Minutes 2019-09-17
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PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
6:00 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at 6:00
p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag,
Council President Striplin gave the invocation. Roll was called and all Councilors were present.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS ORDERLINESS: Organizing my thoughts and
surroundings for greater achievement.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting September 3, 2019 and
Budget Work Session September 5, 2019. Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the
minutes and Councilor Cables seconded the motion. With no discussion, the minutes were
adopted (7-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, addressed the Council regarding Agenda Item #6 and
expressed concern and surprise that funding is available in the current Fire Department budget
to purchase a new ambulance. Regarding Agenda Item #8, Ms. Finnegan again requested the
Council to consider bidding out audit services. Ms. Finnegan noted that Jackson Thornton &
Co., P.C. has served as the City’s auditor for the past twelve years. Regarding Agenda Item
#11, Ms. Finnegan questioned if the proposed Lodging Fee increase is a want or need for the
City.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
The Mayor asked for a moment of silence to remember fallen Police Officer Dornell Cousette
with the City of Tuscaloosa, who was killed in the line of duty on September 16, 2019.
Mayor Gillespie provided a resolution from the floor to adopt the FY2019-2020 budget to
Councilors and a list of economic development and tourism thoughts and ideas.
Mayor Gillespie presented a video showcasing Economic Development in the City of Prattville.
Mayor Gillespie noted that he is proud to live in this community for so many reasons. He
commended Finance Director Daniel Oakley, Human Resources Director Lisa Thrash,
Department Heads and staff for countless hours of hard work on the proposed FY2019-2020
budget. He noted that he has reached out to Councilors six to eight times each regarding the
budget. There were discussions held regarding revenue sources before the proposed budget
was presented to the Council. The draft FY2019-2020 budget was first electronically provided
to Councilors on July 25, 2019. Mayor Gillespie asked the Council to move forward with the
resolution from the floor to adopt the budget.
Mayor Gillespie provided a history of the evolution of budgets for the City of Prattville. When
he became a Councilor in 2004, the City had a lump sum budget. In 2011 when he stepped
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into the role of Mayor, there was no accountability in his opinion; budgets were busted.
Through the years, the budget has continued to evolve. The budget is a forecast of core duties
and projects. The Mayor stated that respect is owed to Department Heads and employees, and
that they deserve the pay plan increase and a budget.
There has been much discussion of the lodging tax. In April 1991, an ordinance was adopted
to establish a 4% lodging tax. While the purpose of the lodging tax was not outlined in the
ordinance, in talking with historians, the spirit of the business community and hotel industry
was to use the funds for economic development and tourism. In 1997, the lodging tax was
increased to 6%. In 2002, the lodging tax was increased to its current rate of 8.5%.
There has been much discussion on economic development and tourism. Discussions
regarding the establishment of a reserve account for economic development began over a year
ago. Mayor Gillespie requested that the council body provide a definition of economic
development and tourism. The video presented earlier provided all aspects of economic
development, tourism, and quality of life. Mayor Gillespie asked that the budget not be held up
due discussions regarding lodging tax and economic development.
Because of the budgeting process and the hard work and dedication of Department Heads and
employees, departments are losing the “use it or lose it” mentality. Many departments took the
challenge and came in under budget in FY2018. Ten percent of those funds was moved into
General Fund reserves. Departments will have access to remaining funds for their
departmental needs. Agenda Item #5 will utilize those funds from the Executive Department
for the purchase of two additional police vehicles.
A proposal from the Council President would provide additional funding for the Chamber of
Commerce, HPRA, and Airport Authority. In the proposed budget, the Chamber of Commerce
will receive $500,000.00, the largest amount of annual funding to-date. HPRA and the Airport
Authority did not request an increase in funding. The Council President’s proposal would
provide the Airport Authority with an additional $108,000.00.
The future of Prattville is great. In 2011, a crash and burn scenario forecasted that the City
would not be able to meet payroll in May 2011. Finances have improved. Business owners
and property owners have made investments. In conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce
and the hotel industry, events such as the Creekside Concerts have been brought about. It is
time to move forward.
Mayor Gillespie expressed appreciation to the Council and urged them to move forward with
the adoption of the Classification and Compensation Plan and the adoption of the budget. The
Mayor expressed appreciation to Department Heads and employees for giving their all to the
community.
Councilor Starnes noted that he travels all over the state and has offices in Rockford and
Selma. Those are dying communities and do not have what Prattville has to offer. Residents
of surrounding communities come to Prattville because it is safe. During Christmas, the police
department provides towers in parking lots and extra patrols. Economic development includes
police, fire, parks, and everything that Prattville has to offer. The transparency issue is a slap
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in the face to the Finance Department and to the Mayor. Councilor Starnes apologized for the
Council not being able to come together.
Mayor Gillespie agreed that economic development includes the retention of jobs, the ability to
help businesses, quality of life, fireworks, the canoe trail, and the airport. There is a fine line
between needs and wants. The City needs to take be able to take care of core services first
and economic development will be funded. In order to form a budget and move through lodging
tax issue, the City needs a definition of economic development.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None
REPORT ON STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
Finance Director Daniel Oakley presented the finance reports for August 2019. The General
Fund Revenue report showed that year-to-date revenue was $36,440,096.18, an increase of
5.81% in comparison to the prior year.
The Tax Breakdown Comparison report showed revenue increased by 8.92% in comparison
to the prior year.
The Expenses by Department report showed that with 91.67% of the budget year complete,
overall expenses were at 85.97%.
The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net income of $250,127.63 for
August 2019. Operating expenses were at 81.74% and overall expenses were at 73.63%.
The Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net income of $52,166.52 for
August 2019. Overall expenses were slightly below budget at 90.14%.
The Judicial Special Revenue Fund Income Statement showed a net income of $11,852.05 for
August 2019. Expenses were below budget at 79.16%.
The Bank Balances report showed a total cash balance of $21,983,288.55 as of August 2019.
The City-Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances report show total debt at $58,459,616.65
as of August 31, 2019, including non-enterprise fund debt at $25,528,525.62
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. RESOLUTION: To Declare Various Weeded Lots to be a Public Nuisance, Order Their
Abatement and Set a Public Hearing per Title 11, Chapter 67 of the Code of Alabama, 1975,
as Amended. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 134
2. RESOLUTION: To Designate Legal Holidays for the City of Prattville for Fiscal Year 2019-
2020. (Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Brown)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 135
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3. RESOLUTION: To Waive Fee for the Autauga County Fair Organization during the Week of
October 8-12, 2019. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boone)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 136
4. RESOLUTION: To Surplus Equipment from the Police Department. (Sponsored By:
Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 137
Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to place items #1-4 on a Consent
Agenda and Councilor Boone seconded the motion. The items were placed on a Consent
Agenda (7-0). Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and Councilor
Cables seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Consent Agenda was adopted
with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
AGENDA:
1. RESOLUTION: To Adopt a Position Classification and Compensation Plan for the
Employees of the City of Prattville. (Sponsored By: Councilor Cables)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 138
Councilor Cables made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Strichik seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
2. RESOLUTION: To Release Funds for the Purchase of Thirty (30) Dell Optiplex Computers
and Two (2) Dell Precision Computers through the Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative from
CDW-G, LLC for the Information Technology Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $37,292.00.
(Sponsored By: Councilor Strichik)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 139
Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Starnes seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
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NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
3. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2019 Budget and to Release Funds for the Purchase of
Laserfiche Avante Starter Public Portal Software through the National Cooperative Purchasing
Alliance (NCPA) from MCCI, LLC for the Information Technology Department at a Cost Not to
Exceed $15,119.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor Strichik)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 140
Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Starnes seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
4. RESOLUTION: To Award Bid No. 019-012 to Petranka Contracting, LLC for the Planning
and Installation of Lighting at Two (2) Baseball Fields at the David Whetstone, Jr. Sports
Complex for the Parks and Recreation Department at a Cost of $92,500.00. (Sponsored By:
Councilor Boone)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 141
Councilor Boone made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Strichik seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
5. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2019 Budget and to Release Funds for the Purchase of
Two (2) 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe Vehicles through State Contract T191L from Donohoo
Chevrolet, LLC for the Police Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $63,722.00. (Sponsored By:
Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 142
Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Cables seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
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NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
6. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2019 Budget and to Release Funds for the Purchase of
One (1) 2020 Wheel Coach Type 1 Custom Series Ford F-350 Ambulance through the HGAC-
Buy Purchasing Cooperative from Southern Emergency Consultants, LLC for the Fire
Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $171,512.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor Strichik)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 143
Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Starnes seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
7. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2019 Budget and to Release Funds for the Purchase of
One (1) 2019 Ford F-150 Super Cab 4x4 Pickup through State Bid T191A from Stivers Ford,
Inc. for the Information Technology Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $27,212.00.
(Sponsored By: Councilor Strichik)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 144
Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Boone seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
8. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Sign a One-Year Engagement Letter with Jackson
Thornton & Co., P.C. for Auditing Services for Fiscal Year 2019 at a Cost Not to Exceed
$99,000.00. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 145
Council President Pro Tempore Brown 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 : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
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NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
9. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with Montgomery County
to Guarantee One (1) Bed Space for Juvenile Offenders at the Montgomery County Youth
Facility at a Cost Not to Exceed $20,000.00 Per Year. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 146
Councilor Starnes 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 : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
10. ORDINANCE: Petition for Annexation at 1324 Upper Kingston Road (Petitioner James B.
Marshall) (Owner: Randall and Martha Doyle) (Project: Phase IV Dawson’s Mill). (Sponsored
By: Councilor Jackson)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2019, PAGE 022
Councilor Jackson made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Council President Pro Tempore
Brown seconded the motion. By point of order, it is necessary that the council rules be
suspended if immediate action is to be considered. Councilor Cables made a motion to
suspend the rules and Councilor Jackson seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-
0). There being no discussion, the ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
11. ORDINANCE: To Amend City of Prattville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 38-Licenses,
Taxation and Miscellaneous Business Regulations, Article III, Division 5-Transient Occupancy
Tax, Section 38-211-Tax Levied Within City Limits; Amount. (Sponsored By: Councilor Strichik)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2019, PAGE 023
Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Boone seconded the
motion. By point of order, it is necessary that the council rules be suspended if immediate action
is to be considered. Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to suspend the rules
and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). There being no
discussion, the ordinance was adopted with the following results:
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AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
12. RESOLUTION: To Appropriate Fixed Expenses, Salaries, and Continuing Policy
Procedures. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2019-A, PAGE 147
Councilor Jackson made a motion to adopt the resolution and Council President Pro Tempore
Brown seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the
following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN,
STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Ernie Baggett, Autauga County EMA Director, requested that the Council reconsider the
allocation included in the FY2020 budget for EMA. Last year, the allocation was $25,000.00.
In the proposed budget, the allocation is $10,000.00. Mr. Baggett acknowledged that the
Council has tough decisions to make and assured the Council that EMA puts those dollars to
good use. Mr. Baggett thanked the Council for their consideration.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Mayor Gillespie recognized Jim Manderson with the Autauga County Board of Education in the
audience.
On September 18, 2019, a presentation ceremony will be held with the Autauga County Board
of Education for the City to present iPads and Chromebooks to school representatives. Through
a grant from former Representative Paul Beckman, $10,000.00 was awarded to the City to
provide technology tools for students in grades 1 – 4. Mayor Gillespie thanked the Executive
Staff for their work on this project.
The LPGA’s Symetra Golf Tournament will be held September 20-22, 2019. This golf
tournament provides both economic development and tourism.
Mayor Gillespie asked the Council to review the accountability and transparency document
which has been talked about and the list provided to the Council earlier in the meeting. The
Mayor asked that any further discussion be held in a meeting so that additional facts can be
presented. The Mayor added that he looks forward to working with the Council on this matter,
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but that it should not hold up the budget and urged the Council to pass the budget resolution
from the floor.
Mayor Gillespie thanked Department Heads and employees for making Prattville better. The
City has a great group of citizens and dedicated employees. Mayor Gillespie thanked the
Council for adopting the Classification and Compensation Plan.
Council President Striplin announced that a special called meeting could be anticipated before
the next regularly scheduled meeting.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the council, Councilor Cables made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 7:18
p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Albert Striplin, President
Prattville City Council