Minutes 2021-04-201
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2021 7:00 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session following the Work Session on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. at the Doster Community Center. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Councilor Jackson gave the invocation. Roll was called and all Councilors were present.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS RESPECT: Treating others with honor and
dignity.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Work Session and City Council Meeting April 6, 2021. Council
President Pro Tempore Boone made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. With no discussion, the minutes were adopted (7-0). COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA: None
MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Gillespie stated he would give a closing statement. REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Council President Starnes: Stated a Finance Committee Meeting was held on April 9, 2021,
at 8:00 a.m. Topics discussed were Main Street Alabama, Water Works Board, the Economic
Director selection update, American Legion Contract, one cent sales tax sunset, and various
projects in the City.
REPORT ON STATUS OF CITY FINANCES: Daniel Oakley provided the following City of Prattville Financial Update for March 2021:
• General Fund Revenue Report
o $4,412,831.96 – total revenue collected in March
o $25,618,177.22 – total revenue collected fiscal year-to-date
• Tax Breakdown Comparison Report
o $2,558,843.59 – tax revenue collected in March
o 11.04% – increase over March 2020
• General Fund Expenditures Report
o 50.00% – portion of fiscal year completed
o 53.06% – portion of budgeted expenditures incurred to-date
• Wastewater Fund Income Statement
o $298,654.94 – net income from operations for March
o 50.00% – portion of fiscal year completed
o 43.62% – portion of budgeted expenses incurred to date (excludes capital
projects)
• Sanitation Fund Income Statement
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o ($14,472.94) – net loss for March
o 50.00% – portion of fiscal year completed
o 40.10% – portion of budgeted expenses incurred to-date
• Judicial Fund Income Statement
o ($74,547.54) – net loss for March
o 50.00% – portion of fiscal year completed
o 50.64% – portion of budgeted expenditures incurred to-date
• Gas Tax Special Revenue Fund Income Statement
o $191,009.72 – Revenue collected fiscal year-to-date
• Capital Projects Fund Income Statement
o $2,351,606.46 – Total project expenses incurred to-date
o Current Projects:
MLK & Upper Kingston Paving – Engineering
Mac Gray Park 2.0
Station 4 Construction
Washington Street Drainage Project
• Group Health Fund Income Statement
o $192,801.76 – net income to-date
• Bank Balances Report
o $33,875,812.71 – total of all bank balances at the end of March
• Accounts Payable & Debt Balances Report
o $52,446,334.65 – total debt balance city-wide at end of March
o $18,964,836.59 – total non-enterprise fund debt at end of March
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. RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 070
2. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Amend the City of Prattville Code of Ordinances,
Chapter 38 - License, Taxation and Miscellaneous Business Regulations, Article V. - Business
Licenses and Taxes to include a New License Classification Code for Mobile Food Vendor. RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 071
3. RESOLUTION: To Reschedule the Public Hearing Date to Rezone or Pre-Zone Certain Properties from May 4, 2021 to May 18, 2021, Due to Publication Requirements.
RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 072
Councilor Strichik made a motion to place items #1-3 on a Consent Agenda and Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. The items were placed on a Consent Agenda (7-0). Councilor Gornto made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Consent Agenda was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK,
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BOONE 7 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE
AGENDA 1. ORDINANCE: To Rezone Property Located at Old Farm Lane and Rocky Mount Road,
North of High Point Town Center from FAR (Forest, Agricultural and Recreation) to R-3 (Single
Family Residential); (Owner/Petitioner: Anna Thrash).
HELD OVER FROM MARCH 16, 2021
ORDINANCE BOOK 2021, PAGE 005
There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7 NAYS : JACKSON 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE
2. ORDINANCE: To Exempt Certain “Covered Items” From the Municipal Sales and Use
Tax During the Third Full Weekend of July 2021, as Authorized by §40-23-210 through §40-23-213, Code of Alabama, 1975, as Amended, Generally Referred to as the “Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday” Legislation. ORDINANCE BOOK 2021, PAGE 006
Council President Pro Tempore Boone 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 Strichik made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Gornto seconded the motion. The rules were suspended by a roll call vote (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 3. ORDINANCE: To Adopt Regulations for Small Cell Technology Facilities in the City of Prattville, Alabama.
ORDINANCE BOOK 2021, PAGE 007
Councilor Chambers made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilor Jackson seconded the motion. By point of order, it is necessary that the Council rules be suspended if immediate
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action is to be considered. Councilor Gornto made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. The rules were suspended by a roll call vote (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
4. ORDINANCE: To Extend the Temporary Moratorium on Permits and Approvals for Multi Family (Apartment) Developments. ORDINANCE BOOK 2021, PAGE 008
Councilor Gornto 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. Council President Pro Tempore Boone made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. The rules were suspended by a roll call vote (7-0). There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 6 NAYS : JACKSON 1
ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : NONE 5. RESOLUTION: To Release Funds for the Purchase of One (1) 2021 RAM 2500 Crew Cab 4x4 Truck through State Bid T191 from Stivers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for the Urban
Management Division at a Cost Not to Exceed $29,859.00. RESOLUTION BOOK, PAGE 073
Council President Pro Tempore Boone made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. 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 6. RESOLUTION: To Release Funds for the Purchase of a CUES MPlus Lateral Inspection System from CUES, Inc. for the Wastewater Division at a Net Cost Not to Exceed $11,151.00.
RESOLUTION BOOK, PAGE 074
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Councilor Striplin made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Jackson seconded the motion. 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
7. RESOLUTION: To Release Funds for the Purchase of One (1) 2021 RAM 2500 Crew Cab 4x4 Truck through State Bid T191 from Stivers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for the Wastewater Division at a Cost Not to Exceed $29,859.00. RESOLUTION BOOK, PAGE 075
Councilor Striplin made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Strichik seconded the
motion. 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
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: Lewies Vander, 703 Buena Vista Loop, addressed Council with concerns of remarks made
on social media with regard to education decisions. He expressed support of Ivy Classical
Academy with regard to school choice.
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, addressed Council about her concerns regarding
renewal of the one cent sales tax for the education system, her opposition to any further
executive sessions, and was not in favor of funding for Ivy Classical Academy.
Ell White, II, 621 W 4TH Street, addressed Council about his opposition of Ivy Classical
Academy for consideration of funds associated with the one cent sales tax.
Eden Arsenault, 1157 Perrydale Loop, identified herself as a teacher in the public school
system and spoke in opposition of Ivy Classical Academy for consideration of funds
associated with the one cent sales tax.
Melissa Bell, Ivy Classical Academy, identified herself as an employee of Ivy Classical
Academy to the Council. She expressed comments that she hoped would clarify any
misunderstandings and provide clarity on comments that had been made by others.
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Patrick Lucas, 1211 Caliber Crossing, addressed the Council in support of the one cent sales
tax going to the Autauga County Board of Education. He would like to see improvement on
the current system before spending money on anything else.
Harvey Russell, 588 Lower Kingston Road, addressed Council stating he is not opposed to
Ivy Classical Academy, but believes putting money back into the current system before
investing in something new is better.
Bradley Neave, Ivy Classical Academy, addressed Council regarding what he believes to be
false assumptions and allegations being made about Ivy Classical Academy. He expressed a
willingness to hold a public session for the school to address further questions from the
community.
Janice Stockman, 402 Lower Gainsville Road, identified herself as a school administrator and
parent of children in the Autauga County School System. She stressed the need for Council
to consider the education agenda and give the school system the opportunity to prioritize
their needs.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Mayor: Mayor Gillespie shared these are challenging and exciting times and hopes this will
inspire many people. There have been challenges and division before but pulling together as
a community got the city where it is today.
He feels there is good debt and bad debt. The majority of debt mentioned tonight is due to
the wastewater plant expansion in an effort to be proactive. This decision avoided potential
challenges with local homes and businesses in the future. He thanked the Council for making
the choice to invest in the plant expansion.
He stated education is a very passionate topic right now. When trying to market the
community, there are many concerns that not only include education but infrastructure as
well. He feels if the Council and community decide to create another sales tax moving
forward that it will be used to cover several different areas. Education, public infrastructure,
parks and recreation, and public facilities are all very important to the community. The Mayor
feels things need to be looked at carefully. Keeping this one penny sales tax would give
Council the ability to create a reserve account for special projects like the educational system
or whatever is needed. He stated this would give them the ability to be prepared for any
opportunity.
The Mayor congratulated Principal Stockman on Prattville Junior High’s 50th anniversary
celebrated on April 16.
He reminded citizens who live around Prattville to be careful of all ongoing construction. The
Washington Street project is coming along very well, and in the near future, Bridge Street and
Maple Street will be blocked off.
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Councilor Chambers: He thanked everyone from the Board of Education and Ivy Classical Academy for coming out and sharing their visions. He expressed appreciation for those in the community for their passion and sharing of feelings about this. There is a lot more work to be done but feels this is a good start. Councilor Gornto: He thanked everyone for coming out. This was a good work session. He stated he had fielded a lot of questions from phone calls and emails over the last couple of
weeks regarding this work session and the school issues. He announced that he would be holding a public meeting about the one cent sales tax for District 5 residents on Thursday evening at the Doster Center. Council President Pro Tempore Boone: She wanted to briefly address the topic of education.
She shared that she is a teacher, Councilor Jackson works for the county school system, and Councilor Strichik’s wife is deeply involved in education. She stated this Council has deep thoughts and concerns with education in general and are taking this issue to heart. She does not think this is something that should be taken lightly; the Council cares and will be spending time on this issue. The Council is voluntarily saying there might be money available and are
looking for input on how it should be allocated. This money should be spent well and invested wisely and she indicated that every penny spent is that way but serious consideration should be given to who possibly would be affected by these decisions. She stated she was formally and publicly asking the county to join them at a table. She asked that everyone please put as much energy into contacting the county officials and getting them involved. She expressed a
desire to help the kids and the teachers and to assist with any type of education that is going to influence and unite the government, as well as the minds of young people. Council President Starnes: He stated four to five years ago a few Councilors were trying to do something regarding education and did accomplish some things in working with the Board.
He stated, after hearing several comments recently, he thinks it is time for a Tri-Governmental meeting. If that could be set up, and the county and the Board of Education came back together, he believes that could make things better for this community. He agreed that the school system needs better funding to make improvements in this community. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilor Jackson made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned (7-0) at 8:04 p.m. APPROVED: ___________________________ Lisa Terrill
City Clerk ___________________________ Gerald “Jerry” Starnes, President
Prattville City Council