Minutes 2021-05-041
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021 6:07 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session following the Work Session and Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at 6:07 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Councilor Striplin gave the invocation. Roll was called and all Councilors were present.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS ENTHUSIASM: Expressing joy in each task
as I give it my best effort.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Work Session, Public Hearing and City Council Meeting April 20,
2021. Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. With no discussion, the minutes were adopted (7-0). COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA: Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, questioned whether the Hazard Mitigation Plan was being
used to form a partnership with Ivy Classical Academy due to this reference being made on their charter application. Questioned the re-bid due to publication issues and why the bid awarded to Smitherman, who was also the previous awarded bidder, was higher than the original price quoted. Expressed concerns about the City seeking AG opinion on not posting ads in the Prattville Progress and stated being very against the City doing anything that keeps
the citizens from having information published in their local paper. Gerald Cimis, 141 N. Chestnut Street, asked Council to consider removing items from the consent agenda due to what he considered inaccuracies and misleading statements regarding pursuit of AG opinion for use of the Montgomery Advertiser versus Prattville Progress in the
publication of legal ads. Questioned codes used for the weeded lots resolution and submitted his belief that they were incorrectly used. MAYOR’S REPORT: Addressed concerns related to the multijurisdictional mitigation plan, explaining that it was
required by FEMA in order to receive reimbursement. In regards to seeking AG opinion for publication options, he expressed that we generally have a good relationship with the media but there have been numerous challenges of late with publication deadlines and it does not cost anything to seek this counsel.
Councilor Strichik was called away due to a weather emergency. County Commissioner, Larry Mac Stoudemire, was acknowledged as being present. Willie Rogers was invited to speak on behalf of the American Legion in order to present scholarship awards to Mr. Luke Daniel Pollock.
The Mayor acknowledged that a tornado warning had been issued and asked to be kept informed. He introduced representatives from Crimestoppers, Ray Wagner and Tony Garrett, who were then given the opportunity to award Corporal Frederick Surles the 2020
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Crimestoppers School Resource Officer of the Year and Sergeant Jeremy Thompson the 2020 Central Alabama Crimestoppers Officer of the Year Award. Chief Brown was presented with a proclamation in honor of a Day for Recognition of Firefighters. The Mayor thanked the Prattville Fire Department and all Firefighters for their
daily sacrifice to this community as well as the country as a whole. He stated that firefighters and police officers are unsung heroes because they are the ones who, when something bad is happening, have chosen to run towards it instead of away from it. The Mayor also mentioned that it is Teacher’s Appreciation Week and presented Prattville
Junior High School Principal, Janice Stockman, and her staff with a proclamation for Teacher’s Appreciation Day. He acknowledged that this profession is generally not an 8-5 job and he appreciated their commitment for the betterment of our community. The Engineering Department, weather-permitting, would begin the initial segment of the
walking bridge over Pine Creek on East Main, across from Shady Oak tomorrow. In closing comments, he stated that this community has overcome many challenges throughout the years. Despite the pandemic, this community is sitting in a good position and on the financial report, revenues have been up as much as 30% which is positive. He believes that
the one penny is going to be a challenge but will support whatever Council decides. His office has compiled a binder which illustrates some financial challenges with education that has been experienced here and he feels it is important that we learn from that history in order to move forward. He would like to see us develop some reserve accounts to help meet the needs of projects that would be beneficial to the community as relates to education and infrastructure.
He is looking forward to bringing forth his thoughts and ideas at the next Council Meeting regarding public facilities. REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None
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: Council President Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 076
2. RESOLUTION: To Adopt the East Alabama Regional Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard
Mitigation Plan: Phase Two (2020). (Sponsored By: Council President Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 077
3. RESOLUTION: To Request an Attorney General’s Opinion Regarding the Publication of
Legal Advertisements for the City of Prattville in the Montgomery Advertiser. (Sponsored By:
Council President Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 078
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4. RESOLUTION: To Authorize Civil Southeast, LLC to Prepare a FY2022 Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) Application to Submit to ALDOT for Sidewalk Improvements to East Main Street from Shady Oak Lane to Silver Hills Drive at an Estimated Cost Not to Exceed $653,408.33 (Net Cost to City Not to Exceed $130,681.67). (Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 079
5. RESOLUTION: To Appoint John Dodd to the Airport Authority. (Sponsored By: Council
President Starnes)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 080
Councilor Gornto made a motion to place items #1-5 on a Consent Agenda and Council President Pro Tempore Boone seconded the motion. The items were placed on a Consent Agenda (6-0). Councilor Gornto made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and Council President Pro Tempore Boone seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Consent Agenda was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, BOONE 6 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : STRICHIK 1 AGENDA 1. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Restaurant Retail Liquor License to Logan’s Roadhouse II,
LLC d/b/a Logan’s Roadhouse 472. (Sponsored By: Council President Starnes) HELD OVER FROM APRIL 6, 2021
RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 081
There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, BOONE 6 NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : STRICHIK 1 2. RESOLUTION: To Grant a Restaurant Retail Liquor License to Café 1717, Inc. d/b/a Café 1717. (Sponsored By: Council President Starnes) FAILED
Councilor Chambers made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Gornto seconded
the motion. Councilor Starnes stated that he was in opposition to this license being granted. He further stated that this was due to an investigation record which documented an arrest record for the applicant. There being no further discussion, the Resolution failed with the following results:
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AYES : NONE 0 NAYS : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, BOONE 6 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : STRICHIK 1
3. RESOLUTION: To Award Bid No. 021-003A to Smitherman Brothers Construction for the Maple Street Drainage Improvement Project at a Cost Not to Exceed $493,360.00. (Sponsored
By: Councilor Striplin)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2021, PAGE 082
Councilor Striplin made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilor Chambers seconded
the motion. The Resolution was adopted with the following results: AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS, STARNES, GORNTO, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0 ABSTAINED : NONE 0 ABSENT : STRICHIK 1 COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Marriane Dillard, Prattville, expressed appreciation to the City for leaving up the Christmas
lights longer so that those with Covid were able to enjoy them as well. She stated that her primary reason for speaking was due to information she had compiled against someone serving on the HPRA board illegally. She gave handouts which supported her allegations and asked that this be investigated so that the City did not find itself in a position of liability.
Pastor Patrick Lucas, Prattville, addressed the Council in recognition of Assistant Chief Diane Thomas for her 27 years of experience in law enforcement. He, along with some of the citizens of Prattville, wanted to recognize her with a plaque for her accomplishments which include first
female African American assistant police chief with 27 years in the department.
CLOSING COMMENTS: Mayor – Informed everyone of the storm damage around Prattville. Encouraged everyone to be careful as they traveled home and to report any problems and they would be addressed as
soon as possible.
Councilor Jackson – Recognized Assistant Chief Thomas and expressed appreciation for everything she has done for the City. He congratulated her on the major accomplishment of being the first African American female Captain and subsequent Assistant Chief for the City of
Prattville.
Councilor Chambers – Congratulated Chief Thomas on her accomplishments. Congratulated the scholarship and award winners. He thanked Kellie Cook and her team for the Parks and Recreation presentation. Wished everyone a safe way home.
Council President Starnes – Spoke on behalf of Councilor Strichik to explain he left earlier in the evening due to weather damage at his home.
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Council President Pro Tempore Boone – Congratulated Chief Thomas on her accomplishment and expressed how much she meant to she and her family personally. Encouraged the young man who received the scholarships to continue to work hard and congratulated him on his accomplishments thus far.
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 (6-0) at 7:02 p.m.
APPROVED: ___________________________
Lisa Terrill City Clerk ___________________________
Gerald “Jerry” Starnes, President Prattville City Council