January 28, 2026

Council Meeting Minutes 01-13-2026

Agenda

Minutes

CITY OF SOUTHSIDE
COUNTY OF ETOWAH
STATE OF ALABAMA

The City Council of the City of Southside convened in a regular meeting in Council Chambers at City of Southside City Hall, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. 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 Joey Statum called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m., with Councilman Shane Hamm leading the prayer.

The following were present: Mayor Joey Statum, and Council Members: Keith Clay, Jennifer McGriff, Joseph Hutchins, Shane Hamm, and Danny Garnett. With a quorum present, the meeting was called to order for business transactions.

Mayor Statum then asked the council whether there were any corrections or additions to the minutes for the regular council meeting held on December 22, 2025, and, if not, whether there was a motion to suspend the reading of the minutes and vote to approve them. Mayor Statum then stated that in the minutes of the December 22 meeting, it was stated that there would be an up to $1000.00 expense for the installation of a fire hydrant adjacent to the future Johnson’s Giant Foods location. The mayor stated that the Water Board had met since that Council Meeting, and there would be no cost to the city for the installation of the fire hydrant. Mayor Statum requested that this clarification be made as part of the official record. Joseph Hutchins motioned to approve the minutes, and Danny Garnett seconded the motion. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

Mayor Statum then presented a proclamation declaring January 2026 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the City of Southside. The clerk read the Proclamation. The proclamation emphasized the importance of education, awareness, prevention, and support for survivors, and formally designated the city as a Trafficking Free Zone.

The council then entered its work session at 5:06.

Mayor Statum recognized Chief Jarrett Williams of the Southside Police Department

Chief Williams of the Southside Police Department presented the departmental report for December 2025 and the annual report for 2025. He reported that in December, the department responded to 602 total incidents, including 304 traffic stops and 298 public service calls, investigated seven traffic accidents, completed forty-four reports, and handled four drug-related cases. For the year 2025, the department recorded 3,639 calls for service, 4,441 traffic stops, and 3,649 total citations and warnings, consisting of 1,460 citations and 2,189 warnings. Additional annual activity included 326 animal-related calls, 219 arrests, 38 drug cases, 25 domestic violence reports, 24 fraud investigations, and four sex assault reports.

The mayor then recognized Fire Chief Wade Buckner

Fire Chief Bukner then presented the Fire Department’s 2025 annual report. He reported that the department responded to 1,102 emergency calls during the year, marking the busiest year in the department’s history, with an average response time of just over four minutes. He announced that the City’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating had improved from a 5 to a 3, which will result in significant insurance savings for residents and businesses. Chief Buckner further reported that the department had completed over 2,400 hours of training, acquired a new rescue boat, upgraded radio systems and breathing equipment, secured grant funding, expanded river rescue coverage, and continued community programs, including the annual Christmas gift program for local children

Chief Buckner also presented a recommendation to convert the Assistant Fire Chief position to a salaried one. Chief Buckner stated that this would be similar to what the Police Department had recently done with Captain Clay Johnson. It would make Assistant Chief Anderson’s position administrative, eliminating any overtime liability. He cited all the administrative duties that Assistant Chief Anderson already performs, as well as acting in Chief Buckner’s stead when he is unavailable. Chief Buckner is recommending a salary increase to step 14, range 12. Mayor Statum reiterated the potential cost savings of this move. He charged the council with doing its due diligence on this issue, which would be presented for a vote at the January 27 council meeting.

At this point, Mayor Statum recognized Finance Director Nickie Pylant, who addressed the council, requesting immediate approval to request a transfer of credit limit from the old Bank of America Corporate Card utilized by the city to a new card, which has been issued with a considerably smaller limit. Ms. Pylant stated that she has to have council approval to write a letter requesting this transfer. The mayor stated that the council would need to vote on this item. Danny Garnett made a motion to allow the Finance Director to execute the letter requesting the transfer of the credit line to the new cards. Joseph Hutchins made the second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

The mayor stated that he had a Resolution on the agenda for a vote to surplus old iPads out of the Fire Department. He asked if there was any discussion. There was none.

The mayor introduced an Ordinance for a first reading, about abandoned and lost property. He stated that the Ordinance had been vetted and deemed viable by the city attorney, who was recognized, and explained that the Ordinance would pertain to items found or recovered on city property in a lost and found type capacity, not items recovered by the Police Department. The mayor advised the council members to look over the Ordinance and be prepared for a vote at the next meeting. There were questions and discussions regarding the handling of any funds generated by the sale of any items disposed of under this Ordinance, and this will be decided after some research, conversation with the finance director, and the Ordinance is in effect.

Mayor Statum stated that the re-appointment of Judy Christian to the Library Board is on the New Business agenda for a vote. Ms. Christian was up for reappointment in 2024, and the reappointment slipped through the cracks. She would be reappointed for the remainder of that term, which would expire May 26, 2028. The council had no more discussion on this item. Mayor Statum stated that this would put the current Library Board at full staff.

The appointments of Angie Pearce and Misty Silvey to the Zoning Board of Adjustment were next for discussion. Mayor Statum explained that there were currently 2 openings on the Board, and both Ms. Pearce and Ms. Silvey currently serve as Supernumerary members on the board, filling in when a board member is unable to attend a meeting. He stated that he had spoken with the Board Chair, and he supported the appointment. The council had no further discussion on this item; it is on New Business for a vote.

Mayor Statum then explained that there would need to be 2 new Supernumerary members appointed to the Zoning Board of Adjustments to replace Ms. Pearce and Ms. Silvey. He recommended Justin Chandler to replace Ms. Pearce and Kyle Gray to replace Ms. Silvey. They would both complete terms that expire May 14, 2027. The council had no further discussion on this item; it is on New Business for a vote.

The mayor then brought forth a recommendation that the council approve Shane Hamm as the council representative serving on the Planning Commission. Currently, both he and Councilman Clay are on the commission, Councilman Hamm, as an appointee before his election, and Councilman Clay as the Council Representative for the previous term. Mayor Statum explained that Councilman Clay will be assisting him in another capacity. This item is on the agenda for a Roll Call Vote. The mayor stated that there is one more vacancy on the Planning Commission, and it is a mayor-appointed position. He informed the council that he plans to appoint local realtor, Randy Smith to this position. There was discussion on how a realtor would be required to proceed on the board, should he be involved with any proposed development that comes before the commission. City Attorney James Shelnutt responded that he would recuse himself from any voting in that instance. The council had no further discussion on this item.

At this time, Mayor Statum stated that he also had under new business for a roll call vote the following council appointments to function as a representative/liaison in these areas: Council Member Keith Clay — Roads and Public Works; Council Member Jennifer McGriff — Community Outreach; Council Member Joseph Hudgins — Parks and Recreation; Council Member Shane Hamm — Economic Development and Planning Commission; and Council Member Danny Garnett — Water Board and Public Works.

The Mayor let the council know on behalf of Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Weldon, that the 2026 Airport Marine High School Fishing Trail Fishing Tournament at Southside Landing is coming up. The city will be a sponsor again this year in the amount of 2600.00, which was budgeted. Parks and Recreation will be applying for a State Tourism Grant to offset this expense. They will also be applying for an Etowah County Community Development Grant to fund a side-by-side with a dump bed for the department.

The mayor informed the council that they have a proposed rate sheet for renting the Community Center. He stated that the new sheet was much more concise and had been simplified. He asked the council to look the sheet over and bring their questions or comments to the next meeting.

The mayor addressed the topic of outstanding employee comp time and overtime, the city’s financial liability, and informed the council that he would be presenting a plan to them soon for a solution to get this off the books, and pointed out that there are already corrective measures being taken and significant signs of improvement. He also stated that there will be policy changes to the employee handbook after they undergo legal review.

This concluded the council Work Session.

There was no Old Business on the agenda.

NEW BUSINESS:

A Resolution was presented to approve the surplus of iPads in the Fire Department. Jennifer McGriff made a motion to approve the Resolution, and Keith Clay provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

A Resolution was presented to re-appoint Judy Christian to the Library Board for a term to end on May 26, 2028. Shane Hamm made a motion to approve the Resolution, and Joseph Hutchins provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

A Resolution was presented to appoint Angie Pearce to the Zoning Board of Adjustments for a term to end on 10-22-2028. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution, and Keith Clay provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

A Resolution was presented to appoint Misty Silvey to the Zoning Board of Adjustments for a term to end on 01-14-2028. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution, and Shane Hamm provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

A Resolution was presented to appoint Justin Chandler as a Supernumerary member of the Zoning Board of Adjustments to complete a term ending on 5-14-2027. Danny Garnett made a motion to approve the Resolution, and Jennifer McGriff provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

A Resolution was presented to appoint Kyle Gray as a Supernumerary member of the Zoning Board of Adjustments to complete a term ending on 5-14-2027. Shane Hamm made a motion to approve the Resolution, and Keith Clay provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

Mayor Statum made a motion to appoint Shane Hamm as the council representative on the Planning Commission, and Joseph Hutchins provided a second. The mayor also made the following appointments for the council members: Council Member Keith Clay — Roads and Public Works; Council Member Jennifer McGriff — Community Outreach; Council Member Joseph Hudgins — Parks and Recreation; Council Member Shane Hamm — Economic Development and Planning Commission; and Council Member Danny Garnett — Water Board and Public Works. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The mayor declared the appointments were approved.

The mayor opened the floor for public comments from the audience.
Resident Dennis Dryer was recognized, and complimented Chief Buckner on the Fire Department’s efforts and diligence in bringing the ISO rating down. Mr. Dryer stated that he is a former firefighter, and this is quite an accomplishment.

Mayor Statum then asked the council individually if anyone had anything to add:

Keith Clay congratulated the clerk on her graduation and certification again and recommended a step raise for her due to her certification, and asked for it to be on the next agenda. The council members were all in agreement.

Jennifer McGriff thanked the Chiefs and first responders for all their efforts.

Joseph Hutchins had nothing more

Shane Hamm invited everyone to the Etowah County Basketball Tournament at the Competition Gym.

Danny Garnett stated that after the recent water board meeting and work session, there were several things in the works, and he would be reporting on these items once they are finalized with the water board.

Mayor Statum thanked everyone for their attendance.

The mayor made the following announcements:

• The Next Planning Commission Meeting will be held on February 9, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. This is a new time.
• The next Regular Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2026, in Council Chambers at 5:00 p.m.
• City Hall will be closed Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of the MLK/Robert E Lee Holiday
• There will be a “Breakfast with Joey” for Veterans on February 9, at 7:30 A.M. at the Community Center
• The mayor gave a “hats off” to administrative assistant, Mackenzie Brown, for her efforts in setting up the breakfasts for the various groups, as well as local business owners for their help with sponsorships.
• There will be a “Breakfast with Joey” for business owners on February 16, at 7:30 A.M., at the Community Center
• There will be a Town Hall Meeting, February 23 from 5:30-6:30 P.M. at the Community Center