Minutes 2020-11-02 Organizational Meeting
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PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2020
10:23 A.M.
The Prattville City Council met in organizational meeting on Monday, November 2, 2020, at
10:23 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
SWEARING-IN CEREMONY:
Interim City Clerk Jamie Clayton welcomed all to the City of Prattville Swearing-in Ceremony
at 10:00 a.m.
Bishop Algie Morgan of the Father, Son & Holy Ghost Church, gave the invocation.
Bishop Dr. J. L. Davis of Ambassadors Worship Center issued the Oath of Office to Mayor Bill
Gillespie, Jr.
Mayor Gillespie, stated that he was humbled and honored, and that he did not get here by
himself. It took all of his faith, family and friends combined to endure the election. The Mayor
thanked his family and friends for standing beside him. The Mayor thanked all who prayed for
him, and urged all to continuing praying for all elected officials. There must be an open dialog
with all who are involved in planning and running Prattville. Prattville is a mechanized service
orientated organization. The Mayor discussed the need to provide for employees so employees
can provide for the City. The Mayor pledged to work with all who have the community’s best
interest at heart during the next 4 years. He looks forward to working with the City Council. The
Mayor is ready to serve with the Council to protect Prattville and the constitution. Mayor
Gillespie prayed that God would bless the United States and the State of Alabama.
The City Council was issued their Oaths of Office in order of district:
Councilor Albert Striplin was sworn in by Rev. Dr. Tony McCullough, Senior Pastor, First United
Methodist Church
Councilor Marcus Jackson was sworn in by the Honorable Bill Lewis, 19th Judicial Circuit Judge
& Dr. Gwendolyn Bradley, National Area Leader, National Day of Pray Task Force
Councilor John Chambers was sworn in by the Honorable Louis Colley, Municipal Judge, City
of Prattville
Councilor Jerry Starnes was sworn in by the Honorable Ben Fuller, Circuit Judge, Autauga
County
Councilor Blair Gornto was sworn in by Pastor Roger Parks, Senior Pastor, Heritage Baptist
Church
Councilor Robert E. Strichik was sworn in by his son William R. Strichik
Councilor Lora Lee Boone was sworn in by Dr. Peyton Hill, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church
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The Councilors took their seats at the dais following their Oaths of Office.
ROLL CALL:
Roll was called and all Councilors were present.
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 10:23 am.
ELECTION OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT:
Councilor Boone nominated Councilor Starnes for Council President. A roll call vote was held
to consider Councilor Starnes and he was elected Council President with the following results:
AYES : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, STARNES,
GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : STRIPLIN 1
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
Council President Starnes presided over the meeting from this point forward.
ELECTION OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE:
Councilor Jackson nominated Councilor Striplin for Council President Pro Tempore. Councilor
Strichik nominated Councilor Boone for Council President Pro Tempore.
A roll call vote was held to consider Councilor Striplin and he was not elected Council President
Pro Tempore with the following results:
AYES : JACKSON, STRIPLIN 2
NAYS : CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO,
STRICHIK, BOONE 5
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
A roll call vote was held to consider Councilor Boone for Council President Pro Tempore and
she was elected with the following results:
AYES : CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO,
STRICHIK, BOONE 5
NAYS : JACKSON, STRIPLIN 2
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
AGENDA
1. ORDINANCE: To Set Council Procedures for the 2020-2024 Quadrennium. (Sponsored
ORDINANCE BOOK 2020, PAGE 022
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Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Jackson seconded
the motion. By point of order, the council rules must be suspended if immediate action is to
be considered. Councilor Jackson made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Strichik
seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). There being no discussion, the
ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
2. RESOLUTION: To Provide Procedure and Criteria for the Establishment of Council
Meetings, Agenda and Agenda Packet for the 2020-2024 Quadrennium.
RESOLUTION BOOK 2020-A, PAGE 172
Council President Pro Tempore Boone made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor
Chambers seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with
the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK,
BOONE 7
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : NONE
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Councilor Chambers thanked his Lord and savior Jesus Christ, his wife, his mother, his two
daughters, and many others who played a role in his campaign. Council Chambers expressed
gratitude for his constituents’ support. He looks forward to working with the Council, Mayor and
all employees.
Councilor Gornto, thanked his Lord and savior Jesus Christ, his wife, his parents and his in-
laws, as well as many others who helped with the campaign. He also thanked his constituents
for their support.
Councilor Strichik, thanked his Lord and savior Jesus Christ, his son, his wife, his two
daughters, his parents and 3 brothers and his friend Eric Stinson as well as many others who
worked on his campaign. He also thanked his constituents for their support.
Councilor Boone, thanked the council for putting their trust in her to serve as Council President
Pro Tempore. She thanked Pastor Hill for praying over her. She encouraged all to keep the
council in their prayers. Councilor Boone also thanked her family.
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Councilor Starnes, thanked wife and son, his mother, his in-laws and Judge Fuller. He also
thanked the constituents of District 4. Councilor Starnes will continue to advocate for
accountability with tax payer’s money, continue in building cash reserve, and work hard to
increase funding for the school systems and city services. He congratulated the Mayor and
Council, and looks forward to working with each of them, as well as all City employees.
Bishop Dr. J.L. Davis gave the benediction.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the council, Councilor Jackson made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 10:43
a.m.
APPROVED:
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Jamie Clayton
Interim City Clerk
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Gerald “Jerry” Starnes, President
Prattville City Council