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Minutes 2012-11-201 PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012 6:01 P.M. The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 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 Councilor Boles was recorded as being absent. THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS GRATEFULNESS: Letting others know by my words and actions how they have benefited my life. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Organizational Meeting November 5, 2012; Public Hearing and City Council Meeting November 6, 2012.Councilor Boone made a motion to approve the minutes and Councilor Chambliss seconded the motion. The minutes were approved (6-0). COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA: None MAYOR’S REPORT: Council President Wood granted Mayor Gillespie a point of personal privilege. Fire Chief Terry Brown presented the Medal of Valor to Lt. Josh Brown. While off duty, Lt. Brown noticed a structure fire and rescued the family from the burning building. These actions were above and beyond the call of duty. Lt. Brown is a respected senior officer in the Prattville Fire Department. Lieutenant Spencer Williamson was honored as the “Firefighter of Year.” Lt. Williamson was elected for this honor by his peers. Fire Chief Brown added that Lt. Williamson is both an informal and formal leader. With over twenty years of service, Fire Chief Brown commended Lt. Williamson for his dedication and character. Mayor Gillespie congratulated Lt. Brown and Lt. Williamson and added that these awards show the type of leadership throughout all departments in the City of Prattville. Governor Bentley has requested a Christmas ornament from various cities throughout the state to be placed on the Christmas tree at the Capital. Mayor Gillespie thanked Kellie Cook and Barbara Simpson for their efforts. Mayor Gillespie presented the City of Prattville ornament which was hand drawn and painted by Barbara Simpson. The ornament will be delivered on November 21, 2012. The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin at 5:00 p.m. on November 29, 2012. The Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. Mayor Gillespie announced that there would be a Resolution brought from the floor to fill a vacancy in the Sanitation Department and urged the council to move forward with the Resolution. This department needs to be fully staffed in order to pick up all routes in a timely manner. 2 City administrative offices will be closed November 22 and 23 in observance of Thanksgiving. The Sanitation Department will collect Thursday and Friday routes on Friday. Mayor Gillespie wished each and every one a blessed Thanksgiving. Council President Wood congratulated Lt. Brown and Lt. Williamson on their accomplishments. Council President Wood also acknowledged all public safety officials, firefighters, and employees for the jobs they do. REPORT ON STATUS OF CITY FINANCES: Finance Director Doug Moseley presented the October Unaudited Revenue report. Mr. Moseley explained that at year end, the portion of October’s revenue collected for September is pulled back into September. The first column is actual revenue collected in October, 2012. The second column is year-to-date and shows a decrease due to revenue being pulled back into September. The September Unaudited Revenue report shows revenue with accruals made. In FY2012, the city budgeted $32.3 million in revenue and actually received $33.6 million; an increase in revenue of $1.3 million more than budgeted. While most line items are at budget, some continue to lag. The lodging tax should improve as the new hotel opens. The Tax Breakdown Comparison report compares October 2012, Adjusted October 2012, and October 2011, and includes the organic and actual differences. The October Unaudited Expenses by Department report includes the payroll accrual. Most departments are running in line. The Planning Department made large purchases in order to accomplish projects, but the purchases were within budget. The Wastewater Enterprise Fund and Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statements show both departments running in the black. The final report shows the bank account balances as of October 31, 2012. Councilor Chambliss noted that the sales taxes for the fiscal year are less than budgeted and asked if the additional revenue received was one-time money or a mix of monies. Finance Director Moseley responded that it was a mix of monies, including business licenses, fees, and property taxes. REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Councilor Boone reported that the Leisure Services Committee met on November 16. Leisure Services Director Drew Peterson provided the committee with an overview of the programs offered, fee schedules, and stadium usage. The Leisure Services Athletic Director has resigned. The committee also discussed the splash pad and viewed possible locations in Pratt Park. Councilor Boone thanked the city employees who provided advice to committee members on suggested locations for the splash pad. Council President Wood reported that the Finance Committee met today at 3:00 p.m. The committee reviewed the financial statements that were presented tonight. Council President Wood noted that the city is moving in the right direction. 3 AGENDA 1. RESOLUTION: To Appoint Jerry Schannep to the Board of Zoning Adjustment. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes) RESOLUTION BOOK 2012, Page 150 Councilor Starnes 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, BOONE 6 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : BOLES 2. ORDINANCE: To Surplus Two (2) Vehicles from the Fire Department. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boles) ORDINANCE BOOK 2012, Page 030 Councilor Boone 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 Chambliss made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Brown seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (6-0). There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOONE 6 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : BOLES Council President Pro Tempore Striplin announced that during today’s Finance Committee meeting, the committee was made aware of a vacancy in the Sanitation Department. Council President Pro Tempore Striplin introduced a Resolution from the floor to fill this vacancy and urged the Council to move forward with the Resolution and fill the budgeted position. 3. FROM THE FLOOR: RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Hiring of One (1) Service Maintenance Worker I for the Sanitation Department at an Annual Cost not to Exceed $31,532.00. (Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Striplin) RESOLUTION BOOK 2012, Page 151 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 for the council rules to be suspended if immediate action is to be considered. Councilor Brown made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (6- 0). Councilor Boone asked if this was a new hire or a replacement. Council President Wood responded that it was a replacement. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: 4 AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOONE 6 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : BOLES COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: None CLOSING COMMENTS: Mayor Gillespie recognized Mrs. Schannep in the audience and thanked her for her service to the community. The Mayor wished all present a Happy Thanksgiving. The Mayor explained that Creative Arts Director Kellie Cook requested nominations for the Grand Marshal for the Christmas Parade. The State Champion Prattville 11 and Under Boys Soccer Team will serve as Grand Marshals for the parade. Councilor Striplin expressed his appreciation to all personnel, especially the officers recognized tonight. He thanked City employees for all they do every day of the year. Councilor Brown reported that the Street Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 3:30 p.m. in the City Annex. Councilor Starnes thanked Mrs. Jerry Schannep for over twelve years of service on the Planning Commission and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Council President Wood thanked those who attended the council meeting and thanked Mrs. Schannep for the time she has served. Council President Wood thanked the Lord for His blessings and noted that we live in a land that is truly blessed each day. He thanked the employees for all they do. Council President Wood reported that the January 1, 2013 council meeting will be rescheduled for January 8, 2013. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the council, Councilor Striplin made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Chambliss seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (6-0) at 6:30 p.m. 5 APPROVED: ___________________________ Cathy Dickerson City Clerk ___________________________ Willie L. Wood, Jr., President Prattville City Council