Minutes 2013-10-15
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PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2013
6:02 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, October 15, 2013, at 6:02 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 PATIENCE: Accepting a difficult
situation without giving a deadline to remove it.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting October 1, 2013.
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor
Starnes seconded the motion. The minutes were adopted (7-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
None
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie reported that the City was opened for business on Columbus Day. The World
Wide Day of Play was a great success. The annual Spinner’s Pumpkin Patch will be held
October 26 and 27. The Halloween Candy Walk will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on
October 29. A newly formed stadium improvement committee met last week.
The Mayor asked Council to move forward on Item #1 covering parades and special events.
Items #2 and #3 are to surplus City equipment and other items. The City Clerk and other staff
members are developing standard operating procedures for the surplus of items. Item #4
addresses a need in the City’s self-funded health care program. Items #6 and #7 authorized
the hiring of budgeted positions. The City will use the utmost caution in filling these
positions.
Former Councilman Bobby Carter passed away yesterday. He served District 1 and was a
family friend. Former Councilman Carter was very active in downtown revitalization.
Councilor Chambliss noted he had heard that there had been a temporary or acting Public
Works Director appointed for thirty days. Mayor Gillespie responded that no one has been
appointed in that position. The Public Works Director position has not been duly assigned by
the Council. Mayor Gillespie added that Michael Whaley is on special assignment handling
the logistics of the five departments discussed in the public works program. A secretary has
been hired in a lateral move from the police department and is positioned at Vehicle
Maintenance. The secretary filled the position advertised in the Urban Management
Department and is assisting with Sanitation, Wastewater, Vehicle Maintenance, Urban
Management, and Facilities Maintenance.
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Councilor Boles asked if a position for the police department has been advertised. Mayor
Gillespie responded that interviews were scheduled to fill the secretarial vacancy in the Police
Department.
The Mayor explained that the secretary filled the advertised Urban Management Department
position. That position was vacated by a resignation and had been temporarily filled with a
seasonal hire. The position was advertised as a Secretary III with the mindset that the
position would serve day to day for those five departments.
REPORT ON THE STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
Finance Director Doug Moseley presented the financial reports for September 2013. The
Revenue report showed that with the fiscal year 91.67% complete, the City had received
101.01% of budgeted revenue.
The Tax Breakdown Comparison report compared September 2013 to September 2012
revenue receipts.
The Expenses by Department report showed most departments in the 80 to 90% range. In the
Finance Department, legal fees and sales tax audits pushed expenses over budget.
The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statements showed the year-to-date net at
($284,277.35). This was due to large capital purchases with a reserve built up to purchase.
The Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed the year-to-date net at
($132,875.21). This was also due to capital purchases. Both Enterprise Funds have one more
month of revenue to report.
The Group Health Fund Income Statement showed the year-to-date net at $728,891.76. This
is due in part to reduced claims and use of the CareHere Clinic.
The Bank Balances report compared account balances at September 2011, 2012, and 2013.
The Debt Reserve Fund at September 30, 2013 had a balance of $3,381,590.00, which is more
than enough for the November debt payment.
The Accounts Payable and Debt Balances reports compared the amount due at September
2011, 2012 and 2013. At September 30, 2011, the amount due was $59,693,449.00. At
September 30, 2013, the amount due was $50,190,397.00.
Councilor Boles asked if the debt payment would be made in October. Mr. Moseley responded
that the funds would be transferred at the end of October in order to make the November 1,
2013 debt payment. The payment will show on the November finance reports.
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin noted that the Enterprise Fund statements reflect
revenue from services, but do not reflect loan revenue.
Council President Wood asked Mr. Moseley to keep the Council apprised of any repercussions
due to the federal shutdown and furloughs which might affect the budget. Mr. Moseley added
that department heads have been asked to hold off on expenditures unless necessary. Mayor
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Gillespie noted that department heads have been also asked to go through the Mayor’s office
or Finance Department for any expenditures outside of day to day operations.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Councilor Chambliss announced that the Public Safety Committee will meet on Thursday,
October 24, 2013.
AGENDA:
1. ORDINANCE: To Amend City Code Chapter 54, Article III. Parades. (Sponsored By:
Councilor Boone) Held from October 1, 2013/Substitute Ordinance
ORDINANCE BOOK 2013, PAGE 044
Councilor Boone introduced a substitute Ordinance and made a motion to adopt the
Ordinance. Councilor Boles 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 Councilor Chambliss seconded the motion. The rules were
suspended (7-0). Councilor Boone explained that the substitute ordinance addressed the
timeline and extended the application deadline to forty-five days. This change will allow any
appeal to be considered at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting. Councilor Boone
thanked Meredith Dismukes for her work on this project. There being no further 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
2. ORDINANCE: To Surplus Various Items from the Police Department. (Sponsored By:
Councilor Chambliss)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2013, PAGE 045
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 Boles made a motion to suspend the rules and Council
President Pro Tempore Striplin 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
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3. ORDINANCE: To Surplus One (1) Vehicle and Various Equipment from the Sanitation
Department. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2013, PAGE 046
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin 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 Chambliss made a motion to
suspend the rules and Councilor Boone 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
4. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Three (3) Year Lease Agreement with
Karla Boles Properties, LLC for the CareHere Center at a Cost Not to Exceed $10,800.00 Per
Year. (Sponsored By: Council President Wood)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 148
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
5. RESOLUTION: To Award Bid No. 13-008 to Sansom Equipment for the Purchase of Two
(2) Trash Dump Trailers for the Sanitation Department in the Amount of $47,910.00.
(Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Striplin)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 149
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin 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:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
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6.RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Hiring of Five (5) Full-Time and One (1) Part-Time
Heavy Equipment Operators to Fill Previously Non-filled or Newly Budgeted Positions in the
Sanitation Department at an Annual Cost Not to Exceed $211,531.00 for Salaries and
Benefits. (Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Striplin)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 150
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. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Hiring of One (1) IT Specialist II to Fill a Previously
Non-filled or Newly Budgeted Position in the Information Technology Department at an
Annual Cost Not to Exceed $59,134.00 for Salary and Benefits. (Sponsored By: Councilor
Boles)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 151
Councilor Boles made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Boone seconded the
motion. Councilor Boles stated that the Autauga County School Board and Centerpoint
Church are also seeking IT Specialists with a budget of $80,000.00. The Council may need to
revisit the amount budgeted to fill this position at a later date. There being no further
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
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: None
CLOSING COMMENTS: None
Council President Wood announced that the Council needed to enter executive session to
discuss the good name and character of an individual. Councilor Starnes moved to enter
executive session and Council President Pro Tempore seconded the motion. The Council
voted (6-1) to enter executive session with Councilor Chambliss voting against the executive
session. Council President Wood announced the executive session would last approximately
one hour.
Councilor Chambliss asked for the reason for the executive session and if the attorney had
presented a letter. City Attorney David McDowell had provided the City Clerk with a letter of
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explanation for the executive session. That letter is made a part of the official record. Council
President Wood stated that the executive session would be to discuss the good name and
character of an individual. Councilor Chambliss explained that if this was not the case, he
would excuse himself from the executive session. He stated that the Council had been assured
during the budget process that the Public Works position would not be moved on until the
Council had an opportunity to deliberate, debate and vote on the matter. Councilor Chambliss
added that he intended to make a motion after the executive session to rescind the Public
Works portion from the currently adopted budget.
The Council entered executive session at 6:31 p.m.
Councilor Chambliss re-entered the Chamber at 6:45 p.m. Council President Wood
announced that the Council exited executive session and re-entered regular session at 6:47
p.m.
Councilor Chambliss made a motion from the floor to rescind the Public Works portion of the
2013-2014 Budget and Councilor Boles 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 Boone seconded the motion. The rules
were not suspended (3-4), with Council President Wood, Council President Pro Tempore
Striplin, Councilor Brown and Councilor Starnes voting against suspension of the rules. The
motion from the floor will hold over until the November 5, 2013 meeting.
Mayor Gillespie requested a work session or meeting to work out the differences concerning
Public Works.
Councilor Boles stated he understood that an individual is working on a special assignment
for thirty days and, that after thirty-one days, the individual’s salary would be adjusted. He
requested that the Mayor stop the special assignment at thirty days.
Mayor Gillespie stated that this information was incorrect. The Mayor added that he has had
a very short list of special assignments over the past three years: Vehicle Maintenance to
Urban Management, Webmaster to Mayor’s office, Urban Management to Parks and
Recreation, Police Department to Executive office, Fire Department to Executive office,
Performing and Creative Arts to Judicial, Fire Department to Facilities Maintenance,
Facilities Maintenance to the Fire Department, and Fire Department to Vehicle Maintenance,
Sanitation, Urban Management, Facilities Maintenance, Sanitation and Wastewater.
The secretarial position will serve five departments. In the past, Vehicle Maintenance, Urban
Management, and Sanitation have had secretaries. The Mayor added that over the past few
years, special assignments have allowed the City to accomplish tasks and to continue to
provide core services. One individual has attended multiple Council committee meetings and
provided reports.
Councilor Boles asked for assurance in writing that the salary of the individual on special
assignment would not change. The Mayor stated that the position does not go into effect in
the approved budget until January 2014. Councilor Boles expressed concern that the amount
of salary budgeted is less than the salary presented in the proposal.
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Councilor Boles added that the Council voted that no new positions would be filled without
authorization of the Council. Councilor Boles asked what will happen to the secretary filling
the position if Public Works is rescinded in the budget.
Council President Wood called a Council work session for October 21, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. in
the Council Chamber to discuss certain aspects of the budget. Councilors were asked to bring
their items for discussion to the work session.
Councilor Chambliss stated he did not recall since the budget was adopted that the Council
had voted to fill the Public Works secretary position. The City Clerk responded that the
Council had voted to reclassify the Urban Management secretary position from Secretary II to
Secretary III and approved filling of the position.
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 at 7:01 p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Willie L. Wood, Jr., President
Prattville City Council