Alexander council announces second "Special Regular" meeting for more October business

The Alexander City Council will hold a second "Special Regular" meeting Monday evening, 6 PM, November 3 at city hall. The purpose of the meeting is to continue with the October agenda.

Monday's meeting was scheduled at a "Special Regular" meeting held last Monday, October 27, in which council members only made it to agenda item-1. At that meeting the council was able to appoint Kenneth Miller to fill the vacant Ward-2 Position-1 seat. The seat had been vacant since June when Alderman Brad Scott resigned. The vote was four to three.

However, the only person there who could administer the oath was Mayor Michelle Hobbs and she refused. Eventually, the council decided to adjourn the meeting and reschedule it for November 3.

She began putting up roadblocks to the appointment as soon as the meeting started. First, Hobbs attempted to stop any action on the issue by claiming a vote on the appointment could only be made at a regular meeting, not a special meeting. City Attorney Kevin Lemley told the council and mayor there was no legal reason why the vote can only be made at a regular monthly meeting; especially since State law requires the vacancy be filled at the next regular meeting, which would have been July. Hobbs knew about the resignation three days before the June meeting but didn't release the information until the July meeting.

The July meeting was canceled due to the lack of a quorum. In August the council declared the seat vacant and notices were posted requesting resumes. The only resume received was Miller's. Miller and Ward-2 resident Stephanie Beck will appear on the November 4, ballot for the Ward-2 Position-1 seat. Beck did not submit a resume.

Next, Hobbs claimed she couldn't swear him in because she didn't have a copy of the oath and the form he needs to sign. She said they were on an employee's computer she couldn't access.

Both Lemley and Alderman Andrea Bearden found the oath on-line and in the Arkansas Municipal League handbook. Bearden also had a digital copy of the form with her. Bearden suggested the meeting could be recessed for 10 minutes while they go into the office area in city hall and print what the mayor needed. Hobbs was having none of it.

Miller was sworn in by Saline County Justice of the Peace J.R. Walters on Tuesday, October 28.

The reason for the October 27, "Special Regular" meeting was also caused by Hobbs. At the "Regular" meeting held Monday evening, October 20, Hobbs claimed she "forgot" to post the date and time of the meeting. So the meeting had to be canceled.

Because this will be a "Special" meeting Arkansas law requires an agenda be included with the announcement. When holding a "Special" meeting the council is limited to discussing and acting on only those items on the agenda. The notice and agenda have been posted at several locations throughout the city. The public is invited to attend.

Among several items under "Old Business" aldermen will be asked to decide on lowering the monthly salaries of future mayors and aldermen. 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 was introduced at the August meeting. It had to be tabled to make changes to the resolution. If approved the new pay scale will go into effect beginning January 1, 2015.

Other "Old Business" items include a review of the ordinance covering city business licenses passed in 1993, the repair of the fire house driveway located on South Alexander Road and the search for new police and fire chiefs. Mayor Hobbs said at the September meeting she was interviewing for the chief positions and aldermen want to hear a report on her progress. However, they probably won't hear that report because Hobbs has already said she can't attend the meeting.

The only "New Business" item is the opening of bids for repairing the bridge on Cornerstone. Three bids have been received.

Following is the complete agenda.

1)   Call to Order:

          Ward 1:    Ceola Bailey           Farren Wadley

          Ward 2:   Juanita Wilson      Ken Miller

          Ward 3:   Andrea Bearden    Sam Gregory

          Ward 4:   Lonny Chapman   Faye McKeon

               

Sharon Bankhead                            Michelle Hobbs

2)   Minutes:              Reading and/or Suspension of September 15 2014

3)   City Attorney:    Lawsuits and pending issues (i.e. abandoned/neglected property)

4)   Monthly Reports:

          Mayor

          Fire Department

          Police Department

          Financial

5)   Old Business:

          a)   Carla Miller Check

          b)   Resolution amending rate of pay for Mayor and Council

          c)   Ordinance MO 93-01-02

          d)   WDY Paving

          e)   Interview results

          f)   Charging Mutual Aid

          g)   Yearend Financial Statement

          h)   District Court

6)   New Business:

          a)   Bridge on Corner Stone

7)   Public Comment

8)   Adjourn