May 14, 2025

Council Meeting Minutes 04-22-2025

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, April 22, 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 5:02 p.m., with Councilman Don Steward leading in prayer.

The following council members were present: Mayor Dana Snyder, Council Members: Keith Clay, Danny Garnett, Joseph Hutchins, Don Steward, and John Hatley. With a quorum present, the meeting was called to order 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 April 8, 2025. Don Steward motioned to approve the minutes, and Danny Garnett seconded the motion. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion was approved.

Mayor Snyder recognized the Mayor’s Youth Council, which was organized with the help of Principal Julie Tucker, Dr. Allison Heald, and Mrs. Genia Fry. A group of 6 students, serving as a mock mayor and council, with Allie Acker serving as mayor. Mayor Snyder said the group would be recognized at a later meeting when they could all be in attendance, to expand on their accomplishments and experiences over the past year.

Mayor Snyder then recognized Coach Jason Bozeman and the Southside High School Bowling Team. Coach Bozeman took the podium, stated that it was his first year coaching the team, and it had been a great year. He stated that the Girls Bowling Team finished 4th in the AHSAA Bowling Tournament, were 6A/7A Northern Region Champions, Rocket City Invitational Champions, Panther Classic Champions, and went undefeated in the regular season. The entire starting five bowlers made the all-region team individually. Coach Bozeman said that the girls’ team has been historically dominant, and that the Guys’ team this year had its best season ever at Southside High School. Billy Fox is the head instructional coach for the team, and Coach Bozeman recognized him. The Guys’ bowlers finished 3rd in the AHSAA tournament this year, went undefeated in the region, were Region champions for 6A/7A, and were Rocket City Challenge Champions. Coach Bozeman recognized senior team members in attendance, Evan Clay and Trey Morgan, and thanked them for their leadership throughout the season. Coach Bozeman then thanked the Mayor and Council, the City of Southside, Dr. Allen Cosby, and Board Member Jay Freeman, as well as the Etowah County Board of Education for their continued support, and again recognized the entire bowling team for their outstanding representation of Southside High School, and the City of Southside. The mayor and council then took a picture with team members and coaches in attendance.

Mayor Snyder recognized Etowah County Board of Education Superintendent, Dr. Alan Cosby, and Board Member, Jay Freeman, who were in attendance for the council meeting. Dr. Cosby thanked the Mayor and Council for always recognizing the successes of student organizations at the local schools and for the continued support of the schools. Dr. Cosby explained that he was addressing the council to ask for continued support in a special election on May 20, which would be to renew the 9 mill school tax. He said that this election would be for the Gadsden City Schools, as well as Etowah County Schools. He said they have 15 mills of property tax for schools in Etowah County, which is traditionally very low compared to other school systems, where the millage rate is much higher. This tax is separate from the 1-cent sales tax used for capital outlay, etc. This is a 20-year renewal from 2005. This is about 7 million dollars a year for Etowah County Schools, and is in no way a new tax.
Dr. Cosby cited recent efforts from other school systems to increase these taxes in their jurisdictions, and reiterated that the Etowah County system just wanted to renew existing tax distribution, keeping things as they are. He asked for support from the Council and Citizens, presented the Council with a fact sheet, and said the board would be putting information on the special election out on social media. Dr. Cosby stated that this will be the only item on this special election. Jay Freeman then thanked the Mayor and Council for their continued support.

The meeting then moved into the Council Work Session

The first item was a potential first read of an Ordinance to establish qualification fees for the upcoming election for candidates for mayor and council. Mayor Snyder explained that the current Ordinance has a $50.00 qualification fee to run for Mayor, and a $25.00 fee to run for council. Many surrounding municipalities have qualification fees of $50.00 across the board. Don Steward stated that this was considered before the 2020 election and cited how labor-intensive it is to conduct an election. The council wishes to add the Ordinance to an upcoming agenda for consideration.

This Concluded Work Session Agenda.
Mayor Snyder recognized Fire Chief Wade Buckner, who addressed the council regarding the possibility of building a building at Southside Landing to store the rescue boat. Chief Buckner had mentioned this possibility in previous meetings. He stated it would be a 30’x30’ metal building, similar to the one at the softball complex, with 2 bays. Chief Buckner said that Rainbow City has approached him, requesting to go in half on the building and store their boat in one of the bays. He explained the convenience in having the two boats stored together, since typically, when either is in use, they are working together. He said the building would be located by the already existing facilities, and not take away from green space. He has 3 quotes, and the current cost quote was around $25,000. He stated that the UTVs would also be stored there for ease of maneuvering the boats. Chief Buckner committed to getting more current quotes, as well as a firm commitment from Rainbow City for the partnership for discussion at the next council meeting.
This Concluded the Work Session.

NEW BUSINESS/OLD BUSINESS
There was no new business or old business on the agenda.
Mayor Snyder made a motion that the Council go into Executive Session after adjournment to discuss Economic Development

The Mayor made the following announcements:

The next Planning Commission is scheduled for May 12, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. in council chambers.
The Next City Council Meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in council chambers.

Keith Clay had no additional comments.

John Hatley had no additional comments.

Don Steward: Would like to request Parks and Recreation be put on the next council work session.

Joseph Hutchins had 2 things to discuss. 1. He said he was approached by the track team, who is going to state to see if the city would consider some type of sponsorship to offset expenses. He would like to add to tonight’s agenda to see if that would be possible, since the team leaves on April 30. He made a motion to add this to the agenda. Don Steward provided a second. Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The potential sponsorship was added to the agenda. This will be the high school and middle school track teams going to the state meet. Councilman Hutchins said that Rainbow City had tentatively agreed to a sponsorship, and there will be a meeting next week. Housing for the meet is roughly $3700.00 for all the student-athletes, and there will be one team meal that is approximately $750.00. Councilman Hutchins made a motion that the city sponsor the $750.00 meal. Don Steward provided the second. Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.
Councilman Hutchins also mentioned the benefit softball tournament last weekend, and had great feedback for the Parks and Recreation, and Ms. Suzi Latham for their efforts to put it together so quickly. He said it went off without a major hitch. He did mention the condition of the lights for the night games, the need to address the issue, and the need for better bathroom facilities, and would like to address needed improvements and upgrades at a planning commission meeting.

Danny Garnett: Would like to have a financial review work session. Mayor Snyder stated that the Finance Director, Nickie Pylant, was at a conference and should have 6-month budget amendments ready to have a work session in May.
The Mayor asked if anyone from the public had any comments. There were none.

Don Steward made a motion to adjourn. Joseph Hutchins provided a second. The regular meeting was adjourned at 5:28 P.M., and the council went into Executive Session.