WS Minutes 2022.02.081
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022
5:31 P.M.
The Prattville City Council held a work session on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 5:31 p.m. in
the Council Chambers at City Hall.
The meeting was called to order by Council President Starnes and all Councilors were recorded
as present with the exception of Councilor Chambers, who joined the meeting via ZOOM.
Council President Starnes declared a quorum present.
Mayor Bill Gillespie, Jr. and the Mayor’s Assistant Lisa Byrd were recorded as being present,
in addition to the following staff: City Clerk Paula G. Barlow, Parks and Recreation Director
Kellie Cook, Finance Director Daniel Oakley, City Attorney Andrew Odom, Assistant City Clerk
Dawn Russell, Deputy Finance Director Carlee Sims, City Planner Scott Stephens, Police Chief
Mark Thompson, and Human Resources Director Lisa Thrash.
Council President Starnes opened the work session stating the purpose was to discuss
redistricting lines, federal funds and short-term rentals. At the conclusion of the work session,
the floor would be open to the public for comments, but no direct feedback from Councilors.
Council President Starnes explained that it would give the Council an opportunity to hear
concerns from citizens and analyze comments during the week. After public comments, there
will be closing comments from the Mayor and Councilors. Council President Starnes turned
the meeting over to City Planner Scott Stephens.
Mr. Stephens reported that in 2010, the total population of the City was 33,960. In 2020, after
the conclusion of the federal census, the City grew to a total population of 37,781. He added
the additional population growth did not occur evenly through the seven (7) districts and there
is a need to begin the redistricting process. Mr. Stephens pointed out that dividing 37,781 into
the seven (7) districts would create the ideal population number for each district. Mr. Stephens
introduced Executive Director of Alabama State University (ASU) Center for Leadership and
Public Policy Myles Mayberry and Demographic Research Services Manager Louis Hines. Mr.
Hines provided handouts (attached) to the Council depicting a map of current Council districts
and a map with the 2020 census population overlay. Mr. Stephens turned the session over to
Mr. Mayberry.
Mr. Mayberry gave a condensed version of the history of the Center for Leadership and Public
Policy, stating the center has been around since 1999 and is an outreach program. The center
has worked with municipalities, counties and state agencies throughout Alabama. Mr.
Mayberry felt it necessary to be present this evening to explain the process that ASU would
utilize to help facilitate redrawing of plans for district lines for the City. He explained the center
tries to guide stakeholders using current methodologies and tools, but does not give legal
advice. Having completed enough projects, the center is well versed with regulations regarding
redistricting. Mr. Mayberry assured the Council that the center does not operate on innuendo,
explaining the entire Council are the stakeholders. Mr. Mayberry advised that Mr. Hines and
his contact information, if not already available, would be given to the Council and that at any
time during the process, the Council could get in touch with either of them. He reiterated that
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the partnership is based on trust and the center does not have conversations outside of the
partnership. Mr. Mayberry also stated that if anyone contacts Mr. Hines or himself, the dialogue
and/or ideas extracted from the communication is available to everyone, there are no secrets.
Mr. Mayberry turned the session over to Mr. Hines.
Mr. Hines introduced himself with a brief interpretation of his role with the center as the
demographic technician and manager of the City’s redistricting project. Mr. Hines reiterated
Mr. Mayberry’s call for transparency and invited the Councilors to call with any questions or
concerns related to technical and geographic based questions and/or specific map prints. He
explained that Alabama code gives the center the guidelines to begin the process of
redistricting and pointed out the usage of “census blocks” which is the lowest unit of the census
and would be the beginning point. He discussed areas pertaining to the map handout and
explained that during the process, he would need input from individual Councilors to continue.
Mr. Hines advised that when the plan is placed on paper and a change occurs, everyone would
be informed. In the meantime, a direction on providing input to start the draft is needed.
Questions from the Council were fielded by Mr. Mayberry and Mr. Hines. Council President
Starnes re-stated the center does not work off of rumors and innuendos and wanted Mr. Hines
to clear the air and tell the Council who has contacted the center, specifically any Councilor or
anyone with affiliation with City administration. Mr. Hines said he had multiple conversations
with Mr. Stephens, one conversation with Mayor Gillespie to get an email address, and a short
conversation with Councilors Jackson and Striplin. He added the conversations with the
Councilors were simply explaining the basics of the process. Mr. Mayberry made it clear that
the organization does not use social media to share vital information and again stressed that if
there are concerns, that City officials should contact Mr. Hines or him directly. Mr. Mayberry
recommended a general path to have the Mayor and a Councilor look at the registry and talk
about the neighborhoods in the specific district, then continue on with the other districts. This
approach would enable the districts to be contiguous, a principle set out in the code. Council
President Starnes asked the best way to facilitate the start of drawing the map and the
consensus was to figure the unassigned areas on the map. Mayor Gillespie recommended to
begin with District 3. Councilor Strichik pointed out that his district, District 6, touched five other
districts and if it would be acceptable to speak with those five districts separately. Mr. Hines
encouraged the Council to have those conversations, especially with citizens within the
districts. Councilor Jackson asked if bringing the City Engineer and the City Planner in with
the Councilors was advantageous. Mr. Mayberry advised that he would be careful about
limiting the number of participants on the front end. Mr. Hines advised that once the proposed
plan is in place, the City would be able to advertise the proposed map on several different
platforms, giving the public every possible chance to review. Mayor Gillespie reminded the
Council the ASU contract committed to have the redistricting complete within six months.
Council President Starnes turned the work session over to Finance Director Daniel Oakley to
discuss federal funds pertaining to the American Rescue Plan Act. Mr. Oakley handed out a
PowerPoint presentation (attached) to the Councilor for review. Mr. Oakley stated the City
received the first portion of funding to the tune of $4.3 million and the second portion would
mirror the first. After earmarking for specific projects and endeavors, there would be
approximately $6 million available for the City to utilize. Mr. Oakley advised the deadline to
obligate these funds is December 21, 2024, and the funds had to be spent before December
21, 2026. He highlighted the federal government’s rules and restrictions on what the funds
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could be used for to include COVID-19 response, broadband infrastructure, wastewater and
sewer projects, aid to small businesses and not for profit organizations. He asked the Council
for guidance going forward. The Council relayed several suggestions and unanimous
agreement was to hold public hearings in the future to allow citizens to offer input.
Council President Starnes turned the work session over to City Attorney Andrew Odom to
discuss short-term rentals. Mr. Odom explained the biggest decision for the Council, in his
opinion, was to define the City’s meaning for short-term rentals and whether to allow them or
not. He outlined his findings from other municipalities including Auburn, Gulf Shores, Orange
Beach and Tuscaloosa. Mr. Oakley advised the City had five (5) documented properties
licensed to do business and another eleven (11) applying for a business license. Council
President Starnes asked for questions from the Council. Councilor Gornto introduced Luke
Easley and Josh Fields and requested they shed light on their knowledge of short-term rentals.
The gentlemen represent several short-term rental properties in the River Region and gave
insight on their specific rules, regulations and security measures for their rentals noting if a
property was well managed, it can be beneficial to the area. Mayor Gillespie reported in the
recent past, the Police Department responded to multiple calls related to short-term rentals as
“Party-Pads”, also disrupting residential parking. Mayor Gillespie added that he would like to
create a great working relationship with the prospect of short-term rentals, but also protect
citizens and neighborhoods.
Council President Pro Tempore Boone exited the work session at 6:57 p.m. and returned at
6:58 p.m.
Mayor Gillespie advised major points he would like addressed are number of occupants
compared with size of the home, parking, and making sure the person who rents the home is
on the premises. Mr. Oakley encouraged any short-term rental within Prattville that had not
already put in an application for a business license to do so immediately. The Council will
consider a temporary moratorium on short-term rentals and any business that has not applied
for a license will not be able to do so, if the ordinance is passed. Council President Starnes
advised that he has two short-term rental properties in his district. Councilor Gornto commented
on some issues with a known short-term rental in his district. Council President Pro Tempore
Boone advised she was invited to tour a short-term rental in her district and it was a positive
experience for her.
Council President Starnes continued the work session with comments from persons present.
There would be a three-minute time limit for each person wishing to make comments.
Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, commented that she would like for the public to be
involved, by placing data and documentation on the City’s website and social media accounts.
Josette Dudle, 901 Upper Kingston Road, commented that she operated an Airbnb on
Wetumpka Street. She stated that she has had positive experiences with the guests who utilize
the platform. She added that short-term rentals are an avenue that keep families together,
visiting the downtown area and other amenities Prattville has to offer.
Diane Rolling, 119 Magnolia Drive, requested a breakdown in the numbers for the redistricting.
She commented that during the Parks and Recreation committee meeting that there were
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various cost savings discussed for playground equipment and other items regarding upgrades
to parks.
Ell White II, 621 West 4th Street, commented that redistricting should follow federal code, not
just state code. He also asked that there not be too many individuals involved giving direction
to the ASU team for redistricting. Mr. White asked that electrical upgrades be looked at when
making decisions on how to spend ARPA funding. He mentioned that with the increase of
Airbnb’s in the area there could be an increase in crimes, break-ins, and insurance rates,
correlating to an increase cost to the taxpayer.
Garrett Pass, 522 Wetumpka Street, relayed his opposition to Airbnb’s and asked how running
a business in a residential area is safe.
Council President Starnes concluded the work session with closing comments from the Mayor
and Council. Mayor Gillespie thanked the audience for coming out to the session and providing
information. He stated that the City did have some challenges going forward, but several great
things as well. Mayor Gillespie mentioned the Council could consider the purchase of new fire
trucks and P25 radios for the Fire and Police Departments. He looked forward to working with
committees and the public to continually move the City forward. Council President Starnes
apologized for the comments he made about the County Commission meeting. He thanked
Mr. Mayberry and Mr. Hines for coming to the work session. Prior to adjournment, Council
Strichik advised there would be a work session for the Parks and Recreation Department at
5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, prior to the Council meeting.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Council President Pro Tempore
Boone made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Strichik seconded the motion. The meeting
was adjourned at 7:36 p.m. (6-0).
APPROVED:
___________________________
Paula G. Barlow
City Clerk
___________________________
Gerald “Jerry” Starnes, President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY:
Dawn Russell
Assistant City Clerk