January 24, 2024

Council Meeting Minutes 01-09-2024

Agenda

Minutes

CITY OF SOUTHSIDE
COUNTY OF ETOWAH
STATE OF ALABAMA

The City Council of the City of Southside convened in regular public session in Council Chambers at City of Southside City Hall on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Prior notice of this meeting was given in compliance with Resolution No. 0-035-2005 of the City of Southside, Alabama and the Alabama Open Meetings Act. Mayor Dana Snyder called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m., with Don Steward leading in prayer.

The following council members were present: Mayor Dana Snyder, Council Members: Joseph Hutchins, John Hatley, Keith Clay, and Danny Garnett. With a quorum being present, the meeting was opened for the transaction of business. The council recessed into the work session at 4:06 p.m. Mayor Snyder requested the council go into an executive session. Don Steward made a motion to recess to executive session, Joseph Hutchins provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The council recessed into executive session at 4:07 p.m., reconvened the work session at 4:35 p.m. Then reconvened the council meeting at 4:47 p.m.

Mayor Snyder inquired of the council if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes from the regular council meeting held on December28, 2023. A motion was made by Joseph Hutchins to approve the minutes as presented. A second of the motion to approve was made by Keith Clay. Roll call vote: ALL AYES. The motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Snyder Introduced Patricia Falcon and Robyn Phillips from the Barrie Center, and Katie Bohannon from the Family Success Center who addressed the Council and residents in attendance about January being Human Trafficking Awareness month. They thanked the Mayor and Council for issuing a proclamation to that effect for the City of Southside. Mayor Snyder then had the Acting City Clerk, Cindy Beshears, read the Proclamation aloud.

First on the agenda was Pastor Wes Walters, from AIM Church, located at 1583 Highway 77 via a request to be on the council agenda to address the Council regarding street lights. Pastor Walters expressed concerns about how dark the parking area at AIM Church is, as well as over a dark area on Powell Street, near his residence, where a light is located, but no longer works. Pastor Walters stated that he had already contacted Alabama Power, who directed him to the City. Councilman Don Steward responded to Pastor Walters, that the City’s policy in regard to street lights has always been placement at major intersections, hazardous point of entry to a major thoroughfare, four way stops, or occasionally at a known hazardous area, such as a particularly dangerous curve. The city does not place lights on or over private property. Pastor Walters stated that he was trying to find out what his options were to light the parking area, and he had not had much success by contacting Alabama Power. Public Works Director, Mark Owen, who was in attendance, committed to looking at the situation, and working with Pastor Walters to make suggestions on a viable option. Councilman Steward also mentioned that Alabama Power did have options for purchasing street lights for private property, and the light on Powell Street had probably been purchased by a resident, and possibly turned off. He stated that several residents and organizations in the city had purchased their own through the power company. Councilman Steward committed to reaching out to a contact he has at Alabama Power to help Pastor Walters explore available options.

Mayor Snyder recognized Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Weldon, presented an agreement with the Southside Girls Softball League for leasing of the concession stand at the Softball Complex. The league will staff, stock and maintain inventory for the complex concession stand during softball league games as well as tournaments. Don Steward made a motion to approve the agreement. Joseph Hutchins seconded the motion. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

Director Weldon presented a sponsorship request from the Alabama Crappie Trail for a November, 2024 tournament at Southside Landing. Director Weldon stated that this is the same tournament that the city sponsored in November 2023, and it was a great success.
This event would fall in fiscal year 2024-2025 for budget purposes, so if approved, it can be included in Parks and Recreation’s Budget in October, and will allow the Crappie Trail Director to put Southside Landing on the published trail tournament schedule. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the sponsorship. Don Steward provided a second. Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

Mayor Snyder stated that August 22,2023, the council approved Resolution 0-059-2023, the annual transportation plan, required by the Rebuild Alabama Act, which provides earmarked funds to the City for street and bridge projects. In August, the city had $247,000 in this fund, which has increased to $282,984.78 currently. As required by the Rebuild Alabama act, the statement is being made that the city used none of its earmarked Rebuild Alabama Funds last year, and plans to use at least $247,000 of these funds to partially finance the 2024 paving project, scheduled to begin in spring of 2024.

Mayor Snyder stated that the council agreed to add to the agenda, approval for a drainage improvement study by GMC in the amount of $22,900 for the intersection of Watson and Powell street area to be paid out of ARPA funds. A motion to approve the study was made by Joseph Hutchins, a second was provided by Keith Clay. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

At this time, Mayor Snyder made the following announcements:

 Next Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for February 12 at 6:00 p.m.11,2024 in council chambers at City Hall
 Next Council Meeting is scheduled for January 23 in council chambers at City Hall., however, it was announced at this meeting to be February 13, 2024, due to clerical error.
 The City Clerk is accepting letters of interest in board vacancies, and currently there is a water board vacancy. Send letters of interest to cityclerk@cityofsouthside.com or drop them off at city hall by Friday, January 19.

Councilman Clay thanked the Barrie Center and Family Success Center for all they do. He mentioned that it was National Law Enforcement day and thanked the law officers as well.
Councilman Hatley and Councilman Steward thanked them as well.

With no further agenda items, the mayor asked if anyone in attendance had anything to discuss other than prior-discussed agenda items. The mayor then recognized several audience members, and fielded questions about existing road conditions, and drainage issues.

With no further business to conduct, Don Steward made a motion to adjourn, Keith Clay provided a second. The meeting was adjourned at 5:04 p.m.