February 25, 2026

Council Meeting Minutes 02-10-2026

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, February 10, 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 Joseph Hutchins leading the prayer.

The following were present: Mayor Joey Statum, Council Members: Keith Clay, Joseph Hutchins, Shane Hamm, and Danny Garnett. Councilwoman Jennifer McGriff was not in attendance. With a quorum present, the meeting was called to order for business transactions.

Mayor Statum welcomed the Facebook live audience and stated that the meetings are now being pushed onto YouTube as well. They will be accessible to watch on YouTube at any time. He also explained that Councilwoman Jennifer McGriff was not in attendance due to an obligation with her full-time job.

Mayor Statum then asked the council if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes for the regular council meeting held on January 27, 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 Mayor then stated that February would be proclaimed American Heart Month in the City of Southside, as it is in several municipalities nationally in coordination with the American Heart Association. He then asked the City Clerk to read the formal proclamation.

Mayor Statum asked Public Safety/SRO Director Thomas Hunt to present some Recognitions for the City.
Mr. Hunt presented a plaque for the 2025 Gold Award for risk management from the Alabama Municipal Workers Compensation Fund to the City of Southside. Mr. Hunt explained that this award was due to the diligence of the city employees in keeping workers’ compensation occurrences under 5% for 2025. He stated that the city had previously held a “silver” status, and congratulated the employees on achieving the “gold” award. Mr. Hunt then recognized Police Chief Jarrett Williams, Police Captain Clay Johnson, and Police Lieutenant Jason Patty for graduating from Southeastern Law Enforcement Command College at Jacksonville State University last week.

The council then entered its work session at 5:10.

Chief Williams was first on the agenda with the Police Department Monthly Report for January. The Chief stated that the Police Department had 304 calls for service, 34 animal control calls, 499 traffic stops, 51 reports, 7 motor vehicle accidents, 217 citations, 269 warnings, 20 arrests, 2 drug cases, 1 DUI arrest for January. He also reiterated that the Command Staff graduated from the Southeastern Leadership Command College at JSU, an intensive 9-week training program for law enforcement leaders.

Thomas Hunt gave the Fire Department Monthly Report in the absence of Chief Wade Buckner, who was unable to be in attendance. The Fire Department responded to 119 incidents, 75 of which were EMS calls, 5 fires, and 39 other types of calls, with an average response time of 4:22 minutes for January.

The next agenda was a Nuisance/Abatement issue, which has now been resolved. The item was tabled.

Mayor Statum presented a request for sponsorship from the Barrie Center for their annual “Pinwheels for Prevention.” A campaign to create awareness related to child abuse. The mayor explained that the sponsorship provides a “pinwheel garden” to be planted in a highly visible area to show support for the cause. He suggested the council sponsor 2 pinwheel gardens to be placed around the digital sign in front of city hall, which would be a $200.00 sponsorship. He reminded the council that the city usually participates, and there is money budgeted for the Barrie Center. The mayor advised the council to consider this, and this item would be on the next meeting agenda for a vote.

The mayor explained that the Alabama League of Municipalities convention would be held April 28-May 1 in Montgomery, with the annual business meeting to be held on April 30. The City of Southside, as a member of the League, is required to submit a voting delegate, who will be in attendance, to cast its vote. The form also requires the city to submit both a 1st and 2nd alternate to be the voting delegate in the event the delegate is unable to fulfill their obligation. He asked the council to discuss, and this would be added to the next meeting agenda. The council suggested putting names in a hat and drawing out 2 names for the first and second alternates.

The mayor presented the annual Land Lease that the City has with Donald Sewell Farms for commodity farming on the 35.94 acres of city-owned property at the corner of Hood Road and Parker-Anderson Lane. Sewell Farms maintains the property and its rights of way in exchange for use of the property for commodity farming. The lease runs from April 1 to December 31 annually. The mayor asked the council if this is an arrangement that they wish to continue, and asked for a discussion. The council was all favorable to continue the arrangement, and this item will be placed on the next agenda for a vote.

An item was presented for immediate consideration tonight, due to time being a factor in its execution. The recent purchase of 2 5-ton 14 seer American Standard Gas Pack HVAC units for the Southside Public Library comes with a 1-year warranty on parts, labor, and 5 years on the compressor. Childress Heating and Cooling has submitted a proposal for the purchase of an extended warranty, which would extend this to a 10-year warranty on the new units. The cost of the warranty for both units would be $4608.00, which Mayor Statum explained could be funded with the purchase of the units themselves. The council discussed the longevity of the life of the units and decided it was a wise decision to vote on this item tonight.

The need for a WIFI thermostat with 3 remote sensors in the Community Center/Library was presented. There is an issue with the distribution of heat and air with the current thermostat situation, and locations of the returns, where the kitchen area and restrooms are not receiving heat in winter, and air in summer. The proposed installation of a WIFI thermostat with the remote sensors would cause the units to produce a more even airflow within the building at the appropriate times. Childress Heating and Cooling has proposed to install the new thermostat and sensors for $761.88. The council was fine with this item being for immediate consideration.

NEW BUSINESS:

A Resolution was presented to approve the purchase of an extended warranty for the HVAC units at the library. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution; Danny Garnett provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye—all ayes. The motion carried.

A Resolution was presented to approve the installation of a WIFI thermostat and 3 remote sensors in the Community Center/Library by Childress Heating and Cooling. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution. Shane Hamm provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye—all ayes. The motion carried.

The mayor then asked the council individually if they had any comments:

Keith Clay: Congratulated the Police Department on their graduation

Joseph Hutchins had none
Shane Hamm: Congratulated the Police Department

Danny Garnett: Congratulated the Police Department

Mayor Statum congratulated the Police Department and thanked them for their commitment to service. He then gave the following updates:

• March 6 will be the Annual Community-Wide Clean-Up Day. Joseph Hutchins will be organizing, and there will be more details to come. Everyone is encouraged to participate and pass the word

• The Tennis/Pickleball project is moving forward. The Board of Education has approved Dr. Alan Cosby to transfer the property behind the competition gym to the City of Southside. Once this is through the BOE attorneys, the mayor will sign the contract and move forward with engineering and design for the project.
• The pedestrian safety/lighting project is supposed to start this spring, and hopefully will be completed in the summer. This is for lighting in the area of the competition gym and pedestrian walkways, which will slow traffic considerably in this area.
• Johnson’s is expected to open in March. They have had a slight delay from their original February goal.
• Waffle House is planning to break ground in May. All permits are purchased, and they are ready to start.
• The new EyeCare office is scheduled to open in March.
• Dollar General located across from Southside Elementary will be transitioned to a Dollar General Market. It will not change in size, but will have additional items.
• AlabamaOne Credit Union is scheduled to open on April 1.
• 4 Points Venue is having a Grand Opening on February 23, @ 5:00 P.M. The City of Southside will then be using the venue to have its “Town Hall Meeting” from 5:30 to 6:30 that evening.
• As of just a few hours ago the bridge update: Last Monday, ALDOT received 3 million dollars in funding toward the “Coosa Bridge” from Congress: 2 million from Senator Britt, and 1 million from Senator Tuberville. ALDOT showed up today at the Water Board, and the Water Board has to start moving all the water lines, etc away from where the bridge will be located. All Utilities are supposed to be moved starting in July. The plan is to let bids on the bridge in September. The mayor said this is going to take time and patience, but the change will be good.
• The Next Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 9, 2026, in Council Chambers at 5:30
• The next Regular Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in Council Chambers at 5:00
• There will be a “Breakfast with Joey” for business owners on February 16, at 7:30 A.M., at the Community Center, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
• There will be a Town Hall Meeting, February 23 from 5:30-6:30 P.M. at Four Points Venue

Danny Garnett made a motion to adjourn; Shane Hamm provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye—all ayes. The motion carried.