Minutes 2020-02-181
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020 6:00 P.M. The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag,
Council President Striplin gave the invocation. Roll was called and all Councilors were present. THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS COMPASSION: Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting February 4, 2020. Councilor Boone made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. With no discussion, the minutes were adopted (7-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA: Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace stated she wished the annexation moratorium on Item #3 also included a building moratorium. In reference to Item #5, Ms. Finnegan asked if the Mayor will negotiate a purchase price for the Creekside Park and bring back to Council for approval.
Council President Striplin responded that the Mayor is working within a range and the Council will have final approval. MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie requested a Point of Privilege and recognized Autauga County Solid Waste Officer John-Paul O’Driscoll and members of Cub Scout Pack 111. The Scouts participated in a “#WhyLitter” video and created anti-litter slogans “Nature’s Critters Don’t Litter!” and “Litter is Bitter, So Be a Litter Quitter!” Mr. O-Driscoll reported that for the past six years, Troop 111 has been cleaning up Newton Park once a month as part of their civic duty.
The Mayor recognized Human Resources Department Director Lisa Thrash and her staff in the audience and expressed appreciation for the years of work they have put into developing the new Human Resources Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. This project has been in process since 2011. The City of Prattville is a service-oriented organization and this work
product will be utilized for many decades to come. Mayor Gillespie thanked the City Council for finding the funding for this manual. The remodeling of City Hall has helped with the efficiency of all departments. Because the Police Department was able to move the Public Safety Building, the additional space in City
Hall has helped the remaining staff to be more efficient and effective. The Mayor thanked Councilors for making that possible. This afternoon, the Board of Zoning Adjustment passed a variance with conditions for a more aesthetically pleasing Dollar General to be located on Main Street just prior to entering the
Downtown Historic District. The role of the municipality is to provide an environment for private enterprise to flourish. The City works to control and manage growth through zoning and
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planning. The Mayor thanked City staff, especially the Mayor’s Executive Assistant Lisa Byrd
and City Planner Scott Stephens, for working with the Broadway Group on this project and
thanked the Broadway Group for working through the process as a Partner of Prattville. The Mayor looks forward to working with the Council and The Historic Prattville Redevelopment Authority (HPRA) on Consent Agenda Item #5. Once the details are worked out, the item will
come back before the Council for approval. Purchasing the Creekside Park will allow HPRA to
pay off the grocery store loan, save on interest, and cancel flood insurance. This will allow taxpayer dollars to be utilized to the fullest and best use. The City of Prattville has been maintaining this area for a number of years.
Mayor Gillespie thanked Fountain City BMX President Wendy Irvin for reaching out and working
with the City on the lease agreement in Agenda Item #5. Parks and Recreation Director Kellie Cook and staff are to be commended for the increase in baseball and softball participants. With this increase comes additional parking, players, parents, and grandparents. The BMX Park is currently located on the corner of the Whetstone Complex. There has been discussion about
relocating the BMX Park across the parking lot to the old landfill property. This will be a more
efficient use of that property and will free up the corner of the Whetstone Complex property for additional parking or additional fields as the program continues to grow. The official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the South Industrial Park Road and Bridge will be
held Friday, February 21, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. The vision for this project began approximately thirty-eight years ago. This City/County Partnership creates and secures jobs, enhances the infrastructure, and opens more opportunities in the South Industrial Park. The Mayor invited all citizens to come out to Pratt Park and participate in the annual tree
giveaway as the City celebrates 35 years of Arbor Day on Saturday, February 22, 2020. Mayor Gillespie expressed thanks to Urban Management Superintendent Chris Wood for his hard work in making this a successful event in the community. The Public Works Department has many beautification projects planned, including the City Hall
Annex, Main Street near The Appliance Man, the area near the railroad track on Wetumpka Street, and at Pletcher and Maple Street. The Public Works Town Hall Meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
In honor of Black History Month, the 21st Annual Black History Program will be held at the Doster Community Center on Friday, February 28, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Gillespie expressed appreciation for the dedication and commitment to this program.
The Mardi Gras Parade was a great success. Citizens are still commenting on how great downtown Prattville looked during the Christmas season. The Mayor expressed appreciation to the Council and to City departments for making these events possible.
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REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Council President Striplin reported that the Finance Committee met on Thursday, February 6, 2020 to conclude their nineteen-item agenda which carried over from the February 3, 2020 meeting. The committee discussed matters relating to board vacancies, cemeteries, land matters, various vacant city personnel positions, and other matters.
REPORT ON STATUS OF CITY FINANCES: Finance Director Daniel Oakley presented the finance reports for January 2020. The General Fund Revenue report showed that year-to-date revenue was $15,866,520.85, an increase of
7.24% in comparison to the prior year.
The Tax Breakdown Comparison report showed revenue increased by 4.88% in comparison to the prior year.
The Expenses by Department report showed that with 33.33% of the budget year complete,
overall expenses were at 35.38%. The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net loss of ($609,503.98) for January 2020. This was largely due to a $905,000.00 debt service payment. Operating
expenses were at 26.70% and overall expenses were at 34.18%. The Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net income of $22,097.21 for January 2020. Operating expenses were at 39.15% and overall expenses were at 27.86%.
The Judicial Special Revenue Fund Income Statement showed a net income of $22,008.71 for January 2020. Expenses were just below budget at 31.90%. The Bank Balances report showed a total cash balance of $25,418,700.70 as of January 31, 2020.
The City-Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances report show total debt at $52,323,373.87, including total non-enterprise fund debt at $19,614,028.68, as of January 31, 2020. CONSENT AGENDA:
1. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Grant a Retail Beer (On or Off Premises) License and a Retail Table Wine (On or Off Premises) License to RAM Prattville Hospitality, LLC d/b/a Tru By Hilton Prattville. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 024
2. RESOLUTION: To Surplus One Vehicle from the Police Department. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 025
3. RESOLUTION: To Declare a Moratorium on Future Annexations Until After the 2020 Municipal Election Cycle. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin)
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RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 026
4. RESOLUTION: To Accept Maintenance of Oaks of Buena Vista Plats No. 5 and 6. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boone) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 027
5. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Negotiate Terms and Conditions to Purchase the
Creekside Park (Pocket Park) from The Historic Prattville Redevelopment Authority. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 028
Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to place items #1-5 on a Consent
Agenda and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. The items were placed on a Consent Agenda (7-0). Councilor Cables made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Consent Agenda was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE AGENDA:
1. ORDINANCE: To Adopt a New City of Prattville Human Resources Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin) ORDINANCE BOOK 2020, PAGE 002 Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor
Starnes seconded the motion. By point of order, it is necessary that the council rules be suspended if immediate action is to be considered. Councilor Boone made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). There being no discussion, the ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE 2. RESOLUTION: To Award RFQ No. 020-003 to ThinkGard, LLC for Data Backup and Recovery Solutions for the Information Technology Department at a Total Cost of $151,598.73 for a Three-Year Period. (Sponsored By: Councilor Strichik)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 029
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Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Jackson seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 3. RESOLUTION: To Release Funds for the Purchase of One (1) Additional 2019 or Newer ¾-
Ton Cab and Chassis through Bid No. 019-007 from Long-Lewis of the River Region for the
Facilities Maintenance Division at a Cost Not to Exceed $34,950.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 030
Councilor Jackson made a motion to adopt the resolution and Council President Pro Tempore
Brown seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE
4. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into a Lease Agreement Between the City of Prattville and Fountain City BMX, Inc. to Continue to Operate a BMX Park Located on County Road 4. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boone) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 031
Councilor Boone made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE
RESOLUTION FROM THE FLOOR: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release between Hancock Whitney Bank, the Autauga County Commission, the Cooperative District of the City of Prattville, and the City of Prattville. RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 032
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Councilor Cables made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Jackson seconded the
motion. By point of order, it is necessary that the council rules be suspended if immediate action
is to be considered. Councilor Starnes made a motion to suspend the rules and Council President Pro Tempore Brown seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: None CLOSING COMMENTS: None
ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the council, Councilor Strichik made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Boone seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 6:35
p.m. APPROVED:
___________________________ Cathy Dickerson City Clerk
___________________________ Albert Striplin, President Prattville City Council