Minutes 2020-08-18
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PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020
6:13 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at 6:13 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 ALERTNESS: Being aware of what is taking
place around me so I can have the right responses.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council Meeting August 4, 2020.
Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Cables seconded the
motion. With no discussion, the minutes were adopted (6-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA: None
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie requested a Point of Privilege and presented badges to Officers Skylar
Campbell, Willie Coleman, Javorous Lacy, and Kaitlyn Sweat. These officers recently
graduated from the Montgomery Police Academy. Officer Sweat graduated as Class President
with top academics of the class. The Mayor thanked each officer and their families for their
service to the City.
Mayor Gillespie noted that it has been one year since the loss of former Mayor C. Gray Price.
Councilor Strichik spoke in honor and memory of Mr. Price. Councilor Strichik remembered the
inspiration that C. Gray Price was to him personally. Mayor Price served three terms and did
much for the City, including ensuring the infrastructure in East Prattville was in place to allow
for future growth. Mayor Price was also an inspiration outside of office, including in his chur ch
and in support of the arts. Councilor Strichik added that he misses him personally and asked
for all to remember Julie and family, the Colley family, and his many friends during this time.
Mayor Gillespie recently attended a candlelight vigil for Shannon Paulk, nineteen years after
her senseless and heartbreaking murder. There was a good community turnout. Hopefully,
justice will be served in this case to provide closure for the family
Mayor Gillespie asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of both Shannon Paulk and C.
Gray Price.
The Mayor commended the many great employees in various departments, noting that these
employees are very well trained. Mayor Gillespie thanked the first responders for their recent
quick response to his grandson’s needs.
In good news, bad news, paving crews are working throughout the City. Prattville Water Works
is working to replace a water line on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive prior to crews paving the area.
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Contractor time has commenced for the Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Upper Kingston Road
project. The contractors have forty-five working days, weather permitting, to complete this
paving project.
The City Engineering team has piped and made improvements to the intersection of Martin
Luther King Jr. Drive and Ridgewood Road in preparation of the paving project. The City is also
adding a turn lane at the intersection of Main Street and Pratt Street.
Additional sidewalks will be built in front of Ridout’s Funeral Home on Main Street. These
sidewalks will assist with foot traffic on Main Street. The City is also looking at a new long-
range Sidewalk Management Plan.
Citizens were encouraged to stay in tune with Project Prattville 2040 in the development of the
new Comprehensive Plan. Please continue to monitor this project on the City’s website and
social media.
The Public Works Department has recently upgraded the sewer crossing at Fay Branch. The
need for the upgrade was discovered in a routine maintena nce check.
The Wastewater Division will begin smoke testing in the area of Durden Road on Monday.
City Attorney David McDowell has been researching the ownership of the park located at Martin
Luther King, Jr. Drive and Cone Street. The park is owned by the North Highland Community
Center. The City will continue to work with community leaders to improve the quality of life at
the park.
In good news, great news, Finance Director Daniel Oakley has estimated that the City is on
track to have funds available from the one-cent sales tax to cover all remaining eligible debt
service payments by the end of November 2021. Once this milestone is reached, the debt will
be retired roughly ten years before the expected ending date of September 2031. The support
of the City towards local businesses has provided an environment for private enterprise to
flourish. The City has also entered into strategic economic development initiatives. Over the
past three years, debt calls have saved the City approximately $2.16 milli on in interest.
Regarding Agenda Item 1, the Mayor stated that there is some new information that should be
fully explored and checked for accuracy before Council takes action on this item. Mayor
Gillespie asked that the Council hold this matter until the next meeting or the first meeting in
October.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None
REPORT ON STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
Finance Director Daniel Oakley presented the finance reports for July 2020. The General Fund
Revenue report showed that year-to-date revenue was $34,199,566.84, an increase of 2.76%
in comparison to the prior year.
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The Tax Breakdown Comparison report showed revenue increased by 9.69% in comparison
to the prior year.
The Expenses by Department report showed that with 83.33% of the budget year complete,
overall expenses were at 78.37%, excluding COVID-19 expenses. The City expects to be
reimbursed for COVID-19 expenses through the CARES Act.
The Wastewater Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net income from operations of
$275,320.53 for July 2020. With 83.33% of the budget year complete, operating expenses were
at 71.61% and overall expenses were at 68.04%.
The Sanitation Enterprise Fund Income Statement showed a net income of $24,016.71 for July
2020. With 83.33% of the budget year complete, operating expenses were over budget at
98.16% and overall expenses were over budget at 87.68%.
The Judicial Special Revenue Fund Income Statement showed a net loss of ($8,157.12) for
July 2020. This was due to court dates being postponed and three payrolls during the month
of July. Expenses were slightly under budget at 81.37%.
The Bank Balances report showed a total cash balance of $27,323,796.35 as of July 31, 2020.
The City-Wide Accounts Payable and Debt Balances report show total debt at $53,194,242.75,
including total non-enterprise debt at $21,412,643.23, as of July 31, 2020.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. RESOLUTION: To Declare a Council Vacancy in City Council District 3. (Sponsored By:
Council President Striplin)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2020-A, PAGE 107
2. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to have Various Weeded Lots Abated per Title 11,
Chapter 67 of the Code of Alabama, 1975, as Amended. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2020-A, PAGE 108
3. 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-A, PAGE 109
4. RESOLUTION: To Surplus Various Equipment from the Parks & Recreation Department.
(Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Boone)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2020-A, PAGE 110
5. RESOLUTION: To Appoint Sarah Ann Johnson to the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
(Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Boone)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2020-A, PAGE 111
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6. RESOLUTION: To Adopt a Transportation Plan for FY2021 as Required by Act 2019-2 for
the Rebuild Alabama Fund. (Sponsored By: Councilor Strichik)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2020-A, PAGE 112
7. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Retail Beer (Off Premises Only) License and Retail Table Wine
(Off Premises Only) License to DOLGENCORP, LLC d/b/a Dollar General Store 21115.
(Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2020-A, PAGE 113
Councilor Starnes made a motion to place items #1-7 on a Consent Agenda and Councilor
Strichik seconded the motion. The items were placed on a Consent Agenda (6-0). Council
President Pro Tempore Boone made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and Councilor
Cables seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Consent Agenda was adopted
with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, STARNES,
CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
AGENDA:
1. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Lounge Retail Liquor - Class II (Package) License for Sunday,
Inc. d/b/a Jacks Liquor and Tobacco Outlet. (Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes)
HELD UNTIL OCTOBER 6, 2020
Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Cables seconded the
motion. Councilor Starnes made a motion to hold the resolution until the October 6, 2020
meeting to allow time for some new information to be reviewed before the council votes on this
matter and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. Councilor Cables asked if any additional
information could be provided to the petitioner or citizens. Councilor Starnes responded that
the accusations need to be fully explored and checked for accuracy. There being no further
discussion, the resolution was held until October 6, 2020, with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, STARNES,
CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
2. RESOLUTION: To Release Funds for the Purchase of One (1) Toro Workman HDX 4WD
Kubota Utility Vehicle through the Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative from Jerry Pate Turf &
Irrigation, LLC for the Parks & Recreation Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $28,613.00.
(Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Boone)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2020-A, PAGE 114
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Council President Pro Tempore Boone made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor
Cables seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the
following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, STARNES,
CABLES, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
David McDowell, 145 W. Main Street, address the City Council: For over 50 years, my family
has tended to the legal needs of the City of Prattville . My father served as City Attorney for well
over twenty-five years. I continued my family’s commitment to our community as City
Prosecutor from 1993-2000. At that time, the City Council appointed me as City Attorney, a
position I have been honored to fill for almost twenty years. McDowell, Faulk & Shirley has a
long history of serving our City, as well as the Autauga County Commission, the Autauga
County Board of Education, the Town of Autaugaville, and the Chamber of Commerce. Our
firm takes great pride in being an active part of our home town. I thank the citizens of Prattville
and the members of all city councils past and present for putting your faith in me and allowing
me to serve this community. It has truly been a great honor. I respectfully s ubmit my resignation
as City Attorney effective immediately.
Council President Striplin thanked Mr. McDowell for his service.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Councilor Jackson stated that in these weeks and months of dealing with a new normal brought
on by COVID-19, please take the opportunity to stay safe and wear a mask. It has been 100
years since women were granted the right to vote, although all women were not given that right.
Councilor Jackson shared a poem by Dr. Benjamin Mays, a pioneer in civil rights , and
encouraged all to get out and exercise their right vote. Many people lost their lives to give
minorities and women the right to vote.
Councilor Strichik thanked all who prayed for him and offered well wishes during his two-week
isolation and two COVID-19 tests. For all Autauga Academy, Prattville Christian Academy, and
Prattville Lions fans, Friday Night Lights and high school football is back. Councilor Strichik
thanked Councilor Jackson for his help on the radio and Councilor Starnes and Councilor
Cables for their help as spotters.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the council, Council President Pro Tempore
Boone made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Cables seconded the motion. The meeting
adjourned (6-0) at 6:44 p.m.
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APPROVED:
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Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
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Albert Striplin, President
Prattville City Council