Minutes 2019-09-03
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2019
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, September 3 2019, at 6:48 p.m.
in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag,
Council President Striplin gave the invocation. Roll was called and all Councilors were present.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS ORDERLINESS: Organizing my thoughts
and surroundings for greater efficiency.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting August 20, 2019. Council
President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Strichik
seconded the motion. With no discussion, the minutes were adopted (7-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, addressed the council regarding Agenda Item #2 “To Zone
Property Located at 1324 Upper Kingston Road to R-5”. Ms. Finnegan disagrees that the R-5
zoning is in the citizens’ best interest.
Marianne Dillard, 1822 Jenny Drive, also addressed the council regarding Agenda Item #2.
Mrs. Dillard drove through an existing subdivision in Prattville that was built by the petitioner.
She noticed that the area was overcrowded and most homes had a full driveway plus a vehicle
in the street. Her concern was for the lack of visibility if a child were to cross the street.
Christopher Ouellette, 2160 Addison Way, representative of Long-Lewis of the River Region,
Inc., spoke in favor of Agenda Item #3 To Rezone Property Located at 2091 Fairview Avenue
from FAR to B-4”. Mr. Ouellette asked that the council approve this item.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie hoped all had a nice Labor Day weekend.
The Mayor presented the Fiscal Year 2019/2020 Budget at the last council meeting. In
preparation for the Budget Hearing to be held Thursday evening, he asked that the council
contact himself or any of the Department Heads with specific questions.
The City of Prattville has officially partnered with RePower South of Montgomery for recycling.
Recyclable items will be recycled from citizens’ garbage cans. The Mayor reminded all to
present a water bill when visiting the recycle center as proof of residency. The Mayor
appreciated everyone’s efforts in making recycling a priority in Prattville.
The CDBG Grant monitoring visit received a satisfactory review for the sewer project at the
South Industrial Park. It was noted in the report that, “the City of Prattville should be
commended on the professional manner in which the grant is being managed.” This is great
news in moving the South Industrial Park forward, and one step closer to enabling the park for
James Hardie. The Mayor thanked Jessica Taylor’s team with Azimuth for managing this grant
with the Public Works Department.
On October 3rd and 4th the Planning Commission will be attending a planning and zoning
official training by the University of North Alabama. Any councilors or citizens are welcome to
attend these sessions.
Friday night lights was a success, and the City received many positive comments on the new
turf at Stanley-Jensen Stadium. The Mayor thanked the council for providing the funding for
the turf, and supporting this type of sporting event.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
None
CONSENT AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to have Various Weeded Lots Abated per Title 11,
Chapter 67 of the Code of Alabama, 1975, as Amended. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 129
2. RESOLUTION: To Declare Various Weeded Lots to be a Public Nuisance, Order Their
Abatement and Set a Public Hearing per Title 11, Chapter 67 of the Code of Alabama, 1975,
as Amended. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 130
Councilor Strichik made a motion to place Items # 1-2 on a Consent Agenda and Councilor
Cables seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the items were placed on a
Consent Agenda (7-0). Councilor Boone made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and
Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Consent Agenda
was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
AGENDA
1. ORDINANCE: To Adopt Proposed Amendments to the City of Prattville Code of
Ordinances, Appendix A-Zoning, Article 1, Section 10; Article 6, Sections 68, 69.1, 69.2, and
69.3; Article 7, Sections 71 and 76. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin)
HELD FROM JULY 16, 2019
ORDINANCE BOOK 2019, PAGE 018
This ordinance was introduced on July 16, 2019. There being no discussion, the ordinance
was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
2. ORDINANCE: To Zone Property Located at 1324 Upper Kingston Road to R-5 (Patio
Garden Homes) (Petitioner: James B. Marshall, Jr.) (Owner: Randall & Martha Doyle)
(Representative: Larry E. Speaks and Associates, Inc.). (Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson)
HELD FROM AUGUST 6, 2019
ORDINANCE BOOK 2019, PAGE 019
This ordinance was introduced on July 16, 2019. Councilor Boone expressed her regret that
a majority of the people who spoke in opposition to this ordinance have left before the
Councilors had a chance to discuss or vote on it. In regards to the increased traffic in the
area, Councilor Boone pointed out that the audience for this type of housing is typically
retirees, thus the amount of traffic created from these residents going towards the high school
should be minimal. Councilor Boone addressed concerns that surrounding property value
would decrease if this subdivision was built, and stated that other neighborhoods in Prattville
have benefited from having garden homes in the midst of them, specifically around Sheila
Boulevard and Summer Lane. On the contrary, the lack of growth in an area can actually
drive property value down. Councilor Boone thanked the citizens who did stay for the
discussion and vote on this item. There being no further discussion, the ordinance was
adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, CABLES,
BOONE 4
NAYS : JACKSON, STARNES, STRICHIK 3
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
3. ORDINANCE: To Rezone Property Located at 2091 Fairview Avenue from FAR (Forest,
Agricultural, Recreation to B-4 (Highway Commercial) (Petitioner: Long –Lewis of the River
Region, Inc.) (Representative: Professional Engineering Consultants). (Sponsored By:
Council President Pro Tempore Brown)
HELD FROM AUGUST 6, 2019
ORDINANCE BOOK 2019, PAGE 020
This ordinance was introduced on July 16, 2019. There being no discussion, the ordinance
was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
4. ORDINANCE: To Zone Property Located in the Glennbrooke Subdivision (Plats 2A, 2B,
2C, 2D, 2E & 4A-Partial) as R-3 (Single Family Residential) (Petitioner: City of Prattville).
(Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Brown)
HELD FROM AUGUST 6, 2019
ORDINANCE BOOK 2019, PAGE 021
This ordinance was introduced on July 16, 2019. There being no discussion, the ordinance
was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
5. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2019 Budget and to Release Funds for the Purchase of
Three (3) 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe Vehicles through State Contract T191L from Donohoo
Chevrolet, LLC for the Police Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $95,583.00. (Sponsored By:
Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 131
Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the resolution and Council President Pro Tempore
Brown seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the
following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
6. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Rezone Property Located at 918 Gaddis Avenue
from R-2 (Single Family Residential) to B-2 (General Business). (Owner: Wilma W. Powell)
(Petitioner: Horace W. & Wilma Powell). (Sponsored By: Councilor Strichik)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 132
Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Cables seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
Councilor Strichik introduced the ordinance printed in Resolution Book 2019-A, Page 132.
Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Starnes seconded the
motion. By point of order, this ordinance was held until after its public hearing on October 1,
2019.
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, noticed that the agenda for tonight’s meeting was posted
on the City website on this day rather than Monday as usual, due to the Holiday. She asked
that the City post the notice on Monday as usual, regardless of holidays. Ms. Finnegan
responded to Councilor Boone’s remarks during the discussion on Ordinance Book 2019, Page
019, and suggested that the people who spoke and then left before the vote may not have
understood the process. Ms. Finnegan asked for phone number that citizens should call for
non-emergencies, such as a down tree in the road. Mayor Gillespie gave Ms. Finnegan both
the non-emergency line at the Police Department and his cell phone number.
Council President Striplin announced that the Council would need to enter into executive
session. Council President Striplin estimated that the executive session would last
approximately one hour and that the council may conduct business when they return. City
Attorney David McDowell had provided the City Clerk with a letter of explanation for the
Executive Session. That letter is made part of the official record.
Councilor Cables made a motion to enter executive session and Councilor Starnes seconded
the motion. The council entered into executive session with a vote of (7-0) at 7:18 p.m.
The council reconvened the regular session at 8:19 p.m. Council President Striplin stated that
the purpose of the executive session was to discuss pending litigation.
7. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into a Legal Services Contract with Riley
& Jackson, P.C. and Jessica F. Taylor, Attorney at Law, to Represent the City of Prattville in
the Prosecution of Legal Claims Against Manufacturers and Distributors of Opioids.
(Sponsored By: Councilor Boone)
FROM THE FLOOR
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 133
Councilor Boone made a motion to adopt the resolution and councilor Strichik seconded the
motion. By point of order, it is necessary that the council rules be suspended if immediate action
is to the be considered. Councilor Cables made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor
Jackson seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). There being no discussion,
the resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
CLOSING COMMENTS:
None
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the council, Council President Pro Tempore
Brown made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. The meeting
adjourned (7-0) at 8:22 p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Albert Striplin, President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY:
___________________________
Jamie-Lynn Clayton
Assistant City Clerk