Hope Mills commissioners will gather for a special budget priority meeting at 6 p.m. Monday before having their official regular meeting at 7 at Town Hall. Included in the budget priority meeting will be an announcement from commissioners about their priorities for the upcoming financial year.
Installing picnic shelters for Reid’s Journey Inclusive Play Complex
During the board’s Jan. 22 meeting, it unanimously moved to reappropriate $200,000 from a budget item for investing in the town’s baseball fields to complete phase two of the town’s Reid’s Journey Inclusive Play Complex.
As part of phase two for the inclusive playground and splash pad, the department wants to install picnic tables.
Shortly after that meeting, Carolina Parks & Play submitted a proposal for the purchase, engineering, and installation of a picnic shelter. The Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department would like to move forward with that plan, through Landscape Structures, and start working on the picnic shelters. The potential contract states this project should not exceed $73,772.14. The budgeted amount for the picnic shelter is $75,000.
If the board approves, the town manager can start negotiating and enter a contract on behalf of the town.
The playground is located at 5766 Rockfish Road, behind town hall.
Committee updates
On Monday, respective commissioners will provide the full board updates from the committees on which they serve — including the appearance commission, cultural arts, parks and recreation advisory, veteran affairs, zoning board of adjustment, historic preservation, and prime movers committees.
Commissioner Bryan Marley is part of the Historic Preservation Committee and the Regional Land Use Advisory Commission. Commissioner Elyse Craver is part of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Economic Development Committee. Commissioner Jerry Legge is part of the Appearance Commission. Commissioner Joanne Scarola is part of the Veterans Affairs Committee, the Cumberland County Air Quality Ambassadors Committee, the Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Advisory Committee, and the Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce Liaison. Mayor Pro Tem Dr. McCray is part of the Cultural Arts Committee, the Prime Movers, and the Economic Development Committee.
Mayor Jessie Bellflowers is part of the Mayor’s Coalition, Mid-Carolina Council of Governments, and the FCEDC Municipal Advisory Meeting Liaison.
Other business
The board will start Monday’s regular meeting with a closed session regarding attorney-client privilege and personnel matters.
The board will also be making a proclamation in recognition of Black History Month, and Mayor Jessie Bellflowers will be conducting a formal swearing-in of Hope Mills police officer Cesar Anavisca.
The board will also decide whether to approve a budget amendment of $1,025 for the Hope Mills Police Department for special police supplies using Federal Asset Forfeiture funds.
The board will be following up a petition request made at its last meeting regarding a potential annexation for 7.95 acres at 6905 Camden Road.. If the board approves to move forward, a public hearing will take place at the board’s March 4 meeting.
The board will also approve the statement of work from law firm Parker Poe on behalf of the North Carolina League of Municipalities. Parker Poe will provide legal services and administer funds for American Rescue Plan and State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds projects for Hope Mills.
The interim town manager will also provide updates to the board on town projects, NCDOT construction projects, and upcoming community events.
Contact Hannah Lee at hannahleenews@gmail.com.
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