Council Meeting Minutes 08-22-2023

COUNCIL AGENDA August 22, 2023 1. Call to order 2. Prayer 3. Pledge 4. Roll Call 5. Approval of Minutes from: • August 8, 2023 Regular Council Meeting 6. Proclamations 7. Public Comments (per request to be on Agenda) 8. Old Business 9. New Business • Ordinance Amending Zoning Ordinance Removing 2-car attached garage requirement for properties one acre or more. • Resolution adopting an annual Transportation Plan Pursuant to the Rebuild Alabama Act 2019-2 for FY 2023/2024. • Resolution authorizing Mayor Snyder to execute documents for SLCGP FY2022 Cybersecurity Grant Program Application. • Resolution authorizing Mayor Snyder to enter into a contract with Etowah 911 for emergency dispatching services • Resolution approving purchase of additional roll-out trash carts for Public Works Department • Resolution approving purchase of Artificial Outdoor Christmas Tree for City Hall • Resolution to approve amendments to the FY 2022-2023 Budget Amendments • Resolution to let out bids on a 2023 GMC 1500 Sierra Pick Up Truck for Police Admin. 10. Statements of the mayor and council. • The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for September 11, 2023 beginning at 6:00 pm in the council chambers at Southside City Hall. • The next City Council Meeting will be held September 12, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. in the council chambers at Southside City Hall.

CITY OF SOUTHSIDE
COUNTY OF ETOWAH
STATE OF ALABAMA

The City Council of the City of Southside convened in regular public session at the Southside city hall on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. 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 4:00 p.m., with Joseph Hutchins leading in prayer.

The following council members were present: Mayor Dana Snyder, Council Members: Joseph Hutchins, Don Steward, and Keith Clay. With a quorum being present, the meeting was opened for the transaction of business. The council recessed to the work session at 4:02 p.m., and reconvened the council meeting at 4:34 p.m.

Mayor Snyder inquired of the council if there were any corrections or additions to the council minutes from the meeting held on July 25, 2023. A motion was made by Joseph Hutchins to approve the minutes as presented. A second of the motion to approve was made by Don Steward. Roll call vote: All ayes. The mayor declared the motion carried unanimously.

The next agenda item was a resolution authorizing Acting Police Chief, Baylon Fry to enter into a contract with AXON for new body camera equipment for the City of Southside Police Dept. This resolution comes after a trial period for 2 different cameras. Chief Fry explained in the work session that department chose the Axon Cameras due to battery life longevity, user friendliness, and a better upgrade potential. Chief Fry also explained that, since the body camera footage is a requirement in the municipal court, the cameras could be funded through funds generated from municipal traffic school. A motion to approve the purchase was made by Joseph Hutchins. A second of the motion was made by Don Steward. The roll-call vote was all ayes. Mayor Snyder declared the motion carried unanimously.

Next on the agenda was an Ordinance to amend zoning Ordinance #0-231-04, changing the requirement of a two-car garage on properties of one acre or more. This is an amendment brought forth at the suggestion of the City of Southside Planning Commission after a public meeting on the subject. Building and Zoning Inspector, Judd Rich explained in the work session that this is a good compromise, it would allow owners of larger properties more freedom with a new construction, while maintaining the integrity of the typical sub division standard since sub division lots are generally less than one acre. A motion to approve the amendment was made by Don Steward. A second of the motion was made by Joseph Hutchins. The roll call vote was all ayes, and the mayor declared it carried unanimously.

The next agenda item was a Resolution to adopt the annual Transportation Plan required as part of the Rebuild Alabama Act 2019-2 for the FY 2023/2024. The mayor presented the plan in the work session, explaining that the Rebuild Alabama funds are restricted funds, and must be applied to certain municipality-owned projects. The plan is to use these funds toward some items in the 2024 paving project, anticipated in the spring. Don Steward made a motion to approve the Resolution. Keith Clay provided a second. The roll-call vote was all ayes. Mayor Snyder declared it carried unanimously.

Next on the agenda was a Resolution authorizing Mayor Snyder to execute documents for the SLCGP FY 2022 Cybersecurity Grant Program Application. The mayor explained in the work session that this is a State of Alabama grant to help eligible municipalities with cyber-security programs and equipment. The mayor stated that City Hall is in need of new servers and an upgrade to its firewall, which these funds could possibly help fund. The Resolution is a requirement of the application. A motion to approve the Resolution was made by Councilman Keith Clay. The motion was seconded by Joseph Hutchins. The roll call vote was all ayes. The mayor declared the motion carried unanimously.

The next item was a Resolution approving Mayor Dana Snyder to enter into a contract with Etowah 911 for emergency dispatching services. This is a renewal of this year’s contract. Fire Chief Wade Buckner addressed the council in the work session, and gave an in-depth explanation of the benefits of the use of Etowah-911 vs. in-house dispatch, mentioning ability to coordinate with surrounding municipalities’ first responders, more advanced GPS technology for location, and faster overall response time. A motion to approve the Resolution was made by Don Steward. Keith Clay provided a second. Mayor Snyder declared the motion carried unanimously.

Next on the agenda was a resolution to authorize Public Works Director, Mark Owen to purchase 260 additional roll- out carts for trash from Sierra Mfg. Director Owen addressed the council in the work session, explaining that these are identical carts to ones the city already utilizes in the sanitation department. Director Owen stated that any surplus the city had on hand has been depleted through new residential development, as well as existing residents opting to have a second trash can, and there is a need for a supply on hand. Don Steward made a motion to approve the resolution. Joseph Hutchins seconded the motion. The roll-call vote was all ayes. Mayor Snyder declared the motion carried unanimously.

A Resolution to purchase a 19-foot pre-lit, pre-decorated Christmas Tree for the lawn at City Hall was next. Mayor Snyder presented the council with a quote in the work session for the tree and a three foot topper to be funded through lodging tax restricted for parks and recreation. The mayor explained that this item has been in the parks and recreation budget for the past 2 years. Don Steward made a motion to approve the Resolution. Keith Clay provided a second of the motion. The roll call vote was all ayes. The mayor declared the motion carried unanimously.

The next item was a Resolution to approve amendments to the FY 2022-2023 budget. Finance Director, Nickie Pylant addressed the council in the work session, and explained that there were no major issues, the one large adjustment was due to the fire station loan, as well as the loan to purchase the property between the bridges having to count as income in the Governmental accounting scheme, but both of these items would pay out and essentially be a wash. A motion was made by Joseph Hutchins to accept the Resolution. Don Steward provided a second. The roll call vote was all ayes. The mayor declared the motion carried unanimously.

A Resolution to let out bids on an administration vehicle for the Police Dept. was next on the agenda. Acting Chief of Police, Baylon Fry addressed the council in the work session, explaining that there were funds in the FY 2022-2023 Police Dept budget for a new animal control van, which is unavailable at this time. Chief Fry stated that there are 2 Administration Vehicles in the Police Department due to be rotated out of the fleet in FY 2023-2024, with limited availability and a large price increase expected on replacement vehicles next year. Chief Fry stated that there is availability at this time for these type vehicles. The Resolution would allow the city to take bids on the administration vehicle in the current budget year, and purchase the animal control vehicle in FY 2023-2024 when availability is expected to increase. A motion to approve the resolution was made by Joseph Hutchins, and a second provided by Don Steward. The roll call vote was all ayes. Mayor Snyder declared the motion carried unanimously.

The next item on the agenda was a proposal added during the work session. Acting Chief Fry requested the council approve the hiring of an additional part time officer to fill the SRO slot at Southside High School. The current SRO has been promoted to one of the vacant investigator slots in the department, and is covering the SRO slot, as well as working in investigation. Chief Fry pointed out that the SRO at Southside Elementary is a part-time retired officer, and it works out well, causing no influx of personnel or overtime liability in times when school is not in session. A motion to approve the Resolution to add a part-time SRO position to the Police Department was made by Don Steward. The second of the motion was made by Keith Clay. The roll-call vote was all ayes. The mayor declared the motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Snyder then asked if anyone in the audience had any questions or comments. There were several questions and answers delivered.

The following announcements were made by Mayor Snyder:

• The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for September11, 2023 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the council chambers at Southside City Hall.
• The next City Council meeting will be held September 12, 2023. in the council chambers at Southside City Hall immediately following the 4:00 p.m. work session.
• Parks and Recreation is having a Tasty Thursday Food Truck event in the parking lot of City of Southside City Hall. They will be open for business at 5:00 p.m.

With there being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Joseph Hutchins to adjourn at 4:59 p.m., with a second of the motion cast by Don Steward. The Meeting was adjourned at 5:02 p.m.

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Dana Snyder, Mayor
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Cindy Beshears, Acting City Clerk