September 3, 2024

Council Meeting Minutes 08-13-2024

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, August 13, 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 Dana Snyder called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m., with Councilman Keith Clay leading in prayer.

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

Mayor Snyder inquired of the council if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes for the regular council meeting held on July 23, 2024. Councilman Keith Clay asked that there be more clarification stemming from the discussion of the accruing of interest on the USDA General Obligation Warrant for the Fire Station. Finance Director, Nickie Pylant stated that she had called for clarification, and had found out that the monthly payments would remain the same, however, it would cut down on the interest at the end of the loan’s life. If the loan is paid in full earlier than its term, the interest would stop as well. Don Steward made a motion to approve the minutes, Danny Garnett provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

Mayor Snyder then recognized City of Southside resident, Courtney Washington, who was in attendance. Ms. Washington is a Southside native, and a graduate of Southside High School. She is a multi-title champion Obstacle Course Racer, and has been selected by committee to be a member of the United States team for both the standard and elite courses at the FISO OCR World Championship in Costa Rica. The mayor and council took this opportunity to wish Courtney well and express their pride in her achievements.

Mayor Snyder then recognized Ms. Chiho Sullivan, who had submitted a request to be on the council agenda. Ms. Sullivan is a representative for Agape Nation, a new nonprofit organization serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their caretakers. Agape Nation is fundraising in hopes of eventually open a day program to provide continued education, recreation, and job training for this group of Etowah County residents. She provided information about the organization’s silent auction and comedy show fundraiser coming up September 7 at The Venue at Coosa Landing, and the sponsorship opportunities available.

Mike Sewell, of McClure, Sewell, Johnson and Associates, CPA was then recognized to present the final findings of the FY 2023/2024 Central Audit of the City. This had previously been presented in draft form at the April 9, 2024 Council Meeting. Mr. Sewell explained that there were no changes to the original draft necessary, and that the Single Audit, (which is required to be filed with the Federal Government when an entity secures federal funding) produced no findings, and had been filed as required.

Mayor Snyder then declared that the council would need to accept the final audit as presented, and requested a roll-call vote. Don Steward made a motion to accept the audit, Joseph Hutchins provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion to accept the final audit FY 2023/2024 carried.

A Resolution was presented to allow the City to enter an agreement with the State of Alabama Crappie Trail to be a host/sponsor for the 2025 Crappie Trail State Championship. This would be a joint sponsorship with the City of Rainbow City for the event, which would use Southside Landing and Rainbow Landing for hosting purposes. Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Weldon explained that the event would be in November of 2025, and that the sponsor money would not be paid until October 2025. Director Weldon stated that the Crappie Trail organizers were seeking a definite answer so they could begin to publish the location of the event. Director Weldon requested that the council commit to $5000.00 toward the $8000.00-$10,000.00 total sponsorship, to partner with Rainbow City for the event. The City of Southside is already hosting a preliminary tournament on the Crappie Trail in the current year. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to commit to a $5000.00 sponsorship, Don Steward provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

A Resolution was presented to award the bid for purchase of a new Commercial Grade Zero Turn Lawnmower for Parks and Recreation, which is being partially funded by $12,000.00 from an Etowah County Community Development Grant. Mayor Snyder stated that 10 bids were received, 2 were immediately disqualified due to not meeting bid specifications, the low bid was from Groundworks Distribution at $13,073 but did not meet the mower specifications for the bid. TriGreen Albertville submitted the next lowest bid of $ $13,515.81, and met all specifications. Parks and Recreation Director Weldon explained the specific differences in the 2 lowest mowers, and recommended that TriGreen Albertville be awarded the bid. Keith Clay made a motion to accept the bid from TriGeen Albertville, Joseph Hutchins seconded the motion. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried and the bid awarded to TriGreen Albertville.

Mayor Snyder recognized Councilman Keith Clay who had presented a Resolution at the previous council meeting to record and live stream the regular council work sessions, which would be included as an agenda item at regular council meetings. The council had discussion at the July 23 meeting on the Resolution, and Councilman Clay made some adjustments to the Resolution, re-presenting it at this meeting for a vote. Mayor Snyder inquired of City Attorney, Richard Rhea, if item #3on the resolution, making reference to requirements to call a special council meeting was contradictory to the State of Alabama Code requirements regarding the mayor or council members calling a special meeting. Counsellor Rhea stated that anything that the council adopted, would not cancel out the State Code. Don Steward inquired as to the deadline for items to be added to the work-session agenda, which would be the same as the council agenda items. (12 noon on Thursday before the upcoming meeting) Special-called work sessions would not be recorded, but the minutes would be included on the City website. Keith Clay made a motion to approve the Resolution, Danny Garnett provided a second. The Roll Call vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

Mayor Snyder introduced the first-reading of an Ordinance for the council’s consideration to change the current City of Southside building, mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas, residential and fire codes from the 2015 version to the more current 2021 building, mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas, residential and fire codes, and 2020 electrical codes. She then recognized building and zoning official, Judd Rich for more explanation. Mr. Rich stated that the city is on the 2015 codes, which are almost nine years old. He stated that the main catalyst to change to the updated codes is safety of residents. He also pointed out that the age of the code would affect the city’s ISO fire ratings. ISO recommends that a city be no further behind on codes than 5 years. Mr. Rich stated that the city would continue to stay on its current energy code. Councilman Steward expressed concerns about going to the 2020 electrical codes, and cited building expense tied to it. He stated that other municipalities are remaining on the 2018 electrical codes, and that would be his preference. Mayor Snyder asked fire chief, Wade Buckner if the 2018 code vs. 2020 would affect the ISO rating. He stated that he was not familiar with the specific differences, and was not sure. He stated that fire prevention efforts were actually only 5.5% of the overall ISO grade. The council and building department will be doing more research, and there will be a public hearing before anything would be adopted to change codes for the city.

Mayor Snyder then recognized local business owners; Josh Alverson and Annette Kitchens, owners of prospective business, AJ’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill. They addressed the council requesting approval of an application for restaurant retail liquor sales. This approval is a requirement of the ABC board. Ms. Kitchens and Mr. Alverson explained that they are both business owners in the city. Ms. Kitchens for 25 years, and Mr. Alverson, here for 15 years. They have purchased the old “Ernies” property on Hwy 77, and wish to open a restaurant that will give Southside another type of food choice. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the application. Don Steward provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The application was approved

A Resolution was presented for approval to let out bids for new flooring in the community center. The bid would be opened on Sept. 6 at 1:00 at city hall. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution. The second was provided by Keith Clay. The Roll Call Vote Was ALL AYES. The motion carried

A Resolution was presented for Acting City Clerk, Cindy Beshears to attend the 2024 Municipal Clerk’s training institute, August 28-30 in Tuscaloosa. Keith Clay made a motion to approve the Resolution. Don Steward 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 to attend the Alabama Recycling Coalition Conference August 26-28 in Gulf Shores. The Mayor stated that Director Owen will be presented with another ADECA Recycle grant for 2025 to continue the city’s recycling efforts. 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.

Mayor Snyder made the following announcements:

The next planning commission meeting will be September 9 in council chambers at city hall

The next council meeting is August 27 at 5:00 in council chambers at city hall

The Sun Sail Shade bid for Southside Landing was sent out on July 19, and will be opened on August 26 @ 1:00 in council chambers at city hall.

Invitations to bid on the Community Center Floor Replacement will be opened on Sept 6 at 1 P.M.

Mayr Snyder and the council congratulated Courtney Washington and wished her luck.

The mayor thanked the Police, Fire, and all city employees for their efforts during the recent storms and clean-up

Finance Director, Nickie Pylant addressed the council to request approval to move funds in the amount of $250,000.00 from the fire tax account to a 6-month C.D. at metro bank to be gaining interest until the funds are needed. The council had approved this practice with other funds prior, which proved profitable, and Ms. Pylant was seeking approval to do so again. Don Steward made a motion to approve the investment into the C.D. Keith Clay provided a second. Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. Approval was granted.

At 6:00 P.M., Mayor Snyder made a motion to go into executive session to discuss a potential real estate transaction. Don Steward provided a second. The roll call vote was ALL AYES. The meeting was then adjourned by this action, and the public exited the building.