Alexander to hold joint city council/planning commission meeting Friday with DHS representatives

City of Alexander Mayor Paul Mitchell told council members a meeting with officials from the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) is scheduled for this Friday (July 21) at 2 PM in the city hall courtroom. Mitchell asked that members of the council and planning commission attend and take the opportunity to have their questions answered.

This appears to be the final step in a proposal by DHS to deed the abandoned Alexander Human Development Center to the city. The property is located in Alexander along Highway 111.

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.

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.

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.

Announcement of the special meeting was made at the council’s regular July 17 meeting. The public is invited to attend.

Aside from approving minutes from the previous meeting there were no other action items on the agenda. Items discussed during the meeting included;

Police Chief Robert Burnett reported that police officers responded last week to a burglary at Knollwood Mobile Home Park, located north of I-30. Officers chased two suspects, apprehending one in Shannon Hills. Chief Burnett said when they returned to Knollwood with the suspect officers found Little Rock police had responded to a burglary in the area across the street from Knollwood. The suspect admitted to both burglaries.

Street Superintendent David Durham reported, weather permitting, that two more Fridays should be needed for the Saline County Highway Department to complete preparing the last section of Brookwood Road for paving. The section between Don Parker Drive and Redwood Lane is being widened and a new base applied before the asphalt is applied. The only section of city street remaining to be paved from this latest project is North Alexander Road between Highway 5 and just north of I-30. This latest paving project included South Alexander Road from the end of Highway 111 (near West Azalea) to the city limit, West Azalea from South Alexander Road to Kathy Drive and Birch Drive from West Azalea to Dogwood Ranchete Drive.

It was also announced state auditors have sent a request for documents needed to conduct the city’s 2016 audit. In the past this has been an annual event but, due to time constraints by the auditors, the last audit included 2014 and 2015.

The next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, August 21. Meetings start at 6 PM and are held in the courtroom at the City of Alexander Municipal Complex. The public is invited to attend.