Alexander Mayor Paul Mitchell announced the hiring of Victoria Leigh as city attorney and prosecutor at the city’s September council meeting. She replaces Pat Marshall who also served in both roles.
Mitchell explained to council members the change was needed due to complaints from the police chief about Marshall not wanting to prosecute traffic offenses and other violations. With no one going to trial there are no fines, which reduces revenue to the police department’s budget. Mitchell said tickets aren’t written to generate revenue, but if no one is prosecuted there’s no deterrent.
According to her website Leigh is founder of Lion Legal Services, located in North Little Rock. She lists as her legal specialties, “certified mediator ... a great trial lawyer … (and) I handle many real estate, business, contract, and other civil transactions and litigation.” Mitchell said he has already given her the assignment to work on a property dispute concerning the city park.
Mitchell said she will also attend council meetings, which the previous city attorney did not, and she has other attorneys on staff if needed. Marshall worked alone.
She will begin October 1 and council members will meet her at the October meeting.
The mayor said all of the additional benefits are worth the added cost of using Leigh as the city attorney and prosecutor. Marshall was being paid $750 per month while Leigh will receive $1,500.
Other actions taken during the September 21 meeting;
Council members approved an ordinance establishing criteria for the placement of used manufactured homes in the city. The new ordinance replaces an existing ordinance, which covered all factory-built homes. The new zoning ordinance approved in 2019 made some sections of the ordinance redundant and were removed. The fee section was also removed because a new building permit ordinance, approved this summer, included those fees. The only item remaining is the criteria for placing used manufactured homes in the city and the required inspection process.
Council members were given a copy of a proposed ordinance establishing “Storm Water Discharge Regulations” to review before the October meeting. Mayor Mitchell said there has been a push by the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality to get regulations adopted.
The stated purpose of the regulations are, “To maintain and improve the quality of surface water and groundwater; To prevent the discharge of contaminated storm water runoff from industrial, commercial, residential, and construction sites …; To promote public awareness of the hazards involved in the improper discharge of hazardous substances …; To encourage recycling of used motor oil and safe disposal of other hazardous consumer products; To facilitate compliance with state and federal standards and permits by owners and operators of industrial and construction sites …; (and) To enable the City of Alexander, Arkansas to comply with all federal and state laws and regulations applicable to storm water discharges.” Mitchell said the Street and Parks Department Superintendent David Durham is certified to enforce the regulations.
Mitchell reported on a plan by Saline County to form a county-wide animal control department. Details are sketchy, but based on a conversation Mitchell had with someone from Bryant the plan would have cities pay an annual fee to join the county animal control system. It’s unclear how cities like Benton and Bryant, which have animal control departments, will be woven into the county-wide system.
Police Chief Robert Burnett presented copies of a new police policies and procedures manual to council members for review. Burnett said the new policies have been approved by the state.
Burnett announced the hiring of two new officers to cover night patrols. He also suggested the hiring of a second detective will be needed due to the increase in population and the close proximity to Little Rock.
City council members approved Burnett’s request to sell the two oldest police vehicles in the fleet, pay off an existing loan for the two newest vehicles early and take out a loan to buy two new vehicles for approximately $83,000; for both vehicles. Mitchell said, unlike in the past, his goal has been to rotate out police vehicles before they lose all their value and while they still run.
The annual fall festival has been canceled. The mayor announced the cancellation due to issues surrounding CoVid-19.
Construction of the Circle K at Alexander Road and Highway 5 should begin soon. Mitchell said legal issues concerning using an existing sewer line belonging to Knollwood Mobile Home Park have been resolved.
The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, October 19 at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at city hall. The public is invited to attend.