Minutes 2012-01-031
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2012
6:02 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, January 3, 2012, at 6:02 p.m.
in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag,
Councilman Wood gave the invocation. Roll was called and all were recorded as being
present.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS AVAILABILITY: Making my own
schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I serve.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting December 20, 2011.
Councilman Boles made the motion to approve and Councilman Miller seconded the motion.
The minutes were approved (6-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
Lonnie Brandt, 258 Teri Lane, Prattville, stated he understood there is no requirement for a
public hearing or to post notice for an Off Premise Only license. Council President Renegar
responded that is correct.
Alison Gray, 1690 Old Country Road, Deatsville, stated she did not think that insurance
benefits should be taken away from Councilmembers, City Attorney, City Judge or City
Prosecutor. She further stated that if benefits are stripped away, good people might not have
the incentive to run for office. She added there must be some incentive besides civic service.
Lonnie Brandt stated it was his understanding, after viewing the video of the December 20,
2011 meeting, that these persons in governing positions would be able to pay their own
premiums for insurance benefits. Council President Renegar agreed that this Ordinance
would allow continued participation in insurance benefits at their own expense and noted
that any change would become effective with the next Quadrennium. The next administration
will take office on November 5, 2012.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie expressed hope that all had a wonderful new year. He added it has been
almost one year since he was sworn in as Mayor. He will talk more about 2011 at the next
Council meeting and looks forward to 2012.
In the department head meeting held this morning, Mayor Gillespie informed department
heads that with the decrease in the sales tax extension, the FY2013 budget will need to be
reduced by one million dollars. After speaking with the Finance Director, the Fy2013 budget
will actually need to be reduced by two million dollars. He challenged department heads with
an internal goal to reduce the current FY2012 budget by one million dollars.
Mayor Gillespie commented, regarding item #1, that in light of necessary budget reductions
he would like the Council to look at the Mayor’s salary and benefits for the next
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administration. He had previously asked that the City Council consider lowering the Mayor’s
salary. He had suggested that the $12,000 car allowance be reduced to $7-8,000 per year.
Another scenario would be to eliminate the car allowance, purchase a new basic model
Interceptor vehicle annually for the Mayor, and turn the older model Interceptor over to the
Police Department each year.
Councilman Wood acknowledged that Mayor Gillespie works hard with the City Council and
all employees. Councilman Wood added that while he had heard mention of a lower salary for
the Mayor of the next administration, this City Council and Mayor work extremely hard along
with city employees. He added that he did not agree with a cut in Mayor or Council benefits
for the next administration. He would consider the car allowance being taken away, but he
would leave salaries and benefits intact.
Mayor Gillespie announced the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade to be held on January 16, 2012
at 9:00 a.m.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Councilman Wood announced that a Public Safety Committee meeting was held at 5:00 p.m.
today. Councilmembers were presented with a packet of information from that meeting. At
some point, a meeting will be scheduled to further discuss this information.
Council President Renegar announced that following opening the floor for public comment at
the end of the meeting, the City Council would go into Executive Session to discuss the good
name and character of an individual and a possible lawsuit.
AGENDA
1. ORDINANCE: TO AMEND BENEFITS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY
ATTORNEY, CITY JUDGE, AND CITY PROSECUTOR.
The Ordinance was held from the December 20, 2011 council meeting. During discussion,
Councilman Miller noted he had brought this matter up from time to time as a concern over
the past eleven years. He added that he understood the differing viewpoints. He seconded
Councilman Wood’s sentiment and agreed that the Mayor’s position should not be altered.
Councilman Miller viewed the City Council position as part-time and, with an annual salary of
$17,500, Council members are adequately compensated. The Council President should
receive a higher stipend. With this amendment, insurance benefits would be available to City
Council members and appointed officials at the same rate offered to city retirees. This would
be an opportunity for Council members to do their part to put the city on sound financial
footing.
There being no further discussion, the Ordinance failed with the following results:
AYES : MILLER, BOLES 2
NAYS : STRIPLIN, WOOD, RENEGAR, FANK 4
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE 0
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2. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY PLANNER TO SUBMIT THE CITY’S
2012 RE-DISTRICTING PLAN. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2012 PAGE 001)
Councilman Miller made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Striplin seconded
the motion. Councilman Boles asked if any information changed since the Re-districting Plan
was presented three months ago. City Planner Joel Duke responded there were no changes.
The Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, MILLER, RENEGAR,
BOLES, FANK 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE 0
3. RESOLUTION: TO DECLARE A VACANCY IN CITY COUNCIL DISRTICT 3.
(RESOLUTION BOOK 2012 PAGE 002)
Councilman Striplin made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Boles seconded
the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, MILLER, RENEGAR,
BOLES, FANK 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE 0
4. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE
CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES FOR 2011-2012 COMMUNITY INITIATIVES AND
CITY-COUNTY SERVICES. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2012 PAGE 003)
Council President Pro Tempore Fank made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman
Striplin seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the
following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, MILLER, RENEGAR,
BOLES, FANK 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE 0
5. RESOLUTION: TO GRANT A RETAIL BEER AND TABLE WINE LICENSE, OFF
PREMISE ONLY, TO SIMA K. NASERI AND ALI M. NASERI of NASERI
ENTERPRISES, INC., D/B/A A AND H FOOD STORE 2. (RESOLUTION BOOK
2012 PAGE 004)
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Councilman Wood made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Council President Pro
Tempore Fank seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted
with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, MILLER, RENEGAR,
BOLES, FANK 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE 0
Councilman Miller made the motion to go into Executive Session and Councilman Striplin
seconded the motion. All were in favor (6-0). City Attorney David McDowell presented the
City Clerk with a letter of explanation for the executive session. The letter is made a part of
the official record. The council went into Executive Session at 6:27 p.m.
Councilman Boles made the motion to reconvene in Regular Session at 7:17 p.m. and
Councilman Striplin seconded the motion. All were in favor of reconvening (6-0).
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Mayor Gillespie encouraged all to attend the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. Councilman
Wood will walk in the parade. Councilman Boles will also participate in the parade.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the council, Councilman Striplin made a
motion to adjourn and Council President Pro Tempore Fank seconded the motion. The
meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Michael E. Renegar, President
Prattville City Council