Minutes 2014-09-16
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PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2014
6:05 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, September 16, 2014, at 6:05
p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American
Flag, Council President Pro Tempore Striplin gave the invocation. Roll was called and all were
recorded as being present.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS DILIGENCE: Investing all my energy
to complete the tasks assigned to me.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council Meeting and Public Hearing September 2, 2014.
Councilor Brown made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Boone seconded the
motion. With no discussion, the minutes were adopted (7-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
John-Paul O’Driscoll presented an overview of the Autauga County 2014 Solid Waste
Management Plan.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
The 175th Year Celebration of the City of Prattville was held on September 12, 2014 with the
rededication of the Musgrove Fountain at Heritage Park.
The Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic has held events this week, including a Junior Golf Clinic for
area 4th graders. The LPGA tournament will begin on Thursday, September 18, 2014.
The 4th Annual Worldwide Day of Play will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2014. The
Parks and Recreation Department has teamed up with the Police Department and Fire
Department to design obstacle courses.
Mayor Gillespie encouraged the Council to move forward with Agenda Item #1 to adopt
FY2014-2015 budget. Mayor Gillespie expressed appreciation to Finance Doug Moseley and
Human Resources Director Lisa Thrash for their efforts in putting the budget document
together. The Mayor asked the Council for any questions, comments or anticipated
amendments. Item #4 will set holidays for FY2014-2015 and Item #5 will authorize the City
to participate in the annual State Severe Weather Preparedness Holiday in February, 2015.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Councilor Starnes reported that the Vehicle Maintenance Committee met on September 8,
2014 to discuss capital outlay, the proposed 2014-2015 budget, and Public Works Director
Randy Lucas’ vision for vehicle maintenance.
REPORT ON STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
Finance Director Doug Moseley presented the financial reports for August 2014. The
Unaudited General Fund and Capital Project Fund Revenue report showed that with 83.33%
of the budget year complete, 93.18% of budgeted revenue has been collected. Revenue
received has increased $766,666.10 over the same time last year.
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The Tax Breakdown Comparison report compared August, 2014 revenue to August, 2013.
The Unaudited Expenses by Department report showed that with 91.67% of the budget year
complete, budgeted expenses were at 83.01%.
The Wastewater and Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statements showed both
departments running in line with revenue ahead of budget and expenses below budget. The
Judicial Special Revenue Fund was also in line with revenue ahead of budget and expenses
below budget.
The Bank Balances report showed total cash available as of August 31, 2014 at
$16,346,396.78.
The City-Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances report showed the total amount due as of
August 31, 2014 at $47,315,314.13.
Councilor Boles asked when the next bond payment is due and if funds are available. Mr.
Moseley replied that funds are available for the next payment in November. The Council will
consider an item to authorize prepayment of the SRF-2014 for the Wastewater Department in
the amount of $1.3 million on the agenda. In November, the City will also pay off the balance
of the 2007 bond issue out of the general fund.
Council President Wood thanked Mr. Moseley for sending the financial reports to the Council
in a timely manner.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Declare Various Weeded Lots to be a Public Nuisance and Ordering
Their Abatement per Title 11, Chapter 67 of the Code of Alabama, 1975, as Amended.
(Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Striplin)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2014-B, PAGE 144
2. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Declare Various Weeded Lots to be a Public
Nuisance and Ordering Their Abatement per Title 11, Chapter 67 of the Code of Alabama,
1975, as Amended. (Sponsored By: Councilor Chambliss)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2014-B, PAGE 145
3. RESOLUTION: To Adopt the Autauga County 2014 Solid Waste Management Plan.
(Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Striplin)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2014-B, PAGE 146
Councilor Chambliss made a motion to place Items #1-3 on a Consent Agenda and Councilor
Starnes seconded the motion. The Consent Agenda was accepted (7-0). There being no
further discussion, the Consent Agenda was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES,
BOONE 7
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NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Adopt the City of Prattville Fiscal Year 2014/2015 General Operating
Fund, Gas Tax Fund, Debt Service Fund, Capital Projects Fund, Sanitation Enterprise Fund,
Wastewater Enterprise Fund, and Judicial Special Revenue Fund Budgets. (Sponsored By:
Council President Wood) HELD FROM SEPTEMBER 2, 2014
RESOLUTION BOOK 2014-B, PAGE 147
The Resolution was held from the September 2, 2014 meeting. Council President Pro
Tempore Striplin moved to amend the 2014-2015 Budget (written amendments attached) and
Councilor Brown seconded the motion. Councilor Boles stated that in the past, Council rules
required that amendments be considered separately. City Attorney David McDowell
responded that current Council rules would apply. Council President Wood asked for the
procedure if the Council moved forward with budget amendments as presented. Mr.
McDowell replied that if the Council approved the amendments as presented and Council
rules required to be considered separately, the Council could ratify and affirm at the next
Council meeting.
Councilor Boles asked for an explanation of the budget amendments involving the Airport
Authority and HPRA. Council President Pro Tempore Striplin explained that the lodging tax
was established several years ago and funds were to be used for economic development and
tourism activities. A plan was put into place in which the Airport Authority, the Chamber of
Commerce, HPRA, and the golf tournament were deemed to be entities which met the criteria
and a percentage of the lodging tax was established for each entity: 10% for the Airport
Authority; 25% for the Chamber of Commerce, 15% for HPRA, 20% for the golf tournament,
and 30% to be retained by the City for other projects that would meet the criteria of
expanding economic development and tourism. The budget as presented capped the Airport
Authority and HPRA with specific dollar amounts. The lodging tax is projected to increase by
$104,600. Without eliminating the dollar amount cap, the true percentage for these two
entities decreases more this year than during the previous year. With the exception of the golf
tournament, each of the entities receiving an allocation from this fund understands that if the
total revenue in the fund decreases, their respective revenue decreases. This is a good
incentive to be good stewards. None of these funds are released by the City until a Contract
for Services is presented to the City. The City can and should hold these entities accountable.
Council Wood noted that the question can be remedied tonight if the amendments are put
before the Council one at a time. Council President Pro Tempore Striplin withdrew the
motion and Councilor Brown withdrew the second.
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin moved that the 2014-2015 Budget be amended as
follows: Line Item 10-6403-09-654 City-County Services/Library is increased by $20,000.00
and a General Fund Reserve decrease by $20,000.00. Councilor Brown seconded the motion.
The amendment was adopted with a vote of (7-0).
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Councilor President Pro Tempore Striplin moved that the 2014-2015 Budget be amended as
follows: Line Item 10-6404-10-658 Community Initiatives/Airport Authority have their cap
removed on their allocation of 10% of the Lodging Tax receipts projected for FY2014-2015,
resulting in a budget increase of $18,960.00 and a General Fund Budget decrease by
$18,960.00. Councilor Brown seconded the motion. Councilor Boles asked if the Airport
Authority has requested this increase and if the Board needs this increase. Councilor Brown
responded that the Airport Authority did not request this increase, but the Board is constantly
doing projects and will use what is received. Councilor Boles asked if it would hurt if this was
held for one year. Councilor Brown responded that the Airport Authority will work with the
City. Councilor Boles requested a roll call vote. The amendment was adopted with the
following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, WOOD,
CHAMBLISS, BOONE 5
NAYS : STARNES, BOLES 2
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin moved that the 2014-2015 Budget be amended as
follows: Line Item 10-64-4-10-678 Community Initiatives/HPRA have their cap removed on
their allocation of 15% of the Lodging Tax receipts projected for FY2014-2015, resulting in an
increase of $28,440.00 and a General Fund Reserve budget decrease of $28,440.00.
Councilor Brown seconded the motion. Councilor Boles required a roll call vote. The
amendment was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
In consideration of the Resolution, Councilor Boles asked the Mayor and the Finance
Committee to meet with the entities to have contracts in writing prior to the next budget
hearing. There being no further discussion, the amended Resolution was adopted with the
following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
2. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Release of Funds to Call SRF-2004 for the Wastewater
Department in the Amount of $1,313,292.19. (Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore
Striplin)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2014-B, PAGE 148
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Council President Pro Tempore Striplin made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor
Chambliss seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with
the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
3. RESOLUTION: To Release Funds for the Purchase of One (1) Bushmaster SL601 Rotary
Cutter from Capital Tractor, Inc. for the Wastewater Department at a Cost Not to Exceed
$6,100.00. (Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Striplin)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2014-B, PAGE 149
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor
Brown seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the
following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
4. ORDINANCE: To Amend Chapter 9, Section 9.3.2 of the City of Prattville Personnel
Policies and Guidelines and to Name Legal Holidays for the City of Prattville. (Sponsored By:
Councilor Boles)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2014, PAGE 030
Councilor Boles 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 Striplin made a motion to suspend
the rules and Councilor Brown seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). There
being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
5. ORDINANCE: To Exempt Certain “Covered Items” From the Municipal Sales and Use
Tax during the Last Full Weekend of February, 2015, as Authorized by Act 2012-256,
Generally Referred to as the “State Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday”
Legislation. (Sponsored By: Council President Wood)
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ORDINANCE BOOK 2014, PAGE 031
Councilor Brown made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Council President Pro Tempore
Striplin seconded the motion. By point of order, it is necessary that the council rules be
suspended if immediate action is to be considered. Councilor Boles made a motion to suspend
the rules and Councilor Chambliss seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0).
There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : BOLES
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: None
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Mayor Gillespie recognized Amy Brabham and Patty VanderWal, Chamber of Commerce, in
the audience.
Councilor Starnes noted that the City just passed a budget, including funding for historical
downtown Prattville, and increased that funding by $28,440 for a total of $193,440.00. The
City has a beautiful High Point area. Councilor Starnes expressed concern about the Highway
31 area from Walgreens to Larry Puckett Chevrolet. There are empty store fronts and empty
offices. If these areas are not improved, the City could have a “West Montgomery” in the
middle of Prattville.
Council President Wood thanked all in attendance at the meeting. The Council President
thanked the Mayor, all department heads, and the Council and encouraged all to continue
their efforts.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the council, Councilor Boone made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 6:46
p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Willie L. Wood, Jr., President
Prattville City Council