Honoring high school graduates, Looking for vendors, Forming an activities committee

Council Member Angela Griffin wants to honor Alexander's high school graduates again this year. She wants to repeat what started last year as a way to recognize high school graduates who live in Alexander.

"If anyone has, or knows of anyone that resides in Alexander, that is a graduated senior (should) get their application," Griffin said. "We just want to recognize our Alexander graduates if there's any out there."

The application is available at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Or, Griffin said anyone can E-mail her and she will contact you. Her E-mail address is angela.griffin@cityofalexander.org.

Griffin wants to get an early start on this year's Fall Fest held the first Saturday in October. She's looking for vendors.

"And also, anyone that is a vendor, or know of any vendors, I'm starting to look at those for our fall session," she said. "And we need to get those looked in early."

Griffin also wants to form what she called a Parks and Events Committee.

"So if there's any citizens that are interested in that portion of the city, we'd love to have you and love to have your input," Griffin said. "I don't even think we'd have to do anything monthly. We'd do something a couple of times a year."

To contact Council Member Angela Griffin if you have a high school graduate, you are a vendor interested in setting up at a fall festival, or interested in serving on a parks and events committee; you may contact her at angela.griffin@cityofalexander.org.

Amending 2024 Alexander budget tabled wanting proof of underpayments

A resolution to adjust payments in the 2024 budget to four elected officials, who were allegedly underpaid in 2023, has been tabled. According to the proposed resolution Mayor Crystal Herrmann was paid $37,456.04 in 2023 instead of $42,160.00; a difference of $4,703.96. Council members Tony Staton, Angela Griffin and Gina Thomas-Littlejohn are listed as being paid $1,100.00 in 2023 instead of the annual $1,200.00; a difference of $100.00. Council members are paid $100.00 per month no matter how many meetings are held.

According to City Hall Office Manager Jennifer Hill, because these were the new members starting January 1, 2023 they weren't able to get into the direct deposit system until February.

"So the people that came in new for 2023 are missing a payment," Hill said. "So legislative audits that have been in order to correct this, that we would need to amend the budget to allow for this increase so that we could pay (council members) Tony Staton, Gina Littlejohn, Angela Griffin, and the mayor their underpayments that they were underpaid for."

Council Member Juanita Wilson made the motion to table the resolution until the council can see bank statements from 2023 showing there is a 12th deposit missing.

Hill explained, "I would just say that I got this (dollar amounts) off the W-2s, so these were the W-2s that everybody got this year and everybody got last year that went through your bank."

"Well, still we need to take a look till next month and from your bank to prove," Wilson said. "We need proof, in writing."

In a roll call vote council members voting "Yes" to table until the next regular meeting were Joy Gray, Joe Pollard, Mitchell W. Smith, Harold Timmerman, and Juanita Wilson. Council members voting "No" were Angela Griffin and Gina R Thomas-Littlejohn. Council Member Tony Staton was absent and counted as a "No" vote.

Let's talk

Raising rent

Three other items on the agenda were all items for discussion. Herrmann wanted council members to consider raising rental fees, the removal of the "Duplex (site-built)" housing type from the "Mixed-Use Residential District (R-2. MU)" zoning category and amending a variety of ordinances.

Alexander currently rents three locations; the pavilion and gazebo in the City Park and Community Center #1 (Old City Hall) on Main Street in north Alexander. Under the current fee structure the City either barely breaks even or loses money completely. It's $75.00 to rent the pavilion but $50.00 of that is the deposit, which is refunded. The city keeps $25. Renting the Gazebo is $200.00 but $100.00 of that is the deposit, which again is returned to the renter. The City keeps the remaining $100.00. There's a $50.00 deposit to rent Community Center #1 plus a fee of $8.00 per hour. According to Herrmann after returning that deposit the City has barely nothing left. No matter what Alexander rents to the public there's a cost.

"What's going on is when somebody rents the pavilion for $25, we have our city (employee) and we have to come out on that day and clean it," Herrmann said. "And so then we incur overtime for one of our parks department employees.

Besides having to pay the employee any overtime incurred, there's the cost of refunding the $50.00 deposit. All of which must come from the $25.00 Alexander keeps.

"So this $25 on top of the office work, because now we also have to process a refund check through the whole computer system and print out a check and mail it at that point," she explained. "So what I'm trying to express is it's either we have to raise the rent or don't charge a rent. Because right now it's cost us money to rent it."

While the current $100.00 rental fee for the gazebo leaves the City a little cushion to pay for the cost of returning the refund and pay the City employee, Community Center #1 runs in the negative according to Herrmann when you include the additional utilities of heating and cooling the other two locations don't have.

The Mayor's new proposed rates for the Pavilion, Gazebo and Community Center #1 are $150.00 each; $50.00 of that is the refundable deposit. The City keeps the remaining $100.00.

Herrmann is also proposing opening up Community Center #2 for renting. If approved the upfront fee will be $200.00; $50.00 of that is the refundable deposit. The City keeps the remaining $150.00.

Community Center #2 is the long metal building near Highway 111 on the property of the former Alexander Human Development Center. It has served as the Alexander Voting Center for the past two General Elections and primaries.

It's expected there will be an ordinance establishing these rental fees ready for the May council meeting.

Amending the Zoning Ordinance

With the recent request and approval of building a two-story duplex on the vacant lot at the corner of Alton Drive and South Alexander Road, it was brought to the attention of council members that the "Mixed-Use Residential District (R-2. MU)" zoning category includes duplexes. Under the current description of the zoning district; allowed housing types include "Single-Family (site-built), Duplex (site-built), Manufactured Home, Modular Home," and "Prefabricated Home." Nearly all of the area in south Alexander (formerly known as Woodland Hills) and portions of north Alexander are zoned R-2. MU.

Questioning Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck about the Mixed-Use Residential District (R-2. MU) zoning Herrmann asked, "[A]nybody could put in a duplex at this point?"

"If it's (the lot) at least eight thousand square feet and 60 feet wide in the front," Huck said.

Herrmann expressed concern that too many duplexes in south Alexander will overburden the Saline County Water Works Sanitary Sewer system. Especially the sewer portion. Alexander does not operate its own water and sewer system.

Herrmann said, "[I]f a large portion of that side of the community (south Alexander) ends up pulling off the mobile homes and putting in duplexes it's going to double the services."

"[U]nder our zoning in order to amend the zoning ordinance we have to essentially follow the same process as a rezoning issue," Huck explained.

To rezone property the planning commission sets a date for a public hearing. A legal notice is published in a newspaper and residents/property owners within 300 feet of the property must be notified by mail.

Huck noted the city can't mail notices to everyone but legal notices can be posted at the five usual places in Alexander the same as meeting announcements. He did say the city must send notices to the two school districts (Bryant and Pulaski County Special School District) notifying them of the public hearing.

Huck also suggested that amending the zoning ordinance would require by default rezoning the lot at Alton Dr. and South Alexander Rd. to Single-Family/Duplex Residential District (R-1.SFD) since it's already been approved. Also, he said there's a lot at 13518 3rd Street (Hwy. 111), "[P]assing as a duplex ... built in 1983" that will have to be rezoned as well.

The current zoning ordinance was approved by the Alexander City Council in 2019. It replaced a zoning ordinance in effect since 1980.

Other ordinance issues

The discussion then turned to either amending current ordinances or the need for new ordinances. The three items discussed were amending how to express the difference between manufactured homes built before the Department of Housing and Urban Development established construction standards in the 1970s and after the standards were established, writing an animal control ordinance to replace the current leash ordinance and a new ordinance designating where city announcements will be posted.

In the definition section of the Alexander Zoning Ordinance a mobile home is defined as, "A single-family unit fabricated prior to enactment of the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, June 15, 1976, transported after fabrication on its own wheels and with towing tongue to an approved lot. Traditionally, the wheels and towing tongue could not be removed." A manufactured home is defined as, "A dwelling unit fabricated on or after June 15, 1976, at a site other than the site intended for occupancy and transported to the site for occupancy."

In the zoning ordinance, and other ordinances, "Mobile Homes" are not allowed to be setup in Alexander. Also, "Manufactured Homes" cannot be older than 20 years the year they are setup in the city.

Some sample animal control ordinances were provided for review. It was noted hiring someone for animal control without an ordinance to enforce wouldn't be practical. Council Member Joy Gray was given the task of reviewing the sample ordinance. During the Mayor's report earlier in the meeting Herrmann said one applicant for the code enforcement/animal control officer position has been interviewed with two more scheduled.

In October 2019 the Alexander City Council passed an ordinance establishing locations to post, "[N]otice for meetings, ordinances, and other matters." The locations are Alexander City Hall, Alexander Post Office, Hess Gas Station, Elmo's Grocery, Citgo Flash Market Gas Station (on the I-30 Frontage Road), and the Dollar General Store.

Since the passing of the ordinance the Hess Gas Station was purchased by SQRL and has been closed for renovation about one year, the Citgo is now a Mobil and the corporate office for Dollar General turned down former Mayor Paul Mitchell's request to allow the public postings. The minimum legal requirement is five locations.

Mayor Herrmann says they have been posting at the two Circle K gas stations; one at the Highway 5 and North Alexander Rd. intersection and the second at Highway 111 and Cornerstone Road. The goal is to have a new ordinance by the May meeting that will establish Alexander City Hall, Alexander Post Office, the Mobil Station (on the I-30 Frontage Road), Elmo's Grocery, and the two Circle Ks as posting locations. An attempt will be made to add Dollar General and the Saline County Water Works Sanitary Sewer Public Utilities Board office (E. Azalea and South Alexander Road) to the list of authorized posting locations.

Council Member Angela Griffin suggested installing a weather proof bulletin board somewhere in the city park. This will allow for the posting of various types of public information.

Mayor's Report

Grant application deadline met

Mayor Crystal Herrmann provided an update to the special meeting held Wednesday, April 10. The meeting was needed to approve two resolutions required to allow Alexander to submit applications to Federal block grants. The first resolution establishes the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District as grants administrator for the city. The second is, "A Resolution adopting the policies necessary to apply for block grant funds."

"I don't know the percentage, but we've got a chance of a block grant of $500,000," Herrmann said.

Shot Clinic

A drive-through shot clinic is scheduled for April 28th from 12 to 4 in cooperation with the Saline County Humane Society. More details will be posted on the Alexander Facebook page when available.

"We have a $5 coupon at the office," Herrmann said. "It's $15 (fee) as is, but we do have some $5 coupons at City Hall," reducing the shot fee to $10.00.

Saline County Library in the park

Saline County Library will hold its second annual summer program for children in the City Park. It's May 18th.

Herrmann said, "They'll have the kid day at the park with the petting zoo and bounce houses and everything else coming."

Alexander can apply for Brownfield grant

Alexander has met the qualifications to apply for a Brownfield grant to raze the former tuberculosis hospital. The hospital building is located on the grounds of the former State-run Alexander Human Development Center.

"We got the green light that we can, we do qualify to apply to get a removal grant," Herrmann said.

She said the main holdup was Brownfield officials determining whether or not the City was responsible for the vandalism and fire damage to the building. Ultimately the decision was made that Alexander was not responsible for the damage.

The grant program is funded by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to the EPA website, "A brownfield is a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant."

Herrmann said testing of the grounds and hospital still needs to be done. It was scheduled for last year but the Mayor said there were complications with the bid for the testing.

Municipal election petitions available May 9

Mayor Herrmann announced the Saline County Clerk's Office will make petitions for the upcoming municipal elections available beginning May 9. Positions up for election in November are the eight seats on the city council and the positions for recorder and treasurer. Council members serve a two-year term while the recorder and treasurer serve four-year terms.

Next Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council is May 20, 6:00 PM at the Alexander Municipal Complex. The public is invited to attend.

Alexander Council fills vacancy caused by Governor's appointment; Appointed new planning commission member

The Alexander City Council recently approved two appointments. One filled the vacancy in the prosecuting attorney's position. The other appointed a new member to the planning commission.

R. Margaret Dobson, Esq. has served as Alexander's prosecuting attorney since the summer of 2022. She was recently selected by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to serve as a judge.

"Effective May 6, 2024, 1 have been appointed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to serve as Circuit Judge for the First Division of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, a role I will uphold until December 31, 2027," Dobson said in her resignation letter. "As a result, I will be unable to continue practicing law during this tenure.

"It has been my honor to serve the City of Alexander as its prosecutor," she continued. "In light of the appointment, however, I am required to close my law practice. Please accept this as my resignation, effective April 30, 2024."

Two attorneys submitted resumes; Pamela Perry and Caleb Conrad. While Conrad's resume provides a list of positions as a prosecutor, an adjunct professor and as the owner of a law firm; Perry has the additional benefit of having served as City Prosecutor for the Town of Bauxite since 2012.

Conrad's resume includes Prosecuting Attorney, (11th West District of Arkansas: Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, First Division), November 2020 – September 2021; Office of the Arkansas Attorney General, September, (Assistant Attorney General, Civil Litigation), 2021 – January 2023; William H. Bowen School of Law, (Adjunct Professor), Spring 2023; Prosecuting Attorney, (22nd District of Arkansas, Part-Time Deputy Prosecuting Attorney), January 2023 – Present; and owner and Managing Attorney of Conrad Law Firm, PLLC, January 2023 – Present.

Perry's work experience listed in her resume begins working for the Oklahoma Department of Community Corrections, "Assisting inmates with successful re-entry and integration into the local community," from 1979 – 1985; Director, Markham UMC Mother’s Day Out Program 1986 – 1997; Personnel Recruiter, (Child Development Center), 1998 – 2001; In-House Counsel for several transportation companies under common ownership, 2001 – 2008; City Attorney, (Town of Bauxite), January 2013 – August 2014. Attorney, (Solo Practitioner), 2001 – Present; City Prosecutor, (Town of Bauxite), 2012 – Present.

Conrad started with one strike against him. In 2023, prior to hiring current City Attorney Chris Madison, Conrad was Alexander's city attorney for barely a month. He also did not attend the April 15 council meeting.

Perry, on the other hand, not only attended the council meeting but she also sat through the previous week's court session. She told council members it's similar to Bauxite with the same type of local violations making up the court docket. Alexander's court meets the second Thursday of the month.

In a roll call vote all seven council members present voted to appoint Pamela Perry as Alexander's Prosecuting Attorney. Attending the meeting were council members Joy Gray, Angela Griffin, Joe Pollard, Mitchell W. Smith, Gina R Thomas-Littlejohn, Harold Timmerman, and Juanita Wilson. Council Member Tony Staton was absent and counted as the lone "No" vote.

This isn't the first time Alexander lost an attorney to a State appointment. In 2015 former City Attorney Kevin Lemley was hired by the Arkansas Attorney General’s office.

The second appointment made during the Monday, April 15 council meeting involved the appointment of Jennifer Plunkett to the Alexander Planning Commission. A new term for one of the five seats on the planning commission began April 6. Rodney Chapman occupied the position but decided not to seek reappointment. A term lasts three years. Plunkett was the only Alexander resident to submit a resume.

"I have many years of management and communication skills along with years of customer service," Plunkett says in her resume. "I pride myself in being creative, imaginative, and professional. I believe in having good work ethics and being dedicated and loyal to my work and employer."

According to her employment history she has been working for the Arkansas Department Agriculture Division of Livestock and Poultry as an Administrative Specialist III since May 30, 2021. Other jobs included in her employment history are Stonemark Management (DBA) Breckenridge Square Apartments, Community Manager, 1999 - 2004; Richards Honda - Yamaha, (Receptionist/Bookkeeping/Cashier), 2004 - 2005; Department of Finance and Administration - Marketing and Redistribution, (Administrative Assistant II), 08/28/2005 to 12/20/2017; Arkansas Department of Health - Saline County Unit Health Service, (Specialist II), 12/03/2017 to 05/02/2019; and Arkansas Department of Health - ERAVE Health Statistics Branch, (Administrative Specialist III), 05/02/2019 to 05/29/2021.

In a roll call vote council members approved the appointment of Plunkett to the planning commission. As before the vote was seven "Yes" and one vote of "No" due to the absence of Council Member Tony Staton.

Plunkett must still be sworn-in. The next regular meeting of the planning commission is July 9.

Alexander Planning Commission approves duplex with slight change

The Alexander Planning Commission has approved the construction of a residential duplex in south Alexander. The duplex will be built on property owned by Jose Perez Arreola, 15404 S. Alexander Rd., at the corner of Alton Dr. and South Alexander Road.

The property is already zoned for both single-family and duplex residences, bypassing the need for a public hearing and approval from the city council. Since rezoning is not needed, the planning commission mainly dealt with whether construction plans meet zoning requirements.

At its April 9 meeting, the planning commission reviewed construction drawings of the two-story rental units. According to the drawings each unit will have a one-car garage, living area, dining area, kitchen, and half-bath on the first floor. The second floor will have a master bedroom with a bathroom, two additional bedrooms with a bathroom in between and a laundry room. The rent is planned for $1,500.00 per month.

The only change requested by the planning commission is the addition of a parking/turn around spot connected to the side of each driveway. Planning Commission Member Tonya Prowse made the suggestion to not only be able to turn around a vehicle when backing out of the garage but to provide a needed third parking spot.

Zoning for duplexes require three off-street parking spots for each duplex unit. The garage and driveway will provide the other two spots.

Unlike many rental properties in Alexander, Arreola will not be a long-distance landlord. He lives next door with his wife Melissa.

Alexander agenda items; Mix of action items and discussion

Monday's meeting of the Alexander City Council will be a mix of voting and discussion according to the agenda. Potentially three items could result in votes, while another three are listed for discussion.

On the voting side, there is a proposed resolution that will adjust payments in the 2024 budget to four elected officials who were allegedly underpaid in 2023. According to the proposed resolution Mayor Crystal Herrmann was paid $37,456.04 in 2023 instead of $42,160.00; a difference of $4,703.96. Council members Tony Staton, Angela Griffin and Gina Thomas-Littlejohn are listed as being paid $1100.00 in 2023 instead of the annual $1,200.00; a difference of $100.00. Council members are paid $100.00 per month no matter how many meetings are held.

Another agenda item that may result in a vote is appointing someone to the planning commission. On April 6, 2024 a new term began for one of the five planning commission seats. That position is currently held by Rodney Chapman. Only one resume has been received. Chapman did not submit a resume.

Council members are expected to vote on a replacement for Alexander's prosecuting attorney. R. Margaret Dobson, Esq. submitted her resignation effective next month, May 6, 2024.

In her resignation letter she states, "I have been appointed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to serve as Circuit Judge for the First Division of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, a role I will uphold until December 31, 2027."

The only other agenda items are labeled for discussion. One involves increasing rental fees on the pavilion and gazebo in the city park and Community Center #1 located on Main Street. At one time Community Center #1 served as the post office and later as city hall. Also included in the discussion establishing a rental fee for Community Center #2, which is located at the former Alexander Human Development Center.

Another discussion item involves the removal of the "Duplex (site-built)" housing type from the "Mixed-Use Residential District (R-2. MU)" zoning category. Under the current description of the zoning district allowed housing types include, "Single-Family (site-built), Duplex (site-built), Manufactured Home, Modular Home," and "Prefabricated Home." Nearly all of the area in south Alexander (formerly known as Woodland Hills) and portions of north Alexander are zoned R-2. MU.

The final agenda item is listed as "Ordinance Discussion." There is no documentation provided hinting at the purpose for this item.

The next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, April 15, 6:00 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The public is invited to attend.

Alexander Council passes two resolutions with votes of four council members and mayor

During a special meeting of the Alexander City Council two resolutions were approved paving the way for the city to apply for infrastructure and a variety of other grants. The first resolution establishes the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District (CAPDD) as grants administrator for the city. The second is, "A Resolution adopting the policies necessary to apply for block grant funds."

The first resolution was simple and straight forward. It authorizes CAPDD to act as Alexander's administrator when applying for Federal block grants.

"[T]hey are certified to apply for grants for ... municipalities," City Attorney Chris Madison said. "And actually, this does let them be our administrative agency through the grant. And I've done this with other cities ... this is what they do."

After a motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution, and without the required public reading of the resolution, there was a voice vote with council members Joy Gray, Angela Griffin, Joe Pollard, and Gina R Littlejohn voting "Yes." Mayor Crystal Herrmann, serving as the fifth member of the quorum, voted "Yes." Absent, and counted as "No" votes, were council members Mitchell W. Smith, Tony Staton, Harold Timmerman, and Juanita Wilson.

One of the hoops a government entity must jump through is to meet certain criteria. In Alexander's case it's the high percentage of Hispanics.

"And these are documents that are required as part of the application process for the Community Block grant, okay," Madison said. "Because (a) Community Block Grant is done through a Federal agency, they put these requirements or restrictions on there."

"Well, the city of Alexander from the 2020 census has a 38-percent Hispanic population, which triggers certain rules and requirements under the Community Block Grant rules, as well as presidential executive orders related to language, the English language proficiency," Madison explained. "And because we have this high population of Hispanics, we have to develop and basically say we're going to implement a language plan so that we're able to effectively communicate with our non-English speakers."

According to the policies resolution, two requirements must be addressed to apply for block grant funds. One is to adopt a, "Language Assistance Plan (LAP) for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) residents." The second is to have police department policies in place that prohibit, "[T]he use of excessive force in the apprehension or detention of criminal violators, including those who may be engaged in non-violent civil rights demonstrations."

The LAP includes translating city forms and other documents used by the public into Spanish. In personal contact situations, Madison notes the police department already has a Hispanic officer. Plus, there's always dial a friend.

"We have a Hispanic officer that we utilize for translation services," Madison said. "I've also done some initial research on using what's called on demand translation or interpretation services, where basically you call a number and get a translator on."

When it comes to having the required police department policies, Alexander is a step ahead. Attached to the second resolution is not only the LAP, but three documents that address the required policies. The three policies are "Response to Resistance" implemented September 15, 2020; "Crowd Control" implemented September 15, 2020; and "Internal Affairs/Citizen Complaints" implemented September 15, 2020.

Again, after a motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution, and without the required public reading, there was a voice vote resulting in five "Yes" and four "No." As explained above, four council members were absent resulting in the "No" votes. Herrmann, serving as the fifth member of the quorum, voted "Yes" resulting in the total of nine votes.

This was a meeting that almost wasn't. The special meeting was called because of an approaching deadline to submit the resolutions. At the 6:00 PM starting time there were only three council members present; Gray, Griffin and Littlejohn. Under council policies there is a 15-minute waiting period to form a quorum. Herrmann, wanting a quorum, drove to Pollard's home, which is walking distance from city hall, and convinced him to attend a council meeting he planned on skipping.

Next Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council is April 15, 6:00 PM at the Alexander Municipal Complex. The public is invited to attend.

Alexander Special Council Meeting Wednesday, Another step in acquiring grants

A Special Meeting of the Alexander City Council has been scheduled to discuss and approve two resolutions concerning grants. One is listed on the agenda as, "A Resolution designating CAPDD (Central Arkansas Planning and Development District) as grants administrator." The second is, "A Resolution adopting the policies necessary to apply for block grant funds."

According to the policies resolution, two requirements must be addressed to apply for block grant funds. One is to adopt a, "Language Assistance Plan (LAP) for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) residents." The second is to have policies in place that prohibit, "[T]he use of excessive force in the apprehension or detention of criminal violators, including those who may be engaged in non-violent civil rights demonstrations."

As stated in the resolution, "[T]he City of Alexander, Arkansas, has a Hispanic population of thirty-eight (38%), based on the 2020 Census." To deal with this issue the plan calls for accessing, "[R]esources to assist in translation services with such resources possibly being on-demand translation services, document translation into Spanish by certified translators, or use of electronic and computer-based systems to facilitate communication between City officials or agents and LEP residents." It also states the police department already has a Spanish-speaking officer.

The resolution continues to state, "[T]he City of Alexander Police Department has written policies governing the use of force by its officers, policies governing officers' efforts to manage crowds and preserving the peace during demonstrations, large gatherings, and the handling of civil disturbances, and has policies governing the processing of citizen complaints and internal affairs investigations."

The special meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10 at 6:00 PM in the courtroom of the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The public is invited to attend. Because this is a special meeting, by law, council members are only permitted to discuss and take action on those items listed in the agenda.

Duplex approval on Alexander Planning Commission agenda

Members of the Alexander Planning Commission will review construction plans to build a residential duplex in south Alexander. If approved the duplex will be built on a vacant lot at 15404 S. Alexander Rd. (corner of Alton Dr. and South Alexander Rd.).

The property is already zoned for both single-family and duplex residences. The only issues discussed will be whether construction plans meet zoning requirements.

The planning commission meeting will be held Tuesday, April 9, 6:30 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The public is invited to attend.

Alexander firefighters recognized for bravery; New firefighter gets shield

Edited with additions and corrections 4/2/2024.

Two Alexander firefighters were recently recognized for actions they took after arriving at a house fire March 5. The ceremony took place during the Alexander City Council's March 18 meeting.

Fire Chief Ryan McCormick told council members how Assistant Chief Matthews and Firefighter Donaldson ran inside without a fire hose, as is customary.

"The house was on fire, full of smoke, fire throughout the house," McCormick said. "They went inside the residence without any protection or water protection, risking their lives to search for two kids that were reported missing."

"The search was completed under extreme conditions and without any hose or water protection as well as no children were found in the home, which was great, but they placed themselves in front of harm's way," McCormick concluded.

McCormick also explained how Engineer Rowland established the "water supply" and performed other tasks while the search was underway.

Chief McCormick also took the opportunity to introduce the department's newest firefighter. Albeit a new firefighter with 14 years experience.

"This gentleman, Firefighter Parker," McCormick began. "He comes with so much experience. He came from Little Rock years ago. He worked a little over 14 years, and then went in a different direction in life for a little while."

"And he's gone through his probationary period, and today he gets the shield as fireman," McCormick concluded.