December 23, 2025

Council Meeting Minutes 12-09-2025

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 of Southside City Hall, on Tuesday, December 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 Joey Statum called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m., with Councilman Danny Garnett leading the prayer.

The mayor stated that Councilman Clay had asked permission to be absent due to a Christmas obligation with family. He also stated that the City Clerk was at a training institute, and Assistant Clerk Macy Winningham would be filling in. He asked Ms. Winningham to call the roll.

The following were present: Council Members: Jennifer McGriff, Joseph Hutchins, Shane Hamm, and Danny Garnett. Councilman Keith Clay was absent. With a quorum present, the meeting was called to order for business transactions.

Mayor Statum then asked the council whether there were any corrections or additions to the minutes for the regular council meeting held on November 25, 2025, and, if not, whether there was a motion to suspend the reading of the minutes and vote to approve them. Joseph Hutchins motioned to approve the minutes, and Shane Hamm seconded the motion. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

The mayor stated that he was making slight changes to the agenda and recognized Amy Hassell, the Southside High School Cheer Coach, and the Southside High School Competition Cheer Squad. Their representative, Addison Friedburg, addressed the council and requested that the council sponsor the team as it represents the city at the national cheer competition in Orlando in February 2026. The mayor stated that the sponsorship was $750.00 last year, and asked the council if they wished to think about this, or take some action now. Councilman Hutchins asked Coach Hassell how short they were at this time, and she responded that the cost was $980 per cheerleader, with 19 going. Councilman Hutchins stated that he was thinking $1000.00. All the council members agreed to the $1000 and wished to add it to the next agenda for a vote.

The mayor stepped to the podium for the recognition portion of the agenda. He stated that a resident had recently been presented with an award from the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association District IV as their Community Service/Outstanding Volunteer for the year. Ms. Suzi Latham was recognized as the awardee, and the mayor stated that she was nominated by the City of Southside Parks and Recreation Department and Director, Michael Weldon. The Mayor read the nomination submitted by the Parks and Recreation Department, and the Mayor and Council had pictures made with Ms. Latham and offered their congratulations.

The council then entered its work session at 5:12.

Fire Chief Wade Buckner gave the monthly report from the Fire Department. He stated that the Fire Dept. responded to 94 calls this month, and its average response time was 4minutes, 23 seconds.

Police Chief Jarrett Williams stated that they responded to 743 calls in November, 439 were traffic stops, 21 were animal control. The command staff (Chief Williams, Captain Johnson, and Lieutenant Patty are in the 8^th week of the Southeastern Leadership Command College at JSU. Chief Williams proposed several changes for the Police Department: first, to move a flock camera to Cedar Bend Rd. South, which will cost approximately $750.00 to complete. Next, some changes to the investigations unit, which currently operates under an old policy, where both investigators are on call at the same time, which is every day of the 2-week pay period. Chief Williams proposed that the investigators rotate on-call weeks. This would create a change for the current investigators, who are operating under the old policy of 10 hours on-call pay per pay period, to either 5 hours on-call pay or the current policy of a $3500/year on-call stipend for investigators. Chief Williams stated that the department’s evidence technician had recently left the department to go to the EMA, and he proposes that the current animal control officer, Moman, has a forensics degree from JSU, and he would like to move her from Animal Control to the Evidence Technician position. He stated that her pay rate was the same as the previous Evidence Technicians, so he would like to move Officer Moman to that position. He would also like to make the Animal Control position a sworn officer, which he and Councilman Garnett have spoken on before, and the Department has a sworn officer interested in the position. He would like to move Officer Zane Pruitt to the animal control position. His rate of pay is $20.03, plus a .50-night shift differential per hour, based on an 84-hour 2-week rotation. Officer Moman’s rate was $17.28 on an 80-hour work week. He stated that Officer Pruitt is aware he will be based on 80 hours with no night shift differential, and he is ok with the changes. This would result in the Animal Control Position becoming a sworn officer position. He also requested to move the captain to administration, which would be Monday-Friday, going to step 14 on the pay scale, no longer being eligible for overtime, only compensatory time if he goes over 80 hours. He is aware of these differences and is also ok with the changes. He would still be eligible to work compensated overtime under the current LETS traffic grant when it is in effect. Chief Williams stated that this would result in an approximate $23,000 savings in overtime to the city. He asked the council if they had any questions. Mayor Statum asked if Officer Moman would still be acting as a part-time animal control officer if necessary. Chief Williams responded that she would. Councilman Garnett stressed the value of having the Animal Control Officer be a sworn Police Officer. There was a discussion of the pay scale of the replacement Officer for Officer Pruitt. Chief Williams explained that it is totally relevant to experience and certification. The Chief stated that these proposals would take effect in the first pay period in January. There was a discussion of the amended stipend already in the current handbook.

The next item was approval of the Tahoe Bid, which is on the agenda under Old Business

The bids for the softball complex lighting were received, and Two-a-Days was the lowest qualifying bid. The budget was $300,000, and the bid was $265,000, which is under budget for the project. The Mayor stated that this company had been vetted, and its bid qualified. The mayor stated that the bid was on the agenda for a vote.

Mayor Statum then moved on to the Safety Improvement Project. He stated that this project is to re-do the lighting in the areas of the Community Center/Football Field area. He stated that the engineering for the project would be $20,040. This will improve all lighting in the area, and would add a safety platform hump to slow down traffic in the area of the competition gym. He then asked the council if they had any discussion. Councilman Hutchins stated that the safety of the area has been the priority of the project the whole time it has been on the table, and the sooner the engineering is complete, the sooner the project can commence. He would like to see it completed as soon as possible. He also stated he would like to add it for consideration on tonight’s agenda. Councilman Garnett agreed. Mayor Statum stated that the engineering firm feels, weather permitting, the project could be completed by fall 2026. The mayor asked for a motion to add to the new business, which was made by Joseph Hutchins, and Danny Garnett provided a second. All were in favor.

OLD Business:

A Resolution to accept the Bid from Donohoo Chevrolet of $ 52,253.32 for one 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV for the Police Department. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution; Shane Hamm provided the second. The mayor stated All in favor say aye. All Ayes. The motion carried.

A Resolution was presented authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract accepting property to be gifted from the Etowah County Board of Education, then execute a contract with GMC for engineering work on the property once it is acquired. Jennifer McGriff made a motion to approve the Resolution; Shane Hamm provided the second. The mayor stated All in favor say aye. All Ayes. The motion carried.

NEW Business:

The mayor stated Southside Competition Cheer would be added to the next agenda for approval.

A Resolution to surplus items from the Police Department was presented. Mayor Statum asked for a motion to approve the Resolution to surplus the item listed in the council’s information packet for surplus. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution, and Shane Hamm provided the second. The mayor stated All in favor say aye. All Ayes. The motion carried.

The Safety Improvement Project engineering for $20,040, which was added from the work session, was next. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to allow the mayor to enter a contract with GMC for the engineering costs. Danny Garnett provided the second. The mayor stated All in favor say aye. All Ayes. The motion carried. Joseph Hutchins reiterated that this is to add lighting to the area.

Mayor Statum then asked the council individually if anyone had anything to add:

Jennifer McGriff thanked Chief Williams and Chief Buckner for all they do.

Joseph Hutchins thanked Michael Weldon and the Parks and Recreation team for their efforts and job done with the Christmas Parade, and he congratulated Suzi Latham on her award.

Shane Hamm thanked Michael Weldon and April Cowart for the job on the Christmas Parade. Congratulations to Suzi Latham

Danny Garnett stated that the Parade was exceptional, and the night was special.

Mayor Statum reiterated the comments from the council about the parade. He also stated that this staff is very good and does a great job. He addressed Suzi Latham and told her he appreciated her and everything she and her businesses do for the community.

Joseph Hutchins brought up approving the bid for the Sports Complex Lights. This had been accidentally overlooked for a vote during New Business. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to accept the bid from Two A Days LLC for $265,000. Danny Garnett made a second. There was a discussion on the potential timeline for completion. Mayor Statum stated: All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

The Mayor made the following announcements:

The next Regular City Council Meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 22, at 5:00 p.m. due to the Christmas Holidays
The City Employees will have their annual Safety Lunch on December 23, at 12:00. City Hall will close for the Holidays at this time.
Trash pick-up for Christmas Week will be: Monday and Tuesday: Regular Schedule, Wednesday and Thursday scheduled pick up will be on Friday.
The Next Planning Commission Meeting will be held on January 12, 2026, in Council Chambers
Southside Elementary is open until 7:oo for a Christmas Tree Contest. Go vote when you leave
Southside is hosting Glencoe in basketball tonight.

The mayor then opened the floor for Public Comments.

He recognized Southside Resident, former mayor Dana Snyder, who asked about the GMC contract amount for the engineering on the potential donated property behind the competition gym. Which is: $155,500.00 for the entire project. The mayor thanked everyone for being present

Resident Dennis Dryer was recognized and stated that he had recently called the police to his property about an issue, and while the officer was there, he mentioned that the current Chief was one of the best people he had ever worked with. He just wanted to pass that information along.