August 28, 2025

Council Meeting Minutes 08-12-2025

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, August 12, 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 were present: Mayor Dana Snyder, Council Members: Keith Clay, John Hatley, Don Steward, Joseph Hutchins, and Danny Garnett. 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 July 22, 2025. Don Steward motioned to approve the minutes, and Keith Clay seconded the motion. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion was approved.

Mayor Snyder asked Police Chief Jarrett Williams to take the podium for the Recognition portion of the agenda. Chief Williams approached the podium and presented the Officer of the Quarter for the second quarter to Sergeant Brandon Guffey. The Chief stated that Sgt. Guffey handles vehicle fleet maintenance and continues to grow in all his roles within the department. He also recognized Lieutenant Jason Patty for completing his 40-hour certification through the Certified Law Enforcement Executive Program. Chief Williams stated that Lt. Patty was recognized for his accomplishment at the State Chiefs’ Conference last week. He then reminded the council that several meetings prior, he had requested permission to apply for the department to be certified and accredited through the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police. Chief Williams stated that the Southside Police Department was awarded the accreditation last week at the Chiefs’ Conference, and that is good for 5 years. This reflects that the department is following policies and procedures and best practices put in place by state law.

Next on the agenda were public comments from residents who had requested to be on the agenda.

First was Southside High School FFA, represented by FFA sponsor Allison Heald and several FFA members. Grayson Pentecost and Gracie Daventport addressed the mayor and council on the group’s behalf, with a request for financial assistance toward their trip to the annual convention in Indianapolis. Ms. Heald stated that the cost was approximately $1000 per student to attend, and it is a large financial burden on some of the students’ families. Mr. Pentecost and Ms. Davenport spoke of all the great experiences that this opportunity presents to the group as ambassadors for the City of Southside. Ms. Heald stated that she is trying to raise enough funds to pay for the total travel expense for the students. Mayor Snyder stated that the council had put $1000 in the current budget for the group. Don Steward made a motion to provide the $1000 in assistance. Joseph Hutchins seconded the motion. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The $1000 in assistance to the FFA was approved.

The next request to be on the agenda was Andrew Richardson, who is a local pilot and unmanned aircraft operator (drone), who had asked to address the council regarding the Unmanned Aircraft Ordinance. This Ordinance had its first reading at the July 22, 2025, council meeting. Mr. Richardson stated that he had met with Chief Williams to discuss the specifics of the proposed Ordinance. He then reached out to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, presented the Ordinance to them, and asked them to have their legal team look at it. The Ordinance was determined to be in line with other municipalities’ Ordinances; it does not leave the city open to any liabilities, and does not restrict any airspace. Mr. Richardson thinks the Ordinance is a great thing. He stated that it does not in any way conflict with any FAA part 107 guidelines. Mr. Richardson just wanted to let the mayor and council know that the AOPA had seen and approved the Ordinance, and he supports it.

The Council entered its work session at 5:22 p.m.

The first item on the work session was a sponsorship request from the 211 First Call for Help program, a United Way program that assists families in crisis by connecting them with resources to help in various times of need. The mayor said she had been contacted by another mayor in Etowah County, who was trying to help raise funds to help 211 sustain until the end of the year, due to federal funding having been cut. They were asking each city in the county to sponsor $1000. The mayor then asked the council what they would like to do. Councilman Steward inquired exactly what 211 is. Mayor Snyder stated that it is a 911-type program, but for non-emergency services, anything from mental health services to tutoring. Councilman Hutchins inquired about where the council was in their sponsorship budget. The mayor stated that she believes there is close to $9000 left in the budget for this type of expense. She stated that they could safely sponsor $750 without having to do a budget amendment. Councilman Garnett suggested that churches be contacted to help as well. The council agreed to add the sponsorship to the meeting agenda for a vote.

Josh Alverson and Annette Kitchens, owners of A.J.’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill, were on the agenda to address the mayor and council regarding an issue with the sign placement for their recently opened business located at 1582 Highway 77. Mr. Alverson explained that it has been determined by ALDOT that the new sign for AJ’s is currently located on the State right-of-way and has to be moved. He presented the mayor and council with 2 quotes for that expense and stated that they are seeking help from the city to offset the cost through additional tax abatement or incentive. Mr. Alverson stated that before placement of the sign, he had presented the plans for its location to the city, and it was approved. At that time, it was unknown to Mr. Alverson or city officials that streets meeting a state highway, such as Forestdale Road at Highway 77, adjacent to the A.J.’s parking lot, carry a 60-foot right of way at a 45-degree angle to the highway, thus putting the new A.J.’s sign on the state right-of-way. Mr. Alverson’s lowest quote for moving the sign to the post on the opposite side of the property, where the previous business’s sign was located, is $8385.00 for moving the sign, electrical wiring, and asphalt replacement. Ms. Kitchens stated that they would have contacted ALDOT had they known about the right-of-way before they placed the sign. They feel they have done their due diligence by going through the city officials. There was a discussion with the council, Mr. Alverson, and the city attorney regarding possible abatements or incentives to offset the additional expense of moving the sign. There was more discussion of the process for a rebate or incentive that would be followed. The council agreed to discuss the issue further at a work session or an upcoming budget meeting.

Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Weldon, was introduced and addressed the mayor and council. Director Weldon provided a slide presentation and printed information regarding the current condition of the lights at the softball complex. Director Weldon explained that the existing lighting is the original lighting and is obsolete. He said that right now, more than 25% of the total lights are not working at the complex. He explained the potential yearly cost savings of $20,000/year involved in a total replacement of the lighting system with modern, energy-efficient LED lights. Director Weldon said the projected cost of the project would be $250,000. He also presented the council with a loan proposal from Metro Bank, which would be repaid over a period of 5 years at 5.85% interest. He went on to point out the high cost of delaying the replacement, the potential safety concerns, and the potential revenue losses from sub-standard facilities. Director Weldon stated the complete replacement would be a financially sound investment for the city and requested permission to let out bids on the project. Councilman Steward pointed out that in discussion in a prior work session, there was one vendor with a 5-year warranty, with others offering a 10-year warranty. He requested that the 10-year warranty be a spec in the bid package when it goes out. Councilman Clay also stated that he would like to discuss in a work session the possibility of paying for this project out of reserve funds. The council agreed to put this on the next work session for discussion.

Mayor Snyder then introduced resident Kimberly Raulston, who had requested to be on the agenda and had been inadvertently left off. Ms. Raulston addressed the mayor and council, saying she had recently moved back to the area and was starting a new newspaper-type publication, The Bluegill Gazette at Neely Henry. Ms. Raulston said it will serve Rainbow City, Southside, and Ohatchee, and cover local topics, like school sports, birthdays, and obituaries, with an opportunity for local advertisement. She provided the mayor and council with a rate sheet for advertising and stated that anyone in attendance who purchased an ad tonight would receive a one-time half-off discount on their advertising purchase.

New Business:

A Resolution was presented to approve the annual Rebuild Alabama Transportation Plan. This is an annual report that has to be filed with the state pertaining to the Rebuild Alabama Funds dispersed to municipalities. The City’s estimated distribution for this year is $88,000, to be combined with the existing Rebuild Alabama Funds to make a total of approximately $180,000.00 in the fund, which is to be used for street maintenance, improvement, replacement, and construction of roads within the city. Don Steward made a motion to approve the plan, and Joseph Hutchins provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

A Resolution was presented to surplus various unnecessary items from the Parks and Recreation Department. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to surplus the unnecessary items, and Danny Garnett provided the second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

A Resolution was presented to approve Public Works Director Mark Owen and Sanitation Employee Joey Clark to travel to Huntsville for the annual Alabama Recycling Conference, September 10-12, 2025. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the travel, and Don Steward provided the second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES.
The Resolution was approved.

A sponsorship for 211 First Call for Help was added from the work session for $750.00. Don Steward made a motion to approve the sponsorship. Danny Garnett provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The $750.00 sponsorship was approved.

Old Business:

A Resolution was presented to approve the General Obligation Warrant for the purchase of the Burton’s Grocery Store Property. Following yesterday’s court hearing and discussions with Metro Bank, the City needs to be prepared to move immediately upon receipt of a court order, potentially to close on Friday. There were 2 warrant options presented to the council, and it was decided to execute the General Obligation Warrant for the entire amount of $1,750,000.00 pending the closing of the sale. Don Steward made a motion to approve the Resolution, and Joseph Hutchins provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

The second reading of the Proposed Ordinance Regulating the Use and Operation of Unmanned Aerial Systems (drones) was presented for consideration. Chief Williams thanked Andrew Richardson for his help and input regarding the Ordinance. Don Steward made a motion to adopt the Ordinance; Danny Garnett provided a second. The Roll Call Vote Was ALL AYES. The Ordinance was adopted.

Mayor Snyder requested that the Council recess into Executive Session regarding the purchase of property unrelated to the previously discussed purchase. She stated this should not take long, and the council would reconvene afterward. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to go to Executive Session. Don Steward provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES, and the council went into Executive Session at 6:00 P.M., and returned at 6:11 P.M.

The council had discussed the purchase of another piece of property from Mr. and Mrs. Doug Baker for $600,000.00. Keith Clay made a motion to purchase the property, and Danny Garnett provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The purchase was approved.

At this time, the mayor asked if there were any comments from the public.
Andrew Richardson asked what the location of the property to be purchased. It is 2610 Powell Street.

Resident Mike Robertson inquired about the planning commission meeting results on Monday Night regarding a proposed subdivision off Pilgrims Rest Road/Green Valley Road. Mayor Snyder and Building/Zoning official Judd Rich stated that the plan is for 13 lots, ranging from 2–to 6-acre tracts for the development. The property is zoned agricultural, and the houses would be required to be at least 2500 square feet. Mr. Robertson inquired about the water pressure in the area and discussed his ongoing issues with the pressure in the area. Mr. Rich stated that the proposed development had been approved by the water board. Mayor Snyder invited him to come sit down and explain his issues, and they would speak with the water board.

Resident Justin Chandler inquired if the purchased property was the property involved in the ongoing drainage issue. The mayor responded that it is.

Michael Weldon addressed the mayor, council, and audience and encouraged everyone to attend the Food Truck Rally from 5-8 p.m. at City Hall on Thursday night. He stated that 8 food trucks are scheduled to participate.

The mayor made the following announcements:

• The next City Council Meeting is scheduled for August 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at City of Southside City Hall. This is election day, and the mayor asked the council if they wished to cancel or postpone the meeting. The council decided to hold the meeting.

• The next Planning Commission meeting is September 8, 2025, at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers at City of Southside City Hall.

Mayor Snyder then asked each council member individually if they had anything to add:

Keith Clay had no comments
John Hatley had no comments
Don Steward had no comments
Joseph Hutchins had no comments
Danny Garnett had no comments

Joseph Hutchins made a motion to adjourn. Don Steward provided a second. The meeting was adjourned at 6:19