Alexander mayor vetoes council organization

Less than 48 hours after the Alexander City Council narrowly approves its “Organization of City Council” (OCC) for 2016 Mayor Paul Mitchell vetoed the document. The veto was signed by both he and City Recorder Sharon Bankhead on Wednesday, March 23.

In the veto document Mitchell cites state statute 14-44-107 as giving him the authority to veto the five-to-three vote taken during the Monday, March 21 regular council meeting. The statute allows mayors of class-2 cities to veto, “ordinances, resolutions and orders.” It also sets a maximum of five days to issue a veto.

The council can attempt to override the veto at the next meeting. A two-thirds vote is required, which in this case six of the eight-member council would have to vote to override the veto.

In his veto Mitchell states, “Changes made (in the OCC) will do nothing but cause disruptions in the City Hall front offices which is contrary to the public interest. Some of the actions taken by the City Council have nothing to do with organizing the City Council for their meetings.”

The issue began during the January meeting when two versions of the annual document were presented to the council. One was provided by Mitchell and given to aldermen days before the meeting. It is an amended version of the 2015 OCC. The second was handed out during the meeting by Alderwoman Andrea Bearden. After some discussion the issue was tabled until February. During the February meeting motions to approve the Bearden version and then the Mitchell version failed.

While there are many differences between the two, the main sticking point has been over who is permitted access to city hall office space and who can operate office equipment. Mitchell removed the clause that was in the 2015 version of the OCC which allows, “the same kind of access to city hall” (and its equipment) “as the mayor.” The Bearden version for 2016 keeps the current policy in place.

Mitchell made the change to match his policies concerning office equipment and office access. Under his policies office equipment can only be operated by office staff. Also, anyone wanting inside city hall must either have an appointment or be allowed inside by the person to whom they wish to speak. Bearden contends aldermen should be allowed to operate equipment such as the copier or fax machine in case they are handling documents of a confidential nature that shouldn’t be seen by city employees.

The purpose of the OCC, which is supposed to be established in January, sets the dates for the regular monthly meetings and the policies to be used while conducting meetings.

During the discussion at the March meeting Alderman Dan Church asked Bearden, “What does access to city hall have to do with the Organization of the City Council?”

Bearden did not respond.

The OCC for 2016 passed five to three. Voting “Yes” were Louis Hobbs, Lonny Chapman, Andy Mullins, Farren Wadley, and Bearden. Voting “No” were Stephanie Beck, Melissa Ratliff and Church. During the two votes in February Wadley abstained.

Alexander Mayor hires new police chief on trial basis

Alexander Mayor Paul Mitchell has hired Robert Burnett as the city’s new interim chief of police. Mitchell introduced Burnett to city council members and the public attending the March 21 monthly council meeting.

Explaining why Burnett is starting out on an interim basis Mitchell said, “We want to see if he’s a good fit for the City of Alexander.”

Burnett is no stranger to Alexander. He worked for the police department in 1997-98. In 1998 Burnett left for Saline County Drug Enforcement and was a member of a multi-county drug task force. He served with the Shannon Hills Police Department as a detective from 2004 to 2007. Burnett was also a police officer in Bauxite and most recently worked for Arkansas Health Center in Haskell.

“I like it out here,” Burnett told council members. “What I hope to bring (to the department) is training.”

He’s been reviewing employee files and advised the council the department is “shorthanded.”

Mitchell said he is, “implementing a rotating schedule” so all officers, including the chief, will work day and night shifts on a regular basis.

Along with the hiring of Burnett Mayor Mitchell hired Nick Johnson as the city’s code enforcement officer, building inspector, and police officer. Both Burnett and Johnson worked at the Arkansas Health Center in Haskell. While his main duties will be code enforcement Mitchell said this gives the city the flexibility having an extra police officer available during the day when needed.

“He’s a very experienced guy,” Burnett said describing Johnson. “He’s been in law enforcement since 2005,” and is a certified police officer.

Alderman Dan Church asked if Johnson had ever done code enforcement. Burnett said, “He has not done code enforcement,” but, “I’m pretty confident he’ll catch on pretty quick.”

In other business during the March 21 meeting;

In a five to three vote, the council passed the “Organization of City Council 2016” (OCC); the version amended by Alderwoman Andrea Bearden. The OCC was not on the agenda and Bearden made the motion; allowing the issue to be discussed again after a failed vote in February.

During the February meeting motions to approve the Bearden version and then the version provided by Mayor Paul Mitchell failed. Both versions of the OCC were presented at the January meeting and then tabled after some discussion.

While there are many differences between the two, the main sticking point has been over who is permitted access to city hall office space and who can operate office equipment. Mitchell removed the clause that was in the 2015 version of the OCC (also provided by Bearden) which allows, “the same kind of access to city hall” (and its equipment) “as the mayor.” The Bearden version for 2016 keeps the current policy as-is.

Mitchell made the change to match his policy that office equipment can only be operated by office staff and anyone wanting inside city hall must either have an appointment or be allowed inside by the person to whom they wish to speak. Bearden contends aldermen should be allowed to operate equipment such as the copier or fax machine in case they are handling city documents that shouldn’t be seen by the average person.

The purpose of the OCC, which is supposed to be established in January, sets the dates for the regular monthly meetings and the policies to be used while conducting meetings.

Alderman Dan Church asked Bearden, “What does access to city hall have to do with the Organization of the City Council?”

The silence from Bearden was deafening.

Voting “Yes” were Louis Hobbs, Lonny Chapman, Andy Mullins, Farren Wadley, and Bearden. Voting “No” were Stephanie Beck, Melissa Ratliff and Church. During the two votes in February Wadley abstained.

Early in the meeting Mitchell said the agenda item “Budget Resolution” wasn’t ready so it was skipped.

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council will be Monday, April 18. Meetings are held at 6pm in the courtroom in the City of Alexander Municipal Complex on Highway 111. The public is invited to attend.

Budget resolution on Alexander agenda

The only item appearing on the agenda for the Alexander City Council’s March meeting is the reading of a budget resolution. The resolution is expected to cover recent changes to the budget allowing for the payment of settlements in two lawsuits.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, March 21 at Alexander City Hall. The public is invited to attend.