Minutes 2011-02-14 Special MeetingCITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL SESSION
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2011
6:00 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in special session on Monday, February 14th
at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 101 West Main Street,
Prattville, Alabama, 36067. Roll was called and all were recorded as being
present.
Council President Miller announced that upon approval by the Council, they will
go into executive session to discuss the good name and character of an individual.
Councilman Renegar made a motion to go into executive session and Councilman
Argo seconded the motion. All were in favor (6-0). City Attorney David
McDowell presented City Clerk Gina Smith with a letter of explanation for the
executive session. The letter is made a part of the official record.
At 7:38 p.m., Councilman Argo made a motion to reconvene and Councilman
Boles seconded the motion. All were in favor (6-0).
Council President Miller recognized State Representative Paul Beckman and
Senator Bryan Taylor who were in attendance.
Councilman Argo made a motion to move item number 1 to the bottom of the
agenda and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. All were in favor (6-0).
AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: TO EXPRESS THE INTENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL
TO REQUEST STATE LEGISLATION ENABLING MUNICIPAL
AUTHORITY OF DRAFT BEER SALES WIHIN THE CORPORATE
CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF PRATTVILLE. (RESOLUTION
BOOK 2011, PAGE 031).
Councilman Argo made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman
Renegar seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was
adopted with the following vote:
AYES: WOOD, ARGO, MILLER, RENEGAR,
BOLES, FANK 6
NAYS: NONE 0
ABSTAINED: NONE 0
ABSENT: NONE 0
2. RESOLUTION: TO NAME TERRY BROWN AS INTERIM FIRE
CHIEF OF THE CITY OF PRATTVILLE. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011,
PAGE 032).
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Councilman Renegar made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman
Boles seconded the motion. Councilman Renegar made a motion to amend line
17 to read March 2, 2011, rather than the stated March 1, 2011, and Councilman
Boles seconded the motion. The Resolution was amended (6-0).
During discussion, Councilman Wood stated that while he supports Mayor
Gillespie, it is his decision not to support this Resolution. He continued by
stating that in his opinion, changing Public Safety Officials is not a good idea. He
also stated that his opposition is in no way, a reflection on Deputy Fire Chief
Terry Brown. He urged department heads to work with and support the Mayor.
Councilman Fank echoed Councilman Wood’s comments regarding a changed in
Public Safety leadership and went on to say that he, too, is confident in Deputy
Chief Brown’s abilities.
Councilman Argo commented that all department heads nominated by the Mayor
and submitted to the Council, serve until their term expires or until their
successor is duly qualified and appointed. Therefore, no politically appointed
department head is entitled to their position. He also stated that the Mayor is
free at any time to submit a name to the Council. After stating his respect for
Chief Gann, Councilman Argo said that his vote in favor of the Resolution is to
affirm Mayor Gillespie’s right.
Councilman Fank called for a division of the house and the Resolution was
adopted with the following vote:
AYES: ARGO, MILLER, RENEGAR,
BOLES 4
NAYS: WOOD, FANK 2
ABSTAINED: NONE 0
ABSENT: NONE 0
3. RESOLUTION: TO APPOINT ALBERT C. STRIPLIN AS COUNCIL
MEMBER FOR DISTRICT ONE. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011, PAGE
033).
Councilman Renegar made the motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman
Fank seconded the motion. During discussion, Councilman Renegar expressed
his appreciation to the 20 qualified candidates who sent in resumes and letters of
intent for Council District 1 seat. The Resolution was adopted with the following
vote:
AYES: WOOD, ARGO, MILLER, RENEGAR,
BOLES, FANK 6
NAYS: NONE 0
ABSTAINED: NONE 0
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ABSENT: NONE 0
At this time, City Attorney David McDowell administered the Oath of Office to
Mr. Striplin.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Councilman Wood congratulated Councilman Striplin.
Councilman Argo commented that with the difficult issues and decisions facing
the Council, Councilman Striplin will be an asset. He also informed everyone that
he will be absent from the February 15th regular council meeting.
Councilman Renegar congratulated Councilman Striplin.
Councilman Boles stated that he looks forward to working with Councilman
Striplin. He also stated that he has called the FBI, ABI, and the DEA to
check into the possibility of misappropriated funds. He informed department
heads that they are to blame for getting the City into this mess, he has put up with
it for 2 years and he’s fed up. He told them if they had their time in to retire, to
get out.
Councilman Fank congratulated Councilman Striplin.
Council President Miller expressed his appreciation to the candidates who
interviewed for the Council District 1 seat. He stated that it was a difficult
decision because there were so many who would make great councilmembers.
Regarding the budget, Council President Miller stated that he anticipates Mayor
Gillespie will present his proposed budget on February 15th. A work session
will be held on February 22nd, at 6:00 p.m. at Doster Memorial Community
Center, followed by a public hearing at 6:00 p.m., on Thursday, February 24th at
City Hall.
Councilman Striplin thanked members of the Council for the confidence they have
shown in him. He urged citizens to support the Council in their decisions in
moving our city forward.
Mayor Gillespie thanked all candidates for Council District 1 seat who have
expressed their interest in serving our community. He also praised department
heads for pulling together to work with him and the Finance Department on the
budget.
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ADJOURN:
_________________________
Stephanie J. Southerland
Interim City Clerk
_________________________
Thomas M. Miller, President
Prattville City Council