Minutes 2019-01-03
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2019
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Thursday, January 3, 2019, at 6:10 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 OBEDIENCE: Quickly and cheerfully carrying
out the direction of those who are responsible for me.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council Meeting December 18, 2018.
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:
None
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie reported that next Wednesday, January 9th, would be Law Enforcement
Appreciation Day. The Mayor asked that all pray for our First Responders in the River Region
and across the nation.
The Mayor reported that Pratt Street would be closed over the weekend as work on the
sewer project begins again. Work had been previously delayed due to rain.
Paving projects are scheduled to begin the middle of this month. However, Mother Nature
may affect the start date.
The Mayor thanked each of the Councilors for a prosperous 2018, and looks forward to an
even better 2019.
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, PAGE 001
2. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Retail Beer (Off Premises Only) License to Sunday, Inc. d/b/a
Exxon Food Mart. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019, PAGE 002
Councilor Cables made a motion to place items #1-2 on a Consent Agenda and Councilor
Starnes seconded the motion. The items were placed on a Consent Agenda (7-0). Councilor
Boone made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and Councilor Jackson 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 Rezone Property Located at Highway 82 at McQueen Smith Road from
PUD (Planned Unit Development) and FAR (Forest, Agricultural, Recreation) to B-2 (General
Business). (Petitioner: DHS Holding-4, Inc. & The William Howard Murfee Irrevocable Trust)
(Sponsored By: Councilor Cables)
HELD FROM DECEMBER 4, 2018
ORDINANCE BOOK 2019, PAGE 001
The ordinance was introduced at and held over from the December 4, 2018 City Council
Meeting. There being no discussion, the ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : JACKSON, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES,
STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : STRIPLIN 1
ABSENT : NONE
2. ORDINANCE: To Rezone Property Located at McQueen Smith Road South from FAR
(Forest, Agriculture, Recreation) to B-2 (General Business). (Petitioner: Bryan Ward)
(Sponsored By: Councilor Boone)
HELD FROM DECEMBER 4, 2018
ORDINANCE BOOK 2019, PAGE 002
The ordinance was introduced at and held over from the December 4, 2018 City Council
Meeting. 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
3. RESOLUTION: To Recommend the Appointment of Diane Thomas to the E-911 Board.]
(Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
FROM THE FLOOR
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019, PAGE 003
Councilor Starnes 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 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 : JACKSON, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES,
STRICHIK 5
NAYS : STRIPLIN 1
ABSTAINED : BOONE 1
ABSENT : NONE
4. RESOLUTION: To Recommend the Appointment of Michael Whaley to the E-911 Board.]
(Sponsored By: Councilor Strichik)
FROM THE FLOOR
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019, PAGE 004
Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Jackson seconded
the motion. By point of order, it is necessary that the council rules be suspended if immediate
action is to be considered. Councilor Starnes 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 : JACKSON, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES,
STRICHIK 5
NAYS : STRIPLIN 1
ABSTAINED : BOONE 1
ABSENT : NONE
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Anthony Grant, 1021 Newton Street, Prattville, addressed the Council regarding a $672.61 lien
that the City of Prattville placed against his property at 490 Upper Kingston Road. In 2016 the
property was in probate due to passing of his parents. Mr. Grant informed the Council that he
was given notice in 2016 that the City would abate the weeds at said property if it was not cut.
Mr. Grant had begun work on the property the best he could while working odd hours at the
paper mill. He discovered that a lien had been placed when he attempted to pay the property
taxes this year. Mr. Grant requested that the Council remove the lien or place him on a payment
plan, due to the fact that the lien had placed a hardship on him. Councilor Strichik asked Mr.
Grant if he had spoken to the City’s Code Enforcement Officers. Mr. Grant responded that he
had and that the only information he was given was photographs of the overgrown property
and the total cost of the lien; but not the breakdown of the cost of the lien. Council President
Pro Tempore Striplin asked Finance Director Daniel Oakley if it was in his power to grant a
payment plan. City Attorney David McDowell explained that the lien was already on the property
at the Revenue Commissioner’s office. Mr. McDowell asked Mr. Grant if he had paid his
property taxes, and Mr. Grant responded that he had not. David informed that the Council that
because they placed the lien on the property, what they do with it from this point forward would
be up to them. Mr. Grant stated that he has made an investment in the property and wants to
open a business at the location. He had paid $3,000.00 to have the lot graded. He added that
if he does not pay the lien within the first 30 days of this year that the Revenue Commission
would be able to sell the property. Mr. McDowell believed that the Revenue Commission would
indeed have that right to sell the property if no payment was made. Council President Striplin
recommended that Mr. Grant talk to Revenue Commissioner Kathy Evens, and see if she would
be willing to work with him. Mr. Grant thanked the Council for hearing him.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Councilor Starnes apologized for missing the Public Hearing and explained that he had been
stuck in traffic due to the shooting on Highway 14 earlier today.
Councilor Strichik thanked Parks and Recreation Director Kellie Cook and Public Works
Director Dale Gandy for making Prattville beautiful during the Christmas season.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the council, Councilor Cables made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 6:28
p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Albert Striplin, President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY:
___________________________
Jamie Ferrari
Assistant City Clerk