| 2005-10-04 City Council Meeting |  |  |  |
 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, October 4th 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, Council President Argo gave the invocation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 20th City Council Minutes. Councilman Macready made the motion to approve the minutes and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. The minutes were approved (7-0). COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: Anthony Yarbrough, 321 Janice Street, Prattville, AL 36066, appeared before the Council to thank Leisure Services Director Drew Peterson for his assistance in the recent upgrades to the tennis courts at Newton Park. He also invited members of the Council to the Tennis Fun Day, which is scheduled for October 16th from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. at Newton Park. Councilman Miller asked Mr. Yarbrough for the number of members in the Prattville Area Tennis Association. Mr. Yarbrough stated that there are approximately 30 members. Lisa Sulkosky, representative of the Autauga County Emergency Management Association, came before the Council to present the most recent report on the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. She stated that Autauga County was awarded a grant for a number of safe houses in addition to 5 new weather sirens. Councilman Miller questioned the requirements for the safe rooms. Mrs. Sulkosky stated that the rooms were awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis regardless of family income. She also said that the only restriction states that the safe room shall not be awarded to anyone in a flood zone. Councilman Miller stated that grants for the safe rooms should be based on a family’s income rather than on a first-come first-serve basis. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Byard informed members of the Council that a controlled burn for city property located at 141 Northington Street is scheduled for Saturday, October 8th. Regarding the agenda, the Mayor urged council support for Resolution number 5. He reminded councilmembers that this project would connect Old Farm Lane and McQueen Smith Road. Mayor Byard presented the Council with a budget summary and advised them that a Finance Committee meeting to discuss the budget is scheduled for tomorrow, October 5th at 3:00 p.m. Councilman Renegar requested that the Mayor have the City department heads compile a plan for fuel conservation. Councilman Gillespie asked for an update on the request made by Mr. Wayne Lambert at the September 20th council meeting regarding a dilapidated structure on property that backs up to his residence. City Planner Joel Duke responded by stating that he had been in contact with the landlord who was unaware that the structure had not been completely torn down. The issue has been addressed and the structure should be completely torn down and removed by the end of the month. Councilman Wood expressed his concern about the possibility that the current fees charged for city services may not be enough to cover the actual cost of those services. He further suggested that these fees should be reviewed and assessed accordingly. Mayor Byard stated that each department will be looked at. Councilman Macready stated that according to news reports, Alabama Gas Corporation will increase its fees by 30%. COUNCIL REPORTS: Councilman Renegar reported that the Leisure Services Committee met between the Public Hearing and the Council Meeting this evening. AGENDA 1. ORDINANCE: REQUEST TO REZONE PROPERTY LOCATED AT SOUTH COURT STREET BETWEEN THIRD STREET AND FOURTH STREET FROM B-2 TO R-5. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2005, PAGE 019). A public hearing was held at 6:00 p.m. this evening. There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following vote:
2. ORDINANCE: REQUEST TO REZONE PROPERTY LOCATED AT REDFIELD ROAD FROM B-2/FAR TO R-5 AND B-2. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2005, PAGE 020). A public hearing was held at 6:00 p.m. this evening. During discussion, Councilman Renegar stated that during the public hearing an amendment to “Attachment A” of the proposed rezoning was presented to the Council. He further stated that the Council should have been allowed more time to review the amendment prior to adoption of the Ordinance. Councilman Renegar made a motion to hold the Ordinance until the October 18th council meeting. Councilman Gillespie seconded the motion. Councilman Argo recognized Mayor Byard for discussion. The Mayor said that he had not attended the public hearing, but stated that he was aware of the proposed amendment, which had been approved by the Planning Commission. He also stated that he had spoken with property owners who assured him that they were satisfied with the proposed amendment. Councilman Argo asked for clarification that the changes to “Attachment A” include that a portion of the property will be zoned B-2 rather than the entire portion being zoned R-5 as proposed in the original “Attachment A.” Councilman Argo further stated that it is common practice for an amendment that has been approved by the Planning Commission to be presented when the Ordinance is brought up for a vote. Councilman Argo questioned Mr. Duke if property owners to the North, West and South of this proposal are in favor of the amendment and Mr. Duke stated that they are. The motion to hold was called and it failed (2-5) with Councilmen Gillespie and Renegar in favor. Councilman Miller made a motion to amend the Ordinance to substitute “Attachment A” and Councilman Wood seconded the motion. The Ordinance was amended (7-0). The vote to adopt the Ordinance as amended was called and it was unanimous.
3. RESOLUTION: TO GRANT A RETAIL BEER AND WINE LICENSE, ON-PREMISE ONLY TO LAN KUEN LAM AND MAN FONG LAM D/B/A TASTE GOOD. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2005-A, PAGE 001). A public hearing was held at 6:00 p.m. this evening. Councilman Macready made the motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Gillespie seconded the motion. During discussion, Councilman Argo reminded members of the Council that this application was merely a location transfer. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
4. 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. A public hearing was held at 6:00 p.m. this evening. During discussion, Councilman Argo stated that City Planner Joel Duke informed the Council that notification had not been sent to property owners as required by law and requested that this Resolution be tabled. Mr. Duke also stated that most of the property owners listed in the Resolution had brought their properties into compliance with the State Code. Councilman Renegar made the motion to table the Resolution and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. Councilman Wood requested that Mr. Duke visit the property located at 270 Gardner Road to verify that the owner had complied with the City’s request to clean up the property. Mr. Duke stated that he would follow up on his request. The vote to table the Resolution was called and the results were as follows:
5. RESOLUTION: TO ACCEPT MAINTENANCE OF RIVERCHASE/MEADOWVIEW SUBDIVISION. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2005-A, PAGE 002). Councilman Miller made the motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
CLOSING COMMENTS: Councilman Macready reported that he had been to UAB Hospital in Birmingham where he received an excellent medical report. He thanked everyone for their thoughts, prayers and concern. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Macready made the motion to adjourn and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. APPROVED:
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