Prattville council adopts election ordinance and approves several construction and maintenance contracts

At its March 2025 meeting the Prattville City Council adopted an ordinance and approved several resolutions that amend the FY2025 budget and authorize contracts or agreements for city projects.

Elections ordinance: The council adopted an ordinance authorizing the DS200 electronic vote-counting system and the ExpressVote ADA-compliant ballot-marking device for Prattville municipal elections, citing Section 17-7-21, Code of Alabama 1975, as amended. Councilor Chambers introduced the ordinance. The council suspended the usual rules to consider the ordinance at the same meeting; the roll-call to suspend rules recorded affirmative responses from council members, and the ordinance was adopted by a subsequent show-of-hands vote. City staff clarified that the DS200 is the same tabulating machine Otaga (Otauga) County has used since about 2016 and that the ExpressVote does not tabulate votes but provides an ADA-compliant ballot-marking option.

Major park contract: The council amended the FY2025 budget and awarded bid number 025-003 to David Bulger Incorporated for Vista Pointe Park improvements at a cost not to exceed $1,455,475. Parks and Recreation specifications produced two sealed bids; David Bulger Inc. was the lowest responsible bidder.

Other capital and services approvals: The council approved - A budget amendment and contract with NBC Acoustics Inc. for exterior window and door updates at Fire Station No. 1 at a cost not to exceed $51,300 (citing Section 39-2-1 and 39-2-2, Code of Alabama 1975, as amended). - A general services agreement with Krebs Engineering Inc. to provide engineering services for the North Highland Park Improvement Project not to exceed $62,060 (citing state procurement provisions for qualified engineers).

Consent agenda: The council also reappointed three members to the Industrial Development Board (Kyle Glover, Sarah N. Thompson, Duann Walker) and declared three properties (1811 Jenny Drive, 106 Lilac Drive, and 325 New Moon Drive) public nuisances, authorizing the mayor to abate and charge expenses pursuant to Chapter 46 of the City of Prattville Code of Ordinances. Those consent items were adopted as a package.

All items on the regular agenda listed in the packet were adopted as reflected in the transcript; recorded votes were by show-of-hands except where a roll-call was used to suspend rules for immediate consideration of the elections ordinance.