The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 6:02 p.m. immediately following the Public Hearing, in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Roll was called and Councilman Renegar was recorded absent. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Councilman Argo gave the invocation.

THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS ATTENTIVENESS: Showing the worth of a person or task by giving my undivided concentration.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council meeting December 21, 2010

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

COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:

None.

MAYORS REPORT:

Mayor Byard informed the Council that he had spoken with Bill Pearson, of Pearson Industries regarding his request at the last Council meeting for improvements in internet lines in the County Road 4 area. The new T1 line should be in place within the next 30 days and Mr. Pearson is very appreciative.

The Mayor reported that the City of Prattville staff and City Council had 100% participation in the United Way Campaign.

The Mayor was pleased to announce that residential construction permit requests are improving from previous years. Requests for commercial construction permits are still rebounding.

Regarding the agenda, the Mayor urged council support on Resolution number 5, which provides added safety for emergency responders in intersections, and also Resolution number 6, and explained that the testing required for advancement in Wastewater is mandated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

The Mayor introduced Ms. Abigail Hardin, Miss Fountain City 2011. She is a student at the University of Alabama and is promoting the Open My Eyes Foundation.

Council President Miller welcomed Boy Scout Devon Moten of Troop 111, who is in the audience working on his Citizen and Community Badge.

COUNCIL REPORTS:

Council President Miller passed on the regrets from Councilman Renegar, who is sick at home.

Councilman Gillespie reported that he is currently reviewing Council procedures from other cities and hopes to introduce some changes to the current procedures at the next Council meeting. He asked for citizen input regarding changes.

Council President Miller recognized Sheriff Herbie Johnson in the audience tonight.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. ORDINANCE: ORDINANCE: REQUEST TO ZONE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 549 COVERED BRIDGE PARKWAY TO R-4. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2011, PAGE 001)

2. ORDINANCE: REQUEST TO ZONE PROPERTY LOCATED ON COVERED BRIDGE PARKWAY TO R-4. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2011, PAGE 002)

3. ORDINANCE: REQUEST TO ZONE PROPERTY LOCATED AT OLD RIDGE ROAD TO R-3 AND R-5. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2011, PAGE 003)

4. ORDINANCE: PETITION FOR ANNEXATION OF OLD RIDGE ROAD BETWEEN RIVERCHASE NORTH AND PENDLEBROOK SUBDIVISIONS. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2011, PAGE 004)

5. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF A PUBLIC SAFETY TRAFFIC SIGNAL PRE-EMPTION PROGRAM. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011, PAGE 001)

6. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE PROMOTION OF 1 WASTEWATER OPERATOR TRAINEE IN THE WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT TO WASTEWATER OPERATOR II AND 1 WASTEWATER OPERATOR II IN THE WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT TO WASTEWATER OPERATOR IV. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011, PAGE 002)

Councilman Fank made a motion to move item numbers 1-6 to a Consent Agenda and Councilman Argo seconded the motion. All were in favor (6-0). The Consent Agenda was adopted with the following vote:

7. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF $7,517.70 FOR THE PAYMENT OF TRAVEL EXPENSES FOR CITY STAFF TO ATTEND THE INTEGRATED EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COURSE. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011, PAGE 003)

The Resolution was held from the December 21st council meeting. Councilman Gillespie made a motion to amend line 22 to change the dollar amount from $7,517.70 to $7,147.10. Councilman Wood seconded the motion. The Resolution was amended (6-0). The amended Resolution was adopted with the following vote:

8. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF $479,549.00 TO THE MUNICIPAL WORKER’S COMPENSATION FUND, INC., FOR WORKER’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE.

Councilman Argo introduced the Resolution and made the motion to adopt it and Councilman Gillespie seconded the motion. Councilman Miller stated that because this Resolution expends funds that are not budgeted, it is necessary for the council rules to be suspended. Councilman Wood made the motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Fank seconded the motion. The motion failed (3-3) with Councilmen Gillespie, Miller, and Boles opposed. The Resolution held until the January 18th council meeting.

CLOSING COMMENTS:

Councilman Gillespie thanked everyone for their hard work in addressing the budget.

Council President Miller gave an update on the work of the Finance Committee. They have concluded meetings with the Department Heads and thanked City Clerk, Gina P. Smith for her assistance in scheduling the meetings. He also thanked the Department Heads for their hard work and the Mayor for his support of the Department Heads. He explained that the budget needs to be based on realistic revenue projections, using an average of the past three years which is $30,200,000.00. When compared to the expenditures originally proposed, this results in a gap of approximately three and a half million dollars. The Finance Committee will meet with the Mayor on January 20 to discuss the Mayor's revised budget proposal. President Miller stated that he will be scheduling work sessions in the coming weeks and believes that the City is on the right track.

ADJOURNMENT:

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

APPROVED:

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Gina P. Smith
City Clerk

_______________________
Thomas M. Miller, President
Prattville City Council

Submitted By:

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Stephanie J. Southerland
Assistant City Clerk