CC Minutes 2024.08.061
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2024
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 6:05 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
(Councilor Striplin attended virtually). Council President Boone declared a quorum and called
the meeting to order.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS DECISIVENESS: Processing information and
finalizing difficult decisions.
Council President Boone advised there was a need to enter into Executive Session to discuss
legal matters with their attorneys for issues currently in litigation. She advised that City Attorney
Andrew Odom submitted a letter signifying the legality of this action and that Executive Session
would last approximately half an hour to one hour.
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to enter into Executive Session and
Councilor Merrick 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 Whaley 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 6:06 p.m. and returned to Regular Session at
6:39 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting July 16, 2024
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 advised all votes would be by roll call since Councilor Striplin was
attending virtually.
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, commented on Agenda Item #8, Ivey Classical and
previously held meetings.
Lloyd Bittle, 1403 Morningview Drive, spoke on Agenda Item #6 and his concerns of additional
trucks in his neighborhood.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
2
Mayor Gillespie opened his report recognizing the new Prattville High School Athletic Director,
Blake Boren, and wished him a successful school year officially starting tomorrow, August 7,
2024. In addition, the Mayor commented on the active shooter training at Prattville Christian
Academy thanking our first responders for the role they play in keeping the schools prepared.
Mayor Gillespie emphasized the See Something, Say Something, Do Something and
addressed the shooting incident in the Cosby Court neighborhood stating, “This is not
Prattville”. The Mayor further commented the police are still investigating and need the
community’s assistance and involvement. Mayor Gillespie mentioned today marked the one-
year memorial of Kylen Smith who was fatally shot on Covered Bridge Parkway, advising the
reward has been increased to $5,000.00 for information on this crime. The Mayor advised there
is a need for a Public Safety Committee meeting to address budgets, package store and
lounge licenses and other issues.
Mayor Gillespie continued by advising the City is looking into the National Park Service African
American Burial Ground Preservation Program to provide a grant that will assist the privately
owned Springhill Cemetery. This grant would assist with preserving, restoring and drainage in
the cemetery. The Mayor also addressed a need for a Cemeteries Committee meeting to
discuss policy updating and a cemetery ordinance.
In closing, Mayor Gillespie asks that in establishing these meetings that the mayoral email
along with Human Resources, Finance and any other necessary Department Heads be
included. The Mayor further discussed professional courtesy and the importance of
communication and using the resources available to correct challenges or issues in a
professional and timely manner.
FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Councilor Jackson spoke on the Street, Drainage, Lights Committee meeting held on August
1, 2024, where the following topics were discussed: Bent Tree Drainage Project, Street Paving,
Candlestick Trailer Park, and the 6th Street Apartment’s Rights-of-Way.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to have Overgrown Grass and Weeds at 314 Sheila
Boulevard, 1274 County Road 85 and 105 North Memorial Drive 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 179
2. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Restaurant Retail Liquor License to Texas Roadhouse Holding
LLC, d/b/a Texas Roadhouse. {Sponsored By: Councilor Chambers}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 180
3. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Garbage and Rubbish at 1387 Twins Place a Public
Nuisance and Authorize the Mayor to Abate and Charge Any Incurred Expenses Pursuant to
Chapter 46 et seq., City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. {Sponsored By: Council President
Pro Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 181
3
4. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Garbage and Rubbish at 104 W. Bonanza Drive a Public
Nuisance and Authorize the Mayor to Abate and Charge Any Incurred Expenses Pursuant to
Chapter 46 et seq., City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. {Sponsored By: Councilor Whaley}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 182
5. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Garbage and Rubbish at 105 W. Bonanza Drive a Public
Nuisance and Authorize the Mayor to Abate and Charge Any Incurred Expenses Pursuant to
Chapter 46 et seq., City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. {Sponsored By: Councilor Whaley}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 183
6. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Garbage and Rubbish at 106 W. Bonanza Court a Public
Nuisance and Authorize the Mayor to Abate and Charge Any Incurred Expenses Pursuant to
Chapter 46 et seq., City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. {Sponsored By: Councilor Whaley}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 184
7. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the City Attorney to Affix the Cost for the Removal of Stagnant
Water at 1714 E. Main Street. {Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 185
8. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Grant a Restaurant Retail Liquor License to SEA
Investments, LLC, d/b/a Uncle Mick’s Cajun Cafe. {Sponsored By: Council President Pro
Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 186
9. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Garbage and Rubbish at 302 Cranbrook Court a Public
Nuisance and Authorize the Mayor to Abate and Charge Any Incurred Expenses Pursuant to
Chapter 46 et seq., City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. {Sponsored By: Councilor Whaley}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 187
10. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Garbage and Rubbish at 410 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive,
formerly addressed as 410 N. Chestnut Street, a Public Nuisance and Authorize the Mayor to
Abate and Charge Any Incurred Expenses Pursuant to Chapter 46 et seq., City of Prattville
Code of Ordinances. {Sponsored By: Councilor Whaley}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 188
11. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Declare the Abundance of Overgrown Grass
and Weeds at 102 E. Bonanza Drive, 121 Quail Run and 1317 Huie 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: Councilor Whaley}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 189
12. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Garbage and Rubbish at 231 Juniper Court a Public
Nuisance and Authorize the Mayor to Abate and Charge Any Incurred Expenses Pursuant to
Chapter 46 et seq., City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. {Sponsored By: Councilor Whaley}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 190
13. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Garbage and Rubbish at 213 Brookhaven Drive a Public
Nuisance and Authorize the Mayor to Abate and Charge Any Incurred Expenses Pursuant to
Chapter 46 et seq., City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. {Sponsored By: Councilor Whaley}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 191
4
Councilor Whaley made a motion to place item numbers 1-13 on a Consent Agenda and
Councilor Jackson 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 Whaley Aye
Councilor Strichik Aye
Councilor Boone Aye
The items were placed on a Consent Agenda (7-0).
Councilor Jackson made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and Councilor Chambers
seconded the motion. There being no discussion, Council President Boone ordered a Roll Call
vote.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilor Striplin Aye
Councilor Jackson Aye
Councilor Chambers Aye
Councilor Merrick Aye
Councilor Whaley Aye
Councilor Strichik Aye
Councilor Boone Aye
The Consent Agenda was adopted with the following results: (7-0).
AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Amend the Budget, Vacate a Portion of the Sid Thompson Drive Right-
Of-Way (ROW) and Authorize the Release of Funds to Reimburse the State of Alabama.
{Sponsored By: Council President Boone}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 192
Councilor Merrick made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Jackson seconded the
motion. Because this resolution is permanent in nature, 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. Council President Boone
ordered a Roll Call vote.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilor Striplin Aye
Councilor Jackson Aye
Councilor Chambers Aye
Councilor Merrick Aye
5
Councilor Whaley Aye
Councilor Strichik Aye
Councilor Boone Aye
The rules being suspended, the resolution now being properly before the Council, Council
President Boone opened the floor for discussion. There being no discussion, Council President
Boone ordered a Roll Call vote.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilor Striplin Aye
Councilor Jackson Aye
Councilor Chambers Aye
Councilor Merrick Aye
Councilor Whaley Aye
Councilor Strichik Aye
Councilor Boone Aye
The Resolution was adopted with the following results: (7-0).
2. ORDINANCE: To Rezone Property Located Inside the Corporate Limits at 334 Old Farm
Lane from B-2 (General Business) and R-3 (Single Family Residential) to INST (Institutional)
(Owner: Prattville Lutheran Mission, Petitioner: David Slocum). {Sponsored By: Councilor
Whaley}
ORDINANCE BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 14
This ordinance was originally introduced on July 2, 2024, where Councilor Whaley made a
motion to adopt the ordinance and Council President Pro Tempore Strichik seconded the
motion. The ordinance now being properly before the Council, Council President Boone
opened the floor for discussion. There being no discussion, Council President Boone ordered
a Roll Call vote.
Councilor Merrick made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Jackson 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 Whaley Aye
Councilor Strichik Aye
Councilor Boone Aye
The Ordinance was adopted with the following results: (7-0).
3. ORDINANCE: To Amend City of Prattville Code of Ordinances Chapter 50 - Offenses &
Miscellaneous Provisions, Article III. - Offenses Involving Public Peace and Order, Division 2.
– Noise. {Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Strichik}
HELD UNTIL 8.20.2024
6
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor
Chambers seconded the motion. By Point-of-Order, this ordinance was held until the August
20, 2024 Council Meeting.
4. ORDINANCE: To Repeal Chapter 109 – Floods, Article II. – Flood Damage Prevention, and
its Amendments and Replace it with Chapter 109 – Floods, Article II. - Flood Damage
Prevention 109-19 through 109-92, Inclusive. {Sponsored By: Councilor Chambers}
HELD UNTIL 8.20.2024
Councilor Chambers made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Merrick seconded
the motion. By Point-of-Order, this ordinance was held until the August 20, 2024 Council
Meeting.
5. RESOLUTION: To Amend the Budget and Award Bid No. 024-009 to David Bulger, Inc. for
Cooters Pond Parking Improvements at a Cost Not to Exceed $320,037.40. {Sponsored By:
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 193
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor
Chambers seconded the motion. Council President Boone opened the floor for discussion.
Councilor Jackson inquired if this was the location Mr. Bittle addressed concerns with. Council
President Boone stated this project is located in Elmore County. There being no further
discussion, Council President Boone ordered a Roll Call vote.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilor Striplin Abstain
Councilor Jackson Aye
Councilor Chambers Aye
Councilor Merrick Aye
Councilor Whaley Aye
Councilor Strichik Aye
Councilor Boone Aye
The Resolution was adopted with the following results: (6-0-1).
6. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with Civil Southeast,
LLC for Construction Engineering and Inspection Services for Cooters Pond Parking
Improvements at a Cost Not to Exceed $32,000.00. {Sponsored By: Council President Pro
Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 194
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor
Jackson seconded the motion. Council President Boone opened the floor for discussion. There
being no discussion, Council President Boone ordered a Roll Call vote.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilor Striplin Abstain
Councilor Jackson Aye
Councilor Chambers Aye
Councilor Merrick Aye
7
Councilor Whaley Aye
Councilor Strichik Aye
Councilor Boone Aye
The Resolution was adopted with the following results: (6-0-1).
7. RESOLUTION: To Authorize Demolition and Removal of the Dilapidated Residential
Structure Located at 114 8th Street and Award a Contract to Grier Services, Incorporated at a
Cost Not to Exceed $7,450.00. {Sponsored By: Councilor Whaley}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-A, PAGE 195
Councilor Whaley made a motion to adopt the resolution and Council President Pro Tempore
Strichik seconded the motion. Council President Boone opened the floor for discussion. There
being no discussion, Council President Boone ordered a Roll Call vote.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilor Striplin Abstain
Councilor Jackson Aye
Councilor Chambers Aye
Councilor Merrick Aye
Councilor Whaley Aye
Councilor Strichik Aye
Councilor Boone Aye
The Resolution was adopted with the following results: (6-0-1).
8. RESOLUTION: To Amend the Budget, Consent to the Settlement of Litigation styled BVCV
High Point, LLC v. City of Prattville, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama and to
Authorize the Purchase of Real Property. {Sponsored By: Council President Boone}
HELD UNTIL 8.20.2024
Councilor Chambers made a motion to adopt the resolution and Council President Pro
Tempore Strichik seconded the motion. Because this resolution is permanent in nature, it is
necessary that Council rules be suspended if immediate action is to be considered. Councilor
Merrick made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Whaley seconded the motion.
Council President Boone ordered a Roll Call vote regarding suspension of the rules.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilor Striplin Abstain
Councilor Jackson Nay
Councilor Chambers Aye
Councilor Merrick Aye
Councilor Whaley Aye
Councilor Strichik Aye
Councilor Boone Aye
8
Without unanimous consent to suspend the rules (5-1-1), by Point-of-Order, this resolution was
held until the August 20, 2024 Council Meeting.
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Diane Rolling, 119 Magnolia Drive, spoke on her concerns with police reports being made and
filed. The Mayor commented on Ms. Rolling’s concern and spoke on different challenges and
officers use of discernment.
Karan Cooper, 804 Cobblestone, spoke concerning the library board and her concerns with
policy changes, speakers during board meetings, book challenge procedure and books
missing.
Christina Garner, 1608 Trolley Road, addressed her concerns with the library board and the
management of funds and budgeting.
Debra Robinson & Lavandolyn Robinson, 118 Cosby Court, brought information on her
property at 106 7th Street and her plans to move forward with repairs.
Jackie Nix, 706 Running Brook Circle, spoke on the library board and EEOC complaints,
funding, and her concerns with recent library board meetings.
Lloyd Bittle, 1403 Morningview Drive, spoke on moving forward with the investigation into the
mining trucks and working with City Attorney, Andrew Odom.
Barbara Robinson, 123 White Oak Court, addressed her concerns with the shooting in Cosby
Court, asked of the possibility of putting cameras put in the neighborhood and discussed the
redistricting maps.
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, addressed Agenda Item # 8 being held and citizens’ rights
concerning money.
Charles Marsh,365 Bent Tree Court, spoke on the Bent Tree Court drainage issue and finding
a solution to fix the problem.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Councilor Jackson spoke on the incident in Cosby Court regarding careless and reckless
shootings in the community and community involvement. Councilor Jackson addressed parks
and providing positive outlets for youth.
Councilor Merrick thanked the Sanitation department for their assistance in handling an issue
with garbage pickups and being a part of a great community.
Council President Boone stated the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting will be held
Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilor Merrick made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Whaley seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
(7-0)
APPROVED:
9
Paula G. Barlow
City Clerk
Lora Lee Boone, President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY:
Loucretia Harrell
Assistant City Clerk