December 3, 2024

Council Meeting Minutes 11-12-2024

Agenda

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, November 12, 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: John Hatley, Keith Clay, Danny Garnett, and Don Steward. Joseph Hutchins was not in attendance. With a quorum being present, the meeting was opened for the transaction of business.

Mayor Snyder asked the council if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes for the regular council meeting held on October 22, 2024. Don Steward made a motion to approve the minutes, Keith Clay provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

The mayor recognized Police Chief, Jarrett Williams, who presented Patrick Huselton with the Department’s Standard of Excellence award for his hard work and diligence to make this year’s Fall Fest very successful. Chief Williams then presented Captain Clay Johnson, Officer Jake Bell, and Sergeant Connor Vervynckt with Standard of Excellence awards in the apprehension of suspects in a vandalism incident at Southside Landing. Investigator Zach Burrage, as well as Sergeant Vervynckt and Officer Bell were awarded for their outstanding work in apprehending a suspect in a burglary at Dollar General.

The following were on the agenda to address the Mayor and Council per their Request to be on the agenda:
• Ms. LaToya Campbell, who resides in Southside, addressed the Mayor and Council to voice her desire for a policy to require residents to inform the community or their neighbors whenever a substance is placed around their property that could be potentially dangerous to pets. Ms. Campbell stated that she had lost her 2 dogs last year after they ingested a poisonous substance in her neighborhood.
• Mr. Dave Tumlin, and Ms. Syndee Isbell, with The Neely Henry Lake Association, addressed the Mayor and Council, to remind everyone of the Boat Parade on December 8, at 6:00 P.M.

The following items were on the Council Work Session

Alicia Bailey and Daniel Connor, of SAIN Associates engineering firm, have been contracted to conduct intersection studies at several intersections on Hwy. 77, reported on their findings on 3 intersections in the city: 1. Pilgrims Rest Rd/Cedar Bend Rd N, they found no “short term” recommendations, only future projects/analysis, 2. Hood Rd/Lister Ferry Rd A diagram showing the added merge lane for left turns from Hood onto Hwy 77 was presented, as well as turn lanes in both directions on Hwy 77 & truncating Lister Ferry, and 3. A diagram was presented on Hwy 77/ Cedar Bend Rd S with the representation of turn lanes in both directions on Hwy 77. There was conversation regarding the two intersections with immediate solutions, and the fact that both would qualify for funding through the ALDOT ATRIP II Grant, (which SAIN Associates would prepare the application for), this is up to 2 million dollars, and the only match for the city would be these studies, already in progress. There was a discussion of the pros, cons, and projected costs of the alternatives, and the council was in agreement to pursue the option affecting Cedar Bend Rd. South and Hwy 77, based on it being a more affordable project, which would possibly be completely covered by the Grant if awarded. At this time, the council chose to go on and approve a Resolution for the application of the 2025 ALDOT ATRIPII Grant, to be completed by SAIN Associates to address the intersection at Cedar Bend Rd. South and Hwy 77, if awarded. Mayor Dana Snyder made a motion to approve the Resolution, Keith Clay provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.
Discussion: A design for new “Gateway Signage” to refurbish existing signs at the North and South entrances to the city, as well as a new sign at the city limits on Green Valley Road was discussed. The council unanimously approved the design. The city has received an Alabama Power Gateway grant to partially fund refurbishing the North and South city entrance signs.
Old Business:

• A Resolution was presented to appoint Kat Krystowczyk to the Library Board for the remainder of the term vacated by the resignation of Marty Jackson, ending on 11-23-2025. Keith Clay made a motion to approve the Resolution, Don Steward seconded the motion. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved

• A Resolution was presented to appoint Tracey Bailey to the Library Board for the remainder of the term vacated by the resignation of Allison Williams, ending on 8-14-2025. Keith Clay made a motion to approve the Resolution, Don Steward provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

• A Resolution was presented to approve the purchase of a Pavijet MG7 mini- paver with ARPA funds for the Public Works Dept. Danny Garnett made a motion to approve the Resolution. Don Steward provided the second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYEs, The Resolution was approved.

• A Resolution was presented to approve the purchase of a Vibratory Roller w/ smooth Drum. A 24” Planer, (high flow with drum), 24 Fastcut with ARPA funds off the Sourcewell Contract with Bobcat of Gadsden for the Public Works Dept. Keith Clay made a motion to approve the Resolution, Danny Garnett provided the second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

• A Resolution was presented to approve the purchase of a VHF Radio Signal Repeater System to enhance consistency for emergency responder’s radio signals to be purchased with ARPA Funds. Keith Clay made a motion to approve the Resolution. Danny Garnett provided the second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

• A Resolution was presented to approve the purchase with ARPA Funds of a bidirectional antenna to be placed in Southside Elementary School, to enhance coverage of First Responder’s radio capabilities inside the school facilities. The total cost of the antenna is $48,900, with an MOU with the Etowah County Board of Education to pay one-half of the cost. ($24,450.00). Don Steward made a motion to approve the Resolution, Danny Garnett provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

• A Resolution was presented to approve the purchase with ARPA Funds of a bidirectional antenna to be placed in Southside High School, for enhancement of First Responder’s radio coverage capabilities inside the school facilities. The total cost of the antenna is $54,685.00, with an MOU with the Etowah County Board of Education to pay one-half of the cost. ($27,342.50). Don Steward made a motion to approve the Resolution, Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES, The Resolution was approved.

• The next agenda item was approval of a Life Jacket Loaner Station to be placed at Southside Landing by the National Boating Safety Council, in memory of Southside Resident, and Owner of TowBoat US marine recovery service. Southside residents, Brian and Crystal House were recognized to address the council and explained that Mr. Day had lost his battle with cancer in August, and this station, at no cost to the city, would be similar to 15 stations that had been placed by Mr. Day, himself to promote boating safety. Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Weldon, addressed the council, and explained the proposed location of the station. Danny Garnett made a motion to approve the station. Keith Clay provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The station was approved.

• A Resolution was presented to approve to let out bids for 2 Chevrolet Tahoe’s for the Police Department. Chief Williams explained the current conditions of the Dodge Chargers in the fleet, and highlighted some of the maintenance issues, upcoming maintenance needs, and costs to be incurred with these. There was discussion, and the council expressed their desire to continue to convert the fleet to white vehicles, citing public approval, and higher visibility. Danny Garnett made a motion to approve the Resolution. Keith Clay provided a second. The Roll Call was ALL AYES, the Resolution passed.

• A Resolution was passed to approve the agreement for the lease of a larger capacity color printer/copier for the Building Department, which had been using several smaller printers, at a much higher cost in ink cartridges. Mayor Snyder explained that the cost of the printer/copier was $254.67/monthly, with a one-time administrative fee of $75.00, and an option to purchase the printer/copier for $1.00 at the end of the 3-year agreement. Don Steward made a motion to approve the Resolution, Danny Garnett provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

• A Resolution was presented to enter into a contract with Kalbacher and Associates, LLC, and apply for the 2025 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant through the U.S. Dept. of Transportation. This is the same grant the city has applied for the past 4 years, and it would provide 18 million dollars toward the construction of a new North-Bound bridge on Hwy 77 if awarded. It would require a one-million-dollar match from the city (if awarded), which has already been committed.

• A Resolution was presented to allow the City to let out bids for retrofitting/replacement of light fixtures in city-owned structures, funded by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG), already awarded to the city by ADECA. This would replace existing light fixtures in most city-owned structures with more energy-efficient, LED fixtures, and produce significant savings on energy costs for the city. One of the requirements of the grant award is that the job go through the competitive bid process. Don Steward made a motion to approve the Resolution, Danny Garnett provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

• Mayor Snyder then inquired if anyone in the Public Attendance had any questions or comments. There were none.

• With all agenda items addressed, the mayor recognized Finance Director, Nickie Pylant, who was seeking council approval to make the following moves with existing C. D.’s due to mature at the month’s end:

Upon maturation of the ARPA C.D., place the funds into the ARPA account, and the earned interest into the General Fund.
A Fire Station C.D. ($204,723) to be rolled into a 6-month C.D. at 4.5% interest.
Paving C.D. (192,870), (600,000) to be rolled to 180-day C.D.’s, which would mature in May, which would make the funds available if there should be a paving project in spring. (There was approval at the last meeting to approve a paving C.D. which will also mature in April). The interest already earned would be deposited into the General Fund.
Director Pylant stated she was just seeking council approval to make these moves, and all the CDs will be 4.5% interest. The city has made almost $40,000 on C.D. interest in the past 11 months, Fire Station C.D. interest was $10,465. Don Steward made a motion to approve Director Pylant to make the discussed moves. Keith Clay provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The funds will be moved accordingly.

Mayor Snyder made the following announcements:

• The next City Council Meeting is scheduled for November 26, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at City of Southside City Hall.
• The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for December 9, 2024, beginning at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers at City of Southside City Hall. (Nov. 14 meeting canceled due to lack of agenda)
• The Christmas Parade is Monday, December 2 @ 6:00 P.M. Down School Drive, Tree Lighting/Santa at City Hall (Line up at 5:00 P.M.)
• The Boat Parade is Sunday, December 8 at Southside Landing @ 6:00 P.M.
• Christmas Village Craft Fair is December 14, 9 A.M.-3 P.M.

The mayor then asked the council for comments and entertained a motion to adjourn. Don Steward made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Keith Clay provided a second. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 P.M.

                            ______________________________
                                                                                            Dana Snyder, Mayor

Cindy Beshears, Acting City Clerk

Minutes

CITY OF SOUTHSIDE
COUNTY OF ETOWAH
STATE OF ALABAMA

The following items were on the Council Work Session

Alicia Bailey and Daniel Connor, of SAIN Associates engineering firm, have been contracted to conduct intersection studies at several intersections on Hwy. 77, reported on their findings on 3 intersections in the city: 1. Pilgrims Rest Rd/Cedar Bend Rd N, they found no “short term” recommendations, only future projects/analysis, 2. Hood Rd/Lister Ferry Rd A diagram showing the added merge lane for left turns from Hood onto Hwy 77 was presented, as well as turn lanes in both directions on Hwy 77 & truncating Lister Ferry, and 3. A diagram was presented on Hwy 77/ Cedar Bend Rd S with the representation of turn lanes in both directions on Hwy 77. There was conversation regarding the two intersections with immediate solutions, and the fact that both would qualify for funding through the ALDOT ATRIP II Grant, (which SAIN Associates would prepare the application for), this is up to 2 million dollars, and the only match for the city would be these studies, already in progress. There was a discussion of the pros, cons, and projected costs of the alternatives, and the council was in agreement to pursue the option affecting Cedar Bend Rd. South and Hwy 77, based on it being a more affordable project, which would possibly be completely covered by the Grant if awarded. At this time, the council chose to go on and approve a Resolution for the application of the 2025 ALDOT ATRIPII Grant, to be completed by SAIN Associates to address the intersection at Cedar Bend Rd. South and Hwy 77, if awarded. Mayor Dana Snyder made a motion to approve the Resolution, Keith Clay provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.
Discussion: A design for new “Gateway Signage” to refurbish existing signs at the North and South entrances to the city, as well as a new sign at the city limits on Green Valley Road was discussed. The council unanimously approved the design. The city has received an Alabama Power Gateway grant to partially fund refurbishing the North and South city entrance signs.
Old Business:

• Mayor Snyder then inquired if anyone in the Public Attendance had any questions or comments. There were none.

Upon maturation of the ARPA C.D., place the funds into the ARPA account, and the earned interest into the General Fund.
A Fire Station C.D. ($204,723) to be rolled into a 6-month C.D. at 4.5% interest.
Paving C.D. (192,870), (600,000) to be rolled to 180-day C.D.’s, which would mature in May, which would make the funds available if there should be a paving project in spring. (There was approval at the last meeting to approve a paving C.D. which will also mature in April). The interest already earned would be deposited into the General Fund.
Director Pylant stated she was just seeking council approval to make these moves, and all the CDs will be 4.5% interest. The city has made almost $40,000 on C.D. interest in the past 11 months, Fire Station C.D. interest was $10,465. Don Steward made a motion to approve Director Pylant to make the discussed moves. Keith Clay provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The funds will be moved accordingly.

Mayor Snyder made the following announcements:

The mayor then asked the council for comments and entertained a motion to adjourn. Don Steward made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Keith Clay provided a second. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 P.M.

                            ______________________________
                                                                                            Dana Snyder, Mayor