PH Minutes 2020-06-02PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2020 6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: The Prattville City Council met in public hearing on Tuesday, June 2, 2020
at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Council President Striplin called the meeting
to order. Roll was called and all were recorded as being present.
1. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to have Various Weeded Lots Abated per Title 11,
Chapter 67 of the Code of Alabama, 1975, as Amended. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes) No one was present to speak in favor of or in opposition to the resolution.
2. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Lounge Retail Liquor - Class II (Package) License to Sunday,
Inc. d/b/a Jacks Liquor and Tobacco Outlet. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes) Harvey Russell, 588 Lower Kingston Road, spoke in favor of the resolution. Mr. Russell doesn’t see how the Council can deny this license when there are already businesses downtown selling
liquor on and off premise; so long as it has been sealed. Mr. Russell pointed out that this
business would only allow off premise sales. The following individuals spoke in opposition to the resolution:
Lori Terrell, 135 1st Street. The health, safety and welfare of citizens is a top priority to the
Council. The current and previous administrations have done a wonderful job to help develop Prattville’s downtown area. This area includes parks, gardens, a public kindergarten and senior center. Mrs. Terrell owns Old Pratt Village, a group of historic houses located directly across the street from where this business would go. 1st Street is heavily traveled by all kinds of
pedestrians. It is unwise and not in the citizens best interest to approve a package store in this
location. Ms. Terrell asked that the council vote no on this item. Danny Loftin, 154 1st Street, owner of Fat Boys BBQ. Mr. Loftin has owned a business in downtown Prattville for 22 years. Mr. Loftin is against this store for all the reasons mentioned
above. A package store would change the atmosphere of the historic district that he loves. Mr.
Loftin asked that the council deny this license. Robert Gaston, 113 N. Washington Street. While Mr. Gaston supports small business owners, he does not believe that a business of this nature is in the best interest of the community.
Reverend Dave Burns, 150 Shady Oak Lane. Reverend Burns enjoys the safe environment of downtown Prattville. If the Council approves this item they will be setting a precedence for this type of business in the historic district. Reverend Burns asked the council to vote no on
this item.
Dr. Gerald Cimis, 141 N, Chestnut Street. Dr. Cimis gave the Council the following reasons he believes would allow them to deny this license.
AL Code 11-52-72 gives the Council authority to regulate the use of land in accordance with
the comprehensive plan, designed to secure safety and promote health and general welfare.
This business does not promote safety, health and general welfare. The comprehensive plan talks about creating a regional draw to the downtown area with unique one of a kind retailers and specialty restaurants. This business does not fit that description
either.
City of Prattville Zoning Ordinance 2017-011 gives the Council authority to deny a license if they deem that there will be an adverse impact on the surrounding property.
The difference between this establishment and one that offers beer wine and spirits with or
without food is the consumer. These people will often travel several miles because package stores can be open from 7am to 11 pm. The ABC staff is trained not to serve someone who appears to be intoxicated. Dr. Cimis wonders if an independent retailer will be judicious in accessing if someone is impaired. Dr. Cimis asked the Council to vote no.
Thea Langley, 220 1st Street, Mrs. Langley has lived downtown for 26 years and has owned a business downtown for 7. Her concern is for the safety and well being of pedestrians in the downtown area. She understands that the City has other package stores, but they are not located along heavily traveled walking paths. Mrs. Langley does not believe that this is the best
location for this business.
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace. Ms. Finnegan does not believe this type of business is appropriate for a historic district. Her concerns are for the hours of operation, current and recovering alcoholics, as well as the potential for crime. This business would have a lot of cash
transactions which would potentially open them up for robbery. Ms. Finnegan pointed out that
people walking around downtown could easily buy miniatures and pour them into a cup. Jim Searcy, 306 Washington Street. Mr. Searcy disapproves of this license for most of the reasons already mentioned. The City of Prattville is special, and it has been made that way
through the Council’s leadership and planning. It doesn’t seem appropriate that this business
is going to be in close proximity to the splashpad, library and kindergarten. The City has had problems with youth at the well on Doster Road. Mr. Searcy speculated that having this business so close could exasperate those problems. Mr. Searcy asked the Council if they thought this was the highest and best use of this property.
Jeremy Day, 141 W. Main Street. Mr. Day is one of the newest business owners downtown Prattville. He runs a small structural engineering company, Mr. Day shared some statistics from a John Hawkins Study from 2018. An increase in access of 10% to an off-site liquor establishment yielded an increase in violent crime of 4.4%. On-site establishments yielded an
increase in violent crime of about 3%. The type of crimes committed at the on-site
establishments was generally harassment, while the crimes committed at off-site establishments were more often robbery, aggravated assault and homicide. Late at night that area may already have a tendency for criminal behavior. Allowing this license will negatively change downtowns characteristics.
Willie Sayer, 346 Washington Street. Mr. Sayer has lived in downtown Prattville all his life, nearly 64 years. He does not agree with this establishment opening downtown. Mr. Sayer
stated that he was told by a council member that this was basically a done deal, and that the
Council could not legislate morality. If citizens have no control on what is going on around them,
it does not make a lot of since. John Newman, 1st Street. Mr. Newman has been a business owner in downtown for 15 years. He sees firsthand how heavily traveled the streets are by pedestrians. Mr. Newman pointed
out that people leaving this establish on foot could easily be intoxicated, and that they could
then influence and interact with other pedestrians. Downtown is a place were families congregate and he does not believe this business should open in this location. ADJOURN:
There being no further comments, Council President Striplin closed the Public Hearing at 6:31 p.m. APPROVED:
___________________________ Cathy Dickerson City Clerk
___________________________ Albert Striplin, President Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY: ___________________________
Jamie-Lynn Clayton
Assistant City Clerk