By Gerri Miller
Staff Writer
Prattville residents can expect garbage collection fees to rise slightly in January and October 2021, but Public Works Director Dale Gandy said it is the first rate increase since 2010.
The Prattville City Council on Tuesday night amended an ordinance to allow for the rate increase. Rates will go up $1 a month from $19 to $20 in January and then another dollar to $21 in October 2021. An extra can will cost $50 and an additional $10 for pickup. The rates are the same for both residents and businesses.
Gandy said the City takes its garbage to Repower South in Montgomery instead of taking it to a transfer station. He said this greatly reduces landfill waste. Last year the cost for that service was $33 a ton and the rate has increased to $40 a ton. “That’s still competitive,” Gandy said.
Gandy said after the meeting that the City has reduced operating costs by more than $600,000 since 2015. “We’ve got much better and more efficient equipment,” he said.
The Council also granted a lounge retail liquor license (package store) to a company called OMSHIV, LLC. The new business will be called Corner Package Store and will be located at 790 East Sixth Street.
The Mayor and the Council said their goodbyes to outgoing City Clerk Cathy Dickerson, who is retiring after nine years with the city and more than 25 years with the State of Alabama. The Council named Jamie Clayton as the Interim City Clerk.
A reception is scheduled next week to honor Dickerson. “This lady is a blessing to the city,” said City Councilman Robert Strichik. “I am so thankful for her friendship and everything she has done for us.”
Goodbyes were also said to outgoing Councilman Richard Cables and Mayor Bill Gillespie presented him with a plaque.
City Council President Albert Striplin gave the Council a report on action taken in a Finance Committee Meeting. The Committee is in talks about hiring a new City Attorney to replace David McDowell. McDowell resigned his position in August. Striplin said the Committee has decided to limit its search to Montgomery, Elmore, and Autauga counties. He said no decision has been made as to whether the City will hire a full-time attorney or contract one.
Several appointments and reappointments were made for the Historic Prattville Redevelopment Authority. Reappointed were Danny Loftin, David McIntosh, Edward Rouze, Matt Holtzscher and Michael A. Thompson. New appointees included Reid Cavnar and Bradley J. Neave.
The City will also participate in the “State Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday in February 2021. The Council voted to exempt “covered items” from municipal sales and use tax during the last weekend in February.
Mayor Gillespie also talked about the actions of the Prattville Fire Department and the Prattville Police Department in helping the victims of the tragic Woods Apartments fire last weekend. The City is partnering with AICC to help the families.
Mayor Gillespie said that starting today through Nov. 1, 2020, the City is challenging the community to a 10,000-pound food drive. Monetary donations can also be accepted through AICC. Donations of non-perishable food items can be dropped off at the bins inside the double doors of City Hall located at 101 West Main Street or AICC at 163 West Third Street in Prattville.
Mayor Gillespie held up a bag of $100 gift cards that a donor brought to him today for fire victims and said he is thankful to live in a community that cares so much for its people.
