Parks Director/ Tourism Secretary shared with the commission that City Manager JR Wilson consulted with City Engineer Jeremy Stone about the monument and that Stone’s latest estimate was a price of $50,000, with his consulting fee free of charge since the project is to honor veterans. Commission members approved the build for $60,000, one of the previous estimates, to cover all that might be needed for the whole project.
In the October tourism meeting, the commission heard a marketing proposal from Ashley Moore with CJRW of Little Rock regarding advertising opportunities for 2025. Tonight they received an updated proposal. After a brief discussion on which items they wanted to select from the proposal, they agreed to continue like last year and advertise Hope in media like a traveler’s guide and Arkansas.com. The total marketing/advertising cost for CJRW was approved, with the commission paying $11,000 and Arkansas Great Southwest paying approximately $9,500.
Chambers gave the commissioners an update on the repairs of the restroom trailer that is to be used at events. She said she received a quote from Done Right Construction (one of the two who were asked for bids) and they gave an estimate of $18,891.61 to replace rotting wood in floors and wall, new stalls with urinals and toilet, updated electricity, new sink vanities, and new AC. Commissioner Steve Montgomery asked if any research had been done on the cost of a new restroom trailer. Chambers replied affirmatively and said a new one costs around $60 thousand. The commission members agreed to the repairs and the motion was passed.
In other business, Chambers updated the commission on events/activities. She said the ice rink will open on November 21st and that this year they purchased barriers to replace the hay bales. The rink will be open until the first weekend of January. She said Trunk or Treat went really well this year. The car show attendance was low but overall attendance was great. They added music to the event this year; plus, We Are the 22 held a fall festival at the hub which was a huge success. Chambers said she hoped a partnership could be formed again next year with We Are the 22 for that same event. Tourism President Sharon Caldwell concurred and said that next year more streets should be blocked off for the kids. Chambers said a committee had been formed for a sesquicentennial in the spring, Hope’s 150th anniversary, and that planning would begin soon.
She also shared with the commission that filming for the Viewpoint would take place on November 21st. EDC President Anna Powell then shared more info about the filming, interviews, and b-roll acquisition that would take place that day and also expressed appreciation to SWARK.Today for donating free of charge some of their own footage to this film project.
Near the end of the meeting, Chambers informed the commission that it was time to select next year’s members of the Budget Committee, if different from this year’s, so meetings and discussions could begin for the 2025 budget. Sharon Caldwell, Don Still, and Steve Montgomery all agreed to be on the Budget Committee again.