Alexander will pay to repair Saline County Tornado Siren

(Edited: The first paragraph has been amended to reflect new information.)
Anyone who has lived here long enough knows South Alexander has a tornado siren at the Central Firehouse. The current siren has been at the firehouse on South Alexander Road for several years.

The siren hasn’t worked for many years and, according to Fire Chief Ryan McCormick, Saline County has no intention of having it repaired. Instead, the county wants everyone to install the emergency warning app Code Red on their smart phones.

McCormick said, “So sirens, the tornado sirens, ... it's becoming too expensive to continue to keep those sirens repaired or fix. ... (A)nd so they're going to (start using) ... Code Red, goes on your phone.”

McCormick also said residents can register their home phone numbers (landline) with the county. He said the Code Red system will be triggered to provide natural emergency alerts based on the portions of the county under threat.

Mayor Crystal Herrmann said one app won’t provide a warning for everyone. “We do have a lot of vulnerable citizens that don't know about the Code (Red) that, that live in this community. They're not connected socially and some of them don't even have a smartphone.”

One excuse used by Saline County for not needing the siren repaired is the fact that South Alexander is between two other sirens; one at Shannon Hills and the other at the Alcoa 40 Ball Park along Shobe Road. Unfortunately, those two sirens are more easily heard by residents who live higher up and not in the valley.

Council members approved spending up to $8,000.00 to repair the firehouse siren. The funding will come from the general fund.

Other news from the November 17 meeting:

Planning and Zoning

Ample Storage to annex one more lot

For the past several years, Ample Storage owners have been preparing for the widening of Arkansas Hwy. 5. They have been buying vacant lots, adjacent to the existing property, and having them annexed into Alexander. Those lots have already seen construction of new storage units to make up for the ones that will be lost to the widening project.

Mayor Crystal Herrmann announced plans, by Ample Storage, to expand its footprint one more time. The Mayor advised council members they will be asked to approve annexing the new addition, sometime in the next few months. With the elimination of the planning commission, the city council will be performing all of those duties.

Parks Department

Crooked Creek project complete; Culverts; Christmas lights

Mayor Herrmann announced the completion of the project to protect Crooked Creek from the ongoing erosion it has been known for. The creek runs along the northern edge of City Park and was eating its way towards the Gazebo.

“They're wrapping up, they have wrapped up the bank erosion project and they have also installed a new culvert that cuts across the parking lot that empties out into Crooked Creek,” she said. “We came well under our budget with the hazardous mitigation grant.”

“I'm working with Mark Brown and Ms. Lee Poole,” Herrmann said. “We're seeing if we can get our request approved to extend that grant funding to utilize the difference towards some more culverts that we need around the city. So fingers crossed, hopefully they'll let us use that the difference on the funding to replace some of the culverts around the city, including the firehouse culverts.”

Herrmann said the park’s Christmas decorations will be going up once the rain stops.

Police Department

Monthly report; Critical response

Police Chief Timothy Preator gave council members a review of the department’s actions for October.

“The PD responded to 165 calls for service,” Chief Preator began. “It took 44 reports out of those 165 calls.”

Preator continued, “Four Hundred Ninety-Four traffic stops in the city last month. Two Hundred Twenty-six of those were written citations and 268,” … were warnings.

There were nine drug arrests and 14 misdemeanor arrests.

Council Member Juanita Wilson attempted to get a question answered. She attempted to ask this question at the October meeting but Chief Preator was on vacation. Mayor Herrmann told her to call Preator after he returns but that obviously didn’t work out.

Wilson said, “I have some questions.”

“I know you would,” Preator responded.

“I have a problem with the way police are driving in our city,” Wilson said.

Wilson began to explain, “I've seen personally, (police cars) hit that railroad track (on Hwy.111 in front of city hall) out there and you can hear metal hit metal.”

While speaking Wilson was pointing towards the railroad tracks but Preator took it personally.

“Excuse me. Excuse me,” Preator said. “Don't point your finger at me.”

“Ms. Wilson,” Preator continued. “I'll explain something. Here, (in) just a few minutes, you're going to open up that packet. I mean, you're going to see that you have far greater issues that you need to worry about other than how my guys respond to emergency calls (Apparently referring to the 2023 Legislative Audit report found here). I have seen every person in the city council and (at) every community event support this community. The only thing I've ever seen you do is bitch and complain. And I've had enough of it.”

“Well, that's too bad,” Wilson said.

Preator responded, “Have a good day.”

Fire Department

Dirt moved to beef-up creek bank; Leveling firehouse next step

During the November meeting, Fire Chief Ryan McCormick reported Josh Penn Excavating of Benton had completed moving dirt from the two lots north of the firehouse to rebuild the creek bank that supports the firehouse. McCormick was given permission, at the October council meeting, to accept the low bid of $19,975.00 submitted by Josh Penn Excavating.

“I've had three construction workers, construction departments, come to check about the foundation,” McCormick said. “One has come already and said we've dropped over an inch and one part of the building and it's sloped down still. We're going to check if we can get three different bids and three different construction companies out there between now and the end of December, middle and middle part of December.”

McCormick also reported, “We did about 350 hours of training this past month and we'd have a couple folks involved with the specialized training with the USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) and also their officer development program.”

Code Enforcement/Animal Control

“Nuisance Properties;” Burn permits

Code Enforcement/Animal Control Officer Joshua Dodson says he has developed a list of 12 “Nuisance Properties.” This was also a heads-up to council members due to the requirement, under city ordinance, that the final ruling as to whether a property can be labeled a “Nuisance Properties” requires a vote of the council.

“I've got my list of nuisance properties finished up,” Dodson began. “I say there's 12 of them.”

Dodson said he won’t be notifying all of them at the same time to avoid a rush. The worst of thee worst come first.

“It's a lot to handle at once,” Dodson continued. “So (I’ll) prioritize the worst ones. Go from there.

Dodson described the properties as mostly abandoned and the homes damaged.

“A lot of them are abandoned. They (have) neglected holes in the roofs, opened windows, there's two doors. There's one I believe on Charles that half the house are (sic) gone. So … (they are) obviously public safety issues.”

Dodson also noted it’s leaf burning season. He is reminding everyone burning leaves requires a Burn Permit. Residential permits are $5.00. Commercial permits are higher depending on the type of burning.

Financial update

Monthly fund balances report

Treasurer Jennifer Hill provided council members with a report on the fund balances for the month of October.

“Your general fund. You're reconciled at $1,948,141.26,” she began. “Your police fund reconciled between $4,892.76. Your fire has reconciled at $319,262.69. Your park has reconciled at $262,200.69. Your streets reconciled at $286,650.50. Payroll was $60,482.75, and with the addition from fall fest, the event (fund) is up to $89.66. Your SUTs (city Sales Use Taxes) for the month, one and two were both $72,114.20 with the SUT three being $72,114.21. For a total for the month of September for $216,342.60 dollars.”

Mayor’s report

Christmas in the Park

Mayor Crystal Herrmann announced the upcoming event, Christmas in the Park.

“We have Christmas in the Park coming up,” Herrmann said. “It's the first Saturday in December. We'll have cookies and cocoa and the horse and buggy will be out. We'll have the train out for the kids and I'm hoping that everybody can come out and enjoy a decent time. Cross our fingers (for the) weather.”

Christmas in the Park will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, December 15, at 6:00 pm in the courtroom of the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Meetings are open to the public.

Alexander council reviews 2023 Legislative Audit Report

The Alexander City Council received the annual Legislative Audit report for the calendar year 2023. The audit is conducted annually by the State. The audit for 2023 was performed in 2024.

As stated in the report, the purpose of the annual audit, “(I)s to assist local government officials by promoting sound financial management and accountability of government resources. The Legislative Auditor reports on the fiscal affairs of local governments, as well as compliance with relevant state laws and observance of good business practices to provide accountability for tax dollars expended to support government operations.”

The audit does not involve a financial reconciliation of the budget.

City officials listed in the report for 2023 is Mayor Crystal Herrmann, Recorder Sharon Bankhead, Treasurer JoAn Churchill, District Court Clerk Janet Guess, and Police Chief Robert Burnett. This was Herrmann’s first year as mayor.

The report states, “During our evaluation, noncompliance with state law and accepted accounting practices was noted in the offices of the Treasurer and District Court Clerk.”

Under District Court Clerk the report noted what seems to be an on-going issue. It states, “Balances remaining in the bank were not identified with receipts issued for cases not yet adjudicated and payments made on all unpaid individual time accounts, as required by Ark. Code Ann. § 16-10-209. A similar finding was noted in the previous three reports.”

It was the section concerning the Treasurer that had the most noncompliance findings. The list included:

• Prenumbered receipts were not issued for all funds received.

• Cash receipts journals were not properly posted and reconciled with bank deposits.

• Monthly bank reconciliations were prepared but were not accurate.

• A detailed fixed asset listing was not maintained to include additions, deletions, and a control total.

The audit also stated, “A similar finding was noted in the previous report.”

But, it was the issue of a credit card that garnered the most attention of council members.

In the 2023 Legislative Audit Report it states, “The City did not have adequate internal controls relating to the use of credit cards and other expenditures. Our examination of disbursements revealed the following:

• A Council member, who is not an employee of the City, obtained a city credit card in their name. According to the Council member, this card was given to the Police Chief for purchases. From May 2023, when the card was activated, to November 2023, when the card was closed, the City paid $8,018 for purchases made using the card. Of $5,521 in payments we examined, $5,057 did not have proper documentation to support a business purpose.

• Other disbursements examined, totaling $4,014, did not have adequate supporting documentation; therefore, the validity of these transactions could not be determined.”

The council member referenced in the report is Juanita Wilson. This was not news to those council members present in 2023, after it was discovered and dealt with during the September council meeting. At the time the two cards were relinquished and both Wilson’s and Treasurer JoAn Churchill’s names were removed from the accounts.

During the November 2025 council meeting Wilson said the credit card wasn’t for herself. It was for then-Police Chief Robert Burnett.

“It was actually a mistake that the bank made and it was given to Miss JoAn (Churchill) and she gave it to the police chief,” Wilson said. “So they can do their daily (Purchases)”.

According to Wilson, Burnett was telling her the Mayor wasn’t allowing him access to the city credit card for necessary purchases. Herrmann denied the allegation.

Wilson has always denied she ever used the card for herself.

As is their practice, the Arkansas Division of Legislative Audit has sent the audit report to the Arkansas Attorney General for review to determine if any prosecutions are warranted.

During the discussion of the report, Office Manager Jennifer Hill explained the Mayor had to provide the auditors a written plan to resolve each of the issues found during the audit. Hill said as the various problems were uncovered a plan would be developed in real time to be provided when the audit was completed.

Not wanting to wait for an investigation, during the Public Comment portion of the meeting two residents spoke wanting action now. Whether it be Wilson’s resignation or removal by the council.

Council Member Joy Gray explained that the council does not have the legal authority to remove a council member. Only a judge can do that.

“A judge has to find a person on the council guilty of malfeasance and then remove them,” Gray said. “So, just in case anybody's wondering, why don't you do anything, legally we got nothing up here.”

Gray said if a council member moves “out of the city” the council can act. She also explained because a council member’s term is two years, recall elections aren’t an option under state law.

Other news from the November 17 council meeting

Council saves approval of proposed 2026 budget for December

Council members were presented with the proposed 2026 budget. They agreed to use the next 30 days to review the budget.

Below is a summary of the 2025 Budget and the proposed 2026 Budget. Actual totals for 2025 should be available by February, 2026.

General Fund Budget

2025

Revenue - $1,154,261.00

Expense - $913,795.00

2026

Revenue - $1,447,401.00

Expense - $1,310,950.00

Parks Department Budget

2025

Revenue - $297,800.00

Expense - $292,000.00

2026

Revenue - $297,800.00

Expense - $292,000.00

Street Department Budget

2025

Revenue - $350,400.00

Expense - $323,200.00

2026

Revenue - $407,300.00

Expense - $405,100.00

Police Department Budget

2025

Revenue - $1,061,730.00

Expense - $1,050,972.00

2026

Revenue - $1,054,400.00

Expense - $1,052,600.00

Fire Department Budget

2025

Revenue - $1,171,400.00

Expense - $1,165,900.43

2026

Revenue - $1,207,650.00

Expense - $1,170,791.00

Payroll Fund Budget

2025

Revenue - $2,195,497.00

Expense - $2,195,497.00

2026

Revenue - $2,063,645.00

Expense - $1,955,645.00

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, December 15, at 6:00 pm in the courtroom of the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Meetings are open to the public.

Former Alexander employee pleads guilty to “Theft of Property”

Melissa Anthony
Booking Photo

Former City of Alexander bookkeeper Melissa Ann Anthony (AKA Melissa Ratliff) has plead guilty to the charge of Theft of Property exceeding $25,000. Under Arkansas law, a Class B felony is punishable by 5 to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $15,000.

According to court documents the “Negotiated” plea deal was submitted to Judge Karen Whatley - 16^th Division, 6^th Circuit Court on November 6, 2025. The case is still listed as “Open” with the last entry date of November 7. The plea deal includes:

• Seven years probation;
• $1,000.00 fines and court costs;
• Restitution in the amount of $39,817.86 payable at (a) rate of $475 per month beginning December 9. 2025;
• 90 days jail credit to fines and court costs; and
• Probation fees waived until restitution paid in full.

At the November 17, 2025 council meeting, Mayor Crystal Herrmann provided council members an overview of the results and plea deal. She also explained the next steps in being compensated for the remaining funds not covered by the amount of the restitution.

“So we do have a guilty plea,” Herrmann said. “So I will be moving forward and working with (Arkansas Municipal League) risk management as far as compensation on some of the stolen funds.”

Time Line and Circumstances

The theft was only discovered after Anthony was fired by then-Mayor Paul Mitchell. Mitchell had scheduled a drug test for Anthony and another female employee to be taken Monday, October 10, 2022. When Anthony arrived at city hall she was told to wait in her car because she and the other employee would be taking a drug test that morning. Before the other employee could finish what she was doing, Anthony drove off and never returned. She was subsequently fired on Tuesday, October 11 for "Job Abandonment."

Anthony wore many hats at city hall. She was the bookkeeper, human resources director and office manager overseeing city hall staff and operations.

City Treasurer, JoAn Churchill, stepped-in and began going through the books to determine the condition of the city’s finances. Once Churchill realized there were problems with Anthony’s time and pay the state auditor, who was still working on the 2021 audit, was notified and asked to add this to the audit. The following statements are taken from the annual state Audit Report for 2021.

“During the period January 1, 2021 through August 25, 2022, the Bookkeeper received salary overpayments totaling $20,088 and undocumented mileage reimbursements totaling $641."

“In addition, review of payroll records for the Bookkeeper, who was responsible for preparing disbursements and maintaining payroll records, revealed the following:"

• "Wages received in 2021 ($74,913) exceeded budget ($40,040) by $34,873."

• "The Bookkeeper reported working an excessive number of hours on her timesheets."

• "1,602 overtime hours, including as much as 18 hours in a single day and as much as 181 hours during a two-week pay period."

• "945 weekend hours, including as much as 16 hours in a single weekend day and as much as 30 hours during a two-day weekend."

• "The Bookkeeper reported working hours while out of the office."

• "115 hours on eight weekdays while, according to time clock cards, the Bookkeeper was on sick leave."

• "29 hours for attending a three-day conference for which, according to conference officials, the Bookkeeper was not registered and there was no evidence she attended."

• "Hours reportedly worked while the Bookkeeper was traveling on three vacations, according to social media posts."

• "'Time In' and 'Time Out' reflected on timesheets did not always agree with stamped time clock cards."

• "Timesheets were not always signed by the Bookkeeper or approved by her supervisor."

• "As of August 20, 2022, the Bookkeeper had negative sick (-3) and vacation (-26) leave balances. In addition, 51 sick leave hours and 160 vacation leave hours used during the review period were not deducted from her leave balances."

How was this accomplished? It was later discovered Anthony had used Mitchell’s signature stamp without approval.

Anthony was on-the-run five months longer than the time it took to conduct the legal proceedings. About one year and nine months after Anthony was fired, she was arrested by the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office on a felony warrant Thursday, July 25, 2024. She plead not guilty the next day in Pulaski County District Court. The date of the theft was listed as October 7, 2022, four days before she was officially fired by Mayor Mitchell.

I am not a liar

After the November 17 council meeting adjourned, Mayor Herrmann approached this reporter with the giddy grin of a school girl. She asked if I was going to write an article about her not, “Being a liar.” She claimed during the 2022 election I called her a liar about Anthony embezzling city funds. A review of articles posted at the time only proved Mayor Herrmann has a case of Disjointed History Recall.

The discovery of Anthony’s embezzlement scheme couldn’t have come at a worse time. City elections were held one month after the discovery. With four candidates on the ballot, and no legal winner, a runoff election was held in December.

Prior to the runoff election between Herrmann and Mayor Mitchell, an Op-Ed was posted in The Alexandrian. The commentary was a fact-check of comments she had written on the social media site Nextdoor.

I can only assume this is her point of reference, despite not finding the word “Liar” anywhere in the Op-Ed. The section concerning the October Surprise of the firing and subsequent discovery of missing funds is posted below.

Portion of an Op-Ed entitled, “Opinions disguised as facts, with a side order of mud” originally posted November 27, 2022.

When the news leaked out about Anthony being fired, Herrmann started filing more FOIA requests. Based on the information she received Herrmann declared on Nextdoor Anthony had “Embezzled” around $90,000.00 and Mayor Mitchell “Allowed” it to happen.

Herrmann’s comment, “[I]f they would have performed a background check on her she would not have been hired to handle money,” implies Anthony had a criminal record. Where’s the proof? Does Herrmann know more than city officials about Anthony’s past?

A search for Melissa Ratliff on the website Arkansas Judiciary shows legal cases involving divorce related issues and a lawsuit with a heating and cooling company. No criminal cases were listed.

Where does she get “Liar” out of this?

The entire Op-Ed can be found here.

Three New Business items on Alexander's November agenda

The Alexander City Council has three items listed under New Business on the November agenda. They are:

1. The Proposed 2026 budget;

2. 2023 Leg Audit Findings;

3. Tornado Siren discussion.

Earlier this year Fire Chief Ryan McCormick reported the Saline County Office of Emergency Management had no intention of repairing or replacing the tornado siren at the fire house due to cost. According to information provided in the meeting packet documents the discussion about the tornado siren is actually a request to spend $7,000.00 to have the siren repaired.

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, November 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM. Meetings are held in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The public is invited to attend.

New ordinance specifies how votes are to be counted: Those are NOT speed bumps

A new Alexander ordinance establishes how votes are counted when electing council members. In another matter, a resident of 4^th St. tells the mayor and council members the new “Speed Bumps” aren’t speed bumps at all.

After the 2024 elections, it was discovered two Arkansas counties had used the wrong method when counting votes for council members in two separate cities. Votes may be cast in two ways. Either the entire city votes for all the council candidates, no matter which ward they reside in, called voting at-large. Or, residents of each ward vote for the candidates running in their ward. Alexander uses the at-large method.

City Attorney Chris Madison, who is also chairman of the Arkansas Election Commission, was tasked with investigating what had happened in the two elections. He determined that each county clerk had used the wrong method to count the votes. In one county the at-large method was used rather than counting by ward. The other county counted by ward in stead of at-large.

Madison said he contacted other county clerks and asked how they know whether a city is counted at-large or ward by ward. He said in one instance he was told, “We just know.”

Madison worked with the Arkansas Municipal League to get legislation written and approved during the 2025 Legislative Session. Under state law, voting at-large is the default method for a Class-2 city. To use any other method requires passage of an ordinance.

Even though Alexander is a Class-2 city Madison suggested, to be on the safe side, the council adopt the proposed ordinance. Once it is registered with the Saline County Clerk there can be no question how votes are to be counted and how petitions are to be completed to run for city council.

Besides voting at-large, the adopted ordinance specifies that candidates must live in the ward they wish to represent. They must specify, on the election petition, the ward number and whether they are running for position one or position two. All eight council seats are up for election every two years.

During the Public Comments section of the agenda, city resident Robin Schmidt presented evidence to council members that shows the new “Speed Bumps” installed on 4^th St. aren’t speed bumps at all. Instead they are used in construction zones to protect power lines and hoses running on the ground. Much the same way a wire protector is used on a floor to prevent tripping.

Schmidt provided information and photos showing what was used on 4^th St. and the intended purpose based on company literature.

“These are electrical cable ramps,” Schmidt said. “And they are only to be used in a controlled setting such as a construction site. They're not designed to be a durable traffic calming device, which is what they call speed bumps.”

Citing engineering protocols Schmidt continued, “And these devices require (an) official traffic study. When you want to put in a speed bump, there should be a minimum of 500 to 1500 vehicles a day.”

The “speed bumps” were installed on 4^th St. after the September council meeting at the direction of Mayor Crystal Herrmann. Since school started, Police Chief Timothy Preator has been providing monthly reports concerning drivers who want to get around school buses using Highway 111 in the morning. According to Preator drivers move to 4^th St., speed down to Alexander Rd. trying to get in front of the buses. Preator has told council members drivers speed past him on 4^th St. while he’s holding a radar gun.

Four of these devices were placed on 4^th St. between Vine St. and Alexander Road. The first is between Vine St. and A.C. Wallace Avenue. There are two between A.C. Wallace Avenue and Main Street. The fourth is between Main St. and Alexander Road.

After her three minutes had expired Schmidt summed up by saying, “It's been, well, these need to be removed. They're not legal. They're not.”

Earlier in the meeting, Mayor Crystal Herrmann reported she is working with Metroplan to fund a traffic study. She said the report resulting from study will include proposed locations for trails, sidewalks and possible ways to improve traffic patterns.

Hearkening back to her earlier report Herrmann said, “We are going to be working on improvements as far as upgrading.”

Other business during the October 20 meeting

Council approves replacing pickup truck damaged by flood

The Alexander City Council approved adding the necessary funds to replace a street department pickup truck that was damaged earlier this year by flood waters. The insurance company reimbursed the city $29,100.00. The truck will be purchased using a state contract. Mayor Herrmann reported the cost of the new truck should be up to $45,000.00.

The Dodge truck will be replaced with a Ford F250 with a diesel engine and extended cab. Herrmann told council members the Dodge had a gasoline engine and a lower weight capacity than the F250.

Creek eroding ground under Central Firehouse

During the past several administrations the creek that carries storm water past the Alexander Central Firehouse, along South Alexander Road, has been slowly eating its way towards the building’s foundation. According to Fire Chief Ryan McCormick the creek is now under the north side and the building has begun to tilt towards the creek. McCormick told council members the solution for now is to excavate dirt from the north side of the creek and move it to the south side to prop up the building.

Fortunately, in November, 2018, the city council approved purchasing the two lots next to the fire house for $8,000. So the city already owns that side of the creek. The council accepted the low bid of $19,975.00 submitted by Josh Penn Excavating in Benton.

Monthly Reports

Planning and Zoning Report

South Alexander Sewer Plant to double capacity

Mayor Crystal Herrmann reported on a public hearing she attended October 4^th. The hearing was held by the Saline County Water Works Sanitary Sewer (SCWWSS) Public Facilities Board as part of the process to apply for, “a grant,” and develop a, “funding package to upgrade their sewer plant.”

Herrmann said they are basing the sewer expansion on the number of, “undeveloped properties” in their service area of South Alexander. She said the SCWWSS is calculating, “the lot sizes being at a half acre.”

“So when those improvements happen,” Herrmann said. “(W)e will have to revisit the lot sizes and make adjustments in our zoning map for that.”

Streets and Parks Report

Fall Fest report

“Beginning I guess Fall Fest went over really well,” Herrmann began. “I think a lot of folks had a good time.”

Prior to the council meeting Herrmann said Police Chief Timothy Preator had estimated the crowd size between 1,500 to 2,000.

Council Member Angela Griffin reported the new locations of vendors and food trucks wasn’t a problem.

Griffin said, “I didn't get any negative feedback from them.”

Parking became a problem this year. Herrmann thanked Council Member Wayne Smith for allowing his property, next to the City Park, to take the over flow.

Police Report

Monthly activities report; Police cars jumping tracks

With Police Chief Timothy Preator out on vacation, Sergeant Myers provided the September police report.

“145 calls for service. 42 reports. 297 traffic stops. 119 of those citations. 178 warnings.” Myers began. “We had ten warrants served. 3-D-W-I arrest. 13 felony drug arrest and 10 misdemeanor arrest. That's some pretty impressive numbers.”

Council Member Juanita Wilson asked Sergeant Myers about two separate instances when two different police cars were seen driven over the railroad tracks on Highway 111 fast enough to cause the cars to “bottom out.”

“But when you get these police cars, and then we have to start replacing them, and those were gotten with the grant,” Wilson said.

Mayor Herrmann interjected, “I think that sounds more like a complaint, Mrs. Wilson, and maybe you should visit with the chief on that one.”

Fire and Rescue Report

Monthly report; FEMA grant; I don’t want to

“So we responded to 65 incidents and calls,” Fire Chief Ryan McCormick said. “We did complete a 40-hour in-house road rescue check for six of our members. That was a very more of an aggressive, growth class that we did.”

McCormick continued, “We had one member in Camden and a Chief Officer Development class for 40 hours of this week.”

“Over 400 hours of training as well for this past month that we conducted in-house,” McCormick said.

“Exciting news,” Chief McCormick announced. “We were awarded a FEMA grant. And so the award was $22,534.”

“And that goes towards equipment,” he explained. “Purchases is outlined in the grant that as fire hoses, fire nozzles. And one other thing was an air monitoring device for different types of carbon monoxide. It's a four gas monitor.”

Providing more details McCormick said, “It's normally a 5% match for any type of FEMA grant. Our basically, for $20,000 we have to pay $1,073.05. It's less than $5% to take care of. We are waiting at the moment because of the government shutdown to proceed.”

Council Member Juanita Wilson told Chief McCormick she has been asked by some residents when the new fire chief’s pickup truck will be lettered the same as the other fire department vehicles.

“We're not going to,” McCormick responded.

“Why,” Wilson asked.

“We're not going to,” McCormick insisted. “This is an administrative vehicle.”

Code Enforcement/Animal Control Report

Attended code enforcement and animal control classes

According to Code Enforcement/Animal Control Officer Joshua Dodson the major accomplishments this past month was attending two training classes. One involved how to conduct code enforcement, “on nuisance properties.” The other involved animal control.

Dodson said the class on nuisance properties included, “(H)ow to properly handle them, the proper procedures, the legal side of it, what you have to do to take care of those.” Dodson reminded council members the process includes the council voting on whether a property is a “Nuisance.”

Dodson also attended a class given by the Arkansas Association of Animal Patrol Officers for chemical capture. The 8-hour class involved training on the use of tranquilizer guns.

Financial Report

Treasurer Jennifer Hill provided the monthly financial report. The report includes the end-of-month fund balances for September and the total amount collected for the three one-cent city sales and use taxes.

“Okay, so for the month of September, your general fund reconciled at $1,917,989,” Hill began. “Your police fund reconciled at $446,649.16. Fire is $308,934.45. Parks is at $261,380.77. Streets is at $308,676.13. Your payroll reconciled at $117,209.66. And your events (fund) was at $587.07. Your fall-fest raffle brought in $311.00. That goes to that events account. And your dunking booth that the police department did for the Shop With the Cop did $245.”

It was noted the dunking booth broke down ending what would have been a very financially successful day of dunking Police Chief Preator.

On the revenue side Hill reported the three 1-cent city sales taxes, “(F)or August … well they were all, $76,316.00 (each) for (a total of) $128,948.39.”

Moment of Silence

After the meeting was adjourned a moment of silence was offered in recognition of the passing of former City Council Member Harold Timmerman. Harold died Friday evening Oct. 3, 2025. He served on the Alexander City Council from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2024. Harold was also a founding member of the Alexander American Legion Post 28.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, November 17, at 6:00 pm in the courtroom of the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Meetings are open to the public.

No comments at Brownfield public hearing

Another step has been taken, in the application process, to acquire a Brownfield Grant that will be used in the razing of the former Alexander Human Development Center (HDC) hospital building. The Alexander City Council held a public hearing before its October 20 regular council meeting. The purpose of the hearing was to receive public input concerning potential uses for the HDC property once the cleanup is completed.

Despite not receiving any public comment or suggestions during the hearing, Mayor Crystal Herrmann said, “We did a survey on our Facebook (page), and then we did a survey at Fall Fest. We have a lot of feedback, especially from the Fall Fest numbers.”

“Well, and the thing is, with that property is (sic) so large you can do multiple things,” Herrmann continued. “So, it's not like you have to stick to one thing or the other. But we've got green space, retail commercials, housing, municipal center, and other uses.”

Apparently, one person suggested a casino. “We couldn't legally get a casino even if we wanted to,” she said.

“Although, we should do Bingo,” Herrmann suggested. However, someone explained that only a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, such as a chamber of commerce, can conduct bingo in Arkansas.

Herrmann has been attempting to acquire a Brownfield grant in order to make the former HDC property safe for development. The grant program is funded by the EPA and is used to clean properties where the presence, or potential presence, of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant makes development difficult. The expectation is the hospital building contains asbestos, lead paint and potentially other unknown hazards.

The HDC property, located along Highway 111 in South Alexander, was originally purchased to build the first tuberculosis sanitarium for African-Americans in Arkansas. Eventually it was converted into a home for adults with special needs that required care and training from professionals.

When the Arkansas Department of Human Services no longer had a use for the property it was deeded to Alexander in 2018. Under state law the property could not be sold to an individual. It could only be taken over by another government entity such as a municipality or county.

Public hearing scheduled before Alexander October council meeting; Only three New Business items listed

The Alexander City Council will hold a public hearing before its October 20 regular council meeting. The public hearing begins at 5:30 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The public hearing is another step required to receive a Brownfield Grant. Members of the public are invited to attend.

Mayor Crystal Herrmann has been attempting to acquire a Brownfield grant in order to make the former Alexander Human Development Center (HDC) property, located along Highway 111 in South Alexander, safe for development. The grant program is funded by the EPA and is used to clean properties where the presence, or potential presence, of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant makes development difficult. The expectation is the hospital building contains asbestos, lead paint and potentially other unknown hazards.

The agenda for the regular October council meeting, which follows the public hearing, has only three items under New Business and no items listed under Old Business. The three New Business items are:

1. Election Ordinance,

2. Streets/Parks Truck purchase,

3. Larry with raised garden beds.

The regular meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, October 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The public is invited to attend.

Increasing rent on city-owned cottages tabled until October: Is low rent a tax liability for employees?

An old topic, concerning how much rent employees should pay to live in the city owned cottages, has resurfaced. What started out as a way to provide low cost security for the former Alexander Human Development Center (HDC) property and give city employees a way to live in Alexander without a major cost to them, may take another hit on the perks side of the original agreement.

The plan was first adopted when former Mayor Paul Mitchell was in office. In 2022 the former HDC property was being vandalized after Pathfinders, Inc. moved to a new location outside Alexander. Pathfinders provided specialized services to those with physical and mental needs. The cottages were used to house the patients. They are located in the southeast corner of the property along Highway 111.

With no one on the property at night, vandalism began to become an expensive problem. Mitchell decided it would be beneficial to allow city employees, who live outside Alexander, to live in the cottages in exchange for providing both security and keeping the grass mowed. At the time, no city employees lived in Alexander.

Those living in the cottages generally worked for either the street or police departments. This arrangement provided the extra advantage of having city employees nearby in case of emergencies,

With the election of the new mayor, Crystal Herrmann, a change to the lease agreement was offered at the end of 2023. The amendment involved occupants paying the gas and electric bills and being charged $1.00 per year rent. The new Cottage User Agreement was adopted September 16, 2024.

The latest proposed change will increase the $1.00 annual fee to $100.00 per month. Herrmann says this proposal is made at the suggestion of state auditors after conducting the annual Arkansas Legislative Audit for 2023.

City Attorney Chris Madison is concerned that it may not be as easy as picking a dollar amount and raising the rent.

“My concern relates to whether this is taxable income,” Madison began. “So it costs me $500 a month to live in 1,000 square [feet] of a manufactured house, but if I'm an employee of the city, I can live in 1,000 square foot of cottage for $100 a month. That means I'm getting a $400 a month benefit.”

After pointing out to council members he considered this a problem the first time around he said, “So the key issue for me is to make sure that if there is a tax consequence for it, that it's recognized on the front end for a resident as well as on the city. If there's a way that we can minimize or eliminate or reduce the tax consequences, then cool, that's what we need to do.”

Herrmann said it’s been difficult to get an opinion at the state level. It seems all of the certified public accounts (CPA) are busy. The council decided to table the new agreement to give the mayor another month to find a CPA who can answer this question.

Other action items at the September 15 meeting

Saline County/Alexander Hazard Mitigation policies adopted

Council members approved the Hazard Mitigation Plan submitted by Saline County. The county-wide plan is a joint county/municipal plan required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and covers a range of emergency preparedness. The plan covers items like providing safe-rooms in existing and new public buildings and having an emergency generator system for fire and police departments.

The plan was first adopted in October, 2017. Mayor Herrmann said it must be renewed every three years.

Alexander to sell lot

Mayor Crystal Herrmann reported to council members a property owner wants to purchase an adjacent lot owned by the city. The parcel sits in the center of three lots behind the Sharon Baptist Church of Alexander.

The lot is approximately 59-feet by 180-feet (0.24 GIS acre), a similar size and shape of the other two lots. While one of the end parcels abuts Vine Street, the remaining two parcels, including the city’s, are landlocked with no access to a street or alley.

Most of the parcel is located in Saline County with one corner in Pulaski County. According to Saline County records Alexander acquired the property May 20, 2002.

The property owner, who contacted the Mayor, is Tommy Madison. His property faces E. Third Street (Hwy. 111). The parcel owned by the city abuts his backyard. According to Saline County records the parcels on either side of the city lot are owned by Edna M. Dickerson.

Herrmann said she explained to Madison she would first need approval from the council. Then, the parcel would have to be advertised that it’s for sale. She also explained the steps needing to be followed.

“But, I will also have to go through getting this surveyed and then get market value, the appropriate value for property, before we could post it for sale,” Herrmann said.

Council members approved a motion giving Herrmann permission to have the parcel surveyed and appraised in preparation to be sold.

Department reports

City truck washed away

Mayor Herrmann reported one of the street department trucks was lost during the recent flood.

“In the flood, we've lost one of the street trucks,” Herrmann said. “It was swept into the flood waters. We have received the insurance check warrant of $20,000.”

Herrmann said she will be taking bids to replace the truck. She also plans on making an inventory of trucks including models and mileage.

Police concentrate on early morning speeders

Police Chief Timothy Preator provided council members with a brief report on “Calls for service” since the August council meeting. He also reported on attempts to slow down morning drivers when school busses are running.

“August numbers, we had 174 calls for service,” Preator began. “Forty-Eight of those were reportable.”

When it comes to morning speeders, when school busses are traveling through North Alexander, Preator said the worst areas are Second and Forth streets.

“I know I personally made over 80 traffic stops in a week,” he said. But, we're just on 4th street.”

“And I mean, like, literally, I stay on the side of the road” Preator explained. “I don't hide. My vehicle is sitting there. I stand on the side of the road with the right arm gun in my hand in the wide open and make traffic stops.”

“It's like nobody registers in their head that these kids are out here at these bus stops,” Preator said. “And I'll be damned if I wait until one of them gets ran over before we start making a change.”

Trek Tech comes to police work

It’s not a Universal Translator, but it’s close. Chief Preator demonstrated a new device that could put human translators out of business.

Preator said the device is being offered as part of an upgrade to the department’s body camera system. It will detect 56 different languages.

“This thing is legit,” Preator said. “I'm on a free trial right now to the end of November.”

Explaining how it works Preator said, “I can click this thing and tell it to translate to Spanish and I can start talking and it's going to say everything that I say, is going to put it in Spanish to the person I'm talking (to).”

It will then take the verbal response from the individual and translate it into English.

Preator said the cost for three years is $3,600.00 per year. He added it will be included in the 2026 budget.

9/11 Memorial, Activity report, Inspections and Water Outage

Fire Chief Ryan McCormick provided a quick run down of activities during the past month. Six Alexander firefighters attended a 9/11 conference.

McCormick said, “I was proud to be able to send six members to a conference locally that represents the 9/11 and what has occurred.”

According to McCormick the department has racked-up 340 hours of training. Also, the department was dispatched to 62 incidents in the past month.

In their spare time they’ve been inspecting businesses for safety violations.

“We're going to each individual business and we're just inspecting it versus showing, showcasing what's wrong with it,” McCormick said. “We find a violation, and then we give them another year to make (changes).”

In the future the first half of September, 2025, in South Alexander, may be referred to as the time without water. A crew laying optic cable for AT&T was constantly cutting the waterline, even though it had been located and marked. McCormick noted the outages could have been a disaster if there had been a fire.

“We have had many days and hours of no water in our city,” McCormick began. “Water for your homes, water for in the fire hydrant, all that kind of stuff.”

One day the crew managed to cause four breaks in four hours.

“We had one day where we were out,” McCormick said. “The construction companies, they (sic) did four different times within four hours, and we were out for most of the day. ... There was no water in the city. If we had a fire, we would have to be requesting additional tankers from outside our area and also additional resources.”

After calling everyone involved to a quick meeting the construction crew offered a solution they could have been using from the beginning.

“They had a better way of trying to locate some of the water lines that they were hitting as they were boring,” McCormick explained. “They weren't using it. So they started to use it, and I don't believe. We haven't had a water main break since.”

Junk yards, silt and a place for animals

Code Enforcement/Animal Control Officer Joshua Dodson reported, “We did 13 calls for animal problems this past month (and) four calls for code violation concerns.”

“And, I continue to hand out warnings for new violations, same things, just getting a place that is trash,” Dodson said. “There's a lot of houses and properties around here that have, that look like a car lot that has been ran (sic) since the 90s.”

Dodson said he is monitoring construction sites for having and maintaining silt fences.

“People not having their silt fences up on construction sites (causes) claying, construction debris coming into the streets, into the storm water drainage system,” Dodson said. “It's clogging the ditches, it's clogging the culverts.”

Dodson is still researching the costs and options to allow the city to operate its own animal shelter.

Dodson said he is looking into, “[S]helter pricing, what it would take to run our own, how much that would be, and there's a building we can use that we already have, how much a new building would be, and other options.”

Financial Report

Treasurer Jennifer Hill provided the monthly financial report. The report includes the end-of-month fund balances for August and the total amount collected for the three one-cent city sales and use tax.

“For August, your general fund had $1,855,525.52,” Hill began. “Your police fund has $83,729.07. Your fire is at $350,634.66. The park is at $257,701.01. Streets is at $310,897.62. Payroll is at $37,294.08. And your events (fund) is at $195.40.”

“The SUT, the sales and use tax this month, they were all the same,” Hill said. “They were $71,387.42 for a total of $214,162.27.”

Storm damaged roofs

Mayor Crystal Herrmann began her monthly report with results from insurance adjusters inspecting the damage to six roofs suffered earlier this year by storms. The roofs are on five of the cottages in the southeast corner of the former Alexander Human Development Center and Community Center Number-1.

“The adjusters came out and I guess because all of the storms and the storm season, it has taken them a very long time,” Herrmann said. “They finally got back with us and sent us a check for the roofs. Let's say we were talking six roofs, six roofs, they sent us $14,000. Which won't even touch a fraction of the roofs that we need to do repairs on.”

“Meanwhile, I am collecting multiple quotes which we would need anyways,” she continued. “Once I get all those gathered up, I am going to send that back over to the adjuster and see if they will revisit, uh, the amount of funds that they had sent us for the repairs.”

Herrmann said, “I think a couple of the cottages wouldn't even be considered because the age of the roof, the depreciation was so bad. ... I mean at some point they're not going to cover it. … But on the little community center I don't, I don't see that.”

Fall Fest October 4

Council Member Angela Griffin said she’s been talking to potential vendors for the Fall Fest. The annual Fall Fest is Saturday, October 4 at Alexander City Park (15665 Robert Evans Rd.) from Noon to 6:00 PM.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, October 20, at 6:00 pm in the courtroom of the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Meetings are open to the public.

Alexander council continues discussing amendments to manufactured home ordinance

The Alexander City Council heard more details from City Attorney Chris Madison concerning what he says are needed changes to the ordinance that controls manufactured homes being placed within the City of Alexander. Commonly referred to as the Used Manufactured Home Ordinance, it actually covers both new and used manufactured homes.

The ordinance, adopted September 21, 2020, establishes standards concerning not only the placement of manufactured homes in general, but also the physical condition and age of a used manufactured home. It replaced a 2010 ordinance, that did not include the age requirement, in order to match the new zoning ordinance adopted in 2019.

The ordinance states prior to being moved into Alexander, or moved from one location in the city to another, the owner must apply for a permit. If not a new manufactured home it must be inspected for items such as loose or missing roof shingles and siding, broken windows, damaged flooring, windows, cabinets etc.. The ordinance also limits the age of a manufactured home to no more than 20-years in the year it is set-up. For example, this year, any used manufactured home set-up in Alexander can’t have been built before 2005.

The ordinance also establishes the end of using the term “Mobile Home.” When the Department of Housing and Urban Development established standards for factory-built housing in 1976 the term “Manufactured Home” was coined to differentiate between the old mobile homes, or trailers, and the new standards. And that’s where Madison began.

“The first thing we need to do is make sure our language is correct,” Madison said. “So mobile homes are a type of structure that was built prior to 1976. Following 1976, the term [is] manufactured housing. And that distinction is important because if a structure is built as a manufactured house, it meets Federal standards. And the cities are limited in what you can do related to rules by manufactured housing.”

Changing decades of using the term “Mobile Home” as a catch-all term for homes built in a factory was a tall order. Throughout the discussion during the September 15 council meeting, the mayor and council members were constantly correcting themselves when using the term mobile home instead of manufactured home.

Moving on to the age issue Madison said, “The biggest thing is related to the question of whether you can limit its age. ... I want to move a stick built house into the city. Does the rule limit me from bringing in a house that's 100 years old? The stick built. No, it doesn't. So you can't single out manufactured housing with that same kind of rule.”

Madison then went on to list regulations that can and should be established to control the placement of manufactured housing, both old and new. All of which are already included in Alexander’s 2019 zoning ordinance.

“Now, the other thing you have to do with manufactured housing is you are required to have a zoning district that allows manufactured housing,” Madison said. “So you have to have some zoning because that's how we control the structure and the structures in the city.”

Madison also listed, “(S)etbacks and sizing and those kind of like, it has to have [a] skirt, it has to be on [a] concrete pad, it has to be anchored down.”

“One of the things I noticed that I did not see in the ordinance, when I was looking at it, was we can require that any manufactured house that's moved into the city be moved by a licensed mover,” Madison noted. “I.E. someone who is permitted by the state to move manufactured houses.”

The requirement to use a licensed mover is not only lacking in the ordinance being discussed, but also does not appear in the 2019 zoning ordinance.

Madison continued, “Similarly, with the code enforcement and our rules, we can require that they apply for permits to move the manufactured house into the city to get a set-up [permit] so that we can do site inspection. Make sure it meets the setback requirements, make sure they put the skirting on it, make sure they have the concrete pad for it, all of these other requirements that we are capable of.”

Section-3 of the current ordinance states, “Inspection shall be made as required by each authority having jurisdiction during the placement of all Manufactured Homes to be located within the City of Alexander or within subdivisions regulated by the City. Following requirements do not apply to mobile home parks.”

At the time of its writing the term “(E)ach authority having jurisdiction” was intended to require the various utilities to handle the inspection of their own connections. While Alexander didn’t have an official building inspector at the time, inspection of how the manufactured home was set-up was expected to be done by someone from the city.

Section-6 of the Manufactured Home Ordinance does require applying for a permit prior to moving any manufactured home into the city. It also includes a fine if setting up a home without a permit.

Section-6 states, “A Set-up Permit must be applied for and issued prior to placement of a Manufactured Home on any site in the City of Alexander, Arkansas. Permit fees have been established by a separate ordinance. In the event a Manufactured Home is moved on site prior to the issuance of a permit, such fees are doubled.”

The same penalty for not having a permit is also stated in the ordinance that establishes permits for construction of residential and commercial buildings and manufactured homes.

The current zoning ordinance established the Mixed-Use Residential District (R-2.MU) to provide a mix of both site built and factory built homes. This zoning classification was established specifically to cover the mix of residential housing types found in the area known as South Alexander when the zoning ordinance was adopted in 2019. R-2.MU allows for Single-Family (site-built), Manufactured Homes, Modular Homes, and Prefabricated Homes.

Unlike other cities, Alexander dos not employ the use of an occupancy permit. That may change.

“And we need to look into our code enforcement rules that if a manufactured house is moved in, it does not comply with these [rules],” Madison said. “They didn't use a licensed mover, they don't have it set up right, they don't have the security [anchors] on it, they don't have the setbacks right, then you can actually issue a, you don't get your certificate of occupancy. Which means you can't live in the house until we've blessed it to do so.”

After Madison had set the stage for a discussion on what to do with the manufactured housing ordinance and the age requirement, Council Member Christopher Prowse broke the rhythm by asking how the change in names, from mobile home to manufactured home affects insurance.

“So, in regards to manufactured versus mobile homes, there's a separate insurance for manufactured house versus a mobile home,” Prowse said.

Trying to answer the question, Council Member Juanita Wilson said, “State Farm insures mine just like it would any house.”

“I work in insurance and we have separate policies for mobile homes [manufactured homes],” said Council Member Angela Griffin.

Mayor Crystal Herrmann stepped in to point out that unlike your typical manufactured home installation, using concrete blocks for support, Wilson’s manufactured home sits on a concrete slab and appears to be a typical house.

“Yes, she has a structurally sound foundation,” Herrmann said. “She can get a loan on her home. But if you don't do that, then you can't get a loan to, like, if you wanted to buy it.”

Herrmann also suggested it would be better for Alexander if going forward manufactured homes brought into the city were set down on concrete foundations.

“If it's not set up like Miss [Juanita] Wilson's, those people can't get loans,” Herrmann continued. ... “So if somebody wants to sell it, it's not going to become a burden in our neighborhood. It's going to be vulnerable.”

“So those are the things of like having the foundation and the blocks,” Madison said. “Those are rules that you can absolutely be [sic] in place.”

As for insurance Madison explained, “So the reason I use that term has nothing to do with insurance. (I)f it was built after 1976 from a company that builds these things, it's a manufacturing [sic] house.”

Madison also said requiring manufactured homes to be attached to a more traditional foundation will be a limiting factor on the age of the home being brought into Alexander.

“And then if you have it set up on blocks, really, if you wanted to move it, you put some axles under it, put some wheels on it, disconnect the water or sewer, electrical and tow it out,” he said. You can legitimately do that. Whereas if you go to the issue of discerning or the foundation portion of it, when it's there, it's there. So the requirement that it be permanently affixed, or on a solid foundation, or on a solid concrete pad, and those are all costs. Because what you're really trying to do is prevent the cheap 30-year-old manufacturing houses being brought in and being rented for $300.”

Mayor Herrmann relayed the story about a woman who didn’t bother to ask about permits before moving a manufactured home onto a lot.

“We even had a lady in the past couple of months,” Herrmann began. “Unfortunately, she bought a lot that didn't have an existing tap. She did not stop by city hall for a permit for us to be able to notify her that, that lot doesn't have [an] existing sewer tap.”

Herrmann said she didn’t come to city hall until after the home was moved onto the lot. The mayor doesn’t know when the manufactured home was moved in.

According to Madison the city can’t issue her a permit because the lot doesn’t have a sewer connection and one won’t be installed any time in the near future because of a moratorium on installing new sewer lines.

Herrmann said she has nothing against manufactured housing.

“I've had a manufactured home, I've lived in it, I've had a family that live in a manufactured home,” Herrmann began. “It's just our city is not very organized and uniformed in the way that it is laid out with some of the manufactured homes. And some of them are literally stacked on top of one another and we could be more uniformed going forward if we were to look at the zone map and clean it up a little bit. And then that could open certain properties in the traffic, the high traffic areas. If the mobile home comes off, then it can be, whatever’s there could be grandfathered in. But if that mobile home ever came off of there, then it could be utilized for commercial, or for duplexes, or stick built, or whatever.”

Herrmann asked about establishing a registration system for manufactured housing.

“Could we legally do a registration, a registered program for the, for mobile homes, manufactured homes in the city limits that do like a yearly registry?” Herrmann asked.

Madison replied, “I don't think you could do that.”

To clarify Prowse asked, “But just to be clear, this in no way will affect the current residents now, correct?”

“Correct,” Madison replied.

By the end of the discussion it was decided to schedule a workshop, which will provide council members more time to have a deeper discussion concerning any needed changes to the zoning ordinance, the land use map and other legal methods to guide future development in Alexander. It was noted since voting is not allowed at a workshop, that isn’t an issue creating an urgency to make a decision.