The Alexander City Council approved appropriating $48,000.00 to pave three city streets. The low-bid of $47,514.40 was submitted by Cranford Construction Company of Little Rock. A second bid of $76,260.00 was submitted by Red Stone of Little Rock. The streets to be paved are the section of Brookwood Rd. between the rail road tracks and Shobe Rd., Alexander Rd. between Third St. and Fourth St. and sections of Cornerstone Road.
Mayor Paul Mitchell told council members he wanted to take this opportunity to get these three areas repaved before the price increases. Construction companies will be submitting their annual bids for the cost of asphalt this summer. Cranford was awarded the contract for this area of the state last year, which applies to state, county and city projects. Mitchell said that’s why Cranford’s bid was much lower than Red Stone’s. With the increase in oil prices he expects next year’s bids to be higher.
Council member Juanita Wilson asked about the financial status of the street department fund. Mitchell said the money will be transferred from the general fund to the street fund in order to track it as street department spending.
Also at the May 16 meeting:
Bucket truck purchase approved
Council members approved the purchase of a 1995 International 4700 T444E with an Altec Platform (the bucket) for $8,000.00. At the same time they also approved selling the street department’s current bucket truck. The truck is being purchased from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management Division of Federal Surplus Property.
According to Mayor Paul Mitchell this truck is 10 years newer than the current truck. It will also reach higher. He said there’s nothing wrong with the old truck except its age makes it difficult to easily get parts.
Second appraisal of park land
Mitchell told council members he is getting a second appraisal of the land that was thought to be part of the city park, but ownership is now in dispute. The area containing the water fountain and gazebo was thought to have been donated to the city when the improvements were made.
About three years ago the “owner” reclaimed the property. Mitchell and two city attorneys have tried to negotiate a solution but the owner refuses to respond. The appraisals are an attempt to determine the value of the property minus the improvements.
Meadow’s Edge update
Mitchell reported that speed limit signs will be erected in the Meadow’s Edge Subdivision soon. He also said he has been in contact with someone who should be able to get Entergy to speed up the process of installing the street lights in the Phase-3 portion of the subdivision.
Circle K close to opening
Mayor Mitchell said the Circle K, at Highway 5 and North Alexander Road, has passed its second safety inspection and should be opening soon. It’s taken over a year to build the convenience store/gas station due to the need to install a sewer line.
Candidate speaks to council
During the Public Comment portion of the meeting Tara Shephard (D) spoke about her running to represent District-79 in the Arkansas House of Representatives. The Pulaski County portion of Alexander is in District-79.
Among her many accomplishments she included her employment of over 20 years as the Compliance and Accreditation Manager at the Alexander Youth Service Center, a Correctional Auditor traveling the nation auditing jails and prisons and she is a suicide prevention trainer for the Community Advisory Board for the Arkansas Suicide Prevention Chapter. She is a former board member of the Little Rock School District, a member of the League of Women Voters and a former member of the American Association of University Women.
“I’m running because a few years ago my son was diagnosed with a chronic illness,” she said. “So I decided I not only wanted to fight for my child but other Arkansans that are dealing with chronic illnesses.”
Also appearing on the Democrat Primary ballot is Teresa Coney. No Republicans filed for this position. Who ever wins the Democrat Primary will win the General Election.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, June 20 at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The public is invited to attend.
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