Minutes 2018-11-20
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PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018
6:02 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, 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 RESPECT: Treating others with honor and
dignity.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting November 6, 2018.
Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Boone 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, commented regarding Agenda Items #2 and #3. Ms.
Finnegan asked why the firm name McDowell, Faulk, and Shirley was listed in Item #2 rather
than just the attorney’s name. Ms. Finnegan also questioned the resolution allowing benefits if
allowed by ordinance and law. Ms. Finnegan also asked why Mr. Riddle would be paid the
additional $23,000.00, rather than just billable hours. Ms. Finnegan wondered if the city
attorney position is ever advertised.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie requested a Point of Privilege and introduced newly elected Representative
Will Dismukes for District 88. Representative Dismukes introduced himself and stated that he
looks forward to serving District 88. He expressed his love for Prattville and desire to see
Prattville grown and move in the right direction. Representative Dismukes looks forward to
working with Mayor Gillespie and the City Council.
Mayor Gillespie recognized Lt. Ron Boles on his retirement from the Prattville Police
Department and thanked him for his years of hard work and service to the City of Prattville.
Mayor Gillespie and Police Chief Mark Thompson presented a promotional badges to Lt. Sean
Malloy, Lt. Donnie Walker, and Sgt. Tyler Thompson.
The Mayor wished all a Happy Thanksgiving.
Mayor Gillespie personally thanked Harvey and Janice Clark for their hard work with the
Prattville Land Company, Inc. to officially donate the Daniel Pratt cemetery and approximately
eight acres to the City of Prattville. The City will maintain and preserve the Daniel Pratt family
cemetery. The Mayor noted that Harvey Clark is the definition of a servant to this community.
The Pratt Street Sewer Project will begin on Monday, November 26, 2018. Pratt Street will be
closed daily from 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The Mayor encouraged all to use caution in the area.
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The local paving project is also scheduled to begin shortly, including Pratt Street.
Mayor Gillespie shared the names of Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Engineering
employees who have been instrumental in preparing the City for the Christmas season. The
Christmas Tree Lighting will be held Tuesday, November 27, 2018. The Christmas Parade will
be held Friday, November 30, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. The Grand Marshals will be Barbara Gaston,
Ann Boutwell, and Larry Caver, recognizing them for their volunteer efforts during the Alabama
200 Celebration. The parade will begin at the Autauga County Courthouse.
Please visit all the downtown businesses while you are enjoying the Holiday Season.
Councilor Strichik also recognized Parks and Recreation Director Kellie Cook for her hard work
in preparing for the Christmas season.
Mayor Gillespie noted that during his tenor on the City Council and as Mayor, he has never
seen the City Departments work so closely together.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Councilor Starnes reported that the Police Committee met on Friday, November 16, 2018, to
discuss the golf carts ordinance and the School Resource Officer agreement.
REPORT ON STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
Finance Director Daniel Oakley presented the finance reports for October 2018. The General
Fund Revenue report showed that year-to-date revenue received was $2,769,945.92. Several
line items showed a zero percentage in the year-to-date column because most of the revenue
streams received in October are pushed back into September as part of the prior year’s close
out process.
The Tax Breakdown Comparison report showed revenue increased by 3.98% in comparison
to the prior year.
The Expenses by Department report showed that with 8.33% of the budget year complete,
overall expenses were at 11.54%.
The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net income from operations of
$163,061.34 for October 2018. Overall expenses, including the operation expenses, came in
under budget for the first month of the fiscal year.
The Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net loss of ($20,312.01) for
October 2018. This was due to the annual insurance premium payment of approximately
$60,000.00 which was paid in October. Expenses came in just under budget at 7.93%.
The Judicial Special Revenue Fund Income Statement showed a net income of $19,757.77
for October 2018. Expenses were slightly below budget at 6.02%.
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The Bank Balances report showed a total cash balance of $19,899,347.34 as of October 31,
2018.
The City Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances report show total debt at $58,140,866.95
as of October 31, 2018. The City’s non-enterprise fund debt was $24,869,960.74.
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 2018-A, PAGE 176
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 2018-A, PAGE 177
3. RESOLUTION: To Appoint Ginger T. Henry to the Montgomery Area Mental Health
Authority. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2018-A, PAGE 178
4. RESOLUTION: To Surplus Various Vehicles and Equipment from the Facilities
Maintenance Division. (Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2018-A, PAGE 179
5. RESOLUTION: To Surplus Various Vehicles and Equipment from the Vehicle Maintenance
Division. (Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2018-A, PAGE 180
6. RESOLUTION: To Surplus Various Vehicles and Equipment from the Urban Management
Division. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boone)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2018-A, PAGE 181
7. RESOLUTION: To Surplus Various Vehicles and Equipment from the Wastewater
Division. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2018-A, PAGE 182
8. RESOLUTION: To Accept the Donation of Property from Prattville Land Development, Inc.
for Property Located In and Around Pratt Cemetery Subject to a 40’ Access and Utility
Easement. (Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2018-A, PAGE 183
Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to place Items #1-8 on a consent agenda
and Councilor Strichik 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 Cables seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the consent agenda was
adopted with the following results:
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AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
AGENDA:
1. ORDINANCE: To Exempt Certain “Covered Items” from the Municipal Sales and Use Tax
during the Last Full Weekend of February 2019, as Authorized by Act 2012-256, Generally
Referred to as the “State Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday” Legislation.
(Sponsored By: Council President Striplin)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2018, PAGE 017
Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilor Starnes 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 Council
President Pro Tempore Brown 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
2. RESOLUTION: To Re-Appoint McDowell, Faulk & Shirley, LLC as City Attorney. (Sponsored
By: Council President Pro Tempore Brown)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2018-A, PAGE 184
Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor
Strichik seconded the motion. Councilor Starnes asked Mr. McDowell if the reasoning in
appointing the law firm is in case Mr. McDowell is absent. Mr. McDowell responded that is
correct. There being no further 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
3. RESOLUTION: To Re-Appoint Robert E. Riddle d/b/a Law Office of Rob Riddle, LLC as City
Attorney. (Sponsored By: Councilor Cables)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2018-A, PAGE 185
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Mr. McDowell noted that the resolution should read to re-appoint “Robert E. Riddle d/b/a Law
Office of Rob Riddle, LLC.” Councilor Cables made a motion to amend the title and line #11 of
the resolution to read “Robert E. Riddle d/b/a Law Office of Rob Riddle, LLC” and Council
President Pro Tempore seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was
amended (7-0). Councilor Cables made a motion to adopt the amended resolution and
Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the amended resolution
was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
4. RESOLUTION: To Award Bid No. 018-019 to Long-Lewis of the River Region, Inc. for Two
(2) 2019 ½ Ton Crew Cab 2WD Trucks for the Sanitation Division at a Cost of $52,226.00.
(Sponsored By: Councilor Cables)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2018-A, PAGE 186
Councilor Cables made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Strichik 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
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Marriane Dillard, Jenny Drive, expressed appreciation for city financial information being
included on the Power Point presentation.
Council President Striplin recognized a Boy Scout in the audience and asked him to give his
name and the rank he is working on tonight.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Mayor Gillespie wished all a Happy Thanksgiving.
Councilor Jackson wished all a Happy Thanksgiving, and War Eagle and Roll Tide.
Councilor Starnes wished all a Happy Thanksgiving and War Eagle.
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Councilor Cables wished everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving, encouraging all to be safe, and
Roll Tide.
Councilor Strichik wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving enjoying time with friends and
family.
Councilor Boone wished all a Happy Thanksgiving and War Eagle.
Council President Striplin announced that the Autauga Education Foundation Grant of Awards
and Reception will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 27, 2018, at the Chamber of
Commerce.
Council President Striplin expressed appreciation to the Autauga County citizens who helped
to create the historical displays of 200 years of history of Autauga County this weekend. Council
President Striplin also wished all an enjoyable Thanksgiving with family and friends.
Council President Striplin announced that the Council needed to enter Executive Session to
discuss an economic development project. 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.
Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to enter into Executive Session and
Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. With a vote of (7-0), the Council entered Executive
Session at 6:45 p.m. Council President Striplin announced that there is no anticipation of any
business being conducted when the Council returned and was unsure of how long the session
would last.
The Council exited the Executive Session and reconvened the Regular Session at 7:13 p.m.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the council, Councilor Starnes made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 7:13
p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Albert Striplin, President
Prattville City Council