January 2, 2025

Council Meeting Minutes 11-26-2024

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 of Southside City Hall on Tuesday, November 26, 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 5:02 p.m., with Councilman Joseph Hutchins leading in prayer.

The following council members were present: Mayor Dana Snyder, Council Members: Keith Clay, Danny Garnett, and Joseph Hutchins. John Hatley and Don Steward were 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 November 12, 2024. Keith Clay made a motion to approve the minutes, and Danny Garnett provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The motion carried.

The following were on the agenda to address the Mayor and Council per their Request to be on the agenda:
• Ms. Amanda Doss, who resides in Southside, is the troop leader for Girl Scout Troop 23117 (Southside). Ms. Doss addressed the Mayor and Council to request Council approval for Troop 23117 to place a “Rock Snake” on city property. Ms. Doss explained that the “snake” would be made of painted rocks by the Girl Scouts at its onset, and anyone in the community would be welcome to paint rocks to “add length” to the snake. She stated that the scout troop would make a sign to encourage community participation. There was discussion of the flower bed in front of the library as a potential location, or possibly along the walkway at the river. The council agreed this was a project that they would support. Mayor Snyder told Ms. Doss to reach out to Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Weldon to finalize a location for the project.
• Laura Durbin with The CED Mental Health Center, addressed the Mayor and Council, to ask for their support again this year with their annual Youth Conference, which involves 10th-grade students from Etowah County, to be held February 10 at the Venue at Coosa Landing at 9:00 A.M. Ms. Durbin stated that this year’s topic was the dangers of vaping. Mayor Snyder stated that the council had budgeted 300.00 dollars in the FY 2024/2025 budget for this event. The council agreed that everyone was still on board with this support.
• The Next Agenda Item was a Public Hearing regarding a potential Tax Abatement agreement with the new restaurant “A.J.’s Bar and Grill. Mayor Snyder stated that there was a Public Hearing Scheduled for this meeting and that the Public Hearing would convene at this time.
• Mayor Snyder declared the Public Hearing open and explained that this agreement was the same as the city had entered with other new restaurants coming into the city. It is in line with Amendment 772, §9401 of the Alabama Constitution. It is for abatement of 2.5% of the city’s 5% sales tax to be collected for either 3 years, or $75,000.00, whichever is met first. (the rebate could not exceed 3 years or $75,000 whichever is reached first) The mayor then asked if there was anyone in attendance who wished to make a statement regarding the tax abatement (pro or con) There were none. Mayor Snyder then closed the public hearing at 5:17 P.M. and inquired if any of the council had any questions or comments regarding the proposed tax abatement. There were none.

Old Business:

• A Resolution was presented to enter an agreement for a tax abatement with the new restaurant “A.J.’s Bar and Grill. Danny Garnett made a motion to approve the Resolution. Keith Clay provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The Resolution was approved.

• The mayor then presented the 2025 Stormwater Management Agreement, which the council had received prior in their council packet. The agreement runs from October 2024 through September 2025, and is entered into annually. The estimated proposal is $14,230.00. and is in the budget. Jason Rose, from the building department, was in attendance to answer any questions regarding the agreement. There were none. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the agreement. Danny Garnett provided the second. The Roll Call vote was ALL AYES. The agreement was approved.

• An agreement was presented with Link Business Communications for phone service at the Community Center, and Library. This is the current service used at City Hall, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Street Department, and the Fire and Police Departments. This would enable transfer of calls, and provide better communication with those city facilities. The phones are $175.00 each, and a monthly fee added to the existing bill of $78.51. This would allow the city to cancel the existing Verizon service being utilized at the Community Center and Library, at a cost of over $80.00/month. The mayor asked if there were any questions or comments by the council. There were none. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the agreement. Keith Clay provided a second. The Roll Call Vote was ALL AYES. The agreement was approved.

• The mayor informed the council that a quote to replace a faded school zone signal had been added to their packet for examination. She recognized Police Chief, Jarrett Williams to address this issue. Chief Williams stated that the Police Department had received an email from ALDOT that the sign and signal needed to be replaced, it is non-reflective and faded. The quote was from Temple Electric for $5,790.00 to replace the signal/sign. The mayor asked Finance Director, Nickie Pylant if there was a budget line item for such a replacement. Director Pylant said she did not think so, and that this would require a budget amendment approval to fund. Chief Williams confirmed that there were no time-frame stipulations from ALDOT for the replacement, and the mayor asked the council if it would be ok to add it to the next Council agenda. All were in agreement.

• Mayor Snyder gave the council a copy of the striping project, which was already approved for information purposes. She told anyone watching online, and in the audience that the Purchase Orders for the new striping have been placed, and will be scheduled to begin as soon as possible.

• With all agenda items addressed, the mayor asked for comments from the audience, and there was discussion of the possibility of a higher visibility paint for the street striping.
Mayor Snyder made the following announcements:
• City Hall will be closed Thursday and Friday this week for observance of the Thanksgiving Holidays.
• The trash service for Thursday will be picked up on Wednesday, which is a day early due to the closure.
• 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.
• 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.
• The next City Council Meeting is scheduled for December 10, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at City of Southside City Hall.
• Christmas Village Craft Fair is December 14, 9 A.M.-3 P.M. in the parking lot of the old Southside High School. It will be moved to the Southside Elementary Gym in the event of rain

The mayor then asked the council for comments individually:

Councilman Keith Clay Congratulated the Southside High School Girls and Boys Bowling teams on their sweep of the “Rocket City Classic Tournament” in Huntsville last week.4 members of the girl’s team made the all-tournament team, and 3 members of the boy’s team also made the all-tournament team, including Trey Morgan, who bowled a perfect game (300) in the tournament.

The mayor and council wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to adjourn, and the meeting was adjourned at 5:27 P.M.