PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2009
6:00 P.M.

The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 6:09 p.m. immediately following the public hearing, in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Roll was called and Council President Argo and Councilman Renegar were recorded as being absent. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Councilman Wood gave the invocation.

THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS HONOR: Respecting others because of the higher authorities they represent.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Public Hearing and City Council meeting

May 5, 2009. Councilman Fank made the motion to approve the minutes and Councilman Boles seconded the motion. The minutes were approved (5-0).

COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:

Jimmy Murphy, 1272 Adell Street, Prattville, AL asked the status of the property at 1274 Adell Street. Council President Pro Tempore Miller asked City Planner, Joel Duke, to address his question. Mr. Duke stated that this property was on the agenda to be voted on this evening, and if the Council voted to approve, the City could then move forward to have the property cut and cleaned up. Mayor Byard reported that upon further investigation, the City can move forward on repeat offenders after appearing on the Council agenda for the initial occurrence. The properties voted on this season, will not have to appear before the Council again this season, but can immediately be addressed by the City.

David Goodson, 163 Medical Center Drive, Prattville, AL presented a petition to the Council from local contractors requesting that upcoming City Code changes be mailed directly to applicable contractors prior to being adopted to help with their ability to give accurate estimates for construction/work. The recent changes to the Code affected pricing for electricians, plumbers, and general contractors. Mr. Duke reported that these changes were implemented prior to Legislation being adopted at the State level. Mr. Goodson reiterated his request that individual notification be given, not solely published in the newspaper.

Judy Lord, 1003 Choctaw Ridge, Prattville, AL, owner of Steve’s Service Center, questioned why she was not given an opportunity to bid on the mowers that were recently awarded by the Council. She stated that she has been in business for 17 years and never has the opportunity to bid on products for the City.

Mayor Byard informed Ms. Lord that if she would provide the City Clerk’s office with pertinent information regarding her business, she would be placed on the bid list and would begin receiving invitations to bid. Ms. Lord corrected herself by stating that she knows that she is on the list and she does occasionally get some bid invitations but she is unable to bid on the products as written.

Councilman Boles stated that he and Councilman Gillespie voted in opposition to the Resolution to award the bid for 2 John Deere lawn mowers at the May 5th council meeting. He further stated that it was his recommendation for the Council to vote the Resolution down, re-write the bid specifications and re-bid the lawn mowers to ensure that a local business could win the bid.

Jessica Carroll, 1167 Cooper Avenue, Prattville, AL 36066, reported that she had contacted EMA regarding flooding at her residence and EMA is waiting on information from the Governor’s office and is questioning what should be her next step. Council President Pro Tempore advised her that the Mayor would be giving an update in his report.

MAYORS REPORT:

Mayor Byard reminded the Council of the bid process and that bid packets are placed in their boxes, posted on the bulletin board at City Hall and posted on the City’s website the same day they are mailed out to venders.

The Mayor stated that the State and Federal EMA representatives had visited our area regarding the May 6th flooding issues and we are expecting to hear back from their assessment soon.

Regarding the agenda, the Mayor urged Council members to introduce item numbers 5 and 7 and to pass item number 6.

COUNCIL REPORTS:

Councilman Wood reported that a Public Hearing has been set for Monday June 8, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. for public in-put regarding the Honor of Wilson Pickett.

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 055)

The Resolution was held from the April 21st council meeting and a Public Hearing was held at 6:00 p.m. this evening. Councilman Fank made the motion to adopt the Resolution. Councilman Wood seconded the motion. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:

2. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ATTORNEY TO SETTLE THE SUIT AGAINST STEEL CONNECTION, LLC FOR PAST DUE TAXES. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2009, PAGE 056)

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

3. RESOLUTION: TO SUBMIT MUNICIPAL WASTE POLLUTION PREVENTION PROGRAM REPORT TO THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2009, PAGE 056)

Councilman Wood made the motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Boles seconded the motion. During discussion, President Pro-Tempore Miller stated that the reports have been made available for review in the City Clerk’s office for the last several days. Councilman Gillespie informed Wastewater Superintendent Kenny DeRamus that he would prefer to receive his monthly reports by email. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:

4. 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, (RESOLUTION BOOK 2009, PAGE 058)

Councilman Fank made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Wood seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:

5. ORDINANCE: TO REPEAL AND REPLACE CHAPTER 16, ARTICLE 5 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES-FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION. (5-0)

Councilman Gillespie made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilman Boles seconded the motion. By point of order, the Ordinance is held until the next Council meeting.

6. RESOLUTION: TO AMEND RESOLUTION BOOK 96A, PAGE 092 TO UPDATE CDBG PURCHASING POLICIES. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2009, PAGE 059)

Councilman Fank made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Wood seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:

7. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO MAKE APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS TO CORRECT AND IMPROVE DRAINAGE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF 10TH STREET. (5-0)

Councilman Fank made a motion to hold the Resolution until the next council meeting and Councilman Gillespie seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was held with the following vote:

CLOSING COMMENTS:

Councilman Fank expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the misrepresentation that purchases are not made in Prattville. He explained that purchases made outside Prattville are normally items that aren’t available in Prattville, and this does not mean that the City chooses to not purchase locally. The competitive bid law allows negotiation with the local vendors within 3% of cost, and sometimes the local vendor will not negotiate their price.

Councilman Gillespie followed up with agreeing to disagree, that the Council’s job is to help make policy, to help keep money being spent in Prattville.

Mayor Byard asked everyone to remember that this coming Memorial Day weekend is a “Click It or Ticket” campaign, and there will be numerous officers on the streets to enforce the use of seatbelts.

Council President Pro Tempore Miller thanked everyone for their patience during the meeting. He reminded those present of a Public Hearing regarding honoring Wilson Pickett on June 8th at City Hall.

ADJOURN:

There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Wood made a motion to adjourn and the motion was seconded by Councilman Boles. The meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.

APPROVED:

______________________
Gina P. Smith
City Clerk

________________________
Dean R. Argo, President
Prattville City Council

Submitted By:

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Stephanie J. Southerland
Assistant City Clerk