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Minutes 2021-07-061 PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 6, 2021 6:04 P.M. The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at 6:04 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Councilor Jackson gave the invocation. Roll was called and all Councilors were present. THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS FORGIVENESS: Releasing feelings of resentment and not holding a grudge. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and Council Meeting June 15, 2021 and Special Called Meeting June 28, 2021. Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Gornto seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the minutes were adopted (7-0). Council President Starnes acknowledged Autauga County School System Superintendent Tim Tidmore; Autauga County Board of Education Members Jim Manderson, Eleanor Ballow and Jeffery Keith; Autauga County Commissioner Larry Stoudemire; and Past City Council President Dean Argo in attendance. COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA: Jeri Young, 641 Mimosa Road, Camellia Estates Subdivision, addressed the Council regarding her opposition of verbiage in the proposed ordinances on agenda items 5, 6 (renewal of the one-cent sales tax) and 13 (new General Funds Reserve Policy). She recited language from City Code, specifically Division 2, Section 38-91 and requested that Council vote to amend the ordinances to include terminology more in line with Section 38-91. Ms. Young wanted the one- cent sales tax to sunset and perceived the language in the proposed ordinances to be ambiguous, incomplete and inconcise. She stated her perception was that the proposed ordinances levied an additional one-cent sales tax on citizens. Mr. Daniel Oakley, Finance Director, advised that Section 38-91 referenced other taxes and in fact, Section 38-92 set the additional one-cent sales tax, as he called the original one-cent sales tax. He explained the proposed ordinances on agenda items 5 and 6 would replace the code sections where the original one-cent sales tax was put in place. Mr. Oakley also advised that setting an expiration date to the one-cent sales tax was not mandatory. Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, addressed the Council regarding concerns of verbiage in the proposed ordinances on agenda items 6 (renewal of the one-cent sales tax) and 13 (new General Funds Reserve Policy). She requested clarification on the proposal to collect the one- cent sales tax and place a percentage into a general reserve fund while meeting the goal of the $10 million savings since the projected receipt amount was cited at approximately $6.8 million per year. She asked if after meeting the proposed goal, would then the remainder of the one-cent sales tax revenue be divided up for the projects discussed during the May and June meetings. Ms. Finnegan was concerned that the collections would have no accounting and be used for projects not vetted through the public. Council President Starnes advised that it was the intention of the council to first pass an ordinance to renew the one-cent sales tax with the proposed ordinance on agenda item 5 (general) or 6 (division to departments’ reserve 2 account), then decide on adopting a new policy to bolster the reserve with 10% of the one-cent sales tax receipts. He also stated that a specific monetary goal would be met before entertaining any economic development projects as proposed on the ordinance on agenda item 13. He confirmed that 10% of the one-cent sales tax receipts would be taken from the top and placed into a general reserve fund. Council President Starnes advised that if an ordinance passed allowing for the division of the remainder of the one-cent sales tax, an Education Committee would be formed by the City Council to build a relationship with the Board of Education and examine the needs and priorities of the school system. He advised that these would be open meetings to the public and assured Ms. Finnegan that no monies received would go to projects without first being aired by the Education Committee, the public and the City Council. Ms. Finnegan stated that she opposed funding going strictly to traditional education and was concerned that non-traditional education, like a children’s museum, would not be considered. Ms. Finnegan echoed that she was very frustrated with the ambiguous language used in the proposed ordinances and wanted to see more of a detailed plan when it came to spending the one-cent sales tax revenue. Richard Harrison, 121 Irma Lane, addressed the Council regarding initially favoring the extension of the one-cent sales tax during the preliminary phases but since changed his mind and now opposed the ordinances proposed on the agenda. He stated that although he did agree there were some legitimate needs addressed, it appeared that greed had taken over and the one-cent sales tax revenues would be spent haphazardly. Mr. Harrison reiterated that ten years ago the original one-cent sales tax was levied on citizens with the premise that the additional revenue would repay debt the City acquired because of financial decisions that did not prove fruitful and that the original tax would expire after ten years. Mr. Harrison urged the Council to show integrity and not renew the one-cent sales tax, rather allow it to expire and then come together as a united body with structured ideas to present to citizens. Dean Argo, 101 Auburn Road, addressed the Council regarding his opposition to renewing the one-cent sales tax. He stated that while previously serving on the Council he was against placing the burden to pay off City debt by taxing citizens. Mr. Argo expressed that making government smaller by finding areas to cut within City government was a better solution. He stated that if the one-cent sales tax was continued, it should be used to pay off debt as originally passed. Mr. Argo stated that it was his opinion that collecting a tax from citizens and using it for something other than planned was bad policy. He did agree with establishing structured reserves so that if the City is faced with unforeseen economic downfalls, it would have a means of recovery. However, Mr. Argo voiced that the tax be disposed of until the City Council can bring forth a valid reason to resurrect with a solid plan to propose to citizens. Jim Skelton, 122 Sycamore Drive, addressed the Council regarding his opposition to renewing the one-cent sales tax as proposed in ordinances on agenda items 5 and 6. He stated that while listening to prior meetings and reading an article in the June 15th edition of the Montgomery Advertiser, it appeared the Council had unanimously decided to renew the tax prior to an actual vote. Mr. Skelton argued that voting to end the tax could boost free publicity on a regional scale and in turn create revenues for the City because industry and the public would be more inclined to support a fiscally wise and competent elected body along with the already thriving environment the City of Prattville offers. 3 MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Gillespie stated the community and the City’s July 4th event received great reviews and praise and included comments from citizens from other communities that attended Prattville’s event over the holiday weekend. He thanked Council Pro Tempore Boone and Councilor Strichik for welcoming citizens at Stanley Jensen Stadium as that was well received and that there was a small-town Americana feel throughout the weekend. He thanked the Lyons Club and all City staff for their hard work and diligent efforts to come together and create an outstanding event. Mayor Gillespie reported that the City received its first share of funding from the COVID-19 Recovery Funds totaling $4.2 million and the total estimated to be received in a two-year span totaling $8.5 million. He stated the one-time premium payment to full-time employees approved by Council would be issued via direct deposit on Friday, July 9, 2021, which would be subject to all applicable taxes. Mayor Gillespie recommended the Council schedule a series of work sessions to plan and direct the use of the additional funding. Mayor Gillespie stated that the request for opinion to the Attorney General’s Office regarding publication of legal advertisements was still being processed and there had been a continuation of problems getting legal ads published on time by the Prattville Progress. He reminded Council that some ordinances require publication prior to becoming effective and that if problems continue, ordinances could take an extra week after a Council meeting to be active. Mayor Gillespie mentioned that sewer line projects on Washington and Easy Streets were ongoing and the Engineering Department was able to combine some storm water projects with the aforementioned road construction. He tied this point in to reference the City’s debt. He reiterated the City did have bad debt from previous years’ projects and possibly because of the budgeting process utilized. Mayor Gillespie stated that the Finance Department uses line item budgeting now with much success. Mayor Gillespie stated the Economic Development Coordinator and the Deputy Finance Director would begin employment next week creating a new avenue of ideas to assist the City with plans and goals going forward. Mayor Gillespie addressed the importance of the Finance Director’s reports made every other Council Meeting stressing that information given to the Council and public was not always readily available in the past. He mentioned that at the start of his tenor, the debt balance for accounts payable was over $1 million and today it is current. Mayor Gillespie said the current status influences the economy in positive ways. He stated that in 2011, the City did not have reserve funds, but now they were in place. He advised that the employee healthcare fund was overstated due to bad practices, but now was flourishing. He cited that the sewer and storm water projects mentioned earlier were considered good debt and that some portions were actually paid by user fees. Mayor Gillespie resonated this was good government in place and it has created a different atmosphere. He attributed the turn to City employees and 4 citizens who have worked hard to make positive changes, a team effort to make Prattville great. Mayor Gillespie closed his report by emphasizing that although there are a small group of individuals working to persuade others to believe the City’s budget numbers are inaccurate, numbers from the reports do not lie. He asked the Council to take a close look at line items to see for themselves and to make the best decisions possible for the City. REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None. CONSENT AGENDA 1. RESOLUTION: To Accept and Endorse Project Prattville 2040 as the Comprehensive Master Plan of the City of Prattville. (Sponsored By: Councilor Chambers) RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 114 2. RESOLUTION: To Surplus Various Equipment from the Planning Department. (Sponsored By: Council President Starnes) RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 115 3. RESOLUTION: To Surplus Five (5) Fleet Vehicles from the Police Department. (Sponsored By: Council President Starnes) RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 116 4. 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: Council President Starnes) RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 117 Councilor Gornto made a motion to place items #1-4 on a Consent Agenda and Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. The items were placed on a Consent Agenda (7-0). Council President Pro Tempore Boone made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and Councilor Striplin seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Consent Agenda was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 0 5 AGENDA 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: Council President Starnes) RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 118 Councilor Gornto 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, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 0 2. ORDINANCE: To Pre-Zone Property Located Outside the City Limits at the South Side of County Road 4 W between Highway 14 W and Echlin Boulevard to FAR (Forest, Agriculture, Recreation) (Petitioner: SJT Properties, LLC) (Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson) HELD FROM COUNCIL 06/01/2021 ORDINANCE BOOK 2021, PAGE 018 This Ordinance was introduced at the June 1, 2021 meeting. There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 0 3. ORDINANCE: To Amend City of Prattville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 50 – Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions, Article III, Division 2.- NOISE, Section 50-74. - Loud and Unnecessary Noises—Prohibited, (a) (17) Pickup, Delivery of Waste Containers. (Sponsored By: Council President Starnes) HELD FROM COUNCIL 06/01/2021 ORDINANCE BOOK 2021, PAGE 019 This Ordinance was introduced at the June 1, 2021 meeting. There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results: 6 AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 0 4. ORDINANCE: To Amend City of Prattville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 38 – Business Licenses and Taxes, Article V, Section 38-515 – Outdoor Alcohol Service. (Sponsored By: Council President Starnes) HELD FROM COUNCIL 06/01/2021 TABLED TO 08/03/2021 This Ordinance was introduced at the June 1, 2021 meeting. Councilor Jackson raised concerns over ADA compliance; unclear guidelines; implementation timeline for business owners to comply; and requesting Historic Preservation Committee, Alabama Beverage Control Board and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency input. Mayor Gillespie stated that during the June 1st Council Meeting that several of the concerns voiced by citizens and Councilor Jackson were addressed. Councilor Jackson stated that many constituents have contacted him about the ordinance and he strongly felt that more time was needed to vet concerns for the sake of the Council and the public. Councilor Jackson made a motion to table the ordinance and Councilor Gornto seconded the motion. The Ordinance was tabled until August 3, 2021, and a Work Session scheduled on July 20, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : 0 ABSTAINED : 0 ABSENT : 0 5. ORDINANCE: To Amend City Code Division 2. Sales Tax, Section 38-92 Imposition of Certain Sales and Use Taxes. (Sponsored By: Council President Starnes) HELD FROM COUNCIL 06/15/2021 ORDINANCE BOOK 2021, PAGE 020 This Ordinance was introduced at the June 15, 2021 meeting. Council President Pro Tempore Boone made a motion to amend the ordinance by adding a sentence after Section 38-92 (b) (2) that stated, “This ordinance shall be ratified and affirmed with an effective date of July 1, 2021.” Council Pro Tempore Boone added that the motion was made simply due to the fact that the effective date had passed prior to this meeting. Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. The amendment was passed with a 5-2 result. Councilor Striplin expressed his desire to continue discussions regarding the ordinance and made a motion to lay the ordinance on the table to be held to the next regular meeting or if not needed, be withdrawn or moved by vote giving the Council options. Councilor Jackson 7 seconded the motion. Council President Pro Tempore Boone stated that the ordinance had been held for weeks and there had been plenty of time to study it by the Council and public. The motion to lay the Ordinance on the table failed with a 2-5 result. There being no other discussion, the amended Ordinance was adopted with the following results: AYES : CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 5 NAYS : STRIPLIN, JACKSON 2 ABSTAINED : 0 ABSENT : 0 6. ORDINANCE: To Amend City Code Division 2. Sales Tax, Section 38-92 Imposition of Certain Sales and Use Taxes. (Sponsored By: Council President Starnes) HELD FROM COUNCIL 06/15/2021 ORDINANCE BOOK 2021, PAGE 021 This ordinance was introduced at the June 15, 2021 meeting. Council President Pro Tempore Boone made a motion to amend the ordinance by replacing fifty percent with twenty-five percent from Section 38-92 (2) (a); adding “(d) twenty-five percent shall be deposited into a Public Facilities Reserves bank account and used only for Public Facilities owned and/or operated by the City of Prattville within the corporate limits of the City of Prattville” to Section 38-92 (2); and adding a sentence after Section 38-92 (b) (2) that stated, “This ordinance shall be ratified and affirmed with an effective date of July 1, 2021.” Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. Councilor Striplin offered a substitute ordinance in writing encompassing several changes for consideration. City Attorney Jonathan Wynn pointed out that prior to considering Councilor Striplin’s substitute, the Council should vote on Council President Pro Tempore Boone’s motion to amend. Council President Starnes stated that he was opposed to the amendment because he wanted fifty percent to go to education and help Autauga County Board of Education to move forward. Councilor Jackson requested clarification on splitting the remaining ninety percent of the one-cent sales tax revenue between departments. Council President Pro Tempore Boone advised that the amendment was to equally divide the remaining proceeds into four buckets and more fairly appropriate funds to different projects or groups. Council President Pro Tempore Boone stated that she was not set on any project presented earlier in the year, but was open to appropriating funds to any project that made sense and was vetted by the Council as worthy to pursue. Council President Starnes stated he favored Councilor Striplin’s substitute but did not agree with the ten-year time limit. Councilor Strichik stated that he agreed with Council President Pro Tempore Boone’s proposed amendment to equally divide the remaining proceeds of the one-cent sales tax. Councilor Strichik stressed that funds placed in the reserves were not tied to any one specific project that may have been mentioned in previous work sessions or meetings as Ms. 8 Finnegan continued to point out. Councilor Strichik stated that the tax collections would be a significant amount of money in the tune of $7 million for the City and the one-cent sales tax was not an additional tax, merely a continuation. He reiterated the Council had tough decisions to make, there were no backdoor deals brokered as speculated by public comment, and the Council was here to make the best decisions for the City to move forward in a positive light. Councilor Jackson questioned Councilor Strichik where Stanley Jenson Stadium stood in the line of projects needed to be reviewed for funding. Councilor Strichik replied that one quarter go to the Parks and Recreation Department to include upgrades to the City’s five major parks and the stadium. Councilor Strichik believed that funds would adequately pay for those projects. Councilor Strichik stressed the City needed the renovations so the City’s athletic and leisure activities would not fall further behind. Councilor Strichik stated that the projects were feasible and he would stand behind Ms. Cook, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, to champion the changes needed. Councilor Striplin requested clarification about there being no specificity that the tax cited in the proposed ordinances will simultaneously replace the original one-cent sales tax levied in 2012. He felt that to the public eye, if the multiple ordinances passed, it would be perceived that multiple taxes were passed as well. Mr. Oakley asked Councilor Striplin if there was sample language he wished to insert. Councilor Striplin noted that it was the same language he suggested a week earlier, changing Section 38-92 (a) to read, “In addition to the taxes set forth in Section 38-91, there shall be an additional one (1) percent (%) tax levied under Section 38-91 (1) (2) (6) commencing on August 1, 2021, which simultaneously replaces the expiring one-cent sales tax levied on October 16, 2012.” Mr. Oakley did not have issue with the language except he felt the commencement date needed to read “July 1, 2021”. Councilor Striplin did not have issue with a specific date, only that there was the impression an extra tax being passed and no language to substantiate otherwise. Mr. Oakley stated that he did not feel the extra language was necessary but if the public’s view would ease then he saw no problem. Council President Starnes asked Mr. Oakley if the ordinance as stands would levy another penny on the citizens of Prattville. Mr. Oakley stated no. Councilor Strichik asked Mr. Wynn if there was any wording that needed to be placed in the ordinance. Mr. Wynn stated that no additional wording was needed. Councilor Chambers noted that he had been contacted by constituents regarding the misconception of the one-cent sales tax being a raise in taxes to citizens. Councilor Chambers agreed that if wording needed to be changed to ease fears from the public he was in favor of more direct language. The amendment was passed with a 5-2 result. Councilor Striplin proposed an amendment to the ordinance by inserting after July 1, 2021, “which simultaneously replaces the expiring one-cent sales tax levied on October 16, 2012.” Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. The amendment passed with a 7-0 result. There being no other discussion, the amended Ordinance was adopted with the following results: 9 AYES : STRIPLIN, CHAMBERS, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 5 NAYS : JACKSON, STARNES 2 ABSTAINED : 0 ABSENT : 0 7. ORDINANCE: Petition for Annexation of South Side of County Road 4 W between Highway 14 W and Echlin Boulevard. (Petitioner: SJT Properties, LLC) (Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson) ORDINANCE BOOK 2021, PAGE 022 Councilor Jackson made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. By point of order, it was necessary that the Council rules be suspended if immediate action was to be considered. Council President Pro Tempore Boone made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Gornto seconded the motion. A roll call vote was conducted with a 7-0 result and the rules were suspended. There being no further discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : 0 ABSTAINED : 0 ABSENT : 0 8. RESOLUTION: To Release Funds for the Purchase of One (1) MAHLE ArcticPro A/C Service System from Durbin Auto Parts, Inc. for the Vehicle Maintenance Division of the Public Works Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $7,250.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor Gornto) RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 119 Councilor Gornto made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 0 10 9. RESOLUTION: To Release Funds for the Purchase of One (1) London Fog 18-20 Mosquito Fogging Machine from UNIVAR Environmental Sciences for the Urban Management Division of the Public Works Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $10,379.00. (Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Boone) RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 120 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, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 0 10. RESOLUTION: To Release Funds for the Purchase of One (1) RU2 Fast Radar Dolly from Jace Chandler & Associates, Inc. for the Engineering Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $9,770.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson) RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 121 Councilor Jackson made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Gornto seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 0 11. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Submit Applications to ADEM for Park Surfacing Improvements to Lorenzo “Lo” Pickett Park, Miller Park, Overlook Park, Upper Kingston Park, and Pratt Park in a Total Amount of $1,104,000.00 (Net Cost to City Not to Exceed $90,000.00). (Sponsored By: Councilor Strichik) RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 122 Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Gornto seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: 11 AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 0 12. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Submit an Application to USDOT for RAISE Grant Funding for McQueen Smith Road Corridor Improvements in an Amount Not to Exceed $17,500,000.00 (Net Cost to City Not to Exceed $5,250,000.00). (Sponsored By: Councilor Gornto) RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 123 Councilor Gornto 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, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 0 13. ORDINANCE: To Establish a New General Fund Reserves Policy for the City of Prattville. (Sponsored By: Council President Starnes) ORDINANCE BOOK 2021, PAGE 023 Councilor Chambers made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. By point of order, it was necessary that the Council rules be suspended if immediate action was to be considered. Councilor Gornto made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was conducted with a 7- 0 result and the rules were suspended. Councilor Striplin stated he had two areas of concern. The first being Section 2, the amount of $10 million. He stated he feared to pass an ordinance that included policy that was already being violated, citing the example that if only $680,000.00 was collected per year and the threshold for the reserve was $10 million then the City would be in violation of the policy for several years to come. Councilor Striplin felt that $10 million was not the appropriate amount to start with. Councilor Striplin’s second concern surrounded Section 3, stating that a recommended corrective action plan is to be brought to Council to bring the reserve balance into compliance. He said that in this case, the Council would see several years of corrective actions to get that balanced. Council President Starnes asked Councilor Striplin if he had a recommendation. Councilor Striplin replied that the $10 million be something less as the amount could always be revised upward with Council approval. Councilor Striplin did not want a policy in place that was being violated making the policy void in his eyes. Councilor Striplin recommended $6 million. Mayor Gillespie expressed that language in Section 2 involved unrestricted general fund balance of which is approximately $12 million. Councilor Chambers requested feedback from Mr. Oakley. Mr. Oakley stated that the current General 12 Reserve Fund Policy is subjective. Mr. Oakley wanted to implement a more stringent policy with detail and calculations to better serve the City. Mr. Oakley stated that he did not see a reason to update a policy that the City was already in compliance with and wanted this ordinance to set a higher standard for the Finance Department to work towards and have a very robust General Fund Reserve. Mr. Oakley stated that he did not have any issue with lower the amount to $6 million. Mr. Oakley reminded the Council that the ten percent in the ordinance was the action plan for the time being. He also mentioned that in order to reach the threshold he would be able to deposit other monies into the account to meet the threshold. Mr. Oakley stressed that a strong policy would look good to bond raters when going to the market to assist with future projects within the City. Mr. Oakley stated that the City was following number 2, as the Mayor mentioned. Councilor Boone asked what other sources were being deposited into the General Fund Reserves account. Mr. Oakley replied this fiscal year there was money budgeted to go into the General Fund Reserve; the FDR money, a program that began three years ago; and he could move surplus money when there are adequate funds to do so. Councilor Striplin made a motion to amend Section 2 (1) to read, “General Fund Cash Reserves equal to or exceeding the greater of (a) $6 million.” Councilor Jackson seconded the motion. Council President Pro Tempore Boone stated that she was in favor of lowering the threshold because like it was mentioned previously, the amount could be changed with Council approval. Councilor Chambers agreed with Council President Pro Tempore Boone’s comments. The amendment was passed with a 7-0 result. There being no other discussion, the amended Ordinance was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : 0 ABSTAINED : 0 ABSENT : 0 COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, asked Council President Pro Tempore Boone her definition of a public facility. Council President Pro Tempore Boone stated that a public facility was a facility owned and operated by the City of Prattville and serves the public. She also stated that projects that fit that description would include the library. Ms. Finnegan asked if the theater would be considered a public facility. Council President Pro Tempore Boone was undecided because the theater may encompass aspects of a public facility from definition, but she would entertain all projects that were presented to the Council. Ms. Finnegan asked about museums and Council President Tempore Boone advised again that this could be a multi-use facility. Council President Pro Tempore Boone reiterated that when the divisions to buckets were made, she was not cemented to funding a certain project, all projects were going to be studied prior to any approvals, and that boundaries would cross when defining what a public facility included. Ms. Finnegan asked the Council why the decision was not made to go to fifteen percent off of the top with the proceeds of the one-cent sales tax going to a general fund reserve. Councilor Striplin stated that Ms. Finnegan was mistaken on her comparisons and explained the fifteen percent was the percent of the total budget the City was attempting to reach as a reserve amount in relation to the annual budget, but it was off of the table now. 13 Councilor Striplin explained there would be a percentage of a stream of revenue, ten percent, applied to a reserve account. Jeri Young, 641 Mimosa Road, Camellia Estates, thanked the Council for deciding on the one- cent sales tax, but felt there was still an issue about the previous ordinance. Ms. Young asked what will happen to the remaining balance on the bonds from 2011 and 2012. Mr. Oakley stated there was maturity on some of the bonds and that in the coming weeks the Council would have before it resolutions to authorize the Finance Director to call remaining maturities. The resolution would also include setting up a trustee agreement to place funds in escrow so the amounts would be removed from the City’s financial books. Ell White, II, , addressed Council President Starnes regarding the need for Council to sign nondisclosure agreements and asked what was being hidden from the public. Council President Starnes stated that nondisclosure agreements would be executed by request of prospective companies wishing to do business within the City of Prattville, merely for economic development purposes. Mr. White mentioned that he previously requested to his Councilor that the City do more things with diversity in mind and to perhaps include diversity with the City’s motto, “The Preferred Community…”. Mr. W hite also requested that a line item for income from the City’s ballpark concession stands and gate fees be presented in the future. He stated it was his opinion that the citizens of Prattville would like to see how much money comes from those avenues and also would like to see a detail of expenditures for each park. Council President Starnes thanked Mr. White for his service. Harry Kearley, 102 Bryan Street, addressed the Council about wreckless driving and speeders he has witnessed around his residence, Shady Oak Lane and Poplar Street. He requested that some sort of traffic control device be posted to deter the unwanted behavior. He suggested that speed bumps be erected but was not sure if there was a legal reason not to have those in neighborhoods. Mayor Gillespie advised Mr. Kearley that staff from the Engineering Department would be notified and a resolution to his concerns about public safety would be met. Lenora White, 621 West 4th Street, addressed the Council regarding the resolution on agenda item 11 to authorize the Mayor to submit applications for park surfacing improvements to various parks in Prattville. Ms. White asked why no funds were allotted to North Highland Community Center. Mayor Gillespie advised the City did not own the community center but the Autauga County Board of Education did. Mayor Gillespie stated that the City was in talks with the Board of Education about the community center and a future project to address sewer lines on Cone Street, an access road to the center, was planned. William Moody, 585 Marshall Drive, Lot Number 4, addressed the Council regarding the lack of law enforcement presence in the area of Marshall Drive. Mr. Moody stated that there was an influx of drug activity around his residence and was recently threatened by individuals while walking his dog. He cited that since 2016 there had been four murders which he attributed to a mix of drugs and gangs going unchecked by law enforcement. Mr. Moody stated that he was previously told he did not reside within the city limits and that the county needed to be contacted. Mr. Moody stated he contacted County Commissioner Bill Tatum, who advised that the City Police Department should handle his claims. Mr. Moody stated he felt like he was 14 getting the run-around and only wanted more police posted in and around the area of his residence to deter unwanted criminal activity. CLOSING COMMENTS: None. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilor Strichik made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Gornto seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 8:10 p.m. APPROVED: ___________________________ Lisa Byrd Interim City Clerk ___________________________ Gerald “Jerry” Starnes, President Prattville City Council SUBMITTED BY: Dawn Russell Assistant City Clerk