Minutes 2015-07-21
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PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2015
6:02 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at 6:02 p.m. in
the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag,
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin gave the invocation. Roll was called and all councilors
were present.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS ENTHUSIASM: Expressing joy in
each task as I give it my best effort.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council Meeting and Public Hearing July 7, 2015.
Councilor Brown made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Boles seconded the
motion. With no discussion, the minutes were adopted (7-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Gillespie was out of town on city business.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None
REPORT ON STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
Finance Director Doug Moseley presented the finance reports for June 2015. The Unaudited
General Fund Revenue report showed that overall revenue was up by 3.60%, or $914,884.48,
in comparison to prior year. With 66.67% of the budget year complete, 77.38% of budgeted
revenue has been received.
The Tax Breakdown Comparison report showed revenue increased 6.34% in comparison to
the prior year.
The Unaudited Expenses by Department report showed most departments were either under
budget or at budget. With 75% of the budget year complete, overall budgeted expenses were
at 69.82%.
The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed that with 66.67% of the budget
year complete, revenue was at 70.51%. With 75% of the budget year complete, expenses were
at 89.27%. The increase in expenses paid was due to the early payoff of the SRF loan.
The Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed that with 66.67% of the budget
year complete, revenue was at 66.46%. With 75% of the budget year complete, expenses were
at 70.72%.
The Judicial Special Revenue Fund Income Statement showed that with 75% of the budget
year complete, revenue was at 63.53%. With 75% of the budget year complete, expenses were
at 49.13%. With income lagging slightly, expenses were well below the budget.
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The Gas Tax Special Revenue Fund Income Statement for April, May and June 2015 showed
revenue received at 78.52% and expenses at 98.55%, with 75% of the year complete. Projects
are budgeted at the net cost to the City after reimbursements.
The Capital Projects Fund Income Statement for April, May, and June 2015 showed revenue
received at 71.92% and expenses at 5.02%, with 75% of the year complete.
The Group Health Fund Income Statement for April, May, and June 2015 showed a year-to-
date decrease of $292,661.57. The report reflected no transfer in May, but a double transfer
was posted in June. This fund is being watched closely and the 2016 budget may include an
increase in the per employee appropriation on the city-side.
The Bank Balances report showed a total cash balance of $19,227,262.19 as of June 30, 2015.
The City Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances report show total debt at $41,019,862.66
as of June 30, 2015.
Councilor Boles asked if cash is on hand for the upcoming debt payment due in October. Mr.
Moseley replied that funds are available for the payment.
Council President Wood thanked Mr. Moseley for providing the finance reports to the Council
in a timely manner and encouraged councilors to review the reports and ask any questions.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Declare Various Weeded Lots to be a Public Nuisance and Ordering
Their Abatement per Title 11, Chapter 67 of the Code of Alabama, 1975, as Amended.
(Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2015, PAGE 085
2. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Declare Various Weeded Lots to be a Public
Nuisance and Ordering Their Abatement per Title 11, Chapter 67 of the Code of Alabama,
1975, as Amended. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2015, PAGE 086
3. RESOLUTION: To Re-Appoint David W. Lewis to the Industrial Development Board.
(Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2015, PAGE 087
4. RESOLUTION: To Re-Appoint Malcolm “Major” Smith to the Industrial Development
Board. (Sponsored By: Councilor Brown}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2015, PAGE 088
5. RESOLUTION: To Re-Appoint Richard Q. Williams to the Industrial Development
Board. (Sponsored By: Councilor Brown)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2015, PAGE 089
6. RESOLUTION: To Re-Appoint William T. (Tracy) Alexander to the Industrial
Development Board. (Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Striplin)
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RESOLUTION BOOK 2015, PAGE 090
7. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Retail Beer (Off Premises Only) and Retail Table Wine (Off
Premises Only) License to Kwik Shop Stores, Inc. d/b/a Kwik Shop 132. (Sponsored By:
Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2015, PAGE 091
Councilor Starnes made a motion to place Items #1-7 on a Consent Agenda and Council
President Pro Tempore Striplin seconded the motion. The items were placed on a consent
agenda (7-0). Councilor Boone 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. ORDINANCE: Petition for Annexation of Swan Property – Old Farm Lane. (Sponsored
By: Councilor Whiteside)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2015, PAGE 032
Councilor Whiteside made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Council President Pro
Tempore Striplin seconded the motion. By point of order, it is necessary that the council rules
be suspended if immediate action is to be considered. Councilor Brown made a motion to
suspend the rules and Council President Pro Tempore Striplin seconded the motion. The
rules were suspended (7-0). Councilor Boles asked Joel Duke, City Planner, for the zoning of
this property. Mr. Duke explained that the property would need to go through the process to
be zoned. During a previous meeting, the petitioner asked that the request to zone the
property be held until the property annexation process was complete and the Council tabled
the item indefinitely. It is possible that the Council will bring the item back up for
consideration or the petitioner may begin the zoning process over with the Planning
Commission to look at a different zone. If no action is taken in a reasonable amount of time,
the Planning Commission can bring the item up to recommend zoning of the property. There
being no further discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, BROWN,
STARNES, WHITESIDE, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
2. ORDINANCE: Petition for Annexation of Hendrix Property – East End of Vintage Way.
(Sponsored By: Councilor Boone)
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ORDINANCE BOOK 2015, PAGE 033
Councilor Boone 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 Boone made a motion to suspend the rules and
Councilor Boles seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). There being no
discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, BROWN,
STARNES, WHITESIDE, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, addressed the Council regarding the zoning of the Swan
property. At the June 2, 2015 meeting, Ms. Finnegan spoke regarding concern of zoning the
property R-4. It was recommended that the property be zoned FAR and at later date the
developer could come back with plans to request rezoning. Future growth of area must be
carefully examined as traffic congestion is already a concern. Rocky Mountain needs to
widened and straightened before increasing its traffic flow. The need for additional city
services, including water, sewer and sanitation, needs to be reviewed before the property is
developed. Rochester Hills is an example of zoning being granted before development of the
surrounding areas. Please make sure the “t’s” are crossed and the “i’s” are dotted before
approving any other zoning than FAR at this time.
Councilor Starnes stated that he agreed and is against R-4 zoning.
Ms. Finnegan expressed concern over the lack of information from the City and HPRA
regarding Project Abraham. HPRA has considered this project for over a year and has held
six executive sessions during the last ten HPRA meetings. Ms. Finnegan expressed frustration
that so little of this information has been presented to the public and hopes that full
disclosure, including projected costs, will be presented to the public before any further action
is taken on this project.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin called a Sanitation Committee meeting for 9:30 a.m.
on Monday, July 27, 2015.
Councilor Whiteside attended the Founders Day Program. Councilor Boone stood in for
Mayor at this event and presented a wonderful program.
Council President Wood thanked all for attending the meeting and expressed appreciation to
department head and employees, as well as the council, for the work done to make this City
better. Councilors were encouraged to continue to meet in their committees. The North
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Highland High School Reunion will be held this week and a large number of alumni will be in
attendance. The Junior High School used to be the North Highland High School.
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 6:26
p.m.
APPROVED:
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Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Willie L. Wood, Jr., President
Prattville City Council