CC Minutes 2023.10.17
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PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2023
6:00 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag,
Council President Boone 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 RESPONSIBILITY… Taking ownership of my
thoughts, words, and actions.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting October 3, 2023. Council
President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Merrick
seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the minutes were adopted (7-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
None.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie requested a Point-of-Privilege asking Economic Development Director Bryant
Whaley to the podium. Mr. Whaley thanked all for their support for his family with the recent
house fire, stating incidents like this help to put things into perspective.
Mayor Gillespie spoke on the recent dedication of the Mary Virginia Harris pavilion at North
Highland Park last week stating Ms. Harris has impacted our community with her ever giving
and caring heart.
Mayor Gillespie continued his report by discussing the success of the movie night at Pratt Park
commenting it was a well-attended event. He also briefed all on the new City website and
thanked Webmaster Jamie Sutton for all her hard work on the project.
Mayor Gillespie commented on the downtown sidewalk intersection renovations being
approved through the Alabama Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives
Program advising it will need to be approved before Council some time in the spring.
Mayor Gillespie continued his report by stating with Council approval of Items four and five,
Webb Builders would be ready to move forward with the new Public Works Street Facility
Building and the Premise Health Suite Renovations in the old Whitney Bank. He also mentioned
the pre-construction meeting for Project Fast-Track (turn lanes on East Main Street) would be
this Thursday.
Mayor Gillespie advised the Thomas Avenue Stormwater and Sewer Project is around 99%
complete and the paving on Selma Highway will take place on Thursday.
Mayor Gillespie advised the demolition at Stanley Jensen Stadium project is well underway,
then turned the floor over to Council President Pro Tempore Strichik for details. Councilor
Strichik advised the South endzone concession stand, bathrooms and bleachers have been
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torn down and once the last two home games are played, they will start working on the North
endzone concession stand, bathrooms and the scoreboard. Mayor Gillespie advised this was
another example of Progress in Prattville.
Mayor Gillespie concluded by reporting that Prattville is crazy about pumpkins. He talked about
the free Pumpkin Decorating for kids and the Parade of Pumpkins kicking off on Friday and
going through October 31, 2023. Mayor Gillespie stated there would be over one thousand
pumpkins on display with our schools and teachers decorating around seven hundred of those.
He continued by stating this event brought in over 60,000 people last year. Mayor Gillespie
thanked City crews for all of their hard work in preparation of this event. He also thanked the
sponsors of the event, Randy Jones and Associates and Civil Southeast, LLC, for partnering
with the City of Prattville again this year.
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 September
2023.
• General Fund Revenue Report
o $4,596,392.06 – total revenue collected in September
o $58,531,381.95 – total revenue collected fiscal year to date
• Tax Breakdown Comparison Report
o $3,900,416.61 – tax revenue collected in September
o 17.73% - increase over September 2022
• General Fund Expenditures Report
o 100.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 94.62% - portion of budgeted expenditures incurred to date
• Wastewater Fund Income Statement
o $18,690.06– net loss from operations for September – due to sewer line repairs
on Washington Ferry Road.
o 100.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 94.38% - portion of budgeted expenses incurred to date (excludes capital
projects & debt service)
• Sanitation Fund Income Statement
o $75,065.33 – net income for September
o 100.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 95.23% - portion of budgeted expenses incurred to date
• Judicial Fund Income Statement
o $141,658.22 – net loss for September- due to Metro Jail payment.
o 100.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 92.03% - portion of budgeted expenditures incurred to date
• Gas Tax Special Revenue Fund Income Statement
o $2,074,510.97 – Revenue collected fiscal year to date
• Capital Projects Fund Income Statement
o $10,653,595.51 – Total project and debt service expenses incurred to date
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o Current Projects:
▪ Parks & Rec Tier I Projects
• Pratt Park, Newton Park and Stanley Jensen Stadium
▪ East Main Street Sidewalks
▪ Thomas Avenue Drainage
▪ Fairview Avenue Improvements
▪ TAP 2023 – Doster Road Sidewalks
▪ TAP 2023 – Old Ridge Sidewalks
• Group Health Fund Income Statement
o $840,874.34 – net income to date
• Parks and Recreation
o $901,883.76 - total revenue collected fiscal year to date
o 100.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 109.08% of budgeted revenue earned to date
• Bank Balances Report
o $55,894,797.90– total of all bank balances at the end of September
• Accounts Payable & Debt Balances Report
o $57,374,807.80 – total debt balance city-wide at end of September
o $24,510,557.80 – total non-enterprise fund debt at end of September
Councilor Striplin inquired about the revenue percentage of the year on Page 1 of the
financials and Mr. Oakley stated it was a typographical error that it should read 100%.
Council President Boone inquired if the print could be made larger in the future for ease of
reading.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement for Relocation of Utility
Facilities on Public Rights-of-Way with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) for
Project No. STPMN-0115(252) - Widening to Add Turn Lanes, Resurfacing and Traffic Signal
Improvements on Fairview Avenue from SR-3 to Jasmine Trail at No Cost to the City.
{Sponsored By: Councilor Striplin}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2023-B, Page 224
2. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Declare Keeping Garbage and Rubbish at 153
Lancelot Circle to be Unsafe and a Public Nuisance and Order the Abatement Pursuant to
Chapter 46 et seq., City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. {Sponsored By: Council President
Pro Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2023-B, Page 225
3. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Declare Keeping Garbage and Rubbish and the
Abundance of Overgrown Grass and Weeds at 222 Moncrief Street to be Unsafe and a Public
Nuisance and Order Their Abatement Pursuant to Chapter 46 et seq., City of Prattville Code
of Ordinances. {Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2023-B, Page 226
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Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to place item numbers 1-3 on a
Consent Agenda and Councilor Chambers 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 Jackson
seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Consent Agenda was adopted with the
following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
MERRICK, STRICHIK, GORNTO, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
AGENDA
1. ORDINANCE: To Exempt Certain “Covered Items” from the Municipal Sales and Use Tax
during the Last Full Weekend of February 2024, as Authorized by Act 2012-256, Generally
Referred to as the “State Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday” Legislation.
{Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Strichik}
ORDINANCE BOOK 2023, Page 017
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor
Gornto seconded the motion. By Point-of-Order, it is necessary that Council rules be suspended
if immediate action is to be considered. Councilor Chambers made a motion to suspend the
rules and Councilor Merrick seconded the motion. There being no discussion, Council President
Boone ordered a Roll Call Vote for the suspension of rules.
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 rules were suspended (7-0).
City Attorney Andrew Odom advised, the Council needed a motion to adopt the ordinance
before moving forward. Council Gornto made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor
Chambers seconded the motion. The ordinance now being properly before the Council, Council
President Boone invited questions and comments from the Council. There being no discussion,
the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
MERRICK, STRICHIK, GORNTO, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
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2. ORDINANCE: To Amend City of Prattville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 42, Municipal Court,
Section 42-3.- Schedule of Fines -Traffic Infractions and Offenses. {Sponsored By: Council
President Boone}
ORDINANCE BOOK 2023, Page 018
Councilor Merrick made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Jackson seconded the
motion. By Point-of-Order, it is necessary that Council rules be suspended if immediate action
is to be considered. Councilor Gornto made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor
Chambers seconded the motion. There being no discussion, Council President Boone ordered
a Roll Call Vote for the suspension of rules.
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 rules were suspended (7-0).
Council Gornto made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Chambers seconded the
motion. The ordinance now being properly before the Council, Council President Boone invited
questions and comments from the Council. There being no discussion, the Ordinance was
adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
MERRICK, STRICHIK, GORNTO, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
3. ORDINANCE: To Amend City of Prattville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 62, Traffic and
Vehicles, Article IV.- Stopping, Standing and Parking, Section 62-138.- Parking of Trucks,
Tractors, etc.- In Certain Areas, and Section 62-140.- Commercial Vehicle Parking; Parking or
Leaving Unattended Prohibited. {Sponsored By: Council President Boone}
ORDINANCE BOOK 2023, Page 019
Councilor Chambers made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Merrick seconded
the motion. By Point-of-Order, it is necessary that Council rules be suspended if immediate
action is to be considered. Councilor Jackson made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor
Gornto seconded the motion. There being no discussion, Council President Boone ordered a
Roll Call Vote for the suspension of rules.
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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 rules were suspended (7-0).
Council Jackson made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Merrick seconded the
motion. The ordinance now being properly before the Council, Council President Boone invited
questions and comments from the Council. Councilor Striplin inquired if there were any
exceptions to this ordinance stating that starting at line 32 it states “it shall be unlawful for any
person to park or leave unattended in excess of 24 hours, any commercial motor vehicle or
trailer or combination thereof, on any private or public lot within the Corporate Limits”. He
continued by giving examples of Alabama Power, rental companies and repair shops that may
have a need for commercial vehicles to be parked in excess of 24 hours. Mayor Gillespie
referred to line 22 where it states this is for areas that are zone residential. He continued by
stating 18 wheelers were not allowed in residential areas unless they had a bill of laden. There
being no further discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
STRICHIK, GORNTO, BOONE 6
NAYS : STRIPLIN 1
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
4. RESOLUTION: To Award Bid No. 023-018 to Webb Builders, Inc. for Construction of a Public
Works Street Facility Building for the Engineering Department at a Cost Not to Exceed
$1,425,000.00. {Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2023-B, Page 227
Councilor Jackson 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,
MERRICK, STRICHIK, GORNTO, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
5. RESOLUTION: To Award Bid No. 023-019 to Webb Builders, Inc. for Building Renovations
for the Premise Health Suite at a Cost Not to Exceed $268,378.00. {Sponsored By: Council
President Pro Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2023-B, Page 228
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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, STRICHIK, GORNTO, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
6. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with Civil Southeast LLC
for Construction Engineering and Inspection Services for the Public Works Street Facility
Building for the Engineering Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $53,500.00. {Sponsored By:
Councilor Jackson}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2023-B, Page 229
Councilor Jackson 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, STRICHIK, GORNTO, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, spoke on the response she received to the Freedom of
Information Act Request for the contract between the City of Prattville and the Prattville Solid
Waste Disposal Authority, and inquired about a timeframe for the Right-of-Way work approved
in Consent Agenda Item 1. Mayor Gillespie advised there was not a specific timeline as of yet.
Ms. Finnegan closed her comments stating how good the pumpkins in downtown look.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Councilor Gornto announced the birth of their third child, thanking everyone who reached out
to them. Councilor Gornto continued by stating that he had taken a position with the State of
Alabama that potentially creates a conflict of interest with his position on the City Council. He
thanked his constituents of District 5 for their support and trust in him. He also thanked the
Mayor and fellow Councilors for all of their guidance and finally the Department Heads and
employees for all of their hard work. Councilor Gornto advised he would be resigning his
position as Councilor of District 5 effective October 31, 2023.
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik thanked Councilor Gornto, stating it has been an honor
to work with him.
Council President Boone congratulated Councilor Gornto and thanked him for his service.
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Councilor Boone advised the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting would be held
Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 6:00 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 6:42 p.m. (7-
0)
APPROVED:
Paula G. Barlow
City Clerk
Lora Lee Boone, President
Prattville City Council