CC Minutes 2024.10.151
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 6:06 p.m.
in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag,
Councilor Whaley gave the invocation. Roll was called with all Councilors recorded as present
with the exception of Councilor Merrick. 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: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting October 1, 2024. Council
President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Chambers
seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the minutes were adopted (5-0).
Council President Boone recognized Autauga County Commissioner Larry Stoudemire, along
with Autauga Board of Education Representatives Tracy Strichik and Billy Hollon and Chamber
of Commerce Representatives Patty VanderWal and Nelda Sorrells in the audience.
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace spoke on her concerns on Consent Agenda Items 2 and 6
and affixing liens and not being in favor of Agenda Item 1 Redistricting.
Billy Hollon, 153 W. 4th Street, spoke in favor of Agenda Item 3 and thanked the Council for
their support of the Ad Valorem Tax.
Ell White II, 621 W. 4th Street, spoke on Agenda Item 1 asking to Council to reconsider the
map, concerns with ethical dilemmas and being in favor of Agenda Item 3 for increased funding
for kids.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie opened his report asking a Point-of-Privilege and called City Engineer Robby
Anderson to the podium thanking him for his 27 years of service. The Mayor advised Mr.
Anderson was the first Engineer for the City of Prattville. Mayor Gillespie thanked him for his
dedication to the citizens and the community. Mr. Anderson thanked his family, the Council and
everyone for a long and good career. Mr. Anderson discussed words of encouragement for the
new engineer, having balance and creating a good work environment.
Mayor Gillespie discussed Prattville Community Night, thanking Chief Bingham and Chief
Thompson and their staff for their involvement. The Mayor commented on the Cultural Arts
Spooky Movie night being a hit with families in the community and thanked everyone who
helped with this event. Mayor Gillespie encouraged everyone to take advantage of Agenda
Item number 2, the state Severe Weather Preparedness Holiday. The Mayor discussed the
Prattville Fire Department assisting with relief efforts in recent severe weather and what we as
a community can do and supplies we can purchase to be prepared. The Mayor continued by
discussing Agenda Item 3 and the support of the Local Education Ad Valorem Tax. Mayor
Gillespie stated his support tonight and also his support in the upcoming election. The Mayor
continued to note the importance and quality of life and how a quality education improves
different aspects of the future.
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In addition, Mayor Gillespie reported on improvements in the City of Prattville as he discussed
Fairview Avenue and Stanley Jensen Stadium. Council President Pro Tempore Strichik gave
a report on meetings to have the final home game played at the stadium. Councilor Strichik
stated that this is still in the works and there will be some limitations with parking and seating.
Mayor Gillespie continued his report noting the upcoming bid process for improvements and
renovations to the Council Chambers. The Mayor also gave an update on 106 7th Street noting
City Attorney Andrew Odom and Mr. Pendergrass have been in communication the last few
weeks and an anticipated plan will be presented within the next few weeks.
In closing, the Mayor commented on the 6th Annual Parade of Pumpkins and the partnership
with the Chamber of Commerce for the Music on the Main this upcoming weekend. He
encouraged the community to bring a nonperishable item to be donated to Autauga Interfaith
Care Center. The Mayor noted the Parade of Pumpkins will run through October 31, 2024, and
has been recognized as one of six small towns in Alabama to be visited. Mayor Gillespie
thanked the team and the following sponsors, James Hardie, Civil Southeast, LLC, McKee &
Associates Architects, Inc., Alabama Power and Randy Jones & Associates who helped bring
this event to life and took pride in the success of the event.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Councilor Jackson reported on the Street Committee Meeting held on October 2, 2024, where
they discussed the traffic calming policy, Bent Tree temporary easement, street lighting review
and signage on McQueen Smith and various streets.
REPORT ON THE STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
Finance Director Daniel Oakley provided the following report on City Finances for September
2024.
• General Fund Revenue Report
o $4,030,496.89 – total revenue collected in September
o $57,649,418.09 – total revenue collected fiscal year to date
• Tax Breakdown Comparison Report
o $3,547,232.52 – tax revenue collected in September
o 9.57% - decrease over September 2023
• General Fund Expenditures Report
o 100.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 95.68% - portion of budgeted expenditures incurred to date
• Wastewater Fund Income Statement
o $174,973.17– net loss from operations for September (due to purchase of a
truck)
o 100.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 92.59% - portion of budgeted expenses incurred to date (excludes capital
projects & debt service)
• Sanitation Fund Income Statement
o $1,728.69 – net income for September
o 100.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 98.94% - portion of budgeted expenses incurred to date
• Judicial Fund Income Statement
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o $136,392.74 – net loss for September (due to quarterly metro jail payment)
o 100.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 97.35% - portion of budgeted expenditures incurred to date
• Gas Tax Special Revenue Fund Income Statement
o $628,384.95– Revenue collected fiscal year to date
• Capital Projects Fund Income Statement
o $24,091,769.62– Total project and debt service expenses incurred to date
o Current Projects:
McQueen Smith Road Expansion
Bridge Street Sidewalks
East Main Street Sidewalks
Stanley Jensen Stadium Renovations
Pratt Park Renovations
Newton Park Renovations
Engineering Building
Bank Building Renovations
Public Safety Training Facility
Cobbs Ford Road Turn Lanes
Fairview Avenue Intersection
• Group Health Fund Income Statement
o $370,904.26– net loss to date (funds supplemented from the General Fund)
• Parks and Recreation
o $970,713.51 - total revenue collected fiscal year to date
o 100.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 113.82% of budgeted revenue earned to date
• Bank Balances Report
o $52,697,144.36– total of all bank balances at the end of September
• Accounts Payable & Debt Balances Report
o $54,901,668.51 – total debt balance city-wide at end of September
o $23,046,418.51 – total non-enterprise fund debt at end of September
CONSENT AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to have Overgrown Grass and Weeds at 1676 S.
Memorial Drive, 449 Dawson Street, 1780 E. Main Street, and 711 Doster Road 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-B, PAGE 252
2. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Declare the Abundance of Overgrown Grass and
Weeds at 116 7th 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-B, PAGE 253
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3. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Garbage and Rubbish at 744 Mimosa Road 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-B, PAGE 254
4. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Garbage and Rubbish at 326 Marlette 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-B, PAGE 255
5. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Garbage and Rubbish at 324 Marlette 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-B, PAGE 256
6. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the City Attorney to Affix the Cost of Demolition of the
Dilapidated and Unsafe Structure at 116 7th Street. {Sponsored By: Councilor Whaley}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-B, PAGE 257
7. RESOLUTION: To Amend the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Policy. {Sponsored By:
Councilor Jackson}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024-B, PAGE 258
President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to place item numbers 1-7 on a Consent
Agenda and Councilor Whaley seconded the motion. The items were placed on a Consent
Agenda (5-0).
Councilor Whaley made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and Council President Pro
Tempore Strichik seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Consent Agenda was
adopted with the following results:
AYES : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, WHALEY,
STRICHIK, BOONE 5
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : MERRICK
AGENDA
1. 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 the 2020 Federal Census and Designate Voting Locations. {Sponsored
By: Council President Boone}
HELD UNTIL NOVEMBER 5, 2024
This ordinance was originally introduced on October 1, 2024, where Council President Pro
Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Chambers seconded
the motion. By Point-of-Order the ordinance was held until the October 15, 2024, City Council
meeting. The ordinance now being properly before the Council, Council President Boone
opened the floor for discussion.
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Councilor Chambers made a motion to hold this ordinance until the November 5, 2024, City
Council meeting and Councilor Whaley seconded the motion. There being no further discussion
this ordinance was held with the following results:
AYES : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, WHALEY,
STRICHIK, BOONE 5
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : MERRICK
2. ORDINANCE: To Exempt Certain “Covered Items” from the Municipal Sales and Use Tax
during the Last Full Weekend of February 2025, as Authorized by Act 2012-256, Generally
Referred to as the “State Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday” Legislation.
{Sponsored By: Council President Boone}
ORDINANCE BOOK 2024, PAGE 020
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 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 Jackson Aye
Councilor Chambers Aye
Councilor Whaley Aye
Councilor Strichik Aye
Councilor Boone Aye
The rules were suspended (5-0).
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, WHALEY,
STRICHIK, BOONE 5
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : MERRICK
3. RESOLUTION: To Support the Autauga County Board of Education in Their Proposed Local
Legislation Regarding the Ad Valorem Tax Referendum. {Sponsored By: Council President
Boone}
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Councilor Chambers made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Whaley 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, WHALEY,
STRICHIK, BOONE 5
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : MERRICK
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, spoke on the Council Chambers renovations, public view
of the renderings, cost of the renovations, and concerns regarding the downtown bridge being
pressure washed.
Barbara Robinson, 123 White Oak Court, thanked the Council for work done at North Highland
Park and discussed the budget, concerns, future plans and needs for the park.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Councilor Jackson expressed his appreciation and congratulated City Engineer Robby
Anderson on his retirement.
Councilor Chambers thanked Robby Anderson for his years of service to the City of Prattville.
He also expressed his favor for the Ad Valorem Tax.
Councilor Whaley congratulated Robby Anderson on his retirement and expressed his
appreciation on the various and projects and assignments he has worked on throughout the
City.
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik congratulated and thanked Robby Anderson.
Council President Boone congratulated Robby Anderson and stated the next regularly
scheduled City Council meeting will be held Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. She also
advised of the Special Called Council meeting on Tuesday, October 23, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.at
the Doster Center for Interviews for Council District 1.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Council President Pro Tempore
Strichik made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Whaley seconded the motion. The meeting
adjourned at 6:49 p.m. (5-0)
APPROVED:
Paula G. Barlow
City Clerk
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Lora Lee Boone, President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY:
Loucretia Harrell
Assistant City Clerk