Council Meeting Minutes 08-27-2024

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 27, 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 John Hatley leading in prayer.

The following council members were present: Mayor Dana Snyder, Council Members: Don Steward, John Hatley, Keith Clay, Danny Garnett, and Joesph Hutchins. With a quorum being present, the meeting was opened for the transaction of business.

Mayor Snyder informed the council that there was a minor change in the minutes they had received in their packet Thursday regarding the adjournment of the previous council meeting. Mayor Snyder stated that the minutes were changed after clarification from city attorney, Richard Rhea. The mayor then asked the council if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes for the regular council meeting held on August 13, 2024. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the minutes, Don Steward provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

The first item on the agenda was the Council Work Session

The only work session item on this agenda was discussion of changes that would be involved if the city went from the 2015 building and electrical codes currently being used, to the proposed 2021 building codes, and 2020 IRC codes to remain current with the State of Alabama. Building inspector, Judd Rich provided the mayor and council with a packet in addition to one they had received prior with facts and clarifications on some of the differences. Mr. Rich fielded questions from the mayor and council members regarding specific items and concerns changing in the codes, and there was discussion of potential items to be removed to amend the codes before consideration of adoption. The council asked Judd Rich to do more research on some items, and why they were included or excluded, and provide answers at the next council meeting for more discussion.

Next on the agenda was discussion of the Sun shade Bids for the playground at Southside Landing, which were opened August 26 in council chambers. Mayor Snyder stated that there were 6 bids received, 2 of which were disqualified due to not meeting specifications. The low bid has yet to be determined pending a request for more information from one of the bidders regarding warranty and quality of materials they plan to use. Mayor Snyder stated that Parks and Recreation Director Weldon had requested that the council table this item until the September 10, 2024 meeting in order for him to collect all the information and determine his recommendation. Don Steward made a motion to table the item. Danny Garnett seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

A Resolution was presented to accept an Alabama Power Foundation Gateway Grant of $1800.00 to go toward refurbishing signs at city “gateways”, or entrances to the city. Don Steward made a motion to accept the grant. Joseph Hutchins seconded the motion. The roll call vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

The next agenda item was a Resolution to allow the Police Chief to approve off duty assignments for supplemental income. Mayor Snyder recognized Chief Williams to address the council on the subject. Chief Williams stated that this was something that had come up in his meetings with AMIC, who provides the city’s liability insurance, and that an actual policy regarding outside work, accepted by the council needed to be on record in order for the officers to accept off duty assignments. Chief Williams stated that he had been unable to locate an existing city policy regarding outside employment for officers. Mayor Snyder clarified that this policy was necessary for the officers to wear their City of Southside Uniforms, drive their patrol cars, and carry their city-issued service weapons. Councilman Clay brought up limits on hours worked and mandatory breaks for law enforcement, Chief Williams stated that a policy like this would help keep account of amount of actual time officers are working as a total. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the resolution, Don Steward provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

Chief Williams then presented a potential agreement with “Off Duty Management” to manage off duty scheduling and opportunities of the Police Department for council consideration. The Chief explained that this is a company who contracts with businesses and organizations looking for security, providing officers off duty from participating departments that are available to be scheduled. Off Duty Management passes the salary, and service fee along to the organization seeking the service, not the city. They also provide 15 million dollars in liability coverage including workers comp coverage. There was discussion of probability of local organizations actually using a contract service vs more local options currently available. There was discussion regarding responsibility of liability regarding law enforcement on or off duty, and the possibility of an in-house liaison to manage the scheduling of off duty assignments. Mayor Snyder asked the council if they would like to indefinitely table this item. Don Steward made a motion to table the agreement with Off Duty Management, Keith Clay provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The item was tabled.

The mayor then inquired if anyone in attendance had any questions, there were questions from attendees regarding building code requirements.

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 September 10 at 5:00 in council chambers at city hall

Invitations to bid on the Community Center Floor Replacement went out on Wednesday, August 14. They will be opened on Friday September 6 at 1 P.M.

Mayor Snyder recognized council members individually for their comments.

Don Steward made a motion to adjourn, Joseph Hutchins provided a second. The meeting adjourned at 5:49 P.M.

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Dana Snyder, Mayor

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Cindy Beshears, Acting City Clerk