PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2010
6:00 P.M.

The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Thursday, May 20th, at 6:03 p.m. immediately following the public hearing in the Council Chambers at City Hall with Council President Dean Argo presiding. The public hearing opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and the invocation was led by Council President Argo. Councilman Miller was recorded absent for the public hearing and also the council meeting.

THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS DISCRETION: Recognizing and avoiding words, actions, and attitudes that could bring undesirable consequences.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 4th City Council Minutes.

Councilman Renegar made the motion to approve the minutes and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. The minutes were approved (6-0).

COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:

Bob Lee, 112 Quail Run, Prattville, AL 36067, thanked the Mayor and Council for their contributions to the community. He expressed his appreciation to the Mayor for his special interest in attending Honor Flight as a guardian. He also thanked Council President Argo for his efforts in proposing the texting Ordinance. He further suggested that in the event the proposed Ordinance is adopted, anyone who is found guilty of the offense should have their photo placed in the local paper and also should pay a $25.00 fee with the offense clearly printed with their name under their photo.

Vince Jones, 1134 Perrydale Loop, Prattville, AL 36067, appeared before the Council to promote the “Summer Slam” program that he and his wife run. He encouraged community involvement and announced that wrestling is an added sport this year.

Lora Lee Boone, 210 Fawn Lane, Prattville, AL 36067, appeared before the Council to state her opposition to the proposed Ordinance against texting while driving. She stated that in her opinion, the proposed Ordinance will be difficult to enforce because it will be too hard to tell the difference between who’s dialing a telephone number and who’s actually sending a text message

Diane Steinhilber with Jackson Thornton Auditing Firm appeared before the Council to present a draft of the City’s audited financial statements ending September 30, 2009. She thanked city staff for working with auditors throughout the year to gather records for the audit.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Mayor Byard was absent due to a family graduation ceremony.

COUNCIL REPORTS:

Councilman Miller was absent due to his attendance at Leadership Alabama in Birmingham.

Council President Argo reported that the draft agenda had an item listed as Resolution number 5, which was removed from the agenda prior to the evening’s meeting.

AGENDA

1. ORDINANCE: REQUEST TO REZONE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2189/2181 COBBS FORD ROAD FROM B-4, HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL AND FAR, FOREST, AGRICULTURAL AND RECREATION TO B-2, GENERAL BUSINESS.

Councilman Gillespie made the motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. By point of order, the Ordinance is held until the public hearing, which is scheduled for June 1, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

2. 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 2010, PAGE031).

The Resolution was held from the April 20th council meeting. A public hearing was held at 6:00 p.m. this evening. There being no discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:

3. ORDINANCE: TO AMEND THE PRATTVILLE CITY CODE SECTION 18-24 TO PROHIBIT ELECTRONIC MESSAGING/TEXTING WHILE DRIVING.

Councilman Renegar made a motion to hold the Ordinance until the June 1, 2010 council meeting to allow an opportunity for a public hearing to be held on Thursday, May 27^th. Councilman Boles seconded the motion. The proposed Ordinance was held (6-0).

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, 1975, AS AMENDED. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2010, PAGE 032).

Councilman Fank made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Gillespie seconded the motion. During discussion, Councilman Gillespie thanked the Planning Department for being so diligent in working with the property owners to have these lots brought up to code. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:

CLOSING COMMENTS:

Councilman Gillespie thanked members of the Sanitation Department for assembling the new garbage cans that were recently distributed.

ADJOURN:

There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Boles made a motion to adjourn and the motion was seconded. The meeting closed at 6:23 p.m.

APPROVED:

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Gina P. Smith
City Clerk

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Dean R. Argo, President
Prattville City Council