Prattville council authorizes sidewalk contract, BUILD grant application, police devices and a new finance hire

The Prattville City Council on an evening vote approved a package of measures that included amending the fiscal 2025 budget to authorize a construction agreement for a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) sidewalk project, authorizing staff to apply for a U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD grant to widen McQueen Smith Road, awarding a police equipment bid, adding a finance department revenue clerk and approving an election-services agreement with Elmore County.

The council voted to amend the fiscal 2025 capital projects budget and authorize the mayor to enter into a construction agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for TAP project TA25933 (CPMS reference 100079724) for a sidewalk extension on Service Road 14/Thelma Highway from Maple Street to Washington Ferry Road. The total project cost was listed as not to exceed $607,919, with a net cost to the city not to exceed $121,583.80. Councilor Jackson introduced the resolution; the motion carried by voice/hand vote.

The TAP action matters because it obligates city funds and allows Prattville to move forward with federally supported pedestrian improvements along a state corridor. Mayor (name not specified) said the council had discussed the project previously and noted ongoing traffic projects in the city. “I want to thank all of our city crews,” the mayor said during opening remarks.

In a separate authorization, the council directed city staff to submit a fiscal 2025 BUILD grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for widening McQueen Smith Road from Cobbsford Road to U.S. 31. The resolution says BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) grants can award up to $25 million and can fund up to 80% of eligible costs, with a city match of at least 20% required if awarded. The council’s action authorizes staff to prepare the application and commits the city to provide matching funds should a grant be awarded. Councilor Jackson introduced that item; the motion carried.

On equipment, the council awarded bid 024-018 to See the Night LLC for aiming illumination laser devices for the police department at a cost not to exceed $48,300. The resolution states the purchase will be funded from state drug-proceeds accounts. Councilor Chambers introduced the resolution; it passed by voice/hand vote.

The council also approved an amendment to the fiscal 2025 budget to add a revenue clerk position in the finance department. The resolution included specific line-item budget changes and figures presented during the meeting: increased general fund revenues from sellers’ use tax of $38,798.28; increased finance salaries and wages $26,404.53; increased finance FICA $22,019.95; increased retirement $3,142.14; increased group health $7,192.30; and increased group life $3.30. The human resources department was authorized to implement the hiring process. Councilor Strzyczyk introduced that resolution; it passed by voice/hand vote.

The council authorized the mayor to enter into an election-services agreement with Elmore County — specifically the Elmore County Commission, the Elmore County Board of Registrars and the Elmore County probate judge — to reimburse the county for election equipment and services at a cost not to exceed $4,000 per election. The resolution cites Alabama Ethics Commission Advisory Opinion 2018-3 and Code of Alabama §11-46-4 as the basis for entering such an agreement. Councilor Merrick introduced the measure; it carried.

Earlier in the meeting the council adopted a consent agenda that included nuisance abatements at multiple addresses pursuant to Chapter 46 of the City of Prattville Code of Ordinances; the surplus of city personal property; rescission of a prior resolution authorizing a RAISE/BUILD grant application for McQueen Smith Road widening in a previous resolution book entry; and two appointments: Sheila Savage to the Board of Zoning Adjustment and Julie Stephanie Irvine to the Historic Preservation Commission. The consent agenda was created and adopted by voice/hand vote.

The council also heard the city finance report: Carly Sims (city finance staff) presented December 2024 unaudited numbers, reporting general fund year-to-date revenue of $11,320,887 (a 4.41% increase over the prior year), general fund expenditures at 20.61% of budget with 25% of the fiscal year elapsed, wastewater fund net operating income for December of $196,981, a Sanitation Fund monthly loss of $7,233, and total city cash balances listed as $41,577,102.63 on the report.

Near the end of the meeting the council moved into an executive session to discuss a matter related to the purchase, sale, exchange, lease or market value of real property; the city attorney provided a written opinion that this is a qualifying reason for closed session. The council took no votes after reconvening and adjourned the meeting.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (nuisance abatements, surplus property, rescission of prior RAISE/BUILD application authorization, two appointments): adopted by voice/hand vote. - Resolution 1 (TAP sidewalk, TA25933 CPMS 100079724): adopted; total cost not to exceed $607,919, net city cost not to exceed $121,583.80. - Resolution 2 (award bid 024-018 to See the Night LLC for police aiming lasers): adopted; cost not to exceed $48,300; funded from state drug proceeds. - Resolution 3 (add finance revenue clerk; FY2025 budget amendments): adopted; line-item increases specified in meeting. - Resolution 4 (election agreement with Elmore County; reimbursements not to exceed $4,000 per election): adopted; cites Alabama Ethics Commission Advisory Opinion 2018-3 and Code of Ala. §11-46-4. - Resolution 5 (authorize submission of USDOT BUILD grant application for McQueen Smith Road widening; commit to match if awarded): adopted; BUILD may award up to $25,000,000 and can fund up to 80% of eligible costs.

No formal roll-call vote tallies with named aye/no counts were read into the record for the regular resolutions; the meeting recorded adoption of items by members signifying approval by voice/raising of hands.