| 2008-10-21 City Council Meeting |  |  |  |
 PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, October 21st at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Council President Argo. 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. THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS OBEDIENCE: Quickly and cheerfully carrying out the direction of those who are responsible for me. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 6th Public Hearing and City Council Minutes, October 14th Special Session and Work Session. Councilman Renegar made a motion to approve the minutes and Councilman Macready seconded the motion. The minutes were approved (7-0). COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: Dennis Mullins, 111 Danya Drive, Prattville, AL 36067, appeared before the Council to ask about the incentives being offered for “Project K.” Council President Argo responded by stating that the incentive package is $9,000,000.00 plus some interest. Gene Hall, 206 Stewart Street, Prattville, AL 36067, appeared before the Council to thank the Mayor, Council and Department Heads for helping make the Autauga County Fair a success. He also presented the Council with certificates of appreciation. Chris Zenn, 518 Jasmine Trail, Prattville, AL 36066, appeared before the Council regarding Resolution number 1 on the evening’s agenda. Mr. Zenn stated that his business has requested a change in alcohol license at the request of Lt. Dennis Hill with the Alabama Beverage Control Board. Frank Dozier, 160 Tenth Street, Prattville, AL 36067, appeared before the Council with a request for drainage repairs which need to be made on Tenth Street. Mr. Dozier stated that the area was in dire need of curbing to help with excessive drainage issues. Councilman Wood assured Mr. Dozier that he would put something in writing to city personnel for the problem area to be evaluated for repairs. Dwayne Bert, 1691 Windstone Way, Prattville, AL 36066, appeared before the Council to inquire about the sales tax imposed throughout the city. Mr. Bert was under the assumption that the sales tax varied. Council President Argo informed Mr. Bert that the sales tax is 8½% everywhere except for Bass Pro Shops where the total sales tax is 10%. Councilman Gillespie added that Bass Pro has an additional 1½% assessment fee. MAYOR’S REPORT: Regarding the agenda, the Mayor urged support for Resolution number 2, which is a Resolution to Support Project K. He stated that he has always been a proponent of the Autauga County public school system. He also reminded everyone in attendance that he is the Mayor of all citizens of Prattville, including the citizens who live in Elmore County. The Mayor urged support for Resolution numbers 6, 8, 9 and 10. Mayor Byard thanked Councilman Macready for his 9 plus years on the City Council and credited him for redeeming the administration’s social condition. As a show of appreciation, the Mayor read the poem “Success” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Councilman Gillespie stated that he is ready for a sidewalk committee meeting to be held. Councilman Fank thanked members of the Economic Development Team who worked on “Project K.” He further stated that he will vote in favor of the Resolution. COUNCIL REPORTS: Councilman Renegar thanked Councilman Macready for his friendship and for his years of service to the citizens of Prattville. AGENDA 1. RESOLUTION: TO GRANT A LOUNGE RETAIL LIQUOR, CLASS I LICENSE FOR BAMA LANES, PRATTVILLE, LLC D/B/A BLUE IGUANA. Councilman Gillespie made a motion to hold the Resolution until the November 4th council meeting to allow an opportunity for councilmembers to speak with Lt. Dennis Hill of the Alabama Beverage Control Board about their recommendation for the change in alcohol license for the Blue Iguana. Councilman Fank seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was held (4-3) with the following roll call vote:
2. RESOLUTION: TO SUPPORT PROJECT K. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2008-A, PAGE 038). The Resolution was held from the October 6th council meeting and a public hearing was held at 5:00 p.m. this evening. During discussion, Councilman Gillespie stated that he had received more negative responses than positive responses regarding this project and therefore, he would not vote in favor of it. Councilman Wood stated that the work session, which was held on October 14th allowed an opportunity for the pros and cons to be aired. He further stated that in reality it isn’t possible for all of the stores in the newly developed shopping center to fill up over night. However, due to the amount of money the city has already invested in East Prattville, Councilman Wood offered an amendment on line 25 to include the verbiage “that an incentive package not to exceed $4,500,000.00 plus interest be offered.” Councilman Miller seconded the motion to amend. Councilman Renegar stated that while he has the utmost respect for Councilman Wood and his financial opinions, due diligence has been performed on this property and the proposed amended amount will not be acceptable. Councilman Miller stated that he has struggled with his decision over this project due to the current frightening economic condition. He further added that his constituents have given their input both for and against the project. He also stated that he will support Councilman Wood’s proposed amendment. Councilman Macready stated that Prattville will lose “Project K” if the Resolution is amended. He also stated that in his opinion, this is an opportunity that should not be passed up. The motion to amend failed (2-5) with Councilman Renegar calling for a division of the house and the results were as follows:
Councilman Wood stated that he brought the amendment forward to show that he was in favor of the project, but only offered a lesser amount in an effort to bring the businesses to Prattville at a cost savings to the citizens of Prattville. Councilman Macready called for the question and the Resolution was adopted with the following roll call vote:
3. RESOLUTION: TO CHANGE THE TIME OF THE FIRST CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF EACH MONTH. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2008-A, PAGE 039). Councilman Fank made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. There being no discussion the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
4. RESOLUTION: TO NAME VOTING DELEGATE AND ALTERNATES FOR THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA (RESOLUTION BOOK 2008-A, PAGE 040). Councilman Renegar made a motion to adopt the Resolution with Mayor Byard elected as voting delegate, Council President Pro-Tempore Tom Miller as first alternate, and Councilman Nathan Fank as second alternate. Councilman Gillespie seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
5. RESOLUTION: TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING TO GRANT A RETAIL BEER LICENSE, ON PREMISE ONLY, TO FRANCISCO LOPEZ, D/B/A TAQUERIA LA HACIENDA. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2008-A, PAGE 041). 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 AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH ALABAMA DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR AUTAUGA CREEK WALK DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PHASE III PROJECT. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2008-A, PAGE 042). Councilman Gillespie 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:
7. RESOLUTION: TO RELEASE CAPITAL FUNDS TO PURCHASE HOLMATRO RESCUE EQUIPMENT. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2008-A, PAGE 043). Councilman Wood 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:
8. RESOLUTION: TO APPOINT DEPARTMENT HEADS. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2008-A, PAGE 044). Councilman Miller made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
9. RESOLUTION: TO RE-APPOINT A MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE AND THE CITY ATTORNEY. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2008-A, PAGE 045). Councilman Renegar 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:
10. RESOLUTION: TO RE-APPOINT JOY PACE BOOTH AS CITY PROSECUTOR. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2008-A, PAGE 046). Councilman Fank 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:
11. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE ADVANCE TRAVEL FUNDS FOR NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES CONFERENCE IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2008-A, PAGE 047). Councilman Wood made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. Because the Resolution didn’t appear on the agenda, it is necessary for the council rules to be suspended. Councilman Miller made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Macready seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
12. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH JUDICIAL CORRECTION SERVICES, INC. FOR PROBATION SERVICES WITHIN MUNICIPAL COURT. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2008-A, PAGE 048). Councilman Renegar made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Macready seconded the motion. Because the Resolution did not appear on the evening’s agenda, it is necessary for the council rules to be suspended. Councilman Renegar made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. During discussion, Councilman Renegar urged the Council to approve the Resolution and further stated that this contract should be in place prior to the up-coming court date. The rules were suspended (7-0) and the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
CLOSING COMMENTS: Mayor Byard expressed his appreciation to Teresa Lee for accompanying the World War II veterans on their recent trip to Washington. Ms. Lee took hundreds of photos and down loaded them onto a disk. She then provided each veteran and guardian with a CD keepsake of Honor Flight. Councilman Gillespie thanked Councilman Macready for his service to our city and expressed his enjoyment in serving with him. Councilman Wood commented that it had been a pleasure serving with Councilman Macready. He also said that he would pray that the Lord would continue to keep him in good health. Councilman Miller thanked Webmaster Teresa Lee for her incredible work and her “can-do attitude.” He further stated that he would call a Fire Committee meeting to discuss a cell tower lease. Councilman Miller recalled meeting Councilman Macready at church approximately 11 years ago. He thanked him for being a mentor to him and expressed his appreciation for his humor and for his friendship. Councilman Fank echoed Councilman Miller’s comments regarding Councilman Macready. He also stated that it has been an honor and a privilege to serve with him. Council President Argo stated that when Councilman Macready began his service on the Council in 1999, it was the beginning of a change for the better. He credited his perspective and his humor in helping the city through some difficult times. He further added that Councilman Macready is a great friend who will be missed. Councilman Macready stated that he had enjoyed 9 wonderful years on the council. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Macready made a motion to adjourn and the motion was seconded. The meeting closed at 7:25 p.m.
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