WS Minutes 2022.07.051
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022
5:30 P.M.
The Prattville City Council held a W ork Session on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers at City Hall.
Roll was called with all Councilors recorded as present with the exception of Councilor
Chambers. Council President Boone declared a quorum present and called the Work Session
to order.
Mayor Bill Gillespie, Jr. and the Mayor’s Executive Assistant Lisa Byrd were recorded as being
present, in addition to the following staff: Fire Chief Terry Brown, City Clerk Paula G. Barlow,
Information Technology Director Jose Figueroa, Public Works Director Dale Gandy, Police
Captain Jeff Hassell, Economic Development Director Josh Johnson, Finance Director Daniel
Oakley, City Attorney Andrew Odom, Deputy Finance Director Carlee Sims, City Planner Scott
Stephens, and Human Resources Director Lisa Thrash.
Council President Boone opened the Work Session stating the purpose was to discuss the
proposed amendment and adoption of City of Prattville Code of Ordinances Article V. –
Business License and Taxes – Short-Term Rentals. She stated Finance Director Daniel Oakley
sent an email to all Councilors on June 17, 2022, with the proposed amendment to the Code
of Ordinances on Short-Term Rentals for review. During the June 21, 2022 City Council
meeting, this public Work Session was announced and the next day the draft ordinance was
posted online for the public to view. At 5:31 p.m. Councilor Chambers entered the Council
Chambers. Council President Boone advised that Councilors would open the discussion with
their comments and ask questions. At the conclusion of the dialogue, the floor would be open
to the public for comments. All Councilors voiced they would hold their comments until after
the public was able to speak. Council President Boone reminded the public this phase was not
a dialogue with the Council, but an opportunity for the public to make comments and relay
thoughts on the issue at hand. Council President Boone suggested since time was of the
essence, the public was welcome to submit comments and suggestions to the Council by email
or other written means.
Bo Evans, 125 Cedar Drive, commented that as a realtor he understood the line between
private property rights and what regulations could be established. As the current president
over the Montgomery Area Association of Realtors, Mr. Evans offered his assistance and
expertise to help the Council. He maintained the association was neither for or against the
proposed ordinance all though he did have questions for the Council that were emailed to
Finance Director Oakley.
Sara Thompson, 830 Dozier Avenue, requested clarification on what direction the ordinance
goes. She advised she manages short-term rentals in other areas and agreed regulations
need to be in place to uphold safety, but felt that some of the proposed language was
overstepping, such as the requirement for surveillance cameras.
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Jocie Holloway, 1923 Tara Drive, felt the proposed ordinance was too stringent. Ms. Holloway
advised she would follow up with an email to Councilors with her concerns and specifics.
Luke Easley, 69 Ranch Drive (Montgomery, AL), representing River Region Short-Term Rental
Network, commented he sent a letter to the City Council. After reviewing the proposed
ordinance, he feels it is overreaching and stringent. He stated costs associated with the
proposed ordinance were burdensome on property owners. Mr. Easley commented the
stipulation for the property owner to respond to guests’ inquiries and requests within one hour
and in-person was impractical.
David Melling, 137 North Washington Street, asked if there would be a grandfather clause for
Bed and Breakfast establishments. Council President Boone allowed Finance Director Oakley
to address the question. Finance Director Oakley pointed out the City has a separate licensing
code and ordinance for such businesses and the adoption of a short-term rental ordinance
would not affect his business.
Peter Dudle, 901 Upper Kingston, commented the proposed ordinance seemed to be an
attempt to shut down short-term rentals in the City.
Sunny Kalisky, 558 Selma Highway, reiterated the sentiment of other commenters. She asked
the Council to review the cost of the license fee.
Council President Boone advised she would like Councilors to have time to speak and
requested that any other public comments be points of interest other than what has been
presented.
Phil Martin, 169 Ball Enwright Road (Deatsville, AL), commented there seemed to be a
demarcation of what the City wanted accomplished through the proposed ordinance versus
short-term rental property owners. As a short-term rental property owner, he offered his
expertise to the Council.
Garner and Jill Clark, 245 1st Street (Prattville, AL), relayed their issues with short-term rentals
near their home, to include police in the area to quell crowds and noise at 3:00 a.m. Ms. Clark
advised she was in favor of the added security measures, specifically cameras.
Sharon Weeks, 830 Dee Drive (Prattville, AL), commented that she owned a short-term rental
property in the City since 2017 and has paid her lodging and occupancy taxes, as required, for
the past 5 years. She feels the cost of the proposed business license is high. Ms. Weeks
advised she would follow up with a letter to Councilors. Councilor Starnes advised he visited
Ms. Weeks’ short-term rental property with the Mayor a couple of years ago. He mentioned
Ms. Weeks contacted her neighbors regarding her plan to have a short-term rental and received
their feedback before making a final decision on the property. She added the neighbors near
the property have her contact information and she welcomed them to let her know if there are
any problems with the clientele registered to stay at the property.
Josh Ramage, 240 1st Street, stated he owns a short-term rental property in Prattville. He
explained his vetting process for occupants staying at his property.
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Council President Boone reminded everyone the proposed ordinance was a working document
and feedback from the public would be reviewed and evaluated so a formal ordinance could
be presented to the Council for a vote. She reiterated that any form of the ordinance that passes
from the Council is amendable if components are not a good fit for the community. Council
President Boone opened the floor to comments from Councilors.
Councilor Striplin suggested it would be prudent to select a small committee, including the
public, to address both sides of the issues presented. He mentioned that during the League of
Municipalities last conference, there was a workshop on short-term rentals where a company
was present that advertised assistance to create framework for a short-term rental program.
Councilor Striplin advised the company had over 5,500 clients.
Councilor Chambers thanked everyone that came out to provide their input and point of view.
He advised this was an important process for the Council and hoped the end result would be
positive for the community.
Councilor Starnes stated that he heard the good and the bad about short-term rentals. He is
torn about the idea and personally would not want a short-term rental near his home.
Councilor Gornto thanked all who showed up to the W ork Session and gave opinions on the
issue. He appreciated the input and knowledge gained from listening to the public. He echoed
Council President Boone’s comments about the proposal being a living document that would
be reviewed and edited after consideration of the issues addressed. He agreed with comments
that the proposed ordinance included components that seemed over-reaching. Councilor
Gornto welcomed the public to get in touch with him to share thoughts and ideas.
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik agreed with Councilor Starnes’ comments and
mentioned he also attended the short-term rental workshop where he heard from municipalities
who had short-term rental regulations and some that banned short-term rentals all together.
He conveyed that the Council wants to work with everyone so an agreeable solution is devised.
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik was in favor of forming a small committee to further
ascertain information from both sides of the issue and further include the City Planner, City
Attorney and other officials.
Council President Boone advised the proposed ordinance would not be voted on later tonight
and moved to recess for three minutes, and return for the scheduled public hearings and City
Council meeting. The Work Session concluded at 6:18 p.m.
APROVED:
Paula G. Barlow
City Clerk
Lora Lee Boone, President
Prattville City Council
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SUBMITTED BY:
Dawn Russell
Assistant City Clerk