Lack of quorum cancels Alexander planning meeting; additional members still needed

Two members of the Alexander Planning Commission were unable to begin the regular June meeting when its only other member was unable to attend. After thirty minutes had passed the 6 PM starting time, commission members Juanita Wilson and Michael Huck decided to cancel the meeting due to the lack of a quorum.

Wilson phoned the third member, Stephanie Beck, shortly after six. Beck told Wilson she had started a new job and was being kept after her time to leave but she didn’t know for how long.

While the commission is suppose to have five members Mayor Paul Mitchell is having trouble getting anyone to commit. In the past he has said at least one person, “Is thinking about it.”

Commission Chairman Michael Huck says there are three basic qualifications to appoint someone to these two positions. “One, you must live within the City of Alexander,” he said. “Two, you can not be either an elected city official or city employee and three, you must have at least half a brain.”

Because there are five positions on the commission state law limits the number of elected officials or city employees to one. Vice-Chairwoman Juanita Wilson is also a member of the council which limits any other elected official or employee from being appointed.

Anyone wanting to volunteer to serve on the Alexander Planning Commission should contact Mayor Paul Mitchell at city hall by phone at (501) 455-2585. You may also mail a resume addressed to the mayor at;

Alexander City Hall

C/O Mayor Paul Mitchell

15605 Alexander Rd.

Alexander, AR 72002.

On the meeting’s agenda was a second review of the proposed new zoning regulations. Changes had been discussed and approved during a special meeting held in May. The city’s current zoning codes were approved in 1982.

The commission’s next regular meeting will be August 14. A special meeting can be scheduled before then. The August meeting will be held at 6 PM in the courtroom at city hall. The public is invited to attend.