ASU Organization States there have been No Inappropriate Conversations – Elmore-Autauga News

BY SARAH STEPHENS

ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS

The Prattville City Council held a Work Session meeting Tuesday night to talk about redistricting, information about expending Federal Funds and rules for Short-Term Rentals, such as Air BnB.

First up, councilors heard from representatives with Alabama State University’s Center for Leadership and Public Policy.

The Work Session was called after a statement read by Prattville City Councilor Albert Striplin at the last regular meeting Feb. 1. In his statement, Striplin said that rumors had surfaced some time back that perhaps Mayor Gillespie, Executive Assistant Lisa Byrd and Keith Kuzma had been in contact with the Center for Leadership and Public Policy Council inappropriately, dealing with discussions on redistricting lines.

Last year the Council voted to hire the organization to handle redistricting due to new Census numbers and change in population.

Myles Mayberry, the Executive Director, and Louis Hines, Manager of Demographic Research, both attended the meeting, giving a wealth of information on how lines could be redrawn, but assured the council members that only four people had been in touch, and none of the conversations were inappropriate. Both said they were happy to answer any questions during the process, and will gladly work with officials for the best possible outcome.

“I just wanted to clear that air. Can you tell me who has contacted your office…any councilor or anyone at this administration?” Council President Jerry Starnes asked.

Hines said that he had multiple conversations with Prattville Planning Director Scott Stephens, one conversation with Mayor Bill Gillespie just to get an email address, and a short conversation with Councilors Marcus Jackson and Albert Striplin. The crux of those conversations were simply explaining how the process of redistricting would move forward.

Executive Director Mayberry said, “We help facilitate the redrawing of plans. We don’t know your neighborhood. The ultimate responsibility for redrawing district lines rests with the city council. You know your neighborhoods that need to stay together.”

He continued, “The thing I want to make real clear was we don’t give legal advice. We assist in drawing plans. We have done enough of it that we know the regulations. We don’t operate on inuendo and rumor. We work with this entire organization. I believe the contract says city council. If you have a question, or someone says something about this plan or the process, you can pick up the phone and call. We don’t have conversations outside of our relationship. It is a huge trust thing. We don’t want to do anything to jeopardize that relationship.”

Mayberry made it clear that the organization does not use social media to share vital information so he could not be sure where the rumors or inuendo started. He stressed that if there are any further concerns, that city officials should contact him or Hines directly. But, it is very common for his office to communicate with a short list of people, including city officials, as the redistricting process moves forward.

From there the work session moved into discussion about American Rescue Plan funds Prattville has or will receive. Some of those funds have already been earmarked, but roughly $6 million will be available for use over the next several years. Council members discussed suggestions, but agreed to hold a public hearing in the future to allow citizens to also offer input. A date was not set, but will be announced for public input.

There are very specific uses for the money, which were outlined by Finance Director Daniel Oakley. We will have more information on that, as well as possible dates for future public hearings once they are established.

Finally, the council talked about moving forward with rules and regulations for short-term rentals, such as Air BnB properties. Currently, the city has five documented properties, but recently 11 others have come forward to request a business license.

Mayor Gillespie said it is important for any short-term rental properties that have been operating without a license to come forward and apply immediately. At the Feb. 1 council meeting, the council considered a temporary moratorium on issuance of short-term rental business licenses. That matter was held until the March 15 meeting. If the council votes to place a temporary moratorium on short-term rentals in March, any business which has not yet applied for a license will not be able to do so, and would have to cease operations within the city until the issue is resolved.

Council members heard from several Air BnB owners who said if a property is managed well, with security features, cameras and good management, the properties can be very beneficial.

Officials have reported at recent meetings in the past that the Prattville Police Department has responded to multiple calls over the past months related to short-term rentals referring to the issues as “Party Pads.” Council members discussed several possible options moving forward, including limiting the number of people that can be in a home based on the number of beds, making sure the person who rents the home is on premises, and parking related issues.

The next regular Council meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers.