April 24, 2024

Council Meeting Minutes 04-09-24

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, April 9, 2024. 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 Keith Clay leading in prayer.

The following council members were present: Mayor Dana Snyder, Council Members: John Hatley, Don Steward, Keith Clay, and Danny Garnett. Joseph Hutchins was not present. With a quorum being present, the meeting was opened for the transaction of business.

Mayor Snyder inquired of the council if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes from the regular council meeting held on March, 26, 2024. A motion was made by Don Steward to approve the minutes as presented. A second of the motion to approve was made by Danny Garnett. Roll call vote: ALL AYES. The motion carried unanimously.

The Mayor then introduced Mike Sewell, from McClure, Sewell, Johnson Associates to present the preliminary draft of the City of Southside Financial Audit for FY 2022-2023 to the council. Mr. Sewell explained that this was just a draft, which is just like the normal annual financial statement usually delivered. However, because of the involvement of Federal funds secured for the construction of the fire station, the City will have to have a more detailed audit called a “single audit” which is a more intense “deeper dive” audit. Mr. Sewell stated that after the single audit is completed, there will be a final financial report issued. He went on to explain different areas of the draft, and reiterated that governmental accounting is different from cost accounting that most people are accustomed to. Mr. Sewell stated that in spite of some anomalies due to timing of the Fire Station loan, the city has a positive cash balance, and experienced a positive change for the year.

Mayor Snyder then stated that she and the council had some proclamations to present;

The first proclamation was to declare April as Autism Awareness Month in the City of Southside. Special speaker Mrs., Momta Mishra gave a presentation about her personal Autism journey, the book she has authored on the subject, and invited everyone to attend the 3rd annual Autism Spectrum Conference at the Venue in Gadsden Saturday, April 20. Mrs. Mishra thanked the Mayor and Council for promoting Autism Awareness, as well as the citizens of Southside. The mayor then had the clerk to read the proclamation.

The second proclamation was to declare April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Southside as well. The mayor then recognized Mrs. Patricia Falcon, Executive Director of the James Barrie Center for Children, and Robyn Phillips, Community Outreach Advocate of the Center. Ms. Falcon then explained that the Barrie Center is the child advocacy center for the children of Etowah County, and described the various services the Barrie Center provides for Etowah County. She spoke of the many types of needs that the Barrie Center is tasked with addressing, as well as their partnerships with local law enforcement agencies and schools. She expressed her appreciation, and the Barrie Center’s appreciation to the Mayor, Council, and the City of Southside for their support, as well as recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month. The mayor then asked the clerk to read the Proclamation

Mrs. Mishra then had a picture with the Mayor and Council accepting the proclamation, as did Mrs. Falcon and Mrs. Phillips.

The Mayor then recognized Chief of Police Jarrett Williams, who presented the “Officer of the Quarter” awards for the City of Southside Police, selected by the command staff. Those Officers were: Officer Logan Lafollette, Sargeant Brandon Guffey, and Sargeant Jagger Nance. Chief Williams then recognized the promotion of Officer Conner Vervynckt to the rank of Sargeant, and presented him with his Sargeant’s badge.

Next was Vice President Josh Ashley and Director of Football Operations, Scott Mayo from Southside Athletic Foundation, who were on the agenda by request. The Athletic Foundation wanted to express their gratitude to the Mayor and Council, The City of Southside, and the Etowah County Board of Education for partnering together to pave the parking lot between City Hall and the Community Center, which is used for parking at athletic functions of Southside High School. Mr. Ashley then introduced new Southside High School head football coach, Ben Stewart, who addressed the meeting, gave a brief run down of his background, and expressed his excitement about being in The City of Southside, how impressed he was with the community, and his excitement for the upcoming Football Season. Mayor Snyder and the Council got a picture with Coach Stewart, Mr. Ashley, and Mr. Mayo, as they presented them with the City of Southside’s Annual Sponsorship of the Southside Athletic Foundation.

A Resolution was presented for approve application of the 2024 Recycling Grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Acting City Clerk, Cindy Beshears then explained that the City of Southside had received this grant in 2023, and it was how the city had been able to place trailers for cardboard recycling in the city. She stated that the goal for the 2024 grant, if awarded, was to purchase the City of Southside its own cardboard bailer, and hopefully, enclose an area of the City Shop to house it. Don Steward made a motion to approve the Grant application, Keith Clay provided a second. Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried

A Resolution was presented to approve the Chief of Police to apply for a 2024 ADECA Homeland Security Grant. Chief Williams explained that this grant would be used to fund a mobile surveillance camera trailer, similar to the one currently on loan from Alabama Power, which is parked at Southside Landing. Chief Williams stated that it could be used at any City Event for both investigative purposes, as well as a deterrent. Don Steward made a motion to approve the Resolution. Danny Garnett provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

A Resolution was presented to approve the City of Southside Public Library to apply for a 2024 LSTA Library Grant. Mayor Snyder stated that this is a $10,000 grant which requires a $2500 match from the City. If awarded, it would be used to fund the summer reading program. Danny Garnett made a motion to approve the Resolution. Keith Clay provided a second. Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

A Resolution was presented to approve an agreement with ABS for a printer/copier and service for Fire Station 1. Chief Wade Buckner explained that this would be a 3-year agreement, with a purchase option at that point for $1.00. Don Steward made a motion to approve the Resolution. John Hatley provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

Chief Buckner gave an update on the Fire Station progress, and announced that the city-owned ambulance had successfully made its first transport.

The Mayor then asked each council member individually if they had anything to add. Councilman Steward asked about the new sound system for the council chambers, which Chief Buckner and Councilman Garnett had gotten 3 quotes for. The Mayor stated that this was an item on the list for the upcoming work session, and asked if the council would like to add it to the agenda and bring it to a vote. All agreed to do so. Don Steward made a motion to approve a quote from Network Solutions in the amount of $11,526.10, which was the least of the 3 quotes. Danny Garnett seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

Mayor Snyder then made the following announcements:

The next Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2024 beginning at 6:00 P.M. in council chambers at City of Southside City Hall.

The Next City Council Meeting will be held Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. in council chambers at the City of Southside City Hall.

With no other business to discuss the mayor asked if there was a motion to dismiss. Don Steward made the motion to dismiss. Keith Clay seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 5:56p.m.