Minutes 2020-05-05PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020 6:04 P.M. The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, at 6:04 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 Councilor Jackson was recorded as being absent. THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS DETERMINATION: Overcoming obstacles to
achieve a goal.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting March 3, 2020; Emergency Special Called Telephone Conference Meeting March 20, 2020; Emergency Special Called Telephone Conference Meeting April 3, 2020; and Special Called Meeting April
28, 2020. Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Cables seconded the motion. With no discussion, the minutes were adopted (6-0). COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, addressed the Council regarding Agenda Item #3, to appoint Jim Byard to the Industrial Development Board. Ms. Finnegan asked that the Council appoint someone else or else leave the seat empty. Ms. Finnegan sent the whole council emails on 2-7-2020 and 3-16-2020 requesting that they not appoint Mr. Byard to the Industrial Development Board.
MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Gillespie noted that this is the first regular council meeting since March 3, 2020 due to COVID-19. The City is adapting as needed in order to continue with essential city business. The Mayor respects those who are choosing to stay home.
The City continues to limit access to City facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The remodel at City Hall has made it much easier to adjust to social distancing and maintaining a safer work environment. The City Mayor awaits adjustments and updates to the safer at home order from Governor Ivey. The City is still actively providing city services while
operating with social distancing and public health and safety in mind. The Parks and Recreation Department is waiting for a clear direction and more information on when they can safely move forward with athletics. The Mayor thanked everyone for coming together to offer athletic registration fee refunds. There have been numerous
requests for refunds and many requests for the Parks and Recreation Department to keep their paid registration fees. The repaving of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Upper Kingston is scheduled to be let on May 29th.
The Engineering Department has removed 650 cubic yards of silt out of Pratt Park Pond.
Yesterday was proclaimed Firefighter Appreciation Day by the Mayor. The Mayor expressed
his appreciation for the daily sacrifice of these men and women who serve our community,
but especially during this pandemic. The Mayor thanked all teachers in honor of Teacher Appreciation Day.
Tomorrow will be kicking off National Nurses Week. Nurses genuinely sacrifice and are
heroes in the medical field. The daily impact nurses provide can never be appropriately acknowledged. Due to revenues being down the City has put specific protocols in place with all departments
and will be diligently monitoring its financial health. REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None
REPORT ON STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
Finance Director Daniel Oakley presented the finance reports for March 2020. The General Fund Revenue report showed that year-to-date revenue was $22,375,010.18, an increase of 5.36% in comparison to the prior year.
The Tax Breakdown Comparison report showed revenue decreased by 1.10% in comparison to the prior year. The Expenses by Department report showed that with 50.00% of the budget year complete,
overall expenses were at 51.55%. The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net income from operations of $176,315.31 for March 2020. Operating expenses were at 43.15% and overall budget expenses were at 43.23%.
The Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net income of $13,502.27 for March 2020. Operating expenses were at 57.20% and overall budget expenses were below 40%.
The Judicial Special Revenue Fund Income Statement showed a net income of $39,121.64 for March 2020. Expenses were also below budget at 37.89%. The quarterly Gas Tax Special Revenue Fund Income Statement showed that year-to-date revenue was $213,899.42.
The quarterly Capital Projects Fund Income Statement showed year-to-date total project expenses incurred was $1,793,654.54. A list of current projects are as follows:
• South Industrial Park Road and Bridge
• Fire Station #4 Construction
• Washington Street Drainage Project Engineering
• Mac Gray Park 2.0 Engineering
• TAP 2018 Sidewalks
The quarterly Group Health Fund Income Statement showed a year-to-date net income of $9,634.39. The Group Health Fund owed $75,000.00 to the General Fund and this amount was repaid in April.
The Bank Balances report showed a total cash balance of $25,649,946.80 as of March, 2020. The City-Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances report showed total debt of $50,344,322.36 as of March, 2020, including total non-enterprise debt of $18,424,028.68, as
of March 2020.
CONSENT AGENDA 1. RESOLUTION: To Surplus One Vehicle from the Fire Department. (Sponsored By:
Councilor Strichik) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 050 2. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Retail Beer (Off Premises Only) and a Retail Table Wine (Off Premises Only) License to Sunday, Inc. d/b/a Texaco Food Mart. (Sponsored By: Councilor
Starnes) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 051 3. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing for a Lounge Retail Liquor - Class II (Package) License for Sunday, Inc. d/b/a Jacks Liquor and Tobacco Outlet. (Sponsored By: Councilor
Starnes) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 052 Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to place items #1-3 on a Consent
Agenda and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. The items were placed on a Consent
Agenda (6-0). Councilor Boone made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Consent Agenda was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 6 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : JACKSON
AGENDA 1. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Retail Beer (On or Off Premises) and a 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 053
Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Cables seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 6 NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : JACKSON 2. RESOLUTION: To Appoint Dr. Tom Miller to the Industrial Development Board. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boone)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 054 Councilor Boone made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 6 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : JACKSON
3. RESOLUTION: To Appoint Jim Byard, Jr. to the Industrial Development Board. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 055
Councilor Cables 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, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : JACKSON 4. RESOLUTION: To Appoint James Gregory Duke to the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
(Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 056 Councilor Starnes 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, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 6 NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : JACKSON
5. ORDINANCE: To Exempt Certain “Covered Items” From the Municipal Sales and Use Tax
During the Third Full Weekend of July 2020, as Authorized by §40-23-210 through §40-23-213,
Code of Alabama, 1975, as Amended, Generally Referred to as the “Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday” Legislation. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin) ORDINANCE BOOK 2020, PAGE 007
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. There being no discussion, the rules were suspended (6-0). There being no discussion, the ordinance was adopted with the
following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 6 NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : JACKSON 6. ORDINANCE: To Authorize the Issuance, Execution, Sale and Delivery of a $3,130,000.00 Principal Amount General Obligation Warrant of the City of Prattville and Payment Thereof for
the Construction of Fire Station #4/Police Annex. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin) ORDINANCE BOOK 2020, PAGE 008 Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Cables seconded the motion. By point of order, it is necessary that the council rules be suspended if immediate
action is to be considered. Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the rules were suspended (6-0). There being no discussion, the ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 6 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : JACKSON
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace. Ms. Finnegan expressed her disappointment in the council for appointing Jim Byard to the Industrial Development Board. Ms. Finnegan was disgusted and appalled at the council for their decision.
CLOSING COMMENTS: Councilor Starnes announced that he would be seeking re-election for City Council District 4.
Council Cables commended the Fire Department for taking the time to drive by a young boy’s house on his birthday.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the council, Councilor Strichik made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (6-0) at 6:34p.m. APPROVED:
___________________________ Cathy Dickerson City Clerk
___________________________ Albert Striplin, President Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY: ___________________________
Jamie-Lynn Clayton Assistant City Clerk