The Prattville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 1st at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Council President Miller. Roll was called and Councilman Fank was recorded as being absent. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Councilman Renegar gave the invocation.

THE CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH IS PERSUASIVENESS: Understanding others so I can better communicate with them.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 14th Special Session and January 18th City Council meeting.

Councilman Renegar made the motion to approve the minutes and Councilman Argo seconded the motion. The minutes were approved (5-0).

COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:

Mark Rhodes, 1583 Upper Kingston Road, Prattville, AL 36067, appeared before the Council on behalf of the Firefighters Union to report on 2 projects in which the Union has undertaken. Mr. Rhodes spoke about the remodeling that is currently underway at the home of Montgomery Motor Officer Corporal Brown, who was injured some months ago while escorting a funeral. Construction efforts have gone well while firefighters and other volunteers have donated all funds, labor, and time in the hope that the project is complete within the next 2 weeks.

In an effort to give back to the citizens who take care of Prattville’s firefighters, Mr. Rhodes also reported that the Union is planning to construct a playground on Upper Kingston Road near the soccer fields to be utilized by young children. The project is expected to be completed in several stages as funds are made available through multiple fund-raising events.

Council President Miller commended Mr. Rhodes and his colleagues for their efforts in community involvement.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Mayor Gillespie thanked Mr. Rhodes for sharing his report and for the Union’s good deeds. He also introduced Deputy Finance Director Doug Moseley who has agreed to act as Interim Finance Director effective immediately.

The Mayor expressed his appreciation to department heads for their commitment to work with him and the Council on the budget and other issues.

Mayor Gillespie reminded everyone of the Mardi Gras Parade which is scheduled for Saturday, February 19th at 3:00 p.m. The parade will begin at the Autauga County Courthouse and will wind its way through downtown.

Regarding the agenda, the Mayor asked the Council to hold Ordinance number 3 until the February 15th council meeting. The Municipal Code has been shipped and is expected to be delivered to City Hall within a matter of days.

COUNCIL REPORTS:

Councilman Argo urged support for Resolution number 6 for the purchase and installation of a Current Selector Switch for a backup generator for the Wastewater Department. He also reported that he is compiling a list for possible changes to the City Council’s policy and procedures for council meetings. He mentioned that one change is to include the amount of funds to be expended in the titles of Resolutions.

Council President Miller reported that Councilman Fank notified him prior to the start of the meeting to say that his arrival to the council meeting will be delayed due to traffic and bad weather. President Miller also stated that it will be necessary for the Council to go into executive session to discuss possible litigation at the close of the meeting.

President Miller stated that the Finance Committee has continued with budget meetings and those discussions will be shared with all members of the Council. He further stated that a budget work session will be called after the proposed budget is introduced at the February 15th council meeting.

Council President Miller reported that 20 citizens submitted letters of intent along with their resumes to be considered for the City Council District 1 seat. All 20 citizens will be interviewed by the Council at Doster Memorial Community Center on Tuesday, February 8th beginning at 6:00 p.m.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. RESOLUTION: TO RE-APPOINT BILL HAMBURGER TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY.

2. RESOLUTION: TO APPOINT CONNIE BAINBRIDGE TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY.

3. RESOLUTION: TO APPOINT BILL MERSHON TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY.

4. RESOLUTION: TO APOINT DAVID GOODSON TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY.

5. RESOLUTION: TO RE-APPOINT GREG MOATES TO THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

6. RESOLUTION: TO RE-APPOINT BOB DEBUSK TO THE ELECTRICAL BOARD.

7. RESOLUTION: TO REAPPOINT ERNEST GOODSON TO THE ELECTRICAL AUTHORITY.

8. RESOLUTION: TO RE-APPOINT BOB THORNTON TO THE ELECTRICAL AUTHORITY.

9. RESOLUTION: TO RE-APPOINT ALTON W. THRASH TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD.

10.RESOLUTION: TO RE-APPOINT DAVID TODD STEPHENS TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT COOPERATIVE DISTRICT.

11.RESOLUTION: TO RE-APPOINT CHARLIE HILL TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT COOPERATIVE DISTRICT.

12.RESOLUTION: TO RE-APPOINT JOE TURNER TO THE LEGENDS PARK IMPROVEMENT.

Councilman Argo introduced the consent agenda and made a motion to approve it. Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. The consent agenda was adopted (5-0) with the following results:

AGENDA

1. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE PROMOTION OF 1 FIREFIGHTER IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO FIREFIGHTER MEDIC AND 1 WASTEWATER COLLECTIONS SYSTEMS OPERATOR TRAINEE IN THE WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT TO THE WASTEWATER COLLECTIONS SYSTEMS OPERATOR. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011, PAGE 026).

The Resolution was held from the January 18th council meeting. Councilman Argo made a motion to amend lines 23 and 24 to include the verbiage, “a pay increase and benefits not to exceed $3,329.79.” and to amend line 39 to include the verbiage, “rate of $1.38 per hour and benefits not to exceed $3,304.29. and to amend line 43 to include the amount of “$6,634.08” rather than $5,722.00 which was stated. Councilman Boles seconded the motion to amend the Resolution. The Resolution was amended (5-0). There being no further discussion, the amended Resolution was adopted with the following vote:

2. ORDINANCE: TO AMEND ORDINANCE BOOK 2003, PAGE 003, AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE BOOK 2003, PAGE 005, ORDINANCE BOOK 2010, PAGE 024, THE PRATTVILLE ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE ORDINANCE FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE ESTABLISHMENTS. (ORDINANCE BOOK 2011, PAGE 001).

The amended Ordinance was held from the January 18th council meeting. There being no discussion, the amended Ordinance was adopted with the following vote:

3. ORDINANCE: TO ADOPT AND ENACT A NEW CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA; ESTABLISHING THE SAME; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES NOT INCLUDED THEREIN; PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF SUCH CODE AND A PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF; PROVIDING FOR THE MANNER OF AMENDING SUCH CODE; AND PROVIDING WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE.

Councilman Renegar made a motion to substitute a revised Ordinance for the one held from the January 18th council meeting. Councilman Argo seconded the motion. Councilman Argo made a motion to hold the substitute Ordinance to allow for the delivery of the Municipal Code and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. The Ordinance was held until the February 15th council meeting. (5-0).

4. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO RENEW THE AUDIT FOR SALES TAX AND BUSINESS LICENSE CONTRACT WITH RIVER TREE SYSTEMS, INC. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011, PAGE 027).

Councilman Renegar made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Wood seconded the motion. During discussion, Councilman Renegar questioned the annual cost of this service. Revenue Officer Becky Stewart responded by stating that upon the City’s request for an audit of a business, River Tree charges by the hour. Councilman Wood asked if the service had proven to be cost effective and Ms. Stewart stated that the City paid $8,000.00 in fees to River Tree and the return was over $30,000.00. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:

Ordinance Book 2008, Page 019, To Set Council procedures, specifies in Section 22, that all ordinances, resolutions or propositions submitted to the council which require the expenditure of money shall lie over until the next meeting; provided further, that this rule shall not apply to the current expenses of, or contracts previously made with, or regular salaries of officers, or wages of employees. Therefore, it is necessary to suspend the rules on agenda item numbers 5 and 6.

5. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE RELEASE OF FUNDS TO PURCHASE SOD FROM 231 TURF MARKET FOR THE DAVID D. WHETSTONE SPORTS COMPLEX.

Councilman Wood made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. Councilman Wood made the motion to suspend the rules and the motion failed for lack of a second. The Resolution was held for 2 weeks (5-0).

6. RESOLUTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A CURRENT SELECTOR SWITCH FOR ABACKUP GENERATOR AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $1,200.00. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011, PAGE 028).

Councilman Argo made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Boles seconded the motion. Councilman Argo made the motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Boles seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (5-0). There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following results:

7. RESOLUTION: TO AMEND RESOLUTION BOOK 98B, PAGE 144 AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH THE STATE OF ALABAMA ACTING BY AND THROUGH THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FOR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT GRANTS. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011, PAGE 029).

Councilman Wood made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Councilman Renegar seconded the motion. City Engineer Robby Anderson clarified that this amendment only changes the signature block of the Mayor and Council President. Certified copies of this Resolution are used for verification when applying for DOT grants. There being no further discussion, the Resolution was adopted with the following vote:

8. RESOLUTION: TO NAME DOUGLAS C. MOSELEY AS ACTING FINANCE DIRECTOR OF THE CITY OF PRATTVILLE. (RESOLUTION BOOK 2011, PAGE 030).

Councilman Boles introduced the Resolution from the floor and made a motion to adopt it. Councilman Argo seconded the motion. Because the Resolution did not appear on the evening’s agenda, it is necessary for the council rules to be suspended. Councilman Argo made the motion to suspend the rules and Councilman Wood seconded the motion. The rules were suspended (5-0). The Resolution was adopted with the following vote:

CLOSING COMMENTS:

On behalf of the Finance Committee, Councilman Wood thanked employees for stepping up and working with the Committee on the budget.

Councilman Argo expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Finance Committee and also to the employees who continue to provide pertinent information regarding their departments during the budget process. He also wished a belated happy birthday to Councilman Renegar.

Councilman Renegar reported that Councilman Wood has been appointed to the Finance Committee. He further thanked Council President Miller for the hundreds of hours he has spent on the budget process.

Council President Miller thanked Mayor Gillespie for his leadership. He also thanked city employees for working long, hard hours and also for their services provided to the citizens regardless of inclement weather. Regarding the public interview process to fill vacant City Council District 1 seat, President Miller stated that the Council will vote on a new member of the Council on Tuesday, February 15th.

Councilman Renegar made a motion to go into executive session and Councilman Boles seconded the motion. All were in favor of going into executive session. City Attorney David McDowell presented a letter to the City Clerk which is made a part of the official record.

ADJOURN:

There being no further business to come before the Council, the unanimous vote to go into executive session serves as an adjournment. The meeting closed at 6:48 p.m.

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Gina P. Smith
City Clerk

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Thomas M. Miller, President
Prattville City Council