February 12, 2026

Council Meeting Minutes 01-27-2026

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 27, 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 Councilwoman Jennifer McGriff 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 if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes for the regular council meeting held on January 13, 2026, and, if not, was there a motion to suspend the reading of the minutes and vote to approve them. Keith Clay motioned to approve the minutes, and Danny Garnett seconded the motion. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

The council then entered its work session at 5:03.

Mayor Statum opened the discussion of retention of digital records, citing recent changes to Facebook Policies, which limit the time digital recordings are stored on the platform. He stated that digital recordings of meetings are not required by law, as long as the municipality has the written minutes preserved. However, as a matter of convenience, the council had previously discussed posting digital recordings to YouTube, which currently has no storage limits. He then presented a quote from Watts Technology to facilitate the push of digital records from Facebook Live to YouTube, as well as to fine-tune the sound system in the council chambers, which still has several issues with volume and microphone issues. The mayor stated that Watts had recently visited and made adjustments to the system at no charge, citing a noticeable improvement in sound this week. He is presenting the quote to the council to get their feedback and possible approval to execute a contract for the quoted amount of $1200. There was a discussion of the pros and cons of involving the original company that installed the sound system. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to add this item to the agenda under new business. Danny Garnett provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The item was added.

Chief Williams of the Southside Police Department addressed the council to inform them that the Police Department would be applying for the annual Etowah County Community Development Grant. Chief Williams explained that the grant request would be for $25,000, which would be used toward the purchase of new APXN70 radios. The P.D. currently uses APX6000 radios, which have poorer coverage and are becoming obsolete. Chief Williams stated that the replacement process would cost over $81,000 and take over 3-4 years to complete, and any funds from the grant during this cycle would fund the start of the replacement. The Chief was making the council aware of the plan.

Mayor Statum gave an update on the comp time situation discussed during a prior work session. He stated that 5 payrolls into the term, progress is being made in reducing both comp time liability, as well as overtime. He said that the staff was all making a conscious effort to manage this.

The mayor then recognized Councilman Joseph Hutchins, who had asked to be on the agenda to present an Ordinance to make the mayor’s position in Southside a full-time position. He stated that this was something the prior administration had discussed and decided to hold off on. Councilman Hutchins cited the city’s growth and the higher demand for a mayor’s full-time presence at city hall to conduct city business, as well as provide a managerial presence to the staff. He mentioned that he had witnessed former Mayor Snyder put full-time hours into the job, and how Mayor Statum is continuing to put in full-time hours plus. He stated that this would not have a financial impact, since the mayor and council salaries can only be changed before a term starts unless the state legislature changes it when the position is made full-time. This Ordinance does not have any language about compensation whatsoever. The Ordinance would have to be approved by the council and then sent to the Legislature to be considered while they are in session, which they currently are until the first of April this year. He stated that this would ensure that the mayor is present and available on a full-time schedule. Councilman Hutchins asked the council for their thoughts. Councilman Hamm stated that he agrees that the mayor is at City Hall from morning until evening every day, and he sees the city moving toward the need for a full-time mayor. His concern is the expedited speed they would have to move at to get it done in this legislative cycle. He stated that there are only 3 municipalities in Etowah County with a full-time mayor, and they are the 3 biggest. Southside is number 4, and he thinks that they should wait another year. Councilman Clay agreed with Councilman Hamm, citing that it is just a title change, and the council has four years to make this change. He stated that he would like to see the budget once the new businesses set to open get up and running before the council makes the mayor position full-time. Councilwoman McGriff said she understood where Councilman Hutchins is coming from with his concerns regarding the next mayor elected, maybe treating this as a one-hour-a-day part-time job, but she knows Mayor Statum is not doing that, and will continue to put in the effort throughout his term. She was in agreement with Mr. Hamm and Mr. Clay on waiting to make the change. Councilman Garnett agrees with Councilman Hutchins and does not think the council should wait to make the change until closer to the next election. He thinks this could be handled at this time in an orderly fashion, and he thinks upcoming new revenues would make the full-time compensation increase for the next term affordable. There was more discussion of compensation and time investment. There was no motion to move forward with this Ordinance.

Mayor Statum then informed the council that there will be a need for a budget amendment coming up pertaining to the annual sponsorship of the Southside Athletic Foundation. The mayor explained that this has previously been a yearly $25,000 sponsorship, and was invoiced that way; however, during the course of the year last year, the athletic foundation installed a jumbotron, and the city committed to advertising on the board. This is an additional $5,000/year, which was not budgeted. The invoice from the athletic foundation has arrived, and it is for the combined amount of $30,000, and the mayor has put this item on Old Business for a council approval vote. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to add the amendment to old business, and Danny Garnett provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The item was added.

The mayor addressed the council regarding a sales tax situation with the now City-Owned property that will be Johnson’s. Mayor Statum stated that when the purchase contract was executed, the city was given a credit for property taxes. Now, even though the city does not pay property taxes, the taxes on the property are due. Since they are in arrears, the city is responsible for paying the taxes this year for the prior year. He also stated that the property was originally one parcel, which was split during the sale, so Finance Director Pylant will have to go to the courthouse to determine the actual tax liability for the city’s part of the parcel. The mayor asked if the council had any questions; they did not, and all were in agreement to handle the taxes.

The mayor presented an issue that occurred over the weekend for council consideration. He stated that the library has 2 heating units that are approximately 12 years old, and their heat exchange went out this past weekend. The units were blowing CO2 into the building, and had to be turned off. It was recommended by Childress Heating and Cooling that the units be replaced due to their age. The life expectancy of the units is 12-15 years. It would be a 12,000 fix to make repairs on the units, and total replacement of both is $23,452. He stated that he had consulted with Director Pylant, and the replacements could be purchased without accessing any emergency funds. He also said it would be a week to 10 days before the new units could be installed due to the need for modifications to make them conducive to the setup already in place. The community center unit is working, but the restrooms, kitchen, and library are unheated. The library staff is currently doing curbside pick-ups for residents trying to check out library materials. The mayor asked the council what its preference was in this situation. Councilman Garnett said there was no sense in wasting money to repair units that old, and he is in favor of the replacement with a warranty. Shane Hamm made a motion to add this item to new business. Jennifer McGriff provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The item was added.

The work session concluded at 5:40 p.m.

Old Business:

An Ordinance for Lost and Stolen Property was presented for a vote. The first read had been at the January 13 regular council meeting. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Ordinance. Keith Clay provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The Ordinance was approved.

New community center rental rates had been presented at the January 13 regular council meeting, and Mayor Statum now presented them for an approval vote. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the new rates. Jennifer McGriff provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The rates were approved.

The next item was added from the work session, which was the amendment to the Athletic Foundation Sponsorship payment. Danny Garnett made a motion to approve the combined payment, and Shane Hamm provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The amendment was approved

New Business:

A Resolution was presented to approve Mayor Statum to enter into a paving contract with Vulcan Materials off the county bid list for the 2026 paving project for $1,791,389.00. This will give the mayor the ability to execute the contract at the current bid price. Councilman Clay stated that after meeting with the City Engineer and the Public Works Director, he, Councilman Garnett, and Mayor Statum are working on a plan to address drainage issues within the city on alternate years from the paving years, which is every other year. Keith Clay made a motion to approve the mayor to execute the paving contract. Danny Garnett provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The Resolution was approved.

A $1200.00 quote was presented for approval from Watts Technology for the audio setup improvement/ YouTube setup in the council chambers. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the mayor to execute a contract for the service. Danny Garnett provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The contract was approved.

The Mayor presented the heater replacement at the library for council approval. Danny Garnett made a motion to approve the replacement of the two broken heating units at the library. Keith Clay provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The replacement was approved.

The mayor informed the audience that once closing comments were delivered, he and the council, along with the attorney, and Thomas Hunt would adjourn to the conference room for an Executive Session regarding ongoing litigation, then Mr. Hunt would be dismissed, and the mayor, council, and attorney would discuss economic development.

The council was then recognized individually for comments:

Keith Clay stated that he had requested a step raise for the clerk be placed on the agenda, and requested it be on the next agenda.

Jennifer McGriff thanked the mayor for the job he is doing

Joseph Hutchins asked the council for their input on a date for the annual city-wide clean-up day. He stated that there is a potential sponsor for the event. He is tentatively looking at March 6.

Shane Hamm stated that the mayor and several council members had been in Montgomery this past week for Alabama League of Municipalities meetings/classes. He said they would be attending their convention later in the spring, as well as going to Washington, D.C., for activities. He said that Southside is moving forward, and it is an exciting time.

Danny Garnett agreed that the League of Municipalities meetings were good. There were over 300 municipal officials there, and it was an opportunity to exchange ideas and meet with legislators. He said that the council is looking at the roads/paving from every angle, and any opportunity to widen any of them that arises, they will take.

Mayor Statum reiterated that any opportunity to widen any roads that arise, without getting on residents’ property, will be taken. He explained the high-visibility striping that will be added after the paving.

The mayor then asked Finance Director Nickie Pylant to take a couple of minutes to discuss the financial report. She explained the summary sheets that the council had been provided in their packets. She stated that out of the total revenue budget, the city’s revenue is currently at 28% of the total budget. On expenditures, the city is at 16%, which is way under expectations. She explained that a lot of high-revenue items will hit in January, so the revenues should jump. She encouraged the council to look over the reports and give her a call about anything that caught their eyes.

The mayor stated that the city is in good financial shape and should continue to get better.
The mayor made the following announcements:

• The Next Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2026, in Council Chambers at 5:30
• The next Regular Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in Council Chambers at 5:00
• There will be a “Breakfast with Joey” for Veterans on February 9, at 7:30 A.M. at the Community Center
• 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

Attorney James Shelnutt certified that both reasons for the executive session were qualifying reasons.
Danny Garnett made a motion to adjourn to executive session; Keith Clay provided a second. The Roll Call vote was all ayes.