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Minutes 2016-02-16 1 PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016 6:00 P.M. The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Council President Wood gave the invocation. Roll was called and all Councilors were present. THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS ATTENTIVENESS: Concentrating on the person or task before me. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting February 2, 2016. Councilor Boone made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Whiteside 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 Agenda Item #4. She expressed concern regarding the amount of debt currently owed by the City and the debt to be incurred during the upcoming Wastewater expansion. Ms. Finnegan requested that the Council provide full transparency regarding the cost and timeline of the road and bridge project. Lisa Miller, 1909 Tara Drive, and Kyle Glover, 122 Livingston, serve as Chair and Co-Chair of the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee. Both spoke in favor of the road and bridge project and encouraged the Council to support the project. The South Industrial Park is an Advantage Site with dual rail and key to industrial development. The community has lost $1.2 billion in potential business investment due to limited access to the South Industrial Park. The City, Autauga County, and the Chamber of Commerce have partnered together on this project. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Gillespie presented a proclamation in honor of Severe Weather Awareness Week, February 14-19, 2016, to Gary Weaver with Autauga County Emergency Management Agency. Mr. Weaver thanked the Council and the Mayor for their continued support of Autauga County EMA. The City and the County have partnered together with Autauga County EMA. Mayor Gillespie reported that the local paving project is nearing completion. The Black History Program will be held February 19, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. at the Doster Community Center. Oscar Berry from Congressman Terri Sewell’s office and National Championship Offensive MVP O. J. Howard will participate in the program. Arbor Day is scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. until noon at the Autauga County Courthouse. The City is fortunate to partner with Alabama Forestry, Alabama Power, Autauga County and the Master Gardeners in this event. Free seedlings will be distributed. 2 The annual Soup Cook-Off Event, benefitting the Autauga Interfaith Care Center, will be held Saturday, February 27, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Scott House. With the passage of Agenda Item #1, the City will pay off the State Revolving Fund-1996 for the Wastewater Division of Public Works. This debt is being cleared using impact fees and Enterprise Fund monies. Mayor Gillespie expressed appreciation to the Council for voting to allow the City to put Enterprise Fund accounts into place. The Mayor also thanked Finance Director Doug Moseley and Public Works Director Dale Gandy for their hard work in accomplishing this goal. In January 1988, the City purchased the first 75 acres of what is now known as the South Industrial Park. Additional land was purchased in 1994. In 2001 and again in 2003, the City worked hard to develop plans for the road and bridge project, spending approximately $300,000. Mayor Gillespie urged the Council to move forward with Agenda Item #4, stating that for a number of years we have been in a chicken and the egg situation. We have dual rail in the South Industrial Park, but we have long needed a road and bridge to complete that package. Industry does not want to come without good access; accessibility is key. In the past, we have not succeeded in finding the funding for this project. Today, we have a partner; tomorrow, we anticipate grant partners. We have partnered with Autauga County, the Chamber of Commerce, and the State. Over the past five years, it has been estimated that we have lost out on $1.2 billion in potential business investments due to access to the South Industrial Park. While this is a good project, it is not an overnight project and it must be funded carefully, using multiple-year budgeting. We all know about good debt and bad debt. A role of government is to provide an environment for private enterprise to flourish. The Mayor expressed his support of the road and bridge project, noting that we must have a dedication to funding the Development Fund Account. Four years ago, we had approximately $30,000.00 in that account. Today, we have approximately $1.6 million in that account and we anticipate having $2.6 million in very near future. If we remain dedicated, we can reach our match amount of $3 million by its needed date, with or without grants, but hopefully, the grants will come. REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None REPORT ON THE STATUS OF CITY FINANCES: Finance Director Doug Moseley presented the finance reports for January 2016. The Unaudited General Fund Revenue report showed that with 25% of the budget year complete, the City has received $11,185,730.91 in revenue. Most items are in line with the budget. Fees are down 45.66% from the previous year due to the end of the County’s ambulance contract last year. Grants are down from the previous year due to an increase of grant refunds received in January 2015. The Tax Breakdown Comparison report showed revenue increased 3.71%, or $95,720.02, in comparison to the prior year. 3 The Unaudited Expenses by Department report showed that with 33.33% of the budget year complete, most departments were in line with the budget. Year-to-date expenses were down $1,263,820.52 compared to the prior year due to payment of the 2007 bond last year. The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed revenue over budget and expenses below budget. The Sewer Impact Fees Account had a balance of $606.813.84 as of January 31, 2016. The SRF-1996 will be paid out of this account. The Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed income and expenses in line with the budget. A Request for Proposal for financing of the new sanitation equipment has been let and should be included on the agenda of the next Council meeting. The Judicial Special Revenue Fund Income Statement showed revenue below budget, but expenses were also below budget. The suspense account balance was $18,690.38. Revenue usually begins to pick up this time of the year. The Bank Balances report showed a total cash balance of $18,569,899.52 as of January 31, 2016. The City Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances report show total debt at $38,435,627.66 as of January 31, 2016. Councilor Boles noted that $4,688,003.48 is currently in the Debt Reserve Account and the next bond payment is due in May. Mr. Moseley responded that the bank transfer for that bond payment has been initiated and is waiting on the Mayor for the second signature. Councilor Boles pointed out that SRF-1996, in the amount of $420,000.00, was callable on February 15, 2016, and will be paid off. The 2006B EDI Warrant, with a balance due of $495,000.00, will be callable on May 1, 2016. Councilor Boles asked Mr. Moseley if it will be paid in full when callable. Mr. Moseley replied it is very likely that the 2006B EDI Warrant will be paid off when callable. Paying it off at that time will cut off one payment. Councilor Boles noted that the one-cent sales tax has been treated very transparently and has been consistently used to pay off debt. Council President Wood thanked Mr. Moseley for providing the financial reports to the Council in a timely manner to allow Councilors to review the reports. The Council committees continue to work. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing Regarding Adoption of the 2015 International Building and Fire Codes. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boles) RESOLUTION BOOK 2016, PAGE 032 2. RESOLUTION: To Surplus Equipment from the Vehicle Maintenance Department. (Sponsored By: Councilor Whiteside) RESOLUTION BOOK 2016, PAGE 033 4 3. RESOLUTION: To Surplus Various Vehicles and Equipment from the Police Department. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes) RESOLUTION BOOK 2016, PAGE 034 4. RESOLUTION: To Surplus Fourteen (14) Tasers from the Police Department. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes) RESOLUTION BOOK 2016, PAGE 035 5. RESOLUTION: To Declare a Moratorium on Future Annexations or De-annexations Until After the 2016 Municipal Election Cycle. (Sponsored By: Council President Wood) RESOLUTION BOOK 2016, PAGE 036 Councilor Brown made a motion to place Items 1-5 on a Consent Agenda and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. The Items were placed on a Consent Agenda (7-0). Councilor Boles made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and Council President Pro Tempore Striplin seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Consent Agenda was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, BROWN, STARNES, WHITESIDE, BOLES, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE AGENDA: 1. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Release of Funds to Call SRF-1996 for the Wastewater Department in the Amount of $420,000.00, plus Interest. (Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Striplin) RESOLUTION BOOK 2016, PAGE 037 Council President Pro Tempore Striplin made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Boles seconded the motion. Councilor Boles noted that SRF-1996 was considered for payment as soon as it became callable. Without the one-cent sales tax, and the leadership in the Mayor’s Office and of the Council, the funds would not have been available to pay off this debt. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, BROWN, STARNES, WHITESIDE, BOLES, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 2. RESOLUTION: To Release Funds for the Purchase of Playground Equipment for Newton Park from J.A. Dawson for the Parks and Recreation Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $11,823.23. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boone) 5 RESOLUTION BOOK 2016, PAGE 038 Councilor Boone 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, WOOD, BROWN, STARNES, WHITESIDE, BOLES, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 3. RESOLUTION: To Release Funds for the Purchase of Seven (7) Sets of Portable Bleachers from BSN Sports for the Parks and Recreation Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $14,000.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boone) RESOLUTION BOOK 2016, PAGE 039 Councilor Boone made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Council President Pro Tempore Striplin seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, BROWN, STARNES, WHITESIDE, BOLES, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 4. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter Into an Economic Development Agreement with the Autauga County Commission for an Economic Development Project to Improve the South Industrial Park. (Sponsored By: Council President Wood) RESOLUTION BOOK 2016, PAGE 040 Councilor Brown made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Boles seconded the motion. Council Boone noted that she has followed politics since she was in high school. During that time, there was a huge problem between the City and the County and both suffered. The City and County are now working together and this project is a good faith project. The City and County are committed to work together, sharing funds and effort. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, BROWN, STARNES, WHITESIDE, BOLES, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 6 COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, addressed the Council regarding trash cans being placed in the street and sometimes in the gutter. Ms. Finnegan also addressed trash cans left at the curb after the pickup date, citing four containers left at the bottom of Knob Hill. CLOSING COMMENTS: Mayor Gillespie thanked the Council for their dedication and hard work. He also thanked department heads, the Chamber of Commerce, and other partners for their hard work. Councilor Starnes thanked department heads for all they do to keep the City safe and beautiful. Councilor Starnes stated that he loves this County, this State, and the City of Prattville. He thanked the constituents of District 4 for electing him to this position, adding it has been a pleasure to serve the citizens of Prattville and he hopes to be able to serve for another term. Councilor Starnes thanked the citizens of Prattville for their support of this Council and Mayor. Between the dates of March 2-5, 2016, the 217th MP CO is returning home from a 9-12 months deployment overseas. The company is a unit in Prattville with personnel of approximately 163 soldiers. Councilor Starnes would like to see the City of Prattville show its support of these citizen soldiers. When Councilor Starnes returned home in 2005, the streets were line with citizens showing their support of the National Guard. He would love for these soldiers to feel the same support he did eleven years ago. Councilor Boone thanked all who participated in and helped to make the Mardi Gras Parade a wonderful event. Council President Wood expressed his support of the road and bridge project. Council President Wood served on the Council when a $6 million investment was made in the Robert Trent Jones project, which has translated into additional hotels, eateries, and growth, creating over 1,000 jobs. In the next ten plus years, industrial growth will provide additional jobs as a result of this partnership with the City, Autauga County, State, Chamber of Commerce, and the Industrial Development Board. Council President Wood thanked these entities for partnering with the City. Council President Wood encouraged the administration and Finance Director to continue to pay close attention to the City’s finances and stay on top of this investment. Council President Wood thanked all City employees for their hard work and thanked the Mayor and Council for their dedication. Council President Wood recognized scouts in the audience from Scout Troop 600. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilor Boles made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 6:40 p.m. 7 APPROVED: ___________________________ Cathy Dickerson City Clerk ___________________________ Willie L. Wood, Jr., President Prattville City Council