April 28, 2026

Council Meeting Minutes 04-14-2026

Agenda

Minutes

CITY OF SOUTHSIDE
COUNTY OF ETOWAH
STATE OF ALABAMA

The City Council of the City of Southside convened for a regular meeting in the Council Chambers at City of Southside City Hall on Tuesday, April 14, 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 and Mayor Joey Statum leading the pledge of allegiance.

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 opened the meeting and stated that the first order of business would be the previously advertised Public Hearing regarding Potential Ordinance 0-003-2026, which would amend section 30-149 of the Code of Southside’s Zoning Ordinance regarding Permitted materials and Building Facades in Zone B-2 Highway Commercial. Mayor Statum declared the Hearing open at 5:03 P.M.
The mayor explained that the amendment would just permit new businesses to have metal sides to businesses as long as they adhered to one of the 3 options added to the Ordinance, which would enhance the aesthetics of a plain metal side wall, and adjusted the language regarding the required elements to the façade of a business located in B-2. He asked if there was anyone in attendance who had any questions or comments. There were none. He then asked the council if any of them had any questions or comments. There were none. He explained that this needed to be taken into consideration immediately because some new businesses were waiting on approval to begin construction. With there being no comments, Mayor Statum declared the Public Hearing closed at 5:10 p.m.
The mayor then asked if there were any corrections or changes to the minutes from the 3-26-2026 Regular Council Meeting. Keith Clay made a motion to suspend the reading of the minutes and accept them as presented. Shane Hamm provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye—all ayes. The minutes were approved.
Proclamations:
The mayor stated that, per Governor Kay Ivy and the Northeast Alabama Association of Realtors, April 2026 is proclaimed Fair Housing Month, commemorating the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
Recognition / Presentations
Mayor Statum recognized Councilwoman McGriff to introduce Ms. Val Goodman, representing the “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” Organization, which has been providing beds to children in need of them since 2019. Ms. Goodman thanked the community for their continued support and explained the importance and benefits of the service the organization provides. She gave statistics and invited everyone to participate in the upcoming Bed Build at Southside High School on April 25. Registration is at 7:30 AM, and the event starts at 8. The goal is 60 beds.
The mayor then recognized Etowah County Board of Education member, Ms. Scarlett Farley, who addressed the Council and audience, explaining that she is a lifelong educator and has served in various roles. She stated that she has been the board representative for District 2 for the last several years and is running for re-election. She then stated that there was more work to be done at the board and asked for everyone’s vote.
The Work Session began at 5:17
• The first item was the monthly report from the Fire Department, which was presented by Public Safety Representative Thomas Hunt. Mr. Hunt gave the Fire Department statistics for different types of calls, and stated that the department’s average response time for the month was 4minutes, 28 seconds. He stated that there was a structure fire on March 17, which resulted in a fatality. It was investigated by the Etowah County Arson Task Force and the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office. They determined that the fire was accidental in nature.
• The next item was the monthly Police Department Report from Police Chief Jarrett Williams. Chief Williams gave the monthly department Stats.
• Mayor Statum presented Ordinance 0-003-2026, amending Zone B-2, to the Council for Discussion. This Ordinance was the subject of the Public Hearing held at the beginning of the Council Meeting. There was no further discussion, and Councilman Joseph Hutchins made a motion to forego a second reading of the Ordinance and add it to the Council agenda for approval tonight. Shane Hamm provided a second. A Roll Call Vote was held, and was unanimous. The Ordinance is added to tonight’s agenda for immediate approval.
• The next item for discussion was a potential amendment of the existing Nuisance/Abatement Ordinance. The mayor explained that there have been several instances in which the nuisance officer sends multiple letters to habitual non-conformers to the current Ordinance, pretty much to no avail. The amendment would provide stiffer penalties and give the Ordinance “more teeth” for enforcement. He stated this is something he would like the council to look into to address in the future.
• A Resolution was presented for discussion by Finance Director/Treasurer, Nickie Pylant. Director Pylant explained that during the City’s annual audit, it was recommended that the Police department have an established bank account for certain deposits that should be separated from the general fund, due to limitations on expenditures from the deposited funds. This would keep these dedicated deposits together and make the management and control processes for the funds more concise. The council did not have any questions for Director Pylant, and this item is on the New Business portion of the agenda for immediate consideration.
• A Resolution was presented by the Mayor for discussion to authorize him to enter an agreement or contract with the Etowah County Sheriff’s Department to provide inmates once monthly for trash pick up detail within the city. Mayor Statum stated that they had already provided this service to the city 2 times, and he is asking the council permission to enter a contract for services to enable him to provide a lunch for the inmates who work on the days the service is provided. The mayor stated that there is a cap of $120.00 per month to provide a meal in the contract and the Resolution. Keith Clay motioned to consider this Resolution as New Business tonight, and Jennifer McGriff provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye—all ayes. The Resolution is on the agenda under New Business.
• A resolution was presented for discussion to authorize Mayor Statum to enter service agreements with Vector Security for service contracts on the 5 existing city properties that currently have Vector camera systems. The mayor explained that the current system is not capable of supporting the number of cameras the city currently utilizes, which has caused system failure, as well as being considered unreliable. There have been multiple service calls for repair at a rate of $200.00 per hour to city systems. After much negotiation with Vector’s owners, the City of Southside will be upgraded to a new commercial-grade system at no charge, and the mayor is requesting council permission to enter into service contracts for each location currently equipped with a Vector monitoring system at a total cost of $513.50 per month. This would cover any time Vector was called out for issues on the new system. The council agreed that this was the better route compared to the previous year’s spending on service calls. Mayor Statum stated that this item is on the agenda under New Business due to time constraints.
The Council convened its Regular Meeting at 5:40 p.m.
OLD BUSINESS
• Cruising for a Cure Sponsorship
Mayor Statum reminded the council that they had discussed a sponsorship request for the “Cruising for a Cure” event. It was noted that the city contributed $1,500 in the previous year. A grant application was submitted by Parks and Recreation Director Michael Weldon for funds to support this event, however the grant was not awarded. The mayor asked the council how they would like to proceed with the request. Danny Garnett made a motion to provide $1500.00 sponsorship for the event again this year, Shane Hamm provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye—all ayes. The motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
• The Ordinance to amend the portion of the Zoning Ordinance about Zone B-2 Highway Commercial, which was added to the agenda by Roll Call Vote during the work session, was presented for approval. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Ordinance; Shane Hamm provided the second. The Roll Call vote was ALL AYES.
• A Resolution to establish a new bank account for designated Police Funds was presented. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution; Jennifer McGriff provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye—all ayes. The Resolution is approved.
• A Resolution authorizing the mayor to enter a contract with Etowah County Sheriff’s Office for a month of way clean up was presented. Keith Clay made a motion to approve the Resolution; Shane Hamm provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye—all ayes. The Resolution is approved.
• A Resolution was presented to authorize the mayor to enter a service contract totaling $513.50 per month with Vector Security for 5 city-owned facilities. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution; Keith Clay provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye—all ayes. The Resolution is approved.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:
• Mayor Statum asked the audience if there were any public comments. There were none.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
• Jennifer McGriff encouraged everyone to come out and participate in the “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” bed build April 25 @ Southside High School. Registration starts at 7:30 A.M.
• Council Member Hamm commended the Parks and Recreation Department for hosting a successful Easter Egg Hunt, noting strong attendance from surrounding communities as well as City of Southside residents.
• The Council expressed appreciation to all City departments for their continued hard work and dedication to the city.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Statum announced the following:
• Planning Commission Meeting –May 11, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
• Regular Council Meeting – Will now be held MONDAY, April 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. due to the mayor and council being at the Alabama League of Municipalities 2026 Convention on Tuesday
• Dinner and a Movie at Southside Landing – April 17, 2026; movie begins at dark (Happy Feet)
• Slasham Road will be closed from at least 9-2 Wednesday and possibly Thursday, as Public Works replaces a drain pipe in preparation for upcoming paving.
• Donations for “Feed the Hungry” are accepted at Southside Baptist Church and Southside Public Library. All donations are taken to the Etowah Baptist Mission Center for Distribution.
• Mayor Statum then stated that the Council would recess into an Executive Session after adjournment to discuss economic development and pending litigation. At this time, City Attorney James Shellnut certified those as valid reasons for executive session. The mayor stated that the council would not reconvene after.
Resident Bill Seymour then asked to be recognized and voiced concern over a recent traffic situation on Highway 77, saying that it was the worst backup he has seen, and expressing concern over information he had seen on social media regarding the cause. The mayor addressed Mr. Seymour’s concern and explained that there was an emergency pedestrian issue on the north-bound bridge, which caused the traffic problem. Mayor Statum praised first responders from Southside, Rainbow City, and Etowah County for their de-escalation of the issue and restoration of traffic flow. The mayor declared the information on social media false.
At this time, Joseph Hutchins made a motion for the council to go into executive session. Jennifer McGriff provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was all ayes.
The council meeting was adjourned at 5:46 p.m.