August 27, 2024

Council Meeting Minutes 07-23-2024

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, July 23, 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 Pro Tempore, Don Steward called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m., with Councilman Keith Clay leading in prayer.

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

Mayor Pro-Tem Steward inquired of the council if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes for the regular council meeting held on July 9, 2024. A motion was made by Joseph Hutchins to suspend the reading and 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.

Don Steward presented an Ordinance authorizing the issuance of the City’s General Obligation Warrant (USDA Fire Station Project). This would create a permanent loan, which would pay off and close the existing construction loan with Metro Bank. Councilman Clay directed questions about pre-payment to City Attorney Richard Rhea. There was discussion regarding pre-payment reducing interest. Finance Director, Nickie Pylant explained that she understood that pre-payment was possible, but the interest remained the same until the obligation was paid in full. City Attorney Rhea concurred. Danny Garnett made a motion to approve the Ordinance, City Attorney Rhea reminded the Council that, for them to vote on an Ordinance in the meeting in which was presented, that the Rules of Council Protocol had to be suspended before the vote. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to suspend the rules and consider the Ordinance at this meeting, Danny Garnett provided a second. Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion to suspend the rules and consider the Ordinance for an immediate vote carried. Councilman Garnett’s previously made motion to approve the Ordinance was already on the floor, with a second by Joseph Hutchins. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion to approve the Ordinance authorizing the USDA Loan carried.

A Resolution to surplus a 1998 Ford F250 4WD from the Parks and Recreation Dept. was next on the agenda. This will be listed on GovDeals online auction site. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution, Keith Clay seconded the motion. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

Don Steward introduced Michael Weldon, Parks and Recreation Director, who addressed the council regarding an email from Keith Cole, with Alabama Crappie Trail. The City of Southside is already sponsoring a tournament in November for the Alabama Crappie Trail, and Mr Cole was inquiring if the City would be interested in being the sponsor and host of the State Championship Crappie Tournament scheduled for November 15-17 of 2025. This is a 3-day event with 2 days of championship fishing. The sponsorship request is for $8000-$10,000, due the last week of October, 2025. Don Steward inquired if this was to be held at Southside Landing, and the response was yes, or possibly a partnership could be proposed to Rainbow City, and use landings on both sides of the river. Director Weldon stated that he was bringing the information to the council at this time due to Mr. Cole’s desire to announce the 2025 championship location within the next 4 weeks. Don Steward reiterated that the council would discuss this request, and possibly speak with the City of Rainbow City regarding partnership.

A Resolution was presented for additional street striping previously discussed at July 9 council meeting. It would entail: 2.12 miles of Lakemont Drive from Hwy 77 to Leota Rd (double yellow, $7400.00), and .5 miles of Leota Rd from Lakemont Drive to Sunset (double yellow, $3700.00), for a total amount of $11,000.00. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution, Keith Clay provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES, the motion carried.

A Resolution was presented approving the Mayor to enter into a contract with Garner and Associates Roofing and Facility Services LLC for the roof replacement on the Southside Community Center, Public Library, and the storage bunker behind them. An invitation to bid on this project was issued on May 10, 2024, and the project was awarded to Garner, as the low bidder, by the council at the June 25, 2024 regular council meeting. Danny Garnett made a motion to approve the Resolution, Joseph Hutchins provided a second. Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

A Resolution was presented by Councilman Clay for Recording and Live Streaming council work sessions to begin at 4:30 P.M., and continue through the duration of the council meeting. Councilman Clay stated that this was in response to complaints that the public isn’t able to see what is discussed in work sessions, and, that in council meetings, the council tends to vote on agenda items without discussion. Councilman Clay proposed that the 4:30 start time be for discussion of items to be voted on in the immediately following council meeting, citing the occasional need for a council member to bring something informally to the council without waiting on the current format of a less frequent, lengthy work session. Councilman Clay stated that the Resolution presented spoke of a detailed summary from the longer work sessions, and after speaking with other council members, maybe a bullet point summary of the lengthy meetings would be a more suitable compromise. The bullet points would be the major items that the council wishes to move forward to the actual council meeting for vote. The council had discussion back and forth with different options and compromise suggestions, and finally decided to tweak the Resolution to add the work-session as an item to the existing council agenda format, with the option to forego the item if no council member had any topics for discussion. Councilman Clay stated that he would tweak his existing Resolution to contain this change, as well as publishing work session bullet-point minutes on the city website, which would be brought before the council for vote at their next meeting. All members in attendance agreed that this would be an agreeable compromise.

Michael Weldon was recognized again to discuss the bid opening for the zero-turn lawnmower for the parks and recreation department that occurred at 4:00 P.M. This is a mower that will be partially funded by a Community Development Grant through the Etowah County Commission. Director Weldon stated that there were 10 bids submitted, 2 were rejected due to failure to comply with specification for bid consideration, 8 were opened. The lowest bid was $13,073 from Groundworks Distribution out of Wetumpka for a Wright ZXL61mower. Director Weldon stated that the bids would need to be compared to the specifications which were mailed out in the bid package, and he would have a recommendation for the bid award at the August 13 council meeting.

A Resolution was presented by Chief of Police, Jarrett Williams asking for council approval to apply for the Byrne Memorial JAG grant, which offers funding opportunities annually through ADECA. Chief Williams explained that Eric Wright with East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission would be helping with the grant preparation, and that Southside Police Department would be requesting $100,900 to purchase 4 virtual reality active shooter headsets. Chief Williams stated that these headsets are similar to the ones used at JSU police academy for real-world police training. There is no match obligation to the city. Danny Garnett stated that at no cost to the city, this would certainly be a benefit worth pursuing, and made a motion to approve the Resolution. Joseph Hutchins provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tempore, Don Steward then asked if there were any audience comments on non-agenda items, and the council fielded the comments.

Councilman Steward then made the following announcements:

The next Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for August 12, 2024 at 6 P.M. in Council Chambers at City Hall.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for August 13, 2024 in council chambers at City of
Southside City Hall.

The Invitations to bid on sun shades for Southside Landing Playground went out Friday, July 19. Bids are due to open on Monday, August 26, 2024.

The council then gave their individual comments:

Councilman Clay raised questions about patching a pipe at the existing retention pond on Powell Street.

Councilman Hutchins: Discussed the importance of the council being able to discuss issues with Department heads in an unpublished setting, and that todays suggested plan would be a good one.
Councilman Garnett: Had received a call regarding the need for a street light at the entrance to Buck’s Island off Highway 77. The homeowner’s association was asking the city, to cover the cost of installing a light pole at the entrance coming right off the south bound bridge at the city gateway, and the home owner’s association would cover the costs of the power bill from that point on. The cost to the city would be one time at $6000 to Alabama Power for Installation. Councilman Garnett stated that there are currently 118 homes on Buck’s Island.

He also recognized Chief Williams, and let him know that he had been informed by County Commissioner, Joey Statum that he was going to fund additional flock cameras for the north and south gateways to the City. Chief Williams stated that the permits for the cameras had been approved and completed.

Councilman Garnett then made a motion to approve the City to fund a light pole on Hwy 77 at the entry to Buck’s Island, with the other expenses incurred paid by the County Commission out of public safety funds, and the monthly costs going forward paid by the Buck’s Island Homeowner’s Association. Joseph Hutchins provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The proposal passed.

Don Steward presented a proposal to provide assistance to the 12 year Old Coosa Little League All-Stars, who have won the little league state championship, and will be representing the City’s of Southside as well as Rainbow City at the regional tournament to be televised on ESPN and ESPN 2, and will serve as ambassadors for the city on a national stage. Don Steward suggested entering a contract with the team for $500.00 to help with expense. Don Steward made the motion to give them $500.00, as this team is representing the whole community as representatives. Joseph Hutchins gave a second. Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The City of Southside City council will enter a contract for $500.00 with Coosa Little League for representation of the community.

Chief Williams then recognized the Southside Police Department’s efforts of the past 2 weeks in investigating a burglary ring operating in the City of Southside and surrounding municipalities

With no other business to discuss, the Don Steward asked if there was a motion to dismiss, Joseph Hutchins made the motion to adjourn. Keith Clay seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m.