Minutes 2013-06-181
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013
6:06 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at 6:06 p.m. in
the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag,
Councilor Boone gave the invocation. Roll was called and all were recorded as being present.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS FAITH: Confidence that actions rooted
in good character will yield the best outcome, even when I cannot see how.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council Meeting June 4, 2013 and Work Session June 11,
2013. Councilor Starnes made a motion to approve the minutes and Councilor Chambliss
seconded the motion. The minutes were approved (7-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
None
MAYOR’S REPORT:
The bidders in Items #5 and 6 have withdrawn their bids in writing. The Mayor asked that the
Council move forward with these items to declare them non-responsible bidders. The contract
to cut the hayfield tracks will continue to be reviewed.
Items #8 and 9 are budgeted positions and are filling vacancies caused by retirement or
resignation.
The Mayor urged the Council to support Item #12 stating that it will be a great way to
leverage federal funds and extend the City’s own funds.
The Mayor asked that the Council move forward on Item #13 as well. This will allow the City
to join other communities so that it may benefit from the buying power of a larger group.
The Movie Under the Stars will be Friday, June 21, 2013 at Cooters Pond Park. “Madagascar,
Europe’s Most Wanted” will be shown at dark.
Water flow has been tested and City staff has been trained on the filtration system for the
splash pad at Pratt Park. The ribbon cutting will be held July 2, and it will be open to the
public on July 4, from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. The Fire Department and Fire work experts
will begin setting up for the fire work show around 3:00 pm.
The Constitution has been re-hung on the Council Chamber’s walls.
The Mayor urged the Council to pass Item #2 and asked that they amend the start date to
August 1, 2013 to accommodate system updates for hotel owners.
The Mayor asked that the council move forward on Item #13.
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REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
None
REPORT ON THE STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
Finance Director Doug Moseley provided the Council with a copy of the Finance Report for
the Month of May.
The Revenue Report shows that most items are at 58.33% through the year on the revenue
side. Overall we are at 75.88% of our budget, which is well ahead of where we should be on
our budgeted revenue. Finance and forfeiture is at 46.61% and tobacco tax is at 52.14 %. Both
items have been lagging most of the year and are fairly small portions of the budget. The
larger portions of the budget are actually running ahead of schedule.
The Tax Breakdown Comparison sheet compares the month of May, 2013 line by line to May
2012.
The May Expense Report by Department shows that we are 66.67% through the year on the
expense side. Most departments are running in line where they should be.
The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statement year-to-date is in the black $447,000.00.
That being said there are several Capital Outlay items, such as large projects budgeted for this
year but have not been completed, that accounts for the large amount in the black.
The Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statement year-to-date is in the black $$2,021.08.
We are in the red for the month of May because we brought in less than the amount spent.
This is due to Capital Outlay projects such as purchasing new trucks for the Sanitation
Department. One of the new trucks came in during the month of May.
The Report on the City’s Group Health Insurance Fund is new and will be provided quarterly.
Year-to-date then fund brought in $2,960,000 and has spent in claims costs and cost from
the clinic $2,099,000. The fund has brought in $861,000 more than it has spent. However,
the General Fund as of 9-30-2012 owed $671,000 to the Group Health Insurance Fund. The
balance for the Group Health Insurance Fund at 9-30-2012 was 1,100,000 and the current
balance is $1,800,000; this balance is with the General Fund being caught up on its payments
to the Group Health Insurance Fund.
The next sheet shows the bank balances for all city accounts for 2011, 2012 and 2013. As of 9-
30-2011 the balance was $517,000.00 and is currently $11,339,000. A large portion of these
funds are dedicated to specific purposes and are locked down.
The city wide accounts payable and debt balances on 5-31-2011 were at $59.9 million and are
currently at $50.4 million. This decrease of $9.4 million in two years is very positive.
Mr. Moseley has spoken to the Mayor about how to handle the revenues and expenditures
and bank account that will be generated if the Ordinance to increase Lodging tax is passed.
Mr. Moseley’s suggestion to the Mayor was to put those revenues and expenditures in the
Capital Outlay Fund. This would keep them separated from other funds and insure that they
are used properly.
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Councilor Chambliss asked if the City was on track to make the November Debt Services
payment. Mr. Moseley responded that he has already deposited another $400,000 into that
account which puts it at approximately $3 million and the November payment is less than $3
million, so they are on track.
Council President Pro Tempore Striplin asked if the City had paid the Group Health
Insurance Fund, in full, through the end of May, and Mr. Moseley responded yes.
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: Councilor Chambliss)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 072
Councilor Chambliss made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Boles 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
2. ORDINANCE: To Amend City Code Division 5. Imposition of Additional Transient
Occupancy Tax, Section 38-211. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boone) Held From June 4,
2013
ORDINANCE BOOK 2013, PAGE 024
This Ordinance was held from June 4, 2013. Councilor Boone made a motion to amend line
27 to read “on the charge for any rooms or lodgings commencing on the 1st day of August,
2013” and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. Council President Pro Tempore Striplin
asked if reservations made prior to the tax increase would be honored at their original price.
Mayor Gillespie responded that the hotel owners that he has spoken to have agreed to honor
those prices during the 30 day window after the tax increase. There being no further
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 Grant a Retail Beer License, Off-Premises Only, and Retail Table
Wine License, Off- Premises Only, to Shital Patel of Omshiv, LLC d/b/a Corner Market.
(Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes) Held from February 5, 2013 and Held From
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February 19, 2013
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 073
This Resolution was held from February 19, 2013. 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. RESOLUTION: To Authorize Demolition of Dilapidated Structure Located at 945
Newton Street at a Cost of $3,800.00 and to Award Contract to Alvin Thomas, Inc. to
Complete Demolition. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boles)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 074
Councilor Boles 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, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
5. RESOLUTION: To Declare Ramar Autery a Non-Responsible Bidder in the Award of an
Agricultural Lease Agreement for Hayfield Tracts for the Wastewater Department.
(Sponsored By: Council President Wood)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 075
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
6. RESOLUTION: To Declare Jimmy Davis a Non-Responsible Bidder in the Award of an
Agricultural Lease Agreement for Hayfield Tracts for the Wastewater Department.
(Sponsored By: Council President Wood)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 076
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Councilor Chambliss made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Boles seconded
the motion. Councilor Boles asked if the hayfield tracts would be re-bid. The Mayor
responded that they are considering splitting the 300 acres of hayfield tracts into sections and
rebidding them. There being no further 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
7. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Execute a Contract for Services with Cintas
Corporation for Employee Uniform Service. (Sponsored By: Council President Wood)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 077
Councilor Brown made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Council President Pro Tempore
Striplin 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
8. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Hiring of Four (4) Police Officers to Fill Budgeted
Vacancies in the Police Department at an Annual Cost Not to Exceed $207,856.00.
(Sponsored By: Councilor Chambliss)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 078
Councilor Chambliss made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Boles seconded
the motion. Council President Wood asked Police Chief Mark Thompson if hiring these four
officers would replenish his fleet and Chief Thompson responded yes. There being no further
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
9. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Hiring of One (1) Certified Fire Fighter/Paramedic to
Fill a Budgeted Vacancy in the Fire Department at an Annual Cost Not to Exceed
$51,907.00. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boles)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 079
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Councilor Boles 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, BROWN, STARNES,
WOOD, CHAMBLISS, BOLES,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
10. RESOLUTION: To Amend Resolution Book 98B, Page 144 Authorizing the City to Enter
into Agreements with the State of Alabama, Acting by and through the Alabama
Department of Transportation, for Transportation Improvement Grants. (Sponsored By:
Councilor Brown)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 080
Councilor Brown made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Council President Pro Tempore
Striplin 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
11. RESOLUTION: To Enter into an Agreement with Sain Associates, Inc. to Provide
Engineering Services in an Amount Not to Exceed $40,000.00 (Net Cost to City Not to
Exceed $8,000.00) for the Resurfacing of McQueen Smith Road Project No.
STPOA-7812. (Sponsored By: Councilor Brown)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 081
Councilor Brown 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
12. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Make Application for FY 2013
Transportation Alternatives Program Funds from the Alabama Department of
Transportation and the Montgomery MPO. (Sponsored By: Councilor Brown)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 082
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Councilor Brown made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Boles 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
13. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Interlocal Contract for
Cooperative Purchasing with H-GAC Buy. (Sponsored By: Councilor Boles)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 083
Councilor Boles made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Brown seconded the
motion. Council President Wood asked the Mayor if there would be any cost to the City and
the Mayor responded no. There being no further 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
14. RESOLUTION: To Affirm the Intent to Purchase Additional City Property for the
Wastewater Department Subject to the Terms and Conditions Set Forth in the Agreement
of Sale. (Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Striplin)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 084
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
15. ORDINANCE: To Amend Authorization of the Sale of Draft Beer for On-Premises
Consumption Only by Retail Licensees of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to Within
the Corporate Limits and the Police Jurisdiction of the City of Prattville. (Sponsored By:
Councilor Starnes)
Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Council President Pro Tempore
Striplin seconded the motion. By point of order, it is necessary for the council rules to be
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suspended if immediate action is to be considered. Councilor Boles made a motion to suspend
the rules and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0).
Councilor Boles asked what was being amended and Councilor Starnes responded that this
section was being amended to include the police jurisdiction. There being no further
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
16. ORDINANCE: To Surplus Various Weapons from the Police Department. (Sponsored
By: Councilor Chambliss)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2013, PAGE 024
Councilor Chambliss made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilor Starnes seconded
the motion. By point of order, it is necessary that the council rules be amended if immediate
action is to be considered. Councilor Starnes made a motion to suspend the rules and
Councilor Boone seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). Councilor Boone
asked why some weapons were being destroyed instead of sold. Chief Thompson responded
that the weapons being destroyed are cheaper and are used in more often in crimes than the
ones being sold. There being no further 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
17. ORDINANCE: To Surplus One (1) Vehicle from the Police Department. (Sponsored By:
Councilor Chambliss)
ORDINANCE BOOK 2013, PAGE 024
Councilor Chambliss made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilor Starnes 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
Starnes 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
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18. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Apply for a Mid-South Resource
Conservation & Development Council Grant to Assist with Parks Facilities Improvements.
(Sponsored By: Councilor Boone) FROM THE FLOOR
RESOLUTION BOOK 2013, PAGE 085
Councilor Boone made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Brown seconded the
motion. By point of order, it is necessary for the council rules to be suspended if immediate
action is to be considered. Councilor Brown made a motion to suspend the rules and
Councilor Boone seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). Councilor Boone
stated that this item was brought from the floor to meet a deadline to submit application for a
grant which requires no match. Councilor Boone asked for the Council’s support. There being
no further 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
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
None
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Mayor Gillespie thanked all City employees for their continued hard work.
Councilor Brown announced that there would be a Street Committee Meeting on June 25, at
4:00 pm the City Hall Annex.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilor Boles made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 7:00
p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Willie L. Wood, Jr., President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY:
___________________________
Jamie Ferrari
Assistant City Clerk