January 29, 2025

Council Meeting Minutes 01-14-2025

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 Hall on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. 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 5:00 p.m., with Councilman Danny Garnett leading in prayer.

The following council members were present: Mayor Dana Snyder, Council Members: Keith Clay, Danny Garnett, John Hatley, Don Steward, and Joseph Hutchins. With a quorum being present, the meeting was opened for business transactions.

Mayor Snyder asked the council if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes for the regular council meeting held on December 19, 2024. Don Steward motioned to approve the minutes, and Danny Garnett provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion was approved

The first item of business was moved up on the agenda. The Southside High School Competition Cheer Team had requested to be on the agenda to address the council and was also scheduled to be cheering at a basketball game. Mayor Snyder moved them up to the first item, to help accommodate their time constraints. The mayor asked a representative from the team to take the podium to address the council. Addison Claire Hassell addressed the mayor and council on behalf of the team. She stated that the 2024-25 Southside High Competition Cheer squad would be competing at the UCA national cheerleading championships in February at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The team had received a bid to Nationals by finishing 4th at a regional competition in Sevierville, TN. They were requesting support from the City of Southside to help with travel expenses. The council clarified that the squad would be representing Southside High School, and the community as ambassadors for the community. Don Steward made a motion to provide the cheer squad with $750 in support toward the trip. Joseph Hutchins provided a second The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion was approved.

Mayor Snyder then Recognized January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. She read a proclamation from the Mayor and Council of the City of Southside making this declaration for the City of Southside. The mayor and council then took a photograph with the proclamation to be sent to the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families to be posted on their Social Media Accounts to acknowledge the City of Southside’s participation.

Mayor Snyder then called Chief of Police, Jarrett Williams to the podium for a presentation. Chief Williams then recognized Officer Brent Whisenant as the 2024 Officer of the Quarter for the 4th Quarter, and Investigator, Zach Burrage as the 2024 Officer of the Year for the Department. Chief Williams stated that both Officer Whisenant, and Investigator Burrage were exemplary Police Officers, and both were willing to go the extra mile, above and beyond in the performance of their duties. The Officers then had photographs made with Chief Williams and the Mayor and Council

Resident Lesli Bishop, had submitted a request to address the council. Ms. Bishop took the podium and stated that she has recently moved to Bohannon Road, where she and her husband plan to build a new home. She stated that Bohannon Road is in a state of horrible repair, specifically with large potholes. She stated that there are six families, with 14 residents living on this road, and they had just recently discovered that Bohannon Road is a private road. They would like to request that it be deemed a public road. She stated that previously the city had filled the potholes, but it had been several years, due to it being considered private property. Mayor Snyder stated that it is a private road, but there are homes on the road, which are serviced by the postal service, Southside Water, and Southside Sanitation. The potholes are bad enough that they are causing wear and tear on the city’s garbage trucks, the postal vehicles, and the Water Board vehicles. The road is tar and gravel, and has never been accepted as a city-owned street, and has never been presented for consideration as such. City Employee Stephen Barnard, who was in attendance, stated that the road is in ill repair, and yes, the city had previously filled potholes on the road, to lessen damage to the City and Postal vehicles that travel the road. City Attorney, Richard Rhea, stated that it would be necessary to discover who the actual owner of the property is, or is deemed a public right of way, and the actual owner of the property would have to petition the council to deem the road public before it could even come under consideration to become a city street. The City of Southside does have a written process under which a road may become a city street, so an investigation into actual property ownership and rights of way is necessary. Counsellor Rhea stated that the road can certainly be considered a public thoroughfare, while not being a City-owned street. Mayor Snyder stated that she would ask city engineer Kevin Ashley to look into the condition of the road and look into ownership to see where to begin. The mayor then asked the council if they would like for the city to look into filling current potholes since city vehicles are having to travel the road. City Attorney Rhea stated that there was sufficient evidence that the road is indeed a public thoroughfare, therefore it is certainly permissible to use public funds to fill the potholes to improve conditions on a road traveled by city and other government entity vehicles. Don Steward made a motion to allow city workers and supplies to fill the potholes. Joseph Hutchins provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES The motion was approved. The council decided to look into ownership as well.

The next item on the agenda was the Annual Expenditure Report of the Rebuild Alabama Act Fund. The yearly presentation of this report is a requirement of the Rebuild Alabama Act. Mayor Snyder read the following: The 2024 Street Paving Project’s total cost was $1,142,956.57. Rebuild Alabama Funds dispersed toward this project were $250,000.00. The project’s status is complete, and the balance in the Rebuild Alabama Fund for the City of Southside as of December 31, 2024, is $115,315.79.

Resolutions were presented allowing the following departments to apply for Etowah County Community Development Grants for department-specific items. The Police Department is applying for funding to purchase 2 drones for law enforcement use in critical incidents. Parks and Recreation is asking to apply for funding for a new P.A. system for Southside Community Center. Chief Buckner stated that the Fire Dept was originally going to apply for funding for a drone as well, but after a discussion with Chief Williams, there was no need for Fire to have drones, if the Police already had them. The Fire Department is asking for funding toward the replacement of their more than 20-year-old rescue boat. He expects, if awarded, the grant would only provide partial funding of the total cost, and the remainder would be provided from the Fire Fund. The library is applying for funding for 2 children’s bookshelves, and Public Works is applying for funding to cover a portable generator and air compressor. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolutions. A second was made by Don Steward. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolutions were all approved.

A Resolution was presented to approve the re-appointment of Kevin Holyfield to the Zoning Board of Adjustments. Mr. Holyfield was appointed on May 14, 2024, to complete the term vacated due to Dan Childs resigning to take a seat on the Water Board. That term expired on January 14, 2025. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution, Don Steward made the second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

A Resolution was presented to approve Acting City Clerk, Cindy Beshears travel to attend the Spring Municipal Clerk’s Institute in Tuscaloosa March 5-7. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution, Keith Clay provided the second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

Mayor Snyder asked if anyone in attendance had any comments.

Mayor Snyder asked the council if anyone had any comments.

Mayor Snyder made the following announcements:

The Next City Council Meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2025, at 5:00 in council chambers.
The next Planning Commission is scheduled for February 10, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. in council chambers.

Don Steward made a motion to adjourn, Joseph Hutchins made a second. The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.