By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
A link to the full press conference can be found at the end of this article.
On Friday, Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie called a press conference to clarify the vote by the city council Aug. 20 concerning a home on 7th Street owned by the Robinson family. He offered a prepared statement and did not take questions afterwards.
Since the council meeting on Aug. 20, there has been much blowback from the community, who feel the Council should have given the family time to make repairs, as they now have a loan and permit to make repairs. The home is not currently occupied but has been in the Robinson family for 100 years. The owners are struggling with health issues but have made efforts to save the home. Both attended the Aug. 20 meeting prior to the vote on this issue, stating they were ready to move forward with renovations and repairs. But when the vote was made, only two of the Council agreed to perhaps give more time, with a NAY vote against the Resolution. Four voted YAY to approve the resolution.
During the press conference Friday, Mayor Gillespie said, “It is inaccurate to suggest that the next step is destroying the structure. If you continue reading the Resolution, the next step is for Code Enforcement to secure quotes from third-party professionals for determining the cost of repairing or demolishing the structure, then has to come back before the Council for their approval or disapproval. Again, many checkpoints of due process remain, and we are in the middle of some of those currently after Tuesday’s vote.”
He went on to say there has been “abundant misunderstanding and spreading of rumors on social media, so I wanted to take a moment to address those as well.”
But it is possible that some of the confusion came from a direct quote from Council President Lora Lee Boone in the meeting, as she tried to explain what a Yay or Nay vote would mean for the Resolution before the vote was taken.
In the video of the meeting at time mark 1:07:50, Council President Boone says “Just for clarity’s sake, for Resolution number two, if we vote ‘Yes’ on this, we are voting to go ahead and demolish. If we vote ‘No’ we are voting not to demolish. So, if you are voting in favor of Resolution number two, that is to demolish. That is the language of the Resolution. So, in favor is a vote to demolish. A negative is to not demolish. So, we are now at the point that discussion closed where we are ready for a vote.”
For the YouTube video of the full meeting, visit this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA7nr0mGmdQ
A roll call vote was called with the following result.
Voting FOR the resolution was John Chambers, Tommy Merrick, Robert Strichick and President Lora Lee Boone. Albert Striplin was not present at the meeting.
Voting AGAINST the resolution was Marcus Jackson and Michael Whaley.
In Resolution two, the history of the home in question, and dealings with the city, are documented. The last two paragraphs read, “Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council in the City of Prattville that the dilapidated structure located at 106 7th Street continues to be unsafe and a public nuisance that must be repaired or demolished.
Be it further resolved that the City Council instructs the Code Enforcement Officer to provide a report of the cost to repair or demolish the dilapidated structure located at 106 7th Street to the City Council.”
So, does this mean that at the next city council meeting a vote could give the Robinson’s more time? We wanted to ask that question, but again, no questions were allowed.
However, further into Mayor Gillespie statement, he said “There has been no final decision regarding this process, as there are still many steps to go. Options are available to both myself as Mayor and the City Council, and they are actively being explored and considered.
“I am encouraged by the outpouring of public support for the Robinsons, and it is my hope that out of this situation, regardless of what happens, the public will continue to seek out new and creative ways to help their fellow neighbors.”
For a video of the Mayor’s press conference today, visit https://www.facebook.com/editorsarah/videos/1529738551270896
