Former Alexander Mayor gets one year ... on planning commission

COMMENTARY

I'm going to skip the usual fair and unbiased reporting of the City of Alexander's monthly meeting and go straight to commentary. I do this because after serving four months in its current configuration this council has shown it's made up of weak, naive, underhanded, bootlicking, and just plain stupid aldermen.

Without appearing on the agenda and without her resume being provided to the aldermen in their meeting packets; former Mayor Shirley Johnson managed to finagle her way onto the city's planning commission. She will serve a one-year term followed by a three-year term to whomever is appointed to that position. Gee, I wonder who it will be.

The unexpected action occurred at the April 20 meeting with future ex-Alderwoman Andrea Bearden leading the way. Without making a motion to put the appointment on the agenda (which is required and should have been done at the start of the meeting) Bearden blurted out at the start of New Business, "I make a motion to appoint Shirley Johnson to the Alexander Planning Commission for a term of one year." Future ex-Alderman and Shirley Johnson boot-licker Andy Mullins seconded the motion.

It's interesting that while none of the aldermen had a copy of Johnson's resume in their packet Bearden had plenty to hand out. How convenient.

When asked by Bearden, Johnson said she turned in her resume Monday, 
April 13. Packets are usually available by Thursday or Friday the week before the meeting.

Bearden's reasoning for appointing Johnson is, "We don't have anybody representing District-1, Ward-1, on the planning commission." And, magically Shirley Johnson comes to the rescue.

Johnson stood before the council and gave a low-spoken oratory of sweetness that would give a diabetic a seizure.

"I would like to work with the planning commission ... Bob (McKeon) and I have worked on projects before, we don't always agree," Johnson said, "I've lived here over 70 years."

McKeon was appointed to the planning commission two weeks ago at a special meeting. We'll get back to that later.

The final vote was seven "Yes" and one "No." Because Alderwoman Stephanie Beck was absent from the meeting she was counted as a "No" vote.

Before Johnson spoke Alderwoman Melissa Rutledge asked Bearden if this was, "The same Shirley Johnson you were talking about when we were doing the employee manual?"

After Bearden replied yes Rutledge said, "And, you're nominating her for the planning commission?"

After Johnson was defeated by current Mayor Paul Mitchell in the November, 2010 election Johnson tried to collect a pension based on the retirement section of the employee manual. It was eventually determined that section was illegal and has been stricken from the manual. Johnson was mayor when it was passed in October 2005 and went into effect January 2006. Eventually, enough Johnson worshipers ended up on the council to award her an $820 monthly pension; which is still in effect. Current Ward-2 Alderman Andy Mullins was one of the aldermen who voted for her pension.

But there's more to the Johnson legacy. After the completion of St. Joseph's Glen Johnson admitted during a council meeting the planning commission allowed the developers to build St. Joseph's Glen without paying for building permits. Translation; I convinced commission members it would be a good thing for Alexander. It was also illegal since planning commissions have no authority to approve anything, they only recommend.

Current Mayor Mitchell was on the council at the time she made that statement. And, since she wasn't on the agenda for this meeting no one could attend to counter why she shouldn't be on the planning commission.

This was not the process used when the other four members were appointed to the planning commission. A workshop meeting was held Monday evening March 23 in which aldermen interviewed five applicants for the five available planning commission seats. They were Robert "Bob" McKeon, former Alderman Michael Huck, John W. Reeves, Sr., Deanna Reeves, and current Alderwoman Andrea Bearden. Former Ward-1 Alderwoman Ceola Bailey submitted a resume but did not attend the workshop. Ward-1; that's where Johnson lives.

At a special meeting, held Monday, April 6 the seven aldermen present and mayor went into executive session to discuss the applicants. After the executive session they nominated and appointed McKeon to a three-year term, Deanna Reeves and Bearden to two-year terms, and John W. Reeves, Sr. to a one-year term. Each applicant received seven "Yes" votes and one "No" vote due to the absence of Alderwoman Melissa Ratliff.

A motion was made to appoint former Alderman Michael Huck to a one-year term. He received only one "Yes" vote from Alderman Dan Church. This left Alexander with one vacancy on the planning commission. How far ahead was this planned?

Planning commission mischief and illegal employee manuals aren't her only legacy. The Arkansas Division of Legislative Audit (ADLA) conducts an annual audit of municipalities and other government entities. The audit consists of a review of accounting practices and whether or not they meet state requirements. Under her reign as mayor, starting with the calendar year 1998 and ending in 2010, the ADLA listed the following items.

1998 - "The Mayor did not provide a budget for the Police and Water Development Funds. Total expenditures for these funds were $35,179.32. Budgets are necessary for control of expenditures."

"The Recorder/Treasurer did not transfer $13,150.08 of highway turnback funds deposited into the General Fund to the Street Fund. This amount, combined with previous years [sic] improper transactions, resulted in the General Fund owing the Street Fund $48,070.11."

1999 - "Street Fund turnback in the amount of $3,979.29 was deposited to the General Fund." The General Fund now owes the Street Fund $52,049.40.

2000 - "Street Fund turnback in the amount of $5,646.03 was deposited to the General Fund." The General Fund now owes the Street Fund $57,695.43.

2001 - "Street Fund turnback in the amount of $14,849 was deposited in the General Fund." The General Fund now owes the Street Fund $72,544.43.

2002 - "Street Fund turnback in the amount of $11,977 was deposited in the General Fund." The General Fund now owes the Street Fund $84,521.43.

2003 - "Street Fund turnback in the amount of $7,638 was deposited in the General Fund." The General Fund now owes the Street Fund $92,159.43.

2004 - Everyone performed well this year.

2005 - "State aid for highway funds in the amount of $10,184.31 was not transferred to the Street Fund from the General Fund ... . State aid from previous years has also not been transferred with a total of $106,072.99 due to the Street Fund from the General Fund at December 31, 2005."

2006 - "The General Fund disbursements exceeded appropriations by $306,843 (116%)." This means Mayor Johnson spent more money than the council had budgeted and didn't present aldermen with an adjusted budget.

"State aid for highway funds in the amount of $29,297 was not transferred to the Street Fund from the General Fund," the report states. "State aid from previous years has also not been transferred with a total of $135,370 due to the Street Fund from the General Fund at December 31, 2006."

As a historical reference, it was in August of 2006 that Woodland Hills was annexed to the City of Alexander.

2007 - "State aid for highway funds in the amount of $24,543 was not transferred to the Street Fund from the General Fund. State aid from previous years has also not been transferred with a total of $159,913 due to the Street Fund from the General Fund at December 31, 2007."

2008 & 2009 - This was a combined audit conducted in 2010 because no audits were done in 2009.

"General Fund total disbursements for 2008 exceeded appropriations by $178,707 (27%)." Once again aldermen were not given an opportunity to approve an amended budget.

"State aid for highway turnback funds from previous years has not been transferred from the General Fund to the Street Fund. The total amount due to the Street Fund at December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $112,806 and $132,792, respectively."

It was about this time the aldermen discovered the illegal use of Street Fund revenue and passed a motion requiring that money go directly into the Street Fund. The council also began budgeting repayments from the General Fund to the Street Fund. If you'll notice the amount owed from the General Fund to the Street Fund between 2008 and 2009 has been reduced.

2010 - "The governing body did not review the prior agreed-upon procedures report and accompanying comments at the first regularly scheduled meeting following receipt of the report as required by Ark. Code Ann. § 10-4-418." According to state law council members are suppose to review the report and take the necessary actions to correct any errors before the report is sent to the ADLA.

"State aid for highway turnback funds from previous years was not transferred from the General Fund to the Street Fund. The total amount due to the Street Fund at December 31, 2O1O was $97,933."

Racial profiling

Then there's the opinion of U.S. District Judge G. Thomas Eisele issued in March of 2010 when he ruled against Alexander in a racial profiling lawsuit. In 2009 several male Hispanics filed a lawsuit charging former Police Officer Tommy Leath with targeting Hispanics for traffic stops. A review of citations he issued showed he had a higher percentage for Hispanics than other Alexander officers. Included in the lawsuit were Johnson and former Police Chief Allen Spears.

"In late April (2009), Mayor Johnson was specifically notified by a citizen, Jamie Guardado, of the allegation that Leath was racially profiling Hispanics," Judge Eisele said in his ruling. "Once advised of such a serious allegation, Johnson, at a minimum, should have reported the allegation to Spears and ensured that they (the allegations) were properly investigated. She was deliberately indifferent not to so act."

He also said, "The record indicates and the Court finds that City policy-makers Mayor Johnson and Chief Spears knew that Leath was targeting Hispanics but took no action to stop him. By their silence, they both condoned his conduct and allowed it to continue."

Back taxes owed the IRS

After Paul Mitchell became Mayor in January, 2011 he and the council learned of another secret Johnson kept hidden from aldermen. The City of Alexander owed several thousand dollars in back payments and penalties to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Rather than working out a payment plan with the IRS she hired a Texas company to make the IRS go away. Thanks to former Mayor Johnson Alexander started 2011 not only owing the IRS but a couple more thousand to this company, which of course was not able to make the IRS vanish.

This is the person the city council has appointed to the new planning commission. I wonder how long it will take her to get it running like the old planning commission. And, don't you doubt that she won't use it to get back on her throne.

Since I have absolutely no use for this wimpy, get-along, anti-Paul Mitchell, hail Queen Shirley council I am shutting down this blog. Now that you've let the termite back into the house the structure will begin to once-again rot from the inside.

Alexander Council will discuss Paychex Monday night

Members of the Alexander City Council will hear a report Monday night from Mayor Paul Mitchell concerning the company Paychex. The report is expected to include advice as to what the city needs to do to have Paychex come into compliance with state law.

In 2013, when Michelle Hobbs was mayor, the City of Alexander hired PayChex to handle its payroll. The Arkansas Division of Legislative Audit (ADLA) issued a report in February stating some of the duties being performed by the company violates state law. The annual audit was for the calendar year 2013.

The audit states, "The City’s agreement with a private company to perform payroll services, including electronic drafting of a City bank account for the payroll tax deposits, is in noncompliance with Ark. Code Ann. § 14-59-115."

Section (2) (B) of the law states, "The governing body of a municipality may not assign duties relating to the receipting or disbursing of funds to anyone other than an employee of the municipality."

The audit was discussed at the council's February 23 meeting. During that discussion it was noted that Shannon Hills uses Paychex. Mitchell was asked to get an explanation from ADLA explaining exactly how the services Paychex is providing Shannon Hills differs from the services being provided to Alexander.

The regular April meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held Monday, April 20, 6 pm in city hall. Regular meetings are held the third Monday of the month. The public is invited to attend.

Alexander Council appoints five; Leaves one vacancy

Members of the Alexander City Council appointed one individual to complete the unexpired term of city treasurer and four others were appointed to the new city planning commission. One applicant was not approved leaving a vacant seat on the planning commission.

At a special meeting, held Monday, April 6, seven of the eight-member council voted to fill the five vacancies. Present at the meeting were Ward-1 aldermen Louis E. Hobbs and Jeffery S. Watson; Ward-2 Alderwoman Stephanie Beck and Alderman Andy Mullins; Ward-3 Alderwoman Andrea Bearden and Alderman Dan Church; and Ward-4 Alderman Lonny Chapman. Ward-4 Alderwoman Melissa Ratliff could not attend the meeting due to a sick child.

The aldermen and Mayor Paul Mitchell went into executive session to discuss the various candidates. Nearly 30-minutes later they returned to regular session. A workshop meeting was held Monday, March 23 to interview the candidates.

Former Alderman Kenneth Miller was the only candidate for city treasurer. Kaye Richeson had submitted a resume but later declined due to family business.

Miller was appointed by a seven to one vote. Because Ratliff was absent she is counted as a "No" vote. Miller was sworn-in immediately after the vote by Mayor Paul Mitchell followed by a round of applause from those in attendence. The remainder of the four-year term expires December 31, 2016. The election for the next term will be held at the November, 2016 General Election.

Motions to appoint each of the applicants to the planning commission was made by council members, each one taking turns nominating an applicant. A term of one, two, or three years was included in the motion. When each term expires someone will be appointed to a full three-year term.

Robert "Bob" McKeon was appointed to a three-year term, Deanna Reeves and current Alderwoman Andrea Bearden were each appointed to two-year terms, and John W. Reeves, Sr. was appointed to a one-year term. Each applicant received seven "Yes" votes and one "No" vote due to the absence of Alderwoman Melissa Ratliff.

A motion was made to appoint former Alderman Michael Huck to a one-year term. He received only one "Yes" vote from Alderman Dan Church. This leaves Alexander with one vacancy on the planning commission.

Anyone who desires to serve on the City of Alexander Planning Commission is asked to send a resume to city hall in care of Mayor Paul Mitchell. The resume should include contact information, those qualifications the individual feels they have that will serve them well as a member of the planning commission and their vision for the future of Alexander.

The article concerning the interview workshop may be found below.

In other business;

While giving his monthly report Alexander Police Chief John Fenton recognized officers Williams and Gladness for actions they took recently which resulted in the quick arrest of a burglary suspect. Fenton said they responded to a residential burglary call last month at Knollwood Mobile Home Park.

"In the process they obtained some information and ended up in less than an hour made an arrest of a suspect and recovered property," Fenton said.

The next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held Monday, April 20, 6 pm in the courtroom in city hall. Regular meetings are held the third Monday of the month. The public is invited to attend.

Alexander Council interviews applicants for six positions; Appointments expected at April 6 meeting

Aldermen for the City of Alexander spent a little over an hour interviewing six residents for six vacant positions. One is for the position of city treasurer and the other five are for the newly established planning commission. The interviews were held during a workshop meeting Monday evening March 23.

Former Alderman Kenneth Miller and Kaye Richeson submitted resumes for city treasurer. Submitting resumes for the planning commission were Robert "Bob" McKeon, former Alderman Michael Huck, John W. Reeves, Sr., Deanna Reeves, current Alderwoman Andrea Bearden, and former Alderwoman Ceola Bailey.

Both Bailey and Richeson did not attend the workshop. No one knew why Bailey wasn't there but former Alderwoman Juanita Wilson was present and told council members Richeson told her she decided to let Miller take the treasurer's position because it appears she will be out of town at times dealing with family business.

Before the interviews began City Recorder Sharon Bankhead had to take over for Mayor Paul Mitchell who was unable to attend the workshop. Alderwoman Melissa Ratliff was appointed by the council to act as city recorder.

Kenneth Miller was first to speak to council members. During his opening statement he said the treasurer serves as the city's financial officer.

"I do hold an Associate's Degree in Business Management, Investment and Finance," he said. "I've done this for about 20 years."

Miller served 25 years in the United States Army, owned and operated a computer sales and service business and is now retired. He also served as Secretary/Treasurer for the Benton "Golden K Kiwanis" for two years.

"I've a clean record and bondable," he added.

He has experience with accounting software. "I've worked with systems like QuickBooks, and so forth, which are very close to the Center Point software we have in the city," Miller said.

"I would make sure that all records, accounts payable and receivable, would be properly maintained," he said.

Miller plans to, "Work closely with the personnel."

"I've good people skills, I can work with people but maintain what needs to be done to get the job done," he added.

In the military Miller had a security clearance, "four levels below the president," he said. "If they can trust me ... [I guess] I can be trusted with anything that's going on in the city."

"I'd like to look at any way that we can save the city some money."

Miller mentioned he has been repairing computers since the first of the year, "Free of charge."

During a question and answer session after his comments Miller told council members he can start immediately after being appointed. He will work without pay and considers one of his duties will be to manage the bookkeeper.

During a "Special Regular" meeting held Monday, October 27, 2014 the Alexander City Council appointed Miller to the Ward-2 Position-1 seat by a four to three vote. The position was formerly held by Brad Scott. He then lost to Stephanie Beck in the November, 2014 General Election.

First up for one of the five positions on the newly formed planning commission was Robert "Bob" McKeon. In his opening statement he said, "The City of Alexander is in a unique position in time and history to be able to develop both commercial and residential property for the benefit of its residents without cost or loss in the infrastructure; which is streets, water, sanitary sewer, etc.."

"These developments should be planned and built so they will last year's to come without any future cost to the city while improving the property values," he added.

McKeon was one of the main individuals driving the petition in early 2006 to get what was Woodland Hills annexed into the City of Alexander. He also helped develop the city boundaries during the annexation process. While working with Saline County he discovered they had collected enough signatures to add around 350 undeveloped acres to the city's new boundaries.

That's approximately, "350 undeveloped acres in the city that need further plan and development," he said.

What's even more important is where most of the 350 acres is located. Around 300 of the 350 acres makes up the southwest corner of Alexander contiguous to not only the City of Bryant but the Saline County Regional Airport as well.

McKeon said, "Highway 111 and South Alexander Road will be the major travel corridor for access to this airport in years to come from I-30."

Later, in the discussion period of his interview, he said, "The reason that Highway 111/South Alexander Road is going to be widened and going to be an access to the airport is because FedEx has to move out of Memphis within the next four to five years."

FedEx is already building a new distribution center near the intersection of Alexander and Vimey Ridge roads. When construction began it was announced that center will replace the two smaller FedEx distribution centers in Little Rock.

Speaking about Highway 111 and Alexander Road during his opening statement McKeon said, "The City of Alexander needs to develop a simple long-range plan for commercial and multi-use areas along this corridor."

He said there are six areas being developed along South Alexander Road. All are commercial developments except one.

"I am familiar with infrastructure and development," McKeon said. "I have worked with city, county and state boards on infrastructure for development, both residential and commercial."

"If appointed I will work closely with the city council to ensure the residents, both old and new, are not adversely affected by the future planning of commercial and residential development areas," he added. "I will work with the city council to ensure that any planning ordinances are not restrictive in a developers ability to develop."

McKeon has lived in Woodland Hills, now Alexander, for 46 years. For many years he has been the manager of the Saline County Water and Sewer District.

Alderwoman Andrea Bearden asked about a new zoning map. Alexander does not have a zoning map that includes Woodland Hills after the annexation.

"Do it in maybe stages," McKeon suggested. "It's probably too overwhelming, in my opinion, to do the whole thing at one time. [Zone] what needs to be developed first. Set it aside for multi-use. If we get some streets in there we might go commercial."

Next up was former Ward-3 Alderman Michael Huck who said he observed how planning commissions function when he worked as a reporter in Illinois prior to moving to Woodland Hills (Alexander) in 1997. He would occasionally report on planning commissions at both the small town and county level.

"So, I'm somewhat familiar with the duties of a planning commission and working through zoning hearings, variance hearings," he said.

Huck agreed a new zoning map is needed that includes what was Woodland Hills. He also pointed out that Alexander needs to add a third residential zone classification. He said currently Alexander has R-1, which includes site-built houses and mobile homes, and R-2, which includes R-1 plus multi-family housing.

"R-1 should be strictly sight-built homes only," Huck said. "St. Joseph's Glen and the new Meadows Edge, those areas should be zoned R-1 sight-built homes only, single-family; not and mobile homes."

He then explained R-2 should be site-built homes and factory-built homes. A new R-3 category would include R-2 plus multi-family housing.

While establishing a new zoning map Huck said that would be the time to decide what type of development the city wants in the open areas, such as the 350 acres mentioned by Bob McKeon.

Huck said, "As we're doing the zoning map ... we can start pre-selecting these open areas [and decide] what we want there as opposed to what someone wants to build there."

Asked about pre-zoning for business by Alderwoman Andrea Bearden Huck concurred and said, "For instance, the east side of [Highway] 111 opposite Meadows Edge the mayor ... would prefer some kind of sales tax generating business on that opposite side."

He also suggested, "The planning commission might want to take a look at everything the previous planning commission did on St. Joseph's Glen and find out once and for what is what."

"What did they approve, what didn't they approve; right now it's all, 'Well I thought it was'," he added.

During the past two years there's been discussions between St. Joseph's Glen residents and the city as to who is responsible for street maintenance.

Bearden asked when the previous planning commission was in existence. Huck said it last met in 2010.

According to his resume Huck was employed as a graphic artist by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism for 15 years and is now retired. He was appointed as alderman of Ward-3 in November, 2006 after the annexation of Woodland Hills was made final. He resigned from that position in 2011.

John W. Reeves, Sr. is asking to be appointed to the planning commission. Reeves said planning needs to consider how any development will affect current residents.

"I've lived here since 1978," he said. "I've seen a lot of changes good and bad. All the planning, that's good bring more business. Good they're going to widen [Highway] 111. My concern is, if I'm elected to be on the planning committee, I'm going to be concerned about the people who live here now. What impact are we going to have on the people that are here now. What impact is the traffic going to have when you widen [Highway] 111? I'm all for progress, I hope the city does good. That's what I'd like to see everybody prosper but my concern is with the people. "

Using the construction of the Meadows Edge subdivision along Highway 111 and the additional traffic it will generate as an example he said, "What impact does that have to me getting my kids that just got off the school bus?" "I think that's some things we need to be looking at."

Reeves is a Journeyman Electrician/Foreman for Thompson Electric. He's been in the construction business for 20 years.

Deanna Reeves is an Administrative Service Manager for Vision Information Technology Consultants in Little Rock. Among her many duties she manages 16 employees located in North Carolina, Louisiana and Arizona. She has lived in Alexander 10 years and is married to John W. Reeves, Sr..

Deanna Reeves says the experience she has acquired from her current employer may help Alexander acquire grants. Vision Information Technology Consultants provides professional information technology consulting and products to the federal government. 

"I would like to put my experience from that towards the planning [commission]," she said. There's a lot of stuff [funding] that is out there that nobody uses."

"We work with the military mainly but there's also several things [grants] as far as construction," Deanna said.

During a discussion about grants Reeves admitted no one is automatically approved but they are available for local government.

Current Ward-3 Alderwoman Andrea Bearden spoke last. She also submitted a resume and has asked to be considered for appointment to the planning commission.

"I have an idea for the City of Alexander to grow," Bearden said. "I do care about the impact to existing [residents].

About development along Highway 111 and South Alexander Road Bearden said, "I'd like to see good reputable businesses brought out here, as far as on the main corridor."

Bearden is a long-time resident of Alexander. She is a Maintenance Technician for the Arkansas Department of Military at North Little Rock.

On October 21, 2013 Bearden was appointed to the city council filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Ward-3 Alderman Dan Church. She ran unopposed in the November, 2014 General Election.

State law allows elected and appointed officials to also be appointed to a planning commission. The law requires no more than one-third of a planning commission members can be elected or appointed to other positions in the main governing body.

The council is expected to fill the six vacancies at a "Special Meeting" scheduled for this Monday, April 6. The meeting was scheduled in place of the regular March meeting because Mayor Paul Mitchell couldn't attend and the council never had the opportunity to schedule the workshop meeting to interview the applicants.

The "Special Meeting" will be held at 6 PM in city hall. The public is invited to attend.