CC Minutes 2024.10.011
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2024
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 6:10 p.m. in
the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag,
Councilor Chambers 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 SELF CONTROL: Rejecting wrong desires
and doing what is right.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Redistricting Work Session September 16, 2024 and Public
Hearing and City Council Meeting September 17, 2024. 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 (6-0).
Council President Boone recognized County Commissioner Larry Stoudemire in the audience.
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace spoke on redistricting and properties being in District 7
versus District 1.
Mark Senn, 709 Cranbrook Drive spoke in favor of the package store license if it was legal.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie opened his report noting the mass destruction caused by Hurricane Helene to
North Carolina, Florida and Georgia. The Mayor then asked for a Point-of-Privilege and turned
over the floor to Interim Fire Chief Joshua A. Bingham. Chief Bingham gave an update to the
conditions in the Baron Creek, North Carolina area where the Prattville Fire Department Swift
Water Rescue Team was deployed noting the team had to be flown in due to the road system
being destroyed. Chief Bingham advised crews were working 12-to-14-hour days to assist
victims of the storms and asked for continued prayers for all. Chief Bingham closed by thanking
the City Council for their support. The Mayor asked for continued prayers for all storm victims
and their families as well as those working the recovery.
Mayor Gillespie continued his report by giving a progress update on the Fairview Avenue
project stating it was workday twenty-seven of the two hundred- and seventy-five-day project.
The Mayor advised the projected completion date is in July 2025 and to expect daily road
closures between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm.
Mayor Gillespie addressed recent concerns of the census blocks being large and
disproportioned advising the Planning Department will participate in a voluntary Census Bureau
partnership that will give the City an opportunity to review and suggest recommendations to
the board which should commence approximately two years before the next census.
Mayor Gillespie continued his report by requesting that all, utilize the City’s workorder system
on the website to “See Something Say Something” around Prattville. The Mayor continued by
giving an update on Autauga Prattville Public Library closing last week due to structural issues.
Mayor Gillespie advised that Library staff noticed some walls had shifted and contacted City
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staff. The City staff called in an engineering company to evaluate the issue. The engineering
company recommended the closure of the Library until repairs could be made. The Library was
evacuated and caution tape installed while the insurance company was contacted and further
testing was completed. Mayor Gillespie advised that the Autauga County Commission was
contacted along with the Councilors and the Library Board of Trustees. The Mayor advised the
Library Board communicated that the other branches were open with extended hours for
patrons as well as continuing with other events at other locations.
Mayor Gillespie closed his report commenting on the multiple upcoming fall events around
Prattville and thanking all employees for their hard work. The Mayor also reminded everyone
that October 4, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. was the deadline for applicants to apply for the vacancy in
City Council District 1.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
NONE.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Appoint Department Heads. {Sponsored By: Councilor Chambers}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-B, PAGE 248
2. RESOLUTION: To Re-appoint Larry Puckett to the Prattville Water Works Board.
{Sponsored By: Councilor Merrick}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-B, PAGE 249
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to place item numbers 1 and 2 on a
Consent Agenda and Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. The items were placed on a
Consent Agenda (6-0).
Councilor Whaley 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 :
Mayor Gillespie asked for a Point-of-Privilege asking the newly appointed Fire Chief Joshua A.
Bingham to come forward with his family. Mayor Gillespie congratulated Chief Bingham on his
appointment as his family pinned his insignia to his uniform.
Chief Bingham thanked the Council for their support and again asked everyone to remember
the Swift Water Rescue Team that was deployed to assist the victims of Hurricane Helene in
North Carolina. Chief Bingham also thanked his family and co-workers noting several recent
incidents where Fire Department employees demonstrated the deft training and skills of the
department.
Mayor Gillespie thanked Chief Bingham’s family for standing beside him during his career.
Council President Boone congratulated Chief Bingham on being named Fire Chief.
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AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Lounge Retail Liquor - Class II (Package) License for Bhavani
2024 Inc. d/b/a Sams Wine and Spirits. {Sponsored By: Councilor Whaley}
FAILED
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.
Councilor Whaley detailed the process the Alabama Beverage Control license applications go
through starting with a review by the Police Department. Councilor Whaley recounted
numerous phone calls in opposition to having a package store in a neighborhood and so close
to schools, churches and the YMCA. Councilor Whaley advised he held a district meeting for
citizens to voice their thoughts on the package store license on August 29, 2024, at the
Fountain of Grace Church, which resulted in citizens circulating a petition against the package
store. Councilor Whaley continued by stating the Police Department did not recommend the
license be approved for this location noting the proximity to the schools, churches, YMCA and
Rolling Hills Apartments, where there are already numerous calls for alcohol, illicit substances,
and weapons offenses among other violations. Councilor Whaley advised he was given a
petition of approximately 200 signatures from the adjoining neighborhoods and Fountain of
Grace Church in opposition to the passage of the package store license.
Councilor Merrick voiced his concerns of a package store being so close to youth at the schools
noting that many children may walk to school.
There being no further discussion, the Resolution failed with the following results:
AYES : NONE 0
NAYS : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
2. 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}
HELD UNTIL OCTOBER 15, 2024
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor
Chambers seconded the motion. By Point-of-Order, it is necessary that Council rules be
suspended if immediate action is to be considered. Council President Pro Tempore Strichik
made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Whaley seconded the motion. There being
no discussion, Council President Boone ordered a Roll Call Vote for the suspension of rules.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilor Jackson Nay
Councilor Chambers Aye
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Councilor Merrick Aye
Councilor Whaley Aye
Councilor Strichik Nay
Councilor Boone Aye
Without unanimous consent to suspend the rules, by Point-of-Order, this ordinance will be held
until the October 15, 2024.
3. ORDINANCE: To Amend City of Prattville Code of Ordinances Chapter 66 - Utilities, Article
IV. – Solid Waste, Divisions 1, 2 and 3 and Establish Division 4. {Sponsored By: Councilor
Chambers}
ORDINANCE BOOK 2024, PAGE 019
Councilor Chambers 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 Whaley 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 Jackson Aye
Councilor Chambers Aye
Councilor Merrick Aye
Councilor Whaley Aye
Councilor Strichik Aye
Councilor Boone Aye
The rules were suspended (6-0).
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 : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
4. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into a Medical Director Services Agreement
with Austin Brown M.D. for the Fire Department at an Annual Cost Not to Exceed $9,000.00.
{Sponsored By: Councilor Chambers}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-B, PAGE 250
Councilor Chambers 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, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
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WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT :
5. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Rezone Property Located Inside the Corporate
Limits East of Grouby Airport Road from FAR (Forest, Agriculture, Recreation) to B-2 (General
Business) (Petitioner: Barrett-Simpson Inc.). {Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-B, PAGE 251
Councilor Jackson made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Merrick seconded the
motion. Council President Boone opened the floor for discussion. 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 :
Councilor Jackson read in the ordinance and made a motion to adopt that was seconded by
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik. By Point-of-Order, the ordinance was held until after
the Public Hearing on November 5, 2024.
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Karen Cooper, 804 Cobblestone Curve, spoke on the closure of the library and transparency
in the repair process.
Christina Gardner, 1608 Trolley Road, spoke on the closure of the library, transparency in the
repair process, the library being a vital part of the community and the vacancies on the library
board.
Lloyd Bittle, 1703 Morningview Drive, spoke on the surface mining being allowed in the Forest
Agriculture Recreation (FAR) zone and moving because of conditions.
Ester Graham, 520 Fieldstone Drive, Helena, AL, thanked Councilor Jackson for support on
her initiative.
Nekisha Robinson, 673 Covered Bridge Parkway Apt. D, spoke on unfavorable living conditions
and the need for inspections in apartment complexes.
Brenda Smith Pickett, 266 Joyce Street, spoke on the property at 106 7th Street.
Patrick Lucas, 1211 Caliber Crossing, spoke on North Highland Park versus other parks and
the Council not voting in the best interest of the City.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Mayor Gillespie asked all to remember the storm victims, thanked the Council for supporting
each department and thanked the personnel and their families for being willing to assist with
storm recovery. The Mayor also commented on Parks and Recreation being years ahead on
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some items and other items moving slower, but all would improve the quality of life. Mayor
Gillespie concluded his comments by thanking the employees, Department Heads and the
citizens for what they do.
Councilor Jackson congratulated Fire Chief Bingham on his appointment stating he was a man
of character and had his full trust and confidence.
Councilor Chambers congratulated Fire Chief Bingham on his appointment and looked forward
to working with him. Councilor Chambers also asked Ms. Nekisha Robinson if she could stay
after to speak with him about her concerns.
Councilor Merrick congratulated Fire Chief Bingham on his appointment and advised he was
praying for the Swift Water Rescue Team and the storm victims.
Councilor Whaley congratulated Fire Chief Bingham on his appointment, stating he had a
firsthand view of his career and commented on some changes he had already implemented.
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik congratulated Fire Chief Bingham on his appointment,
thanked his family and lifted thoughts and prayers for the Swift Water Rescue Team.
Council President Boone congratulated Fire Chief Bingham on his appointment and announced
the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting will be held Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at
6:00 p.m.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilor Merrick made a motion
to adjourn and Council President Pro Tempore Strichik seconded the motion. The meeting
adjourned at 7:06 p.m. (6-0)
APPROVED:
Paula G. Barlow
City Clerk
Lora Lee Boone, President
Prattville City Council