CC Minutes 2024.06.041
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2024
6:09 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 6:09 p.m. in the
Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Councilor
Pro Tempore Strichik gave the invocation. Roll was called with all Councilors recorded as
present with the exception of Councilor Striplin. Council President Boone declared a quorum
and called the meeting to order.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS RESILIENCE: Recovering from adversity.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting May 21, 2024. Council
President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Whaley
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 opened his report announcing the forward progress being made in the
Redistricting process and thanked the American Legion Post 122 and VFW post 1349 for
hosting the annual wreath laying Memorial Day event. The Mayor commented on the Police
and Fire Training Facility ground breaking ceremony held on May 30, 2024, noting the facility
will be an asset to Public Safety as well as the community.
In addition, Mayor Gillespie announced the Prattville Police Department had four officers
graduate from the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training academy and with the
support of Agenda Item 7 the Prattville Fire Department will be adding three additional
firefighters as well. The Mayor continued by discussing challenges with contractors and
businesses working without proper licensing and permitting and plans to have code
enforcement officers working on the weekends.
Mayor Gillespie continued his report noting the current tennis court at Newton Park will be
transformed into fourteen new pickleball court and with Council approval five new tennis court
will be installed in addition to the recent upgrades. The Mayor announced that on June 17,
2024, the sewer and stormwater project behind City Hall will begin which will also add sidewalks
and parking along the creek walk in addition to replacing the stormwater pipe on Chestnut
Street.
In closing Mayor Gillespie announced the Prattville Farms Market is now open on Saturday’s
through the month of August from 7:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. giving the opportunity to shop with
local Alabama farmers. The Mayor further commended on those farmers and residents who
came out this past Saturday despite the rain.
FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
None
CONSENT AGENDA
2
1. RESOLUTION: To Name a Voting Delegate for the Alabama Municipal Insurance
Cooperation Special Meeting to Be Held July 10, 2024, in Montgomery, Alabama. {Sponsored
By: Councilor Jackson}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 126
2. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Declare the Abundance of Overgrown Grass and
Weeds at 1722 E. Main Street to be Unsafe and a Public Nuisance and Order Its Abatement
Pursuant to Chapter 46 et seq., City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. {Sponsored By: Councilor
Whaley}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 127
3. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to have Overgrown Grass and Weeds at 116 Newby
Street Abated and Charge Any Incurred Expenses for the Abatement Process Pursuant to
Chapter 46 et seq., City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. {Sponsored By: Councilor Whaley}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 128
Councilor 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 (6-0).
Councilor Merrick 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 : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
AGENDA
1. ORDINANCE: To Rezone Property Located Inside the Corporate Limits off McQueen Smith
Road and Jay Street from R-3 (Single Family Residential) to INST (Institutional) (Owner: HD&D
Land Company, Petitioner: Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC). {Sponsored By: Councilor Whaley}
ORDINANCE BOOK 2024, PAGE 008
This ordinance was originally read in on May 7, 2024 where Councilor Whaley made a motion
to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. The ordinance now
being properly before the Council, Council President Boone opened the floor for discussion.
There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
3
2. ORDINANCE: To Rezone Property Located Inside the Corporate Limits on McQueen Smith
Road from R-3 (Single Family Residential) to INST (Institutional) (Owner: HD&D Land
Company, Petitioner: Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC). {Sponsored By: Councilor Whaley}
ORDINANCE BOOK 2024, PAGE 009
This ordinance was originally read in on May 7, 2024 where Councilor Whaley made a motion
to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Jackson seconded the motion. The ordinance now being
properly before the Council, Council President Boone opened the floor for discussion. There
being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
3. ORDINANCE: To Rezone Property Located Inside the Corporate Limits at 1619 South
Memorial Drive from FAR (Forest, Agriculture, Recreation) to B-2 (General Business) (Owner:
HD&D Land Company, Petitioner: Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC). {Sponsored By: Council
President Boone}
ORDINANCE BOOK 2024, PAGE 010
This ordinance was originally read in on May 7, 2024 where Councilor Jackson made a motion
to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. The ordinance now
being properly before the Council, Council President Boone opened the floor for discussion.
There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
4. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2024 Budget and Award Bid No. 024-006 to Construction
One, Inc. for Project Star Outdoors Around 124 W. Main Street for the Executive Department
at a Cost Not to Exceed $3,742,645.00. {Sponsored By: Councilor Chambers}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 129
Councilor Chambers made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Merrick seconded
the motion. Councilor Jackson shared concerns of several of his constituents regarding the use
of funds going towards the outdoor project with infrastructure issues within their district.
Councilor Jackson asked about these funds being used towards 10th Street and Bent Tree
drainage issues. Mayor Gillespie discussed several aspects of the issues mentioned and steps
that have been taken to find solutions. Mayor Gillespie stated the main factor being the issue
is not a storm water issue but a ground water issue and the use of City funds for private
property. The Mayor described programs and grants such as Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) and Lateral Repair Assistance Program (LRAP) that have been applied for or
utilized to assist with several neighborhoods with these concerns.
4
There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : CHAMBERS, MERRICK, WHALEY,
STRICHIK, BOONE 5
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : JACKSON 1
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
5. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Release of Funds for the North Highland Park Wall Project
for the Parks and Recreation Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $85,000.00. {Sponsored By:
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 130
Councilor 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 : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
6. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Rezone Property Located Inside the Corporate
Limits at 201 Wetumpka Street from R-2 (Single Family Residential) to O-1 (Office District)
(Owner: South Central Bell Telephone Company, Petitioner: City of Prattville. {Sponsored By:
Councilor Jackson}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 131
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 : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
Councilor Jackson introduced the corresponding ordinance and made a motion to adopt.
Councilor Whaley seconded the motion. By Point-of-Order, this ordinance was held until after
the Public Hearing on July 2, 2024.
7. RESOLUTION: To Authorize Additional Personnel Positions from the FY2024 Budget in the
Fire Department. {Sponsored By: Councilor Chambers}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 132
Councilor Chambers 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:
5
AYES : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
8. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Rezone Property Located Inside the Corporate
Limits at 819 Smith Avenue from B-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) to B-2 (General Business)
(Owner: Vinson Family Enterprises LLC, Petitioner: City of Prattville. {Sponsored By: Council
President Pro Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 133
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor
Whaley seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the
following results:
AYES : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik introduced the corresponding ordinance and made a
motion to adopt. Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. By Point-of-Order, this ordinance
was held until after the Public Hearing on July 2, 2024.
9. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with Fontenot Benefits
& Actuarial Consulting for GASB Statement 75 Actuarial Services for Two (2) Years at a Total
Cost Not to Exceed $6,000.00. {Sponsored By: Councilor Chambers}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 134
Councilor Chambers made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Whaley seconded
the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
10. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with UniFirst
Corporation for Employee Uniform Services through the Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative,
Contract No. 040920-UFC, Until May 22, 2025, at the Approximate Cost of $1,200.00 Per
Week. {Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 135
Councilor Jackson made a motion to adopt the resolution and Council President Pro Tempore
Strichik seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted
with the following results:
6
AYES : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Karen Cooper, 804 Cobblestone Curve, spoke on the library boards policies, targeting of books
and censorship.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Councilor Jackson commented that he was not against Resolution 4, the Outdoor Project, but
that his conscience would not allow him to vote for it with the other infrastructure items that are
needed.
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik announced the Parks and Recreation upcoming
baseball and softball tournaments and the start of Creekwalk concert series at Spillway Park
starting Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. with Brandon Jordan.
Council President Boone reminded all of the Public Input Meeting regarding Redistricting on
Tuesday, June 25th at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. She also advised the next regularly
scheduled City Council meeting would be held Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 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 Merrick seconded the motion. The meeting
adjourned at 6:51 p.m. (6-0)
APPROVED:
Paula G. Barlow
City Clerk
Lora Lee Boone, President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY:
Loucretia Harrell
Assistant City Clerk