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CC Minutes 2022.08.16PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2022 6:01 P.M. The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at 6:01 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Councilor Starnes gave the invocation. Roll was called with all Councilors recorded as present with the exception of Councilor Gornto. Council President Boone declared a quorum and called the meeting to order. THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS HUMILITY: Acknowledging that achievement results from others' investment in life. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting August 2, 2022. Councilor President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the minutes were adopted (6-0). Council President Boone acknowledged former Council President Willie Wood, Jr. in the audience. COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT'S AGENDA: None. * MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Gillespie was granted a Point -of -Privilege and invited Assistant Chief Roberts from the Prattville Fire Department to join him at the podium. Assistant Chief Roberts reported that an effort to reach out to the community in order to recruit local individuals to the Fire Department has proven to be successful. Assistant Chief Roberts outlined the hiring process and asked the six new recruits (Malcolm Cyrus, Joseph Fuller, Luke Jordan, Cainan McGinty, James Sutton and Joshua Wared) to introduce themselves to the Council. Assistant Chief Roberts explained after graduation from the Fire College the recruits will assume roster positions and begin on-the-job training to become Firefighter I and Ils. Assistant Chief Roberts thanked the Councilors for their time. Councilor Gornto arrived in the Council Chambers and took his seat at the dais at 6:10 p.m Mayor Gillespie reported on the progress of the pedestrian bridge at Bridge Street and advised there are approximately 40-days left on the contract before the bridge will be open to the public. Mayor Gillespie mentioned the project to widen Fairview Avenue, commenting there have been several challenges including the pandemic and rights -of -way acquisitions. However, he hopes the project will officially begin next year. Mayor Gillespie reported the new liqhting was installed at Stanley Jensen Stadium and all ready for "Friday Night Lights". He advised the Pratt Park playground equipment arrived and installation and placement of those components had begun. He mentioned the Davis Street and Thomas Avenue stormwater drainage project was progressing smoothly. Mayor Gillespie did ask that everyone use caution when traveling down Selma Highway because of construction and materials in the vicinity. Mayor Gillespie closed his report with his plan to present the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget to Councilors before the next scheduled Council meeting. Council President Boone acknowledged former City Councilor Gene Brown in the audience. COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT'S AGENDA: *Council President Boone was advised by other Councilors that she may have missed some hands raised when comments from persons present was initially called. Hence, this comment section will be out -of -order from normal agenda procedures. Sandi Davis, 104 White Oak Court, raised concerns about the ordinance presented under Agenda Item 1. She felt the verbiage used when discussing the map and ordinance was ambiguous and the process rushed. Ms. Davis stated she understood there were processes and guidelines to adhere to, but she would like to see the Council share more information. Thomas Warren, 222 Howard Street, asked if there was a financial impact analysis completed prior to the introduction of the ordinance presented under Agenda Item 1. Mayor Gillespie advised that no analysis was conducted and that financial data is not compiled for any redistricting purpose. Mr. Thomas requested that a financial impact analysis be brought before the Council so those figures could be shared with constituents. Mr. Thomas asked how funding for the districts was determined. Council President Boone advised that Council districts are not funded individually. Robert Robinson, 118 Cosby Court, asked what changes could be made to improve voter effectiveness, in District 2, on the map currently drawn in relation to the ordinance presented under Agenda Item 1. Council President Boone clarified that redistricting affected all districts, not just District 2. Franklin Nettles, 1309 Kingston Oaks Drive, requested that Councilors pause for a moment of reflection before voting on the ordinance presented under Agenda Item 1. Vickey McCrary, 205 Douglas Circle, asked what districts are the most and least impacted by the proposed map. She felt the proposed map presented under Agenda Item 1 negatively effects District 2 and could cause the election of a white Councilor for that district. Council President Boone clarified that the Council was not redistricting for political reasons, rather redistricting was mandated by the State laws after completion of a Federal Census. Belinda Edwards, 116 Cosby Court, suggested the Council work with the County Election Officer and provide a copy of district demographics by party and race to the public before voting on the ordinance presented under Agenda Item 1. Council President Boone advised that the Council did not run under any party affiliation. Ms. Edwards commented that she felt black citizens should have a voice with whatever is being done in the City and decisions should be fair. Councilor Gornto advised the proposed map includes percentages and a comparison of the racial make up of each district. Diane Rolling, 119 Magnolia Drive, Camellia Estates Subdivision, commented that in the early 1990s a Federal mandate required there to be a minority district in the City of Prattville, but even after that completing the process, a minority district could not be established. Barbara Robinson, 123 White Oak Court, read 2 Samuel 12, which was passed out to the Councilors, Mayor Gillespie and City Clerk Paula Barlow. REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None. REPORT ON THE STATUS OF CITY FINANCES: Finance Director Daniel Oakley provided the following report on City Finances for July 2022: • General Fund Revenue Report o $4,179,708.75 - total revenue collected in July o $45,324,004.07 - total revenue collected fiscal year to date • Tax Breakdown Comparison Report o $3,743,004.55 - tax revenue collected in July o 6.70% - increase over July 2021 • General Fund Expenditures Report 0 83.33% - portion of fiscal year completed 0 73.15% - portion of budgeted expenditures incurred to date • Wastewater Fund Income Statement o $112,218.13 - net income from operations for July 0 83.33% - portion of fiscal year completed 0 69.34% - portion of budgeted expenses incurred to date (excludes capital projects & debt service) • Sanitation Fund Income Statement o $7,315.92 - net income for July 0 83.33% - portion of fiscal year completed 0 79.67% - portion of budgeted expenses incurred to date • Judicial Fund Income Statement o $2,745.38 - net income for July 0 83.33% - portion of fiscal year completed 0 76.21 % -portion of budgeted expenditures incurred to date • Bank Balances Report o $41,536,114.84 - total of all bank balances at the end of July • Accounts Payable & Debt Balances Report o $59,896,575.81 - total debt balance city-wide at end of July o $26,049,825.81 - total non -enterprise fund debt at end of July CONSENT AGENDA 1. RESOLUTION: To Grant Permission to the Prattville Lions Quarterback Club to Collect a Parking Fee at Stanley -Jensen Stadium for the 2022 Prattville High School Football Season. {Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Strichik} RESOLUTION BOOK 2022-A, PAGE 154 2. RESOLUTION: To Grant Permission to Sovereign Grace Church to Collect a Parking Fee at the Grove for the 2022 Prattville High School Football Season. {Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Strichik} RESOLUTION BOOK 2022-A, PAGE 155 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: Councilor Starnes} RESOLUTION BOOK 2022-A, PAGE 156 4. RESOLUTION: To Reject All Bids Related to Bid No. 022-014 for a John Deere Cold Planer CP24E Cutting Tool or Equivalent. {Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson} RESOLUTION BOOK 2022-A, PAGE 157 Councilor Starnes made a motion to place item numbers 1-4 on a Consent Agenda and Councilor Gornto seconded the motion. The items were placed on a Consent Agenda (7-0). Councilor Striplin made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Consent Agenda was adopted with the following results: AYES STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS, BOONE, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK 7 NAYS NONE 0 ABSTAINED NONE 0 ABSENT NONE 0 AGENDA 1. ORDINANCE: To Amend Ordinance Book 2011, Page 024, Ordinance Book 2016-A, Page 009 and Ordinance Book 2020, Page 005 to Re -Describe the Legal Descriptions of City Council Districts Pursuant to 2020 Federal Census and Designate Voting Locations. {Sponsored By: Council President Boone} This ordinance was first introduced at the July 5, 2022, City Council meeting, where Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Council President Pro Tempore Strichik seconded the motion. Subsequently, the ordinance was postponed until July 19, 2022, and again until August 16, 2022. The ordinance being properly before the Council, Council President Boone asked if there was any discussion. Councilor Jackson provided a handout to all Councilors, Mayor Gillespie, City Clerk Paula Barlow and City Attorney Andrew Odom. Councilor Jackson advised he reached out to Rob Johnston with the Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM) and asked about Alabama State Code §11-44D and the part where it referenced the map presented in the ordinance had to be adopted within six (6) months or automatically go into effect. Councilor Jackson stated that Mr. Johnston's response eluded that the code section only applied to municipalities that formally adopted the form of government under §11-44D and the municipality would have to have had a referendum election adopting the §11-44D form of government. To Mr. Johnston's knowledge, only Opelika had done this, but would defer to the City's attorney. Councilor Jackson advised the City of Prattville was a Class 5 municipality, Opelika was a Class 6 municipality and the code section for the timeline did not apply. Councilor Chambers asked Mr. Odom for his opinion on the matter presented. Mr. Odom advised he would need time to research the information from the email before making any comments. However, Mr. Odom stated he was under the assumption that Prattville has always been a Class 6 municipality. Councilor Jackson stated the class is determined by the size of the municipality. Mayor Gillespie commented that Prattville indeed was a Class 6 municipality and classifications were determined by population size in 1970. He mentioned that population growth or decline after the initial classification was made would not alter the classification going forward. Councilor Jackson questioned whether the City elected to adopt the specific form of government as stipulated under §11-44D. Councilor Jackson mentioned that during a prior meeting, a question was raised about Map 07-14 starting the clock over and if it was properly presented to the Council, but there have been no clear answers. Councilor Jackson made a motion to postpone the ordinance until the September 6, 2022, Council meeting, so Mr. Odom could have time to look into the new information he provided. Councilor Gornto seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the ordinance was postponed until the September 6, 2022, Council meeting with the following results: AYES STRIPLIN, JACKSON CHAMBERS, BOONE STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK 7 NAYS NONE 0 ABSTAINED NONE 0 ABSENT NONE 0 2. RESOLUTION: To Adopt a Proposed Education Funding Plan and Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with Central Alabama Community Foundation for the Administration of the Plan for a Period of Five Years at an Annual Cost Not to Exceed 0.75% of Restricted Funds and 1.75% of Field -Of -Interest Funds, Minimum $15,000.00. {Sponsored By: Councilor Striplin} Council President Boone advised this resolution originally appeared on the July 19, 2022, agenda, but not read in. At that meeting, a motion to postpone the resolution to August 16, 2022 was passed. Councilor Striplin read in the resolution and made a motion to adopt the resolution. Council President Pro Tempore Strichik seconded the motion. Councilor Striplin made a motion to postpone the resolution indefinitely and Councilor Jackson seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the resolution was postponed indefinitely with the following results: AYES STRIPLIN, JACKSON CHAMBERS, BOONE STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK 7 NAYS NONE 0 ABSTAINED NONE 0 ABSENT NONE 0 3. RESOLUTION: To Adopt a Transportation Plan for Fiscal Year 2023 as Required by Act 2019-2 for the Rebuild Alabama Fund. {Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson} RESOLUTION BOOK 2022-A, PAGE 158 Councilor Jackson made a motion to adopt the resolution and Council President Pro Tempore Strichik seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES STRIPLIN, JACKSON CHAMBERS, BOONE STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK 7 NAYS NONE 0 ABSTAINED NONE 0 ABSENT NONE 0 4. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2022 Budget and Award Bid No. 022-010-A to Webb Builders for the Pratt Park Improvements Rebid for the Parks and Recreation Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $565,009.70. {Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Strichik} RESOLUTION BOOK 2022-A, PAGE 159 Council President Pro Tempore 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, BOONE STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK 7 NAYS NONE 0 ABSTAINED NONE 0 ABSENT NONE 0 5. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2022 Budget and Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with Civil Southeast LLC for Engineering and Consulting Services for the Pratt Park Improvement Project for the Parks and Recreation Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $60,000.00. {Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Strichik} RESOLUTION BOOK 2022-A, PAGE 160 Council President Pro Tempore 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: AYES STRIPLIN, JACKSON CHAMBERS, BOONE STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK 7 NAYS NONE 0 ABSTAINED NONE 0 ABSENT NONE 0 6. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2022 Budget and Authorize the Release of Funds for the Purchase of Four (4) Toro Mowers through the Omnia Partners Purchasing Cooperative from Prattville Outdoors for the Urban Management Division of the Public Works Department at a Total Cost Not to Exceed $44,203.00. {Sponsored By: Council President Boone) RESOLUTION BOOK 2022-A, PAGE 161 Councilor Chambers 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, BOONE STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK 7 NAYS NONE 0 ABSTAINED NONE 0 ABSENT NONE 0 7. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Three -Year Engagement Letter with Mauldin & Jenkins Certified Public Accountants for Single Audit and Financial Statement Auditing Services at a Total Cost Not to Exceed $241,000.00. {Sponsored By: Council President Boone} RESOLUTION BOOK 2022-A, PAGE 162 Councilor Striplin made a motion to adopt the resolution and Council President Pro Tempore Strichik seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES CHAMBERS, BOONE, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK 5 NAYS STRIPLIN, JACKSON 2 ABSTAINED NONE 0 ABSENT NONE 0 COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: None. CLOSING COMMENTS: Councilor Chambers congratulated the new Fire Department recruits. He announced there would be a Sanitation Committee Meeting held on August 17, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. in the Human Resources Conference Room to discuss acquiring new trucks; additional pick-ups in the County; possible changes to cardboard pickups; and restructuring of personnel. Council President Pro Tempore Strichik invited all to come out Friday evening to Stanley Jensen Stadium to kick off the high school football season at 7:00 p.m. with Prattville hosting Foley. Council President Boone reminded all about the Work Session scheduled for August 23, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers to review and make final edits to the Short -Term Rental ordinance before it is presented for a vote. She added that the Work Session is for Councilors and not a public input meeting. Council President Boone reiterated that the public submit all questions, comments and/or concerns via email at cit council rattvilleal. of prior to the Work Session so Councilors could be prepared for the meeting. Council President Boone announced the next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Gornto seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. (7-0). APPROVED: Paula G. Barlow City Clerk Lora Lee Boone, President Prattville City Council SUBMITTED BY: Dawn Russell Assistant City Clerk