City of Alexander has good chance of receiving gift of 65 acres from state

(Edited paragraph concerning Meadow’s Edge. 03/02/17)

City of Alexander Mayor Paul Mitchell says officials from the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) seem willing to deed the abandoned Alexander Human Development Center to the city. He told city council members a state board has to give final approval but there’s no expectations of any problems. The property is located in Alexander along Highway 111.

At the February 27 council meeting Mitchell suggested one of the three buildings could serve as an animal shelter. He also pointed out having 65 acres owned by the city can be useful as a bargaining chip to attract a major development like a super market or strip mall.

Alexander Human Development Center

Of the 65 acres four acres are leased by Pathfinder, Inc., which operates apartments for adults with special needs. If the city accepts the state’s offer the city would inherit the lease as well.

DHS has been trying to sell the property and buildings to developers since it was closed several years ago as the result of a state-wide lawsuit. To settle the suit residents were moved to apartment-like settings and the buildings have been vacant ever since.

This is the second time this issue has been brought before the council. During a July 27, 2015 meeting a report by the planning commission to the previous city council indicated there were too many problems with the buildings so council members turned down the offer. The report was written after three commission members were given a tour of the property and facilities by DHS officials.

According to the report the areas not being leased by Pathfinder are, “[T]he brown building, main hospital building, greenhouse & the small park behind the main hospital building.”

As to the condition of the structures the report states, “The buildings have been trashed and totally gutted of any and most all electrical wiring, plumbing, etc. of any value. There is graffiti on the walls, windows knocked out, (and) ceiling tiles gone.”

There was also concern in 2015 about any asbestos remaining in the buildings. Even if the buildings were to be demolished the asbestos would have to be removed first at a cost.

According to state officials Mitchell says most of the asbestos has been “abated.” He said the asbestos remaining is mostly in the floor tiles and the wrapping around pipes. Mitchell has been assured there are federal grants to help fund the removal of that type of asbestos.

If the state decides to deed the property to the city council members will still have to decide if they want to accept the offer.

In other business at the February 27 meeting;

Council members voted to give Mayor Mitchell and City Attorney Pat Marshall the authority to solve an easement issue. The building in question is at the corner of First and Main streets, behind Hess, and was the home of Royal Communications. The business has moved out and the owners are ready to sell the property to Haynes Equipment. When conducting a survey, as part of the sale, it was determined the wrong survey marker was used when determining where to place the current building. The building is four feet inside the city’s right-of-way. It’s expected the city will deed that four feet to the owners.

The city council approved an ordinance establishing the position of Street Department Superintendent. The salary for the position is already in this year’s budget and Mitchell has been interviewing applicants.

Council members also approved an ordinance establishing the “Clerk of the Court” as the person responsible for collecting fines. The ordinance was suggested by state auditors who are currently conducting their annual audit of the city’s financial practices.

Council members approved Phase-2 of Meadow’s Edge. Phase-2 adds 37 38 lots to the new subdivision currently under construction along Highway 111. This brings the total number of available lots to 244.

City Treasurer Kenneth Miller was given permission to establish a new bank account for payroll only. The company Paychex handles the city’s payroll check printing and accounting duties. To do this it has access to all the city’s bank accounts. Miller said the city can add an extra layer of control by giving Paychex access to one account. The city will transfer funds necessary to meet payroll into the account.

The next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, March 20. Meetings start at 6 PM and are held in the courtroom at the City of Alexander Municipal Complex. The public is invited to attend.