Minutes 2019-10-15
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PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019
6:02 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, October 15, 2019, at 6:02 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 DILIGENCE: Investing my time and energy to
complete each task assigned to me.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting October 1, 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: None
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie requested a Point of Privilege. On behalf of the Prattville Exchange Club, the
following awards were presented:
Investigator Wesley Clark – Police Officer of the Year
Deputy Chief Michael Whaley – Firefighter of the Year
Deputy J. C. Grant – Sherriff’s Department Officer of the Year
On August 12, 2019, the First Community Bank in Prattville was robbed. Investigator Clark’s
diligent work helped to identify the unknown suspect. As the investigation ensued, the
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office provided information about a possible out of state suspect
staying in Montgomery. With the assistance of the FBI and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s
Office, the suspect was taken into custody and confessed to numerous bank robberies across
several states. Investigator Clark is a valuable member of the Investigative Division of the
Prattville Police Department.
Deputy Chief Michael Whaley is committed to providing excellence to the Prattville Fire
Department, as well as to other City departments. Deputy Chief Whaley also serves as a
member of the Board of Zoning Adjustment and a board member of Prattville Baptist Hospital.
He also coaches children in many different sports and raises funds for many events in our
community. Mayor Gillespie noted that Deputy Chief Whaley served in multiple roles to the City
on special assignment in 2011.
On August 7, 2019, Deputy Grant provided a welfare check on County Rd 129. He found a
disabled veteran in wheelchair who had been evicted. Deputy Grant sought assistance through
Alabama Power, the Department of Human Resources, and Veteran’s Affairs. The veteran was
able to receive assistance through the Veteran’s Hospital in Montgomery. Deputy Grant went
above and beyond the call of duty to assist the veteran.
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Prattville Chamber of Commerce President Patty VanderWal presented Mr. Woody Hydrick as
their new Economic Developer. Mr. Hydrick looks forward to getting to know and working with
the Mayor and City Council.
Wednesday, October 16, 2019, is National Support your Local Chamber of Commerce Day.
The first Parade of Pumpkins will begin on October 23, 2019. The annual Candy Walk will be
held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 28, 2019.
The Prattville Fall Farmers Market will be held Saturday, October 26, 2019.
Prattville’s “National Night Out” held on October 9, 2019 was a successful event with a great
turnout. Mayor Gillespie thanked all who participated in the program.
The Artist Market at the Prattauga Art Guild will be held at 10:00 a.m. on October 19, 2019.
One Prattville will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Stanley Jensen Stadium on October 19, 2019.
The Parks and Recreation Department will host sixteen other cities in the Alabama Recreation
and Park Association District 5 Soccer Tournament on November 2, 2019.
The Parks and Recreation Department is also gearing up for Christmas with the wrapping of
trees and the covered bridge on Bridge Street with christmas lights.
The City of Prattville is partnering with the Chamber of Commerce for the “Dinner in the District”
to be held on October 21, 2019.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None
REPORT ON THE STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
Finance Director Daniel Oakley presented the finance reports for September 2019. The
General Fund Revenue report showed that year-to-date revenue was $39,202,843.39, an
increase of 6.15% in comparison to the prior year.
The Tax Breakdown Comparison report showed revenue increased by 7.01% in comparison
to the prior year.
The Expenses by Department report showed that with 100% of the budget year complete,
overall expenses were at 92.93%.
The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net income of $221,762.86 from
operations for September 2019. Operating expenses were at 88.39% and overall expenses
were at 92.90%.
The Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net loss of ($3,084.94) for
September 2019. Overall expenses were at 98.24%.
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The Judicial Special Revenue Fund Income Statement showed a net loss of ($73,665.21) for
September 2019. The net loss was due to a 2-month payment paid in September to finish up
the old jail contract and start the new jail contract.
The Gas Tax Special Revenue Fund Income Statement, presented quarterly for July -
September 2019. showed 102.83% of budgeted revenue received and expenses at 68.29%.
The Capital Projects Fund Income Statement, presented quarterly for July - September 2019,
showed that $7,594,541.62 was spent on projects. Those projects included the Road and
Bridge, 10th Street Drainage, and engineering for Fire Station #4.
The Group Health Fund Income Statement, presented quarterly for July - September 2019,
showed, showed a year-to-date net loss of ($151,492.45). No additional general fund transfers
were required. As of September 31, 2019, the cash balance was $13,510.57.
The Bank Balances report showed a total cash balance of $22,483,806.08 as of September
30, 2019.
The City-Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances report show total debt at $54,575,370.07
as of September 30, 2019, which included $21,678,525.62 in non-enterprise fund debt. These
numbers do reflect the debt called and paid off.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Have Various Weeded Lots Abated per Title 11,
Chapter 67 of the Code of Alabama, 1975, as Amended. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes}
2. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Sign Contracts for Services for Community
Initiatives, City-County Services, and the Autauga County Emergency Communication District
(E-911) as Allocated in the FY2019-2020 Budget. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin)
3. RESOLUTION: To Authorize Signatures of City Officials with River Bank & Trust.
(Sponsored By: Council President Striplin)
Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to place items #1-3 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
Jackson 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
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AGENDA:
1. ORDINANCE: To Exempt Certain “Covered Items” from the Municipal Sales and Use Tax
during the Last Full Weekend of February 2020, as Authorized by Act 2012-256, Generally
Referred to as the “State Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday” Legislation.
(Sponsored By: Council President Striplin)
Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Cables seconded the
motion. By point of order, it is necessary that the council rules be suspended if immediate action
is to be considered. Councilor Strichik made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor
Boone 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
2. RESOLUTION: To Adjust the Salary of Municipal Court Judge. (Sponsored By: Council
President Striplin)
Councilor Cables 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
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, asked the Council to consider recording the Board of
Zoning Adjustment meetings, reasoning that more discussion takes place than is reported in
the minutes.
Williams James Moody, 585 Marshall Drive Lot 4, addressed the council regarding drug activity
and crime in his neighborhood. Mr. Moody requested police presence in the neighborhood.
Councilor Starnes asked Mr. Moody if was aware he that lives in the Police Jurisdiction and
would need to contact the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office for assistance.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
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Mayor Gillespie recognized County Commissioner Larry Mac Stoudemire in the audience.
Mayor Gillespie added that he looks forward to working with the Chamber of Commerce. The
Mayor also thanked the Council for passing the pay plan for City employees.
Councilor Boone noted that Saturday, October 19, 2019 will be a busy day. In addition to One
Prattville, other events will include Pet Palooza at Cooter’s Pond benefitting the Humane
Society and the Great Grits Cookoff at the YMCA.
Council President Striplin expressed appreciation on behalf of the Council for the Exchange
Club and for the awards that were presented.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the council, Councilor Starnes made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Jackson seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 6:36
p.m.
APPROVED:
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Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Albert Striplin, President
Prattville City Council