January 14, 2026

Council Meeting Minutes 12-22-2025

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 Monday, December 22, 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 Keith Clay leading the prayer.

The following were present: Council Members: Keith Clay, Jennifer McGriff, Joseph Hutchins, Shane Hamm, and Danny Garnett. 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 December 9, 2025, and, if not, whether there was a motion to suspend the reading of the minutes and vote to approve them. Danny Garnett 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 recognized Councilman Keith Clay, who recognized City Clerk Cindy Beshears. Councilman Clay explained that the clerk had recently graduated with her certification as a Certified Municipal Clerk by graduating from the Clerk’s Institute through the University of Alabama.

The council then entered its work session at 5:04.

The mayor initiated the discussion of a request to surplus a 2019 Dodge Charger from the Police Dept Fleet. He stated that this is the last Charger that the City owns, it has mechanical issues, and it will be sold AS IS. He asked if there was any further discussion, and stated that he was asking the council to add this item to tonight’s agenda under new business for immediate vote. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to add this item to the agenda; Jennifer McGriff provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

Mayor Statum then presented the renewal of the concession agreement at the softball complex between the City of Southside and the Southside Girls Softball Association on behalf of Parks and Recreation Director Michael Weldon. The mayor stated that Director Weldon would like to make this agreement and yearly automatic renewal, as several other facility agreements currently are. The agreement would be severable by either party with a 30-day written notice. The mayor asked the council for a motion to add this item to new business tonight as well. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to add the contract, and Keith Clay provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

The mayor introduced the discussion of a Resolution authorizing the purchase of 8 Lifepak CR2 Automated External Defibrillators with Court Funds. The mayor stated that this item had been previously discussed and approved by the previous court officials, but had never been voted on. He asked that this be added to the Old Business portion of the agenda. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to add this to the agenda, and Danny Garnett provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

The mayor stated that Fire Chief Wade Buckner had sent him an email requesting that the City of Southside approve a new fire hydrant to be installed in front of the future Johnson’s location. He explained that Johnson’s had invested in a new sprinkler system, which required a higher water pressure than was currently available to that location. He stated that this was beneficial to the insurance premiums for the properties in the area. The mayor asked if there was any discussion, and stated that it was his understanding that the item would be $1000 or less. Water Board Chair Jason Patty was in attendance and stated that the water board had a meeting coming up, and they intended to discuss potentially helping the city with the cost. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to add this to the agenda under new business. Jennifer McGriff provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

Mayor Statum informed the council that he had been approached by the owners of Blackstone Bait Shack at Southside Landing, requesting to dissolve their rental agreement. The mayor stated that an agreement had been reached to release them from the lease agreement that would be favorable for both Blackstone and the city. He said that the location is just not a good fit for this type of business. The mayor stated that with this agreement, all monies owed to the city would be caught up, and the lease would be terminated by the end of 2025. He is requesting council permission to sign a Mutual Release of Lease Agreement. It would also be necessary to add this item on new business. He then opened the floor up to the council for discussion. There was none. The mayor then asked for a motion to include this on new business in the agenda. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to add the Release of Lease Agreement to the agenda. Danny Garnett provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

The mayor stated that he had also been contacted by Mack Johnson, of Johnson’s Giant Foods, regarding pine trees on city property behind the future Johnson’s Giant Foods building. Mr. Johnson informed the mayor that the trees were shedding needles directly onto the building, causing issues with water drainage from the roof and gutter problems. Mr. Johnson was requesting permission to cut the trees down himself, at no cost to the city. The mayor stated that he would need council approval to give this permission, because the trees are considered a thing of value. He then asked if there was any discussion; there was none. Keith Clay made a motion to add this item to the new business section. Jennifer McGriff provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

Old Business:

A Resolution was presented to approve the purchase of the 8 Lifepak Defibrillators with court funds. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution. Keith Clay provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried. The Resolution was approved.

A Resolution was presented to reclassify the Animal Control Officer from a civilian position to a sworn, certified officer, at a sworn officer’s compensation rate. Danny Garnett made a motion to approve the Resolution. Jennifer McGriff provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The Resolution was approved.

A Resolution was presented to approve the reassignment of Captain Clay Johnson from an hourly patrol position to administration and confirm compensation at Captain, step 14 on the current pay scale. Captain Johnson would be Monday through Friday, with no overtime, unless he is working overtime reimbursable through the Traffic Grant. This was recommended by the Chief of Police. Keith Clay made a motion to approve the Resolution, and Danny Garnett provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The Resolution was approved.

The next item was to approve all current Investigators to move to the on-call stipend of $3500.00/year in the current handbook. This was approved in Resolution 0-011-2024, and current Investigators were grandfathered under the previous guaranteed 5 hours/ time and a half per week overtime. The Police Department is proposing putting the Investigators in line with the handbook. Danny Garnett made a motion to approve that investigators be covered under the current handbook. Joseph Hutchins provided a second. Mayor Statum asked if there was any further discussion. Shane Hamm asked Chief Williams if this was ok with the investigators. Chief Williams responded that it was. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

Approval for a $1000.00 sponsorship of Southside Competition Cheer to nationals in Orlando, Florida, was next on the agenda. The group would serve as representatives of the City of Southside at the event. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the sponsorship; Shane Hamm provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The sponsorship was approved.

New Business:

A Resolution was presented to surplus a 2019 Dodge Charger from the Police Dept. patrol fleet. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the Resolution. Keith Clay provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The Resolution was approved.

Approval to renew the Concession agreement between the City and Southside Girls Softball Association, with automatic renewal yearly, was next. Joseph Hutchins made a motion to approve the renewal. Jennifer McGriff provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

Approval to execute a Release of Lease Agreement with Blackstone Bait Shack at Southside Landing, and give the mayor permission to sign the necessary documents, was next on the agenda. Danny Garnett made a motion to approve; Shane Hamm provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

Approval was requested to allow Johnson’s to remove pine trees from city property behind their building at no cost to the city. Shane Hamm made a motion to approve, and Joseph Hutchins provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

Approval to allow the mayor to sign a contract to install a fire hydrant in front of the Johnson’s property was presented. Keith Clay made a motion to approve. Joseph Hutchins provided a second. Mayor Statum stated All in favor say aye. All ayes. The motion carried.

The mayor opened the floor for public comments from the audience.
There were none.

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

Keith Clay congratulated the clerk on her graduation again and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Jennifer McGriff congratulated the clerk and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Joseph Hutchins wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and congratulated the clerk.

Shane Hamm congratulated the clerk and wished everyone a Merry Christmas

Danny Garnett congratulated the clerk and wished everyone a Merry Christmas

Mayor Statum congratulated the clerk and thanked her. The mayor stated that 2025 was a year of transition, and that the past 6 weeks had been exciting, and the whole staff is working hard. He stated that there would be a lot of things happening in the next 6 months that would be seen. There are a lot of things going on behind the scenes that are very exciting, and he said he would like to declare 2026 as a year of Unity in the city. He mentioned the breakfasts with the various groups and local business sponsorships to support those breakfasts. He mentioned the upcoming grand openings for Johnson’s, Vision Eye Care, and Four Points Venue. He also said that Waffle House is ready to begin construction in the Spring, and they have already paid for all their construction permits. He stated that everyone would be pleasantly surprised, and all these things will help with city revenue, which will allow things that the city to do things it wishes to do.

The mayor made the following announcements:

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
The next Regular Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in Council Chambers
The Mayor will host a “Breakfast with the Seniors” for all Senior Adults, Monday, January 5, 2026 @ 7:30 at the City of Southside Community Center. All Seniors are welcome!
The Mayor will host a “Breakfast with Pastors and Ministers” on Monday, January 12, 2026 @ 7:30 at the City of Southside Community Center. All Clergy is welcome!