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Minutes 2020-06-161 PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2020 6:00 P.M. The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Council President Striplin gave the invocation. Roll was called and all Councilors were present. THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS RESILIENCE: Recovering from adversity. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting June 2, 2020. Councilor Starnes 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: Riddhiben Patel, 2521 Halcyon Down Loop, Montgomery, representing Sunday, Inc., addressed the Council regarding Item #1 on the Regular Agenda. Mr. Patel informed the Council that he was officially withdrawing his application for a Lounge Retail Liquor -Class II (Package) License. Council President Striplin informed Mr. Patel that withdrawing his application would not prohibit him from reapplying at a later time. Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace addressed the Council regarding Item #1 that would have been on the Regular Agenda. Ms. Finnegan understands that Mr. Patel withdrew his application, however, she wished to speak against the license in the event that he reapplies. Ms. Finnegan urged the Council to take a chance and deny the license without fear of being sued by the applicant. Ms. Finnegan asked the Council to fight for the citizens. Thea Langley, 222 1st Street, addressed the Council regarding Item #1 that would have been on the Regular Agenda. Mrs. Langley reiterated the concerns she had expressed at the Public Hearing for this license on June 2, 2020. Of all the package stores in the city, this one would be unique due to its location. It would be the only one located in the Historic District, and on the path of a City sponsored walking tour. Mrs. Langley perceived that the Council has always focused on safety everywhere else in the downtown area. She does not believe that this business would improve the safety of the downtown area or wellbeing of the citizens. Mrs. Langley asked the Council to vote no should this license come before them again. Dr. Jerry Cimis, 141 N. Chestnut Street, addressed the Council regarding Item #1 that would have been on the Regular Agenda. Dr. Cimis distributed a handout to the Council and that handout has been made part of this official record. Dr. Cimis’s concerns were in regards to parking, the amount alcohol stored on-site and the business’s proximity to schools and churches. Council President Striplin asked if anyone would like to speak on an item that was relevant to the Agenda before them. 2 Cliff Rich, S. Northington Street, addressed the Council regarding Item #1 that would have been on the Regular Agenda. Mr. Rich insisted that the item was relevant since the applicant could reapply tomorrow. Council President Striplin explained that there is a designated time at the end of the meeting to allow anyone to speak on any item, even if it is not on the Agenda. Mr. Rich asked if he could continue and Council President Striplin permitted him to do so. Mr. Rich explained that he is a first responder and sees a lot of crime in his profession. Mr. Rich lives near the proposed package store and has a child. He do es not want a business that he believes will generate crime so close to his home and family. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Gillespie was granted a Point of Privilege to present the 2019 Firefighter of the Year Award. This is a departmental award that is voted on by t he peers of the Prattville Fire Department. The 2019 Firefighter of the Year Award goes to Battalion Chief Josh Brown. Baseball games officially kicked off last night and softball and soccer games begin tonight. The Engineering Department began prep work today by removing old concrete to start the beautification project on East Main Street. This will add much curb appeal to the gateway of the Historic District. The Mayor looks forward to talking with the Council at the upcoming Street Committee meeting. He would like to review the paving list and move that project forward, as well as discuss the sidewalk ordinance. The Mayor suggested a public work session to further discuss the sidewalk ordinance, LRAP, and sewer ordinance. He would also like to discuss having a moratorium on apartments and Airbnb rentals until the comprehensive plan Project Prattville 2040 is complete. The Comprehensive Plan Visioning Session will be at the Doster Center on June 23rd at 6pm. Central Alabama Community College will hold a planning event for guided conversation to shape the creation and construction of CACC’s permanent campus to morrow. The Mayor appreciates the investment that CACC has made in the community and looks forward to working with them on a permanent location in the City of Prattville. The Mayor thanked all department heads and employees for working together during the COVID-19 pandemic. The budget has basically gone from a road map to a wish list. Finance Director Daniel Oakley will be providing financial updates this evening that will show even during this pandemic, the City of Prattville is still financially strong REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None REPORT ON STATUS OF CITY FINANCES: Finance Director Daniel Oakley presented the finance reports for May 2020. The General Fund Revenue report showed that year -to-date revenue was $28,010,968.70 an increase of 2.92% in comparison to the prior year. 3 The Tax Breakdown Comparison report showed revenue decreased by (5.69%) in comparison to the prior year. Mr. Oakley reminded the Council that the revenue collected in May represents April’s sales. A decrease was to be expected due to business closures in April. A company that reports a large amount of money did not make payment last year and so the next 3 month ’s numbers will be skewed when compared to last year’s numbers. The Expenses by Department report showed that with 66.67% of the budget year complete, overall expenses were at 63.98%. The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net income of $43,368.93 for May 2020. The Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net loss of ($340.21) for May 2020. The Judicial Special Revenue Fund Income Statement showed a net i ncome of $11,233.41 for May 2020. Expenses were also below budget. The Bank Balances report showed a total cash balance of $26,034,330.19 as of May 31, 2020. The City-Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances report show total debt at $53,334,647.68 as of May 31, 2020, including total non-enterprise debt at $21,483,600.94, as of May 31, 2020. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. RESOLUTION: To Declare Various Weeded Lots to be a Public Nuisance, Order Their Abatement and Set a Public Hearing per Title 11, Chapter 67 of the Code of Alabama, 1975, as Amended. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 068 2. RESOLUTION: To Appoint the 2020 Municipal Election Official. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 069 3. RESOLUTION: To Appoint the Honorable Kimberly G. Kervin to Deliver Voters List to the Municipal Clerk for the 2020 Municipal Election. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 070 4. RESOLUTION: To Name the Voting Delegate and Alternates for the 2020 Annual Business Session of the Alabama League of Municipalities to be held July 23, 2020 in Montgomery. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 071 4 5. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Submit an Application to ADEM for Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Project No. CS010254 -12 for Maple Street Drainage Improvements at an Estimated Total Cost of $596,440.00, Including Engineering Costs (Net Cost to the City Not to Exceed $300,000.00). (Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Brown) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 072 Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to place items #1-5 on a Consent Agenda and Councilor Cables seconded the motion. The items were placed on a Consent Agenda (7-0). Councilor Cables made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Consent Agenda was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE AGENDA: 1. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Lounge Retail Liquor - Class II (Package) License to Sunday, Inc. d/b/a Jacks Liquor and Tobacco Outlet. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes) HELD FROM 6/2/2020 WITHDRAWN BY APPLICANT 2. RESOLUTION: To Authorize Work Order No. 24/Project No. PV-1905 with Engineers of the South, LLC (EOS) for Engineering Services for the Washington Street Sanitary & Storm Sewer Improvements Project and the 2020 CWSRF Application for the Wastewater Division at a Cost Not to Exceed $173,000.00. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin) RESOLUTION BOOK 2020, PAGE 073 Council President Pro Tempore Brown made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 5 3. ORDINANCE: To Rescind Ordinance Book 2020, Page 006 as Adopted on April 28, 2020 and to Surplus Certain Real Property Located Within the Boundaries of the South Industrial Park and to Sell Said Property to Autumn Tree, LLC in Support of Project Catfish. (Sponsored By: Council President Striplin) ORDINANCE BOOK 2020, PAGE 012 Councilor Cables made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. By point of order, it is necessary that the council rules be suspended if immediate action is to be considered. Councilor Boone made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Starnes seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the rules were suspended (7-0). There being no discussion, the ordinance was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, BROWN, STARNES, CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: Reverend Dave Burns, 150 Shady Oak Lane. Reverend Burns spoke at the June 2 Public Hearing regarding the Liquor License application that Mr. Patel withdrew earlier. He asked that the Council forgive him if he came across as arrogant or demeaning. He wishes to be viewed as a citizen and a friend. The Lord has corrected Reverend Burns for his attitude during that Public Hearing. The Bible tells us to submit to one another. In this day with the world so divided we all need to be submissive, even when we disagree. The Reverend commended the Council on the patient and fair manner in which they conducted that Public Hearing to allow all citizens to be heard. Allison Gray, 2608 Hannah Drive. Mrs. Gray thanked the Mayor and Council for equipping Prattville’s Police so that they can protect the citizens. Mrs. Gray hopes that the Council would never entertain the idea to defund the Police Department. There needs to be accountability in the Police Department. Americans need to have their voices heard and speak the truth. Mrs. Gray does not believe that there is systemic racism in the United States. Mrs. Gray has African American children and grandchildren. 2% of all Police encounters in the US result in the use of force; minor use of force is included in that percentage. 98% of police en counters result in no force being used at all. Fatal shootings by police are rare. Police officers are being threatened, harassed and killed, all because of a false narrative. Mrs. Gray thanked all police officers for putting their lives on the line each day. She also thanked the Mayor and Council for their support of the Police Department. Dr. Jerry Cimis, 141 Chestnut, reported a safety hazard along the creek walk a few weeks ago. Dr. Cimis commended the Engineering Department for their prompt action to fix the issue and the quality of work that they performed. 6 CLOSING COMMENTS: Councilor Cables was comforted to know that the City is still financially strong despite the shutdown. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the council, Councilor Starnes made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Cables seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 6:54 p.m. APPROVED: ___________________________ Cathy Dickerson City Clerk ___________________________ Albert Striplin, President Prattville City Council SUBMITTED BY: ___________________________ Jamie-Lynn Clayton Assistant City Clerk