Prattville City Council voted unanimously to authorize the mayor to negotiate and execute documents with Kinder Morgan to relocate existing natural-gas pipeline facilities within South Industrial Park, including using $1,500,000 from the Growing Alabama fund allocated to the city.

The measure was introduced by Councilor Chambers as a real-estate-transaction resolution “to authorize the mayor to enter into a real estate transaction agreement with Kinder Morgan for the relocation of a natural gas pipeline in South Industrial Park, utilizing 1,500,000 of Growing Alabama fund allocated to the city of Prattville.” The council first attempted to suspend the rules to consider the permanent resolution the same night but the suspension failed when not all members voted in favor; Councilor Stritchett and Councilor Langley voted no during that roll call.

After additional discussion later in the meeting, Chambers moved to reconsider the item; that motion passed. The council then voted to suspend the rules by roll call and moved to adopt the resolution. The final vote to adopt the Kinder Morgan resolution was unanimous.

Supporters said the relocation is tied to an economic development project in the South Industrial Park and described the agreement as necessary to accommodate the development. Opponents on the initial suspension vote expressed concern about considering a permanent, “time-sensitive” instrument without prior review; two members recorded no votes during that initial roll-call. The mayor had argued the timing was urgent because delays could affect the project timeline.

The resolution authorizes the mayor to negotiate and sign “any and all documents and agreements necessary to effectuate this real estate transaction to the extent and as permitted by applicable law.” It also authorizes any further actions necessary to carry out the resolution’s purpose. The resolution cites existing easements and historical recorded easements tied to the parent parcel and anticipates reconstruction of the pipeline easement areas as part of the relocation.

Next steps: the mayor is authorized to continue negotiations and execute the final documents; the council did not record specific contractual terms or a precise timeline during the meeting. Any final agreement will be subject to applicable law and any further council approvals required by later drafts or implementing documents.