Sergeant Nick Johnson; Alexander’s 2019 Employee of the Year

City of Alexander Police Sergeant Nick Johnson was named 2019 Employee of the Year. The award was presented to Johnson by Mayor Paul Mitchell at the Fourth Annual Mayor’s Award Dinner held Friday, September 20.

Department heads also handed out awards to deserving employees in other categories. How to choose the recipients, however, was a constant theme throughout the evening.

During one of the mayor’s weekly meetings with department heads Mayor Mitchell, “[A]sked each of the department heads to think about the city employees and comment on which one had done the most for their fellow employees across the entire city,” Assistant Police Chief Richard Harper said describing how Employee of the Year was chosen. “A conversation ensued and unanimously they thought of Nick Johnson.”

Before Mayor Mitchell presented the Employee of the Year award to Sergeant Johnson, Harper described Johnson’s accomplishments this past year.

“The biggest thing that Nick’s done this year is he solved a problem that we had with tracking of citations, arrests, misdemeanor case files, and traffic citations; which doesn't sound like a big deal,” Harper began. “But, it was so messed up that it caused a rift between the police department, the court clerk's office, the judge, and the prosecutors. And, it was actually starting to affect citizens as well; people getting charged for things two different times. So, Sergeant Johnson, on his own initiative, developed the tracking system for arrest warrants, criminal traffic citation and case files that completely eliminated this problem. This was something that we've been hit on state audits on, so his efforts completely eliminated that problem and has gone the farthest to do something for everyone in the city.”

“In 2018 we promoted Nick to sergeant and in his promotion letter he was given the following responsibilities,” Harper said. “It read, ‘Equally important to your duty to guide subordinates is your duty to provide blunt and honest feedback to the chain-of-command, when necessary, to help them better serve our citizens and our police officers.’ Nick Johnson is very good at providing blunt feedback, if any of y'all know him, and we rely on that. And, he's not only fulfilled those duties … he's been a mentor to all the employees of the city and we just like to thank you for that.”

Mayor Paul Mitchell presents Employee of the Year Award
to Sergeant Nick Johnson.

“If he has any adversity in his life, which he has quite a bit, you can always count on him to be at work,” Mayor Mitchell said before presenting Johnson with the award. “No matter what happens it amazes all of us. He could be in the hospital, for instance, next day he’s at work. So if nothing, that is dedication. When you could very well take time off, or use it (sick leave) for that, but he prefers to be at work. So we all decided as a group, myself and all the department heads, that he was the guy (to receive the award).”

Reading the inscription on the award Mitchell said, “The City of Alexander Mayor’s Employee of the Year award, presented to Sergeant Nick Johnson on this date September 20 of 2019 by Mayor Paul Mitchell for outstanding dedication and service to the City of Alexander.”

“Thank you for all you do,” Mitchell added.

Turning the awards ceremony back over to Assistant Police Chief Richard Harper the issue of how to choose an award recipient came up again.

“Just about every year that Chief (Robert) Burnett and I have been in leadership, here at the department, it's been a difficult task to decide on the Officer of the Year,” Harper said. “It's always difficult because the outstanding work that our our people do; lives saved with CPR, personal property recovered, repairing a broken K-9 program as Nick (Johnson) did, repairing a broken Reserve Program as Sergeant McKeever did, or just being there to let citizens know they have a voice.”

Harper said he and Chief Burnett tried to devise a way to whittle down the group to a smaller number of officers to make the selection process easier. Their first option was to disqualify everyone who had any type of disciplinary action.

“So I went down the list of officers and what I found was that each and every one of us, not only including but especially the Chief of Police and the Assistant Chief of Police, had at a bare minimum had a lengthy and colorful butt-chewing, or verbal counseling, which is allowed sometimes; colorful counseling meant to correct perceived or actual performance deficiencies,” Harper said. “So that plan didn't work.”

It was at the weekly department head meeting, during which the Employee of the Year was chosen, that Harper says his dilemma was solved. He took the Mayor’s, “[W]hich one had done the most for their fellow employees across the entire city,” concept and applied it to the police department.

“Which police officer went the farthest to ease the burden on their fellow police officer,” Harper said. “Which one’s work went the farthest to ease burden on leadership. And, which officer’s work went the farthest to ease the suffering and bring relief to the most crime victims.”

Detective Jessica Burnett (formerly Hill) was selected as the Alexander Police Department’s Officer of the Year.

Detective Jessica Burnett (L) and

Assistant Police Chief Richard Harper.

“Detective Burnett’s work this year has helped the Alexander Police Department administration build infrastructure that frees patrol officers from the time-consuming evidence handling and case file management tasks; allowing them to focus on preventing and disrupting criminal activity through proactive police work,” Harper said reading from the certificate. “Through her case file management, affidavit and warrant writing ability Detective Burnett has this year proven to judges (and) prosecutors that the Alexander Police Department is now a highly capable professional law enforcement agency. Detective Burnett this year recovered three stolen vehicles, three stolen firearms and more than $200,000 of personal property taken from the citizens of Alexander, Bryant, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Cabot, and surrounding rural communities. Administrators inherited from previous leadership of this department an evidence vault which housed items from resolved and unresolved cases; ranging from homicide to criminal mischief. The vast majority of these cases have been resolved years ago yet the evidence remained in the locker. Upon being signed as evidence custodian Detective Burnett researched hundreds of criminal cases and scribed, by hand, data from those cases for more than 1,000 pieces of evidence. She then developed a spreadsheet to help organize the evidence and formulate a comprehensive order of destruction for presentation to a judge. Her efforts were validated and praised by both the prosecuting attorney and the judge. Thanks to detective Burnett’s efforts we now have an efficient evidence system. This year's been a trial by fire for Detective Burnett with regard to sexual assault investigations and as usual she has rose to the occasion. Her tireless dedication to the residents of Alexander has provided closure and promoted healing for dozens of child and adult victims of sexual abuse. In a very short period of time she has forged partnerships with Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division and many domestic violence outreach programs. Her efforts have closed the terrible gap in the violence and sexual abuse investigation services that existed in this community for a long time. Detective Burnett’s tireless dedication of her team and the residents of our community bringing great credit upon herself and all who serve in law enforcement. Congratulations. Assistant Chief Richard Harper.”

Harper then moved on to the final police department award, Police Supervisor of the Year. This year the award goes to Sergeant Brandon McKeever.

“Brandon McKeever came to work for Alexander Police Department as an experienced patrol officer during the time when the staff and the infrastructure of our department was being completely overhauled by Chief Burnett,” Harper said reading from the certificate. “His loyalty and can-do attitude and willingness to mentor less experienced officers resulted in his promotion to sergeant over the patrol division in 2017. Every year Sergeant McKeever contributes immeasurably to the training and readiness of the officers in his charge. This year he led by example in professional appearance and proactive law enforcement. Despite his heavy supervisory responsibilities Sergeant McKeever led the department himself initiated DWI arrests and was the go-to police officer for the hard-to-find hard-to-catch fugitives and stolen vehicles in the city. Sergeant McKeever chaired the police officer interview panel resulting in hiring eight highly capable auxiliary police officers and two full-time police officers. As the pro front line supervisor and auxiliary program manager he ensured three thousand-plus citizens of Alexander had 24/7 police coverage with only four full-time patrol officers and eight auxiliary officers; all of whom have professional commitments outside the department. This year the department schedule is stretched nearly to the breaking point by mandatory training, illnesses of officers and their family members, military commitments of our two Armed Forces members, and a lack of funds for overtime that would be used to cover the gaps. On multiple occasions the patrol schedule would need to be changed two or three times in a single day. No matter what scheduling challenge was presented to Sergeant McKeever at any given hour of his sleep-cycle he would simply respond to me, ‘We'll get it handled.’ And, every day for the past year that's what he's done.”

“Congratulations on a job well done and thank you for the work that you do that lets me [sic] and Rob go to sleep at night,” Harper said to McKeever.

Police Chief Robert Burnett (L) and Sergeant Brandon 

McKeever. Gumby pin in inset.

“One word to describe Sergeant McKeever’s work ethic is an ability that's flexible,” Harper said to explain McKeever’s nickname, “Sergeant Gumby.”

While explaining McKeever’s nickname Harper was pinning him with an official Gumby pin.

“It took me a long time to find that, and it's vintage, so don't break it,” Harper said. “It cost more than the award.”

“The reason these guys do what they do is because the city works as a team together,” Mitchell said before introducing the next department head. “And, I'm proud of every department, everything that they do and how they do it.

Fire Department Chief Mark Ridgeway was up next. He too had a similar problem choosing Firefighter of the Year. Standing next to him was Assistant Fire Chief Noah Harrison.

Firefighter Heath Goins (L) and Fire Chief Mark Ridgeway.

“We were trying to think of who would be the best candidate for firefighter of the year,” Ridgeway said. “Kind of along the same lines; who didn’t get wrote up, were suspended or whatever the case may be. This firefighter, he's done a great job for us. If we need something he does it. He's pretty handy. Couldn’t think of a better candidate this year.”

This year’s Firefighter of the Year is Heath Goins, who almost didn’t attend the awards dinner. Chief Ridgeway had to convince Goins to attend without spilling the beans.

“He was not coming tonight,” Ridgeway said. He just had ... surgery,” and “[J]ust got released to come back to light duty Monday.”

Ridgeway also inaugurated a new award category this year, the Chief’s Award. The first recipient of the award is Assistant Fire Chief Noah Harrison.

Assistant Fire Chief Noah Harrison (R) and
Fire Chief Mark Ridgeway.

“Assistant Chief Harrison, he's done a lot for me; took a lot of weight off of my shoulders” Ridgeway said. “He keeps up with scheduling, sick time, keeps the guys in line when I'm not around, doing stuff for the mayor, or whatever I need to do. He's just helped me out tremendously with everything ... so I’d like to present (Assistant) Chief Harrison with the Chief’s Award.”

Streets/Parks Department Supervisor David Durham was the final department head to present awards.

Rod Chapman (L) and David Durham.

“As you know we have a small parks and recreation department and street department,” Durham said. “But, I do have two guys that I rely on a whole lot and they go above and beyond all the time. Any time I call them they're there. Anything we need; everybody knows you can always stop the white truck, they'll do whatever they need to for anybody. And, I just wanted to let my guys know how much I appreciate them and what they do for the citizens; what they do for me.”

The first Certificate of Appreciation for Job Performance award was presented to Rod Chapman. Until this year street department staff would also be used to work in the city park. Because working hours had to be kept separate between streets and parks, starting in the 2019 budget Chapman is listed as a Parks Department employee. He does help the street department when needed.

“I just want to let you know Rod how much I appreciate you for all you do for me and for everybody in the city,” Durham said.

Kyle Martin (L) and Streets/Parks Department
Supervisor David Durham.

Street Department employee Kyle Martin was also presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for Job Performance. Martin is one of the more recent additions to the department.

“My right hand in the street department,” Durham said. “He has helped me a lot in a very short period of time. He's not afraid to take on anything and he's gonna be a great asset for the city.”

“Mr. Mayor, I want to thank you for all you do for us in our little street and parks department,” Durham continued. “And all the council members, thank you so very much for all your help. We couldn't do it without you.”

Before Mayor Mitchell could end the festivities his wife, Genny Mitchell, stepped up to present him with a gift certificate.

Genny Mitchell (L) and Mayor Paul Mitchell.

“From the Sons and Daughters of God Bible Study, we would like to recognize you and tell you thank you and that we appreciate all that you do in community outreach,” Genny Mitchell said. “Thank you so much.”

“One reason why I try to gather up everyone here for dinner, me and my wife want to pay back to the employees of the city,” Mayor Mitchell said earlier in the evening. “Things that they do, they take a load off of me. I don't have to worry about have [sic] hands-on on everything because these guys are handling the job (and) they're personnel; so they're not always coming to me. They do a good job.”

Alexander council passes only one of three agenda items

With only a quorum present, the Alexander City Council was able to pass one of three agenda items. Council members approved a resolution amending the current 2019 budget, while two ordinances were given their first public readings.

Attending the September 16 meeting were council members Joe Pollard (Ward-1), Juanita Wilson (Ward-2), Harold Timmerman (Ward-3), and Lonny Chapman (Ward-4). Absent were Elizabeth Bland (Ward-1), Joy Gray (Ward-2), Dan Church (Ward-3), and Jeff Watson (Ward-4). Since five members are needed for a quorum, Mayor Paul Mitchell can be counted as the fifth member under state law.

The ordinances receiving their first public readings are, “An ordinance designating places for the posting of council meetings, ordinances, and other matters related thereto” and “An ordinance establishing fees required by the City of Alexander, Arkansas Subdivision Rules and Regulations and Zoning Regulations ordinances.” Under state law ordinances require three public readings. If necessary that requirement can be suspended by a vote of two-thirds of the council members. For an eight-member council that requires six council members present. Since there were only four the most Mitchell could do is read each ordinance and move on to the next agenda item. The next reading will be at the October meeting.

The ordinance establishing locations to post meeting announcements and ordinances for public viewing is an option used by cities and towns that don’t have a local newspaper. Under the current ordinance public notices are posted at Alexander City Hall, the Alexander Post Office, Hess Gas Station, Elmo’s Grocery, and the Dollar General Store.

Since adding Dollar General to the list Mitchell says someone with Dollar General decided to ban postings at their stores. Because five locations are needed it’s been decided to add the Citgo Flash Market Gas Station, located at the Highway 111 and I-30 interchange. Mitchell says Dollar General will remain on the list while he works his way up the corporate ladder seeking approval to post city announcements.

The ordinance establishing fees required by the Subdivision Rules and Regulations Ordinance and the Zoning Regulations Ordinance is needed to establish fees referenced in the two ordinances, which were passed earlier this summer. The fees include submitting a Preliminary Plat, submitting a Final Plat, Rezoning Permit, Conditional Use Permit, Variance Application, Planned Unit Development Application, submitting a Small-Scale Commercial plan, and submitting a Large-Scale Commercial plan.

The ordinance was written and submitted by the City of Alexander Planning Commission for approval and was reviewed by the city attorney. Commission Chairman Michael Huck explained to council members the commission took portions of fee plans used by other cities such as Bryant and Conway. He also said some of the pricing was adjusted to be more reasonable for Alexander.

The budget resolution made adjustments to expected revenue and spending approved by the council that was not included in the original budget. Mitchell said their will be at least one more budget resolution by the end of the year.

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, October 21 at 6 PM in the courtroom in city hall. The public is invited to attend.

Only three items on Alexander agenda

The Alexander city council should be able to make quick work of tonight’s (Monday, September 16) agenda. The three items listed under “New Business” are “2019 Budget Amendments, Posting Place at Citgo/Flash Market on I-30 Added to Ordinance” and an ordinance recommended by the planning commission that will establish fees for categories listed in the city’s new subdivision rules and regulations and zoning ordinances.

Tonight’s open meeting is at 6 PM in the courtroom at city hall. The public is invited to attend.

Alexander council approves medical marijuana dispensary; state approval next

The Alexander city council accepted the recommendation of the planning commission allowing Natural State Medical Group to establish a medical marijuana dispensary in the city at the corner of Arkansas Highway 5 and Alexander Road. They must now submit an application to the state and be approved to do business in Alexander. The decision is expected to be made on 
September 18.

Mayor Paul Mitchell called the special meeting for Tuesday, September 3, one week after the planning commission held its own special meeting on this and other issues. See article here. Council members present at the meeting were Joe Pollard (Ward-1), Joy Gray and Juanita Wilson (Ward-2), Harold Timmerman and Dan Church (Ward-3), and Lonny Chapman and Jeff Watson (Ward-4). Absent was Elizabeth Bland (Ward-1).

First to speak to council members was Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck. He started by explaining how the commission had to cancel its regular August 13 meeting due to the lack of a quorum. When the city attorney gave approval for an ordinance concerning fees Huck began trying to schedule a special meeting in order to get the ordinance to the council for its regular September meeting. It was then he received an E-mail from James Adametz concerning the dispensary. Calling it “The first coincidence,” because the special meeting hadn’t been announced, he added the issue to the agenda.

He then referred to the possibility of having a medical marijuana dispensary in the city as a, “Second coincidence.”

“I’ve been trying to think in the back of my head what can Alexander get that not everybody else (other cities) has,” he told council members. “ Now granted marijuana dispensary was not way up there at the top of the list. I was thinking food (restaurants), or store, or something like that; but frankly I’ll take what I can get.”

After Huck’s presentation Mayor Mitchell read the planning commission’s recommendation which states in part, “[T]he City of Alexander Planning Commission, in a four to zero vote, passed a motion to, ‘Recommend the Alexander City Council approve Natural State Medical Group’s request to establish a medical marijuana dispensary at the corner of Arkansas Highway 5 and Alexander Road.’” With Council Member Joy Gray making the motion to accept the recommendation and seconded by Council Member Jeff Watson, the motion passed with a voice-vote all members saying “Aye.” The only “No” vote would be from the absent Elizabeth Bland. An absent member counts as a “No” vote.

The next step was to read and approve a resolution provided by the mayor’s office. Council Member Joy Gray asked why there is a recommendation and a resolution.

“Since installing the new planning commission we haven’t done anything like this,” said Mayor Mitchell. “This is the way I chose to do it; to be able to put the planning commission, everything they stated and done, with the resolution itself to have it in one packet for the future.”

Mitchell then read the resolution, which cites Amendment 98 to the Arkansas Constitution approved by voters in 2016. Known as the, “Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2016,” the resolution states the amendment, “[A]uthorizes the cultivation and distribution of medical marijuana.”

It also includes the state’s requirement that, “[Z]oning regulations (for medical marijuana dispensaries) are the same as those for a retail pharmacy.” The property at Arkansas Highway 5 and Alexander Road is zoned Highway Commercial. That zoning designation includes Neighborhood Commercial, which includes “Drug Store” as stated in the Alexander Zoning Ordinance.

With a motion made by Jeff Watson and seconded by Joy Gray to approve the resolution council members were then permitted to ask questions. Gray asked for an estimate of revenue in the first year. James Adametz gave an estimated revenue between $2 Million to $3 Million. The city’s three-cent sales tax would generate an additional $60,000 to $90,000 respectively.

In response to a question concerning an opening date Adametz said it could be by the end of the year. But, between now and then they have to get final approval from the state, purchase the property and renovate the inside of the former funeral home. The decision by the state is expected on September 18.

“This is the hardest decision that I can make in my life since I’ve been (a) council member,” said Joe Pollard. “I approve of it … because the people want it, but you know I got some doubts about it.”

Continuing along that same thought Council Member Harold Timmerman said, “The people of the city voted me in here,” he said. “I talked to some of the people in my ward and they are for it. I think I talked to about 20 people and only two said ‘No.’ The rest said ‘Yes’ it’s for assistance for those who need it.”

When the mayor asked if there were any other questions the only person there as an observer was Xavier Hendrix. His first question concerned, “Security during open hours.”

“We’ll have numerous cameras,” Adametz responded. “We’ll have a double entrance where you have to come into a door, and then present your (state) card to prove you’re able to buy, then you’re allowed entrance the rest of the way.”

When Hendrix asked about security guards and whether they will be armed Dr. Mel Collazo, another member of the medical group, who is also a part-time deputy sheriff in Clark County said, “I’m going to handle security people,” and “We’ll probably have some armed guards,” which is a state requirement.

Currently, the Natural State Medical Group has an approved license for Hot Springs, however, they have yet to open a facility there. Hendrix asked why they are moving to Alexander.

“There’s already two others (dispensaries) in Hot Springs,” Adametz said. “There are really not any in Alexander, Benton, Bryant, Malvern, Bauxite, this whole section. We would like to be in an area that’s under served rather than over served.”

At that point Mayor Mitchell cut off the questions, pointing out that if there were any more questions they can be asked during the public comment portion of the meeting. Mitchell then asked for a voice vote to approve the resolution. All council members present voted “Aye.”

Before being allowed to take advantage of the public comment portion of the meeting Council Member Joy Gray asked Hendrix if he is a resident of Alexander.

“We own commercial property in Alexander,” Hendrix said. “We own on Highway 5 the old Dollar General building.”

“That’s Bryant,” several voices chimed in unison.

“Yeah, but our address is Alexander,” Hendrix replied.

“My question is before a special use or conditional permit are you guys required any kind of posting, where you have to notify, like run it in the newspaper, put up a sign,” Hendrix asked?

“This is not conditional use,” Huck said.

“But you do need a special permit like a drug pharmacy,” Hendrix queried.

“No, no,” Gray responded. “It needs to be zoned like a pharmacy, so us putting this (the dispensary) there is no different than them putting a Walgreens there. So, we just followed whatever policy or procedure would be utilized (for a Walgreens).”

“There’s not going to be anymore (meetings) open for the public,” Hendrix continued.

“The only way a city cannot have medical marijuana is if, during a regular election, there’s a referendum by the people of that city,” Gray said before being cut off by Hendrix.

“I’m very aware of that,” Hendrix chimed in. “But, the public should be notified. We had to notify the public on our building.”

“This is it, you’re looking at it,” Gray proclaimed. “We had a public meeting.”

Mitchell explained that the planning commission held a public meeting and all meetings are posted. Because Alexander doesn’t have a newspaper in the city regular or special meeting announcements are posted on the city hall facing outside, inside the post office, at Hess, and at Elmo’s Grocery. Meeting times and dates also appear on the electronic sign in front of city hall. Gray also mentioned meeting announcements can be seen posted on the local blog site The Alexandrian.

Meeting announcements and agendas are also sent to local media outlets who request them. Aside from this reporter, there were no representatives from the media at this meeting.

Adametz said Bryant handles medical marijuana dispensary applications differently than other cities. According to Bryant’s zoning regulations a special use permit, which would require a public hearing, is needed for both pharmacies and medical marijuana dispensaries in Neighborhood Commercial Districts (C-1) and Highway Commercial Districts (C-2).

Hendrix’s three minute time limit for speaking had expired. A motion to adjourn was made and passed.

Alexander council special meeting tonight on medical marijuana dispensary

The Alexander city council will have a special meeting tonight (Tuesday, September 3) to decide whether a medical marijuana dispensary will be allowed to do business in the city. The special meeting will be held at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at city hall. The public is invited to attend.

Since this is a special meeting, and this is the only agenda item, it will be the only business conducted by the council. The agenda item is listed as, “Approve medical marijuana dispensary business privilege license.”

This issue has already been dealt with by the planning commission in a special meeting held August 27. See article below. Planning commission members voted to recommend to the council to approve the request made by Natural State Medical Group.

The group’s representative, James Adametz, is expected to speak to the council and answer any questions they may have. Council members Joe Pollard, Harold Timmerman and Dan Church heard Adametz’s presentation when they attended the planning commission meeting.