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

The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 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: June 15, 2004 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:

Robert E. Lee, 112 Quail Run, asked the Council to consider allowing the City of Prattville employees to participate in Partners in Education, which is a volunteer program to tutor students. Further, he presented a petition from the Union Camp Retiree Club requesting the Council to contact Governor Bob Riley and declare war on litter in our community.

George Allison, 217 Kay Street, advised the Council of dangerous traffic intersections in the City due to overgrown shrubs/trees on private property. He also expressed his concerns for delivery trucks speeding through residential areas and suggested some type of Ordinance to mandate delivery times for such vehicles. He also praised the Council for the work they are doing.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Mayor Byard thanked Mr. Allison for bringing those issues to the attention of the Council. Mr. Allison was assured by him that when there is an obstruction, the City does try to talk to the property owner and make them aware and often times the property owner complies with the City’s request to remove the obstruction. Otherwise, there must be a Court Order to remove anything from private property.

Mayor Byard recognized members of the American Legion, who were in attendance to present Alabama Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award to Sergeant Wayne Barlow. Sgt. Barlow is the handler of Louie, currently the only K- 9 drug investigator in the City of Prattville. Sgt. Barlow is very active in the school system, giving children a positive image of Police Officers. Commander Harden presented Sgt. Barlow with his award and commended his Supervisor, Captain Tim Huggins, for nominating him. She said Sgt. Barlow’s nomination shown high above other nominations throughout the state. Sgt. Barlow expressed his appreciation for being recognized and how much he enjoys his position with the Prattville Police Department. Mayor Byard further thanked the American Legion for their contributions to the community.

Mayor Byard advised that today was the first day of qualifying for candidacy in the Municipal Elections to be held August 24, 2004.

Mayor Byard stated that all of the 4th of July activities went extremely well, and there were no problems.

Regarding the agenda, Mayor Byard advised that Item #7 is a budgeted item for LED traffic signals and encouraged passage. This item was discussed in length during the passage of the Capital Budget.

Mayor Byard discussed Item #8, which is to apply for a Grant to be awarded to the Boys & Girls Club and encouraged passage.

Mayor Byard advised that Item #9 is a budgeted item to rebuild a clarifier at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and requested passage.

COUNCIL REPORTS:

None.

AGENDA ITEMS

1. ORDINANCE: Request to Rezone Property Located off of Red Eagle Road and Northington Road from FAR to R-1. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2004, PAGE 009).

This Ordinance was held from the May 18, 2004 Council meeting. There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:

2. ORDINANCE: Request to Rezone Property Located off of Old Ridge Road and adjacent to Hollybrooke Subdivision from R-2 to R-3. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2004, PAGE 010).

This Ordinance was held from the May 18, 2004 Council meeting. There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:

3. RESOLUTION: To Appoint the 2004 Municipal Election Official. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2004, PAGE 041).

Councilman Miller made a motion to approve and Councilman Hall seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:

4. RESOLUTION: Authorize the Mayor to Enter Into an Agreement with Central Alabama Drug Task Force.(RESOLUTION BOOK 2004, PAGE 042).

Councilman Hall made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Macready seconded the motion. If council members wish to take immediate action, a suspension of the council rules is required. Councilman Wood made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. The motion to suspend the rules was adopted unanimously. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:

5. RESOLUTION: To Accept Maintenance of McGee Ridge Subdivision. (HELD FOR 2 WEEKS).

Councilman Carter made the motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Hall seconded the motion. Councilman Carter asked that this Resolution be held until the next meeting so he would have an opportunity to go and look at the subdivision himself. Councilman Carter and Councilman Miller expressed their concerns for drainage in wet weather as well as in dry weather. Councilman Renegar questioned why the City was being asked to accept maintenance before homes were being built. Mayor Byard advised the Council that in the past there have been situations where Council hasn’t accepted maintenance in a timely manner, and it falls back on the City. After a lengthy discussion, the Resolution was held with the following results: (7-0)

Councilman Wood left the Council Chambers at 7:36 and returned at 7:38.

6. RESOLUTION: To Set a Public Hearing to Rezone Property Located in the Historic Downtown District known as the Pratt Mill/Gurney Property from M-1 to R-1, and M-1 to B-2. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2004, PAGE 043)

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

7. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Mayor to Enter into a Contract for Master Agreement for Consulting Services with Southern Company Energy Solutions, LLC. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2004, PAGE 044)

Councilman Wood made the motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Macready seconded the motion. Councilman Carter asked if this company was setting the specifications and setting the purchase price. Mayor Byard assured him that the company would be working closely with the Engineering Department advising as to what we needed, and any pricing would be based on what the City actually agreed to purchase. City Engineer, Robby Anderson, further stated that Southern Company Energy Solutions would serve as a consultant for the City, and we were given the same rates as have been given to other cities. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:

8. RESOLUTION: To Authorize the Filing of FY 2004 CDBG Community Enhancement Fund Application and Commit Local Match. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2004, PAGE 045)

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

9. RESOLUTION: Request to Release Capital Funds for the Wastewater Department. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2004, PAGE 046)

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

CLOSING COMMENTS:

Mayor Byard advised that the AARP would be holding a Candidates Forum on July 16th at Doster Community Center for those who are interested.

ADJOURN:

There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Macready made the motion to adjourn and the motion was seconded. The meeting closed at 7:58 p.m.

APPROVED:

______________________
Gina P. Smith
City Clerk

______________________
Dean R. Argo, President
Prattville City Council