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Minutes 2011-08-021 PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2011 6:02 P.M. The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 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 FLEXIBILITY: Adjusting plans or ideas without being upset. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing & City Council meetings July 19, 2011 and Work Session July 26, 2011. Council President Pro Tempore Fank made the motion to approve the minutes and Councilman Argo seconded the motion. The minutes were approved (7-0). COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA: NONE MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Gillespie reported that the amnesty program brought in collections of $7,536.00, but with warrants that have been served a total of $13,000.00 has been collected. He thanked Municipal Court Magistrate Charlotte Adair and her staff for their hard work during this process. The Mayor reported on the July sales tax collections without the additional sales tax, having a decrease of 6.8% from July, 2010. Regarding Resolution number 3, the Mayor reported that the money used to pay for this project is money that was collected by the city. Mayor Gillespie asked for Autauga County Fair Chairman, Gene Hall, to address the council regarding the Autauga County Fair for this year. Mr. Hall announced that the fair will be held October 4 – 8, 2011. He was pleased to announce that the fair had given $1,000.00 to the Elmore County Tornado Relief and challenged all other civic clubs to also make a donation. The fair will match donations, up to $2,000.00. Councilman Wood asked for clarification regarding the funding for Resolution number 3. Mayor Gillespie stated that the funding came from BankTrust and the performance bond from the developer. The funds are in an account and dedicated for this project. 2 Councilman Argo stated that the net July sales tax equals $1.899 million with the tax increase. Mr. Argo asked about the tax increase amount of $500,000.00 that was generated from the $.01 increase that is dedicated to debt service, and how it is paid toward the debt. He further asked how it is applied to the debt. Mayor Gillespie stated that the $.01 increase is dedicated to a separate fund. The remainder of the $1 million bridge loan should be paid off this month. The Mayor reiterated the fact that the sales tax increase revenue is strictly dedicated to debt service. COUNCIL REPORTS: Councilman Argo reported that the Wastewater Committee met with Goodwyn Mills & Cawood and Interim Wastewater Director, Rick Teague, at the Autauga Creek plant last week and will be meeting again this week to get an update on the five year master plan. There will be a draft ready for the council in the near future. He commended Mr. Teague on his efforts. The Redistricting Committee has met with City Planner, Joel Duke, and hopes to have a draft ready at the next City Council meeting. They would also like to schedule a Public Hearing on August 30th for the public to express their ideas. The committee hopes to adopt the new district map at the first meeting in September. Councilman Miller reported that the Fire Committee will meet August 9th in the City Annex to discuss the ambulance contract and the Fire Department budget. 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- A, PAGE 001) Councilman Miller 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, ARGO, MILLER, RENEGAR, BOLES, FANK 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 0 2. RESOLUTION: TO APPOINT STEPHANIE J. SOUTHERLAND AS CITY CLERK FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE 2008 QUADRENNIUM. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011-A, PAGE 002) Councilman Striplin made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Boles seconded the motion. Councilman Boles, Councilman Miller and Councilman Argo each expressed 3 their appreciation to Mrs. Southerland for her hard work and professionalism during her years of service as Assistant to the City Clerk and for the last five months of working two jobs. Council President Renegar passed the gavel to Council President Pro Tempore Fank. Mr. Renegar also expressed his appreciation for Mrs. Southerland’s hard work and for her friendship. There being no further 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 FOR THE COMPLETION OF IMPROVEMENTS OF PENDLEBROOKE SUBDIVISION, PLAT 1 AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $97,800.00. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011-A, PAGE 003) Councilman Argo 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, ARGO, MILLER, RENEGAR, BOLES, FANK 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 0 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-A, PAGE 004) 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, ARGO, MILLER, RENEGAR, BOLES, FANK 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 0 Prattville Municipal Code, Article II, City Council, Sec. 2-66, Lying over of expenditures specifies that all ordinances, resolutions or propositions submitted to the council which require the expenditure of money shall lie over until the next meeting; provided further, that this rule shall not apply to the current expenses of, or contracts previously made with, or regular salaries of officers, or wages of employees of the city. Therefore, it is necessary to suspend the rules on agenda item number 5. 4 5. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH JACKSON THORNTON & CO, PC FOR AUDITING SERVICES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011 AT A COST OF $75,000.00. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011-A, PAGE 005) Councilman Wood made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Council President Pro Tempore Fank seconded the motion. Councilman Wood made a motion to suspend the rules and Council President Pro Tempore Fank seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7- 0). 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 COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: Carl Hawthorne, 704 Emerald Drive, Prattville, AL, thanked the Mayor for the city’s financial information being published in the newspaper. He further expressed his concern with the Jackson Thornton audit over the past several years and the lack of exceptions being named in the audit. Mr. Hawthorne asked how funds from the RSA, paving and reserve accounts were missing and no one knew about it. Mr. Hawthorne wants a real and true audit with full disclosure. Mayor Gillespie explained that the audit does have deficiencies listed and the city is working towards rectifying those. CLOSING COMMENTS: Mayor Gillespie thanked Mrs. Southerland for all of her hard work and stated that it is his opinion that she is very deserving of her new position. Councilman Striplin stated that he has had several citizens approach him regarding the positive encounters that they have had with city employees and he also thanked Mrs. Southerland for her help. Councilman Wood expressed his appreciation to all of the employees and the Interim Department Heads who have taken on the challenge to lead their departments. He stated that the City of Prattville is not alone in financial difficulties; it’s a worldwide issue. Mr. Wood further congratulated Mrs. Southerland and assured her that the council would provide the needed assets in order for her to carry out the 2012 municipal election. Councilman Argo reported that City Planner, Joel Duke, will be meeting with each of the council members over the next several days to share ideas regarding the redistricting draft plan. He further expressed his appreciation to Sanitation Director, Edward Clinton, for advising the council of the reasons for his department being behind schedule. Mr. Argo 5 expressed his appreciation for being involved with the Wastewater and Redistricting Committees. Councilman Miller asked for an update regarding the cleanup of Autauga Creek. Mayor Gillespie reported that he has purchased a kayak and gone down the creek and that the creek is open for business. Councilman Boles stated that he has received a number of phone calls from citizens regarding the cost savings by the city and their gratefulness that they have not seen a change in their city services. Council President Pro Tempore Fank congratulated Mrs. Southerland on her appointment and thanked her for her friendship and the work that she’s done. He also recognized her husband who was in the audience. ADJOURN: Councilman Argo made a motion to adjourn into Executive Session and Council President Pro Tempore Fank seconded the motion. The meeting will be adjourned upon the conclusion of the Executive Session. They went into session at 6:45 p.m. APPROVED: ___________________________ Stephanie J. Southerland City Clerk ____________________________ Michael E. Renegar, President Prattville City Council