Property abandonment ordinance on agenda
The Alexander City Council will meet tonight (Monday, May 20, 2013) at
the City of Alexander Municipal Complex. The meeting is at 6 PM and is open to
the public.
On tonight's agenda is an ordinance vacating
city property between the post office and the Union Pacific Rail Road tracks.
That area was originally platted for W. 2nd St, but was never built. The street would have been directly across
from Earl D. Miller Ln., which is on the southwest side of State Highway 111.
Wednesday’s article in the Democrat Gazette quotes Brad Scott as condemning the behavior of the four councilmen who were absent and calling for their resignation. Not being a spokesman, and having no prior experience in city government and knowing who his city ‘hero’ is (you can tell a lot about a person by who their hero’s are) I don’t doubt that his ability to reason is compromised. One of the two newest council members and of the three who are firmly in the mayor’s camp, Scott speaks from his biased standpoint. Knowing the many times the council has tried to include all councilmen in debate of issues, focus on steps to progress, community of action, only to be ridiculed, denied and ignored by Scott, Wadley and Bailey, often at the mayor’s instructions – I personally would not consider his comments very weighty.
ReplyDeleteWhat right does an alderman have to call the Arkansas State Commander and state their investigator cannot use City Hall as an office? 14-43-502 (b)(1) THE COUNCIL SHALL HAVE THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF FINANCES, AND ALL THE REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY BELONGING TO THE CORPORATION.” He has ALL the right, with the consensus of the majority of council members.
The investigator moved into city hall without the knowledge of the previous mayor or the previous city council during their time in office. No questions were asked, no introduction or explanation given. Mayor Mitchell found out he was there by running into him in the hall one day. How did that happen? No one knows, one can speculate – but that is just speculation. Let’s not get into the tub with the guilty and that quagmire. Does the city receive rent for the office? Or any other gratuity? Not as far as the previous bookkeeper states. Unless it is on a personal level with whoever approved his presence and gave him the keys to the building – that, I understand, even the elected treasurer didn’t have.
Absences didn’t ‘leave posts unfilled’ Monday night, it only created a ‘no-quorum.’ They would have remained unfilled anyway. This Council is completely divided, has been since the election. It likely will continue to be until there is an agreement on who actually runs the city. In a Mayor – City Council form of government the establishment of power is stated plainly, no surprise the rules go all the way to Federal Government. They are fair and can be troublesome in a divided body, but can be unhealthy in an undivided body. The sad part, it is all based on politics; which is a dirty game. Former Bookkeeper/Treasurer Churchill couldn’t handle that level of ‘dirty’ and opted out.
There are MANY problems in City Hall folks, this is just citing the ones in this weeks article. But let me add a couple of unsolved ones.
1) Why are we adding police officers when the budget for 2012 (presented by the mayor and accepted by city council in January of this year – rounded off to the nearest $100.00) only budgeted for 5 officers and one chief who was requested by former mayor to pull a shift like all others in towns of this size. Especially knowing there is a spending freeze in place. The Police department is the least funded department in the city. Rather than taking the side of the police department and taking steps to see the have proper funding, there is a shell game going on at city hall to move funds around to cover. Maybe that is why . . . #2
2) No financial reports. Since the mayor ‘is running’ things and since she has over 12 years experience, and since 6 or more of those years she was Recorder/Treasurer, she is without excuse. The banks should be reconciled, put into the approved system, and reported to not only the council but be available to all. Financial reports as well. The last reporting was the release of the bank statement on March revealing everyone’s bank accounts that were exposed on the UN-RECONCILED and UNPREPARED statements.
Enough for today, you’ll see me again. Later - B.S.
Brad post May 22, at 12:43PM.
DeleteAre you trying to make people believe you are Brad Scott by signing B.S. at the bottom? Maybe you ment that your reply was
BU__ SH__!!!. It is my understanding that the City Books are in such a bad shape after the EX-TREASURER got finished with them that they can't be reconciled. There are no records that can be accessed with outstanding checks, checks written and other accounts. All that can be found out is Bank Balances as of now.
As for the new policemen you talk about, you need to check how many we have. The new ones are to fill the vacancies that exists.
I think an outside Company needs to be hired to do all the Bookkeping. The Company that is doing the payroll has been doing a good job. This move has worked out. Now it is time to do something else about deposits, bill paying and Etc.
Bill
I guess you 4 "Paul Mitchell deciples" decided not to attend this Council meeting and vote to bring the General Dollar Store to our City. Never mind about the revenue, Jobs and convenience to our elderly citizens in having a low cost store to shop at for all our needs.
ReplyDelete"SHAME ON YOU ALL!!!!!!!!". Too bad you all have decided not to work with the Mayor to bring the town up. Too bad you all have dedided not to represent your Wards that elected you but would rather work on your own agenda of "BRINGING BACK MAYOR PAUL MITCHELL" You all have a problem with Shirley Johnson getting a retirement when you take your $200 a month for "NOT EVEN ATTENDING COUNCIL MEETINGS and representing the Wards that elected you even if it is a NO vote on everything the Mayor wants to do.
Bill
Despite rumors and past practices to the contrary, a new business does not need approval of the city council to move into a city. The only time the council gets involved is if the property the business wants to use is not zoned for that type of business, or if there is a variance request. And even then, the ordinance written to make the zoning change or variance request must come from the planning commission with a recommendation to pass or deny.
DeleteYou might be right! but its pretty embarrassing when the council members on your side don't show up to hear about a business wanting to come in. That's jobs, and more tax dollars, if i were the man from dollar general i would have walked out!
DeleteI hear that Jack Shoemaker has resigned from the Council. I wish at least 2 other of the "DECIPLES" would join him then maybe someone could be appointed that would do their jobs and represent their Wards at Council Meetings. I am sure the other 3 "Mitchell DECIPLES" did not know he was going to resign. I would hate to believe that OATH taking individuals that swore to God to represent their Wards would join hands and not come to Council Meetings. I hear he even MOVED out of the City.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he went to a reservation where he could practice being a SHAMAN without anybody questioning his abilities. Or maybe there were too many evil spirits for him to run off at the Council Meetings when the other 3 "DECIPLES" were there. All I can say is "GOOD BYE" and "I WISH YOU HAD OF TAKEN YOUR OTHER 3 DECIPLES WITH YOU".
I am sure he did not think twice about spending the 2 $200 checks he received by mail for doing nothing. but maybe the money was well spent on keeping the evil spirits out of Council Meetings. Maybe that is the reason the 3 "DECIPLES" did not attend.
Bill
When did they raise the pay for city council ? they were only getting 100.00 last year, I was told, so who gave them a raise? I got a paper from someone who was there last month, that said there was a "permanent" spending freeze since last year, that is still in effect. So unless your not getting the facts correct, when did they get a pay raise with a spending freeze? that would be unlawful
DeleteI doubt Jack as Shaman would have any problem with evil spirits, it is idiocy you can't overcome.
DeleteCan't believe Louella or some of the other "BRING BACK PAUL MITCHELL"
ReplyDeletesupporters have not made any comments about the above.
Hard to make comments on the "TRUTH!!!!!"
Bill
Responding to ignorance is very difficult, and useless. Bill has no concept of truth, or facts. So to the rest of you who read and contribute, don't look for it.
ReplyDeleteThis biased society that we live in these days, the intolerance we experience is everywhere. Including me - I am intolerant of views that are liberal, 'Obama-type' - I am a staunch conservative, and find it impossible to communicate with those of lesser values. Sounds pompous I know, but so be it. That is my 'right and wrong.' I have to live by it to live with me! My truth is based on fact, not on what I want fact to be. BIG DIFFERENCE!
We live in an evil community, with an evil and intolerant (in my opinion) administration. We are stuck with it.
Apparently we have an attorney who thinks she works for the mayor only; big news to be revealed there.
Speaking of 'pompous' how arrogant to think Brad Scott is the only Brad in the city. How about that BS.
Louella
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCan't edit after the fact.
DeleteWe need to clarify the difference between ignorant (unaware of all the facts) and idiocy (lack of or low IQ) Bill can't help it, so be kind.
To Louella,
DeleteI know that the Council Salary is $100 per month. Just wanted to raise a little stink. I know there was a freeze put on new hires but when the Council will not attend meetings and voice their opinions and try to work with the Mayor the City must go forward. Good thing we have a Mayor that is trying to bring the CITY FORWARD!!!
I am sure you are a "TEA PARTY CONSERVATIVE" (you are the ones who have shut down Washington and put many in danger with your views. I am sure you went to the "TEA PARTY RALLEY" that was held in Benton before the last election. You probably invited me.
I know the difference in being IGNORANT and IDIOCY. At least I try to find out the facts and work with others to develop a plan to implement good facts and solutions to a problem. Not just stay back and blame everyone else. I am educated enough to see right from wrong and try to work as a team to solve problems. Not just VOTE NO on everything. Bring your CONSERVATIVE IDEAS to the table and discuss them in an orderly matter. You need to advise the 4 or now 3 Council Members to use their intelligence (if it exists)to discuss the City's future at the meetings instead of getting up and walking out when things are not going their way.
I am sure you ment that the "EVIL" administration included all the City Council. I would think that a City Council would work together to bring all the "EVIL" out of this City. Allow the Chief to use the City Ordinances to clean up the City. Then alot of the "EVIL" will leave.One Council member is letting a guy (He lived in a structure on the corner of West Azalea and Mountain in a place that caught fire because he was stealing electricity caught on fire)live on his property against 2 or more City Ordinances. Shame on him. He also lets the son of his signifant other operate a junk yard on So. Alexander Rd. If you look there are junk tires and old vehicles sitting on the property. Shame on him.
More truth later. Just trying to inform your readers who might be interested.
Bill
Continuing:
DeleteI doubt you will see much more than ‘NO’ votes until that message gets across and the governing body begins to work together. If mayor continues to threaten, demand and railroad she should not expect cooperation. I am not a council person, have no vote and have not discussed this with anyone who does, it is MY OPINION. If I were a council person, I would do exactly what they have done in the past. However, to be fair, I don’t believe they sit out because they choose to. I understand, (council correct me if I am wrong) when they walked out the one and only time they walked out, it was after the mayor told them they had no voice and would veto anything they suggested. Wouldn’t you have done the same? I would have. When council tried to offer a document called ORGANIZATION OF CITY COUNCIL’ it was thrown out because ‘they’ didn’t have input. It was offered to them FOR THEIR INPUT. It was the MAYOR who wouldn’t allow it.
Why would you condemn them for their several (that is proper for separate) problems of last month, Juanita was ill, Dan had a death in the family, was out of the state, I’m not sure about Lonny or Jack. There is no ‘call in’ requirement for City Council members, nor can the meeting be called off if there was. The meeting must be held, if no quorum, it must be dismissed in 15 minutes. That’s the law. How many time last year did Regina Watson have to take minutes because the recorder didn’t show up (let’s not go into $$$ issue.)
I do believe, in my opinion, the statement I made earlier regarding the ‘evil’ of the current administration, it is for other reasons than I am willing to discuss here, never-the-less I do feel strongly about it.
I don’t know anything about the Chief not being allowed to enforce ordinances, I think that is error. An ordinance in force is in force. I haven’t heard of council, either faction trying to stop him from that. I also have no knowledge of the ‘guy’ you mention in paragraph 4.
I would love to see this community do what American cities do every day – run their governments in a decent, open, honest manner. I just don’t see it happening here, not now. I truly ache for it. Alexander deserves better.
One thing before I leave, you said council people who were out stopped the progress of the retail business coming into town. I don’t understand how. Mayor has never asked council approval for what she wanted done. Even though it is illegal not to, it has not happened since she was appointed December 17, 2012.
And lastly if you check the minutes, it isn’t just a hiring freeze – it is a permanent SPENDING freeze, voted in by the out-going council last year. It is superfluous in that the budget called for 5 officers and a chief (who was expected to pull a shift). In January there were 8 officers and the chief. Do the math.
Louella,
DeleteThanks for the reply. I don't know why some of the other "DO-GOODERS" don't join in on our information. Maybe we might be "Inlightened" by their responses.
You are right there is NO call in policy for Council Members but for respect of their Office Position and the fact that they represent Residents in their Wards they should call City Hall and say that they can't be there and the reason. That way the representatives of the Municipal League will not waste their time being at the meetings. And us VOTERS will know the correct reasons behind them not attending.
You say you would like to see the City run in a decent, open honest manor then if you have any influence on the Council Members ask them to attend and discuss matters so the Voters can see and know how they feel regardless of how they VOTE!!
It is hard to ask the Council for approval if they don't attend.
The Mayor can create a quorum but cannot vote on solutions.
You are right about Alexander DESERVING BETTER REPRESENTATION
espically on the Council. That is why I thought Ms. McKeun should have been put on it. She has the training and ability to
make decisions for the future of the City. If you remember when she was on the Council before she faught against things that Shirley Johnson wanted but was against the LAW. Thay are still friends today. She tell it like it is.
I think if you attended the meetings when the spending freeze was put on the Council left everything open for them to approve the spending.
If you read the Clean up Ordinance you will see that the Council must approve condemnation of sites before it is brought to a Judge.
On another matter if there had of been a quorum at this months meeting attendance at the summer Municipal League Conference could have been approved saving the City money on pre-registernation.
I remember the problem with the new Council members going to the Spring Meeting without Council approval. I guess they will want their money back this year if they go!!!The Conference is mid June.
My Council Members will not return my calls much less talk to me about problems in our Ward. So much for representation. If they were at Council Meetings at least I could get on the agenda and ask them questions. So much for representation.
The only time I have seen the 4 or 5 of them meeting the Voters was at the tents the X-Mayor set up the day of the election in the pit. FREE FOOD and drinks. They even had all the Fire Dept. and truck parked there for support.
If you know so much about "Water Mellon Man" why don't you ask him about the camper on his property?
More Later
Bill
As for Faye McKeon (spelled this way) you answered your own question. She was on the council. She's a known entity. She also thinks all businesses need council approval to move into city, which is wrong. See comment above. So much for her being the smartest person in the room. And, if Michelle the anointed one wants her, something must be up.
DeleteAlex N. Der if you are so smart and you know the inter-workings of the city council and what the job duties for the mayor are, why don't you quit hiding behind a stupid website, run for office???? Recorder??? how about Treasurer??? Put your voice to use, besides sitting behind a keyboard and a monitor!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteAlex N. Der is doing just fine.He knows more than you do, and he knows more than I do. His candor, wit and expertise in city government are needed right here!
DeleteUnless Council votes to have a call in policy, it isn't going to happen. Read Wedmaster's latest commentary for May on how city government should run. COUNCIL sets policy, mayor acts according to that policy. (talk about getting the cart before the horse!!!)
ReplyDeleteLouella,
ReplyDeleteGlad you can speak for ALL the Council Members that are left. Guess you are their advisor on just being COURTEOUS. It would not hurt any of them to notify City Hall if they were going to be absent from meetings.
They should do this without the Council adopting a RULE. As for me reading the Webmaster's "LATEST" I have but he or she leaves out several important Laws that exists on how a Second Class City should be run. I am sure the both of you are from the same MOLD in your beliefs.
As far as Ms. McKeon's (Thanks for the correction of spelling. it is hard to spell just from hearing her name in meetings) knowledge about a City's planning Board what she has said is FACT. Refer to State law #74-56-404. Besides the City of Alexander has an Ordinance on the books regarding
Commercial Property Locations and procedures for Comercial property designation. If the Planning Board is not approched by a new business how does the City know what kind of business is going to be run out of a Bldg? Does Mr. Alex N. Der have a CRYSTAL BALL"? When the new business is cleared by the Fire Chief and Board then the Board can report to the Council. Not for approval but to let all know that the New Business meets the requirements of Ordinances for a particular propeety. Any business just City Limits should be presented to the Planning Board in case it might impact the Cities Residents (i.e. Porn Bldgs., Any safety Hazard Bldg. and etc.) That is why the old Planning Board had to change the property where the Royal Communication Business went in. Ms. McKeon was on this Board until EX MAYOR MITCHELL kicked her off.
He kicked her off because she raised questions about him allowing businesses to come into residential areas. (i.e. OLIVIO Junk dealer on West Azalea, OLIVIO RESALE & SMALL ENGINE REPAIR without a permit,and
SCOTT SAM"S Chop Shop and Auto Paint & Body on Hwy.111 and W. Azalea without a permit just to mention a few. For you to say she is "A KNOWN ENTITY" sounds like she is a business herself or a large person. She speaks her mind and is not beyond discussing problems without packing up her toys and going home or raising her voice or name calling. Unlike some who have been in City politics or are still in it.
As far as the Council setting policy I agree with you they should but within the State Laws for operation of Cities.
I hear that The Joint Legislative Audit is at City Hall trying to go over the Books. I hope they can tell something about the mess that the X-TREASURER/BOOKKEEPER and JUANITA left in such shambles.
I agree with Mr. Burns, Mr. Der (since he or she knows all about City Government) needs to be appointed to a City position unless he or she is a "BRING BACK PAUL MITCHELL" backer or is already one of his "DECIPLES"
Bill
There is no Arkansas law 74-56-404. There is a 14-56-404, which only gives the council authority to form a planning commission. No one has disputed that.
DeleteAs for new businesses being established in Alexander, I said "... A new business does not need approval of the city council to move into a city. The only time the council gets involved is if the property the business wants to use is not zoned for that type of business, or if there is a variance request. And even then, the ordinance written to make the zoning change or variance request must come from the planning commission with a recommendation to pass or deny."
I never said a new business doesn't have to see the planning commission. Yes, inspections, etc. are required. If everything checks out, and the council isn't needed for zoning changes or variances, all that's needed is a report to the council that a business is moving in.
As for Ms. McKeon being "kicked off" the planning commission; actually, the planning commission was disbanded by Mayor Mitchell. When reviewing the ordinance that formed the commission he discovered it included the names of the planning commission members. By then, I think only one original member remained.
When writing an ordinance to form a planning commission, you don't include the names of the original members. I won't say who was mayor then.
A new ordinance was to be written, but I don't know if Mayor Mitchell and the council ever got that far. As you recall, many on that council had their own agenda.
Which brings me to this; if you want to reply on the latest commentary, "Who is in charge? Residents inconsistent," I suggest you do so in that section of the blog so everyone can find it.
But, to respond to your comment on that, once again you missed the point. It wasn't about what state law says about running a city. It was about the inconsistency of residents/voters as to how the council and mayor should interact.
With former Mayor Shirley Johnson, and now current Mayor Michelle Hobbs, most of the public who attended the meetings then, and attend the meetings now, expect the council to rubber stamp whatever the mayor wants. When Mitchell was mayor they wanted the council to keep him in line. And, there were those on the council who wanted a daily role in running the city.
What we have now are four aldermen who want the council and city run the way it's suppose to be run, and three aldermen who want the mayor to have free reign. And, guess who the bad guys are.
you are entirely correct there sir! and you have a great input on inept comments by the Bill's in the city!!
DeleteSomebody left the dog door open again.
ReplyDeleteCan somebody tell me why your previous mayor was recalled? I hear (read) it a lot, but have never seen the reasons.
ReplyDeleteBased on what was said at the council meetings, apparently some of them expected him to quite his job with AT&T to be a full time mayor. "You can't be mayor unless you're in the building." However, no one is complaining about Mayor Hobbs having a full-time job and being a part-time mayor.
DeleteAnother inconsistency. Why? That's the point of the latest commentary.
During his time as Mayor the Residents could not get in touch with him. He would not return calls and messages left for him.
DeleteHe would not meet with people and address their concerns. He did not represent Alexander at any meetings. He was made fun of by other Cities about his performance. He did not make the Dept. Heads do their jobs. He hired people who were not qualified to do a job they were hired to do.
At least Mayor Hobbs is in City Hall starting about 3PM every day. She drives throughout the City checking on problems that need to be addressed then returns calls or meets with Residents and other Government Officials. Now that School is out She will be at City Hall during the daytime. She has hired a Street Man who knows how to do the job and is willing and able to work at it. All the Residents are trying to work with her except "THE BRING BACK EX-MAYOR MITCHELL" suporters.
Ex-Mayor would not let the police dept. issue tickets to Ordinance breakers. Just look at the Junkie Places around his home that need cleaned up. He allowed the Fire Dept. to move into the Old City Fire Bldg.., Mayor Hobbs has made the FD be a full time manned FD. This has cut down on Comp. time and manpower expenses.
Ex-Mayor Mitchell had people on the City's Bank accounts that were not even residents, Employees or Council Members.
More later.
Bill
During 2011 and 2012 the FD supposedly had four full time firefighters. It was, and as far as I know, still is operating out of the fire house on South Alexander Rd. He was also using Chief Walters to keep things operating during the day. I know he didn't want to fund the police department with traffic citations, but I don't recall them being told to not issue health, safety, or zoning citations to get the city cleaned up.
DeleteThen the council (WMIC:worlds most inept council) voted to give chief walters full reign, and circumvent the mayor, which was in violation of state law.) So you see how that went.
DeleteIt is the same age old problem. administrative from one faction, legislative from opposing = CLASH!
Bill, thanks for the list. I see it is biased as usual. Paul always returned my calls, in fact, he answered them – every one when I called. Everyone I have asked has said the same. However I know that if he missed ONE persons call, you people would make it NEVER RETURNED CALLS.
DeleteWhat jobs did dept heads not do? I also polled several people who had never heard of him not meeting with people. Maybe, maybe not. Not being in that inner circle, I can’t swear to it, but I really doubt it.
Those ‘junkie’ places have always been there or else where. I have never driven through Alexander that it didn’t look like a major city dump.
Whether it is Hobbs or Mitchell or Who-ever isn’t the point. Council should be allowed to do their job without the threat of veto on every move, the three who want to “rubber stamp” mayor’s every breath should not be required to do that for her favors. The mayor should do her/his job according to the council’s requirements. THAT’S THE POINT. It also happens to be the law. (more will be coming on that later)
Great commentary Louella U hit the nail on the head!!
ReplyDeleteI was talking to someone earlier today who happened to mention the investigator in the office at city hall. Is this 'investigator' a member of the Alexander Police Department? Why are we hiring (again.)
ReplyDeleteIs the above (commentary) correct on the location of the vacated property (intended)?
ReplyDeleteThat little strip of land between the post office and the railroad tracks is barely wide enough to mow. Wouldn't the railroad have an easement on that piece? Or the Federal for the post office? I can't imagine that is a separate deed.
Actually, the post office driveway near the railroad tracks takes up most, if not all, of what was platted as a city street. I think that's the problem they want to clear up legally.
DeleteBrad_S2:
DeleteSo what is the final out come of the strip of land. Does it go to USPD or the railroad?