CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2005
7:00 P.M.

ThePrattvilleCityCouncilmetinregularsessiononTuesday,November15th 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: October 25th and November 1st 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:

Jon Lee Fennigan, 211 Deer Trace Street, Prattville, Al 36067, appeared before the council to express her opposition and to ask questions regarding a $48,000,000.00 bond issue. She referred to an article in the Monday, November 14, 2005, issue of the Montgomery Advertiser, which she had with her. While at the podium, she asked Council President Argo if the public meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 23rd at 4:00 p.m. is simply an opportunity for citizens to blow off steam, or if their concerns will actually be taken into consideration by the Council.

Council President Argo stated that the first meeting in which the Council approved an incentive package for this particular shopping area was January 18, 2005. He further informed Ms. Fennigan that each time a vote had been taken to approve a Resolution involving an incentive package, the vote had been taken in a council meeting that is open to the public. He also stated that media representatives had been present for each meeting.

In reference to Ms. Fennigan’s statement about giving money to builders, President Argo stated that Amendment Number 3 of the Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, authorizes a municipality to give money to developers as a legal way of doing business. President Argo cautioned Ms. Fennigan and others not to use the words “giving money to builders” so loosely. He reminded those in attendance that the bond issue is a very important decision that has taken a great deal of thought and consideration.

Ms. Fennigan asked each Councilman if they had already made their decisions as to whether they would vote in favor of or opposition to the bond issue.

Councilman Gillespie stated that he is open minded and would welcome the opportunity to hear what his constituents and other citizens and Prattville
business owners had to say regarding this issue. He indicated that this could have some bearing on the outcome of his vote.

Councilman Wood posed a question to Ms. Fennigan. He asked Ms. Fennigan why she was opposed to the bond issue and she responded by saying that it is her belief that incentives should be used for infrastructure and should not be used in such a way as to hand over money to builders to entice them to come.

Councilman Wood stated that there had been many steps in the bond issue process and that he had supported each step whole heartedly. He further stated that during his 18 years of service on the Prattville City Council, this is the largest bond issue that has come before him. He also said that city and community leaders have spent countless hours on this issue out of concern for what is best for the citizens of Prattville. Councilman Wood stated that he had not received any telephone calls in opposition to the bond issue.

Councilman Miller stated that he was 99.99% sure that he will fully support the bond issue because he feels strongly that this is an investment that will shape our community for the next several decades. There are many other cities who have been making offers to these same companies and Councilman Miller reiterated the fact that this is a window of opportunity the City of Prattville can not afford to miss. He assured Ms. Fennigan and others in attendance at the evening’s meeting that this is not a move that has been taken lightly by anyone who serves on the City Council. Councilman Miller also added that he has not received any calls from his constituents in opposition to the bond issue.

Councilman Renegar stated that his views and opinions were recently printed in an article that ran in the Prattville Progress and that he still stands by them.

Councilman Macready said that he had received 15-20 telephone calls from constituents who were in favor of the bond issue. He further stated that citizens are excited about the opportunity to shop at home, which keeps our tax dollars in Prattville and helps to pave our streets and provides additional traffic signals.

Councilman Fank echoed other councilmember’s comments that this is an important issue that has not been taken lightly. He stated that he feels that this is a sound investment for the future of Prattville and he is in support of the incentive package. He made reference to the private-public development and reminded Ms. Fennigan that the very same thing is currently going on at Highways 14 and 82. Councilman Fank said that he had received 5-6 telephone calls and only one of them had been in opposition to the bond issue.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Mayor Byard thanked Ms. Fennigan and Ms. Pat Cummins for appearing at the council meeting in support of their cause.

Mayor Byard stated that Amendment 3 was signed into law in November 2004. He also reminded those in attendance at the evening’s meeting that incentives are also offered any time jobs locate at the south and west industrial parks. The Mayor recalled a time approximately 20-25 years ago when the City Council voted to run water and sewer lines out to Interstate I-65 at a time when only one hotel was located there. He spoke of the opposition from citizens who could not imagine the business growth that would occur. He thanked councilmembers for their vision of what they deem fit for the future of the citizens of Prattville. He encouraged citizens and business owners to contact him with questions or concerns regarding the bond issue.

The Mayor reminded everyone of the Christmas tree lighting on Sunday, November 20, 2005 at 5:00. He also reminded members of the Council to contact DiDi Henry if they plan to participate in the Christmas parade, which is scheduled for Saturday, December 3, 2005 at 5:00 p.m.

The Mayor encouraged everyone to attend the Prattville High School Football game on Friday night at 7:00 p.m.

Regarding a Resolution that will be introduced from the floor that will declare the Friday after Thanksgiving a holiday for city employees, Mayor Byard said that Sanitation employees will be off on Wednesday and Thursday instead of Thursday and Friday. Garbage trucks will pick up garbage on all city routes on Friday, November 25th.

AGENDA ITEMS

1. RESOLUTION: TO AWARD BID NO. 05-029 FOR STYLE 6000 URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE BOOTS. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2005, PAGE 012).

Councilman Miller made the motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Fank seconded the motion.

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 council rules on this item.

Councilman Macready made the motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:

2. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE ADVANCE TRAVEL FUNDS FOR NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES CONFERENCE IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2005-A, PAGE 013).

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

3. RESOLUTION: TO DECLARE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2005-A CITY HOLIDAY (RESOLUTION BOOK 2005-A, PAGE 014).

Councilman Macready introduced the Resolution from the floor and made a motion to adopt it. Councilman Fank seconded the motion. Because the Resolution did not appear on the agenda, it is necessary to suspend the council rules. Councilman Macready made the motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Miller seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted (7-0).

CLOSING COMMENTS:

Mayor Byard congratulated Councilman Gillespie on his children’s recent accomplishments. His son, Bobby, plays on the 4th ranked Huntingdon Golf Team and daughter Kendall, recently received the Central Alabama Hunter Jump Championship title.

Mayor Byard wished Councilman Macready a belated happy birthday.

Councilman Argo recognized District Attorney Randall Houston who was in attendance at the evening’s meeting.

Councilman Argo encouraged everyone to attend the council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. to discuss the bond issue. He also reminded everyone of the change of the first council meeting in December from December 6th to December 5th due to the National League of Cities Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina.

ADJOURN:

Councilman Macready made a motion to adjourn and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. The meeting closed at 8:00 p.m.

APPROVED:

_____________________
Gina P. Smith
City Clerk

_____________________
Dean R. Argo, President
Prattville City Council