| 2009-05-05 City Council Meeting |  |  |  |
 PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, May 5th at 6:05 p.m. immediately following the public hearing in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Council President Argo. Roll was called and Councilman Fank was recorded as being absent. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Council President Argo gave the invocation. THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS HONOR: Respecting others because of the higher authorities they represent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council meeting April 21, 2009. Councilman Renegar made a motion to approve the minutes and Councilman Boles seconded the motion. The minutes were approved (6-0). COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: Council President Argo recognized Elmore County Commissioner David Bowen who was present for the evening’s meeting. He also stated that Councilman Fank was out of town with his family attending the Prattville High School Girls Soccer State Tournament. Representatives of the Tree Commission and Hyundai presented a check in the amount of $1,069.80 to Mayor Byard and his wife Beverly in recognition of Project Re-Leaf. Mrs. Byard stated that volunteers from as far away as Decatur, Eufaula and Gulf Shores helped plant more than 400 trees during the February event. Mayor Byard recognized Miss Fountain City LeNa Powe with a Proclamation. John Paul O’Driscoll, (no address for the record), appeared before the Council on behalf of the Autauga County Chapter of PALS (People Against a Littered State). He informed those in attendance of a recycling event which is scheduled for Saturday, May 16th from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Piggly Wiggly parking lot. He reminded everyone that unwanted electronics may be dropped off during the appointed times. He further thanked Councilman Renegar and the Sunshine Rotary Club as well as the Lion’s Club for their participation in the Spring Clean Up. Commissioner David Bowen, Elmore County Commissioner District 3, appeared before the Council to introduce himself and to offer his services by helping with any projects. Gene Brown, Lee Circle, Prattville, AL 36067, appeared before the Council to thank the Honor Flight organizers. He expressed what an honor and a privilege it was to go to Washington D.C. with the Veterans who were able to visit the memorials for the first time. Don Drashef, 136 Quail Run, Prattville, AL 36067, commended the City Council for purchasing the new garbage trucks. He further encouraged the purchase of a new street sweeper when funds are available. Mr. Drashef suggested a schedule for the street sweeper, which would allow citizens to be prepared for their street to be swept. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Byard wished Council President Argo a Happy Birthday. He also congratulated Councilman Wood for receiving a Distinguished Service Award for his 20 years of service with the City. The Mayor congratulated Councilman Renegar on his appointment to the Alabama League of Municipalities Executive Committee. He also congratulated Council President Argo on his re-appointment as Vice Chair of the Energy Environmental and Natural Resources Committee. Mayor Byard reported that another Honor Flight returned from Washington, D.C. last Saturday evening and it appears that there are enough Veterans in our area to make one more Honor Flight trip. The Mayor reported that Autauga County raised approximately $100,000.00 for Relay for Life and the City of Prattville won 1st place for the team that raised the most money, more than $17,000.00. He thanked Becky Bellinger and Paula Griffith for their leadership during the campaign. Mayor Byard reminded everyone of the Annual Prayer Breakfast on Thursday at 6:45 at Doster Community Center. Regarding agenda item number 6, Mayor Byard stated that RFP’s had been sent out and the item has been approved by the Finance Committee. COUNCIL REPORTS: Councilman Wood thanked God, his constituents of District 2, and the citizens of Prattville for the opportunity to serve for the last 20 years. Councilman Renegar congratulated Councilman Wood on his accomplishment. Council President Argo stated that he will provide each councilmember with a synopsis of the Finance Committee meeting. Councilman Wood recognized Selma City Councilman Cory Buoy. Mayor Byard left the Council Chambers to attend the Youth Leadership Graduation Ceremonies. CONSENT AGENDA 1. RESOLUTION: TO RE-APPOINT DAVID WILLIAM LEWIS TO THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2009, PAGE 044). 2. RESOLUTION: RE-APPOINT WILLIAM GILLESPIE, JR. TO THE E-911 BOARD. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2009, PAGE 045). 3. RESOLUTION: TO RE-APPOINT JERRY SCHANNEP TO THE BOARD OF ZONING AND ADJUSTMENT. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2009, PAGE 046). 4. RESOLUTION: TO APPOINT MICHAEL WHALEY AS SUPERNUMERARY MEMBER TO THE BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2009, PAGE 047). 5. RESOLUTION: TO RE-APPOINT TRACY ALEXANDER TO THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2009, PAGE 048). 6. RESOLUTION: TO RE-APPOINT JOSEPH WEBSTER SMITH TO THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2009, PAGE 049). 7. RESOLUTION: TO RE-APPOINT MIKE MCGOUGH TO THE E-911 BOARD. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2009, PAGE 050). 8. RESOLUTION: TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING TO DECLARE VARIOUS WEEDED LOTS TO BE A PUBLIC NUISANCE AND ORDERING THEIR ABATEMENT PER TITLE 11, CHAPTER 67 OF THE CODE OF ALABAMA, 1975, AS AMENDED. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2009, PAGE 051). Councilman Renegar made a motion to move the items to a consent agenda and Councilman Wood seconded the motion. During discussion, Councilman Gillespie stated that he will abstain from the vote to move the items to a consent agenda due to his nomination to the E-911 Board. The items were moved to a consent agenda (5-0-1) with Councilman Gillespie abstaining. The consent agenda was adopted with the following vote:
AGENDA 1. RESOLUTION: TO DECLARE VARIOUS WEEDED LOTS TO BE A PUBLIC NUISANCE AND ORDERING THEIR ABATEMENT PER TITLE 11, CHAPTER 67 OF THE CODE OF ALABAMA, 1975, AS AMENDED. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2009, PAGE 052). The Resolution was held from the April 7th council meeting and a Public Hearing was held at 6:00 p.m. this evening. During discussion, Councilman Miller stated that he has met with City Attorney David McDowell, City Planner Joel Duke and Code Enforcement Officer Carl Wilson to discuss the procedure and potential amendments to have a more aggressive policy to deal with repeat offenders. The Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
2. ORDINANCE: TO SURPLUS DISHWASHER AND STOVE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LEISURE SERVICES. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2009, PAGE 005). The Ordinance was held from the April 21st council meeting. During discussion, Councilman Gillespie questioned if this item should be considered under the “day to day operations of the City.” Council President Argo explained that it is the responsibility of the Council to surplus property or make purchases. Councilman Gillespie asked for an explanation of the difference between the Mayor having the authority to give pay raises and not being able to rid the City of old appliances. Council President Argo explained that the Council passed a Resolution stating that the Council approves all pay raises. He further explained that the Council had received a written opinion from the City Attorney and from the Alabama League of Municipalities, which stated that the differential pay he is referring to was legal. Councilman Gillespie stated that in his opinion, the appliances should be recycled and therefore he would not support this Ordinance. Councilman Miller questioned Department of Leisure Services Director Drew Peterson if the appliances were going to the landfill and he confirmed that they are. Councilman Renegar called for the question and the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
3. ORDINANCE: TO SURPLUS THREE (3) HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2009, PAGE 006). The Ordinance was held from the April 21st council meeting. There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following results:
4. ORDINANCE: TO SURPLUS VARIOUS SOUND SYSTEM EQUIPMENT. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2009, PAGE 007). Councilman Boles made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. Because Ordinances are generally held for 2 weeks, it is necessary for the rules to be suspended. Councilman Wood made the motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (6-0). The vote was called and the Ordinance was adopted with the following vote:
5. RESOLUTION: TO AWARD BID NO. 09-007 TO SUNSOUTH LAWN AND LEISURE FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO (2) JOHN DEERE 997 ZERO TURN RADIUS MOWERS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LEISURE SERVICES. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2009, PAGE 053). Councilman Gillespie made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Boles seconded the motion. During discussion, Councilman Gillespie questioned Finance Director Rod Morgan if this would be a lease-purchase. Mr. Morgan stated that it would not be a lease-purchase. Councilman Gillespie stated that he would not support this Resolution. He further stated that the bid specifications were written for a John Deere and we should buy Prattville. Council President Argo suggested that he discuss bids and bid specs in a Leisure Services Committee meeting. Councilman Boles urged members of the Council to vote this Resolution down, re-write the specs and re-bid to give local businesses a chance to win the bid. Councilman Wood asked Leisure Services Director Drew Peterson to explain what happened on this bid. Mr. Peterson stated that the specs as written would allow Toro and John Deere to bid, but the Toro mowers had service problems with the PTO drive, and were more expensive. The vote was called and the Resolution was adopted with the following results:
6. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE AND APPROVE FINANCING THROUGH A MASTER LEASE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF PRATTVILLE AND SUNTRUST EQUIPMENT FINANCE AND LEASING CORP. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2009, PAGE 054). Councilman Miller made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. During discussion, Councilman Gillespie stated that this is an item that he would have to agree to disagree on. He further stated that while he respects Finance Director Rod Morgan, it is his belief that this is not beneficial to the City. He further recommended that this process be monitored very closely. The Resolution was adopted with the following vote:
7. ORDINANCE: TO SURPLUS THREE (3) VEHICLES AND ONE (1) TRAVEL TRAILER FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2009, PAGE 008). Councilman Wood made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. Because Ordinances are generally held for 2 weeks, it is necessary for the council rules to be suspended. Councilman Renegar made a motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Boles seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (6-0). There being no discussion, the Ordinance was adopted with the following vote:
CLOSING: Councilman Wood thanked those who are serving on the planning committee regarding Wilson Pickett. He also stated that he will soon call another meeting to be held in the Mayor’s conference room. Councilman Renegar reminded members of the Council of the information they have seen on the Fire Department drill tower and encouraged anyone who may have questions to contact Chief Gann. Councilman Boles thanked employees of the Fire Department for the display of professionalism during a recent call to his home. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Renegar made a motion to adjourn and Councilman Boles seconded the motion. The meeting closed at 7:05 p.m.
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