The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, September 7th at 6:02 p.m. immediately following the public hearing in the Council Chambers at City Hall with Council President Argo presiding. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Councilman Renegar gave the invocation. Roll was called and all were recorded as being present.

THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS DILIGENCE: Investing my time and energy to complete each task assigned to me.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 17th City Council Minutes.

Councilman Renegar made the motion to approve the minutes and Councilman Gillespie seconded the motion. The minutes were approved (7-0).

COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:

Debra Cheatum, 142 Shady Oak, Prattville, AL 36066, appeared before the Council to ask for assistance in slowing down motorists who travel Shady Oak, Bryan St, Scott Lane and Poplar Street. She thanked Chief Wadsworth and the Police Department for complying with her past requests for officers to patrol the area. She stated that while it proved to be an effective approach to the problem, it only lasted as long as the officers could stay in the area.

Councilman Miller thanked Ms. Cheathum for her leadership in her neighborhood association and commended her on the recent grant application she made for entrance improvements to the entrance of Shady Oak. He assured her that other alternatives would be considered for traffic calming in her neighborhood.

Mr. Jerry Cimis, 141 N. Chestnut Street, Prattville, AL 36067, appeared before the Council to urge support for Ordinance number 2. He commented that a budget public hearing would allow citizen input.

Charlie Graham, 126 Holly Court, Prattville, AL 36066, appeared before the Council to state his support for agenda item number 2. He inquired about his unanswered request for financial documents from Finance Director Rod Morgan. He questioned the Council’s motives by appointing only 3 councilmembers to standing committees. He also inquired about the cost for auditing services conducted by Jackson Thornton. He urged the Council to hold public hearings on audits as well as budgets.

Jon Lee Finnegan, 211 Deer Trace, Prattville, AL 36067, appeared before the Council in support of agenda item number 2. She stated her concern regarding the city’s debt explaining that she is not against growth; however, she urges smart growth. Ms. Finnegan requested councilmembers or the City Attorney include information about projects and what the money is to be used for when drafting Resolutions. She also stated that upon review of the council minutes beginning October 5, 2009 thru August 3, 2010, 13 of the 23 adopted Resolutions made no mention in the titles as to the amount of money to be expended.

Laura Leigh Boone, 210 Fawn Lane, Prattville, AL 36067, appeared before the Council to state that in her opinion, Councilman Boles had a great idea. She shared her concern that the same crowd of citizens who attend each council meeting will be the only crowd interested enough to attend a budget public hearing.

Clark McLean, 1770 Tara Drive, Prattville, AL 36066, appeared before the Council to state his desire for citizens to have an opportunity to review the budget prior to its adoption. He also stated that a public hearing on the matter would allow for citizens to ask particular questions.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Mayor Byard responded to comments made by citizens who are of the opinion that the Administration and city staff don’t seem to be forthcoming with specific requested information/documents. The Mayor reiterated that there is certain information protected by law that has been requested on numerous occasions. This particular information must not be released to the public. He reminded those in attendance that with obvious displays of communication from City Hall through its open meetings, website, facebook account, and his very own twitter account, transparency is not an issue. He encouraged citizens to contact their council representatives or himself personally for questions they may have regarding the City’s business.

Mayor Byard recognized and congratulated Erica Singleton who won the poster contest sponsosred by the Autauga County Family Character Coalition. The poster was made into a banner and will be on display at City Hall.

Regarding the FY 2010/2011 budget, the Mayor stated that the Finance Committee had a very productive 2-hour meeting on Monday afternoon. He stated his plan to put the completed budget out for public review on Friday.

Councilman Gillespie commended interim Vehicle Maintenance Director Kenny Rawlinson on a job well done in a short period of time.

COUNCIL REPORTS:

Council President Argo reported that by placing the budget on line, citizens will have an opportunity to download it for personal convenience. He stated citizens will have plenty of time to question their councilmen or call the Mayor’s office about line items, etc.

While addressing Mr. Graham, Council President Argo stated that he has responded appropriately and promptly to each of his 3-4 calls/requests/complaints over the last 14 years. He invited Mr. Graham to call him any time with any concerns he may have about any issues rather than asking questions of the full Council during council meetings.

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 2010, PAGE 063).

Councilman Gillespie made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. During discussion, Councilman Miller took a moment to inform those present that he and Mayor Byard are making an effort to “Go Green” by no longer using paper agendas but rather using personal I Pads as a way of receiving and sending documents. There being no discussion regarding the Resolution, it was adopted with the following vote:

2. ORDINANCE: TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURE FOR YEARLY BUDGET PRESENTATION.

Councilman Boles made a motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilman Gillespie seconded the motion. Because Ordinances are generally held for two weeks, it is necessary for the council rules to be suspended. Councilman Boles made the motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Gillespie seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (7-0). During discussion, Councilman Boles stated that his idea for a public hearing would be to allow citizens to speak for 3 minutes. He further stated that if a citizen posed a question where no answer was immediately available, a councilmember could call the citizen with correct information after he had a chance to speak with the appropriate department head.

Councilman Gillespie made a motion to amend line 19 to add the verbiage “The Mayor shall cause the budget to be made available on the City website no less than 7 days before the public hearing.” Councilman Boles seconded the motion to amend the Ordinance. City Webmaster Teresa Lee confirmed that after receiving the proposed budget, it would only take a matter of minutes to place it on the website. Citizens will have the option to download the information if they have questions. The Ordinance was amended (7-0). There being no further discussion, the amended Ordinance failed (3-4) with the following vote.

3. RESOLUTION: TO APPOINT ROBERT EDWIN RIDDLE AS CITY PROSECUTOR. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2010, PAGE 064).

Councilman Fank made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Gillespie seconded the motion. The Resolution was adopted with the following vote:

4. RESOLUTION: TO GRANT A RETAIL BEER AND TABLE WINE LICENSE, OFF PREMISE ONLY TO RADHA, LLC, KARTIKEY K. PATEL (OWNER) AND KALPANABEN PATEL, D/B/A BEELINE STORE 509. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2010, PAGE 065).

Councilman Wood 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:

CLOSING COMMENTS:

Mayor Byard thanked Councilman Fank who serves as Chairman of the Personnel Committee and also other members of the Committee for time spent on the review of applications for City Prosecutor. Mr. Rob Riddle’s appointment is effective upon passage of the Resolution.

Council President Argo thanked everyone for their calls, cards and words of sympathy in the recent loss of his wife’s aunt.

ADJOURNMENT:

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 7:02 p.m.

APPROVED:

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Gina P. Smith
City Clerk


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Dean R. Argo, President
Prattville City Council