Minutes 2012-03-061
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2012
6:01 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at 6:01 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 Council President Pro
Tempore Fank was recorded as being absent.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS COMPASSION: Investing whatever is
necessary to heal the hurts of others.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council meeting February 21, 2012. Councilor Boles made
the motion to approve the minutes and Councilor Striplin seconded the motion. The minutes
were approved (6-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
Matt Holtzscher, 246 Wetumpka, Prattville, addressed Items 4 and 5. Mr. Holtzscher, a
registered forester and licensed herbicider, asked if Council members had considered the
costs associated with spraying chemicals and the wear and tear on equipment from the
corrosive nature of chemicals.
Council President Renegar stated that he appreciated the comments from Mr. Holtzscher and
that the Council members had researched these concerns. Urban Management Director Ken
Johnson presented a complete report with recommendations during the Finance Committee
meeting.
Jerry Cimis, 141 North Chestnut Street, Prattville, spoke concerning Items 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Regarding hiring the Medical Director as an employee in Item 1, Mr. Cimis stated there is
normally a set of assurances when the director is hired by clients. Mr. Cimis questioned if Dr.
Mahaganasan has his own liability insurance and added that he is concerned about exposure.
Regarding Items 2, 3 and 4, Mr. Cimis agreed that Urban Management Department will have
more accountability and better control for less expense. During the Finance Committee
meeting, Urban Management Director Ken Johnson explained that he has 27 positions with
15 filled and that he needs 34 employees. The three Resolutions expend a total of $37,389
from budget item Urban Management Capital Outlay. The adopted budget includes only
$12,000 in Urban Management Capital Outlay. Mr. Cimis recommended amending the
budget to move funds from urban forestry to capital outlay.
Regarding Item 6, Mr. Cimis noted that he is aware that the developer plans to pay all costs of
sewer installation in the Glennbrooke Subdivision, Phase 2. Mr. Cimis expressed concern that
the Wastewater Enterprise Fund will receive the sewer revenues from this sub-division and
that the fund will be able to cover sewer maintenance in the long run.
Council President Renegar thanked Mr. Cimis for his comments and asked City Attorney
David McDowell if the Council legally needed to amend the budget to move funds from urban
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forestry to capital outlay. Mr. McDowell responded it is not a legal issue which line items are
expended as long as the money is available, but it may be a good accounting practice.
Interim Finance Director Doug Moseley stated that the audit process would move the
purchases to capital outlay, but it would be a cleaner accounting process to re-allocate funds
as opposed to pulling from Urban Forestry Contract Services for capital expenditures. He
added Items 2, 3, and 4 are capital outlay and Item 5 is not capital outlay as no item is over
$5,000.00.
Councilor Striplin noted that Item 3 is already budgeted in capital outlay.
Council President Renegar asked if the funds need to be re-allocated in the budget before the
Resolutions are adopted to expend the funds. Mr. Moseley responded the budget amendment
to move funds from the Urban Forestry line item to the Capital Outlay line item could be
added to each Resolution.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie recognized Lt. Darlene Christy. Lt. Christy presented to Mayor Gillespie a flag
flown by service men and women in Afghanistan for the City of Prattville. Mayor Gillespie
accepted the flag on behalf of the City of Prattville and stated that the flag would be mounted
and displayed at City Hall for all citizens to view.
Mayor Gillespie presented a Commendation to Lt. Darlene Christy honoring her for her
sacrificial service in Afghanistan and expressed appreciation to Lt. Christy on behalf of the
City.
Mayor Gillespie reported that the street project on Court Street should be completed on time
or ahead of schedule.
The next Recycling Committee meeting is scheduled for March 19, 2012.
The assessment of the IT Department should be ready to present to the Council at either the
next meeting or the first meeting in April.
The sales tax information for the month of February was sent to the Council and is available
online. The 1-percent sales tax has generated $4,241,000 total. The City has decreased its
overall debt by $10,693,000 or 16.4%. The balance on long-term debt is approximately
$54,487,000.
Upcoming events include the Arts Festival Dinner on March 22 and the Arts Festival and
North Highland Park Day on March 24. Baseball, soccer, and softball will start in the next
few weeks. In April, the “Touch a Truck” event will be held. City Fest will be held in May.
Mayor Gillespie asked that Resolutions be passed for the purchase of equipment to catch up
and keep up with growing grass.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
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Councilor Striplin reported that the Urban Management Committee did not meet as a whole,
but Ken Johnson provided the information he presented to the Finance Committee to
individual committee members.
Councilor Striplin also reported that information was presented to the Wastewater
Committee regarding Glennbrooke Subdivision, Phase 2. The city has a moratorium on
annexation in place due to re-districting that is not scheduled to be lifted until the election is
finalized. Phase 1 is in the city limits. In concurrence with the Planning Department, the
Wastewater Committee believes it to be in the best interest of the City to adopt Item 6.
Councilor Striplin encouraged the support of Items 2 through 6.
Councilor Miller explained that Item 1 was held from the last meeting in order to explore all
options regarding liability insurance coverage. A Memorandum of Understanding outlining
expectations and deliverables will be in place for this position. Councilor Miller will introduce
a substitute Resolution.
Council President Renegar stated that the Finance Committee met and concurs that Items 1
through 6 should be approved tonight.
AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO MEDICAL
DIRECTOR SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DR. JULIAN MAHAGANASAN AT
A COST NOT TO EXCEED $3,000.00.
The Resolution was held from the February 21, 2012 council meeting. Councilor Miller made
a motion to offer a substitute Resolution and Councilor Striplin seconded the motion.
SUBSTITUE RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE HIRING OF MEDICAL
SERVICE DIRECTOR AT AN ANNUAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $3,800.00 FOR
THE PRATTVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2012, PAGE 023.)
Councilor Boles questioned the need to hire as an employee and stated that the City of
Millbrook and the City of Montgomery contract with their Medical Directors. Chief Brown
responded that for the past three years, Dr. Boggs served in this position as a part-time
employee. During budget process, Chief Brown thought the funding was moved from salaries
and wages, but the funding is included in salaries and wages. The Medical Service Director
will continue to audit patient care reports to ensure that protocol is followed and that medics
are operating within the scope of their license.
Councilor Wood asked Fire Chief Terry Brown and Human Resources Director Lisa Thrash if
this expenditure includes benefits. Mrs. Thrash replied the only benefits offered will be FICA
and workman’s compensation, along with the $3,000.00 in annual salary. The total of
$3,800.00 includes both annual salary and benefits.
There being no further discussion, the substitute Resolution was adopted with the following
vote:
AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, BROWN,
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RENEGAR, MILLER, BOLES 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE 0
2. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE RELEASE OF FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED $10,780.00 FOR ONE (1) BOBCAT 3400 UTILITY VEHICLE
FOR THE CITY OF PRATTVILLE URBAN MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT.
(RESOLUTION BOOK 2012, PAGE 024).
Councilor Striplin made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Wood seconded the
motion. Councilor Boles moved to amend Line #24 to include: “Now therefore be it resolved
by the City Council of the City of Prattville that funds in the amount of $10,780.00 are
moved from FY2012 Budget Line Item Urban Management Department Urban Forestry to
FY2012 Budget Line Item Urban Management Department Capital Outlay.” The
amendment was seconded by Councilor Brown. The amendment was adopted (6-0). There
being no further discussion, the amended Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, BROWN,
RENEGAR, MILLER, BOLES 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE 0
3. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE RELEASE OF FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED $11,609.10 FOR ONE (1) HUSTLER SUPER Z 60 LAWN
MOWER FOR THE CITY OF PRATTVILLE URBAN MANAGEMENT
DEPARTMENT. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2012, PAGE 025).
Councilor Brown made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Striplin seconded the
motion. Councilor Boles clarified that funds for this purchase were budgeted in capital outlay.
There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, BROWN,
RENEGAR, MILLER, BOLES 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE 0
4. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE RELEASE OF FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT
UP TO $14,950.00 FOR ONE (1) ONE-TON FLAT BED TRUCK FOR THE CITY
OF PRATTVILLE URBAN MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT. (RESOLUTION
BOOK 2012, PAGE 026).
Councilor Miller made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Striplin seconded the
motion. Councilor Boles moved to amend Line #29 to include: “Now therefore be it resolved
by the City Council of the City of Prattville that funds in the amount of $14,950.00 are
moved from FY2012 Budget Line Item Urban Management Department Urban Forestry to
FY2012 Budget Line Item Urban Management Department Capital Outlay.” The
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amendment was seconded by Councilor Brown. Councilor Striplin verified that the amount
was $14,950.00. The amendment was adopted (6-0). There being no further discussion, the
amended Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, BROWN,
RENEGAR, MILLER, BOLES 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE 0
5. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE RELEASE OF FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED $9,934.65 FOR SPRAY RIGS AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT FOR THE CITY OF PRATTVILLE URBAN MANAGEMENT
DEPARTMENT. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2012, PAGE 027).
Councilor Striplin made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Wood seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, BROWN,
RENEGAR, MILLER, BOLES 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE 0
6. RESOLUTION: TO EXTEND SEWER SERVICE TO GLENNBROOKE
SUBDIVISION, PHASE 2. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2012, PAGE 028).
Councilor Wood made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Striplin seconded the
motion. Councilor Wood asked City Planner Joel Duke if Phase 1 was in the city and if Phase 2
is the final phase. Mr. Duke replied that Phase 1 is in the city and Phase 2 is the only phase
that has been presented to the Planning Commission. Phase 2 consists of approximately 150
lots. There has been discussion of additional phases, but nothing has been presented to the
Planning Commission. Without a moratorium in place, they would have already requested
annexation and sought to have the property rezoned. They would have automatically had
access to the sewer as long as Planning Commission requirements were met. There being no
further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, BROWN,
RENEGAR, MILLER, BOLES 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE 0
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: None
CLOSING COMMENTS:
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Mayor Gillespie thanked the Council for their hard work. He also thanked the employees for
their dedication to provide services to the citizens of Prattville.
Mayor Gillespie invited citizens to attend the Way Off Broadway production of “All the King’s
Women” presented April 14-29. Mayor Gillespie will participate in a skit. Tickets range from
$8 to $10.
Councilor Striplin thanked the Council for their support and added they will see the fruits of
the efforts soon.
Councilor Wood announced that the North Highland Park Community Fun Day will be held
on March 24. The proceeds will support Oasis of Hope. In April, Oasis of Hope will distribute
$30,000.00 of food.
Councilor Brown encouraged citizens to support of the Arts Festival Dinner on March 22. The
dinner will honor Dr. Tonea Stewart.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the council, Councilor Wood made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Brown seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (6-0) at
6:49 p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Michael E. Renegar, President
Prattville City Council