Alexander council members schedule special regular meeting

Three members of the Alexander City Council have scheduled what's being called a "Special Regular" meeting for Monday, October 27 to be held at 6 PM in city hall. The meeting had to be called when the regular October council meeting was canceled because Mayor Michelle Hobbs says she "forgot" to post announcements for that meeting.

Council members Juanita Wilson, Faye McKeon and Andrea Bearden scheduled the meeting after Mayor Michelle Hobbs refused to do so. It is unknown if she will be attending.

Because this is a "special" meeting Arkansas law requires an agenda be included with the announcement. This agenda is more detailed than past agendas. The notice and agenda have been posted in five locations throughout the city. The public is invited to attend.

The first item on the agenda is to fill a vacancy on the council. The choice should be easy since there is only one applicant for the position, Kenneth D. Miller.

Miller not only submitted a resume to be considered for the vacant Ward-2 Position-1 seat, his name will also appear on the November ballot for that same seat. The position was declared vacant by council members in August after the resignation of Alderman Brad Scott in June. Ward-2 resident Stephanie Beck will also appear on the ballot with Miller but she did not submit a resume.

Miller served 25 years in the United States Army, owned and operated a computer sales and service business and is now retired. According to his resume he is, "Skilled and trained in the areas of management, supervision, training, human resource management, telecommunications operations, intelligence, security, and administration." He is also, "Certified as an instructor" and was with the "Benton 'Golden K Kiwanis' as Secretary/Treasurer" for two years.

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's been tabled since then due to other pressing business. 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 Old 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.

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