City Council - Regular Meeting

time. I'll you'll be called upon to legibly print your name and address and you'll have up to five minutes to address the council. Please state your name and address any item number or numbers in which you wish to speak and then you may begin. Jackie Nick, 706 Running Rock Circle. May I pass things out? Sure. [snorts]

I am here before you to speak on two items tonight. Um, first is resolution number one regarding the contract for surfaces for the library. Uh, first I commend you for working toward creating a more formalized agreement with the library. While I haven't seen the actual contract be able to comment on specific language, I do want to reiterate my concerns regarding financial management in our library. Uh, as you enter into a contract for services, I urge you not only to be concerned about financial transparency moving forward, I also want you to look at it retrospectively. uh this uh information I shared with you. Now I had al also emailed everyone previously last week um before you you see uh P&L reports for the last four years for the library and I've uh listed them by line item so you can have easy comparison from year to year. I have many questions, but first and foremost is why there was a $160,000 excess in fiscal year 24 for an entity that's supposed to work on zero net budget. And then there was a $64,000 excess last year. Even as the board came to you asking for more money, you know, they asked you for $60,000 for to help with salary, yet they had a $64,000 excess. So, I I find that very um interesting. Where's that money now? There's no line item where that money carries over into the uh following budget year. Uh I am observing the lit the city literally paying more and getting less. I urge you to take this into

consideration as you enter into the contract for services and I also very much urge you to investigate past actions and seek redress on our behalf. My second item is for resolution number 12. Uh first of all, I question how it can be practic practically enforced to keep restaurant patrons in the area highlighted um in exhibit A and if people are going to overflow into the greater venue, how is that fair to other downtown restaurants if they can't have access to outdoor seating? Um, will the restaurant build a wall to contain the customers? Um, is that going to be an unsightly wall? Is the city going to be paying for some kind of barrier to keep the cit the um the citiz the customers, excuse me, um, contained? All in all, I think that there's more details to work out um, as you before you make that vote because there's just little tiny details that that need to um, get worked out. I thank you for your attention.

Thank you. John Lee Finnegan 211. Dear Trace, I'm speaking on number 12. As you are all aware, I spoke about it before and how I said this just doesn't it isn't going to fit down there. Um, I still believe it's Waldo's um because uh WCB Auburn is the one that um went before the HPC. In fact, I've actually got or have not got their architectural plans for that area and where they were going to cut out the wall, etc. to have the bar. When I first went to the HBC in August of 2023, this was the conceptual plan and you can see that on the website. But anyway, I even complained about there because I said I don't think that area is going to be big enough for it. But I said I liked the greenery and the the the the soothingness. I thought it was going to be a restit place where people could go with their lunch or maybe take their lunch and and then have, of course, they talked about the big screen. It wasn't going to be the 12 TVs that are up there. And so I was against it because I didn't think it was going to quite fit, but I liked how it looked. Well, then I've gone to the HBC and I've seen and

I've now um they won't they wouldn't tell me what the place was going to be because they said it was a non-disclosure agreement. It was for economic development. I'm quite sure that's what it's going to be, Waldo, because they need a liquor license and I don't think that deli that's coming in is going to need a liquor license. Um I just think that that area of of And I'm not against a Waldo. I just don't think it should be there. I, as I've told you before, the quaintness of downtown is what makes the downtown so special. This is going to change the whole feel of it. And I go I agree with Jackie. It was a question I was going to ask. You know, you said you're going to have partitions. What's going to prevent people from flowing in? And I call it the venue where we have the chairs. And there's a 100 chairs there and tables that we've provided. We spent almost $4 million for that outside area and we're doing it for a restaurant basically. We're giving a sports bar if that's what it's going to be their outdoor venue. I mean, are you going to allow liquor in the venue part or is it just going to be that part? I just don't feel that this fits with downtown. I'm also questioning why this is going into it into that area and I wonder how many maybe local entities are also involved and maybe silent partners etc. And I just think that this needs to have you know to needs to be blocked especially with the liquor license. Waldo says chicken and beer but it has a full bar. In fact, it didn't show it on the um hold on this, but it didn't show the outdoor bar, you

know, that they're going to cut in the wall and then have that sliding door glass thing come down. So, um I just think that you need to rethink that really. How are you going to um police people? while they drink. I mean, are they going to be allowed to go out into the venue? I mean, if you're going to allow them and that's not going to be part of their, you know, their their establishment, but it's a continuation of sort of, how are you going to prevent that? And also, I just I'm wondering why all of a sudden because when you live, you listen to Waldo's ads, it talks about come see our 12 television sets. Well, golly, isn't that amazing? There's 12 television sets in the venue. So anyway, um I I'm just, as you can tell, I'm I'm I'm very flustered by this because I just don't think this is what we need downtown. I when I read about the deli, I said that in fact, I'd said that's great. That's that's what I'm thinking of. People can go get a sandwich or iced tea or whatever and go out there. And by the way, again, I shared I'm not against anybody drinking. I mean, you know, I've been there, done that. But it just I just really want you to think about it and don't be pressured, please. And and as I said, I think there's other entities, local entities that are involved in this and and are looking to make make some money. Thank you.

Thank you. Good evening. Happy new year. Happy new year. New year.

You know, I was I was coming in here and I wasn't going to say anything, but then I sat back and I listened to what they had to say about that venue, the same venue they talking about building the wall now and having it outdoors. This is the same conversation that was hap that happened about a year and a half ago when Mr. U Edwards came over here and tried to do the same thing for Adrian and this and and it wasn't this city council but the previous city council along with the mayor contested it but now here we go again bringing it up with a new owner of a different venue. My thing is if it wasn't good enough for um Mr. Edwards, how is it good enough for this this venue? Uh yes, sir. Go ahead.

Thank you. Uh one big difference, this is a restaurant and Adrian's is a full bar where no one under 21 is allowed. And part of the challenges back over here is the fact that there was a partnership, public private partnership with the city and and property owners. And a lot of the area is designed for it to have public accessibility. So if you're having a bar and no one under 21, then you're denying a certain group age group. But isn't that place also going to have a full bar as well? It will be a restaurant,

but it going to have a full bar. That's that's what I'm that's that's the point I'm trying to make. We playing we play we we not looking at the context of the words, but we're playing with words. They having a full bar, too. So regardless of the restaurant, it's still the same thing. It's a full bar. Let's call it what it is. So how we going to play Mix Neil one situation and then do another to the other situation? Is it fair? Let's be honest. Let's look at it for what it is and not for um being pressured by someone that wants to get this in because fair is fair. Thank you.

Thank you. Is there anybody else who would like to address the council?

All right. Not seeing any. Mr. Mayor, do you have a report? areas. They're opened traditionally uh 1:00 a.m. 2 am in the morning. Um if council decides to move forward with this economic development, then uh there are a lot of um controls that the city has as far as uh the the size, the timeline, and and some other um some other provisions that can actually help make it a very very friendly environment. But u Turn the mic just a little bit up. There we go. I hope that's a little bit better. Now, we had you leadership in here uh last week, council president. Uh you are very much well known because you and I helped welcome them in this in these chambers. And um so uh that was why the the adjustment was there as well. Also, we had the mayor of uh the new mayor of Greenville to come down. So we had several different activities in here. But uh with your u willingness, if I might have a point of privilege, I'd like to invite Sheila Morset and her AKA group to come up. Um, I know they've had a very busy day with our state representatives and um, Mike turned the microphone with soft toss over to Councilman Jackson as well, but uh, my good friend here known her knew her father before uh, she did. [laughter]

Yes, you did. Got to be careful. You're going to tell your age in a minute, Bill. All right. All right. To the honorable mayor Gillespie, to the distinguished guest, members of the Prao City Council, to the honored guests, and members of the community. Good evening. Good evening. I am honored to stand before you on behalf of Alpha Cappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. I have a few members in the back. We are the Alpha Delta Omocrron Omega chapter of Ita County. And I ask those members to please stand briefly so that you they may be recognized. [applause]

But that's not why we're here tonight. We're here tonight because we are excited and proud to introduce our inaugural group of Young Leaders Institute, affectionately known as YI. Yi girls, will y'all join me up here, please? Come on. And while they're coming, I'm gonna keep talking about them so I won't be wasting too much time. Um, these are young ladies and they're made up of Praville Junior High School. They all come from Praval Junior High School. These young women represent the future and we are tr and we truly believe they are destined for greatness. Girls, if you'll just come around the front and we're going to get a [clears throat] picture of you. Pretty faces.

That's right. These are not just pretty faces. They are leaders. They're young leaders. What makes this group so special is that they are our first. Not only that, but they are already learning what leadership looks like. Today we visited the state legislature. We learned about the legislative process and they were sworn in by the distinguished judge Tiffany McCord of Montgomery. Experiences that are shaping them to be confident young leaders. They are change makers. We often hear the words, "Be the change you want to see." And through YLI, these young ladies are learning that change begins with them as it does with all of us. Change begins with us. Thank you for recognizing these young leaders and for opening the chambers to us this evening and for supporting the development of our future leaders. We are grateful and again, thank you.

Thank you. [applause] Don't go too far. Councilman Jackson, do you have any other comments? [applause] You have any comments you'd like to Well, I just want to say uh these are definitely my babies. um some of them have been with me a couple years and I'm extremely proud of the growth that we have experienced with them and then to be selected to be a part of uh [clears throat] the sorority to come in and work with these young ladies I think uh is wonderful and we look forward to seeing other groups come in and work with us at junior high at private junior high school because this is what we need more community partnerships coming in and taking time. I was a part of the trip today to the legislature. I think we had 26 girls and they had an opportunity to see how the process works, see some of our uh state uh legislators. I know uh Representative Lawrence and Senator Stewart provided lunch for them, but it was a a great experience and to have them be with us tonight is definitely a special privilege. Like I say, especially for me considering these are my babies at Prata Junior High School, but thank you for allowing them to be here and uh be with us tonight. Thank you.

Well, thank you. Thank you. And uh [applause] good comment. One little word I like to leave with the young ladies here is that no one person can do everything, but one person can make a difference. So, it's the future. You are going to be some of our future leaders, so the future is yours. And um I do have a token gift. Where where' she go? There you are. You know, [laughter] I I think it's pretty close matching color. It is. It's just like theirs.

Yeah, just like theirs. Even though we're given like 15 minutes notice. So Russell and all that other So we will have this uh for you and young ladies. Um um they have to make a second appearance here. So or you got to come back again. So again, thank you. [applause] ladies.

Yes. And while I would have to say ladies [applause] Thank you.

And I tell you uh uh to everyone u to me the future is bright. you know, we have a lot of challenges and um the community that we know and love is the never- ending story, but um we have so many so many great things uh coming our way and I just cannot wait for the future there. But uh and again, council president, thank you for the point of privilege. Just like to say good evening, counselors. First, I want to thank North Highland Community Center for hosting the MLK Martin Luther King Jr. holiday uh parade. This parade showcases our community's commitment to unity and civic engagement and solidifies a tradition celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I want to congratulate our the police and fire departments on the opening of the public safety training facility. The ribbon cutting last Wednesday was well attended and demonstrated what is possible when teamwork and collaboration come together in so many other communities that I deal with other mayors and and counselors as well. We're very fortunate here and I know council why council president whe you recognize it and so many others do as well. when you have your public safety team that works so well and so closely together um it's very seen very seldom seen and for it to work as well as it does here in Prabal I just have to thank the leadership down for all of that but also a big thanks to these departments for manning classroom one of the public safety building uh they were using it as a warming station during the forecast frigid weather as more cold weather is on the way please remember to prepare and protect look out for our people pets pipes and plants. In the near future, I would like to have more conversation with council and um counselors and others about um warming stations and also our um safer places for future needs for our community. So hopefully we can have more

communication on that. But counselors, I'd like to um guess as a SYI FYI and please be advised that access to the public ba bathrooms located at on the first floor of 124 West Main Street will be restricted or basically closed until further notice. These are the indoor bathrooms. Outdoor bathrooms still be open. With uh construction on the way, remodeling um for so many different projects, the New Delhi public safety is top priority. We have been having a few challenges with some um juveniles taking a trying to attempt to have a full run of the area. Uh there's been some challenges. I'm going just leave it like that. But uh I would like for everyone to know that there we have uh cameras throughout. We have tag readers um and also lording in the building's front and back lobbies and hallways and restrooms are um are not acceptable. We want to remind everyone to please respect these facilities and if you see something, say something and again outdoor public restrooms at 124 West Main will remain open from 7:00 a.m. to 11 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Councilors, I ask that you table resolution one on the regular agenda indefinitely. I've communicated several of my concerns about the library contract to you. As we all are all aware of that we're on the second quarter of this quadrinium of this um first year and u second quarter payments have already been been mailed out to our to our library there. But, you know, that's the payment's already there. Um, I believe it's in the community's best interest that our library, which is very much like our airport authority in so

many different ways. It's a separate entity, but it's in our these entities and our community's best interest to regroup on this on these contract for services. Um, again, the airport and the library was formed together. I guess the li library did have a little different pathway. uh my understanding of the u history of the airport, the county formed it, then they asked the county to be a partner and then we're the sole proprietor of um of the library of of the airport. Now, library is a little bit different. It was formed in conjunction uh with the city county partnership using some federal funds for the building. we own the property, but you know, both of these um entities are an arm of the community. They're not a community initiative like so many others that we have. And so I think the contracts need to be looked at it uh totally separately. And to have a to have to have a sevenpage document say this is what um the procedure is going to be, especially in the case of the library and the airport where you have aa uh looking at different ways and names for the airport. You have the state library board that passes down rules and regulations. Um I guess council Jackson to use some of your verbage there. We don't need the city of travel to be big government inside of our public library.

Can you turn the microphone back around there? I think there's enough um uh oversight already at the state and federal level when I start talking about the the airport as well. But uh seven page document is just not necessary in my opinion when you're looking at again repeating myself. I think it's worth repeating. These two entities are a an extension an arm of the of our community. They were formed by the county and the city in some shape form or fashion on that one. But, uh, counselors, if you heard me say before, I've had some good news and some bad news. And, uh, usually it's paving, Councilman Jackson. But, I'm not going to, it's not about really paving this time, but I want to pass along some project updates. The library stabilization uh, contractors completed installing the the the peers last Friday. Uh, today the concrete footers were were poured and must cure over the next three to five days. Once curing is complete, contractors begin fabricating the columns. And again, for the public here, FYI, the our private public library is closed at this time until this this work is completed. Uh counselors on our Court Street or what I like to call Spillway Park 2 sidewalk and parking project began uh Wednesday and weather permitting is scheduled to be completed in late April. I spoke directly with the businesses affected by this project and informed them the temporary construction fencing installed throughout the site to keep the work area isolated. This project will create an additional 19 angled parking spaces and a sidewalk on the west side. I'm gonna repeat myself, the west side of Court Street uh along in front of Spillway Park 2, but is from Court Street from Tickner Avenue again on the west side. Uh we ask everyone to be patient and cautious with crews in this area. And again, pardon our progress, pardon our noise, and pardon our our um our dust that we're kicking up. North Highland Park construction is

underway. I was up there today. Uh please remember that NHP is closed and parking on Cone Street is strictly for residents on of Cone Street at this time. Fair View Avenue. We're actively working to move this project forward with 44 working days left. Please remember that several weather events have slowed progress, but crews are out working. I'm certain that we will have more updates and conversations with SDAC and Sane Associates uh within the next month or so. And on the radar, we have two sidewalk projects planned for Main Street during spring and summer. One will make the connection in front of the gas station uh from Ride Outs Preppel Chapel to the Animal Clinic at Pratt Street. The other will provide sidewalks from Geneva Street to the existing sidewalk near Shady Oak um to give a landmark. the gas station that's in question there. It's in between the animal hospital, but uh a lot of folks don't quite realize that Pratt Street is on both sides of Main Street there. And so a part of this is Pratt Street, [cough] but then also the gas station seems to have multiple port points of entry or eress ingress. So we're really going to be um cleaning a lot of that area up. Uh our city engineer has been in contact with the proprietor of the of the gas station and Uh, so hopefully that will move along and make that area safer and easier to to maneuver. And I will say that the other leg of um of a project there where we uh created a turning lane and then add also added a sidewalk. I've seen that be utilized many many times and it's also I think been very beneficial to the traffic especially on Fridays as as we all know traffic gets a lot heavier on those. But um but I would also would like to say that councilors, any recommendations for adding sidewalks, making repairs in your districts are welcome and appreciated.

Uh councelor Langley, I would like to invite you to meet with Paxton, our chief engineer, and meet on site at the library this Thursday at 8:30 uh to discuss a parking lot uh parking lot extension there. basically moving what's the existing parking lot between the community garden and the library to move it a little bit deeper toward the creek which might add another dozen or so parking spots but uh I think uh that could be very beneficial is I am very impressed with our library and the number of people that actually attend it and utilize it so much but uh we also visited Maple Street to discuss to discuss the bridge area and a lot of folks want to say well where is there bridge on Maple Street and it's a very short one, very narrow right there. It's right as you turn off of Selma Highway right past Cray Price Bridge. Uh it's very narrow there and so we're going to look see if there's any improvements that we can do in that without um breaking the bank so to speak. Uh also like to discuss the McQueen Smith Road project and uh councelor Langley as your chair of the street committee like to get some little insight from you on that one. But uh also just like to say lastly, please don't forget the Marty Bar celebration. It kicks off Saturday, January 31st at 11:00 am with food, arts, and crafts and vendors. The parade will roll out at 2 pm and will include a New Orleans style brass band. Hope everyone will join us for the exciting event. Council President, that's the end of my report.

All right. Does anybody have any questions for the mayor? Council Lang, I have a quick question talking about the venue. Um, Mayor Gillespie, I've had several constituents um over the past six weeks and I just never have gotten around to asking. Where does the money for I presume that we pay the bands? What what pocket of money does that come from? And then on another note in regards to the I've heard that we have a manager so to speak um for the venue at at 124. I I don't know if that's true, not true. Can you kind of educate us a little bit on that?

Okay. The money comes from our um economic development and tourism line item and u which basically is comes from our uh heads and beds. which uh with our hotels, we actually have two two um revenue sources there. One is our uh lodging tax. The other is our lodging fee, which lodging fee, which is $2 a a room that goes to our parks and racks for like our um softball complex that we're paying on on it as well. And we do have a uh a gentleman that is helping out with the if you want to use the word management, but uh yes, management of that area. Is he full-time, part-time?

He is not a city employee if that's what you're asking. Okay. So, how do we pay him? Like, does he have a contract? He does not have a contract. Okay. So, he's hourly. Uh, not hourly, but um we pay him for his services. Okay. So, how how can we find out more about that? Does that come out of the $350,000? What does where does that money come from? I guess which 350,000 are you speaking? I thought the um what do you call it? Head and bed or whatever the um tourism. Yeah, I thought that was the 350,000.

Okay. Uh which of course we get a lot more than that. Uh I do remember looking at some reports where before we had invested into the Robert Trent Jones um um golf um area and um before actually before that was a sewer line and then Robert Tren Jones comes and got more hotels. Um I think we at one time were receiving few hundred,000 and now we're receiving about $2 million a year. I I think I think I miscommunicated. I I'm under the impression that line item is $350. That's what I was talking about. I may be wrong. the the one in the executive uh department

that the monies for the band is that that is that the one you're talking about that the money from for the bands come out of that line item? Uh if we're talking about some line item. Okay. Okay. Like to give with you and talk about that a little bit more in detail so there's no miscommunication on it. Right. And so the the money for this gentleman's um not salary but to to pay him that comes out of that money as well. if we're talking about the same line item. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Be glad to sit down with you and and um have it laid out in front of us so we can talk a little more um direct about it. Okay. Thank you. Thank you.

Any other questions for the mayor? Yes, sir. [clears throat]

All right. Real quick, um I guess with North Island, you and I talked a little bit about the email or whatever. So, will we be able to get uh rendering of what we're looking at uh building at North Highland Park so that we can let the public know? You and I chatted about it. We we did. We did. You know, you sent out an email and like say we talked about that. If you want a direct answer for me, you know, just

ask me a direct question in that for, you know, to me. But, uh, you know, when there's several folks on a thread there, um, and I think I might have been copied on that one. Uh, and like we did talk, uh, when we had one phase, I guess maybe lack of a better terminology, the first phase of NHP, we actually had a rendering up there. And as I mentioned to you when I was in a North Highlanding Community Center park committee meeting, I was asked about that. I said, "Well, it's already out there." And they said, "No, it's not." And so when I left, I went went out there and yes, it was there. So it's um I'm um I'm not what should I say directing staff to put that out there. I'm not directing them not to put that out there, but um it's

yeah, I would love for it just because like I said, I've been questioned also about what you know what we have coming. So I think you know that would be hopefully we won't have those challenges that we had like you mentioned previously. Um also we were talking about the contract for services. Um, is it possible for us to uh get copies of the contract for services that we already have in place with other entities? Um, so that we can use that in order to move forward with drafting the contract for services going forward with library or whoever else we decide to work with.

No, no doubt about that at all. But if we can go ahead and somehow um get a copy of those contracts so that we can uh move forward and and use that as a just to take a look at and use that as a potential guide moving forward. So you're okay with uh yes, those are uh um in the city clerk's office. Okay. Okay. Okay. There was one of them. to I'm confused. Where can we find the the rendering or the contract for North Highlands? Is it online or not online? I don't believe we have any contracts online.

Well, the the renderings of city clerk u has contracts, right? I'm sorry, I misspoke. The the renderings for the project, is that on the website? Uh not aware that it is or not. I just I don't know that I can answer that question right now. Okay. Any other questions? No. If I may on that, I know there's a drawing for the courts. You've seen those the the blue and the the drawings for the courts. We've seen those, right?

Right. And then I mean that's changed somewhat. You know, all the delays and you know the engineering problems we've had with it. Um but there are there is a rendering I believe it's going to come out. It may come from economic development. Amy is no any renderings on the park. Okay. I'll find we'll find out. But yeah, there's there was an old rendering sign. You know, things have changed. So, you know, like we had the original rendering for the stadium. I mean, the second rendering for but there will be another one. I'm fairly certain. But there is a drawing. It shows the courts and the measurements. So, but um that's where we are right now on that. So,

yeah, because you know um that was I guess about a year and a half ago, May of 2024. I don't know if it's changed or any of that. So, that's that's why I was trying to see Yeah, I think the location know the one thing when I think you and I were up there and my concern just from playing PE basketball is shooting toward the fence line balls missing because they shoot like me and the ball's going to miss the entire goal and roll in someone's yard or kid going to run out in the street trying to chase the ball. That's why my suggestion was put the goals on the other side facing the fence not toward the street. Um the full court is far back enough but uh that's the only subtle change that I can think of is but you know maybe the color the texture of the courts but you know that's basically what we have right now. But as soon as I find out more about a rendering I'll let everybody know.

Yeah. Like I said, you know, of course people see the people see the heavy equipment up there and everybody wants to see what's going on and I think that it's only fair. Absolutely. You know that they know what's going on. Yeah. You know, cuz of course the community is excited now. So now they just want to see, you know, what's coming only to be expected. Yeah. I also like to find out. All right. Are there any other questions for the mayor?

Miss, I have one one for the mayor. [clears throat] I know I mentioned this to you earlier and started discussing it and I wanted to hit it hit you up with it now before comments. Just for the record, the constituents in district one have been asking some questions around striping on Northingington Road and Indian Hills Road. And I was going to get with you and the city engineer to discuss that a little bit because I know there's some in and out with the county on maybe Indian Hills Road, but I just wanted to put that out there for you to know that we'll circle back on that.

Yes, sir. As I mentioned earlier, I'll be meeting with him on Thursday. We'll talk some more on that. I do know that that was discussed. Uh and probably I again I got to be cautious on my words because sometimes they want to say well you said this but um I know you we had a transition there between our former city engineer and a current one. I know I talked with uh our former city engineer many many times about that getting paid. So uh not paid but strike. So I need to check and see exactly who who formulated the plan for uh for our company that I just know it had happened before I got here right [clears throat]

and we had talked briefly about Northingington Road while it was going on but I wanted to get it back out in front of you again about questions around striping so okay just want to

well thank you and council president if I can have just one more moment just a little thought that has come up here is that um you know it's u since the uh area over here has been in question and some other things as well you know that whenever the city was looking at buying the property over here. There was a lot of discussions with elected officials and so forth obviously because y'all had to approve the uh the funding of it, but there was some express and implied opportunities for that building and uh the expressed was that uh hopefully uh restaurant, some kind of retail, some kind of uh other partnerships as well. And um and when it comes to the implied portion of it, there's been some questions everywhere and I brought up about bathrooms, you know, this evening. So there are express and there's implied uh when it comes to a lot of the details of a project. And so when you talk about uh formulating a project, you don't always go into what I guess so many of us might think is implied because when you start talking about bathrooms, you don't really go into all the details of exactly who's going to be cleaning them and who's going to be um how much toilet paper and you know so many other little things. And uh all along a restaurant was expressed uh for this area. And I truly believe it was expressed and implied that uh consumption of adult beverages was going to be a component of this. And as I was mentioned a little bit earlier, I was asked about the big difference with uh Adrians and um they are a full-blown bar. Uh this is a restaurant. And I will say this is that Councilman Jackson, I have reached out to Derry uh Edwards a few times, phone calls and a text message if you can um relay that I would like to sit down and

talk with him and because we are looking for opportunities to partner with any and everybody that wants to be a partner of travel. So, I don't know if that made any sense, but expressed and implied um it was laid out in detail um before the building was bought and I think a lot of it has been talked about as well in uh other timelines with with the body here, council body.

Okay. Any any other questions? I I only had one. Do you have a just a I know weather coming in is going to affect it. The library time frame for it to be closed. I they've they've done the peers, they've poured the footer, and so now they have to do the columns. Do they have a I know I know we have some freezing and inclement weather coming in. Do they have a somewhat time frame that we'll know how long it'll be closed? Roughly about three weeks. Three more weeks. Three more weeks. Okay. Yes, sir. Just wondering. Might be quicker than that. rather air on being longer than depends on the weather. Okay, thank you.

Okay, go ahead. Um I guess we need to get this to uh Daniel. Um I know Miss Jackie Nicks just passed this information. I don't know if she gave you one. Uh I believe she did.

Okay. Yeah. And I think uh this is something I don't know if you've had a chance to look at it. I'm just seeing it now where she's saying that uh the library has received 200 plus thousand surplus 260 $224,000 uh surplus over the last few years. But I think u hopefully Daniel this is something he can take a look at to I guess uh look at her numbers and see if everything's matching up. And I think if that's the case, then maybe that's something because I know she asked if we could

not only with this contract, you know, moving forward, but also also retroactively go back and take a look. I know we don't necessarily want to punish them retroactively. But I guess we need to take a look at this information and make sure it's matching up, you know, uh to make sure they're doing their due diligence and making sure they're being responsible and accountable with what they're giving from us. Well, I'd like to uh add a comment to that for the record is that um since I've been in this role, you know, there've been some diff difficult challenges before us before me and the community uh as well. And I know one of the very first things there were some cuts across the board um fire department um the library as well and but I steadily worked with the board as we have climbed up out of that that situation. And uh I have been informed u by Mr. Burton and also Mr. Willis before both before Mr. Willis passed away is that they had some of this money and we were talking about a potential of a new library. You know, I've talked about that for many many years and I'm uh I guess have come to realization is that's not a new library building is not going to happen. But talking with uh Mr. Burton and Mr. Willis and and some other uh uh along the line is that that money could potentially be used if we were going to be building a new new library and they could use it for this or that. And uh so just because you have a surplus just because you have a surplus does um I guess you don't need to take that in a negative way. I think also if uh because early on and and help me out uh council president uh I think at one point in time the mentality around here

is if you don't use it, you're going to lose it.

And that's where we came up with the FDR funding to actually help uh show to our department heads that if you come in under budget, don't fear that you're going to lose it, but hopefully you can take that money with council guidance and everything else and use it to get a project moved forward ahead. So, I'd see it in a positive way potentially because again, I just got this just trying to give some insight that for numerous boards now. Uh, it had been talked about working with the city if we could move forward uh with the new structure. And so, I think that's what some of that money might have been set aside for. But again, um I haven't had time to research it, but that is uh some institutional knowledge that I think is very very important. uh when we start looking at some of these u contracts and day-to-day operations because there's a lot of that institutional knowledge that um if you don't use it um you'll see you'll lose some of the benefit of of the historians I guess so to speak

and I understand that and I guess maybe even I guess and I understand that and I guess even moving forward potentially with the uh contract for services that I I guess um I don't know. I'm just thinking now if there is a surplus that that money could be used maybe we need to write that into that contract for services that if it's unused that it could potentially be used for specific projects or specific things moving forward.

Well, if I can respond to that, you certainly can. But I go ahead and guarantee you they're going to use it because they're not going to lose it. Oh yeah, I'm sure. And then that way sometimes that's where you see waste inside of government. Well, and that's why I say too, so I guess with this contract for services that we need to write in there, you know, if there's a $224,000 surplus that that money can only be used for certain things. So, they can't just use it or anyone can just use it for whatever they desire to use it for.

Well, I'll be glad to have more conversations with you. I do know that the state library board sends down a lot of uh dos and don'ts. And in my opinion, my humble opinion, um I guess I'm more about brick and mortar, the parking lots, uh the day-to-day operations, uh um the nuts and bolts operations of the library and not the the micromanaging or the big government coming down uh on them. And um but um I will say this for the public uh try to look ahead and see what might be coming our way. I never really did see this [snorts] library um situation coming our way, but besides the building.

All right, this time we'll move into reports from council on special [clears throat] committees. Councelor Newman, I have none. Councelor Jackson, no. [clears throat] Councelor Merrick, no sir. Councelor Strick, Councelor Langley, and I have none. All right. This time we'll hear a report on the city's status of the city's finances from Daniel.

Yes, sir. Right. The first page in your packet is the general fund revenue report and it shows that we received 11,378,539 for the fiscal year to date. And this represents a 0.51% increase over the same period in the prior year. The next page is the tax breakdown comparison and it shows on the tax side that we were down 0.7% when compared to the previous December. Next three pages show the general fund expenses broken down by department. And with 25% of the fiscal year complete, we spent 30.4% 4% of our budgeted expenditures in the general fund. Next page is the wastewater enterprise fund income statement. The wastewater fund generated a net income from operations of 143,788 for December. Operating expenses and overall expenses are tracking under budget um at 22% and 23% respectively. Next page is the sanitation enterprise fund income statement and the sanitation fund reported a net loss of $18,337 for the month. Operating expenses are coming in at 20.7% and overall expenses are right at 18%. Next page is the judicial special revenue fund income statement. The judicial fund generated a net income of $61,234 for December. Overall expenses are below budget at 10.9%.

Next page is the gas tax special revenue fund income statement. Uh the next four funds uh we only present quarterly since this is first time that um this group is seeing it for this fiscal year. Um gas tax revenues are coming in slightly higher than budget for this point in the year. Um the gas tax expenses during this quarter relate to closing out of the 2025 local paving project. Next page is the capital projects fund income statement. It shows that we spent roughly $4.2 million on projects and debt service through this fund uh in the first quarter. The primary project expenses this quarter relate to the downtown ADA sidewalks, uh, Vista Point Park improvements, the Newton Park renovation, Spillway Park improvements, the public safety training facility, and the Project Star outdoors. The next page is the group health fund income statement. The this fund has an accumulated net income for the year of $219,772. It also has a cash balance of $516,336 at the end of December. Next page is the parks and recreation income report and it shows that we've collected approximately 21% of our budgeted parks and reccome at the end of December and that totals to $177,496 for that quarter. Next page is the bank balances report and total of all bank balances citywide at the end of December was 44,29,372. And the last page in your packets, the accounts payable and debt balances report shows the total outstanding AP and debt balance citywide at the end of December was 66,91,862.

While the city's non-enterprise fund debt was $ 36,133,860 [snorts] [clears throat] and that is all of the reports. Any questions for Mr. Oakley? Thank you, sir.

All right. Tonight we have the opportunity to create a consent agenda and there are seven items that we will consider for a consent agenda. Item number one is a resolution to authorize the city attorney to affix the cost for the removal of garbage and rubbish at 175 Patrick Street. [snorts] Item number two is a resolution to authorize the city attorney to affix the cost for the removal of garbage and rubbish at 340 Martin Luther King Drive Jr. [snorts] Chestnut Street. Item number three is a resolution to authorize a city attorney to affix the cost for the removal of garbage and rubbish at 839 Heather Drive. Item number four is a resolution to authorize a city attorney to fix the cost of demolition of the dilapidated unsafe structure at 1259 Cooper Avenue. [snorts] Item number five is a resolution to declare the garbage and rubbish at 698 Martin Luther King Jr. drive 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 six is a resolution to declare the garbage and rubbish at 842 Wingard 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. And item number seven is a resolution to surplus surplus personal property from various departments. Do I hear a motion to create a consent agenda?

Moved by councelor Stitchett. Is there a second? Second. Second by councelor Newman. All in favor of creating a consent agenda, please signify by raising your right hand. And the consent agenda is created unanimously. [clears throat and cough] The consent agenda is now before us. Uh do I hear a motion to adopt the consent agenda? So move. So moved by councelor. Do we have a second? Second. Second by councelor Langley. Uh [snorts] is there any discussion on the consent agenda?

Yes, sir. Uh I would like to say that um I've had some discussion uh um for resolution number five um at 698 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Uh Mr. Moore is here and we have had some discussion with chief and with the mayor and he said that he's rectified this situation and um they're going to go out tomorrow and take a look at it and uh once it checks out then there will be no further uh movement on this property. But I just wanted to go ahead and let that be known. Okay. And I did have um a conversation with Chief um not double checking on you, that was before I talked to you. Um and he said they would be back out there tomorrow um to take a look at that and to see what we needed to do moving forward. Is there any other discussion on the consent agenda? All right, hearing none. Uh all in favor of adopting the consent agenda, please signify by raising your right hand. and the consent agenda is adopted unanimously. We will now move into our regular agenda. Um item number one on our agenda tonight is a resolution to authorize the mayor to sign a contract for services with the Otaga Prab public library for funding as allocated in the FY202526 budget. Uh this was held from 121625. This resolution was held and is now properly before us. Is there any discussion on this resolution?

I'm sorry. Um, due to everything, I'd like to make a motion to hold this until February the 17th of 2026. Okay, we do have a motion to hold until February 17th, 2026. Is there a second on the motion to hold? A second.

Second by councelor Newman. Is there any discussion on the motion to hold? Right. All in favor of holding this until February 17th, 2026. Signify by raising your right hand. All right. Any oppose? Like so. And any abstension. All right. This is held until February 17th. Item number two on the agenda tonight is an ordinance to reszone property located inside the corporate limits at 682 covered bridge Parkway from R5 single family highdensity district 2011 office district. This was held from 121625 where it was introduced. Uh and it is now properly before us. Is there any discussion on this ordinance?

Council Newman. um [clears throat] this uh specific area. Um as far as reszoning, being uh involved with the uh attending the zoning meetings and the planning meetings and so forth, I' I'd like to say I think that this area is probably this specific lot is a little bit small for an 01 in my personal opinion. I've been in the meetings where it's been uh proposed. I've been out to the site to look at it as well. There's a larger water area behind it. I don't think it's suitable for an 01 size footprint. Personally, uh I think the parking might meet the minimum standard for an 01, but depending on the type, for example, if you had a dentist office there, maybe you might have in-n-out traffic that might not be too bad. But the problem with zoning something or approving something like this is you don't know what could end up there. I think that a a different type of depending on the type of office that went into that spot, it could cause overflow traffic issues and spill out into the street and thereby cause problems on the road in front of that area, that lot. And um I think that's probably the key reason that it was zoned as residential since it was a smaller area that could be usable space for an office. So, I'd like to make sure that, you know, that's brought out as my reason for looking this over. Okay. Is there any other discussion? Okay. Not hearing any. Um, all in favor of this ordinance to uh reszone this property, signify by raising your right hand. Okay. All oppose like sign. and um it does not pass.

All right. Item number three is an ordinance to authorize the mayor to enter into a lease agreement between the city of Prattville and Fountain City BMX Association Incorporated to continue to operate a BMX park located on County Road 4. This ordinance was introduced on January the 6th and is now properly before us. Is there any discussion on this ordinance? Okay, not seeing any. Um, all in favor of the ordinance, please signify by raising your right hand. And the ordinance is adopted unanimously. Item number four is an ordinance to uh amend ordinance book 2025 page 013 to declare a temporary moratorum on permits and approvals for package stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and vape shops in the corporate limits of PRA. This ordinance was introduced on January the 6, 2026 and is now properly before us. Is there any discussion on this ordinance? Uh I would like to ask if Andrew if you don't mind to just explain this a little bit and from the legal standpoint of what we're doing here.

Yes, councelor Langley. Thank you. Can everyone hear me? So what this is there is an existing moratorum that was passed in May of last year and what we're seeing is we have existing lenses that want to transfer their license to another location. So what we're trying to do is clarify if it is the council's intent to permit that and that would be accepted from the moratorum. So for example, if you've got an establishment at location A that then purchases location B, but in establishment A they have a license, then they want to be able to transfer that to the new location. So

um excuse me, Miss Andrew. Yeah. Um so the way I understood this when we um were given this amendment and um it was presented to us by the finance director. This was strictly for an already licensed establishment at a particular address who wanted to sell the business to another um a purchaser a buyer at that particular address. In order for them to buy that, they then have to turn around and reapply for license with ABC board in order. They can't transfer the license. They have to submit their own application. So, it would allow someone who was purchasing um said facility at this address to to sell that and then the new owner would be allowed at that point to go ahead and apply for an ABC license at that location where it already was.

Okay. So, yeah, thank you for clarifying that intent. So, it's the council's intent that it will essentially stay with the existing physical location. Yes. Yes. Rather than transfer physical locations. Okay.

Physical locations. So the moratorum right now is is um prohibiting uh the addition of and so um and I from the way I understand it we have a couple of um service station convenience stores whatever that are looking uh to sell from one owner to another owner. Uh so the new owner is going to purchase and run the business in that location. But in order for them to have um off- premise beer and retail wine license, they have to submit an application to ABC. And our moratorum was prohibiting them from doing that because it included new licenses as well. Um so it's not going to be a new license for another location. It's going to be a new license for the location that's sold to the new owner.

Okay. So yes, so long as that's understood and it's on the record now that that is the council's intent. uh then that's how the ordinance will apply. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions on this ordinance? So, just to restate, [clears throat] an existing location with an existing liquor license changes ownership. This covers that individual getting his license covers the new the Yes. The new owner. Yes. Okay.

All right. Not seeing any other questions. Um, all in favor of this ordinance, please signify by raising your right hand. Um, and this ordinance passes unanimously. All right. Item number five, uh, on our agenda is a resolution to set a public hearing to prezone property outside the corporate limits located at Saratoga Lane and Sydney Drive South Extension, known as Glenbrook 10 to R3 Single Family Residential. Councelor Newman, will you introduce this resolution?

Sure. Whereas David L. and Dian Ran are the owners of the property which is located outside the corporate limits of Saratoga Lane and City Drive South extension known as Glenbrook 10. And whereas the owners have initiated the process to annex set property described in attachment A into the corporate city limits of the city of Prabell. And whereas the owners have submitted a request to prezone said property. And whereas the owners wish to reszone, I'm sorry, prezone the approximately 3 96 plus or minus acres prop property to R3. And whereas a public hearing on the proposed zoning was held by the city of Prattville planning commission on 17 April 2025 and confirmed on 15 January 2026. And whereas the planning commission did recommend the prezoning of said property as described in attachment A to R3. Now therefore, be it resolved by the city of council of the city of Praval that a public hearing is set for 17th February 2026 at 6 p.m. at Praval city hall. So moved. All right, we have a motion. Do we have a second?

Second. Second by councelor Jackson. Is there any discussion on this? All right, hearing none. All in favor of the resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. Any oppose? All right. And any abstension? All right. At this point, uh, Council Newman, would you read in the proposed ordinance portion?

Absolutely. Be it ordained by the city council of the city of Praville, Alabama as follows. That the zoning ordinance and map are hereby amended to pre-zone the property described as attachment A to R3. that this proposed ordinance and a synopsis were advertised for two weeks in the Montgomery Advertiser, a newspaper of general circulation within the corporate limits of the city of Praal and that the city council at its public hearing on 17th February 2026 at 6 p.m. considered said proposed ordinance and that at such time and place all persons who desired had an opportunity to be heard in favor of or in opposition to such ordinance. that this ordinance is adopted under the authority of 111-52-85 of code of Alabama 1975 as amended and is contingent on the petitioner completing the process to annex property described in attachment A into the city of Prabl no later than 180 days following adoption of the ordinance. All other items and provisions of the zoning ordinance not here and specifically amended shall remain in full force in effect. The amendments here contained were considered and recommended by the city of private planning commission on 17 April 2025 and confirmed on 15 January 2026. This ordinance shall become effective upon its passage and execution as provided by law. So moved. All right. As a point of order, this ordinance will be held until after the public hearing which is set Oh, I'm sorry. I need a second.

Second.

Second by councelor Jackson. As a point of order, this ordinance will be held until after the public hearing, which is set for February 17, 2026. Item number six on our agenda tonight is an ordinance uh petition for annexation of property outside the corporate limits located [snorts] at Saratoga Lane and Sydney Drive South extension known as Glimbert 10. Uh Council Newman, will you introduce this ordinance? Be it ordained by the city council of the city of Praval, Alabama, that the city of Prival is a city with a population of over 6,000 inhabitants located in the state of Alabama. That a petition has been presented by all owners of the property located at Saraton Saratoga Lane and Sydney Drive South extension known as Glenbrook 10, which is contiguous to the corporate limits of the city of Prival as now situated. that the property described in the petition sought to be annexed is as described in attachment A. That said property does not lie within the corporate limits of any other municipality. That pet theition to annex said property was heard before the planning commission on 18 December 2025 and confirmed on 15 January 2026. that all owners as defined by 11-42-20 code of Alabama 1975 as amended have executed said petition requesting that the property be annexed into the city of prabal that the city of prival finds that it is in the best interest of the city and its inhabitants to annex set property that the city finds that the petition has met all the requirements of 11-42-20 through 11-42-23 code of Alabama 1975 as amended be it further ordained by the city council that the corporate limits of the city of prival be extended and rearranged to embrace and include the following property as described in attachment A. That such property shall become part of the corporate limits of Prattville, Alabama upon passage and publication of this ordinance as required by law. Be it further ordained that a copy of this petition shall be filed in the office of the judge of probate of Ata County, Alabama, and that this ordinance be published in the Montgomery Advertiser,

a newspaper of general circulation within the corporate limits of the city of Prabal, adopted this 20th day of January, 2026. So moved. We have a motion. And do we have a second? Second. Second by councelor Jackson. As a point of order, this ordinance will be held until our next meeting, February 3rd, 2026. Uh, councel. Sir, sir President, um, I would like to make a motion to hold till after the prezoning public hearing on February 17, 2026. Okay. Uh, there is a motion to hold this until after the prezoning public hearing on February 17, 2026. Is there a second? Second.

Second by councelor Langley. Is there any discussion on the motion to hold? All in favor of the motion to hold till February 17th, 2026, signify by raising your right hand. All right. And this motion passes unanimously. Item number seven is a resolution to award bid number 025-015 to construction 1 incorporated for the renovations to the third floor of 124 West Main Street building at a total cost not to exceed 513,14. Councelor Strick will introduce this resolution. whereas a need has been identified for renovations to the third floor of the 124 West Main Street building and whereas specifications were drafted for said renovations to the building. Whereas 11 sealed bids were received open and read allowed December 17th, 2025 at 2 p.m. in the council chambers at city hall. And whereas the original lowest bidder was Ry Enterprises Incorporated, but due to a calculation error made by subcontra subcontractor of Rye Enterprises Incorporated, the bidder requested to withdraw their bid. And whereas pursuant to section 39-2-d excuse me-11D code of Alabama 1975 as amended, Right Enterprises Incorporated timely requested a withdrawal of their bid due to a said calculation error. And whereas due said bid withdrawal construction one incorporated is now the lowest responsible builder builder bidder with a cost of $513,014 for said project and whereas this budgeted expense in the capital projects fund. Now therefore be resolved that city council, city proud, will hereby awards bid number 025-015 to construction 1 incorporated in amount not to exceed $513,14 said renovation project and said funds are approved and appropriated from fiscal 2026 budget line item capital projects fund bank building renovations.

Be it further resolved, 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 do have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. Second by councelor Merritt. Is there any discussion on this item?

Not hearing any. All in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. And resolution passes unanimously. Item number eight is a resolution to authorize the release of funds for the purchase of 1 2026 John Deere Backco through the Sourcewell Pursing Cooperative contract number 011723-JDC from Warrior Tractor and Equipment Company Incorporated for engineering at a cost not to exceed $194,895.33. Councelor Langley, will you introduce his resolution?

Yes, sir. Whereas engineering has identified a need to purchase one John Deere 410 Ptier backcode loader and whereas said equipment is available through Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative contract number 011723-JDC from Warrior Tractor and Equipment Company Incorporated at a cost not to exceed $194,895.33. And whereas this is a budgeted expense in engineering. Now for now therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Prattville that funds in an amount not to exceed $194,895.33 for the purchase of said equipment are hereby authorized and approved to be paid to Warrior Tractor and Equipment Company, Inc. and said funds are approved and appropriated from fiscal year 2026 budget line item engineering uh- capital outlay. So moved.

We have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. Second by councelor Newman. Is there any discussion on this item? Not hearing any. All in favor signify by raising your right hand. And this resolution is adopted unanimously. Item number nine is a resolution to authorize the release of funds for the purchase and installation of a 30 by84 enclosed pole barn from Web Builders Incorporated for the parks and recreation department at a cost not to exceed $64,300. Councelor Strick, will you introduce this resolution?

Whereas a need has been identified to replace a pole barn for the parks and recreation department. Whereas Webb Builders Incorporated has the expertise to complete said project at a cost not to exceed $64,300. Whereas pursuant to section 39-2-1 code of Alabama 1975 as amended, said project is a public works project. And whereas section 39-2-2 code of Alabama 1975 as amended allows contracts for public works project under $100,000 to be let without bidding. Whereas this is a budget expense in parks and recreation. Now therefore be resolved by the city council. City Proud with the funds in amount not to exceed $64,300 for the purchase of the installation of said pole barn is hereby authorized and approved to be paid to web builders incorporated and said funds are approved and appropriated from fiscal 2026 budget line item parks and recreation capital outlay. So moved. We have a motion. Is there a second?

Second. Seconded by council Langley. Is there any discussion on this resolution? Where which poleb barn is this? What? Where is this? Yes, Mr. May. Go ahead. Thank you. It's up there right excuse [clears throat] me, right beside Matt Grey Point 2.0. Uh it was hit by a tornado or straight winds a few years ago and and but it's up there right right by the softball complex. Thank you.

Okay. Is there any other discussion? All right. Not hearing any. All in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. All right. And this resolution is adopted unanimously. Item number 10. It's a resolution to authorize the mayor to enter into a construction engineering and inspection agreement with Krebs Engineering Incorporated for the Court Street Cape Streetscape improvements project at a cost not to exceed $95,463. Councelor Langley, will you introduce this resolution?

Yes, sir. Whereas the engineering department has identified a need for construction engineering and inspection services for the Court Streetscape improvements project. And whereas Krebs Engineering has the expertise to provide said services at a cost not to exceed $95,463 net cost to the city $19,92.60. And whereas section 39-2-2E1 code of Alabama 1975 as amended allows contracts to secure services with engineers possessing a high degree of professional skill to be let without bidding. And whereas this is a budgeted expense in the capital projects fund. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Prattville that the mayor is hereby authorized to enter into set agreement with Krebs Engineering Inc. for said engineering services at a cost not to exceed $95,463. Net cost to the city $19,9260 and funds are approved and appropriated from fiscal year 2026 budget line item capital projects fund- street sidewalks parking. 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.

We have a motion. Is there a second?

Second by councelor 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 passed you unanimously. Item number 11 is a resolution to set a public hearing to reszone property located inside the corporate limits at 1114 East Main Street from R2 Single Family Residential District 2011 office District. [snorts] Uh councelor Strick, will you introduce this resolution? Whereas Brad Phillips and Jonas Treywick are the petitioners for the property described in attachment A and whereas said property to be resoneed is located inside the corporate limits at one 114 East Main Street. Whereas the petitioners wish to zone reszone the prop the approximate 0.25 25 acres property from R2 to 01. And whereas a public hearing on the proposed reszoning was held by the city of Prabal planning commission on December 18th, 2025. And whereas the planning commission did recommend the zoning of said property as described in attachment A be amended from R2 to01. Now therefore be resolved by the city council of the city of Pratwell that a public hearing is set for February 17th, 2026 at 6 pm here at Pratell City Hall. So move.

We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. Seconded [clears throat] by councelor Merrick. Is there any discussion on this resolution? Not hearing any. All in favor of resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. Oh, I'm I had a quick question. Sorry. This is our last uh one we looked at on the planning commission. [clears throat] Okay. I just want to confirm this. Um, I got I'm a little confused on this one, so I just want to make sure I've got it right. So So is the question concerning setting the public hearing?

No, you're right. You're right. You're fine. You're fine. I'm good, Mr. Mayor. I'm good. All right. Any any other discussion on the resolution to set a public hearing? All right. All in favor of setting uh this resolution, signify by raising your right hand. All right. And resolution passes unanimously. Councelor Strick, will you now read in the proposed ordinance?

Be it ordained by the city council, city of Praval, Alabama as follows. That the zoning ordinance and map are here amended to reclassify the property described in attachment A from R2. That is this proposed ordinance is and a synopsis were advertised for two weeks in the Montgomery Advertiser, a newspaper of general circulation within corporate limits of the city of travel and the city council at its public hearing on February 17th, 2026 at 6 p.m. considered said proposed ordinance and at such time and place all persons who desired had opportunity to be heard in favor of or in opposition to such ordinance. All other items and provisions of the zoning ordinance not here and specifically amended shall remain in full force and in effect. The amendments here and contained were considered and recommended by the city of travel planning commission on December 18th, 2025. This ordinance shall be effective upon its passage and execution as provided by law. So moves.

All right, we have a motion. Is there a second? Second by councelor Jackson. As point of order, this ordinance will be held until after the public hearing, which is set for se February 17, 2026. Item number 12 is a resolution to support the restaurant development and outdoor usage at 124 West Main Street. Councelor Merritt, will you introduce this resolution?

Yes, sir. Whereas the economic development department of the city of Prabal works to attract and develop economic development projects to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of the city of Prab. And whereas the city purchased the property at 124 West Main Street with the intent to develop the space into business opportunities for the future. And whereas economic development department has recruited a new prospective restaurant tenant for the 124 West Main Street Suite 120 location. And whereas the tenant has the intention of applying for a restaurant, retail, liquor license with the Alabama Beverage Control Board when appropriate for use inside the facility and in a designated outdoor area for the business as indicated in exhibit A. And whereas the tenant requests the support of city council for the indoor and outdoor designated areas related to the ABC licensing to move the project forward to a binding lease renovations of the facility and ABC license application. Now therefore, be it resolved that the city council of the city of Prattville concurs that support is offered for the restaurant development and indoor and outdoor designated areas related to the ABC licensing move uh to move the project forward to a binding lease renovations of the facility and ABC license application for 124 West Main Street, Sweet 120 as indicated. So move, Mr. President,

we have a motion. Is there a second? Second. Second by councelor Newman. Uh, is there any discussion on this resolution at this time? I have some discussion. Um, I wish we had a the illustration to put up on the screens. My issue with what we are voting on is is the footprint of the outdoor area. Is that correct? No.

No. Um, right now [snorts] we are voting on the uh resolution to support um the footprint for the outdoor area is not the actual footprint is but there there's going to be an ABC license that is correct applied for and then that is when that will be official, right?

Yes, sir. So, with their ABC when the the entity applies for their ABC license, that review process will come before you guys for approval. Um, there'll be a public hearing on it, and they're going to have to check the little box for outdoor um alcohol sales. So, the parameter of the outdoor serving space will be very specifically defined um for the ABC board, but also for the city. Um so, that vote will come before you guys again. However, the purpose of this resolution is just to make sure that you guys are going to be comfortable with something like that over there before the tenant and us put money into it. Okay. So, exhibit A, the the green spot on exhibit A, that is not you're not asking for that to be the area for the outdoor dining. Currently, that is the intended um part of the ABC application that the restaurant would put forward. Okay. So, what we're looking at with exhibit A is what the uh restaurant is going to move forward with in requesting their ABC license.

Correct. with support um from from you all. If it needs to be different, then that would be a a discussion point at this time. Okay. Okay. It's not you're not voting on an ABC license, so you're not definitively stating that. But in this support, it's a it's a two-prong support. Support for restaurant development and support of the outdoor designated area as reflected in exhibit A. So, while you're up here, you know, you and I, we met uh a week and a half ago or so, and the footprint that that I am seeing and and like I said, I wish that it we were able to see it up on the screens,

but it allows into I don't know what we call the little bench area, you know, with the trees, but there are uh three of those it looks like. And so, this area extends all the way to almost six feet from the venue from the the poleb barn venue.

Um and so when you know when we we've been down to the venue many many times and people love it and like I shared with you Amy my concern is we are taking the majority except for six feet um on the left hand side of of the pavilion area. We're taking all of that and leasing it to this restaurant. And when we have been down there, it's just been so much fun to see the families hanging out and sitting down at the at the benches there. And I have a problem with designating that as an area for a a private entity when to me this is a huge part. It's a, you know, it's a pretty decent size area, but it's a huge part of of the flow and of the feel of the venue. And um and like I shared with you, I would I would vote and I would absolutely support um going straight down through the the lights because there is a crack in not a crack, but a seam in the concrete right there. That to me is more of an organic separation. And then that way we could we could have the restaurant space, but we could also still everybody could enjoy that area to sit down and to mingle and not have to be right up under the the pavilion because doing it this way, the only open area um that's not under the pavilion is really the children's area and a very small sliver going to the bathroom. And I yeah, I'm not opposed to the restaurant. I'm not opposed to liquor license, you know, within a fenced in area, but I am opposed to taking this this section and including it in a lease

where you have to be a patron of that restaurant in order to utilize that. So, part of the logic from the restaurant perspective, it gets it allows for a stack of two tables um to be in that outdoor space. So that's the measurement of what that was. It would allow us to attach um what what ABC looks at as a barrier. Um so that would be some concrete and metal table like structures. So they could be used from the inside with some gates depending on where those need to be designated uh for for flow. So, um, that that was part of the logic and as I said before, I understand that. Um, what what we're trying to do is get to a point that we can move the project forward if there's a discussion about a different footprint. I I'm not opposed to that. This is something that's had much discussion uh with Chief Thompson and others um of what would work and what is consistent across the city of Prattville for other outdoor uh restaurant venues. Thank you for for coming up and sharing that. So

So I just wanted to ask a question. If we approve this tonight with this footprint, there is the capability to reduce that footprint in the future. Yes. With the council if we wanted to. Yes, you can. This is not again not an ABC license. It's not a definitive final spot. Um my request of you is just support for this so that we can move it to the next step. um we don't want to do anything put money in um in front of you all as an recommendation until we know you're you're you're supportive and comfortable with that.

And I did want to echo that I have [clears throat] met as well with the economic developer and discuss this walk this footprint and um uh I've actually spoken to several of the other counselors about the footprint itself a little bit to get to get an idea. But this footprint is again is something that people can still come in and out of. The the main issue would be removing or leaving out of that area with alcohol in your hand. Anyone can still shutting down usage of the the the area from anyone else. It's just that you can't leave that area with alcohol. That would be the main issue. So, um I I uh I want to make sure we think of it that way as well as the [clears throat] fact that it's been discussed with the executive office and uh the uh public safety uh professionals and um I think it's a um a reasonable request to start with at least on this footprint for for what we're doing. I I don't see a major issue with it at all. I mean, it's fairly simple and fairly straightforward. Councelor Jackson,

I guess my concern guess, do we have the blessing of Chief Thompson and with moving forward with this and two, he mentioned it, made a note, you know what, how do we prevent people from walking out with alcohol and then two,

handcuffs? And then two, does this give the optics, you know, and and uh Robert can attest to this several years back where people started contacting us about an entertainment district and does this give an appearance that the city of Prattville is promoting an entertainment district? because we were threatened, not with our lives or anything, but they were very upset that there was even a thought that the city of Prattville may be trying to create an entertainment district. So, first of all, do we have the blessing of Chief Thompson? I see him back there. So, I mean, because I I mean, he's the one that's going to have to handle and deal deal with all this and the optics as well as far as what are we doing as a city of Prattville and how are we going to monitor people?

So, I'll answer from my opinion. I'm not going to speak for Chief Thompson, but there has been discussion with Chiefs Thompson about this um several times and he can certainly come up and and talk about that. Um uh so there will be a barricade as I mentioned um several gates. There will be signage put up to make sure that people understand that past a certain point that alcohol is not allowed. Um it will be strictly enforced. And as far as the entertainment district topic, this was created to be very specific so that we would not give that appearance of a full entertainment district. This is strictly being consistent with other restaurant venues that have outdoor spaces that are perimetered, fenced, gated, whatever they may be all over the city of Prattville. We could call eight to 10 of them right now. So, um, it was really a consistency factor.

And I go back and I guess too even with the entertainment district. So, if you're right outside, huh? No, I'm saying so you're right outside and you'll be able to enjoy the live band and people mixing and mingling and you know doing their thing downtown. So that that's my concern, you know. So I I I want your Chief Thompson, what's your thoughts on that?

I'm 100% against Entertainment District. Um right now my officers have standing orders they find anybody drinking at the venue to arrest them. Um, but I do feel like if we going to have a restaurant, we have to treat it like we do anybody else. So if I have a gated area for that section, just like Hooters, Beef Odysies, other people, as long as they and they understand if the alcohol gets outside that perimeter, somebody's going to lose their license and somebody's going to jail. But as far as an entertainment district, I'll fight that until I leave. Yes, sir.

But the difference in a Hooters or any of these other businesses is that they don't have a live band or a live venue with music right there. That's So that's y'all's decision. My argument has been if [snorts] we're going to do it, retrieve them like anybody else. If the alcohol gets outside that perimeter, then I'll move to get the license pulled. But as far as I understand what you're saying and again, I will fight a entertainment district until I'm relieved to my position.

So, so do we need to do they need to have someone working because I think they mentioned possibly three gates. Do they need to have someone out there monitoring? Do they need to have There will be there will have to be some kind of system in place where people know that if you go past this point, you're breaking a law. But we know impe the police department cannot work alcohol-related events. That's in our policy. But you know and I know once people give a little this happy juice, they go to jail. You know, they ain't worried about

and I ain't worried about who they are. We've proved that in the past. The way I see it, Marcus, is is this and I agree with Chief and I think back in the day and Leah's here tonight. Um downtown merchants for a uh entertainment district. I have no I'm in full complete agreement with that. However, Adrians is open to 2:00 in the morning. They have an outdoor area. They're not supposed to go forward to the creek or behind other businesses. That's having to be patrolled by the police officers. So, that's no different. craft house, outdoor music in the back. They have a back gate. People can leave with that in the back gate.

I I apparently I look at it this way. Someone having a cold beer, watching a ball game, eating some food, isn't going to turn PRAW into Bourbon Street. Okay. I guess I have more faith in our citizens than some other people in this room do. I think we have more responsible people in this city. But if you can go to the craft house and sit out back or Adrian's at 1:00 in the morning with a cocktail and walk off with live music, how's this any different? It shouldn't be it should be for all, not handpicked selection who you can and cannot have this venue. And

my argument has been if we're going to do it, we do it everybody's on the same page. We don't do it different for anybody else 100%. And and we make a showcase. This is how it's supposed to be done and everybody has to follow suit with that. But again, um, and I'm not I'm not afraid to say this. Uh, I will fight outdoor entertainment district until I'm relieved the chief of police.

So, I just want to echo councelor [clears throat] stretch's comments. I agree completely. I mean, we're talking about having a restaurant with an outdoor seating area that's adjacent to a space, but we're not talking about an entertainment district. And we're not we're also you you know, I just want to mention that we've all all of us in the city of Praval at some point have been somewhere where there was something similar to this where we've been able to sit down outside and have a drink, a beer, watch a game or drink and watch a game. You know, I don't think there's anything specific in the air in the city of Prael that will cause us to lose our mind when we go outside and have a beer or a drink. And if we do, I got full confidence in the chief and his his group can put it can shut it down and make an example. Uh and I would I would highly suggest that you not do that if you go there and have a beer or a drink. real careful on what we do because we don't want the issues other surrounding cities are having.

I I I I I'm pretty comp confident that um um and other places that I've lived and even to go back to even to adjacent cities that you know mayors and chief of police kept kept things straight. And I have full confidence in in both these individuals in this city. And I think that a small outdoor venue uh to have drinks is not anything that we can't we can't handle in this city. That's my my opinion. And again, we [snorts] probably have people already over there that are sneaking in drinks or spillway at events or sneaking in drinks. And if they're caught, they should be arrested. So I don't think we're applying any different standard here.

If we find them, they going to jail. So,

right. And that's what I that's that's the that's the message that needs to be sent. So, I'm just saying from from my perspective, um I think this isn't a a difficult decision. It's a restaurant with an outdoor area [snorts] and that we can apply the same logic we're applying to any of the other ones that are in town that we have. We have several I' I eat at them occasionally. Um, we have other venues here that that or other building or other businesses here that have alcohol licenses and like councelor stretcher brought up, they can just as easily walk out of one of those at 1:00 a.m. and walk wherever they want to downtown if they're not caught. And they shouldn't do that and they should be arrested if they do. So, I don't think we're applying anything different here. I think we can make this function. We can make this work. We have a footprint that we can condense if we need to. So, I think we have control measures in place and we have professionals that are that are dealing with this and I think this is a good thing for travel myself. That's my personal opinion. And if my constituents don't agree with me, then they can reach out to me and let me know. But at this time, everybody I've talked to was it's been a positive, not a negative.

Answer y'all's questions to the best of my ability. Yes, sir. I I And again, I'm not against it. I just want I respect this man and I just want You have concerns. Yeah. And I just want to hear from you. out of respect. As long as everything's done in accordance to what we've done with everybody else, um I think, you know, it's a big area that they'll be able to but if they mess up, they'll pay for it. Again, I'm harping on until I'm relieved to chief. So, could be. So, but y'all through with me? Thank you.

Thanks, Chief Johnson. If I could, just two little points of um of interest here and you touched base a little bit on it about uh being able to construct the the area because since this is city property and there does seem to be that something is not working like it should, uh the ABC licensing cannot be adjusted by the city once it's approved unless it comes back properly before y'all. But the city through the agreement can shrink the area. If y'all decided to expand it, you could do that, but it would take more steps. But the other one that I mentioned a little bit earlier, uh we have a lot of security cameras around, have tag readers around and um uh so we will be monitoring it um on site and through electronic means as well. So thank you.

Is there any other discussion? I guess And for the record, I would like to just say, you know, ask if we could possibly constrict the area, Amy, if we could possibly constrict the area some. That's that's later. Yeah. Yeah. But I'm just saying that's Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I know. But that's that's something that I hope they're open to. That's all. The restaurant tenant is open to um your recommendations. They will be leasing city property so they will follow your recommendation. Any other discussion?

Okay. Uh just for the record, I would state that I um will support with strict adherence to this area with no entrance and exit back and forth between the venue. In my personal opinion, any entrance into this area should be through the restaurant and not from outside. That makes it really difficult on them to to determine who's coming in and out. Um, I mean, there are a lot of different restaurants with outdoor seating that you have to go in the restaurant and if you want to see be seated outside, you request to be seated outside and then when you finish, you pay and you leave. Um, and I will go on the record uh and say that I am not for an entertainment district. I know that's not what we're talking about now, but it's if it comes up, then I'm I'm on record with that. Any other discussion? All in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. And this resolution passes unanimously. This concludes our regular agenda. The council welcomes any comments from persons present. We have anyone who wishes to speak. Line up in the center aisle. You'll be called up to print your name and address. And you'll have up to five minutes to address the council. I'm going to ask a simple question. What's the restaurant? What's the restaurant that's coming in? Why is there a non-disclosure agreement? And we don't know what the restaurant is. As I said from my research, WCB Auburn Waldo's Chicken and Beer, you know, a restaurant and a Waldo's Chicken and Beer is a different thing, you know, and I wouldn't have mind a

nice restaurant. In fact, I have the floor plan that they presented at the HPC. You know what it says for the outside seating? 75. 75 for the outside seating, 100 inside. And you're talking like, oh, it's just a restaurant and it's just going to, you know, it's just that people will have a drink and stuff. Why did we put up all those televisions? Again, Waldo is basically a sports bar and you know it is. And I just I just can't believe you feel that something like that is good for downtown Prattville. It's going to change the whole feeling of it. And you [clears throat] can talk about you can say, "Oh, it's going to be really monitored and stuff like that." You know how that goes, especially when we get games or stuff like that. And I just I'm so disappointed in you. I just can't believe that you feel and again I think there's a lot of money that's changing hands or whatever, but what what is the restaurant that's going in there? Why can't citizens know that? What's the secrecy about it? If you're so willing to agree and have it, then say the name, you know, say the name. Is it Waldo's Chicken and Beer or is it something else? Do you understand what an NDA is? Do you do you not?

Yeah. Do you understand why we have to sign NDA or actually what one is? I know. Not for a restaurant. I can understand to come up and explain to you how it works. Restaurant. Why for a restaurant? Any restaurant come in there. But you know, I mean really and truly and this money is changing hands. Do you have proof of that before you come up with these allegations of wrongdoing? Do you have any the money changing hands that you you I'm just I mean do you have Oh, that's your feeling. That's your fact. That's your feeling. That's exactly where your feelings wrong. Why your Yes. Exactly. I think some local people are also involved.

Well, I suggest you you set a meeting with our econ economic development person and let them explain to you a what an NDA actually means and why you have to sign them. But we do an NDA for a restaurant. How many other restaurants did we do an NDA for? How many other restaurants did we do an NDA for? I don't know. We'll have to look back now. Have we done any? I can understand Hardies or or Owen's Corning coming in or Royal King because they're vying for other places. Okay. But I don't So why can't we know what the name of that restaurant is? Call. Make an appointment.

No. No. It's you got a minute 43. They the HPC didn't even approve the signage because they didn't give them anything with signage. I don't understand the secrecy. If you're all for this, you should be able to say it is this. Is it not Waldo's chicken and beer? I I'm just going to chime in and say I signed an NDA. So, but it doesn't matter why. I'm not saying anything when I signed an NDA. I'm not saying anything. I'll neither confirm nor deny anything that you say when I've signed an NDA because that's the intent of an NDA. Whether or not it needed to be is regard is is not a point for me at this point because I've signed an NDA.

Why for a restaurant? Why for a restaurant? And this is a this is a city building. This is our This is our building, so we should know it. Am I mistaken? It's a city-owned building. My question is, my question for you is, you see, nobody can answer. I'm asking you a question around this. Is would it matter to you if you knew the name of the business? What would it matter which type of restaurant it was? Does that matter in the scheme of things? Yes, it does. I told you. Order in the galler. Yeah. Nobody has an opportunity to know what we can hear is what y'all are saying.

When are we going to know what kind of restaurant it is in a city's building, which means us? I find it I find this very hinky is the word I use. Yes. Amy, would you like to

before this goes any further and there is any money expended, there will be a binding lease and the restaurant will be revealed. The reason an NDA was signed is it's an investor franchise contract that requires all communities that they are competing and buying for to sign those. That is why that's done. And again, before any money is expended, anything is done, it will it will be revealed. Thank you. Thank you. All right, Miss Nicks,

Jackie Nicks, 706 Running Brook Circle. Um, I want to do some clarifications to my earlier comments. Um, I did send out this information last week, emailed to the mayor and to city council. Uh, I also included the P&L statements that came from the library from the library director that was uh, as a result of my foyer request and I had stated that I wanted you to have that in case I had some typing errors. So, those are not my numbers. Those are the numbers from the library. Um, regarding the the speculation on um why there are excesses, uh, first of all, the library is a separate entity. So, by your own admission, we don't know. We can't, it's pure speculation of what they've done and why they've done it because they aren't here to speak for themselves. So, anything that was stated before is pure speculation because we need to have that information from the library board as to why they did what they did. But I can tell you from speaking to other public libraries is that it is highly unusual to have an budget excess. They are designed to operate on a zero net budget. They're supposed to be money in equals money out. And also from my observations from from their reports there is in fiscal year 25 there is a line item for interest income sweep which is interest coming in the budget from the previous year. So if this is money that is going towards the building fund wouldn't you keep all the interest and have it compound interest to grow?

Why would you pull interest from that money into the budget for the next year? So, I I ask that you ask these hard questions to the library board because they are the only ones that truly have the answers. And all due respect, Mr. Mayor, you're not a part of that separate entity and that that's pure speculation. So, they are the only ones that can answer truly answer these questions. So, thank you. Thank you.

Good evening. How are y'all? All right. I'm going to make a suggestion because I had a accident happen to me on Dostster Road right there coming down them hills. You got deer that run all the way across the road. I'm I'm sorry. I don't mean to cut you, but u can you please say I know we see you at the meet. Can you please say your name and address? Shane Cast 410 Homework Drive. My apologies. Thank you. No, thank you.

Anyway, I was coming home the other night on Dost Road. I've already fixed my vehicle. Well, I'm at fixing it. Deer come running down the hill, hit me in the right front quarter panel, busted my windshield about a spot about yay big. I've already replaced it, but y'all might want to get some signs up that deer do run down that road or run across that road. It's on the bottom of Dost Road all the way to the top. They're jumping the fence on the top side of Dostster Road. I've had to blow the horn at him to get them out of the road, but I got hit the other night pretty damn good. It knocked me for a loop for a minute. So, y'all might want to get some signs of that deer. It's a deer crossing right there. And we're going back to the whole Water Street, Paving Job, and New Moon. When is that going to get fixed? I understand y'all said it's on a list, but when is that going to get fixed? That is a highly trafficked area going to the stadium. New Moon Drive is got a divot in it now, too. When's that all going to get fixed? I ain't I'm not up here to fuss. I'm not up here to argue. I'm just asking simple questions because, like I said, that's a during game day, game weeks, it's a highly trafficked area. People parked there along that road. I hate for somebody to get their vehicle hurt or tore up because of that divot right there. And it's pretty bad. So that's all I got.

Thank you.

I'm Chad Peacock. I've already signed and then All right. I want to go back to ordinance two is to reszone the property located inside corporate limits at 682 covered bridge Parkway from R5 to 01. This already went through the planning commission. This was okay through the planning commission going to an 01 via because the lot next to it is an 01. I'm not seeing the issue here in stopping somebody who wants to build a business because this lot is not enough one. If they want to purchase both lots for more parking, fine, they can do that. If they want a small office, fine. But we can't sit here and don't get me wrong, I'm not good with words. Uh speculate what traffic might be. We don't know. We don't know how big the office is going to be. We don't know how small it's going to be. There's an option for an 01 sitting right beside my lot. That's why I want to go to 01. I just wanted to bring that up.

I'm also, this is my husband. We own this property jointly. In that same section of Covered Bridge Road, there is a veterinarian's office, a pediatrician's office, and I leave a kidney care uh center adjacent to those lots, just two down. The one immediately next to us, also no one is currently for sale, which is adjacent to a pediatrician's office. In terms of the size of the lot, I'm not sure we understand how what goes there could impact traffic any more than a pediatrician's group or any other doctor's office. So around that point we would like some clarification please.

Um so what do you plan to put there? We are not putting anything there. The option is we cannot build a house. There are not covenants that support res residential construction in place on that side of the street. So we can't build a house and we can't reszone. The property immediately next to us is already 01. So what is the best use other than the possibility of somebody combining those two lots? I mean I I really can't answer that for you.

And approval for what might go there in the city's process. Would they not have to go through site approval, plan approval? minimum number of parking spaces, etc. What does what goes there affect zoning? Um, well, yeah, go ahead.

I I don't mind answering the questions you have and I I stated earlier tonight about why I made my decision on this is I and I looked this over uh many times and I've been out to that area several times and there are offices in that area. I do agree. at that particular few sets of tracks of land along that roadway there have a large water spot retention pond or water area behind them. And I don't think there's enough depth that lot that footprint to put what you would want. And the thing is when you zone something for office that can be many different types of things that can come in there. Some can be low, like a lawyer's office may have a few people coming in and out of there during the day, but another office or another type of facility could have a lot more traffic coming in there and I don't think there's adequate room in there for to say that anything could come in there, which would be what would happen if we approve that. So, in that specific case, so I'm trying to look at the entire entirety of the situation, the neighborhood, the adjoining street, the traffic flow, this particular lot and a couple of the other lots along that. I don't think should be reszoned for office. I'm not sure why they're not able to be used for residential. That's what they're zoned for. I'm not sure what your covenants and restrictions issues you are that that you have there are. But as far if you're asking me if that specific lot in that specific area needs would be would be okay for me to zone for for office, I would say no. And it's not the only one. I've I've recently had the same opinion with another uh plot that was zoned for office right off Main Street because I don't think it's adequate or safe because there's no center turning lane or turning lane to go off of Main Street into an office area. I think residential is what it needs to be. So that's my logic on why I disagree with it and that was what I brought up to my fellow council members for this specific lot on that specific street. Another part of the city, my my opinion would be different. There's not a one-sizefits-all. So that's why I made

my decision on it. But the lot immediately adjacent is I I understand the lot next to it is an 01. It is a It doesn't have a water retention pond behind it. Not the same size that those lots that you're talking about do. That's why I made my decision on it. You're taking the option for somebody to purchase both lots. I understand. And that smaller lot could be used for parking just like the pediatrician's office or anything else. There is more than one option. So, what could go there just doesn't make sense?

As I'm looking at the single lot that's looked at for zoning, I don't I don't I'm not talking about whether somebody buys the lot next to it or may or may not or what may happen. I'm looking at if it's zoned for O and an office comes in there for that single plot of land. I don't think it's it's reasonable. So, I voted against up and not out. It's gonna that that's going to impede people being on the street for traffic to go in and go up. That's my other side of this is you're impeding that that specific road that leads into that neighborhood back there is gonna is going to have spillover traffic on it if you do anything up or anything else. I do not like that for an office space and I have voted against it and those are my reasons.

Okay. But there are two apartment complexes and you're talking about spillover traffic and literally apartment complexes bookend. I'm sorry. Is time an issue here? We've been out of time for but you've got apartment complexes that bookend that street. That is the bulk of and that's what factored into my decision about the traffic flow. That's my opinion. Yeah. And I'm not and then there's no no malice toward you or no malice toward offices or office space in the city. But for as a city councilman as I look this over that's my decision on that specific lot.

Okay. All right. Thank you. Is anybody else who would wish to address the council? [clears throat] Just don't forget to sign in and state your name and address for the council. Okay. So, hey, um, my name is Candy Blackman. I just wanted to say good evening, uh, mayor and city council members. Um, I'm going to read something really quickly. Um, you may think that it doesn't apply, but it certainly does apply here. Um, it's going to be talking about conflict of interest, lack of impartiality, unprofessional conduct, and use of profanity, disregard for court orders, um, pattern conduct across multiple cases, and fail failure to maintain professional boundaries, and normalization, minimization of potential child harm. I have others that are in with me. They're sitting behind me here. Um, I'm here to speak for the public record, calmly, clearly, and truthfully. I'm not a resident of the city. I'm here because a family court case was held in this county. Decisions made within this system profoundly affected my child and my family. Um for years I fought in the county um family court for the right to parent my own son. On August 6, 2025, I lost my case. I want to be clear about who I am as a parent. I am um never done drugs. I'm not abusive. I have no criminal history. I provide a loving, stable, smoke-free home. I was my son's primary caregiver and his secure parent. I am not standing here because I lost a case. I'm standing here because I lost faith in a system meant to protect children and preserve healthy parent child relationships. Before my case begun, my son's father made a $20,000 donation to Judge Joy Booth judicial

campaign. After months, it does it does apply. It does apply. Okay. But don't we're here for pertinent information that does apply. Yeah, it does apply. I understand. because someone on your city council board um was involved in my child with Judge Booth. So, it does apply. Okay. But your comments, two persons in particular, can can you just give us the facts? That Okay, that is that is the fact. Uh what fact do you want? Um there's someone on your city board, Thea Langley, who was in working with Judge Booth to take my son and in that in her counseling. Yep, ma'am.

Yes. Okay. But I'm just asking you what what particularly pertinent city business does does this relate to? Uh it relates to she's sitting on this board and she behind the scenes is is not acting in a way that um has that's impartial. She does not have professional conduct. She uses profanity. So it does apply because she's now representing the community in the city. And this is someone who is taking children behind the scenes. And I'm not the only one here. There's people

I'm I'm not disagreeing with you there. I'm just saying that you're talking about something that happens in a a professional life and it was handled in the county court system, I think. Okay. I've heard discussions in here about deer. I've heard discussions in here about all kinds of things. So, if you don't want to hear about somebody that's sitting on your city council board and what they're doing to the people, then that's wrong. Okay, this is my child in my personal life. Okay, and my son cries every time he has to go to his father because of something somebody on your council did. And that is not right. And if you would like proof, we got the proof.

I don't stand here alone. You may think I'm alone. I'm not alone. There's people right here with me. I understand that it's we can't have a personal attack. Okay. It's it's what we feel. You can't have a personal attack. There's a personal attack in our lives. Our children are removed from us from someone sitting on your board with profanity telling me in a in a session I don't give a Do you think that's professional? This is on your board. So that's why I'm here today.

If I may interject for real real quick. Um I know we have a first amendment, but you know a lot I'm sorry.

I'm I'm just trying to clearly say this is a conflict. Michael, my my my my thoughts on this is about First Amendment. We we we sat here all summer, those of us who are already up here, and we are accused of making decisions racially biased. We were cussed at, we were pointed at. Someone got in the mayor's face. We had a candidate look me in my face and tell me my I was done and brought a poster. So we took abuse from the citizens unfactually all summer long during the campaign and those people are allowed to speak their peace. And as a first amendment I don't see how that's any different from someone cussing me or someone accusing me of kicking a elderly couple out onto the street out of a a building that they didn't even live in. I was accused of that and that was all allowed to happen. So, I'm just trying to wonder how this is any different. That's all I have.

Can I just want to ask this question? I mean, as a city council, this isn't in our realm of of authority. I mean, if there's something that need needs to be brought up, I our actions here don't have anything to do with that. All of us have been elected. And if there's an issue, if there's an issue that you have with an elected official, the proper channels, and I would defer to the attorney at this point as far as

what needs to play out in this area that we have authority over, there's nothing I can do. I can't vote any one of these members off the council. The mayor can't do that. There's nothing that we can do. If you have an issue that that you need to bring awareness to, which it sounds like you do, then you need to bring it to the appropriate channels. And that's not us. That's not us. We can't do anything about what you're talking about. As far as I know, unless the attorney tells me there's something differently. You come up here and accuse any of us of anything. There's nothing we can do about this. Just accusations. We have proof. I I'm I'm I'm I can't I can't dispute that because I'm not a judge. I don't have this isn't a court. This is a city council business meeting and you can't about deer and everything else, but you

and the deer signs are things that the city council can put signs up for, but we can't do anything else in this forum. We don't have authority. Who could put those signs up? She can. She can't. She can't. I can't either, but the city engineers can have it done. You're talking about the one that's sitting right there who So again, I defer to the city attorney over what authority do we have to hear this case. see a city attorney, any attorney, council president, you do have the authority to move for a motion for adjournment. I mean, this this is up to your discretion as far as you know, I would say public comment first amendment does apply. You know, we we do have our say. Um, of course, we don't stop. We'll only grow.

The council has set rules of course establishing limits for that. And I'm not saying, Mr. President, or they can't have their say. I'm just saying there's no action that this council can take in your issue and I if you have an issue, you need to take it to the appropriate realm. That's not here. I'm not saying I don't Do you have children?

That that's irrelevant. I'm just saying Well, I do, but it's irrelevant. It's irrelevant. My children, I'm not saying I don't feel that you have an issue. I'm just saying that this body can't deal with your issue. That's all I'm saying. I don't want you to be think that I don't hear that you have an issue because I do. I'm just saying there's nothing we can do about this and I don't want you to continue to upset yourself when there's nothing we can do.

If you have a problem with deer, we can address that. But we can address this issue is all I'm saying. He's trying to deescalate a situation and get me out of here from live.

Yes, from SW.

And I apologize for earlier. I did write it down. I didn't um acknowledge who I was and I didn't state my address. So, um, Reverend Dr. El White, second 621 West 4th Street. Okay, going back to, you know, now that y'all, uh, looking at that, I just ask that y'all reook at Adrian when when Mr. Edwards came over here, if we going to do that for one, we got to do it for all. So, I just ask y'all to reook it and and and relook at his plans. And if the mayor say he's going to work with him, hopefully that ain't lip service. That's truthfully. and he works with him and do and work with him at the same level and get a get approval for what he was trying to do.

I agree L and I've talked to um you know Mr. Edwards a couple times and yeah I you know we want to work with him within the parameters and he has uh put up um a little he put up his fence. He he you know complied with what we asked him to do. He had talked about one time about putting a structure on on the roof of his building, which I'm off for that too, overlooking the creek. So, you know, I'm not going to pinpoint, you know, one person. Like I said, you can go to Craft House, you can go to any place downtown, places on the east side of town, Midtown. Um, well, I'm not pinpointing. It's just that I I was here and he did try that and it was shut down. I'm just saying now that we looking at that, we can relook that to be fair and open.

Yeah. Yeah, I talked the last time I talked to Derry, he was still interested in doing some things. So, that's I'm good with it. Sure.

Second thing is we talked about, you know, the um the executive [clears throat] having um support from the city council, but yet the name's still over there on that venue. We talked about that. I mean, y'all made an agreeance and but the name still on that venue over there. And then the la lastly lastly and I know this going to come off kind of funny but you know we talking about moratoriums to stop this and that. Well, can we also put coffee shops and chicken restaurants and on on that moratorum too since we putting storage and convenience store because it seem like that's all we got here in Bravo. And can we start being innovative and come up with new creative ideas to bring more economic commerce here versus chicken coffee. I mean, honestly, all the chicken coffee places, we can we can make a chicken and coffee shop and and kill all the separate chicken and coffee shop.

I'd love an authentic Italian restaurant somewhere in this town. So, I'm with you on that. They have chicken parm. Leah, can you cook Italian? And and also um and also a convenience store all at the same time. But thank you. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mike. All right. At this time, uh, we'll move into closing comments, Mr. Mayor.

Yes. I just, uh, want to follow up some of the conversations here and, uh, I've text you a little information about Northingington Road and and the striping and so forth. So, um, I think we all realize that since the pandemic, it's really hard to get certain work forces out there, but thank goodness um, our city engineer responded, and I pass that along to you. So, I I will. Thank you. Okay. Um, that's all my comments tonight, sir. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Councelor Newman,

I was just going to say the training facility opening. I thought that was a great event. I was attended that and I'm glad that we have a training facility that's going to be able to train our uh fire and safety professionals. Um, there were some promotions that were done as well and the fire department. It was nice to see uh our fire department moving its leadership forward and and recognizing those individuals. there is some bad weather coming in this weekend. I think everybody needs to make sure that they've got a plan for that. There may be some some cold weather and make sure you've got, you know, a backup plan or or something like that if it gets cold or your power goes out. Um to speak briefly about the um the facility across the street as far as uh uh um damage to it or or any uh behavior that's inappropriate. There is technology over there. I would advise people to be very careful about what they're doing over there. They want to go tear up bathrooms or whatever it is that they're having a problem with because there is enough technology in this downtown area for us to figure out who you are at some point. I would highly advise any youth or young adults or old adults or to to do any damage to city property. That probably be a bad decision. Um, the deer crossing issue I would just like to say is District 1, which is the entire west side of Prable, uh, County Road 29, Rolling Hills, uh, uh, Indian Hills, Northingington Road. I drive up Gen Chop Hill to go home at night. I got to dodge deer. It's an issue we have in Prab. And I recognize and acknowledge that, and we can get some signs up, and we I'd like to see a little better lighting in some cases, but be careful this time of the year. There's going to be deer on the road. um you know uh drive accordingly. [snorts] Um um just to speak to I guess something that's stuck in my crawl and I don't mean this in any specific way but as far as the uh economic development uh issue across the street. You know I ran a campaign where I didn't take a dime from

anybody. I don't I don't want anything to do with anybody's money. I don't need anybody's money. Um, I'm not taking anybody's money from anybody on any economic development stuff. So, don't even offer. No one. Don't offer. As far as anybody that I know is taking money, I don't know of anybody associated with any project that's taking any money. Uh, so I I don't uh, you know, it's easy to levy an accusation, and I'm not making it personal. I'm just saying that's not what we're up here doing, or at least not what I'm up here doing, and I don't know of any of it. So, I wanted to make sure that that was on the record. Um and uh that's that's all I have. Council Jackson.

Yeah, I guess I'll say something. Um I know yesterday over the weekend we definitely um recognized Dr. Martin Luther King and one of the things I would like to challenge us all. you know, everybody posts uh uh quotes and say what a great man he was and whatever, whatever. But I just challenge everyone to try to live out those things and not just let it be words that we say a couple times out of the year for three or four day stretch where we recognize, you know, and I look at it now how people uh deem him a hero. But while he was live and fighting for his community and fighting for the rights of people, he was deemed evil. He was deemed public enemy number one. a lot of things he was deemed and now that he's gone, you know, you know, everybody see treats him as if he's the next thing to uh Jesus. But I just hope that we take some of those uh quotes and the lifestyle and the attitude and the courage that he had to stand up and fight for all people. you know, it's not a black thing, uh, white thing, you know, and look at what's going on across the world, across the country, but one of the things we need to learn, especially now, is to love on each other and do what's right. I, you know, at this stage and phase in life, I don't understand what the hard thing is about just doing what's right by people for people. Um, I just think it's so simple. I don't think it's complicated and I I don't get it. It baffles me. But that's the one thing I want to say. Um [clears throat and cough]

um the public safety ribbon cutting was awesome. I appreciate what uh Chief Thompson and Chief Bingham, you know, all those guys are doing. Um I have much respect for them and what they're what they have done for our community and what they're going to continue to do for our community. So, uh, kudos and like I said, I have much respect for them. Um, uh, mayor, you mentioned the warming station, and I think that's going to be a great idea, you know, if we can get some of that going because we do have people that um are probably suffering and meet uh have some meeting some challenges staying warm. So, I think that's going to be beneficial. You know, we also mentioned uh the shelters, you know, maybe a storm shelter here and there. That was something I even know that I campaigned on back in summer. And I think I even mentioned it back um I don't know whenever Ernie Bagot was the EMA. I would like to see more storm shelters in place, especially throughout our community with a [clears throat] number of people that live in manufactured homes around because I have a lot of areas in my district where we have people that are in manufactured homes and uh I don't know about y'all, but I'm those tornado sirens go off, they freak me out. So, I can't imagine living in a manufactured home. So, I think that's something that I would love to see us do as a uh community is fine. You know, I think what is it the intermediate school now? Not intermediate uh kindergarten school. I think we worked with them last year. Kindergarten school. Yeah, the new kindergarten school. I think we had residents go there, but I think we need to look into having [clears throat] those maybe a few spread out throughout

the community for people. And then uh yeah, so that's all I have to say.

Thank you, Council Merrick. Well, I guess Councilman Newman and Councilman Jackson took up all my time, so uh [laughter] just kidding. I'm just kidding. Uh uh no singing tonight, but uh uh no, I I appreciate you guys. I appreciate all y'all that are on this panel and uh everything that we you do and continue to do. Um Mr. Mayor and M. John Lee and everybody. Let me put my glasses on. U Mr. White and everyone who spoke that comes here. Thank you as always. Uh I do want to just piggyback quickly about the uh the training facility uh for the ribbon cutting and thank you Chief Thompson and uh as well as Chief Bingham. um got a chance to uh we went to the the facility where he actually had to uh Marcus was doing a little target practice and uh way that man was shooting that pew pew. I I definitely want you by my side anytime. [laughter] I'd love to have you. Uh Dano, not so much. Oh, no. Dio was pretty good, too. um except uh uh he had a he let the guy reach back in uh in the car and [laughter] it was his wallet that he pulled out. But uh but it's a it's a if you have an opportunity to go see if you can get a tour. It's a fantastic facility and it's going to do great things not only for our our employees but for others across the state. And I think I do recall, correct me if I'm wrong, that we've actually throughout the US we've had some folks coming in from out of state. So, fantastic, fantastic thing. Um, I want to give a quick shout out to um uh Paxton, our engineer that got an email from one of our uh my constituents on Mossio Ridge. Uh we had a little situation where um they repaired part of the street uh out there and um and we've been working on that for a little bit. So, I just wanted to quick thank you.

Um, shout out to Rich Emanuel who lives on 503 Mossio that uh uh threw a kind word to our uh street committee and uh street division and uh I know that I'm on the committee that you're chairing and look forward to working with you because I have some things I'd like to get worked on more. Paxton, thank you very much. Y'all be safe, stay warm, and uh get water, extra supplies, flashlights, candles, and please don't Well, I know, but I always want to look. It's like when I travel, if I go on vacation, I may be gone for three days. I pack for 10. So, uh but [laughter] but anyway, please be safe and thank you always for being here and be safe going home tonight.

Councelor Strick, Council Langley. Yes. I just want to say thank you guys um for being here. you guys are the ones who hung in there and um I don't know, Paula, is this a record tonight? Not the kind of record that Paula wants us to set, but um thank you to all of you. I appreciate you and um yeah, stay warm. Thank you. Our next regularly scheduled council meeting is Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 at 6 p.m. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? Moved by councelor Stritz. Is there a second? Second by councelor Langley. All in favor say yes. Yes. We are journed.