September 9, 2026

Council Meeting Minutes 08-25-2026

Agenda

Minutes

The City Council of the City of Southside, Alabama, met in regular session on August 25, 2026, at the Southside City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Joey Statum called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

Council Member Shane Hamm delivered the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. In attendance were Mayor Joey Statum and Council Members Keith Clay, Jennifer McGriff, Shane Hamm, and Danny Garnett. Council Member Joseph Hutchins was not in attendance. Mayor Statum informed the council that Councilman Hutchins had been held up with work and would try to make it before the meeting adjourned. A quorum was declared present.

The first item on the agenda was the approval of the minutes of the August 11, 2026, Council Meeting. Keith Clay moved to suspend the reading of the minutes and approve them as presented. Danny Garnett seconded the motion. Mayor Statum stated All in favor, say aye—all ayes. The minutes were approved.
No proclamations, recognitions, or individuals signed in to address the Council at this time.

The Work Session began at 5:03 p.m.

Discussion: Quarterly Financial Report: Finance Director Nickie Pylant presented a summary of the City’s quarterly financials through June. Revenues were generally at or above the 75% budget benchmark, with sales tax at approximately 74.08%. Expenditures were reviewed by fund. Sanitation expenditures were above budget primarily because the City paid approximately $200,000 to pay off a garbage truck that had not been included in the original budget. Other funds were reviewed, including paving, fire, gasoline tax, MCJAF, correction, and capital improvement funds. No action was taken.
Discussion: Budget Amendment Ordinance– First Reading. Finance Director Nikki Pylant reviewed proposed quarterly budget amendments. The amendments included changes to General Fund revenues and expenditures, administrative expenses, police, streets, sanitation, the fire tax fund, and equipment accounts. The amendments included a net General Fund revenue increase of approximately $117,200. The Council was advised that certain expenditure changes were presented because they met the City’s financial policy threshold requiring Council review. The ordinance received its first reading. A second reading and vote will be placed on the next agenda for a vote.
Discussion: Compensatory Time Over 200 Hours. Mayor Statum presented a proposed buyout of compensatory time in excess of 200 hours in accordance with the employee handbook. The amount remaining over the 200-hour threshold was reported as $4,723.44. The Mayor recommended paying the affected employees the amount before the start of the new budget year. The matter will be placed on a future agenda for formal action.
Discussion: Mayor Statum presented a graphic to the council of a new SRO Tahoe Vehicle Wrap. The Council discussed approval of a school-themed body wrap for the School Resource Officer’s Tahoe. The vehicle will be used for school-related activities, including football games. The item was placed on the agenda for immediate consideration.
Discussion: The Mayor presented a prospective Police Officer Buyout. The Council discussed authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract for the buyout of a police officer from another municipality for $18,008.49. The officer will be required to enter into an agreement providing reimbursement to the City if the officer leaves employment before completing a two-year commitment. The matter was placed on the agenda for immediate consideration.
Discussion: Water Board Reappointments. The Mayor recommended the reappointment of Galen Pierce and Jason Patty to the Southside Water Board for six-year terms. Mr. Pierce’s term will run through May 11, 2032, and Mr. Patty’s term will run through August 24, 2032. Councilman Danny Garnett, the council representative on the Water Board, discussed the importance of retaining the existing members because of their involvement in ongoing water, sewer, bridge, infrastructure, and meter projects.
Discussion: The Mayor presented a request to enter into a contract for 2027 Southside City Fest Headline Entertainment. The Council discussed authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract for the headline entertainment for the 2027 Southside City Fest, scheduled for May 1, 2027. The Mayor reported that approximately 80% of the City Fest planning checklist had been completed and that the headliner would be announced by the performer after execution of the contract. The event is intended to remain free to the public through sponsorship support. The item was placed on the agenda for immediate consideration.
Discussion: A Resolution was presented for the Surplus of City Hall Items. The Council discussed declaring various outdated City Hall furniture and other items surplus. The items are expected to be grouped into lots and sold as-is after approval by the Council.
Discussion: A Resolution was presented to authorize the application to the ALM Economic Development Academy. The Council discussed a resolution authorizing the City’s application to participate in the Alabama League of Municipalities Economic Development Academy for 2027. The application deadline is September 15, 2026, and participation would require the Mayor or a Mayor-appointed designee and two Council Members, with up to seven total participants. The program consists of four classes during the next budget year. The item was placed on the agenda for immediate consideration.
Discussion: Economic Development Authorization. The Council discussed a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute documents related to ongoing potential economic development opportunities. The Mayor explained that the matter relates to an existing non-disclosure agreement and is intended to authorize the necessary documents to move the potential development forward. The item was placed on the agenda for immediate consideration.

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS

SRO Vehicle Body Wrap. Keith Clay made a motion, and Danny Garnett provided a second to approve the body wrap. Mayor Statum stated, “All in favor, say aye—all ayes.” The motion carried.
Police Officer Buyout. Jennifer McGriff made a motion to approve the buyout, and Keith Clay provided a second. Mayor Statum stated, “All in favor, say aye—all ayes.” The motion carried.
Reappointment of Galen Pierce to Water Board. Danny Garnett made a motion, and Shane Hamm provided a second; Mayor Statum stated, “All in favor, say aye—all ayes.” Gaylon Pierce was reappointed to the Water Board for a 6-year term to end May 11, 2032
Reappointment of Jason Patty to Water Board. Danny Garnett made a motion, and Shane Hamm provided a second to reappoint Jason Patty to the Water Board for a six-year term extending from August 24, 2026, through August 24, 2032. Mayor Statum stated, “All in favor, say aye—all ayes.” The motion carried.
2027 Southside City Fest Headline Entertainment. Jennifer McGriff made a motion, and Keith Clay provided a second to authorize the Mayor to execute the contract for the 2027 Southside City Fest headline entertainment. Mayor Statum stated, “All in favor, say aye—all ayes.” The motion carried.
Surplus Property. Shane Hamm made a motion, and Keith Clay provided a second, to declare the listed City Hall items surplus for disposal and sale as authorized. Mayor Statum stated, “All in favor, say aye—all ayes.” The motion carried.
ALM Economic Development Academy. Keith Clay made a motion, and Jennifer McGriff provided a second to authorize the City’s application to participate in the 2027 Alabama League of Municipalities Economic Development Academy. Mayor Statum stated, “All in favor, say aye—all ayes.” The motion carried.
Economic Development Documents. Shane Hamm made a motion, and Danny Garnett seconded to authorize the Mayor to execute documents related to ongoing potential economic development opportunities. Mayor Statum stated, “All in favor, say aye—all ayes.” The motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND COUNCIL COMMENTS

During the public comment period, a question was raised regarding information concerning the location and status of the local post office. The Mayor stated that the post office had closed and that stamps could be obtained at Johnson’s. Council Members were then allowed to provide comments. Council Member Danny Garnett commended the recent Friday night football game and the participation of the community and students. Other Council Members had no additional comments.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mayor Statum encouraged citizens to support the local schools and announced that Thursday night football would be held at Hokes Bluff.
The Southside Farmers Market is held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers
The next Taste of the Town food truck event is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at City Hall
The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
The Southside Public Library will host an author and book festival on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Community Center, featuring local authors, food trucks, door prizes, and other activities.
Donations for Feed the Hungry continue to be collected at Southside Baptist Church, Rainbow City Library, and Southside Public Library, with distribution continuing through the Baptist Mission.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Shane Hamm made a motion to adjourn, and Danny Garnett provided the second. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote at 5:26