Minutes 2021-08-031
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2021
6:01 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at 6:01 p.m. in
the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Council
President Pro Tempore Boone gave the invocation. Roll was called with Councilors Striplin,
Jackson, Chambers, Gornto, Strichik and Boone present. Council President Starnes was
absent. Council President Pro Tempore Boone declared a quorum.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS FLEXIBILITY: Adjusting to change with a
good attitude.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Work Session, Public Hearing and Council Meeting July 20, 2021.
Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Gornto seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the minutes were adopted with a vote of 6-0.
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, spoke in reference to the donation of property related to
Consent Agenda Item 2 and requested a copy of the appraisal when the transfer of property
was complete.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie recognized the Prattville Softball U8 All Stars who won the Pre-Area 1, Pre-
Area 2, Area and State Championship with a record of 20-0. The team scored 360 runs, only
allowed 96 runs through four tournaments, and were runners up in the World Series. The
team included Brook Adams, Harmony Arnold, Bristol Bethea, Kinley Bethea, Emma
Crawford, Riley Green, Hannah Hays, Mackenna Houck, Raegan Kennedy, Ryleigh
Kennedy, Lowery Little and Parker Moye. The team was coached by Joe Bethea, Shane
Moye, Caleb Adams and Tobey Houck. Mayor Gillespie praised the accomplishments of the
girls along with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department for their work and dedication to
youth sports in the City.
Mayor Gillespie introduced the City’s Planning Department Director, Mr. Scott Stephens. Mr.
Stephens advised that the department would no longer advertise public hearings for
subdivisions, zoning amendments, annexations, variance requests, use-on-appeal requests,
or other items going before the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Adjustment, or
Historic Preservation Commission in the newspaper unless there was a legal requirement to
do so. Mr. Stephens presented an interactive PowerPoint detailing where the public could
search and view department notices, draft agenda packets and meeting minutes. He
explained that advertisement would be available on the City’s website, bulletin boards and
through postal mail notification for entities affected. Ms. Stephens also demonstrated an
additional website application coming soon to the City’s website where individuals could
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access a wide variety of information and data pertaining to the City’s Planning and
Development Department.
Mayor Gillespie advised that stormwater and sewer projects were still active within the City.
He detailed the City’s primary school temporary staging concept as classes would begin later
in the week. He reiterated that citizens should use caution when traveling around and
through construction areas and school zones.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Councilor Strichik reported the Parks and Recreation Committee met at the Doster Center on
July 30, 2021, to discuss future projects at various parks and Stanley Jensen Stadium, finances
and a proposed partnership with the YMCA of Prattville.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the City Attorney to File a Release of “Weeded Liens” on 105
Timbermill Court. (Sponsored By: Council President Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2021-1, PAGE 132
2. RESOLUTION: To Accept the Donation of Certain Real Property Located at 115 Maple
Street from Dr. Tom and Linda Miller as Right-of-Way Acquisition in Conjunction with
Pedestrian Bridge Improvements at Bridge Street and Maple Street. (Sponsored By: Councilor
Jackson)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2021-A, PAGE 133
3. 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 2021-1, PAGE 134
Councilor Strichik made a motion to place item numbers 1-3 on a Consent Agenda and
Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the items were placed
on a Consent Agenda (6-0).
Councilor Gornto made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and Councilor Jackson
seconded the motion.
There being no discussion, the Consent Agenda was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STARNES
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AGENDA
1. 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 JUNE 1, 2021
HELD FROM JULY 6, 2021
HELD FROM AUGUST 3, 2021 INDEFINITELY
This Ordinance was first introduced on June 1, 2021, and held over from the July 6, 2021,
City Council meeting until August 3, 2021. A Work Session was convened on July 20, 2021.
Councilor Striplin recommended the appointment of a special committee with representation
from the Planning Department, Police Department, Historic Preservation Committee and
possibly the Fire Department. He stated each entity named would potentially provide
enforcement of the ordinance and their input could help mitigate concerns voiced during the
last City Council meetings. Council President Pro Tempore Boone asked Councilor Striplin if
he favored the appointment of the special committee before voting on the Ordinance. He
stated yes and placed his recommendation before the Council in form of a motion. Councilor
Chambers seconded the motion. The motion to appoint a special committee was passed
with a vote of 6-0.
Council President Pro Tempore Boone requested clarification from the City’s Attorney, Mr.
Andrew Odom on how to proceed. Mr. Odom advised since a motion passed to form a
special committee, it was advisable that the Council indefinitely postpone a vote on the
Ordinance.
Councilor Gornto made a motion to table the Ordinance indefinitely and Councilor Strichik
seconded the motion.
The Ordinance was tabled indefinitely, with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STARNES
2. 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-A, PAGE 135
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Councilor Strichik 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,
GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STARNES
3. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Pre-Zone Property Located Outside the City
Limits South of Old Ridge Road, West of Glennbrooke 8 to R-3 (Single Family Residential)
(Petitioners: David L. Avant / Diane R. Avant) (Representative: Barrett-Simpson, Inc.).
(Sponsored By: Councilor Chambers)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2021-A, PAGE 136
Councilor Strichik 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,
GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STARNES
Councilor Chambers introduced the ordinance printed in Resolution Book 2021-A, Page 136.
Councilor Chambers made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Jackson seconded
the motion. By point of order, this ordinance was held until its Public Hearing on September
7, 2021.
4. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the City of Prattville to Enter into an Agreement with the
State of Alabama, Acting by and through the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT),
for ALDOT Project Number STPMN-0121(___), CPMS Reference Number 100072820 –
Resurfacing on Lower Kingston Road from 4th Street to the Prattville City Limits. (Sponsored
By: Councilor Jackson)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2021-A, PAGE 137
Councilor Jackson made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Gornto seconded the
motion.
Councilor Striplin requested confirmation that there were no sewer issue needing to be
addressed before repaving. Mr. Dale Gandy, Public Works Director, advised he had no
concerns about the sewer line at Lower Kingston Road.
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There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STARNES
5. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the City of Prattville to Enter into an Agreement with the
State of Alabama, Acting by and through the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT),
for ALDOT Project Number STPMN-0121(___), CPMS Reference Number 100073333 –
Resurfacing on Doster Road from Marlette Drive to SR-3 (US-31). (Sponsored By: Councilor
Jackson)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2021-A, PAGE 138
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,
GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STARNES
6. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with Civil Southeast
LLC for Engineering Services for ALDOT Resurfacing Project on Lower Kingston Road from
4th Street to Prattville City Limits for the Engineering Department at a Cost Not to Exceed
$60,000.00 (Net Cost to City Not to Exceed $12,000.00). (Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2021-A, PAGE 139
Councilor Jackson 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,
GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STARNES
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7. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with Civil Southeast
LLC for Engineering Services for ALDOT Resurfacing Project on Doster Road from Marlette
Drive to SR-3 (US-31) for the Engineering Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $128,000.00
(Net Cost to City Not to Exceed $25,600.00). (Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2021-A, PAGE 140
Councilor Jackson made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Striplin seconded the
motion.
There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STARNES
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, appreciated Mr. Stephens’ efforts to notify the public of
planning and development items in absence of newspaper publications. Ms. Finnegan’s main
concern centered on timeframes to receive public notice and the ads published in the
newspaper were her go-to. She hoped the additional application to the City’s website would
be swift. Ms. Finnegan protested the proposed $1 million price tag for the purchase of the
Boutwell property by the Historic Prattville Redevelopment District.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Mayor Gillespie requested clarity from Councilor Striplin regarding the special committee and
its role. He reiterated the proposed Ordinance was over 60-days old. Mayor Gillespie stated
he had conversations with several businesses and citizens, and felt concerns lodged were
adequately addressed. Councilor Striplin stated the concerns aired during the Work Session
still lingered. Mayor Gillespie asked for specifics so he could prepare. Councilor Striplin stated
the points by Mr. Martin should be vetted especially design and types of markings for outside
barriers. Mayor Gillespie advised he wanted to keep the guidelines for barriers to be as generic
as possible.
Councilor Strichik advised during Mr. Stephens’ presentation, the recording of the Council
meeting stopped because the computer rebooted. He advised that there may not be a
complete video available to view.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Council President Pro Tempore Boone announced the Council needed to enter into Executive
Session to discuss legal matters with their attorney. Mr. Andrew Odom, City Attorney, provided
the Interim City Clerk with a letter of explanation for the Executive Session. That letter is made
part of the official record.
Councilor Strichik made a motion to enter into Executive Session and Councilor Chambers
seconded the motion.
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With a unanimous vote (6-0), the Council entered into Executive Session at 6:49 p.m. Council
President Pro Tempore Boone advised the Session would last approximately thirty minutes to
one hour.
Due to personal reasons, Councilor Gornto left the Council meeting at 6:50 p.m. and did not
return.
Councilor Jackson left the Executive Session at an undisclosed time and did not return.
The Council returned to Regular Session at 7:30 p.m.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilor Strichik made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Chambers seconded the motion.
The meeting adjourned (4-0, 3 absent) at 7:31 p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Lisa Byrd
Interim City Clerk
___________________________
Gerald “Jerry” Starnes, President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY:
Dawn Russell
Assistant City Clerk