CC Minutes 2023.09.19
1
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
6:02 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 6:02
p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag,
Councilor Merrick gave the invocation. Roll was called with all Councilors recorded as present.
Council President Boone declared a quorum and called the meeting to order.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS AVAILABILITY: Willingness to change my
schedule and priorities to meet a need.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Work Session August 22, 2023, Public Hearing and City Council
Meeting September 5, 2023. Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt
the minutes and Councilor Jackson seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the
minutes were adopted (7-0).
Council President Boone gave a synopsis on public comment periods that occur during a City
Council meeting and the sign-in procedures in place.
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, commented on Consent Agenda Item 3 and Agenda Item
6, questioning the location of each and if they were related.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie opened his report by asking for a Point-of-Privilege to introduce the 2024
Distinguished Young Woman of Autauga County, Gracen Murphy. He commended Ms. Murphy
on her accomplishments and wished her success in the state competition. Ms. Murphy thanked
all for their support and encouraged young ladies to participate in the competition as it builds
not only character but leadership skills.
Mayor Gillespie continued with his report by thanking all who came out to the 9/11 ceremony
to honor and remember those who lost their lives on that tragic day.
Mayor Gillespie further commented on the Epson Tours Golf Championship tournament being
in town and the positive economic impact the tournament brings to Prattville and their
commitment to return through 2026. He also gave an update on the twenty-four million dollar
Guardian Credit Union headquarters project.
Mayor Gillespie thanked the City Council for their support on the budget as he gave a project
update on the turn lane extensions on East Main Street and the dedicated right hand turn lane
on Sheila Boulevard. He cautioned there would be some traffic delays as this project
progresses but the construction would be modified around school traffic times.
Mayor Gillespie continued his report by advising the street paving agreement with Autauga
County has yet to be executed and then gave an update on the 6th Street paving project.
2
Mayor Gillespie advised the restrooms at North Highland Park were under construction and
mentioned the curb and gutters along Cone Street were completed with asphalt to be laid later
in the week. He advised the Selma Highway and Thomas Avenue patching would commence
next week around the school time traffic.
Mayor Gillespie concluded his report by updating the progress at the Mill Apartments. He
advised that after a delay, the completed drawings showing that Building A is no longer in the
flood zone should be forthcoming thereby allowing Building A and B to open some time after
December 26, 2023.
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 August 2023.
• General Fund Revenue Report
o $4,331,264.77 – total revenue collected in August
o $53,934,989.89 – total revenue collected fiscal year to date
• Tax Breakdown Comparison Report
o $3,610,090.13– tax revenue collected in August
o 7.28% - increase over August 2022
• General Fund Expenditures Report
o 91.67% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 85.72% - portion of budgeted expenditures incurred to date
• Wastewater Fund Income Statement
o $330,465.68 – net income from operations for August
o 91.67% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 79.18% - portion of budgeted expenses incurred to date (excludes capital
projects & debt service)
• Sanitation Fund Income Statement
o ($244,977.30)– net loss for August (due to truck purchase)
o 91.67% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 95.00% - portion of budgeted expenses incurred to date
• Judicial Fund Income Statement
o $14,725.51 – net income for August
o 91.67% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 74.67% - portion of budgeted expenditures incurred to date
• Bank Balances Report
o $54,707,338.48 – total of all bank balances at the end of August
• Accounts Payable & Debt Balances Report
o $57,496,884.41 – total debt balance city-wide at end of August
o $24,632,634.41 – total non-enterprise fund debt at end of August
CONSENT AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Appoint Department Heads. {Sponsored By: Councilor Chambers}
3
RESOLUTION BOOK 2023-A, PAGE 207
2. RESOLUTION: To Declare Dixie Electric Company a Non-Responsible Bidder for Bid
No.023-013. {Sponsored By: Councilor Gornto}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2023-A, PAGE 208
3. RESOLUTION To Set a Public Hearing to Vacate the Unimproved Magnolia Drive Right-Of-
Way. {Sponsored By: Council President Boone}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2023-A, PAGE 209
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to place item numbers 1-3 on a
Consent Agenda and Councilor Merrick seconded the motion. The items were placed on a
Consent Agenda (7-0).
Councilor Gornto 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,
MERRICK, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
AGENDA
1. ORDINANCE: To Rezone Property Located Inside the Corporate Limits East of Bridge Creek
Road and West of Parkview Drive from FAR (Forest, Agriculture, Recreation) to R-2 (Single
Family Residential) (Petitioner: Goodwyn Building Company, Inc) (Representative: Larry E.
Speaks and Associates) (Owner: Frances Carter Estate). {Sponsored By: Councilor Striplin}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2023-A, PAGE 016
This ordinance was introduced on August 15, 2023 by Councilor Striplin and seconded by
Councilor Merrick. This ordinance now being properly before the Council, Council President
Boone opened the floor for discussion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted
with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
MERRICK, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
2. RESOLUTION: To Amend the Budget and Award Bid No. 023-012 to South Dade Air
Conditioning and Refrigeration INC (SDAC) for Turn Lane Extension and Sidewalk
Improvements on East Main Street for the Engineering Department at a Cost Not to Exceed
$1,195,837.38. {Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2023-A, PAGE 210
4
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,
MERRICK, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
3. RESOLUTION: To Award Bid No. 023-013 to Johnson Controls, Inc. for HVAC Preventative
Maintenance Services for City Owned Facilities for the Facilities Maintenance Division of the
Public Works Department at a Cost of $401,293.00. {Sponsored By: Councilor Gornto}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2023-A, PAGE 211
Councilor Gornto 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,
MERRICK, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
4. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with Civil Southeast LLC
for Professional Engineering Design Services for Construction of a Barbeque Pit for the Parks
and Recreation Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $37,000.00. {Sponsored By: Council
President Pro Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2023-A, PAGE 212
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor
Merrick seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the
following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
MERRICK, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
5. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with Civil Southeast LLC
for Engineering Services for Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Project No.
STPMN-0121(252) Lower Kingston Road Resurfacing and Project No. STPMN-0121(251)
Doster Road Resurfacing for the Engineering Department at a Total Cost Not to Exceed
$102,590.00 (Net Cost to City $20,518.00). {Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2023-A, PAGE 213
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:
5
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
MERRICK, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
6. RESOLUTION: To Authorize Demolition and Removal of the Dilapidated Structures Located
at 902 Washington Ferry Road and Award a Contract to 82 Auto Parts and Wrecker Service
LLC at a Cost Not to Exceed $7,800.00. {Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore
Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2023-A, PAGE 214
Council President Pro Tempore 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,
MERRICK, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
Council President Boone outlined the public speaking guidelines and stated anyone that
wished to speak would need to line up on the right hand side of the wall and wait to sign in to
speak.
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, commented on Ivy Classical Academy coming to Prattville
and their funding. She also spoke on the contract between the City of Prattville and the Prattville
Solid Waste Disposal Authority.
Kevin Burke, 716 Briarcliff Place, commented on the Autauga-Prattville Public Library and
support of unrestricted access to all book for all individuals.
Tracey Burke, 716 Briarcliff Place, commented on the Autauga-Prattville Public Library and
children’s access to sexually explicit materials in commercials, television shows and movies.
Chuk Shirley, 217 Wetumpka Street, commented on the previous Council decision about the
Library stating first amendment rights do not apply to books and the Request for
Reconsideration Form for the Library being inadequate in holding the Library accountable.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Council President Boone advised the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting would be
held Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
Council President Boone advised there was a need to enter into Executive Session to discuss
matters related to preliminary negotiations, economic development and/or project funding. She
advised that City Attorney Andrew Odom submitted a letter signifying the legality of this action
6
and that Executive Session would last approximately twenty (20) minutes. Upon return there
would be no further business to come before the Council.
Councilor Merrick made a motion to enter into Executive Session and Councilor Chambers
seconded the motion. Council President Boone ordered a Roll Call vote.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilor Striplin Aye
Councilor Jackson Aye
Councilor Chambers Aye
Councilor Merrick Aye
Councilor Gornto Aye
Councilor Strichik Aye
Councilor Boone Aye
The motion to enter into Executive Session was passed with a vote of 7-0.
The Council entered into Executive Session at 6:46 p.m. and returned to Regular Session at
7:16 p.m.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilor Gornto made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Merrick seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m. (7-
0)
APPROVED:
Paula G. Barlow
City Clerk
Lora Lee Boone, President
Prattville City Council