Alto city administrator Ashley Judd resigns
Council continues to mull manufactured housing ordinance
BY LELAND ACKER STAFF WRITER

Alto has a new city administrator as Ashley Judd announced her resignation during Thursday's special meeting of the Alto City Council. Ms. Judd said she has accepted a position with Computer Software Development Corporation of Lake Charles, La. Ms. Judd has been employed with the city since August 2006.

In her letter of resignation, Ms. Judd recommended the city eliminate the position of city administrator and hire Debra Dannelly as city secretary. The council interviewed Ms. Dannelly in executive session, then voted in open session to hire her as city administrator at a salary of $28,000 per year. Ms. Dannelly was previously employed by the city, working at city hall.

Mayor Debbie White told the council that Ms. Judd will still be available to serve the city as a consultant.

Prior to Thursday's meeting, the city council held a public hearing to discuss amending the grant application to the Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA).

Mayor White explained to the council that it would be in the city's best interests to shift the funds from the Alto Herald Museum to the water system. She said ORCA required the museum property to be in the city's name prior to receiving the funds.

"Because of acquisition problems, we need to amend the application to buy generators for our water wells," she said.

Mayor White explained that since the grants were to be used to help with hurricane relief, the city had applied for the grant to build the museum into a hurricane evacuation shelter. In addition to the city having to own the property, they would be required to spend $80,000 on the property.

"It is more beneficial for the city to put $80,000 toward generators to keep the water system going. If the water system goes down, our storage tanks will empty in less than 24 hours," Mayor White said, citing a recent water leak as an example.

Councilman Monty Collins added, "We need water to take care of the people who come here."

Councilman Collins asked if the generators would be used for lift stations.

"The grant is only for stationary generators," said Public Works Director Charlie Luse. "We need portable generators (for the lift stations). We'll apply for this grant, then come back to the city for portable generators."

Mr. Luse explained the stationary generators will be used for the well pumps. During the city council meeting, the council voted 5-0 to amend the grant application to request the funds for generators for water wells.

Manufactured housing

Following the discussion on the ORCA grant application, the public hearing topic shifted to the new ordinance on manufactured housing. Mayor White explained to those present that the ordinance passed last year was void because a public hearing had not taken place, but current zoning laws and restrictions still existed.

Alto resident Nona Crowe, who is currently in the process of upgrading her manufactured house, expressed her disagreement with the council.

"What you are doing right now is not right," she said. "Every trailer owner has to have a letter sent to them. My lawyer sent me (information saying so)."

"I think that is if you don't have a publication to put a notice in," Ms. Judd said.

"We'll follow our attorney," Mayor White said.

"I don't know if that's a good idea," said Councilman Glenn Willhite.

Councilman Collins said he supported allowing current owners to upgrade.

Alto resident Terry Palmer said the city should focus on cleaning up what was already in place.

"The council should focus on enforcing what is already on the books," he said, saying the city should demolish houses that aren't up to code. "You can still burn part of it on site as long as the hazardous stuff is removed.

"The economic level of Alto does not support new home construction and even if it did, what would that help (if it were not maintained)."

Mr. Luse explained the city had to dot every "I" and cross every "T" before demolition could take place.

Miscellaneous

Councilman Collins complained that residents were not picking up the litter around their houses.

During the city council meeting, the council removed Ms. Judd from the city's bank signature cards and added Ms. Dannelly. They also accepted Ms. Judd's resignation and approved a measure to team up with Alto ISD for the upcoming May elections. The city took no action on the manufactured housing ordinance because city attorney Steven Guy was not present as he was in court. Councilmembers present were Annie Walker, Willhite, Kenneth Brethouwer, Earl Clark, Collins and Mayor White.

The next meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12 at City Hall.