Prattville Council discusses Blue Iguana, Ribbon Cutting for Mac Gray Park 2.0 and sets Public Hearings – Elmore-Autauga News

BY SARAH STEPHENS

ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS

Top Photo: File photo concerning improvements to Mac Gray Park 2.0. (Courtesy City of Prattville)

In his report to the Prattville City Council Tuesday night, Mayor Bill Gillespie updated members on the status of the Blue Iguana/Bama Lanes business license.

“There seems to be some progress made with those entities. It has been very challenging and we stand ready to serve and support our small, local businesses. But we have to stand ready to put the safety of our community first. We have not finalized all of the requirements, but staff feels this is going in the right direction. Hopefully we will bring you more, better news in the next couple of meetings,” Mayor Gillespie said.

There have been months of discussion between the City, the Prattville Police and Fire Departments and the owner of Bama Lanes and Blue Iguana about tightening security in the businesses and addressing multiple issues in the parking lot. In the most serious case, a man was shot and killed in the parking lot last year. The city had threatened to not renew the business license for the establishments, but for now Gillespie said those talks are producing positive change.

Continuing his report, Gillespie said Project Katz is moving forward and should close in the middle of next month. As far as official statements concerning Project Kats, Mayor Gillespie said that details will be forthcoming after the signing of a contract. The project falls under economic development. What is known is the project involves a former bank building on Main Street in historic downtown and would include a city expenditure of $1.3 million.

Also, the Pratt Mill property purchase agreement is also moving forward.  “It appears the terms have been accepted and the agreement is being prepared for signing.” This property is located near the Picker House on Court Street in an area commonly used by the city for festivals and functions.

A ribbon cutting will be held for Mac Gray Park 2.0 on Feb. 11. This facility will also be partnering with the high school to host a showcase tournament with over 48 games in February. On March 5, the girls softball league with debut with their opening season in this brand new facility.

“It has been a long time coming,” Gillespie said. “I think we all remember when the old Gurney Plant was up there. A little brief history on that as I know it and recall it, after Gurney Manufacturing left town Autauga County acquired it. Through a partnership with City of Prattville and Autauga County with the ambulance contract at the time, the city accepted that structure as part of that ambulance contract. It took us many years, decades to get it torn down. I know that the previous representative for District 6, Mac Macready, that was big on his list. He was still around to see it come down. He is no longer with us, but I am certain he would be pleased. I think with the upcoming season…hopefully it will be baseball ready. I think we will see a lot of good games out there, as well as Whetstone and other places.”

In the regular business meeting, the Council approved Resolution 1, to amend the FY2022 Budget and Release funds for the purchase of four Power X1 Stretchers through the NPP Cooperative Purchasing Agreement, from Ferno for the Fire Department at a Net Cost not to exceed $67,903.52.

The Council approved setting a public hearing for March 15 at 6 p.m. in council chambers to adopt a new zoning ordinance. Project Prattville 2040 was adopted last year. The Prattville Planning Commission has since held a series of meetings and work sessions to discuss and formulate a new zoning ordinance in order to better implement the comprehensive plan.

The Council also discussed a proposed resolution and ordinance concerning a public hearing to rezone property located inside the city limits in the downtown area into the downtown overlay district. The item was held until the March 15 city council meeting.

The Council also discussed an ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium on the issuance of short-term rental business licenses.

Councilor Strichik read the proposed ordinance which states, “The City of Prattville is a historic community that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Tourism is an important part of the local economy, including short-term rentals of hotels and increasingly at residential neighborhoods. In recent years the propensity and frequency of rentals of less than 30 days or short term rentals in residential neighborhoods has increased due in large part to web based marketing tools such as Air BnB, Vacation Rentals by Owner and the like. The increase of transient occupancy has had an adverse impact on residential neighborhoods generating excess noise, traffic and trash. The Prattville Police Department has reported that calls to short term rentals and residential neighborhoods have increased and similar detrimental effects have been documented in numerous studies in cities around Alabama and the United States. The City of Prattville is in the process of studying the issue in order to make recommendations to the Council on the best approach for the city including conducting work sessions, other studies and proposing an ordinance regarding the regulation of short-term rentals.” The item was held until the March 15 Council meeting.

The Council adopted a resolution to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with PaleoWest to update the Historic Design Review Guidelines at a total cost not to exceed $20,000. Net cost to the city not to exceed $8,000. The city was awarded a 60/40 grant to help with funding.

The Council set a public hearing to vacate a portion of the Unimproved Yarbrough Right-of-Way. The owners of property located at 541 Old Farm Lane, north Prattville, Alabama, filed a petition requesting the city of Prattville vacate a portion of the unimproved right -of -way. The hearing will be held March 15 at 6 p.m. in council chambers.

The Council approved a resolution to amend the city’s budget and award a bid to David Bulger, Inc. for the Pine Creek Interceptor Sewer Repair located on South Memorial Drive at a net cost not to exceed $405,196.45.

This is to move forward with permanent repairs to the area. On the 18^th of January, the council approved up $50,000 expenditure for emergency work for a bypass to stop a potential sewer leak. The equipment was rented from United Rentals.