City Council - Regular Meeting

He's not going to be here. All right. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the business meetings of the city of Prattville. We have two public hearings tonight, and then we'll move into our regular council agenda. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Councilor Newman.

Here.

Councilor Jackson. Councilor Chambers. Here. Councilor Merritt. Here. Councilor Stritchett. Here. Councilor Whaley. Here. Councilor Langley. Here. Councilor Chambers.

All right, so having quorum, I do call this public hearing to order. Item number one is a resolution. to authorize the mayor to have overgrown grass and weeds at 830 Cottage Lane, 125 Kingston Place, and 703 Waverly Lane abated and charge any incurred expenses for the abatement process pursuant to Chapter 46, City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. Is there anyone here tonight who would wish to speak in favor of this item? Anyone who wishes to speak in favor of item number one? Not hearing any. Is there anybody here who wishes to speak in opposition of this item? All right, not hearing any, this public hearing is closed. Item number two is an ordinance to rezone property located inside the corporate limits at 403 Durden Road from R3 single family residential district to T1 manufactured home subdivision district. Is there anyone here who wishes to speak in favor of this item? Anyone who wishes to speak in favor? All right, is there anyone here who wishes to speak in opposition of this item? All right, not hearing any, then we will call this public hearing closed. You're now invited to stand for our Pledge of Allegiance, which will be followed by an invocation given by Councilor Chambers.

to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty

Would you pray with me, please? Heavenly Father, we come to you tonight with grateful hearts, thankful for the opportunity to serve our community. We ask for your wisdom as we make decisions that affect the lives of our citizens and help us to listen with open minds, speak with kindness. And always seek what is best for the people we represent. So bless our first responders, our military, our teachers, and all those who work each day to serve others. Watch over our community, keep our families safe, and continue to guide our city with peace and unity. May everything we do tonight be done with integrity, humility, and respect for one another. It's in your name we pray.

Amen. All right. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Councillor Newman?

Here.

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

Here.

Councillor Stritchett? Here. Councillor Langley?

Here.

Having a quorum present, I do call a meeting to order. The character trait of the month is perseverance, giving your best effort regardless of obstacles and rejection. Next item on our agenda tonight is approval of the minutes we did receive by email. The minutes from our public hearing dated 8-18-26. You should have had an opportunity to take those and look at them and submit for any changes to that. At this time, the chair will entertain a motion to approve the minutes.

So moved.

Moved by Councilor Merrick. Is there a second?

Second.

Second by Councilor Chambers. All in favor of approving the minutes, please signify by raising your right hand. And the minutes have been approved unanimously. All right, Mr. Mayor, you got a point of privilege.

Well, it's that time of year again when we have a distinguished young lady of Autauga County here. And I'm going to turn the microphone over to Mr. Jeremy.

Well, good afternoon. Thank you all for allowing us to come this evening. My name is Jeremy Piles, and I have the privilege of serving as chairman of Distinguished Young Women of Autauga County. Distinguished Young Women is a national scholarship competition for high school senior girls who compete in scholastics, interview, on-stage question, fitness, and talent. And at this year's Autauga County program, 12 young women participated and were awarded over $12,000 in scholarships that they can use to further their education. Abigail Hirota, a senior at Prattville High School, was named the 2027 Distinguished Young Woman of Autauga County. And she earned $4,000 in scholarships. And she will go on to compete at the state program in Montgomery on January 22nd and 23rd in 2007, Abigail's the daughter of Christian and Shannon Hirota, and after high school, excuse me, Abigail plans to attend Auburn University and hopes to become a pediatric dentist. DYW teaches its participants to be their best selves by being healthy, ambitious, involved, responsible, and studious, and Abby truly embodies all of those things and will be an amazing representative of this county and this city. Thank you all for your continued support and to the betterment of the young people in our community.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Would you like to speak?

Yes, thank you so much for your support. I am so blessed and excited to represent Otago County at the state program this January.

Thank you, young lady. I just want to let you know that, not me, but I'm married to a former Taga County Junior Miss. Well, it was way back in the day. I'll tell you it was way back in the day. But now it's a distinguished young woman, and she spent 10 years on the board for Taga County Junior Miss. And I know it's a great honor. It's a lot of work that goes into it, a lot of categories that you have to overcome and build up your points for the voting and for the judges. something to be proud of. That's a great sorority to be in, and I wish you nothing but the best of state.

Thank you so much.

Before we have our little photo op, if you don't mind, but we do have an accommodation here. We also have a little gift for you. Thank you so much. So as you do travel around and represent us, so please keep us in mind, and hopefully you'll be able to send us a little picture back, because we have a little City of Bravo t-shirt in here. But if we could, if you have any family members who want to come up as well, be a part of the photo opportunity.

Yes, thank you. Thank you.

Thank you, Council President.

All right. At this time, we'll welcome any comments from persons present regarding tonight's agenda. Anyone who wishes to speak on an item on tonight's agenda, line up on the right-hand side. Sign in with a clerk. All right. Not seeing any. Mr. Mayor, do you have a report?

Good evening, Council President and members of the Council. As a follow-up to my earlier comments from the 18th, I respectfully ask for your report of this budget document tonight. This is not simply the Mayor's budget. It is the product of months of work by our Finance Department, our HR Department. I want to especially thank Daniel Oakley and Lisa Thrash for their hard work there. Also, all of our department heads and employees who carried this city each and every day. As we all know, we are a service-oriented organization, and we absolutely cannot perform our task without our employees. Counselors, this budget reflects our department's operational needs, our commitments to our employees and citizens, and our plan for Prattville's continued success. Your support of this document is also a vote of support for our departments, our department heads, and the employees who serve this community each and every day. This budget should be considered a living, breathing document. Minor changes have occurred during the review process and additional adjustments can be made as circumstances and priorities change throughout the fiscal year. For example, through budget amendments. We are fortunate today to have the luxury of a firm financial foundation. That has not always been the case. Several years ago, we faced reductions in force, hiring freezes, and layoffs. Through difficult decisions, careful planning, and financial discipline, PROPA is now in a much stronger position. The implementation of enterprise funds and greater internal accountability have helped us better identify cost, manage resources, and ensure that funds are used for the intended purposes. Hope that same standard of accountability will continue to be applied to our community initiatives, including clear expectations, proper reporting, contract compliance, and measurable benefits to the citizens of Prattville. The community initiatives contracts have been a work in progress over the years. And along with this budget, I'm presenting a suggested framework for handling these agreements in future budgets. You should see one there at your dais. My hope is that this framework will provide greater consistency and accountability and help ensure that future funding decisions are based on established standards, available revenues, and community needs rather than becoming overly political. I have requested many times that a revenue source be identified for our community initiatives or that a dollar amount be set aside. But I do want to thank our city clerk, Paula G. Barlow, and city attorney, Andrew Odom, for coming together and drafting this document that's before you there. Counselors, while no budget is perfect, and we may not agree on every individual item, however, this document provides a reasonable, balanced, and sustainable roadmap for the coming fiscal year. It provides our departments with the resources and directions necessary to continue delivering the services that our citizens expect and deserve. Adoption of this budget will allow our departments to plan effectively and address community needs, continue serving the public with efficiency and professionalism. I ask each member of the council to consider this budget as a whole and support its adoption tonight. By supporting this document, you are supporting our employees, our departments, and essential services they provide every day. Most importantly, it is an investment in the continued growth, stability, and quality of life of the city of Prattville and the people we proudly serve. Councilors, let us move forward together, protect the financial foundation we have built, continue Prattwell's progress, and keep making Prattwell better, one project at a time, through this budget. Councilors, on another note, all city offices will be closed Monday, September 7th, in observance of Labor Day. In light of the holiday, please be advised that the sanitation department will open the recycling center this Saturday, September 5th, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Also, effective Labor Day, if city offices are closed for any holiday, the sanitation department will not schedule special pickups for the entire week of a holiday. I'd also like to invite each of you and our viewers at home to our 9-11 ceremony this next Friday, September the 11th. It will be the 25th anniversary of 9-11. It's at approximately 740 at our public safety building. Counselors, you should also find a list of our project updates at the dais as well. Mr. President, end of my report.

All right. Any counselors have any questions for the mayor? Thank you. All right. Thank you, sir. At this time, we'll move into reports from Council on Special Committees. Councilor Newman? I have none. Councilor Chambers?

Yes, sir. The Ambulance Committee meeting met yesterday, the 31st, at 4 p.m. at the Public Safety Building to discuss the implementation of Senate Bill 269 from the last state legislative session. This bill increases reimbursement from commercial insurance companies for EMS, transports, and prevents additional billing for costs outside of co-pays, insurance deductibles, and co-insurance.

thank you council america council stritchie council langley yes we did have a street drainage and lights committee meeting on the 24th at 4 30 in the council chambers and we discussed the 2027 engineer budget and capital projects it went well all right thank you and i do not have a report so

Tonight, we have the opportunity to create a consent agenda. There are seven items to consider on this agenda, and they are item number one, a resolution to authorize the mayor to have overgrown grass and weeds at 830 Cottage Lane at 125 Kingston Place and 703 Waverly Lane abated and charge any incurred expenses for the abatement process pursuant to Chapter 46, City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. Item number two is a resolution to set a public hearing to grant an amended club liquor license to American Legion W. Clyde Northington post 122. Item number three is a resolution to set a public hearing to declare the abundance of overgrown grass and weeds at 462 West Drive to be unsafe and a public nuisance and order its abatement pursuant to Chapter 46, City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. Item number four. is a resolution to reappoint Edwin Mullins to the Prattville Water Works Board. Item number five is a resolution to waive the fee for a Talga County Fair organization during the week of October 13th through 17th, 2026. Item number six, a resolution to declare the stagnant water at 214 Fawn Lane 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 approve the Etalga Prattville Public Library Contract for Services Agreement. Do I hear a motion to create a consent agenda? Move by Councilor Langley, is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Chambers. All in favor of creating a consent agenda, please signify by raising your right hand. And the consent agenda is now before us. Do I hear a motion to adopt the consent agenda?

So moved.

Moved by Councilor Merrick, do we have a second? Second. Second by Councilor Langley. Is there any discussion on the consent agenda? right not hearing any all in favor of adopting the consent agenda please signify by raising your right hand and the consent agenda has been adopted unanimously we'll now move into our regular agenda item number one on our agenda tonight is an ordinance it's to rezone property located inside the corporate limits at 403 durden road from r3 single-family residential district to t1 manufactured home subdivision district This was introduced on 8-4 of 2026 and is now properly before us. Is there any discussion on this item?

I just want to bring back to the forefront that this is in the same category of what we've had in the previous discussions around potential spot zoning. I just wanted to make sure everybody understood that.

All right. Is there any further discussion? Councilor Langley.

Council President, I will be abstaining from a vote for a potential conflict of interest.

Okay. All right. Any further discussion on item number one? All right. Not hearing any further discussion. All in favor of this ordinance, please signify by raising your right hand. All opposed, like sign. And any abstention? So the motion, yeah, it fails, okay. All right, item number two is an ordinance to amend City of Prattville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 38, Licenses, Taxation, and Miscellaneous Business Regulations, Article 3, Sales Tax, Use Tax, and Similar Tax, Division 5, Transient Occupancy Tax, Section 38-211, Tax Levied Within Corporate Limits,

um counselor chambers will you introduce this resolution please yes sir be it ordained by the city council of the city of praville that the city of praville code of ordinances chapter 38 licenses taxation and miscellaneous business regulations article 3 sales tax use tax and similar tax division 5 is transient occupancy tax section 38-211 tax levied within corporate limits amount is hereby amended to read as follows section 38-211 tax levied within corporate limits amount there is hereby imposed by law a privilege of licensed tax upon every person engaging within the corporate city limits or corporate limits of the city in the business of renting or furnishing any rooms or lodgings to transients in any hotel, motel, inn, tourist camp, tourist cabin, or any other in which rooms or lodgings are regularly furnished to transients for a consideration, said tax to be an amount equal to 8.5% of the charge for any rooms or lodgings, including the charge for use of rental of the property and services furnished, which are required to be included in the computation of the tax levied in Section 40-26-1 of the Code of Alabama 1975 as amended. Section B, in addition to the privilege or license tax set forth in subsection A, there shall be an additional $2 lodging fee per occupied room per night levied on the charge for any rooms or lodgings. C, the additional $2 lodging fee collected under subsection B shall be expended only for Parks and Recreation Department capital improvement projects. D, in addition to the privilege or license tax set forth in subsections A and B, there shall be an additional $5 lodging fee per occupied room per night levied on the charge for any rooms or lodgings. E, the additional $5 lodging fee collected under subsection D shall be expanded, or expended, excuse me, only for education-related expenses within the corporate limits of the city of Prattville. This ordinance shall become effective January 1, 2027, upon its passage and publication as provided by law. The provisions of this ordinance are severable. If any portion of this ordinance is declared invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the parts which remain. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in any manner conflicting herewith are hereby repealed. So moved, Mr. President.

Thank you. We have a motion. Is there a second second second by council Newman as a point of order, this ordinance will be held until our nine 15, 20, 26 meeting. Item number three is a resolution to award bid number 026-008 to Smitherman Brothers Construction Company, Inc., for the Selma Highway Sidewalk Improvements for the Transportation Alternative Program, TAP, project number TAPMN-TA25933. CPMS reference number 100079724 at a total cost not to exceed $480,454. Net cost to the city not to exceed $96,090.80. Councillor Merrick, will you introduce this resolution, please? Yes, sir.

Whereas in resolution book 2025, page 16, on January 28th, 2025, the city council of the city of Praval authorized the mayor to enter in a construction agreement with the state of Alabama acting by and through the Alabama Department of Transportation for project number TAPMN-TA25933, CPMS reference number 100079724, for the sidewalk extension on SR 14 Selma Highway from Maple Street to Washington Ferry Road. Whereas in Resolution Book 2025, page 57, on March 4th, 2025, the City Council authorized the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Krebs Engineering Incorporated for preliminary engineering and design services for the TAP project number TAPMN-TA25933, CPMS reference number 1000, seven, nine, seven, two, four with the state of Alabama. And whereas specifications were drafted said project and whereas six sealed bids were received open and read aloud on August 24th, 2026 at 2 PM in the council chambers with Smith and brothers construction company incorporated was the lowest responsible bidder at a total cost, not to exceed $480,454. And whereas this is a budgeted expense in the capital projects fund. Now therefore be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Prattville hereby awards bid number 026-008 to Smitherman Brothers Construction Company Incorporated in an amount not to exceed $480,454 net cost to the city not to exceed $96,090.80 for said sidewalk project, and said funds are approved and appropriated from fiscal year 2026 budget line item capital project funds, Selma Highway sidewalks. Be it further resolved that the mayor is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution. So moved, sir. Thank you.

We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Langley. Is there any discussion on this item? All right, hearing none, all in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. And this resolution has been adopted unanimously. Item number four is a resolution to authorize the release of funds for the purchase and installation of playground equipment at Miller Park to gain time Struthers Recreation LLC for Parks and Recreation at a cost not to exceed $64,239.64. Counselor Merrick, will you introduce this resolution, please? Yes, sir.

Whereas Parks and Recreation has a desire to install new playground equipment at Miller Park, and whereas said playground equipment and installation are available from Game Time Company Struthers Recreation LLC, at a total cost not to exceed $64,239.64. and whereas pursuant to section 39 to 1 of the code of alabama 1975 as amended said project is a public works project and whereas section 39-2-2 of the code of alabama 1975 as amended allows contracts for public works projects under 100 000 to be let without bidding and whereas this is a budgeted expense in parks and recreation. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Prattville that funds in the amount not to exceed $64,239.64 are hereby authorized and approved to be paid to Game Time Company Struthers Recreation LLC for said playground equipment and installation. And said funds are hereby approved and appropriated from fiscal year 2026 budget line item parks and recreation capital outlay. Be it further resolved that the mayor is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution. So moved. Thank you. We have a motion by Councilman Merrick.

Do we have a second?

second by counselor langley thank you is there any discussion on this item uh i just want to say real quick uh thank you robert for letting me read this resolution in for miller parks in my district so i greatly appreciate that and uh thanks to uh for the parks of rec for this uh this will be huge um turnout ever since we redid the track Added the picnic tables and the benches a little great turnout at our park even in the heat but it's gonna be really great there in the fall and Hope with this new equipment. It's gonna be fantastic for the park.

So, thank you All right. Is there any other discussion on this item? All right, not hearing any all in favor this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand and This resolution has been adopted unanimously item number five his resolution authorize the mayor to enter into a contract with civil southeast llc for engineering and consultation services for the alabama department of transportation alda project number s t p m in dash zero one two six c p m s reference number one zero zero zero eight zero three one four and one zero zero zero eight zero three one one For the resurfacing of McQueen Smith Road from Cobbs Ford Road to State Route 14 or Fairview Avenue at a total cost not to exceed $107,272. Net cost to the city not to exceed $21,454.40. Councillor Merrick, will you introduce this resolution, please? Yes, sir.

Whereas in Resolution Book 2026, a page 156 on May 19th, 2026, the city council of the city of Prattville authorized the mayor to enter into a preliminary engineering and construction engineering and inspection agreement with the state of Alabama, acting by and through Alabama Department of Transportation for project number STPMN-0126, CPMS reference number 100080314 and 100080311 for the resurfacing on McQueen Smith Road from Cobbs Ford Road to SR 14, which is Fairview Avenue. And whereas the engineering department has identified a need for engineering services for said projects. And whereas civil Southeast, Southeast LLC has the expertise to provide said engineering services at a total cost not to exceed $107,272, net cost to city not to exceed $21,454.40, and whereas Section 39-2-2 of the 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 said project will be funded in the fiscal year 2027 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 an agreement with Civil Southeast LLC for said resurfacing project and funds in the amount not to exceed $107,272 net cost to city not to exceed $21,454.40 will be appropriated in the 2027 capital projects fund. Be it further resolved that the mayor is hereby authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution. So moved, Mr. President. Thank you. We have a motion by Councilor Merrick.

Do we have a second? Second. Second by Councilor Newman. Is there any discussion on this item? Not hearing any, all in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. And this resolution has been adopted unanimously. Item number six is a resolution to amend the FY2026 budget and authorize the release of funds for the purchase of one 2026 or newer Ford Maverick truck through state contract number MA220000003128-6 from Stivers Ford Lincoln Incorporated for the planning department at a total cost not to exceed $30,301.00. Councilor Strzok, will you introduce this resolution, please?

Before we descend, Paula, I think line 24 and 25 need to be amended. It says $301, as much as I'd like to buy a vehicle for $301. Is that correct?

It is.

We had 30,000 budgeted, so we only had one double check, you know, not get this truck. All right, let's roll. Whereas the planning department has identified need to purchase one 2026 new Ford Maverick XL crew crew cab truck. Whereas said truck is available through state contract MA220000003128-6 from Stivers Ford Lincoln, incorporated at a cost not to exceed $30,301. And whereas this is partially budgeted expense and planning, and therefore be resolved by the city council as soon as possible, the fiscal 2026 budget is hereby amended as follows. Decreased planning out auto maintenance $301, Increased planning capital outlay $301. Be it further resolved that the funds in the amount not to exceed $30,301 for the purchase of said truck are hereby authorized and approved to be paid to Stuyvesant Ford Lincoln Incorporated. Said funds are approved and appropriate for fiscal 2026 budget line item planning capital outlay. So moved.

All right. We have a motion by Councilor Strzic. Do we have a second?

Second.

Second by Councilor Merritt. Is there any discussion on this item? All right, not hearing any, all in favor of this resolution, please signify by raising your right hand. And this resolution has been adopted unanimously. All right, item number seven is a resolution to amend The FY2026 budget authorized the release of funds for the purchase of one iconic X command box from Iconic Elements Incorporated for the fire department at a cost not to exceed $17,654. Counselor Chambers, will you introduce this resolution, please?

Yes, sir. Whereas the fire department has identified a need to purchase one iconic X command box for the new command truck. And whereas said command box is available for from iconic elements incorporated at a cost not to exceed $17,654. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the city council of the city of Prattville that the fiscal year 2026 budget is hereby amended as follows. Increased general funds, simplified seller's use tax, by $17,654 and increase the fire capital outlay, also $17,654. Be it further resolved by the city council that funds in an amount not to exceed $17,654 for the purchase of said command box are hereby authorized and approved to be paid to Iconic Elements Incorporated and said funds are approved and appropriated from fiscal year 2026 budget line item fire capital outlay. So moved, Mr. President.

Thank you, we have a motion by Councilor Chambers. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Langley. Is there any discussion on this item? Not hearing any, all in favor of resolution number seven, please signify by raising your right hand. And this resolution has been adopted unanimously. Number eight is a resolution to authorize a mayor to enter into a contract with Civil Southeast LLC for a boundary survey of Low Picket Park at a cost not to exceed $2,675. Counselor Strickland, will you introduce this resolution, please?

Whereas in January 2026, LaVonda Lewis made contact with the City of Prattville inquiring about developing land that she purchased in 2022 next to Low Picket Park from a foreclosure through Marion Bank and Trust Company. described as partial number 1905213000015-.004, and whereas Ms. Lewis advised that she believed the city had a portion of rope on part of her property and inquired about having it removed. While researching the property to determine the boundary lines, a final order of condemnation was discovered and condemned at 8.33 acres and ordered the property to be awarded to the city of Proudmoore for the sum of $45,000 per section 1147-211 of the Code of Alabama 1975 as amended. Whereas a final order of condemnation was recorded in the target book 277 page 239 on October 28, 1993, and included legal description encompassing the current Pickett Park area in addition to the property that Ms. Lewis advised that she purchase, whereas the contradictory ownership has resulted in a need to determine the official boundary lines of Lowe Pickett Park. whereas Civil Southeast LLC has the expertise to provide said boundary survey at cost not to exceed $2,675. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council, City of Proudmoore, that the mayor is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with Civil Southeast LLC for said boundary survey and funds in an amount not to exceed $2,675 are hereby approved and appropriated from fiscal 2026 budget line item City Clerk Legal Services. 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 by Councilor Strzic. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Langley. Is there any discussion on this item? Not hearing any. All in favor of resolution number eight signify by raising your right hand. And resolution number eight has been adopted unanimously. All right, item number nine is a resolution to adopt the City of Prattville FY2026-2027 General Operating Fund, Gas Tax Special Revenue Fund, Dent Service Fund, Capital Projects Fund, Sanitation Enterprise Fund, Wastewater Enterprise Fund, Judicial Special Revenue Fund, and Stripling Business Center Enterprise Fund budgets. Council Chambers, will you introduce this resolution, please?

yes sir now therefore be resolved by the city council of the city of praville alabama as follows that for the purpose of financing the conduct the conduct of affairs of the city during the period beginning october 1st 2026 and ending september 30th of 2027 inclusive the general operating fund gas tax special revenue fund debt service fund capital projects fund sanitation enterprise fund wastewater enterprise fund judicial special review revenue fund and stripling business center enterprise fund budgets for the city's revenues and expenditures for such period as prepared and submitted to the city council by the mayor are hereby approved and adopted as the official fiscal year 26-27 budgets for the city with a combined total of $157,820,932.56. So moved, Mr. President.

Thank you. We have a motion by Councilor Chambers. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Newman. Is there any discussion on this item?

And I just would like clarification from Daniel. I see, Daniel, in your email that you put something in our boxes, but I did not see that until just now, of the community initiatives and the amount of money that the Heritage Association, Humane Shelter, the Chamber are getting, because we discussed that last week.

We did. That was discussed at the budget work session, and I don't have what I put in y'all's box in front of me, but I believe the Otago County Heritage Association Previously, we'd gotten a $50,000 allocation. They requested 75, so that was increased to 75. The Chamber of Commerce previously gotten a $200,000 allocation with an additional $50,000 for certain types of events. that was only kind of on a reimbursement basis that was, and they requested a full 350,000, so that was adjusted to the full 350,000. You mentioned the Humane Society, I believe they asked for an increase of 15,000, and they were upped from, I believe it's 120 to 135. And then there were two reductions to the... Boy Scouts Memorial was reduced 10,000. One community, Outreach United, was reduced 10,000. And I think that was all the effect on.

Yes, sir.

I just wanted to verify that before, yes, before we voted. Thank you. You're welcome.

All right. Is there any other discussion? Resolution number nine, which is the fiscal year budget. All right. Not hearing any. All in favor of resolution number nine, signify by raising your right hand. And resolution number nine is adopted unanimously. Resolution number 10 is to authorize the mayor to sign contracts for services for community initiatives, city county services, and the Otago County Emergency Communications District E91 as allocated in the FY2026-2027 budget. Councilor Newman, will you introduce this resolution, please?

Absolutely. Whereas funding for community initiatives, city-county services, and the Autauga County Emergency Communication District E911 are budgeted annually by the City of Prattville, and whereas said entities serve the public good and are necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Prattville, and whereas said entities provide services that the city could not otherwise perform, and whereas contracts for services are needed to support the allocation of funds, therefore be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Prattville that the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign contracts for services for the community initiatives, city county services and the otago county emergency communication district as allocated in the fy 2026 2027 budget be it further resolved that entities shall execute contracts prior to the release of funds so moved all right we have a motion by councillor newman is there a second second second by councillor langley is there any discussion on this side not hearing any all in favor of resolution number 10 signify by raising your right hand

And Resolution Number 10 has been adopted unanimously. All right. Item Number 11 is a resolution to designate legal holidays for the City of Prattville for fiscal year 2026-2027. Councilor Newman, will you introduce this resolution for us, please? Absolutely.

Whereas Section 10.2 of the Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual states that the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Prattville will approve a schedule of holidays for each fiscal year, and the Human Resources Department will publish the list. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Prattville that the following holiday shall be designated for the fiscal year 2026-2027. Veterans Day, November 11th. Thanksgiving Day, November 26th. Friday following Thanksgiving Day, November 27th. Christmas Eve, December 24th. Christmas Day, December 25th. New Year's Day, January 1st. Martin Luther King, Jr., Robert E. Lee's birthday, January 18th, Memorial Day, May 31st, Juneteenth Day, June 18th, Independence Day, July 5th, Labor Day, September 6th, one personal holiday at the employee supervisor's discretion and with prior approval. So moved.

All right. Motion has been made by Councilor Newman. Do we have a second?

Second.

Second by Councilor Chambers. Any discussion on this item? not hearing any all in favor of resolution number 11 please signify by raising your right hand and resolution number 11 has been adopted unanimously all right this concludes our regular agenda the council will welcome any comments from persons present at this time if anyone has any comments for the council we would ask that you line up on the right hand side sign in with the clerk you'll be asked to print your name and address and you'll have about five minutes to address the council All right.

We'll now move into closing comments. Mr. Mayor? Yes, sir. Thank you. And on behalf of our employees and so many others around the problem, thank you for your hard work on this budget and look forward to working with you all over this next coming fiscal year. Thank you.

Council Newman. This morning participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new addition for the first community bank. Chamber of Commerce was there. Economic Development Team was there. It's great to see stuff going on on the west side of Prattville. That building is going to be a nice addition to that area.

Thank you. Councilor Chambers? No, sir. Councilor Merritt? No, sir. Castler Stritchick.

Yeah, I'd like to wish everybody a happy and safe Labor Day weekend. Enjoy your extended weekend for those who are not having to work, and enjoy your barbecue. Anyway, Friday night's the home opener for Proper Lion football. We'd like to see a large crowd. The boys are off to a pretty good start, and I'd like to keep that momentum going, so I hope to have a big crowd at Stanley Jensen this Friday night. Tuscaloosa County. Tuscaloosa County.

I just want to throw out there that I was doing some research. I talked to Daniel today and just a FYI, I guess, of sorts that we have a program here within the city of Prattville where you can get you are a 65 and over and there's several different criteria that you have to meet you can get two dollars off of your sanitation fee every month and so that is something to look into I have made a post on Facebook and I'm sure Daniel would love to answer any questions about that and And then there is another program that I don't exactly understand the partnership with the county, the state, the city, where if you are on Social Security and you have no other forms of income, that there is a possibility that you can get your sanitation free every month. And so I have posted about that on Facebook as well. So follow me on Facebook and you can share that with friends or I can answer questions because I can call Daniel and ask them. So thank you.

All right, and I would just like to say, Mayor, and all of our department heads who are watching, thank you for the effort that you put into the budget presentation. We know that there are a lot of things that you need, and that's what we're here for. Part of our process is to approve a budget, and we know that there were some difficult decisions made, and there were some cuts made by department heads on things that they felt were pretty important to them, but... At the end of the day, we've got to balance the budget, and Mr. Mayor and the department heads did a good job in meeting those numbers, and we appreciate that. It makes it easier for us to have it come to us in a balanced fashion. Our next regularly scheduled council meeting is Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 6 p.m. Do I hear a motion to adjourn?

So moved.

Councilor Merrick, is there a second? Second. Second by Councilor Langley. All in favor say yes. Yes. And we are adjourned.