Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
The Prattville City Council honored the eight and under and eighteen and under Prattville girls’ softball teams Tuesday evening as they gear up for the next phase. The girls not only won their state tournament but will also head to the softball World Series in Tennessee July 17-22nd.
Councilman Albert Striplin was back in the council chambers via a large T.V. as he was participating in the meeting through a video stream. Striplin participated in the meeting as if he was in the council chambers, and many members of the council waved to the T.V. in excitement with smiles at his participation.
Councilman John Chambers was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
On the consent agenda, the Council approved a liquor license for the new Texas Roadhouse Restaurant coming to Prattville. No other information was given regarding an opening date or construction progress for that location at the meeting.
A series of ordinances were all approved by the City Council and a public hearing was set for a rezoning of property at the recommendation of the Prattville Planning Commission at their last meeting in June.
A public hearing was set to rezone a property at 334 Old Farm Lane from B-2, general business and R-3, single family residential, to INST, or institutional. The public hearing is set for August 6th at 6 p.m. at Prattville City Hall.
A property on Wetumpka Street will move from single family residential to an 0-1 or office district. A property on Smith Avenue will be rezoned from B-1, neighborhood commercial to B-2, general Business.
The Council also approved the purchase of a Spartan/E-one Rescue Pumper Demo Build from Sunbelt Fire Incorporated. Councilman Michael Whaley abstained from the vote, stating that he works for the Sunbelt Fire in a different department. The resolution passed unanimously 5-0 with one abstention.
During the public portion comment of the evening, a resident from the Beacon Hills subdivision came before the council regarding a mine in the area. This resident, Lloyd Bittle is also a member of the Beacon Hills Homeowners Association.
Bittle stated that the surface mine is operating business in a FAR zone and too close to the residents of the neighborhood. He stated before the council that he and others in the neighborhood wish for the mining to stop altogether. He said that heavy machinery not only wakes them up in the morning, but the company has allegedly destroyed one road in the neighborhood.
Bittle said this has been an ongoing issue the last seven years.
Napoleon Steele also addressed the council during the public comment portion of the meeting. Steele said that the College Heights area in Prattville has become too dangerous. Steele alluded to people shooting within the neighborhood, loud music at all hours, trash and overgrown grass throughout the neighborhood.
Councilman Marcus Jackson voiced his frustrations and stated that they’ve been up there on numerous occasions to try and work with the community and encourage people to clean up and be safe.
“I’ve spent quite a bit of time up there especially late at night because I’ve heard about the gunshots. I’ve gone up there to try to keep residents apart because there have been times where it’s gotten very contentious, and people were walking around with automatic weapons in that neighborhood. I begged them repeatedly to get off that corner. I’ve repeatedly asked them to take into consideration the elders in the community,” Jackson said.
Jackson stated that he will address the issue further with the council.
In closing comments Jackson thanked the former Prattville Economic Developer Bryant Whaley. Jackson said that Whaley not only significantly contributed to the prosperity of Prattville, but his leadership and unwavering commitment were to make Prattville a better place. Whaley who has resigned his position.
“I think this may be an opportunity for us as a council to reconsider moving the economic developer back to the Chamber of Commerce to create a more dynamic, efficient and effective environment fostering economic growth. (This would) give the economic developer the freedom to operate independently without constraints,” Jackson said.
Jackson also presented the council with a proposed redistricting map that was submitted by Pastor Patrick Lucas. Jackson stated that this map closes the percentage division between the minority and majority of race within the districts for the City of Prattville.
“I think we as a governing body will need to look at this map, considering that this map Pastor Lucas presented gives us the best opportunity for having it as close as possible to having a majority minority district,” Jackson said.
Councilman Tommy Merrick also stated he saw the map and asked Lucas if other minorities could be included as well, which Lucas replied that he can include them going forward.
Also in closing comments, the councilmen and Mayor Bill Gillespie thanked first responders, healthcare providers and military personnel for their sacrifices this Independence Day and every day.
“I’d like to thank all our patriots, our military, our first responders, and health care providers who are serving our country on Independence Day. Those are some of the ones who are not at home, and maybe not even in this country. But without them, we would not have an Independence Day and, they’re the ones who are working while we enjoy,” Gillespie said.
