Alexander wards to be redrawn

(COMMODITIES UPDATED: 8:23 PM 09/22/2021)

(PHOTO UPDATED: 12:12 PM 09/23/2021)

The Alexander city council approved having the four wards redrawn to bring their populations more in balance, based on the 2020 Census. The approval came at the request of Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck.

During his monthly report at the council’s September 20 meeting, Huck walked council members through the math. Based on the city’s new population number of 3,385, there should be approximately 846 residents per ward.

“We are allowed plus or minus five-percent,” Huck said. “That’s 804 to 888 residents.”

According to totals provided by Metroplan Ward-1 has 1,001 residents, Ward-2 has 1,214, Ward-3 has 570, and Ward-4 has an even 600 residents.

That’s not the only issue with the ward map, which was established after the annexation of Woodland Hills in 2006. Huck explained when the map was drawn the city and Little Rock were in disagreement as to the location of the city boundary line that crosses Kelli Place. At the time, it put about one-third of the street out of Alexander and in Little Rock.

Huck said by the time of the 2010 Census the line was moved to the end of Kelli Place, but there was never any mention of needing to redraw the boundary for Ward-1. He said the Saline County map still shows Ward-1 cutting through Kelli Place.

The new map will be drawn by Metroplan. The council will have to pass an ordinance to establish the new wards before the 2022 elections.

Also at the September 20 council meeting;

Zoning ordinance gets first reading

A zoning ordinance that will designate a 1.73-acre piece of property, owned by My ample Storage, from Open Space/Recreational to Highway Commercial was given its first public reading. Normally, the council would vote to suspend the required second and third readings and move to final approval at the same meeting. That, however, requires a “yes” vote of two-thirds of the council; in this case six. There were only five council members present.

In presenting the ordinance to the council, Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck explained how the commission had called a special meeting for August 24 to vote on recommending the zoning change. A vote on the request was to take place at the commission’s regular August 10 meeting following a public hearing. The public hearing was held but the meeting was canceled due to the lack of a quorum.

Huck suggested a special meeting be scheduled if six council members can attend. He said the owner of My Ample Storage is ready to build new storage units but needs the zoning change to get the building permit.

The property was annexed into the city in 2018. My Ample Storage is located along Highway 5, west of the intersection with North Alexander Road.

Council approves purchase of telehandler

The city council approved the appropriation of $9,000.00 towards the purchase of a telehandler. And, despite what the name implies, it has nothing to do with answering the phone.

Telehandler purchased by Alexander Street Department.

According to Mayor Paul Mitchell the military surplus telehandler will be used by the street department to move heavy objects like concrete pipes. He told council members the telehandler has about 90 hours of use. The actual cost is less than the requested $9,000.00, but the mayor couldn’t remember the exact price and the street superintendent wasn’t at the meeting.

Commodities distributed in Alexander falling short of need

During the Public Comments section of the agenda, Ollie Litt told council members about the state of commodity distribution in Alexander. Litt is with the Ambassadors For Christ Ministry near Otter Creek, which distributes commodities to “about 58 to 60 people” at the First Baptist Church in Alexander.

She said the distributions from the commodities program have gone from every two months to every three months. And, the food being provided only lasts about two weeks. She also said there was a six or seven month period when no commodities were available.

Litt said she’s working with the Farmers to Families organization to help fill the gaps in available food. However, the last distribution was only able to provide, “a third of a bag for each family, four items.”

She said without help from another source there won’t be a distribution before Thanksgiving. The next delivery of commodities is scheduled for December 9.

Litt said the organization, with the help of her Bible Study group in Alexander, has already raised $340. She said the plan is to be able to provide a Thanksgiving meal for everyone receiving commodities.

They would like to pack the bags November 19 and distribute them on the 20^th, but they need volunteers. The time for both days is 9:00AM to Noon.

Anyone wishing to volunteer, or donate, can contact Cheryl at city hall at 501-455-2585; Monday- Friday 8:00-4:30.