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Minutes 2012-06-051 PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2012 6:12 P.M. The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 6:12 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Council President Renegar gave the invocation. Roll was called and Councilor Brown was recorded as being absent. THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS HONOR: Respecting others because of the higher authorities they represent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Minutes from May 15, 2012. Council President Pro Tempore Fank made a motion to approve the minutes and Councilor Miller seconded the motion. The minutes were approved (6-0). At 6:15 p.m. Council President Renegar granted State Senator Bryan Taylor a point of personal privilege. Senator Taylor briefed the Council on where we stood after the Legislative Session. The State Finance Office expects there to be no proration in the Education Trust Fund and no additional proration in the General Fund for this FY. There is currently a $200,000,000 shortfall for the FY2013 General Fund Budget. This is partly due to the stimulus running out. 87.5 cents of every dollar is already earmarked to be spent by an agency, department or group before it ever makes it to Montgomery. The Legislature’s challenge is decided how to allocate the remaining 12 cents. The Legislature, under the Governor’s leadership, chose to pass the budget and to submit Constitutional Amendment, to allow voters to decide whether or not to tap into the State’s savings account. The State’s savings account is over $1,000,000,000. If the voters decide against this, the Legislation will go back in Special Session in October. In an effort to streamline government the Legislature has passed bills that eliminate tax payer funded retirement for convicted felons, crack down on unemployment fraud and require public data base for bids and contracts. The Legislature passed pension reform this year. Tax payers subsidize $1 billion a year for state employee’s and teacher’s pension funds. This pension reform does not affect existing employees, but raises retirement age for new employees. The Legislature also passed the Heroes for Hire Act, which offers a $2,000 tax credit to businesses hiring a veteran. Economic Development Incentives were passed to attract aviation and aerospace manufacturing. 2 The Alabama Data Processing Center Economic Incentive expands the scope of certain tax incentives and allows the Legislature to recruit data processing centers. The Alabama Film Incentive Act was passed to attract the film industry to Alabama. Autauga County will be in one Senate district again. The Legislature passed a Constitutional Amendment to the 2007 Legislative pay raise. This will allow the voters to decide whether to repeal the pay raise and also whether it will ever be allowed to happen again (this makes it a Constitutional amendment). The amendment also fixes the Legislative salary at no more than the median household income. It would also require that Legislators complete expense reimbursement requests. Councilor Boles expressed his appreciation to Senator Taylor for prompt response to phone messages and being available for questions. Senator Taylor responded that he will always try to stay in contact with constituents and provided his personal cell phone number. Council President Renegar invited State Representative Paul Beckman to attend the Council meeting. Senator Taylor informed the Council that Representative Beckman had a conflict, but would try to be present before the meeting adjourns. COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA: Richard Minnick, 105 Asbury Drive, President of Home Owners Association, ask if the expenditure in Item #6 was planned. Mr. Minnick suggested that item titles include where the funds are coming from. He suggested that the budget on the City’s website be updated as the budget changes. Regarding Item #4, Mr. Minnick asked if the Police Department looked at total costs of ownership of these SUVs, maintenance, average lifespan and schedule for replacement. The 2011 Police Department Report showed 74 Sworn Officers. According to the City website now have 83 and 90 vehicles in use. Mr. Minnick added that while we do appreciate that our Officers are able to take their vehicles home, it is not necessary. Council President Renegar informed Mr. Minnick that there are 78 Sworn Officers and the SUVs in Item #6 are needed for replacements. The Mayor and Police Chief are working on a program for rotation for the vehicles use and purchase. MAYOR’S REPORT: In response to Mr. Minnick’s budget comments, the Mayor reported that the budget on the City website was updated 10 days ago and Police Department information is presented at the beginning of each calendar year. Police vehicle are being taken home only by those Officers who reside in the City Limits of Prattville. There is also a No Idling Policy in place to cut back on fuel usage. Some of the vehicles are being used for multiple shifts. It has been observed that a vehicle with one responsible owner is likely to be better maintained, extending the life of said vehicle. 3 The Mayor asked that the Council move forward with Item #4 stating that the City was working on a program which would allow these vehicles to rotate with other departments. These SUVs can be equipped with trailer hitches making them more suitable to eventually be passed down to other departments; for example, Urban Management or Leisure Services. The 2014 Area will bring changes, such as the City will be taking over the maintenance of ditches and streets. The Police Jurisdiction will disappear, allowing the police department to better focus on the needs of the citizens inside City Limits. The Mayor urged the Council to move forward with Item #3. There was an accident involving an ambulance and the City received insurance money, which will be used towards the cost of this remount. The Mayor has been working with the Finance Director and other department heads to create a capital replacement program for all equipment, with the help of the implementation of Enterprise Funds. The Mayor asked the Council to move forward on Item #6. This agreement is due to a name change and subsequently opened the door for negotiations. The savings could be enough to pay for the agreement itself. The Mayor asked that the Council move forward on Items #7, #8 and #9 Mayor Gillespie reported that there was a good turnout for the Memorial Day celebrations at Pratt Park. The City had a retro day charging only 25 cents for hotdogs and admission. Approximately 500 people attended. The Mayor held the weekly Department Head meeting at Pratt Park to discuss the 4th of July event. It will be one of the best. REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Council President Renegar reported that the Finance Committee met last night to discuss Items #2, #3, #4, #6 and #9. The Finance Committee supports these Items. 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: Council President Pro Tempore Fank) RESOLUTION BOOK 2012, PAGE 062 Council President Pro Tempore Fank made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Striplin seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, RENEGAR, MILLER, BOLES, FANK 6 NAYS : NONE 0 4 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : BROWN 2. ORDINANCE: To Rezone Property Located at 201 Gin Shop Hill Road from B-2 to R-4. (Sponsored By: Council President Renegar) ORDINANCE BOOK 2012, PAGE 017 Council President Pro Tempore Fank made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilor Boles seconded the motion. By point of order, it necessary for the council rules to be suspended if immediate action is to be considered. Councilor Wood made a motion to suspend the rules and Council President Pro Tempore Fank seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (6-0). Council President Pro Tempore Fank expressed his total support of the Ordinance and his appreciation to the developers as well as the citizens involved with this project. There being no further discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, RENEGAR, MILLER, BOLES, FANK 6 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : BROWN 3. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2012 Budget and to Award Bid No. 012-005 in the Amount of $29,520.00 to Peach State Ambulance for Type 1 Ambulance Remount. (Sponsored By: Councilor Miller) RESOLUTION BOOK 2012, PAGE 063 Councilor Miller made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Boles seconded the motion. By point of order, it is necessary for the council rules to be suspended if immediate action is to be considered. Council President Pro Tempore Fank made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Boles seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (6-0). Ther being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, RENEGAR, MILLER, BOLES, FANK 6 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : BROWN Councilor Miller took a point of personal privilege to inform certain individuals in the audience that it was acceptable to leave the Council meeting once the agenda item of their concern was discussed. 4. RESOLUTION: To Award Bid No. 012-006 to Autauga Automotive, LLC d/b/a Gilmore Ford for the Purchase of Three (3) 2013 Explorer Interceptor Utility Police Pursuit SUVs at a Cost of $73,503.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor Wood) RESOLUTION BOOK 2012, PAGE 064 5 Councilor Wood made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Council President Pro Tempore Fank seconded the motion. Councilor Boles inquired to whether these vehicles would be paid for by cash and Mayor Gillespie responded that they would. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, RENEGAR, MILLER, BOLES, FANK 6 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : BROWN 5. 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: Council President Pro Tempore Fank) RESOLUTION BOOK 2012, PAGE 065 Councilor Miller made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Council President Pro Tempore Fank seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, RENEGAR, MILLER, BOLES, FANK 6 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : BROWN 6. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2012 Budget and to Authorize the Mayor to Execute a Cable Television Franchise Management Service Agreement with Local Government Services, LLC at a Cost Not to Exceed $6,000.00. (Sponsored By: Council President Renegar) RESOLUTION BOOK 2012, PAGE 066 Councilor Striplin made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Miller seconded the motion. By point of order, it is necessary for the council rules to be suspended if immediate action is to be considered. Council President Pro Tempore Fank made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Wood seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (6-0). There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, RENEGAR, MILLER, BOLES, FANK 6 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : BROWN 7. ORDINANCE: To Surplus One (1) 1994 Ford F800 from the Sanitation Department. (Sponsored By: Councilor Miller) ORDINANCE BOOK 2012, PAGE 018 6 Councilor Wood made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilor Boles 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 Wood made a motion to suspend the rules and Council President Pro Tempore Fank seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (6-0). There be no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, RENEGAR, MILLER, BOLES, FANK 6 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : BROWN 8. ORDINANCE: To Surplus One (1) Kawasaki Mule from the Wastewater Department. (Sponsored By: Councilor Miller) ORDINANCE BOOK 2012, PAGE 019 Councilor Miller made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilor Striplin 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 Striplin seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (6-0). There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, RENEGAR, MILLER, BOLES, FANK 6 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : BROWN 9. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Hiring of a Temporary Part-Time Building Inspector for the Fire Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $7,025.00. (Sponsored By: Council President Renegar) RESOLUTION BOOK 2012, PAGE 067 Councilor Striplin made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Council President Pro Tempore Fank 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 Wood made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Miller seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (6-0). There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, RENEGAR, MILLER, BOLES, FANK 6 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : BROWN COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: 7 Eula Mae Corley, 641 Allenville Road, Prattville, addressed the Council regarding her address appearing in Item #1. Ms. Corey requested a time extension. City Planner Joel Duke informed Ms. Corley that 641 Allenville Road had been cut and the violation cleared. Vince Jones, 1134 Perryhill Loop, Prattville. Mr. Jones stated that each year he and his wife sponsor the Summer Slam event. This year’s event will be held at the Prattville High School on Saturday, June 9, 2012. He invited the Mayor, the Councilors and the public to attend the event. All Summer of the Slam events are free admission. Council President Pro Tempore Fank asked what the times for the event were. Mr. Jones announced that the weigh-in begins at 7:00 and the competition begins at 8:00 for third through eighth grade. The high school weigh-in begins at 1:00 and their completion is at 2:00. Council President Renegar announced that the County Commissioner Sid Thompson was in attendance. County Commissioner Thompson stated that she was very interested in the Gin Shop Hill Project. CLOSING COMMENTS: Mayor Gillespie announced that State Representative Paul Beckman would not be able to make it to the Council meeting but would try to attend the next one. Mayor Gillespie thanked Burk Lambert and his company for invested in the City of Prattville and looks forward to working with them. Councilor Striplin expressed his appreciation to Development Group for the Gin Shop Hill Project. Councilor Wood welcomed the developers to Prattville. Councilor Miller apologized for arriving late to the Public Hearing and welcomed the developers to Prattville. Councilor Boles expressed his excitement for the Gin Shop Hill project. Council President Pro Tempore Fank stated that he felt there was a moral obligation to preserve this historic building and welcomed the developers to Prattville. Burk Lambert thanked the Council and stated that none of it would be possible without the help of the City Planner Joel Duke’s efforts. Council President Renegar welcomed the developers to Prattville and thanked them for the investment in the City of Prattville. ADJOURN: Council President Pro Tempore Fank took a point of personal privilege to wish everyone a happy Father’s Day. 8 There being no further business to come before the council, Council President Pro Tempore Fank made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Striplin seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (6-0) at 7:17p.m. APPROVED: ___________________________ Cathy Dickerson City Clerk ___________________________ Michael E. Renegar, President Prattville City Council SUBMITTED BY: ___________________________ Jamie F. McClellan Assistant City Clerk