Pages

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Public hearing to be held before regular Alexander council meeting

Notices have been posted throughout the City of Alexander announcing a public hearing to be held at city hall (15605 Alexander Rd.) Monday, March 17. The hearing will begin at 5:45 PM, 15 minutes before the regular monthly council meeting.

The hearing, according to the notice, is part of a process to apply for a Community
Development Block Grant funded by federal tax dollars and administered by the state. The purpose of the meeting is to receive public input to identify and prioritize the community's, "needs of [the] City of Alexander to determine whether an application for General Assistance and Innovative Projects Grant Program funds should be developed and if so, for what community need."

According to the notice, "These funds will be made available to cities and counties according to need and can be used for housing, rehabilitation, community facilities, or economic development, but must address one of following needs;

  1. Provide benefit to low and moderate income families,
  2. Aid in prevention of slum and blight, or
  3. Meet other community needs which pose a serious, immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community where no other funding is available to meet such needs."

Along with the public hearing announcement a resolution labeled "Proposed" is included. The "Proposed" resolution includes a grant request for, "repaving portions of Magnolia Glen Drive and Autumn streets in the Saint Joseph's Glen Subdivision." A dollar amount is not included.

Besides the question of whether the grant request meets the above guidelines there is also the question of whether the city has ever accepted maintenance of the streets in Saint Joseph's Glen. The question of which entity is responsible for street maintenance, Alexander or the Saint Joseph's Glen Property Owners Association, has dogged city councils in the past without any solution.

The monthly meeting of the Alexander City Council is scheduled to begin at 6 PM following the public hearing. The agenda for the council meeting does include a line-item labeled "Resolution."

11 comments:

  1. yes sir this problem area now has its own POA president as a city council member, I was told, how cozy is that? I was also told, by friends that he is the "Savior" mayoral candidate
    coming from there and being backed by another council member (Guess who MOTOR MOUTH M) and her associates. WOW!! AINT that rich!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. PUBLIC HEARING? 15 MINUTES!!!!!
    TELLS US:
    1. Two items will be revealed
    2. YOUR opinion doesn't matter, and won't be heard; Considering the marathon meetings of recent history, nothing else can be done because of the time limit.

    YOU need to be there.
    YOU need to ask the promised "savior" for a copy of the HOA documents, check and see who is responsible for the maintenance of St Josephs Glen, and while you're at it, check and see who has not kept up their end of the contract. Doesn't sound like 'savior' material to me. Sounds more like "pass-the-buck-loser."
    It will be interesting to see what the 'cool-aid' contains this month.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a "FARCE" the so called "PUBLIC HEARING" was last night about the SJG Street Grant. If the lady named Amanda with the Grant Application was in charge, she needs some lessons on how to habdle a public hearing. If Mayor M was in charge she also needs to learn how to have a public hearing. If the "SO CALLED CITY SAVIOUR" Brad is going to "Save The City" he needs to quit throwing his "CHILDISH" temper fits. I noticed while Mr. McKeon had the floor he jumped up and said he was "MAD" and started throwing some kind of printed material at the Council Members. Why were they sitting around a table talking if it was a "PUBLIC HEARING" when only one person was supposed to speak at a time. Mr. McKeon, in my opinion, was the only person who spoke like it was a "PUBLIC HEARING" on the subject of the grant. He had true facts and was able to back them up with documentation. He gave other items that need consideration for a "GRANT" of this kind.
    What he presented was in line with what the "PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE" said was going to be about. Mayor M, if she was in charge of the hearing , let people speak at will and when they wanted to interupt. During the City Council Meeting Brad tried to cram the Resolution down everyone's throat. He should have not told the Citizens of SJG that he "HAD THE $150,000.00 IN HAND"
    I am proud of the Council Members who voted against the Grant Resolution during the reqular Council Meeting. I don't like the way our "SO CALLED CITY ATTORNEY"
    keeps putting in her comments when they are not ask for. I am beginning to think she ordered her law degree off the internet. Seems like "SAVIOUR BRAD", if elected will not be any better at running the City than what we have now or have had in the past. Seems he just wants to get money and spend it illegially. I guess when he is elected a play room will have to be built for him since he acts "CHILDISH".
    I over heard the City Attorney tell the citizens of SJG "Not to wory "SHE WOULD GET THE CITY TO TAKE IN THE STREETS". I guess she has alot of power. The Mayor and the City Attorney needs to make sure what they are doing.
    I still think Mr. McKeon would make a good Mayor. He is level headed, known how Government works, knows where and the proper way to get Grant money and
    especially knows how to do the job he is elected to do. He will "NOT" let certain groups influence him into doing wrong.
    Bill

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bill, some questions, please.
    1. If McKeon were to become mayor, who would run the water dept? No body over there is capable of it. Maybe it needs to become an elected position too.

    St Joseph’s Glen:
    2. If the Home Owners Association (HOA) docs say the streets, sewers, etc is the responsibility of the HOA and the city attorney is taking on the effort of rewriting the HOA docs, which will not be cheap!!! Who will pay for that? If she is trying to get the city to assume the responsibility of St. Joseph's Glen, she is likely to bill the city for that too. Who told her to do that? Why is she not putting the best interest of the city first?
    I agree St. Joseph's Glen needs help, BUT ALEXANDER IS IN NO FINANCIAL POSITION to be even thinking about taking that kind of debt on. With the combined efforts of the mayor and the city attorney, we face enough problems.

    We will be decades digging out from under these problems, if Jesus Christ Himself became mayor tomorrow!

    Bill, you of all people should care enough for Bob not to want to heap that kind of stress on him.
    You say McKeon will not let certain groups influence him into doing wrong: in a democracy, everyone's opinion has SOME merit, and the town isn't run by the mayor, it is the city council/mayor balance of power that makes it work and not in a "fly-by-night' manner. It takes thought, debate, consideration of all the facts, BEFORE voting to shoot yourself in the foot.

    Finally, I for one would welcome the resignation f the city attorney. The advise she has given has been the worst I've ever seen, the prices she charges are more that we should be considering right now. This city is a disaster, and she and her boss the mayor are the sum total of the contributors, in my opinion. She should also be instructed that it is a CITY COUNCIL meeting, she speaks if asked, she isn’t moderator, or anything else. She and the Recorder both should refrain from speaking, opinionating or venting during council meetings. They are there for clarification , plus the duties of the recorder to ACCURATELY (which we have yet to see) record the minutes. PERIOD

    ReplyDelete
  5. I went to the meeting last night and it seems to me that Faye and Bob had and agenda from the beginning. I have followed this site and not said a word. It seems to me that the common ground is how you can try and steal what someone has worked so hard for. Bob McKeon sounded like he wanted that grant that Brad Scott worked so hard for, for himself. Raise the street at Lindsay road??? Are you kidding me!! That road has been like that for years and all of the sudden last night we need to talk about raising a road?? Bob get off your ass and go get a grant or something besides giving us high water bills? Haven't you lived here long enough!!! But last night you wanted to start looking for a grant? You showed your true colors of what kind of a backstabber you and Faye are. I heard rumors you two couldn't be trusted and now I believe it. You came in there with the ambition of destroying something good for St. Joseph's Glen. And Brad said it best he went out and did something, what have the rest of the council done? NOTHING!! From what I hear Faye was on the council in 2008 when the city got this big loan. Maybe if she would shut up and listen she might have heard the young lady who does the grant say this was an application process. PERIOD!!! That's all it was. And Faye and Juanita and Andrea kept saying if we get this grant and the city doesn't claim the roads we can use it somewhere else. Brad seems to understand the grant process and Faye, Bob, Juanita, and Andrea don't. You can't use a grant for something its not intended for. Bob McKeon seems to me to be the crook behind Faye. Him run for mayor??? He can't do that, he wouldn't be able to keeps his hands off city funds instead of water funds. You council members who voted no, you don't want to help St. Joseph's Glen, their taxes are what helps elevate the cities income do you think your dirt yards and your single wide trailers bring in much tax dollars.. And another thing to the people that post on here. You know nothing about POA's and how they work, cause if you did you wouldn't be living in trailers, you would want to better yourselves. POA's are maintained by the cities in which they live in. The only time POA's are not is when the access to them are prevented by a gate. Then the residence must maintain them which requires extra dues from those individuals living behind them. But you all live in trailers and filth so how would you know that? As long as you have old people and people who complain about everything this city will stay in the dumps. Faye you need to quit, you have no clue of what's going on, you ask the same question over and over then argue with the answer. Juanita and Andrea seem to want to destroy things, 1 person had an idea and you 3 and a husband who screws us on water destroyed it. Why would anyone want to live here and why would anyone want to be on that council? Good job Brad, you showed you care and go after things. St. joseph's Glen and especially Alexander should be proud!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, have you looked up St Joseph's Glen on the internet? Lots of Houses for sale/rent and some are HUD, but you want to snub your nose at a singlewide trailer? Better lower your nose before you drown.

      Delete
    2. Tyler,
      BS-BS-BS-BS to all the above. Before you start to RADIO about property taxes, POAs and Grants you need to check out some facts. The trailers you talk about are considered real property and are valued with about 1 acre to 1/2 acre of land. This puts them in line with most houses in the City. The SJG lots are the size of postage stamps. When a City gets Low to Moderate income grants it is not just for the 12 or so family incomes that will reap the benifits from it. I heard Brad say how much trouble it was to get the few family incomes. All he would have to do if it was for Alexander is take the 2010 Census. Alexander is way below the threshold needed. If I remember it is 84% LMI. (Low to moderate income). Is Brad talking about SJG Improvement taxes (at least $250 to $600 per lot a year) on their payments for the benefit of the deveolpers pockets??? Seems to me that the citizens who live in Phase 7 (24 Lots) need to find out who actually gets the money and attach it instead of taking the easy out and getting an illegial GRANT.
      Maybe the City Attorney, since she is so gungho in helping SJG with their illegial grants, might represent them. This may be what they need. Look at what she and the Mayor has done in less than a year to the WHOLE CITY.
      Not all "YOU ALL LIVE IN TRAILERS & FILTH" so don't compare everyone to living that way. Apparently you did not live in the area in the 90s when the area was WITHOUT potable water for days at a time. When we had it we could not drink it. Thanks to Mr. McKeon and a hard working Facility Board things were turned around. SJG would not have Potable Water if it had of not been for Mr. McKeon and the Facility Board. I hear the Facility Pays SJG Developers (M. Baker-D.Baker) about $8000.00 a month in monies that is collected by contract for sewer at SJG. Maybe the POA (considered a GOVERNMENT AGENCY) could attach this money since the Bakers are responsible for the bad construction. Why did the SJG Residents got file as a lien holder when the Bakers filed for Bankrupcy?? There again the SJG residents are trying to take the EASY WAY OUT and get an illegial Grant.
      More Later
      Bill

      Delete
  6. u seem to have some facts wrong. Perhaps u did not hear the lady Amanda who was asked could this be used for anything but the two streets on the application, who I was told, said no it could not. So, that being said, how could Bob M. use it for LIndsay rd.?
    But friends tell me that it looked like the council members were being bullied into doing something that may not be legal, If a city does not own a street, how can u get a grant for it? Amanda also said that was not possible. So how do you think these folks feel, as well, they are being cautious and correct in doing some research, before taking on more expense like accepting newer streets that may end up costing their city more than a grant that they MIGHT get (or not get) will pay ? Maybe you should see what your POA was and is supposed to pay for? Sounds as if the council members were doing a good job, and still trying to be legal. Mr Scott seems to have an agenda, seems to me, u alsoo speak harshly about folk living in "trailers" and needing to better themselves/ Wow!! you judge very quickly, how does living in a house make someone better than someone else?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Get-It-Done I couldn't have said it better. Alexander is like all communities, it has some very good people in all levels of income; and it has some ruffians in all levels of income.
      Living in a mobile doesn't say anything about a persons character. Pride of ownership probably does. However handicapped and elderly are another story. I live in a mobile and work hard to make ends meet, while I try not to judge others, I have always gotten an "air" "we are a little better than the rest of Alexander because of our address” from the residents of SJG. If that is a correct perception, it s pretty shallow.
      Mr. Thompson should know that outside Alexander Home or Property owners association documents make for a "government" within a government and it's C.C.& R's (covenants, conditions and restrictions) are primary to the association members in any court - and it pertains to all, gated or non-gated. You sign onto it, you are stuck with it.
      I am sorry for them, they are victims of the builders, but the answer lies somewhere else, likely in court, personally I will take my situation, in a mobile ANY TIME, over a gated or non-gated community association.

      Delete
  7. When I got to the Public Hearing and Council Meeting I thought the person sitting behind the podium was a "CALIFORNIA RAISIN" especially when I saw her come in. (For those of you young folk who don't know what I am talking about just Google "California Raisins"). At least if Mr. McKeon was Mayor he would dress and look more in line for the position.
    Above when I was talking about not working for GROUPS I was not talking about the Council. It was working with the Council for the benefit of "ALL" Alexander residents. Seems like Mayor M. can't do anything without the City Attorney voiceing her 2 cents worth (and that is about all it is WORTH!!!). If you notice Mayor M always makes eye contact with the City Attorney for her to take over. I would like to see the Council ask the City Attorney who she represents and then tell her to "SHUT UP" until she is ask a question!!! Let the Council Members run the CITY
    as they were elected to do. Also the RECORDER (BY LAW) should keep her mouth shut and do her job. That is what she was appointed to do. If she wants input then save it until PUBLIC COMMENT or get on the AGENDA like other citizens. Why does the City have to pay the City Attorney UPWARDS OF $400 + to review the minutes??? If the Recorder is not capable of doing her job then she needs to QUIT!!! Save the $500 she is paid for doing nothing.
    Bill

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to agree Bill, I wouldn't be on the bandwagon for the recorder leaving, but month after month after month they are wrong, and the corrections are wrong, and who approved the attorney getting involved? THE COUNCIL CERTAINLY DIDN'T.
      Put the spending freeze back on! Council can approve these excessive spending habits if need be, but there is some pretty stupid things going on.
      We just keep getting deeper and deeper.
      Somebody (I'm not sure if it was me, or Get-It-Done or JoAn or just who it was; early on said something about "Shirley Johnson on steroids" Look around!

      Delete