Minutes 2013-08-201
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013
6:03 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, August 20, 2013, at 6:03 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 GENTLENESS: Showing
consideration and personal concern for others.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting August 6, 2013.
Councilor Boles made a motion to approve the minutes and Councilor Starnes seconded the
motion. The minutes were approved (7-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
None
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie was granted a point of personal privilege for the unveiling of former Prattville
Mayor and Director of ADECA Jim Byard, Jr.’s portrait, and to allow Mr. Byard to speak. Mr.
Byard stated that he was honored to have served the citizens of Prattville for 19 years. He
reflected on the positive events that took place during his term as Mayor, such as the arrival
of Robert Trent Jones golf course, Medline Industries, Fras-le North America, and Bass Pro
Shops. There were also some difficult times, including the loss of Shannon Paulk and the
2008 tornadoes. Mr. Byard was honored to have portrait hang beside Former Mayor C. Gray
Price’s portrait. Mayor Gillespie thanked Mr. Byard.
Mayor Gillespie was granted a second point of personal privilege to allow former Councilor
and representative for the Autauga County Medical Association Dr. Tom Miller, Dr. Martin
Wybenga and Dr. Lee Carter to address the Council. Dr. Wybenga presented the Mayor with a
$1,500.00 check from the Autauga County Medical Society. This donation is made in honor of
the late Dr. Kevin Coady and is to be designated for the purchase of park benches at the City’s
Splash Pad, at Pratt Park. Dr. Miller described Dr. Coady as a respected physician as well as a
community and family man. Mayor Gillespie stated that he was honored to have known Dr.
Coady, and through this donation his name will live on.
Mayor Gillespie supports Consent Agenda Items #2 and 3 and Agenda Items #2, 3 and 4.
The Mayor asked that the Council revisit the Resolution requiring Council approval to hire.
Council support was requested on Agenda Item #6. The new fire engine being purchased will
be replacing fire engine #4. E4 is a 19 year old fire engine that has been on approximately
15,800 calls and has about 128,344 miles on it. E4 is a first responder engine and its age is an
issue. Once the new engine is purchased E4 will become a reserve apparatus.
The City will hold a Budget Hearing on Friday, August 30, 2013, at 3:00 p.m., in the Council
Chambers at City Hall.
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The City is proud to have their new Purple Heart Flag flying in front of City Hall.
The Way Off Broadway Theater will be showing “Collected Stories” through September 1,
2013.
Labor Day is September 2nd, and trash and garbage will not be picked up that day.
Mayor Gillespie and his wife, Stephanie, will be celebrating their wedding anniversary on
August 23rd. the Mayor thanked his wife for attending the tonight’s Council meeting.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin reported that the Sanitation and Wastewater
Departments began the budget review process at the Sanitation and Wastewater Committee
meeting on August 12th.
Councilor Boles reported that the Fire Committee supports Agenda Items #5 and 6.
Councilor Boone reported that the Urban Management Committee met on August 19th to
begin the budget review process.
REPORT ON THE STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
The Revenue report shows the General Fund and Capitol Projects Fund. Year to date the City
is up 7.06% or $1.9 million over last year. A few line items are lagging. On the revenue side
the City is 75% through the year. Fines and forfeitures are at 67.5%, alcohol tax is at 71.7%
and tobacco tax is at 67.25%. Everything else is over 75% which is positive.
The July unaudited expense by department sheet shows that most departments are in line for
expenses. The City is 83.33% through the year on expenses because of accruals. The Judicial
Department is at 105% of their budget due to the jail contract. This contract will be budgeted
for next year.
The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statement shows that this department has received
81.43% of its budgeted revenues and has spent 79.43% of its budgeted expenses. The
Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statement shows that this department has received
75.63% of its budgeted revenue and has spent 74.07% of its budgeted expenses.
The Bank Balance Report shows a drastic increase from 2011 to 2013. The total balance of all
accounts on July, 31, 2011 was $779,570.00 and as of July 31, 2013 that balances was
$12,646,000.00. Since this report was ran the City has opened and deposited $700,000.00
into a General Fund Reserve account. The City has also opened a Capitol Equipment Reserve
account. When the City sells a vehicle or piece of equipment the proceeds are to be deposited
into this account; with the exception of vehicles or equipment that where purchased with
enterprise or drug proceeds funds. The funds can then be used for future purchases of
equipment or vehicles. A Lodging Fee account has also been opened and the City will begin
receiving those funds next month.
The Accounts Payable and Debts Balances Report shows a drastic decrease from 2011 to 2013.
On July 31, 2011 the debt balance was $60,011,749 and as of July 31, 2013 it was
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$50,317,000.00. Since this report was ran the City has paid off a $304,000.00 pumper truck
and a $115,000.00 lease from Suntrust. The City did borrow funds in the amount of
$900,000.00 through the Wastewater Enterprise Fund to purchase property for a sludge
field. These changes will be reflected in next month’s report.
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 Chambliss)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 122
2. RESOLUTION: To Appoint Dr. Edwin Mullins to the Water Works Board. (Sponsored
By: Council President Wood)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 123
3. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter Into an Alabama Recycling Fund Grant
Agreement with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. (Sponsored By:
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 124
4. 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 Chambliss)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 125
Councilor Chambliss made a motion to place Items #1-4 on a Consent Agenda and Council
President Pro Tempore Striplin seconded the motion. There being no discussion, Items #1-4
were placed and a Consent Agenda and adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT
AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Special Retail-More than 30 Days License to Apple Seven
Services Southeast, L.P. d/b/a Courtyard Prattville. (Sponsored By: Council President Pro
Tempore Striplin)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 126
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,
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WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT
2. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Hiring of One (1) Athletic Director to Fill a Budgeted
Vacancy in the Leisure Services Department at an Annual Cost Not to Exceed $53,591.00 for
Salary and Benefits. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boone)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 127
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, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT
3. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Hiring of One (1) Police Officer to Fill a Budgeted
Vacancy in the Police Department at an Annual Cost Not to Exceed $51,964.00 for Salary and
Benefits. (Sponsored By: Councilor Chambliss)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 128
Councilor Chambliss 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, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT
4. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Hiring of One (1) Secretary III to Fill a Budgeted
Vacancy in the Urban Management Department at an Annual Cost Not to Exceed $44,188.00
for Salary and Benefits. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boone)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 129
Councilor Boone 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
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ABSENT
5. RESOLUTION: To Release Funds for the Purchase of One (1) 8.5’ x 20’ V Nose Cargo
Trailer from TNT Outfitters, LLC for the Fire Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $9,682.00.
(Sponsored By: Councilor Boles)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 130
Councilor Boles made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Boone 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
6. RESOLUTION: To Release Funds for the Purchase of One (1) E-One Class A Pumper and
Equipment from Sunbelt Fire through the H-GAC Purchasing Cooperative (Contract #FS12-
11) for the Fire Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $500,000.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor
Boles)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 131
Councilor Boles 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
7. ORDINANCE: To Surplus Two (2) Vehicles from the Wastewater Department.
(Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Striplin)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2013, PAGE 038
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 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
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8. RESOLUTION: To Request Attorney General Opinion Regarding the Donation of
Property to the City from a Sitting Councilmember. (Sponsored By: Council President Pro
Tempore Striplin) FROM THE FLOOR
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 132
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin made a motion to adopt the Resolution 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 Brown seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-
0). Councilor Boles announced that he would be abstaining from this vote. There being no
further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : BOLES 1
ABSENT
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
None
CLOSING COMMENTS:
The Mayor and Police Chief Mark Thompson are working on a Weeded Lots Status Report to
present to the Council.
Mayor Gillespie hopes to see everyone at Pratt Park for the Labor Day bar-b-que.
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin welcomed Interim Wastewater Director Walter Love.
Council President Wood thanked all employees and wished Mr. Love well.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Council President Pro Tempore
Striplin made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. The meeting
adjourned (7-0) at 6:48 p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
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___________________________
Willie L. Wood, Jr., President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY:
___________________________
Jamie Ferrari
Assistant City Clerk