June 16, 2025

Council Meeting Minutes 05-13-2025

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, May 13, 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 Danny Garnett 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 22, 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 Ms. Chiho Sullivan, from Marantha, Alabama, who had submitted a request to be on the agenda. Ms. Sullivan addressed the council from the podium and explained that the Marantha Organization served the community of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing them and their caregivers with events that provide meals, arts and crafts, games, dancing/music, and an opportunity to socialize with others within their community. The organization serves all of Etowah County. Ms. Sullivan was seeking the city’s financial support with one of their events.

Mayor Snyder then recognized Ms. Heidi Darbo with the YMCA of Coosa Valley. Ms. Darbo addressed the council from the podium and explained that the YMCA of Coosa Valley is still in existence, even though they had sold their physical location. They are still doing after-school programs in many of the area schools, and she wanted to let the council and residents know about the Y’s Safety Around Water Program. She explained the different programs they offered through their Y on the Fly van and that she was asking the city for a sponsorship to help fund the program. Ms. Darbo said that the YMCA’s goal is to have a physical facility again, and that many kids participate in their programs through scholarships provided by community sponsorships.

Mayor Snyder then recognized Brian Nunnelee, organizer of the Cruising for a Cure Benefit Car Show, which will be held in the parking lot between City Hall and the Community Center on Saturday, May 24, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Mr. Nunnelee gave a quick overview of the event’s plans and the children who would benefit from the proceeds. He addressed the council to reaffirm their prior commitment to contribute to the event’s “money tree.”

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The Mayor then opened the Public Hearing for the Economic Development Agreement with Waffle House AT 5:15.
Mayor Snyder introduced Mr. Robert Alley, representing Waffle House, and stated that the council has authorized a $100,000 payment to Waffle House, to be paid at the start of construction, as an Economic Development Incentive to bring the restaurant to the city. Construction would be required within 24 months upon the agreement’s formal approval. Mr. Alley stated that Waffle House was looking forward to getting the project started and bringing Waffle House to Southside. The mayor asked if the council had any comments or questions, they did not. She then asked if anyone if the public had any comments or questions. They did not. The public hearing was closed at 5:20 P.M.

The meeting then moved into the Council Work Session

The mayor presented the council with the option to deny a business license to White Knight Pest Control. She explained that this business had been given multiple citations for door-to-door solicitation without a permit and operating without a business license. She explained that the council had already been presented with information regarding this situation at the work session on the prior Thursday, and that Police Chief Williams could answer any further questions they had regarding this situation. Councilman Steward explained further that the business in question had been given multiple opportunities to get the required permits and licenses, that they were going door to door spreading false information about existing providers in the city, and they did not adhere to the city Ordinance for business licenses. Councilman Steward stated that the failure to adhere was the main reason the council was entertaining the denial of the license. He then made a motion to approve the denial of the business license for this business. Danny Garnett provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Business License application was denied by the council.

The meeting then moved on to the regular council agenda.

A Resolution was presented to approve the Economic Development Agreement with Waffle House Inc., which was addressed in a Public Hearing held earlier during this meeting. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution. Keith Clay provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

An Ordinance was presented to increase of qualification fees to run for the City Council. Currently, the qualification fees are $50.00 for Mayor and $25.00 to qualify to run for Council. This Ordinance would set all municipal qualification fees at $50.00. Danny Garnett made a motion to pass the Ordinance. Don Steward provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Ordinance Passed

At this time, Mayor Snyder stated that she had a late addition to the agenda. Ms. Rita Patel, from Southside Texaco, had come in, requesting a letter to the ABC board from the city approving her to sell off-premises beer and wine under a new corporate name. Ms. Patel was in attendance and stated that she had just changed her corporation’s name and that the ABC Board needed the letter to issue a license to the new corporation. There had been no change of ownership, just a name change. She is just seeking council approval for the letter to the ABC Board. Don Steward made a motion to approve the letter. Keith Clay provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The letter was approved.

A Resolution was presented to close out the account at Metro Bank, specifically set up for ARPA funds. This had been discussed in Thursday’s work session with Finance Director Nickie Pylant. This account is no longer necessary, as the American Rescue Plan Act Funds have all been directed, and the remaining funds will be transferred to the general fund to go toward the cost of the required single-audit, as per the requirement. Danny Garnett made a motion to approve the closing of the account. Joseph Hutchins provided the second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

An Ordinance was presented to approve amendments to the FY 2024/2025 Budget Amendments, also presented to the mayor and council at the special called work session held on Thursday, May 8. The mayor asked if there were any questions or discussion on the Amendments. Councilman Steward stated that he was good with the amendments, that they had been well explained by Director Pylant at the work session. Director Pylant then pointed out a change to one of the line items she had presented, that she changed Parks and Rec expenditures to reflect the purchase of bench shades that is on this agenda for approval. Councilman Clay asked about the “Increased Grants Other Capital” line item and if it was simply the reflection of grant funds that had been received. Director Pylant stated that it was $91,000 received for VR training headsets in the Police Dept and $23,000 for the cardboard baler in Public Works. Don Steward made a motion to approve. Keith Clay and Danny Garnett both seconded. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Ordinance was approved.

A Resolution was presented to approve the purchase of a baler for cardboard and the enclosure of part of the city shop building to house the baler to be reimbursed by the 2024 ADEM Recycle Grant that the city has received. The cost of the Baler is $22,936.80, and the enclosure is $24,967, both of which are under the competitive bid law threshold. Both items are included in the Public Works Budget and have been approved by ADEM. Don Steward made a motion to approve the purchase. Joseph Hutchins seconded. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

A Resolution was presented to approve the renewal of an agreement with AVENU Insights and Analytics for tax revenue administration of Occupational, Sales and Use Tax, Rental Tax, and audit services (upon approval). The cost will be 1.95% of gross revenues collected for remittance processing and compliance services (excluding sales & use taxes). And $2.92 per account per transaction OR 1.95% of gross revenue collected, whichever is lower, for tax remittance processing and compliance services for sales and use taxes. Audit services will be at an hourly rate of $98.00 per hour to increase by 5% yearly. Keith Clay made a motion to approve the Resolution; Danny Garnett provided the second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYEs. The Resolution was approved.

A Resolution was presented to let out bids for a Patrol Vehicle for the Police Department. This item was discussed at the work session on Thursday. The Police Department is requesting to get bids for a PPV pickup truck due to the lack of availability of Tahoe’s from the state bid-approved provider, McSweeney Chevrolet. The council had previously approved the purchase of the Tahoe’s, and due to a lack of availability, the truck would be a viable replacement option. Don Steward made a motion to approve the Resolution. Joseph Hutchins seconded the motion The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion was approved.

A Resolution was presented to approve the purchase and installation of bench shades for Southside Landing Playground benches. There is a need for shade at the playground, and this is the most cost-effective way to provide it. This item was also discussed at the work session on Thursday. Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Weldon, presented the council with 3 responsible quotes, and the lowest qualifying quote came from Struthers Recreation for $28,624.68, which is under the state bid law threshold. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution. Keith Clay provided the second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYEs. The Resolution was approved.

A Resolution was presented to approve the purchase of a new Sound System for the Southside Community Center. This item was included in the Parks and Recreation Budget, and the lowest responsible quote was $11,786.09. $5,000.00 of this cost will be provided through an Etowah County Community Development Grant. Councilman Steward asked how fast the system could be installed. Parks and Recreation Director Weldon stated that they were 4 weeks out, and it would take 2 days to install. Don Steward made a motion to approve the Resolution. Keith Clay provided the second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

The next item on the agenda was the Cruising for a Cure sponsorship, which had previously been discussed in multiple meetings. This is a $1500.00 sponsorship. Keith Clay made a motion to approve the sponsorship, and Don Steward provided a second. The Roll Call Vote Was ALL AYES. The sponsorship was approved.

The mayor asked if there were any public comments at this time. There were none

The mayor then stated that she was going to ask the council to stay for a short executive session after the meeting was adjourned, for a potential economic development opportunity.

The Mayor made the following announcements:

The Next City Council Meeting is scheduled for May 27, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in council chambers.
The next Planning Commission is scheduled for June 9, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. in council chambers.

Keith Clay stated that he really likes the new digital sign in front of City Hall, and he appreciates Councilman Steward’s work on that project.

John Hatley had no additional comments.

Joseph Hutchins thanked Parks and Rec Director Michael Weldon for his work on the bench shades and Finance Director Nickie Pylant for all her work with the city finances. He also congratulated the girls’ soccer team for making the state final four and the boys’ soccer team for winning the state 6-A soccer state championship.

Danny Garnett: Requested that the mayor write a letter regarding a potential real estate opportunity that may arise in the near future, advising that the city is interested in that piece of property and would like to be notified when and if that property comes on the market. He stated that he was not at liberty to discuss details due to restrictions in an earlier agreement.

Don Steward: A great job with Movie Night! A huge turnout. Also, a good turnout for the fishing tournament. Congratulations to the soccer team, we will get them added to the sign.

Mayor Snyder: congratulated the Soccer Team and thanked Coach Randy Vice and all the great athletes. She also stated that there will be a barge and equipment at the landing., This will be for drilling and soil testing, for engineering and design on a new north-bound bridge, and it should be down there for around 4 weeks. She said as soon as they had some definite things to announce, those announcements would be made.

At this time, the mayor made a motion to go to executive session following the meeting, Don Steward provided the second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES

Joseph Hutchins made a motion to adjourn. Don Steward provided a second. The regular meeting was adjourned at 5:31 P.M., and the council went into Executive Session.