Loading...
Minutes 2013-01-151 PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2013 6:01 P.M. The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at 6:01 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Councilor Boone gave the invocation. Roll was called and all were recorded as being present. THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS ORDERLINESS: Arranging myself and my surroundings to achieve greater efficacy. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting January 8, 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: The portraits of the current City Council members are now displayed in the foyer of City Hall. For the third consecutive year, the Yellow Pages has once again chosen a City photograph for their cover. The photograph was taken by Teresa Lee. Mayor Gillespie noted that it have been almost two years since he first stood before the Council asking for his three T’s: time, tools, and talent. The Mayor requested the Council to move forward with agenda Items #1 and #2. In order to further reduce personnel costs this fiscal year, Finance Director Doug Moseley is also serving as the I.T. Director. The pay grade for Finance Director in Item #2 does not reflect the budgeted funding for these additional I.T. responsibilities. Cathy Dickerson has proven to be the correct choice for City Clerk. Kellie Cook has been recommended to be appointed as Leisure Services Director. The Performing Arts Department will merge with the Leisure Services Department. Mark Thompson has been recommended to be appointed as Police Chief. Mr. Thompson has served as a veteran law enforcement officer. Rick Teague, Sanitation, and Kenny Rawlinson, Vehicle Maintenance, have served in an interim capacity and are also recommended for appointment. Mayor Gillespie asked that the Council move forward with all of his appointment recommendations in Item #2. REPORT ON STATUS OF CITY FINANCES: Finance Director Doug Moseley presented the December, 2012 financial reports. The Unaudited Revenue report showed that the City had received 18.59% of budgeted revenue with 16.67% of the year complete. Business license revenue for December was at 1.02% of the budgeted amount; business license renewals were mailed out at the end of December. 2 The Tax Breakdown Comparison report showed December, 2012 in line with December, 2011. The December Unaudited Expenses report showed that the City had spent 28% of budgeted expenses with 25% of the year complete. These expenditures also included debt service. The Wastewater Enterprise Fund and Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statements showed both departments running in the black and in-line with the budget. The Bank Balances report showed a comparison of account balances at December, 2012 and December, 2011. The total cash balance for December 31, 2012 was approximately $5.4 million. At December 31, 2011, the total cash balance was approximately $1.2 million. By comparison, at the end of December, 2010, the total cash balance was approximately $581,000.00. The final report showed the City Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances. As of December 31, 2012, the amount owed was approximately $51.3 million. As of December 31, 2011, the City owed approximately $59.1 million. This report also included the payoff dates, call dates, and interest rates for all debt. Council President Wood noted that financial reports were sent to Council members prior to the meeting and encouraged Council members to contact Mr. Moseley for additional information. Councilor Chambliss expressed his appreciation for receiving the financial reports prior to the meeting. He added he was pleased with where the City is and where the City is headed. Councilor Chambliss attributed this improvement to Mayor Gillespie, Mr. Moseley, and department heads. Councilor Boles commended Mr. Moseley for his efforts in turning the ship around. Councilor Boles noted that in the past year, the bank account balances showed a growth of approximately $4.2 million and the debt balance has been reduced by approximately $7.8 million. Council President Wood thanked Mr. Moseley for his report. REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Councilor Brown reported that the Street Committee will meet on January 24 at 3:30 p.m. at the City Hall Annex. Councilor Starnes reported that the Vehicle Maintenance Committee will meet on January 18 at the City Shop. Councilor Boles announced that the I.T. and Fire Committees would call a meeting within in the next two weeks. Councilor Boone reported that the Leisure Services Committee met on January 11 and visited two splash pads; discussion included design, construction costs, and ongoing operational costs. 3 Councilor Wood announced that the Finance Committee met on January 10 to discuss possible bond refinancing. Mr. Moseley is gathering additional information concerning bond refinancing and will present this information to the Finance Committee for their review. AGENDA 1. RESOLUTION: To Appoint the City Clerk and the City Treasurer-Finance Director for the 2012 Quadrennium. (Sponsored By: Council President Wood) RESOLUTION BOOK 2013 PAGE 007 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 : NONE 2. RESOLUTION: To Appoint Department Heads. (Sponsored By: Council President Wood) RESOLUTION BOOK 2013 PAGE 008 Council President Pro Tempore Striplin 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 Council President Wood recognized Sherriff Johnson and thanked him and any other public officials for attending the council meeting. 3. ORDINANCE: To Surplus Two (2) Vehicles from the Police Department. (Sponsored By: Councilor Chambliss) ORDINANCE BOOK 2013 PAGE 004 Councilor Chambliss made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilor Starnes 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 Boone made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Brown 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, 4 WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 4. RESOLUTION: To Accept Maintenance of Covered Bridge Subdivision, Plat 2. (Sponsored By: Councilor Brown) RESOLUTION BOOK 2013 PAGE 009 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 ABSENT : NONE COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: None CLOSING COMMENTS: Mayor Gillespie introduced Sarah Byard, Community Development Manager with Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (CARPDC). Ms. Byard informed the Council that she will meet with Mayor Gillespie on January 16 to discuss a possible CDBG planning grant for the MLK area. Police Chief Mark Thompson thanked the Mayor and City Council for the appointment and for their vote of confidence. Chief Thompson thanked his family and friends for their support and added that the department will continue to strive to make Prattville a safe place to live and the hardest target in the State of Alabama for criminals to come to. Mayor Gillespie thanked the Council for their support of the “No Excuses, Just Results” team he pulled together. Council President Pro Tempore Striplin congratulated those appointed tonight and looks forward to working with them. Councilor Starnes congratulated department heads on their appointments and re- appointments and looks forward to working with them. Councilor Boles stated that the Council has given the Mayor the “talent” and “tools” in the appointments tonight. He added that over “time,” the Mayor has shown what he is capable of doing. Councilor Boles congratulated department heads on their appointment and looks forward to working with them. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, January 21 at the football stadium and end at First Missionary Baptist Church. 5 Councilor Boone congratulated all appointees and offered her support. Councilor Boone expressed appreciation to those have given any of their time to the City in the past and noted that they have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. Council President Wood congratulated all appointees and expressed his appreciation to department heads and every employee for the job they do for the City. For those employed and those leaving, Council President Wood prayed God’s blessings up them all. Also pray for the Teague family in the loss of Rick Teague’s mother. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Council President Pro Tempore Striplin made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Chambliss seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 6:29 p.m. APPROVED: ___________________________ Cathy Dickerson City Clerk ___________________________ Willie L. Wood, Jr., President Prattville City Council