| 2006-03-21 City Council Meeting |  |  |  |
 PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, March 21st at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall with Council President Argo presiding. Roll was called and Councilman Wood was recorded as being absent. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Council President Argo gave the invocation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 7th Public Hearing and City Council Minutes. Councilman Macready made the motion to approve the minutes and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. The minutes were approved (6 -0). COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace Street, Prattville, AL 36067, appeared before the Council to express her concern for the short notice that citizens were given regarding the additional $30,000,000.00 that is being offered as an incentive to bring the Bass Pro Shop to Prattville. She further expressed her concern for what appears to be an agreement for economic development with Bass Pro. Council President Argo assured Ms. Finnegan that while it may appear to be a rushed deal to her and possibly others, the Bass Pro Shop Project has been drawn out over a two year period of time. Councilman Argo explained that members of the Council are bound by the confidentiality agreements that they sign and until a company makes an announcement, deals such as this are kept private. He also stated that in addition to Bass Pro’s announcement in May of 2005, there have been months of Finance Committee meetings and numerous meetings with attorneys where many issues have been given careful thought and consideration. In reference to Ms. Finnegan’s question regarding the City’s agreement with Bass Pro for economic development, Councilman Argo stated that the City had entered into an agreement with the Chamber of Commerce for economic development and not with Bass Pro. Jean Davis, 140 Northington Street, Prattville, AL 36067, appeared before the Council to say that she had worked in economic development for the last nine years and during that time she believes that incentives have gotten out of hand. However, she continued by stating that she has been to three Bass Pro Shops in other states and she is convinced that this will prove to be a good, clean investment for our city. Carl Myers, 139 Till Street, Prattville, AL 36067, appeared before the Council to inquire as to when he may expect the area of Highway 14 from Jasmine Trail to Highway 31 to be repaved. Councilman Argo reminded Mr. Myers that Highway 14 is a state roadway and that the city has no jurisdiction over the repaving of state roads. He further stated that he would be in touch with City Engineer Robby Anderson to make contact with Alabama Department of Transportation Division Engineer Randy Estes to check on the status of the issue. Mitch Devers, 814 Selma Highway, Prattville, AL 36067, Chairman of the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce, came before the Council to say that it is his opinion that the Bass Pro Shop Project sets the stage for other economic development projects for our city. He further stated that Prattville and its citizens will reap the benefits for years to come. Shawn Curry, 142 Shady Oak Lane, Prattville, AL 36066, appeared before the Council to report that tourism has increased from 1.8 billion dollars in 1992 to almost 7 billion dollars today. Mr. Curry is the Golf Pro at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Prattville and mentioned the tremendous growth that he has seen in Prattville since he moved here. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Byard reported that Councilman Wood is absent from the evening’s meeting due to his mother’s illness and hospitalization. He further stated that if Councilman Wood were in attendance at the meeting he would report on a very successful North Highland Park Fun Day, which was held on Saturday, March 18th. The Mayor stated that he will be joining hundreds of Mayors from across the United States to deliver meals to home-bound senior citizens on Wednesday as part of the Meals on Wheels Mayors for Meals Campaign. He reminded everyone of the Fountain City Arts Festival, which is scheduled for Saturday, April 8th from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., at Spinner’s Park. Charlie “Tin Man” Lucas will have several pieces of his art on display at the park and will be the feature artist. Regarding the evening’s agenda, Mayor Byard asked for council support on item numbers 2 and 4. In reference to the Bass Pro Shop/Economic Development issue, Mayor Byard expressed his appreciation to Ms. Finnegan for sharing her genuine concerns. He assured her that all legal steps have been followed precisely to insure that the interest of the citizens of Prattville had been taken into consideration. He further reminded her that the $30,000,000.00 is not on the City’s books. That money is on the Bass Pro Shop and its creditor’s books. COUNCIL REPORTS: Councilman Renegar informed those in attendance at the evening’s meeting that Miss Bryttnee Pickett was named the Boys and Girls Club Member Youth of the Year. He thanked Lone Star Plastics for their $5,000.00 contribution toward the construction of the Boys and Girls Club gymnasium and he also encouraged others to make contributions as well. Councilman Macready stated that the Public Safety Committee met. Councilman Argo reported that the Finance Committee met several times over the last two years regarding the Bass Pro Shop. He stated that the committee had deliberated long and hard, followed the law and protected the money of the citizens of Prattville. He further stated that as long as he holds his position on the Council and an entity expresses an interest in coming to Prattville, he will do everything in his power to bring it here as long as it proves to be beneficial to the community and if it is something the City can afford. Councilman Argo mentioned that he has been approached by several people at church and in stores who have had a positive response to the possibility of new retail coming to our area and who seem to be pleased at the prospect of not having to go to Montgomery to shop. AGENDA 1. RESOLUTION: TO GRANT A RETAIL BEER LICENSE, OFF PREMISE ONLY TO NANDAIAH DHANEKULA, SAI LEELA, LLC D/B/A QV GASOLINE 65. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2006, PAGE 027). Councilman Macready made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Gillespie seconded the motion. During discussion, Councilman Macready stated that the Public Safety Committee met and it recommended approval of the beer license application. The Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
2. ORDINANCE: TO AMEND SECTION 9 OF ORDINANCE BOOK 95, PAGE 19 REGARDING THE IMPOSITION OF CERTAIN SALES AND USE TAXES. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2006, PAGE 008). Councilman Fank made the motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilman Macready seconded the motion. Because Ordinances are generally held for 2 weeks it is necessary for the rules to be suspended. Councilman Miller made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Macready seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (6-0). There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following vote:
3. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE AND APPROVE A FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE DISTRICT AND THE EXPENDITURES THEREUNDER TO FACILITATE THE DISTRICT’S BOND ISSUE TO FINANCE THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF A RETAIL SHOPPING FACILITY IN THE CITY OF PRATTVILLE BENEFITING BASS PRO PRATTVILLE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, LLC A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF BASS PRO OUTDOOR WORLD, LLC. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2006, PAGE 028). 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 results:
4. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENDITURES RELATED TO BOND ISSUANCE COST FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2006, PAGE 029). Councilman Renegar 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:
5. ORDINANCE: TO DECLARE CITY OF PRATTVILLE EQUIPMENT SURPLUS. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2006, PAGE 009). Councilman Gillespie made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. Because Ordinances are generally held for two weeks, it is necessary for the rules to be suspended. Councilman Fank made the motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Gillespie seconded the motion. All were in favor of suspending the rules (6-0). There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following vote:
At this time City Attorney David McDowell recommended that an amendment be made to the dates on agenda item number 2, and in addition to that amendment, he stated that it would be in the City’s best interest to revisit agenda item number 3 so that it could be ratified and affirmed since it pertains to item number 2. Councilman Fank made a motion to reconsider Ordinance number 2, “To Amend Section 9 of Ordinance Book 95, Page 19 Regarding the Imposition of Certain Sales and Use Taxes”, and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion to reconsider. Councilman Renegar made a motion to substitute the Ordinance, which included the correct dates on lines 16 and 17, that read “ commencing on the 1st day of July, 1995 and ending on the 30th day of June, 2030.” Councilman Fank seconded the motion to substitute. All were in favor of the substitution and the substituted Ordinance was adopted (6-0). Councilman Miller made a motion to ratify and affirm Resolution number 4, “To Authorize and Approve a Funding Agreement with the District and the Expenditures Thereunder to Facilitate the District’s Bond Issue to Finance the Acquisition, Construction and Installation of a Retail Shopping Facility in the City of Prattville Benefiting Bass Pro Prattville Development Company, LLC a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Bass Pro Outdoor World, LLC”, and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. All were in favor to affirm the Resolution (6-0). CLOSING COMMENTS: Councilman Macready commented on the positive reaction that he has received from the public regarding the economic development in East Prattville. ADJOURN: Councilman Macready made a motion to adjourn and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. The meeting closed at 8:05 p.m. APPROVED:
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