Minutes 2020-07-07
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020
6:03 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at 6:03 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 RESPONSIBILITY: Knowing and doing what
is expected of me.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council Meeting June 16, 2020. Councilor Strichik made a
motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Cables 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, addressed the Council regarding Agenda Item #6 , an
ordinance to surplus property to James B. Marshall, Jr. Ms. Finnegan asked if the Exchange
Agreement for this property should be considered expired and invalid due to the following
reasons:
• The agreement stipulates that the exchange be made within 7 months. The agreement
was dated 11/21/2019.
• Ms. Finnegan could not confirm that Mr. Marshall has acquired ownership of the land
per the agreement.
• The Appraisal listed the property as Park Place and not Park Lane.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie was granted a point of privilege to announce the following promotions in the
Police Department:
• John Coscette Promoted to Sergeant
• James Dunn Promoted to Corporal
• Chris Clark Promoted to Corporal
• Fredrick Surls Promoted to Corporal
• Jamil Nassirruddin Promoted to Corporal
• Daniel Marshall Promoted to Corporal
The Mayor also introduced one new Police Officer. Officer Vick Singh was hired in January. He
has over 5 years of experience in law enforcement.
The Mayor thanked all military servicemembers for giving us the freedom to celebrate our
independence. The fireworks at the clock tower were a success and had a positive impact in
the community and neighboring communities. The Mayor thanked Parks and Recreation
Director Kellie Cook, Assistant Fire Marshal Craig Allen, and Fire Marshal Dallis Johnson for
working together with the State Fire Marshal to get this event reloc ated and make the
celebration possible under the current Safer at Home Order.
The Mayor shared the City’s out-reach success on social media. The City of Prattville’s
Facebook page officially has well over 25K likes. In the last month, it has actively reached over
119K people on Facebook through posts, and over 53K people have been engaged on its
posts. The City’s Instagram outreach is up 35%.
The Mayor continues to encourage participation in Project Prattville 2040. The comprehensive
plan is a valuable tool to hear from citizens as the City moves forward. The second community
visioning session is scheduled for Monday, July 27th, at 6:00pm at the Doster Center.
There was an artist rendering of the Mac Gray 2.0 project displayed in the lobby at City Hall.
That is the sketch plan associated with the resolution adopted on January 21, 2020. This will
create a new facility for girls’ softball. The Mayor wishes to expand the tennis courts at Newton
Park and open up tennis grant opportunities. Parks and recreation will have expanded
opportunities for even more tournaments, larger tournaments, and baseball spillover if needed.
Urban Management started another beautification project at the Cultural Arts building on 4th
and Court Street today. Crews are working to add a new irrigation system, several annual beds,
and a connecting pathway from the parking lot to the sidewalk.
The Mayor encouraged all to utilize the City’s workorder system to report any problems. The
system allows the City to document work needed around the city.
The Mayor looks forward to further discussing the LRAP program for sewer lateral lines. The
Mayor hopes to have a work session to discuss a moratorium on apartments and Airbnb rentals
until the comprehensive plan Project Prattville 2040 is complete.
The Mayor hopes to see paving projects starting by the 1st of August. The Mayor thanked
Finance Director Daniel Oakley, City Engineer Robby Anderson and the Council for making
this possible.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Council President Pro Tempore Brown reported that the Street Committee met on June 24,
2020 to discuss the status of all City paving projects, as well as sidewalk repair.
Councilor Starnes reported that the Police Committee met on June 26, 2020 to discuss smoking
at parades, golf carts and brown bagging.
AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Declare Various Weeded Lots to be a Public Nuisance, Order Their
Abatement and Set a Public Hearing per Title 11, Chapter 67 of the Code of Alabama, 1975,
as Amended. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 074
Councilor Starnes 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
2. RESOLUTION: To Authorize Demolition of the Dilapidated Structure Located at 111 Isom
Street and to Award a Contract to JB Waste Connection, LLC to Complete Demolition at a Cost
Not to Exceed $3,800.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 075
Councilor Jackson 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, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
3. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2020 Budget and to Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an
Agreement for Engineering Services with Civil Southeast, LLC for Engineering Services for the
ADEM CWSRF Project No. CS010254-12 Maple Street Clean Drainage Rehabilitation Project
at a Cost Not to Exceed $102,424.00. (Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Brown)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 076
Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor
Boone 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 Amend the FY2020 Budget and to Release Funds for the Purchase of a
Holmatro Rescue System through the H-GAC Purchasing Cooperative from NAFECO, Inc. for
the Fire Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $57,629.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor Strichik)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 077
Council Strichik 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, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
5. RESOLUTION: To Award Bid No. 020-006 to L & K Contracting Company, Inc. for the Gin
Shop Lift Station Improvements Project at a Cost of $1,616,337.00. (Sponsored By: Council
President Striplin)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 078
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, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
6. ORDINANCE: To Surplus Real Property Located West of and Adjacent to Camellia Estates.
(Sponsored By: Council President Striplin)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2020, PAGE 013
Councilor Boone made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Council President Pro Tempore
Brown seconded the motion. By point of order, it is necessary for the council rules to be
suspended if immediate action is to be considered. Councilor Starnes made a mot ion to
suspend the rules and Councilor Cables seconded the motion. There being no discussion, 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
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Marty Roney commended the City on the quick resolution to the overgrown grass and street
related problems he had reported.
Napoleon Steele, 303 Tuskegee Street. Mr. Steele requested more police presence on his
road. There is a home near him that continues to cause many problems including, beer bottles,
food wrappers, noise during the night and drag racing. Mr. Steele is certain that there is illegal
activity being conducted at the home. Mr. Steele’s neighbor Mr. Bozeman stated that it used to
be a good neighborhood. There is constant traffic in and out of this home during the night.
Mayor Gillespie thanked both men and informed them that he had been discussing the situation
with Police Chief Mark Thompson. Patrols in the area have been increased and the problem is
being addressed. The Mayor encouraged both men t o continue to report any disruptive and
illegal activity, as it would be helpful to build a case.
Mr. Steele added that the people in and out of th e home are not school aged kids. They are
adults, and many from other cities.
Duane Norman, 743 Summer Lane. Mr. Norman came before the Council to request
intervention from the City concerning the new event venue at 815 Main Street, in the old Taste
Good building. The venue is directly behind Mr. Norman ’s home. There is constant noise from
the venue all night. Mr. Norman obtained the signatures of several residents on his street that
are being affected by the noise problem from the venue. That petition has been made part of
this official record.
Councilor Starnes asked Mr. Norman if the noise was coming from inside the building or from
the cars in the parking lot.
Mr. Norman responded that it is mostly the cars, but there has also been a DJ inside the
building. He has filed 2 noise complaints, and has been told that the owner would try to keep
the guests inside. The guests go outside to smoke and continue drinking and being a nuisance.
Mr. Norman’s young granddaughter continues to be woken up in the middle of the night and is
unable to go back to sleep. The owner has also given teenagers permission to hang o ut in the
parking lot.
The Mayor encouraged Mr. Norman to continue to call the disturbances in and reiterated that
a case needs to be built. The Mayor insured Mr. Norman that the Police Chief has spoken with
the property owner, and they are watching the business.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Councilor Boone thanked all who went to extraordinary lengths to make the 4 th of July Fireworks
show happen. She has heard only positive feedback.
Council President Striplin congratulated all of the officers that were recognized tonight.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the council, Councilor Cables made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Boone seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 6:50
p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Albert Striplin, President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY:
___________________________
Jamie-Lynn Clayton
Assistant City Clerk