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Minutes 2018-04-17 1 PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2018 6:02 P.M. The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, April 17, 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 COOPERATION: Understanding others so I can effectively work with them. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting April 3, 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 requested several Points of Privilege. The Mayor, along with Chief Mark Thompson and Assistant Chief Diane Thomas, presented promotional badges to the following officers: Captain James Harry, Lieutenant Skip Tallmage, Sergeant Richard White, Corporal Nicholas Cigelske, and Corporal Gregory Jones. Investigator Scott Baxley was recognized as Officer of the Year by the U. S. Attorney Office for his exemplary work with the Human Trafficking Task Force which led to the conviction of two individuals. Chris Neuenschwander, with Jackson Thornton, presented an overview of the FY2017 Financial Audit. Jackson Thornton issued a clean or unmodified opinion for fiscal year ending September 30, 2017. Mr. Neuenschwander presented highlights from the financial report: • In 2016, the City again received the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The City has received this certificate for three years in a row. • Two narrative sections provide a great deal of information on the City. The statistical section at the end of the finance report also includes a wealth of information, including sales tax breakdown, economic factors, demographics, debt margins, principal employers, etc. • The City has three component units – the Autauga-Prattville Public Library, the Historic Prattville Redevelopment Authority (HPRA), and the Prattville Airport Authority. • $27 million in cash and accounts receivable and $71 million in property, plant, and equipment. • $58 million in long-term debt, including $20 million in pension obligation and OPEB obligations. • $39.5 million combined net position. • On full-accrual basis, net earnings of $11 million, including some non-cash contributions • Unrestricted revenue includes $23 million in sales tax, $3 million in real and personal property, and $2 million in lodging tax. 2 • The City spent $34 million in general government activities and $6 million in business- type activities. • On fund level, the General Fund showed $8 million in positive unrestricted dollars. • Budget to actual, the City showed $769,892 to the good on the revenue side and $1.2 million to the good on the expense side. Mr. Neuenschwander complimented Finance Director Daniel Oakley and his team for their assistance during the audit. This is the second audit for Mr. Oakley as Finance Director. The residents of Prattville should be proud of the conservative manner in which City finances have been maintained. Mayor Gillespie thanked Mr. Neuenschwander for his report and asked if he would describe the City’s current debt load as both conservative and strategic in terms of meeting long term goals, as well as manageable with its known resources. Mr. Neuenschwander replied that in FY2017, the City pre-paid approximately $3.1 million in debt. In December 2017, the City pre- paid another $1.5 million. The City promised to pay debt with the one-cent increase in sales tax and the City is taking care of business. With revenue above budget and expenses below budget in FY2017, Mayor Gillespie thanked department heads and employees for a job well done. Miss Tri-County Caitlyn McTier, representing Autauga, Elmore and Montgomery Counties, addressed the Council. Ms. McTier was crowned as the inaugural Miss Tri-County in January and will represent at the Miss Alabama Pageant in June at Samford University in Birmingham. Ms. McTier attends the University of Alabama. John-Paul O’Driscoll, Autauga County PALS, announced the Annual Bob Lee Spring Cleanup will be held from April 21-28, 2018. In conjunction with statewide Alabama PALS, Mr. O’Driscoll encouraged councilors and residents to participate in the clean-up event to be held Saturday, April 28th at 9:00 a.m. Agenda Item #1 is a Resolution to purchase a new dock system for Cooters Pond Park. The existing docks were installed in the early 1990s and are approximately 25 years old. The docks are beyond repair, and this new dock system will be in place for the Alabama Bass Trails tournament in June bringing in 225 boats. This is a budgeted item in the Parks and Recreation Department and will be great enhancement to Cooters Pond Park. The Mayor thanked Alabama Power and Central Alabama Electric Cooperative for their continued investment in and around Prattville. Mayor Gillespie has been in contact with Autauga County School Superintendent Spence Agee in regard to providing additional School Resource Officers. Police Chief Thompson is reviewing the documentation provided by Mr. Agee. This item was also discussed during a recent Public Safety Committee meeting. The Autauga County Board of Education expressed appreciation for the recent surplus of iPads from the City for their technology centers. The City has received numerous thank you letters. These iPads will greatly benefit the school system. 3 Mayor Gillespie provided Councilors with a proposed amendment to remove apartments from the Uses Permitted on Appeal from R-3 Zoning (handout attached). The recommendation will be presented to the Planning Commission for review. A new Boards and Committees Application has been posted on the website. Citizens interested in applying to serve on a board or committee are encouraged to complete an application. Mayor Gillespie noted that the total investment over the last four years in the Daniel Pratt Region will soon reach the one billion dollar mark. REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Councilor Starnes reported that the Police Committee met on April 13, 2018 to discuss the upcoming FY2019 budget, resource officers, and the Public Safety building. Councilor Strichik reported that the Fire Committee also met on April 13, 2018 to discuss the upcoming FY2019 budget, the need for a generator, additional employees, and other internal situations. REPORT ON STATUS OF CITY FINANCES: Finance Director Daniel Oakley presented the finance reports for March 2018. The General Fund Revenue report showed that year-to-date revenue was $20,066,459.80, an increase of 1.59% in comparison to the prior year. The Tax Breakdown Comparison report showed revenue increased by 10.42% in comparison to the prior year. The Expenses by Department report showed that with 50% of the budget year complete, overall expenses were at 51.70%. The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net income of $68,052.38 for March 2018. Expenses were below budget. The Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net loss of ($396,167.84) for March 2018. This was due to the purchase of a sidearm truck at a cost of $237,000.00, the purchase of three loads of garbage cans at a cost of $140,000.00, and a third payroll period in March. The Judicial Special Revenue Fund Income Statement showed a net income of $45,982.00 for March 2018. Expenses were slightly below budget. The Gas Tax Special Revenue Fund Income Statement, presented quarterly for January – March 2018, showed positive revenue receipts over budget. On the expense side, budgeted paving projects have not yet begun. 4 The Capital Projects Fund Income Statement, presented quarterly for January – March 2018, showed lodging fee revenue over budget. The Capital Projects Fund has several budgeted projects, including the South Industrial Access Road, the Road and Bridge Project, Project Platinum, the Woodvale Drainage Project, the East Main Street Signals Project, and the Boardroom Drive Extension Project. The Group Health Fund Income Statement, presented quarterly for January – March 2018, showed a net income of $68,627.68. For the quarter, no additional General Fund supplements have been required. The Bank Balances report showed a total cash balance of $23,016,503.29 as of March 31, 2018. The City Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances report show total debt at $62,070,819.62 as of March 31, 2018. 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, PAGE 052 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, PAGE 053 3. RESOLUTION: To Name Voting Delegate and Alternates for the Annual Business Session during the 2018 Alabama League of Municipalities’ Convention in Montgomery. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin) RESOLUTION BOOK 2018, PAGE 054 Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to place Items #1-3 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 Cables 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 5 AGENDA: 1. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2018 Budget and to Release Funds for the Purchase of an Alumadock x9 Aluminum Floating Wetslip Dock System for Cooter’s Pond Park from Lake Martin Dock Company for the Parks & Recreation Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $47,583.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boone) RESOLUTION BOOK 2018, PAGE 055 Councilor Boone 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 2. ORDINANCE: Petition for Annexation of Avant Property – West End of Sydney Drive. (Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Brown) ORDINANCE BOOK 2018, PAGE 006 Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilor Cables 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 Strichik 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 COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: Dr. Jerry Cimis, 141 N. Chestnut Street, addressed the Council regarding Agenda Item #2, asking what the zoning will be for this 5.6 acre parcel. City Planner Joel Duke responded that small 5 acre tract is a part of the larger Glennbrooke 6 sub-division. This parcel was pre-zoned as R-3 at the April 3, 2018 meeting as part of Glennbrooke 6. Marriane Dillard, 1822 Jenny Drive, addressed the council regarding the Work Session/Public Hearing to be held on May 3, 2018. Ms. Dillard stated that citizens do not have minutes from the Prattville-Autauga School Committee meetings. If the committee is composed of concerned citizens, meeting notes and recommendations should be made available prior to the Work Session/Public Hearing in order to allow for research and preparation to make comments. More time and energy should be spent improving infrastructure before adding anything else to an 6 already overflowing plate. If the City wants to improve schools, Ms. Dillard encouraged the Council to try to work with existing school system to increase its funding. Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, also addressed the Council regarding the Work Session/Public Hearing with Prattville-Autauga School Committee. Ms. Finnegan first read about the Work Session/Public Hearing in the Prattville Progress. Ms. Finnegan contacted WAKA regarding the matter because a reporter had interviewed Kyle Glover. Ms. Finnegan noted that any future property tax increases would affect all citizens. Ms. Finnegan requested more transparency and information prior to the Work Session/Public Hearing. CLOSING COMMENTS: Mayor Gillespie thanked the hardworking citizens of Prattville who love and care about this community. The Mayor thanked department heads, employees, and the Council for their hard work on behalf of the City. Council President Striplin expressed appreciation to the six officers recognized tonight, for the efforts of all of City staff for a great financial report and for the continued fiscal fiduciary responsibility they exhibit, for the opportunity to pick up litter, for Ms. McTier representing the Tri-County area, and for the opportunity extended to the Board of Education with some of the City’s surplus property. All of these things go together to help make Prattville who we are and what we are. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the council, Councilor Strichik made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Cables seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 6:57 p.m. APPROVED: ___________________________ Cathy Dickerson City Clerk ___________________________ Albert Striplin, President Prattville City Council