October 17, 2025

Council Meeting Minutes 09-09-2025

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 Hall on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. 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 Pro Tempore Don Steward called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m., with Councilman Joseph Hutchins leading in prayer.

The following were present: Council Members: Keith Clay, Don Steward, Joseph Hutchins, Danny Garnett, and John Hatley. Mayor Dana Snyder was not in attendance. With a quorum present, the meeting was called to order for business transactions.

Councilman Steward asked the council if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes for the regular council meeting held on August 26, 2025. Joseph Hutchins motioned to approve the minutes, and Danny Garnett seconded the motion. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion was approved.

The Council entered its work session at 5:03 p.m.

The first item on the work session was the Public Hearing, which had been previously noticed regarding the possible additional tax abatement for A.J.’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill to assist in moving the sign, which had been inadvertently placed on the State of Alabama DOT right of way. Councilman Steward opened the Hearing and asked if anyone in attendance had any questions or comments. Resident Tim Fuhrman raised his hand and was recognized to address the council. Mr. Fuhrman asked, since the A.J.’s issue was due to misinformation being given by the city, was there not an engineer involved during the course of the remodel/design process of this property? He stated that an engineered plan should have informed the owners of the right of way, and this liability should be on the engineer. Councilman Steward explained that the property (building and parking lot) was redesigned by an architect, and there was no sign in the original plans. The sign was added after the plans were submitted and permits issued. Building and Zoning Official Judd Rich was in attendance and stated that he had spoken with ALDOT again and that this is a very unusual occurrence. The sign is not on the right-of-way off State Highway 77, but on a right-of-way created at a 45-degree angle due to the intersection of Forestdale Road at Highway 77, giving another 50 feet of right-of-way down Forestdale, which is a unique situation that no one at the city was aware of. Mr. Fuhrman suggested that signage be added to the permitting requirements in the future. Councilman Steward then inquired if anyone else, either in the audience or on the Council, had anything else on this matter. They did not. Councilman Steward made a motion to add this proposed abatement/incentive to the next council meeting. Joseph Hutchins provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The abatement will be added to the next agenda for a vote. Councilman Steward closed the Public Hearing at 5:07.

The next work session item was a discussion of the closing costs for the previously approved purchase of the property on Powell Street. Councilman Steward stated that the council had made the decision to purchase the property and approved the price; however, they had to approve the closing costs involved. He stated that the closing attorney had just sent this information today, and closing costs should be no more than $1700.00. He stated there was a little discrepancy in the original costs of $1680.00; however, if the council approves up to $1700.00, that should cover the closing. Councilman Steward made a motion that the council approve up to $1700.00 for the closing on the property at a Friday closing. Councilman Keith Clay provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The closing costs up to $1700.00 were approved.

New Business:

Councilman Steward recognized Police Chief Jarrett Williams, who addressed the council regarding a Resolution being presented for the purchase of an additional dashboard camera for one of the 2 new Police Fleet Tahoes. Chief Williams stated that one Tahoe would be outfitted with the dashboard camera from a recently surplused Dodge
Charger in the fleet, and the one additional dashboard camera would make the entire fleet equipped. He stated the additional camera would just be added to the existing 5-year agreement with AXON for the dash cams for an additional $3,657.49 to this year’s contract payment. Danny Garnett made a motion to approve the purchase. Keith Clay provided the second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution to purchase the Dashboard Camera was approved. Councilman Hutchins asked Finance Director Nickie Pylant if this purchase would cause any budget issues, since it is the end of the fiscal year. She stated that she had looked at the P. D. account, and it should be fine.

Councilman Steward asked if anyone in the audience had anything to add.
They did not.

Councilman Steward then asked each council member individually if they had anything to add.
They did not.

• The next Planning Commission meeting is October 13, 2025, at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers at City of Southside City Hall.
• The next City Council Meeting is scheduled for September 23, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at City of Southside City Hall.
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Joseph Hutchins made a motion to adjourn. Keith Clay provided a second. The meeting was adjourned at 5:12