CC Minutes 2022.02.011
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022
6:00 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag,
Council President Pro Tempore Boone gave the invocation. Roll was called with Councilor
Gornto being absent and all other councilors being present. Council President Starnes
declared a quorum.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS PATIENCE: Taking the time necessary to work
through a difficult situation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council meeting January 18, 2022.
Councilor Strichik made a motion to adopt the minutes and Councilor Chambers seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the minutes were adopted (6-0).
Council President Starnes recognized Jim Manderson from the Autauga County Board of
Education in the audience.
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
Jon Lee Finnigan, 211 Deer Trace, spoke in favor of Resolution One on purchasing the
stretchers. Ms. Finnagan requested maps instead of legal descriptions of properties on
Resolution Seven and inquired as to what company performed the work for $50,000 on the
emergency sewer repair on Resolution Eight. Mayor Gillespie advised Ms. Finnigan that it was
for the rental of the equipment, not a company, and would get the information to her. Public
Works Director Dale Gandy responded that it was United Rentals that provided the equipment
for the emergency bypass.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie advised that the Economic Development Team and himself attended the
Governor's luncheon and the Winter Conference for the Economic Development Association
of Alabama Conference in Montgomery received information on the renewed focus on
economic development, federal funding recently allocated by the state, infrastructure and retail
improvement. Mayor Gillespie reminded everyone that the City would change over our legal
advertisements to the Sunday editions in the Montgomery Advertiser starting February 6, 2022.
The Mayor reported that there has been progress and things are moving in the right direction
with the Bowling Alley/Blue Iguana and the City would be standing firm. The Mayor stated
Wastewater Divison of Public Works has smoke-tested 200 homes throughout the City that
have known lateral sewer lines issues that need repair. The Mayor also stated it was time to
review and update the City’s Grease Trap Ordinance and requested a Wastewater Committee
to meet to review the Lateral Rehabilitation Assistance Program (LRAP), Wastewater, and
Stormwater Ordinances.
Updates were given by the Mayor that the closing should take place on the KATZ property
toward the middle of next month and the Pratt Mill property purchase terms had been accepted
and the agreement is forthcoming. Mayor Gillespie reminded all of the ribbon-cutting for Mac
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Grey 2.0 on February 11, 2022, with a host of ballgames to follow, as well as the Mardi Gras
Parade and events on February 12, 2022.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Councilor Jackson reported the Street Committee met on January 27th and discussed a
possible $20,000,000.00 bond for the McQueen Smith Road project, Neighborhood lighting
issues, potential paving projects, and an update on the Fairview Avenue project.
Councilor Strichik reported the Parks and Recreation Committee met on January 21st and
discussed project updates to Stanley Jensen Stadium, Pratt Park, and Newton Park. Updates
on the spring sports registration, the Autauga County Board of Education’s gifting of North
Highland Park, parade rules and regulartions, loitering and vandalism issues, a potential New
Years' Eve celebration, and the Allenville Road purchase/donation were also discussed.
Council President Pro Tempore Boone reported the Fire Committee met on January 19th to
discuss the upcoming needs of the department and the utilization of grants for the Fire
Department staffing and equipment needs.
Council President Jerry Starnes reported the Finance Committee met on January 21st and
discussed Zoning Ordinance and fees schedules, Historical Guidelines, Downtown Overlay
District, record request fees, legal advertisements, Short-Term Rentals, and emergency access
on Choctaw Ridge.
AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2022 Budget and Release Funds for the Purchase of Four
(4) Power X1 Stretchers through the NPP Cooperative Purchasing Agreement, Contract No.
PS20170, from Ferno for the Fire Department at a Net Cost Not to Exceed $67,903.52.
(Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Boone)
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, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : GORNTO 1
2. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Adopt a New Zoning Ordinance. (Sponsored
By: Councilor Chambers)
Councilor Chambers made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Jackson seconded
the motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results:
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AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
STARNES, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : GORNTO 1
Councilor Chambers introduced and made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor
Jackson seconded the motion. By Point of Order, the ordinance was held until after the public
hearing on March 15, 2022.
3. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Rezone Property Located Inside the City Limits
in the Downtown Area into the Downtown Overlay District. (Sponsored By: Councilor
Chambers)
Councilor Chambers made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Jackson seconded
the motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
STARNES, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : GORNTO 1
Councilor Chambers introduced and made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor
Strichik seconded the motion. By Point of Order, the ordinance was held until after the public
hearing on March 15, 2022.
4. ORDINANCE: To Amend and Establish Fees for Development Applications and Permits,
Board of Zoning Adjustment, Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission
Submissions. (Sponsored By: Council President Starnes)
Council President Pro Tempore Boone made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor
Strichik seconded the motion. Council President Pro Tempore Boone made a motion to
postpone the ordinance until the March 15, 2022, Council Meeting. Councilor Strichik
seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the ordinance was postponed until
March 15, 2022, with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
STARNES, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : GORNTO 1
5. ORDINANCE: To Establish a Temporary Moratorium on the Issuance of Short-Term Rental
Business Licenses. (Sponsored By: Council President Starnes)
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Councillor Strichik made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Council President Pro Tempore
Boone seconded the motion. By Point of Order, this ordinance was held until the March 15,
2022, Council Meeting.
6. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement with PaleoWest to
Update the Historic Design Review Guidelines at a Total Cost Not to Exceed $20,000.00 (Net
Cost to City Not to Exceed $8,000.00). (Sponsored By: Councilor Striplin)
Councilor Striplin 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, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : GORNTO 1
7. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Vacate a Portion of the Unimproved Yarbrough
Right-Of-Way. (Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson)
Councilor Jackson 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, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : GORNTO 1
8. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2022 Budget and Award Bid No. 022-003 to David Bulger,
Inc. for the Pine Creek Interceptor Sewer Repair – South Memorial Drive at a Net Cost Not to
Exceed $405,196.45. (Sponsored By: Councilor Striplin)
Councilor Striplin made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Jackson seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : STRIPLIN, JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
STARNES, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : GORNTO 1
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, addressed the Council regarding Project KATZ inquiring
about when the citizens would be informed of the details of the project. Mayor Gillespie advised
thirty days after the closing on the property the information could be released.
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CLOSING COMMENTS:
Councilor Striplin recounted the City Council’s vote to contract with Alabama State University’s
Center for Leadership and Public Policy (ASU) to re-draw the Council district lines and
referenced rumors and asked if certain individuals had met to influence the redrawing of council
districts. Councilor Striplin further referenced an email from ASU copying all the councilors
requesting guidance for the redrawing of district lines. Councilor Striplin subsequently
requested that ASU be invited to a future council meeting and make a presentation. Mayor
Gillespie asked for a point of privilege and after extensive comments and discussion
recommended a work session where all matters could be discussed.
Councilor Jackson asked all to remember the family of Prattville resident, Elizabeth Taylor, as
she recently passed away.
Councilor Strichik recognized Mr. Manderson with the Autauga County Board of Education and
thanked Superintendant Tidmore of the Autauga County Board of Education for agreeing to
partner with the City of Prattville on the renovation project at Stanley Jensen Stadium.
Council President Starnes addressed Councilor Striplin’s previous question and after extensive
comments and discussion advised a Work Session to discuss the redrawing of districts with all
Councilors and Alabama State University would be set.
Council President Starnes reminded everyone that the next City Council meeting was
scheduled for Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilor Strichik made a motion
to adjourn and Council President Pro Tempore Boone seconded the motion.
The meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m. (6-0).
APPROVED:
___________________________
Paula G. Barlow
City Clerk
___________________________
Gerald “Jerry” Starnes, President
Prattville City Council