What is expected to be a hotly contested move by the Alexander City
Council is the suspension of the $800 monthly pension being received by former
City of Alexander Mayor Shirley Johnson. That action will come in the form of a
resolution to be introduced at the next regular monthly meeting to be held
Monday, July 21 at 6 PM in city hall.
Before that can happen the council must pass an ordinance removing
language in the employee manual that provides benefits to both employees and
elected officials. According to the ordinance the changes are required because,
"[T]here is evidence of
noncompliance with Attorney General Opinions, state law regarding city policies
involving the eligibility for retirement, and various labor laws pertaining to "ELECTED
OFFICIALS"."
The ordinance makes three changes to the employee manual.
The first is, "Rescinding
and removing any reference to an "elected official" being a city
employee."
Next, it calls for the "Rescinding and removing from page 29, the
entire sub-heading "Eligibility"." That section states, "To
qualify for benefits an employee must be considered part-time, permanent or an
elected official and have completed a minimum of one (1) years' employment with
the City of Alexander."
Finally, "Rescinding and
removing from page 29, the entire sub-heading "Retirement"."
This section includes a qualifier that says state law has made city-run
retirement plans illegal since July 3, 1989.
The ordinance says these
changes are temporary until, "[T]he
Alexander City Council repeals, or amends the Alexander Employee handbook dated
January 1, 2006."
Johnson was granted the pension under a motion passed by the city
council in 2012. Current aldermen Farren Wadley and Samuel
Gregory were members of the 2012 council.
In the resolution that will "suspend" Johnson's pension it
states, "[T]he City of Alexander passed a motion with no governing policy
on retirements for city employees and/or city officials."
It also points out, "[T]he paragraph the gratuity is based on was
written by the recipient and that paragraph is now repealed."
Other business expected to be discussed by council members at
Monday night's meeting includes the
resignation of Alderman Brad Scott. In an E-mail to Mayor Michelle Hobbs Scott
said, "I Brad Scott do here by [sic] resign my position as alderman ward 2
position 1 effective 5pm 6/16/14."
June 16 was three days
before the council's regular June meeting. There was no mention of the
resignation at the June meeting by Hobbs and aldermen did not receive a copy of
the E-mail until this week. His position needs to be declared vacant by the
council before it is filled.
Additional items
expected to be discussed include:
- The annual ordinance establishing a five-mil property tax;
- An ordinance giving the council the authority to, "[H]ire, fire and discipline other city employees (full-time or part-time) who are not department heads" and a requirement the mayor appoint department heads when a vacancy occurs;
- A resolution reducing the mayor's salary from $840 every two weeks to $250 every two weeks and aldermen salaries from $100 per month to $25 per month beginning January 1, 2015; and
- An ordinance increasing the number of chickens allowed per lot from six to ten.
Good Job aldermen!! Sounds like you are going to get some of the city's mess straightened out. I applaud your efforts!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like another marathon meeting.
ReplyDeletePrayers for the council and Thanksgiving for their tenacity!
What I heard at city council meeting turned town council meeting was a sad unlearned account of “Hang ‘Em High.’
ReplyDeleteThe liberal entity of Alexander was out as usual, with the conservatives not in attendance. No body asked where they were, so accusations and bias was the subject of the evening.
Michelle, in touting her achievements, and commending those present who appeared to join her, went out of her way to excuse those present who didn’t.
There was a lot of other campaigning going on, but the truth was never mentioned – that truth being the things that REALLY need to be done.
We need to get the finances of Alexander in order once and for all. When Shirley Johnson was in office, accusations flew, when Paul Mitchell was in office for a very short term accusations flew, during this temporary appointment accusations fly!
I CALL ON THE CITY COUNCIL
AND THE MAYOR
TO AGREE ON AN ORDINANCE
CREATING A CALL FOR A CITY
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT.
That C.P.A. would work hand in hand with the elected Treasurer, and the City council. In the absence of the elected Treasurer, C.P.A. would work hand in hand with the Council. C.P.A. should annually audit, prepare and edit the official chart of accounts, while operating on a contractor basis, C.P.A would monitor the duties of the bookkeeper. Currently the bookkeeper has no supervisor and is tossed to and fro like a ping pong ball, trying to please the mayor, and honor those (the council) she actually answers to.
There are other things that will fall into line as time goes on, and as or if City Leadership reaches a point of working together. Until the leaders get the point that government in America is compromising your perfect point of view to accommodate your opponent’s perfect point of view; it isn’t likely to happen.
Having only items that have been completely debated in a workshop atmosphere should be brought to the City council floor for now; leaving debate that many who don’t understand as debate behind. Because many see it as arguing and bickering, they might find a friendlier audience.
A comment was made during the Recorders speech about councilmen who do and those who do not represent their ward. I know from experience who does and who does not.
There is much more to report but for now, . . . . . . .
JoAn Churchill
Hit the nail on the head with the bit about the CPA. I second that. This is the only way.
DeleteA Little Bible Study
ReplyDelete"Left" and "Right": A little Bible study.
Remember what Jesus said: 'Goats on the left, sheep on the right'(Matthew 25:33).
Jesus also told Peter that if he wanted to catch fish do it from the right side of the boat. They did and filled the boat with fish.
John 21:6 (NIV) He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish."
Origin of Left & Right... I have often wondered why it is that Conservatives are called the "right" and Liberals are called the "left".
By chance I stumbled upon this verse in the Bible: Ecclesiastes 10:2 (NIV) - "The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left." Thus sayeth the Lord. Amen.
It surely can't get any simpler than that.
Spelling Lesson:
The last four letters in American...........I Can
The last four letters in Republican........I Can
The last four letters in Democrats.........Rats
End of lesson. Test to follow on November 6, 2014.
Remember, November 2014 is to be set aside as rodent removal month.
Please help to achieve that goal.
To whom it may concern:
ReplyDeleteIt has come to my attention that some "so called" Christians were running their mouth at the meeting (or what should have been) last night. Did anyone stop to think there maybe something wrong with the council that did not show? Of course you did not because you are the ones, just look in the mirror, which spread hate and gossip. It's ok for the ones that showed last night to miss but when it comes to others there is a different standard painted by the mayor and the "so called" Christians in the audience. The persons at the meeting also need to learn the law before quoting it. It is not illegal for persons on the council to communicate with one another as long as it is not plotting city business.
The issues having to do with benefits are not the only problem with this personnel manual. It is plagued by plagiarism, grammatical errors, and illegal policies, all of which shine a dull disfigured light on our city. The municipal league suggests the employee manual be reviewed and revised yearly. Obviously no one has cared about it until the idea of cutting the expenses came into play. The manual in its entirety should be rewritten, reorganized, and placed before the city attorney for evaluation. The format of the manual is lax. It doesn't look professional. This is not what we want to hand to employees to look at. It's a disgrace. Who could possibly read this and feel confident in their employment?
ReplyDeleteThe Handbook for Arkansas Municipal Officials clearly states the course of action for vacancies in the office of alderman.
14-44-104 (a) reads: Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of alderman in any city of the second class, at the first regular meeting after the occurrence of the vacancy, the city council shall proceed to elect, by a majority vote of the council, an alderman to serve for the unexpired term.
(b) The election to fill the vacancy under subsection (a) of this section is not subject to veto by the mayor."
In other words, let's get moving, shall we? It is inexcusable when notice was given at such a time that action could have already been taken, especially in the time that has elapsed since the resignation was official. The book is there for guidance. It's time to use it. All elected officials should be familiar with ordinances and policies surrounding these simple procedures. Honestly now, the section detailing these procedures for cities of the second class is only six and a half pages long...
The mayor showed up in my driveway with a police officer and lied to me about the ordinance regarding chickens. She acted on impulse. That's not the type of qualities we need in someone who is supposed to demonstrate leadership. Only four hens, completely legal under the current standing ordinance. My son cried when we had to get rid of them. I had to watch tears come out of his beautiful eyes as a man loaded his chickens up into a truck and took them away. Then I find out that I was lied to, my son cried over her nonsense. I had to wipe his tears which should have NEVER been there to begin with. Anyone with children can understand my immense frustration brought on by illegal actions by my own mayor who is supposed to be someone I can trust. We've been lied to, and it makes me SICK.
Now, specifically on topic for the reason to increase the amount of chickens. My family of four goes through a five dozen box of eggs each week. Ten hens producing up to six eggs each week fills the requirements in egg production and saves me approximately an amount equal to a tank of gas, 200 diapers, and two boxes of baby formula. it's also healthier, and teaches my children responsibility. The chickens keep the mosquito population in check from the drainage behind my property which holds water year round and is a breeding pool for these disease ridden nuisances which plague the yard my children play in. The chickens also help pay for my college education. I am a junior in college earning my bachelor's degree in communications. Their offspring provides a supplemental income for my family. The waste from ten chickens is less than the amount of two medium sized dogs. This waste is easily recycled into nutrients which I need to grow vegetables in my mid-sized garden. Come to my house and walk around my yard and you will not smell any foul odors. Go to my neighbor's yard who owns six large dogs and take a big whiff. Your olfactory senses are highly likely to be offended to your displeasure just right across the street. Ask me any question you like, and I will gladly share my knowledge on this subject. There is no logical, favorable, or profitable reason to not expand the allowance of the number of chickens per lot. It only serves to benefit those of us who dedicate our time to providing our famiies with healthy alternatives.
DeleteSounds like the city owes you four chickens.
DeleteDoesn't seem fair to have the city pay for her acts of impulse. A responsible mayor would have either known what the ordinance was, or would have looked it up before involving the police in such a matter. I am not a criminal, and four little hens isn't that BIG of a deal. It's not like I am that unapproachable to not be able to talk to someone with respect. I hope she has learned a lesson from all this... I've learned my lesson, and I will let it be known with my vote.
Delete