Alexander Council to hold first public hearing as planning commission

At the Alexander City Council’s March meeting, an ordinance was adopted in a five to three vote eliminating the planning commission and assigning all the duties of a planning commission to the city council. Before the council’s April 21 regular meeting, the new and improved Alexander Council/Planning Commission will hold its first public hearing. The hearing is in response to an application to rezone the large, undeveloped area next to and behind the Dollar General and Post Office.

However, this isn’t your ordinary rezoning request. First, the rezoning comes before selling the property to a developer. So, there are no development plans to coincide with the requested zoning. Second, one portion of the rezoning is to correct an error made by Pulaski County some time in the past.

What are known as Tract-A and Tract-B (See graphic) are owned by Robert and Jessica Burnett. If their names sound familiar it’s because they recently served on the Alexander Police Department until they were fired by Mayor Crystal Herrmann. (Article)

There was some doubt as to the accuracy of the boundary lines of Tract-B shown by the Pulaski County online plats map. The Burnett’s hired a surveyor who researched both Tract-A and Tract-B. It was discovered that Tract-B had some how shrunk from what should have been 5.5-acres to its current 0.75-acre.

That caused an inaccuracy in the city’s new zoning map when it was adopted in 2019. Based on the Pulaski County map, the Alexander Zoning Map shows only the 0.75-acre lot and is zoned Highway Commercial. The 0.75-acre lot is next to Dollar General.

According to the survey the remainder of the 5.5-acres wraps around and goes behind both Dollar General and the Post Office. There is speculation that sometime between selling two lots for the Post Office and another lot for the Dollar General, that corner was reduced back to the 1982 layout creating the 0.75-acre lot.

The problem now is there is no tangible proof the remainder of the 5.5-acre lot was also zoned commercial, even though Pulaski County has the 0.75-acre piece marked as Commercial Vacant. To resolve this problem the Burnetts have filed to rezone the over 38-acre Tract-A and the remaining portion of Tract-B from Agriculture-1 to Highway Commercial.

The public hearing is scheduled for Monday, April 21, 5:30 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Anyone wishing to comment on the rezoning, or just watch the spectacle, may attend the hearing.

The regular April 21 meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held at 6:00 PM following the rezoning hearing. At that time the council will be able to vote on the rezoning request.

Nothing new, without a place to send the poo

OPINION

In order for anything to be built it requires two things; a source of clean drinking water and a method of disposing the wastewater. In north Alexander, there is plenty of drinking water but a limitation on wastewater disposal.

The city does not provide any water or sewer services. Instead, it relies on the kindness of strangers. In the case of north Alexander drinking water is provided by Central Arkansas Water. Water disposal is provided by the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority (LRWRA).

North Alexander is comprised of Pulaski County and the edge of Saline County.

In the 2018 contract, between Alexander and LRWRA, the city was required to write a new zoning ordinance and a new comprehensive master development plan. At the time the last zoning ordinance and master plan was approved in 1982.

Construction of the new Meadow’s Edge subdivision was nearing an end. There were expectations more development was coming; especially since requests for city zoning regulations were frequent and 1982 zoning requirements were inadequate for growth in the new century.

The very first thing the now defunct Alexander Planning Commission did was tackle writing not only new zoning regulations, but also a document entitled Subdivision Rules and Regulations and a zoning map. All three were approved by the city council in 2019.

With the help of Metroplan and a citizens advisory committee; the planning commission conducted surveys and public meetings to gather input from city residents. A wish list from the public was combined with historical data and growth projections allowing Metroplan to produce a comprehensive master development plan named On Track For A Better Tomorrow.

As required, the plan was sent to the Little Rock Planning Department in April, 2023 to start the approval process. In September it was approved by Little Rock planning and forwarded to LRWRA. And there it sits.

If the promised resolution approving the master plan had been written and approved by LRWRA, it would have been sent to the Little Rock City Board of Directors for final approval. Obviously, they were unprepared to fulfill their side of the bargain.

Near the end of 2024, Alexander City Attorney Chris Madison began talking to the LRWRA attorney about writing a new contract, leaving out the requirements in the 2018 version. However, Madison had some doubts about just removing the zoning and master plan requirements and leaving the rest of the language as-is. He said that language left unanswered questions.

The expectation was to have a new contract ready to present to both the LRWRA and the Alexander City Council by January or February 2025. It is now the end of March and there are no signs of a contract.

Under the 2018 contract, no new sewer connections will be allowed in north Alexander until LRWRA and the Little Rock Board of Directors signs off on the Alexander master plan. A new church was allowed to be built, at the intersection of Cornerstone and Hwy. 111, with approval from the LRWRA. Considering a church adds very little to a sewer system LRWRA permitted the connection.

The big problem is more development is coming to north Alexander. The open field between Dollar General and Crooked Creek is being offered to commercial developers. But, without access to the LRWRA sewer system there will be no development. No increase in sales tax revenue. Nothing to attract other types of growth.

Unfortunately, there’s a balancing act connecting to the LRWRA system. Alexander is limited to 750 Gallons Per Minute (GPM) Per Day. The city is currently at around 300. There is also a limit to the number of sewer connections. I don’t have numbers on that.

The point is we must be careful with commercial development. We can’t have businesses that will add significantly to the GPM. We can’t have laundromats or restaurants that require washing plates, glasses and coffee cups. Fast food with throw-away containers and stores that only need water for the restrooms are preferable.

Growth promotes growth. And, while Alexander cannot grow in physical size, because it’s land-locked, it can develop the open space available.

But, if I didn’t know better it seems someone wants to keep Alexander the way it is. Someone wants to slow down the progress. You do what you’re told and suddenly there’s no hurry.

“We need some time to read this little plan of yours, Missy. We’ll get back to you in a year or two.”

LRWRA knew this was coming and they did nothing to prepare. They had no idea how they were going to accept what they asked for and remove it from the contract.

And, what business was it of theirs anyway. Why should they care about our zoning regulations or if we have a master plan or not. That contract should have never been signed. Why should a big city get to tell a little city what to do.

If they can’t solve this problem now Alexander needs to see them in court. Either that or we need to start shopping for our own sewer plant.

It has now been one year, 11 Months, two weeks, and two days. The clock is ticking. See left column.

Alexander Mayor gives second State of the City address; Monthly reports

For the second time in her first term, Mayor Crystal Herrmann delivered her State of the City address. She began by thanking and acknowledging elected officials, employees and city residents.

“I would like to start by saying and acknowledging all of our council members that have been supported, supported in the administration and all of our dedicated citizens,” she began. “I would like to publicly thank and appreciate all of our city staff and their hard work and dedication as well. That also includes services provided by our city attorney.”

Herrmann also recognized assistance provided by organizations outside the city.

“I would like to recognize the resources with Metroplan and the (Arkansas) Municipal League and the special thank you to my mayoral mentor Joe Smith,” Herrmann said. “He's been a very inspirational person assigned to me by Metroplan and He's been a very useful resource.”

Joe Smith represents Metroplan District-6, which includes Alexander.

Reflecting on her first year as mayor Herrmann said, “The first year was rocky with the body council support and the budget full of zeros and no ability to even sign into the city bank account and review the finances. But those days are behind us.”

Herrmann provided a review of city finances since becoming mayor.

“February of 2023,” she began. “Our general fund’s balance was $450,000. And, February of 2023. February of 2024. By then we were able to work on a budget. We lined out a budget. We ended up with $864,000 as our general funds balance. ... Today, February 2025 our city is sitting with $1.6 Million.”

“I would just like to say what an amazing accomplishment that that is and how proud I am of everyone that's been part of it,” Herrmann said. “And I do believe everybody did a wonderful job as far as staying inside the budget and not really had to use assist funds. Which is given our city an opportunity to save some funds or it's a good idea and it's best practice for our city to have six months of funds put back in the state of emergencies.”

Besides adding a city attorney that attends meetings and a code enforcement/animal control officer, more special events is on her list of accomplishments.

“We've also been able to add additional city events,” Herrmann said. “When I first took office, we had a backpack drive and we had the fall fest. We've able to add the Christmas at the Park. We've been able to add an additional out of school celebration and a back to school splash for the kids. With the networking of some of the, with the Saline County Library and the Indian Springs Baptist Church, we've also been able to add additional services such as a mobile food bank monthly. And then they also have joined in with our children's events too as well. So I'm very proud of that.”

Mayor Herrmann promised to continue to apply for grants and keep working on the ones in the pipeline.

“As mayor, I would say I appreciate this opportunity and I will continue to look and apply for grants to assist our city to move forward and continue the form of movement,” she said. “We are all working now on a Brownfield grant, which is it is a time-consuming thing.”

Brownfield grants are funded by the Environmental Protection Agency to cleanup hazardous waste sites. The city has applied for a grant to cleanup the old hospital at the former Human Development Center.

“I've had to remind myself daily that municipal is not fast,” Herrmann said. “I think the first conversation Mr. Madison and I had was deep breath mayor, municipal is slow. So some of these grants are slow. The seed is sown though and we've been really fortunate that the Central Arkansas Development District is assisting us with this process.”

Looking to the future Herrmann said, “We have multiple other grants that are out for (a) storm water study. And outside of just grants, we also satisfied this last budget for engineering and services. And some of those services we have, well and engineering, they're going to do a sewer impact study for our city. So we will understand what we're looking at with our challenges with our sewers and our water departments. And that will educate us on how we will work with the city development.”

During the regular reports section of the March 17 agenda:

Some park walking trail grant money still remains

Prior to giving her State of the City report, Mayor Herrmann had good news for the walking trail at the City park. There’s still money remaining of the $96,990 grant. This allows to add to the trail.

“So, right now, what we're looking at was adding a wing off of the trail to the gathering station with what we have benches and it's more circular design that leads towards future playground area,” Herrmann said. “And then if you go on along the trail, it's going to spread out into a half circle off the trail where we can install what musical instruments and we'll have a musical instrument section.”

“And then on the third section, for the addition, we can add a half circle and do some sensory boards,” she continued. “So, we're offering a lot of interactive wheelchair access and some help items.”

Despite plans for this walking trail through the playground appearing in four separate articles in The Alexandrian, including a diagram, Council Member Juanita Wilson says residents are “Unhappy” the trail will be close to children.

“I've had people call it in Wonky,” Wilson said. “And they are very unhappy about having that walking trail right next to all the benches and issues for children and toddlers will be because it will become,” an attraction to pedophiles.”

Council Member Joy Gray asked, “But okay, I just have to ask, how will a walking trail create or foster an atmosphere of pedophilia?”

“Because those kids will be out there playing and then there's a driveway and then mothers and children and toddlers,” Wilson responded. “If one toddler sees one over here and decides he wants to go play and takes a hike in a hurry.”

Mayor Herrmann reminded everyone, “We do have a very high resolution block camera installed at the park.”

She also noted all of this was known when the council approved the bid and design.

Police Department Report

Police Chief Timothy Preator provided council members with a quick and snappy report.

“Last month we answered 126 calls for service,” Chief Preator began. “We had 35 reports out of those 126 calls. We did 155 traffic stops. We had 92 of those, 155 order citations, 80 of them were warnings. We served 19 warrants. We had two DUI arrests, seven felony arrest, 17 misdemeanor arrest and did 1,251 extra patrols throughout the city.”

Fire/Rescue Report

Fire Chief Ryan McCormick gave his monthly report. Besides making fire calls firefighters continue to train.

“We had a little over 60 instances that we responded to this past month,” McCormick began. “We did do an in-house, a rope rescue operations, 40 hour class that saved several thousands of dollars by having to do an in-house.”

Code Enforcement/Animal Control Report

Code Enforcement/Animal Control Officer Jaimie Jordan has been getting some practical experience.

“So I got my ride along with Bryant, code enforcement ... that was super educational,” Jordan said. “I got to sit in for court for the first time and (that) actually came in quite useful.”

She’s also moved forward on code enforcement clean-up.

“We started the process of getting three houses condemned,” Jordan said. “Letters have been sent out to property owners. They've got their 30 days to do something.”

“I've made contact with multiple property owners about their not being complied with code and progress as being made on those properties,” she said.

On the animal control side Jordan reported, “I have found two rescues that are willing to work with us as long as they have placement open, which is very good.”

“We had 13 animal control calls and one person was cited for unattended burning,” Jordan said.

Financial Report

City Treasurer Jennifer Hill provided the monthly on the fund balances ending in the month of February.

“So for the month of February, your general fund is at $1,616,226,” she began. “Your fire (fund) is at, or your police (fund) is at $131,121. The fire (fund) is at $332,290.99. Your park (fund) is at $217,609.86. Your streets (fund) is at $274,582.66. Your payroll (fund) is at $181,326.04.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, April 21, at 6:00 pm in the courtroom of the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Meetings are open to the public.

After nearly 7 years in existence, Alexander Council disbands planning commission in split vote; Doubles their salary

CORRECTION 03/24/2025: The $37,456.04 stated above as Mayor Herrmann’s pay for 2023 was after taxes. Before taxes it was $42,160.00. Her pay for 2025 will be $48,120.00. That’s an increase of $5,960.00. See article here. https://thealexandrian2013.blogspot.com/2024/07/insistent-alexander-council-member.html.

Sorry for the confusion.

After a sometimes contentious back and forth over how much work the planning commission does, five City of Alexander Council members decided the commission was no longer needed because they can do it better. Mayor Crystal Herrmann claimed it’s all about efficiency.

“And, instead of a developer or a potential business wanting to move into the city, they don't have to wait three months for planning,” Herrmann claimed. “And, then get permission from planning just to turn around and add it to the next city council agenda to turn around and have city council (vote) on it anyways.”

Council Member Joy Gray added to the list of reasons why the five-member planning commission isn’t needed.

“And, just in case anyone in the audience is confused, we are a city of the second class, and we're not required to have a planning commission,” Gray explained. “So this is not something that we have to have.”

Council Member Joe Pollard was the most vocal in expressing his desire to keep the planning commission intact. Pollard doubts if the council can handle the extra work.

“We are not going to be able to do that,” Pollard said. “I don't want to get paid for that. I know, but we're not going to be able to do that job. We need to do this man (Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck).”

Pollard was referring to the second ordinance to be voted on later, which increases the monthly salary for council members from $100 to $200 for taking on the extra work as planning commission. This move will actually cost the city. Under state law planning commission members are not allowed to be paid.

“Mr. Pollard, anything that Mr. Huck brings to y'all, you all have to vote on for it to (move) foreword,” Herrmann said. “You're already voting on those same items.”

What Herrmann and Gray failed to mention was any needed public hearings and planning meetings with developers will now have to be conducted by the council members in their role as planning commissioners. Then later they would vote on the issue as council members.

Council Member Wayne Smith was concerned about losing someone who manages the process and knows the city requirements.

“It seems like he does the research and groundwork, that’s just the way I see it,” Smith said. 

Dismissing his concerns Herrmann said, “That is something that he looks up in the book, which we look up in the book. It's quick. We have resources that Metroplan. I assure you, I would not back this if it was not something that I thought would make it benefit to our city when it comes to somebody coming into the building (city hall).”

After newly elected Council Member Christopher Prowse made the motion to adopt the ordinance and Gray made the second a total of five voted “Yes” and three voted “No.” Voting “Yes” were Prowse, Gray, Daniel L. Bates, Angela Griffin, and Amy Lyons. Voting “No” were Pollard, Smith, and Juanita Wilson. Wilson was a member of the planning commission representing the city council.

If the ordinance had failed, council members would have had to make another decision. The terms of both Wilson and Huck would have expired April 6.

Members of the newly formed council/planning commission won’t have to wait long for their first gig. During what ended up being his last monthly report, Huck announced a planned development on 40-acres of property that sits between Don Parker drive and Lindsey Drive; fronted by Brookwood Road. The plan is to build patio homes.

Huck and Wilson held their positions since the now defunct planning commission was reinstated in 2017. They were appointed by former Mayor Paul Mitchell with approval of the sitting council at the time. With the addition of Tonya Prowse, wife of now Council Member Christopher Prowse, the planning commission held its first meeting in March, 2018. Later Stephanie Beck and Rodney Chapman were added. Chapman did not seek reappointment and was replaced by Jennifer Plunkett.

FACT CHECK

CLAIM:

The Alexander Planning Commission held only four meetings each year.

FALSE:

During its six years and 11 months of existence the Alexander Planning Commission held 37 regular meetings, 17 special meetings and 3 public hearings. A total of 57 meetings.

A planning commission is required to conduct a minimum of one meeting per quarter in a calendar year. With the Alexander City Council members taking on those duties they must now meet that same standard.

Other Ordinances approved

Ordinance adopting a pay rate for elected officials

This ordinance was originally listed first on the agenda. Because the purpose of the pay increase for council members was based on whether they would be taking over the duties of the planning commission, council members voted to amend the agenda placing the planning commission ordinance first and the pay ordinance second.

Under the pay ordinance council members’ monthly stipend was increased from $100 to $200 per month, or $1,200 to $2,400 annually. It has been $100 monthly since 2007.

The ordinance also set the mayor’s annual salary at $48,120. In 2023 the mayor was paid $37,456.04.

The ordinance also retained the recorder’s annual salary at the current $6,000.

Voting “Yes” were Prowse, Gray, Bates, Griffin, and Lyons. Voting “No” were Pollard, Smith, and Wilson.

Ordinance setting Vacation time use and payout

The ordinance establishes maximum vacation time that can be carried from one year to the next at 240 hours. This only applies to police officers.

In the past vacation time has been allowed to buildup causing a large financial payout when an officer leaves the force. It is suspected the accrued time was caused by having to fill vacancies in the scheduling of officers.

Voting “Yes” were Prowse, Gray, Bates, Griffin, and Lyons. Voting “No” were Pollard, Smith, and Wilson.

Resolution adopting the 2024 Financial statement

Every year the financial statement of the previous calendar year must be published in a local newspaper. It was passed unanimously.

Alexander council agenda for March meeting

The agenda for the March 17 meeting of the Alexander City Council has been posted. The only agenda items listed are under New Business.

They are:

“Ordinance adopting a pay rate for elected officials,

“Ordinance repealing the Planning Commission,
“Ordinance setting Vacation time use and payout,
“Resolution adopting the 2024 Financial statement” and
“Discussion regarding the Zoning of land on Alexander Rd.”

The meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 17, at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The public is welcome to attend.

Two positions available on Alexander Planning Commission

During his report to the Alexander City Council at the February meeting, Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck announced that the terms of two planning commission seats expire April 6. One of the three-year terms is currently held by Council Member Juanita Wilson. The other is held by Huck.

It is expected the council will appoint another council member for the position held by Wilson. The Organization of City Council policy requires council members to annually take turns on standing committees and commissions.

This leaves only one seat to be filled by a resident of Alexander who is not connected to city government, including employees. The only other requirement is that you be of voting age. Anyone wanting to submit a resume requesting to be considered for the position and providing relevant information about themselves, may deliver it to the Alexander Municipal Complex during regular business hours, mail it to City of Alexander / P.O. Box 610 / Alexander, AR 72002, or E-mail it to Mayor Crystal Herrmann at mayor@cityofalexander.org.

FUN Grant Failed, a New Trail and Guardrails

Now that Alexander has failed twice to receive a grant for new playground equipment in the City Park, Mayor Crystal Herrmann has decided the city will have to dip into the Park and Recreation Fund if the playground is ever going to be updated. The second attempt was made in June of 2024, but this time Alexander tried using the expertise provided by the Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program. In 2024 the city council established the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District as grants administrator for the city.

Alexander first applied for a FUN Park grant in 2023 and met all the criteria to receive the grant, scoring 32 out of 32 points. Unfortunately, Alexander was not at the top of the list when it came time to disburse the limited funds. Herrmann told council members at the time only five grant requests were approved. Apparently, history has repeated itself.

The FUN Park grant is provided by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. The grant funds 100-percent of a project with no matching funds provided by the city.

“I'm going to sit down this next week and I'm going to go through the budget,” Herrmann said at the February 25 meeting. “I was going to lay out a couple of things that maybe we could get a couple of pieces [of playground equipment] that [will] move [us] forward without a grant.”

According to the financial report for the end of January, 2025 the park fund had a total of $205,011.60. The Park and Recreation Fund receives two-eighths-cent (or one-quarter-cent) from one of the three one-cent city sales and use taxes approved by voters in three separate referendums.

On the bright side, the walking trail is under construction. The 1/8-mile trail winds through the playground in the City Park.

Trail outlined in black lines.

In June, 2024 the City of Alexander was awarded a $96,990 grant to fund the six-foot wide trail, benches and engineering design. The grant covers 100-percent of the cost of the trail.

Funding for the grant program was acquired from Arkansas's Tobacco Settlement Fund and funneled through the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. This is part of reviving the Great Strides program, which was stopped in 2017.

For those of you who drive Brookwood Road you may have noticed a change and a new addition. The guardrail on one side of the S-Curve that crosses Crooked Creek has been repaired, again. Another guardrail has been added along Brookwood Road as it turns to cross the railroad tracks. Vehicles have been known to drop head first into the creek after crossing the tracks when the road surface is slick.

“At this point, I think all of the [police] officers will be advised that that (guardrail) is city property damage and that there should be a ticket issued,” Herrmann said. “So we can actually get the very expensive guardrail replaced by the person's insurance.”

2024 Budget Amended

Under New Business council members approved a resolution that puts the finishing touches to the 2024 Budget. With final numbers available the resolution provided 11 pages of changes to budget line items. The changes resulted in amending the final budgeted revenue and expenditures and actual revenue and expenditures. Included are the account balances provided at the January meeting for the end of 2024.

General Fund

Budgeted Revenue - $1,251,251.00

Actual Revenue- $3,194,413.25

Budgeted Expenditures - $1,010,785.00

Actual Expenditures - $723,430.33

End 2024 Account Balance - $2,275,005.94

Police Fund

Budgeted Revenue - $925,650.00

Actual Revenue - $828,665.37

Budgeted Expenditures - $946,523.00

Actual Expenditures - $827,124.33

End 2024 Account Balance - $190,932.74

Fire Fund

Budgeted Revenue - $1,007,750.00

Actual Revenue - $1,114,678.22

Budgeted Expenditures - $1,006,892.43

Actual Expenditures - $961,311.57

End 2024 Account Balance - $410,104.13

Street Fund

Budgeted Revenue - $298,200.00

Actual Revenue - $342,116.35

Budgeted Expenditures - $295,830.00

Actual Expenditures - $264,257.37

End 2024 Account Balance - $154,230.37

Parks Fund

Budgeted Revenue - $256,050.00

Actual Revenue - $236,301.07

Budgeted Expenditures - $255,380.00

Actual Expenditures - $202,963.64

End 2024 Account Balance - $206,656.88

Organization rules adopted

Alexander council members approved a second resolution adopting The Organization of City Council 2025. The document is a set of rules, which controls how council meetings will be conducted. The document is adopted annually and covers the current calendar year.

Also at the February 25 council meeting:

Reports from department heads;

Police Report

Council members were introduced to the new Police Chief, Timothy Preator. Preator replaces former Police Chief Robert Burnett who was fired by Mayor Crystal Herrmann following the Alexander City Council’s December meeting. Also fired were Assistant Chief Jessica Burnett and Administrative Sergeant Hobby.

Before giving the monthly police report Chief Preator introduced the police officers who were in attendance.

“We got newly promoted Sergeant Chris Myers,” Preator began. “Some of y'all will love this one. Newly promoted Sergeant Alan Tires. And we got the officer of Sergeant Officer Burgess, Officer Shaw, Officer Frisbee.”

“We have two new people that are going to start on the third,” he continued. “There will be Amy Lockaby and Melissa Strick, a stringer that comes out of Darlin County.

“Last month we answered 135 calls for service,” Preator said as he began the monthly report. “Out of those 135 calls we did 32 reports, 78 traffic stops, 43 citations issued, 35 warnings, six warrants served, three DWI arrests, one felony arrest, six misdemeanor arrests, and we did 1,055 extra patrols to the city to make sure that we were seen.”

Fire Report

Fire Chief Ryan McCormick provided a brief monthly report on fire calls and then moved on to the latest training sessions. Also, Alexander is now part of a Saline County urban-search team.

“We ran 78 emergency fire calls throughout the past month (January),” McCormick said. “Next month, we have some additional house training that we're doing,” on “road rescue training or advanced rescue.”

Alexander Fire and Rescue, and two other departments, will form, “[A]n urban search team for … specialized type of incidents such as trench rescues, water rescues, road rescues,” McCormick added.

Alexander is also training for situations involving hazardous materials.

“[A] part of our training was to sit out on the interstate ... off the side of the road with our fire truck and look at what type of ... materials that come up and down the interstate,” McCormick said. “The placards that are on the 18-wheelers, you would never understand what type of hazardous materials that are traveling up and down the road every day, not just that but also on the railroad.”

Code Enforcement and Animal Control Report

Alexander Council Members were able to meet the new Code Enforcement and Animal Control Officer Jamie Jordan. She was hired in January but was unavailable to attend that month’s meeting.

Jordan says she’s learning the ordinances, learning the streets and trying to deal with the easy cleanup problems. She’s also making a list of the larger cleanup issues.

“Started issuing out some red tags,” Jordan said. [I’m] “kind of trying to get some of the easy clean up stuff cleaned up, [and] responded to some dog calls.”

Jordan said she’s looking for “some training opportunities” and is talking to officials in the larger cities like Little Rock and Bryant to learn from them.

“We put together an enforcement control Facebook page to kind of help educate the community on leash laws and overall ordinances” and required permits, Jordan said.

One business was found operating without a privilege license.

January Financial Report

City Treasurer Jennifer Hill provided a summary of end of January account balances.

“[Y]our General Fund is at $1,422,273.05 cents,” she began. “Your Police Fund is at $116,887.54 cents. Your fire is at $300,378.78 cents. Parks is at $205,011.60 cents. Your streets are at $232,856.45 cents.”

Mayor’s Report

Inspection of former hospital takes another step

Alexander is one step closer to applying for a grant to either remove any hazardous materials from the former hospital at the closed Alexander Human Development Center (HDC), or raze the building. Be it a small step.

Mayor Crystal Herrmann has been attempting to acquire a Brownfield grant in order to make the HDC property safe for development. The grant program is funded by the EPA.

Herrmann said officials with the Central Arkansas Development District (CADD) came out on the 20^th (February), “[A]nd did their first site assessment where they assessed the property and then put ... their work plan together for doing all the testing and the inspections.”

In 2024 the Alexander Council approved giving the CADD temporary ownership of the hospital. CADD has the required credentials, a municipality does not have, to conduct the testing needed to proceed with the grant request.

Herrmann said, “We have started seeing movement.”

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." The expectation is the hospital building contains asbestos, lead paint and potentially other unknown hazards.

The HDC property, along Highway 111, was originally built as a tuberculosis sanitarium for African-Americans. Eventually it was converted into a home for adults with special needs that required care and training from professionals.

When the Arkansas Department of Human Services no longer had a use for the property, and no other state agency had a use for it, it was deeded to Alexander in 2018. Under state law the property could not be sold to an individual. It could only be taken over by another government entity such as a municipality or county.

Metroplan offers grant to convert street lights to LED

Mayor Herrmann reported on a grant program offered by Metroplan that will pay to convert Alexander’s street lights from the current bulbs being used to LEDs. Street lights are installed, maintained and powered by Entergy.

“It would be a $12,000 a year savings if we get this grant,” Herrmann said. “And our city will be a lot brighter.”

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, March 17, at 6:00 pm in the courtroom of the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Meetings are open to the public.

Alexander, Arkansas shooting suspect arrested in Oklahoma

The search for Alexander, Arkansas resident Jose Buezo (23), ended up crossing state lines, when he was recently captured in Oklahoma. Buezo was wanted in connection with a January 18 shooting at 15711 Shirley Drive in Alexander. The incident occurred around 10:19 PM.

Cropped photo of
Jose Buezo used in
press releases.

At the Alexander city council’s February 25 meeting, newly appointed Police Chief Timothy Preator reported on the capture of Buezo.

“We did have one significant event last month,” Preator said. “We had an isolated shooting event. That subject (Buezo) has been captured.”

“He was captured in Oklahoma,” Preator continued. “That investigation is ongoing but the charges are pending.”

At the time of the council meeting Buezo was being housed in the Saline County Jail. He no longer appears on the inmate roster.

According to a press release issued by the Alexander Police Department after the shooting, “Officers arrived on scene and located two female victims inside the residence, one of which suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The Alexander Fire Department and Pafford Medical Services responded to the scene. Both victims were treated and transported to a local hospital for further treatment.”

“Saline County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigation Division responded to the scene to conduct the investigation at the request of the Alexander Police Department,” the press release stated.

Former Alexander Council Member Andy Mullins dies, 92

(Updated: 02-28-2025)

Andy Martin Mullins, Jr., 92, of Alexander, Arkansas was born on Sunday, March 13, 1932, to Andy Martin Mullins, Sr. and Lillie Ruby (Nichols) Mullins. He left this world a very loved man on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, surrounded by love.

Mullins represented Ward-2 a total of four years in two separate terms. He first served from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2012. He was then re-elected in 2014 serving from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016. Prior to the annexation of Woodland Hills to the City of Alexander, Mullins was a member of the Woodland Hills Fire District Board.

His celebration of life will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. with his visitation one hour prior at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest following his service at Pinecrest Memorial Park.

Dial and Dudley Funeral Home

Alexander City Park trail bids received

Bids for a walking trail, to be built through the playground in Alexander City Park, are under review. Mayor Crystal Herrmann announced during the city’s January 21 council meeting, “I'm happy to report that the Richardson Engineering ... received several bid packages.”

“They're going over each bid that we received,” the Mayor continued. “They're going to do an apples and apples check and confirm the pricing. And then once they have that thorough look over, they will return us a name, ... the name of the contractor.”

In June, 2024 the City of Alexander was awarded a grant to build a 1/8-mile walking trail in the City Park. The $96,990 grant will be used to fund a six-foot wide trail, benches and engineering design. The grant will cover 100-percent of the cost of a trail that will encircle the park's playground. The city council approved applying for the grant in 2023. (See proposed trail design below.)

Funding for the grant program was acquired from Arkansas's Tobacco Settlement Fund and funneled through the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. This is part of reviving the Great Strides program, which was stopped in 2017.

Engineer's rendition of proposed trail.

Also in the Mayor’s report:

New Hires

Jamie Jordan has been hired as the new code enforcement officer. The previous Code Enforcement/Animal Control Officer Daniel Wyatt resigned in September, 2024.

Two new police officers have been hired. Officer Myers is making has returned to take on a part-time roll. He'll be helping to fill-in for officers taking vacation and sick leave. The other new hire is Officer Burgess who will be working full-time.

Saline County Library

For those of you who use the Saline County Library kiosk in front of the Alexander Municipal Complex, and find it not working, it’s only temporary. According to Herrmann it’s due for a software update and will be working again soon.

Herrmann also reported on a grant being offered by the Saline County Library. It’s a $2,000 grant program to fund community classes.

English Spanish Classes

Indian Springs Baptist Church has plans to conduct English Spanish classes in March. The classes will be held at Community Center #2. More information will be available later.

Community Closet

Mayor Herrmann announced Gina Littlejohn and Octavia Lance are interested in starting a community closet. “So we'll be having (an) upcoming meeting about that as well.” Littlejohn is the former council member representing Ward-2.

American Legion and flags

“So I've reached out to the American Legions (Alexander Post 28) and they have agreed for (sic) the important task of raising and lowering our flags during holidays and flag occasions,” Mayor Herrmann said “They will be coming to City Hall and the City Park and they will stay on top of our flag schedule.” She also said flags will be replaced when necessary.

Next Meeting

Due to a Federal Holiday occurring on a regular meeting day, the next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Tuesday, February 18, at 6:00 pm in the courtroom of the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Meetings are open to the public.

Alexander shooting suspect still at-large

After one week, a suspect in an Alexander shooting has not been found. The Alexander Police Department (APD) and Saline County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) are searching for Jose Buezo in connection to a shooting at 15711 Shirley Drive in Alexander. APD responded to the call on January 18 at 10:19 PM. Both departments consider him to be “armed and dangerous.”

According to a press release issued by the Alexander Police Department, “Officers arrived on scene and located two female victims inside the residence, one of which suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The Alexander Fire Department and Pafford Medical Services responded to the scene. Both victims were treated and transported to a local hospital for further treatment.”

“Saline County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigation Division responded to the scene to conduct the investigation at the request of the Alexander Police Department,” the press release stated.

Jose Buezo (23) is described as 5' 6", 150 lbs, a Hispanic male, black hair, brown eyes, with two scars above his right eyebrow and tattoos on both arms. At the time of the shooting he was wearing a dark blue or navy jacket and dark jeans.

Anyone with information on Buezo's whereabouts are encouraged to contact Detective Grogan at (501) 303-5608 Monday - Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM or, Contact the SCSO NON-EMERGENCY number at (501) 303-5648 24 Hrs.

Also, the APD recommends if anyone sees Buezo, “DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MAKE CONTACT, call 911 immediately!!!!”

Attempt to overturn Alexander Mayor’s firing of police chief fails

 (UPDATED 1/24/2025: Corrected vote by council.)

The Alexander City Council failed to veto Mayor Crystal Herrmann’s firing of former Police Chief Robert Burnett. The vote came after the council and mayor were in executive session for around 35-minutes.

The morning following the Alexander City Council’s December 16 meeting, Mayor Herrmann fired not only Robert Burnett, but Assistant Chief Jessica Burnett and Administrative Sergeant Jonathan Hobby as well.

In a press release Herrmann stated, “On December 17, 2024, the administration of the City of Alexander determined that the Alexander Police Department's administrative direction needed change and realignment. As a result of the new direction, Chief Robert Burnett, Assistant Chief Jessica Burnett, and Administrative Sargent Jonathan Hobby were terminated from the City of Alexander Police Department as their services were no longer needed within the Department.”

During the executive session one police officer was escorted by Herrmann into the private meeting. Burnett, however, was not asked to take part.

After the January 21 meeting was called back into session by Herrmann, Council Member Joy Gray explained what had just occurred.

“Basically, we have a meeting and executive session that is outside the view of the public, and then the discussion was on to whether or not to reinstate Chief Burnett,” Gray said.

She then directed a question to City Attorney Chris Madison concerning the next step.

“So what would happen is whenever the council is trying to overturn a mayor's decision, it would take a positive vote ... to reinstate Chief Burnett,” Madison said. “The second requires a two-thirds vote.”

In this case six of the eight council members would have to vote “Yes” to reinstate Burnett.

Council Member Mitchell W. Smith made the motion to reinstate Burnett. Council Member Juanita Wilson made the second.

Wilson voted “Yes.” Voting “No” were Gray, Daniel L. Bates, Angela Griffin, Amy Lyons, and Christopher Prowse. Joe Pollard was absent, which counts as a “No” vote. Smith abstained.

This may not be the last word on this issue. Both Burnetts were present at the meeting with their lawyer. Both their lawyer and Madison were seen talking during the executive session and after the council meeting had adjourned.

Saline County Sheriff’s Office issues “WANTED PERSON” bulletin in Alexander shooting

The Saline County Sheriff’s Office is searching for an Alexander resident in relationship to a shooting on Shirley Drive in Alexander. The shooting occurred Saturday, January 18.

“The Saline County Sheriffs Office is requesting the assistance with locating Mr. Jose Buezo of Alexander, Arkansas,” the bulletin states. “Mr. Buezo was last seen on January 18, 2025 leaving his residence located at 15711 Shirley Drive. Mr. Buezo Should be considered armed and dangerous.”

The name and description provided by the Sheriff’s Office is,

NAME: Jose Buezo

RACE: Hispanic

GENDER: Male

HAIR: Black

EYES: Brown

HEIGHT: 5' 6"

WEIGHT: 150 Ibs.

“Mr. Buezo has two scars above his right eyebrow and tattoos on both arms,” the description continues. “Mr. Buezo was last seen wearing a dark blue or navy jacket and dark Jeans.”

Anyone with information on Mr. Buezo's whereabouts is encouraged to contact Detective Grogan at (501) 303-5608 Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM or, call the NON-EMERGENCY number at (501) 303-5648 24 HRS.

Two unnamed individuals were shot. Both victims were treated by Alexander firefighters and Pafford EMS staff at the scene. The condition of the victims is unknown at this time.

Alexander council meeting moved due to Federal Holiday

Due to the Federal Holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is designated for the third Monday in January, the next regular meeting of the Alexander City Council will be held the following day, Tuesday, January 21, 2025. The meeting will be held at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The meeting is open to the public.

Following the swearing-in of any remaining elected officials, who weren’t present at the January 2 swearing-in ceremony, the agenda lists only one item of business. Under New Business is listed, “Resolution adopting the Organization of City Council with Discussion.”

However, with the firing of the Police Chief, Assistant Police Chief and Administrative Sargent on the Tuesday after the December council meeting; there is the expectation of more to the meeting than just the single listed agenda item.

Alexander Police looking for shooting suspect

Sometime during the evening of January 18, the Alexander Police Department was called to the scene of gunshots heard on Shirley Drive. According to a Facebook post issued by the police department, “The subject is described as a Hispanic male, 5'7" thin build with tattoos on both arms wearing a navy or dark blue jacket and dark jeans. The subject is considered armed and dangerous. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MAKE CONTACT, contact 911 immediately!!!!”

According to another Facebook post, by Alexander Fire/Rescue, firefighters were outside cleaning Engine 37, after returning from an earlier incident, “(W)hen they heard gun shots very close to the station. With in minutes, Engine 37 was dispatched to Shirley Drive for a reported (sic) Shooting.”

“Crews found 2 victims who were shot and began evaluating their conditions,” the post from Alexander Fire/Rescue continued. “Pafford Ambulance responded, ‘from our station’ and a (sic) additional ambulance and supervisor as well.”

Both victims were treated by Alexander firefighters and Pafford staff at the scene. The condition of the victims is unknown at this time.

Shirley Drive is in the southeast corner of Alexander. It connects Alton Drive to Regency Drive and continues until it ends near the Alexander southern city limit.

This is a developing story. Any additional information will be reported when it becomes available.

Alleged “Gang” member arrested on Alexander warrant

(Corrections to previous article, “Alexander Police arrest alleged ‘Gang’ member” published 1-7-2025 9:54 AM.)

In a previous article the Alexander Police Department was credited for the arrest of Tre’ Quan (Traquan) Marquis Langel, January 3, 2025, on felony charges. It has since been reported he was arrested on an Alexander warrant. The arresting department and circumstances of the arrest are unknown.

The warrant was issued after the Alexander City Council meeting on Monday, December 16, 2024. The warrant was the result of an investigation of a previous crime conducted by Assistant Chief Jessica Burnett. More information can be found here by scrolling down the article.

It was the next day that Mayor Crystal Herrmann fired Police Chief Robert Burnett, Assistant Chief Jessica Burnett and Administrative Sergeant Hobby. She stated in a letter the, “Alexander Police Department's administrative direction needed change and realignment.”

 Tre’ Quan (Traquan) Marquis
Langel Saline County Sheriff's
Dept. mug shot.

Langel was booked into the Saline County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center at 3:09 PM on January 3. According to the sheriff’s office website he was booked on “Terroristic Act - B Felony” with a Bond set at $4,500.00. Other charges filed without a bond were, “Criminal Mischief in the First Degree ($500.00 or More) – Felony, Possession of Firearm by Certain Persons – Felony, Engaging in Continuing Gang/Organization or Enterprise in the First Degree, and Engaging in Violent Criminal Group Activity (Enhancement).”

This is not Langel’s first brush with the law. According to the Deltaplex News in Pine Bluff, Langel was arrested September 7, 2022. However, the charges for his arrest are not listed.

Langel graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 2017. His last known address is in Pine Bluff.

Alexander Police arrest alleged “Gang” member

The Alexander Police Department arrested Tre’ Quan (Traquan) Marquis Langel January 3, 2025 on felony charges. Circumstances of the arrest are unknown.

Tre’ Quan (Traquan) Marquis

Langel Saline County Sheriff's

Dept. mug shot.

Langel was booked into the Saline County Sheriff's Office Detention Center at 3:09 PM on January 3. According to the sheriff's office website he was booked on "Terroristic Act - B Felony" with a Bond set at $4,500.00. Other charges filed without a bond were, “Criminal Mischief in the First Degree ($500.00 or More) – Felony, Possession of Firearm by Certain Persons – Felony, Engaging in Continuing Gang/Organization or Enterprise in the First Degree, and Engaging in Violent Criminal Group Activity (Enhancement).”

This is not Langel’s first brush with the law. According to the Deltaplex News in Pine Bluff, Langel was arrested September 7, 2022. However, the charges for his arrest are not listed.

Langel (26) graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 2017. His last known address is in Pine Bluff.

The Alexander Police Department has not issued a statement on the arrest.