Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
The Prattville City Council met Tuesday evening and gained a new member to their caucus as Michael P. Whaley was sworn in as the council member for District 5, for the remainder of the 2020-2024 quadrennium.
“I just want to welcome Whaley on board, and I look forward to his service. Michael Whaley is retired from the Prattville Fire Department, and he knows a lot of the ins and outs of our budgeting and processes. I believe this will be an easy transition for him and the city of Prattville will be very blessed to have him, his knowledge and his family’s support. I look forward to the future and may God bless us all,” Mayor Bill Gillespie said.
All other members of the Council congratulated Whaley and welcomed him to the team as well as shared personal experiences and their excitement to what Whaley can bring to the Council’s team.
“Thank you to district 5, I’m eager to serve and I appreciate this opportunity,” Whaley said.
Council President Lora Lee Boone commended Whaley’s compassion and his commitment to his family. Boone also stated he left a genuine and lasting impression and noted his compassion and integrity first and foremost.
Whaley’s family was also in attendance to support him as he was sworn into office.
“I’ll tell you what I told John when he won, the good news is you won. The bad news is, you won. Get ready for a fun ride! It’s an honor to serve this community and we’re looking forward to having you with us,” Councilman Robert Strichik said.
The Council adopted an ordinance for an electronic meeting policy Tuesday evening to make it possible for council members under certain circumstances to remotely participate in City Council meetings. The circumstances were not outlined during the meeting.
Mayor Gillespie went on to state that Councilman Striplin will be excited to be able to participate remotely, as Striplin has been absent for multiple past council meetings, due to health reasons.
The Council also adopted numerous resolutions to authorize the purchase of a DJI Matrice Drone Kit for the Prattville Police Department as well as a Ford F250 Truck for the Facilities and Maintenance Division within the Public Works Department of Prattville.
The Council also unanimously passed the release of funds for the improvement of the fencing at the Whetstone Baseball Complex and for parking lot improvements at Spinners Park.
During the mayor’s report, Gillespie gave the floor to George Walthall Jr. who addressed the council asking for support in the PALS, People Against a Littered State, initiative. PALS helps to ensure Autauga County stays litter free through various clean up events and by raising awareness on how to help and get involved.
According to the ALPALS website, Alabama People Against a Littered State, their mission is to help statewide in ‘organization dedicated to making our state more beautiful by sponsoring programs focused on cleaning up litter in Alabama’s streets, streams, campuses, and coastlines.’
Walthall suggested to the council that a cleanup resolution be passed, stating that if one person picks up one piece of trash a day, it creates a cleaner Autauga County.
Their next event will be a free shred day in the Autauga County Commission parking lot, 135 N Court St. on March 16th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Gillespie went on to praise the new pickleball and tennis courts and the hard work of the construction team and engineers for the new additions to Newton Park. He spoke of the installation of a playground at North Highland Park. Gillespie stated that the park should be done soon, and both projects are something he’s excited about for Prattville citizens.
During the public comment portion of the city council meeting, two members of Read Freely Alabama addressed the council and stated their grievances with the County Commissioners where they called for the commissioners to take action against the commission appointed members of the Library Board.
Commissioner Marcus Jackson asked the public commenters what they would like the council to do, in which the commenters responded that they would like the council to consider their authority with the board going forward and to take action if they are able.
Jackson went on to raise a few questions for the Prattville City Attorney Andrew Odem. Jackson posed the questions regarding funding the library receives and if there was anything the council could do to ensure that funds were being used for library operations only, and what the council’s authority is over the County Commission appointed members of the Library Board.
Odem stated he would have to dig into the questions further and would send information to the council.
