Minutes 2011-07-051
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011
6:18 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 5, 2011, at 6:18 p.m. in the
Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Council
President Renegar gave the invocation. Roll was called and all were recorded as being
present.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS THRIFTINESS: Making the best use
of resources.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing & City Council meetings June 21, 2011. Council
President Pro Tempore Fank made the motion to approve the minutes and Councilman
Striplin seconded the motion. The minutes were approved (7-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
NONE.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie expressed his sympathy to the families of Specialist, Nick Hensley, a
Prattville soldier who lost his life in the War Against Terror.
The Mayor advised Ms. Voll, who spoke at the Public Hearing earlier this evening, to refer to
the City’s website Residents page, Be a Good Neighbor. It explains the effects of the disposal
of drugs in the water system, and the costs incurred with weeded lots, and other ways to be a
good neighbor.
Mayor Gillespie reported that the tax receipts for the month of May show collections of $1.8
million, $62,000.00 in rebates, with an increase of 34% compared to May, 2010. The $.01
increase is dedicated to debt service. $300,000.00 has already been paid towards the $1
million bridge loan.
The Mayor expressed his appreciation to Council President Renegar for being a part of the
Fireworks Committee, as well as the whole Committee and the success of the July 4th
fireworks. He also commended Kellie Cook for her hard work and for coordinating the July
4th events. The City of Montgomery loaned us a trolley for the World War II Veterans to serve
as Grand Marshalls for the parade. The Prattville Fire Department Honor Guard delivered the
colors.
Councilman Miller clarified that the $.01 sales tax increase is for one year and doesn’t
minimize how revenues/expenditures need to be closely monitored. He further expressed his
wish that the tax increase will only be for one year and not renewed. He asked what the
anticipated revenue will be as a result of the City’s court fine amnesty program.
2
Mayor Gillespie responded by saying that there would be a report of the amnesty program
proceeds at the next council meeting. He also agreed with Councilman Miller that every dime
being spent is being monitored. The Mayor is hopeful that the No Idling Policy and the Be a
Good Neighbor Program will have a positive effect on the city.
COUNCIL REPORTS:
Councilman Argo, Wastewater Committee Chairman, asked for support for item numbers 2
and 3 on the regular agenda, and stated that they are both budgeted items and that funds are
available. He further explained that the contract with Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood for the
Wastewater infrastructure/equipment study will also include a 5-year Master Plan for the
Department. The Council previously adopted a $10.00 surcharge for sewer service with the
understanding that there would be a study of rates and the benefits to the Department and
the City, to determine if that increase is sufficient. Jackson Thornton conducted a study six
years ago and would like to do another study. They believe the study can be done for
$17,000.00 - $18,000.00, and the Wastewater Committee will be meeting and presenting a
recommendation to the council.
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. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011,
PAGE 113)
2. RESOLUTION: TO ACCEPT BENT TREE SUBDIVISION, PLAT 4 FOR
MAINTENANCE. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011, PAGE 114)
3. RESOLUTION: TO ACCEPT HIGHLAND RIDGE SUBDIVISION, PLATS 5-12,
AND 14-A, 14-B, 17 AND 18 FOR MAINTENANCE. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011,
PAGE 115)
4. 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. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011, PAGE 116)
Council President Pro Tempore Fank made a motion to move items 1 – 4 to a consent agenda
and Councilman Striplin seconded the motion. All were in favor of moving these items to a
consent agenda (7-0).Councilman Argo made a motion to adopt the consent agenda. Council
President Pro Tempore Fank seconded the motion. The consent agenda was adopted (7-0)
with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, ARGO,
MILLER, RENEGAR, BOLES, FANK 7
NAYS : NONE 0
3
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE 0
1. ORDINANCE: TO AMEND CHAPTERS 26 (BUILDING; CONSTRUCTION AND
RELATED ACTIVITIES) AND 105 (FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION) OF
THE PRATTVILLE CODE OF ORDINANCES. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2011, PAGE
022)
Councilman Wood made a motion to amend the title to read as follows: To Amend Chapters
26 (Fire Prevention and Protection) and 105 (Building; Construction and Related
Activities) of the Prattville Code of Ordinances. He made a motion to also amend page 4, line
59 to insert the verbiage: N1103.2.1 Insulation. Supply ducts in attics shall be insulated to a
minimum of R-6. Effective July 1, 2013, supply ducts located in attics spaces shall be
insulated to a minimum of R-8. All other ducts shall be insulated to a minimum of R-6.
Councilman Boles seconded the motion for both amendments. Councilman Fank questioned
the letter from United requesting the insulation be kept at an R-4, but the proposed
amendment is for R-6. He also asked what the financial effect is between R-6 and R-8. City
Planner, Joel Duke, explained that the current 2006 Code requires an R-6. Fire Marshall
Johnson stated that the letter is incorrect; the current requirement is for R-8, but builders are
not using R-8. Mr. Larry Smith, homebuilder, was recognized by Council President Renegar.
Mr. Smith stated that the cost going from R-4 to R-8, is about $1,000.00 for a 1,630 square
foot home. He stated that it is his belief that the cost doesn’t outweigh the benefits. He further
stated that he isn’t aware of an R-6 being produced. Mr. Smith further asked that this portion
of the Ordinance be removed. Councilman Wood withdrew his motion to amend, and
Councilman Boles also withdrew his second. Councilman Wood made a motion to amend the
title to read as follows: To Amend Chapters 26 (Fire Prevention and Protection) and 105
(Building; Construction and Related Activities) of the Prattville Code of Ordinances.
Councilman Boles seconded the motion to amend. The ordinance was amended (7-0).
Councilman Argo made a motion to amend page 4, line 19 after the words historical
significance to insert defined as a structure designated by the Historical Preservation
Commission or a building located within the boundaries of the historical district.
Councilman Wood seconded the motion to amend. Councilman Wood made a motion to
suspend the rules, and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-
0). All were in favor of the amendment (7-0). The amended Ordinance was adopted with the
following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, ARGO,
MILLER, RENEGAR, BOLES, FANK 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE 0
2. RESOLUTION: REQUEST TO RELEASE FUNDS NOT TO EXCEED $4,300.00
FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF ONE (1) KAMAN CONVEYOR BELT FOR THE
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT’S AUTAUGA CREEK PLANT. (RESOLUTION
BOOK 2011, PAGE 117)
4
Councilman Argo made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Wood seconded
the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, ARGO,
MILLER, RENEGAR, BOLES, FANK 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE 0
3. RESOLUTION: REQUEST TO RELEASE FUNDS NOT TO EXCEED $3,700.00
FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) AIR HANDLER FOR THE WASTEWATER
DEPARTMENT’S AUTAUGA CREEK PLANT. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011, PAGE
118)
Councilman Striplin made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Argo seconded
the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, WOOD, ARGO,
MILLER, RENEGAR, BOLES 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : FANK 1
ABSENT : NONE 0
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Mr. Carl Viars, 139 Till Street, asked for a designated traffic light arrow at the intersection of
Highways 14 and 31. He stated that he had talked to the Alabama Department of
Transportation and they would have to do a traffic survey and encouraged the council to
nudge ALDOT to move forward. He also reported that in the curve of McQueen Smith Road
that the weeds are waist high on the right-of-way.
Council President Renegar assured Mr. Viars that it would be looked into.
Carl Hawthorne, 704 Emerald Drive, had the following questions: What was the 1% collected
for the month of May? Is the additional 1% tax increase being used for the City’s debt
reduction? What is budgeted for debt service?
Interim Finance Director, Doug Moseley, reported $420,000.00 is the 1% increase. $2
million is the budgeted amount.
Council President Renegar stated that the 1% is being used towards the debt service.
Mr. Hawthorne commended Mayor Gillespie for the $250,000.00 savings for the LPGA.
Ms. Lora Lee Boone, 210 Fawn Lane, asked about item number 3, how are purchases
decided? Is it bid?
5
Council President Renegar explained that based on the amount of the purchase determines
the bid process.
Council President Pro Tempore Fank explained that he abstained from agenda item #3
because the awarded vendor, May’s Heating & Air, rents office and warehouse space from his
father.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Councilman Striplin expressed his appreciation to the organizers and participants of the July
4th parade and the citizens who helped raise funds for the fireworks.
Councilman Wood congratulated all of those who contributed to the July 4th festivities and
thanked Mayor Gillespie for allowing him to ride with him in the parade.
Council President Pro Tempore Fank wished Councilman Wood a happy birthday today.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Argo made a motion
to adjourn and the motion was seconded by Council President Pro Tempore Fank. The
meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Stephanie J. Southerland
Interim City Clerk
____________________________
Michael E. Renegar, President
Prattville City Council
6