Minutes 2013-04-161
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2013
6:01 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, at 6:01 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 were recorded as being
present.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS VIRTUE: The moral excellence evident
in my life as I consistently do what is right.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council Meeting April 2, 2013. Councilor Chambliss 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 and Chief Thompson presented the new logo for police vehicles. Mayor
Gillespie expressed appreciation to local artist Tommy Brown for allowing the police
department to use his “Prattville” script in the police department.
The new telephone system should be complete and in use by the end of the month. The
changeover will save the City approximately $45,000 per year. Finance and IT Director Doug
Moseley has also renegotiated the data rates for the City at a savings of approximately $2,300
per month.
The National Day of Prayer is May 2, 2013. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 a.m. at the
Doster Community Center.
City Fest will be held Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4, 2013.
The Boston Marath0n bombing was mentioned in the invocation. President Obama has
directed that flags be flown at half-staff through Saturday evening in respect and honor of the
victims of that tragedy.
Mayor Gillespie requested Council support of Item #1 – Back to School Sales Tax Holiday. He
also urged the Council to support Item #10. The bond refinancing will provide a savings of
more than $800,000 over the life of the bonds.
Mayor Gillespie recognized Reid Cavnar with Merchant Capital. Mr. Cavnar explained that
the City of Prattville received a credit rating upgrade from A- to A. The credit agencies were
impressed with the City’s good management of funds. Fund balances are up and expenses are
down. Credit belongs to the Mayor, Finance Director and the City Council. The market is
volatile, but the City was able to lock in over $825,000 in present value savings. Actual gross
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savings will be $922,000. The bonds were received well in the market. The interest rate of the
current bonds is 4.78%. The new interest rate will be 2.53%.
Mayor Gillespie asked the Council to move forward with Item #8 to approve the purchase of
an AFIX latent fingerprint workstation.
REPORT ON STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
Finance Director Doug Moseley presented a copy of the Budget Summary which included a
column showing the Amended Budget.
The March, 2013 Unaudited General Fund and Capital Projects Fund Revenue Report showed
revenue running $381,852 (2.17%) ahead of the previous year. With 41.67% of the year
complete, 58.39% of budgeted revenue has been collected. Business license revenue was
$22,504 over the previous year with 95.63% of the budgeted amount collected.
The Tax Breakdown Comparison showed revenue trending well.
With 50% of the budget year complete, the Unaudited Expenses by Department Report for
March, 2013 showed most departments running at 50% or below. Year-to-date, total expenses
were $813,066 below the previous year.
The Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed 42.78% of budgeted revenue
collected and expenses of 42.70%. The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statement
showed 46.94% of budgeted revenue collected and expenses of 43.59%. Both departments
were running ahead of budgeted revenue and below budgeted expenses.
The Bank Balances Report showed a comparison of account balances at month end of March,
2011, 2012, and 2013. At March 31, 2013, the total cash balance was $1,852,113. At March 31,
2013, the total cash balance was $10,860,517.
The City Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances Report showed the amount due at month
end of March, 2011, 2012, and 2013. At March 31, 2011, the total due was $60,915,922. At
March 31, 2013, the total due was $49,898,495.
Councilor Chambliss asked when the next debt payment is due. Mr. Moseley replied the next
payment is due May 1, 2013 and is just under $1 million. The City is also on track for the
November payment.
Council President Wood asked the amount of the current budget surplus. Mr. Moseley
responded the current budget surplus is $599,759.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin reported that the Wastewater Committee met to
discuss the problem of ground water seeping into the sewer system, resulting in additional
water being treated in the plants and causing higher processing costs. The committee is
reviewing ways to reduce the influx of ground water. The Sanitation Committee also met to
discuss a memorandum of understanding regarding a free study offered to the City to review
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the optimization of routes, the percentage of recyclable materials collected, and the
transportation costs incurred. The committee will continue to review future drafts of this
memorandum of understanding until satisfied.
Councilor Brown reported that the Streets Committee met on April 9, 2013 to continue the
discussion of developing a traffic calming policy and to review options for upcoming paving
projects.
Councilor Chambliss reported that the Public Safety Committee met to discuss the AFIX
tracker workstation. If fingerprints are in the River Region area database, results will be
available in a matter of minutes. This will allow the City to fight crime in an expedient
manner. The committee is in favor of Item # 8.
Councilor Boles called a meeting of the Fire Committee for April 23, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. to
review the current budget and begin to look at the budget for next year.
AGENDA:
1. ORDINANCE: To Exempt Certain “Covered Items” From the Municipal Sales and Use
Tax during the First Full Weekend of August, 2013, as Authorized by Act 2006-574,
Generally Referred to as the “Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday” Legislation.
(Sponsored By: Council President Wood)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2013, Page 016
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 for the council rules to be
suspended if immediate action is to be considered. Councilor Boles made a motion to suspend
the rules and Councilor Starnes 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
2. RESOLUTION: To Re-appoint Horace Powell to the Industrial Development Board.
(Sponsored By: Councilor Brown)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, Page 044
Councilor Brown 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
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ABSENT : NONE
3. RESOLUTION: To Release Funds for the Purchase of One (1) 72” Toro Model #74274
Lawn Mower from Prattville Outdoors for the Urban Management Department at a Cost
Not to Exceed $14,601.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boone)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, Page 045
Councilor Boone 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
4. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Hiring of One (1) Equipment Operator for the Urban
Management Department at an Annual Cost not to Exceed $35,594.00. (Sponsored By:
Councilor Boone)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, Page 046
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:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
5. RESOLUTION: To Authorize Demolition of Dilapidated Structure Located at 945
Newton Street at a Cost of $3,800.00 and to Award Contract to Alvin Thomas, Inc. to
Complete Demolition. (Sponsored By: Council President Wood)
HELD
This Resolution was held.
6. RESOLUTION: To Authorize Demolition of Dilapidated Structure Located at 801
Wilberforce Avenue at a Cost of $1,870.00 and to Award Contract to Alvin Thomas, Inc. to
Complete Demolition. (Sponsored By: Council President Wood)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, Page 047
Councilor Starnes 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,
5
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
7. RESOLUTION: Authorizing Application to the Alabama Department of Transportation
for Fiscal Year 2013 Transportation Enhancement Funds for a Project Total of $96,800.00,
with a Local Match of $19,360.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor Brown)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, Page 048
Councilor Brown made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Chambliss seconded
the motion. 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
8. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2013 Budget and To Release Funds for the Purchase of
an AFIX Tracker Latent Workstation from AFIX Technologies, Inc. for the Police
Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $13,500.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor Chambliss)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, Page 049
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 : NONE
9. RESOLUTION: To Appoint Lora Lee Boone to the E-911 Board. (Sponsored By: Council
President Wood)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, Page 050
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 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : BOONE 1
6
ABSENT : NONE
10. ORDINANCE: An Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance and Making Provision for the
Payment of $9,815,000 General Obligation Refunding Warrants, Series 2013-A.
(Sponsored By: Council President Wood)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2013, Page 017
Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilor Boone seconded the
motion. By point of order, it is necessary for the council rules to 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 : NONE
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
None
Susan Poole, Communications Director for International Paper, presented a check in the
amount of $3,000 from the International Paper Foundation to the Autauga Creek
Improvement Committee. The funds will be used to fund the purchase and installation of
educational kiosks and signage along Autauga Creek to mark and designate the significance of
environmental and historical features.
Mayor Gillespie thanked International Paper for giving back to the community. He also
thanked the Autauga Creek Improvement Committee for their accomplishments over the past
two years.
Council President Wood thanked International Paper, the Autauga Creek Improvement
Committee, Tommy Brown and others who volunteer their time and efforts to make Prattville
a better place.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Council President Wood announced that the Council will need to enter executive session.
Councilor Boles made a motion to enter executive session and Councilor Chambliss seconded
the motion. City Attorney David McDowell had provided a written statement to the City Clerk
with an explanation of the need to enter executive session. The statement will be made a part
of the official record. All were in favor (7-0). The Council entered executive session at 6:39
p.m.
At 7:47 p.m., Councilor Boles made a motion moved to reconvene into regular session and
Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. All were in favor (7-0).
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ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilor Chambliss made a
motion to adjourn and Councilor Boles seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at
7:48 p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Willie L. Wood, Jr., President
Prattville City Council