March 12, 2025

Council Meeting Minutes 02-11-2025

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, February 11, 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 John Hatley leading in prayer.

The following council members were present: Mayor Dana Snyder, council members: Keith Clay, Danny Garnett, John Hatley, Joseph Hutchins, and Don Steward. With a quorum 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 January 28, 2025. Don Steward motioned to approve the minutes, and Joseph Hutchins provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion was approved

The first item of business was the Recognition of Zac West and the Southside Panther Youth Wrestling Club and Coaches, who had placed 6th out of 56 teams in the state at the state tournament. The wrestlers and coaches stood with the mayor and council for recognition and photographs were taken.

Mayor Snyder then recognized resident, James Davis, who had painted the new mural on the wall in the council chambers. Mr. Davis was in attendance and stood for recognition.

The following were on the agenda to address the Mayor and Council per their Request to be on the agenda:

Resident, Mr. Bill LeBouf explained that he was representing the Coosa Dinkers local Pickleball club, which had several members in the audience as well. Mr. LeBouf stated that he and many of the club members are Southside Residents, and they were in attendance to voice the need for the community to have pickleball courts and support the city’s long-range plans for pickleball courts as part of the park expansion project. He explained the benefits of pickleball for individuals, as well as the potential benefits of tournament and league pickleball as revenue producers for the city. He cited the lack of courts vs. the interest in the sport. Councilman Steward responded that the biggest hurdle for the courts to move forward was to be able to relocate the youth practice fields to the proposed expansion area at Hood Road Park and free up the proposed space for Pickleball courts behind City Hall. Mr. LeBouf and the club encouraged the council to press forward to bring pickleball courts to Southside.

Resident Brian Nunnelee had requested to address the council to give an update on planning progress for the possible upcoming Southside Car Show and Cityfest in May. Mr. Nunnelee also introduced his partner in spearheading the event, Joey Jones, and Aiden Beck, last year’s beneficiary of the car show. He said the car show planning was pretty much complete, he just needed the city to get involved with entertainment planning. Mr. Nunnelee said the school was on board with allowing the use of the football field and practice fields/parking lots, Southside Principal, Julie Tucker, who was in attendance, stated that the agreement was at the Board of Education, waiting to be signed. Mr. Nunnelee said that he has been in contact with agents for entertainers, and needed to nail down sponsors, etc. for funding the entertainment, clean-up costs, and children’s entertainment features. There was discussion of the city soliciting sponsorships, and the need for a meeting to plan. Mayor Snyder suggested a work session in the upcoming week for planning, and Aiden Beck presented the mayor and council with “TEAM AIDEN” bracelets.

The meeting then moved into the work-session portion of the agenda at 5:25

1. Discussion of the financial policies of the city. A draft of potential financial policies for the City of Southside had been presented to the council for inspection and input in December. Examples of financial policies of other municipalities were sent out in January for examination. Mayor Snyder stated that council input was needed on these policies. She stated that several items mentioned in other meetings were included in these policies, and the auditors would be consulted regarding the exact verbiage needed to make the policies satisfactory in establishing a “Reserve Fund” for auditing purposes. There was a discussion of the need to adopt the policies as an Ordinance to change the responsibility of financial reports to the finance director. The council discussed several sections of the policy and received clarification of some of the terminology from Finance Director, Nickie Pylant. The mayor stated that the final draft of the policies should be ready for approval at the next council meeting.

2. The next item was a discussion of adjustments to the salaries of the Mayor/Council. Any change made would apply to the Next elected Mayor and Council but must be passed no later than February 26, 2025, to take effect in November 2025. Councilman Steward had requested this to be on the agenda. He explained that the current salary Ordinance includes pay increase incentives for the Mayor and Council members to become Certified Municipal Officials through the Alabama League of Municipalities, and reach higher levels of certification. The state legislature has recently passed legislation to make the certifications a requirement, so the incentives should no longer be a way to obtain increases in their compensation from the base salaries, which have not been changed since 2016. Currently, the Council is paid 500.00/month base, with a 100.00 increase for the first certification, and an additional 50.00 increase for the additional certifications. The mayor is 2000.00/month, with the same incentives for certification. Councilman Steward suggested 850.00 flat for the Council and suggested that the mayor’s position be made full-time. He stated that reimbursement policies need to be put in writing regarding travel and expenses incurred while on city business. Councilman Steward stated that the mayor’s compensation could be changed in several different ways, even the inclusion of health insurance. He also stated that to make the mayor’s position full-time, it would have to be decided very quickly because it has to go before this session of the state legislature for approval. Councilman Garnett reiterated the February 26 deadline to change the salary, suggested a 30% increase, and still give the incentive for certification, and stated the mayor/council salaries had not been increased in twenty years. There was a discussion of revenues and the population of comparable cities. He also requested that it be noted again that the mayor’s position is part-time, and there was discussion of the fact that only the State of Alabama Legislature can make it full-time, via request of the council. This would need to be conveyed immediately to get it in this legislative session. He also mentioned comparisons to salaries of elected officials of other municipalities of like population, and the various revenues of those cities compared to Southside. Councilman Clay agreed that an increase was warranted, and recommended that it be at the flat 30% rate. Councilman Hutchins reiterated that the mayor needs to put time in to achieve the goals of the city, and the pay needs to reflect the effort needed. There was discussion of a flat rate 35% increase across the board for the next mayor and council. Councilman Steward asked the council to look at other cities in depth and be prepared to discuss them at the next council meeting, with a draft to be prepared to vote on at the next meeting to meet the deadline for approval

3. A request for a transfer of alcohol license was presented from Southside Shell Food Mart to Southside Shell Food and Fuel, Inc. due to a change of ownership, and subsequent name change. The ABC Board has already granted a temporary license, since the new owners have existing licenses, they are just waiting on approval from the city council to grant a permanent license. This item was added to the council meeting agenda for a vote.

4. A Resolution was presented for discussion, regarding approval of amendment #1 to the Engineering Services Agreement, relative to the original engineering agreement for the ALDOT TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) Grant sidewalk project to connect Southside High School to the competition gym/football field/community center. This grant was accepted on November 28, 2023, in Resolution 0-085-2023. The engineered plan was discussed at a Public Hearing held at the Planning Commission meeting on January 13, 2025. The amendment is in response to changes suggested by the council and residents attending the hearing. The cost of the amendment would be $12,600.00 for additional engineering and an estimated $8500.00 (based on hourly rate) for easement acquisition assistance. There was an explanation of the proposed changes, moving the crosswalk to the competition gym/fieldhouse area, with the remainder of the sidewalk project to be painted across the already paved parking lot to the community center. This would again decrease the total cost of the project. Councilman Clay expressed his disagreement with the project from a safety standpoint, due to its promoting students walking beside a busy street, heavily driven by young drivers, and does not agree with putting any more funding toward the project. Mayor Snyder stated that the grant is 80% ALDOT 20% City funded, and the grant has already been accepted. Councilman Hutchins explained that the cost of the project has already decreased from the original estimated cost which was over one million dollars to approximately $600,000. Councilman Hatley asked about the private easement acquisition. Councilman Garnett expressed concern regarding easement acquisition, and concern with the placement of the sidewalk. Mayor Snyder stated that the engineering needed to be complete before conversations with any residents who were resistant to grant easements could be conducted. There has already been a letter sent out requesting an easement be granted by the affected residents, with one already signed and returned. There was a discussion of possibly focusing this project on safety at the end of the project near Highway 77. There was the explanation that the new engineering addressed these areas in closer detail. It was mentioned that there would be a possible opportunity to apply for an additional grant to fund lighting for the area around the competition gym/football field/fieldhouse area, as well as down School Drive. Josh Ashley, with the Southside Athletic Foundation, asked to address the council and voiced his support for the sidewalk, and his opinion of its benefits. School Drive Resident, Jason Hall asked to address the Council. Mr. Hall spoke of the number of kids he sees walking on School Drive, and voiced his support for the sidewalk, even though it will directly affect his property. Councilman Hutchins discussed the plan to eventually build pickleball courts, which would be easily accessed by the sidewalk, and the asset it would be for the 2 annual parades held in Southside.

5. A Resolution was presented for discussion by Finance Director, Nickie Pylant to agree with The SpyGlass Group, LLC. For a no-cost internal cost reduction analysis. Director Pylant explained that SpyGlass looks into municipalities’ phone services, mobile carriers, data providers, and other services to find over-payment for tariffs, taxes, franchise fees, etc., which have already been paid. Once the amount that could be recovered is determined, the Council would then need to approve for them to carry out the fund recovery process. If the council chose to proceed, the total recovery amount would be paid to the city, who would then submit half of the amount to SpyGlass as their recovery fee. SpyGlass would receive no fees unless the Council deems it worthwhile.

The Work Session was concluded at 6:45 P.M.

The Regular Council Meeting Began Immediately Following the Work Session

NEW BUSINESS:

Financial Policies of the City were on the agenda and were discussed in the work session. They should be amended and presented again at the next council meeting.

The Ordinance to change Mayor/Council salaries for the next term was on the agenda and was discussed in the work session. This Ordinance will be presented at the next council meeting.

Application for approval of the alcohol sales licenses for Southside Shell Food and Fuel, Inc. was presented. This is due to a change of ownership and would be a transfer of the current license held by Southside Foodmart. Shell is currently operating under a temporary license from the ABC Board, awaiting Council approval. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the license, Don Steward provided a second. Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The application was approved, and a letter will be provided to the ABC Board.

A Resolution was presented to approve Amendment 1 to the engineering proposal for the Sidewalk Project down School Drive to connect Southside High School with the Competition Gym/Football Field/Community Center. This was discussed in depth in the work session. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution. Don Steward provided a second. Roll Call Vote: Clay: NO, Hatley: NO, Hutchins: YES, Steward: YES, Garnett: NO, Snyder: YES

After the vote, there was more discussion of the monies already spent on the engineering for the sidewalk project and reimbursed by the grant, the logistics, and the possibilities of the problems possible through the easement process. There was more discussion of the decrease in cost estimates. Councilman Clay again stated for the record that he did not vote to apply for or accept the grant. Councilman Hutchins again stated that the accepted grant parameters were specifically to connect the High School with the Competition Gym/Fieldhouse/Community Center area, and he feels confident that the parameters could not be altered. Resident Jason Hall was recognized again and expressed his thoughts on the project, Resident Dan Childs was recognized and stated he had been contacted and informed that one School Drive property owner would not grant the easement. Councilman Garnett asked what would be the contingency plan if easements were not all granted, and asked if this new engineering would be strictly concerned with the area from the competition gym to Highway 77, and was answered yes.

Councilman Garnett then made a motion to bring approval for the Resolution for amendment 1 to the engineering proposal back up for consideration. Don Steward seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Clay: NO, Hatley: NO, Hutchins: YES, Steward: YES, Garnett: YES, Snyder: YES. The Resolution was approved.

A motion to reconsider the Resolution to approve Amendment 1 to the engineering proposal for the Sidewalk Project down School Drive to connect Southside High School with the Competition Gym/Football Field/Community Center was made by Joseph Hutchins, a second was provided by Don Steward. The Roll Call Vote was: Clay: NO, Hatley: NO, Hutchins: YES, Steward: YES, Garnett: YES, Snyder: YES, The Resolution was approved.

A Resolution was presented to enter an agreement with SpyGlass Group, LLC for an internal cost reduction analysis to be performed at no cost. Any Costs incurred by the city would be approved by the council if the audit findings prove to be lucrative enough to warrant the 50% cost. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution, Keith Clay provided a second. Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

A Resolution was presented by Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Weldon for a $2500.00 Sponsorship to the Airport Marine High School Fishing Trail for a May 10, 2025 Tournament, and approval to apply for the 2025 Alabama Tourism Department Legislative Event Grant. This is an event the city has previously sponsored and received this grant to sponsor. Don Steward made a motion to approve the Resolution, Joseph Hutchins provided a second. Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved

A Resolution was presented to approve Cindy Beshears to approve the 2025 summer clerk’s conference in Point Clear, which will focus on election preparation. Keith Clay made a motion to approve the Resolution, Don Steward provided a second. The Roll Call Vote Was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

A Resolution was presented to approve Nickie Pylant to approve the 2025 summer clerk’s conference in Point Clear, which will focus on election preparation. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution, Don Steward provided a second. The Roll Call Vote Was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

A Resolution was presented to approve Revenue Officer, Macy Winningham to attend 400 level Revenue Officer’s training virtually via Zoom. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution, and Danny Garnett provided the second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

The mayor asked for comments from the public at this time:
Resident Jason Hall was recognized again and reiterated his support for the sidewalk.
Resident Kevan McGehee was recognized and expressed his thanks to Councilman Hutchins for his work and explanation on the sidewalk project.
Resident Brian Nunnelee was recognized and expressed his opinion on the design changes for the sidewalk process, and making it safer, as well as his support for the sidewalk project, and appreciation to the council for its reconsideration.
Resident James Davis was recognized and expressed his support for the sidewalk project, and made suggestions for safety concerns.
Resident Pam Weeks was recognized and stated that she travels School Drive frequently and feels that there is not enough foot traffic there to warrant the sidewalk project, and she feels it will not be utilized.
Resident Angie Hall was recognized and stated that she has lived on School Drive for 17 years and spoke of the number of kids she sees on School Drive at various times, and the danger involved.
Southside High Student-Athlete, Hayden Hollis was recognized and stated that as a student-athlete at Southside High School, he has stopped and picked up multiple other students walking on School Drive going from the High School to the Field House.
Resident Shane Hamm was recognized and discussed the need for future lighting projects and the possibility of attempting to get it included in this project.

Mayor Snyder then asked the council individually for their comments:

Keith Clay stated that he appreciated all of the residents who were in attendance. He stated that the sidewalk discussion was just differences of opinion, and his concerns were purely from a safety standpoint regarding increasing foot traffic and increasing the chances of someone getting hurt. He would like to see the area near Highway 77 considered as a separate project.

John Hatley would like to see all the preliminary work completed before any more steps are taken toward the sidewalk.

Joseph Hutchins Thanked everyone in attendance

Danny Garnett Thanked everyone in attendance, and stated that it may look like arguing, but was mere professional discussion, showing the council is reasonable, and capable of making changes.

Mayor Snyder congratulated the Southside High School Boys’ wrestling team, who finished 3rd in the 6A-7A Sectional Tournament. 9 wrestlers qualified for the State Tournament to be held this weekend.

Mayor Snyder made the following announcements:

The Next City Council Meeting is scheduled for February 25, 2025, at 5:00 in council chambers.
The next Planning Commission is scheduled for March 10, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. in council chambers.

Keith Clay made a motion to adjourn, and Don Steward made a second. The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m.