Minutes 2020-09-14 Work Session
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 14, 2020
5:30 P.M.
The Prattville City Council held a work session on Monday, September 14, 2020, at 5:30 p.m.
in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Council President
Striplin and Councilor Jackson was reported as being absent.
Mayor Bill Gillespie was present, as well as the following staff: Fire Chief Terry Brown, City
Clerk Cathy Dickerson, Finance Director Daniel Oakley, City Planner Scott Stephens, Police
Chief Mark Thompson, Human Resources Director Lisa Thrash, Assistant City Clerk Jamie
Clayton, and Mayor’s Executive Assistant Lisa Byrd. Also present was City Attorney Rob
Riddle.
Council President Striplin called the meeting to order and noted that the Council would not be
voting or taking any official action or receiving any public comments. The work session was
requested by the Police Committee to discuss “brown-bagging.” Council President Striplin
turned the meeting over to Councilor Starnes.
The Police Committee began reviewing the brown-bagging issue in August 2019. Councilor
Starnes reviewed the definition of brown-bagging and the history of the discussion of brown
bagging. “Brown bagging” is defined as bringing or allowing alcoholic beverages to be brought
onto business premises. This matter was first discussed when several downtown businesses
wanted to allow brown-bagging. The matter was tabled when those businesses either found
their insurance would not allow brown-bagging or the business applied for an ABC license.
Recently, another business began to allow brown-bagging. At that location, there have been
thirty-three calls for police assistance, the owner of the business has been arrested by ALEA
for ABC violations, and there has been a shooting.
Councilor Starnes also reviewed additional reasons the Council is looking at restricting brown-
bagging. One of the primary reasons is to protect the businesses that have gone through the
process to obtain an ABC license. If a business wants to provide alcohol to their customers,
the ABC licensing process includes a background check conducted by ALEA and the City of
Prattville Police Department and approval of the City Council. ABC license fees are reasonable,
ranging from $300.00 - $1,000.00 depending on the type of license. By comparison, Alabama’s
fees are less expensive than the surrounding states.
The Council has reviewed sample “brown-bagging” ordinances from several municipalities,
including Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Dothan, Ozark, and Selma. City Attorney Rob Riddle
informed the council that he has not found any challenges from other municipalities regarding
their brown-bagging ordinances.
Chief Thompson stated he was glad to have the history presented and some misinformation
cleared up. Consideration of a restriction on brown-bagging is fair to the other City businesses
that have obtained an ABC license and are following State code and ABC regulations. Brown-
bagging is a means to skirt the ABC license process.
Further discussion included the need for clearly defined exceptions. The exception portion in
the sample ordinance from Selma was reviewed and discussed. Other discussion included the
Special Event ABC license for event-type businesses. Finance Director Daniel Oakley
explained the application process for the Special Event ABC license.
Mr. Riddle suggested sending any draft brown-bagging ordinance to City Prosecutor Brad
Ekdahl for review.
ADJOURN:
There being no further discussion, the work session adjourned at 6:02 p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Albert Striplin, President
Prattville City Council