| 2004-08-03 City Council Meeting |  |  |  |
 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, August 3, 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 Wood gave the invocation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 20, 2004 City Council Minutes. Councilman Macready made the motion to approve the minutes and Councilman Hall seconded the motion. The minutes were approved (7-0). COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: Mr. Bob Lee, 112 Quail Run, Prattville, Al 36067, appeared before the Council to express his appreciation to the City for its involvement with Partners in Education. Mr. Lee spoke of the petition he presented to the Council on July 6, along with a letter from Ms. Cathy Beckfield, who chairs a group of retired Union Camp employees. The petition and letter made reference to the “War on Litter”. The group had asked the Mayor and Council to write the Governor to request that a summit meeting be held regarding this issue. Mr. Lee expressed his outrage with what he considers “litter on a stick”. He stated stricter guidelines should be set according to city code and citizens should be required to abide by the law. Councilman Macready addressed Mr. Lee’s concerns by stating that the majority of signs are placed on private properties. He also indicated that the petition and letter that the Council received made reference to political signs, which are put out by candidates just prior to an election and promptly picked up after the election. Mr. Earl B. Wagoner, 1220 Josephine Court, Prattville, Al 36066, appeared before the City Council to express his appreciation to the Mayor, Council and City Fire and Police departments for their leadership and professionalism. Councilman Wood responded to Coach Dunn’s request by stating that it is his desire to have receipts made available to the Council, of parking fees from the 2003 football season. Mr. Bennie Hollon, 1142 East Main Street, Prattville, AL 36066, appeared before the Council to request that his name be removed from the list of property owners who are in violation of the Alabama State Code regarding weeded lots. Ms. Jill Hollon, 1157 Faulk Avenue, Prattville, AL 36066, appeared before the Council to state that her father, Mr. Bennie Hollon, has cleaned up the property which is listed on Resolution number 1, is now in compliance with the State Code, and therefore, requested that his name be removed from that Resolution. Mr. Richard Moulton, 1165 Faulk Avenue, Prattville, AL 36066, appeared before the Council to ask for clarification that Mr. Hollon had complied with the Alabama State Code. City Planner Joel Duke reviewed pictures that Mr. Moulton provided, which Mr. Moulton believed to show the contrary. Mr. Duke stated that Resolution number 1 strictly addresses weeded lots and not dilapidated structures, which are indicated in the pictures he presented. Councilman Miller questioned the dilapidated structure issue that Mr. Moulton brought to their attention and Mr. Duke stated that he would look into that particular issue the next day. The following citizens appeared before the Council to request assistance in rectifying issues such as litter from on-going construction sites adjacent to their properties and drainage problems in the Highland Ridge subdivision: Wayne Shires, 105 Regent Court, Prattville, Al 36066; Oscar Lamb, 647 Little Farm Road, Prattville, Al 36066; Michael Douglas Farris, 1922 Dundee Drive, Prattville, Al 36066; Brian and Amy Stewart, 605 Castlebrook Drive, Prattville, Al 36066; Abie Chong, 103 Regent Court, Prattville, Al 36066; Oscar Rodriguez, 1924 Dundee Drive, Prattville, Al 36066. Mayor Byard responded to their request by giving an update of a meeting that he and Councilman Miller had with representatives of Lowder Homes and DuBose Construction. Mayor Byard stated that he felt confident that immediate action would be taken to rectify complaints of litter and drainage. He further stated that if home owners continue to experience the same problems, the City would hold the companies to their promise to be responsible for these issues. Councilman Macready left the council chambers at 7:45 p.m. and returned at 7:47 p.m. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Byard reported that the City hosted the State Swim Meet where 1,500 swimmers competed at Pratt Park over the weekend. Regarding the agenda, Mayor Byard requested council support on the following: Ordinance number 3, which concerns the rezoning of the Pratt Mill/Gurney property; Resolution number 6, which approves a 10% match for grant funds for COUNCIL REPORTS: None. AGENDA ITEMS 1. RESOLUTION: TO DECLARE VARIOUS WEEDED LOTS TO BE A PUBLIC NUISANCE AND ORDERING THEIR ABATEMENT PER § 11-67-1 et. Seq., OF THE CODE OF ALABAMA, 1975, AS AMENDED. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2004, PAGE 053). Councilman Miller made the motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. During discussion, Councilman Miller inquired as to other possible solutions in dealing with issues such as this in the future. City Planner Joel Duke stated that are several options that may be explored. Councilman Wood made a motion to amend the Resolution to remove the names of property owners who have complied with the order to abate their property. The motion failed for lack of a second. City Attorney David McDowell stated that the Resolution included verbiage that would exclude property owners who had complied with the abatement order prior to the reading of the Resolution. Councilman Carter recommended that additional personnel be used for the purpose of enforcing laws which deal with weed abatement and dilapidated structures. Mayor Byard stated that the City Code is currently being reviewed and mentioned the possibility of going through local legislation to deal with such issues. Councilman Hall called for the question. Councilman Miller seconded the call, which was unanimous (7-0). Councilman Argo called for the vote and the Resolution was adopted (5-1-1).
2. RESOLTUION: TO ACCEPT MAINTENANCE OF MCGEE RIDGE SUBDIVISION. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2004, PAGE 054). The Resolution was held from the July 6, 2004 council meeting.There being no discussion, the vote was called and the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
3. ORDINANCE: TO REZONE PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC DOWNTOWN DISTRICT KNOWN AS THE PRATT MILL/GURNEY PROEPRTY FROM M-1 TO R-1 AND B-2. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2004, PAGE 012). The Ordinance was held from the July 6, 2004 council meeting. There being no discussion, Councilman Argo called for the vote and the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
4. RESOLUTION: TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING TO REZONE PROPERTY LOCATED IN SCENIC HILLS SUBDIVISION FROM FAR TO R-3. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2004, PAGE 055). Councilman Renegar made the motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Hall seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
Councilman Renegar introduced the proposed Ordinance and made a motion to adopt it. Councilman Miller seconded the motion. By point of order, the Ordinance was held until September 7, 2004. 5. RESOLUTION:TOSETAPUBLICHEARINGTOREZONE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1110 EAST MAIN STREET FROM R-2 TO 0-1. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2004, PAGE 056). Councilman Macready made the motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the vote was called and the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
Because Ordinances are ordinarily held over for two weeks, it is necessary for the council rules to be suspended if immediate action is to be taken. Councilman Macready introduced the proposed Ordinance and Councilman Hall seconded the motion. Councilman Hall made the motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Macready seconded the motion. All were in favor of suspending the rules (7-0). Councilman Hall made a motion to amend line 33 to read “did approve” and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. The Ordinance was amended (7-0). Councilman Hall made the motion to hold the Ordinance until September 7, 2004 and Councilman Macready seconded the motion. The Ordinance was held (7-0). 6. RESOLUTION: TO APPROVE GRANT MATCHING FUNDS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2004, PAGE 057). Ordinance Book 2000, Page 012, To Set Council Procedures, specifies in Section 22, that all ordinances, resolutions or propositions submitted to the council which require the expenditure of money shall lie over until the next meeting; provided further, that this rule shall not apply to the current expenses of, or contracts previously made with, or regular salaries of officers, or wages of employees. Therefore, it is necessary to suspend the rules on agenda item 6. Councilman Hall made the motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Macready seconded the motion. Councilman Macready made the motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Wood seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). There being no discussion, the vote was called and it was adopted with the following results:
7. RESOLUTION: TO AWARD BID NO. 04-009 FOR THE PURCHASE OF CURED IN PLACE SEWER POINT SYSTEM PARTS, TO INCLUDE TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION OF SUCH. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2004, PAGE 058). Councilman Renegar left the Council Chambers at 8:26 p.m. and returned at 8:28 p.m. Councilman Carter made the motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Miller seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
8. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO RENEW THE AUDIT FOR SALES TAX AND BUSINESS LICENSE CONTRACT WITH RIVER TREE SYSTEMS, INC. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2004, PAGE 059). Councilman Hall made the motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Macready seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
9. ORDINANCE: TO SURPLUS VARIOUS CITY EQUIPMENT. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2004, PAGE 013). Councilman Wood made the motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilman Hall seconded the motion. Because Ordinances are ordinarily held over for 2 weeks, it is necessary for council rules to be suspended if immediate action is to be taken. Councilman Hall made the motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Macready seconded the motion. All were in favor of suspending the rules (7-0). There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following vote:
10. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE FILING OF FY 2004 CDBG COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT FUND APPLICATION AND COMMIT LOCAL MATCH. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2004, PAGE 060). Councilman Miller introduced the Resolution from the floor and made a motion to adopt it. Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. Because the item did not appear on the agenda, it was necessary for council rules to be suspended for immediate action to be taken. Councilman Renegar made the motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Hall seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). Councilman Wood made the motion to amend the title to read “FY 2004 CDBG Special Fund Application” instead of “FY 2004 CDBG Community Enhancement Fund Application”. Councilman Hall seconded the motion. During discussion, Bill Tucker, representative of Central Alabama Regional Planning Development Authority, clarified that the City strictly sponsors the application and further clarified that this would have no bearing what so ever on the City’s current grant for the Boys and Girls Club. The Resolution was amended (7-0). There being no discussion, the amended Resolution was adopted with the following results:
CLOSING COMMENTS: Councilman Wood asked City Attorney David McDowell for an update on the status of the contract for services for North Highland Community Center. Mr. McDowell advised him that the contract was in hand and ready for signatures. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Wood made the motion to adjourn and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. The meeting closed at 8:45 p.m. APPROVED:
______________________
______________________ |
| Character Trait for May |
|
|
