Minutes 2019-04-16
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PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2019
6:02 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at 6:02 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 BOLDNESS: Courage to say or do what is
true, right, and just.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council Meeting April 2, 2019.
Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Cables 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, thanked Council President Striplin for responding to
questions regarding Agenda Item #1. Ms. Finnegan asked what economic development
projects are included in this agenda item. Finance Director Daniel Oakley responded that the
projects include the South Industrial Park Road and Bridge and the South Industrial Park
Access Road.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie requested a Point of Privilege. Chris Neuenschwander, Jackson Thornton,
presented an overview of the Financial Audit. Jackson Thornton issued a clean audit opinion
for fiscal year ending September 30, 2018. Mr. Neuenschwander provided the following
highlights:
• Audit was completed at the end of March 2019
• Audit includes the General Fund, Capital Projects Fund, Debt Service, and Internal
Service Fund
• Component units include the Autauga-Prattville Public Library, the Airport Authority, and
the Historic Prattville Redevelopment Authority (HPRA)
• City was able to pay off debt early
• Pine Creek Wastewater upgrades underway
• New OPEB liability standard – came out to the City’s favor
• Income position improved by about $10 million
• Public Safety is the largest expenditure for the City
• Sales tax increased $1.5 million
• City beat the budget in both revenue and expenses
• Retirement is funded at 74%
• City hopes to again receive the GFOA Certificate for FY2018
Mayor Gillespie thanked Mr. Neuenschwander for his report and asked what grade the City
would receive. Mr. Neuenschwander responded that the metrics were good. The City is still
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working on the deficit from years ago, but it improved by $4 million this year. The City has a
great team and the City is growing. Public safety expenditures show that the City cares about
its people and continues to put its resources in that area. The City is in line with its peers;
probably at the top.
Mayor Gillespie presented the State of the City Report.
Councilor Starnes congratulated the Mayor, Department Heads, and all employees on an
excellent audit.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None
REPORT ON STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
Finance Director Daniel Oakley presented the finance reports for March 2019. The General
Fund Revenue report showed that year-to-date revenue was $21,235,780.51, an increase of
5.83% in comparison to the prior year.
The Tax Breakdown Comparison report showed revenue increased by 8.76% in comparison
to the prior year.
The Expenses by Department report showed that with 50% of the budget year complete, overall
expenses were at 48.56%.
The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net income of $243,624.87 for
March 2019. Operating expenses were at 42.87% and overall expenses were at 38.10%.
The Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net loss of ($3,034.25) for March
2019. This was due to three pay periods during the month of March.
The Judicial Special Revenue Fund Income Statement showed a net income of $45,966.90 for
March 2019. Expenses were below budget at 48.70%.
The Gas Tax Special Revenue Fund Income Statement, presented quarterly for January –
March 2019, showed revenue at 50.77%. Paving projects are underway, with expenses of
$357,598.51 during the month of March.
The Capital Projects Fund Income Statement, presented quarterly for January - March 2019,
showed project expenses of $4,073,350.92. Current projects include South Industrial Park
Access Road, South Industrial Park Road and Bridge, and Fairview Avenue Intersection
Improvements.
The General Health Fund, presented quarterly for January – March 2019, showed a net income
of $174,790.08. The fund has performed well for this quarter.
The Bank Balances report showed a total cash balance of $25,657,191.61 as of March 31,
2019.
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The City Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances report show total debt at $57,777,161.32,
including non-enterprise debt of $24,675,561.08, as of March 31, 2019.
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, PAGE 043
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, PAGE 044
Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to place Items # 1-2 on a Consent
Agenda and Councilor Boone seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the items were
placed on a Consent Agenda (7-0). Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the Consent
Agenda and Councilor Cables 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 Authorize the Issuance, Execution, Sale and Delivery of $3,200,000.00
Principal Amount General Obligation Warrant of the City of Prattville and Payment Thereof.
(Sponsored By: Council President Striplin)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2019, PAGE 005
Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilor
Strichik seconded the motion. By point of order, it is necessary that the council rules be
suspended if immediate action is to be considered. Councilor Boone made a motion to suspend
the rules and Councilor Jackson seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). 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
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COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Marty Roney, 1038 Wright Street, Prattville Progress/Montgomery Advertiser, invited all to
attend a “baby shower” given in his honor to benefit the River Regions Pregnancy Center. The
shower will be held on April 18, 2019, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. All contributions are welcomed,
including diapers, wipes, and monetary donations.
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, asked why the ordinance in Agenda Item 1 was not read
during the meeting. Council President Striplin explained that the council can introduce an item
by title.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Councilor Cables thanked the Police Department for their assistance during the Centerpoint
Church race. Councilor Cables also thanked Mayor Gillespie and Parks and Recreation
Director Kellie Cooks for the services provided to senior citizens at the Gillespie Center. The
Gillespie Center is well attended.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the council, Councilor Strichik made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Boone seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 6:32
p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Albert Striplin, President
Prattville City Council