2025.04.15 CC Minutes
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PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2025
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in
the temporary Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor of 124 W. Main Street. After the Pledge of
Allegiance to the American Flag, Councilor Sanders 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 DETERMINATION: Overcoming obstacles in
order to reach my goals.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council Meeting, April 1, 2025. 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 opened his report commenting on the success of the Wilson Pickett Music and
Arts Festival, thanking Parks and Recreation and Cultural Arts for their hard work, and also
noting the great turnout for all of the sporting events that kicked off last weekend.
Mayor Gillespie announced this week as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week
and commented on the proclamation issued to Autauga County Emergency Communication
Center (Autauga 911) at the April 1, 2025, City Council meeting. The M ayor also noted that
Autauga 911 was temporarily located at Fire Station 4 while their building is being remodeled,
thanking Police and Fire Chiefs for coordinating the arrangements with Autauga 911. Mayor
Gillespie commented on the positive working relationships between Autauga 911 and the City
as well as the Autauga County Board of Education and departments within the City, stating it
takes dedicated employees to make these and many other partnerships work. The Mayor
recognized and congratulated Chief Magistrate Charlotte Griffith and Traffic Technician Eddie
Davis for their over 35 years of service to the City of Prattville.
Mayor Gillespie noted the end of construction and the opening of the Highway 82 corridor,
commenting on the ribbon-cutting event and thanking Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama
Department of Transportation for the work on the widening project.
Mayor Gillespie commented on two items on the agenda, including Consent Agenda Item 13,
stating this is not a new tax but was a housekeeping matter , and Agenda Item 4, is for traffic
signal improvements on East Main Street from Chestnut to Northington Street to assist traffic
flow in the area.
Mayor Gillespie commented on the upcoming bid opening for the FY2025 Local Paving and
showed slides notating the proposed areas to be paved, stating the list may have to be altered
depending on how the bids come back.
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Mayor Gillespie gave a project update on the Alabama Department of Transportation Fairview
Avenue project, advising that the project is moving slowly and explained that turning lanes are
still part of the project, but that it also includes sidewalks, which were mandated as part of the
Montgomery Metropolitan Organization's requirements for the project.
Mayor Gillespie gave further project updates to include the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) sidewalks coming to downtown Prattville and the Interstate Court Extension near
Guardian Credit Union starting on April 28, 2025. The Mayor advised that the traffic light
scheduled to be installed on McQueen Smith Road at Tara Drive is delayed until June due to
longer-than-expected lead times. The Mayor advised that the bathroom remodel at City Hall is
scheduled to be completed next week, and the Council Chambers remodel is making progress.
Mayor Gillespie advised that with Council support, the City is exploring an available Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) for roadway and drainage improvements in the College
Heights area, advising that additional information should be available soon.
Mayor Gillespie closed his report by wishing everyone a Happy Easter.
Councilor Jackson inquired about the details for the CDBG grant application for College
Heights. Mayor Gillespie advised that he would send out information in an email with all the
details. The Mayor also noted another recent email sent in reference to the chip seal materials
for roadway paving, advising it may be up for a vote at the next Council meeting.
REPORT ON THE STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
Finance Director Daniel Oakley provided the following report on City Finances for March 2025.
• General Fund Revenue Report
o $4,064,563.38 – total revenue collected in March
o $32,334,500.14 – total revenue collected fiscal year to date
• Tax Breakdown Comparison Report
o $3,324,745.84 – tax revenue collected in March
o 2.70% - increase over March 2024
• General Fund Expenditures Report
o 50.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 39.38% - portion of budgeted expenditures incurred to date
• Wastewater Fund Income Statement
o $60,858.43 – net income from operations for March
o 50.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 45.59% - portion of budgeted expenses incurred to date (excludes capital
projects & debt service)
• Sanitation Fund Income Statement
o $50,951.86 – net income for March
o 50.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 40.95% - portion of budgeted expenses incurred to date
• Judicial Fund Income Statement
o ($135,469.92)– net loss for March (due to the quarterly Metro Jail payment)
o 50.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 48.45% - portion of budgeted expenditures incurred to date
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• Gas Tax Special Revenue Fund Income Statement
o $235,034.84– Revenue collected fiscal year to date
• Capital Projects Fund Income Statement
o $16,180,236.56 – Total project and debt service expenses incurred to date
o Current Projects:
▪ McQueen Smith Road Expansion
▪ Vista Pointe Park Improvements
▪ Stanley Jensen Stadium Renovations
▪ Newton Park Renovations
▪ Bank Building Renovations
▪ Council Chamber Renovations
▪ Public Safety Training Facility
▪ Court Street Sidewalks
▪ Downtown Sidewalks
▪ Spillway Park Improvements
▪ East Main Street Sidewalks
▪ Bell Park Drainage
• Group Health Fund Income Statement
o $455,408.74 – net income to date
• Parks and Recreation
o $369,703.91 - total revenue collected fiscal year to date
o 50.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 40.78% of budgeted revenue earned to date
• Bank Balances Report
o $44,666,219.93 – total of all bank balances at the end of March
• Accounts Payable & Debt Balances Report
o $53,243,974.21 – total debt balance city-wide at end of March
o $22,420,974.21 – total non-enterprise fund debt at end of March
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
NONE
CONSENT AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Retail Beer (Off Premises Only) and Retail Table Wine (Off
Premises Only) License to POS Management, LLC d/b/a ZTEC Center Point. {Sponsored By:
Councilor Whaley}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2025, PAGE 085
2. RESOLUTION: To Appoint Paula G. Barlow the 2025 Municipal Election Official. {Sponsored
By: Councilor Sanders}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2025, PAGE 086
3. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Dilapidated Structure at 819 Wilberforce Avenue to Be
Unsafe and a Public Nuisance. {Sponsored By: Councilor Whaley}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2025, PAGE 087
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4. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Garbage and Rubbish at 118 Overlook 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 2025, PAGE 088
5. RESOLUTION: To Name the Voting Delegate for the Business Session of the Alabama
League of Municipalities 2025 Annual Convention to be held May 13 -16, 2025, in Huntsville,
Alabama. {Sponsored By: Councilor Sanders}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2025, PAGE 089
6. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Garbage and Rubbish at 608 Woodvale 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 2025, PAGE 090
7. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Garbage and Rubbish at 537 Pratt 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 2025, PAGE 091
8. RESOLUTION: To Surplus Personal Property from Parks and Recreation. {Sponsored By:
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2025, PAGE 092
9. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Approval of a Conflict of Interest Policy. {Sponsored By:
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2025, PAGE 093
10. RESOLUTION: To Re-Appoint Tom Miller to the Historic Preservation Commission.
{Sponsored By: Council President Boone}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2025, PAGE 094
11. RESOLUTION: To Re-Appoint Christopher McKay to the Historic Preservation
Commission. {Sponsored By: Council President Boone}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2025, PAGE 095
12. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Grant a Special Retail More Than 30 Days
Alcohol License for The Kitchen Table LLC d/b/a The Kitchen Table. {Sponsored By: Councilor
Chambers}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2025, PAGE 096
13. RESOLUTION: To Ratify and Affirm the Renewal of the Levy of 7 Mills Ad Valorem Tax in
the City of Prattville. {Sponsored By: Councilor Chambers}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2025, PAGE 097
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to place items 1-13 on a Consent
Agenda and Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. The items were placed on a Consent
Agenda (7-0).
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Councilor Merrick made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and Councilor Chambers
seconded the motion.
Councilor Jackson advised a constituent sent him an email with a list of questions about the
Conflict of Interest Policy on the agenda. City Attorney Andrew Odom advised all were subject
the State of Alabama Ethics Laws and that our Conflict of Interest Policy language came from
the State Ethic’s laws.
There being no further discussion the Consent Agenda was adopted with the following results:
AYES : SANDERS, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
MERRICK, WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into a Preliminary Engineering and
Construction Agreement with the State of Alabama Acting By and Through the Alabama
Department of Transportation (ALDOT) for Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and
Improvement Program II (ATRIP II) Project No. ATRP2-26-2025-559; CPMS Ref# 100079799
and 100080298, for Intersection Improvements at SR -6 (US-82) and Cobbs Ford Road,
Legends Drive Intersections, and SR-3 (US-31) and SR-6 (US-82) Including Turn Lanes and
Signal Modifications at a Total Cost Not to Exceed $1,391,845.68 (Net Cost to City $0).
{Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2025, PAGE 098
Councilor Jackson made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Sanders seconded the
motion. Council President Boone opened the floor for discussion.
There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : SANDERS, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
MERRICK, WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
2. ORDINANCE: To Exempt Certain “Covered Items” From the Municipal Sales and Use Tax
During the Third Full Weekend of July 2025, as Authorized by §40 -23-210 through §40-23-213,
Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, Generally Referred to as the “Back-to-School Sales
Tax Holiday” Legislation. {Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Strichik}
ORDINANCE BOOK 2025, PAGE 009
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. Councilor Merrick made a motion to
suspend the rules and Councilor Jackson 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 Sanders Aye
Councilor Jackson Aye
Councilor Chambers Aye
Councilor Merrick Aye
Councilor Whaley Aye
Councilor Strichik Aye
Councilor Boone Aye
The rules were suspended (7-0).
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 : SANDERS, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
MERRICK, WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
3. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into a Preliminary Engineering Agreement
with Sain Associates, Inc. for Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Alabama
Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program II (ATRIP II) Project No. ATRP2 -26-
2025-559; CPMS Ref# 100079799 and 100080298, for Intersection Improvements at SR -6
(US-82) and Cobbs Ford Road, Legends Drive Intersections, and SR-3 (US-31) and SR-6 (US-
82) at a Total Cost Not to Exceed $218,500.00 . {Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2025, PAGE 099
Councilor Jackson 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, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : SANDERS, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
MERRICK, WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
4. RESOLUTION: To Authorize City Staff to Submit an Application through the Montgomery
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Carbon Reduction Program for Traffic Signal
Improvements at the intersections of East Main Street at Chestnut Street, East Main Street at
Washington Street, and East Main Street at Northington Street. {Sponsored by: Councilor
Jackson}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2025, PAGE 100
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Councilor Jackson made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Sanders seconded the
motion. Council President Boone opened the floor for discussion.
There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : SANDERS, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
MERRICK, WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Mary Thomas, 570 Booth Street, inquired about gaining access to the City sewer system at her
property.
Bruce Whitaker, 113 Newby Street, inquired about getting a neighborhood watch sign installed
on his street.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Councilor Jackson recognized and commended Parks and Recreation on a successful Wilson
Pickett Festival. Councilor Jackson continued commenting generally on systems, stating the
City should ensure processes are free of conflict and rooted in public trust. Councilor Jackson
concluded by thanking the Prattville Police Department for de-escalating a situation after the
April 1st Council Meeting and for training the Officers to handle such situations.
Councilor Merrick thanked Parks and Recreation for the opening weekend of softball and
baseball and thanked Ms. Griffith for her years of service.
Councilor Whaley congratulated Ms. Griffith on her years of service.
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik congratulated Ms. Griffith on her service, thanked
Parks and Recreation for the work on the opening weekend of softball and baseball, as well as
the Wilson Pickett Festival, while reminding everyone that Jesus is the reason for the season
during this Holy week.
Council President Boone thanked Ms. Griffith and Mr. Davis, along with all employees, for their
service to the City and thanked Parks and Recreation for their work on all of the events over
the past weekend. Council President Boone advised that the next regularly scheduled City
Council meeting would be held Tuesday, May 6, 2025, on the 2nd floor of 124 W. Main Street.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Council President Pro Tempore
Strichik made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Jackson seconded the motion. The meeting
adjourned at 6:45 p.m. (7-0)
APPROVED:
Paula G. Barlow
City Clerk
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Lora Lee Boone, President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY:
Alexandria Dunklin
Assistant City Clerk