CC Minutes 2024.03.05
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PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2024
6:00 P.M.
The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in
the Council Chambers at City Hall. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag,
Councilor Merrick gave the invocation. Roll was called with all Councilors recorded as present
with the exception of Councilor Striplin. Council President Boone declared a quorum and called
the meeting to order.
THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS ENDURANCE… The inner strength to
withstand stress and do my best.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Special Called City Council Meeting and City Council Meeting
February 20, 2024. Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the
minutes and Councilor Chambers seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the
minutes were adopted (5-0).
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT REGARDING TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
None
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gillespie requested a Point-of-Privilege, inviting Attorney Hope Hicks, who specializes
in Employment Law and Human Resources related matters, to the podium. Ms. Hicks gave an
update on the status of the contracts that were entered into last year and subsequently ratified
and affirmed on January 16, 2024, by the City Council with the City Attorneys, City Prosecutor,
and City Judge in reference to the eligibility of City of Prattville benefits. Ms. Hicks advised,
pursuant to Ordinance Book 2020, Page 002, adopted on February 18, 2020, Human
Resources Director Lisa Thrash amended the City of Prattville Policies and Procedures Manual
and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Summary Plan Description to include language, set forth in the
resolutions and ratified by Council, to allow these individuals to be eligible for City of Prattville
benefits. Ms. Thrash made the proposed revisions after meeting with legal counsel, City staff,
and members of Cobbs Allen, benefits administrator, to review the proposed revisions. Ms.
Hicks went on to detail the areas of the handbook that were amended being Section 5.22
Paragraphs 1 and 2 and Section 9.2 and 9.2.1. Ms. Hicks advised the Blue Cross Blue Shield
Summary Plan Description was also amended to reflect part-time Elected Officials, City
Attorneys, the City Prosecutor and the City Judge being eligible to enroll in the City’s Blue
Cross Blue Shield plan. Lastly, Ms. Hicks stated these actions should finalize the matters with
the contracts that were entered into last fall.
Mayor Gillespie requested another Point-of-Privilege, inviting George Walthall Jr. to the podium
to discuss People Against A Littered State (PALS). Mr. Walthall opened commending the
Sanitation Director and Department for their partnership in keeping the City clean. Mr. Walthall
asked for resolution and for participation within each district to help pick up litter. Mr. Walthall
advertised for their PALS Community Shred Day on March 16, 2024, at 135 N. Court Street
from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., and the statewide Spring Cleanup event during the month of
April.
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Mayor Gillespie opened his report commenting on election day. The Mayor congratulated the
soon to be sworn-in District 5 Councilor Michael Whaley advising he was looking forward to
serving with him and his family. Mayor Gillespie went on to discuss the Celebration of the Arts
event honoring Maxwell Pickett on March 2, 2024, and congratulated the Cultural Arts
Department for the successful event.
Mayor Gillespie spoke on the official ribbon cutting for Newton Park’s new tennis and pickleball
courts on March 4, 2024, and the revitalization of the current tennis courts and the new skate
park to come soon. The Mayor also gave an update on the North Highland Park project
addressing current and additional work to include concrete for picnic table pads, playground
equipment and perimeter fencing. The Mayor advised the wall will be updated and a ribbon
cutting will be announced after current scheduled activities are held.
Mayor Gillespie also reported on Stanley Jensen Stadium and its progress. The Mayor
announced the parking lot to the American Legion is back open for the American Legion use.
Mayor Gillespie further reminded all that Resolution No. 1 on the Consent Agenda is not a new
tax but general housekeeping.
In closing Mayor Gillespie invited everyone to the Mustang Sally Cruise-In Car Show on March
10, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Spillway Park, in honor of Wilson Pickett’s birthday
which is March 18th.
FROM COUNCIL ON SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
President Boone advised the Finance Committee met at 2:30 p.m. on March 1,2024, at City
Hall and discussed Business License Recovery Options, Educational Building Authority Debt
Refinancing, Contractor’s Business License Fee Calculations, Building Permit Fees and
Economic Development.
RESOLUTION: To Certify Michael P. Whaley as Councilor of District 5 for the Remainder of
the 2020-2024 Quadrennium. {Sponsored By: Councilor Merrick}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024, PAGE 040
Councilor Merrick 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 : JACKSON, CHAMBERS,
MERRICK, STRICHIK, BOONE 5
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
Judge Louis Colley swore in Michael P. Whaley as Councilor of District 5.
At 6:16 p.m., Councilor Whaley took his seat at the dais.
Mayor Gillespie congratulated and welcomed Councilor Whaley and noted his many years of
service to the community with the Fire Department.
Councilors Jackson, Chambers, Merrick, and Council President Pro Tempore Strichik each
welcomed Councilor Whaley to the family. Council President Boone welcomed Councilor
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Whaley and spoke about his lasting first impression, compassion, care and commitment to
family and values.
Councilor Whaley thanked the Council, District 5 constituents and expressed his eagerness to
serve.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Ratify and Affirm the Renewal of the Levy of 7 Mills Ad Valorem Tax in
the City of Prattville. {Sponsored By: Councilor Chambers}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024, PAGE 041
2. RESOLUTION: To Surplus Personal Property from the Parks and Recreation Department.
{Sponsored By: Councilor Merrick}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024, PAGE 042
3. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Garbage and Rubbish at 105 Colonial Court a Public
Nuisance and Authorize the Mayor to Abate and Charge Any Incurred Expenses Pursuant to
Chapter 46 et seq., City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. {Sponsored By: Council President
Pro Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024, PAGE 043
4. RESOLUTION: To Declare the Garbage and Rubbish at 175 Patrick Street a Public
Nuisance and Authorize the Mayor to Abate and Charge Any Incurred Expenses Pursuant to
Chapter 46 et seq., City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. {Sponsored By: Council President
Pro Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024, PAGE 044
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to place item numbers 1-4 on a
Consent Agenda and Councilor Jackson seconded the motion. The items were placed on a
Consent Agenda (6-0).
Councilor Jackson made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda and Councilor Merrick
seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Consent Agenda was adopted with the
following results:
AYES : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
AGENDA
1. RESOLUTION: To Award Bid No. 024-001 to Old South Construction Co., LLC for the
Roofing of 124 W. Main Street for the Facilities Maintenance Division of the Public Works
Department at a Cost of $236,000.00. {Sponsored By: Council President Boone}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024, PAGE 045
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Councilor Merrick 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 : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
2. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Release of Funds for the Purchase of One (1) Dell
PowerEdge Server through the Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative, Contract No. 081419-
CDW from CDW-G for the Information Technology Department at a Cost Not to Exceed
$70,653.12. {Sponsored By: Council President Boone}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024, PAGE 046
Councilor Whaley 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 : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
3. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Issue Certificates as Required by Section 147 of
the Internal Revenue Code for Prattville Christian Academy, Inc. Upon the Delivery of the
Special Opinion and the Indemnity Letter to the City. {Sponsored By: Council President Pro
Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024, PAGE 047
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor
Chambers seconded the motion. Council President Boone advised that she will be abstaining
her vote, even though no money will be expended, since Prattville Christian Academy is her
primary employer. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the
following results:
AYES : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK 5
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : BOONE 1
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
4. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2024 Budget and Authorize the Release of Funds for
Parking Lot Improvements at 203 W. 4th Street to TractWorks, LLC for the Performing and
Creative Arts Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $54,775.50. {Sponsored By: Council
President Pro Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024, PAGE 048
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Council President Pro Tempore Strichik 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 : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
5. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Release of Funds for the Purchase of One (1) Ford F250
Truck through State Contract No. MA230000003416-3 from Stivers Ford Lincoln, Inc. for the
Facilities Maintenance Division of the Public Works Department at a Cost Not to Exceed
$55,770.00. {Sponsored By: Council President Boone}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024, PAGE 049
Councilor Chambers made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Merrick seconded
the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
6. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2024 Budget and Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an
Agreement with Krebs Engineering, Inc. for Preliminary Engineering Design Services for Site
Improvements to the Doster Well Area for the Engineering Department at a Cost Not to Exceed
$52,000.00. {Sponsored By: Councilor Jackson}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024, PAGE 050
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 : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
7. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2024 Budget and Authorize the Release of Funds for
Fencing Improvements at Whetstone Baseball Complex to Walls Fence Company, LLC for the
Parks and Recreation Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $36,470.00. {Sponsored By: Council
President Pro Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024, PAGE 051
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Council President Pro Tempore Strichik 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 : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
8. RESOLUTION: To Allow Appointments to the Historic Prattville Redevelopment Authority
(HPRA) for Members Living Within the Corporate Limits or Owning Property Within the Historic
Redevelopment District. {Sponsored By: Councilor Chambers}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024, PAGE 052
Councilor Chambers made a motion to adopt the resolution and Councilor Merrick seconded
the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
AYES : CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 5
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : JACKSON 1
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
9. RESOLUTION: To Amend the FY2024 Budget and Authorize the Release of Funds for
Parking Lot Improvements at Spinners Park to TractWorks, LLC for the Parks and Recreation
Department at a Cost Not to Exceed $31,226.33. {Sponsored By: Council President Pro
Tempore Strichik}
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024, PAGE 053
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik 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 : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
10. ORDINANCE: To Adopt an Electronic Meeting Policy to Allow City Councilors to Participate
in City Council Meetings “Remotely” Under Certain Circumstances. {Sponsored By: Councilor
Jackson}
ORDINANCE BOOK 2024, PAGE 003
Councilor Jackson made a motion to adopt the ordinance and Councilor Chambers seconded
the motion. By Point-of-Order, it is necessary that Council rules be suspended if immediate
action is to be considered. Councilor Jackson made a motion to suspend the rules and Council
President Pro Tempore Strichik seconded the motion. There being no discussion, Council
President Boone ordered a Roll Call Vote for the suspension of rules.
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ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilor Jackson Aye
Councilor Chambers Aye
Councilor Merrick Aye
Councilor Whaley Aye
Councilor Strichik Aye
Councilor Boone Aye
The rules were suspended (6-0).
The ordinance 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 : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
11. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Release of Funds for the Purchase of One (1) DJI Matrice
Drone Kit from Steel City Drones LLC for the Police Department at a Cost Not to Exceed
$14,932.85. {Sponsored By: Council President Pro Tempore Strichik}
This was corrected as a scrivener’s error per City Attorney Andrew Odom to state Two (2) DJI
Drone Kits were authorized to be purchased 3.8.2024
RESOLUTION BOOK 2024, PAGE 054
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik 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 : JACKSON, CHAMBERS, MERRICK,
WHALEY, STRICHIK, BOONE 6
NAYS : NONE 0
ABSTAINED : NONE 0
ABSENT : STRIPLIN
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Christina Garner, 1608 Trolley Road, spoke on the library board, in opposition of board
members and of other legal court cases against libraries.
Councilor Jackson inquired of Ms. Garner suggestions of desired Council action. Ms. Garner
asked the City Council consider rescinding the recent City appointment of Gloria Kuykendall,
because she voted in line with other appointees, and to validate candidates for vacancies.
Councilor Jackson inquired of City Attorney Andrew Odom what authorities were afforded to
the City Council in relation to this matter. Mr. Odom advised the City Council had the authority
to appoint board members, however the day-to-day functions were up to the Library Board. Mr.
Odom summarized an Attorney General’s Opinion stating the Library Board is their own
governing body, separate from the City Council.
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Jackie Nix, 706 Running Brook Circle, spoke on the library board and on violations of board
members. Ms. Nix asked the City Council for answers and help with the current board.
Councilor Jackson inquired of Mr. Odom regarding City funding to the library and it not going
toward legal fees. Mr. Odom referred to an attempt to pass a resolution in 2023 that could have
outlined some stipulations on funding however the Attorney General’s Opinion only states that
County Commissions have the authority to appoint and appropriate funds but he did not believe
it addressed any discretion of how those funds could be spent; though he would look into this
further.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
Mayor Gillespie thanked Councilor Whaley and his family stating he looks forward to working
together and looking into the needs of District 5. The Mayor also thanked the Council for action
on Agenda Item 10 and advised he would pass this information along.
Councilor Jackson commended the Cultural Arts staff for the Honoree Dinner on March 2, 2024.
He also thanked the Police Department and staff for speaking to students at Prattville Jr. High
School about social media and for visiting during Career Day. Councilor Jackson invited the
Council to look at the Police Department’s drone presentation and congratulated Councilor
Whaley advising he looked forward to working with him.
Councilor Chambers congratulated Councilor Whaley stating he looked forward to working with
him in the future.
Councilor Merrick congratulated Councilor Whaley.
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik congratulated Councilor Whaley and noted the voting
polls were about to close and wished each candidates the best.
Council President Boone spoke on the Cultural Arts Honoree Dinner and the upcoming Wilson
Pickett Festival and Mustang Sally Car Show and lastly congratulated Councilor Whaley.
Council President Boone advised the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting would be
held Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilor Jackson made a motion
to adjourn and Councilor Whaley seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
(6-0)
APPROVED:
Paula G. Barlow
City Clerk
Lora Lee Boone, President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY:
Loucretia Harrell
Assistant City Clerk