October 29, 2025

Council Meeting Minutes 10-14-2025

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, October 14, 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 Dana Snyder called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m., with Resident Dan Childs leading the prayer.

The following were present: Mayor Dana Snyder, Council Members: Keith Clay, Don Steward, Joseph Hutchins, Danny Garnett, and John Hatley. With a quorum present, the meeting was called to order for business transactions.

Mayor Snyder then asked the council if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes for the regular council meeting held on September 23, 2025, and if not, was there a motion to suspend the reading of the minutes and vote to approve them. Keith Clay motioned to approve the minutes, and Joseph Hutchins seconded the motion. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion was approved.

Mayor Snyder asked the council if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes for the September 30, 2025, Runoff Election Canvass meeting, and if not, was there a motion to suspend the reading of the minutes and vote to approve them. Keith Clay made a motion to approve, and Danny Garnett provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The minutes were approved.

A proclamation was read by the acting City Clerk declaring October 2025 Down Syndrome Awareness Month in the City of Southside. Area Resident, Katie Makenzie, who was in attendance, was recognized and thanked the Mayor and Council for the proclamation.

Mayor Snyder stepped to the Podium and recognized Councilman Don Steward for his 25 years of service to the City of Southside on the City Council and as Mayor Pro Tempore. She presented him with a Proclamation and a crystal service award. Councilman Steward, the Mayor, and Council posed for a picture.

Mayor Snyder then recognized Councilman John Hatley for his 21 years of service to the City of Southside on the City Council. She presented Councilman Hatley with a Proclamation and a crystal service award as well. Councilman Hatley also had a picture made with the Mayor and Council.

Mayor Snyder then recognized the following service milestones for city employees and presented them with certificates of appreciation for their service. She recognized the following who were in attendance:

Dennis Barnard, 20 years, Public Works,

Captain Clay Johnson, 21 years Police Department,

Brian Freeman, 22 years, Public Works,

Joey Clark, 24 years, Public Works,

Steven Barnard, 30 years, Public Works

The Mayor and Council had pictures made with each honoree.

Due to prior commitment, Parks and Recreation Director, and Volunteer Firefighter Michael Weldon, and Parks and Recreation Employee Vagan Higganbotham were unable to attend, and were also recognized for 21 years of service.

Mayor Pro Tem Don Steward then took the Podium, thanked the City of Southside for his time in office, thanked the employees who were honored for service, and recognized his family who were in attendance. He then read a Proclamation Honoring Mayor Dana Snyder for her 9 years of service on the City Council and as Mayor. Mayor Snyder took a picture with the Council.

The mayor recognized Chief of Police, Jarrett Williams, who presented Animal Control Officer, Victoria Moman, with the Officer of the Quarter award for the 3^rd quarter of 2025. Chief Williams praised Officer Moman and stated that she is always willing to help and goes the extra mile. Officer Moman received her award and had a picture made with the Mayor and Council.

The Council then entered its work session:

A sponsorship request was presented for council discussion on behalf of Etowah County Extension of Alabama 4-H. The council discussed the request and decided that since this was not one of the budgeted sponsorships, they would add 4-H to the list to be included in next year’s budget.

Library Director Sheila Watwood was recognized and took the podium to address the council. Director Watwood addressed the council, requesting the re-appointment of Kat Krzystowczyk and Tracey Bailey to the library board seats they currently occupy for full terms through 2029. Both were appointed to partial terms to finish out the terms of board members who had resigned. Director Watwood was also requesting to appoint Deborah Twigg to finish the term of board member, Melinda Smith, who had to resign because she is now employed part-time with the library. The Director explained that the Library is required to have a board of 5 to qualify for state aid. The council decided to add this to tonight’s agenda.

Mayor Snyder stated that the Zoning Board of Adjustment Chair had reached out, due to Board Member Tina Cody’s term recently having expired, and Board Member Traci Thomason’s term being due to end on October 22. He was requesting that they be reappointed due to their experience on the board. The mayor asked if there was any discussion from the council. Councilman Danny Garnett stated that he feels that the Library Board needs to be at full staff; however, he would prefer to wait for the new administration to make full-term appointments. Councilman Steward inquired if those currently on the board, even if they had an expired term, would continue to function in their official capacity until replaced. Mayor Snyder stated they were to serve until either reappointed or replaced.

New Business:

A Resolution was presented to authorize the mayor, or her Designee to execute an easement agreement with Alabama Power to relocate some power sources on the city property currently being remodeled by BASCO for Johnson’s Giant Foods. The mayor stated that due to 5000 square feet in addition to the existing structure, some of the power sources will need to be moved. Don Steward made a motion to approve the Resolution. Joseph Hutchins provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved,

A Resolution was presented for approval of a $1000.00 sponsorship of the 3^rd annual DEF fishing Apparel Veteran’s Day Fishing Tournament at Southside Landing. Mayor Snyder recognized Parks and Recreation Employee, April Cowart, who was representing the Department in the absence of Director Weldon. Ms. Cowart explained that this is a family-friendly event with several activities throughout the day, as well as the tournament and weigh-in. She stated that Parks and Recreation had accounted for the sponsorship in their budget.

It will be November 8 at Southside Landing. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution, and Don Steward seconded. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

2 Resolutions were presented on behalf of the Fire Department, and Mayor Snyder recognized Chief Wade Buckner to discuss them. The first was a Resolution to purchase a new Brush Truck off the state bid list, which they will equip so it can be used as a pumper as well as a rescue vehicle. Chief Buckner stated that this vehicle would be considerably more cost-effective at around $65,000 than replacing the current Rescue One pumper truck at $365,000. The second Resolution was to surplus to the needs of the city, the 2011 Ford F550 Mini pumper that is currently Rescue One. Keith Clay made a motion to surplus the 2011 Ford, and Joseph Hutchins provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved

Keith Clay made a motion to approve the Resolution to purchase the 2025 Ford Brush Truck, and Joseph Hutchins made the second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

A Resolution was presented to approve the Police Department to apply for the 2026 LETS Traffic Safety Grant through ADECA. Police Chief Jarrett Williams stated that this is the same traffic grant that the city annually applies for to help offset the costs of patrol. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution, and Don Steward provided a second. The Roll Call Vote Was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

The Library Board appointments added from the work session were next. Debra Twigg to complete a term ending 7-26-2026, re-appoint Kat Krzystowczyk to a term ending 11-23-2029, and appoint Tracey Bailey to a term ending 08-14-2029.

Don Steward made a motion to approve all 3 Resolutions for appointment. Keith Clay provided the second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. All 3 Resolutions for Appointment to the Library Board were approved.

The mayor then asked if anyone in attendance had anything to add.

Resident Dennis Twigg was recognized and thanked the Mayor, Council, and city employees for their service. He stated that the community needed to come together and gel after the election. He wants Southside to be at the forefront and a place to be proud of.

Mayor Snyder reiterated Mr. Twiggs’ sentiments.

Resident Barry Hathcock was recognized and requested that the city look into the condition of the rights of way on Mountain Shadows trail, and the water board’s pump house on Mountain Shadows. Public Works committed to checking out the right of way, and water board member Dan Childs is committed to checking out the pump house.

The Mayor recognized the newly elected officials who were all in attendance, and offered her congratulations.

Councilman Joseph Hutchins was recognized and asked if the council would like to go on and consider the reappointment of Tina Cody to the Zoning Board of Adjustments since her term had already expired. Keith Clay stated that he didn’t mind waiting until the new administration was in office. Don Steward stated that he felt that the council should fill the vacancy, and he did not think the new mayor would have a problem with it. Councilman Hatley agreed. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to reappoint Tina Cody to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a term to end 7-14-2028. Don Steward provided the second. The Roll Call Vote was as Follows:

Keith Clay: YES, John Hatley: YES, Don Steward: YES, Joseph Hutchins: YES, Danny Garnett: NO (on principle), Mayor Snyder: YES. The Reappointment was approved.

The mayor then asked each council member if they had anything to add:

Keith Clay: NO

John Hatley: NO

Don Steward: Reiterated that the community is awesome, and has good new officials coming in. He offered to help the new administration in any way. He thanked his family for being in attendance. He pointed out how successful the city has been in recent years, and thanked the city employees, and all he has served with.

Joseph Hutchins: Thank you to John Hatley, Don Steward, and Mayor Snyder for all their help and guidance during his first term, and thanked them for their service.

Danny Garnett: Thank you to the outgoing mayor and council members for their service, he said they had good experiences and good debates.

The next City Council Meeting is scheduled for October 28, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at City of Southside City Hall.
The next Planning Commission meeting is November 10, 2025, at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers at the City of Southside City Hall.

Mayor Snyder then thanked City Attorney Richard Rhea for his 33 years as the city attorney.

Don Steward made a motion to adjourn. Joseph Hutchins provided a second. The meeting was adjourned at 5:46