CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2004
7:00 P.M.

The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Roll was called and all were recorded as being present. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Councilman Argo gave the invocation.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 16, 2003 City Council minutes. Councilman Renegar made the motion to approve the minutes and Councilman Macready seconded the motion. The minutes were approved (7-0).

COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:

None.

MAYORS REPORT:

Mayor Byard reminded Council that their Fair Campaign Practices Act form is due by January 31, 2004 for 2003. This must be turned in to Judge Booth’s office. The City of Prattville, along with the City of Montgomery and other communities in the River Region are sponsoring the Smart Growth Plan on February 27, 2004. All Council members are invited. Mayor Byard introduced Teresa Lee as the City’s Webmaster. She advised that she had already made changes and had many ideas to change/improve the website. The Mayor also introduced Lisa Thrash in the Human Resources Department. Mayor Byard stated that interviews had been held for the Planner I position. The GIS Coordinator position is also scheduled for interviews this week. The Horticulture Department has been restructured under the supervision of the Planning Department and Building Inspection has been placed with the Codes and Standards Division with the Fire Department under the supervision of Chief Brown.

There are two pending projects: In District 4, Shady Oak is set to be bid in April, for construction to begin late spring or early summer. The cost will be approximately $750,000 and will be a Federally funded project by the MPO. District 1 will be getting a drainage basin at Northington Street. Plans are almost completed, and will be contracting for easement acquisition within about a week. The cost will be approximately $450,000, and is also a Federally funded project.

The Creek Walk was bid in October, but the bids were too high and have been rejected. There is a possibility of this project being divided into two separate projects.

Sunday, January 3, 2004 about 70 members of the 231st MP Unit was deployed from Prattville to train at Fort Benning, Georgia and on to Iraq. Governor Riley and several Council members were present to send them off. One of Prattville’s Firefighters, Mark Baldwin is a member of the Unit.

The City of Prattville suffered its first fire death since 1985. On December 27, 2003 at Highland Lakes Apartment complex there was an apartment that resulted in a citizen’s death due to smoke inhalation. Mayor Byard commended the Fire Department for its professionalism and handling of the fire.
Mayor Byard extended sympathy to Chief Harper and Mayor Williams of Athens. The City of Athens lost two Police Officers in the line of duty last Friday. Three Prattville Police Officers were in attendance at their funerals. He further extended sympathy to Oxford Mayor Leon Smith and his wife, due to the loss of their son in an automobile accident on New Years Eve.

City Hall will be closed January 19, 2004 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert E. Lee Day.

Regarding the evenings agenda, Mayor Byard asked that Resolution number one (1) be held until February 3. Mayor Byard advised that the 3rd tier of the Pay Plan is in the process of being completed and should be ready for a vote in February, but not put into place until October. Mayor Byard explained the different Department Heads’ placement on their respective Pay Plans. He further requested adopting Resolution number three (3).

Councilman Argo advised that the Finance Committee met with the Airport Authority, and because they had not received the funding needed to complete the project and that funding needed may have to be picked up by the City, or State.

1. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE FUNDING FOR THE PRATTVILLE AIRPORT AUTHORITY.

Councilman Hall made a motion that the Resolution be held until January 20, 2004. Councilman Miller seconded the motion. The Resolution was held with the following results:

2. RESOLUTION: TO GRANT A RESTAURANT RETAIL LIQUOR LICENSE TO JOAN RAVENCRAFT D/B/A MS. JONI’S ITALIAN COUNTRY. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2004, PAGE 001)

Councilman Hall made a motion to adopt the Resolution. Councilman Wood seconded the motion. Councilman Hall advised the Public Safety Committee met
and recommended adoption. Council President Argo passed the gavel and asked to be recognized. He stated that the Council is bound by the law to make their decision on legal grounds only, not personal moral or ethical standards. The decision to grant or deny a liquor license does not rest on the Council. The Chair passed the gavel back to the Council President. Councilman Hall called for a division of the house and a roll call vote was held. The Resolution was adopted with the following results:

3. RESOLUTION: TO APPOINT DEPARTMENT HEADS. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2004, PAGE 002)

Councilman Renegar made a motion to adopt the Resolution. Councilman Macready seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:

CLOSING COMMENTS:

Councilman Hall has received several calls about scooters, and asked the Police Chief to address the issue of scooters being used on City streets. Chief Wadsworth stated it is illegal to ride on the street, and the handbook states such. A parent can be held responsible for children riding illegally. The police department has stopped several children, but not written any tickets.

Councilman Argo recognized Scouts in attendance.

ADJOURN:

Councilman Macready made the motion to adjourn and Councilman Hall seconded the motion. The meeting closed at 7:35 p.m.

______________________
Gina P. Smith
City Clerk

______________________
Dean R. Argo, President
Prattville City Council