Wilson wanted ordinance delayed, Because its author didn't stay

(Amended 9/21/2024 - 8:27 PM)

The Alexander City Council was ready to have the third and final reading of an ordinance that replaces all previous animal control ordinances. But, with the announcement that Code Enforcement/Animal Control Officer Daniel Wyatt resigned Council Member Juanita Wilson requested that the third reading be tabled until a new officer is hired.

"I believe since we don't have a code enforcement or an animal control officer right now we might just table that," Wilson said.

"No, we're gonna hire somebody, and then we'll be back at the start of all of this," said Council Member Joy Gray.

"These laws need to happen either way because the police have something enforceable actually on the books," Gray continued. "Because right now they don't. I've been attacked by dogs, other people have been attacked by dogs, there's nothing anybody can do about it because there's no rules with any teeth in them that have been documented."

"And to be honest, this is a lot," Mayor Crystal Herrmann said. "And you know we were fortunate to have Daniel (Wyatt) to work through these. I really hate that we have lost him. But this is a lot. We need these in place."

Wilson said, "Well, I just couldn't understand why we couldn't do the third one when we have someone and then it would be enacted at that time."

"It can be enacted now. It can be enacted now," Gray said. "And then when the police could actually, if they had to, there's literally nothing the cops can do about any of the animals right now."

"Loose animals, violent animals, Gray continued. "Once they try to attack one of them or they see them attacking somebody, there's really not a lot they can do. So we've been needing to get these on the books for years so that people can do things and report things."

"So then, when someone gets hired, it happens," Gray said. "I mean, you can shrug about it and have a face about it, but that's the reality. We need to get this done."

"And if I might, I mean, this is part of growing pains of becoming a bigger city," City Attorney Chris Madison interjected. "I mean, this right here, and getting this in place now doesn't impact whether or not we have a code enforcement animal control officer or not."

"This puts the tools in place so that, like she's (Joy Gray) saying, the police department has some ability to enforce this to protect the public from vicious animals," Madison continued. "And also, when we get a replacement in, we already have this in place."

Eventually, all council members present voted to have the ordinance read by title only. A final motion was made to approve the animal control ordinance. Council members voting "Yes" were Joy Gray, Angela Griffin, Joe Pollard, Mitchell W. Smith, Gina R Thomas-Littlejohn, Harold Timmerman, and Juanita Wilson. Council Member Tony Staton was absent which counts as a "No" vote.

Other council actions at September 16 meeting:

Zoning regulations amendment gets second reading

An ordinance, amending the zoning regulations passed in 2019, received its second reading by title only. The ordinance amends two items. It adds text to the definition of "Recreational Vehicle" which reinforces that its illegal to live permanently in an RV within the city. The ordinance also removes the term "Duplex (site-built)" from Section 9 Mixed-Use Residential District as an allowed use.

Stormwater Ordinance receives second reading

An ordinance establishing stormwater regulations received its second reading. All council members present voted to have the ordinance read by title only. This new ordinance essentially duplicates the existing ordinance but with the addition of a permitting process to control stormwater related construction.

City vacates unused alley way

The Alexander Council approved an ordinance to vacate an unused "alley way" at 15420 Alexander Road. The property is alongside the railroad tracks across from the post office facing Highway 111. The alley way was part of the original layout of what is now north Alexander. It aligns with East 1st St. on the other side of Highway 111.

The alley way cuts the property into two sections. The owner requested the change, telling council members it will be easier to sell as one piece.

Annual property tax rate approved

The Alexander City Council approved the annual ordinance setting the tax rate on all real and personal property for the next property tax collection cycle. The tax rate will remain at 0.0015 mills per dollar valuation. The maximum rate is 0.005 mills.

New lease agreement approved

A resolution adopting the amended lease agreement for the employee housing units was approved by council members. The amended agreement allows the city to be reimbursed for the cost of electricity and natural gas used by the renters.

The housing units are the cottages located in the southeast corner of the former Alexander Human Development Center along Highway 111. The cottages were used by Pathfinders, Inc. to house patients. They are now available to city employees who live outside Alexander.