| 2007-01-02 City Council Meeting |  |  |  |
 PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, January 2nd at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall with Council President Argo presiding. Roll was called and all were recorded as being present. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, President Argo gave the invocation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 18th Work Session and December 19th City Council Minutes. Councilman Renegar made the motion to approve the minutes and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. The minutes were approved (7-0). COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: Mr. John McCollum, 1940 Calumet Parkway, Prattville, AL 36066, appeared before the Council in opposition to the request for the rezoning of the property located off of Old Ridge Road. Mr. Bryan Easley, 1234 Ridge Trail, Prattville, AL 36066, Administrator for East Memorial Baptist Church, appeared before the Council in favor of the rezoning request for the property located off of Old Ridge Road. Mr. Easley stated that it was necessary to sell 60 acres of land in order for the Church to complete its $10,000,000.00 project on Old Ridge Road. Mr. Easley further stated that while developing the property, church staff has spent $250,000.00 having sewage pipes run from just behind the Avant property to the East Memorial building site. He also stated that they worked with the Autauga County Emergency Management Agency to have a weather siren placed on Old Ridge Road. He stated that they’ve worked with the City Planning Director and the City Engineer regarding a turn lane for the proposed subdivision. Mr. Easley also spoke of their careful consideration in choosing the right developer for the project. Ms. Lori East, 104 Ashton Oak Court, Prattville, AL 36066, appeared before the Council in opposition to the proposed rezoning of the property located off of Old Ridge Road. She expressed her concerns regarding the over-crowded bus issues and the additional problems that will be caused if more children are included on the current bus route. The following people appeared before the Council in opposition to the proposed rezoning of property located off of Old Ridge Road: Mr. Dustin Woodley, 1933 Calumet Parkway, Prattville, AL 36066, Prattville, AL 36066. Mr. Mark Oswalt, 1986 Calumet Parkway, Prattville, AL 36066. Mr. Larry Prestwood, 107 Ashton Oak Court, Prattville, AL 36066. Mr. Anthony Metz, 207 McKeithen Place, Millbrook, AL 36054. Council President Argo thanked everyone who attended the public hearing and council meeting and those who had contacted him in a courteous manner by telephone and email regarding the rezoning issue in District 3. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Byard expressed his sympathy to the family of Mr. Tom Kennedy who passed away on December 26th. Mr. Kennedy was a former City Councilman and was married to former City Clerk Rubye Kennedy. The Mayor reminded those in attendance that tickets are on sale now for lunch at Outback Steakhouse on January 17th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 each and all proceeds go to Autauga County United Way. Mayor Byard also reminded those in attendance at the evening’s meeting that City Hall will be closed for business on Monday, January 15th for Martin Luther King’s birthday. There will be no garbage pick-up on Monday but the entire city will be picked up on Tuesday. Councilman Renegar congratulated the Sanitation Department on having 100% of the city picked up by the close of business today. He expressed his appreciation to Sanitation Director Edward Clinton and his employees for a job well done while dealing with two major holidays. COUNCIL REPORTS: Councilman Macready stated that the Public Safety Committee met and approved both agenda items regarding alcohol licenses. Council President Argo stated that the Finance Committee met at 7:00 a.m. on December 14th to discuss several issues that were later discussed at the Council work session, which was held on Monday, December the 18th. Council President Argo moved item number 6 on the agenda to item number 1. AGENDA 1. RESOLUTION: RECOGNITION AND SUPPORTING THE PRATTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL LIONS AND COACH BILL CLARK AND HIS STAFF IN WINNING THE STATE 6A HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP DECEMBER 9, 2006. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2007, PAGE 001). Councilman Renegar made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Macready seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
2. ORDINANCE: REQUEST TO REZONE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2251 COBBS FORD ROAD FROM FAR TO R-4. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2007-PAGE 001). The Ordinance was introduced at the December 5, 2006 council meeting and a public hearing was held at 6:00 p.m. this evening. No one appeared in opposition to the rezoning request. During discussion, Councilman Miller questioned Mr. Tommy Gilmore, the Developer of the property as to the proximity of the closest occupied home. Mr. Gilmore stated that the property owners live in the home closest to the property which is proposed to be rezoned. There being no further discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following vote:
3. ORDINANCE: REQUEST TO REZONE PROPERTY LOCATED OFF OF OLD RIDGE ROAD FROM FAR TO R-2 AND R-4. The Ordinance was previously introduced at the November 21st council meeting and a public hearing was held at 6:00 p.m. this evening. During discussion, Councilman Miller stated that East Memorial Baptist Church had been a vital, community-oriented church and its growth obviously demonstrated good leadership. He also said that he held Joe Turner in very high regard and he believed his word could be counted on regarding what type of apartments would be built. He further commended Mr. Easley for speaking to the Council on behalf of the church. Councilman Miller expressed his concern regarding how close the proposed apartments would be to existing homes. City Planning Director Joel Duke stated that the property had been recently annexed. Councilman Renegar asked if the Planning Commission unanimously approved the rezoning. Mr. Duke stated that the Planning Commission approved the rezoning request but that the vote was not unanimous. Councilman Miller questioned if the Planning Commission would be supportive of placing the apartments on the back side of the 20 acres. Mr. Duke stated that it is not preferable to place apartments deep into a subdivision because of traffic. Councilman Gillespie questioned Mr. Duke about the plans to improve Old Ridge Road. Mr. Duke stated that improvements will be required as development progresses. Councilman Gillespie also stated that he would like to make it mandatory that green space be a part of all development. Council President Argo stated that it is important for developers to realize that they are to take some responsibilities in necessary road improvements during construction. He further questioned Mr. Duke if it would be possible for a bike or walking trail to be built along the road as an additional subdivision is built. Mr. Duke stated that a bike or walking trail could be built at some point but not for the way we are currently set up. Council President Argo encouraged Mr. Duke and the Planning Commission to research the need for retirement homes such as those in gated communities. Councilman Macready called for a division of the house. Councilman Gillespie stated that he ran his political campaign with progressive thinking in mind. He further stated that he would vote for what we need and not always what the masses want. There being no further discussion, the Ordinance failed with the following vote:
4. ORDINANCE: TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF $1,595,000.00 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION WARRANTS, SERIES 2006. Councilman Macready made the motion to hold the Ordinance and Councilman Gillespie seconded the motion. During discussion, Councilman Miller stated that he supports the motion to hold based on his belief that cost-sharing partnerships are essential and that the Board of Education’s recent purchase of the Hadnot property had concerned several Councilmen. Councilman Renegar stated that the motion to hold should be reconsidered. At this time, Councilman Renegar made a motion to table the Ordinance. Councilman Miller seconded the motion. Council President Argo passed the gavel to Council President Pro Tempore Miller and asked to be recognized. Councilman Argo stated that he brought this item back before the Council with the understanding that he had the support of several members of the Council. He expressed his frustration over the motion to table the Ordinance rather than voting to approve it tonight. Councilman Renegar stated that he had intentions of supporting the Ordinance but in light of the recent property purchase made by the Autauga County Board of Education, he has rethought his decision to support it. He further stated that he will call a Leisure Services Committee meeting to discuss the implementation of fees for the use of city facilities. Councilman Wood stated that he supports Stanley-Jensen Stadium and the Prattville Lions. He also recommended a work session be held to discuss this issue further. Councilman Miller stressed that he believed that approval of the engineering study would be premature and perhaps send the wrong message based on the fact that there was a strong belief that there should be cost-sharing and partnerships in funding additional stadium improvements. He stated that these areas should be explored prior to proceeding with the engineering study and could help shape the engineering study. There being no further discussion, the Ordinance was tabled (6-1) with Council President Argo opposed. 5. RESOLUTION: TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING TO GRANT A RESTAURANT RETAIL LIQUOR LICENSE TO J&N PRATTVILLE, LLC (JIM & NICK’S). RESOLUTION BOOK 2007, PAGE 002). Councilman Macready made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Gillespie seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
6. RESOLUTION: TO GRANT A RETAIL BEER AND WINE LICENSE, OFF PREMISE ONLY, TO SHAILENDER SHARMA AND SISHU SHARMA, D/B/A RACEWAY 6708. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2007, PAGE 003). Councilman Gillespie made a 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: Mayor Byard encouraged members of the Council or members of the Finance Committee to meet with the Planning Commission to discuss possible changes to the City’s rezoning ordinance. He further instructed City Planner Joel Duke to check with other cities to determine if we are behind the times in how we handle zoning for apartments. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Macready made a motion to adjourn and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. The meeting closed at 8:20 p.m. APPROVED:
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