CC Minutes 2022.01.041
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2022
6:02 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at 6:02 p.m. in
the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag,
Councilor Gornto gave the invocation. Roll was called with Council President Starnes being
absent and all other councilors being present. Council President Pro Tempore Boone declared
a quorum.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS PERSEVERANCE: Giving your best effort
regardless of obstacles and rejection.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and Council meeting December 21, 2021.
Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Jackson seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the minutes were adopted (6-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
None
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie asked for a point of privilege for Scott Stephens, Planning Director, to give an
update on an agenda item.
Scott Stephens announced the upcoming public hearing on the proposed zoning ordinance on
January 6th at 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers and on January 20th at 3:00 pm at the Planning
Commission regular meeting where they could vote on recommending the new zoning
ordinance to the Council. Stephens reported that the proposed development moratorium is
mainly for logistical purposes. There will be some noticeable changes mainly for commercial
developments like materials, landscaping, parking, etc... Stephens explained that it takes
several months going through multiple departments to get a commercial development
reviewed. This will be a short defined moratorium that will give the city a break between what
is being submitted under the current zoning ordinance and what will be submitted under the
new zoning ordinance. Stephens recommended reading in the ordinance tonight and then
considering it for a vote at the January 18th Council meeting. This will give current projects
enough time to submit plans. Councilor Gornto asked Mr. Stephens how long he thought the
moratorium would last and Stephens responded that the goal was to have the new zoning
ordinance in place by March 15th.
Mayor Gillespie advised the City will not be reissuing a business license to the Blue Iguana
since the establishment has not complied with the agreed upon conditions that the Council
gave back in October, unless/until a time that they comply with those conditions. Mayor
Gillespie announced that the Police Committee that was scheduled for January 5, 2022, at 4:30
pm has been canceled and will be rescheduled soon. He advised the Fire Committee will be
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meeting soon to discuss the property maintenance and fire codes. The new codes should be
coming before the Council soon for a vote. Mayor Gillespie reported that new asphalt has been
going down around the Gin property and the Public Safety building; the new roundabout is now
open on Bridge Street and that there is an easy phrase to remember on roundabouts; yield
right, stay right, and choose right; once all are familiar with the roundabouts it will be of
tremendous value. Mayor Gillespie stated that progress is being made on Bunche Avenue and
Washington Street and that final paving is scheduled toward the end of February or the first of
March and asked that everyone please continue to use caution in this area. Mayor Gillespie
announced that the City continues to see progress and invited others to join him on Monday at
3:30 pm for the ribbon-cutting for the new campus of Central Alabama Community College.
The Mayor stated there will be a ribbon-cutting soon for Mac-Gray 2.0 Park. The facility will be
partnering with Prattville High School to host a showcase tournament with over 48 games in
February and the opening of girls’ softball will be at the park in March. Mayor Gillespie advised
the pandemic is ramping up in the area and encouraged all to use precautions. The Mayor
advised that the City has enacted protocols for City employees to help keep them safe.
Mayor Gillespie concluded his report by mentioning that most of the lights from Christmas time
will be taken down. The lights over Main Street, the park, and the bridge will remain through
February and will then be taken down to make way for the new Bridge Street pedestrian walk
project.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
None.
AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Lounge Retail Liquor - Class II (Package) License for December
21 Inc. d/b/a Premier Liquor and Wine. (Sponsored By: Council President Starnes)
Council President Pro Tempore Boone advised that the investigative report recommended to
deny the application. Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor
Gornto seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the resolution failed with the
following results:
AYES : NONE 0
NAYS : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STARNES 1
2. ORDINANCE: To Rezone Property Located Inside the City Limits at 200 Gin Shop Hill Road
from B-2 (General Business) to FAR (Forest, Agriculture, Recreation) (Petitioner: Rodger D.
Gandy, II) (Owner: Stephanie Dupree). (Sponsored By: Councilor Striplin)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2022, PAGE 001
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This ordinance was introduced at the December 7, 2021, Council meeting. There being no
discussion, the ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STARNES 1
3. ORDINANCE: To Declare a Temporary Moratorium on Permits and Approvals for
Commercial Developments and Signs. (Sponsored By: Council President Starnes)
HELD UNTIL 01/18/2022
Councilor Chambers made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Strichik seconded
the motion. By point of order, this item will be held until the January 18, 2022, Council meeting.
4. RESOLUTION: To Enter into a Lease and Indemnity Agreement between Pratt Mill
Properties LLC and the City of Prattville to Lease Certain Property Along Court Street for
Various City Events and Activities. (Sponsored By: Councilor Strichik)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2022, PAGE 001
Councilor Strichik 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, CHAMBERS,
GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STARNES 1
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, addressed the Council regarding the pending pedestrian
bridge and the possibility of having a flashing light installed to bring attention to the pedestrians
when built. Ms. Finnegan also inquired about having the concrete dividers cleaned.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
None.
Council President Pro Tempore Boone reminded everyone that the next City Council meeting
was scheduled for Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilor Strichik made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Jackson seconded the motion.
The meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m. (6-0).
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APPROVED:
___________________________
Paula G. Barlow
City Clerk
___________________________
Gerald “Jerry” Starnes, President
Prattville City Council