Youth Group, the Garrett Memorial Christian School Seniors, the Wildlife Ministries Youth Group and UAHT Trio. Powell said personnel from the Parks Department would be on hand to show groups how to set up.
The Commission also heard an offer from the Arkansas Department of Transportation to pay the city’s Tourism fund for “up to a max of six mowings per season for the interstate on/off ramps,” according to the Agenda Information. Two options exist for accepting the officer, three mowings or six mowings. The city would be paid $3,574.51 for three mowings or $7,149 for six. Applying does require taking bids on next season’s mowing contract.
Concerning capital outlay requests to be placed in the city’s 2023 budget, Summer Powell persuaded the commissioners to request $10,000 for new scoreboards for Hawthorne and Jack Williams Softball Fields to replace older ones that either are not working (Jack Williams) or require annual maintenance. Commissioner Trevor Coffee said, regarding the second capital outlay request, “We might as well jump off this cliff and work on the lighting issue.” At a cost of $430,000 for the year, the metal halide lights in the Parks’ fields will be replaced by LED light fixtures that will have a longer life expectancy and use less energy.
Coffee suggested the selling of sponsorships for the scoreboards could completely cover their costs. “You’d post it to the facebook page and call for first come and first serve, and I’m sure if you had sponsors left out, they could be steered to other projects. Maybe light bulbs.”
Hope City Manager Catherine Cook reported on the Pocket Park on Second Street. Benches and a trellis are coming two weeks from now. Irrigation is nearly done with the exception of a few parts being needed. The total cost has been $86,335. Electrical work is still needed. Landscaping has not been done yet and other than grass, would not be done now that fall is here. Tables had been dropped from the project, but Coffee mentioned that funds from sponsors could potentially put them back. An additional $25,000 will be needed, which Cook called a maximum.
Mayor Still moved that $25,000 in additional costs be made available from Hope Advertising and Tourism. Trevor Coffee seconded and the commissioners voted in favor.
Discussion followed about the failed application to the state for funds to pay half the cost to construct a Splash Pad at Northside Park. Cook suggested that if the city wished to continue to pursue the pad without a grant, Hope Advertising and Tourism could allocate an amount per year to hold in reserve for the project in the future.
On the batting cage, the Powell said Parks is awaiting the roof and will be able to string the cage up once it arrives.
Coffee brought up the sprinkler system at The Hub coming on to douse concrete. Cook said a professional would have to be called in to adjust the system.
Caldwell said that for Hope’s annual Trunk or Treat again, every campus of the Hope Public Schools will have a car there while the Hope Academy of Public Service and Clinton Primary will both make games available for attendees.
