Paving two streets and bulldozer purchase approved using CARES Act funding

The Alexander City Council approved appropriating $100,000.00, which will be used to pave two city streets and buying a used bulldozer for the street department. The money comes from the $114,931.18 in CARES Act funding received near the end of 2020.

The two streets to be paved are all of Rosewood Ln. and East Azalea (from South Alexander Rd. to a section of pavement, about 310 feet long, applied in 2017). As part of the 2017 paving project the 310 foot section of asphalt was laid to connect Skyline Dr. in Shannon Hills with East Azalea. This year’s project will provide a matching surface for the rest of East Azalea.

Red Stone Construction Group in Little Rock submitted the low bid of $35,919.50 for Rosewood Ln. and $37,312.50 for East Azalea totaling $73,232.00. Mayor Paul Mitchell says Cranford Asphalt of North Little Rock submitted a bid of $89,000.00 for East Azalea alone.

Passed by Congress in March 2020 the CARES Act was to provide financial relief for individuals, businesses, state, and local governments that have been negatively impacted by the corona virus. The funding received by Alexander replaced salaries and taxes for first responders. It was placed in the general fund.

Before spending it council members at the December council meeting asked about any restrictions on how it can be spent. At the January meeting Mitchell reported that the city attorney investigated the issue and was told there are no limitations on how the CARES Act funding can be spent.

Included in the approval to spend $100,000.00 is the purchase of a 2011 Caterpillar D4K bulldozer from McGeorge Construction at Bauxite for $25,000. Street Superintendent David Durham says it’s a “steal” and is in good condition, aside from needing some cleaning. Mitchell told council members this should be the last major purchase in equipment for the street department.

This is not the first street paving project for Alexander. Since 2015 this will make the fourth project totaling 24 streets that have had either all or a portion of the street paved.

In 2015 and 2019 the city took advantage of a state grant program administered by a committee within the Arkansas Department of Transportation. The funding comes from the 0.5% sales tax voters approved when they passed Amendment 91 to the state Constitution in 2012. In the November 3, 2020 General Election voters approved making Amendment 91 permanent. The funding is designated to be used for state highways up to four lanes wide and municipal and county streets and roads.

In 2015 both grant and street funds were used to pave eight streets in Wards 1, 2, and 4. They are Autumn Cove and the end of Magnolia Glen starting at Autumn Cove, Brookwood Rd. from Don Parker Dr. to the railroad tracks, Don Parker Dr. from Brookwood Rd. to West Azalea, West Azalea from Don Parker Dr. to Kathy Dr., all of Cornerstone, the asphalt section of Kelli Place, and a portion of 2^nd St. between Main Street and Highway 111.

In 2017 street funds were used to pave seven streets in Wards 1, 3 and 4. They are North Alexander Rd. between the I-30 Interchange and the pavement for the Highway 5 intersection, 1^st St. from Highway 111 to Main St., South Alexander Rd. from the end of Highway 111 south to the city limit, West Azalea from South Alexander Rd. to the Kathy Drive/Redwood Ln. intersection, Redwood Ln. between West Azalea and Don Parker Dr., Brookwood Rd from Redwood Ln. to Don Parker Drive, and Birch Dr. from West Azalea to Dogwood Ranchette Drive. Also, as mentioned above, about 310 feet of new pavement was laid from the end of East Azalea Dr. to Skyline Dr. in Shannon Hills.

In 2019 a combination of grant and street funds were used to pave seven streets in Wards 1, 2 and 3. They are A.C. Wallace (between the railroad tracks and city park) and all of E. 4^th St., Jason Dr., Kent Dr., Alton Dr., Regency Dr., and Lindsey Dr..

Mitchell says he is preparing to apply again for grant money. It’s been reported the dollar amount has been increased from $250,000.00 to $300,000.00.

Also during the January 25 meeting:

Big Red on drawing board

Mayor Paul Mitchell told council members he met with the engineer assigned to build a Big Red on the south corner lot at Cornerstone Dr. and Highway 111. He said they have calculated the property’s dimensions and are in the design phase of the project. Even though the property is zoned for that type of business the design will still have to come before the planning commission with final approval from the city council.

Annual Fire/Rescue report

Council members received the Fire/Rescue Report for the year 2020. The Alexander Fire Department responded to a total of 754 calls. That’s up from 2019’s 602 calls.

Fire calls fall into 20 categories. In 2020 there were 6 Vehicle Fires, zero Electrical Fires, 4 Kitchen Fires, zero Chimney Fires, 51 Structure Fires, 5 Wildland Fires, 12 Illegal Burns, 301 Medical, 32 Motor Vehicle Accidents, zero Overdose, Zero Water Rescue, 2 Search and Rescue, 99 Public Assist, 8 Standby, 174 Canceled, 29 False Alarms, 5 Hazmat, 1 Natural Disaster, 3 Power Line down, and 1 Missed Call.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, February 22 at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at city hall. The public is invited to attend.