Minutes 2017-06-06
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PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 2017
6:00 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at 6:00 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 FLEXIBILITY: Willingness to change plans or
ideas without getting upset.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council Meeting May 16, 2017
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:
Council President Striplin announced that there would be two separate opportunities to
comment on Agenda matters. The first opportunity will be restricted to Agenda Item #3 which
will satisfy the State Constitution Amendment #772 requirements concerning the published
Public Notice.
In 2004 the Alabama Legislature passed Act number 2004-94 which by a statewide vote is now
known as Amendment 772 to the 1901 Constitution. This Act gives governmental entities broad
authorities to induce and support economic development utilizing public funds. The City of
Prattville and Autauga County Commission utilized this feature to establish lawfully authorized
incentives for James Hardie Building Products, Inc.
The Water Works Board is considered an affiliate of the City of Prattville. Accordingly, their
obligation, if any, under the 772 Amendment is covered by this meeting.
Fulfilling the City’s legal responsibility relating to Amendment 772 requires 3 steps:
1. To advertise with the newspaper with the largest circulation in the City or County
announcing this opportunity for public comments
2. To offer a period for public comments
3. For the Council to vote on the Resolution in a public meeting
The Public Notice was prepared by the attorney representing Prattville’s Economic
Development Team.
The first public comment opportunity is dedicated exclusively to comments relating to Project
Blackdog which is now publically known as James Hardie Building Products, Inc. (James
Hardie). The Public Notice invites comments not questions.
The agreement drafted by James Hardie, of which the City, County and Waterworks Board are
parties, asserts the Alabama Trade Secrets Act, which forbids its signers from releasing any
information in the agreement that has not been authorized, or previously released by James
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Hardie. Therefore, at no time, either before or after the public vote, neither the City, County nor
Water Works Board is at liberty to release information contained within the agreement.
James Hardie has authorized and approve a public fact sheet which has been made available
to all in attendance.
The information provided in the fact sheet exceeds the public disclosure requirements, to the
general public, set forth in Amendment 772.
Any questions may be submitted in writing, with the name and address of the requestor, to the
City Clerk’s office. Once the company designates a mailing address, the questions will be
forwarded via U.S. Mail to James Hardie for response.
At some point in the future James Hardie may remove the Trade Secret status of this
agreement; until then the City must honor the agreement it is a party to.
All comments are restricted to the customary three minute time limit.
Those who wish to speak on this item are instructed to sign in. There are question forms and
pens available for anyone who wishes to submit a question in writing; sign in sheets and
question forms were located near the entrance of the Council Chambers.
Comments on Project Blackdog/James Hardie Building Products, Inc.
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, Prattville, AL, addressed the Council in regards to Project
Blackdog. She provided the Council and City Clerk with a copy of her statements and they are
made a part of this record.
Comments on All Other Agenda Matters
None
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie was granted several Points of Privilege.
The Mayor invited Senator Clyde Chambliss and Representative Paul Beckman to give the
Council a legislative update.
Senator Chambliss was pleased with what was a very successful Legislative Session. There
were 1,030 bills, and they were able to pass 300 of them.
Senator Chambliss gave a brief overview of what was passed this Legislative Session:
Two balanced budgets.
Redistricting Bill
Autism Coverage Bill; Senator Chambliss noted that he was a proud supporter of this bill, and
it will help many families.
Religious Freedom Act
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Right of Conscience Act
A bill that bans assisted suicide in the state was passed.
A bill was passed banning Judicial Override, which previously allowed a judge to overrule the
death penalty. Statistic have shown that most overrides occurred during the 4th year of a term
before an election, which suggests undue political pressure had entered that process.
The Historic Tax Credit is available for redevelopment of the Continental Eagle Factory.
The Alabama Jobs Act was revamped to allow for more flexibility when offering incentives for
economic development.
The Senator noted that the following Bills did not pass:
The Prison Bill
The Exemption of Prescription Drugs Bill
The Gas Tax Bill
The Statewide Uber Bill
The Daycare License Bill
Representative Beckman expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to speak in front of the
Council.
The Autism Bill directed insurance companies to start caring. One in every sixty-eight children
today has autism. This will help many families with the expenses that are associated with
autism treatment.
Representative Beckman discussed both the General and Education Trust Funds.
General Fund:
The General Fund was $1.85 Million. For the first time in history $93 million was carried over;
this was due to Medicaid. Medicaid is a problem and the Legislature is addressing it. Thirty
new State Troopers were hired from this fund.
Education Trust Fund:
This Fund was supported unanimously, and increased the spending for K-12 Schools,
community colleges, and public universities by approximately $9 million.
The fund provides an additional 152 Teachers this year for grades 4th through 6th. Additional
funding from the Alabama Nationally Recognized First Class Pre-k Program will boost the
Education Trust Fund by $13 million.
Two things that slowed down the legislative process this session were the debate over
reapportionment and the impeachment of the governor.
There are a few bills that did not pass, but they will come back, and the Councils input is needed
to make improvements to them when they do. Those bill are:
A the bill that would raise licensing fees for pharmaceutical companies
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Prison Bill
A Bill that would change the gun permits are handled
There has been a change to the “Crossover Vote” this year. Now, whatever party you vote for
in the primary election, you must vote for in the run-off election. If you did not vote in the primary,
you are free to vote for either party in the run-off.
Representative Beckman thanked the council for their time.
The Mayor presented Kim and Mylee Kervin as well as the members of BEE Meaningful with
a proclamation recognizing their community service efforts. The children who are members of
this organization completed 813 community service hours in the last 12 months. Statistics show
that children who volunteer are more likely to volunteer and/or become community leaders as
adults.
The Mayor presented the Lions Club Officials with a proclamation in honor of the organization’s
Centennial.
The Mayor stated that partnerships have played a significant role in recent projects. The City
partnered with the American Legion and the VFW to hold the Memorial Day programs. The
Mayor thanked the Councilors for attending the event.
Today, the City kicked off another partnership with the Summer Meals Program in conjunction
with United Christian Church, which benefits the Parks & Recreation summer program, the
Library’s summer program and children all over Prattville. The Mayor thanked the Councilors
their support making this possible. Pastor Dickerson, of United Christian Church, was
presented with a Proclamation declaring June 6, 2017 as the kick off of the Summer Meals
Program.
Item #3 on concerns the economic development agreement that culminated from partnerships
with the State, County, Chamber, and City and a tremendous amount of work that was done
by so many before and during this process.
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)
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)
3. RESOLUTION: To Surplus Two (2) Vehicles from the Public Works Department/
Wastewater Division. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin)
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4. RESOLUTION: To Surplus Various Office Equipment and Supplies from the Police
Department. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
5. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Retail Beer (Off Premises Only) License to Sarjudas 2, Inc. d/b/a
Exxon Food Mart. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
6. RESOLUTION: To Reschedule the City Council Meeting of July 4, 2017. (Sponsored By:
Council President Striplin)
7. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Structure Located at 419 East 6th Street to Be Unsafe and
a Public Nuisance. (Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson)
Councilor Boone made a motion to place Item #’s 1-7 on a Consent Agenda and Councilor
Starnes seconded the motion. The items were placed on a Consent Agenda (1-7). 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. RESOLUTION: To Authorize Demolition of Dilapidated Structure Located at 570 East 6th
Street at a Cost of $7,200.00 and to Award a Contract to Schnupp Enterprises LLC, d/b/a
JDog Junk Removal and Hauling to Complete Demolition. (Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson)
Councilor Jackson 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
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2. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with Hydro Engineering
Solutions for Engineering Services to Assist with Program Components of the Stormwater
Management Program Plan at a Cost Not to Exceed $20,000.00. (Sponsored By: Council
President Striplin)
Councilor Cables made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Strichik seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution passed with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
3. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter Into an Economic Development Agreement
between the City of Prattville, the County of Autauga, the Water Works Board of the City of
Prattville, and James Hardie Building Products, Inc. in Support of Project Blackdog. (Sponsored
By: Council President Striplin)
Council Present Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor
Starnes 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
Council President Striplin expressed his appreciation for this economic development
opportunity and welcomed James Hardie Building Products, Inc. to the City of Prattville.
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
None
CLOSING COMMENTS:
None
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the council, Councilor Boone made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 6:49
p.m.
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APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Albert Striplin, President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY:
___________________________
Jamie Ferrari
Assistant City Clerk