September 24, 2026

Council Meeting Minutes 09-08-2026

Agenda

Minutes

The City Council of the City of Southside, Alabama, met in regular session on September 8, 2026, at the City of Southside City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Joey Statum called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Council Member Danny Garnett delivered the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. In attendance were Mayor Joey Statum and Council Members Jennifer McGriff, Joseph Hutchins, Shane Hamm, and Danny Garnett. Council Member Keith Clay was not in attendance. Mayor Statum informed the council that Councilman Clay was out of town. A quorum was declared present.
• The first item on the agenda was the approval of the minutes of the August 25, 2026, Council Meeting. Joseph Hutchins moved to suspend the reading of the minutes and approve them as presented. Shane Hamm 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: Fire Department Monthly Report: Chief Wade Buckner
Chief Buckner presented the Fire Department report for August 2026:
• Total calls for service: 88
• Approximately 68% of calls were medical in nature.
• Two truck fires:
• One in the Metro area (outside the city)
• One in Western Hills, quickly extinguished by the homeowner
Minor injuries were treated and released on scene.
Council acknowledged and thanked the Fire Department for its work.
• Discussion: Police Department Monthly Report: Public Safety Director, Thomas Hunt
Public Safety Director Hunt presented the Police Department report for August 2026:
• 365 total calls for service
• 36 animal calls
• 667 traffic stops
• 52 reports written
• 14 accidents
• 351 citations issued
• 316 warnings issued
• 16 arrests
• 2 protests handled
The Council had no questions about the report.
• Discussion:2022 Ford Expedition – Status and Recommendation:
Director Hunt discussed a 2022 Ford Expedition, previously declared surplus to the needs of the city in May:
• Subsequent inspection revealed prior damage (including lighting damage from a deer strike), which reduced its surplus value.
• The vehicle has approximately 47,000 miles and remains a viable asset.
• Recommendation:
• Rescind the surplus designation.
• Repair the damage and lights.
• Wrap the vehicle in an SRO/high school style wrap, similar to the previously approved Tahoe.
• Utilize the vehicle as a School Resource Officer (SRO) vehicle at the high school, ensuring one SRO vehicle at each school.
• This item was placed under New Business for Immediate Consideration.
• Discussion: ALDOT BRIDGE REPLACEMENT RESOLUTION
• The Council discussed a proposed resolution from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) regarding the Northbound Hwy 77 bridge replacement project:
• The document is a standard ALDOT template resolution used for similar projects.
• The resolution authorizes ALDOT to proceed with the bridge project.
• It provides that any city streets paved or improved by ALDOT to connect back to Highway 77 will thereafter be maintained by the City of Southside.
• Mayor Statum noted that the bridge project has not yet been let, but is expected to be let by the end of the month, per ALDOT. At the 09-22-2026 Council meeting, Mayor Statum requested that this statement be corrected. He has, since the 09-08-2026 meeting, discovered that the demolition portion of the bridge project had been let out, and the bid opening would be Thursday, September 24, in Montgomery
• No objections were raised. The resolution was scheduled for a vote under New Business.

• Discussion: FISCAL YEAR 2026–2027 BUDGET – FIRST READING
• The Ordinance Approving the FY 2026–2027 Budget was presented for first reading.
• The Council previously conducted a special called public work session on August 28, 2026, to review and discuss the proposed budget.
• Since that meeting, one adjustment was made:
• The City’s 20% local match for the school safety pedestrian walk project (80/20 grant) was added as an expenditure line item.
• Insurance costs came in under budget, creating savings.
• Approximately $7,700 was reallocated from Miscellaneous and combined with the insurance savings to maintain a balanced budget.
• Adjusted revenue total: $9,143,002.57, with expenditures balanced to this amount.
• Updated budget back sheets reflecting a balanced budget were distributed to the Council. No additional questions were raised. This item will return for second reading and adoption at a subsequent meeting.

• OLD BUSINESS
• Ordinance No. 0-007-2026 – Budget Amendments (Second Reading)
The Council considered Ordinance No. 0-007-2026, concerning budget amendments previously discussed at the last council meeting and reflected in supporting documentation. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Ordinance; Jennifer McGriff provided a second. A roll call vote was taken:
Keith Clay – Absent
Jennifer McGriff – Yes
Joseph Hutchins – Yes
Shane Ham – Yes
Danny Garnett – Yes
Mayor Statum – Yes
The motion carried, and Ordinance No. 0-007-2026 was adopted.
• Employee Comp Time Payout
The Council considered payment of employee compensatory time in excess of the 200-hour cap outlined in the personnel handbook:
• Several employees had accumulated comp time exceeding 200 hours.
• The proposal is to pay down comp time balances to bring employees under the 200-hour limit.
• The total cost of this payout is less than $5,000.
• Staff has substantially reduced comp time balances over the preceding months.
Danny Garnett moved to pay out employee comp time in excess of 200 hours, as presented. Shane Hamm provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor, say aye—all ayes. The motion was approved.
• NEW BUSINESS:
• Resolution No. 0-048-2026, ALDOT Bridge Replacement Project, was presented. A motion was made by Jennifer McGriff and seconded by Danny Garnett to approve the Resolution. Mayor Statum stated All in favor, say aye—all ayes. The Resolution was approved.
• Resolution No. 0-049-2026 – Rescinding Surplus Status of 2022 Ford Expedition was presented. A motion was made by Joseph Hutchins, and seconded by Shane Hamm, to approve the Resolution. Mayor Statum stated All in favor, say aye—all ayes. The Resolution was approved.
• Approval – SRO Wrap and Lighting Repairs for 2022 Expedition
The Council considered authorization for repairs and outfitting of the previously mentioned 2022 Ford Expedition:
• Repair the vehicle’s lighting and prior body damage.
• Apply an SRO-style wrap
• Place the vehicle into service as a School Resource Officer vehicle assigned to the high school.
A motion was made by Joseph Hutchins and seconded by Jennifer McGriff to approve the Resolution. Mayor Statum stated All in favor, say aye—all ayes. The wrap and repairs were approved.
• COUNCIL AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
• Public Comments:
None.
• Council Comments:
The council was asked individually if they had any comments. There were none.
• Mayor’s Comments (Mayor Statum):
The mayor reported that the city is moving forward with many exciting projects and expressed appreciation for the community’s support. The following announcements were made:
• Southside Cheer Spirit Night at McDonald’s, Thursday, 5- 7 p.m. 20% of proceeds benefit SHS Cheer.
• Southside Football Game Scheduled for Friday at 7 P.M. at Barney Hood Stadium
• Southside Farmer’s Market Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Taste of the Town: Thursday, September 10, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at City Hall
• Planning Commission Meeting canceled due to lack of agenda items.
• Southside Public Library – Author & Book Festival, Saturday, September 19, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Next Regular Council Meeting: Tuesday, September 22 at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers
• Feed the Hungry Donations Collection sites: Southside Baptist Church and Rainbow City–Southside Public Libraries; distribution coordinated by Etowah County Baptist Missions.
• ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council:
Joseph Hutchins made a motion to adjourn; Shane Hamm seconded the motion. The motion carried by voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 5:13 p.m.