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Minutes 2018-02-20 1 PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2018 6:02 P.M. The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 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 HONESTY: Being truthful in what I say and do. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting February 6, 2018. Councilor Strichik 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, addressed the Council regarding the Envigo RMS, Inc. building. Ms. Finnegan questioned why the building was included on the previous agenda to surplus to the Industrial Development Board when members of that board had not considered acceptance the building. In the future, all parties need to be in agreement. If the City does accept the building from Envigo RMS, Inc., Ms. Finnegan noted that citizens should not be responsible to pay for renovation, demolition, or a Phase II study. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Gillespie requested a Point of Privilege and recognized Caleb Ross as the new Head Football Coach for Prattville High School. Coach Ross stated that he and his family look forward to being back home in Prattville. Coach Ross added that football means a lot to this community and school and that he is excited to bring that pride back to the program. Mayor Gillespie reported that Envigo RMS, Inc. has provided a letter requesting to have the agenda items regarding their property withdrawn from tonight’s agenda. The Mayor’s staff had formulated a plan for the property, including a new Phase I study, and Phase II study if warranted, at no cost to the City. Demolition of the building would be possible in much the same way as the Gloria Plant building on Martin Luther King Drive. Master Gardeners have shown interest in developing a garden area on the property. There is a plan pulled together and it is available in the Mayor’s office. Mayor Gillespie stated that he stands before Council with a heavy heart regarding recent comments about the intent of some of his decisions. All decisions have been honorable and forthright with no personal gain. He always remains open to discussion and debating issues openly and privately. He has taken action only after discussion with elected officials and city staff. For the record, there have been no recent questions regarding who has the appointing powers for city attorney. Some comments have been intentionally misleading. He looks forward to resolving the situation once and for all. He stands ready to present the merits of appointment 2 powers and to debate this issue because it will serve the best interest of this city. He stands ready to serve this community Councilor Starnes asked if Envigo RMS, Inc. had pulled their intent to donate the property to the City. Mayor Gillespie read a portion from the letter provided by Envigo RMS, Inc.: “hereby withdraw all offers previously made for such donation made to Prattville.” Council Starnes noted that Agenda Items #1 and #2 become a moot point. REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Councilor Cables reported that the Sanitation Committee met on February 16, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in the Public Works building. Three loads of garbage cans are due to be delivered in March; this should complete garbage cans for the citizen side of the City. A third sidearm truck is also due to be delivered in March. Route days may change for efficiency and any changes will be well communicated to citizens. Superintendent Tracy Simpson has done a great job with routing and efficiency in the department. Councilor Strichik asked if a list of streets receiving new garbage cans by district will be released to Councilors. Councilor Cables replied that he will ask Public Works Director Dale Gandy to provide that information. REPORT FROM FINANCE DIRECTOR: Finance Director Daniel Oakley presented the finance reports for January 2018. The General Fund Revenue report showed that year-to-date revenue was $13,843,504.64, an increase of 1.05% in comparison to the prior year. The Tax Breakdown Comparison report showed revenue increased by 2.88% in comparison to the prior year. The Expenses by Department report showed that with 33.33% of the budget year complete, overall expenses were at 34.99%. The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net income of $156,262.99 for January 2018. Expenses were below budget. The Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net loss of ($103,080.02) for January 2018. This was due in part to payment of a worker’s compensation premium of $64,000.00 and $27,000.00 for garbage cans in January. Expenses were below budget. The Judicial Special Revenue Fund Income Statement showed a net loss of ($7,666.05) for January 2018. Expenses were also below budget. The Bank Balances report showed a total cash balance of $23,211,275.05 as of January 31, 2018. The City Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances report show total debt at $46,087,557.95 as of January 31, 2018. 3 Councilor Boone asked if the worker’s compensation premiums have begun to show any downward trend with sidearm trucks and less manpower. Mr. Oakley responded that worker’s compensation premiums are based on the number of employees and classification of those employees. Those classifications have a rate assigned to them. As attrition occurs, the premium should also decrease. CONSENT AGENDA 1. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Vacate Certain Property Located within Golson Place Subdivision Plat No. 1. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin) RESOLUTION BOOK 2018, PAGE 016 2. RESOLUTION: To Declare Lonnie Cobb Ford, LLC a Non-Responsible Bidder for Bid No. 018-003. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes) RESOLUTION BOOK 2018, PAGE 017 3. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Structure Located at 190 E. 6th Street (Citizen Serve File #17-001628) to Be Unsafe and a Public Nuisance. (Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson) RESOLUTION BOOK 2018, PAGE 018 Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to place Items 1-3 on a Consent Agenda and Councilor Cables 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 Strichik 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. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter Into a Donation Agreement with Envigo RMS, Inc. and to Accept a Real Property Donation. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin) HELD FROM 01/30/2018 & 02/06/2018 FAILED This Resolution was first introduced at and held over from the January 30, 2018 meeting. The Resolution was amended and held over from the February 6, 2018 meeting. Council President Striplin discussed that Envigo RMS, Inc. has withdrawn this opportunity afforded to the City. The offer was initially made on December 17, 2014 and withdrawn on February 20, 2018. There being no further discussion, the Resolution failed with the following results: AYES : NONE 0 NAYS : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN, 4 STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 2. ORDINANCE: To Surplus Real Property Located at 475 East Main Street and Convey it to the Industrial Development Board of the City of Prattville by Deed. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin) HELD FROM 02/06/2018 FAILED This Ordinance was introduced at and held over from the February 6, 2018 meeting. There being no discussion, this Ordinance failed with the following results: AYES : NONE 0 NAYS : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 3. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Restaurant Retail Liquor License to M and S Sports Bar d/b/a Beef O’Brady’s. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes) RESOLUTION BOOK 2018, PAGE 019 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 4. RESOLUTION: To Award Bid No. 018-002 to J & M Displays, Inc. for the July 4, 2018 Fireworks Display Program for the Performing and Creative Arts Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $19,500.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boone) RESOLUTION BOOK 2018, PAGE 020 Councilor Boone made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. Councilor Cables asked if this was the same company that provided the fireworks program last year. Parks and Recreation Director Kellie Cook replied that it is the same company. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN, 5 STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 5. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2018 Budget and to Release Funds to Long-Lewis of the River Region, Inc. for the Purchase of One (1) 2018 Ford Utility Police Interceptor SUV for the Police Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $27,055.40. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes) RESOLUTION BOOK 2018, PAGE 021 Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Boone 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: Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, expressed concern that no employees lose their jobs due to the change to sidearm trucks in the Sanitation Department. Ms. Finnegan also noticed that the council meeting agenda is posted at city hall on Monday morning prior to the council meeting. She asked if the agenda only could be posted on the website earlier on Monday morning at the same time it is posted on the bulletin board. Ms. Finnegan noted that last week she had reported a Daniel Pratt historic sign which was hanging on the post. As of today, the sign is still hanging. Council President Striplin announced that the Council needed to enter Executive Session to discuss pending litigation. 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 into Executive Session and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. With a vote of (7-0), the Council entered Executive Session at 6:30 p.m. Council President Striplin announced that the Executive Session should last one hour. The Council exited the Executive Session and reconvened the Regular Session at 7:00 p.m. 6. RESOLUTION FROM THE FLOOR: To Ratify and Affirm Authorization for Attorney Rob Riddle to Take Legal Action on Behalf of the City of Prattville Against Clement Contracting Group, LLC for Defaulting on Behalf on an Agreement Regarding the Mac Gray Park Project, Phase I.) HELD UNTIL 03/06/2018 6 Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the Resolution from the floor and Councilor Boone seconded the motion. By point of order, the council rules must be suspended if immediate action is to be considered. Councilor Cables made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. With a vote of (6-1), the vote was not unanimous and the rules were not suspended. The Resolution held over until the March 6, 2018 council meeting. 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 Cables seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 7:03 p.m. APPROVED: ___________________________ Cathy Dickerson City Clerk ___________________________ Albert Striplin, President Prattville City Council