CC Minutes 2022.07.19PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2022
6:10 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at 6:10 p.m. in
the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag,
Councilor Chambers gave the invocation. Roll was called with all Councilors recorded as
present. Council President Boone declared a quorum present and called the meeting to order.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS TRUSTWORTHINESS: Gaining the
confidence of others by demonstrating integrity and reliability.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Work Session, Public Hearing and City Council meeting July 5,
2022. Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the minutes and
Councilor Jackson seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the minutes were adopted
(7-0).
At 6:11 p.m. Mayor Gillespie asked for a Point -of -Privilege to inform the Council after the July
5, 2022, Council meeting he reached out to several in attendance to arrange a meeting with
Alabama State University (ASU). After contact with ASU, Louis Hines with ASU watched the
video from the July 5, 2022, Council meeting and went back and revisited the Mayor's proposed
draft map 2-25. Only July 14, 2022, Mr. Hines met with Mayor Gillespie and Planning Director
Scott Stephens and informed them that he had located new census blocks in the median of
Highway 31/Memorial Drive. Mr. Hines provided the Mayor with a map dated 7/14/2022,
showing the newly found census blocks. Mayor Gillespie advised that he reached out to
elected officials, local residents and National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People (NAACP) officials to pass along the information received. Mayor Gillespie further stated
that the City's current map does not meet the Alabama State Code for redistricting.
Mayor Gillespie quoted the Code of Alabama section requiring the Mayor to file a report
containing a recommended plan for reapportionment of Council Districts six (6) months after a
Federal Census and the City Council's requirement to take action six (6) months after they
receive the Mayor's report or the Mayor's report automatically goes into effect. Mayor Gillespie
reminded the Council that September 15, 2022, was the automatic effective date if the Council
did not pass a map prior to this date.
Mayor Gillespie shared images of the current draft map 2-25 that is properly before the
Council and a copy of the map that ASU provided showing the newly found census blocks,
but cautioned that ASU's map could be challenged as it does not meet the Code of
Alabama's requirement of compactness and could also be considered gerrymandering.
Mayor Gillespie clarified that neither his proposed map nor the map that ASU brought forward
show a minority/majority district. The Mayor's proposed draft map 2-25 has the black
population of District 2 at 36.54% and ASU's map has the black population of District 2 at
43.45%.
Mayor Gillespie noted there have been five (5) properly advertised open public meetings on
the redistricting process, but have not seen great participation until now.
Mayor Gillespie recommended postponing the vote on the ordinance tonight as there is a
planned meeting for July 29, 2022, to discuss how map 2-25 was formulated with ASU, District
2 Councilor Marcus Jackson, NAACP's Bobby Mays and Patrick Lucas.
Mayor Gillespie advised time was of the essence with the newly found information by ASU if
the City Council wanted to consider the information. He further suggested postponing until
August 16, 2022, but no later than September 6, 2022, since the automatic acceptance date of
his proposed draft map 2-25 is September 15, 2022.
Councilor Chambers inquired about the legality of all maps. He also stated that the Council and
others may want to get clarification from ASU on their proposed information and he supported
postponing Council action tonight. Council President Boone stated any official motions would
be dealt with when the agenda item came up.
Council President Boone recognized Autauga County Commissioner Larry Stoudemire in the
audience.
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT'S AGENDA:
Bobby Mays, Elmore County NAACP, stated he thought it was important to continue to gather
information for the express purpose of doing what is best for all citizens in Prattville. Mr. Mays
stated his position on the deadline dates was the date reset with the presentation of new
information from ASU on July 14, 2022. He further stated the deadline date of September was
tied to the 2-25 plan.
Barbara Robinson, 123 White Oak Court, questioned if residents of District 2 would be able to
speak at the redistricting meeting. Ms. Robinson further stated that the community in District
2 has signed a petition and that they need to be represented and have a voice.
Councilor Jackson responded to Ms. Robinson and asked for clarification if she was asking for
a community meeting and she responded that yes, she was asking for a community meeting
for the people of District 2 to have input. Ms. Robinson further stated that Councilors had a job
to represent all people in the district, not just one race.
Patrick Lucas, 1211 Caliber Crossing, spoke in favor of postponing the voting on the agenda
item for redistricting and that clearer language needed to be used. He further stated that there
needed to be more community input meetings, but at other locations and that it was important
to make decisions for all the citizens of Prattville.
MAYOR'S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie started by recognizing and thanking Prattville Fire Department for all their hard
work and noted several instances of mutual aid assistance with Autauga County Rescue
Squad, Millbrook Fire Department and volunteer firefighters.
Mayor Gillespie mentioned a mutual proposal should be coming before the City Council and
the Autauga County Commission on a working agreement for repaving and scraping roads in-"'
the City/County.
Mayor Gillespie announced there would be a press conference for community awareness and
preparation in active shooting situations on July 20, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. and thanked the Police
Department for being proactive in the training.
Mayor Gillespie announced the City of Prattville has officially accepted and recorded the deed
of North Highland Park from the Autauga County Board of Education. He stated he looked
forward to the future of North Highland Park and mentioned the money the City Council has
dedicated to the improvements at the park and reiterated that the City was also looking into
grant funding for improvements at the park.
Mayor Gillespie announced the Founders Day ceremony at Daniel Pratt Cemetery on July 20,
2022, at 9:00 a.m. and invited all to attend. He further reminded all about the Planning
Commission meeting and Work Session on July 21, 2022, on a proposed PUD development.
Mayor Gillespie invited the Council to attend for educational purposes since the proposed
development would come before the Council at a later date.
Mayor Gillespie reminded all about the final Creekside Concert on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at
Heritage Park.
Mayor Gillespie closed his report by commenting on the Education Resource Plan stating a lot
of work still needs to be done. He further stated the need for more public meetings on this plan.
Mayor Gillespie mentioned several partnerships and stated the City needed to look into the
Autauga County Education Foundation as well on the expenditure of education money. Mayor
Gillespie recommended postponing Council action on the Education Resource Plan and having
more Work Sessions to get a better understanding of the proposed document and plan.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
None.
REPORT ON THE STATUS OF CITY FINANCES:
Deputy Finance Director, Carlee Sims, provided the following report on City Finances for May
2022:
• General Fund Revenue Report
o $3,962,154.16 — total revenue collected in June
o $41,144,295.32 — total revenue collected fiscal year to date
• Tax Breakdown Comparison Report
o $3,401,911.53 — tax revenue collected in June
o 6.09% - increase over June 2021
• General Fund Expenditures Report
0 75.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
0 65.37% - portion of budgeted expenditures incurred to date
• Wastewater Fund Income Statement
o $322,028.13 — net income from operations for June
0 75.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
0 61.38% - portion of budgeted expenses incurred to date (excludes capital
projects & debt service)
• Sanitation Fund Income Statement
o $61,054.09 — net income for June
o 75.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 72.11 % - portion of budgeted expenses incurred to date
• Judicial Fund Income Statement
o ($148,129.27) — net loss for June
o 75.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 72.46% - portion of budgeted expenditures incurred to date
• Gas Tax Special Revenue Fund Income Statement
o $376,789.39 — Revenue collected fiscal year to date
• Capital Projects Fund Income Statement
o $6,632,155.54 — Total project expenses incurred to date
o Current Projects:
Fairview Avenue Improvements
■ Mill Project Roadway
• Central Alabama Community College Incentives
Parks & Rec Tier I Projects
a Cobbs Ford Road Turn Lanes
• Group Health Fund Income Statement
o $703,188.03 — net income to date
• Parks and Recreation
o $710,292.69- total revenue collected fiscal year to date
o 75.00% - portion of fiscal year completed
o 132.73% of budgeted revenue received to date
• Bank Balances Report
o $37,360,181.41 — total of all bank balances at the end of June
• Accounts Payable & Debt Balances Report
o $59,971,919.39 — total debt balance city-wide at end of June
o $13,200,271.12 — total non -enterprise fund debt at end of June
Councilor Striplin questioned if the bond proceeds funds (referencing 2022-A and 2022-B
Warrants -Tier 1 Park Projects) had been disbursed or if they were reflected in the cash
balance. Finance Director Daniel Oakley stated the only funds requested for drawdown at this
point are for the lights at Stanley Jensen Stadium, however, the debt service cash accounts
do not appear on the bank balances report. The City does have access to the money but the
only reimbursable expense prior to the closing of the bonds were the lights for Stanley
Jensen Stadium which was approximately $275,000.00 and engineering costs (related to all
Tier 1 Park Projects). Mr. Oakley further stated that the money is being held in escrow with
the City's trustee, Regions.
CONSENT AGENDA
I. RESOLUTION: To Re -Appoint Eric Morgan to the Montgomery Area Mental Health
Authority. {Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2022-A, PAGE 136
4
2. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the City of Prattville to Join the State of Alabama and Other
Local Governments as Participants in the Current and Future Opioid Settlements.
{Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2022-A, PAGE 137
Councilor Chambers made a motion to place item numbers 1-2 on a Consent Agenda and
Councilor Striplin seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the items were placed on
a Consent Agenda (7-0).
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and
Councilor Gornto seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Consent Agenda was
adopted with the following results:
AYES STRIPLIN, JACKSON CHAMBERS,
STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS NONE 0
ABSTAINED NONE 0
ABSENT NONE 0
AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to have Various Weeded Lots Abated per Title 11,
Chapter 67 of the Code of Alabama, 1975, as Amended. {Sponsored By: Councilor Starnes}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2022-A, PAGE 138
Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the resolution and Council President Pro Tempore
Strichik seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with
the following results:
AYES STRIPLIN, JACKSON CHAMBERS,
STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS NONE 0
ABSTAINED NONE 0
ABSENT
2. ORDINANCE: To Rezone Property Located Inside the City Limits along South Memorial
Drive (Highway 31) from B-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) to B-2 (General Business)
(Petitioner: City of Prattville). {Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Strichik}
ORDINANCE BOOK 2022, PAGE 031
This ordinance was introduced at the June 21, 2022, City Council meeting where Council
President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor
Chambers seconded the motion. 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 0
3. ORDINANCE: To Amend Ordinance Book 2011, Page 024, Ordinance Book 2016-A,
Page 009 and Ordinance Book 2020, Page 005 to Re -Describe the Legal Descriptions of City
Council Districts Pursuant to 2020 Federal Census and Designate Voting Locations.
{Sponsored By: Council President Boone}
This ordinance was introduced at the July 5, 2022, City Council meeting where Councilor
Starnes made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Council President Pro Tempore Strichik
seconded the motion. Councilor Chambers made a motion to postpone the ordinance until the
August 16, 2022, Council meeting, so Councilors could have time to look into the new
information provided by Alabama State University, and Councilor Starnes seconded the
motion. There being no further discussion, the ordinance was postponed until the August 16,
2022, Council meeting with the following results:
AYES STRIPLIN, JACKSON CHAMBERS,
STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS NONE 0
ABSTAINED NONE 0
ABSENT NONE 0
4. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Early Access Agreement with
James Hardie Building Products, Inc. for Pending Conveyed Acreage for Use in Constructing
and Operating a New Facility. {Sponsored By: Council President Boone}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2022-A, PAGE 139
Councilor Starnes made a motion to adopt the resolution and Council President Pro Tempore
Strichik seconded the motion. There being no discussion, 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 0
5. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Purchase of One (1) 2023 or Newer Wheeled Coach Type
I Custom Series Ford F350 Ambulance and Related Equipment through the HACK -Buy
Purchasing Cooperative from Southern Emergency Consultants LLC at a Cost Not to Exceed
$226,600.00. {Sponsored By: Council President Boone}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2022-A, PAGE 140
0
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor
Gornto seconded the motion. There being no discussion, 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 0
6. ORDINANCE: To Extend the Temporary Moratorium on the Issuance of Short -Term Rental
Business Licenses. {Sponsored By: Council President Boone}
ORDINANCE BOOK 2022, PAGE 032
Councilor Gornto made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Starnes seconded the
motion. By Point -of -Order, it is necessary that Council rules be suspended if immediate action
is to be considered since the resolution is one of permanent nature. Council President Pro
Tempore Strichik made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilor Chambers seconded the
motion. There being no discussion, Council President Boone ordered a Roll Call Vote for the
suspension of rules.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilor Striplin
Aye
Councilor Jackson
Aye
Councilor Chambers
Aye
Councilor Starnes
Aye
Councilor Gornto
Aye
Councilor Strichik
Aye
Councilor Boone
Aye
The rules were suspended (7-0).
The resolution now being properly before the Council, Council President Boone invited
questions and comments from the Council. 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 0
7. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2022 Budget and Authorize the Release of Funds for
the Purchase and Installation of Two (2) Columbariums from Ingram Memorial Company for
the Executive Department at a Net Cost Not to Exceed $43,200.00. {Sponsored By: Councilor
Gornto}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2022-A, PAGE 141
7
Councilor Gornto made a motion to adopt the resolution and Council President Pro Tempore
Strichik seconded the motion. There being no discussion, 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 0
8. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter Into a Construction Agreement with the
State of Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) for Industrial Access Project -
Extension of Sid Thompson Drive to Benefit James Hardie Building Products, Inc. at a Total
Estimated Cost of $1,190,900.00 (Net Estimated Cost to the City $140,000.00). {Sponsored
By: Council President Boone)
RESOLUTION BOOK 2022-A, PAGE 142
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor
Gornto seconded the motion. There being no discussion, 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 0
9. RESOLUTION: To Adopt a Proposed Education Funding Plan and Authorize the Mayor to
Enter into an Agreement with Central Alabama Community Foundation for the Administration
of the Plan for a Period of Five Years at an Annual Cost Not to Exceed 0.75% of Restricted
Funds and 1.75% of Field -Of -Interest Funds, Minimum $15,000.00. {Sponsored By: Councilor
Striplin}
Councilor Striplin made a motion to postpone the resolution until the August 2, 2022, Council
meeting and Councilor Gornto seconded the motion. Then Councilor Starnes made a motion
to postpone the resolution until the August 16, 2022, Council meeting and Councilor Jackson
seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the resolution was postponed until the
August 16, 2022, Council meeting with the following results:
AYES STRIPLIN, JACKSON CHAMBERS,
STARNES, GORNTO, STRICHIK, BOONE 7
NAYS NONE 0
ABSTAINED NONE 0
ABSENT NONE 0
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Ell White II, 621 W. Fourth Street, thanked the Councilors for postponing the redistricting of
District 2 and spoke in favor of the proposed education plan. Mr. White also promoted his Book
Bag Giveaway for students in need.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Councilor Jackson applauded the citizens for coming out concerning redistricting and stated
he looked forward to seeing them at all meetings.
Councilor Gornto asked City Attorney Andrew Odom for clarification on the timeline for the
redistricting. Mr. Odom replied the statute, 11-44D-8, reads the 6-month timeline starts when
the Mayor presents his report to the Council, so the question is whether the Mayor presented
this new information as the Mayor's formal report to the Council for consideration. Mr. Odom
also noted that the members of the public were given a copy of the statute.
Council President Boone announced that the City would hold a work session on August 23,
2022, at 6:00 p.m., for Councilors to review and finalize the proposed City of Prattville Code of
Ordinances Article V. — Business License and Taxes, Short -Term Rentals ordinance. She
further stated Council encourages all that have questions, comments or concerns to email them
to -.. --. ncil rattvilleal. ov, prior to the Work Session so that all Councilors can have time
to review the information prior to the meeting. Council President Boone advised the meeting
would be open to the public, but not for public input.
Council President Boone allowed Bobby Mayes to address the Council again before
adjourning. Mr. Mays quoted 11-43-B (16)(1) and stated that new information was provided to
the Mayor and that the timeline for passage of redistricting should be 6 months from July 14,
2022. He further stated that the prior deadline was tied to draft map 2-25.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Council President Pro Tempore
Strichik made a motion to adjourn and Councilor Gornto seconded the motion.
The meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m. (7-0).
APPROVED:
Paula G. Barlow
City Clerk
Lora Lee Boone, President
Prattville City Council