BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
The Prattville City Council approved a resolution Tuesday night which will allow over $5.3 million in debt to be paid off early, as well as saving the city an additional $300,000 in interest.
A resolution was passed unanimously by council members. It reads “To authorize the release of funds to call certain maturities of the 2013A and 2014 General Obligation Refunding Warrants in the amount of $5,390,000. Plus accrued interest.”
Mayor Bill Gillespie explained that the original debt was for improvements and incentives made at the 179 exit along I-65.
Gillespie said the city is fortunate to be in a position to make this happen, earlier than expected, and said, “This is a big thing. A great thing.”
The Council also heard from the new City Clerk Lisa Terrill. The previous City Clerk retired last year, and since that time the interim Clerk has been Lisa Byrd who also continued to serve in her original capacity as the Mayor’s Executive Assistant.
Terrill told the council she is excited about the future, and is looking forward to taking on the new role.
The mayor, council members and Byrd also spoke thanking everyone for the time and care that went into finding a new city clerk and the extensive search for the right person to fill the position.
In other business, the Council granted a restaurant retail liquor license to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store after a public hearing with no objections. Only Cracker Barrel Manager David Moseley stood to speak, explaining that the restaurant is adding a few options for diners, that will include a small selection of beer and wine, and perhaps other specialty drinks on occasion like Mimosas. This will not include a full bar, or liquor, he said.
After the meeting Moseley explained to the EAN that this new move by Cracker Barrel began in Florida and has seen good success, with positive comments from customers.
Also on the agenda Tuesday was the reappointment of three members, and new appointments to the Historic Preservation Commission.
Reappointments were approved for Jean Davis, Scott Ferguson and Teresa D. Nettles.
New appointments are Zack J. Barker, filling a seat previously held by Thea Langley; Kristi B. Rollins to fill the seat after the resignation of Jill McCord; and Taylor N. Stewart to fill the seat after the resignation of Kate Musgroves.
All of the appointments were approved unanimously by the council except that of the appointment of Zack J. Barker, who was nominated by Mayor Gillespie to replace Thea Langley on the board. Voting no on that appointment was Albert Striplin.
In other business, Council members unanimously approved the following Resolutions:
To release funds for the purchase of certain real property located at 100 Maple Street from the Prattville Masonic Lodge #89 as right of way acquisition in conjunction with intersection improvements at Bridge Street and Maple Street a cost not to exceed $3,925.
To authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement for engineering services with Civil Southeast, LLC for engineering services for the FY2021 CWSRF Thomas Avenue and Selma Highway Drainage and Sanitary Sewer improvements project for the engineering department at a cost not to exceed $144,400.
To authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement for engineering services with Civil Southeast LLC for engineering services for FY2021 CWSRF Thomas Avenue and Selma Highway drainage and sanitary sewer improvements project for the Wastewater Division at a cost not to exceed $273,400.
To authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement for engineering services with Civil Southeast LLC for engineering services to prepare construction plans for the Bridge Street Pedestrian Bridge in conjunction with LDOT project TPAA-TA21(913) for the engineering department at a cost not to exceed $73,541.
Under a consent agenda, the Council unanimously approved the following Resolutions:
To enter into a lease and indemnity agreement between Pratt Mill Properties, LLC and the City of Prattville to lease certain property along North Court Street for various city events and activities.
To declare the structure located at 1212 Josephine Avenue to be unsafe and a public nuisance (Citizen Serve File #20-001336.)
To authorize the Mayor to enter into a lease agreement between the City of Prattville and Fountain City BMX, Inc. to continue to operate a BMX Park located on County Road 4.
