Minutes 2015-01-20
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PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015
6:00 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, 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 Council President Pro
Tempore Striplin was recorded as being absent.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS DETERMINATION: Purposing to
accomplish right goals at the right time, regardless of the opposition.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council Meeting January 6, 2015.
Councilor Boone made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Starnes seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the minutes were adopted (6-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
None
MAYOR’S REPORT:
The Mayor and Council President Wood participated in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Parade on January 19, 2015. At the end of the parade, a service honoring Dr. King was held at
First Missionary Baptist Church. There was a great turnout and many smiling faces.
Mayor Gillespie welcomed District 5 Councilor Gary Whiteside to his first full Council
meeting and congratulated him on his appointment.
The City is a mechanized, technology–based, service-oriented organization serving the
citizens of Prattville. In varying degrees, department heads serving the City are always on
duty. Department heads work with and through their respective Council committees. Mayor
Gillespie expressed the importance of training and leadership in City departments. The cost of
training is high, but if done well, it is paid only once. If done poorly or not at all, the cost is
paid every day. Leadership is responsibility to others and responsibility for others.
Mayor Gillespie requested a Point of Privilege and asked Fire Chief Terry Brown and Police
Chief Mark Thompson to come forward.
Fire Chief Terry Brown asked Chief Dallis Johnson and his family to come forward. Chief
Johnson was promoted to the appointed position of Deputy Chief. Chief Brown stated it is a
great honor and great pleasure to have an individual of his character and dedication working
for the Fire Department.
Police Chief Mark Thompson stated that the Police Department started the promotion
process at the bottom, giving the younger officers an opportunity to move up. The department
is now promoting at the upper positions allowing senior officers a chance to move up. The
department had two great candidates for the appointed position of Assistant Chief. Chief
Thompson congratulated Captain Diane Hamm on her promotion to Assistant Chief. Chief
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Thompson noted that Assistant Chief Hamm has been a big supporter of the department and
has started a number of programs, including a community door to door program to explain
the role of the police department.
Mayor Gillespie thanked the Council for funding the promotion process. It is paying off today
and will continue to pay off for years to come.
The City has been awarded a $10,000.00 Capital Enhancements Grant from the Alabama
Historic Commission. Grant funds will be utilized to replace the roof on the McWilliams-
Smith-Rice-Waite House, better known as the Prattaugan Museum. The Mayor expressed
thanks to Representative Beckman and former Senator Taylor for their endorsement.
Coordination of the grant was handled through the Mayor’s office. Mayor Gillespie also
thanked City Planner Joel Duke for his assistance in completing the grant application.
The Mardi Gras Parade will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2015. The fun begins in
downtown at noon, with the parade kicking off at 2:00 p.m. at the Autauga County
Courthouse.
Councilor Boles thanked the Mayor and his staff for the job done to allow the City to get back
to a better financial point and a step closer to making Prattville whole. Mayor Gillespie noted
progress takes teamwork, with department heads as boots on the ground and the elected
official’s roles of funding and coordination.
Mayor Gillespie left the meeting at 6:13 p.m. to attend the EDAA Conference in Montgomery.
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin was also in attendance at the EDAA Conference.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
None
REPORT ON THE STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
Finance Director Doug Moseley presented the financial reports for December 2014. The
Unaudited General Fund Revenue report showed revenue receipts in line. There were timing
differences on receipt of property taxes compared to the prior year. The grants line item was
down due to the timing of some in-process grants.
The Tax Breakdown Comparison report showed revenue up five percent, or $100,439.41, in
comparison to the prior year.
The Unaudited Expenses by Department report showed departmental expenses in-line.
The Wastewater and Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statements showed both
departments running in line. Expenses in the Sanitation Enterprise Fund were a little high
due to the payoff of the SRF loan. The Judicial Special Revenue Fund was also in line.
The Gas Tax Special Revenue Fund and Capital Projects Fund Income Statements were new
reports and showed revenue and expenses for the funds for October, November, and
December, 2014. Most of the Capital Project Fund income will be received during the month
of April.
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The Group Health Fund Income Statement showed losses during October, November and
December, 2014. There were high claims paid in October and November and stop loss was hit
on some of the claims. The fund will be reimbursed a portion of those costs.
The Bank Balances report showed total cash available as of December 31, 2014 at
$12,108,121.27.
The City-Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances report showed the total amount due as of
December 31, 2014 at $41,846,378.33.
Council President Wood recognized the Scout packs present at the meeting. Troop 111 was
present at the meeting working on their patrol level citizenship badge. This is an Eagle
required badge.
AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Grant Restaurant Retail Liquor License to
Rigoberto Morales d/b/a The Boathouse Caribbean, LLC. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2015, Page 008
Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Boone seconded the
motion. Councilor Starnes stated that the investigating officer recommended that the Council
deny this license. Councilor Starnes will discuss further at the next Council meeting. There
being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : WOOD, BROWN, STARNES
WHITESIDE, BOLES, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
2. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2015 Budget and to Authorize the Purchase of One (1)
2008 Ford Explorer from ADECA Surplus Property Division at a Cost of $10,900.00 for the
Police Department. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2015, Page 009
Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Brown seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : WOOD, BROWN, STARNES
WHITESIDE, BOLES, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
3. ORDINANCE: To Surplus Two (2) Vehicles from the Police Department. (Sponsored By:
Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2015, Page 001
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Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilor Brown seconded the
motion. By point of order, it is necessary that the council rules be suspended if immediate
action is to be considered. Councilor Boles made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor
Whiteside seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (6-0). There being no discussion,
the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : WOOD, BROWN, STARNES
WHITESIDE, BOLES, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
4. ORDINANCE: To Surplus One (1) Vehicle from the Engineering Department. (Sponsored
By: Councilor Brown)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2015, Page 002
Councilor Brown 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 Boone made a motion to suspend the rules and
Councilor Whiteside seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (6-0). There being no
discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : WOOD, BROWN, STARNES
WHITESIDE, BOLES, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
5. ORDINANCE: To Surplus One (1) Vehicle from the Information Technology Department.
(Sponsored By: Councilor Boles)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2015, Page 003
Councilor Boles 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 Whiteside made a motion to suspend the rules and
Councilor Brown seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (6-0). There being no
discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : WOOD, BROWN, STARNES
WHITESIDE, BOLES, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
6. ORDINANCE: To Surplus One (1) Vehicle from the Fire Department. (Sponsored By:
Councilor Boles)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2015, Page 004
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Councilor Boles made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilor Boone seconded the
motion. By point of order, it is necessary that the council rules be suspended if immediate
action is to be considered. Councilor Whiteside made a motion to suspend the rules and
Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (6-0). There being no
discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : WOOD, BROWN, STARNES
WHITESIDE, BOLES, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
None
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Councilor Brown reported that the Street Committee will meet on January 21, 2015 at 3:00
p.m. at the City Hall Annex.
Council President Wood congratulated Deputy Fire Chief Johnson and Assistant Chief Hamm
on their promotions. Council President Wood thanked all City employees and Council
members for their hard work, and encouraged Council committees to continue to meet and
discuss items before Council meetings.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the council, Councilor Boles made a motion to
adjourn and Councilor Brown seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (6-0) at 6:28
p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Willie L. Wood, Jr., President
Prattville City Council