Minutes 2014-01-21
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PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014
6:08 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, January 7, 2014, at 6:08 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 recorded
as being present.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS PUNCTUALITY: Showing esteem for
others by doing the right thing at the right time.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Minutes January 7, 2014.
Councilor Chambliss made a motion to approve the minutes and Councilor Boone seconded
the motion. There being no discussion, the minutes were approved (7-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
None
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie requested a point of privilege and asked Police Chief Thompson to come to
podium. Chief Thompson noted one year ago he took over the best department in the State of
Alabama. He took the opportunity to recognize several officers for their service. In May 2013,
a lady in Beth Manor reported her dog missing while she was at work. Officer Rusty Jackson
found the dog, repaired the fence, and placed the dog back in the yard. In September 2013,
Investigator Nolan Watkins was out on patrol and found a dog. He realized the dog belonged
to a local veterinarian and returned the dog to its owner. In November 2013, Officer Brian
Gentry worked a severe wreck with two persons ejected and one person trapped in the
vehicle. All three victims survived the wreck. Chief Thompson received a letter from the
brother-in-law, a former police officer from Huntsville, complimenting Officer Gentry for his
work at the scene. During Christmas, Officer Greg Varner was working a parking lot detail
and found a purse left in a shopping cart. Officer Varner and other officers were counting the
money and properly documenting the contents in the purse when the owner arrived back at
the shopping center to retrieve her purse. Chief Thompson noted that Prattville police officers
take a step higher every day to make Prattville a special place.
The Mayor thanked these employees for their hard work. There is hardly a meeting that goes
by that City employees are not complimented for their work. He also thanked the family
members behind the employees for their support. While City employees are at work, their
spouse is at home carrying the home front.
Mayor Gillespie walked with Council President Wood in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Parade, along with other elected officials. The Mayor thanked the Autauga County
Improvement Association for pulling this event together.
Mayor Gillespie, Rick Teague, Dale Gandy and Sam Russell will attend FEMA training on
January 22, 2014.
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The Alabama League of Municipalities Convention will be held in May 2014. Mayor Gillespie
encouraged Councilors to attend the convention. Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox has asked
Teresa Lee to present a session on social media at the convention.
Mayor Gillespie encouraged the Council to move forward on Items #5 and #6. These
resolutions are housekeeping to approve CARPDC administrative contracts for CDBG grants.
The City will act as the conduit for the “Field of Dreams” project, but the administrative fees
will be paid by YMCA.
Autauga County PALS will collect electronics from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Pratt Plaza on
January 25, 2014.
Council President Wood recognized a scout from Troop #25 in the audience.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None
REPORT ON THE STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
Finance Director Doug Moseley presented the December 2013 financial reports. The
Unaudited Revenue Report compared the revenue for December 2013 and the year-to-date
amounts to the prior year. With 16.67% of the year complete, 17.69% of budgeted revenue has
been received.
The Tax Breakdown Comparison Report compares revenue for December 2013 to the prior
year by line item. Income was about 7% above last year for the month of December.
The Unaudited Expenses by Department Report showed most departments running in line
with 25.00% of the year complete.
The Sanitation Enterprise Fund was on track. With 16.67% of the year complete, revenue was
at 15.91%. With 25.00% of the year complete, expenses were at 22.43%.
The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statements was also on track. With 16.67% of the
year complete, revenue was at 16.49%. With 25.00% of the year complete, expenses were at
18.49%.
The Judicial Department Special Revenue Fund showed $139,460.50 in the suspense account
as of December 31, 2013 to be broken out. Some of those funds were City revenue and some
funds were revenue that must go to other agencies. With 16.67% of the year complete, 6.47%
of revenue has been posted. With 25.00% of the year complete, expenses were at 18.13%.
The Bank Balances Report showed a comparison of all cash account balances as of December
2011, 2012, and 2013. The total cash balance as of December 31, 2011 was $1,257,296.53. As
of December 31, 2013, the total cash balance was $10,117,932.09.
The City Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances Report showed accounts payable and
debt balances as of December 2011, 2012, and 2013. The total amount due as of December 31,
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2011 was $58,741,647.37. As of December 31, 2013, the amount due was $48,008,318.23.
Many of the smaller loans have fallen off since 2011 and more are set to fall off this year.
Council President Wood thanked Mr. Moseley for the report and noted that there are not
many questions from the Council because reports are received in a timely manner to allow
review prior to the meeting. Council President Wood encouraged Councilors to continue to
review finance reports.
AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Lounge Retail Liquor-Class II (Package Store) License to
G Mars, Inc., d/b/a Autauga Liquors. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2014, Page 009
Councilor Starnes 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, BROWN, STARNES,
CHAMBLISS, BOLES
BOONE 6
NAYS : WOOD 1
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
2. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Hiring of One (1) Engineering Traffic Maintenance
Technician I to Fill a Previously Non-filled or Newly Budgeted Position in the Engineering
Department at an Annual Cost Not to Exceed $39,381.00 for Salary and Benefits. (Sponsored
By: Councilor Brown)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2014, Page 010
Councilor Brown 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, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
3. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2014 Budget and to Authorize the Release of Funds for
One (1) Vehicle for the Police Department from Autauga Automotive, LLC d/b/a Gilmore
Ford in an Amount Not to Exceed $14,990.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor Chambliss)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2014, Page 011
Councilor Boone made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Chambliss seconded
the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
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AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
4. RESOLUTION: To set a Public Hearing to Rezone Property Located at 2497 Cobbs Ford
Road from FAR to B-2. (Sponsored By: Councilor Chambliss)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2014, Page 012
Councilor Chambliss made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Boles seconded
the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
Councilor Chambliss introduced the Ordinance printed in Resolution Book 2014, Page 012.
Councilor Chambliss made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilor Boone seconded
the motion. By point of order, the Ordinance will hold over until after the public hearing on
February 18, 2014.
5. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2014 Budget and To Enter into an Agreement with
Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission to Provide Administrative
Services for CDBG Community Enhancement Project No. LR-CE-PF-13-008 for Construction
of an ADA Compliant Baseball “Field of Dreams” at a Cost Not to Exceed $25,000.00 (Zero
Net Cost to City.) (Sponsored By: Councilor Chambliss)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2014, Page 013
Councilor Chambliss made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Brown seconded
the motion. Councilor Boles asked if this project has been funded and who was responsible.
The CDBG project has been funded. Mayor Gillespie responded that Sara Byard, with
CARPDC, was responsible for the application with the assistance of city staff and volunteers.
The Mayor also noted that with the failure to be funded in the first application cycle, the City
was able to connect ADEM with the YMCA. The YMCA has the potential to receive funding
from ADEM to use recycled materials for the surface of the field.
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
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6. RESOLUTION: To Enter into an Agreement with CARPDC to Provide Administrative
Services for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Planning Grant Project No.
LR-PF-PL-13-002 at a Cost Not to Exceed $10,000.00. (Sponsored By: Council President
Wood)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2014, Page 014
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin 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 : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
7. ORDINANCE: To Surplus Two (2) Vehicles from the Police Department. (Sponsored By:
Councilor Chambliss)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2014, Page 003
Councilor Chambliss 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 Boles seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). There being no
discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Mr. Loyd Bittle, 1403 Morningview Drive, presented the Council with pictures of the mining
operation adjacent to the Beacon Hill subdivision, Wiregrass Construction as they started
their project for the State of Alabama, and the “strip mine” created in the pasture. Mr. Bittle
would like to go on public record regarding this project and to request information regarding
what effect the erosion of the property will have on the subdivision, the impact on the
roadways, and the impact on ground water. Mr. Bittle would also like to see a reclamation
plan for the property. County Road 86 and Indian Hills Road run adjacent to this property.
The neighborhood has been subject to large dump trucks entering and exiting the subdivision
every five minutes for approximately six months.
Council President Wood referred the matter to the Planning and Administrative
Departments. Mr. Bittle stated he has contacted the Planning Department. Council President
Wood referred Mr. Bittle to the Mayor following the meeting.
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Mr. Jon Paul O’Driscoll, Chair of the Autauga County PALS, informed the Council of
upcoming events. On Saturday, January 25, 2014, PALS will hold a paper shredding and
electronic recycling event. Volunteers from Prattville High School will assist with this event.
The Spring Cleanup in April is currently in the planning process.
Councilor Boone noted that a shredder is available at the Gillespie Senior Center to assist
senior citizens with their shredding needs. On the second Monday of each month at the
Gillespie Center, citizens may bring documents to be safely shredded.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Councilor Boles thanked Commander Whaley for handling a garbage request at 5:00 p.m. on
Friday evening.
Council President Wood thanked City employees and Councilors for the jobs they do for the
City.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Council President Pro Tempore
Striplin made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Boone seconded the motion. The meeting
adjourned at 6:17 p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Willie L. Wood, Jr., President
Prattville City Council