City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the business meetings for the city of Praval. We have two public hearings tonight before we move into our regular council agenda. Madam clerk, will you please call the role? Councelor Newman here. Councelor Jackson here. Councelor Chambers here. Councelor Merrick here. Councelor Wley here. Councelor Stretch. Councelor Langley here.

All right. Having corn present, I call this public hearing to order. First item for public hearing tonight is an ordinance to prezone property outside of the corporate limits located at Saratoga Lane and Sydney Drive South extension known as Glenbrook 10 uh to R3 single family residential. Is there anyone here who would speak in favor of this item? All right. Is there anyone here who wishes to speak in opposition of this item? Hearing none. This public hearing is closed. Second public hearing tonight is an ordinance to reszone property located inside the corporate limits at 1114 East Main Street from R2 Single Family Residential District to 01 office district. Is there anyone here who wishes to speak in favor of this item? All right, not seeing. Is there anyone here who wishes to speak in opposition of this item? Not seeing any, we will call this public hearing closed. At this time, you're invited to stand for our pledge of allegiance and invocation. The invocation will be given by councelor Chambers.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Let us pray. Dear heavenly father, we thank you for the opportunity to gather here tonight in service to our community. We recognize that public service is both a privilege and a responsibility. And we are grateful for those who are willing to lead, serve, and contribute to the well-being of our city. Grant this council wisdom in its decisions, clarity in its discussions, and unity in its purpose. Help each member to listen with patience, speak with integrity, and act with fairness. May every vote and every conversation reflect a sincere desire to strengthen our community and serve the greater good. Bless the employees who carry out the daily work of our city, the first responders who protect us, the families who call this community home, and the businesses that help it thrive. Guide us to be good stewards of the trust placed in us. May our efforts tonight contribute to a future marked by opportunity, safety, and shared prosperity for all. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Yeah, I got uh Madam Clerk, will you please call the role? Councelor Newman here. Councelor Jackson here. Councelor Chambers here. Councelor Merritt here. Councelor Wadeley here. Councelor Stretch. Councelor Langley here.

All right. Having a quorum present, I do call this meeting to order. Character tray of the month is responsibility. Knowing and doing what is expected of me. First item on our uh agenda here is approval of the minutes. These were sent ahead of time and you should have had an opportunity to review these. They were from the public hearing uh dated February 3rd, 2026 and the city council meeting from February 3rd, 2026. At this time, the chair will entertain a motion to approve these minutes. So moved. So moved by councelor Chambers. Is there a second? Second.

Second by councelor Merritt. All in favor of approval of the minutes, please signify by raising your right hand. And these minutes are approved unanimously. All right. At this time, we would like to recommend recognize uh Pine Level Town Council member Jay Gray in our audience tonight. Thank you for traveling into the the big city. All right. At this time, we'll welcome any comments from persons present regarding tonight's agenda. Anyone who wishes to speak on items on tonight's agenda line up in the middle aisle. You'll be called to print your name and address and then have up to five minutes to address the council. [snorts] Please remember to state your name and address and item number on which you wish to speak. and then you may begin. You just just sign your um your name and your address. Print your name and your address. And then once you're finished, you can tell us what your name is and your address and you you will be able to begin.

[clears throat]

Go ahead, sir. Okay. Um, my name is David Ramsey and uh, my property is agenda item number seven, I believe. What's your address? So yeah, that's a consent agenda item number seven. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. War. Yeah. 114 Warwick Drive. It's number seven on the consent agenda.

Okay. Yeah. Okay. This is about my backyard and was considered garbage and rubbish. This right here is a number five plastic container and this had cottage cheese in it. Normally this contains yogurt and I eat a lot of yogurt and probably doesn't recycle this subject but uh down at Troy they have a big recycling facility that will take truckloads of this material. And um so this is in my backyard. I'm trying to save it and try to take it somewhere that will recycle it rather than for the dump basically. And this is one of my problems with it. It's to me it's a treasure but uh I had a little experience with the land land field. Okay. And uh well I used to be county county back years ago. And uh what happened up there with a landfill? Uh there was a need, somebody had a need for a trash landfill. And uh so it was approved and the county commission went out in the woods and stripped off the vegetation, trees from a valley. And then they started to bring in the wood and plastic and and metal and lay out and cover it. Well, they had to have a compactor. So, the power company cleared through someone else's land some pine trees a right away to get there. So, they got get that. So, that kind of took that land off off the agenda. Uh now, that that's land that can't be used hardly for anything else.

than than that. And so I've I've got personal feelings about recycling stuff if it's possible because my experience I don't know if anybody else had experience like that but uh it it kind of hurt me to see those trees cut down and u dirt pushed over the waste material from the manufacturing process. But this this is what and I don't know if I can make a recommendation. I'd like consider recycling these and there's a company down at Troy app I think I said that that does it take truck loads from label I don't have enough to sell any of it I wouldn't make profit hard if I did but um as far as for my backyard that that is the problem and it can be seen from the street and u I did not realize it was a nuisance or whatever it was I thought I could do anything I wanted to in my backyard long as I kept my front yard looking And uh so uh but uh I uh I've been working on this and u I've got it down to plastic mostly. Uh I was okay. Yeah, I had some glass which Auburn and Tuscaloosa recycled and I was trying to clean up the glass last year next to wood fence. Wind came down, broke off three post on the fence, fell on the glass instead of jars I had charge and I had to pick that up and I think I got all that done. I took that to Tuscaloosa recycling facility. So, um most of I've got is this and u it needs to be cleaned up because leaves get in it and a little bit of dirt

before uh you know somebody they don't want it dirty. This has got a little bit dirty and so it takes a little time to do that and u also I had a little little problem. I had a a long co last year and the first time I had it and then right before Christmas I got food poison [laughter] so uh I had a double double problem there and I'm about over most of it. There's still a little lingering infection in the food port, but uh I think I'm about over the co but I would like to ask for more time to get this. I worked on this today and I worked on it uh I worked on it Saturday and worked on it Saturday night though too dark I couldn't see and uh it rained.

Yes, I had had papers. So, um, so have you [clears throat] contacted our code enforcement officer that left the note on the door? Oh, he contacted me. Okay. He did. So, you did you talk to him about cleaning it up and needing some more time? I did. I didn't say anything about more time, but he did come by and tell me this meeting will be here tonight. Okay. I was invited. So, okay. I do need more time to get it done. I would like to do it myself.

Okay. And and the reason I was asking is there's u there's a process that it goes through with the city. Um and if you reach out to them and tell them upfront that you need more time, then it can he can give you more time and and prohibit it from getting to this point to where it reaches the council agenda. Um so I would suggest you reach back out to him. Um it it's still on our agenda tonight, but if if the item has been abated then there the you know there may be some way he can work with you on that. Maybe not the full amount but

yeah no nothing has been done other than what I have done out there right now. Okay. And I will uh pass on to our uh sanitation council committee also about looking at potential recycling programs in the future. I appreciate that. You want the cut? Yes sir. [laughter] Okay. So, I need to talk to the basement officer or the Yeah. So, the guy that left you the note. Okay. And they can the the any of the police officers out front can give you a number to contact him or or you could get it from the mayor's office. All right. Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir.

Anyone else to um to address the council? Yes, Mr. Good evening. Yes, sir.

There's two things I want to bring uh to ask for consideration um in your thoughts and your planning process on the um agenda. as you asked. I'm I'm talking about resolution number seven and resolution number um 10. Let's start with resolution number seven going in order. In the military, when we went to a firing range, we had right and left limits, and we knew what those right and left limits are. when y'all give the mayor um his permission to go ahead and um do this uh this comp uh comp compensation study, I ask that y'all think about what the what those right and li right and left limits are even when you um talk about academia when you get a when you go have to grade a paper they give you a matrix right or wrong and they tell you hey this is the Ruby crew and this is what meetat the mustard whatever should be the same thing that go forward with this study Y'all need to come together collectively and say, "Hey, when you do this, do it in comparison." And I'm just making suggestion, not telling you how to do your business. I just So I don't want nobody thinking that. Is ask is it this is this similar to a city that's similar to that's in that's in Alabama. What are they compensation packages? What they compensation package look like? What is the model of responsibility? Because we call it in the military task, condition, and standards. you know, truth the task is based on they on on their responsibility. Is it meet the amount of pay that they getting or is it over the pay? If it's over the pay, then we got to reook at what the budget look like. But we need to make sure that it's in comparison to other cities and not just over over inflated. Also, I ask you to look at reviewing employee contracted 1099s benefit packages

because you know a lot goes in in a and benefit package can cost you a whole lot in your budget. I know this because I part of the um duties in the military who did finance work for the S1, the G1. So, it failed up on under on my under my preview. So I'm just asking you relook that and come together with a matrix so they when when the when the study go through they can you can say hey they made that matrix they made that matrix that made that metric and then it makes sense to the people the last thing resolution number 10 I see we're going um asking for agreement Alabama power I came up several years ago and asked especially when we was getting American Rescue Act money that would benefit the whole city. I ask for improvement in the power grid. Every time we get a hard wind or the lightning or even a thunder, the lights go out. I'm just asking, can we look at while we doing that? Can we look at fitting in the budget to improve get with Alabama Power and improve the power grid? We asking more people to come live here. Why not improve the power grid for our citizens? I think we all can benefit from that. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. All right. Is there anybody else who would wish to address the council on any item that is on tonight's agenda? Not seeing any. Mr. Mayor, do you have a report?

Yes, sir. Thank you. Good evening, counselors. I want to offer our sincere condolences and prayers go out to the Watsworth family on the recent passing of Captain Albert Watworth. He served with our U police department for over 40 years whose dedication to service both during his career with the PD and in retirement has earned the respect of colleagues and citizens and stands as a testament to his strong character. Celebration of life will be held on Friday, February the 20th at 1 pm at ple ride outs prepple chapel caler as as as of today you know it marks fat Tuesday and the carnival season winds winds down. I want to thank everyone for coming together and taking part in the Marty Bar celebration on Saturday. I'd also like to recognize Kelly Carter, our parks and reccks, our PD, our fire department, uh our uh public works, um I know our clean city professionals were out and about just a few hours after the parade ended and got our city back in in order, but like to thank all of those organizations that came together. You know, it takes all these departments and staff who helped organize a successful event for our community. And I will have to say that uh as I navigated around the during and after. Uh people really have enjoyed um our downtown area. The looks like our eeries were were very busy. We had a lot of food trucks and u and then as as of yesterday there was a lot enjoying Spillway Park and um a little area over there. Uh counselors, I also like to have a little I guess uh public uh information uh out to our citizens. If you notice an increase in presence of law enforcement professionals throughout our city because Prout was currently hosting an FBI leadership class due at the new public safety training facility with approximately 20 federal agents participating. In addition to that, the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police is

holding its winter conference this week in Montgomery. And I've noticed a lot of their cars, the chief's cars are are here in Prow at our hotels. But as a result, law enforcement leaders from across the state are visiting the the region and spending time in PRA. Uh they're dining in our restaurants and enjoying our recreation and outdoor amenities. Their presence reflects positively on PRA. Like to provide you with a couple of updates on projects and mention some noteworthy achievements. Over the past two weeks, contractors have fabricated installed the columns and beams at the library and I'm told the project expected to finish by Friday. February 27th of this year. So hopefully that will ring true. Uh councelor, as we move into that, council president, as we finish up with this project, I'd like to get some guidance from you on possibly us taking the next step of of moving forward and looking at an additional wing for our library. That is discussed a few times. And also uh working with Paxton Reef, we'll be looking at improving the parking lot area around the library there as well. Also staff is addressing storm drainage issues at the culbert beneath the family support center has been problematic problematic for many years. After meeting with the structural engineer, recommendations were received to address water intrusion. We'll keep keep council updated on planned and upcoming repairs. Uh council pardon some of our progress. Uh there's been a delay in material being delivered at our north island park. But I am proud to announce that the city of Pratt will ha has been selected as one of the sites approved by the state industrial development authority for a site elevation and economic development strategy siege grant. This grant will be used to conduct new assessments of industrial properties. I want to thank Amy Hilly for her hard work. These assessments will help the city remain competitive with sites across the state and the

southeast. Councilor's consent agenda items 13 and 14 are housekeeping resolutions that related to the community development block grant awarded to the city for infrastructure improvements improvements in the College Heights area. Agenda item one regarding a library agreement back before you tonight. I still hold the position that this should be tabled and re-evaluated later this year as we will be preparing and technically we're preparing for next year's budget already. Um but anyway along with it our airport agreement and others when the budget process uh uh is ready for the next fiscal year. I feel like this is the best time for all this to get implemented because as I mentioned before as of today we have paid half of what was budgeted to the library and other entities as well. Uh councilor, agenda item five would authorize the city to resubmit a build application for McQueen Smith Road Improvements. The city is not has not been awarded this competitive grant in prior submissions. However, given the corridor's continued growth and increasing congestion, pursuing every available funding opportunity makes sense. With council support, agenda item 12 is limited to authorizing [snorts] the extension of the tax exemption certificate for James Hardy building products. Does not create any new incentives. With that in mind though, I want to remind everybody, please remember to take advantage of the sales tax holiday for emergency supplies and that actually includes plywood. So, there's a lot on that list. So, if you think you might not need it, but take a good close look at it. You just might. It save you some money. It runs uh from Friday, February the 20th through midnight on Sunday, February the 22nd. Hey everyone, Saturday will be a very busy day across our community. I want to

cordally invite everybody to join us with the Tall County Master Gardeners uh and Alabama Forestry Commission and others for the Arbor Day celebration on Saturday, February 21st from from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. It's at a Pratt Park. For 41 years, the city has been committed to providing a greener, healthier community through planting these trees. And uh it's that time of year to start planting some of them. I know our urban management crew have already been planting several in Pratt Park. They have some other areas um already marked and dedicated. So you'll see a little greener in the next few years. [cough] [clears throat] Counselors want to cordially invite everybody to the historical markers dedication celebration. is honoring Saturday May Head Not. Uh it's North Highland School and North Highland Park. Uh those are three of the markers. This event will take place uh on Saturday 21st beginning at 10 10:00 a.m. is at the historical portion of our First Missionary Baptist Church on 7th Street. Also, as another reminder, uh our 25th annual Black History program, it's February the 27th, 6 PM at the Dons Center. Counselors, ending my report.

Thank you. Is there any questions uh from the council for the mayor? Okay. I I do real quick, Mr. Mayor. Um library. Yes. Um, so they are saying possibly by the 27th it would be open. Yes. Okay. And and I did um just happen to run into Mr. BS at the library chair at the county commission meeting tonight and Okay. He shared with them that he hoped it would be open Wednesday. Well, that's that's even better, isn't it? That's Yes, sir. But at least this next week we can plan to sometime this next week we can plan to see it open.

Yes. And uh there's still be some um ground work going on like you and I have talked before landscaping and stuff with potential projects upcoming uh [snorts] during this project. I know there's a lot of damage to the irrigation system and uh we're going to sit back on that. We also have to dig up some more vegetation and and get back in here and plant some more vegetation. So

all right. And as far as um a possible addition um or planning for a possible addition, I would um at this time ask the facility committee. I'm not asking for a date for meeting. Just put that on your radar and consider when um and what information you may need and then maybe we can request some of that information beforehand. um and then look towards a date to get a uh a meeting on the calendar to talk about feasibility of an addition to the library.

If I might piggy back off of that a little bit, I know when we were all out there one day, not all of y'all, but some of us were out there. Um there was some talk about potentially building a wing in front of the current library but I think there might have to be few few steps that have to go through maybe some setback um um request to be changed a little bit but uh I think that it's definitely the amount of foot traffic goes through private private library is amazing so okay all right there's no other questions for the mayor that's can I I'm I'm sorry. Go ahead, Council Lane.

Um, you had mentioned something about North Highland, but I couldn't understand what you said and then I forgot to ask. There's a little delay in um in supply chain supply lines. That's happened a little bit with our library over here as well. They it was a few days took them a few weeks, a little bit longer can to finish up on our library because of supply chains and they're waiting on some some certain products to come in. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. All [snorts] right, we'll move into reports from council on special committees. Councelor Newman,

I do. Um, we uh the sanitation committee met February 12th at 3:02 here in the council chambers. Myself, councelor Langley, councelor were here along with uh the city staff and uh Tracy gave us a a a good review uh for the meeting. We went over the financial status and budget review, the staffing and equipment, solid waste disposal and recycling. And we also talked about the sanitation department management plan and the rate study and it took us about an hour and it was a great meeting. [snorts] All right. Councelor Jackson. Councelor Chambers. No. Councelor Merrick. No sir. Councelor Stridge.

Yeah. Um, February the 5th of this year, 4:31, right here in the council chambers, the parks and recreation committee met and uh, director Carter brought a notebook full of information like she always does, very organized, and we discussed things like the Weststone complex for some upgrades for some restrooms. Centerpoint Church and Overlook Park connecting Cooters Bond possible beach volleyball court. Pretty cool. Pratt poolool sand filters. So talked about that nightmare which is the pool. Miller Park, Pratt Park walking trails, playground upgrades to Miller Park and Low Picket Parks, Upper Kingston Park Center, Civic Groups usage, and the Vista Point Park update. And that was it. All right. Hey, just as a um just to let you know, um I had talked with Centerpoint Church about that connection and that's how that ended up on y'all's agenda. Um I did talk with Kelly after that and they were very pleased with the report and look forward to the partnership there. They've extended the sidewalk on their end and they look forward to uh being able to utilize the park, but also the city being able to utilize their parking lot in order to access the dog park. So that was a that was a good good deal. All right. Uh councelor Langley

and I have none as well. [snorts] All right. At this time we will hear a report on the status of the city finances uh from Mr. Oakley.

Yes sir. [cough and clears throat] For the general fund revenue, uh, the city's received 22,951,840 for the fiscal year to date. And this represents a 1.37% increase over the same period in the prior year. The next page is the tax breakdown comparison. On the tax side, we were up 9% when compared to the previous January. Next three pages show the general fund expenses broken down by department. And with onethird of the fiscal year complete, we spent 38.2% of our budgeted expenditures in the general fund. One thing I did want to mention on this report, so there are a lot of blue highlights on the salaries and benefits sections for each department. So, as you all know, we've been navigating through a um an accounting system uh implementation for a new accounting system. Um the payroll module of that went live in January. So, our first payrolls in the new system rolled out in January. The payrolls are correct and the employees receive the correct amounts and all that. However, we're having some difficulty getting the information from the payroll module into the general ledger module, which is the financial side where we pull these reports from. So, these blue numbers represent December's wages just rolled over so that you could have something to look at that's kind of comparable, but these are not January's numbers. Um, we're going to get it once we get all that talking and jing like it's supposed to, we'll rerun the reports and have them available. Um, but just for tonight's sake, I just wanted instead of having zeros in there, just roll forward Decembers. Um, so you have something reasonable to compare. The next page is the wastewater

enterprise fund income statement. The wastewater fund generated a net income from operations of $635,200. Operating expenses and overall expenses are both under budget and coming in around 30% each. Next page is a sanitation enterprise fund income statement. The sanitation fund generated a net income of $61,653 for January. Operating expenses are at 32% and overall expenses are just under 33%. Next page is the judicial special revenue fund income statement. and the judicial fund generated a net income of $22,588 for January and overall expenses of well budget at 14%. I will note that we have not paid a quarterly payment had not been build for a quarterly payment for the metro jail. Um we did pay it at the beginning of February. So that was normally there would be a quarterly payment in here that would bump those expense numbers up but we paid it at the beginning of February. So you'll see that reflected in next month's uh report. The next page is the bank balances report and the total outstanding or no, excuse me, the total of all bank balances citywide was $49,44,941. And the last page is the outstanding debt balance and accounts payable report. Total outstanding debt balance citywide at the end of the month was 66,818,181. While the city's non-enterprise fund debt was 36,50,181. [snorts]

That's the end of my All right. Are there any questions for Mr. Thank you. All right. Thank you, sir.

All right. This evening, we have an opportunity to create a consent agenda. There are 13 items that we may consider on this consent agenda, and they are as follows. Number one, a resolution to authorize the city to affix the cost for the removal of garbage and rubbish at 344 Martin Luther King Drive. [snorts] Item [clears throat] number two is a resolution to authorize the city attorney to affix the cost for the removal of garbage and rubbish and stagnant water at 725 Hillrest Drive. Item number three is a resolution to declare garbage and rubbish at 710 Taylor Street a public nuisance and authorize the mayor to abate and charge any incurred expenses pertuent pursuant to chapter 46 city of Pratville code of ordinances. Item number four is a resolution to declare the garbage and rubbish at 23310th Street a public nuisance and authorize the mayor to abate and charge any incurred expense pursuant to chapter 46 city of Prattville code of ordinances. Item number five is a resolution to declare the garbage and rubbish at 1278th Street a public nuisance and authorize the mayor to abate and charge any incurred expenses pursuant to chapter 46, City of Pratville Code of Ordinances. [snorts] Item number six, a resolution to declare the garbage and rubbish at 630 West 4th Street a public nuisance and authorize the mayor to abate and charge any incurred expenses pursuant to chapter 46, City of Pratville Code of Ordinances. Item number seven is a resolution to declare the garbage and rubbish at 114 Warwick Drive a public nuisance and authorize the mayor to abate and charge any incurred expenses pursuant to chapter 46 city of Pratville code of ordinances. Item [clears throat] number eight [snorts] to declare the garbage and rubbish at 224 Primrose Drive a public nuisance and authorize the mayor to abate and charge any incurred expenses pursuant to chapter 46 city of Pratville code of ordinances. [snorts] Item number

nine is also a resolution to declare the garbage and rubbish at 20110th Street a public nuisance and authorize the mayor to obey and charge any incurred expenses pursuant to chapter 46 city of Prattville code of ordinances. Item number 10 is a resolution to authorize the city attorney to file a release of garbage and rubbish lean on 326 Marllet Drive. Item number 11 is a resolution to name the voting delegate for the 2026 annual business session of the Alabama League of Municipalities to be held April 28th through May 1st, 2026 in Montgomery, Alabama. Item number 12 is a resolution to adopt a plan for minimizing displacement for the city of Prattville. [snorts] And item number 13 is a resolution to amend the standard of conduct and method of procurement for the city of Pratville. [clears throat and cough] Do I hear a motion to create a consent agenda?

Moved by councelor Jackson. Is there a second? Second. Second by councelor Newman. All in favor of creating a consent agenda, please raise your right hand. And the consent agenda is created. The consent agenda is now before us. Do I hear a motion to adopt the consent agenda? So moved. Moved by councelor Chambers. Is there a second? Second. Second by councelor Langley. Is there any discussion on the consent agenda? Quick question.

Um Andrew, u with the gentleman um Mr. Ramsey coming up from coming up to before us about uh resolution seven on the consent agenda. Uh is there anything that we need to do or will that just strictly be on code enforcement to address that issue with Mr. Ramsey? Yeah, I would say at this point you are authorizing to authorizing it to be abated. So it hasn't been abated at this point. So I mean if there's any I think this is a good time if there's any one that would be willing to help collect and transport those materials, feel free to get those in touch with Chris Johnson so he can get in touch with Mr. Ramsey and uh hopefully get that done.

Okay. I just wanted to make sure I was looking for Mr. Ramsey, I guess. He must have left. Okay. I just wanted to make sure that uh we had all bases covered. Thank you.

And I do think he got a number for code enforcement as he was leaving out. So all right. Is there any other discussion on the consent agenda? All right. Hearing none. Uh all in favor of cond adopting the consent agenda, please do signify by raising your right hand. And the consent agenda has been adopted unanimously. All right. At this time, we will move into our regular agenda. Got to flip flip through my packet here. All right. Agenda item number one is a resolution to authorize the mayor to sign a contract for services with the Ataga Prab public library for funding as allocated in the 2526 budget. This was held from 120 2020 of 2026 uh and is properly before us. Is there any discussion? All right. I would um offer for discussion that the um contract was sent back to the library board and then it was um sent to their attorney and their attorney returned the contract um about Wednesday. I think it was the middle of last week. Um I took the contract and forwarded it to the city attorney for review. um and he was out the end of last week. So, he is in the process of reviewing the recommended changes from the library board or uh recommended additions or deletions from the library board and has not had an opportunity to finish that as of this

point. Um, so right now we do not have the contract in place, but the resolution is to authorize the mayor to sign a contract for service. So we can Well, if I may interject on this, I I considering that, I mean, I would like to see us hold it until Andrew has a chance to review it and give his feedback and send that to us um and then proceed accordingly. Okay. So, is that a motion with um just needed to the next council meeting, Andrew? Would that be sufficient? Okay. 17th. Is that what you said?

March 3rd would be the next council meeting. March 17th would be the second meeting. March 3rd. Okay. So there is um a motion here to hold until March 3. Um is there Well, okay. So there's a motion to hold till March 3rd. U do I hear a second? Second. Second by councelor Merritt. Um is there any discussion on the motion to hold until March 3rd?

Yeah. Um, Andrew, is that enough time for you or would do you need longer to the second meeting or is that sufficient for you? Yeah, that would be sufficient for me. Okay. Any other discussion on the motion to hold until March 3rd?

I I'm sorry. I I do have a question and Andrew, it might be best geared towards you. So once you have had a chance to look at it and see what they are suggesting or hoping that we can have changed then you will send that back to us um prior to March 3rd. Correct. So that we have a chance to look over that before um our next session. That's correct. Okay.

Yeah. And I guess if there's any requested changes or any recommended changes of the board, then that'll get us give us an opportunity to get get it a better format before March 3rd. But I do plan on I started reviewing it this afternoon. I do plan on having it to the rest of the council by the end of the week this week.

Thank you. And I I mean to me there is a sense of urgency in in getting this done because I have um requested contracts for services for um many different vendors and entities that we um give money to, you know, on an annual basis. And back to our discussion, John from the or Councilman Chambers, I'm sorry. um at the very beginning that this was brought up and we discussed a more generic um contract for services. So in gathering I don't know probably 15 to 16 contracts for services that the city of Prattville has we have some very very detailed you know like the chamber of commerce has an extremely detailed um contract for services and so in comparing those we we don't it doesn't seem like we typically use a generic type uh contract for services and so I would encourage that yeah that we as as much as we can we stick to what we have already presented. Um, I [clears throat] don't think that it's overreach, especially when and I want to hear, you know, I want to see what what their situation is obviously, but when we compare it to the other or when I compare it to the other contracts for services, um, it's it's right there in with several of the others. Um, and I can send those. I I got some of those from, uh, public records request and then I received some of those from from Daniel. So, I'm happy to send those to y'all if you'd like to see those, if you don't already have them, of course.

All right. And then the only thing that I would just add to that, when I received the contract back with their highlighted things, um, I didn't send it to the full council because it had not been reviewed by our legal yet. So, it only made sense for me to send it to legal and then ask him to review it and then send it to the entire council instead of us trying to look at different things that they request and just giving him an opportunity to review it uh and get that back to us. So,

may I ask a quick question? I'm not sure Paul might be for you, but uh how many contract services do you think if you had to guess we have ballpark it or maybe Andrew [laughter] 20 20-ish. Okay. All right. Thank you.

All right. Is there any other discussion on the motion to hold um this until uh 33 2026? All right. Not hearing any uh any further. Um all in favor of holding until March 3rd, 2026, signify by raising your right hand. Okay. And that does pass unanimously. Item number two on the agenda is an ordinance to pre-zone property outside the corporate limits located at Saratoga Lane and Sydney Drive South Extension known as Glenbrook 10 to R3 Single Family Residential. [clears throat] This was also held from our January the 20th meeting and is now properly before us. Uh is there any discussion on this item? Okay, not hearing any. [snorts] Um, all in favor uh please signify of this ordinance, please signify by raising your right hand. And this does pass unanimously. All right. Item number three is also an ordinance. It's a petition for annexation of property outside of the corporate limits located at Saratoga Lane and Sydney Drive South extension known as Glenn Brook 10. This item was also held from the January 20th, 2026 meeting and the ordinance is now properly before us. Is there any discussion on this item? All right, not hearing any. All in favor of this ordinance, please signify by raising your right hand. And this ordinance has been adopted unanimously. Item [clears throat] number four is also an ordinance uh to reszone property located inside the corporate limits at 1114 East Main Street from R2 Single Family Residential

to 01 office district. This was read in and held from our January the 20th, 2026 meeting uh and is now properly before us. Is there any discussion on this item?

I I did [clears throat] have one thing I wanted to bring up about this specific one and it's not in relation to disapproval. I have no issue with this. I voted on this on the planning commission. It's planning commission's perspective on East Main Street as it uh as it is right now. [clears throat] As we move down East Main Street, a lot of these residential areas are turning into wanting to, you know, flip from residential to 01, which [clears throat] isn't a problem except for there's no center lane in that road. And I've just asked that as these come before us, we take them as a case- by case basis to look at them and uh make sure that, you know, that makes sense. The planning commission I know is and the mayor and I talked about them as as well as the planning commission. But um you know that that area being a main thoroughfare and not having a center lane and you upgrade that to an office and you got multiple cars going in and out of it now potentially it could create a problem. So I'm just putting that on your mind to think about as they go through and maybe we can get feedback from uh the counselor in that specific area around that as they come up. But um um I just wanted to make sure you guys were aware that that is a an issue with that that area when it comes from the plan.

Councilman was it so just to clarify with this was passed by the planning commission. Yeah. And I plan to support it. Okay. But I'm saying going forward some of these as they go forward um um you know we need to look at them um even through the planning committee's recommendation sometime. So So okay. Is there any other discussion on this ordinance?

No. Not hearing any. All in favor of this ordinance, please signify by raising your right hand. And this ordinance has been adopted unanimously. All right. Item number five is a resolution to authorize city staff to submit an application to the department of transportation US DOT for FY2026 better utilizing investments to leverage development or build grant funding for the widening of McQueen Smith Road from Cobs Ford Road to US 31 South Memorial Drive. Council Langley, will you introduce this resolution?

Yes, sir. Whereas the city of Prattville has identified a need for improvements to increase safety, provide accommodations for safe pedestrian and non-motorized access, improve quality of life, relieve traffic congestion, and reduce travel time on McQueen Smith Road from Cobbs 4 to US31. And whereas the city is eligible to apply for funding assistance made available under the FY2026 build program through the US DOT with a maximum award of $25 million. And whereas the total estimated cost of the widening project is 32,632,773.70. And whereas US dot built through the built grant program would provide 25 million toward the project if funding is awarded. And whereas the city would be required to provide matching funds in the amount of 77,632,773.70. and any additional overages. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the city council of the city of Prattville that the mayor is hereby authorized to submit the FY2026 build grant application to the US DOT for funding assistance to increase safety, provide accommodations for safe pedestrian and non-motorized access, improve quality of life, relieve traffic congestion, and reduce travel time on McQueen Smith Road. Be it further resolved that the city of Prattville hereby commits to the prescribed matching funds including any overages for said project should the grant be awarded by US dot and implemented. Uh be it further resolved that the mayor is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution. So moved. President.

All right. We do have a motion. Is there a second? Second.

Second by councelor Jackson. Is there any discussion? Not hearing any. All in favor of this item, please signify by raising your right hand. And this resolution has been adopted unanimously. Item [clears throat] number six is a resolution to authorize a release of funds for the construction of a restroom and concession stand at Wetstone Park to Camco Properties LLC for parks and recreation at a cost not to exceed $99,500. Councelor Strick, will you introduce this resolution? Whereas Parks and Recreation has identified a need to add an additional restroom facility concession stand at Wetstone Park. And whereas Camco Properties LLC has the expertise to provide in said construction at a cost not to exceed $99,500. Whereas pursuant to section 39-2-1 code of Alabama 1975 as amended said construction is a public works project where section 39-2-2 code of Alabama 1975 as amended allows contract for public works under $100,000 to be let without bidding and whereas this is a budget expense in parks and recreation. Now therefore be resolved by the city council of the city of Pratwood that funds in the amount of $99,500 are hereby authorized and approved to be paid to Camco Properties LLC for said construction and said funds are approved and appropriated for fiscal 20 26 budget line items parks and recreation capital outlay. Be it further resolve that the mayor is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution. So move.

All right, we have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. Second by councelor Merrick. Is there any discussion on this item? Yeah, quick question. Uh Mr. Strick, um I know that these bathrooms are going to be like the ones that the uh other parks bail I mean Low Picket North Highland. Will there be multiple stalls in there because I know those [snorts] uh parks, those bathrooms just have one. Are we going to have multiple in those? Honestly, I don't know how many stalls are going to be in the bathroom, but uh I can find out. No, I was just curious. I mean, I can imagine they're going to be they're similar to the ones in the other parks. There be whatever stalls. I haven't been in the females, but in the males, I think there's two.

Okay. Yeah. Is there any further discussion on this item?

Yes, sir. I have I have a couple of questions or just comments. Um, I'm I'm not against this at all. I I have um absolutely been out there. I recognize that it is a need. Kelly did a great job in sending us an an outline of of her thoughts and and why this is important out there at Wetstone. My comment is this. It it it it bothers me to be quite honest to see a bid that comes in at $99,500. I know that the state bid law um does not require construction bids um for anything under $100,000. Um Fair Hope Alabama, they have their construction threshold at $50,000. I would like us to consider looking at that because um I I'm going to do some research and see how many contracts we have had that come in between 85 and $100,000. um especially $99,500. Um to me, lowering our threshold to $50,000 for construction bids, um it provides for more transparency. Um, it provides for more competitiveness with um, construction companies. And I think that for us being um, responsible to our taxpayers for the monies that we spend, $500 is is just not much to just, you know, offer that bid. And so, one question that I have, I I don't know the answer, and Daniel, I know you could probably help me out with this. When we have a bid from say 50 or a a project from 50 to $100,000, do we have to get a certain number of

bids before we go, you know, with one? How does that work? So, no, the the bid law would not require us to get a certain number of bids or quotes. Now, a lot of times it depends on the department and what the project is. Um, they oftenimes will get multiple quotes. Um, typically we like things in threes, but it's not required. Um, so that's kind and the the public works bid law did used to be $50,000 up until a few years ago when they increased it to 100,000. Your um uh normal bid threshold for other purchases was 15,000. They increased it to 30,000. So

um but no, it is not required. And my understanding is that municipalities, we have the ability within our own municipality to set that threshold ourself as long as we stay um you know, of course, under the 100,000 that the state sets. I would assume so. That probably an Andrew question, but I would assume so.

Yes, councelor Langley, we would have the ability to pass an ordinance to set those thresholds. Um and again, it's my understanding. I know the the law changed during my tenure here because obviously cost of materials have gone up substantially and that allows projects to get bid and done quicker, but of course we would retain that authority to set our own threshold under that $100,000 amount.

Um, okay. Thank you, Daniel. The other thing that that I would like to make a suggestion um regarding is I don't know exactly when this changed, but In the past, that's all I can say, in the past, maybe it changed when we went over to um the bank building while the renovations were being done here, but in the past, all of our um city department heads were in the council meetings when we had council meetings. so that when there was a question such as the the stalls in the bathroom that we could just ask them to come up and they could answer those for us and and give us some definitive answers. And so I would like to see as a side note, I would like to see our department heads to to be in here so that we do have access to asking questions.

Okay. Um, I will just say that they are available and we can at any time call them in here to to ask any questions of them that we may need to ask. Is there any other discussion on uh resolution number six? All right, not hearing any. Uh, all in favor of resolution six, please signify by raising your right hand. And resolution number six is passed unanimously. At this time, I will pass the gavl to council president prom John Chambers so that I may introduce uh resolution number seven. Resolution number seven to amend the fiscal year 2026 budget and authorize the mayor to enter into a um memorandum of agreement for a classification and compensation study with Condre and Associates Incorporated at a cost not to exceed $57,500. Councelor Whley, will you introduce this resolution?

Yes, sir. Whereas in resolution book 2018, page 098 on July 17th, 2018, the city council of the city of Pratville authorized a classification and compensation study which was implemented in October of 2019. And whereas in resolution book 2023, page 008 on January 17, 2023, the city council authorized a 5-year review of the classification and compensation study. And whereas [snorts] a pay plan adjustments whereas pay plan adjustments have been made each year. And whereas a need has been identified to update the current classification and compensation study in order to remain competitive in attracting and retaining employees. And whereas Condre and Associates Incorporated has the expertise to complete said study at a cost not to exceed $57,500. And whereas said fees shall include the classification and compensation study and up to one year of follow-up technical assistance. And [snorts] whereas section 41-16-51A3 code of Alabama 1975 as amended allows contracts to be secure services with uh consultants possessing a high degree of professional skill to be let without competitive bidding. And whereas the finance director has identified a certain sum of surplus funds available for departments that came in under budget for prior fiscal years. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Prable that the FY 2026 budget is hereby amended as follows. Decrease human resources departmental reserves $47,900. Decrease finance departmental reserves $9,600. and increase human resources pay study and job evaluation be it by $57,500. Be it further resolved that city council hereby authorizes the mayor to enter into said agreement with Condre and Associates Incorporated for said study

at a cost not to exceed $57,500 and said funds are appro approved and appropriated from the FY2026 human resources pay study and job evaluation. Uh Mr. President, I so move. Thank you, sir. We have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. Second by councelor Newman. Um, is there any discussion on this item? I I have a question and really it's just how fast can this what's the timeline? How fast is this look at getting done? Do we know the answer to that?

All right. So, um there is um in in my discussions with the mayor and the uh human resources director and the finance director, there has been a lot of questions and um requests made of a 2018 pay study um that was completed um right here, resolution book 2018, page 98 on July 17th, 2018. [snorts]

I think there were only two members of this council that were on the council at that time. Um, so we're looking at 8-year-old data and um, we're requesting 8-year-old data and things have changed every year since then. So, I asked the finance director and the HR director um to reach out and see what it would cost for us to have a full pay study uh so that we could put that 18-year-old that 8-year-old study behind us and have all of the data that we need before us to make the decisions um in budgeting moving forward. There is a uh potential contract that I believe goes through June 30th and then we would have the information from the classification and compensation plan or study um to us prior to this next budget year. Then it would be up to us to determine at what level just like the previous council in 2018 did. it would be up to uh the finance committee first and then the whole council to determine at what level we were able to uh fund that moving into the new budget year. [snorts] One of the things that is in the contract is that there is a uh final report that will be um given to the entire council and also posted online on the city website. So my thoughts in this was trying to put some of that issues that we have absolutely no control over uh behind us and look toward the future and get a classification and compensation study that we would have um the full final report to and we could post that online and then hopefully have that prior to this next budget year uh and then we can determine at what point then we can um implement it. Thank you, Councelor. Why? Any other discussion?

Yes, sir. Councelor Jackson.

Um, and I know this is um been thrown out there a few times already throughout the years. Um, so when Condre completes their report, will you be included or the council be included or will strictly be HR? because that was the issue previously was that we never had a chance to see the actual final draft that Condre [clears throat] sent to us to the city. We saw what the city gave us but we ne you know one of the issues and well the main issue was that we wanted to see what they actually uh submitted to us their final draft. So, will you be included in that email or correspondence once they submit their final draft?

So, the and you may want to ask Miss Thrash if she can expound upon that. But so, so in that contract, it does have in there that a report will be um supplied. The final report will be supplied if if I'm not mistaken. Um [snorts] and I was not on the council in 2018. I was an employee of the city um in a a deputy chief role with the fire department and I was heavily involved in the comp the classification and compensation plan that uh that the council was um that the council was gracious enough to provide us in 2018. Um [snorts] I was involved in every initial meeting and every follow-up meeting as far as the job analysis went for positions in the fire department. Um and then had the responsibility with our uh HR with HR with us to review each and every person that where they were put into the um the system where they classified them in that uh in the pay plan. So I I know that all of that was was reviewed. Um I'm pretty sure the finance committee was involved in the final I wasn't on the council at the time. Um, but but I'm I I mean I'm pretty sure I I I don't know how you could make a decision on where to implement it as a finance committee if you were not involved in the full final report. [snorts]

So, Mrs. Thrash, would you like to come please up and expand a little bit? Sure. And just to add a little history, um, we started the study in 2018. It was not implemented until 2019. As you can see from the proposal, they generally work a lot quicker than that. They got the information back to us and will this time in about three months. [clears throat]

When we got the information, the mayor, the council president, who at the time was uh council president Strickland and I had a call with Condre. They got the report. The finance committee reviewed the reports. All of the counselors came to my office two at a time. They didn't see the full report. They saw all the data and all the pay changes. I later gave that report to counselor Jackson. He didn't want it the way I presented it. He wanted original emails which had a lot of people's names and people's pay on it that I was not comfortable providing the report as someone posted. I think councelor Langley posted one from Dothan. It looked exactly like that. We used a lot of the same cities. We will use cities in Alabama that are our like size. We used Opaikica, Auburn, Madison, Northport. a lot of cities that are outside of large larger metropolitan areas that [clears throat] are generally our size. Those are the cities that they serve. There was no changes to the report that Condre sent other than they sent us a 100% of the market report and a 97% of the market report. Councelor Strickland after some discussion with the mayor and the finance committee asked us to ask for a 95% of market report which is what the finance committee approved and the council approved and that is what was implemented.

Any other questions for me?

Yes ma'am. And you know, since you mentioned me, um, yes, I did request that we actually see the draft. Well, see what they sent because when, uh, Richard Cables and I went to your office, you [snorts] showed us [clears throat] information on your computer screen at the time. But once we thought about all of this and once things uh some other things happened with the uh consultants for um redistricting, we said, you know what, we need to come back possibly and see the actual pay study draft from Condre just because we've had some questions and then you know we saw some significant pay raises in certain areas and the people out here on the streets that are out here doing the manual labor may have gotten 10 cent 15 cent raises whereas you saw other people may have gotten thousands of dollars in raises. So one of the things we wanted to see was the actual draft from Condre and since then it's been stated that that was not a final draft. You know, of course, we've gone through and the attorney general says that once the company sends a final draft for I think it was for $52,000, some people say it wasn't a completed draft, but according to the attorney general of the state of Alabama, uh whatever we paid $52,000 for, whatever they sent, we should have access to that. And of course, we have not gotten that. Um, we've only gotten what was uh presented to us. So, the the question was we wanted to see what Condre sent. And of course, if there's no issues, we should have gotten it by now.

Okay. Well, that is not my call. Um, legally, I've been told that since it says that, I can't produce that. I don't mind if you get that information. It looks exactly like the one Dothan had, just different cities and different positions. It's the very same information. I will say one thing, nobody had a 10 or 15 cent raise. That's not factual. No one. Okay. And I can give you specific numbers if you would like them, but that is just not true. So, what's the minimum? I mean, we we annualized it, so I don't think anyone was less than four to $5,000.

Some of the higher positions were more. you know, the graduated scale of a pay plan increases. So, if there's a percent of increase and an equity adjustment, which is what happens with these things, different people are placed at different rates based on the knowledge they have to do their job, the education required, the physical abilities that they have to have, all of those factors tie in to put a position on a pay plan. And and I think it's interesting too when um of course we called around to other municipalities and asked them about certain positions and their municipalities that may be twice our size or three times our size. And when we told them what certain positions we're making, their mouths dropped because they said we don't make that kind of money here in Hoover or uh Florence or some of

I would have to know exactly what positions you're talking about before I We can talk about it offline. I was going to suggest if you guys want to do that on the sidebar, um that'd be great. Um good thing is we hopefully we'll have a new uh pay uh I mean the composition study and uh that will be uh something everybody can see. Hoover was in our pay study by the way. Okay. Well, I'll talk to you about the the position because again um because my thing is if it's not an issue then we should have received it whenever we requested it. So if there's not a difference in the final copy that was presented to the public and not a difference between the uh one that sent then we should have had that years ago whenever we asked and Mr. Jack

and all of that. Okay. We we'll just have this on a sidebar but uh let's focus on this new study if we can please. Um thank you M Lisa.

Is there any other discussion? I I do have one one thing I want to say and uh and it's [clears throat] you know been living in the shadow of this pay study issue and what we do a lot of times in the military and the corporate world is lessons learned. I don't want this to be the case we run through with this one. I want this one to happen. I want us to have we're paying for it. I want us to get all the information we're supposed to have in front of us and I want us to be able to work with this the city and executive branch and HR to make sure that we're doing the right thing. We've got all the information. we understand what we're doing and we can budget it right. I do not want to repeat performance of this uh 2018 confusion. I'm not saying anybody did anything wrong. I'm just saying let's make sure that we lay it out, we see it, we understand it, and we call we can all do what we're supposed to do with it. Just going on the record saying that's what I want to see happen.

All right. Thanks, sir. Any other discussion? All right. Hearing none, all in favor of this resolution, please raise your right hand. All opposed by like sign. Any abstain? Nope. And the resolution is adopted. I will now pass the gel back to council president Willie. Would you like to proceed with the rest of the items? No. Okay.

All right. Item number eight on our agenda is a resolution to authorize a release of funds for the July 4th public fireworks display program for performing and creative arts at a cost not to exceed $29,83.76. Councelor Strick, will you please introduce this resolution? Whereas the city of Prabal sponsored July 4th public fireworks display program on an annual basis and whereas pyro production of Alabama incorporated has a necessary expertise to perform said program and a cost not to exceed $29,83.76 and whereas this is a budget expense in performing arts performing and creative arts. Now therefore be resolved by the city council of the city of Praval that funds in the amount to exceed not to exceed $29,83.76 for said program are hereby authorized and approved to be paid to pyro production of Alabama incorporated and said funds are approved and appropriated from fiscal 2026 budget line item performing and creative arts independent day parade fireworks. So moved. All right, we have a motion. Is there a second?

Second. Seconded by councelor Jackson. Is there any discussion on item number eight? Not hearing any. All in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. And this has been adopted unanimously. Item number nine is a resolution to amend the FY2026 budget and authorize a release of funds for the purchase of one police K9 from al from Alabama K9 Law Enforcement Officers Training Center Incorporated for the police department at a cost not to exceed $17,869. Uh Councelor Chambers, will you introduce this resolution?

Yes, sir. Whereas the police department has identified a need to purchase one police K9 uh for nar narcotic detection and tracking to include K9 and officer training. And whereas said K9 and training are available through Alabama K9 Law Enforcement Officers Training Center Incorporated at a cost not to exceed $17,869. Now therefore, be it resolved by the city council of the city of Prattville that fiscal year 2026 budget is hereby amended as follows. decreased the drug proceeds revenues by $17,869. [snorts] Increase the police capital outlay by $17,869. Be it further resolved that funds in an amount not to exceed $17,869 for said police K9 and training are hereby authorized and approved to be paid to Alabama K9 Law Enforcement Officers Training Center Incorporated and said funds are hereby approved and appropriated from police/CAP outlet. So move.

All right, we have a motion. Is there a second? Second by councelor Jackson. Is there any discussion on this resolution?

Not hearing any. All in favor, please signify by raising your right hand. And this resolution has been adopted unanimously. Item number 10 is a resolution to authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with Album Power for lighting improvements around the parking area of Cooters Pond Park at a cost of $26,240. Councelor Strick, will you introduce this resolution, please? Whereas the city of Pravo has a need for lighting improvements in the parking lot at Cooters Pond Park. And whereas Alabama Power is the electric service provider in this area. And whereas it is the desire of the city to enter an agreement with Alabama Power to install and maintain six LED area lights and poles for said lighting improvements at an initial cost of $26,240. Whereas said improvement project is a budget expense in parks and recreation. Now therefore be resolved by the city council. The city of Profit. The mayor is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with Alabama Power for said lighting improvements at an initial cost of $26,240 and funds are hereby approved and appropriated for fiscal 20 26 budget line item parks and recreation capital outlay be resolved that the mayor is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution. So moved.

All right, we have a motion. Is there a second? Second.

Second by councelor Newman. All um is there any discussion on this? Not hearing any discussion. Uh all in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. And resolution is adopted unanimously. Item number 11 is a resolution to authorize fees for certain records. Uh councelor Strick, will you introduce this resolution, please? Whereas section 36-12-40 a section of the code of Alabama 1975 as amended gives citizens of Alabama the right to certain records. Whereas section 36-12-41 section of the code of Alabama 1975 as amended allows for fees to be assessed for the production of said records. And whereas many records of the city of PR are available online through the city's public portal at no cost to citizens. And whereas there's a need to establish a fee scheduled for the production of hard copies and certain oversized records. Now therefore be resolved by the city council of city proud. The following fee schedule is established for the production of hard copies records larger than 11 by17. Larger than 11 by7 document price per printing per page is $20. Be it further resolve that the above fees shall become effective immediately upon passage of this resolution. So move.

All right. We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. Second by councelor Merrick. Is there any discussion on resolution number 11? Yeah. Quick question. What um what have we been charging for these prior? Nothing. Oh, wow. So, we're going from nothing to 20. No, I get it. But I was just curious as to what we were charging prior to. Thanks. Go ahead. You

if it's part of an electronic record, they don't get charged for them at all. But when they get stuff printed, I think there was some lapse in going forward with what they were charged. It cost the city over $13 a piece. And that does not include wear and tear on the equipment or anything like that. That's just the actual ink and paper for those large style printers. All right. Is there any other uh I have a I'm sorry. I have a question. Is that Paula, would that be maps? um old records like what what would that consist of? I know it could consist of anything, but what do you normally see? Maps and plats um for subdivisions items.

And are those printed in your office or across the street? Across the street. Okay. All right. Any other discussion on resolution number 11? Not hearing any. Or did you have some? No, that is true. All in favor of this resolution signify by raising your right hand. All right. And this resolution has been adopted unanimously. Item number 12 is a resolution to authorize the extension of the tax exemption certificate for James Hardy Building Products Incorporated through December 31st, 2026 in support of Project Mayfield. Councelor Chambers, will you introduce this resolution?

Uh, yes, sir. Whereas in resolution book 2022- A page 101 on June J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J June 7th, 2022, the city council of the city of Pratt will authorize an economic development agreement between the city, Atago County, the the Waterworks Board and James Hardy Building Products Incorporated. And whereas James Hardy Building Products Incorporated has requested an extension to the tax exemption certificate to complete equipment purchases and construction. And whereas the Alabama Department of Revenue requires a specific authorization to extend the tax exemption certificate. And whereas the city, county, and water works board concurred that the tax exemption certificate should be extended until December 31st of 2026 to complete project Mayfield. And whereas there are no incentives involved with this extension. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Pratville that the tax exemption certificate is hereby extended for James Hardy Building Products Incorporated through December 31st, 2026. So moved.

Be it further resolved. Oh, sorry. Be it further resolved. The mayor is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to carry out the extent intent of this resolution. So moved. All right. We we have a motion. Is there a second? Second. Second by councelor Newman. Is there any discussion on this item? Yes, sir. Could we get Amy just to give us a very brief synopsis of what this not necessarily for us because I think we've individually talked to you but for our citizens for transparency.

Sure. Um as the resolution stated in 2022 was the original agreement. Um this specific extension is just for the tax exemption. Um they have a couple of pieces of equipment and two or three small construction projects that have run over into the 2026 year. A lot of that due to construction delays and weather. Um so they have requested an extension from both the city and the county. Uh the county passed it a little bit earlier. Um this is no new incentives at all. It is strictly to complete the project. This will take um the plant up to approximately 450 people when they are able to turn lines three and four on. So that is really what this extension is for particularly the color plus line four. Um it will complete that and these couple of small construction projects. So uh the company doesn't want to come back and ask um for any kind of extension. So they ask for a year just to make sure they're safe. uh they think they can be done in three or four months, but they did not want to have to come back to both bodies one more time. So that's why it's a year.

Any other questions? Thank you. Is there any other discussion on resolution number 12?

All right, not hearing any. All in favor of resolution number 12, signify by raising your right hand. And resolution number 12 has been adopted unanimously. This [snorts] concludes our regular agenda and the council will at this time welcome any comments from persons present. We'll have anyone who wishes to speak line up in the middle aisle. You'll be called to print your name and address. You'll have five minutes to address the council. And please state your name and address first and you may begin to speak. [snorts] Jackie Nicks 706 Ren Brook Circle. Um, you know, all you guys know, um, I am want to come up here and complain and and give you guys some grief, but I do want to give kudos. I I want to congratulate you on the transparency of what you've done this evening. Uh, especially with the the pay study of deciding to move forward and make sure that going forward everybody has access to the information. um and the way you conducted we could follow along and follow your logic. I just very much appreciate the transparency. Um I I think a lot of people a lot of people walk watching online are probably also very much appreciate that. Uh, I also regarding the the library contract of service. I very much appreciate that you want to see the contract before you authorize to give the mayor um authority to sign it. I very much appreciate that it's going through legal review. I appreciate that you're reviewing it compared to other contracts of service. Uh I I just very much want to signify my appreciation for this very thorough um transparency. Uh and I think that uh I

speak on behalf of a lot of people that uh it is a very welcome change. So thank you. Thank you. Is there anyone else who would like to address the council? All right. If not, we will move into closing comments. Uh Mr. Mayor.

Yes, sir. Uh some of my closing comments um like to just talk a little bit about u potentially changing some of their bid processes. You know, bidding has its place, but also carries real cost. Advertising, staff time, legal review, and delays. Any changes to that process should be discussed with our department heads first because they are the ones responsible for execution of those bids and the processes. Also, a layman told me a long time ago, sometimes the lowest bid does not always mean lowest cost once you consider time. It does not also mean that you're going to get the best product and that also means you will not always get a local vendor to handle that and uh that project and by local on that one. I can give you a very good example on so many different delays and challenges and uh so many of us here travel up and down Fairview Avenue. So I think you know exactly where I'm talking about. My closing comments for the record counselors I have full confidence in our HR department and our director on all in so many different ways. Council President Whyley, I'm certain you can contest to or agree with our benefit packages that are provided to our to our employees is great. And that did not come by accident. There's been a lot of blood, sweat, and tears put into that. Not only through our HR director and department, but also through the department heads. And it takes council as well because it does take money. It costs on all that. But you know especially regarding this pay plan you know this process has been done professionally and included within half of our workforce. Some of the commentaries surrounding it not only tonight but over the last

years to couple of years has been very political and in a few cases been very disingenuous. Thank you. All right. U sir we we closed out our public comment portion. We I tell if if you'll give us just a minute to finish our public uh I mean our closing remarks um you can come up and speak with us as soon as we adjourn. Okay. Okay. Councelor Newman.

Uh sure. [clears throat] One thing I wanted to make sure I state is I have full absolute trust and confidence in all of our directors. Uh, everyone that I've worked with here in the city since I've been in here has been very professional and and very well knowledgeable of the area. I have absolutely no issues with any of the city staff of any type. Uh, just go on the record for saying that. Then the second thing that I wanted to get into was in the last few months in a few different areas. Um, I know I attended a civotans uh uh event. I think the mayor was there and a few other people might have been there. And then the I know the Lions Club uh bought some camps to the other day from the Masons down here. I've had conversations with people about the Boy Scouts. The point of this is that a lot of those organizations are talking about how they're they're not doing so well with uh recruitment or you know uh engagement, people joining and those clubs do a lot a lot around town. Uh, and I I think that maybe, you know, uh, a lot of us need to think about our volunteer time and and things that we can do to to maybe get involved with some of those organizations. You know, um, um, they help kids. They do a lot around around town. And if, you know, um, I would just ask that we think about other ways that we can be involved and do things. Uh, you know, I appreciate those that come in here and those that are paying attention on the civic side, but if we can get out there again and and beef some of these organizations up and get some some active participation, you know, and uh, you know, all these groups that do a really good job. So, I'm just trying to make a pitch for I know there's some good-hearted people in this town, you know, getting out and rolling up your sleeves and doing some work. It's a good thing. So, so I just wanted to pitch those those I've I've uh seen in the last month or so as I've been dealing with people

Thank you, sir. Councelor Jackson.

Yes, sir. I guess um I want to just say to um our department heads, I think we have a great group. A lot of these guys, um I know that they work hard and I think we have some great relationships. I know anytime I reach out to Andrew. Anytime I reach out to Oakley, I call them DO. Uh Dale Gandandy, Chief, any of these guys, they have been fantastic to work with. Of course, Paula. So, all of the department heads, um Amy, they all have been wonderful. So, let's just put that to rest that there's no uh issues there. But I think these guys are all been great to work with. Whenever we reach out to them, for the most part, they come through and so I appreciate that. I think um Thea and I talked about Daniel. I think he even responded to you on a weekend and I told her [clears throat] how much I enjoy working with Daniel and and like I say, all these other guys. So, let's just put that to rest. There's no issues um with any of them. I think they do a great job. Uh, as we close tonight, I want to return to our character trait of the month. Responsibility. Responsibility is not passive. It is active. It is intentional. It is courageous. It is understanding that every vote we take, every conversation we have, every decision we make carries weight for the people of Prattville. February is Black History Month in Alabama and in this region. History is not something far away. It was walked out on these roads. It was prayed through in these churches. It was fought for in these communities. Prattville was founded in 1839 by Daniel Pratt as an indust industrial town. But like much of the South, its growth was built during a time of enslavement and

segregation. And yet from those difficult chapters came strength, came resilience, came faith. Black families in Prattville built strong churches that became pillars of hope and organization. They built schools during segregation when resources were limited but expectations were high. They started small businesses that sustained neighborhoods. They served in our armed forces. They educated generations. They mentored youth. They refused to give up on this city. Auga County citizens participated in the broader civil rights movement that reshaped this state. Alabama gave the nation's leaders like Rosa Parks, whose quiet strength sparked their movement. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who called us to justice, and John Lewis, who reminded us to make good trouble. That same spirit of courage and persistence lived and still lives right here in Prattville. Today, we also acknowledge the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson, Senior. Reverend Jackson carried the torch of economic justice and political empowerment across generations. He once said, "If my mind can conceive it and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it." And he challenged leaders everywhere. Leadership must be met must meet the moral challenge of the day. Leadership must meet the moral challenge of the day. That is responsibility. The moral challenge of our day is unity over division, transparency over secrecy, service over self-interest, opportunity for all, not just for some. And today is Fat Tuesday, a reminder that celebration is followed by reflection. Joy is followed by discipline. We can gather, we can fellowship, but we must also renew our

commitments to doing better. So tonight, let us be clear. We are responsible for protecting the dignity of every resident in this city. We are responsible for acknowledging every chapter of our history, the proud ones and the painful ones. We are responsible for ensuring that Prattville's future is stronger, fairer, and more unified than its past. Black history is American history. Prattville history belongs to all of us. and the responsibility for his future rest in this room right here. May we rise to meet that moral challenge. May we lead with integrity and may God bless the people of Prattville. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Chambers. Uh yes, sir. Just wanted to give a quick shout out to the uh parks and recck public safety departments and the other folks that were involved in the Marty Gro parade. I had a great time. Uh lot of uh fun floats out there. I know the kids had a great time and uh my arm is still sore from throwing all those moon pies. Um but uh had a great time. My hats off to Kelly and her team and and uh also again the public safety for being there to keep an eye out for us. Thank you. Thank you, Councelor Merritt. [clears throat]

Yes, sir. Uh first of all uh appreciate uh what councelor Newman mentioned earlier uh about you know being involved and being more involved with the community. So with that being said, Mr. Newman, we uh look forward to you signing up for the Lions Club.

You don't just show up for free meals, but uh we did appreciate you coming out there that night. Uh one of our last meetings. Um I always like to say thank you all for being here tonight. Thank you all at home for watching. Um, as we all said, uh, your voice does matter. Um, I want to take an opportunity to thank all our our our leaders in our community and, uh, um, the ones that it's not an easy job as, uh, Daniel and Miss Thrash and Kelly, chiefs, both our chiefs back there. Uh, can't thank you enough for everything that you do for our community. Uh, this is why everybody loves to come to Prattville. uh uh being a Catholic boy. Uh tomorrow after coming off a fat Tuesday, tomorrow is the season of Lent for us. So uh this is when and Leah. Amen. Aba the father. Touch down Jesus. And uh but this is the part of the year where um we do fasting and and and you you know give up something that you uh crave a lot and uh I try to actually throw in a couple of extras. But um do you like to uh open this up to our community if you'd like to uh you know challenge yourselves for the next 40 years days [laughter] sorry 40 days that would be tough for 40 years but uh um would uh but uh to thank you know give yourself a challenge. It's it's u but thank you all again and u be safe on your travels heading home.

Thank you councelor Sergic. Hey, Councelor Langley. Yeah, I have a few things. Um, number one, talking piggybacking on on what Wade was saying, I wanted to report about we had a not we I attended a [clears throat] PAL's um I don't even know what the P stands for. It's anti-litter um group. Karen, what does that stand for? Prattville against litter. So,

okay. So, I think it's a a statewide um uh campaign in April that um we will be focusing on litter. And so, we discussed this several several weeks ago, actually. And um I'm going to we're going to I'm going to challenge the city council to have a have a team on the anti- litter day to where we all get out as a group and we serve our community together and and we do that. we bend over and we pick up trash and then we deposit it into a bag. And so stay tuned for that. Um I wanted to thank Chris Johnson. He has gone above and beyond this week uh to help um me in in helping somebody a family that was um struggling with some code enforcement issues. And I appreciate that very much. and and we have made a difference, you know, in in the lives of of a hometown family. And I am so thankful to him for doing that. Um, another thing, two more things. I had the the pleasure, I sent some dates in to um, Chief Bingham so that I could participate in a I said a Okay, you get that? A ride along um, with the fire department. So, I sent in several dates and he emailed me back and he took me up on all of the dates that I sent to him. And so, I think I spent about 15 hours with our fire department and our three battalion chiefs. Notice how that flows off my tongue because yes, I'm learning. And I just want to um let you guys know we are in good hands with our fire department. I am reaching out, Chief Thompson, to get some ride alongs hopefully next week or the following week with you guys. Um, and I I anticipate the same wonderful experience. But it was we we've got the

the best fire department, y'all. We've got great um young guys. We've got those who have experienced life and and are more mature in in uh the positions that of leadership. And I just want to say thank you to all of them. The last thing that's that is on my mind and I know you're tired of hearing me talk is [sighs] as a community I I just want to say this. It is our job as not only the city council but as a community of citizens to ask questions. You know, we need to know what is going on with with our tax dollars, what's going on with with our ordinances. Um what about what about um situations that we're we just we don't quite have the answer to? We're not opposed to it. We just want some clarification on that. And it feels in in our society, and I don't mean just prattful, but it feels that when we ask questions, we're labeled troublemakers. [laughter] That's the way I feel, you know. And I'm not saying it's it's one particular person or it's a group of people, but we should ask questions. That's what we do. And for every question that I ask, I promise you, there are people who have emailed me and texted me tonight wanting to know the answer to this question. Um, sometimes I don't know who to ask and so I I I send emails to um mayor and mayor at and council. Um, and I just want to say I I'm not asking questions to be a troublemaker. I'm asking questions because our citizens have a right to know these answers. And Marcus, you framed this

beautifully. Um, transparency, transparency, transparency, accountability. Um, and just be cautious. You know, be cautious when you hear people asking questions. Don't throw them in the don't throw them in the troublemaker category just because a question is asked. Um not speaking to our council necessarily, just speaking to all of us, you know, kind of rethink rethink that um and be accepting of people. And I'm looking at Daniel. Daniel, you have done me solids over the past six weeks. And um I have sang your praises to everybody that will listen to me. I really really appreciate your help and and thank you. That's it guys. Sorry. [snorts]

Thank you. And as always uh thank you for being here. Thank you for your interest and your participation in the business that uh that we are doing here in your community. It's our community. Um so thank you for that. I was not able to attend the Marty GR parade. Um I had a previous engagement with our youth group who was doing some mission projects in the community. um and didn't feel like I could get out of that to uh to be in a parade, but I understand it was a great time. Uh last thing I have is um our March 3rd meeting. Um I will be uh naming a the process moving forward to select a name for the outdoor venue at 124 West Maine. [snorts] Um there the council through our naming ordinance as it was passed uh December 2nd I believe 2025 uh said in the ordinance that we we have the ability to or authority to take um public input. So that entire process will be rolled out at our March 3rd meeting. there will be an opportunity for public input via a um a online form that will be submitted to the council. Um and after mulling over several different ways for us to determine what name uh once the names that are submitted are vetted against the guidelines in the ordinance. That is one of the things they have to be vetted against the guidelines in the ordinance and meet those uh criteria in order to be on the list. Um and then we are going to do our best to ensure that they are also vetted as residents of the city. Uh so any incomplete entries will not be counted. Any entries that do not meet the guidelines of the ordinance um will

not be included in the list as well. It's not a voting process. It is simply an opportunity for the public to provide input uh through a submission of of uh name for the venue that will then be placed um on a list and um taken up by the full council at a work session and then we will determine from that work session when what what the name that will be on a resolution that comes back to the council. So you will have an opportunity um to submit names and then at the work session that is an opportunity for the council to take that under advisement and determine a name for the facility um and then we'll move forward with the naming process then. So all of that will be ready to be rolled out with dates and things uh by our March 3rd meeting. So I have nothing else. Um, the next regularly scheduled council meeting is Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 at 6 PM. Um, sir, if you want to make your way to front to speak to any of us, uh, feel free to go ahead and come up here. Do I have a motion to adjurnn?

So move. Moved by councelor Merrick. Second. Second. Second by councelor Langley. All in favor say yes. And we are journ.