City Council - public_hearing

All right, good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the business meetings of the city of Prattville. We do have two public hearings tonight before we move into our regular agenda. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Councillor Newman?

Here.

Councillor Jackson? Here. Councillor Chambers? Here. Councillor Merritt? Here. Councillor Whaley?

Here.

Councillor Stritchett? Here. Councillor Langley? Here.

Having a quorum present, I do call this public hearing to order. Item number one for public hearing is a resolution to authorize the mayor to have overgrown grass and weeds. At 1.35, Pierce Lane abated and charged any incurred expenses for the abatement process. Pursuant to Chapter 46, City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. Is there anyone here who wishes to speak in favor of this item? All right, not seeing any. Is there anyone here who wishes to speak in opposition of item number one? All right, not hearing any, this public hearing's closed. Item number two is a resolution to grant an amended restaurant retail liquor license to M&S Sports Diner Incorporated, doing business as Beefo Brady's. Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor of this resolution? Not seeing anybody, is there anyone here who wishes to speak in opposition of this resolution? All right, not seeing any. Then this public hearing as well will be closed. All right, you're now invited to stand for our Pledge of Allegiance, followed by invocation that will be given by myself.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Let's pray. Heavenly Father, God, we just thank you. Lord, for the opportunity to come back together as this council, Father, to fulfill the roles that, God, we've been called to fulfill, and that is elected to represent the people of the city of Prattville. Father, we pray that as we go through this agenda tonight, and we have several items that we have had a lot of discussion on, and Lord, there's been some questions asked about several of them. God, we just pray that we make these decisions having sought your guidance. Lord, and we look to you to make the decisions that's best for our city. God, we thank you for those that have come out tonight. Lord, we thank you for their willingness to come out and to participate in the local governance of a place where they live. And God, we just pray that, Lord, your hand be upon this meeting. Everything that we do bring honor to you. And it's in Christ's name we pray.

Amen.

all right uh... right now but we please go out for a minute here cancer jackson cancer chambers house america cancer widely here pastor stretch it councilman thank you we have a quorum president of the call this meeting to order

Character trade of the month is perseverance, giving your best effort regardless of obstacles or rejection. Next item on our agenda is approval of the minutes. We received, prior to this meeting, copies of the City Council Meeting 8-18-26 and the public hearing minutes dated 9-1-26. At this time, the chair will entertain a motion to approve these minutes.

So moved.

moved by councilor chambers do we have a second second by councilor merrick all in favor of approving the minutes please signify by raising your right hand and any abstention likewise or any any any opposed or abstention likewise and the motions uh... minutes have been adopted i think at this time we have a point of privilege uh... councilor jackson and mayor gillespie

Well, thank you, Council President. And thank you all for coming tonight. This proclamation is about our adult education and family literacy week. And thank you for coming down. But go ahead and read this. It's whereas more than 32 million Americans can't read or write at the most basic level, while 75.1 million lack basic math skills, as well as the credentials and skills necessary to succeed in post-secondary education. Whereas according to the National Center for Education Statistics, one in every 19 young adults drops out of high school in the United States. Whereas adult education programs contribute to solving these challenges by helping Americans move along the continuum in their education journey to achieve basic skills and get prepared for career in college. whereas adult education programs in high schools and adult schools, community colleges, and community centers offer low-cost, high-value programs that upgrade the skill set of our citizens, whereas our city celebrates Adult Education and Family Literacy Week as a proud participant in the National Education and Elevate Campaign, which helps our citizens learn about their adult education options to achieve their professional and personal goals. Now, therefore, as mayor of the city of Primal, I do hereby recognize I proclaim September 13th through 19th, 2026, as National Adult Education Family Literacy Week in Prattville, Alabama. And I do appreciate all of our educators, whether they're here in person or just listening or just abroad, anywhere. But thank you. Thank you. Workforce development is so critical for our country, for our community, and education is a big driving for that. Again, if you accept this, be ready for a photo op as well. Would you like to say anything? I will, yes.

Thank you all so much, and I want to thank Councilman Marcus Jackson for bringing this to the council. Thank you all. Thank you, Mayor. I really appreciate this. Being an adult learner myself, I pivoted from high school in 2006, from Jeff Davis High School. And I went on to the military, and I gained some degrees along the way in the doctoral program, helping shape educational leadership in my community. I have a nonprofit called the Pivot Path, which we help adult learners get their GED. So I love the word that you use, perseverance, because adult learners are perseverers. We believe that education is a foundation, and I'm just grateful for the opportunity to advocate as a state advocate for Alabama for adult ed. So thank you all so much. Yeah, so I will be in D.C. starting tomorrow, campaigning on Capitol Hill for adult learners, getting our state representatives and legislators the opportunity to hear my story and to see that 20 years later, the adult education is still bearing fruit in our community. So I'm excited.

And real quick, I just want to say that Ms. Johnson, like he says, with the Pivot Pathway, she's a resident here in Prattville. Right now she currently has her her office or her business in Montgomery and hopefully she can come back to her community and do a little work here in Prattville.

Thank you.

Thank y'all, because again, you know, thank you. The education component is so, so important to us all, and you know, whether, and the educators, or so important, but I do want to remind everybody that no matter your age, your status, or whatever, it's never too late to learn and it's never too early to give back to the ones who are around you so you can actually educate them in some shape, form, or fashion. But again, thank you.

Thank you. At this time, we'll welcome any comments from persons present regarding tonight's agenda. We'll have anyone who wishes to speak on an item that is on tonight's agenda. Line up on the right-hand side. Sign in with a clerk. You'll need to print your name and address. And then you'll have up to five minutes to address the council. Once you've signed in, if you will state your name and address and the item number or numbers in which you wish to speak, and then you will be prompted to begin.

Good evening, I'm Dr. Jerry Simmons, 141 North Chestnut Street, Prattville. I wanted to talk about RESO 15 on your regular agenda for the AG opinion for eligibility for healthcare. A little bit of background, I have an MBA in accounting with a concentration in taxation, 26 years of clinical experience and over 15 years as a healthcare consultant and investigator. Since some of you weren't here, back on February 16th, 2023, the mayor sends an email to the council asking for an HR opinion. says it's very important and that it possibly could include effects on elected officials. That is incorrect. You are protected with your health care regardless of how you handle contract attorneys, so I want to get that straight. Then on April 4th, 2023, Ms. Hope Hicks came up before you and gave an opinion. Two parts were correct, several were incorrect. the correct parts was she opined that and attorney Odom, Ekdahl, the prosecutor, and Judge Colley were all independent contractors, not employees. She also opined that there's no law prohibiting them from benefits. She failed to distinguish, however, there's a difference between you providing self-funded benefits versus third-party municipal benefits, which you're not authorized to do. She then opined incorrectly that the Open Meetings Act and the Ethics Act did not apply to these three attorneys since they didn't meet the income threshold. That's incorrect. They're public officials, they're appointed, and they have to abide by the Ethics Act and the Open Meeting Act. She also opined that you had the option of giving Mr. Odom a W-2 or a 1099, whichever was easier for you. That's false. All three attorneys are only allowed to get a W-2. She also said that the IRS tax issue was not an issue. It's a big issue. Failure to report taxable fringe benefits via a 1099 is a big issue, and also the fact that you are granting FSAs to one of our attorneys. It was a big issue when I met with the auditor for the IRS. By the way, your former president characterized this as a housekeeping matter. I view it as something much more serious. So on February 13th, the examiner of public accounts sent you a letter and to the mayor, gave you two options. One was to increase their compensation and they get their own insurance. The second option was revise your HR manual. So you revised your HR manual to read that some city benefits are allowed for appointed attorneys. What it didn't describe is that the sum is limited to self-insurance benefits. I filed a complaint with the examiners of public account and they immediately referred it on to the AG and the Department of Revenue. On April 10th of this year, I met with President Whaley and Councilman Langley for over two hours and showed them quite a bit of evidence. Then they asked for a second opinion. We let the city, by the way, go out and get the second opinion. And I gather that second opinion didn't come up out to the liking of certain people in the city. So now they've put an attorney-client privilege on that, and you are forbidden to speak to anybody about it. It was interesting that the first opinion from Hope Hicks, they brought her up and they published her opinion. And so it was quite touted. So now we're gonna get a third opinion. What I find troubling most is that one or two powerful people in this administration created an environment in which our CPA who knows or should know that you never give a W-2 to a contractor and that our HR specialist who knows that you never give a W-2 to a contractor. In fact, she even wrote you an email back in January, 2023 saying, look, if you want me to put Mr. Odom into the municipal plan, I have to have a W-2 for him. And that's probably because she understands that investigators Like myself, we look for 1099s as a red flag for ineligibility. Even our city clerk told me that she issued W-2s to the attorneys, even though her city clerk manual specifically says that they are to receive W-2s, and that manual's written by the lawyers for the League of Municipalities, she opted to go with Hope Hicks. Also troubling is I went to your independent auditor and the independent auditor and their boss refused to take any action. I think they liked the $285,000 three-year contract that we have with the city.

Your time is up.

Does anybody have any questions?

Does anybody have any questions for Mr. Simmons?

i do have a question uh... yes we do have on the agenda tonight to seek out any uh... an opinion from the attorney general and so my question is this happened pondering this and It would seem to me that we would have a more accurate and detailed opinion if we sought from a tax specialist, somebody, because, you know, of course, the Attorney General knows the state of Alabama law, but does the Attorney General know the tax code? Yes.

Let me just partly answer that. I worked for the Attorney General's Office as a consultant for healthcare, so I can tell you they will not opine on the following things. Are they an employee or are they a contractor? Should a third-party insurance company be forced to include them as eligible? They will not opine about a W-2 versus a 1099 or or an FSA. So asking them those questions, I agree with you, would be better served if we went out to a CPA tax attorney for the third opinion. If you're asking them whether they're municipal officers, that the AG will address I can tell you that there already is an AG opinion and case law. They are not municipal officers. They are public officials, but they are not municipal officers. There's a difference on that. And by the way, I did a survey of 15 cities, nine of which responded. 100% all nine cities said they treat their part-time city attorneys as contract attorneys with no benefits, and then I went out to Mayor Kelly's office and said, how do you treat your municipal judge, Mr. Ekdahl? And he is treated as a contractor, 1099, no benefits. He said, why would I pay a contractor benefits? So that's kind of, I think the goal to get another opinion is a wise choice. I think the AG is not gonna deliver what you're hoping to satisfy which opinion is correct. I think a CPA tax attorney, and I recommended one called Bolt A. Rat Cummings, LLP up in Birmingham. And the other issue is who's going to write this opinion? It certainly can't be any of these attorneys. It needs to be a disinterested attorney from Birmingham or Mobile that has no connections whatsoever with this city. So I think that's important. Does that help answer what an AG will or won't opine?

Yes, and from my limited interpretation, it seems to me like Ms. Hicks dealt with this issue from one standpoint, and then Ms. Martin, I think it is, dealt with this issue from another standpoint. And so finding someone, and I just don't see that, respectfully, I don't see that the Attorney General is in a place to be that opinion in the middle because Ms. Martin, she is a benefits attorney, benefits specialist, and then Ms. Hicks on her

form at least on her opinion it just said attorney so i don't know what her specialty is so i personally like the idea of a cpa attorney in fairness to miss hicks i don't think she has a tax background which was obvious by two of her opinions and if you do decide to give free self-insurance which you are allowed we will

I mean, we may do that, but the item that we are discussing tonight is whether we are going to, this council, vote to seek an attorney general's opinion or not.

Sure. Why? I'm just curious. Why does it mention elected officials? Because that issue is not even an issue. You're guaranteed health coverage through 1191.1.

I mean, it's appointed slash elected. I don't know. Any other questions?

I do have questions or a comment with some questions, and I don't know if now is the appropriate time. We want to wait until comments during the resolution.

About the actual resolution? We can discuss that when it's properly before us. Okay. Do you have any questions for...

I do have a question for him that applies to what I... So I'm a... I'm a little familiar with some of this, because as a physical security manager for large corporations, we are very attuned to what we do for employees. And I'll explain why, and then I'm going to ask my question. As a security manager for large corporations, we have three categories of employees. Three. We have regular employee, contract employee, and independent contractor. And I'm going to describe the difference, and I'm going to make sure that I'm in alignment with what you're talking about, because this is the buckets. Regular employee is hired by the company, and all of his pay is directly to the employee, and all of his benefits are taken care of by the employee. That's a physical security manager. When we issue a badge, it has a box around it that's blue or some identifying mark on that badge so we know he is a regular employee, and I'm going to get to why that's important. The second thing is if it's a contractor, that means they work for somebody. For example, I had a security staff, and they were hired by Securitas. So Securitas hired them, assigned them to our company, and they were under my direct management or supervision, but they got their the company paid Securitas a million dollars or whatever it was they paid, and then they trickled down salary and benefits to their employees as Securitas employees signed our company. That was a contract employee. Then an independent contractor was somebody that contracted and signed his own contract and that money was paid directly to him the difference was pay and benefits were handled by the company for a regular employee pay and benefits for a contractor were handled by securitas and pay and benefits were handled by the embedded contractor on his own filing and his own stuff and their badges reflected the little blue box red box blue box or gold box because they could not come into all hands meetings if they were not a regular employee because the benefits. Microsoft went through a lawsuit over this back in the 90s. So I understand the three buckets. I don't understand how Alabama law interprets elected and appointed officials. That's why I want to ask why would not an AG's opinion be relevant here to get clarification on what these appointed officials fall into one of those buckets at least. Give me some other additional information to help make a decision on what we should do going forward.

Sure. So these are independent contractors without a doubt. We have opinions on that as well as they identified themselves in the contract both by the city and by their signing, that they declared themselves as independent contractors. So now, what is your question about?

My question is, for an elected official, for example, I don't have city insurance, but I'm just saying for an elected official, there is a caveat, it seems.

Yes, there is, because you are not only a municipal, you're not only a part-time employee, by definition, you are a municipal employee. officer that has sovereign policy making power over a number of employees.

So my point and my question is I want to make sure the Attorney General can delineate if there's not some other issue or some other clause or some other reason that these appointed positions wouldn't fall into a category we're not aware of. That's really my only driver for the Attorney General position is to clarify under Alabama law that there's not some other clause or caveat that they would fall into where what we're doing is right or not. And if it's the Attorney General's... And that's why it's important about... If the Attorney General comes back and says no or whatever, then I know we move forward with the next piece of this, which is to figure it out.

That's why it's important about who writes it and how it's written. Thank you. Thank you, Jerry. You're welcome. Thank you.

All right. Do we have anybody else who would wish to address the council? If you've already signed in, you can go ahead and come on up, give us your name and address, and then you'll have five minutes to address us.

My name is Jay Patel. I'm here to address regarding the lodging tax, transient tax that's on the agenda for today. So I want to speak regarding that. So good evening, Mr. Mayor and members of council. My name is Jay Patel and I own the Days Inn Hotel here in town. I'm here today to speak in opposition to raising the $5 increase to the existing $2 lodging tax. I support, basically we support, All of us are here that we support our schools, but oppose this funding mechanism. The objection is not education funding. Strong schools are important to Prattville's workforce families, property values, and economic development. In fact, last two referendum, I have voted for it, even though I don't have any children attending the school. The question is whether hotel guests should bear another targeted charge fund, a responsibility that benefits the entire community. Hotels already collect a significant lodging tax. Prattville currently imposes an 8.5% city tax, 2% flat fee, county 3%, state 4%, so we're already charging guests 15.5% plus $2 currently. Hoteliers would be asked to collect and remit another charge on top of an already substantial tax burden on lodging. Visitors aren't an unlimited source of revenue. Visitors ultimately make purchasing decisions based on the total cost of a hotel stay. A higher mandatory charge can affect whether someone chooses Prattville, Millbrook, Montgomery, another community, or another option. Hotels compete on total price, not simply the advertised room rate. A fee may be collected from the guests, but the economic consequences can still fall on the hotel through pricing pressure, occupancy, and competitiveness. Competition doesn't stop at the city limits. Prattville's hotels compete for business travelers. construction workers, sports teams, families, visitors to Montgomery, government travelers, events and conferences, and interstate travelers. A $5 fee increase disproportionately affects lower-priced hotels. A percentage-based tax rises with the price of the room. A flat fee doesn't. The same $5 charge represents a substantially larger percentage of the room price at an economy or mid-scale property than an upscale hotel. So today, as you can see, all that we are present over here are mid-scale hoteliers. None of the upper band are here because they don't care. They're just passing on. They know their customers are white-collar customers. They can pay. They use corporate credit cards. But we represent the blue-collar customers. All mid-scale hoteliers that we have over here, Days Inn, La Quinta, Quality, Wood Spring, Motel 6, Red Roof, Baymont, Super 8, these are the owners over here. And we live over here in town also. I've been here 25 years. in the city. Built that days in ground up in 2001 when nothing was over there. So I would like to see if you guys can consider this and come up with some other solutions. And maybe we can sit down and talk it over and see what else we can come up with. But this is our concern. So thank you, Mr. Mayor and members, for listening to me. Yes, sir. Thank you.

Does anybody have any questions?

Thank you, Mr. Chambers, for taking my call yesterday.

Does anyone have any questions for Mr. Patel? No, it's okay.

I don't see any.

All right. All right, is there anyone else who wishes to address the council? All right, not seeing any. Mr. Mayor, do you have a report?

Yes, sir, and thank you. Council President, members of the council, last week's 9-11 ceremony was well attended, and it was great to see the young and young at heart come together for the same reason, to never forget. I just want to say thank you to everyone who helped make the ceremony such a success, city staff, and working along with our police and fire department, and also I want to thank the Marbury Chorus Choir for coming out, and also... other school members that came out as well. Hope everyone enjoyed also the Guardian Championship last week at RTJ. It's an honor to have these professional golfers on the Epson tour in our community. While the weather did not cooperate toward the end of the week, The event drew a strong crowd and provided another great opportunity to showcase Prattville. I'd also like to give everyone an update on Pratt Pool. Yesterday, the city received its determination from ADECA confirming that the Pratt Pool facility is considered obsolete. This determination does not change the existing LWCF boundary. and the city must continue to maintain the entire area for public outdoor recreation use. But after receiving this determination, the Parks and Rec Department requested demolition quotes for the pool, bathhouse, and restroom facilities. As future improvements are identified, the city must submit documentation and approval requests to ADECA for review. There will be more to follow with this, and council action will be required in the near future. uh... also several probably have noticed that uh... there's been some construction works that has resumed uh... at north island park last week the prattville public safety building hosted the alabama ems challenge sponsored by alabama fire college and uab continuing education and hands on training opportunities are essential to keeping our first responders prepared confident and ready to serve our community when it matters the most We're very fortunate to have these opportunities like this available to our personnel, and the investment that we have made in that training center on County Road 4 is paying dividends now and I know for decades to come. I'd also like to talk about our Parks and Recreation staff. They have been working on a new Walk Prattville campaign to encourage residents to get outside, get moving, and take advantage of the parks, walking tracks, and trails located throughout our community. As part of this effort, staff is measuring and verifying, it's a nice looking picture out there of Cooters Pond. But it's verifying the exact distance for walking routes and developing consistent signage to mark distances like 1 1⁄8 and 1 1⁄4, 1 1⁄2 and 1 mile. The goal is to make it easier for residents to use these areas and know exactly how far they are walking. I will have to say that with some of the weather changes that I've experienced a few, very few, but we will have more weather changes and I have noticed more and more folks out enjoying The weather, we're enjoying our walking trails and pathways and getting some good fresh air and some exercise. So I want to encourage everyone on that one. Councilors, as we move into fiscal year 2027, I encourage all of us to stay committed to our community and ourselves and to the people that we serve, and we most certainly hope that any issues that we have, this body, my staff, our department heads, and other employees can definitely, we're set there to handle anything and everything that is thrown at us. But very finally, I would like to remind everyone that Spooky Movie Night is scheduled for October the 3rd, 2026 at Pratt Park, beginning at 6 p.m. Mr. President, end of my report.

Thank you, sir. Is there anybody on the council who has questions for the mayor?

Thank you.

All right, this time we'll move into reports from council on special committees. Councilor Newman? I have none. Councilor Jackson? Councilor Chambers? No, sir. Councilor Merritt? No, sir. Councilor Langley? No, sir. And I do not have one myself either. At this time, we'll hear a report on the status of city finances from our finance director, Daniel Oakley.

Yes, sir. First page in your packet details the general fund revenue and it shows that we have received $56,724,164 for the fiscal year to date and this represents a 3.69% increase over the same period in the prior year. Next page is the tax breakdown comparison and on the tax side we were up 6.95% when compared to the previous August. Next three pages show the general fund expenses broken down by department and with 91.67% of the fiscal year complete, we spent roughly 90% of our budgeted expenditures in the general fund Next page is the wastewater enterprise fund income statement. The wastewater fund generated an net income from operations of $386,834 for August. Overall expenses are below budget at around 82.3%. Next page is the sanitation enterprise fund income statement. Sanitation fund generated a net income of $83,229 for the month. The expenses are tracking below for this fund as well at 82.2%. Next page is the judicial special revenue fund income statement. The judicial fund generated net income of $13,770 for August. Expenses remain under budget at 66.7%. We do have two quarterly Metro jail payments that were made in early September that are not reflected on this statement, but that will catch the expenses up for this fund to round out the year. Next page is the bank balances report. The total of all bank balances citywide at the end of August was $48,546,212. And the final page in your packets, the AP and debt balances report. The total outstanding debt balance citywide at the end of the month was $64,607,099. Well, the city's non-enterprise fund debt was $34,831,349. Does any of the council have questions for Mr. Oakley? All right. Thank you, sir. Thank you.

All right, tonight we have an opportunity to create a consent agenda. There are eight items that we might consider on this agenda, and they are item number one, resolution, to authorize the mayor to have overgrown grass and weeds at 135 Pierce Lane, abated, and charge any incurred expenses for the abatement process pursuant to Chapter 46, City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. item number two is a resolution to grant an amended restaurant retail liquor license to m and s sports diner incorporated doing business as beef o'brady's item number three is a resolution to reappoint robbie anderson to the prattville solid waste disposal authority item number four is a resolution to declare the garbage and rubbish at 434 water street a public nuisance and authorize the mayor to abate and charge any incurred expenses pursuant to chapter 46 city of prattville code of ordinances Item number five is a resolution to set a public hearing to declare the abundance of overgrown grass and weeds at 925 Pigler Street, 1694 Cumberland Drive, and 110 Glenbrook Lane to be unsafe and a public nuisance and order its abatement pursuant to Chapter 46, City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. Item number six is a resolution to rescind resolution book 2026-A, page 213, authorizing the release of funds for the window renovation project at City Hall to Tri-County Glass and Home Repair LLC at a cost not to exceed $34,000. Item number seven is a resolution to authorize the approval of a grant policy regarding application reporting, cash management, and cost principles. And item number eight is a resolution to amend the ambulance fee schedule in respect to Alabama Legislature Act 2026-349. Do I hear a motion to create a consent agenda?

So moved.

Moved by Councilor Chambers. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Langley. All in favor of creating a consent agenda, please signify by raising your right hand. And this consent agenda is now before us. Do I hear a motion to adopt the consent agenda? So moved. Moved by Councilor Merrick. Is there a second? Second by Councilor Langley. Is there any discussion on the consent agenda? All right. Hearing none, all in favor of adopting the consent agenda, please signify by raising your right hand. And the consent agenda has been adopted unanimously. We'll now move into our regular agenda. Item number one, excuse me, on our agenda tonight is an ordinance to amend the council procedures for the 2025-2029 quadrennium. This ordinance was originally introduced on 8-4-2026 at that meeting and then held from the 8-18-2026 meeting. This ordinance is now properly before us. Is there any discussion on this item?

I would like to amend line 47 and 48 to say the council shall hold a work session prior to each meeting, the first and third, or the first, both meetings of each month beginning at 5 p.m. Would you like me to repeat that?

No, no, no. So the council shall hold a work session prior to... Each meeting. Each meeting. of the month beginning at five p m forty seven and forty eight that she is amending it from uh... holder work says in the first meeting of each month beginning at five and substitute that prior to each meeting of the month. So that means a work session at 5 p.m. before every council, regularly scheduled council meeting. Correct. And that may be a better way to word that. Yeah, that's a good... That's a good question. So first of all, well, I guess the question is, is this a pre-agenda work session?

Personally, I like calling it a work session and the purpose of the work session would be to go over the agenda with department heads present at that time to answer any questions that we may have and then have an opportunity to discuss any old or new business that we may need to discuss. So I want us to deal with the agenda first, obviously, but I don't want us limited to only being able to discuss that if we can have a new and old business item.

So just, Andrew, so I'm correct. Right now we have a motion to amend.

That's right.

So in order to continue to discuss that, we need to get a second, and then we can discuss the motion to amend, and then we can vote on the motion to amend as discussed. All right. So we have a motion to amend line 47 and 48 to say that the council shall hold a work session prior to each regularly scheduled council meeting. Okay. All right. So we have that as a form of a motion. All right, so that is the motion by Councilor Langley. Is there a second?

Second.

Second by Councilor Newman. All right, so is there any discussion on the motion to amend?

You can go ahead since you seconded.

I would just say I'm for whatever the majority of the body wants to do. Whatever you guys decide to do, I'm going to support, so.

Any further discussion?

Yeah, just in general terms, I know I've kind of shared this before and very respectfully sharing my thoughts is, you know, we have had quite a bit of meetings. Those who were on the previous council compared to this quadrennium so far, we have had, quite a bit of meetings which those meetings were needed and i think that's when you have those meetings is when they are needed uh... and that's when we call the work sessions and whatnot uh... so that's where uh... i think that we need to uh... i think we're doing fine i think that they've been very lengthy and very uh... educational and helpful as far as uh... the meetings are concerned that we have had and I see it has been a good thing, and I do not see why we would want to continue to add more meetings on top of that when I think we've had a considerable amount of them as is, and we will continue to do so as needed. Thank you.

Okay. Any other discussion? So just my... thoughts on this uh... another was a law uh... uh... a uh... list i guess of other municipalities that have uh... work sessions prior to their regular council meetings and i reached out to some of those municipalities and talked with their uh... some of them are mayor pro tem some of them are council presidents depending on the size and the makeup of how they're organized so i i stated it the original meeting i'm not opposed to any uh... today an agenda meeting prior to our council meetings each one of those that i called said Those work sessions, which are before regularly scheduled meetings, are work sessions with an agenda, and that agenda is the agenda of the meeting itself. And that is their opportunity to ask any questions just just like you were talking about ask any questions of uh... uh... you know our department heads or anybody that might be able to provide information to us prior to the meeting so that we could get that information during the work session and then that uh... that helped with the flow of the meeting so that those questions were answered and when you get to the meeting that follows the work session those discussions have been had in those questions have been asking those answers have been received and and that allowed their meeting to flow a little quicker uh... so i guess Mr. Odom currently, if, if we have a work session, we, we publish an agenda for our work session.

That's right. With the items that that works session will discuss and entail.

Okay. So if we were going to have a, um, a pre council meeting work session, and there was going to be something other than the agenda for that council meeting, it would need to be posted prior to that work session. I mean, we wouldn't just come to that work session and bring up any topic at all.

Right. You would need to give the public notice on what topics are being discussed, just like we do committee meetings and other open meetings.

Okay. Okay. All right. So that was just my only thing that I talked to. And like I said initially, I'm not opposed to having that meeting prior – to council meeting you know in my personal opinion i think if we were going to do that uh... you know there may be another section we need to look at because if we're going to ask department heads questions during that work session then get all of that information then it it may not be a need for every department had to be here for the entire council meeting if they would have if they have already I know occasionally there are issues that come up maybe from public comment and department heads on a rare occasion have been called to provide information from things that have come from the public. I'm just saying if we had that meeting prior to the council meeting and we received that information from those department heads, in my opinion, there wouldn't really be a need for them to stay the entire meeting. in speaking with those other municipalities that have those, those are limited to the items that are on the agenda for that meeting. So I just wanted to make sure that we were clear on that, that if we're gonna talk about it at the work session, it needs to be on the agenda that's posted, the public notice that's given for that work session.

Andrew, is there not the opportunity to have new business, old business on an agenda?

There is, but that would require an amendment to the council resolution criteria where of course it goes through and it States what the agenda consists of. So that would need to be amended to add old business, new business. It's like this agenda where you see the order of proceedings.

Okay.

So, yeah, go ahead. So, Andrew, you're saying Section 6 would need to be amended for old business and new business? That's what you're saying? No, actually the resolution, right? Yeah, looking at the ordinance. Section 6? Well, yeah, I guess it would have to be.

Well, but are we talking about... the ability to add that to a council meeting or to the work session, because we're discussing the work session. So this is the order of business as far as the council meeting itself, yeah.

Right, we don't have anything for a work session, right. that's laid out like section six for the regular agenda meeting, regular agenda.

Right, but we don't follow all of those items at a work session either. That's for council meeting.

So what exactly would need to be adjusted, Andrew, if we added that? I'm confused.

So you're saying to add old business and new business to a pre-council work session?

Yes.

Okay. So that would entail section seven. Of course, where you're stating the council should hold a work session prior to each council meeting. Probably would need to add a provision in there that says the session shall entail old business and new business previously before the council. But that amendment would need to be made to Section 7. Section 6 deals with the order of business for the regular meeting.

Okay. So that would give us the option for a pre-council meeting work session to add something that was not on the agenda during under the category of new business that's correct yes and just because it was added to the pre-meeting work session would not put it on the agenda for the council

Yeah, in other words, you couldn't bring up new business and then have it on the regular agenda for a vote at the same meeting. Right, because it wouldn't be publicly noticed. Yes, okay.

All right. So right now we are on the amendment that is before us. So let's see.

Can I rescind that amendment, Andrew?

Yes, you can withdraw that.

I can withdraw that and then have another amendment.

He would have to withdraw his second? Yes. Okay.

I would like to rescind, withdraw that amendment.

Okay, so you withdraw your motion for the amendment. Correct. Do you withdraw your second?

I absolutely withdraw my second.

Okay. So now we are back to the original amendment. Ordinance that is before us as written on the paper.

I would like to change.

Amend.

Amend. Thank you. Line. Line 47 and 48 to state that the council shall hold a pre-council work, pre-council, what did you call it? What do you want to call it?

A pre-meeting work session. Pre-agenda work.

Pre-agenda work session. prior to each council meeting to include council agenda or agenda items and old and new business period.

All right. So you're leaving the beginning at 5 o'clock? You're leaving that part? Or we're just as you read it? As I read it. Okay. So there is no time. Okay.

Well, I'm sorry. No, at 5 o'clock. We need to have a starting time.

No, it says every.

So we're still leaving every.

She just made that amendment. That was the amendment that she made to line 47.

Yes, Mr. Mayor. If I might, is that every regularly scheduled meeting? Because the way it's sort of worded. The way I'm hearing it, it's any special.

Well, yeah, you're right. It said prior to each council meeting, so it needs to be each regularly scheduled council meeting.

Okay, let's try this again. The council shall hold a pre-agenda work session. each council meeting of the month which should include or which will include the agenda items as well as new and old business and it begins at five o'clock.

Clean that up just a smidge.

Regularly scheduled, sorry.

So what I have is the council shall hold a pre-agenda work session prior to each regularly scheduled council meeting to include agenda items and new business, and it begins at 5 p.m. Yeah, new and or old business that begins at 5 p.m. So that is the motion that is on the floor. You made a motion, right? I did. Is there a second? A second. Seconded by Councilor Newman. All right. Is there any discussion on the motion to amend? So, yes, sir. Okay, I just have one question because there again I called and talked to other municipalities that do this and one local municipality right across the interstate who has one prior to their meeting. It is a 30-minute work session prior to their meeting. Now, it is for agenda items. I guess my question... would be to the council is being here at 5 p.m. a burden on anyone with, you know, I mean, I realize this is a job, but this is not our only job. So is 5 p.m. a burden? I mean, some people don't get off work till 5 p.m., I, for one, retired.

Presently, with my job, with implementing a new system at work, I have now been summoned to come into the office, and I am unable to leave until I don't get off until 5, and sometimes it could be after 5. Now, that's not going to be long-term, but for the time being, I'm unable to do that.

Is there anyone else?

So I just was going to make comments and say, you know, I don't have any problem coming to any meeting. We have a meeting. I'm going to be here for it. And that's why I said I want the council to kind of say what they want to do. But I do want to make sure that we're not just having a meeting unnecessarily. We have some structure around our meeting. And I know we have some rules that we have to make sure we abide by while we're doing it. So... I don't want to replicate work for stuff either necessarily that we already may have answers to. I know we get a lot of backup documents and things that are already in place for us before we come to these meetings. I look at them heavily and use them too. So I just would ask, you know, that we, you know, counselors just let me know what you want to do because I can do any of these things. So I don't want to lean into it. Do something, you know, make sure you state it so I can I can know because I want to vote for what the council wants to do. So I can go any way. We can not have a meeting, I'll be fine. We can have a meeting, I'll be fine. I just want to make sure it's structured, it's functional, it does what it's supposed to.

So the way I understand, just to address that, the amendment that is before us of the pre-agenda work session prior to each regularly scheduled council meeting to include agenda items, old and new business, um so there may be an occasion where there could be older new business i would think that the majority of what would be on that agenda for those work sessions would be the agenda for the meeting following the work session so I mean, I understand that. I mean, we have quite a few agenda items tonight, and I'm not sure how many questions there will be for department heads or finance director or anybody else for items that we've already received the information and backup documents for. So I understand where you're coming from as far as saying having a meeting just to have a meeting. If we come in and there is no old business, no new business, and nobody has a question on the agenda, the meeting could last five minutes, and then we sit here until 6 p.m. Well, when we had this discussion before, I already had spoken out, so I'm not going to go through the whole thing again, but I'm not for this, and you can check back the records as my reason why.

Okay.

Is there any other discussion on the motion to amend line 47 and 48 that is before us right now?

Would it be to accommodate Tommy's? Would it make sense to say 515? Would 530 be enough time? I mean, I know he just spoke about just getting off at 5, and it may not be 5 o'clock forever, but would we look at 515 or 530? Would that make sense to accommodate Mr. Tommy?

Well, I mean... That would be a question for him. I will say that we've used Millbrook as an example for several times. And I talked with him again today. And they have a 30-minute before, and it is a strict 30-minute. It's 30 minutes before their meeting. So technically, they start their council meeting at 5.30. It's just a work session until 6.00. And at 6.00, that work session is over with. And so it is a strictly timed meeting. It's only given 30 minutes.

I would support happily a 5.15 start time and do 30 minutes and have a few minutes for a quick bathroom break and reconvene if that is more palpable to the rest of the council.

Okay, hold that thought, because I'm going through the, we have an amendment before us now, so did you have something to add, Ms. Clerk?

I was just going to do the reminder what I explained last time. When you're adding old and new business, if the department heads do not know what is going to be asked, they may not have the information to provide, so it may be a futile point that they have nothing productive in front of them.

Thank you. All right, so the current amendment that is before us is the council shall hold a pre-agenda work session prior to each regular scheduled council meeting to include agenda items, old and new business, beginning at 5 p.m. So if we want to amend that, we're going to have to, well, we're not. Resend it. Because we can amend the amendment we're gonna have to we're in the discussion on the amendment right right now right this amendment so President Whaley I can read the room and I would like to withdraw my amendment again And Okay, would you be willing to withdraw your second? Yes. All right, so it is not on that amendment has been withdrawn and

And I would like to change line 47 and 48 to state the council shall hold a pre-agenda work session at the beginning of each regular.

Prior to each.

Prior to each regular meeting.

Regularly scheduled council meeting.

Regularly scheduled council. Would you like to read it?

I'm just going off of what your previous one.

Each regularly scheduled council meeting beginning at 515 to include the agenda items on the schedule for the meeting as well as old and new business and or new business.

Okay.

So moved.

All right. So we have a motion to amend. Do we have a second?

I will second it for procedural purposes. Okay.

We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion on the amendment that is before us? If you would like, I can read that. Or if everybody has that, then any discussion?

So we're voting on the amendment, not the order?

We are voting on the amendment, yes. Any discussion on the amendment? All right. All in favor of the amendment before us, signify by raising your right hand. Okay. All opposed, like so. And then any abstain? All right. So the amendment is added to the ordinance. All right. So now the ordinance as amended is before us. And that will require a motion and a second? Yes. Yes. So the amended ordinance is before us. Is there a motion?

I would like to make a motion that we accept the ordinance as amended. Okay.

There's an amendment. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Jackson. All right. Is there any discussion on the amended ordinance?

That's a quick question, Andrew or Paula, whoever, um, what are the requirements regarding the, the department heads to be in attendance during council meetings? Uh, are they required to be during the entirety of a council meeting? Um, just kind of get some clarification on that.

So councilor chambers currently section 22. states the different department heads that shall, when requested, attend all meetings of the council. So that's not being amended. That currently would be in full force and effect.

Correct.

So if they are requested to attend this 515 pre-council work session, then they would have to attend until they're excused.

Right. Excuse meaning during the work session or the council meeting itself?

Whenever the council excuses said department head. Yes. So that could be at the end of the work session.

Okay.

Yeah, so it says that shall attend all meetings of the council and shall remain in the council chambers or designated area for such length of times as the council may direct.

Okay.

That's correct. Yes. That's what it says.

So question back would be hypothetically they're excused and some questions come up during the meeting that they're, they're not here to answer. So therefore we, we won't be able to necessarily make a decision on something that is clear to have clarity on something that might come up or a constituent might came up at some point. Um, What's the recommendation? I mean, do we just proceed without a department head here if we need questions answered after they've been told it's okay for them to leave?

Yeah, I mean, for such length of time as the council may direct. So if those questions get answered, within the 515 work session, and then they are excused by the council, and then something comes up in the regular meeting, then that's a valid point. They would not be here.

All right.

I have a question. Since you talked with some folks that had the little work session beforehand, so when we have that open, so at the end of the meetings, do these other cities have a,

allow comments at the end of the work session i'm talking about from the work session leading into the council council meetings so the agendas i have seen from work sessions pre pre agenda work sessions are only for council there are no public comment periods or times during the work sessions it is It strictly, the ones that I have gone and looked at and asked questions about, it is at a time for the council members to ask questions of anything that's on that agenda for that night so that it improves the flow of the meeting itself. That's the way I've heard it from every one of them that do it. It improves the flow of their regular meetings.

That's not part of our amendment So I did have one other question Andrew I

So we do have, as council members, we do have attendance requirements. Those are council meetings only? Does that include work sessions? I mean, if we have people who, what I'm asking is, if there is someone who, if we start at 515 and they cannot be here until 530 every single work session, is there a penalty for that? I mean, I wouldn't think so, not at a work session, because I think the attendance rules are for council meetings. That's right, the statutory regularly scheduled council meetings. Okay. So there's, okay, that answers my question then. All right, is there any other discussion on this ordinance as amended and before us? All right. Not seeing any, all in favor of adopting the ordinance as amended, signify by raising your right hand. Any opposed, like sign. All right. And it is adopted as amended. All right, item number two is an ordinance to amend City of Prattville Code of Ordinances Chapter 38, Licenses, Taxation, and Miscellaneous Business Regulations, Article 3, Sales Tax, Use Tax, and Similar Tax, Division 5, Transient Occupancy Tax, Section 38-211, Tax Levied Within Corporate Limits. This ordinance was introduced 9-126 and is now properly before us. Is there any discussion on this item?

all right no discussion on this ordinance council jackson um i know we heard from the uh gentleman earlier have we heard back from any other uh hotels that have concerns about this five dollar surcharge and have we yeah i mean because i haven't heard from anyone i was just curious had you all heard from anyone i think that's your district and

Uh, yes, Mr. Patel and I had a nice conversation yesterday and, um, I definitely understand his concerns, uh, and, and the other gentlemen here tonight, um, would be interested to know if, you know, if there. Or any other discussions with, with the, the other owners of the hotels or any of us did before making a decision tonight. But, um, I obviously have, so, um, you know, that's all I can do as far as answering your question.

uh... i was in say i have had conversation with spares here b and b bed-and-breakfast owners as well so i've had people reach out i actually had a conversation today with one uh... owner of a uh... airbnb and i think really their concern uh... was at the point of the additional charge was it for the booking individually or was it per room of the airbnb and i spoke with um... daniel prior to the meeting and he said that we're not looking at individual rooms in an airbnb it would be uh... we would interpret that as it's just the booking itself so the fee is is two dollars currently and then it would be an additional five uh... just for that booking per night for the entire airbnb that was the only question that i received

I guess I just want to make a comment as well. I travel and stay at quite a few places for traveling. I know a lot of hotels have a lot of charges around the country for various things. I feel like ours are probably on the lower end for the most part. I definitely agree that one way or the other, we're going to have to deal with an education cost problem. at some point in the future and you know additional revenue streams are something we certainly need to be looking at whichever way we end up going so I mean I don't want to simultaneously burden hotels too much but at the same time I feel like this is a good way for us to generate an additional revenue stream that we can put to good use based on what we've got in our budget right now.

And one other thing as far as education related expenses. I know that's kind of broad for the public. Would you like to elaborate on that a little more? Or would someone like to elaborate on what those educated related expenses are?

Yes. So My thought process in putting this together and bringing it to the council was that we are going to have to find additional revenue for education regardless of the decision that's made by this council moving forward on a city school system or not. not not to to beat this issue again but we i mean what we know we know from the request of the atoll county board of education when that request was made and we started to evaluate the funding in order to even consider that request that uh... it was going to require additional revenue uh... so we are in or have hired someone that is going to provide us with some more information to help us make a decision on the future of education for the city of prattville uh... and regardless of what that decision is we're looking to to provide additional revenue for education uh... it education related purposes I mean, I didn't know any other way to say it. It's going to go to school. It's going to go to education, but we haven't made a decision, so we can't narrow it down to it's going to this or it's going to go to whatever's been requested. We are just earmarking it for education-related activities.

that's what i was going to ask this is going to go into a dedicated fund that we decide to use either for our city school system to cover the gap or we'll put toward what the county board of education we decide to do with them yes okay i do have another question for you um the five dollar lodging fee can you give me a little bit more background on what how you landed on five dollars

Yes, just looking at a total projected amount and what it would take to get us. I mean, obviously, this is not going to fund entirely education, regardless of the decision we make. It's not going to entirely fund education. But I think most of us up here sat and said, we agree that funding for education is a priority. And we don't know what decision we will make on that, but we're going to need a good bit of additional funding for education moving forward. And I have looked at some of the different fees from some hotels that I've stayed in, and some of them have four or five different local fees, and totaling up to $16 to $18 in local add-on fees. Not here. I'm not staying in a hotel here. I live here. All right. Is there any other questions? Yes. All right, not hearing any, all in favor of ordinance signify by raising your right hand. Okay, and the ordinance has been adopted. Item number three is a resolution to award bid number 026-009 to Dykin Applied Americas Incorporated for HVAC Preventive Maintenance Services for all city-owned systems at a total cost not to exceed $714,265.52. Councilor Jackson, will you introduce this resolution, please? Did you say Deccan Deccan Deccan Deccan is it Deccan?

All right, where's Where's the plan service contract for HVAC preventative maintenance services expired on September 30th 2026 And whereas the city of Prattville has identified a need for continued HVAC preventative maintenance services for city-owned facilities and whereas specifications were drafted for said project and whereas for sealed bids and were received open and read aloud on August 24, 26 at 3 p.m. in the Council Chamber at the City Hall, and whereas Dykin Apply Americas Incorporated was the lowest responsible bidder with a total cost of $714,265.52 for said project, and whereas said services shall be provided at the following annual cost, October 1, 26 2026 through september 30 2027 231 086 052 cents october 1 27 through september 30 2028 238 19 october 1 2028 through september 30 2029 245 160 now therefore be resolved that city council the city of prattville hereby awards bid number zero two six zero zero nine to die can apply america's incorporated amount not to exceed seven hundred fourteen thousand two hundred sixty five thousand fifty two cents for say hvac services and said funds are approved and appropriated to be paid in quarterly payments from budget line item facilities maintenance building maintenance be further resolved that the mayor is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution so moved we have a motion by councillor jackson do we have a second

Say by councilor Langley is there any discussion on this item? Not hearing any all in favor signify by raising your right hand. And this resolution has been adopted unanimously. Item number four is a resolution to amend the FY2026 budget and authorize the release of funds for the purchase of one Kubota tractor through the Source Well Purchasing Cooperative. Contract number 082923-KBA from Capital Tractor Incorporated for Urban Management at a cost not to exceed $69,303.94. Councilor Merrick, will you introduce this resolution, please?

Yes, sir. Where is the planned service contract for HVAC, Preventive Maintenance Services, expires on September 30th, 2026? And where is the city of Preble identified a need for a continued HVAC preventive?

Sorry, next one.

Oh, that's Jackson. Sorry, sorry, Councilman Jackson. Sorry. All right. Number four. Yes. Whereas urban management has identified a need for a Kubota M five dash one, one, one HDC 12. That's one tractor. And whereas said tractor is available through the source. Well, purchasing cooperative contract number 0 8 2 9 2 3 dash KBA from capital tractor incorporated at a cost not to exceed 69,303 dollars and 94 cents. Now, therefore be it resolved by the city council with the city of travel. that fiscal year 2026 budget is hereby amended as follows. Increase general fund sales tax revenues, $69,303.94. Increase urban management capital outlay, $69,303.94. Be it further resolved by the City Council that funds in an amount not to exceed $69,303.94 for the purchase of said tractor are hereby authorized and approved to be paid to Capital Tractor Incorporated and said funds are approved and appropriated from fiscal year 2026, budget urban management slash capital outlay. Be it further resolved that the mayor is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution. So moved.

All right, we have a motion by Councilor Mayer. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Jackson. Is there any discussion on this item? Not hearing any, all in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. and this resolution has been adopted unanimously under five is a resolution to authorize the release of funds for the window renovation project at city hall to best glass company incorporated at a cost not to exceed fifty six thousand nine hundred forty two dollars doesn't jackson we introduce this resolution please yes sir where the resolution book twenty twenty six eight page two thirteen on july thirty twenty thirty twenty six

City Council of the City of Prattville authorized the release of funds for the window renovation project at City Hall to Tri-County Glass and Home Repairs, LLC, and whereas Tri-County Glass and Home Repairs, LLC, notified the city that they were unable to meet all of the required specifications to complete said project at the accorded price, and whereas the City Council rescinded said resolution, and whereas the need still exists to complete said project, and whereas Best Glass Company Incorporated has the expertise to provide said renovations And it costs not to exceed $56,942. And whereas pursuant to Section 3921 of the Code of Alabama 1975 as amended, said renovations are a public works project. And whereas Section 3922 of the Code of Alabama 1975 as amended allows contracts of public works projects under $100,000 to be let Without bidding, and whereas this is a budget expense of facilities maintenance, now therefore be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Prattville that funds are in the amount not to exceed $56,942 are hereby authorized and approved to be paid to Best Glass Company Incorporated for said renovations and said funds are approved and appropriated from fiscal year 26 budget line item facilities maintenance capital outlay. Outlay. be it further resolved that the mayor is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution. So moved.

Thank you. We have a motion by Councilor Jackson. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Newman. Any discussion on this item? All right. All in favor of this resolution, signify by raising your right hand. And this resolution has been adopted unanimously. Item number six is a resolution to amend the FY2026 budget and authorize the release of funds for the purchase of one 2026 or newer Ford F-250 regular cab truck through state contract number MA230000003416-3 from Stivers Ford Lincoln Incorporated for the Urban Management Department at a total cost not to exceed $55,554. Councilor Merrick, will you introduce this resolution, please?

Yes, sir. Whereas urban management has identified a need to purchase one 2026 or newer Ford F-250 regular cab 4x4 chassis truck, and whereas said truck is available through state contract number MA230000003416-3 from Cyrus Ford Lincoln Incorporated at a cost not to exceed $55,554. And I would therefore be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Prattville at the fiscal year twenty twenty six budget is hereby amended as follows increase general fund slash sales tax revenue fifty five thousand five hundred fifty four dollars increase urban management slash capital outlay fifty five thousand five hundred fifty four dollars be it further resolved by the city council that funds and amount not to exceed fifty five thousand five hundred fifty four dollars for the purchase of said truck are hereby authorized and approved to be paid to stivers ford lincoln incorporated and said funds are approved and appropriated from fiscal year 2026 budget line item urban management slash capital outlay. So moved.

All right, we have a motion by Councilor Merrick. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Jackson. Is there any discussion on this item?

All right.

All in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. And this resolution has been adopted unanimously. Item number seven. so resolution authorize the mayor to enter in a contract for construction engineering inspection services with neil shaffer incorporated for alabama department of transportation al dot project number s t p m in dash zero one two four two five one cp ms reference number one zero zero zero seven seven seven two one and one zero zero zero seven seven seven one seven for resurfacing and traffic striping on garner road from upper kingston road to Martin Luther King Drive. At a total cost not to exceed $48,689, net to the city not to exceed $9,737.80. Councilor Langley, will you introduce this resolution, please?

Yes, sir. Whereas in Resolution Book 2024-A, page 174, on July 16, 2024, the City Council of the City of Prattville authorized the mayor to enter into a preliminary engineering and construction contract with the state of Alabama, acting by and through ALDOT for project number STPMN-0124, CPMS reference number 100077721A, and 100077717 for the resurfacing and traffic striping on Gardner Road from Upper Kingston Road to Martin Luther King Drive. And whereas the Engineering Department has identified a need for construction engineering and inspection services for said project, whereas neil shaffer inc has the expertise to provide said services at a total cost not to exceed forty eight thousand six hundred and eighty nine dollars net cost to the city not to exceed nine thousand seven hundred and thirty seven dollars and eighty cents whereas thirty nine dash to dash to d one of the code of alabama nineteen seventy five as amended allows contracts to secure services with engineers possessing a high degree of professional skill to be let without bidding, and whereas said project is funded in the FY2027 gas tax fund. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Prattville that the Mayor is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Neal Schaefer, Inc. for said engineering services and funds in the amount not to exceed $48,000. $689. Net cost to the city not to exceed $9,737.80 are appropriated in the FY2027 gas tax fund. Be it further resolved that the mayor is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution. So moved, President Whaley.

All right, we have a motion by Councilor Langley. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Newman. Is there any discussion? Not hearing any. All in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. and this resolution has been adopted unanimously. Item number eight is a resolution to amend the FY2026 budget and authorize the release of funds for the purchase of one 2026 or newer Ford F-250 super duty crew cab truck through state contract number MA220000003128-22 from Stivers Ford Lincoln Incorporated for Urban Management At a total cost not to exceed $49,733. Counselor Merrick, will you enter this resolution, please?

Yes, sir. Whereas urban management has identified a need to purchase one 2026 or newer Ford F-250 Super Duty Crew Cab 4x4 truck, and where a said truck is available through State Contract No. MA220000003128-2212, from Cyrus Ford Lincoln Incorporated, at a cost not to exceed $49,733. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City of Council of the City of Prattville that the fiscal year 2026 budget is hereby amended as follows. Increase general fund sales tax revenue $49,733. Increase urban management capital outlay $49,733. Be it further resolved by the City Council that funds in the amount not to exceed $49,733 for the purchase of said truck are hereby authorized and approved to be paid to Stivers Ford Lincoln Incorporated. and said funds are approved and appropriated from fiscal year 2026 budget line item urban management capital outlay. So moved.

Thank you. We have a motion by Councilor Merrick. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Newman. Is there any discussion on this item? All right. Hearing none, all in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. Any opposed, like, sign, or abstain? Resolution has been adopted. All right, item number nine is a resolution to amend the FY2026 budget and authorize the release of funds for the purchase of one hydro-seater through the source well purchasing cooperative contract number 070821-FNN from Thompson Tractor Company Incorporated for engineering at a cost not to exceed $45,504.72. Counselor Merrick, will you introduce this resolution, please?

Yes, sir. Whereas engineering has identified a need to purchase one T six OT trailer. Mounted hydro Cedar deluxe and where it said equipment is available through the source will purchasing cooperative contract number 0 7 0 8 2 1 dash F and N from Thompson tractor company incorporated at cost not to exceed $45,504 and 72 cents. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Prattville that the fiscal year 2026 budget is hereby amended as follows. Decrease engineering slash traffic marking and calming, $15,504.72. Decrease P&R departmental reserves, $15,000. Decrease urban management. urban forestry, $7,500. Decreased wastewater enterprise fund street and sewer, $7,500. Increased wastewater enterprise fund transfer to general fund, $7,500. Increased general fund transfer from wastewater enterprise fund, $7,500. Increased engineering capital outlay, $45,504.72. Be it further resolved by the city council that funds in the amount not to exceed $45,504.72 for the purchase of said equipment are hereby authorized and approved to be paid to Thompson Tractor Company Incorporated. And said funds are approved and appropriated from fiscal year 2026 budget engineering slash capital outlay. Be it further resolved that the mayor is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution. So moved, sir.

All right, we have a motion by Councillor Mayer. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councillor Chambers. Is there any discussion on this item? All right, I just had one question, Mayor. Just I'm just seeing a portion of this is coming from our wastewater enterprise fund and then another portion from parks and rec a portion from urban management is Engineering going to be the central hub for any hydro sitting that needs to be done citywide. That's the reason they're sharing there are other departments sharing the cost of

It all depends on the project and exactly where it is. For example, with the wastewater, some of our sewer lines are way in the back woods. And so more than likely, it would be some of their heavy equipment that would take it instead of engineering. But this is a... a multi-department endeavor. Right, sharing resources. Also, I really don't foresee, and Parks and Recs might have the personnel and the equipment to pull this equipment, so it's going to be on case by basis.

Well, I mean, Parks and Rec could still need some hydro seating that one of the other departments could do for them. Correct.

So that's, okay. All right, so it's a shared resource.

All right, any other discussion? alright not hearing any all in favor signify by raising your right hand and this resolution has been adopted unanimously item number

is resolution to authorize the mayor to enter into a contract with alabama power for lighting improvements that could respond for at a cost of thirty four thousand two hundred thirty three dollars fifty eight cent councilman will you introduce this resolution please absolutely whereas the city of revel has a need for lighting improvements that could respond park to create sport the new sand volleyball courts and whereas alabama power is the electric service provider in this area and whereas it is the desire of the city to enter into a contract with alabama power to install and maintain for LED post lights, wood poles, and wire for said lighting improvements at a buy-down cost of $34,233.58. And whereas said improvements are budgeted in parks and recreation, now therefore be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Prattville that the Mayor is hereby authorize to enter into a contract with Alabama Power for said lighting improvements at a buy-down cost of $34,233.58, and funds are hereby approved and appropriated from the FY 2026 budget line item, Parks and Recreational Capital Outlay. Be it further resolved that the mayor is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to carry out the attendance resolution. So moved.

All right, we have a motion by Councilor Newman. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Langley. Is there any discussion? Yes.

By being an employee of Alabama Power, I will be abstaining.

For conflict, potential conflict of interest?

For potential conflict of interest. Thank you, sir.

No problem. All right. Is there any other discussion? All right. Not hearing any, all in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. okay and any abstain all right this resolution has been adopted all right item number eleven is a resolution to authorize a release of funds for the purchase of one twenty twenty six or newer ford f-150 super crew truck through state contract number m a two two zero zero zero zero zero zero three one two eight dash one four from stivers ford lincoln incorporated for sanitation at a cost total cost not to exceed forty one thousand eight hundred twenty dollars counselor newman will you introduce this resolution please absolutely

WHEREAS SANITATION HAS IDENTIFIED A NEED TO PURCHASE ONE 2026 OR NEWER FORD F-150 SUPERCREW TWO-WHEEL DRIVE SHORT-BED TRUCK. AND WHEREAS SAID TRUCK IS AVAILABLE THROUGH SALE CONTRACT NUMBER MA220000003128-14 FROM STIVERS FORD AND LINCOLN INC. AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $41,820. AND WHEREAS THIS IS A BUDGETED EXPENSE IN THE SANITATION ENTERPRISE FUND. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Prattville that funds in the amount not to exceed $41,820 for the purchase of said truck are hereby authorized and approved to be paid to Stivers Ford Lincoln Incorporated, and said funds are approved and appropriated from FY 2026 Budget Line Item Sanitation Enterprise Funds slash Capital Outlay. So moved.

All right. We have a motion by Council Member Newman. Is there a second? Second. Second by Council Member Langley. Second. is there any discussion on this item all right now hang any all in favor of this resolution please signify by raising your right hand and this resolution has been adopted unanimously resolution number twelve is to amend the budget to authorize the mayor to enter into a contract with alabama power for lighting improvements at north highland park at a cost of twenty eight thousand one hundred eighteen dollars thirty nine cent council jackson will you introduce this resolution please

Whereas the city of Prattville has deed for lighting improvements at North Highland Park, and whereas Alabama Power is an electric service provider in that area, and whereas it is the desire of the city to enter into a contract with Alabama Power to install and maintain 10 LED floodlights, wood poles, and OH wire for said lighting improvements at a buy-down cost of $28,118.39. now therefore be resolved by the city council the city of prattville that the fiscal year twenty six budget is hereby amended as follows decreased capital projects for lodging fee reserves twenty eight thousand one hundred eighteen dollars thirty nine cents increased capital projects for north highland park renovations twenty eight thousand one hundred eighteen dollars thirty nine cents the mayor is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with alabama power to set lighting improvements at a buy down cost of twenty eight thousand one hundred eighteen dollars and thirty nine cents the father hereby approved appropriated from fiscal the twenty twenty six budget line item capital projects for the north island park renovations before the result of the marriage about authorized execute union are documents necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution so all right we have motion by councillor jackson do we have second say what does the chambers is there any discussion uh... yes sir uh... same as resolution uh... number ten uh...

employee of the power company, I will be abstaining per. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

All right, any further discussion? Not hearing any. All in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. And any abstention? All right. All right, resolution number 13. To amend the FY2026 budget and authorize the release of funds for the purchase of one Land Pride rotary cutter from Capital Tractor Incorporated for urban management at a cost not to exceed $24,653.68. Councilor Merrick, will you introduce this resolution, please? Yes, sir.

whereas urban management has identified a need to purchase one Land Pride 10-foot heavy-duty rotary cutter, and whereas sediment is available from Capital Tractor Incorporated at a cost not to exceed $24,653.68. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Prattville that fiscal year 2026 budget is hereby amended as follows. Increase general fund slash sales tax revenue $24,653.68, increase urban management slash capital outlay $24,653.68. Be it further resolved by the City Council that funds in the amount not to exceed $24,653.68 for the purchase of said equipment are hereby authorized and approved to be paid to Capital Tractor Incorporated and said funds are approved and appropriated from fiscal year 2026 budget line item urban management slash capital outlay. So moved, sir.

aren't we have much like as america's are second so i'm not canceling is there any discussion on this item right now hearing any all in favor's resolution please signify by raising right hand and you know any opposed or abstain resolution has been adopted under fourteen Resolution to amend the FY2026 budget to authorize the release of funds for the purchase of two right mowers from Live Oak Outdoors, LLC, doing business as Prattville Outdoors for urban management at a cost not to exceed $22,856. Councilor Merrick, will you introduce this resolution, please?

Yes, sir. Whereas urban management has identified a need to purchase two right 68 mowers and whereas said mowers are available from Live Oaks Outdoor LLC doing business as Prattville Outdoors at a cost of $11,428 each. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Prattville that fiscal year 2026 budget is hereby amended as follows. Increase general fund slash sales tax revenue $22,856. Increase urban management slash capital outlay $22,856. Be it further resolved by the city council that funds in the amount not to exceed $22,856 for the purchase of said mowers are hereby authorized and approved to be paid to Live Oak Outdoors LLC doing business as Prattville Outdoors and said funds are approved and appropriated from fiscal year 2026 budget line item urban management slash capital outlay. So moved.

All right. We have a motion by Councilor Merrick. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Newman. Is there any discussion on this item? Hearing none, all in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. And this resolution has been adopted unanimously. All right. Agenda item number 15. To request an attorney general's opinion regarding the eligibility of certain appointed or elected officials for city benefits, including health, life, dental, and vision insurance. Counselor Chambers, will you introduce this resolution, please? Yes.

Whereas the city has received varying legal guidance regarding the eligibility of certain appointed slash elected officials for city of Prattville benefits including health, life, dental, and vision insurance. And whereas it is the desire of the city council to get an attorney general's opinion of the eligibility of certain appointed elected officials for said city benefits. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the city council of the city of Prattville Hereby request the Honorable Steve Marshall, Attorney General for the State of Alabama, to give an opinion as to the eligibility of certain appointed elected officials for city benefits, including health, life, dental, and vision insurance. So moved.

All right, we have a motion by Councilor Chambers. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Newman. All right, is there any discussion?

I just want to maybe get a little more information, if you have it, on, yes, who is going to prepare this and get it ready to send to the AG, as well as I would like to follow the advice of Dr. Simmons and seek out a CPA attorney.

well I know that's not what we're voting on but I want to throw that out there so do Daniel do we have I know we discussed but do we have an attorney that we are going to contract to write this yeah so we've asked Rick Howard can't remember the firm that he's with but he's done some work for the city through amic but it's not directly you know part of the city we certainly wanted to reach outside of those that are affected by this

Okay. All right. That answers that.

I had one other question. I don't know if... Go ahead. Do we know if it's about the time it'll take? Do we have any idea about how long it'll take to get the answer back?

Andrew has some experience with drafting and the timelines on a few other questions, so I'm not sure.

Yeah, I think I've requested about four in the past, and it's usually 30- to 60-day timeline. from the time it's requested until you get the opinion back.

Is that typical, or can you request like a faster return?

That's pretty typical. I don't think there's an expedited request.

Yeah, go ahead.

I was just going to ask Council Lengley, as far as your thoughts on the tax part, Are you thinking of somebody after this, in regards to having somebody else review? Make sure I understand you correctly.

Yes, my opinion is that the AG will be able to answer certain questions, but as far as tax questions, I don't see, now I may be wrong, but I don't see that that is his specialty. And so, yes, I would like to have a, if that's what we're going to do, seek an opinion of a CPA attorney. I mean, we've already got the benefits employee specialist. That's who, what's her name? I said it, Ms. Martin? Claire? Yeah, Claire Martin. That's what she is. Hope Hicks, I don't know if she has a specialty. She's an attorney, according to her letterhead. And so I personally think that, yes, we're going to need to seek an opinion of a CPA tax attorney for these tax-specific questions, which are the ones that I have.

Okay. Makes sense. Thank you.

Thank you.

And I will, if I may, I mean, we don't have to wait on the AG's opinion. If that's something, I don't need y'alls to vote to ask. So if y'all just want to ask me to go seek that, that can be done concurrently. We don't have to do one after the other.

Thank you.

Yes.

Can we get Andrew just to speak on the, um, effects of an attorney's opinion versus an attorney general's opinion as far as the law and where we stand as far as, um, protections and following them.

Sure. Absolutely.

Sure. And council Bailey, I know we kind of discussed this briefly. Um, but of course you've got private attorney opinions that come in and that's their interpretation of the statutes and issue presented before them. An attorney general's opinion, of course, does provide some protection. If the city pursues a course of action and reliance on that attorney general's opinion, that does provide some protection. Again, an AG's opinion is not a statute, it's not law, but it does provide protection if you do pursue a course of action in reliance on that opinion.

Okay. So is there anyone else, not that we're voting on it, does anyone else think that we need to pursue?

I definitely think we should pursue a simultaneous course of action with another you know, attorney, I had, I had an attorney is an attorney's opinion, you know, so that's the thing about it is, and we don't have a judge's opinion and the attorney general is the strongest opinion that we can get in and around state law. That's why I'm for getting attorney general's opinion. They should have an umbrella of attorneys underneath them or lawyers or whatever that they can pull their, their, their opinion from. Um, I don't want the city to get itself into a situation where we cross pollinated taxes, uh, which is my concern. has been the concern so I want to get this straightened out so we address it if we need to the proper way and the more opinions we can get the better so with Attorney General's opinion I'm all in I do think it's smart to provide those protections from the Attorney General one way or the other and I think getting another opinion will be fine as well if we do it at the same time I only concern is the amount of time it takes may impact other things that are down the road around fixing this you know

Well it has been going on for quite some time so I mean this council body is going to require we will require at least internally when finance and human resources are going to require some action from this council whether they want to keep doing it the same way or we want to change it and I'll speak for HR as well neither one of us care but we understand that y'all want some additional guidance on what the good bad and the ugly and how to do this and options on how to do it so We're happy to facilitate that and then maybe after these other two opinions we can collectively make a decision, I guess.

Then we'll all have an opinion. Yeah. All right. So we're going to, I can get, that doesn't require a vote of this, so we'll get together and determine how we're going to go about getting that tax attorney. Yes.

Tax attorney is what we've already asked for. Now, if you want a CPA, we can get a CPA's thoughts, too.

CPA's tax attorney.

CPA that has passed the bar exam and a CPA exam. There's some out there.

Okay. All right. Is there any other discussion on this resolution that's before us? All right. Not hearing any. All in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. And this resolution has been adopted unanimously. All right. Item number 16. There's a resolution to name the engineering area at 1010 Sid Thompson Drive in honor of retired city engineer Robbie Anderson. Councillor Langley, will you introduce this resolution, please?

I will be happy to. Whereas Robert Robbie Anderson was the city of Prattville's first city engineer and served for over 27 years, and whereas throughout his career Mr. Anderson demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving the city's infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life for its citizens, whereas under Mr. Anderson's leadership, the engineering department successfully planned, designed, and managed numerous transportation, drainage, utility, and capital improvement projects, which have provided lasting benefits to the city and its residents. Whereas Mr. Anderson's dedication to public service has played a vital role in continued growth and development of the city of Prattville, and whereas the City Council desires to recognize and honor Robert Robbie Anderson's commitment and service to the city by naming the engineering area at 1010 Sid Thompson Drive the Robbie Anderson Complex. And whereas the City Council confirms that any signage will comply with all of the South Industrial Park covenants, now therefore be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Prattville that the engineering area at 1010 Sid Thompson Drive is hereby named the Robbie Anderson Complex. So moved, Mr. President.

Thank you. We have a motion by Councillor Langley. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Councillor Jackson. Is there any discussion on this resolution? Not hearing any. All in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand.

Okay. And this resolution has been adopted unanimously.

All right. This brings us to agenda item number 17. This is a resolution to name the outdoor area near Mill Pond adjacent to 201 Genshop Hill Road as Mill Pond Park. Councilor Newman, will you introduce this resolution, please?

Yes, sir. Whereas the City Council of the City of Prattville authorized improvements to the area around Mill Pond to include a public green space, walking paths, and sidewalks. And whereas the area is situated alongside the historic Autauga Creek and adjacent to the Prattville Public Safety Building at 201 Genshop Hill Road. And whereas the cotton gin and the mill industry along the Autauga Creek played integral roles in the early history of the growth of the City of Prattville. And whereas the City Council desires to honor the City's historic and early industrial roots by naming the area Mill Pond Park, Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Prattville that the outdoor area Mill Pond adjacent to 201 Gentrop Hill Road is hereby named Mill Pond Park. So moved.

All right, we have a motion by Councilor Newman. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Jackson. Is there any discussion? Not hearing any, all in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. And this resolution has been adopted unanimously. All right, this concludes our regular agenda. And we're going to take a four-and-a-half-minute recess, and we will reconvene at 8 o'clock. We've got to have public comment first. But I need to use some facilities, so I'm taking a four-and-a-half-minute recess. No, I just need to let some of you know.

Man, those boys. Those boys, those Auburn boys, man. I went to the Baylor game. I was so sick. Because I just knew that they were going to be jacking up the points like they did at South Florida. The Kentucky game? No, I mean the Baylor game. The Baylor game, Auburn-Baylor. And I just was expecting them to light it up like they did at South. I've been looking at the Florida tickets. Have you looked online? Have you looked online?

Yeah, I'm actually going. But I didn't pay those kind of prices. Yeah, pays those people, you know what I mean?

I was cooking for an enchilada.

Oh, no.

Oh, no.

Well, I mean, that's what I'm saying.

Like, I think it's possibly. All right, we're in. I mean, I couldn't. I'm sorry.

I couldn't.

All right, it is 8.02, and we are reconvening at 8.02. All right, the council welcomes at this time any comments from persons present. We'll have anyone who wishes to speak line up on the right-hand side and sign in with the clerk. You'll print your name and address. You'll have up to five minutes to address the council. At the point that you approach the lectern, if you will, state your name and address first. You may begin to speak.

Dr. Jerry Simmons, 141 North Chestnut Street, Prattville. I failed to mention having reviewed all 1,200 pages of your city policies, every one of them for vision, for life, for dental, for flexible spending account, every one of the policies excludes contractors as being ineligible. And then I wrote to each policy and had their representative confirm by mail that they do not cover contractors. if by chance the AG comes back and says, oh yeah, you can offer contractors vision, life, dental, whatever. You'll either have to get a separate policy. However, you won't get it for the same rate as you would for a regular municipal policy because the exposure of ensuring a non-vetted contractor is different, or you'd have to switch companies to some company that does include contractors, but generally municipal policies are just for employees and municipal officers. I failed to mention that.

Thank you. Is there anybody else who wishes to address the council? All right. We'll now move into closing comments. Mr. Mayor?

Yes, sir. Thank you. With all the discussion on a work session and how to sum in our audience, it might sound like some of us are not communicating well. I'd like to offer a brief clarification regarding the organization and purpose of our departmental committees. Each committee is composed of three council members. In some cases, council members serve on three or more committees. These committees help forge continuity and understanding between projects of the departments and political-driven projects. And by the way, our neighbors to the east of us, since they have already been mentioned tonight, they do not utilize department committees like we do. They use an at-large committee system. And I won't say for the record that our department heads are communicating very, very well. They might not be reach the level of over-communicating, but they are most certainly communicating, I think, among the best in the state. But, you know, to promote communication and keep every council member equally informed, our department heads email the entire council when requesting an item for the agenda. This ensures that all seven council members receive the same information at the same time, regardless of whether they serve on that particular committee or not. Committee may review an issue and make a recommendation, but any official decision requiring council action belongs to the full council in a proper notice public meeting. Even though it's some of these committee meetings, we do have other city councilors in the audience but not participating. Now, this structure provides focused committee review while preserving open communication, equal access to information, and accountability to the entire council and the citizens of Prattville. Councillors, I hope and pray for a productive fiscal year 2027. Thank you.

All right, Councillor Newman. I don't have any comments. Councillor Jackson. No, sir. Councillor Chambers. No. Councillor Merritt.

Wilson, Mr. Mayor, I appreciate that. I appreciate our department heads, and that's why I voted the way I did tonight.

Councillor Langley.

I can't not say this since Stritchick is out. The Lions had a tremendous win over Hoover. And go Lions. And I don't know, did they have a home game this Friday? No home game. Stritchick would have known that. So anyway, congratulations to our Prattville High School Lions.

Thank you, and I have done. There will be a special called meeting for the purpose of an executive session of the city council on Monday, October the 5th, 2026 at 530 p.m. The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Tuesday, October the 6th, 2026 at 6 p.m. At this time, the council has a need to go into executive session. to discuss matters related to the purchases sale exchange lease uh... or market value of real property we have a letter of approval from city attorney for this meeting the council will be an executive session for up to thirty minutes and once we reconvene the council will only adjourned there will be no further business conducted do i hear motion to enter into executive session with my council america's or second to say it back as a reliant uh... my court we please conduct a roll call yes cancer cancer chambers calc america as a way yes as a line all right uh... the time is now eight oh eight We do expect to be in executive session for approximately 30 minutes, and we will come back and only adjourn the meeting. There will be no further business.

No, I'm not mad.

That was so much fun. I thought you were all going to be wise.

I'm like, first of all, look, did you see that? I'm trying to get back in the set. I'm like, uh-uh. I did not use the W-2s or 10-99s.

All right. We return from executive session. We call the meeting to order. The time is now 841. Do I hear a motion to adjourn? So moved. Motion by Councilor Merrick. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Jackson. All in favor of adjournment? See if I'm saying yes.

Yes.

Any opposed? Just stay here. All right. And we are adjourned.

What was the time that you came back?